Café Topia Plans Summer SizzleBy Susan Bush
12:00AM / Thursday, June 02, 2005
 | | Caryn Heilman and Nana Simopoulos of the Topia Arts Center |
Adams – The summer menu at Café Topia on Park Street offers more than edible fare; the entertainment schedule lists rare musical performances, island-style dance events, a drumming workshop, and two wine-tastings that will raise revenues for the Topia Arts Center.
“We’re very pleased with the lineup of artists, who are basically donating their time to get this up and running,†said arts center co-founder Caryn Heilman. “The artists are really helping to bring people in for the shows.â€
Berkshire-based musician Yatri is slated to perform “The Glass Armonica Series†on June 11 and July 23 at 8 p.m.. The armonica was invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761 and is considered a rare and fragile instrument. The glass armonica is made of 35 pure
quartz crystal “singing bowls;†Yatri’s armonica was reconstructed in 1989 by master glassblower Gerhard Finkenbeiner. The Topia performance will feature a jazz format and improvisational style with backup by guest instrumentalists including Topia founder
Nana Simopoulos on the sitar and guitar. Admission is free.
The event will offer a rare opportunity to see and hear a glass armonica, Heilman said.
“[Yatri] doesn’t bring this out very often because it is so fragile,†she said.
The wine-tastings are scheduled for June 9 and June 30 at 7 p.m.. There is a $25 admission and reservations are recommended, said Heilman. Joe Smegal of Grape Finds has agreed to lead the event, which will feature light Mediterranean cuisine including
spanakopita [spinach pie], stuffed grape leaves, Kalamata olives, and a tantalizing dessert, Heilman said.
“We have the most amazing baklava in the area,†she said.
Proceeds from the wine events will benefit the Topia Arts Center.
The café is operating six days a week and Heilman said she welcomes diners with an appetite for good food. The café opens at 10 a.m. on Mon., Wed., Thurs., and Fri.; on Sat.and Sun., the café opens at 11 a.m.. The café closes at 7 p.m. on Sun., Mon., and Wed., at 9 p.m. on Thurs., and at midnight on Fri. and Sat..
The June 3 “Caribbean Dance Party†is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. with dance instructor Sonia Puccio, who will spend an hour teaching dance steps and an aerobic warm-up.
Dancing begins at 9. Admission is free.
The Topia Arts Center and Café Topia are located at 27 Park St.. Additional information may be acquired at www.TopiaArts.org, or by calling 413-743-9600.
Susan Bush may be reached at 802-823-9367 or by e-mail at suebush123@adelphia.net.
A listing of June and July events is listed below.
June 3
Caribbean Dance Party
June 4 at 8 p.m.
New York City based "Skinprov" presents a funny evening of games and songs completely improvised based on audience suggestions. Simple objects become magnificent dieties,a location becomes a scene, and a simple word can turn into a musical. Please join us in this event starring director/performer Sharon Fogarty, Tessa Gibbons, Christine Magee, Liz Lord and Trey Tuefel.
June 9 at 7 p.m.
Wine Tasting Benefit
$25 includes 5 light courses of food and wine
Reservations 413-743-9600
June 10 at 8 p.m.
Stephanie Weber's "Noor-un-nisa"
American Traditions
Rhythm dialogues in Tap Dance, Spoken Word and Music
Admission free
June 11 and July 23 at 8 p.m.
Yatri in The Glass Armonica Series
American Traditions
Admission free
June 16th at 7 p.m.
Select screenings of independent film, video and internet art.
Admission free
June 17 and July 1 at 8 p.m.
World Music of Nana with LiquidBody Dance
Nana's new world music played on sitar, bouzouki, didgeridu and frame drums. Rhythms and melodies, vocal and instrumental, from around the world artistically blended into a sound that is unique and beautiful. Caryn Heilman's LiquidBody dance works with the limited Cafe space to focus on movement journeys within the landscape of the body using interactive resonance and video.
Admission free
June 18 at 8 p.m.
Women Slightly on the Edge
one woman show based on the text of acclaimed Spanish playwright Felix Sabroso starring Puy Navarro from Spain with multimedia art by Laia Cabrera
Admission free
June 24,July 22 and August 13 at 8 p.m.
Charlie Tokarz and John Hughes
Jazz Saxophone, Kora and Balafon Duet
Join us for another few evenings of this amazing improvising duo
that marries the sound of American Jazz Saxophone with the lute-harp African Kora and Balaphone
Admission free ~ donations
June 25 at 7 p.m.
American Traditions
Film screening of the documentary "Dancemaker"
Features the work of choreographer Paul Taylor. This Academy Award nominated documentary will be presented by Caryn Heilman whose stunningdance performances are exquisitely shown in this film. She will be leading a question and answer after the screening.
Admission free
June 30 at 7 p.m.
Wine Tasting Benefit for Topia Arts Center
$25 includes 5 light courses of food and wine
Reservations 413.743.9600
July 14 at 7 p.m.
Drumming Workshop with Roots Heart Pulse
A female drumming duo who have honed their performance skills as
accompanists for a variety of musicians representing diverse styles and also co-directed a large percussion ensemble, Earth Meets Our Feet, for several years. In addition, Lara and Yael are both experienced recording artists.
Donations
July 15 at 8 p.m.,10 p.m.
Roots Heart Pulse duo performance
Admission Free ~ donations accepted |
