Marlborough Arts Center

Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti

A living History of American Women, through the words of the award-winning interpretive oral historian Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti, is coming to the Marlborough Arts Center’s 4^th Friday @ the Arts Café on Friday, September 23, 2022. Her program is titled “If I am not for myself who would be for me”, the actual words spoken by Ona Judge who was enslaved by Martha and George Washington. Gwendolyn’s portrayal of historical women introduces untapped American history, drawing on a wide array of primary historical resources. For the past 22 years Gwendolyn has engaged audiences giving voice to real life accounts, struggles, self-determination and triumphs of the women she portrays. The quality of her work has been recognized by theaters and groups across the country. Her performances have been described as “enthralling” for audiences of all ages. She speaks in the first person as she tells their stories. This is an evening for all members of your family.

Among her many awards, Gwendolyn is an artist with New Hampshire Humanities to GO!, The National Women’s History Alliance, Strawbery Banke Museum, New England Touring Artist Funding Program, Solo Together Interpreters, and is a Charter Member of The National Museum for African American History and Culture. She has received certificates of merit from the Office of the Secretary of State Connecticut, Greater Hartford Arts Council, Alliance Award from The Institute of Texas Cultures of San Antonio, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the Strawbery Banke Museum’s Award for Living, and took 1^st Place in the International Interpretive Reading Toastmaster Award. With her versatility she was also crowned Ms. Senior Connecticut in 2010.

Marlborough Arts Center is at 231 North Main Street, Marlborough, Connecticut. Admission is $10 per person. Doors open at 7:00 PM with the performance beginning at 7:30.  Masks are suggested. There is ample parking and the Arts Center is ADA accessible.

Flute Loops is a community based adult flute choir that comprises all skill levels. When the group was formed the goal was to give non-professional players (though some are retired professionals) opportunities to perform in venues and at events that are usually reserved for professional players. Directed by Erin Vivero (www.erinvivero.com), Flute Loops has grown from three members to fifteen and has performed all over the state of Connecticut from Gillette Castle, to retirement homes, to Niantic, Glastonbury and more! Members also come from all over the state: Voluntown, Wallingford, East Haddam, Colchester, Pawcatuck, Gales Ferry, Portland, South Windsor, Coventry, Middletown, Baltic and Windham. This year the group has been invited to perform at the National Flute Association’s 50th Annual Convention in Chicago and will be headed there in early August. Flute Loops is a place to learn and grow musically as an individual as well as with a group and humor is a must!

Our performance for the Marlborough Arts Center on August 20th will consist of large ensemble pieces as well as small chamber ensemble pieces. There will be music that will be new and some that will be familiar to audiences members and we hope they will enjoy the experience.

Maubara Erin Vivero is based out of East Haddam, CT. Be sure to check out her website here!

Saturday Summer Concerts Outdoors on the Marlborough Arts Center’s beautiful landscaped lawns for 2022 include: Shubert and Cote Guitar Duo on June 25; Sal Basile and David Spitzer of Dually Noted on July 23; and Flute Loops on August 20. These concerts at 231 North Main Street in Marlborough, CT begin at 2 PM and are lovely opportunities to bring music and entertainment into your summer lives for a couple of hours on the 4^th Saturdays of the month. Summer Concerts are free of charge but a $10 donation per person is suggested. Bring your own seating. Masks are recommended. Ample parking is available.

In case of disturbing weather conditions, we will move the concert inside the beautiful Charles W. Hall Art Gallery.

The Saturday July 23, 2022 Outdoor Concert at the Marlborough Arts Center features Sal Basile and David Spitzer. Known as “ Dually Noted”, they are multi-talented musicians who bring familiar songs and sparkling renditions to every concert. Sal and Dave grew up being influenced by Elvis, Bobby Darrin, Dion, Brenda Lee, The Four Seasons, The Four Tops, the Beatles, Stones and Dave Clark Five, the Beach Boys and also the big band sounds. When you attend one of their concerts it is like living a history of music from the 50’s and 60’s. Meld all these influences and countless others from folk music, country music and the blues, and the result is these delightfully entertaining and memory-provoking musicians. It is impossible not to move and sing along with them. Their personal stories of the music world will keep you laughing as you do. In this concert they will play various guitars, bass, keyboard, synthesizer and their voices to interpret this repertoire.

The concert on the beautiful grounds of the Marlborough Arts Center at 231 North Main Street, Marlborough, CT begins at 2:00 p.m. Outdoor Concerts are free of charge, but a $10 donation per person is suggested. Bring your own seating. There is ample parking. In case of disturbing weather conditions, we will move the concert inside the beautiful art filled Charles W. Hall Art Gallery.

The Marlborough Arts Center’s 4th Friday @ the Arts Cafe highlights the well-known musical group “Seat of Our Pants” (SOOP) on May 20 at 231 North Main Street, Marlborough, CT. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., but doors open at 7:00. Admission is $10 per person. There is ample parking and the Arts Center is fully accessible.

As one of the most popular shows at the Arts Center, Marlborough’s own SOOP will be back for the tenth time, making them like old friends of MAC’s musical scene. They play an array of instruments starring Mark Hall, Jeff Gorman, Peggy Harvey, and led by Carolyn Brodginski on vocals and her 34 string harp. Seat of Our Pants is an acoustic folk/blues/bluegrass/country/old time/rock quartet who play in the live music scene throughout the state, although they say that they feel like the Arts Center is their “home stage”. Their tastes are quite eclectic and it is the variety of their music that creates fun for them and their audiences. Their personalities bring humor into their performances so that an evening with them is very interactive and a delight for all ages. If you are looking for a special evening of music that will get your toes tapping and put a smile on your face, we suggest you save the evening of May 20 on your calendars. In anticipation, check out their website: https://seatofourpantsmusic.com/home.  

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.

For everyone’s health and safety we are following CDC and State of Connecticut guidelines for indoor events. We recommend wearing masks but proof of vaccination and boosting is not required. BYOWine will be allowed again after a long hiatus. We thank everyone for understanding.