A Night of Jazz and Folk at the Palace Theater
Jazz flutist Ali Ryerson is set to captivate audiences once again with her performances at Waterbury’s Poli Club at the Palace Theater. The event marks the start of the Early Fall Jazz Series, where Ryerson will take the stage on Friday. Known for her ability to transform each note into a meaningful conversation, Ryerson has established herself as one of the most compelling figures in contemporary jazz.
With a career spanning over five decades, Ryerson has consistently ranked among the top flutists in the Downbeat Jazz poll for more than a decade. Born in New York, she grew up in a family deeply rooted in music, with her father, Art Ryerson, being a renowned jazz guitarist. This early exposure helped shape her musical journey and passion for the art form.
Throughout her career, Ryerson has performed in some of the most prestigious venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and Blue Note in both New York and Japan. She has collaborated with legendary jazz musicians such as Red Rodney, Roy Haynes, Kenny Barron, Frank Wess, Hubert Laws, Stephane Grappelli, Art Farmer, Mike Mainieri, Joe Beck, and even made a guest appearance with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
In addition to her work in jazz, Ryerson has also performed with classical artists like Julius Baker and Luciano Pavarotti when she was the principal flutist with the Monterey Bay Orchestra. As an educator and author, she has published the widely acclaimed Jazz Flute Practice Method and conducts master classes globally. Her compositions have been performed internationally, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile and influential artist.
Ryerson will perform two shows on Friday at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Attendees can purchase individual tickets with general admission seating or opt for a series ticket that includes all four shows with reserved seating. The Early Fall Jazz Series will continue on August 29 with Vanessa Racci: Jazz Italian, followed by Adam Burnbaum Trio on September 19, and Svetlana and The New York Collective closing the series on October 3.
For more details, visit the Palace Theater Box Office or check out their website at www.PalaceTheaterCT.org.
CT Folk Fest and Green Expo Returns
The CT Folk Fest and Green Expo is set to return next month on September 6 at Edgerton Park in New Haven. This annual event brings together live music, food trucks, and a variety of artisan vendors through the "Green Expo." With two stages for performances, the festival promises a vibrant celebration of folk and acoustic music.
The CT Folk Main Stage will feature Kala Farnham at 11:30 a.m., followed by The Meadow Brothers at 12:45 p.m., Eleanor & Dario at 2:15 p.m., Session Americana at 3:45 p.m., Chris Pierce at 5:15 p.m., Dustbowl Revival at 6:45 p.m., and Robert Finley at 8:30 p.m. Meanwhile, the Bigger Beast Stage will host D'Pew, Lee Totten and Canyon at 12:15 p.m., Oliva Clarke, Liz Read and Hailey Neal at 1:45 p.m., Undercover Cameo at 3:15 p.m., Sam Robbins at 4:45 p.m., and Frank Viele at 6:15 p.m.
Attendees are encouraged to make a tax-deductible donation of $25 to help cover event costs. The festival is held rain or shine and takes place at Edgartown Park, located at 75 Cliff St., New Haven. More information can be found at www.ctfolk.org/fest-expo-2025.
Tribute to Joan Baez at The MAC
Folk enthusiasts should mark their calendars for a special tribute to Joan Baez on August 21 at The MAC, or Milford Arts Council. The “Tip of the Hat” series will celebrate the music of Baez, featuring songwriters Meggie, Frank Crielli, North County Duo, and Denise Jones. These performers will take the stage in a round format, playing their own songs as well as interpretations of Baez's classic works.
The show starts at 6:30 p.m., with advance reserved tickets priced at $20. For more details or to purchase tickets, visit www.ctfolk.org/toth2joan.
This Week in Rock
On this day in 2017, Taylor Swift won a high-profile lawsuit against Denver disc jockey David Mueller. The case began when Mueller was fired after Swift accused him of groping her during a photo session before her concert in 2013. In response, Mueller sued Swift in 2015, prompting her to countersue for sexual assault. Ultimately, Swift was awarded $1 in damages, which she donated to charity, stating her hope was to help those whose voices should also be heard.
Dar es Salaam. The East African Community (EAC) has taken over the rotating chairmanship of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Task Force (TTF) at a crucial time, reigniting hopes for a more unified and integrated regional trade system. However, a central question remains: can this leadership role help the EAC overcome its internal challenges and lead to a genuinely tariff-free region? The TTF unites three major Regional Economic Communities (RECs): the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It was created to coordinate the implementation of the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA). Launched in 2015, the TFTA aims to promote market integration, industrial growth, and infrastructure development across 29 African countries, serving a population of over 700 million. Yet, almost a decade later, progress has been slower than anticipated due to ongoing non-tariff barriers, delayed ratifications, and a lack of unified customs systems among member states. On July 25, 2024, the TFTA Agreement officially came into effect after securing the necessary 14 ratifications. However, the real challenge lies in putting the agreement into practice, a task now entrusted to the EAC as it assumes the TTF's leadership. EAC Secretary General, Ms Veronica Nduva, speaking at a high-level roundtable in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on July 14, 2025, advocated for a continent-wide resource mobilisation strategy to replace fragmented efforts that have hindered progress. "We must abandon disjointed approaches. Africa needs a harmonised strategy for resource mobilisation to effectively implement Agenda 2063," she stated. "We see the TFTA as a strategic tool to deepen integration, boost competitiveness, unlock intra-African trade, and advance inclusive industrialisation," she added. Ms Nduva also highlighted the importance of blended financing models involving public, private, and philanthropic capital, along with the use of technology to enhance coordination and accountability. The big question While the EAC’s assumption of leadership is diplomatically significant, the bloc has faced difficulties in implementing its integration protocols. Several EAC Partner States have previously failed to uphold agreed tariff removals, leading to internal trade disputes and delays in harmonisation efforts. Trade tensions between Kenya and Tanzania over products such as sugar, maize, and milk have revealed the inconsistent application of EAC trade rules, undermining the bloc’s credibility in broader integration efforts. According to Dr Paul Omollo, a regional trade policy analyst based in Dar es Salaam, the EAC must first address its shortcomings. "The EAC has made impressive commitments on paper. But implementation remains its biggest weakness," Dr Omollo told The Citizen by phone. "Taking over TTF leadership is significant, but the EAC must back that up with real reforms at home. It must demonstrate that regional integration can work, starting with its borders." What does chairing the TTF mean? Assuming the TTF chairmanship places the EAC in charge of guiding the finalisation of tariff offers, adoption of rules of origin, and encouraging ratification by the remaining states. The bloc is also expected to lead the revival of the TFTA’s industrial development pillar, one of its key components. "Our focus is to ensure that the TFTA becomes fully operational, not just in name but in action," said Ms Nduva. "We are pushing for the ratification of both the trade and movement of businesspeople agreements," she said. Experts believe this leadership position could allow the EAC to influence harmonised customs policies, coordinated infrastructure investments, and the development of joint industrial zones, provided there is strong political will among member states. "The TFTA could be a game-changer if it builds synergies across the three RECs," said a policy adviser at TradeMark Africa, Mr Humphrey Ramela. "The EAC’s leadership is timely. But success depends on aligning national interests with regional ambitions," he added. Another key theme from the Malabo roundtable was financial independence, with Ms Nduva reiterating the need for African nations to reduce reliance on external donors and adopt African-led financing models. "Austerity must go hand-in-hand with innovation. Resources allocated for development must be managed with discipline and efficiency," she noted. The African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, echoed this sentiment, urging member states to finance their development agendas and adopt the instruments required to operationalise the TFTA by the time of the next Tripartite Council of Ministers meeting. "African ownership is not optional; it is the only path to sustainable development," said Mr Youssouf. With preparations for the fourth Tripartite Summit underway, during which the TFTA will be formally launched, expectations are high. The EAC’s challenge will be to not only champion regional integration at the tripartite level but also prove its commitment to seamless trade within its borders.
Although the drug was not discussed openly following previous discussions, recent statements indicate that the issue might resurface.
