DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 26 * * All Arts News On the Web * * April 14, 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 YOU CREATE

ST. ALBANS--Kreations by Katherine hosts Spring Love, a seasonally-themed Paint 'n Sip, at the Depot on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Ms. Hartson provides all materials and guidance.
      The cost is $35 per person. Click here for tickets.


MORRISVILLE--River Arts hosts the April Paint 'n' Sip--Inspired by Van Gogh on Friday at 6 p.m. The relaxing evening offers creative expression and community connection of mixing colors and touching paint to canvas. Every participant will go home with a piece of art ready to hang on the wall.
      The cost is $45. Click here to register and for more info.


PANDEMIC NEWS

     Vermont's COVID cases rose another 16% as the highly-transmissible COVID subvariant BA.2 became the dominant strain. The state had 144 more cases last week when compared to the week before. Hospitalizations and deaths remained stable.
      Meanwhile, 64% of Vermont public school students ages 5 and up have received two doses of the vaccine but at least one Franklin County school district lags the state average. School districts and supervisory unions fall into one of three categories measuring their vaccination rate: lower than 50%, between 50% and 79%, and 80% or above. Franklin West SD, Grand Isle SU, Maple Run SD, and MVSD all are in the middle category between 50% and 79% vaccinated. Franklin Northeast SU has fewer than 50% of its students vaccinated.
      The state reported 1,075 new COVID-19 cases statewide last week which is the second highest rate per capita in the nation behind Alaska. Franklin County reported 164 cases in the 14 days ending Friday.
      Vermont relies on self reporting. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order eight free at-home COVID-19 tests in two separate sets of four from COVIDtests.gov. Most major chains including Walgreens, CVS, Price Chopper, and Walmart should have free N95 masks for distribution.
      Gov. Phil Scott is weighing whether to get another booster dose now or wait until later in the year so he's better protected when people move back indoors. It's a reasonable question. Here's my own advice as we now know that a single shot is not enough. 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. The FDA has approved the fourth booster for those over 50; Anthony Fauci thinks it likely an additional booster will be approved in the fall. Get the COVID shot(s), get the booster(s), and take precautions, particularly if you are inside with other people. Statewide, about 307,500 Vermonters or 67% of the eligible population has completed vaccination and gotten a booster. Franklin County continues holding with about 63% of the people having completed the vaccine and the additional dose; that's unchanged over the last three weeks. Only Essex County with 55% vaccinated and boosted, and Orleans and Windsor Counties at 62% 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.
      Call 855.722.7878 or healthvermont.gov for more info about the first or second dose and for booster shots of the vaccine. 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--Artist Eric Tobin held a live painting demo at Bryan Memorial Gallery on Facebook on Sunday.
      Call the gallery (802.644.5100) or click here for more info.


MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild Welcomes Spring at the gallery on Saturday at 10 a.m.


WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

MORRISVILLE--River Arts pottery instructor Lisa Wolfgang hosts the in-person Clay Techniques Workshop on Handles this evening at 6 p.m. The evening is for intermediate clay studio members, punchcard users, or potters with their own pottery studios who can come to class prepared to learn about making handles. Participants must provide their own materials.
      The cost is $25. Click here to enroll and for more info.


JEFFERSONVILLE--The Bryan Memorial Gallery 2022 Cabin Fever Season continues the Value of Values & Redefining the Watercolor Landscape with instructor Gary Eckhart on Saturday at 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. This second workshop will "explore and develop an understanding of the various design principles and visual clues." The single one day workshops are $100 each for members, or $125 each for non-members.
      Click here to register or for more info.


MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild will continue four workshops this week.
      Quilting: Level 2 with instructor Joan Shortsleeve is the final meeting of a three-week class at MAG on Saturdays at 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. to create your own Town Square three-yard quilt with the provided pattern. This quilt finishes at 47 1/2" by 62". The cost is $90 for members or $95 for non-members. click here for more info and to reserve a space.
      Hanging an External Exhibit is a new workshop at MAG on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Dot Grazier and Sharon Radtke invite any artists who want to display their work at one of the businesses and town areas overseen by MAG. The cost is $10 for members or $15 for non-members. click here for more info and to reserve a space.
      Cathy LaClair continues Metalsmithing 101 as a three-week class at MAG on Tuesdays at 6 - 9 p.m. to learn the arcane and secret techniques of making fine jewelry. The workshop offers new skills and finished pieces in sterling silver, brass, and copper. The cost is $170 for members or $175 for non-members. click here for more info and to reserve a space.
      Square Store 101: Online Store Basics with instructor Caitlyn Kenney is part of their ongoing series of online seminars on Wednesday 6 - 8 p.m. Art is a business. This online workshop for beginners will cover how to create a free online store with the Square Point of Sale system. The cost is $30 for members or $35 for non-members. Click here for more info and to reserve a space.


ON STAGE LIVE

     Here's my own plan as U.S. deaths approach one million and our precautions wane. I got the COVID and Flu shots, and the first booster, and I take precautions because no vaccine is 100% foolproof. I wash my hands. I double mask with a genuine N95 mask (not a bandana and not a "chin strap") and a surgical mask where ever I can't control the airflow. It isn't much of a burden and it mostly protects me from all the people without masks I see in stores and concerts.


Thursday, April 14
ON THE AIR--Catch 8084's Andre Maquera and Randy Smith on WIZN 106.7 FM this morning from 8 - 9 a.m. They're on the air with Mel Allen for the special announcement of the 8084 40th Anniversary concert.
      "We'll be announcing a concert date and location with tickets on sale (first come, first serve) on April 16," Mr. Smith said. "Help us celebrate our 40 year anniversary with special guests and more." Find them on Facebook for more info.


SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro hosts the Fabulous Wrecks this evening at 6 - 8 p.m. Roy Cutler, Peter Riley, and Rudy Dauth "have tremendous fun" playing folk, rock, pop, soul, blues, and jazz.


Thursday-Saturday, April 14-16
HIGHGATE--MVU presents Mary Poppins in a three day run in the Trahan Theater tonight through Saturday. Showtime is at 7 p.m. each evening with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday.
      The musical theater and magic merge the film and books to give you a new perspective on the Banks Family plus the favorite songs A Spoonful of Sugar and Feed the Birds. It will be a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious adventure.
      Admission is $10. Email to reserve a seat and Find them on Facebook for more info.


Friday, April 15
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents B-Town for a night of live music in The Room on Friday at 6 p.m. The six-piece rock 'n' roll / blues dance band plays well known covers new and old. Find them on Facebook for more info.


SHELDON--The Abbey Live Music Series continues with Bryce Bachelder in the Pub on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.


Friday-Saturday, April 15-16
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap has two shows Friday night, Shane's Apothecary at 5 p.m., followed by Eleven for a late night rock 'n' roll eggstravagaza starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Maple and Hanson at 5 p.m., and the Full Cleveland sailing back at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. And to confirm. Click here to reserve a table.


Monday, April 18
No music today but Federal and State income taxes are due.


Wednesday, April 20
ST. ALBANS--Troy Millette Presents: Sample Sets on the Taproom Stage at 14th Star on Wednesday from 6 - 9 p.m. Mr. Millette's special "flight" will have three new acts from established solo acts, to fresh new faces, to special guest appearances every Wednesday evening. Act One begins at 6 p.m., Act Two at 7, and Act Three at 8 all with no cover charge. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

     Virtual music and events continue this week.


      Summer Sounds favorite John Bartus' Perpetual Island Tour had a "change of venue" so he played Social Distancing Concert #91 from Sparky’s Landing on Facebook on Friday evening. Find him on Facebook for the next watch party.


      Guns n Rosie: Rosie Newton went live with Aaron Bachelder on (and the invisible drummer) Facebook. "They do this for fun." She lives in Burlington and he lives in western New York state now so they get together when he comes back to visit family.
      Ms. Newton is also involved in production and has been acting in student movies as well as writing short film scores.


      Summer Sounds favorite Mark Shelton was live with Elvis on the Edge Night--No Foolin' on Facebook on April 1. He sang a variety of styles and songs on Facebook on Tuesday. Follow him on Facebook for a link to this week's offerings.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

ST. ALBANS--Ernie Hemingway the Traveling Storyteller brings a Bunny Storytime to the Eloquent Page on Saturday at 11 a.m. Ernie has stories about Peter Rabbit and the Easter Bunny in an Easter-themed story time. Each listener will receive a free book. 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 Concert Band
 
Enosburg Town Band


SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!


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