Saturday night music & Sunday afternoon closing party at John Slade Ely House

John Slade Ely House Center for Contemporary Art
51 Trumbull Street, New Haven, (203) 624-8055
Joan& Frank Gardner: A Life's Work
Through Mar. 7, 2010.
Closing party: Sun., Mar. 7, 2-5 p.m.

Press release

Enokizu is a one man recording project conceived during the winter of 2007/2008. Utilizing vintage and modern synthesizers as well as electric guitar. Enokizu strives for a rich variety between electronic sounds and more traditional instruments. With a wide range of influences the Enokizu78 sound will constantly surprise you with its diversity. Enokizu will perform a free concert at the John Slade Ely House this Sat., Mar. 6, at 8 p.m.

Brian LaRue, in the August 5th, 2009 New Haven Advocate, wrote:

Bill Beckett, for years a well-regarded guitarist in local rock circles, unleashes another disc of songs from this one-man instrumental project, a collection of compositions that many might tag as "experimental" but which don't sound like mere experiments. Using synths, guitars and a sparingly-applied drum machine, Beckett creates waves of sound, repeated minimalist figures over pulsing backdrops, ambient drones and subtly melodic lines. With 22 tracks clocking in at 55 minutes total, the pieces are long enough to pull the listener in to these burbling, often elliptical sound-patterns and to assert each piece's basic theme, but not so long that the repetition becomes tiresome. And, from track to track, Beckett's able to vary his basic formula enough to keep the listener's ear occupied. It certainly works as mood-setting chill-out music, but those who choose to listen closely will find plenty of rewards.

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The John Slade Ely House will also host a Closing Party, Sunday Mar. 7, from 2-5 p.m. to celebrate the careers of one of New Haven's most respected artist couple, Joan and Frank Gardner.

The Gardners have continuously produced the highest quality artwork for over thirty-five years and the Ely House is proud to present the Gardner's individual and collaborative accomplishments. A recent highlight of the Gardners' was the screening of their 16mm Film, The Robot at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in November of 2009 as part of the film series Machine Made Man along with Woody Allen's Sleeper. The Robot as well as over sixty, watercolors, paintings, drawings, and prints will be on display through March 7, 2010.

NOTE FROM HANK: Last week my review of this wonderful show was published in the New Haven Advocate. I wrote that, "The John Slade Ely House is currently a temple of wonder. Frank and Joan Gardner: A Life's Work showcases the longtime New Haven couple's separate and collaborative work. The show is a fitting tribute to two lives long enriched by an immersion in art."

Read more of the review.