| VOLUME 28 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | February 1, 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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The MVSD Music Instrument Drive collects used and usable concert band and orchestra instruments for kids in all four schools in the district. The drive continues through March 14. Drop off locations for instruments are Swanton Elementary, Highgate Elementary, Franklin Elementary, MVU, and Mother Hubbard's. Email for more info or to make a cash donation to the program. THE MUSIC OF TOMORROW
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on potter Marissa McFadden and artist, illustrator, cartoonist, and writer Sarah Rosedahl 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. ART ON THE WALLS
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.
MONTGOMERY and BURLINGTON--The Montgomery Center for the Arts and the Fletcher Free Library present Voices from Ukraine VT with an opening reception at the Fletcher Free on Saturday at 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Curated by M Sebastian Araujo, the month-long program includes story times, films, hands-on art activities, a live video discussion with Ukrainian participants, speakers, films and more. The show is open daily in the Pickering Room through the month of February. All events are free and all are welcome. Find them on Facebook for more info.
JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery has a splash of color with Robin Reynolds' abstract Another Jackmangi on Facebook. The gallery has exhibits of the landscape painters of New England. The Stowe location is open but the main showcase in Jeffersonville is closed for winter break. The gallery also has a small collection of work at the Stowe visitor center. Appointments are available. Call ahead (802.644.5100) to schedule or click here for more info.
SWANTON--The Vermont Abenaki Artists Association features certified fine, decorative, and performing artists officially labeled as "American Indian" under Federal law.
Writer and storyteller Joseph Bruchac works on Native language renewal, traditional Native skills, and environmental education at the Ndakinna Education Center. Click here for his story and a look at his body of work.
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--Awaken Yoga and Creative Arts Studio host Howl at the Moon Paint & Sip on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The mystical piece combines "moon magic and wolf spirit." The cost is $40 with all materials including wildlife stencils provided. Find them on Facebook for tickets and more info. ART YOU CREATE
FAIRFIELD--Bent Northrop Memorial Library hosts Valentine Crafternoon on Wednesday a 12noon-5pm. The drop-in program will have supplies to make Valentines for loved ones. All ages are welcome. Click here for more info.
MILTON--The Milton Artists Guild celebrates Corrina Thurston's first year as director of the Guild. Under her leadership, the MAG has increased grant funding by 480% and sales by almost 20%. The MAG has become more than a gallery. It hosts free community events year-round including the free Social Sunday program every week for families, plus exhibits, poetry readings, music, the annual Art & Stroll Festival, and dozens of workshops for teens, adults, and those struggling with dementia. ART MILESTONE
The MAG art center and gallery showcases the work of over 165 artist members in Milton Square behind the Milton Post Office. They are open seven days a week, Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.
FAIRFIELD--Bent Northrop Memorial Library needs library lovers to join the BNML Board of Trustees. Trustees meet the third Thursday of each month at 4:30. Open seats will be voted on at the in-person Fairfield Town Meeting on March 5. Call Sarah Allerton (802.827.3945) or email for insights about the board and to let them know. Click here for more info about the duties and responsibilities of a trustee. CREATIVE JOBS
HIGHGATE--The Highgate Library and Community Center is hiring a part-time Library Assistant for about three evenings each week. They seek someone who is personable and kind, has previous customer service experience and a can-do attitude. Find them on Facebook or click here for more info and to apply.
MILTON--The Milton Artists Guild is hiring. They need a part time Gallery champion to be the very first friendly face folks see at the front counter, handling sales and customer service and questions, and more. Find them on Facebook or email your resume or questions.
MORRISTOWN--River Arts and the Morristown Centennial Library will open Morristown Free University for special free programming in the month of April. They will offer more than 20 workshops free of charge. Some possible classes already forming include poetry, sewing with felt, a civics class, puppet making, and a therapeutic dance workshop. Classes are limited only by the imagination of the public.
River Arts needs instructors now. The one-off classes will typically be two- or three-hour workshops. Click here for more info. Email a brief description of a proposed class to morristownu@gmail.com.
ST. ALBANS--Osher Lifelong Learning Institute begins the eight-week Spring program series with the Scottish Highlands with Roderick Russell in the Greg Brown Lodge at Hard'ack on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Mr. Russell will share his recent ten day trip through the Highlands in photos, stories, history and trivia. HUMANITIES
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.
ONLINE--Margaret Bass explores Toni Morrison's second novel, Sula, in Sula Peace: Lessons in Friendship and Unconditional Love on the Vermont Humanities digital channel in partnership with the Rutland Free Library on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Click here for more info or here to register for the Zoom event.
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 has two offerings this week.
The February Open Studio Figure Drawing offers a nude session today at 3:30 p.m. There will be quick two minute poses, five minute poses, 20 minute poses, and a long pose at the end. River Arts limits nude sessions to ages 16 and older. The cost is $15 with pre-registration preferred. Click here to register and for more info.
Watercolorist Evie Mason begins a new, three-workshop series, Watercolor in 3 Ways--Learning Technique and Process on Sunday at 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Classes will be held each Sunday through February 18. Ms. Mason will explore techniques and applications inspired by historical watercolor painters. Tuition is $100. Click here to enroll and for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council will hold a Board Meeting and Updates in person at the Swanton Free Public Library on Wednesday at 6 p.m. IN THE SAC
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month. Find the SAC on Facebook for the agenda and more info.
COVID-19 is still here. COVID NEWS
Hospitalizations fell last week for the first time since late summer. As of January 10, there were 50 more hospitalizations statewide, down from 59 the prior week. 13 were in Franklin County, a decrease from the week before. There were six more COVID-related deaths reported statewide in the week ending January 13 for a pandemic total of 1,100 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 Winter respiratory virus season. According to the state COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Dashboard still just 15% of Franklin County residents have received the new COVID vaccine, trailed only by Essex County. That compares to about 22% of Vermonters who have had the latest COVID-19 vaccine and 35% of Vermonters who have gotten a flu shot. Vermonters have not moved those numbers much in the past three weeks.
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, February 1 ON STAGE LIVE
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro hosts the famed TBA for Acoustic Thursday this evening at 5 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The 2024 Daughter Gala will be a snow ball of wintry celebration, and elegance for daughters and their escorts with music, dancing, and refreshments in the "grand Ball Room" of City Hall this evening at 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info. The gala is a fund raising event for the St. Albans Rec Department and helps support recreation activities in the community.
Admission for resident is $60 per couple and $26 for each additional daughter. Admission for non residents is $79 per couple and $30 for each additional daughter. Tickets are available only at stalbansvt.myrec.com
NORTH HERO--The North Hero House hosts Karaoke Night in the Event Barn this evening at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Thursday-Saturday, February 1-3
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of music with the Nobby Reed Project tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night, Josh Panda and Peter Day at 5 p.m., and then Something Reckless comes out of Randolph for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Pet Project at 5 p.m., and the Hit Squad at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Friday, February 2
COLCHESTER--The Pet Project combines a love of animals and a passion for kick-ass 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.
BURLINGTON--Will Patton joins Mary McGinniss for the release of her new CD, Blue Hour, at the Venetian Lounge on Friday at 6 p.m. The lifelong Vermont singer-songwriter has been singing, playing string instruments, and writing songs since age 12. Mr. Patton describes the album as a "wonderful and ethereal collection of songs." Admission is $10. Click here for tickets.
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.
Saturday, February 3
JAY--Jamzilla is apre-ski madness with old friends Philip Graziano, Jimmy Branca, Tim Commings, and Eric Belrose at the Bull Wheel at Jay Peak Ski Resort on Saturday afternoon from 4 - 7 pm. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents the Devon McGarry Band for a night of originals, covers, and way more live in The Room on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week Canadian singer Sister Speak has a solo show live on Saturday night. 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.
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, February 4
KEY COLONY BEACH, FL--The KCB Community Association Concerts in Sunset Park series continues with Abstract Radio to play rock and funk covers live in the new tiki in Sunset Park on Sunday at 4 p.m. Free. Click here for more info.
Wednesday, February 7
BURLINGTON--Young Tradition Vermont hosts Fam Jam! at Fletcher Free Library on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The group provides a space to try out playing tunes and singing songs together. There will be a session leader to facilitate and to guide to newcomers to jams. Adults and youth of all ages and skill levels are welcome to bring instruments and join in the fun. This event is free and open to anyone. Click here for more info.
Plan Ahead
EAST FAIRFIELD--The 2024 season of Meeting House Music begins with "the jazz-hyped blues and country and western music" of Michael Hurley at the Meeting House on the Green on April 21. Food and Meeting House desserts will be available. Admission is $30 and space is limited so reservations are required for this show. Call 802.827.6626 before purchasing your tickets. Click here for a "local news" introduction to Mr. Hurley and here for tickets or more info about the show and the series.
FAIRFIELD--Bent Northrop Memorial Library will discuss the book Feed Me: A Story of Food, Love, and Mental Illness by Erika Nichols-Frazer on Tuesday at 6:30pm. Ms. Nichols-Frazer will be the library's special guest to join the discussion. Click here for more info. FRANKLIN COUNTY 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 ... |
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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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