DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 25 * * All Arts News On the Web * * November 24, 2021

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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      Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!


FESTIVAL OF TREES

ST. ALBANS--The week long Festival of Trees ushers in the holiday season with volunteer-run community events to raise funds for local food charities and provide free family and cultural entertainment. The activities, holiday Paint & Sip, music, movies at the Welden, story hours, performances at City hall, and more begins with the Downtown Holiday Tree Walk tomorrow and continues through December 7. The Tree Lighting and Fireworks start the season by illuminating city's Christmas tree and Downtown decorations, Santa, free cider and cookies or doughnuts, and more, all on Saturday at 5 p.m. Twiggs hosts Holiday Paint & Sips - Festival of Trees Style on Tuesday and Wednesday but Tuesday is already sold out. There will be no gala this year.
      Each year, proceeds go to various nonprofit groups in Franklin County. This year, the Festival will help fight hunger, benefitting Martha's Kitchen and Franklin/Grand Isle Community Action - CVOEO. Call Pauline Cray (802.309.4407), email, or click here for the schedule and more info about the events, or to donate a tree.


RESTART NEWS

     "I want to reiterate how important it is for Vermonters to use common sense and take precautions as we approach the holidays, so we don't adversely impact our ICU capacity," Gov. Phil Scott said at his press conference last week.
      "The number one commonsense thing you can do is get vaccinated. It's also important to get your booster. Vermonters should also wear masks indoors; be smart about indoor events; use testing as a tool; and of course, stay home when sick."
      VTDigger reports that the Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union estimates that the Covid-19 "test-to-stay" program has saved over 500 student learning days so far. Test-to-stay allows unvaccinated students to stay in school if they test negative for seven consecutive days after contact with an identified positive case. Franklin Northeast averages about 100 daily at their two consolidated sites in Richford and Enosburg. The State Health Department calls it a way to monitor potential outbreaks while keeping kids in classrooms.
      Vermont reported 2,219 new COVID-19 cases last week and the positivity rate has risen to 4.3%. Franklin County reported 496 cases in the 14 days ending Sunday. Unvaccinated Vermonters are still three to four times more likely than vaccinated Vermonters to contract COVID-19 according to the Vermont Department of Health.
      Hospitalizations are approaching the pandemic peak from last winter. The New York Times' interactive map shows how many intensive care unit (ICU) beds are occupied at hospitals across the country, based on the weekly U.S. Department of Health and Human Services dataset. Click here to view the map.
      My own advice hasn't changed. Immunity is beginning to wane for many of us, leading to infections and increased transmission of the virus. Get the COVID and Flu shot(s), get the booster, and take precautions. No vaccine is 100% foolproof. Wash your hands. Wear a mask where you can't control the airflow around you until we reach the same herd immunity we have for smallpox and once had but lost for measles. Bonus: it will also help protect you from pollen, summer colds, and the winter flu.
      As we gather for Thanksgiving, Health Commissioner Mark Levine suggested asking other guests ahead of time if they are vaccinated, keeping gatherings small, getting a combination of PCR and rapid tests before the meal and another test five to seven days afterward, and avoiding gatherings if anyone feels sick.
      Vaccination clinics for booster shots and for the first or second dose of vaccine are open across Vermont for anyone age 12 or older. Call 855.722.7878 or Click here to make an appointment or for more info. You can also walk-in at Costco, CVS, Hannaford, Price Chopper/Market 32, Rite Aid, Shaw's, Walgreens, or Walmart, or get an appointment with CVS, Kinney Drugs, Walgreens, or UVMMC Outpatient Pharmacies.


ART ON THE WALLS

JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery continues Let's Find Out, an online series that explores the 17 artists on display in their 2021 Legacy Collection. Artist Susan Larkin is featured this week.
      The gallery is open Thursday - Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call the gallery (802.644.5100) or find them on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--The new Village Frame Shoppe PictureIT Online Design Studio offers a tool to choose custom printing and framing options before ordering. Select from a wide variety of print media, mats, and frames to best display your favorite artwork and photography. Click here for a new link and coupon code for free shipping to apply during checkout or find them on Facebook for more info. Free shipping with the coupon code is good only on orders received before Black Friday, November 26.


ART FOR CHRISTMAS and HOLIDAY GIFTS

ONLINE--Black Friday and Cyber Monday (November 26 and 29) are the two day, 25% Off sale on all "Vermont Wall Art" (acrylic prints, canvas prints, framed prints, metal prints, posters, wood prints, and tapestries) by artists and photographers (including yours truly) from Fine Art America. The sale begins at 12 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on Black Friday and again on Cyber Monday. Orders are on their way in 2 - 3 business days and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Click here for hundreds of images of Vermont scenes.
      All the images in my own collections of Foliage, Aminals & Birds, Landscapes, Safe Harbors, Sunsets, and so much more are on sale. Click here for a direct link to those.


MILTON--They have hand-made vases, comfortable chairs, and even a painting or two at the Milton Artists' Guild art center, gallery, and store where there are in-store and online activities. The MAG online shop is open 24/7 and the gallery is open Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here for more info.


ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery, an art and fine craft 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, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here for more info.


ST. ALBANS BAY--The Holly Jolly Jamboree will fill St. Albans Bay Park on Friday from 1 - 8 p.m. There will be food and craft vendors, a visit with Santa, the Mistletoe Ugly Sweater Race, and the tree lighting.
      The Mistletoe Ugly Sweater Race benefits Operation Happiness as they bring aid to families in need during the holiday season. 100% of proceeds from the race will be donated. Click here for tickets and more info.


ST. ALBANS--The Relay for Life Craft Show takes over City Hall on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Forty vendors/crafters will have their wares on display in the benefit show. "Walk off your turkey coma in the warm, inviting environment of a holiday sale." Email Wellness Warriors team captain Pamela Hakey for more info.


SWANTON--Saturday is Small Business Saturday. Swanton Arts Council holds the 2021 Handmade Holiday Craft Show with local artisans, artists, and crafters in the Swanton Memorial United Methodist Church on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Email for more info.


SWANTON--Creative heART Counseling, Stacey Gould, and Fellicia Cota will host a Small Business Saturday Craft Event at 12 1st Street on Saturday at 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.


ENOSBURG FALLS--Lasting Impressions hosts an Art Show and Sale of the work of Sandra Ferland at the Quincy Hotel Tavern on the Trail on Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. - 4 p.m..


ST. ALBANS--14th Star holds the Small Business Saturday Sip & Shop in the Room with craft beer, wine, or hard cider and holiday treasures at booths from a variety of local vendors on Saturday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.


ST. ALBANS--Peoples Trust Company hosts the Local Artist Holiday Shopping Extravaganza with photographers Claire Payne, David Brueckner, Matthew Bode and Jessica Sweeney at Franklin Park West on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Shop the works of four local photographers, each bringing a collection of their favorite photos for the holidays.


ART YOU CREATE

ST. ALBANS--Twiggs hosts Holiday Paint & Sip - Festival of Trees Style on Wednesday at 7 p.m. (The Tuesday Holiday Paint & Sip is sold out.)
      Artist Katherine Hartson works through creating "a beautiful work of art, for a Christmas present or simply for the fun of it" with all the materials and the refreshments you need. The cost is $35. Click here for tickets and find them on Facebook for more info.


IN THE SAC

SWANTON--The Swanton Microbusiness Group meets at the Swanton Free Public Library on Monday at 6 p.m.
      The group invites artists and anyone else starting or growing a microbusiness, side hustle, start-up, or sideline in Swanton to share business resources, ideas and opportunities with others. The group meets on the last Monday of each month. Call 802.868.7656 or email for more info.


ON STAGE LIVE

     Vermont has lifted all remaining statewide COVID-19 restrictions.
      Here's my own advice. Immunity is beginning to wane for many of us, leading to mild infections and increased transmission of the virus. Get the COVID and Flu shot(s), get the booster, and take precautions. No vaccine is 100% foolproof. Wash your hands. Wear a mask where you can't control the airflow around you until we reach the same herd immunity we have for smallpox and once had but lost for measles. Bonus: it will also help protect you from pollen, summer colds, and the winter flu.


Wednesday, November 24
ST. ALBANS--14th Star trots out Thanksgiving Eve with Shake the Trio for a night of live music on the Taproom stage on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--The Depot hosts Thanksgiving Eve with Barbie-N-Bones for a night of live music on Wednesday at 9 p.m. $5 cover charge. Find them on Facebook for more info.


Friday, November 26
ST. ALBANS--Eleven will be "Rock'n the Turkey Gut" at Shooters to celebrate the reopening of Kingman Street on Friday at 8:30 p.m.


ST. ALBANS--The Clothier presents Bare Bones next door to Twiggs on Friday at 9 p.m. It will be an acoustic night with Jenn and Mark DiNatale but they will still rock.


Friday-Saturday, November 26-27
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap was closed for Thanksgiving. They have two shows Friday night, The Duel at 5 p.m., and then Nighthawk for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Peter Wayne Burton at 5 p.m., and the Dirty Looks Band starting at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. And to confirm. Click here to reserve a table.


ST. ALBANS--Twiggs hosts Ron Gagnon on Friday and Bobby Cee live on Saturday night. Music starts about 6:30 p.m.
      Call 802.524.1405, find them on Facebook, or click here for more info.


Saturday, November 27
SOUTH BURLINGTON--Higher Ground presents a triple header of Vermont (and Summer Sounds) favorites, Quadra with the Phil Abair Band with Keeghan Nolan, and Mr. French in the Ballroom on Saturday at 8 p.m. Doors at 7:30.
      Admission is $15-18. Click here for tickets and more info. Higher Ground requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative PCR test from the past 72 hours, along with a matching photo ID.


HUMANITIES


ONLINE--First Wednesday programming offers several arts-related talks via the Vermont Humanities Zoom Channel.
      In Learning Hidden History with Picture books and Graphic Novels from Brooks Memorial Library on Wednesday at 7 p.m., Dr. Laura Jimenez describes how contemporary writers and illustrators use visual literature to craft narratives previously unseen in mainstream publishing.
      In Vermont Humor: I Could Hardly Keep from Laughing from Norwich Public Library on Wednesday at 7 p.m., writer Bill Mares and cartoonist Don Hooper share drawings and tales that illustrate the understatement, comeuppance, and subtlety of Vermont humor.
      In What Inspires the Mind to Create? From Brownell Library on Wednesday at 7 p.m., Olympic fencer and writer Geza Tatrallyay draws on multiple genres and his life experiences to explore the nature of creativity.
      Click here for more info on these and other digital events.


UNPUBLISHED

     Regular visitors may not have been able to "find All Arts on Facebook" for a little while this week; the social media platform simply turned off access to it.
"your Page, All Arts, has been unpublished because it violates Facebook Pages terms."
     Here's the whole notice:
"Hi Dick, "Unfortunately your Page, All Arts, has been unpublished because it violates Facebook Pages terms. This means that you can still see the Page, but other people won't be able to see it and you won't be able to add new people to help you work on your Page. If you think this is a mistake, please let us know.
"Thanks,
"The Facebook team"
     Facebook.com/allarts has never been in Facebook jail, never had a "30-day ban," never even had a post removed. Immediately after Facebook emailed the notice, they also sent this: "Create a great post in minutes for your Page." Curious.
      I clicked the "appeal" button. The bot that popped up was singularly unhelpful but in the end the page was "republished." Immediately after Facebook emailed that update, they also sent this: "You can still get $5 off Facebook ads." Curiouser.
      This column will probably continue to include that "Find them on Facebook" link that I have listed in the news for all of our hundreds of artists and performers for years. But I no longer believe it will work even most of the time.
      After all, if I can't trust Facebook to be found, we can't trust that our events will remain available.


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
Music at the Meeting House
Citizens Band
Wednesday Night Live
Enosburg Town Band


SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!


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All Arts Council of Franklin County

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