DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 20 * * All Arts News On the Web * * May 26, 2016

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.


     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 BEGINS!

      Temps in the 80s may come as a surprise when the snow melted just yesterday but it's good news because it means the Summer Music Season has started!


EAST FAIRFIELD--Summer Evenings with Vermont Treasures presents the Will Patton Quartet joined by Anna Patton on clarinet in concert at the Meeting House on the Green on Friday at 7 p.m.
      The Meeting House will swell at the seams with mandolin-infused gypsy jazz, fiery Brazilian sambas, folk waltzes, and searing swing. The quartet features Mr. Patton on mandolin accompanied by David Gusakov, violin; Dono Schabner, guitar; and Clyde Stats, bass.
      Admission for all concerts is by suggested donation of $10 per person at the door. All shows support the Meeting House Preservation Project. Refreshments will be for sale at intermission. Call 802.827.6626 to reserve seats and pay at the door. Click here for more info.


SHELDON--Summer Music at Grace starts a new season with the 14th annual Farewell Reunion benefit concert at the Grace Church in Sheldon on Sunday at 7 p.m.
      The first half of the show will include Michele Choiniere with her daughter, Isabella, her father, Fabe Choiniere, and friends including Will Patton and Deb Flanders.
      Cape Breton fiddlers Andrea Beaton and Wendy MacIsaac and guitarist, mandolin player and singer Eric McDonald play the second half of the concert. A post-concert session nearby will be announced the night of the concert. The evening is hosted by performer Mark Sustic.
      There is no cookout/potluck this year, but everyone is asked to bring a dessert to share at intermission.
      The benefit concert supports the Tom Sustic Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support for young musicians and dancers in Vermont.
      The 14th annual Farewell Reunion concert is presented by Young Tradition Vermont with sponsorship by All Arts Council of Franklin County, Summer Music at Grace, and others. Young Tradition Vermont helps ensure there are opportunities for young players, singers and dancers to be supported, and have opportunities to learn and perform and experiment as part of a living tradition passed down from each previous generation.
      Admission is a $15 suggested donation at the door; there are no advance tickets.


ART ON THE WALLS

ST ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on painter Jim Foote, painter and photographer Natalie LaRocque, potter Martha McGinn, and jewelry creator Holly Spier in a reception today from 4:30-7:30 p.m. The reception includes refreshments and a raffle. The exhibit continues through the end of June.
      The Artist in Residence art cooperative features paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, sculpture, lamps, pottery, folk art boxes, scarves, hats and more by 40 Franklin County and surrounding area artists. It is owned and operated by the artists and sponsors. The gallery, in its new home at 10 South Main Street, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here for more info.


AROUND THE STATE and OUR COUNTY--The 24th Open Studio Weekend is this weekend. Studios are open Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
      This look behind the scenes opens the doors of artists' studios across Vermont for a self-guided tour that features the work of glassblowers, jewelers, printmakers, potters, furniture makers, weavers, ironworkers, painters, sculptors, quilt makers and wood carvers. Some 300 exhibitors are open this year, all right next to the yellow signs dotting the Vermont landscape. Some are right here in and near Franklin County including Meta Strick and handweaver Carol Crawford.
      The free Vermont Crafts Council map booklet has directions to participating sites. Call 802.223.3380 or click here for the guide and more info.


IN THE ARTS COUNCILS

ST. ALBANS--St. Albans Community Arts hosts the Free Paint in the Park at Taylor Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Bring paint and an easel for a social painting experience. The event is for all skill levels, professional or novice.
      SACA is developing a proposal to paint Art Murals throughout downtown St. Albans. Email to join the project as a community member or participating artist.


SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council hosts Artists Uncorked with Jon Young at the My-T-Fine_Restaurant this evening at 6:30 p.m. It is a Paint n' Sip event to create artwork with a well known local artist. The event fee is $35 and pre-registration is required. Call 802.733.7471 or Email to sign up.
      SAC holds a pinwheel workshop on Saturday from 10 a.m. - noon and it is Pinwheel Day all day in Swanton. SAC will display pinwheel art all day; Becky Rupp will teach kids to make their own. Set up begins at 7 a.m.
      Call 802.752.0589 or click here for more info..


ON STAGE LIVE

Friday
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents Abby Road's unique blend of various musical genres in the Window on Friday at 7 p.m.
      Ongoing, Twiggs offers Music to Dine By with relaxed music and the arts with live performances by Abby Road, Sean Ashby, Sean Casey, Bobby Cee, Close to Nowhere, Vern Colburn, Isaac and Dominic French, Davye Huckett, Robert Young, and more.
      Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


Friday-Sunday: Will Patton Weekend
      The Will Patton Quartet is in Concert at the Old Meeting House on the Green on Friday and Mr. Patton will play the Annual Farewell Reunion at Summer Music at Grace on Sunday.

BELMONT--The Quartet also plays the Musician Choice Concert Series at the Mt. Holly Library on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. They will also hold workshops in mandolin, violin, and guitar. Admission is $15 at the door. Call 802-259-2523 for info and tickets.


Sunday
ST. ALBANS--Justice bowls down the walls for Memorial Day Mayhem at 14th Star on Sunday starting at 5 p.m. Weather permitting it will be outdoors. If the weather is foul, the show will be inside to pay homage to all those who have and currently serve our country.


Wednesday-Sunday
BURLINGTON--The Breakwater summer lineup begins Wednesday, June 1, with King Me. They will have live music Wednesday through Sunday each week. Bands play from 6-9pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and on Sundays from 3-6pm.


Ongoing
MORRISVILLE--Moog's Place has "live music every night we're open, starting between eight and nine pm" with open mic night scheduled most Thursdays at 8:30 p.m.
      Click here for more info.


MORRISVILLE--River Arts holds a Farmers and Artisans Market at the River Arts Center every Wednesday from 3 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.


ST. ALBANS--Shooters Saloon sponsors an open-mic night every Thursday and scheduled music on some other evenings.
      Call 802.527.3777 for more info or booking requests.


CALL FOR THESPIANS

ST. ALBANS--St. Albans Community Arts will produce Shakespeare in the park: A Midsummer Nights Dream in August. They will hold auditions in the Catalyst Coffee Bar on Friday at 3 p.m.
      Pick your favorite monologue and wow the director for 2-3 minutes.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

     ArtBits features a quick weekly peek at library events in and around Franklin County. That popular feature has a page of its own at the Franklin County Bookshelf here on the AAC site at AllArtsCouncil.org/books.


ON THE 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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