| VOLUME 27 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | February 2, 2023 |
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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AKWESASNE, NY--A new art gallery has opened at the Akwesasne Cultural Center Library and Museum in the "reimagined" wing of the museum. David Kanietakeron Fadden is the gallery's featured artist for the month of February in the first of monthly artist residencies. ART ON THE WALLS
Michael Bero, John Fadden, Gesso Thomas, John Thomas, and their works made up the inaugural showing in January. The four artists explored the story of indigenous culture through the 20th century with works displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and the New York State Museum in Albany. The collection of the Akwesasne Museum also includes various cultural material from photographs, art, baskets, wampum belts, cornhusk dolls, and more.
The Center follows all Tribal COVID protocols and is open Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Click here for more info.
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro Gallery has a new art show on the walls. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware photographer Sharon Denny spends her time observing and photographing wildlife. She was named both Versatile Photographer of the Year and Photographer of the year in 2022 by the Coastal Camera Club.
"Her photography, along with the short stories she writes about each piece, is truly amazing, both artful and thought-provoking. Plus, she's Mom to three athletic and well-mannered Boston Terriers: Hudson, Jackpot & Miles," Mandy Hotchkiss said.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on painter Colleen Blatchly's acrylics on canvas or wood panels, fiber artist Claire Graham-Smith's fabrics, potter Marissa McFadden's wheel work, and artist, illustrator, and cartoonist Sarah Rosedahl's wild and domestic birds, 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 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.
JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery continues Around the World with Mary & Alden to visit the Canadian border. Also, plein air artist Eric Tobin shared his studio "just over the hill from the gallery." The Gallery will show other studios in the future. Find it all on Facebook.
The Gallery is closed until March for winter break but appointments are available. Call (802.644.5100) to schedule or click here for more info.
The Vermont Legislature extended COVID-19 options for Town Meeting. Act 1 (H.42) allows all Vermont cities and towns to use Australian ballots instead of floor voting, delay the Town Meeting date as far as July, and suspend the open meeting law run all governing boards and public information sessions online. The Vermont House adopted the Act on January 17 and the Senate on January 19 and signed by Gov. Scott January 25. It mirrors short-term, pandemic-safe legislation passed in 2021 and 2022. PANDEMIC NEWS
Vermont's COVID paid leave grant programportal is closed again until further notice. This is a year-long program, and the state "anticipates applications for Quarter 2 to be available in mid-February. Reviews and processing of Quarter 1 applications also are anticipated to proceed at that time."
COVID cases and hospitalizations rose last week. The Vermont Department of Health reported on January 25 that 41 people remain hospitalized. Overall, Vermont's new COVID-19 cases increased to 503 statewide last week, up from 389 the week before. Franklin County's case load stood at 81 cases in the 14 days ending Saturday, up from 65. 889 Vermonters have died of COVID-19 to date. Franklin County has lost 85 residents to the disease. Outbreaks increased by six last week to 13. Most were in the school/childcare segment and in long-term care facilities. COVID-19 infections have risen to a "Medium" level.
Because Vermont relies on self reporting, the number of actual cases is higher than the Department of Health finds. 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 or longer. 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 again eligible to order a new round of free at-home tests from COVIDtests.gov. Need other tests? COVID.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.
People keep getting sick, mostly because they aren't taking precautions. Original COVID-19 vaccinations remain below the level of herd immunity, and even fewer have gotten boosters. All of Vermont's walk-in clinics closed Tuesday. Only about 60% of adults and eligible children have even received a flu vaccine. Most doctors and area pharmacies offer COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.
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 again for many of us. That lowered resistance leads to infections and increased transmission of the virus. To date, only 28% of eligible Vermonters age 5 and over have gotten the bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine. 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.
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council hosts Stampin' Up! Cardmaking with Barb in the Maker Space of the Swanton Free Public Library today at 2 - 4 p.m. All supplies are provided and the $5 fee is credited to any supplies ordered through Stampin' Up. ART YOU CREATE
The card making workshops take place the first Thursday of each month. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Call Barb Switzer (802.752.7917) or email Ms. Switzer or the Swanton Library , to register or for more info.
MORRISVILLE--River Arts hosts the in-person, January "Sip n' Slurry: Coil Plates" with Chiara Keeling as the pottery twist on a Paint n' Sip on Friday at 6 p.m. Craft functional and sculptural plates while learning coil building techniques.
The cost is $55. Click here to enroll and for more info.
SWANTON--Bees on Broadway hosts a Makers Supply Swap on Saturday at 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Want to try something new? Bees will have multiple tables with unused craft supplies to trade. Any remaining items will donated to the library or other organizations. Find them on Facebook for more info. ARTSY SWAP
NVAA SPRING SHOW (February 25)--The Northern Vermont Artists Association exhibit will be held at the Westford Public Library There is no entry fee for this show, but exhibitors must members of NVAA. Submit clear photos and information to NVAA. Click here for more info. CALL FOR ARTISTS
MORRISVILLE--River Arts hosts a Community Contra Dance with the Dale & Darcy Band and caller Luke Donforth in Foley Hall on Saturday at 8 p.m. Beginner lesson at 7. The New England folk dance or barn dance features long lines of couples dance together, performing simple footwork patterns, walking steps, and twirls to folk music played by a live band while a caller calls out the pattern. DANCE
Admission is by suggested donation of $15. Click here for info about the event and here for more info about contra dancing.
ST. ALBANS--The Saint Albans Museum began making progress in the basement storage facilities during their Winter Interval. One big task was to prepare for the commercial dehumidifiers they will purchase with funds from the 2022 Vermont Arts Council Cultural Facilities Grant. "Great progress has been made, particularly with the textiles collection and the Bliss Room storage area," Executive Director Lisa Evans said, "[but] it will be a long and ongoing process." HUMANITIES
The Museum building remains closed for the season until late May but will resume public programming and events this month. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Osher Lifelong Learning Institute begins the Spring weekly program series with From Street to Stage--The Life of a Magician in the Greg Brown Lodge at Hard'ack on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Alyx Hilshey will perform excerpts from her one woman show, The Street is My Theater while talking about her experience as a traveling street magician turned rising star in the world of magic.
Semester membership offers all 10 programs for $40 per individual or $70 couple (any two people). Single lectures cost $8 each. 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.
MORRISVILLE--River Arts offers three different fields in new workshops this week. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
The February Open Studio Figure Drawing today at 3:30 p.m. will be a nude session with quick two minute poses, five minute poses, 20 minute poses, and a long pose at the end. River Arts limits nude sessions to ages 18 and older. The cost is $15 with pre-registration preferred. Click here to register and for more info.
Restorative artist Courtney Jurcheck continues the meditative, healing, in-person workshop, February Meditation and Making: Transforming Creative Blocks through Painting on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Cultivate creativity, connection, and mindfulness with a guided meditation followed by a contemplative art project, tea, and discussion. No experience necessary. All materials provided. The cost is $40. Click here to enroll and for more info.
A new, six-workshop series, Adult Wheel Class, with Anthony Martin begins on Sunday at 10 a.m. - 12 noon. This class will be filled from the River Arts waitlist. Classes will be held each Sunday through March 19 (except March 12). Mr. Martin will guide students who are new to wheel throwing or have little experience through the essentials. Click here to enroll 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--this week is birds in the nest. Stay for 30 minutes or the whole two hours. Click here 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. IN THE SAC
Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month. Find the SAC on Facebook for the agenda and more info.
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. ON STAGE LIVE
Thursday, February 2
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro Thursday Night Music Series is back with Mama Tried this evening at 6 - 8 p.m. With Rebecca Padula, vocals; Linda Kallinger, fiddle; Ukulele Clare, ukulele and banjo; and Kathy Mulligan, bass; Mama Tried blends folk, bluegrass, and country favorites.
Co-owner Mandy Hotchkiss wants suggestions for the series. "During the winter, playing inside, the music has to be conducive to dining, as well." Message or Email her a name, why you like them, and a phone number (write MUSIC in the subject line). Click here for more info.
Thursday-Saturday, February 2-4
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts off another weekend of music with Jeff Shelley tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night, the Duel at 5 p.m., and then the Phil Abair Band with Keeghan Nolan for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus one show live on Saturday night with Nickel & Dime starting at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Friday, February 3
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.
SOUTH HERO--Jon Sochin plays the Winter Wine Down Friday at Snow Farm Vineyard on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Food will be catered, call Kristen (802.922.8074) for all pre-order food requests. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Depot presents Down the Rabbit Hole an Alice in Wonderland Drag Spectacle on Friday night at 8 p.m. Doors at 7.
General admission is $25 with limited VIP seats for $40. Tickets are available at the Depot or find them on Facebook for more info.
Friday-Saturday, February 3-4
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, February 4
ST. ALBANS--Jerborn and Axe bring it backs for a night of live music in The Room at 14th Star on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Off The Rails at One Federal is the city's new music venue. They kick off all of this month with Saturdays Are For Parents with Julia Parent in the lounge for a residency every Saturday in February at 6:30 p.m.
Ms. Parent is a singer/songwriter with acoustic guitar. A senior at BFA-St. Albans, she has been performing at area venues for two years including Mill River Brewing, the Abbey, the Champlain Valley Fair, Field Days, St. Albans Bay Farmers Market, and more. She has released five of her own original songs this year. Find them on Facebook for more info.
GREENSBORO--The Highland Center for the Arts presents the very large Vermont Mandolin Trio "on the road again (in Vermont)" on Saturday at 7 p.m. Jamie Masefield, Matt Flinner, Pat Melvin and Mr. Patton will play an evening of the bluegrass, jazz and roots music of Bill Monroe, Django Reinhardt, J.S. Bach and everything in between. "Bonus feature: it's just down the road from the famous Hill Farmstead Brewery," Mr. Patton said.
Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for students, and $5 for EBT cardholders. Click here for tickets and more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Depot hosts Sharp Claws & Dirty Paws, a night of burlesque and pole dance performances, to support Friends of Duke animal rescue on Saturday night at 8 p.m. General admission is $17 - 25. Tickets are available at the Depot or at sevendaystickets.com .
Sunday, February 5
KEY COLONY BEACH, FL--Summer Sounds favorite John Bartus opens the KCB Community Association's Concert in the Park season in Sunset Park with his 39th anniversary concert on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Concerts in the Park are free concerts sponsored by the KCBCA and take place most Sunday afternoons in Sunset Park. Social distancing and masks are recommended. Bring a chair or blanket and refreshments. Parking is limited so walking, biking or ride sharing is recommended. Mr. Bartus played the Spanish Fly Music Festival at Boondocks on Sunday. Find them on Facebook for more info and the next watch party.
Wednesday, February 8
ST. ALBANS--The regular monthly Blues Jam hosted by Nobby Reed and the House Band at Twiggs will be held on Wednesday, February 15, not on it usual second Wednesday. Call 802.524.1405 or 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. 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
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Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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