DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 26 * * All Arts News On the Web * * February 10, 2022

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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ART ON THE WALLS

JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery is publishing Techniques and Mediums on Facebook. Each brief segment looks at specific techniques or mediums. They cover Pen & Ink this week.
      The gallery is closed for winter break but appointments are available. Call the gallery (802.644.5100) or click here to schedule or for more info.


ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery themed exhibit for February features pieces that resemble fire and ice in various mediums.
      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.


PANDEMIC NEWS

     The Vermont Immunization Advisory Council may consider mandating COVID vaccinations for students when it meets this week to discuss the list of vaccines required in schools. The council reviews and makes recommendations for the state's list of required shots for schoolchildren. Vermont kids currently must get shots for DtaP, chickenpox, hepatitis, measles, and polio.
      Vermont reported 3,732 new COVID-19 cases last week, only a third as many new infections as the week before. Franklin County reported 608 cases in the 14 days ending Friday.
      Vermont now relies heavily on self reporting but the test distribution program, sayyescovidhometest.org, was sold out at press time. Meanwhile, every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests from COVIDtests.gov. Most major chains including Rite-Aid, Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart should have free N95 masks for distribution.
      Here's my own advice for dealing with COVID-19. Whether you have contracted and recovered from this coronavirus or haven't yet received a booster or both, immunity has waned for many of us. That lowered resistance leads to infections and increased transmission of the virus. Get the COVID and Flu shot(s), get the booster, and take precautions. Statewide, about 290,600 Vermonters or 64% of the eligible population has completed vaccination and gotten a booster. In Franklin County, about 60% of the people have the complete vaccine and the additional dose; only Essex County with 51% vaccinated and boosted, and Orleans and Windsor Counties at about 59% have lower rates.
      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 because so many parents refused to vaccinate their kids. 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.


WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

BRATTLEBORO--The Abenaki Art Association and the Atowi Project host a free Snow Snake Building Workshop at the Retreat Farm on Saturday at 9 a.m.
      Snow snake is a traditional game played by Abenaki and other tribal nations. There will be a snow snake competition at Retreat Farm on February 27. Materials and instruction are provided. Admission is free but pre-registration is required. Click here for tickets and find them on Facebook for more info.


MORRISVILLE--River Arts begins two new workshops this week.
      The Sunday Intro To Wheel Class with instructor Barbara Flathers begins on Sunday at 10 a.m. The six week throwing class will progress from beginner to pro with multiple projects and demonstrations.
      The monthly Open Studio Figure Drawing on Tuesday at 3 p.m. is a community facilitated group with no formal instructor present. February will be a clothed session with quick two min poses, five min poses, 20 min poses, and a long pose at the end. The cost is $15 with pre-registration preferred. Click here to register and for more info.


ONLINE--Vermont Humanities Council hosts poet and actor David Mills for a free 90-minute Creative Writing Workshop on Zoom tomorrow at 7 p.m. The workshop will use prompts about slavery in New York City to encourage participants to write their own poems on the subject. Click here for the Zoom registration to get an invitation to the free workshop.


ST. ALBANS--Plan ahead. The Sheldon Public Library hosts a monthly series of Painting Classes with Patrick Murphy next Thursday, February 17, at 6 - 8 p.m. Classes are for artists, art enthusiasts, beginners, or anyone who would just like to paint." Instruction and guidance are given according to a students need and level." Students should bring their own paints and brushes. Everything else is supplied. Classes are held the third Thursday of the month. The cost is $25. Call Valerie (802.933.2524) or stop at the library to register and for more info.


ON STAGE LIVE

     Here's my own advice for dealing with COVID-19. Whether you have contracted and recovered from this coronavirus or haven't yet received a booster or both, immunity has waned for many of us. That lowered resistance leads 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.


Thursday, February 10, 2022
ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Recreation Department hosts the 13th annual Daughter Gala at City Hall this evening at 6 p.m. This year's theme is Winter Wonderland. The evening includes music, dancing, refreshments, and a silent auction.
      The formal affair is a fund raising event for the St. Albans Recreation Department. Call the recreation office (802.524.1559) to register and find them on Facebook for more info.


Friday-Saturday, February 11-12
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap has two shows Friday night, King Me at 5 p.m., and then Supernatural Rocks for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Maple and Hanson at 5 p.m., and the Rehab Roadhouse starting at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. And to confirm. Click here to reserve a table.


SHELDON--The Abbey Live Music Series continues the Winter Season has two special shows: David Miller in the Pub on Friday and a Lover's Party with Chris & Erica on Saturday. Music begins about 6:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ST. ALBANS--Twiggs hosts Summer Sounds favorite John Geno on Friday and Bob Recupero 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, February 12
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents Nottingham Drive with their blend of traditional county and classic rock with a touch of rockabilly flare for a night of live music in The Room on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


Sunday, February 13
KEY COLONY BEACH, FL--Summer Sounds favorite John Bartus opens the KCB Community Association's Concert in the Park season in Sunset Park with his 38th anniversary concert on Sunday at 4 p.m.
      Concerts in the Park are free concerts sponsored by the KCBCA and take place most Sunday afternoons in Sunset Park. Social distancing and masks are recommended. Bring a chair or blanket and refreshments. Parking is limited so walking, biking or ride sharing is recommended.
      Mr. Bartus' Perpetual Island Tour played Boondocks on Monday and will be at the State Capitol Courtyard in Tallahassee this evening at 5 p.m. Find him on Facebook for more info and the next watch party.


ART SITE OF THE WEEK

The 2021 International Landscape Photographer of the Year awards chose 100 images from among over 4,500 entries. This annual contest has been going strong for eight years; and this year, an incredible photo of the Comet Neowise as well as a portfolio of images from Cappadocia, Turkey, took home the top awards. My Modern Met has the winners.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page has a double header this Saturday.
      Ernie Hemingway, the Traveling Story Teller, reads Eve Bunting's The Valentine Bears and tells other timely tales for Valentine's Day on Saturday at 11 a.m.
      Then, at 12:30 p.m., writer Bill Mares and cartoonist Don Hooper share drawings and tales that illustrate the understatement, comeuppance, and subtlety of Vermont humor whilst signing In Vermont Humor: I Could Hardly Keep from Laughing.


      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 Concert Band
 
Enosburg Town Band


SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!


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Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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