Enjoy music from Best Video Film & Cultural Center on our YouTube channel!

While most of us are social distancing, Best Video Film & Cultural Center is taking this opportunity to share wonderful musical moments from shows here on YouTube. These are videos shot be Executive Director Hank Hoffman over the past several years and are chosen to showcase the diversity of music that we present.

We created the Best Video Film & Cultural Center YouTube channel in December and have posted six videos so far with many more to come. Subscribe to the channel to get notified when new videos are uploaded.

For our first video, we posted a tune by Tariku, a local offshoot of the NYC-based Mandingo Ambassadors. Tariku is fronted by Aaron Latham Greenberg and features the great Guinean guitarist Mamady Kouyate. Frank Brocklehurst is on bass, Matt Dean is on percussion, and Dylan McDonnell plays flute. This was from an August, 2019 show.

The next video features New Haven rock ‘n’ roll legends The Furors playing their song “Twistin’ In the Wind” on may 11, 2017. The Furors are Derek Holcomb on guitar and Tom Dans on drums. They have been playing the New Haven area since the late 1970s.

Afro-soul dynamo Thabisa graced our stage on July 25, 2019, accompanied by Lamar Smith (guitar), Sam Oliver (drums), Jim Lawson (bass), and Timothy Kane (trumpet). This is Thabisa’s song “Ndithanda Wena.”

The Tony Purrone Trio—led by internationally known jazz guitarist Tony Purrone—plays his original tune “Lost and Found” at Best Video Film & Cultural Center in Hamden, CT December 19, 2019. Accompanying Tony Purrone are Preston Murphy on upright bass and Ray Marchica on drums.

Americana/country band Plywood Cowboy play the song “Stray” at Best Video Film & Cultural Center August 10, 2017. “Stray” was written by band leader, singer, and guitarist Steve Dedman. Plywood Cowboy for this show was Dedman (vocals, guitar, piano), Austin Gray (lead guitar, vocals), Kat Wallace (violin, vocals), Shane Tanner (bass), and Jason Apostoleris (drums).

Bluegrass star Tim O’Brien, accompanied by Jan Fabricus on vocals, performs at Best Video Film & Cultural Center in Hamden, Connecticit November 15, 2017, part of a sold-out two-night stand. The concert was presented by Chris Wuerth’s GuitarTownCT Productions. O’Brien and Fabricus perform the song “Grandma’s Hands,” composed by Bill Withers.

March 27, 2020 by
Filed Under: BVFCC News, Performance Space Events Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Events canceled through April 14

We have canceled all events at Best Video Film & Cultural Center through April 14 due to the public health crisis. While it may be necessary to cancel further events—and perhaps likely will be—we are leaving them on the calendar for now to maintain flexibility.
 
Stay safe, everybody.
March 27, 2020 by
Filed Under: BVFCC News, Performance Space Events

Update on COVID-19 impacts on Best Video: cafe goes to takeout only, closing time at 6 PM

Dear members and friends,

Pursuant to Gov. Ned Lamont’s order, the Best Video Film & Cultural Center’s cafe will be moving to takeout only for the foreseeable future.

I have consulted with the Quinnipiac Valley Health District and this plan is consistent with Gov. Lamont’s directive.

The plan now is to continue receiving deliveries of pastries from Bread & Chocolate and donuts and bagels from Whitney Donut. You can come in and pick up specialty coffee drinks and baked goods but, unfortunately, not stick around for hearty conversation. There is a hand sanitizer dispenser at the entrance and we are regularly cleaning all touchable surfaces with disinfectant cleaners and wipes.

We are also closing earlier, at 6 PM rather than the previously announced 7 PM. We have had quite a few people express gratitude at being able to get movies to keep themselves occupied in these times. And we are moved at the expressions of support and donations we have received.

We do STRONGLY encourage folks—particularly if you have one of the monthly or annual 1-Movie, 2-Movie, or 4-Movie Plans—to call ahead and tell us what you would like to rent. That way we can have them checked out and ready to hand off to you when you get here. Additionally, to reduce the number of times you need to go out, you can rent an additional movie at no extra charge if you have the 1- or 2-Movie Plans.

Of course, if circumstances change, we will keep everyone posted.

We wish all of our friends and neighbors good health in these difficult times.

Sincerely,
Hank Hoffman
Executive Director
& Staff and Board of Directors of Best Video Film & Cultural Center

March 16, 2020 by
Filed Under: BVFCC News, Featured, Performance Space Events Tagged With: ,

A message from Best Video on cancellations and revised hours due to COVID-19 virus

Dear members and friends,

Due to COVID-19, Best Video Film & Cultural Center will be suspending events through the end of March. (The status of currently scheduled programming beyond March will be reevaluated as required by circumstances.) We are taking direction from the recommendations of the town and civil authorities and acting in the interests of caution. As others are, we will continue monitoring the information coming from the CDC and knowledgeable public health experts.

Considerations for the health and welfare of our members, staff, and performers are paramount.

Our cafe and video rental archive will remain open. But, in addition to suspending events, we are temporarily scaling back our hours on the video side of our organization. Our cafe will continue to be open from 7 AM-7 PM Monday through Friday and 8 AM-7 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. On the video side, we will open as usual at 9 AM but close—starting today, Mar. 12—at 7 PM each night.

During this time when all of us will be following recommendations to avoid large public gatherings, access to our amazing archive of movies could be a source of diversion and pleasure. As a benefit to members, we are initiating a special for the month of March: If you have a 1-Movie monthly or annual plan, you may take out two movies at no extra charge through March.

Additionally, for members with the 1-, 2-, or 4-movie plans, we will expand our service for your convenience. If you call ahead with a request, we’ll grab your movies for you and hand them to you at the door when you get here.

This is a challenging and, yes, frightening time for many of us. We wish all good health and hope for the best.

Sincerely,

Hank Hoffman
Executive Director
Best Video Film & Cultural Center
& The staff and Board of Directors of BVFCC

March 12, 2020 by
Filed Under: BVFCC News, Featured, Performance Space Events Tagged With: ,

UPDATE: CANCELLED Music: GuitarTownCT evening bluegrass jam Mon., Mar. 16, at 5:30 PM

UPDATE 3/12: Due to concerns raised by COVID-19, this event at Best Video Film & Cultural Center is being cancelled as are all events for the remainder of March. Our apologies to all who were looking forward to the jam, but the musicians and the staff of Best Video Film & Cultural Center think it is prudent to err on the side of caution.

The monthly first Sunday GuitarTownCT bluegrass jams became so successful that Chris Wuerth added a new jam to the schedule. For those who need to twang community-wise more than once a month—or can’t make the Sunday afternoon events—we now have a bluegrass jam (usually) on the Third Monday of every month from 5:30-9 PM. Admission to this jam is a suggested donation of $5. March’s jam is on Monday, Mar. 16.

Players of all abilities are welcome as well as those who just enjoy listening. Meet your fellow fans of traditional acoustic music and strum, pick and sing up a storm.

Click here for the complete list of upcoming events.

March 6, 2020 by
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UPDATE: CANCELLED Music: Monthly Irish/Celtic music jam takes place 2 days before St. Patrick’s Day Sun., Mar. 15, 2-4 PM

UPDATE 3/12: Due to concerns raised by COVID-19, this event at Best Video Film & Cultural Center is being cancelled as are all events for the remainder of March. Our apologies to all who were looking forward to the jam, but the musicians and the staff of Best Video Film & Cultural Center think it is prudent to err on the side of caution.

Best Video Performance Space hosts a monthly acoustic Irish music jam. The March jam takes place on Sunday, Mar. 15, from 2-4 PM—two days before St. Patrick’s Day. The jam, organized by musicians Jim & Willow Sirch, takes place on the third Sunday of each month (unless it needs to be rescheduled due to other Best Video Film & Cultural Center programming).

As with our bluegrass jams, feel free to come and join in or just sit and listen.

Click here for the complete list of upcoming events.

March 5, 2020 by
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UPDATE: POSTPONED Music: SAP, The Knife Kickers, Daniprobably play Fri., Mar. 13, at 7:30 PM

UPDATE 3/12: Due to concerns raised by COVID-19, Friday’s show at Best Video Film & Cultural Center is being postponed to a later date. Our apologies to all who were looking forward to the show, but the musicians and the staff of Best Video Film & Cultural Center think it is prudent to err on the side of caution. We look forward to rescheduling this event when circumstances allow.
The indie rock acts SAP, Knife Kickers, and Daniprobably play Best Video Performance Space on Friday the 13th. The show starts at 7:30 PM and the cover is a sliding scale of $5-10 (pay what you can in that range).
SAP is a four piece indie pop band fronted by Amber Kristjansson accompanied by Chris Killbourn on guitar, Cameron Schmitt on bass and Rich Figlewski on drums. Emotionally driven lyrics flow over twinkling guitar, driving bass and jazz drums.
The Knife Kickers are a folk punk band out of Woodbury, CT. Daniprobably play guitar and drum indie rock.

Click here for the complete list of upcoming events.

March 5, 2020 by
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UPDATE 3/12: Postponed Music: Pigeon English, Jeff Burnham play Thurs., Mar. 12

UPDATE 3/12: Due to concerns raised by COVID-19, tonight’s show at Best Video Film & Cultural Center is being postponed to a later date. Our apologies to all who were looking forward to the show, but the musicians and the staff of Best Video Film & Cultural Center think it is prudent to err on the side of caution. We look forward to rescheduling this event when circumstances allow.

Pigeon English, the harmony pop duo comprised of Rob Nelson and Brian Larney, play Best Video Performance Space on Thursday, Mar. 12. Singer-songwriter Jeff Burnham opens. The show starts at 8 PM and the cover is a sliding scale of $5-10 (pay what you can in that range).

Pigeon English is a collaboration between songwriters Brian Larney (of Lines West) and Rob Nelson (of Elegant Primates), exploring close harmony vocals and the mysterious paths of melody. Drawing inspiration from The Everly Brothers and The Beatles, Larney and Nelson craft songs about love and misunderstanding.

When Pigeon English released their 6-song debut EP “Coo” in January, Rick Allison of Cygnus Radio called it “one of the new treasures of 2019.” Brian Slattery of the New Haven Independent wrote that Pigeon English “melodies, chords, and lyrics consistently make clever turns that feel both unexpected, satisfying — and emotionally complicated…thanks to songwriting this fun and sharp, complicated, agonizing relationship troubles have rarely been so catchy.”

In July, the band released its first full-length album, “Places, Everyone!” featuring 10 new songs.

Singer-songwriter Jeff Burnham takes listeners on a journey across a gritty, haunted landscape, where sunlight flickers through the rain, framed in the tradition of Americana and folk-rock. After several years writing for and performing with his band Tuesday Saints, Jeff has reoriented his sound with heartland rock elements, as a solo project called Jeff Burnham and the Insiders.

Click here for the complete list of upcoming events.

March 3, 2020 by
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CT Librarians Tell: A Storytelling Showcase at Best Video Thurs., Mar. 12, 4-6 PM

The Connecticut Library Consortium presents CT Librarians Tell: A Storytelling Showcase at Best Video FILM & Cultural Center on Thursday, Mar. 12, from 4-6 PM. The event is free and open to the public.

Hear favorite and original stories provided by a lineup of CT librarians trained by award-winning storyteller Jennifer Munro.

Jennifer Munro grew up in a small village in the heart of the industrial Midlands of England where she learned the rules of engagement that have resulted in a collection of original stories about rascals, rogues, and heroes. Her stories, funny and poignant, will have you cheering one moment and weeping the next. Her repertoire also includes original myths and adult fairy tales, which resonate with a deep and abiding truth that speaks to the here and now.

Jennifer has performed on national public radio, at libraries, schools, coffee houses, conferences, and major festivals across the nation, most notably the national festival in Jonesborough, TN, and the Timpanogos Festival in Utah.

Her CDs, Relatives and their Body Parts and Beginnings are both Storytelling World Winners as is her collection of short stories, Aunty Lily and other Delightfully Perverse Stories, published by Parkhurst Brothers in 2016. She is also the recipient of the 2017 Barbara Reed award for distinguished and outstanding service to the Connecticut Storytelling Center.

The Connecticut Library Consortium is a statewide membership collaborative serving all types of Connecticut libraries by helping them strengthen their ability to serve their users. CLC achieves its mission by initiating and facilitating cost-effective services, creating and supporting educational and professional development, and fostering innovation.

Click here for the complete list of upcoming events.

March 3, 2020 by
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Second Wednesday Open Mic takes place Wed., Mar. 11, at 7 PM, hosted by Karen Ponzio

Musicians! Comedians! Poets! Magicians! Spoken word artists! The Second Wednesday Open Mic takes place Wednesday, Mar. 11, starting at 7 PM. Admission is a Suggested Donation of $3-5 to support BVFCC. Poet Karen Ponzio (aka KP The Word) — who writes for the New Haven Independent and has a show on Cygnus RADIO — is the host for this show.

The sign-up sheet will be put out at 6:45 PM in order for prospective performers who haven’t been able to get here earlier to have a chance at performing slots. No sign-ups will be taken before 6:45.
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Each slot is 10 minutes or two songs (whichever is shorter) with a 5-minute break between each performer. We have a total of 10 slots from 7-9:30 PM if people use their maximum time. We will play it by ear after that with any “extra” performers getting time as available in order of signing the sheet. While 9:30 PM is the official cut-off time, we may at our discretion continue with performers up to 10 PM.

Click here for the complete list of upcoming events.

March 3, 2020 by
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