DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 24 * * All Arts News On the Web * * November 19, 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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EDITORIAL NOTE

      I write this weekly column largely on Sundays which is why the infection rates reported may lag "live media" reports. Since it appears on Thursday and covers an entire week in the future, that also means events and happenings are likely to change with changing State mandates. Be sure to check with the organizers of any event for up-to-the-minute info.


CANCELLATION (AND RESTART) NEWS

      The state is at "a tipping point" Gov. Phil Scott said last Friday as the COVID-19 case count rises in Vermont. 417 new cases were reported last week. He said too many Vermonters have not followed state guidance for social distancing and limits on in-person gatherings. He banned
• Indoor or outdoor multi-household gatherings in public or private spaces (that includes deer camp);
• Recreational sports, other than school sports sanctioned by the Vermont Principals Association; and
• In-person service at bars and social clubs.
• Restaurants can remain open to in-person service, but must cease in-person service at 10 p.m. nightly. Takeout can continue.
• Restaurants, museums, gyms and other establishments must keep logs for contact tracing.
• Vermonters must comply with health department contact tracers.
      The Vermont State of Emergency continues. All non-essential travel to and from Vermont now requires quarantine.. The Vermont statewide mask mandate remains in effect.
      As of Sunday, Vermont had a total of 2,843 cases, up from a reported 2,079 last week. There have been 59 deaths (2.5% of cases). The seven-day average test positivity rate rose again to 1.6% on Sunday and is continuing to rise. CDC reported 417 new cases this past week although HealthVermont reported 94 new cases. The state's arithmetic does not add up; it is an interesting, and ongoing, disparity. Franklin County had one new case this week, 18 in the last two weeks.
      199,626 people (up to 31.99% of the Vermont population) have been tested a total of
468,034 times, although that data comes with a crucial caveat:
• A negative test result yesterday says nothing about an individual's health today.
We still need a daily test that costs ten cents and gives results in ten minutes.
      A HealthVermont video, How Contact Tracing Slows the Spread of COVID-19, explains what contact tracers do. Click here for the YouTube video.


      The Vermont Humanities Council has ongoing arts and literary digital events and programs including First Wednesdays and Vermont Reads. Although the activities may take place at a distance from Franklin County, they are available safely and locally online at vermonthumanities.org.
      The Church Street Sounds of the Season fall season is postponed until further notice. The entire 2020 season at the Opera House at Enosburg Falls has been canceled. ArtBasel Miami has cancelled. The Enosburg Holiday Lighted Parade will be "postponed" to December 4, 2021.
      80-90% of Young Tradition events have gone online or been postponed when they couldn't be done live and in-person or the artists and youth couldn't travel into or out of state.


      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 IN THE TIME OF PANDEMIC

MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild artist pop-up features jewelry designer Cathy Laclair at the Guild on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. She will display new work, demonstrate, and explain her process, and have a sale.
      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. Trine Wilson and Susan Stokes were on tap last Saturday. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ART YOU CAN BUY

ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery has gift cards now available. A.I.R. will open a new holiday shop this month.
      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 Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Click here for more info.


IN THE ARTS COUNCILS

FAIRFAX--The Fairfax Arts Council and Fairfax Parks & Rec want to collaborate on a Paint & Sip-style event at the Community Center. They will follow state guidelines, so the event will be "in the future." Some key details need setting now:
• What alternative to food or drink would please participants?
• What instructor would participants prefer?
• How much should it cost?
     Amanda Duling notes, "If we have demand this may be offered multiple times in order to accommodate everyone interested in attending." Email or message her via Facebook with suggestions.


SWANTON--The SAC Adult Virtual Art Journaling Meetup happens via Zoom on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
      The group can guide participants with items found around the home and supplies from the SPL Makerspace. The meetup takes place every Tuesday and is free and open to all.
      Email or find them on Facebook to get the Zoom login info.


ON STAGE LIVE

Friday, November 20
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents Andy Hoadley live in the Room for an evening of classic, new, and original songs with brews and burgers on Friday at 6 p.m. Reservations are required and must be made online before arriving; there will be no walk-ins or phone-ins. Click here for more info and select "The Room Indoor Seating."
      Find them on Facebook for more info.


Saturday, November 21
SHELDON--The Abbey Live Music Saturdays continues with Bryce Bachelder in the Pub on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Find the Abbey on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents English blues guitarist Tom Caswell live on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
      Reservations are necessary. Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info or scan their QR code on Facebook.


Wednesday November 25
ST. ALBANS--14th Star celebrates the day before Thanksgiving with the Shane Murley Band live for a soulful and funky twist on classic Americana, country, and alternative rock in the Room on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Reservations are required and must be made online before arriving; there will be no walk-ins or phone-ins. Click here for more info and select "The Room Indoor Seating."
      Find them on Facebook for more info.


ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

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


Friday, November 20
      Summer Sounds favorite John Bartus will perform Social Distancing Concert 35, Live from the Florida Keys, thanks to Facebook Live on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Find him on Facebook for the watch party.
      Social Distancing Concert 34, from his own studio last Friday, is on Facebook now.


      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.


Saturday, November 21
      Little State, Big Laughs is the Vermont Comedy Club and Vermont Tourism's live stream of comedians Tina Friml, Andrew Knox, Carment Lagala, Casey James Salengo, Ahamed Weinberg, Ellington Wells, Brian Delabruere, Julia DiFerdinando, Aaron Paulson, Brian Park, and Mike Thomas with special appearances by Amir Malik and more on YouTube and Facebook on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tune in on Vermont Tourism to watch a night of laughs in this showcase of comedic talent in the Green Mountain State. click here for more info.


Ongoing
KEY COLONY BEACH--Havana Jacks hosted the Presents in Paradise "Auction Ending Concert" featuring John Bartus, Freddie Bye, and Adrienne Z on Facebook on Sunday.
      Presents in Paradise began in 2003 as a community organization for those working families in need of a little extra help at Christmas. It is too late to bid on the auction items but still possible to make a monetary donation or to sponsor a specific child; to do so, call Sarah (305.304.6794) or Sabre (305.906.1954) or click here .


      Sammy Wetstein performed on Young Tradition's Facebook page as part of the series of online concerts and interviews by current and alumni members of the Touring Group. Find his interview on Facebook and the concert on YouTube.
      Watching is free but YTV requests a $3 donation. Proceeds are split between participating group members and Young Tradition Vermont, all to support this year's Touring Group project, which started rehearsals in September and will continue through a final project in late April. Donations can be made through Paypal. Email for more info.


      Summer Sounds favorite Mark Shelton went live singing Elvis on Facebook on Friday evening. He sang gospel music on Facebook on Sunday.
      Follow him on Facebook for a link to this week's offerings.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page has joined #Box Out, the campaign to support local bookstores. They have a wide variety of titles and can order anything not in stock. Order early. Don't Box Out our down towns. Find them on Facebook for more info.


      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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Dick Harper, Chair
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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