| VOLUME 25 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | July 29, 2021 |
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. STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS
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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ST. ALBANS--The memorial service for Verne Colburn will be held at the Collins-Perley Complex on Thursday at 1 p.m. PASSAGES
Mr. Colburn touched most people in Vermont as the music director at BFA-St. Albans, commander of the 40th Army National Guard Band, piano player in resorts, restaurants, night clubs, and churches, for Cardiac Capers, and as an occasional special guest in Summer Sounds, and as a friend and supporter of everyone he met. The service will feature a band composed of former students, colleagues, and friends, and will be followed by a reception.
SHELDON--RIP David Underwood, who died unexpectedly on Saturday at the age of 73. The restauranteur who loved people has been a friend to the arts for decades.
From the little pub in Sheldon to the thriving family restaurant, purveyor of milk, banquet facility, and catering, and food service company, he has also built a community of music. The renowned founder and co-owner of the Abbey Group was the host for the Grateful Dead and 100,000 of their closest friends in Highgate. From that humble beginning, he sponsored, promoted, presented, and befriended local and world-traveling musicians. He also shared a birthday with my mom, artist Mary D. Harper.
He is survived by his wife, soul mate, best friend, and business partner, Sherry, and by his children, Shannon, Jennifer, and Abbey. His Celebration of Life will be announced in the future. Click here for more of Mr. Underwood's story and here to donate to the King David Acts of Kindness Fund whose proceeds help children.
FRANKLIN COUNTY--The Big Music Weeks of Summer continue this week as some of our friends play multiple gigs. Summer Sounds celebrates 30 years of concerts in Highgate. There are shows in Essex, Essex Junction, Highgate, Milton, Morrisville, North Hero, Sheldon, South Hero, and St. Albans. BIG MUSIC WEEKS
HIGHGATE--The Chevalier Drilling Company, Inc., the All Arts Council, and the Town of Highgate continue the 30th year of Summer Sounds concerts at home in Highgate with Jenni Johnson and the Jazz Junketeers on the new stage on the Highgate Arena lawn has been POSTPONED. Sadly, the rain may drift south of us but we can't be sure and the band is really uncomfortable about playing unmasked indoors. Jenni Johnson and the Jazz Junketeers will join us on August 29th! SOUNDS OF SUMMER POSTPONED!
There's a reason Jenni Johnson has appeared in Summer Sounds more than any other performer. With Chuck Miller, keys; Bill Darrow, guitar and vocals; Glendon Ingalls, bass and mini trumpet; and Steve Wanderlich, drums; Ms. Johnson is jazzy, bluesy, funky, and nearly perfect.
"We'll definitely do the standards," Ms. Johnson said, "the Billie [Holiday], the Nat King Cole, the Ella [Fitzgerald]. And I hope my grown up 'Junkettes' will join us!" The Junkettes are Highgate's own young people who have grown up dancing and singing to her performances here.
Her life is a joyous, world-wide musical tour, singing jazz, blues and funk that she shares. In the 1980s she pursued musical projects in Houston, Texas and Boston including her unique work, The Billie Holiday Story. She launched Jenni Johnson and the Jazz Junketeers in 1989 to sing the jazz and blues standards by her favorite African-American artists. The active touring artist is a regular performer in Summer Sounds, Discover Jazz, and First Night. She has performed with national musicians from New Orleans and international jazz musicians from Yaroslavl and Rostav, Russia and Paris. She runs workshops in vocal-performance coaching for all levels and continues to Moonlight in Vermont as she keeps clients fit, counseled and musically entertained.
Her albums include a Tour Down Memory Lane, recorded during her Vermont opera house tour, Black Pearls, and JENNI takes 1 & 2.
Just before the concert, come to the Summer Sounds Social in the Park starting at 6 p.m.
The Summer Sounds concerts are sponsored by the Town of Highgate and the All Arts Council, and underwritten by Chevalier Drilling Co. Inc, Desorcie's Market, Drummac Septic Service, Hampton Inn of St. Albans, O. C. McCuin and Sons, and Ray's Extrusion Dies and Tubing.
The community based All Arts Council brings the performing arts to northwestern Vermont. The concerts are always on Sunday evenings, always at 7 p.m., always on the Highgate Arena Lawn, and always free. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for the outdoor family music and festivities. The rain site is the Highgate United Methodist Church. Click here for more info.
Vermont received $524 million in COVID-19 relief money last Thursday, the first half of the just over $1 billion the state will receive from the federal government to help recover from the pandemic. RESTART NEWS
Area restaurants and venues are offering live music while other artists and venues continue live streaming online. Despite the good news--72.7% of Franklin County residents age 12 and over have received at least one shot--the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in the state has risen from 4.29 new cases per day on July 6 to 14.74 new cases per day on July 24. The Vermont Dashboard showed a total of 24,676 cases, up by 28 from last week. There have been 259 deaths. Franklin County had four new cases last week and 12 in the last two weeks. Vermont is the safest state in the Union but the infection is still here.
Island Arts' Summer Concerts begin Saturday with Jorge Garcia Herranz. Franklin County Field Days goes live August 5 - 8.
Vermont has lifted all statewide COVID-19 restrictions. ART ON THE WALLS
Here's my own current advice. 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--or when you're around people who you don't know whether they're vaccinated or not--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 pollen, summer colds, and the winter flu.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery has asked members to participate in their People's Choice Event. Member artists have entered a piece of art for the theme "Eye to Eye."
All gallery visitors are asked to look for the People's Choice artwork and to vote for their favorite. The two members with the most votes at the end of July will have bragging rights; the winning artwork will be made into cards and sold to benefit AIR.
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.
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council will hold a Board Meeting and Updates in person at the Swanton Free Public Library on Monday at 6 p.m. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month. Click here for the agenda and minutes of the previous meetings. IN THE SAC
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. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild will host How To Write Your Best Artist Statement with artist, author, and speaker Corrina Thurston as part of their ongoing series of online seminars this evening 6 - 8 p.m. Art is a business. This workshop will cover how to use an artist statement to help create more sales, where best to use it, and ways to make it more visually engaging for the target audience.
The cost is $30 for members or $35 for non-members. Click here for more info and to reserve a space.
Vermont has lifted all remaining statewide COVID-19 restrictions. ON STAGE LIVE
Here's my own current advice. 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--or when you're around people who you don't know whether they're vaccinated or not--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 pollen, summer colds, and the winter flu.
Thursday, July 29
ST. ALBANS--Saint Albans Recreation Department hosts a free, community party with music by the band Squirrel at Hard'ack Recreation Area on Thursday at 5 p.m.
Celebrating the opening of the Greg Brown Lodge, there will be refreshments, cash bar and a fire pit. The newly-constructed offers indoor space for park visitors, tables, shelving, storage, and bathrooms. The evening is free and open to the public but no pets, please. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--The Snow Farm Summer Concert Series has Summer Sounds favorites IncaHoots 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-Sunday, July 29 - August 1
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap presents Jesse Agan on Thursday at 5:30 p.m., two shows Friday night, the Trevor Ryan Duo at 5:30 p.m., and then Dark Star Project for late night music starting at 9 p.m., and Jeff Shelly live on Saturday night at 6 p.m. Music usually starts at 5:30 on Thursday and 6 p.m. other nights. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. And to confirm. Click here to reserve a table.
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle continues a summer of live music nights with Dave Miller on the Bay this evening, Cooie DeFrancesco in the Bistro and Dale & Darcy on the Bay on Friday, the Shane Murley Band live on Saturday on the Bay, and Jeff & Gina in the Bistro on Sunday. Music begins at 6 p.m. each evening. Call 802.372.4814 for reservations or find them on Facebook for more info.
Friday, July 30
MORRISVILLE--River Arts and Music on Main presents D and Cookie playing "from jazz to classical and way beyond," live at the Union Bank gazebo on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
The 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. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents Summer Sounds busy favorites IncaHoots for a night of live music in The Room on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
MILTON--The Friday Night Live Music and Buffet at Arrowhead Golf Course presents the Buck Hollers on the deck on Friday at 6 p.m. The teriyaki 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.
SHELDON--The Abbey may host the Summer Party in the Back 40 on Friday at 6:30 p.m., weather permitting or in the Pub if it rains. Find them on Facebook for more info.
MORRISVILLE--Moogs hosts an Oxbow Music Festival Pre-Party (with A Tallgrass Revival) at Moogs Place on Friday at 8 p.m. Live music with Long Gone John Freeburn, Django Soulo, Dave Langevin, Braden Lalancette, and Henry Clark. Cover is $10. Tickets are very limited. Find them on Facebook for tickets and more info.
Friday-Saturday, July 30-31
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs hosts George Murtie on Friday and Tom Caswell and Scott Totten live on Saturday. Music begins at 6:30 p.m.
Call 802.524.1405, find them on Facebook, or click here for more info.
Saturday, July 31
MORRISVILLE--Elmore Mountain Therapeutics presents the 6th annual Oxbow Music Festival in Oxbow River Park beginning Saturday at 3 p.m. Live music with Dogs in a Pile, Dead Sessions Lite, Beg Steal or Borrow, Abby Sherman and the Way North, the Black Wolf Duo, and Gary Wade plus a full bar from Moogs Place. Tickets are $40 - $50. Tickets are very limited and are available on Eventbrite or at Moogs Place or Moogs Joint. Find them on Facebook for tickets and more info.
ST. ALBANS--Music in the Biergarten presents Amerikana Blue 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.
NORTH HERO--North Hero House presents the Nobby Reed Project live on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info. NHH has live music on Wednesday and Friday or Saturday evenings.
NORTH HERO--Island Arts' Summer Concerts presents Jorge Garcia Herranz in North Hero Community Hall on Saturday at 8 p.m.
The program includes Franz Schubert's Sonata in A Major D 959 and an Astor Piazzolla piece. The Schubert sonata is a "late work" with a warm character, a majestic opening sequence of chords, and daring underlying harmonies and surprising musical colors and shifts of emotion that seem modern even today. Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Click here for tickets and more info.
Sunday, August 1 HIGHGATE--The Chevalier Drilling Company, Inc., the All Arts Council, and the Town of Highgate continue the 30th year of Summer Sounds concerts at home in Highgate with Jenni Johnson and the Jazz Junketeers on the new stage on the Highgate Arena lawn on Sunday evening at 7 p.m. click here for more info.
Wednesday, August 3
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--Carol Ann Jones and Will Patton (with lobster rolls!) play live in the Steamship Pier 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.
ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Summer Concert Series presents John Geno 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.
SWENSON AWARD (August 1)--Don't miss your chance to nominate an outstanding Vermont educator for the $1000 award! HUMANITIES
The award recognizes a Vermont teacher in grades 6 - 12 who exemplifies excellence in the teaching of the humanities particularly in the pandemic times. Click here for more info.
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. ON THE 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 ... |
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Music!Links to the Summer Music series in Franklin County |
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Dick Harper, Chair
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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