DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 25 * * All Arts News On the Web * * July 1, 2021

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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PERSPECTIVE

      Celebrate Independence Day with local arts. There's a lot going on.
      Vermont is the most vaccinated state in the U.S. but the Delta variant has already been found in Chittenden County and in Central Vermont.
      The state has lifted all state COVID-19 restrictions but Gov. Phil Scott said last week that the state is "not letting up." The goal is to continue getting shots in arms by meeting people where they are, making shots as accessible as possible.
      Meanwhile, the seasonal flu has mostly disappeared worldwide. The public health measures that we took to slow the spread of COVID have worked really well on influenza. The drop-off in flu numbers was swift and the number of cases has stayed remarkably low.
      "There's just no flu circulating," Mayo Clinic's Greg Poland told Scientific American. There were about 600 influenza deaths during the past flu season; that's great news compared to CDC estimates of around 22,000 deaths in 2019-20 and 34,000 in 2018-19
      Here's the bad news. The drug manufacturers base the upcoming flu vaccine on strains that circulating in the past season which makes designing the 2021-22 vaccine a crapshoot.
      Here's my own current advice. Contrast the 604,000 COVID-19 deaths nationwide with deaths from influenza. Get the shot(s) and take precautions. The vaccines are extraordinarily effective but nothing is 100% foolproof. Wash your hands. Wear a mask where you can't control the airflow around you until we reach the same herd immunity we have for smallpox and once had but lost for measles. It will continue to help us when flu season returns as well.


RESTART NEWS

     Summer Sounds begins its 30th season of outdoor concerts with Mark Shelton on Sunday, July 11. River Arts returns to Music on Main, the Downtown Summer Music Series in Morrisville. Area restaurants and venues are offering live music while other artists and venues continue live streaming online.


MAYOR'S PIX

MAYOR'S PHOTO COMPETITION (July 9) --The 4th annual St. Albans Mayor's Photo Contest is well underway. The theme is "Buildings and Barns" in Franklin and Grand Isle counties. Photos are due by next Friday.
      15-20 photographs will be selected to be enlarged and displayed in Taylor Park throughout the fall.
      All photos, including cellphone photography, are welcome. Submit 8x10 prints of your entries but the winning images must support enlargement to 20"x30". All photos and submissions must be received by July 9; public online voting begins next Saturday, July 10, and continues until Friday, July 23.
      Email or click here for the contest rules and entry form.


ART ON THE WALLS

     Vermont has lifted all remaining statewide COVID-19 restrictions.
      Here's my own current advice, updated to today. Get the shot(s) and take precautions. The vaccines are extraordinarily effective but nothing is 100% foolproof. Wash your hands. Wear a mask where you can't control the airflow around you until we reach the same herd immunity we have for smallpox and once had but lost for measles. Bonus: it will also help protect you from summer colds and the winter flu.


JEFFERSONVILLE--The Jeffersonville Art Jam continues on Main Street in conjunction with the 90th annual Northern Vermont Artists Association June Juried Show this Saturday with a bonus on Sunday. Free events will occur on Saturdays (with Sunday rain dates).
      The Visions of Vermont Gallery, the Bryan Memorial Gallery and the Cambridge Arts Council will host artist demos, live music, lectures, food vendors, and artists' booths up and down Main Street.


ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on wood turner Brad Blaisdell, fiber and pebble artist Donna Blatchly, and jewelry creator Terry Buehner.
      The art and fine craft 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 is open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.


WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild will host Painting with Alcohol Inks at the MAG Art Center on Saturday at 10 a.m. Catherine Putzier teaches all the basics of the fun, flowing medium.
      The cost is $45 for members or $50 for non-members. Find them on Facebook for more info and to reserve a space.


MORRISVILLE--River Arts hosts Wednesday Night Live at Oxbow park on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Facilitators help all ages complete art projects while local musicians play the stage. Admission is free.


ENOSBURG--Cold Hollow Sculpture Park presents a workshop, Being a Pigment Shed, with Jane D Marsching on Sunday July 18 at 11 a.m. The hands-on workshop will explore the natural world, activism, social change and art making.
The cost is $45. Click here for tickets and more info


ST. ALBANS--Patrick Murphy and Saint Albans Art Supply hosts an art class on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m.
      The "small town Art Supply store" will host classes in different mediums. $35 per person. Limited spots are available so overflow reservation will take place the following week. Call the store (802.528.5194) for reservations. COVID restrictions apply. Find them on Facebook for a quick look.
      The art store also carries acrylics and oil paints, watercolor papers, sketch pads and canvas, Artograph lightpads, brush sets, brush cleaners, and more plus materials for kids. The store, located at 118 North Main Street, directly across from Ace Hardware, is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ON STAGE LIVE

     Vermont has lifted all remaining statewide COVID-19 restrictions.
      Here's my own current advice, updated to today. Get the shot(s) and take precautions. The vaccines are extraordinarily effective but nothing is 100% foolproof. Wash your hands. Wear a mask where you can't control the airflow around you until we reach the same herd immunity we have for smallpox and once had but lost for measles. Bonus: it will also help protect you from summer colds and the winter flu.


Thursday, July 1
ST. ALBANS TOWN--Julia Parent performed live at the St. Albans Bay Farmers Market last week. They will have new live music in the Town Bay Park this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


SOUTH HERO--Carol Ann Jones and the Superchargers rock the Snow Farm Summer Concert Series at the Snow Farm Vineyard & Winery this evening at 6:30 p.m.
      The live summer series offers a variety of music, from classical to jazz to swing to bluegrass to classic rock. Concerts are held every Thursday evening into September, weather permitting. Picnicking begins at 5 p.m. Wine and a local craft beer are available for purchase. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Click here for more info.


Thursday-Saturday, July 1-3
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle on the Bay continues a summer of live music nights with Chris Lyon this evening, and Rik Palieri on Friday, and the Lloyd Tyler Band on Saturday. Music begins at 6 p.m.
      Call 802.372.4814 for reservations and more info.


Friday, July 2
MILTON--Rick's Grill presents the Nobby Reed Project on Friday at 5 p.m. With Eric Belrose, drums; Walt Delaney, bass; and Mr. Reed, guitar and vocals; NRP has wailed the blues since he released his first solo CD to critical national acclaim in 1997.


MORRISVILLE--River Arts and Music on Main presents the Pat Markley Group at the Union Bank gazebo on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Markley is a Vermont born composer and multi-instrumentalist.
      The new downtown music series is a partnership of River Arts and the Morristown Alliance for Culture and Commerce (MACC). Bring a chair, get a bite to eat from a local restaurant, and enjoy the downtown while listening to local musicians. Admission is free.


MILTON--The Friday Night Live Music and Buffet at Arrowhead Golf Course presents Jeremy Sandborn on the deck on Friday at 6 p.m. The Grilled chicken buffet starts around 7 p.m. Both run until 9 p.m.
      The buffet costs $12 per person ($5 for each child). You don't have to be a member; the public is welcome. Be sure to come early, usually around 6, to get a good seat.


ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents George Nostrand for a night of live music in The Room on Friday at 6 p.m. We don't know if he still has the beat-up green hat. Find them on Facebook for more info.


Friday-Sunday, July 2-4
NORTH HERO--Chris & Erica play live in the Steamship Bar and Grill at North Hero House on Friday. Cooper & Corn play live on Saturday. And with blues and rock for a special Independence Day, Blue Blazes plays dance music on Sunday. Music starts at 5:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info. NHH has live music on Wednesday and Friday or Saturday evenings.


ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents Trevor Contois on Friday and Ryan Hanson live on Saturday night. Music starts at about 6:30 p.m.
      Call 802.524.1405, find them on Facebook, or click here for more info.


Saturday, July 3
ST. ALBANS TOWN--The 40th Bay Day Festival kicks off a day with lots more than fireworks in St. Albans Town Bay Park all day this Saturday. Yep, Saturday! The legendary Great Race, afternoon activities, games, food, and live music all day capped by the fireworks.
      Live music starts with singer-songwriter Troy Millette at 2 p.m. Classic rock cover band Dirty Looks takes over at 4 p.m. Glass Onion starts at 7 p.m. and plays into the fireworks at dusk.


SOUTH HERO--The Snow Farm Vineyard & Winery hosts a special singer-songwriter event with Julia Parent on Saturday at 1 p.m.
      The live summer series offers a variety of music, from classical to jazz to swing to bluegrass to classic rock. Concerts are held every Thursday evening into September, weather permitting. Picnicking begins at 5 p.m. Wine and a local craft beer are available for purchase. Bring your own chairs and blankets. click here for more info.


ST. ALBANS--Music in the Biergarten presents Connecticut native Nathaniel Hintz singing a rockabilly and outlaw country with a folk flair at Mill River Brewing on Saturday at 5 p.m.
      Call to make a reservation (802.582.4182) or find them on Facebook for more info.


Sunday, July 4
COLCHESTER--The Spanked Puppy Summer Music Series presents the Smokey Newfield Project at the Outback on Sunday at 2 p.m. SNP fuses rock, folk, country and adult contemporary music.


EAST BURKE--Mike's Tiki Bar presents the busy Nobby Reed Project on Sunday at 5 p.m.
      Vermont's best known blues trio includes Eric Belrose, percussion, Walt Delaney on bass, and Mr. Reed on lead guitar and vocals.


ESSEX JUNCTION--The Double E offers "an Independence Day like we've never experienced before" with Summer Sounds favorite Jamie Lee Thurston to throw a party to celebrate on the Essex Experience Green on Sunday at 7 p.m.
      The Nashville singer-songwriter who is "more comfortable on stage than off" released The Window, his ninth album, in 2018.
      Admission is $10. Click here for tickets and more info.


Wednesday, July 7
ESSEX--The Essex Experience presents Trucks Taps and Tunes with family-friendly live music, cold beer, and food on the Essex Green each Wednesday at 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


NORTH HERO--The Hubcats play live in the Steamship Bar and Grill at North Hero House on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info. NHH has live music on Wednesday and Friday or Saturday evenings.


SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro continues a summer of soulful songs with Laura Fedele-Rasco on Wednesday at 6 p.m. No cover charge. Enjoy outdoor tent seating by reservation. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Summer Concert Series presents Rushmore in the E.A. Loomis Bandshell in Taylor Park on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. There will be no food or beverage sales this summer.
      Admission is free.


ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

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

Thursday, July 1
      On the Frost Jazz Hour UM, Aaron Lebos plays live on Facebook today at 11 a.m. The University of Miami Jazz Department broadcasts live from WDNA 88.9 FM studios every Thursday at 11 a.m. Admission is free. Anyone on or off Facebook is invited.


Friday, June 25
      Summer Sounds favorite John Bartus will perform Social Distancing Concert 64, Live from the Florida Keys, thanks to Facebook Live at about 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Find him on Facebook for the watch party. Mr. Bartus played Social Distancing Concert #64 from the studio last Friday on Facebook. He will join us for Summer Sounds in Highgate on July 25.


Wednesday, June 30
      Big Heavy World presents Rocket Shop, the original local music radio hour hosted by Tom Proctor, every Wednesday night from 8 - 9 p.m. Vermont artists from across the state perform live in every genre on 105.9FM The Radiator in Burlington and as a podcast on bigheavyworld.com.


Ongoing
      Practice.
      Carnegie Hall Selects presents Bernstein, The Gift of Music on www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2021/06/25/Carnegie-Hall-Selects-Bernsteins-The-Gift-of-Music-1200PMCarnegieHall.org on Friday at 12 p.m. Produced to commemorate the 75th anniversary of his birth and narrated by Lauren Bacall, The Gift of Music showcases footage from the Bernstein archives and early television ventures.
      Presented as part of Live with Carnegie Hall, the series of free concert films from stages around the world will feature some of the greatest performances of music important to Carnegie Hall's history. A new film will be released each Friday; each will stream for one week exclusively on the Hall's website.


      Summer Sounds favorite Mark Shelton sang Gospel in the wilderness on Facebook on Sunday. He will kick off the 30th season of Summer Sounds in Highgate on July 11. Follow him on Facebook for a link to this week's offerings.


      Young Tradition Vermont's Yasi Zeichner plays the Maids of Mt. Kisco, a reel and showcases the sean nós steps on YouTube.


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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