Linda Radtke
You may know Bonji as Ben Ellingson, the seasoned paint tech at Aubuchon Ace Hardware in downtown Montpelier. Like so many multi-talented Vermonters, he has worn many hats in his creative life: beginning as a writer and then taking to the guitar as a way to relax. During the COVID pandemic lockdown, he continued to write poetry, create songs, and recorded and produced his debut album at his home studio. And now he’s ready to share his songs to help his community.
On one fateful day, the founder and president of the Montpelier Performing Arts Hub, Kianna Bromley, stopped by to choose paint for the Hub’s new space at the former Gary Library on the Vermont College of Fine Arts campus.
“A donation means nothing without support from the community, so I just thought I’d throw it (a performance) out there,” Ben remarks. “Playing in bars is not my ideal venue. I’m an acoustic folk musician who likes to tell stories, like the importance of Guitar Sam, the store [that used to be] across the street from where I work that’s been so important in my life. While I’m helping them with a fundraiser performance, they’re helping me too, because ORCA (Onion River Community Media) will be there to film.”
I was curious about Ben’s stage name Bonji, knowing it as the Japanese term for Sanskrit script. Ben had studied Sanskrit, but admitted it was an (unappreciated) childhood nickname, from when he was three years old and siblings could not pronounce Benji.
Bonji performs original compositions on Saturday April 5 at 7 p.m. at the Montpelier Performing Arts Hub at 35 College Street in Montpelier.
