DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 24 * * All Arts News On the Web * * July 23, 2020

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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CANCELLATION (AND RESTART) NEWS

      Gov. Phil Scott extended Vermont's state of emergency until August 15. Gov. Scott also says the data supports reopening K-12 classrooms this fall. Most schools will use a a hybrid model of in-person classes and online learning.
      Indoor dining in restaurants is limited to the greater of 25% of regular occupancy limits and outdoor dining is allowed at maximum licensed seating capacity, up to 50 people. Inns, hotels, and other lodging continue at 50% capacity or 25 guests and staff, whichever is larger. All gatherings, indoor and outdoor, continue to be limited to 25 people. The state is set to begin a campaign to encourage people to wear masks.
      82,500 people (about 13.2% of the Vermont population) have been tested although a negative test result last month is not an indicator an individual's health today. Vermont's seven-day average test positivity is 0.8 percent. Vermont has not had a COVID-19-positive patient in the ICU since May 24. Still, St. Albans City and Town remain the hot spot of Franklin County.
      The state 14-day quarantine limit continues. Out-of-staters who travel to Vermont from a county in the Northeast with less than 400 cases per million population do not have to quarantine but others, especially those from high-risk areas, do. The number of individuals eligible for travel to Vermont without a quarantine fell from 19 million to 13.5 million last week mostly because active cases rose in counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia.
      Some Vermont museums have reopened for the summer. The Saint Albans Museum's "virtual doors" are open.


      The Snow Farm Concert Seriesis back. They sell tickets in advance on the Friday before each concert. The Meeting House on the Green Live at 5 launched last week. August will feature Beg, Steal or Borrow. September brings Christine Malcolm and friends and the "always tasteless" Oleo Romeos will wrap up the season in October.
      Vermont has canceled all county fairs, field days, and festivals for 2020. The 30th annual Summer Sounds concert series will return in 2021. 20/20 Visions, the Montgomery Center for the Arts Summer Art Show and Fundraiser, summer shows at Burton Island, the summer season of the Citizens Concert Band, the entire 2020 season at the Opera House at Enosburg Falls, the entire Enosburg Town Band Summer Concert Series, and many Young Tradition events have been canceled. Summer Music at Gracewill not host in-person concerts but they are talking with artists about additional online collaborations. The 99th annual Champlain Valley Fair will wait until next summer. Epiphanies, the 2020 Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival, has been postponed until 2021.


      Although so many of our favorite activities won't happen this year, all the volunteers will stay as active as possible and this weekly column about the arts and entertainment around the region will continue to serve up live and almost live events and artists from around the region. Read all about it here every Thursday.


ART ON THE WALLS

ST. ALBANS--The Artist in Residence features metalsmith Rebecca Nase Chomyn creating on on Facebook.
      The art cooperative is open with paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, sculpture, lamps, pottery, folk art boxes, scarves, hats and more by 40 Franklin County and surrounding area artists. It is owned and operated by the artists and sponsors. The gallery on South Main Street is open Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.


MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild artist pop-up features Earth'n'Wear Whisper Terry Buehner at the Guild on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. They will display new work, demonstrate, and explain their process.
      MAG's artist pop-ups will feature artists every Saturday with appropriate social distancing. "This way, we can support our artists, and create a special and fun weekend destination. Come and meet the artists on Saturdays, while the Guild is open." Find them on Facebook for more info.


ON STAGE LIVE

Friday
BURLINGTON--Young Tradition Vermont and the Burlington Violin Shop host Hadley Stockwell and Maeve Fairfax in a live performance in front of the shop on Friday during the lunch hour. Sarah Blair and Students were live last Friday.
      Facebook Live events are on the Young Tradition Vermont's on Facebook page.
      All social-distancing and mask guidance applies--no seating, no major congregating, and no paper money or coinage. Audience members can support the musicians via Venmo or PayPal at the performance or anytime at PayPal.


ESSEX--The Double E Lounge and Restaurant will reopen on Friday with the Grazin' in the Grass music series every Friday on the Essex Experience Outdoor Green. Kudu Stooge performs live on the Green on Friday at 6 p.m. "Doors" at 5 with food and beverage service. Rain date is the next day, same time, same place.
      The five piece psychedelic rock group writes original music and "takes an eclectic approach, harnessing a sound that veers into pop as easily as prog."
      The first show is free. COVID precautions: Face coverings are required for entry. Seating is limited, first come first will be seated by ushers in socially distanced pods. Lawn chairs and blankets are suggested. Click here for more info.


ST. ALBANS--The Clothier presents a Singalong with Bobby Cee on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
      Bob Chevalier has played with musicians around the world as well as with his own seven siblings so he's "ready for a sing along night. With my taste in 60's, 70's and 80's music, we'll have a fun night." The Clothier is the 1920's era speakeasy next door to Twiggs.


MILTON--Arrowhead Golf Course hosts Dennis Fox and Friends for the Friday Night Live Music and Buffet on the deck on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The boneless spareribs buffet starts around 7 p.m. Both run until 9 p.m.
      The buffet costs $11 per person ($5 for each child). You don't have to be a member; the public is welcome.


Friday-Saturday
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap offers Lee Ross jazzing on the sax, making loops and melodies with the piano on Friday and the Fabulous Wrecks on Saturday. Both shows start at 5 p.m.
      On Tap has music on Tuesday through Saturday nights. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.


Saturday
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents Django Soulo on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are necessary.
      Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


NORTH HERO--Cooie and Sergio play live in the Pier Bar at North Hero House on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. NHH has live music on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
      The Pier Bar sticks out into City Bay in North Hero and practices social distancing. Food and table reservations are required. Call 802.372.4732 for reservations and find them on Facebook for more info.


Sunday
MONTGOMERY--The monthly Celebration of Expressive Arts continues at the INN on Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. Come early for dinner; service begins at 4 p.m. This month, the featured musician is singer-songwriter Carol Ann Jones, the featured realism artist is Amber Rae Harvey who will paint live, and jewelry creator Ashley Adie will showcase her work. The local artists, writers and musicians gather again to share original and thought provoking work.
      Deck seating is by table and by reservation with social distancing. Another option is to BYO chair and sit in the lawn and listen. CEA will still ask for donations for the artists to share. The events are generally the last Sunday of each month. Find their poster on Facebook for more info.


Tuesday SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle presents Carol Ann Jones and Jon Sochin on Tuesday at 6 p.m. They'll be there every Tuesday evening. Seating is very limited with lots of restrictions in place and reservations are a must. Call 802.372.4814.


Wednesday
NORTH HERO--The Duo plays live in the Steamship Bar at North Hero House on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
      John Seiden on guitar, pedal steel, banjo, congas, and harmonica, and Neil Wright on piano and saxes play a rock-country-jazz mix from the Eagles, Sting, Jimmy Buffet, Bob Marley, Doobie Brothers, Sade, and more.


MORRISVILLE--The Wednesday Night Live summer music series returned last week with the Vermont Bluegrass Pioneers. The series continues in Oxbow Riverfront Park on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
      Play smarter, play safer. COVID requirements: masks and social distancing are required. Leave your dog at home. Limited to the first 140 people. There will be a rotating mix of food vendors every week, from American barbecue to Nepalese staples. Find them on Facebook for more info.


BRANDON--The Brandon Summer Concert Series presents the Tom Caswell Blues Band behind the Brandon Inn in the new Pavilion on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
      The outdoor concerts take place every Wednesday night that it doesn't rain in July and August. Attendees must "adhere to social distancing and hang in your own pod." Click here for more info


ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

     Here's the roundup of virtual music and events for this week.


Friday
      Summer Sounds favorite Mark Shelton will perform a new Elvis concert on on Facebook on Friday around 7 p.m. He was live in his own voice with a "fun mix of various songs" on Tuesday on Facebook.


      Summer Sounds favorite John Bartus' Perpetual Island Tour will perform a new Social Distancing Concert Live from the Florida Keys, thanks to Facebook Live every Friday at 7:30 p.m. Last week's concert from Boondocks is on Facebook.
      Find him on Facebook for the link to tomorrow's event.


      Andrew Lloyd Webber will stream his musicals in the free YouTube series, The Shows Must Go On, every Friday at 7 p.m. for 48 hours. A new show begins tomorrow. Clips of famous performances and behind-the-scenes footage also appear on the channel beside the full shows.
      Click here for Mr. Webber's YouTube channel for all the details and to subscribe.


Wednesday
      Tom Caswell streams a blues jam live from his living room on Facebook every Wednesday at 7 p.m. He welcomes everyone to play some blues along from home. Find him on on Facebook and view last week's jam on Facebook as well.


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

Music!

Links to the Summer Music series in Franklin County
Summer Sounds
Summer Music at Grace
Downtown Summer Concert Series
Summer Evenings with
Vermont Treasures
Citizens Band
Wednesday Night Live
Enosburg Town Band


SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!


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