A REQUEST FROM THE HARTBEAT ENSEMBLE

Steve Ginsburg from the Hartbeat Ensemble has asked local bloggers to get the word out about their last performance this weekend for this summers series of "Performance in the Parks". Attached is their press release. Check it out, something positive happening in our city this weekend. While you are out why not check out the Mark Twain House and Museum or the Bushnell Park Carousel and maybe dinner at the Hook and Ladder on Main Street or the Red Rock on Capitol Ave, both with outdoor patios.

The following is the press release from the Hartbeat Ensemble:

HartBeat Ensemble Announces 4th Annual “Plays in the Parks”
Family Friendly Plays Focusing on the Economy

HARTFORD, CT – HartBeat Ensemble will present the fourth season of it's popular outdoor summer play series, "Plays In The Parks", this July in five Hartford parks. Admission is free.

Emceed by Hartford's legendary poet MIRA, each "Plays In The Parks" performance consists of three short plays interspersed with performances by Hartford's best musicians and spoken word artists. This year’s plays come from interviews conducted with residents in Connecticut who are faced with the shifting economy. The series, called “The Economy Hits Home,” tells the stories of people in Greater Hartford who have had to confront issues of housing, job loss, job creation, rising energy costs, maintaining small businesses and much more.

This years performance schedule is:

July 11 - Elizabeth Park
July 12 - Sigourney Square
July 18 - Pope Park
July 19 - Goodwin Park
July 25 - Keney Park

Family activities begin at 4:30 and performances begin at 5:00pm.

“We are bringing theater to audiences in the comfort of their home communities,” says HartBeat Ensemble co-founder Gregory Tate. The free summer theater series is a continuation of HartBeat’s mission to create plays about citizens of Greater Hartford.

HartBeat Ensemble co-founder Julia Rosenblatt says, “Outdoor theater must be provocative, relevant and broadly entertaining or else people will just wander away.” “We believe great humor comes with great truth,” adds HartBeat’s Steve Ginsburg. “Our park shows are family friendly and offer a wide range of theatrical styles.”

Emcee MIRA is inspired by poetry, spoken word and Hip Hop greats like Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni, The Last Poets, Talib Kweli and Lauryn Hill. MIRA writes from the truth of what he sees in his community. He calls his works SOAPBOX Poetry because he envisions himself on the corner standing on a soapbox spitting his message to anyone who will listen like the great community activists of the sixties.

The mission of HartBeat Ensemble is to create original, professional theater based on stories from the community. Through Mainstage plays, Open- Air performances and Education programs, HartBeat Ensemble makes theater accessible beyond the barriers of class, race or gender.

For information about Plays in the Parks 2008 visit www.hartbeatensemble.org or call 860-548-9144.