DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 27 * * All Arts News On the Web * * May 25, 2023

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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SUMMER MUSIC

      Music is definitely in the air as three big series start their summer seasons this weekend with perfectly combined food and music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
      The 21st Farewell Reunion Concert returns to Summer Music at Grace in Sheldon on Friday at 7 p.m. Pascal Gemme and the Young Tradition Vermont Youth Commission lead the bill.
      The 2023 Summer Concerts on the Green begin at the Meeting House in East Fairfield with the effusive, high-powered bluegrass band, Beg, Steal or Borrow on Saturday at 5 p.m.
      Celebration of Expressive Arts kicks off their season with poet Martha Zweig, fiber artist Carolyn Kittell, and the Dimmer Triplets at the INN in Montgomery on Sunday at 7 p.m.


ART ON THE WALLS

JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery continues the online segment Legacy: The Artist's Collection on Facebook and in the gallery. This week's Legacy artist is Erik Koeppel who has become a leader in the revival of the Hudson River School. The Bryan Gallery is open Wednesday - Sunday from 11 - 4 or by appointment. Click here for more info.


ART YOU CREATE

MORRISVILLE--River Arts hosts the in-person, May "Sip n' Slurry: Botanical Platters" with Jude Prashaw as the pottery twist on a Paint n' Sip on Friday at 6 p.m. Craft functional and sculptural plates while learning from different instructors each month. The cost is $55. Click here to enroll and for more info.


CALL FOR ARTISTS

JUNE JURIED SHOW (May 27)--This Saturday is the last day for submissions for the Northern Vermont Artist Association show. Submit clear photos to Email. There is no entry fee for this show, but exhibitors should be members with dues paid for 2023. Click here for more info.


TELL YOUR STORY (June 4)--Last call for Indigenous Perspectives on the Pandemic. The Abenaki Storytelling Project wants Abenaki or indigenous artists, musicians, and community members to express the impact of the pandemic through visual or performing arts. All media are welcome: painting, collage, mixed media, carving, sculpture, fiber, weaving, pottery, poetry, photography, music, storytelling, dance, video, and more. Email or find them on Facebook for more info.


HUMANITIES

ST. ALBANS--The Saint Albans Museum opens for the 2023 season on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Regular museum hours are Wednesday and Friday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Click here for new program info and more.


ONLINE--Amelie Michalkovic, 16, a Long Trail School sophomore from Manchester, was named the Vermont state winner of Google's national high school Google Doodle competition. She represents the state in the nationwide contest; voting for her entry closes today. Click here to vote and for more info; Ms. Michalkovic is in the Grades 10-12 group.


MEETUPS

SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library hosts a Scrapbooking Meetup on Wednesday at 4 - 6 p.m. Bring your photos and use supplies from the Maker Space or bring your own. The meetups have repeated every other Wednesday in May. Click here or visit the library for more info.


WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

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--last week was pool noodle monsters with Rachelle Rose Forcier. Stay for 30 minutes or the whole two hours. Click here for more info.


PANDEMIC NEWS

      Congress and the White House may not agree on much of anything but they do all seem to want states to return unused COVID relief money.
      Vermont has received about $10 billion in federal benefits since the start of the pandemic and has about $480 million left. The state has appropriated those funds to state programs but it has not yet been spent.
      The state and many municipalities still have home antigen tests, available in libraries and town halls. The Feds have more than 600 million tests stockpiled in the event of future surges. They will also continue to send out tests free-of-charge through the end of this month. Insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont no longer have to cover the cost of at-home tests.
      The federal vaccine supply should last through this summer, which means COVID-19 shots will remain free to the public for that long. After the federal supply is gone, the COVID vaccine will be treated like other vaccinations, and the cost will be dependent on insurance plans (Patients on Medicare and Medicaid will continue receiving COVID vaccinations for free).
      Some health plans will offer partial coverage of COVID-19 treatments such as Paxlovid but that will be plan dependent. The changes at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont go into effect on July 1. As always, check with your insurer for specific information on your plan.
      Although COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency, the Vermont Health Department still recommends following best practices. Call 855.722.7878 or visit healthvermont.gov for more info about the first or second dose and for booster shots of the vaccine.
      Here's my own plan with over one million U.S. deaths especially since our precautions have waned. I got the COVID and Flu shots, and the boosters, and I still 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") plus 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, May 25
SOUTH HERO--Paddle favorite Shane Murley and his brother, Josh, live at the Blue Paddle Bistro, indoors in the newly redone space, this evening at 6 - 8 p.m. Josh was on The Voice, Season 6 with Adam Levine. Find them on Facebook for more info.


Thursday-Saturday, May 25-27
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts off another weekend of music with Ryan Sweezey tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night, Kyle Stevens at 5 p.m., and then Eleven for their Memorial Weekend Kickoff Party starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with the return of the Lebowski Trio at 5 p.m., and Nickle and Dime starting at 9 p.m. This weekend marks Eleven's final appearance at On Tap as they wind down the No Rest for the Wicked Tour. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.


Friday, May 26
SHELDON--The 21st Farewell Reunion Concert returns to Grace Church Friday evening at 7 p.m. This year, Pascal Gemme and the Young Tradition Vermont Youth Commission lead the bill.
      M. Gemme is a leader of Quebec's traditional music scene. Known for his original compositions as well as for his interpretation of traditional tunes, he is the fiddler, singer and arranger of the band, Genticorum. Click here for more info about him.
      The Youth Commission is a Young Tradition Vermont program at Vermont Folklife. The group of high school-aged musicians play and sing in traditional styles. They start performances in January and continue into the summer, including the Young Tradition Festival in Burlington in early May. Group members include Fiona Stowell, Emmett Stowell, Owen Kennedy, Fern Tamagini-O'Donnell, and Grace Martin. Click here for more info about the group.
      Admission is a $20 suggested donation at the door. There are no advance tickets. Bring your own beverage, a picnic to enjoy on the lawn before the concert, and a dessert to share.
      The benefit concert supports the Tom Sustic Fund, which supports families with children with life-threatening/life-altering conditions. The concert is presented by Young Tradition Vermont and Grace Church as part of the Summer Music at Grace Series. Email to get the SMAG newsletter or for the summer schedule and more info


ST. ALBANS--It's a big music week at 14th Star, starting with Summer Sounds favorites IncaHoots for a night of live music in The Room on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


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


RICHFORD--Mokah's Restaurant & Pub hosts Open Mic Night on Friday starting at 9 p.m. "Bring your instrument or your voice." The mic is open for "all acts, whether you do music, comedy, poetry, or anything else you want to entertain." Find them on Facebook for more info.


Friday-Sunday, May 26-28 COLCHESTER--Live Music in May fills the Spanked Puppy with music all weekend. Sticks and Stones kick it off on Friday at 6 p.m. followed by Sibling Reverie on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Al's Pals on Sunday afternoon at 2 - 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


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, May 27
ST. ALBANS-CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION--14th Star and others host a Rail Trail Celebration Ride and Party on Saturday at 8:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. The 30-mile bi-directional ride introduces the newly built Lamoille Valley Rail Trail connected to the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail. Return to St. Albans after the ride for live music, food trucks, craft beer from 14th Star Brewery, bike rental and safety checkups, and raffles. Click here to register or Find them on Facebook for more info.
      14th Star presents Morrisville singer-songwriter-guitarist Seth Yacovone for a solo acoustic afternoon of live music on Saturday at 2 - 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--Northwest Farmers Market fills Taylor Park with live music, handmade crafts, locally grown food, prepared foods, free kids activities on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Minced Oats play this Saturday. The market and the music continue every Saturday through October. Find them on Facebook for more info.


EAST FAIRFIELD--Beg, Steal or Borrow kicks off the 2023 Summer Concerts on the Green on the outdoor stage at the Meeting House on the Green on Saturday at 5 p.m. Jeremy Sicely, guitar and vocals; Geoff Goodhue, mandolin and vocals; Roland Clark, violin; Fran Forim, upright bass and vocals; and Luke Auriemmo, banjo and vocals make up "everyone's favorite bluegrass band" where everyone but the fiddler gets to sing. Their acclaimed debut album is Old Mountain Time.
      There will be plenty of room on the Green to "kick up your heels and shake off winter's doldrums!" Light dinner fare and desserts will be available, or BYO.
      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 masks required and limited seating available. "Grab and go" light fare will be available for sale or bring your own picnic. Call Nance Shaw (802.827.6626) or click here for more info.


EAST BURKE--Mike's Tiki Bar presents Vermont's best known blues trio, the Nobby Reed Project, on Saturday at 5 p.m. Vermont's first outdoor summer tiki bar is behind the Pub.


Sunday, May 28
BURLINGTON--Summer Sounds favorite Carol Ann Jones will sing the National Anthem for the Vermont City Marathon in Battery Park on Sunday at 7 a.m.


ST. ALBANS--14th Star has a Patio Jam with Troy Millette & the Fire Below on Sunday at 1 - 4 p.m. The award-winning folk-pop band will be live on the outdoor stage. Find them on Facebook for more info.


MONTGOMERY--The monthly Celebration of Expressive Arts kicks off the 2023 season at the INN on Sunday at 7 p.m. The CEA officially includes everything but dancing, but there is always hope. Come early for dinner; service begins at 5 p.m. This month has a big cast, with poet Martha Zweig, fiber artist Carolyn Kittell, and the Dimmer Triplets (Mr. Charlie Frazier, Al Lemery, and Gary Wade) with many opportunities to sing along. The local artists, writers and musicians gather to share original and thought provoking work. Find them on Facebook for more info.


Wednesday, May 31
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents singer-songwriter-guitarist George Murtie for a night of live "music you'll remember" in The Room on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


Plan Ahead
ST. ALBANS--The Vermont Choral Union presents Hope Conquers Fear at the First Congregational Church on June 2 and 4. The program of vocal and organ music features motets by Johann Christoph Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, and Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb. Find them on Facebook for more info.


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
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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