Brass potluck kicks off community center's year

MILLERTON — The sounds of brash brass instruments and thudding drums, congas and assorted percussion instruments floated down South Center Street last Saturday night, filling the air with the sounds of a potluck jamboree of sorts, hosted by the North East Community Center (NECC). It was the first of several similar evenings scheduled throughout the upcoming months.

Community members were encouraged to show up to the center with a culinary dish in tow, to be rewarded with a show from the local, open-source, musical collective, “The Berkshire Stompers,� as well the opportunity to pick up a percussive instrument and add to the effort.

The group is organized by Jon Grusauskas through the support of Charlie Keil, both from Connecticut. Grusauskas, a performer and general organizer of events, works for the community center assisting with after-school and summer musical programs for teens.

NECC Program Director Sara Ugolini said that Grusauskas has been doing great work with the teens and this potluck event, which has been held several times in Connecticut and hosted by groups like Geer, an assisted living and regional community center in North Canaan, Conn. After this past weekend’s event there will now be a monthly event hosted at the North East Community Center for the next few months, at least.

“It’s always been good to get a monthly community dance,� Grusauskas explained. “Something to get parents and kids engaged, where they can see the benefits of participatory musical activity.�

The Berkshire Stompers is a group of local musicians who come together under Keil, who compensates some of the group, who are professional musicians, for their time out of his own pocket. A donation jar was by the door, but the potluck events are free for anyone to attend.

“He’s just trying to get kids away from TVs,� Grusauskas added while Keil blasted away from underneath a large tuba. “He instilled in me the belief that if you look at a [musical gathering of a] village in Africa, everyone in the village is participating, singing, dancing, drumming; they’re all doing something musical. I think it’s in our DNA.�

While not everyone decided to actively participate, the entire bottom floor of the community center was clearly enjoying the music and the food and many opted to either get up and dance or grab a drum stick or two of their own.

“We’re going to come every time,� said Paisley Hillegeist, whose children were jumping and shaking around in delight. The Hillegeists, who are from Lakeville, heard about the event from attending the mothers’ groups held at the community center. “They all absolutely love it!�

Saturday, Feb. 27, will be the next installment of the community potluck and dance, held at the North East Community Center, located at 51 South Center St. in Millerton. All are welcome to come and are encouraged to bring a dish to add to the potluck. The event will begin at 5 p.m.; the musical performances won’t get going until closer to 6 p.m.

“We’re trying to provide an outlet here,� Grusauskas added. “It’s about enjoying the food and each other’s company.�

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