DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 25 * * All Arts News On the Web * * December 9, 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.

... FROM THE ARTBITS DESK ...
E-Mail Delivery
Sign up to receive the free weekly ArtBits
newsletter by e-mail
or by RSS feed.

Search ArtBits


ART ON THE WALLS

ST. ALBANS--BFA Arts Night takes over Bellows Free Academy with exhibits, workshops, and music at 4 - 8 p.m. There will be gallery exhibits, workshops around the campus, open studios, the Community Mural Banner, and Make and Take options in the Art Rooms. A detailed schedule will be available at the event and on the BFA website.
      All events are free and masks are required at all events. Find them on Facebook for more info.


RESTART NEWS

     Last week, Vermont set a new record for COVID hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic. That rise was set before the omicron variant made the news; the delta variant is still driving cases and hospitalizations
      Vermont reported 3.477 new COVID-19 cases last week. Franklin County reported 406 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. Vermont has adopted the CDC Guidance around masks.
      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.
      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 FOR SALE

ST. ALBANS--Want to add to your Santa collection? Sally Tarr's creations are part of the Winter-themed exhibit at the Artist In Residence Gallery. The 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 or find them on Facebook for more info.


ART YOU CREATE

SHELDON--The Abbey has Christmas fun with a "Sign n' Sip" to Make Your Own DIY Wooden Holiday Signs in the Pub this evening at 6:30 p.m. They'll have everything needed and only $5 for supplies. Stay for karaoke and show off (your signs, of course). Call 802.933.2223 or sign up through Facebook Messenger.


WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

MILTON--Cathy LaClair has two workshops at the Milton Artists' Guild this week: Snowman Crystal Earrings this evening at 6 p.m. and Half Moon Sterling Silver Earrings on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
      The cost is $45 for members or $50 for non-members for each workshop. Click here for more info and to reserve a space.


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.


Thursday, December 9
ST. ALBANS--BFA Arts Night takes over Bellows Free Academy with music, exhibits, and workshops at 4 - 8 p.m. Mix and match a schedule of Strings and Chamber Singers in concert, the opening of Into the Woods, dance performances, Improv Team, and more, the Jazz Band, Chorus, featured soloists and more. The detailed schedule will be available at the event and on the BFA website.
      All events are free and masks are required at all events. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ESSEX--The T-Rex Broadway Series continues with the Songs I've Lived: Home for the Holidays, Dinner and a Show with Merritt David Janes in the Double E this evening at 7:30 p.m. The series brings world-class Broadway performances to Vermont.
      Actor Merritt David Janes is a Colchester native who first toured nationally in 2007 as Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer and played Sweeney Todd in the second national tour. He is currently starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock. He is joined by Broadway performers Cooper Grodin, Elysia Jordan, Steve Czarnecki, Liz Shivener, Matt Cusack, and Andy Peterson. They will perform Broadway songs from past roles as well as holiday favorites.
      Admission is $20-$35 (more with dinner). Click here for tickets and more info.


Friday, December 10
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents Ryan Hanson for a night of live music in The Room on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--The Depot welcomes Eleven at nine, on Friday at 9 p.m. Their "long awaited return to The Depot (formerly Nelly's) ... hopes you will plan your office holiday party" with them. Find them on Facebook for more info.


Friday-Sunday, December 10-12
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap has two shows Friday night, Shane's Apothecary at 5 p.m., and then the Devon McGarry Band for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Maple & Hanson at 5 p.m., and the Trevor Contois Band with Keeghan Nolan 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 may host live shows on Friday and Saturday nights. Music starts about 6:30 p.m. Call 802.524.1405, find them on Facebook, or click here for more info.


Saturday, December 11
ST. ALBANS--The First Baptist Church hosts the Carol Ann Jones Holiday Concert on Saturday at 7 p.m. Doors at 6:30.
      Ms. Jones is joined by Will Patton and Gary Spaulding to ring in the season with music for the holidays. Audience members are encouraged to sing along. Light refreshments will be available and seating will be socially distanced. Masks are required indoors. Pod seating is also available.
      Admission is $15 per person. Tickets will be available at the door or email to reserve tickets and for more info.


Sunday, December 12
EAST FAIRFIELD--Bundle up. The Fairfield Community Center hosts a Holiday Song and Celebration outdoors at the Meeting House on the Green on Sunday at 4 p.m. The seasonal song and celebration will have carols, cocoa and cookies. It is free and open to the public. Call 802.827.3130 or click here for more info.


Tuesday, December 14
ESSEX--The Moth hosts StorySLAM: Wisdom, five-minute stories about lessons born of experience, at the Double E on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Doors at 7. "Moth stories shine a light on our shared humanity."
      Admission is $15. Proof of vaccination will be required for entry and the name on vaccination card must match your ID. Click here for more info and here for tickets.


ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

     Virtual music and events continue this week.


      Summer Sounds favorite John Bartus' Perpetual Island Tour played Sparky's Landing, Boondocks twice, and the Key Colony Inn twice. His Facebook Live concerts resume next Friday, December 17. Find him on Facebook for the next watch party.


      The University of Notre Dame Chorale presented Messiah live on Facebook last Friday.


      Summer Sounds favorite Mark Shelton live with Elvis Presley Fans from All over the World in a Christmas Elvis Santa benefit show for Harri on Facebook on Sunday. Follow him on Facebook for a link to this week's offerings.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page hosts a special Holiday Story Hour with the Traveling Storyteller, Ernie Hemingway, on Friday at 5 p.m. before the tractor parade.


ST. ALBANS--Josh Ellerbrock has started a Weekly Writer's Club "after meeting so many creative people out here in Vermont." They gather at 14th Star every Wednesday at 6 p.m.
      "If you're interested in doing some writing and meeting new people," he wrote, "it's a great avenue for all you creatives out there." 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
Music at the Meeting House
Citizens Band
Wednesday Night Live
Enosburg Town Band


SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!


AAC dancing logo

All Arts Council of Franklin County

Support Free Speech on the Internet
Dick Harper, Chair
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
email us

Go to [ Dick Harper | All Arts Index | ArtBits Archive ]

      This article may also have originally been published in the traditional print media. It is Copyright © 2021 by Richard B. Harper. All rights reserved. Archival material is provided as-is. Links are not necessarily maintained (if a link in this article fails, try Google.com or your favorite search engine).
      Thanks to recent misuse of copyright material on the Internet by individuals and archival firms alike, we emphasize that your rights to this article are limited to viewing it and printing it for personal use only. You must receive explicit permission from the All Arts Council and the author before reprinting or redistributing this article in any medium. Visit our Trademarks and Copyright page for more information.