| VOLUME 26 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | February 24, 2022 |
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. STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS
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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Virtual music and events continue this week. ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE
Friday, February 25
Summer Sounds favorite John Bartus' Perpetual Island Tour played Sparky's Landing, Boondocks, the Key Colony Inn, and Social Distancing Concert #86 from the studio on Facebook on Friday evening. Find him on Facebook for the next watch party.
In birthday news, Sarah Bartus has commissioned Dean Nickless on Big Pine Key to build him a custom guitar of seagrape, spruce, and wild tamarind with a finger board of green wood from the Key West shrimp docks.
Tuesday, March 1
The Tom Sustic Fund 2022 Mardi Gras Party will feature young Cajun musicians from Louisiana and the Northeast live streamed from Burlington via Facebook and YouTube on Fat Tuesday beginning at 7 p.m. Both links will be viewable during the live broadcast and after it’s over.
Musicians from Louisiana include the Riley Family Band from Scott and Amis du Teche from Breaux Bridge; from Vermont will be Owen Kennedy, Alexander Allison, and more plus comments from Dr. Lewis First. They will offer music for dancing with waltzes/slow tunes and 2-steps/faster tunes. Shrove Tuesday is the last night of partying, dancing and eating food before ritual fasting begins on Ash Wednesday.
This fundraising event benefits the Tom Sustic Fund which provides on-going support for families with children with life-altering conditions at the Vermont Children's Hospital and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. You don't have pay to watch but a donation is suggested. Anyone donating at PayPal will be entered in a raffle for two $65 tickets to the annual Ice Bar at Hotel Vermont. The raffle will be drawn at the end of the evening. Email for more info or Find them on Facebook for more info
Streaming Anytime
Big Eyed Phish, the 7-piece Dave Matthews Tribute band from Rochester, NY, recorded this set from XL Live on Facebook. They will play the Double E on Saturday.
Summer Sounds favorite Mark Shelton sang Gospel broadcast on Facebook from a live concert in Punta Gorda, Florida, on Sunday morning followed by nostalgia live on Facebook on Twos-day. Follow him on Facebook for a link to this week's offerings.
A "funny thing happened" while Mr. Shelton was walking the beach in Clearwater Beach, Florida. He met Hulk Hogan there; they talked about retired Canadian pro wrestler Butcher Vachon one of whose final appearances was singing La Vie en Rose on Tuesday Night Titans.
Gov. Phil Scott said schools should return to the original mask guidance--schools should mandate masks only when their COVID-19 vaccination rate among students was below 80%--on Monday. Few schools have attained the 80% threshold. About 60% of 5- to11-year-olds and 77% of 12- to 17-year-olds have received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine (about half the 12- to 17-year-olds have completed the series with the additional booster). As data pours in, we are learning that a single shot is not enough. PANDEMIC NEWS
New case counts do continue to fall. Vermont reported 1,783 new COVID-19 cases last week, twice as many per capita as neighboring New York. Franklin County reported 179 cases in the 14 days ending Friday.
Vermont relies on self reporting. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests from COVIDtests.gov. Most major chains including Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart should have free N95 masks for distribution.
Here's my own advice as U.S. deaths approach one million. Whether you have contracted and recovered from this coronavirus or haven't yet received a booster or even if you have done it all, 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 295,500 Vermonters or 65% of the eligible population has completed vaccination and gotten a booster.
The state's online "dashboard" has changed. It now shows how many Vermonters are "up to date" on their vaccines and those numbers have declined. Since "up to date" means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible, the numbers have shifted to reflect the change in methodology. Franklin County now reports that about 52% of the people have completed the series. It is unchanged that only Essex County with 34% vaccinated and boosted, and Orleans and Windsor Counties at about 49% and 51% still have lower rates.
No vaccine is 100% foolproof. Wash your hands. Keep wearing an N95 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.
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council hosts Winter's Red, a Painting Social with instructor Janet Dimick Soavi, at the Swanton Free Public Library on Sunday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. ART YOU CREATE
The afternoon offers conversation and learning to paint on slate. The cost is $25 per person. Additional slate pieces are available for $5 each. Find them on Facebook for more info and email or visit the library to register.
ART FESTIVAL AND SILENT AUCTION (now)--The Fairfax Arts Council wants submissions for the first Art Festival and Silent Auction. The May 14 event will have art donated by local artists up for auction plus crafts for kids, painting class, concessions and more. All proceeds benefit the restoration of the Fairfax Community Center Building. Fairfax Arts will post the artwork as the date approaches. Find them on Facebook for more info. CALL FOR ARTISTS
EMERGING ARTIST AWARD (April 1)--The Swanton Arts Council 2022 Emerging Artist Scholarship honors one exceptional graduating senior of the MVU school district who displays a bright future in art. Seniors should submit an application with artwork to be shown in the Swanton Free Public Library during the 2022 Art Show. Find the SAC on Facebook for the application and more info.
TAP INTO VERMONT MAPLE SAPPY ART SHOW (April 9)--This exhibit at the Vermont Frame Shoppe, a favorite Vermont artists, is part of the Vermont Maple Festival. Submit one piece of artwork per category, with a maximum of four pieces. Cash prizes will be awarded for Best of Show and more. Click here for all the details and to pre-register for the show. Pre-registration helps determine how much space will be needed for the exhibit.
WARNER NH--The Abenaki Art Association, Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, and the Abenaki Trails Project host the Snow Snake Competition as part of their Winter Celebration at the museum on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. each day. FESTIVALS AND SHOWS
The Abenaki game of Snow Snake, tossing a wooden snake into the trough for distance, uses the snakes made in the Snow Snake Building Workshop on the 13th. Find them on Facebook for more info.
JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery is publishing Techniques and Mediums on Facebook. Each brief segment looks at specific techniques or mediums. They cover Oil Painting this week. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
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.
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild will host Grant Writing 101 on Zoom with instructor Corrina Thurston as part of their ongoing series of online seminars this evening at 6 - 8 p.m. Art is a business. This online workshop for beginners will cover the basics of how to write a compelling grant and to make the next grant proposal more competitive.
The cost is $30 for members or $35 for non-members. Click here to reserve a space.
MORRISVILLE--River Arts the in-person, July Zines and Bookbinding Workshop with eco-artist instructor Emma Percy on Saturday at 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., rescheduled from December. The workshop will explore what zines and artist's books are and what they can be, including introductory layout, printing, and bookbinding techniques, as well as what when beginning a do-it-yourself publishing or bookmaking project.
The cost is $55. Click here to enroll and for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist in Residence Gallery hosts a new series of Painting Classes with Patrick Murphy at Northwest Access TV on Monday 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 last Monday of the month. The cost is $25.
Call Mr. Murphy (802.933.5536 or 802.324.9107 cell) or email to register and for more info.
Here's my own advice as U.S. deaths approach one million. 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. Keep wearing an N95 mask (not a bandana and not a "chin strap") 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. ON STAGE LIVE
Friday, February 25
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents All Without The Bass for a night of live music in The Room on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SHELDON--The Abbey Live Music Series continues the Winter Season with Julia Parent in the Pub on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Depot presents Christine Hurley, the Queen of Boston Comedy, on Friday night at 8 p.m. She has played Aruba Ray's Comedy Club, Denis Leary’s Comics Come Home at Boston Garden, the Laugh Factory in Las Vegas, the Montreal Comedy Festival, and every club, fraternal hall and comedy fundraiser in New England.
General admission is $20. Tickets are available at the door or at eventbrite.com .
SOUTH BURLINGTON--Higher Ground presents Rusty DeWees, The Logger, in Down From The Mountain with fiddler Patrick Ross in the Ballroom on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Doors at 7:30.
Admission is $25. All patrons will be required to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative PCR test from the past 72 hours, along with a matching photo ID, and to wear a mask in the building. Click here for tickets and more info.
Friday-Sunday, February 25-27
ESSEX JUNCTION--Get your partying in now. On Tap has two shows Friday night, Jerborn and Boxbanger at 5 p.m., and then the annual Mardi Gras rock out mayhem with Eleven for late night music and beads starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Chris & Erica at 5 p.m., and Mardi Gras weekend continuing with Sticks and Stones starting at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. And to confirm. Click here to reserve a table.
Saturday, February 26
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs hosts Ethan Sawyer live on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Call 802.524.1405, find them on Facebook, or click here for more info.
Sunday, February 27
KEY COLONY BEACH, FL--The KCB Community Association's Concert in the Park continues with Bobby Howard & the Ukalaics in Sunset Park 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.
ONLINE--Vermont Humanities Council presents Rebel Music: Afro-Caribbean Music and Political Thought online from the Manchester Community Library Wednesday at 7 p.m. plus a number of digital First Wednesdays programs including the Art of the Haiku, From Little Jerusalem to the Lost Mural, the Life and Poetry of Ruth Stone, and several more, all on the VHC digital channels on Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. HUMANITIES
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. ON THE 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 ... |
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Music!Links to the Summer Music series in Franklin County |
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