Middletown, An Arts Destination

When you think of arts, you might think of New York or Chicago, or around here, probably the Goodspeed Opera House, but Downtown Middletown is challenging you to change the way you think. Middletown is so chock full of artistic expression that you really must give it some serious consideration.

The Buttonwood Tree features comedy, improv and live music on a regular basis, and when I say regular basis, I mean all the time. Just about any day of the week, there is something going on there, whether its a poetry reading, a band, or karaoke, there are arts to explore at the Buttonwood Tree. Some of these events are performances from musicians or artists from around the country while others are locals, and still more are arts you can participate in. Readings, potlucks for poets, and laughter yoga are just some of the things on their calendar of events and all are worth checking into further.

Oddfellows Playhouse is another incredible asset to the city of Middletown. Just up the road from Main Street, this little theater features plays and musicals all the time and its youth theater group is a terrific way for kids to gain more exposure to performing arts. Oddfellows even offers a circus camp for kids starting at age 8, with instruction in an assortment of circus-like performance arts. Want to learn to juggle or walk on stilts? This is your place. Just want to see a quality show, Oddfellows, again, is the place to be.

The Green Street Arts Center is an initiative of Wesleyan University that provides arts instruction including an afterschool program for middle school and high school students, and private lessons in the arts. They offer classes in integrative arts, songwriting, African drumming, dance movement, hip hop dance, capoeira, Latin dance, clowning, breakdancing, tap dance, environmental art, fashion, art and science, experiments, observation to imagination, poetics of rap, American sign language, improvisational theater, digital photography, animation, and more. Private lessons can range from learning to playing an instrument or dancing  to digital animation or recording and almost everything in between.

And of course, there is Vinnie's Jump and Jive which has taken a desire for community and fitness and thrown in dance to create something very special - a cool community place where you can take dance lessons at affordable prices as an adult! With their social dances, hip hop classes, ballroom dances and even classes for parents with their preschoolers, Vinnie's offers a very accepting arts environment.

Of course, Wesleyan University is a great place for arts. Check out The Davison Art Center, the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery, the Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies, and Wesleyan Potters for example, but don't forget the theatrical performances, recitals, solos, concerts, cultural dance performances and so much more.

If you're interested in buying art and seeing what other artists have on display, Middletown features several places to do that as well. Forbidden City Bistro, Its Only Natural restaurant, Klekolo World Coffee, Sweet Harmony Cafe, Tavern at the Armory all display works of art for sale.

Coffee shops and restaurants around Downtown also often feature live bands as well. For live music check out Us Restaurant, Klekolo, Sweet Harmony, Mezzo Grille, Tuscany, La Boca, and New England Emporium.

Middletown even has a web site that calendars all its arts programs and events in one place. Check it out at www.arts2go.org.

So when you're looking to broaden your cultural horizons, engage personally with the arts, or just catch a show, think Middletown! You just can't miss.