Ashly Cruz

Ashly Cruz Benefit Concert in support of the ART PARK

Ashly CruzAshly Cruz is coming back to Marlborough! The Marlborough Arts Center, at 231 North Main Street in Marlborough, CT., is pleased to announce that Ashly Cruz is performing her noted International Cabaret Show as a Benefit Concert in support of the ART PARK project on Friday, May 8, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Ashly will be singing songs in French, Spanish, and Italian, plus Broadway tunes, Jazz favorites from her “Ella” shows, and, of course, her ever popular Rock and Roll. Her inimitable style and personality make her shows events to remember and this is a show you do not want to miss.

Ashly Cruz is a Connecticut native who began her musical career as a dancer in the Hartford Ballet Company, later becoming a founding member and choreographer of the Hartford Contemporary Dance Theater. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Carnegie Mellon University in the prestigious Musical Theater Drama Department. Before graduating she landed a small part in the CBS Movie of the Week, “No Place Like Home” starring Jeff Daniels. Her love of song, dance, and theater led to starring roles in television and at regional theatres across the country, including the Hartford Stage Company, Pittsburg Playhouse, and Ocean West Theater Company in Los Angeles where she formed, and became the lead singer for, the rock band “Taboo You” which headlined at The Roxy and The Whiskey on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. After the break-up of the band, she went on to Nashville, where she put together a special French/American Cabaret show which drew great crowds.

Now back in her home state, Ashly has headlined at BB King’s Dance Club at Foxwoods Casino, as well as bringing her wide variety of song and dance to La Vie En Rose Bistro in New London. Never still for long, she released her first single and video titled “My Tango Baby”, as well as developing the unique “Cardio Latino” which is a fun and effective fitness routine that has become a craze in Connecticut for the last three years. At the urging of fans, and looking for the excitement and creativity of her days in California as a real rocker, she has led the development of one of Connecticut’s hottest rock bands: Cruz Machine. She is a multi-talented performer and just being in the audience means having fun and an exciting evening.

Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $15/individual. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. so come early to visit the Gift Shop, relax, and settle down for great entertainment. BYOWine. Other refreshments are available. There will also be an opportunity for those who attend and would like to contribute, beyond the admission fee, to the Marlborough Arts Center’s ART PARK project, which is to buy and preserve the adjoining parcel of undeveloped land, one of the last in the area, and to create an ART PARK with sculpture garden and walking paths, and a labyrinth for quiet reflection, within this natural setting for artists and art lovers alike.

The Marlborough Arts Center is a non-profit regional center for the fine arts, performing arts, and fine crafts, and completely organized by volunteers. The building and grounds are fully accessible. Visit the website www.marlborougharts.org or call (860) 295-9389 for details about membership, as well as the myriad exhibitions, shows, classes and artistic possibilities open to the public.

4th Friday @ the Arts Cafe on April 24th

The Marlborough Arts Center’s “4th Friday @ the Arts Cafe” presents the musicians of the well-known “Seat of Our Pants” on Friday, April, 24, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at 231 North Main Street, Marlborough, CT. They are an acoustic folk/blues/bluegrass/country/old time/rock trio who are based in Marlborough but play in the music scene throughout the state. This quartet is composed of Carolyn Brodginski on vocals/guitar/dulcimer, Mark Hall also on vocals plus percussion/cajon/cowbell, Jeff Gorman on electric and acoustic bass/guitar/harmonica, and their newest member, Mike Frantzen on fiddle. They were a dynamic trio and they are now even more dynamic as a foursome. Their tastes are quite varied and it is the variety of the music that creates the fun for them, and for their audiences. Their personalities bring humor into their performances so that an evening with them is very interactive and a delight for all ages.

Their group formed serendipitously in 2011 when the three decided to play together just for fun after an impromptu performance by Carolyn and Jeff at the Marlborough Tavern on a night when Mark was playing with another band. It wasn’t long before they started hitting the coffee house circuit, many times playing by the seat of their pants after just a brief rehearsal – and “Seat Of Our Pants” was born. Audiences often sing along when they hear familiar tunes from folk/rock artists like Simon and Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, as well as to their own versions of up-tempo songs you’d never expect to hear from an “unplugged band”. There are even some of their originals in the mix by this prolific trio.

The Marlborough Arts Center is a non-profit regional center for the fine arts, performing arts, and fine crafts. These “4th Friday @ the Arts Cafe” evenings, held in the gracious Charles W. Hall Art Gallery, add music and a convivial atmosphere to the beautiful setting and are an opportunity for people in the communities around to relax together and enjoy art in its many forms.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., but doors are open by 7:00, allowing a chance to see the art, visit the Gift Shop with its unique creations by artist members, and settle in for the music. Admission at the door is $ 10 per person. BYOWine. Other refreshments are available. Visit the website www.marlborougharts.org or telephone (860) 295-9389 for more details on the many artistic activities offered by the Marlborough Arts Center.

President Joan C. Lester’s April Letter to the Membership

“Spring has sprung, the grass is rizz”, notes an old ditty from my childhood. Well, the beginning spring was a bit weak after our past winter, but at home we do have 2 crocus blossoms that “rizz”, so surely others will follow. Spring does bring a sense of renewal and energy and that is certainly so at MAC.
First, I want to thank everyone who has contributed so far to make the Vision of the ART PARK a reality. If you haven’t pledged, now is the time to join in. Remember that even with the $80,000 grants we’ve applied for, we must raise half , $40,000, by the end of May! We’ve received a range of pledges, from those at $1,000  to those of $25; ALL are important and appreciated so, if you can, please send a pledge via email to lee.lester@att.net or mail a check payable to Marlborough Arts Center to 231 North Main Street, Marlborough, CT 06447.
This means fund raisers are happening! We start with a Fund Raiser Dinner Party on Saturday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. in our beautiful Charles W. Hall Art Gallery at $30/person. This 4-course Dinner has been planned by Diane Sandler, a master chef, and features chicken piccata as a main course, chocolate truffle cake and whipped cream as dessert, and includes wine and coffee. There will also be a silent auction of art works upon which to bid. What an opportunity for fun while doing good! Board Members have tickets for sale OR to reserve leave a message for Diane at the Arts Center telephone (860) 295-9389.
April has more: the day before the Dinner we have 4th Friday @ the Arts Cafe on Friday, April 24 starring the popular Seat of Our Pants. This dynamic group of three musicians is now an even more dynamic group of four: Carolyn Brodginski, Mark Hall, Jeff Gorman, and now Mike Frantzen on fiddle. They are so talented and so much fun to be with; they make the whole atmosphere like just friends getting together, except that fortunately these friends are extremely talented musicians. What a way to enjoy the weekend at the Arts Center.
Watercolor Classes have started (see classes on website), a sure harbinger of Spring along with those wee crocus blossoms. It’s time for joy again.      
As Spring’s warmth blesses us all, I do look forward to seeing you at the Fund Raiser Dinner and at 4th Friday,
Joan

Support The ART PARK: FUND RAISER DINNER!

What is an ART PARK?

It is for YOU. A park with paths and plantings where you can set up your easel or tripod, or sit on a bench and enjoy the natural beauty. For more information, please see https://marlborougharts.org/. The Marlborough Arts Center is in the process of purchasing the adjoining wooded lot, one of the last parcels of land in the area that is left in its natural non-developed state. We plan to preserve the land in this natural state and to create an ART PARK within it for the use of the community and region as an extension of our Mission as a regional center for the arts, culture, and history of the area.

We have applied for a grant from The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, but must raise at least half of the funds for this purchase from our members and other supporters of the arts. The Marlborough Arts Center is a Non-Profit Regional Center for Fine Arts, Performing Arts and Fine Crafts. As a 501C3, your donation is tax deductible.

Support The ART PARK!

Join us for a Four Course Dinner on Saturday, April 25th, 2015

At the Marlborough Arts Center, 231 North Main Street, Marlborough, CT 06447

Sign up by downloading this form: Art Park Dinner party Flyer

Dinner Includes:

Assorted Appetizers

Tossed Salad and Focaccia Bread

Chicken Piccatta over Fettucine

Chocolate Truffle Cake with Whipped Cream

Coffee and Wine

$30.00 per person

6:30 P.M.