| VOLUME 28 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | July 11, 2024 |
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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FRANKLIN COUNTY--The Big Music Weeks of Summer begin with Bay Day this week as some of our friends play multiple gigs. There are live shows in Alburg, Calais, Colchester, East Fairfield, Enosburg Falls, Essex Junction, Jericho, Johnson, Milton, North Hero, Sheldon, South Hero, St Albans City and Town, and Swanton. BIG MUSIC WEEKS
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro hosts Rebecca Padula for a special Art Opening and Concert on Sunday at 5 - 7 p.m. ART ON THE WALLS
Ms. Padula is well-known for her folk, blues, jazz, gospel, bluegrass, and traditional originals and covers, Her artwork is "abstract, but inspired by the natural world and Vermont's landscape" and mostly expressed in oil and cold wax or acrylic. "I draw energy and create marks from what I see and feel, tuning in to the cacophony of bird song, the trickle of water flowing underground, the scent of lilacs on the breeze, or the hushed peace of snow covered ground." Click here for the Paddle or here for more info about Ms. Padula.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on whimsical knitter, felter, and pebble artist Donna Blatchly . The art and fine craft cooperative features paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, sculpture, lamps, pottery, folk art boxes, scarves, hats and more by 38 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.
JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery features Eric Tobin with his new "floater" frames in the 40 Years Together Show and on Facebook .
The gallery has exhibits of the landscape painters of New England. The main showcase in Jeffersonville is open Wednesday-Sunday 11 - 4 and the Stowe Gallery is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 11 - 5, and Friday and Saturday, 11 - 6. Appointments are available. Call ahead (802.644.5100) to schedule or click here for more info.
SWANTON--The Vermont Abenaki Artists Association features certified fine, decorative, and performing artists officially labeled as "American Indian" under Federal law.
Chief Roger Longtoe Sheehan speaks and performs Wabanaki music and Story Telling for people of all ages. Click here for his story and a look at his work.
ST. ALBANS--The Downtown Sidewalk and Art Sales, a summertime tradition, will fill St. Albans with artists set up on the sidewalks to share their works with you on Thursday-Saturday. The sidewalks will be filled with unique goods, discounted for just this weekend. Taylor Park will have the sights and sounds of the Northwest Farmer's Market ART FOR SALE
July is "Where's Waldo" month in St. Albans. Find Waldo in participating Downtown merchants.
NORTH HERO--Island Arts continues community dancing to lively music for Community Folk Dancing with instructor Leslie Alpert in the Island Arts Center on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. DANCE
All dances are taught. No partner required. No experience required, and new students are always welcome. Bring your water bottle. Classes will continue every Tuesday through July 30. Admission is free, but donations to Island Arts are appreciated. Call 802.372.3418 to register (drop-ins are also encouraged) or click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--St. Albans Community Arts has several ongoing workshops, classes, or arts groups in the Ralston Building each week. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Creative Connections continues with workshops on Friday and Wednesday at 4 - 7 p.m. Working on a creative project? Want to try something new but need special tools, an extra set of hands or a material swap? Have donations? SACA co-director Jennifer Kostuck has creative pointers and equipment. The open studio class is held every Wednesday and Friday. All ages and backgrounds are welcome. In an effort to maintain supplies for class growth, the second Wednesday each month will remain a free class all other workshops will be by donation. Find them on Facebook for more info.
The Blackout Poetry series continues on Tuesday at 1 - 2 p.m. Also called "redacted poetry" and "erasure poetry," it works like this: participants receive a page from an old book and a sharpie to black out sections of the page to create new artwork in the "found poetry." Many decorate the redacted areas to enhance the new pieces. The group will meet every Tuesday through August 27. This is an all ages, free event. Donations help SACA continue to keep the doors open and are always appreciated. Find them on Facebook for more info.
The Open Studio Music Group meets on Wednesday at 2 - 4 p.m. This is a time to bring an instrument you are learning, want to learn, or already know. "Hang out and make music with other community members and maybe meet your future band members." Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--Island Arts presents a Handcrafted Greeting Card Workshop with Pat Brennan at 275 South Street on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Ms. Brennan will teach basic card-making with two one-of-kind card kits with envelopes. The cost is $10 plus, at your first class, a tool kit ($7) that includes a dispenser with double-sided tape, glue dots, sponge daubers, and a little bling. Bring scissors if you have them. Click here for more info.
JEFFERSONVILLE--The Bryan Memorial Gallery offers Key Elements in Plein Air Painting as a two-day workshop with George Van Hook on Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m - 4 p.m. The workshop stresses allaprima painting and using a loose and fast approach to capture the landscape in the first try. Artists at any stage of their development are welcome. Registration is required. Current members of the gallery use promo code "BMGMEMBER" to receive 10% off. Email, call 802.644.5100, or click here to register and for more info.
MILTON--Social Sundays continue at the Milton Artists' Guild Art Center with free weekly art classes for families at MAG on Sunday at 1 p.m. Each week offers a different project. Stay for 30 minutes or the whole two hours. Click here for more info.
MORRISVILLE--The River Arts Mindful Art Series offers Summer Blooms, Mixed Media Painting with Jen Volansky this evening at 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. This workshop is an opportunity to develop skills and draw inspiration from the leaves, branches, and vibrant summer blossoms. The cost is $30. Click here for more info.
COVID-19 is still here even if data reporting has taken the summer off. KP.3, the now dominant variant, is as transmissible and perhaps more so than previous variants. For the two weeks ending on July 6, KP.3 accounted for 36.9% of positive infections followed by KP.2 at 24.4%. The FliRT variants together account for more than two-thirds of all cases. Franklin County has less than 8% of the state population and has had more than one-third of statewide hospitalizations. COVID NEWS
Updated 2024-2025 vaccines are available for COVID and RSV. COVID vaccines are 100% free to everyone 6 months and older living in the United States. Click here for more info.
My own plan remains unchanged, especially since our precautions have waned and the current JN.1 variant dodges all but the most up-to-date immunity. I got the COVID and Flu shots, and the boosters, and I still take precautions because neither vaccine nor "natural immunity" is 100% foolproof. I wash my hands. I double mask with a genuine N95 mask (not a bandana and not a "chin strap") plus a surgical mask everywhere 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, July 11 ON STAGE LIVE
ST ALBANS TOWN--The weekly St. Albans Bay Farmer's Market and Concert Series continues with the Old Man Garage Band playing that newfangled rock & roll today from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. They have live music every Thursday evening into September. "The rain date will always fall on the following Friday." Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro hosts guitarist and singer-songwriter George Murtie for Acoustic Thursday this evening at 5 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
SOUTH HERO--Local rock & roll band B-Town plays a mix of covers in the Summer Concert Series at Snow Farm Vineyard this evening at 6:30 p.m. Food will be catered, call Kristen (802.922.8074) for all pre-order food requests. Click here for more info.
Thursday-Saturday, July 11-13
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of music with the Lloyd Tyler Band tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night, the Dimmer Triplets at 5 p.m., and then the Hitmen returns for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Mark Abair and his All Star Band at 5 p.m., and the Rough Suspects at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
ST. ALBANS--Irons & Ale has a weekend of local music at Champlain Country Club with Troy Millette tonight at 6:30 p.m. then Jerborn jerborning solo through Friday night at 7 p.m., plus the Missisquoi River Band live on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to close every day with pub fare from nachos and chicken wings to salads, burgers, salmon, and chicken to dinner options and libations.
Friday, July 12
MILTON--The Friday Night Live Music and Buffet at Arrowhead Golf Course presents Jesse Agan and Brad Ohlson on the deck on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The roast pork loin buffet starts around 7 p.m. Both run until 9 p.m. The buffet costs $14 per person ($7 for each child). You don't have to be a member; the public is welcome. Be sure to come early, usually around 6, to get a good seat. Click here 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.
ESSEX--Summer Music at the Double E resumes with the Seth Yacovone Band returning live to the Double E Lounge on Friday at 8 p.m. The space offers a 180 degree stage view, elevated standing area, and the "new chill lounge area." Admission is $10-15. Find them on Facebook for tickets and more info.
Friday-Sunday, July 12-14
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River has shows on Friday and Saturday nights in July. Mad Mojo plays Friday at 6 p.m. and the Cooie Trio (Cooie Defrancesco, Adlai Waxman, and Patti Shannon) is live on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
COLCHESTER--The Outdoor Summer Music Series fills the Spanked Puppy with music all weekend. Double Shot kicks it off on Friday at 6 p.m. followed by the Black Roots on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Laura Fedele-Rasco, a girl and her guitar, on Sunday afternoon at 2 - 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
JERICHO--The Jericho Cafe and Tavern fills the weekend with Live Music in July. The John Daly Trio play Friday. The Duncan MacLeod Trio performs live on Saturday night. Music starts at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week Rockin' Ron Gagnon returns on Friday and Acoustic Mayhem (featuring Arthur James and Bee Wild) plays live on Saturday night. 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, July 13
ST. ALBANS--Northwest Farmers Market fills Taylor Park with live music, handmade crafts, locally grown food, prepared foods, free kids activities on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. The market and the music continue every Saturday through October.
EAST FAIRFIELD--The Meeting House will be jumping and jiving with Lewis Franco and the Missing Cats at the Meeting House on the Green on Saturday at 5 p.m. The guitarist and singer-songwriter who "plays with two hands" will be backed by Vermont stalwarts Will Patton, upright bass; Dono Schabner, lead guitar; and Susannah Blachly, harmony vocals and fiddle.
There will be plenty of room on the Green to "kick up your heels and dance the night away." Desserts and Grab and Go light fare will be available for sale or bring your own picnic.
Admission is $10 at the door. Kids under 12 are free. Concerts are held outdoors. In case of rain, concerts are either canceled or moved indoors. Call Nance Shaw (802.827.6626) or click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents Aftermath for a night of live rock and pop in The Room on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ALBURG--The Alburg Oasis Outdoor Music Venue presents Detour, "three guys with a passion for great oldies," on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. BYOB. Admission is $10 at the door or $15 for limited, reserved, premium table seating. Find them on Facebook for more info.
JOHNSON--The Cambridge Cannabis Company Concert Series begins with the Wormdogs outdoors at Moogs Joint on Saturday starting at 7 p.m. (or indoors at 9 p.m. if it rains).
Sunday, July 14
SOUTH HERO--"Sunday is Music Night and Art Night at the Paddle." The Blue Paddle Bistro hosts Rebecca Padula for a special concert and art opening on Sunday at 5 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
CALAIS--The Old West Church reprises the Meeting House concert with Lewis Franco and the Missing Cats with Will Patton, upright bass; Dono Schabner, lead guitar; and Susannah Blachly on Sunday at 4 p.m. Admission is by $10-15 suggested donation.
NORTH HERO--Island Arts presents a Bella Voca Dance Party on the lawn at the Island Arts Center on Sunday at 6 - 8 p.m. Picnic on the green at 5:30, weather permitting. The concert will move inside the barn in the event of rain. The Plattsburgh sextet with vocalists and musicians Brigid Bushey, Tracy DeCoste, Dale Derusha, Eric McCaughan, Dan Rochester, and Mike Trudo offer all genres with songs from the Beatles to Dua Lipa.
The winners of the Sylvia Barry Art Contest for Youth will be announced at this event. Admission is free thanks to generous sponsors. Click here for more info.
Monday, July 15
NORTH HERO--Cooper plays covers from Hank Williams and John Prine to Lovett and Dylan on the Pier Bar at the North Hero House on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Tuesday, July 16
ENOSBURG FALLS--Summer Concerts in Lincoln Park continue as the Enosburg Town Band continues on the Bandstand on Tuesday at 7 p.m. There will be a variety of music, arts and crafts for the kids, popcorn and drinks, and even ice cream sundaes (when available) every Tuesday evening. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Wednesday, July 17
SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library presents a Family Concert in the Park with Rockin' Ron the Friendly Pirate on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Ron Carter has been performing pirate music for all ages since 2002. Admission is free. Click here for more info.
ESSEX--Grill & Chill Wednesdays continue with Good Gravy live on the Green on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Bring your own blanket, chair, umbrella, factory sealed water bottles, empty refillable bottles, picnic food, and good attitude. Food from the Double E grill and EE restaurants will be available.
NORTH HERO--The Cooie Trio sings "a dollop of blues, a touch of jazz, a bit of folk and some old time rock & roll" at the Pier Bar at the North Hero House on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Summer Concert Series continues with the Nobby Reed Project in Taylor Park on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Concerts are free for all every Wednesday evening through August 28. 14th Star Brewing Company, Pickle's Snack Shack, and Mama Llama Bakeshop will be on hand for food and drink. If the weather turns squishy, the concerts will move to 14th Star. Click here for more info.
JERICHO--The Mills Riverside Park Concert Series presents the Smokey Newfield Project on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page has a "worship of authors" to talk mysteries, romances, children's books, autobiographies, and more on Friday and Saturday at noon - 5 p.m. during the Downtown Sidewalk and Art Sales. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
AY Berthiaume, Dear Universe I Get It Now; Catherine Bodnar, Losing June; Charlie Brooks, Greystone Valley; Rebecca Cummins, Dear Aunt Bea; Jackson Ellis, Lords of St Thomas; Pat Esden, the Scandal Mountain Antiques mysteries; Kent Gramm, Bitterroot; Bill Holliday, JFK Assassination: What They Told Me; Beth Ann Hooper, The Roots That Clutch; Tamara Mathieu, All Who Believed; DonnaRae Menard, the It's Never Too Late mysteries; Laura Napoli, Paws of Hope; Dawn Densmore-Parent, the Truth Shall Set You Free; Dr. Stephen Payne, Cliffwalking; and Sara Stewart, Bound by Pride, will all be at the bookstore on and off on either day. Find them on Facebook for more info.
The search has started. July is "Where's Waldo" month in St. Albans. Find Waldo in participating Downtown merchants. Pick up your passports at The Eloquent Page
SWANTON--Two Swanton Free Public Library book clubs meet this week.
The monthly SPL Book Club meets to discuss the Hidden History of Lake Champlain by historian Jason Barney and genealogist Christine Eldred on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Our lake is one of America's most historic waterways. It played a vital route in commerce and in war. Click here for more info.
But I Progress takes up Hidden Figures by Margo Lee Shetterly on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The nonfiction book explores the American Dream and the lives of mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, the Black women who helped win the space race. The readings generally focus on writers who "identify as women, with particular attention to Women of Color and nonbinary women, who are under represented in literature. Today women's works are priced lower, more seldom purchased, and not receiving proper credit." There will be snacks, reviews, discussion, ideas, and good conversation. Click here 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 ... |
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Music!Links to the Summer Music series in Franklin County |
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