| VOLUME 27 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | {December 28, 2023 |
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.
... FROM THE ARTBITS DESK ...
E-Mail Delivery
Sign up to receive the free weekly ArtBits
newsletter by e-mail
or by RSS feed.
BURLINGTON--Highlight New Year's Eve is a city-wide celebration with dozens of events including the Taylor Swift Eras Tour Dance Party, Summer Sounds favorites the Tenderbellies, Circus Smirkus, Front Porch Follies, the Youth Opera Company of OCM and much more, all on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. on. The Highlight Button is an all-access ticket to every Highlight event. Buttons cost $15. Kids aged five and under free. Click here for buttons, schedules, and more info. NEW YEAR'S EVE
ST. JOHNSBURY--First Night North offers 175 performers in 70 shows at the Catamount Arts Center and venues throughout St. J. on Sunday starting at 3 p.m. The day has every musical genre, performances, food trucks, family fun fairs, the First Night North Ball of Light, and more. One button gives access to nine full hours of arts entertainment. Buttons cost $30 for adults and $20 for students. Click here for buttons, schedules, and more info.
SOUTH HERO--The 18th annual New Year's Eve Dinner & Celebration fills the Blue Paddle Sunday evening at 5 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Be dazzled and amazed as the City kicks off New Year's Eve with Fireworks in Taylor Park on Sunday about 7 p.m. The show is free and open to to the public. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Depot presents New Year's Eve with Cozy on Sunday night at 9 p.m.
There is a $10 cover charge. Food for purchase and cash bar will be available. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap celebrates a Sticks and Stones New Year's Eve on Sunday at 9 p.m. "Come and grab dinner, appetizers or a drink before 8 p.m. and get into this New Year's event for free! $20 per person at the door after 8 p.m." Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Find them on Facebook for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
AROUND THE AREA--The Artist in Residence Gallery 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 ON THE WALLS
Bryan Memorial Gallery is a dynamic gallery with exhibits of the landscape painters of New England. The new Stowe gallery remains open throughout the winter. The main Jeffersonville gallery is closed for winter break but appointments are available. Call ahead (802.644.5100) to schedule or Click here for more info.
The Milton Artists Guild art center and gallery showcases the work of over 145+ artist members in Milton Square behind the Milton Post Office. They have exhibits "around town," workshops, and special events. They are open Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.
And there are public art displays in libraries, offices, restaurants, and some surprise locations around the area.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star Brewing Company holds the weekly Maker's Market in the Taproom on New Year's Eve from 1 - 3 p.m. The pop-up booths host local crafters and makers every Sunday afternoon. Find them on Facebook for more info. ART FOR SALE
VERMONT ACTORS (Now)--The Christmas Cowboy is filming in Burlington, Jericho, and vicinity January 3 - 17. They need actors for large supporting roles, small speaking roles, and extras. All ages, ethnicities, races, and genders are welcome. Click here to apply and for more info. CALL FOR ARTISTS
LOCAL MURAL (Now)--Enosburgh Community Recreation seeks artists for murals. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ONLINE--Miguel de Cervantes published Don Quixote De La Mancha in Spain in 1605 and 1615. Ilan Stavans, author of Quixote: the Novel and the Works, discusses the origins, structure and characters of the first "modern" novel and the way it continues to redefine us all on Vermont Humanities Zoom on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Click here for more info. HUMANITIES
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council will hold the first Board Meeting and Updates of the new year in person at the Swanton Free Public Library on Wednesday at 6 p.m. IN THE SAC
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month. Find the SAC on Facebook for the agenda and more info.
Thursday, December 28 ON STAGE LIVE
SOUTH HERO--Cooie Sings for Acoustic Thursday at the Blue Paddle Bistro this evening at 5 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
Thursday-Sunday, December 28-31
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap has filled the holiday week with the music of Jomoband tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night, the WD-40s at 5 p.m., and then the Rough Suspects for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with PET Project at 5 p.m., and Nickel and Dime starting at 9 p.m. and winding down the year with a Sticks and Stones New Year's Eve on Sunday at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Friday, December 29
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents the six-piece rock band, Barn Rats, for a night of live music in The Room on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Off The Rails at One Federal often has live performances in the lounge on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SHELDON--The Abbey Friday Night Music Series often has live performances on Friday about 6:30 p.m. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Friday-Sunday, December 29-31
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. Music starts about 6:30 p.m. Call 802.524.1405 or find them on Facebook for more info. Click here to book a reservation or to visit the art on the walls.
Saturday, December 30
SOUTH BURLINGTON--Higher Ground presents a double bluegrass bill with Summer Sounds favorites the Tenderbellies and Beg Steal or Borrow as they both celebrate a decade of shows on Saturday night at 8 p.m. Doors at 7:30.
Admission is $15 advance or $18 day of show. Click here for tickets and more info.
BURLINGTON--The Grippo Funk Band plays a Harmonies For Courage Benefit at Nectar's on Saturday at 10 p.m. Doors at 7. Admission is $10 and up. 100% of the proceeds go to The Vermont National Guard Charitable Foundation. Click here for more info.
New Year's Eve, Sunday, December 31
Wednesday, January 3
ST. ALBANS--14th Star hosts Wine Down Wednesday with a night of wine and live music in The Room on Wednesday at 4 - 10 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Is pandemic actually over? Sort of. The COVID-19 emergency ended in 2023 but the virus still lingers. Hospitalizations and deaths are low. Still, we reported on COVID flare-ups, lost time in schools, and worried. And the Vermont Department of Health reports the highest COVID-19 levels since March at several wastewater testing sites around the state. LOOKING BACK AT THE YEAR
The new "JN.1" variant has been detected in Vermont. "As far as we know, the vaccines, the at home-tests and the treatments all still work against JN.1," State Epidemiologist Dr. Patsy Kelso told VPR.
Vaccines are available for COVID, the Flu, and RSV, the three main viruses that cause people to end up in a hospital in the Fall and Winter respiratory virus season. According to the state COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Dashboard just 13% of Franklin County residents have received the new COVID vaccine, trailed only by Essex and Orange Counties. That compares to about 19% of Vermonters who have had the latest COVID-19 vaccine.
The new COVID vaccines are 100% free to everyone 6 months and older living in the United States, regardless of immigration or insurance status. The free shots are available via health insurance, Medicare, and through federally qualified health centers, pharmacies participating in the federal Bridge Program, or district health department offices. Free masks are also available at many of the same locations. Pharmacies in Vermont may give COVID-19 shots to kids ages 3 and older. Click here for more info.
People keep getting sick, though, mostly because they aren't taking precautions. Original COVID-19 vaccinations remain below the level of herd immunity, and even fewer have gotten boosters. Only about 60% of adults and eligible children have even received a flu vaccine.
Franklin County artists and presenters managed again under the "new normal," mostly with live shows but with some online components. Restaurants in the region continued offering live music. The Vermont Humanities Council has ongoing arts and literary digital events and programs including First Wednesdays and Vermont Reads. Although the activities may take place at a distance from Franklin County, they are available safely and locally online.
We'll start with the Arts Councils, check in on the Franklin County Festivals and Libraries, then wrap up with the Other Major Presenters.
ALL ARTS COUNCIL
ISLAND ARTS
The All Arts Council serves northwestern Vermont as a presenter, an event producer, and as a technical resource for artists and other groups. Other Franklin County organizations continue to grow, which means we support more events.
The 32nd year of Summer Sounds, Franklin County's popular, long running, outdoor series free concerts at home in Highgate continued live on summer Sunday evenings, sponsored by the Town of Highgate. Highgate Rec brought the Tenderbellies, the Tyler Mast Band, the North Heroes, and Sean Jarvis to the stage on the Highgate Arena lawn.
We had calls for local artists and musicians for gigs here and around the country.
The community based All Arts Council brings the performing and visual arts to northwestern Vermont.
Island Arts had a busy summer with book sales, folk dancing, group singing lessons, workshops, bluegrass jams, the a capella Lollapalooza, and more. Their summer shows on North Hero included Yang Bao and Kenneth Renshaw, Summer Sounds favorites Mango Jam, Taiko drummng, Lake Sorbet, Bella Voca, Metalwerx, Eclectica, Green Mountain Brass, James and the Giant Peach, Cerutti-Reid, Our Island Voices, Jorge Garcia Herranz, Vermont Jazz, Sohyun Ahn, Corner Bluegrass, and more.
RIVER ARTS
The Morrisville community art center and presenter kept making art with exhibits in their hall, galleries, and off-campus plus an ambitious schedule of programs including in person figure drawing, sewing and felting, soft sculptures, mixed media, wheel classes, and much more. There were monthly Sip N' Slurry, Paint and Sip, and Meditate & Create evenings. Click here to explore these art experiences for the community.
ST. ALBANS COMMUNITY ARTS
St. Albans Community Arts has rebooted under volunteer co-directors Nichole Cunningham and Jennifer Kostuck. The St. Albans city-sponsored arts program had been dormant since the pandemic. Their Art Walk, Make Music Day, Downtown Art and Sidewalk Sales, and the Festival of Trees continued. They began Creative Connections at St. Albans City Hall and introduced local artists on Facebook.
Our Historic Church Street initiative explored the shared histories of the Saint Albans Museum, the First Congregational Church, the Vermont Superior Court, Saint Paul's United Methodist Church, and Saint Luke's Episcopal Church. The project will take them through the next 100 years.
SWANTON ARTS COUNCIL
Swanton Arts Council works to build an artistic presence and develop the artistic community in Swanton. This year, they hosted the Art Journaling Group, take and make (art) kits, Stampin' Up! Cardmaking, Youth Art Shows, the monthly book club, But I Progress, and more. SAC held an Art Social and a Holiday Craft Show in person. They painted barn quilts. The Emerging Artist Award did select one local senior.
THE FRANKLIN COUNTY FESTIVALS
BOOK REVIEW and THE 12 LIBRARIES
Maple--the Heart of Vermont. The 56th Vermont Maple Festival had a new schedule and a bucketful of events for the first (and sweetest) outdoor festival of the year. The Antique Show returned. The Craft & Specialty Food Show filled the Gym. The Saint Albans Museum displayed Vermont Maple Sweet History. The Sappy Art Contest attracted artists from all over. Taylor Park was packed with events. Sister Speak, the No Shoes Nation Band, the Youth Talent Show, the Electric Youth Dance Company, the Kingdom Allstars, Summer Sounds, FloodStock, and national favorites 8084, the Fiddler's Variety Show, and Isaac French all spent the long weekend with us.
The 67th Vermont Dairy Festival had more entertainment and magical family activities than ever before. The Vermont Dairy Festival Scholarship Pageant highlighted the indoor entertainment. The free entertainment on two stages started off Jerborning and continued with Summer Sounds favorites Troy Millette and the Fire Below with Emma Cook, Pirate Man Dan, Chris & Erica, Farmer Tom Walsh, Rick Norcross, Tim Brick, Corner Junction, Ryan Sweezy, and Dave Fenley.
The 46th annual Franklin County Field Days had a lineup of the best music, arts and crafts (and weeds, of course) that Franklin County has to offer with woodworking, knitting, chair weaving, felting, arts and crafts, train and mechanical bull rides, rides, the horse and pony and ATV and tractor pulls, poker tournaments, and the demolition derby plus exhibits galore, and more. Bad Horsey, the Old Man Garage Band, Chris & Erica, the Missisquoi River Band, Neon Spoon, Friction, the Darcy Cahill Band, and Johnnie Bubar all lit up the stage.
The generous appropriations for our Town Libraries do not cover all expenses. A donation will help your community library continue offering not only popular reading but also a wide range of the arts. Visit your library virtually or stop by to pick up a donation form or just hand them moolah. Click here for more info.
Franklin County Libraries opened their doors with books and community activities. Collectively, the libraries hold and have lent tens of thousands of physical and electronic books this year. There's some good news. Patrons were able to check out books and movies all year, thanks to phone and email requests for materials. The libraries also have a wide selection of electronic books and audiobooks available online. Click here for more info about all the libraries.
The Eloquent Page introduced a number of local writers (and their books) at readings and signings and events. The traditional, bricks-and-mortar bookstore in downtown St. Albans carries 35,000 new and used books plus book-themed merchandise and can find out-of-print titles. The Traveling Storyteller brought Storytime to the store every month or so.
GALLERY PRESENTERS
The Artist In Residence Gallery in St. Albans featured dozens of northern Vermont fine artists with a virtual focus on up to four different artists each month. The art cooperative features paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, sculpture, lamps, pottery, folk art boxes, scarves, hats, and more, and is owned and operated by the artists and sponsors. Their popular monthly featured artist live socials are back and they have kept up their increased online presence.
Bryan Memorial Galleryfeatured local artists and opened a second exhibition space in Stowe. The gallery of New England landscapes hosted workshops and exhibited Gems & Giants, Legacy 2023, Land & Light & Water & Air, and more.
Cold Hollow Sculpture Park was open in June through October for an admission-free, immersive opportunity in five rolling meadows with about sixty large-scale sculptures by David Stromeyer. They hosted Picnic for Potluck to celebrate his 473rd piece. They had concerts, poetry readings, talks, workshops, and special events.
The Free Little Art Gallery directory of nearby FLAGs continues growing. The nearest is Free Little Art Gallery Essex Junction on Oneida Ave.
The Milton Artists Guild welcomed writer, artist, speaker, and marketing consultant Corrina Thurston as Executive Director. They hosted Social Sundays for family art plus in-person classes, seminars, and workshops and more.
The Montgomery Center for the Arts completed the external restoration of MCA-Kelton Hall. They held regular workshops, Adult Beginner Ballet Barre, yoga and t'ai chi chih. Their shows started with Michael Domina's fundraiser collection and included an Abenaki Circle of Courage, the MES Art Show, pop up art shows, a Summer Art Extravaganza with music from the Missisquoi River Band, a Paint n Sip with Amber Rae Harvey, a Retrospective of Aida Whedon, the Altered Landscape of Alan Morse, and more.
The Saint Albans Museum finished their work in the basement storage areas and unpacked a busy season. They hosted the Historical American Women FUNdraiser with Terry Buehner, Spooky Saturday, and more.
OTHER MAJOR PRESENTERS
Celebration of Expressive Arts operated through the summer at The Inn. Martha Zweig, Carolyn Kittell, and the Dimmer Triplets; Charles Rossiter, Brandi Yeatman, and Blue Fox; Neil Shepard, Jack Arthur Tremblay, and Psylas; Jennifer Edwards, Avery Ellis, and the Astral Underground; and Ben Aleshire, Joelen Mulvaney, and the Missisquoi River Band all performed.
The sixth year of the Church Street Sounds of the Season concert series continued with Music-COMP featuring the young composers of Franklin County performed by Tom Cleary, Jeremy Hill, Dan Ryan, Brian Boyes, and Kyle Saulnier, an Organ Recital by Vaughn Watson on the Hook & Hosting organ; Heliland, David Feurzeig's Play Every Town tour with Elisabeth LeBlanc, and the Citizens Concert Band's Holiday Concert and Singalong.
The opened the season with Reggie Harris and Alastair Moock in Race and Song: a Musical Conversation. Summer Theater Camp did the Wizard of Oz and Spotlight, 2023. They hosted Magic Beyond Imagination, the popular Youth Talent Show, the Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live shadow cast, a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, and Ernie Hemingway's production of A Christmas Carol. And they held the annual Holiday Craft Fair.
The Enosburg Town Band played live Summer Concerts on the Lincoln Park Bandstand on Tuesday nights. The Citizens Concert Band performed two shows in Taylor Park, plus the Town Green in Franklin, the Homer Knight Barn in North Hero, the Little White Church in Highgate Springs, and the Town Green in Bakersfield.
The popular Jig in the Valley returned for the 31st year. Eight hours of music included Rusty Bucket, the Dale & Darcy Band, Christine Malcolm & the Kate Brook Romp, Coane Lewis and Rowell, Galen Cassidy Peria, the Nobby Reed Project, and the Joe Moore Band with Chas Eller plus special guests from near and far, all to support the Fairfield Community Center programs
The second annual Kingman Fest offered the Music of Queen live in a block party on Kingman Street.
The Meeting House on the Green Music Series brought eight high-caliber groups to the Meeting House with Beg, Steal or Borrow, Ben Patton/Tim McKenzie, Left Eye Jump, Summer Sounds favorites Mango Jam, Honey and Soul, Kat Wright & Brett Hughes, a free organ recital with Stephan Conrady, the Blue Rock Boys, Colin McCaffrey & Patti Casey, and the Bob and Sarah Amos Band. Most concerts were held outside on the terrace with lite fare and desserts on the village green. Proceeds from the series help fund the restoration of the building.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute hosted monthly talks on culture, humanities, and science.
Summer Music at Grace began their season with the 21st annual Farewell Reunion featuring Pascal Gemme, and the Young Tradition Vermont Youth Commission. They presented Josh Worman and Band, Heliand, Champlain Consort, Jocelyn Pettit and Ellen Gira, Frevo!, the Nobby Reed Project and more.
The Vermont Abenaki Artists Association offered the Nd'ôlemôwzibna ("We Continue to Live") mural, Abenaki Storytelling Project, Indigenous Peoples Days, Water Is Life, Abenaki Heritage Weekend and Arts Marketplace, workshops, and featured artists.
The Vermont Humanities Council hosted talks on arts, culture, humanities, and science both in person in local libraries and other venues and through their digital platform. VHC also chose Last Night at the Telegraph Club as the 21st Vermont Reads title this year.
The Vermont International Film Festival hosted the 2023 Global Roots Film Festival.
Young Tradition-Vermont, now integrated into the Vermont Folklife Center, continued its programming. The YTV Festival offered live and live-streamed programs in Burlington City Hall and other locations. Their programs include Trad Camp, Fiddleheads, Touring Group, Youth Commission, Instrument Petting Zoo, and Instrument Loan Program.
Restaurants and bars in Franklin County returned to live music schedules. We enjoyed several Abbey Music Series, Friday Night Live Music and Buffet at Arrowhead Golf Course, the Blue Paddle Bistro, music in The Room at 14th Star, a variety of shows at the Depot, North Hero House evenings, the Snow Farm Summer Concert Series, and pop-up performances at Twiggs and more.
There were several other pop-up shows but most happened too quickly to catch our deadline. Check with your favorite places every day or so to find out if anything is going on.
May 2024 be filled with friends and family and joy and the arts. And, as Duke Ellington reminds us each year, "I've found the best way to keep a band together is to pay them." HAPPY NEW YEAR
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 ... |
||
Music!Links to the Summer Music series in Franklin County |
||
Dick Harper, Chair
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
email us
|
This article may also have originally
been published in the traditional print
media. It is
Copyright © 2023 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. |