DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 14 * * All Arts News On the Web * * July 8, 2010

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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FIRE RELIEF CONCERTS

SWANTON--The Swanton Fire Department Auxiliary and the Swanton Chamber Of Commerce will host the SwanStock Fire Relief Benefit Concert in Swanton Village Park on Saturday at noon - 6 p.m. A June apartment house explosion in Swanton Village left one man in the hospital and several families homeless. The other six residents of the four apartments, including the family of popular blues musician Jim Branca, escaped without injuries.
      Headlined by Greg Izor and the Boxkickers from Austin Texas and Jimmy Branca, the music lineup also include Run for Cover, the Nobby Reed Project, Mike Lykens, Julie Tiller, Conscious Roots, and Deana and the Naturals.
      "We have had yet another disaster with yet more families in need of our help," Jackie Corbiere, president of the Swanton Fire Auxiliary, said. "Some of the families that were living in the house are [effectively] homeless. They lost everything except the clothes on their backs."
 ArtBits News Photo     The blues man, his wife and little boy, Tommy, were one of the families in the fire who will be part of this benefit.
      The organizers need volunteers and donated baked goods on Saturday. Call Jackie Corbiere (802.370.2609) to volunteer. Call Linda Corbiere (802.868.7512) to donate food or other goods. Call Jason Corbiere (802.370.2608) with questions about the music.
      Admission is a suggested $5 donation or more. More would be good. The Auxiliary and the Chamber Of Commerce will also sell plenty of fair food, baked goods, and have a 50/50 raffle. They will also offer face painting for the kids.


BURLINGTON--Nectar's will host the Jim Branca Fire Relief Benefit in the club on Sunday at 5 p.m.
      The musical contributors include Paul Asbell with Will Patton and the Fabulous Spiders, The Real Deal, Left Eye Jump, the Nerbak Brothers, Greg Izor and the BoxKickers, and Jim Branca and friends!
      Admission is by donation.
      This benefit concert is specifically for Jim Branca and his family who remain homeless after the fire. Please bring a food item for the Pot Luck event. Nectar's is a "sultry, down home juke joint" with cocktails, dancing, and live music.


ON STAGE LIVE

ST. ALBANS--Chowbella hosts "The Young Guns Showcase" in the monthly It's All About the Song Festival tonight at 8 p.m. Special this month is music by younger artists, age 21 and under. Franklin County's favorite country singer, Keeghan Nolan of Fairfax, hosts. Appearing this month are Alaina Freeman, Abby Grimmer, Mingo Maquera, Troy Millette, Veronica Taylor, Kristen Thompson.
      Admission is $5. Tickets and reservations are available at 802.865.3013. It's All About the Song is presented by WOKO, and sponsored by Coca Cola, Advance Music, All Seasons Excavating, and Chowbella.


GEORGIA--The Georgia Community Center hosts Carol Ann Jones in a solo benefit performance for the Georgia Historical Society on Saturday at 11 a.m.


ENOSBURG--The Opera House at Enosburg Falls presents Heather McKowan's Highbrow to Hoedown on Saturday at 7 p.m.
      "It's far more than a show. It's a flight of fantasy!" Ms. McKowan said.
      Fasten your seatbelts. The cast of inflight Jetblue crew members and Franklin County's favorite performers are ready to fly another audience off to another night of rock 'n roll, blues, comedy, opera, classical, folk, and musical comedy destinations.
      The cast includes the Nobby Reed Project, the Mississquoi River Band, The MVU chorus, and Jetblue talent from Alabama, Jamaica, Florida, New Jersey, New York City, South Carolina, and beyond with emcee Darryl Goodwin.
      Ms. McKowan started the shows 21 years ago as a benefit for local organizations. "We did four shows a summer on the deck over my septic tank," she said. The seating is firmer in the Opera House.
      The proceeds will be divided between the BFA St. Albans Leadership course, Future Farmers of America, the MVU Music Department, the Benjamin J. Quattlebaum Fund, Rural Partnerships, "and more if a lot of money is raised,"
      Admission is $10 or "more if you have it!" The box office opens at 6 p.m.


HIGHGATE--The Town of Highgate will host a benefit concert for Camp Highgate at the Highgate Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m. Asphalt Drive will play three hours of classic rock. The quintet includes Peter Perry, vocals and guitar; Nick Poquette, drums and vocals; Clarence Wheeler, guitar; Jack Wilson, bass, vocals; and Matthew Woodruff, guitar.
      "It is family oriented, substance free, and the snack bar will be open," Joyce Lafar said.
      Camp Highgate offers crafts, athletic events, visits to the Echo Center, and more to the participating kids of Highgate.
      Admission is $5 for anyone over 5. Call Ms. Lafar (802.868.5048) for more info.


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


ST. ALBANS--Chow Bella offers Music to Dine By with John Cassel on the piano on Wednesdays at 6:30 and the jazz and improv of Vern Colburn on the Piano on Fridays at 5:30. Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


HIGHGATE CENTER--Mark your calendars. Summer Sounds in Highgate begins next Sunday, July 18, when Chevalier Drilling presents Jenni Johnson and the Jazz Junketeers. Scheduling difficulties cancelled the concert for this weekend.
      The community based All Arts Council brings the performing arts to northwestern Vermont. The Summer Sounds concerts are always on Sunday evenings at 7 p.m., always in a town park, and always free.


ART ON THE WALLS

BURLINGTON--The Amy E. Tarrant Gallery at the Flynn presents Corliss Blakely's Visions of Nature exhibit in conjunction with the Flynn's annual Garden Tour.
      Ms. Blakely will demonstrate her new electronic painting techniques in the Tarrant Gallery on Sunday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
      The Gallery is open to the public on Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm and during the First Friday Art Walk. Performance attendees may also view exhibits prior to MainStage shows and during intermission.


JEFFERSONVILLE--The Bryan Memorial Gallery summer exhibit, Land and Light, begins tomorrow in the Main Gallery. The gallery will host a Land and Light artists roundtable on Saturday at 2 p.m. and a reception for the artists from 3 - 5 p.m. Selected artists include Pam Fiaschetti, Charles Meunier, and Mark Tougias.
      The show continues through September 12. click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Mark your calendars: The Champlain Collection will host its final show next Thursday, July 15, at 6:30 p.m. The featured artists include Harald Aksdal, Sean Dye, Barabara Parfume, and Fred Swan. The Collection will also introduce 7-year old Elyza Bruce with her "fantastic acrylics of animals."
      Fred Swan will be at the show to sign his new 2011 calendar.


CLICK HERE: ART SITE OF THE WEEK

     The Crabgrass Puppet Theater of West Brattleboro has received grants from the Jim Henson Foundation and Puppeteers of America for Haiku, HipHop and Hotdogs in which puppets explore poetry. Their site has links and vide of current productions, info about Crabgrass, the show schedule, pictures, puppetry resources, press info, the all-important contact info, and more.


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 © 2010 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.