DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 14 * * All Arts News On the Web * * June 16, 2011

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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NOT CROSSBONES

      Summer Music at Grace presents Bread and Bones, an award-winning acoustic trio, returning tomorrow evening at 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature original music that is steeped in tradition and driven by harmony. Their songs are soulful, rootsy, haunting, and infectious.
      The award-winning acoustic trio is Richard Ruane, vocals, guitar, tenor and 5 string banjos, mandolin and ukulele; Beth Duquette on vocals; and Mitch Barron on fretless, fretted and upright basses and vocals.
      Grace Church is located at 215 Pleasant Street, Sheldon. The suggested donation of $15 benefits the performers. click here or call 802.326.4603 for info about the music at Grace Church.


FAIR ROCKIN' SUMMER

     The Fairfax Summer Concert Series begins 2011 with Carol Ann Jones with Will Patton and Gary Spaulding on the BFA Fairfax Green in Fairfax on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
      "We'll be playing songs from my new acoustic release 'Hope' as well as some old favorites!" Ms. Jones said.
      Admission is free. Bring your blanket, lawn chairs, and family. There will be a charitable bake sale. In the case of rain the concert will be held in the middle school gym. The Fairfax Summer Concert Series is sponsored by the Vermont Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Fairfax Park and Rec, the Fairfax Community Library and BFA K-12 Enrichment.


ON STAGE LIVE

BELVIDERE, VT--Rattling Brook Bluegrass Festival presents Big Spike on Sunday starting at about noon. The one-day event runs from late morning until dusk to showcase local and national bluegrass music. The snack bar serves hot dogs and hamburgers.
      Big Spike plays hard-driving traditional bluegrass with Bill Gaston, banjo; tenor and lead singer Michael Santosusso, upright bass; singer/luthier Pete Langdell, guitar; Freeman Corey, fiddle; and baritone and lead singer Neil Rossi, mandolin and fiddle. They emphasize 3- and 4-part harmonies.
      Big Spike members started the festival in 1984 as a fundraiser to help pay the property taxes for a small community club with a ball field, pavilion, stage, and snack shack. It is Vermont's longest continuously running bluegrass event.


ESSEX JUNCTION--The Backstage Bar and Grill presents Justice keeping their rock rolling on Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
      Justice has four well-seasoned musicians with Chris Fleury, lead vocals and drums; Scott Belisle on bass and backup vocals; Todd Dunn, lead and rhythm guitar; and Scott Guptill, rhythm guitar and backup vocals.


BURLINGTON--Nectar's presents Conscious Roots Reggae Band in a June residency next Wednesday at 11 p.m. The roots reggae band plays a mix of original music that blends Afro-beat rhythms, ska, jazz, and rock. The band includes Charles Hungerford, vocals, rhythm guitar, clarinet; Danny Ries, bass, mandolin; Jeff Kenyon, lead guitar; Adam Dunsmore, trumpet, percussion, backing vocals; and Grammy nominated drummer Jason Corbiere.
      "We share the stage with the Hamiltones," Mr. Corbiere said. "Come out and boogie on down to the infectious grooves of reggae!"


LIBRARY NEWS

     The Vermont Humanities Council program, Vermont Reads, presents To Kill a Mockingbird in the Highgate Public Library this evening at 6 p.m. The multi-generational discussion centers on the classic Harper Lee novel about the moral awakening of a young girl in the Deep South. Ms. Lee wrote the only first novel ever to win a Pulitzer Prize whose author never wrote again. Books are available for the community at Highgate Public Library.
      Vermont Reads has events around the state.
      Backpack Theater and Highgate Public Library present the Sword & the Stone at the Highgate Elementary School on Monday at 10:30 a.m. This show is open to all ages.
      Call Lisa Comiskey, (802.868.3970) for more info.


JULY-AUGUST ART DEADLINES

HEY HOTSHOT (June 22)--The international photography competition will select five photographers per round of competition as the 2011 Hot Shots. Submit 5 photos. $10,000 grand prize, 5 honorariums. Entry fee. click here for more info.


CCNY 2011 NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION (June 27)--Photographers and photo-based artists working in any genre are eligible to apply. Applicants are encouraged to submit a cohesive body of work. Selected applicants will be featured in an exhibition at the Camera Club of New York gallery in the summer of 2011 and online. Small cash award. No entry fee but applicants must be active members of the CCNY. Call 212.260.9927 Email or click here for more info.


50TH ANNUAL ART IN THE PARK FESTIVAL (July 5)--Rutland's signature event for Central Vermont seeks artisans who handcraft unique products for the juried show. Space will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The Chaffee Art Center, also celebrating its 50th year, is the event sponsor. Call 802.747.7900 or click here for more info about Art in the Park and to download an application.


CLICK HERE: ART SITE OF THE WEEK

     Award-winning Las Cruces, NM, watercolor artist Robert Highsmith was among the seven recipients of the 2011 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts last week. His site includes a gallery, his biography, news, and items for sale.


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 © 2011 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.