Experience the enchantment of nature’s stage and join us for a mesmerizing musical event celebrating midsummer at the Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center (BEEC). The Forest of Melody is a delightful blend of music, dance, nature, and community, marking the arrival of summer in all its glory. This unique event features a series of short, live musical performances scattered along trails through meadows and woodlands.
Set for Sunday, June 23, 2024, at BEEC, located at 1221 Bonnyvale Road, Brattleboro, VT, the Forest of Melody promises an unforgettable celebration of midsummer. The event serves as a crucial fundraiser, supporting BEEC’s ongoing environmental education and conservation efforts. Your participation and generosity play a significant role in helping BEEC continue its important work throughout the year.
Guests will embark on a magical journey, with tours beginning every 20 minutes from 2:30 PM to 5:10 PM. Each journey lasts about an hour and covers approximately half a mile of nature trails. The terrain is hilly, so sturdy shoes and bug spray are recommended. Feel free to bring a walking stick or hiking poles to help navigate the trails. Light refreshments will be available for purchase, or you can bring your own portable beverages and snacks. Recycling and refuse bins will be provided at the entrance and exit.
Tickets for the Forest of Melody are priced at $30 for adults and $20 for children, with a member discount available at $25 for adults and $15 for children. Infants aged two years and under can attend for free. To secure your spot for this magical journey, purchase your tickets in advance. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of your journey to ensure you are ready for your group’s departure into the Forest of Melody.
The event will feature a diverse lineup of talented performers, each bringing their unique musical and artistic flair to the celebration. Among the performers are:
JJ Beck, a percussionist with a background in music composition, performance, and recording, who has performed with various alternative rock and pop-classical bands in NYC.
Michelle Erard, a dance artist and educator trained in non-western dance forms and physical theater, whose work explores themes of identity and place through emergent movement, sound, and language.
Rachel Clemente, a New England-based pedal and traditional Scottish harpist, who has won numerous accolades and is an advocate for traditional and contemporary Scottish music.
Heather Sommerlad, a musician, writer, and educator, who teaches at the Brattleboro Music Center and coordinates the EOS social justice project.
Very Little Fuss, a flute duo featuring Emma Hileman and Lisa Nichols, who perform music from various lands and times.
Hannah Ruth, a queer dance artist with a background in ballet, modern dance, and West African dance, who creates place-inspired dance performances.
Dan Houghton, a gifted Scottish traditional musician who plays various types of bagpipes, flute, guitar, and cittern, and has performed with numerous bands and ensembles.
Join us for this enchanting celebration of midsummer at BEEC and immerse yourself in the harmonious fusion of music, dance, nature, and community. Your participation not only supports BEEC’s mission but also allows you to experience the magic of nature’s stage in a truly unique and memorable way.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the BEEC website or contact [email protected]. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the wonders of midsummer with us at the Forest of Melody!
