Bottlebrush Gallery & Center for the Arts

John Lilly is a multi-talented acoustic music performer specializing in Americana, country roots, and traditional folk music. He writes new songs that sound as old as the hills, and performs older songs like they were made yesterday. According to one reviewer, “If Hank Williams had a sunny disposition, he’d be John Lilly.” John has released 6 CDs. Cold Comfort debuted at the #1 position on the Freeform American Root (FAR) radio, and Haunted Honky Tonk achieved the #1 position on both the Freeform American Roots (FAR) and the Euro Americana radio charts in 2007. http://pages.suddenlink.net/johnlillymusic/

With Special Guest Rick Bruening
Rick Bruening is a local singer songwriter whose songs and stories are recollections of real life drama with a little artistic license thrown in. Call it folk music, roots music, or acoustic Americana. He invites you to rest a while and listen to his life tales. http://www.backwoodsfolk.com/
Come out and support local, live music!

Free music in Harmony tomorrow to celebrate Earth Day. Rick Bruening 2pm at The Harmony Inn, The Squirrel Hill Billies at 4pm at the Bottlebrush, and Tiger Maple String Band at 7pm at The Center of Harmony. Come on out and say hello!

Kim Richey – Two Time Grammy Nominee!

Early this year, Seneca Valley graduating senior Tyler Duffy came to us with a request to hold an art show at the Gallery–not unusual for art students from Seneca Valley and Slippery Rock University, as a senior show is part of their graduation requirements. What was unusual was the underlying purpose of the show:  to sell original artwork made by Tyler and her classmates to donate back to Seneca Valley Intermediate and High Schools’  art programs for much-needed supplies.

How could we say no to such an altruistic, openhearted request?

We are proud to host “The Art of Giving Back,”  an art sale and benefit by Tyler Duffy and her classmates on Saturday, April 6, from 12pm-3pm. Refreshments will be served. Live music generously donated by Sally Zehmisch from Cranberry.  RSVP not required.

Please join us to celebrate Tyler and her spirit of giving back.

As women, we all seem to make time for everyone else in our lives– but when is OUR time? Time For Me is a way to set aside time for ourselves, to meet new friends and express our inner creativity.  At each session, we will explore various creative forms, learning a different technique each time, then use that technique to express our inner selves. You do not have to be artistically gifted to join us!

This is an on-going group that meets every fourth Thursday of the month. You are free to attend one session, two sessions or every session if you would like. Each session you attend is $20 and includes all materials needed for the evening. Your first night fee includes an art journal for you to work in and keep.  Bring beverages for yourself and snacks for others, if you would like to share.  Women from 13 to 100 welcome!  Please contact the Gallery to sign up.

Classes begin March 28, 2013. $20 includes all materials including your own art journal on the first night.

Please join us for a senior art show by Audrey Nicola of Seneca Valley High School! Audrey’s show is Friday, March 22, from 7:00-9pm. Refreshments will be served. Free admission.  Support local student artists!

   Saturday, March 16…
St. Patrick’s Eve!

NOTE: DINNER AND SHOW SOLD OUT.  CALL TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITING LIST.

House favorites The Ploughshare Poets return to the Bottlebrush for our annual St. Patrick’s celebration. This year in addition to the show, we’re offering you “Dinner with The Poets”.  Catered by The Stohr Haus Bakery in Harmony, guests will enjoy a traditional four course Irish dinner with musicians Ryan Stauffer, Vade King and opening musician Laura Wagner in a restored circa 1804 wine cellar.  For those of you who have seen Vade and Ryan perform, this will be quite the entertaining dinner!

Menu: Smoked Mackerel & Horseradish Pâté, Salad, Irish Soda Bread, Beef Stout Pie, Champ (potatoes), Red Cabbage, Apple Cake w/Whipped Cream. Coffee, tea, water, ice.  Alcoholic beverages are BYOB.

Dinner seating is limited to 35 with reservations; advance payment on dinner/show required.

Event details:

Dinner, 5:30-6:45pm. $30 per person combined price for dinner and show. DINNER AND SHOW SOLD OUT

Show: 7:00pm, $10 per person for show only. DINNER AND SHOW SOLD OUT

RSVP REQUIRED:  724.452.0539 or Email the Gallery

Weather-permitting, The Poets will lead the audience on their traditional  bagpipes and drums march to The Harmony Inn and back at the close of the show. See photo below. Last year’s show was standing-room only, so don’t wait and be disappointed!

About The Ploughshare Poets:

Ryan Stauffer and Vade King are The Ploughshare Poets, a popular duo at the Bottlebrush Gallery known for their boisterous Celtic music, strong harmonies, clever banter, and impromptu parades through the streets of Harmony. Far from being a kitschy pub band, they are masters of the history and cultural importance of Scottish and Irish music. Expert musicians, The Poets play bagpipes, guitar, whistles, drums, and bouzouki. Ryan has played bagpipes for 20 years and makes his own smallpipes. Vade has played extensively in England and ascotland and was the lead singer of “Colin’s Way” for 10 years.

About Laura Wagner:

Laura Wagner has been a bagpiper for over 10 years, recently adding playing and singing Celtic music on guitar to her performances. With a passion for the Celtic genre and storytelling through music, Laura’s background is in theatre, writing and teaching. She has published several books which can be seen here and purchased at the Gallery:  laurawagnerbooks.com

Last year’s Ploughshare Poet’s parade to The Harmony Inn:

 Friday, March 8, 2013  7:00-9:00pm

$35 Advance Registration; $45 at the door

Coming to the Bottlebrush Gallery!

Enjoy learning how to use the power of sound to effectively unblock,  transform, and increase your energy. Through the group drumming,  chanting and breathwork, you will learn how to gain energized mental  clarity, reduce fear and anxiety, unblock emotional congestion, open  creative inspiration and expand your conscious awareness.
Drumming and chanting with others is an ancient practice that people have used  for millennia all over the globe to connect, heal, learn, witness and  celebrate with each other. It’s only been in the last few hundred years  that many people in our modern cultures have stopped connecting in this  way. Join us to reclaim and experience this powerful and comforting way of being together in community.

The Drum & Chant Workshop shows you how to:

• Energize the brain and clear the mind
• Lessen resistance, fear and apathy
• Create deep relaxation and stress relief
• Expand conscious awareness
• Unblock energetic and emotional congestion
• Open creative thinking and expression

The tools you’ll use:

• Ecstatic Drumming Rhythms
• Vocal Toning and Mantra
• Rejuvenating Breathing Exercises
• Visualization
• Group Support and Community Creation

About Jim Donovan

Jim Donovan is a musician, teacher, trainer and motivator who is dedicated  to using the power of musical expression, and presence to assist in  consciousness transformation by motivating people to step more fully  into their lives. In his work, Donovan records, performs, writes, and  offers workshops in the US and abroad focused on using rhythm, drumming  and the voice as vehicles for personal growth, healing, and the creation of community. He was a founding member of the multi-platinum 90’s band  Rusted Root and was voted “Drum Circle Facilitator of the Year” by the  readers of Drum! magazine. Donovan holds a BA in Music from the  University of Pittsburgh and is pursuing an advanced degree in Education Leadership at Saint Francis University where he is also on faculty. At  Saint Francis University he is also involved in research and has  developed a training program that teaches Occupational Therapists,  medical professionals, parents and teachers how to use percussion  modules as a complementary intervention for autistic and other special  needs children. In addition to his musical credentials, Donovan is a  certified Reiki practitioner, author, dedicated husband and father of  three.

Register online here: http://www.jimdonovandrums.com/apps/webstore/products/show/3513658

February 14, 2013  6-9pm – “Have a Heart for Animals” Fundraiser for Butler County Humane Society

Have a heart for animals! Make plans to come to our second annual fundraiser to benefit the animals at the Butler County Humane Society.

Join us Valentine’s Day evening from 6:00-9:00pm for live music by Blue Sky and Sunshine from Pittsburgh, delicious food from local restaurants, beverages,  door prizes, gift baskets,  a silent auction and an art scavenger hunt. Plenty of animal-themed art on display and for sale from our local artists.  BCHS is bringing some animals who are looking for a new home.

Already have plans? Stop in on your way!

No admission charge – we only ask that you bring a toy or food item for the animals.  Monetary donations accepted too. If you can’t attend the fundraiser, please consider dropping off dog or cat food, toys, kitty litter, peanut butter, clean blankets or paper towels…  a complete list of needed items can be found here: www.butlercountyhs.org/wish_list.html The animals and the Bottlebrush thank you!

Featured Exhibit:   Eat.Snap.Local: the art of photographing food. Artist Ginni Klein of Ginography (Harmony) will have her photos of local restaurant’s mouthwatering specialties on display and for purchase.  Restaurants and eateries include:  Baldinger’s, Burgher’s, Carol’s Pastry Shop, Duffy’s Dog House, Herbe’s Ztown Café, Katie’s Korner, Kountry Kitchen,  Jackson Fish Company, Jimmy Wan’s, The Enchanted Olive, The Stohr Haus Bakery, and Wunderbar.

Kudos to the following local businesses for their donations to this event:

A-1 Computer – Zelienople
Artist Deb McLaren – Sewickley
Artist Ginni Klein – Harmony
Artist Nautilus Creations – Harmony
Artist Paul Jay – Harmony
Artist The Painted Grasshopper – Mars
Burgher’s – Harmony
Companions in Motion: Animal Chiropractic Care – Portersville
Darn Yarn Needles & Thread – Harmony
Duffy’s Dog House – Harmony
Evolve Wellness Center – Zelienople
Fisher’s Bar & Restaurant – Zelienople
Fox’s Pizza – Harmony
Herbe’s Z-Town – Zelienople
Jimmy Wan’s – Cranberry
Katie’s Korner – Harmony
Kerven Subaru – Butler
Kountry Kitchen – Zelienople
Linden Tree Antiques – Harmony
Maddalon Jewelers – Zelienople
Musician Dennis McCurdy – New Castle
Musician Jeff Campbell and Allie Koch – San Francisco, CA
Pollak’s Candy – Harmony
ReMax Realtors Don and Kathy Seaton – Wexford
Stohr Haus Bakery – Harmony
The Enchanted Olive – Harmony
The Green Barn Whole Animal Nutrition – Zelienople
The Strand – Zelienople
Wunderbar Coffee House – Harmony