DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 22 * * All Arts News On the Web * * May 24, 2018

STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS

      ArtBits always features a calendar of the goings on of Franklin County artists. Check out these events around Franklin County. Each issue includes the entire text of our weekly newspaper column.


     Franklin County's arts and music gatherings bring new opportunities, gossip, "show-and-tell" and occasional workshops. There are also booked and acoustic Open Mic Nights that feature music, readings, and more from the best new artists in Vermont.

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KICKOFF FOR TWO SUMMER SERIES

      This is a tough weekend. On the one hand, Will Patton with choro and Gypsy jazz and on the other Pete's Posse and a cast of thousands with multi-generational roots music. It is also Open Studio Weekend. I want to do it all.


EAST FAIRFIELD--The Will Patton Quartet will open the Summer Evenings with Vermont Treasures series at the Meeting House on the Green on Friday at 7 p.m. Doors at 6:30.
      The popular quartet plays a spirited stew of world music around the world for over 15 years. Mr. Patton, Thal Aylward, Clyde Stats, and Steve Blair draw from Gypsy jazz and Brazilian choro styles to create an improvisational dialogue rich in melodic and harmonic invention.
      Light supper fare, beer, and wine will be available throughout the evening.
      This year, the Meeting House will showcase 10 great bands between May and November. Admission for all concerts is by suggested donation of $10 per person at the door. All shows support the Meeting House Preservation Project. Call 802.827.6626 to reserve seats and pay at the door. Click here for more info.


SHELDON--Summer Music at Grace kicks off the new Summer Season with Pete's Posse in the 16th annual Farewell Reunion concert at Grace Church on Friday at 7 p.m.
      Vermont's own traditional roots power trio, Pete's Posse is three generations of musicians who have come together to create their own electrifying sound they call "multi-generational roots music" with Pete Sutherland, fiddle, piano, banjo, melodica and vocals; Oliver Scanlon, fiddle, viola, mandolin, foot percussion, and vocals; and Tristan Henderson, guitars, mandolin, jaw harp, foot percussion and vocals. The concert will have twin fiddles in tight, wild harmony over high-powered guitar and pounding footwork with mandolin, claw-hammer banjo, jaw harp and rocking keyboards adding their voices to the mix. Songs and tunes, old and new, lyrical and driving. It's the multi-generational heart of Friday night.

Mark Sustic's original Farewell Tour of the 2002 season celebrated Mr. Sustic's 20 years as Coordinator of the Franklin County Early Childhood Programs. He was joined on stage by many of the great roots, folk, and pop musicians he knew as founder of the Champlain Valley Festival and as a performer and organizer. The Farewell Reunion concerts have all had that same format with FOM sharing the stage.
      That means a cast of thousands, thousands, I tell you, on stage.
      This is the 21st season of the popular and eclectic Summer Music at Grace series. A $20 suggested donation supports the Tom Sustic Fund, supporting families with children in life-altering situations. Bring a dessert to share at intermission. Beverages will be provided. The concert is presented by Young Tradition Vermont and Grace Church. Presenting partners include the All Arts Council and others.
      Call 802.326.3603 or visit gracechurchsheldon.org and youngtraditionvermont.org for more info.


ART ON THE WALLS

AROUND THE STATE--Vermont's 25th annual Open Studio Weekend begins Saturday at 10 a.m. This statewide celebration puts Vermont artists and craftspeople "on exhibit" in their own studios. The event begins the summer season during Memorial Day Weekend each year.
      Some of the artists open their working studios to the public only during this weekend. It is an opportunity for them to talk about their work and to demonstrate the skill and processes used to make it. The participating artists plan to get work done as well as teach while visitors poke around.
      Hundreds of other sites will be open with more than three hundred artists and artisans participating this year including these spaces in and around Franklin County. Pick up a hard copy map at any studio, tourist information centers on Vermont's interstate highways.
      Handweaver Carol Crawford of Bakersfield has been weaving for most of her life and, even after forty years, finds herself enthralled by the moment her shuttle crosses the warp and creates the woven piece.
      The Personalwoodsmythe, Greg Drew, does woodturnings and lathework, both practical and artistic in his Georgia shop. Photographer Cassie Boudreau of Georgia will have her vibrant photographs of nature and wildlife Mr. Drew's.
      Claire Payne may have a number of artists in her Georgia studio as well as her own original oils and acrylics as well as matted prints and cards. Mylissa Kowalski Davis is a Vermont landscape and wildlife artist in Fairfax and Pam Fiaschetti of St. Albans is a plein air painter with area farms and landscapes mainly in oils and acrylics.
      Meta Strick paints, draws, cuts, carves, sews and assembles one-of-a-kind Art Dolls in her studio in Fairfield.
      Other statewide participants include furniture makers, glass blowers, ironworkers, jewelers, quilters painters, potters, print makers, sculptors, weavers, and wood carvers including Anne Standish, Longina Smolinski, and the more than 100 artists of the Milton Artists Guild. Many galleries will host gallery talks and feature special exhibits in conjunction with this event.
      Click here for maps, directions, and more info.


IN THE ARTS COUNCILS

ST. ALBANS--The minutes of the St. Albans Community Arts May Board meeting are available online at stalbanscommunityarts.com/news.


SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council Writer's Group will meet at the Swanton Free Public Library this evening at 6 p.m. Members can share progress and join in the discussion about longer projects and anything else about writing, reading, publishing, and more. Call Becky Rupp (802.733.7471) or email for more info.
      SAC hosts an Art Journal / Junk Journal Show and Tell at the Swanton Free Public Library on Friday at 5:30 p.m. It's a chance to see and share journals that inspire you. Email for more info.


ON STAGE LIVE

Thursday
SOUTH HERO--Carol Ann Jones plays a Third Thursday solo show at the Blue Paddle Bistro tonight at 6:30 p.m. The Blue Paddle has limited seating and a small bar so call ahead (802.372.4814) to assure a seat.


Thursday-Saturday
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs has Burlington Songwriters Group Sessions this evening, then Rebecca Padula's new good time, old time, ragtime string band, Leadfoot Louise in Friday and the downhome Vermont folk duo of Kari Beth and Michael Albee on Saturday. Shows begin at 7 p.m.
      Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


Saturday
SOUTH BURLINGTON--Higher Ground presents Summer Sounds favorites 8084 for one night only on Saturday night at 8 p.m. Doors at 7:30.
      The original members of 8084 -- singer-songwriter, Randy Smith; Andre Maquera, guitars; Frank Barnes, bass; and Gary Spaulding, drums -- have added guitarist-vocalist Ry Malroux. The famed pop rock group is still energetic, charismatic and pyrotechnic in music and effects. They have shared the stage with April Wine, Edgar Winter, Blue Oyster Cult, and more and have played festivals and stadiums cross the United States. They helped organize and play Floodstock and both the band and Mr. Malroux have wowed the crowd in Summer Sounds.
      Shake the Band will open.
      Admission is $15 advance and $18 at the door. Click here for tickets and more info.


BURLINGTON--Smitty's Pub presents rock & blues with Nobby Reed and Missisquoi Slim on Saturday at 8 p.m. The pub is in the New North End and is a favorite meeting spot for many in the area. They have live music most Saturday nights.


Saturday-Sunday
ST. ALBANS--14th Star Brewing Co. goes large for Memorial Day Weekend.
      Summer Sounds favorites IncaHoots play Saturday at 6 p.m. The special beer and barbecue evening will take you into the evening with music, dancing and Dave Long, Jeff Wenig, Kevin Connelly and John Geno.
      Then celebrate 14th Star's 6th birthday with a day of awesome brews, food, games, and live music on Sunday from noon - 10 p.m. Justice returns to rock the parking lot from 6 p.m. on.


Sunday
MONTGOMERY--The monthly Celebration of Expressive Arts continues at the INN on Sunday evening at 7 p.m. The event officially includes everything but dancing, but there is always hope. Come early for dinner; service begins at 5 p.m
      This month, the featured story teller is Paul Boffa, the featured musician is Xenia Dunford, and the featured photographic artist is Mike Reilly. The local artists, writers and musicians gather to share original and thought provoking work, curated and hosted by Bob and Becca Cummins.
      Find them on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--The mountain "punk-rock proletariat" Comrade Nixon & Co. returns singing songs of liberation with accomplices Crimespree and Augrah to the Burrow to shake up the city on Sunday at 7 p.m. Doors at 6.
      Pay what you can.


Wednesday
ST. ALBANS--Sean Jarvis hosts Open Mic Night at Durty Nelly's Irish Pub on Wednesday starting at 6:30 p.m. Show off your talent; everyone is welcome to grab the mic and perform any Wednesday evening on the Tavern side.


CHANGES

     Flickr has agreed to be acquired by SmugMug, the photography platform.
      Nothing will change immediately with regard to your Flickr account.
      Immediately is the operative word. They will change the Terms of Service and other features. "The Flickr product and brand will live on under SmugMug ownership. SmugMug and Flickr will remain separate brands." As a result of the acquisition, Flickr accounts will be governed by SmugMug's Terms of Service.


ON THE BOOKSHELF

      ArtBits features a quick weekly peek at library events in and around Franklin County. That popular feature has a page of its own at the Franklin County Bookshelf here on the AAC site at AllArtsCouncil.org/books. We also take an occasional peek at the bookshelf or night stand of the folks you know in and around Franklin County. Those reviews can be found on the ArtBits Bookshelf.


Good News!

There are so many events around the region that we miss some of them.
Be sure to check these calendars for what's happening near you ...
All Arts Council of Franklin County
Cambridge Arts Council
Franklin County Regional
Chamber of Commerce
Island Arts
St Albans Community Arts
Swanton Arts Council
Young Tradition Vermont


SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!


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Dick Harper, Chair
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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