(DANBURY, CT)- May 27, 2009- Two major summer entertainment events in Danbury- A three day music festival and the Connecticut Film Festival- have joined forces to present an original lineup of local and regional music at various venues in Downtown Danbury from June 4th through the 6th.
“Bridgeport, New Haven and New London are Connecticut's independent scenes but Danbury has always stood apart since the early sixties,” said Dave Bonan, Director of Interactive and Music for the Connecticut Film Festival, and who has been documenting Danbury's music scene for several years. “The music scene in Danbury is fiercely original and independent and this year’s Connecticut Film Festival is the ideal way to experience them all in one comprehensive venue.”
More than 70 musical performances and concerts will make the Connecticut Film Festival feel more like a festival atmosphere than ever before with free downtown outdoor shows throughout the week on the Danbury Green and at the Danbury Public Library Plaza. Even after the movie screenings and outdoor music ends, several local venues like Cousin Larry's Cafe, Heirloom and the Ale House will provide continued original music until closing.
“Emerging independent recording artists performing their own original material was the criteria for selecting the bands, “ said Connecticut Film Festival Director Tom Carruthers. “We want rising stars who are working their own tours and many of these artists already have numerous credits under their belt with songs placed on sound tracks of popular television shows, video games and movies, while others are just about to break it big.”
Tony Yacobellis, producer of the popular Sub Rosa Party at Cousin Larry's Café, Jay LaPierre, owner of Heirloom Arts Theater, and Milford songwriter and producer Melissa Mulligan are responsible for selecting and securing all of the bands. In addition, Jimmy Eros, production manger of the Norwalk Oyster Festival, will be producing the entire musical component for the Festival.
“For the past three years, Sub Rosa Party has made Danbury an appealing stop on the East Coast for touring musicians of all types,” said Tony Yacobellis. “We have been utilizing City Ale House, as well as the Heirloom Arts Theater to accommodate the demand. Our regular weekly radio show on WXCI 91.7 FM every Monday from 5:30-7pm brings the music to the masses, pre-show. We look forward to co-producing the music for the Connecticut Film Festival.”
Music education and performance workshops will be held at the Danbury Music Center located at 256 Main Street on Fri., June 5 from 11:30am-2:30pm and Sat., June 6 from 10am-2:30pm. Free outdoor concerts will take place at the Danbury Green on Ives Street, June 4, 6:45pm-10:30pm, June 5 at 3:30pm-11pm and June 6 from 3pm-11pm. Danbury Public Library Plaza at 170 Main Street will feature acoustic and folk performers on June 5 from 2pm-8pm and June 6 from 1pm-8pm.
Performers of note are the Melissa Mulligan Band on the Green, June 5 at 8pm, Mike Falzone and the Peppermint Trick at 9:30pm, Kicking Daisies on June 6 at 4:30pm and Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams at 7:30pm. In addition, the 3rd Annual MS Benefit at Cousin Larry's on June 6 from 4pm-close, will feature more than 15 bands under one roof.
Music Schedule
Indoor/Outdoor Performances
Thursday, June 4
Talking to Walls, 6:45pm-7:45pm
Dylan Connor, 8:00pm-9:00pm
Paper and Sand, 9:30pm-10:30pm
Friday, June 5
Brian Dolzani, 3:30pm-4:30pm
Gerald Goode, 5pm-6pm
Jim Wolf, 6:30-7:30pm
Melissa Mulligan Band, 8pm-9pm
Mike Falzone & The Peppermint Trick, 9:30pm-11:00pm
Saturday, June 6
Seth Adam, 3:00pm-4:00pm
Kicking Daisies, 4:30pm-5:30pm
King For a Day, 6:00pm-7:00pm
Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, 7:30pm-9:00pm
Caravan of Thieves, 9:30pm-11pm
Danbury Library Plaza – 170 Main Street
Friday, June 5
Michel Rae Driscoll, 2pm-3pm
Meg Hackett, 3:30pm-4pm
Lara Herscovitch, 4:30pm-5:30pm
ArleneWow!, 6pm-8pm
Saturday, June 6
Nicole Thompson, 1pm-2pm
Bonnie Lee Panda, 2:15pm-3:15pm
Ken Safety, 3:30pm-4:30pm
Welcome, 5pm-6pm
Brian Jarvis, 6:30pm-8pm
Cousin Larry's Cafe
1 Elm Street
203.730.0035
Presents: SubRosa Party
Tuesday, June 2
Trashed on Fiction, The Field Recordings, 10pm (I added field recordings)
Wednesday, June 3
An evening with Blue!, 10pm
Thursday, June 4
Hierosonic, Failure's Art, 10pm
Friday, June 5
White Knuckle Rodeo, Planeside, Amalgama, 10pm
Saturday, June 6
4th Annual MS Benefit feat. Over 15 artists
4pm-close
Jon Chapman, Mantyhose, Marc Huberman, Brian Grosz, John Kaz, Neil Boys Beach Diamond, Mo' Niklz, Joe Roberto & Poverty Hash, Baby Dragon, Zelazowa, The_Arsonaut, The Lippars, Dan O,
D_Cyphernauts, Henchmen, Odei
Ale House
253 Main Street
203.790.HATS
Thursday, June 4
Dave Kardas Band, Baby Dragon + guests, 10pm
Friday, June 5
Trevor Jude Smith, Lion's Teeth, 10pm
Saturday, June 6
Positive Mental Trip, The Terryl Lee Band, 10pm
Heirloom Arts Theatre
155 Main Street, Palace Walk, last door on right
Thursday, June 4
These Are Powers, 11pm
Los Debutantes, 12am
Ghostie, 12:30am
Open Star Clusters, 1am
Satanized and Hot Guts, 1:30am
Friday, June 5
Tim Fite, 11pm
Amanda Bloom, 12am
Toby Goodshank of The Moldy Peaches, 12:30am
Schwervon!, 1:15am
Saturday, June 6
Deer Tick, 11pm
Sidewalk Dave, 12am
Sarianna & the Swell, 1am
Music Workshops
Danbury Music Center
256 Main Street
203.748.1716
Friday, 11:30am-1pm
Vocalist Workshop
Presenter: Suzanne Vick and Melissa Mulligan
Vocal instructors and WPKN radio hosts Suzanne Vick and Melissa Mulligan host a workshop for vocalists of all ages, styles and experience. Participate in vocal exercises and discussions about everything from ear training to site reading, vocal health and proper nutrition for singers. Attendees may have a performance evaluated - first come/first served.
Friday, 1pm-2:30pm
Songwriter Round
Presenters: Mike Falzone, Arlene Wow!, Melissa Mulligan
This will be a fun, casual and constructive songwriter round designed to sharpen your skills as both a writer and performer. It will be led and moderated by Mike Falzone (his music has been licensed by MTV and he has opened for Ryan Cabrera, Kate Vogele of One Tree Hill, Third Eye Blind and State Radio), popular rock artist Arlene Wow! and Fairfield County Weekly's “Best Singer/Songwriter”, Melissa Mulligan.
Saturday, 10am-11:30am
The Home Made Album - I Can, But Should I?
Join the debate as panelists discuss the virtues of home studio recording and when it's time to use your band fund for a professional studio instead of pizza.
Saturday, 12pm-1pm
Drum Clinic with the World's Fastest Female Drummer
Presenter: Caitlin Kalafus
At 16 years old, CT's own Caitlin Kalafus is already on record as the world's fastest female drummer. She is the winner of I-95 FM's "Drummer Idol" and is the drummer for the band Kicking Daisies; rock-n-roll's newest sensation. Come see what she's got and learn how to get some. By the way, her record is 799 beats per minute - with her feet alone.
Saturday, 1:15pm-2:30pm
Managing Your Music Career
Presenter: Mike Mangini
Grammy award-winning producer Mike Mangini (Jonas Brothers, Joss Stone, Dionne Warwick, Smash Mouth, Elliot Yamin, Melinda Doolittle, Baha Men, and many more) leads a panel discussion on how to manage your music career in the ever-changing landscape called "The Music Biz."
Danbury Green Main Stage – Ives Street