The Middlebury Campus

Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: Local News

Media Credit: Courtesy Triple Play members Joel Brown, Chris Brubeck and Peter "Madcat" Ruth pose for the flyer. [Click to enlarge]

Should you have been so lucky as to find parking around the United Methodist Church on Sunday night, you would have found seating in that building scarce. Jazz and blues enthusiasts from the extremities of the region were gathered for the commencement of this year's After Dark Music Series, featuring the dynamic and genre-transcending trio Triple Play. The group, whose music represents a type of melting pot of blues, jazz, classical and folk - predominantly American, but drawing on some international influences as well - were exemplary of the series as a whole, which draws diverse and prominent musical acts for the purpose of fostering a sense of community through the arts.

Now in its 13th season, the volunteer-driven series brings some of the country's top blues, folk, Celtic and Americana acts to Middlebury in a jovial and informal setting. "It's very community-oriented," said Annie Harlow, a long-time volunteer from Bristol. "You look forward to seeing people here that you only see here." This sense of community is exemplified by the dedication of the volunteers themselves. Harlow noted, "Volunteers are very loyal. You kind of just get in and you stay in." Dedication may not be altogether altruistic, however, as Harlow noted that "for only $5.50 you get killer homemade food."

This community to which the series is oriented is, however, geographically expansive, consisting of music aficionados from far beyond the borders of the town, or even the county. According to Carol Green, who runs the series with her husband Harvey, "We have people with season's passes from the extreme parts of the state. I'd say about one-third of the audience comes from Addison County."

The series is thus decidedly inclusive, as evidenced not only by the geographic diversity of attendees but by the range of the music itself. Next month will feature a Scottish traditional folk group by the name of Back of the Moon, to be followed in January by Elana James, a member of the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame.

Continued...

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