DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 13 * * All Arts News On the Web * * April 9, 2009

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.


      Stop in for live music and more at the Fairfax Music Sessions at the Foothills Bakery in Fairfax most Saturday afternoons at 1 p.m., at various restaurants around Franklin County throughout the week, at the Bayside in St Albans Town most Sunday afternoons, and the Cambridge CoffeeHouses at 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of every month.
     These gatherings bring new opportunities, gossip, "show-and-tell" and occasional workshops. The booked performances and acoustic Open Mike Nights feature music, readings, and more from the best new artists in Vermont.

      Find links to these events and more in our Spotlight!

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GREG BROWN RETURNS

      Events for Tom presents Greg Brown with Bo Ramsey tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. in Contois Auditorium at Burlington's City Hall.
      Gravel-voiced singing story teller, songwriter, folk musician, and Iowan Gregg Brown tours regularly, had a recurring gig on A Prairie Home Companion, has been nominated for several Grammy awards, and founded Red House Records. Red House has released over 200 recordings. His songs have been performed by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, Michael Johnson, Willie Nelson, and Carlos Santana, and his "Iowa Waltz" was unsuccessfully proposed to replace The Song of Iowa, the state song of his home.
      Mr. Brown has a long history of using his music to raise funds and awareness for Admission is $25 advance or $27 day of show. Click here for tickets
      The concert is presented by Burlington Parks and Recreation, Events for Tom, and Higher Ground. Proceeds from the concert benefit the Tom Sustic Fund, which supports families with children with cancer. Additional contributions to the fund can be sent to: Tom Sustic Fund, PO Box 163, Fairfax, VT 05454. Call Mark Sustic (802.849.6968), Email, or click here for info about the series or the Tom Sustic Fund.


ART ON THE WALLS

ST. ALBANS--A new store is back in town. The Champlain Collection has moved from its former home in the far corner of Highgate Commons to a new storefront in Hungerford Plaza.
      "We spent 12 years there," owner Norm Choiniere said. "We think this location will be much better for our customers."
      One customer called the intimate new space "cozy and nice," he said.
      Mr. Choiniere has operated the custom frame shop, fine art gallery, and fine art publisher in the St. Albans area for over 30 years. It is a quality. The Collection is the exclusive publisher for renowned artists Fred Swan and Sean Dye and show the works of Vermont artists Corliss Blakely, Bob Eldridge, Barbara Pafume, Anna Vreman, and more. They carry original artwork, giclees, canvas tranfers, limited edition prints, signature editions and posters.
      "This is a real first class gallery if I say so myself," Mr. Choiniere said.
      The Champlain Collection is now open in Hungerford Plaza across from the St. Albans Messenger every Monday through Friday, 9:30-5:30 p.m., and Saturday 9:30-4 p.m. They will host their first show in the new gallery next Thursday evening with Harald Aksdal, Robert Chaperone, and Barbara Pafume and hold their formal Grand Opening in May.
      "We hope to host a show at least every other month," Mr. Choiniere said.


ON STAGE LIVE

ESSEX JUNCTION--The Lincoln Inn begins the week with WCLX Blues Night featuring the Nobby Reed Project tonight at 7 p.m. Tomorrow evening brings Summer Sounds favorites Rumbledoll at 9 p.m.
      Call 802.878.3309 or click here for more info.


MORRISVILLE--Mountain Girl and Summer Sounds favorite Tammy Fletcher appears at the Bee’s Knees tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. Click here for more info.


WATERVILLE--Cambridge Arts Council presents community dances on Saturdays at 7 p.m. in the Waterville Town Hall. This Saturday evening features Dancing with the Stars, contras, squares, circles, play parties and singing games and all dances will be taught. Bring a partner, the entire family, or come alone. Caller Mark Sustic offers dance instruction. Frank Heyburn, members of Fiddleheads, and other young musicians play.
      Admission is $5 per person and $10 for families at the door. Call 802.849.6968 or email for more info.


BURLINGTON--ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center on Lake Champlain kicks off its annual two week celebration of Earth Day and Mud Season. Look for ecology presentations, Muddy MudFest activities, free chocolate treats, and Muddy Music at One.
      Look for Franklin County blues man Jim Branca to add some mojo to the mud on Monday at 1 - 1:30 p.m. I cannot promise that he will not come out of this muddy. The Hokum Brothers appear on Tuesday and the Bubble Brothers Soap Suds Circus on Wednesday.
      Click here for more info.


JEFFERSONVILLE--The Village Tavern hosts Open Mic at 8 p.m. on Thursdays.


FAIRFAX--The regular Music Session continues Saturday with acoustic instrumentalists playing traditional songs at the Foothills Bakery, 1-4:30 p.m. Admission is free by donation.


ST. ALBANS--Chow Bella offers the jazz and improv of Vern Colburn on the Piano on Fridays at 5:30 and dynamite jazz duo of Ted Crosby and Fabian Rainville at 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 524.1405 or click here for more info.


CLICK HERE: ART SITE OF THE WEEK

     Abstract painter Don Hanson is also a printmaker and photographer who explores the human relationship to nature. He captures the erosive effect of time and natural force on the landscape. His site includes a portfolio, artist's statement, biography, and contact info.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

      ArtBits features a quick weekly peek at the bookshelf or night stand of the folks you know in and around Franklin County. That popular feature has a page of its own at the Franklin County Bookshelf here on the AAC site.


SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!


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      This article was originally published in the St Albans Messenger and other traditional print media. It is Copyright © 2009 by Richard B. Harper. All rights reserved. Archival material is provided as-is. Links are not necessarily maintained (if a link in this article fails, try Google.com or your favorite search engine).
      Thanks to recent misuse of copyright material on the Internet by individuals and archival firms alike, we emphasize that your rights to this article are limited to viewing it and printing it for personal use only. You must receive explicit permission from the All Arts Council and the author before reprinting or redistributing this article in any medium.