| VOLUME 18 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | August 14, 2014 |
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.
... FROM THE ARTBITS DESK ...
E-Mail Delivery
Sign up to receive the free weekly ArtBits
newsletter by e-mail
or by RSS feed.
The Big Music Weeks of Summer continue with live music and more in and around Franklin County. This week, Highgate has another double header with two great concerts -- Summer Sounds and the St. Johns Summer Concert Series -- on Sunday. There is also Black Creek Adventure Camp, Celebrate Vermont, Marianfest, the "O" Show, Snow Farm's Summer Concert Series, Summer Evenings with Vermont Treasures, Summer Music at Grace, and more. BIG MUSIC WEEKS
A note on mosquitoes: Most events this week are outdoors. The Vermont Department of Health recommends that people take precautions against mosquitoes while enjoying the outdoors because West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The EEE virus was detected in Grand Isle County in June and in St. Albans Bay in August. Although the Health Department believes the risk low in Vermont, people should take measures to avoid mosquito bites. Click here for more info.
All Arts Council presents Bob Amos & Catamount Crossing in the free Summer Sounds Surprise concert in Highgate Municipal Park on Sunday evening at 7 p.m. The high energy bluegrass show will have stellar vocals, original material, and some new interpretations of bluegrass classics. CROSSING THE BIG CAT
Musician and songwriter Bob Amos earned international recognition and acclaim as the leader of the popular and award winning bluegrass band Front Range. He formed that quartet, named after the eastern slopes of the Rockies, in Colorado in 1984.
He started singing harmonies in church and in school as a kid. He has been playing guitar since he was 12 and banjo shortly afterwards. He played in bluegrass bands as a banjo player and backup singer on his way to graduate school in Arizona where he earned a Master's degree in geology.
He recorded seven CDs between 1990-2003 with Front Range and has now released Borrowed Time.
Bob Amos & Catamount Crossing features Mr. Amos on banjo, guitar and vocals; Freeman Corey, fiddle; Bob Dick (formerly of Front Range), bass; Gary Darling, mandolin; and Steve Wright, guitar. This bluegrass ensemble performs his new material and old favorites at concerts and festivals around New England.
Just before the concert, stop by for a Social in the Park starting at 6 p.m. The social hour is a chance to visit with friends and eat some delicious desserts.
The Summer Sounds concerts are sponsored by the Town of Highgate and the All Arts Council, and underwritten by Chevalier Drilling, Desorcie's Market, Drummac Septic Service, Mylan Technologies, O. C. McCuin and Sons, and Ray's Extrusion Dies and Tubing.
The community based All Arts Council brings the performing arts to northwestern Vermont. The concerts are always on Sunday evenings, always at 7 p.m., always in Highgate Municipal Park, and always free. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for the outdoor family music and festivities. The rain site is the Highgate United Methodist Church.
SOUTH HERO--Snow Farm Vineyard presents the Nobby Reed Project in the Snow Farm Summer Concert Series tonight at 6:30 p.m. ON STAGE LIVE
This live music series has music to satisfy all tastes, from classical to jazz to swing to bluegrass to classic rock. All concerts are free and tickets are not required. Picnicking begins at 5 p.m. and music starts at 6:30 p.m. Bring your own chairs and blankets.
Click here for more info.
SHELDON--Summer Music at Grace presents the Klimowski-Matthews Ensemble in a return chamber music concert on Friday, at 7:30 p.m.
The two couples -- clarinetist Steven Klimowski and cellist Bonnie Klimowski, plus classical guitarist Peter Matthews and flutist Wendy Matthews -- play an eclectic sampling of chamber music for flute, clarinet, cello and guitar including original arrangements and music from jazz, Latin, pop, classical and the newly composed featuring Egberto Gismonti, J.S. Bach, Agustin Barrios, Gershwin, Piazzolla, and others.
Grace Church is located at 215 Pleasant Street, Sheldon. The suggested donation of $15 benefits the performers. Call 802.326.4603 or click here for more info about the music at Grace Church.
EAST FAIRFIELD--Black Creek Adventure Camp stages a very special finale of the 2014 season with the No Strings Marionette Company in the Meeting House on the Green on Friday at 4 p.m.
This well-loved, well-known tale is retold by 15 marionettes and a ravenous, rummaging Giant. Fortunately Jack has a sense of adventure, optimism, and three magic beans.
Admission is free for kids from 0-99. Hot dogs and lemonade will follow the show. Call 802.827.3130 for more info.
WESTFORD--The Nobby Reed Project and the Mumbles return to rock through Marianfest, a benefit concert for the Westford Food Shelf, at the Farmers Market on the Town Common on Friday from 4:30-8:30 p.m.
The Mumbles, up from New Orleans, open the show. The "tiny band with a mighty sound" use two keyboards, a drum kit, and a sax to combine New Orleans funk and soul with jazz.
Vermont's own Blues legends, the Nobby Reed Project take the stage at 6:30 for the best blues guitar and singing anywhere.
Admission is free with a suggested donation of one non-perishable food item. The rain site is the Red Brick Meeting House.
STOWE--Celebrate Vermont Festival presents performances by well-known Vermont bands, storytellers, and musicians in the entertainment tent on the Stowe Events Field. The Michele Choiniere Quartet with Will Patton, Dono Schabner, and David Gusakov perform on Friday from 1-4 p.m. Young Tradition Vermont will feature emerging musicians and dancers including the Zeichners, Jeh Kulu Jr., and Hazen Metro also on Friday from 11-5 p.m.
The celebration grew out of the Vermont Working Landscape initiative. It is our own long weekend party, from Friday through Sunday, with Vermont's special farms, forests, crafts, music, art, workshops, and freshly prepared local food. Other performances include the Stone Cold Roosters, Vermont Comedy Divas, and a gospel brunch with Tammy Fletcher.
There will be a Vermont Writers Festival book signing at Bear Pond Books in Stowe on Friday and Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. and a Young Writers poetry slam on Friday at 3.
A Daily Festival Pass costs $10 for adults and $2 for children under 17. A weekend pass is $12 for adults and $3 for children. Click here for more info.
BURLINGTON--Popular Georgia singer/songwriter Carol Ann Jones will sing the National Anthem for the Vermont Lake Monsters baseball game on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.
SHELDON--The Abbey Pavilion hosts the third annual "O" Show Memorial Jam & Concert on Saturday starting at 2:30 p.m.
The all-afternoon/evening event to honor the legacy of music teacher Brooke Ostrander (Mr. O) starts with a jam of local alumni and musicians from all over. This single ticket event will get you access to hours of music all while helping Donate Life VT raise awareness and support organ and tissue donor families.
Nashville recording artist Jay Taylor returns for his third year and welcomes special guest, Ayla Brown.
The evening concert will kick off with one of Guitar Player Magazine's Top 5 guitar players, Forrest Lee Jr. His "All Star Band" features national, regional and local guitarists.
Ms. Brown, an American Idol semifinalist and Nashville recording and touring artist brings great music, stage presence, and a powerhouse voice to captivate the audience.
High energy entertainer and area favorite Jay Taylor will cap the evening with a mix of powerful covers and popular originals.
Advance tickets start at $15 (or $20 on Saturday) with a "pick your price option" that allows for larger donations. Net proceeds from the show will go to support DonateLifeVT. There will be an Abbey cash bar and BBQ starting in early evening. Click here for more info.
EAST FAIRFIELD--Summer Evenings with Vermont Treasures presents Colin McCaffrey in concert at the Meeting House on the Green on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Singer, musician, songwriter, Mr. McCaffrey has a smooth voice and is a wizard on string. The native Vermonter won the USA Songwriting Competition for his song Old Porch Swing. He has released acclaimed recordings with his Stone Cold Roosters and with Vermont artists including Patti Casey, Myra Flynn, Justin Levinson, Lewis Franco, and Pete Sutherland.
Admission is $15 and kids under 12 are free. Refreshments will be for sale at intermission. Call 802.827.6626 to reserve tickets. Click here for more info.
HIGHGATE FALLS--The St. Johns Summer Concert Series presents the jazz group Calloway Taxi with special instrumental solos by Rich Sutphen of Towne Meeting on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m.
The Northwest Vermont a capella vocal group performs a variety of music ranging from big band standards and show tunes to contemporary jazz, rock and pop music.
The 19th century brick St. John's Church has a three-stop organ built by Henry Erben. The historical church is now used for weddings, Evensong services, and concerts in the summer.
Admission is by free will donation.
Call 802.868.7185, or click here for more info.
NORTH HERO--Knight Point State Park presents the Starline Rhythm Boys in the Music in the Park Series on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Picnics welcome after 5 p.m. and there will be food vendors on site. Admission is $5 for adults, kids under 12 free.
GRAND ISLE--Island Arts presents the Citizens Concert Band at the Grand Isle Lake House on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
The grounds open at 5:30 p.m. for picnics.
There is a $15 per person gate charge. This performance will benefit the Island Arts youth scholarship fund. Tickets are available at the event or in advance for $10 at Hackett's Orchard, Snow Farm Vineyard and The Green Frog in South Hero, the Back Chamber in North Hero, The Alburgh Public Library, and Isle La Motte Country Store, or at (802.86FLYNN). Call 802.372.8889 or click here for more info.
SWANTON--Northwest Access Television (Channel 15-16) concludes a week of family movies in local parks this evening as NWA-TV and the Swanton Rec Department present Shrek at Marble Mill Park in Swanton tonight at 8 p.m. The rain date is August 21. MOVIE UNDER THE STARS
Admission is free and so is the popcorn; just bring blankets, chairs and bug spray.
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. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
Dick Harper, Chair
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
email us
|
This article was originally published
in the St Albans Messenger and other traditional print media.
It is
Copyright © 2014 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. |