| VOLUME 28 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | January 4, 2024 |
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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With apologies to Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, and Harry M. Woods. MAKE 2024 A BETTER YEAR
Neighbors squelching neighbors
The country is divided
They don't know what they do
Yeah.
But it's all so easy
All you got to do is try
Try a little tenderness
Yeah.
YouTube
SWANTON--The Vermont Abenako Artists Association features certified fine, decorative, and performing artists officially labeled as "American Indian" under Federal law. ART ON THE WALLS
Carol Billings McGranaghan is a culinary artist who also does beadwork. She has been selling handmade beaded jewelry on Etsy for several years and is learning how to weave baskets, both in traditional and non-traditional designs. Click here for her story and a look at her work.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on sculptor Rebecca Chomyn and paiter (and fine musician) Patrick Murphy 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.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star Brewing Company holds the weekly Maker's Market 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 St. Albans Community Arts Creative Connections continues at St. Albans City Hall on Wednesday at 4 - 7 p.m. CALL FOR ARTISTS
Working on a creative project? Want to try something new but need special tools? Need an extra set of hands? Have donations for SACA projects? Interested in a material swap? SACA co-director Jennifer Kostuck takes over the Council Chamber with creative pointers and equipment including a sewing machine, heat tools, drawing materials, paints, papers, and more for use. Creative Connections will fill the space on the second Wednesday of the month. All ages and backgrounds are welcome. Find them on Facebook for more info.
PROPOSE A SHOW--The Opera House at Enosburg Falls seeks proposals from directors for 2024 theatricals. "Whether you are ready to submit a complete proposal, or may be interested but need more details -- we are here to help you along the way!" Click here for a form and for more info.
ONLINE--Vermont Humanities offers Hanging Out: The Radical Power of Killing Time with author Sheila Liming as a digital event on Zoom on Wednesday at 7 p.m. HUMANITIES
"With the introduction of AI and constant Zoom meetings, our lives have become more fractured and isolated." Ms. Liming shows us what we have lost to the frenetic pace of digital life, and how to get it back. Am I the only one to notice the irony of learning to get away from the fracturing and isolation of digital life with a Zoom webinar? 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. Click here for more info. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
MORRISVILLE--River Arts begins a new, six-workshop series, Adult Wheel Series with Vermont potter Anthony Martin on Monday at 3 - 5 p.m. Classes will be held each Monday through February 19. Mr. Martin will guide students through the essentials of wheel throwing. Students will learn the whole pottery process - from throwing to trimming to glazing.
Tuition is $175. This class will be filled from our waitlist of students. Email to be added to the list and click here for more info.
SOUTH BURLINGTON and BRATTLEBORO--Young Tradition Vermont begins two Fiddleheads semesters this week.
Fiddleheads Sessions with Sarah King for beginner to intermediate fiddle players at Vermont Violins begins Saturday at 1 p.m. This 4-month "semester" includes eight sessions on the first and third Saturdays of the month, from January-April 2024. The cost is $200 for the entire semester. Click here to register and for more info.
Fiddleheads Spring Ensemble with Laurel Swift is a brand new band for teens for intermediate to advanced players of all instruments at the Brattleboro Music Center starting Sunday at 3 p.m. This 4-month workshop includes eight sessions on January 21, February 4 and 18, March 3 and 17, and April 7 and 14. The cost is $200 for the entire semester. Click here to register and for more info.
ST. ALBANS--St. Albans Community Arts posted that Huckleberry's Homestead in Swanton, one of their listed makers, has started online sales. SACA highlights any local creatives on their Facebook page as a free service to anyone in Franklin County. Find them on Facebook for more info. IN THE ARTS COUNCILS
COVID-19 is still here. COVID NEWS
"The impact of COVID on certain people -- that's still rather profound," Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine told WCAX.
The weeks around the holidays mean more Vermonters require medical help for COVID infections. As of December 23, there were 52 hospitalizations statewide, up from 47 the prior week. That includes 12 new admissions in Franklin County. There were six more COVID-related deaths reported statewide in the week ending November 18 for a pandemic total of 1,061 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 14% of Franklin County residents have received the new COVID vaccine, trailed only by Essex County. That compares to about 20% of Vermonters who have had the latest COVID-19 vaccine and 33% of Vermonters who have gotten a flu shot.
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 N95 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.
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, January 4 ON STAGE LIVE
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro hosts the renowned international group TBA for Acoustic Thursday this evening at 5 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
Thursday-Saturday, January 4-6
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a New Year of music with a special visit from the Nobby Reed Project tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night, Kyle Stevens at 5 p.m., and then the Free Range Band returns for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Whiskey and Wine at 5 p.m., and the Hitmen at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Friday, January 5
COLCHESTER--Blue Heron plays acoustic rock in the live and free Friday Music Night at the Spanked Puppy on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Off The Rails at One Federal often has live performances in the lounge on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SHELDON--The Abbey Friday Night Music Series often has live performances on Friday about 6:30 p.m. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Friday-Sunday, January 5-7
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River has double header weekends in January with Justin Bedell and Eric Bushey on Friday starting at 6 p.m. and then Chris & Erica on live on Saturday night at 5:30 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, January 6
ST. ALBANS--St. Paul's UMC hosts 12th Night--A Winter Celebration on Saturday at 6:45 p.m. There will be music, scripture, and readings with the Smokey Newfield Project, singer/songwriter Karen McFeeters, and organ music by Stephan Conrady and a freewill offering to benefit Tim's House, plus a reception with refreshments. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents the Rustics for a night of the fun and familiar folk, and blues, and honky tonk live in The Room on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Wednesday, January 10
BURLINGTON--Young Tradition Vermont hosts Fam Jam at the Fletcher Free Library on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The family friendly jam session welcomes all instruments and music. Free and open to anyone. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The monthly Blues Jam continues at Twiggs, hosted by Vermont's leading blues man, Nobby Reed and the House Band, on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Blues Jam blows out the speakers at Twiggs on the second Wednesday of each month. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Doris Sumner returns to the Eloquent Page to sign her memoir, Life at Camp, on Sunday at 12 noon - 2 p.m. The Milton resident served 36 years and retired as Vermont National Guard Equal Opportunity and Diversity Manager. "I do love the military," she said. She says the Guard needs more women. Find them on Facebook for more info. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus was the number one checkout at the New York Public Library last year. The most borrowed e-book nationally was the memoir Spare by Prince Harry. The Guinness Book of World Records holds the record for being the book most often stolen from public libraries.
Here's where I get to write up the arts and books and dance and music and theatrical hopes and guesses for 2024. We all know how hard it is to plan these days but I had hopes that there would be a socially distanced modern dance recital involving honey badgers but maybe not that. (Catamounts were so last year. Honey badgers are "near threatened" and bloody threatening. Social distancing is still recommended. Don't try this at home!) In past years, we've had hundreds of concerts, exhibits, recitals, and shows. LOOKING FORWARD
This year's "looking forward columns" are spread over two weeks. We can hope to return to 300 concerts, exhibits, recitals, and shows from more than 40 organizations but, again, there are so many uncertainties that many of the plans we list may change. This week, we have info about upcoming Arts Council and Opera House events. We will cover the Four Franklin County Festivals and our Town Bands plus Other Major Presenter plans next week.
Happy New Year!
ALL ARTS COUNCIL ACTIVITIES ARTS COUNCILS 2024
Summer Sounds stands on its own as a Town of Highgate Rec event. The All Arts Council's three primary goals haven't changed: continuing our popular programs, continuing our support of artists and other presenters, and continuing our partnerships. The AAC may also host several one-time shows. Email the All Arts Council if you would like to suggest or host a show.
AAC will hold exhibits for artists in all media and pays actual cash money for bands and solo performers in concert. If you are one or know one, Email the All Arts Council .
ALL ARTS COUNCIL WISH LIST
Every Franklin County presenter hopes money and volunteers. From All Arts to Young Tradition-Vermont, please remember that volunteers and a permanent base make up the "back room" that each of these groups needs to continue the programming you enjoy.
If you want to write this column, plan an event, or do anything else in the arts, Email the All Arts Council . The AAC also needs volunteers to provide the marketing and technical help, have resources, and to host meetings and exhibits, and concerts and workshops for artists, other groups, and local presenters.
If you have an advertising budget to spend or space to lend for the year, Email the All Arts Council . If you want to run an arts program, Email the All Arts Council faster.
BURLINGTON CITY ARTS
Burlington is outside of our normal catchment area but several Franklin County artists are BCA members and their programming is of interest to us.
BCA will offer public art, exhibitions, events, classes, home studio, and artist resources throughout the year plus festivals and performance series including the Festival of Fools, Splash Dance, BCA Summer Concert Series, the Twilight Series, the Artist Market writ large, Sunday Classical, and Highlight, the New Year's Eve Celebration. Click here for more info
IN THE ISLANDS
Island Arts has brought arts activities to Grand Isle County for over 30 years. This year, they should again have concerts, theater performances, and craft fairs for children and adults including classes, Paint and Sip events, and more for all ages from May through September. Click here or Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS CITY
St. Albans Community Arts is looking for active volunteers for a vibrant arts scene in the city. Without volunteers it will just drift apart. The Franklin County Quilters Guild 24th annual quilt show opens April 6. There may be art walks, music, the Festival of Trees, Creative Connections, and more. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SWANTON ARTS COUNCIL
The Swanton Arts Council will offer more programs in 2024. At the Board Meeting Wednesday, they installed the 2024 Board Members and discussed the emerging Artist Award and Youth Art Show, Free Art Programming, the Festival of Trees, Artist Showcase, the Swanton plans and more. Click here for more info.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE ARTS CENTERS, GALLERIES, AND GUILDS 2024
The A.I.R. has an in-person gallery and online celebrations of more than 40 area artists. The gallery on South Main Street is open Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.
BRYAN MEMORIAL GALLERY
The Bryan Gallery is eager to start new exhibits, events, and workshops for its 40th year in 2024. The main Gallery is closed until March for winter break but appointments are available. The new Stowe Gallery is open Wednesday - Thursday and Sunday, 11-5 and Friday - Saturday, 11-6. Call (802.644.5100) to schedule or Click here for more info.
MILTON ARTIST'S GUILD
MAG has an online shop, in-person gallery, and online workshops for every artist with Social Sundays for the whole family every week. The MAG online shopis open 24/7 and the gallery itself is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. MAG's Annual Letter of Appeal is online now. Find them on Facebook for more info.
NORTHERN VERMONT ARTISTS ASSOCIATION
Jonathan Brigham is NVAA president. The NVAA board will vote in officers and board members and to discuss the 2024 calendar this month. They may host the June Juried show at Visions of Vermont Gallery in Jeffersonville and the Fall show at Village Frame Shoppe. Click here or Find them on Facebook for more info.
RIVER ARTS
The Morrisville Art Center offers "Arts for Everyone" with exhibits in the Folley Hall and Copley Studio Galleries and off-campus plus an ambitious schedule of programs including figure drawing, sewing and felting, soft sculptures, upcycled journals and mixed media, wheel classes, kiln, and much more. There will be monthly Sip N' Slurry or Paint and Sip evenings plus Meditate & Create evenings and look for a fresh collaboration between Morrisville Alliance for Culture and Commerce and River Arts for more Music on Main this summer. Art100 takes place in February. Click here .
THE OPERA HOUSE ON STAGE 2024
The Opera House at Enosburg Falls offers a mix of major productions, touring, and community events from vocalists in concert, musicals, and theatricals, to talent shows and art shows. Productions are volunteer-based with small honorariums granted based on the proceeds of the show. The 300 seat historic center of the performing arts serves 14 local communities and more. Their new season begins in March.
The House wants to know what you want to see in 2024 and needs volunteers. Email to volunteer or get involved and Click here or Find them on Facebook for more info.
The Vermont Humanities Council continues Vermont Reads. The statewide, one-book plan will program around Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo through June. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
County-wide, our public Libraries have a slew of plans including readings, lunchtime concerts, art shows, and kids' performers including the 22nd year of Vermont Reads.
ArtBits features weekly links to library events in and around Franklin County. That popular feature has a page of its own at the Franklin County Bookshelf on the AAC site at .
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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