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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BIG MUSIC WEEKS
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 (also 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, 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. Click here for the schedule.
ART ON THE WALLS
The A.I.R. gallery hosts a free meet-the-artists reception with refreshments and a raffle today 4 - 7 p.m. The exhibit continues through the end of July.
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, newly reopened at 10 South Main Street, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Saint Albans Community Arts Art in the Park festival, rescheduled from earlier this month, takes over Taylor Park on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Exhibitors include Vermont artist Corliss Blakely. "I'll be iPad painting, using watercolors and talking about my Nature Scarves," she said. Artists will create and show paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, weavings, fabric arts, dance, and more. There will be actors and music.
Click here or find SACA on Facebook for more info.
SWANTON--Salon Elixir hosts a Paint & Sip on Monday at 6 p.m.
Lindsay Didio will lead a sociable workshop to learn to paint a Whimsical Tree. Pre-registration and fees are required to assure enough space and materials are available. Call 802.868.6553 for more info.
IN THE SAC
SAC will make thumbprint art for National Night Out on August 2. Email Judy Paxman for more info.
ON STAGE LIVE
STOWE--Harrison's Restaurant hosts Will Patton and Mark Struhsacker playing bluegrass this evening at 6 p.m.
ST. ALBANS--The One Fed Summer Concert Series presents Shellhouse this evening at 7 p.m.
The summer concert series has performers under the tents and draft specials every Thursday, rain or shine.
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap offers Summer Sounds favorite Jenni Johnson tonight at 7 p.m. and Nightrain tomorrow at 9 p.m.
On Tap has music on Tuesday through Saturday nights. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info.
Thursday-Saturday
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents Ryan and Slim tonight, Chris and Erica on Friday, and Bethany Conner on Saturday. The free shows begin at 7 p.m.
Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.
Thursday-Wednesday
BURLINGTON--The Breakwaters Summer lineup continues with Starline Rhythm Boys this evening, the X-Rays on Friday, Full Circle Saturday, Almost Nowhere Sunday, and the John Lackard Blues Band next Wednesday. Bands play from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3-6 p.m on Sundays.
Saturday
COLCHESTER--Justice will take the plunge again with Raftapalooza at Thayer Beach on Saturday from noon-6 p.m.
The free party and concert has gotten bigger each year; a record breaking crowd of 1,000 took part in '15. They lashed their motorboats together, drank beer on inflatable rafts and paddle boards, and rocked out to Justice on a raft. Weather and wind direction will sink or keep the band afloat.
Click here to see for yourself.
Saturday-Sunday
WINDSOR--The Harpoon Barbecue Championship of New England presents great music with some of the world's best barbecue. The Nobby Reed Project takes the brewery stage on Saturday at 5 p.m. The weekend event also features Joel Cage, Chris Kleeman, Frydaddy, Hill Billy Holiday, Red Barn Hayloft, and Comanchero.
The $15 cover charge includes one beer or non-alcoholic
beverage ticket. Children under 12 free with parents. Click here for
more info.
Sunday
SHELDON--Village Harmony returns to the popular Summer Music at Grace Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. This program will feature songs and dances from South Africa and Macedonia, American shape-note songs, quartet gospel and contemporary compositions, traditional songs from Corsica, and renaissance works.
This Village Harmony teen ensemble is led by Larry Gordon, John Harrison and Zoe Christiansen. 22 sparkling teen singers come from across the country and include two young ladies on special scholarship from Macedonia.
Village Harmony's many CDs and songbooks will be on sale at the concert.
Suggested admission at the door is $10 or $5 for
students and seniors. Click here for
more info about Village Harmony. Call 802.326.4603 or click here for
more info about Summer Music at Grace.
Wednesday
ST. ALBANS--Keeghan Nolan plays the Downtown Summer Concert Series in the E.A. Loomis Bandshell in Taylor Park on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The Road Grill BBQ and 14th Star Brewery serve food and drinks at all of this year's Summer Concerts Series events.
Admission is free.
FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
FRANKLIN--The Haston Library Tea Party and Fairy Homes at the library today at 10 am
Animal Athletes Franklin Town Hall Mon, July 25, 1pm This active and interactive program from the Southern VT Natural History Museum will look at the physical feats of local wildlife.
GEORGIA--The Georgia Public Library Summer Movie Matinee features the Odd Life of Timothy Green on Monday at 10 a.m. This magical film tells the story of Cindy and Jim a happily married couple dream about their child in the small town of Stanleyville. Admission is free; popcorn and water will be available.
HIGHGATE--The Highgate Public Library Scribe Circle invites hobby writers to the library tomorrow at 7 p.m. to take their writing to the next level. Call 802.868.3970 to pre-register for library programs.
ST. ALBANS--Today is a big day at the St. Albans Free Public Library, beginning with Duty to the Dead by Charles Todd in Mornings, Muffins & Mysteries this morning at 10:30 a.m. The Writers' Medley for those who are interested in writing takes place at 2 p.m. and the Astronomy Club shares a knowledge and love of the sky tonight at 6:30 p.m.
Stir the Pot continues the monthly discussion that readers cooking on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Call Wanda at the Library (802.524.1507) for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library hosts a demonstration of their Cricut (pronounced "cricket") Cutting Machine on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Cricut's electronic DIY craft cutter works much like a computer printer to cut vinyl, paper, and fabric for art or craft projects, scrapbooking, home decor, card making, and more
Join the group or set up a personal demo online at swantonlibrary.org.
