DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 23 * * All Arts News On the Web * * July 11, 2019

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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ONE BIG MAN, BIG BIG SOUND

HIGHGATE--La Quinta Inn and Suites of St Albans, the All Arts Council, and the Town of Highgate continue 29 years of Summer Sounds concerts at home in Highgate with singer-songwriter John Bartus straight from the Florida Keys for his first appearance in Highgate on Sunday evening at 7 p.m.
 ArtBits News Photo     I was so glad to entice John to bring his guitars for a visit. This will be the most fun we can have without driving to the Keys.
      Very few towns or cities could ever claim that their Mayor was a smokin' hot guitar player. The island city of Marathon in the Florida Keys is one of those towns. "While politics is a temporary call to service, music is a life sentence," the mayor said. Mr. Bartus, a full-time pro with four decades in as musician, singer, songwriter, and city councillor, continues to raise the bar with his groundbreaking solo show. He has love songs, love-gone-wrong songs, and story songs about characters like the fun-loving Joe from Vegas Town, the Drifter from Hit the Road Again, and the smuggler who ran out of luck in Kiss Your Life Goodbye. There are songs about dealing with life and death and the tribute to the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia astronauts as well as Mr. Bartus' father, a Saturn IB launch engineer. And, of course, there are the Trop Rock songs that show the influence of living in a tropical island town for 30 years.
      Just before the concert, come to the Summer Sounds Social in the Park starting at 6 p.m. The special Intermission and Ice Cream Social will introduce very special young performers from the Opera House production of the Music Man and is a chance to visit with friends and eat hearty.
      The Summer Sounds concerts are sponsored by the Town of Highgate and the All Arts Council, and underwritten by Chevalier Drilling Co. Inc, Desorcie's Market, Drummac Septic Service, La Quinta Inn and Suites of St. Albans, 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 more info.


ART STUFF FOR SALE

ST. ALBANS--St. Albans Community Arts hosts a Maker Fair/Stash Sale in City Hall on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Are you overwhelmed with paper, fabric, paint, clay, beads, wire, or other crafting supplies in your stash? Or, do you want to be? Are you looking for the perfect yarn, doll's head, scrapbooking pages, lampworking supplies or pottery wheel? The stash sale is the place to buy, sell, trade, or swap surplus crafting supplies.
      A table to sell is $20. Admission to buy is free. Click here for more info.


ART ON THE WALLS

SWANTON--Last Chance to See the Art at the Refuge Exhibit. The Friends of Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge host the Refuge Art Show to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and highlight the birds of the Refuge and their habitats. The show flies away on July 19. Email Carol Yarnell or click here for more info.


ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on jewelry creator Terry Buehner, the colorful and spontaneous paintings of Paule Gingras, clay sculptor Deborah Shell, and painter El Towle.
      All proceeds from Ms. Buehner's jewelry sales are donated to HD Reach in North Carolina and the Binter Center in Burlington, non-profits that help families with Huntington's Disease.
      The A.I.R. gallery hosts a free meet-the-artists reception with refreshments and a raffle today 4:30 - 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 on South Main Street is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here for more info.


ST ALBANS--The Northwestern Medical Center Gallery hosts photographer and NMC radiology patient access rep Alicia Guilford in a solo show this month. Ms. Guilford is exhibiting 19 landscape photos from around Vermont. "I love water so I have a couple of river and lake photos and I love the fall so you'll see those, too." She's been in Vermont since 2000 and is devoted to the area.
      The show continues through the end of July.


ART YOU CREATE

ST. ALBANS--Twiggs hosts Paint Nite: Strong Through the Storm this evening at 7 p.m.
      Artist Diane Kingston introduces "art to many that have never painted, and witnessing the thrill and confidence that comes from the creative process." Paint Nite will provide all the materials to create your own painting and provides "the refreshments you need!" $35 per person. Click here for tickets. Use code PNfbVT for 40% off.


FILM

ENOSBURG--The Opera House at Enosburg Falls and the Vermont Land Trust host a benefit film screening of Farmer of the Year at the House on Saturday at 7 p.m.
      After selling his farm, widowed 83-year-old Minnesota farmer Hap Anderson who thinks he's quite the ladies' man, finds himself adrift and staring at a short future. Played by Barry Corbin, he sets out with his granddaughter in a dilapidated Winnebago to attend his 65th WWII reunion in California.
      15% of the ticket sale proceeds go to VLT.


MONTGOMERY--The Montgomery Center for the Arts continues See you @ the Movies! at MCAKeltonHall on Saturday at 7 p.m. "Bring a snack and a pal" for the big screening of an old favorite every Saturday in July.
      Click here for more info


ON STAGE LIVE

     From Summer Treasures to Summer Sounds, the Big Music Weeks of Summer continue!


Thursday
ST. ALBANS BAY--Kick off the weekend early with S.A.S. starting tonight at the Bayside on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The seasoned trio will play classic and pop rock songs from the 70s to the 90s every Thursday through September.


ST. ALBANS--The Old Foundry at One Federal presents the classic rock of Contraband in the Thursday Night Music Series this evening at 7 p.m. Bruce Leo, drum and vocals; Tom Lonergan, lead guitar and vocals; Jason Leavitt, bass guitar; and Jon Clark, rhythm guitar and vocals; with Joel Snyder on sound are "Just a group of [local] guys who are close friends" who love to play music and have a great time.
      Call 802.524.0330 or find them on Facebook for more info.


Friday
ST. ALBANS--14th Star Brewing Company presents Jimmy VanDeuson on the taproom stage on Friday at 6 p.m. Bringing a mix of folk influence with a tad of blues and old country, the singer/songwriter shares his music, far and wide.


SHELDON--The Abbey continues the Summer Music in the Pub series with John Nicholls on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Front man for Franklin County's Near North, Mr. Nicholls will play a solo set of his original material and some unexpected covers.


MILTON--Arrowhead Golf Course hosts Kyle Stevens for the Friday Night Live Music and Buffet on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Friday's theme is "Beach." The coconut chicken buffet starts around 7 p.m. Both run until 9 p.m.
      The buffet costs $11 per person ($5 for each child). You don't have to be a member; the public is welcome. Be sure to come early, usually around 6, to get a good seat.


ST. ALBANS BAY--The Burton Island Summer Concert Series presents S.A.S. at Burton Island State Park on Friday at 7 p.m.
      "Fire up the boat engines and head on over to Burton Island for the evening or weekend. We kick it all off with some fun music and fun times under the roof of the Burton Island Bistro."


Friday-Saturday
ST. ALBANS--The Old Foundry at One Federal presents music is from the heart by the Django Soulo Duo on Friday and Colchester neighbors She Was Right on Saturday. Shows begin at 6:30 p.m.
      Call 802.524.0330 or find them on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents folk group Waves of Adrenaline on Friday and Elmore singer songwriter from Christine Malcolm Trio on Saturday. Shows begin at 7 p.m.
      Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


Saturday
EAST FAIRFIELD--The Meeting House on the Green continues Summer Evenings with Vermont Treasures with Patti Casey & Colin McCaffrey on Saturday at 7 p.m.
      Native Vermont singer and songwriter, Ms. Casey brings that strong, sweet, familiar voice and a catalog of timeless songs including her own classics in the folk music world. Mr. McCaffrey, also a Vermont songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, has released acclaimed recordings with his own band The Stone Cold Roosters as well as Vermont artists like Myra Flynn, Pete Sutherland, Justin Levinson, and more. Each of these musicians has performed separately at The Meeting House, and they are there, together.
      Admission is a $10 suggested donation at the door. Light supper fare, beer and wine will be available throughout the evening. All proceeds from the concert series support the Meeting House Preservation Project.


ST. ALBANS--Mill River Brewing hosts the Chris & Erica, on Saturday at 7 p.m. The popular local duo have won acoustic performer contests and have opened for Jamie Lee at Higher Ground.


Sunday
NORTH HERO--Island Arts presents a Burlington Taiko Drummers Gala Celebration at the Island Arts Center at the Homer Knight Barn on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Drumming starts at 6:30 p.m. Bring a picnic and chair or blanket. The event is free to all.


HIGHGATE--Ray's Extrusion Dies and Tubing continues 29 years of Summer Sounds concerts with singer-songwriter John Bartus straight from the Florida Keys for his first appearance in Summer Sounds in Highgate on Sunday evening at 7 p.m.


Tuesday
ENOSBURG FALLS--The Enosburg Town Band plays a weekly free summer concert in Lincoln Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
      Bring a chair or a blanket to enjoy an hour long concert under the stars under the direction of Alisa Martin. Performances will continue on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. through August 21.


JOHNSON--Tuesday Night Live in Johnson continues with Brett Hughes and the Honky Tonk Crowd on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Concerts are free and live every Tuesday, rain or shine. Find them on Facebook for more info.


Wednesday
ST. ALBANS--The Old Man Garage Band continues the Downtown Summer Concert Series in the E.A. Loomis Bandshell in Taylor Park on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. 14th Star Brewing and the Traveling Canteen serve food and drink at all of this year's Summer Concert Series events.
      Admission is free.


ST. ALBANS BAY--The Bayside presents the Starline Rhythm Boys on Wednesday at 6 p.m. No cover, just "three old guys playin' country" every Wednesday evening through the summer.


MORRISVILLE--The Wednesday Night Live summer music series continues with Leslie Grant in Oxbow Riverfront Park on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The series continues each week through August 22. There will be a rotating mix of food vendors every week, from American barbecue to Nepalese staples and, this week, making fimo pots in the River Arts tent.


ON THE 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. We also take an occasional peek at the bookshelf or night stand of the folks you know in and around Franklin County. Those reviews can be found on the ArtBits Bookshelf.


Good News!

There are so many events around the region that we miss some of them.
Be sure to check these calendars for what's happening near you ...
All Arts Council of Franklin County
Cambridge Arts Council
Franklin County Regional
Chamber of Commerce
Island Arts
St Albans Community Arts
Swanton Arts Council
Young Tradition Vermont

Music!

Links to the Summer Music series in Franklin County
Summer Sounds
Summer Music at Grace
Downtown Summer Concert Series
Summer Evenings with
Vermont Treasures
Citizens Band
Wednesday Night Live
Enosburg Town Band


SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!


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