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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SUMMER SOUNDS
The 25th season of this popular series features bands from the first years including Anderson
Gram, Lisa Brande and Easy Street on the Bayou, Branded, the Constitution Brass,
Dr Jazz & Dixie Hot Shots, Jenni Johnson and the Jazz Junketeers, Mark LeGrand
and the Lovesick Band, and many more. We'll wrap up with a day long concert
with continuous music on the last day of Summer.The Summer Sounds concerts are sponsored by the Town of Highgate, the Town of St. Albans, and the All Arts Council, and underwritten by Chevalier Drilling, Desorcie's Market, Drummac Septic Service, O. C. McCuin & Sons, and Ray's Extrusion Dies & Tubing.
The community based All Arts Council brings the performing arts to northwestern Vermont. The concerts are always on Sunday evenings at 7 p.m., always in a town park, and always free. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair as you settle in to enjoy outdoor family music and festivities. click here for the schedule.
ZOUNDS!
The 35th Bay Day Festival kicks off a day with lots more than fireworks in St. Albans Town Bay Park all day this Sunday. The annual summer festival offers a full family day with the Great Race, lakefront games, sports, fair food, fireworks, and continuous live music, all to celebrate Independence Day. This familiar Franklin County family festival has new surprises
every year as does the Town Park with new access and features almost every time you visit. LIVE MUSIC ALL AFTERNOON--The All Arts Council and the Town of St. Albans will offer live music for Bay Day starting about 2 p.m. under the tent on the Bathhouse patio at St. Albans Town Park at the Bay. The afternoon music lineup includes Chasing 440 plus the Padula/Thunder/Martin Trio and some very special guests. These popular entertainers will mix it up with family music, rock 'n' roll, country, swing, old timey/bluegrass, jazz, some gospel, and their own originals.
Chasing 440 chases great bluegrass with Amanda Benway, singer/songwriter and lead Mandolin; David Benway, guitar and vocals; Arnold Royea, fiddle; Michael Ryan, banjo and vocals; and Larry Blackhurst on bass. Their sets include 9 Pound Hammer," "30 Years of Farming, and That Bluegrass Music. 2, 3:45, and 5:15 p.m. on the Bathhouse patio.
Rebecca Padula, Donna Thunder Moran, and Chris Martin are a powerhouse Americana trio with "a growing pile of great songs" from country, jazz, and blues. They pass guitars, bass drums, ukeuleles, and great harmonies around between them. "We are regular writing partners, but do not often perform together, so this will be a special show- we might even make some tunes up on the spot," Ms. Padula said. 2:45 and 4:15 p.m. on the Bathhouse patio.
[Times are approximate -- come for the whole day.]
SUMMER SOUNDS--The All Arts Council and the Town of St. Albans welcome a band that can rock the Bath House tent as Mango Jam opens the 25th Summer Sounds season at Bay Day on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Mango Jam is a six piece dance band playing straight-ahead Zydeco as well as New Orleans-inspired Funk and Reggae/Ska. The band draws its inspiration from the music of South Louisiana and the Caribbean and they will rock the park with those hot rhythms as well as the original songs of guitarist and singer, Josie Ritter. Band members also include Gus Ziesing, accordions, saxophones, vocals; Dana Lavigne, guitar, fratois, vocals; Mimi Ryan, alto saxophone, vocals; Lee Beckwith, bass, vocals; and Allen Bilson, drums. They have been playing together almost as long as the Summer Sounds series.
This Summer Sounds concert is sponsored by the Town of St. Albans and the All Arts Council. Visit for the summer concert schedule.
The family events include the great race, volleyball and horseshoe tournaments, food and games for all ages, and more all starting at 1 p.m. The park opens at 8 a.m. The music is free.
The Bay Day-Summer Sounds social, presented by St. Albans Town Recreation, will be an all day event with the Bay Day food vendors starting to serve at about 2 p.m.
Fireworks will begin at dusk thanks to generous contributions from the community.
ART ON THE WALLS
What is your story? Join stained glass artist Karen Scheffler who invites you to experience and inspire her as you direct her next art piece. There will be refreshments, good company, and an art giveaway.
ENOSBURG FALLS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on longtime members, Toby Fulwiler, Pamela Krout-Voss, and Jo Anne Wazny. Their works include wooden bowls, fiber creations, photographs, and paintings.
The A.I.R. gallery hosts a free meet-the-artists reception with refreshments on Sunday from 1 - 3 p.m. The exhibit continues through the end of July.
The Artist in Residence cooperative is owned and operated by the artists and sponsors; it has folk art, fiber and fabrics, lamps, paintings, pottery, stained glass, sculpture, and more by 45 Franklin County and surrounding area artists. The gallery is open Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. plus the first Sunday of each month, noon to 5 p.m.
ON STAGE LIVE
WOODSTOCK--The Will Patton Ensemble continues the 2015 Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series today at noon.
This Vermont event is one of Pentangle's most beloved summer events with free live music performances on the Village Green every Thursday from today through early August.
ST. ALBANS--The One Fed Summer Concert Series gets supercharged with Carol Ann Jones and the Superchargers this evening at 7 p.m.
Some of Vermont's best musicians back up the popular Georgia singer/songwriter. Andre Maquera, lead guitar and backing vocals; Gary Spaulding, drums; Will Patton, bass, tenor, steel guitar and backing vocals; and Thom Carvey, bass, saxophone and backing vocals.
The summer concert series has performers under the tents every Thursday, rain or shine.
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap offers Blues Night with the Nobby Reed Project tonight at 7 p.m. Vermont's own blues trio includes Eric Belrose, percussion, Ray Bushey, bass, and Mr. Reed on lead guitar and vocals.
Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info.
Thursday-Saturday
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents Jerry Thigpen this evening at 7 p.m. Next up is Vern Colburn in the Dining Room tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. Then Isaac and Dominic French play a special Independence Day show on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Call 802.524.1405 or click here for
more info.
Friday
ST. ALBANS--Back Inn Time Bed & Breakfast presents a Music & More Dinner Event with singer/songwriter Carol Ann Jones and string wizard Will Patton on steel guitar and mandolin on Friday at 7 p.m.
Drinks and appetizers are easy but seating is
limited, so reservations are required for dinner. Call 802.527.5116 or email for
reservations or info.
Saturday
ESSEX JUNCTION--The Essex July 4th Celebration features the Contois School of Music Band on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
This CSM show features classics, some new tunes, and uptown funk with Musical Director Dave Contois and sound engineer Ezra Mulheron.
Wednesday
ST. ALBANS--The Citizens Concert Band performs in the St. Albans
Town
Bay
Park on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Under the direction of Kevin Loomis, the Band
seats
about
45 musicians in all ages from high school soloists to working professionals.
Vocalist Claire Chevalier Hungerford studied at Crane School of Music and is
renowned for her role in Counterpoint.
In case of light rain, the event will continue
on site although
the concert will be cancelled for a downpour.
Click here for
more info.
