DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 24 * * All Arts News On the Web * * July 16, 2020

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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CANCELLATION (AND RESTART) NEWS

      Gov. Phil Scott has extended Vermont's "state of emergency" for another month until Aug. 15. He announced Tuesday that the extension was just a "vehicle" to uphold some Covid-related restrictions and continue steps toward reopening the state.
      Indoor dining in restaurants is limited to the greater of 25% of regular occupancy limits and outdoor dining is allowed at maximum licensed seating capacity, up to 50 people. Inns, hotels, and other lodging continue at 50% capacity or 25 guests and staff, whichever is larger. All gatherings, indoor and outdoor, continue to be limited to 25 people. The state is set to begin a campaign to encourage people to wear masks.
      75,851 people (about 12% of the Vermont population) have been tested although a negative test result last month is not an indicator an individual's health today. Vermont's seven-day average test positivity is 0.8 percent. Vermont has not had a COVID-19-positive patient in the ICU since May 24. Still, St. Albans City and Town remain the hot spot of Franklin County.
      The state 14-day quarantine limit continues. Out-of-staters who travel to Vermont from a county in the Northeast with less than 400 cases per million population do not have to quarantine but others, especially those from high-risk areas, do. The number of individuals eligible for travel to Vermont without a quarantine fell from 19 million to 13.5 million last week mostly because active cases rose in counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia.
      Vermont plans to reopen K-12 classrooms in the fall. Some Vermont museums will reopen for summer. The Saint Albans Museum has delayed its traditional seasonal opening but their "virtual doors" are open.


      The Snow Farm Concert Seriesis back. They sell tickets in advance, starting the Friday before each concert. The Meeting House on the Green Live at 5 begins Friday with the Will Patton Quartet and continues each month until October.
      Vermont has canceled all county fairs, field days, and festivals for 2020. All craft shows throughout the state have been canceled for the year. The 30th annual Summer Sounds concert series will return in 2021. 20/20 Visions, the Montgomery Center for the Arts Summer Art Show and Fundraiser, summer shows at Burton Island, the summer season of the Citizens Concert Band, the entire 2020 season at the Opera House at Enosburg Falls, the entire Enosburg Town Band Summer Concert Series, and many Young Tradition events have been canceled. Summer Music at Gracewill not host in-person concerts but they are talking with artists about additional online collaborations. The 99th annual Champlain Valley Fair will wait until next summer.


      Although so many of our favorite activities won't happen this year, all the volunteers will stay as active as possible and this weekly column about the arts and entertainment around the region will continue to serve up live and almost live events and artists from around the region. Read all about it here every Thursday.


ART ON THE WALLS

GREENSBORO--Fairfield artist Gail Salzman's new three-dimensional piece Family is included the Sheltering in Place Project at the Highland Center for the Arts. The exhibit will be on view through August 9.
      This winter, artist Hasso Ewing and poet Geof Hewitt invited artists to create a piece reflecting their time spent sheltering in place, to stand as a memorial to what was lost, and gained, during this time. The exhibit is a multi-media experience involving over 120 works created by Vermont artists and poets.
      The gallery is open Wed-Sun 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Gallery visits are by appointment only, to allow social distancing. Masks are required. Click here for reservations and more info.


MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild features the first two pop-up artist, Cathy LaClair's jewelry design and photographer Trine Wilson at the Guild on Saturday. They will display new work, demonstrate, and explain their process.
      MAG's artist pop-ups will feature artists every Saturday with appropriate social distancing. "This way, we can support our artists, and create a special and fun weekend destination. Come and meet the artists on Saturdays, while the Guild is open from 10-6." Find them on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--The July Featured Artists at the Artist in Residence are Terry Buehner, Marianne Marshall, Deborah Shell, and Gerard Sparacina. AIR features El Towle on on Facebook.
      The art cooperative is open with 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 Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.


ART YOU CREATE

ST. ALBANS--The City of Saint Albans is encouraging public art. The Houghton Park Art Walls on South Elm Street are an open opportunity for public artists. email for more info.
      The City has utility box public art installations including one on Lake Street across from the Hampton Inn. Find the photos on Facebook.


ON STAGE LIVE

Friday
BURLINGTON--Young Tradition Vermont and the Burlington Violin Shop host Sarah Blair and Students in a live performance in front of the shop on Friday during the lunch hour. Members of the Vermont Youth Orchestra were live last Friday.
      Facebook Live events are on the Young Tradition Vermont's Facebook page.
      All social-distancing and mask guidance applies--no seating, no major congregating, and no paper money or coinage. Audience members can support the musicians via Venmo or PayPal at the performance or anytime at PayPal.


EAST FAIRFIELD--The Meeting House on the Green Live at 5 concert series kicks off with the Will Patton Quartet on Friday at 5 p.m. This will only be an outside show, weather permitting; reservations for an inddor seat will not be taken.
      The quartet, led by jazz mandolinist Will Patton, includes David Gusakov, violin; Clyde Stats, bass; and Dono Schabner, guitar. They have played a spirited stew of world music--drawn from Gypsy jazz, Brazilian choro styles, Bebop and more--together for over 20 years.
      Concert Protocol: Attendees must wear masks and maintain social distance. Masks will be available free of charge if you do not bring one. No food or beverages will be served. If you bring your own, plan to bring out what you bring in as there will be no trash or recycling available. [Indoor space is limited to 40 people; call 802.827.6626 to reserve a seat inside.] Concerts may be outside if weather permits.
      Admission is by suggested donation of $10 per person. Proceeds will support the musicians and the continuing restoration of the Meeting House. The abbreviated summer concert series will be filmed with a link to YouTube and posted on Facebook. Click here for more info.


MILTON--Arrowhead Golf Course hosts Jeremy Sanborn for the Friday Night Live Music and Buffet on the deck on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The meatball sub 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.


ST. ALBANS--Cooie Sings, live at the Clothier, on Friday at 6 p.m. Reservations are necessary. Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


Saturday
NORTH HERO--The Fabulous Wrecks play live in the Pier Bar at North Hero House on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. NHH has live music on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
      The trio of Roy Cutler, vocals, guitar, and songwriting; Peter Riley, bass, melodica, and vocals; and Rudy Dauth, guitar, mandolin, and vocals; play acoustic versions of a broad spectrum of music, from folk, rock, pop, soul, blues and jazz.
      The Pier Bar sticks out into City Bay in North Hero and practices social distancing. Food and table reservations are required. Call 802.372.4732 for reservations and find them on Facebook for more info.


ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap offers Phantom Airwaves on Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. Erick "Odin's Raven" Lattrell, keys, vocals, guitar, vibes; Shawn "Spicey" Connolly, lead guitar, vocals; Glen Wallace, drums; Ben "I'm not really" Irish, tenor and alto sax, vocals; and Dan "The Angry" Jolly, bass; make up the five piece progressive, funk, soul, and rock n' roll band from Burlington.
      Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info.


SHELDON--The Abbey Summer Music Series continues with Dan Jarvis on the Back 40 on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., weather permitting or in the Pub if it rains. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents Tom Caswell playing the blues on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are necessary. Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


Tuesday SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle presents Carol Ann Jones and Jon Sochin on Tuesday at 6 p.m. They'll be there every Tuesday evening. Seating is very limited with lots of restrictions in place and reservations are a must. Call 802.372.4814.


Wednesday
NORTH HERO--The Nobby Reed Project plays live in the Steamship Bar at North Hero House on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. With Eric Belrose, drums; Walt Delaney, bass; and Mr. Reed, guitar and vocals; NRP has wailed the blues since he released his first solo CD to critical national acclaim in 1997.
      The restored, historic inn and restaurant has attracted visitors and regulars since its original opening in 1891.


BRANDON--The Brandon Summer Concert Series presents the Will Patton Ensemble behind the Brandon Inn in the new Pavilion on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Led Mr. Patton's jazz mandolin, the Ensemble includes David Gusakov, violin; Dono Schabner, guitar; Clyde Stats, bass; and Steve Wienert, percussion. Together, their repertoire has Brazilian sambas and folk waltzes, gentle choros, and hot Gypsy jazz.
      The outdoor concerts take place every Wednesday night that it doesn't rain in July and August. Attendees must "adhere to social distancing and hang in your own pod." Click here for more info.


ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

     Here's the roundup of virtual music and events for this week.


Friday
      Summer Sounds favorite Mark Shelton will perform a new Elvis concert on Facebook on Friday around 7 p.m. He was live in his own voice with a "fun mix of various songs" on Tuesday on Facebook.
      Mr. Shelton will also perform a special, free, live concert in Newport "on Saturday or Sunday." He will announce the details on his Facebook page this week.


      Summer Sounds favorite John Bartus' Perpetual Island Tour will perform a new Social Distancing Concert Live from the Florida Keys, thanks to Facebook Live every Friday at 7:30 p.m. Last week's concert is here.
      Find him on Facebook for the link to this week's concert.


      Andrew Lloyd Webber will stream his musicals in the free YouTube series, The Shows Must Go On, every Friday at 7 p.m. for 48 hours. A new show begins tomorrow. Clips of famous performances and behind-the-scenes footage also appear on the channel beside the full shows.
      Click here for Mr. Webber's YouTube channel for all the details and to subscribe.


Wednesday
      Tom Caswell streams a blues jam live from his living room on Facebook every Wednesday at 7 p.m. He welcomes everyone to play some blues along from home. Find him on Facebook for this week's jam and view last week's here.


Ongoing
      Young Tradition Vermont was live via Zoom on Saturday on Facebook.


PASSAGES

     Vermont musician Gordon Stone died early on Friday morning, July 10. He was 70.
      Mr. Stone was a renowned banjo and pedal steel guitar player and composer who formed the Gordon Stone Trio in the 1990s. His trio fused bluegrass, jazz, funk and world music and became the home for many of the area's finest bluegrass and jazz players. He had written and played his genre-crossing music for over 30 years, recording five studio albums of his original music. His newest recording, a double album The Music of Gordon Stone: A Retrospective Anthology, looks back at his entire career. It was scheduled for release on the day he died.
      He had earlier founded the progressive bluegrass band Pine Island in Burlington, played in Decentz, a new wave rock band, and was a member of the Vermont bluegrass band Breakaway. And his collaborations with Phish included playing on on their albums A Picture of Nectar and Rift.
      He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Harwood Stone. A private celebration of Mr. Stone's life will be held at a date to be determined.


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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