| VOLUME 27 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | December 21, 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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MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
JEFFERSONVILLE--Saturday is the final day to view the 16th annual Land & Light & Water & Air Exhibition at Bryan Memorial Gallery in Jeffersonville. The Bryan Gallery is open Wednesday - Sunday from 11 - 5 or by appointment. Click here for more info. ART ON THE WALLS
ST. ALBANS--14th Star Brewing Company holds the last Maker's Market before Christmas in the Taproom on Sunday from 1 - 3 p.m. The pop-up booths host local crafters and makers every Sunday afternoon. Find them on Facebook for more info. ART FOR SALE
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery is open every day until Christmas, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery features paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, sculpture, lamps, pottery, folk art boxes, scarves, hats and more by 40 Franklin County and surrounding area artists. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.
JEFFERSONVILLE and STOWE--Bryan Memorial Gallery is open Wednesday - Sunday from 11 - 4 or by appointment in Jeffersonville or Wednesday, Thursday, plus Sunday 11 - 4, Friday - Saturday 11 -6 in Stowe. Click here for more info.
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild gallery is open Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Christmas. The MAG online shopis open 24/7. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--It's Winter Movie Night tonight for Home Alone in the BFA Performing Arts Center 6:30 p.m. Admission is $7 or $5 with a canned good. Find them on Facebook for more info. FILM
COVID-19 is still here. COVID NEWS
As of December 6, there were 41 hospitalizations statewide, down from 47 the prior week but 353 cases and eight outbreaks were reported for the week, up 63 cases from the week before. Seven of the outbreaks were at long-term care facilities. 12 of the new admissions were in Franklin County, an increase from eight the prior week. There were eight more COVID-related deaths reported statewide in the week ending December 2 for a pandemic total of 1,075 in Vermont.
Vaccines are available for COVID, the Flu, and RSV, the three main viruses that cause people to end up in a hospital in the Fall and Winter respiratory virus season. According to the state COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Dashboard just 12% of Franklin County residents have received the new COVID vaccine, trailed only by Essex and Orange Counties. That compares to about 18% of Vermonters who have had the latest COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID vaccines are 100% free to everyone 6 months and older living in the United States, regardless of immigration or insurance status. The free shots are available via health insurance, Medicare, and through federally qualified health centers, pharmacies participating in the federal Bridge Program, or district health department offices. Free masks are also available at many of the same locations. Pharmacies in Vermont may now give COVID-19 shots to kids ages 3 and older. Click here for more info.
The Vermont Center for Independent Living has COVID-19 and flu vaccines and some RSV vaccine as drive-through or in-home vaccination for anyone who has difficulty getting to or using a community vaccination location, including children. Click here for more info.
Every U.S. household may order four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to home. The state and many municipalities also still have home antigen tests, available in libraries and town halls or food pantries. Click here for more info.
Some health plans will also offer partial coverage of COVID-19 treatments such as Paxlovid but that will be plan dependent. As always, check with your insurer for specific information on your plan.
The 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.
My own plan remains unchanged, especially since our precautions have waned and the new COVID variant dodges our current immunity. I got the COVID and Flu shots, and the boosters, and I still take precautions because neither vaccine nor "natural immunity" 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.
Thursday, December 21 ON STAGE LIVE
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro has a secret surprise for Acoustic Thursday this evening at 5 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Jason Corbiere brings Dave Keller, Ira Friedman, and Rob Mehan to the Depot for Blue Christmas this evening at 6 p.m. This free admission event includes an open jam. Find them on Facebook for more info
Thursday-Saturday, December 21-23
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts off another weekend of music with Summer Sounds favorites Jenni and the Junketeers tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night, Uncle Jimmy at 5 p.m., and then the Lloyd Tyler Band for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Chris & Erica at 5 p.m., and Nighthawk starting at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Friday, December 22
COLCHESTER--Justice 3 makes its debut in the live and free Friday Music Night at the Spanked Puppy on the Friday before Christmas at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SHELDON--'Tis the season. The Abbey Ugly Sweater and Caroling Party features live music by Laura Fedele Rasco in the Pub on Friday at 6:30 p.m. There will be prizes, specials, and the "most bedazzled holiday knits." Reservations are suggested. 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, December 23
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents 90 Proof live for a night of favorite hits in The Room on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
BURLINGTON--Nectar's throws the Great Blue Christmas Blowout Bash with Jimmy Branca, Chicago Tom Buckley, Dave Mitchell, Missisquoi Slim, and Jason Corbiere plus an array of Vermont's Blues who's whos on Saturday at 9 p.m. Doors at 8.
General admission is $10 in advance and $15 on Saturday. Click here for tickets and more info.
Wednesday, December 27
ST. ALBANS--Nobby's Blues Jam continues at Twiggs, hosted by Vermont's leading blues man, Nobby Reed and the House Band with special guest Jason Corbiere on drums, on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Blues Jam blows out the speakers at Twiggs. Find them on Facebook for more info.
The Enosburg Town Band and Community Chorus Christmas Concert was live at the Opera House at Enosburg Falls and on Facebook . and Facebook ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE
AROUND THE COUNTY--Many of our libraries will be closed or on holiday hours. The Bent Northrop Memorial Library in Fairfield will close this Sunday through January 1. The Haston Library in Franklin will close Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. The Highgate Library & Community Center will close Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The Swanton Library will close Friday-Monday for Christmas and the following Friday-Monday for New Year's. Check with your librarian for more info. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Free Library hosts Mornings, Muffins, and Mysteries this morning at 10:30 a.m. The group reads a variety of mystery genres and meets the third Thursday of each month. 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.
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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