DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 24 * * All Arts News On the Web * * December 31, 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

      The Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines have received emergency use authorization and NMC delivered the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine on December 16, along with the first vaccinations administered in Franklin County. Emergency Department Dr. Marc Kutler was among the first to be vaccinated. "I feel blessed," he said. "I feel very fortunate about getting the vaccine. I've been waiting for this day to come. It's the beginning of turning things around."
      Encouraged by dropping daily COVID case counts in Vermont, Gov. Phil Scott last week announced a temporary loosening of rules governing gatherings during the holidays. After January 2, the current restrictions go back into place.
      Vermont's Agency of Education notified schools that the guidance requiring schools to question students about attending gatherings has been rescinded. According to the updated guidance, schools are no longer allowed to ask about gatherings during their morning COVID screenings.
      It is crucial to stick with the plan as the number of new COVID-19 cases in Vermont continues to rise.
The next few weeks will be the hardest as we face the most dangerous time of the pandemic. With the vaccine "here," many want to resume normal social activities. Please don't let down your guard.
     The Vermont State of Emergency continues. All non-essential travel to and from the state requires quarantine. The Vermont statewide mask mandate remains in effect along with the ban on multi-household gatherings and the order to close bars and social clubs. Families can gather with one other trusted household until Sunday, January 2, when the state will "take a break to collect data. And once we get the data collected, we'll see where we go from here," Gov. Scott said.
      As of last Sunday, the Vermont Dashboard showed a total of 6,966 cases, up from a reported 6,343 last week. The state predicts a 34% increase in cases over the next four weeks. There have been 121 deaths (1.74% of cases). The seven-day average test positivity rate has dropped slightly to 1.8% but is the lowest in the nation. "Which again is higher than we'd like to see but is a vast improvement," Gov. Scott said. CDC reported 538 new cases this past week although HealthVermont reported only 79  new cases. The state's arithmetic still does not add up; it is an interesting, and ongoing, disparity. Franklin County had 7 new cases this week, 139 in the last two weeks.
      HealthVermont writes, If you did gather with people from other households, you can still lower the risk of spreading COVID-19 in case you have been exposed or are sick and don’t have symptoms. Postpone seeing anyone who’s high risk, and get tested on day 7 or later. If you hosted with out-of-state visitors or traveled outside of Vermont, quarantine and stay away from others for 14 days, or 7 days with no symptoms and a negative test. Find free testing near you at healthvermont.gov
      250,371 people (up to 40.1% of the Vermont population) have been tested a total of 646,518 times, although that data comes with a crucial caveat:

• A negative test result yesterday says nothing about an individual's health today.

We still need a daily test that costs ten cents and gives results in ten minutes.
      The HealthVermont video, How Contact Tracing Slows the Spread of COVID-19, explains what contact tracers do. Click here for the YouTube video.


      Twiggs and other restaurants are offering some live music while other artists and venues are doing more online. The Vermont Humanities Council has ongoing arts and literary digital events and programs including First Wednesdays and Vermont Reads. Although the activities may take place at a distance from Franklin County, they are available safely and locally online at vermonthumanities.org.


      Because I write this weekly column largely on Sundays, the infection rates reported may lag "live media" reports. Since it appears on Thursday and covers an entire week in the future, that also means events and happenings are likely to change with changing State mandates. Be sure to check with the organizers of any event for up-to-the-minute info.
      Although so many of our favorite activities won't happen going into the new 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 YOU CAN BUY

ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery Winter Holiday Store has gift cards, ornament trees, featured artists, and more available in the store or online.
      The Artist in Residence art cooperative features 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 finishes up its holiday hours today, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed tomorrow. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.


MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild MAG online shop is open 24/7 and the gallery itself is open today, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery will close on Friday through Wednesday, January 6, when they return to regular hours.


IN THE SAC

SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council will hold its regular board meeting and update via Zoom on Monday at 6 p.m. SAC meetings are held on the first Monday of each month. Email or message via Facebook an hour before the meeting for the link. Click here for the current agenda and minutes for earlier meetings.
      The SAC posted an interview with watercolor artist Micheal Barkyoumb in the Art Nook Gallery on Facebook.


FIRST WEDNESDAY


      The Vermont Humanities Council presents Thomas Denenberg with Winslow Homer and the Poetics of Place on the Vermont Humanities Digital Channels on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
      The painter Winslow Homer occupies an unusual and pivotal place in the history of American art. Mr. Denenberg, director of the Shelburne Museum, will sketch Homer's long and productive career, focusing on how he bridged the sentimental culture of the nineteenth century with the visual culture of the modern era. Click here for more info.
      The VHC's First Wednesdays talks will be offered online only, at VHC Digital, on Facebook or on their YouTube channel. Advance registration is required for these events; registration is free.


LIVE ON STAGE

Thursday, December 31
ST. ALBANS--Nelly's Pub & Grill rings in the New Year COVID style with Bare Bones on Thursday at 5 - 7 and 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Each seating will include a three-course meal with music.
      Jenn and Mark of Barbie N Bones will debut as a duo at Nelly's with two acoustic shows. Find the show on Facebook for more info.
      All COVID regulation will be followed including masks. Reservations are required. Call the restaurant (802.528.5945) during open hours or message them on Facebook.


ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap offers Eleven live on this evening at 6 - 9:30 p.m. Scott Guptill, guitar and vocals; Taylor Arsenault, vocals; and Scott Belisle, bass and vocals "hope you can join us to give 2020 a kick in the ass it deserves." They will offer up a barrage of hits from the 70s to the 90s.
      The patio is open and they offer online ordering as well. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Reservations are required. Click here to reserve a table.


ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

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


Thursday, December 31
      The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater free virtual season of works concludes on New Year's Eve.
      The company has showcased Testament, a modern-day approach to Revelations. There has also been an Ailey and Ellington program of 14 ballets choreographed by Ailey including a remake of Pas de Duke filmed on top of NYC's Woolworth Building. Jamal Roberts presented A Jam Session For Troubling Times, in honor of the centennial celebration of Charlie Bird Parker. The works pay homage to six decades of Ailey's Revelations.
      Click here to stream and for more info.


Friday, January 1
      Fiddler Isabella with her mom Michele Choiniere playing piano take part on Young Tradition's Facebook page on Friday at 7 p.m. as part of the series of online concerts and interviews by current and alumni members of the Touring Group.
      Watching is free but YTV requests a $5 donation. Proceeds are split between participating group members and Young Tradition Vermont, all to support this year's Touring Group project, which started rehearsals in September and will continue through a final project in late April. Donations can be made through Paypal . Email for more info.


      Summer Sounds favorite John Bartus' Perpetual Island Tour will perform Social Distancing Concert 41, Live from the Florida Keys, thanks to Facebook Live on New Year's Day at about 7:30 p.m. Find him on Facebook for the watch party.
      Social Distancing Concert 40 was live (and a little behind) on Christmas Day with the final totally acoutic concert of 2020 with lots of good cheer from the executive producer on Facebook.


      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. Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds: Alive on Stage began on Christmas and is available for 12 days, until January 5. 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.


Saturday, January 2
      The River Arts' Music and Movement broadcasts Live on Facebook with Isaac Eddy of the Blue Man Group on Saturday beginning at 12 noon.
      Tune in the first Saturday of every month to sing songs and move to music. Each month will be hosted by musicians and performers from the Blue Man Group. Click here for more info.


Ongoing
      Andrea Bocelli sang Amazing Grace live outside the Duomo di Milano in Milan, Italy on YouTube
      Matthew Thomas wrote, "Across the world we are hurting, alone and feeling hopeless but this song reminds us that we are all together and that the sounds of this song can unite us together. For everyone who has lost a family member I hope this song helps you remember the love they had for you and the memories you will treasure forever! Thank you Andrea your voice has the power to bring light into a dark world."


      The Sunrise Sessions feature Chuck Larson and the Snake Oil Cowboys (Robbie House and Norm Harrell) on YouTube. From the Outer Banks, Mr. Larson is one of the founding members of the popular band Snuff. His solo album is Snake Oil Cowboys, The Frill Is Gone.
      Hunter At Sunrise is an acoustic and eclectic radio show. It streams every Sunday morning and is heard on WHRV, the Public Radio station that serves Hampton Roads, Virginia.


      Singer-songwriter Dan Matlack of Asbury Park, NJ, has streamed Rearview, a new song on Reverb Nation. The rock, alternative, blues, folk musician and former professional baseball player is the son of one of my classmates.


      Missisquoi Slim posted a "Killer Jam" video on Facebook. "Everything lined up for a killer jam last night... I knew Jason Corbiere (Austin TX via Swanton) and Robby Eldge (Pittsburgh PA via Swanton) were within 1/4 mile radius of me and Nobby Reed was just a text away. How could it not happen?"


      The Ben Patton Band played Nothing To Declare from their respective homes on YouTube . Caleb Bronz, drums; Mingo Maquera, bass, vox, and melodica; and Mr. Patton, vox and guitar; play the song from his 2007 album The Unquiet and Apart.
      Mr. Patton also sang some Christmas Songs, live from home on YouTube .


      Summer Sounds favorite Mark Shelton went live with a Captain Radical Christmas Concert and Party with fireworks on Facebook last Wednesday evening. Mr. Shelton postponed Sunday's gospel concert until a later date.
      Follow him on Facebook for a link to this week's offerings.


      Cory Young posted 7 Miles on YouTube at noon on Christmas Day. The story of the historic Seven Mile Bridge on the Overseas Highway offers original Florida Keys music and a small glimpse into life on the islands. The song is his first release from his fourth album, High in Society. It was recorded "in the Florida Keys with COVID-19 quarantine collaboration."
      The storied bridge is the only connection between the city of Marathon in the Middle Keys and the Lower Keys. It was among the longest bridges in the world when it was built and is still the fourth longest in the United States (the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the longest bridge over water in the world). The original bridge, visible in this video, was constructed from 1909 to 1912 as part of the Florida East Coast Railway and rebuilt for car and truck traffic after the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. The current road bridge in the music video was constructed in 1982. The bridge has been featured in films and television series including as Licence to Kill, True Lies, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Burn Notice, and in music videos.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

     Vermont Public Radio's Mitch Wertlieb spoke with St. Albans writer Jim Stiles about his book, A Rough Road. The novel about climate change that features two young lovers who roam from place to place, "trying to stay safe and finding it increasingly difficult to do so." Click here to read the conversation.


      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.

LOOKING BACK AT THE YEAR

      The year that was. The coronavirus was the biggest news in the state and in this column. 2020 changed the face of arts and entertainment; Franklin County artists and presenters were particularly affected. We'll start with the Arts Councils, check in on the Franklin County Festivals and Libraries, then wrap up with the Other Major Presenters.

ALL ARTS COUNCIL
      The All Arts Council serves northwestern Vermont as a presenter, an event producer, and as a technical resource for artists and other groups. Other Franklin County organizations continue to grow, which means we support more events.
      Summer Sounds, Franklin County's popular, long running, outdoor series, planned to celebrate 30 years of free concerts on summer Sunday evenings, sponsored by the Town of Highgate and the All Arts Council. Sadly, we had to postpone the 30th season to 2021. The All Arts presentation of Cirque Britannia: Victoria Drawn from Life was cancelled. We listed Resources for Artists including the CERF+ Emergency Relief Grants.
      The community based All Arts Council brings the performing and visual arts to northwestern Vermont.

FAIRFAX ARTS COUNCIL
      The Town of Fairfax appropriated $750 to the new Fairfax VT Arts Council at 2020 Town Meeting. The Arts Council has a mission of enriching the lives of Fairfax community members through the arts.
      COVID changed their plans shortly thereafter. They continued with some virtual activities and did legwork on projects to pursue when socializing and in-person engagement is encouraged again. They provided utility pole banners to the town and painted the raised beds at community corner. They are currently working toward a Better Places pilot program grant.

RIVER ARTS
      The Morrisville community art center, presenter, and gallery sought has ways to keep making art from the safety of home. River Arts at Home, the Virtual Open Studio, and other classes went online. The River Arts CSArt (Community Supported Art) is a subscription service for individuals, families, and community members to explore different art mediums. Click here to explore these art experiences for the community.

ST. ALBANS COMMUNITY ARTS
      Mayor Tim Smith proclaimed April as National Poetry Month in the City of St. Albans. St. Albans Community Arts is a City presenter and promoter of arts events in St. Albans. They held some Community Arts MeetUps and the Mayor's Photo Competition virtually.

SWANTON ARTS COUNCIL
      Swanton Arts Council turned five this year. They work to build an artistic presence and develop the artistic community in Swanton. This year, they have produced arts classes, the (virtual) Art Journaling Group, and the Swanton Writers Group, the Paint pARTty for a Cause, workshops, and more. COVID pushed the 5th annual Youth Art Show online. The Emerging Artist Award did select one local senior. And they continue to work at a safe social distance.

THE FRANKLIN COUNTY FESTIVALS
      The 54th annual Vermont Maple Festival was the first major outdoor event to be canceled in Vermont. We also lost the 63rd Vermont Dairy Festival and the 44th annual Franklin County Field Days.

THE 12 LIBRARIES
      The generous appropriations for our Town Libraries do not cover all expenses. A donation will help your community library continue offering not only popular reading but also a wide range of the arts. Stop by your library to pick up a donation form or just hand them moolah.
      Due to the pandemic and findings of racism, the Vermont Humanities Council extended Vermont Reads 2020: The Hate U Give until June 2021, the end of the academic year. Vermont Reads was again a big theme throughout the year, especially given its ability to be done "at home." Angie Thomas’ best-selling young adult novel about the Black Lives Matter movement marked the eighteenth year of the Vermont Humanities Council's statewide, one-book community reading program.
      Franklin County libraries also struggled with all their public activities. Collectively, the libraries hold and have lent tens of thousands of physical and electronic books this year. There's some good news. Patrons were able to check out books and movies all year, thanks to phone and email requests for materials. The libraries also have a wide selection of electronic books and audiobooks available online. click here for more info about all the libraries.

GALLERY PRESENTERS
      The Artist In Residence Gallery in St. Albans featured dozens of northern Vermont fine artists with a focus on up to four different artists each month. The art cooperative features paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, sculpture, lamps, pottery, folk art boxes, scarves, hats, and more, and is owned and operated by the artists and sponsors. They have carefully reopened but many activities including the popular monthly featured artist socials have gone online.
      The Milton Artists Guild's MAGnificent Mask Force sewists ("sewers + artists") crafted protective masks for healthcare workers. The Guild opened an online shop to complement the "bricks and mortar" gallery and began socially distanced artist pop-ups. They hosted online classes, seminars, and workshops.
      The Montgomery Center for the Arts began the year with a figure drawing workshop and presented live-looping, singer-violinist Emma Back with bassist Lyn Rye for a Valentine's Day concert. They canceled the Summer Art Show and Fundraiser but hosted Women's Work Is Never Done at MCAKelton Hall and the Paper Bag Mask Project on the porch, their first ever curbside art show.
      The Northwestern Medical Center Gallery implemented COVID precautions and put all exhibits on hold.
      The Saint Albans Museum postponed Suffragist Stories & Songs but did have From the Parlor to the Polls, outdoors in St. Albans Bay Park. They created History from Home, a series of educational activities, videos, links, and other local history resources for online and at-home learning. Their online programming included Amanda Gustin with Anything for Speed: Automobile Racing in Vermont on Zoom. A series of "pop-up" museum exhibitions were outdoor and socially-distanced.

OTHER MAJOR PRESENTERS
      Restaurants and bars in Franklin County struggled to present live music. There were periods of complete silence and times with some live shows and benefit concerts. There have been a few "pop-up" shows this month but most happened too quickly to catch our deadline. Check with your favorite places every day or so to find out if anything is going on.
      Celebration of Expressive Arts created a playlist of musicians featured over the past 10 years. Ashley & John Nicholls sang for CEA on Facebook. They did operate through the summer with deck and lawn seating by reservation with social distancing. Robert Brunelle Jr. and jazz quartet KRIS; Carol Ann Jones, Amber Rae Harvey, and Ashley Adie; Sharon Webster, Steve Goldman and D Davis, and David Cavanaugh; all performed.
      The Church Street Sounds of the Season concert series was another casualty, postponed until further notice.
      The Opera House at Enosburg Falls canceled the entire summer and fall performance schedule but hosted its first virtual concert this month.
      We lost the popular Jig in the Valley but Live at 5, the abbreviated new Meeting House on the Green music series, returned with four socially distanced, outdoor concerts with the Will Patton Ensemble, Beg, Steal or Borrow, Christine Malcolm with Rudy, Fran & Hank, and the Oleo Romeos. Proceeds from the series help fund the restoration of the building.
      Summer Music at Grace hosted the virtual "the umpteenth annual" Farewell Reunion benefit concert but was otherwise dark.
      80-90% of Young Tradition-Vermont events have gone online or been postponed when they couldn't be done live and in-person or the artists and youth couldn't travel into or out of state. The performers continued to work with Friday "almost live" events, interviews, and more.
      The Enosburg Town Band and the Citizens Concert Band canceled their free concert seasons.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

     May 2021 be filled with friends and family and joy and the arts. And, as Duke Ellington reminds us, "I've found the best way to keep a band together is to pay them."


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