DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 26 * * All Arts News On the Web * * October 5, 2022

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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HUMANITIES

STOWE--The Abenaki Storytelling Project takes place in Mayo Farm Fields on Saturday at 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
      The community-based art project is conducted by Vermont Abenaki Artists Association. The VAAA uses arts and storytelling to uplift regional Abenaki voices and perspectives in museum exhibitions, programs, and cultural heritage events. The focus of this year's Storytelling Project is exploring how the pandemic, COVID-19 vaccine-related perceptions, disparities, and access affect the Indigenous population of the region. These insights will help VAAA develop a online and traveling exhibition in 2023. Stop by the Memory Booth to create art and share your story. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--Osher Lifelong Learning Institute continues the Fall weekly program series with From Dirt to Iron presented by John Hart, Jr. in the Greg Brown Lodge at Hard'ack on Wednesday at 11 a.m. When the Vermont Central Railroad relocated its hub from Northfield to St. Albans, everything changed
      OLLI no longer takes payments at the door. They "strongly recommend that all attendees/members pre-register prior to the start of the program." Click here for more info.


PANDEMIC NEWS

     State walk-in clinics and most pharmacies have the new Omicron boosters from Moderna and Pfizer (the existing boosters are no longer available). The updated vaccine booster shots from Pfizer are for people age 12 and older and from Moderna for people age 18 and older. "Bivalent" means the booster combines the original vaccine with one that targets the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants. Most major chains are scheduling appointments now. Click here for more info.
      Vermont reported 468 new COVID-19 cases statewide last week, down from 483 the previous week but hospitalizations increased for the second consecutive week, from 30 to 39 to 52 now. Franklin County reported 72 cases in the 14 days ending Saturday. There were a total of 14 outbreaks, with 12 in the school/childcare segment. This is the same as last week
      Vermont relies on self reporting. You can report self-test results by following instructions on your test kit to automatically provide your results to your local health department or with the Vermont COVID-19 Self-Test Result Reporting Form. If you test positive, stay home and isolate for five days. You can leave your home on day six if your symptoms have improved and you have had no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of medicine that reduces fevers.
      Take an at-home test if you begin having symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or at least five days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19, or if you plan a get together with people who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their vaccines. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order a third round of free at-home tests from COVIDtests.gov. Need other tests? COVIDtests.gov also has for links for at-home tests at retailers and pharmacies, insurance reimbursement for at-home tests, and the 20,000 no-cost antigen and PCR COVID-19 test sites nationwide. Most major chains including Walgreens and Price Chopper locally should have free N95 masks.
      Whether you have contracted and recovered from this coronavirus or haven't yet received a booster or even if you have done it all, immunity has waned for many of us. That lowered resistance leads to infections and increased transmission of the virus. Here's my own advice. Get the COVID shot(s), get the booster(s), and take precautions, particularly if you are inside with other people--that still means wearing a mask indoors.
      No vaccine is 100% foolproof. Wash your hands. Keep wearing an N95 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 because so many parents refused to vaccinate their kids. Bonus: it will also help protect you from pollen, summer colds, and the winter flu.
      Call 855.722.7878 or visit healthvermont.gov for more info about the first or second dose and for booster shots of the vaccine. You can also walk-in at Costco, CVS, Hannaford, Price Chopper/Market 32, Rite Aid, Shaw's, Walgreens, or Walmart, or get an appointment with CVS, Kinney Drugs, Walgreens, or UVMMC Outpatient Pharmacies. Providers and pharmacies must give vaccines at no cost to the patient.


ART ON THE WALLS

MONTGOMERY--A Shared Life, a Collection of Art created by Carolyn and Harold Babcock, opens with a reception at the Montgomery Center for the Arts this afternoon at 4 - 7 p.m. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock have lived, painted, and quilted anc collected in a late 18th century farmhouse in Montgomery for over thirty years. The work and artifacts from their collection is on view at the MCA through October 30.
      The gallery is open weekends from noon - 4 p.m. Click here for more info.


ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on metal sculptor Rebecca Nase-Chomyn, travel photographer Sarah McGarghan, watercolor painter and fiber artist Deborah Travis, and fiber artist Pam Krout-Voss with a live reception at the gallery this evening at 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. A.I.R. will continue celebrating the monthly Featured Artists online and on Facebook.
      The art and fine craft cooperative features paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, sculpture, lamps, pottery, folk art boxes, scarves, hats and 37 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.


JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery continues the online segment Let Us Introduce You on Facebook and in the gallery. This week's artist is Ella Delyanis with six oil and pastel paintings on display.
      The Bryan Gallery is open daily from 11 - 5 or by appointment. Click here for more info.


ENOSBURG--Cold Hollow Sculpture Park has "something new is in the Park meadows" but the season is coming to an end this week. The park will be open today through Sunday from 12 - 6 p.m. to view more than 60 of David Stromeyer's sculptures surrounded by near peak foliage. Click here for more info.


ART FOR SALE

ENOSBURG--The Olde Milk House Shoppe has reopened for the season. They offer holiday art and crafts and home decor at 547 Kane Road. Open Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. or "by appointment almost anytime Monday-Friday." Find them on Facebook for more info.


DANCE

NORTH HERO--Island Arts opens the barn doors to the joy of community dancing to lively music for Easy International Folk Dancing with instructor Leslie Alpert in the Island Arts Center on Monday at 6 - 7 p.m.
      All dances are taught. No partner required. No experience required, and new students are always welcome. Bring your water bottle. Masks are required inside. Participants hold onto cloths instead of hands to help maintain distance inside and out. Classes will continue every Monday through October 24. Admission is $10.Call Lesley (802.372.3418) to verify class schedule or for more info.


WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

MORRISVILLE--River Arts offers the October Open Studio Figure Drawing today at 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. as a community facilitated group with no formal instructor present. This month will be a clothed session with quick two minute poses, five minute poses, 20 minute poses, and a long pose at the end. The cost is $15 with pre-registration preferred. Click here to register and for more info.


MILTON--Social Sundays continue at the Milton Artists' Guild Art Center with free weekly art classes for families at MAG on Sunday at 1 p.m.
      Each week offers a different project. Stay for 30 minutes or the whole two hours. Admission is free but registration is required. Click here for free tickets and more info.


ON STAGE LIVE

     Here's my own plan with over one million U.S. deaths and as our precautions wane. I got the COVID and Flu shots, and the booster, and I take precautions because no vaccine is 100% foolproof. I wash my hands. I double mask with a genuine N95 mask (not a bandana and not a "chin strap") and a surgical mask where ever I can't control the airflow. It isn't much of a burden and it mostly protects me from all the people without masks I see in stores and concerts.


Thursday, October 6
SOUTH BURLINGTON--Higher Ground presents Troy Millette & the Fire Below with the Ryan Sweezey Band and Chris & Erica in the Showcase Lounge this evening at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $15 in advance or $18 day of show. Click here for tickets and more info.


Thursday-Saturday, October 6-8
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts off another weekend of music with Bob Recupero tonight at 6 p.m., two shows Friday night, Shane's Apothecary at 6 p.m., and then the Phil Abair Band featuring Keeghan Nolan for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Rick Carnell and Looper Guy at 5 p.m., and the Dog Catchers starting at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.


Friday, October 7
COLCHESTER--Jerborn is jerborning the Puppy on Friday at 6 p.m. Food, drink, and rock from the 90s to today spanked with a little twang.


SHELDON--The Abbey Friday Night Music Series continues in the Pub on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


Friday-Saturday, October 7-8
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. Music starts about 6:30 p.m. Call 802.524.1405 or find them on Facebook for more info. Click here to book a reservation or to visit the art on the walls.


Saturday, October 8
EAST FAIRFIELD--The live Meeting House on the Green Summer Concerts continue with Annie & the Hedonists on Saturday at 5 p.m. This show will be outdoors although they will move indoors if it's raining or just too cold. The group plays upbeat American music all over upstate New York and New England. Their early jazz and blues has a focus on the female performers of the era that Annie Rosen captures.
      Admission is by suggested donation of $10 at the door with those under 16 admitted free. Concerts are held outdoors. In case of rain, concerts are either canceled or moved indoors with mask required and limited seating available. "Grab and go" light fare will be available for sale or bring your own picnic. Call 802.827.6626 or click here for more info.


MORRISVILLE--Moog's Joint presents the Wormdogs to close out the 2022 outdoor music season of their Live Music Lineup for Fall on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--NightHawk returns to The Room at 14th Star for a night of live music, dancing, and fun on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--The Depot presents "Vermont's own classic rock band," Bad Horsey, on Saturday night at 9 p.m. There is a $5 cover charge. Food for purchase and cash bar will be available. Find them on Facebook for more info.


Sunday, October 9
CAMBRIDGE--Waffle Wagon hosts Sunday Fundays with music by Gary Wade and friends at Iris Lane Studios on Sunday from 12 noon - 3 p.m. Fundays include craft vendors, food vendors, a kids' tent, and more every Sunday through October 16, weather permitting. Find them on Facebook for more info.


HISTORIC RENOVATIONS

ST. ALBANS--Gov. Phil Scott was in St. Albans last week to celebrate investments in our downtowns and village centers. This year, $4.1 million in tax credits will offset the costs of 49 projects statewide including four in Franklin County.
      The historic Soule House in Fairfield will be repurposed as an events venue and guest lodging. Tax credits will support mandated code upgrades and exterior repairs to the historic woodwork.
      The St. Albans Museum will receive a state tax credit award to support critical exterior repairs to this significant historic landmark.
      The U.S. Customs House and Post Office in St. Albans has been vacant for over 25 years but the City bought the property to create a mixed-use facility, with eight new units of housing on the building’s upper floors and commercial space on the main level.
      The renovation of the 1901 Champlain Theater--the former Prouty Building--in Swanton's village center will include space for three new commercial tenants.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page celebrates Stephen Russell Payne's newest book, You Were Always There, on Saturday at 10 a.m. The coming of age love story is set on Caspian Lake in Greensboro in the 1970s. This is his sixth book.
      Dr. Payne is a fourth generation Vermonter with an MA-English from Tufts and his MD from UVM. He is a former police officer and general surgeon and lives on an organic farm with his family. Find them on Facebook 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.


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
Music at the Meeting House
Citizens Concert Band
 
Enosburg Town Band


SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!


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Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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