| VOLUME 28 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | August 29, 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 conclude as some of our friends play multiple gigs. There are live shows in Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester, Essex, Johnson, Milton, Milton, North Hero, Randolph, Sheldon, South Hero, St Albans City and Town, and Stowe. BIG MUSIC WEEKS
ST. ALBANS--The 15th annual Film Noir Festival concludes with Where the Sidewalk Ends at St. Albans Free Library this evening at 6 p.m. and tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. FILM
Hollywood's stylized crime dramas of the 40s and 50s, were generally black-and-white, cynical melodramas drawn from the hardboiled crime fiction of the Great Depression. The 1950 classic of the genre starred Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney and was directed and produced by Otto Preminger. ("Where the Sidewalk Ends" is also Shel Silverstein's best known poem, written in 1974.) Thursday evening shows are after-hours events which means arriving before 6 p.m. Click here for more info.
FRANKLIN--The Haston Library hosts Vermont vs. Hollywood: 100 Years of Vermont in Film with Amanda Kay Gustin of the Vermont Historical Society in Franklin Town Hall on Saturday at 11 a.m.
Vermont has been a featured location in Hollywood movies for nearly a century. It has represented many different ideals during that time, and its portrayal reflects both Vermont's own history as well as American history. Examining those films provides interesting and fun insights into the hold Vermont has had on imagination in the media age. Ms. Gustin will provide background and share clips ranging chronologically from 1919's Way Down East to 2005's Thank You for Smoking.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on stained glass artist Lindsay Didio. She is a teacher with a graphic design background and draws her designs on computer. She then cuts out the vinyl stencil pieces with a Cricut. 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. ART ON THE WALLS
JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery features Spring Stream Running a New England landscape by Susan Stranc using a reduction printing technique on a linoleum block. It is in the gallery 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.
Writer Trudy Ann Parker is the author of Aunt Sarah: Woman of the Dawnland, a book that chronicles 108 years of an Abenaki Healing woman.. Click here for her story and a look at her work.
NVAA SEPTEMBER SHOW (September 10)--The upcoming Northern Vermont Artist Association exhibit at the Westford Public Library begins in mid-September. The drop off date is September 17, from 10-noon. The Westford Library will host an opening reception. Click here for more info. CALL FOR ARTISTS
SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library hosts Maple Squares to Learn to Square Dance at the Library on Wednesday at 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The group meets every Wednesday at the Library. First night is free. Call Steve Desrosiers (802.582.0455) or find them on Facebook for more info. DANCE
NORTH HERO--Island Arts opens the barn doors to the joy of 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.
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.
ESSEX--The Champlain Valley Fair continues through Sunday. The heaviest pumpkin and the tallest sand sculpture in the state will appear as well as the latest farming methods. But wait, there's more. FESTIVALS AND SHOWS
The Fair has live music and art and entertainment for ten days running with the free Vermont Music Showcase on two stages every day. Show times on the Kinney Drugs Stage are 12 noon, 2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. Show times for the SeaComm Pavilion are 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6:15 p.m. Today, look for Ryan Sweezey on the Kinney Drugs Stage and Hogback Hollow in the SeaComm Pavilion. Chris & Erica are on the Kinney Drugs Stage and Taylor LaValley in the SeaComm Pavilion on Friday. Steve Hartmann is on the Kinney Drugs Stage and Alice Grace in the SeaComm Pavilion on Saturday. The Delta Sweet Duo take the Kinney Drugs Stage and Ali T in the SeaComm Pavilion on Sunday.
The Bud Light Concert Series on the Floor Coverings International Stage has Cole Swindell Friday at 7 p.m., Roots n' Boots Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Pentatonix Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Click here for the entire Fair schedule.
ONLINE--Pamela Nicole Walker discusses Link by Link: A Vermont Woman's Bold Acts for Peace and Civil Rights at the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock and online on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Virginia Naeve attended her first international peace conference in Geneva and returned home to Jamaica, Vermont, to fight using mostly pen, paper, and a lot of gumption. "Register for this free event" for the link to the stream. Call Vermont Humanities (802.262.2626) or click here to register and for more info. HUMANITIES
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. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council will hold a Board Meeting and Updates 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.
COVID-19 is still here. Variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continue to emerge. The FDA has approved and authorized a new vaccine formula to target currently circulating variants and better protect against serious outcomes of the virus. Appointments for the updated vaccine should be available now. COVID NEWS
The number of cases in Vermont continues to rise. 17 more Vermonters have died from COVID-19 this month. There have been 1,177 total pandemic deaths as of August 17. The number of COVID cases is elevated and rising with 281 cases reported in the week ending August 17, up from 236 the prior week.
Vermont's wastewater monitoring has shown shows that COVID-19 continues to increase among state residents. According to the Vermont Department of Health, wastewater data shows some of the COVID-19 in the community "because an infected person sheds into the water no matter if they're sick or not." The number of emergency department visits with COVID has also increased since June, in lockstep with the wastewater virus detections. Obviously those of us on septic systems (mound systems, tanks, or cesspools) are not included in the data so the actual numbers are higher.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends multiple vaccines this fall, including the coming new COVID-19 vaccine and an updated flu shot. HHS reports that COVID vaccines are 100% free to everyone 6 months and older living in the United States. Most people with Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance are definitely covered. Click here for more info. CDC's Bridge Access Program provides free COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance or whose insurance does not cover all costs but that program ends this month.
My own plan remains unchanged, especially since our precautions have waned and the current KP.3 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, August 29 ON STAGE LIVE
ST ALBANS TOWN--The weekly St. Albans Bay Farmer's Market and Concert Series continues with the John Sullivan Band 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 the Blue Rock Boys with old fiddle tunes, rock and roll, vintage county, and R&B for Acoustic Thursday this evening at 5 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--Sparky's hosts a Blues & BBQ night this evening at 6 - 9 p.m. BBQ will be available after 5 p.m. Blues & BBQ will continue every Thursday through the end of the summer. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--The Nobby Reed Project plays 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, August 29-31
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of music with the Pet Project tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night, Jerborn and Axe "smashing happy hour" at 5 p.m., and then the Maplegrove Band returns for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with WD-40 at 5 p.m., and the Hitmen at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Friday, August 30
MILTON--Cooper, Bob Recupero, concludes this season's Friday Night Live Music and Buffet at Arrowhead Golf Course on the deck on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The pulled pork 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. Call 802.893.0234 for reservations or 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.
Friday-Sunday, August 30-September 1
STOWE--The Von Trapp Brewing Bierhall Summer Concert Series fills the weekend with Ray's Used Cars on Friday and the McMaple Trio on Saturday night, Music starts at 5:30. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River has shows on Friday and Saturday nights in August. Ron Gagnon plays Friday and the Smokey Newfield Project comes on live on Saturday. Music starts about 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. The Free Range Band kicks it off on Friday at 6 p.m. followed by Kippincoe on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Alex Riddell to wrap it up on Sunday afternoon at 2 - 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--"Labor Day Weekend is gonna sound sweet at Twiggs!" This week they host Philip Graziano on Friday and Roger Giroux 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.
BURLINGTON and JOHNSON--Soul Project NOLA brings funk to Nectar's on Friday at 9 p.m. and to Moog's Joint on Saturday at 7 p.m. Visit Nectar'sfor tickets or find Moog's on Facebook for more info.
Saturday, August 31
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. Find them on Facebook for more info.
MILTON--The Painted Lady Cafe presents Carol Ann Jones in a special solo show on Saturday at 6 p.m. The purple house Victorian on Cherry Street serves homemade food in an indoor and outdoor setting. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents Ethan Sawyer for a night of live music on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ALBURGH--The Alburgh Oasis Outdoor Music Venue presents singer/songwriter David Owens 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.
ST. ALBANS--Irons & Ale has live music at Champlain Country Club with Sarah Bell 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.
Sunday, September 1
RANDOLPH--Young Tradition Vermont's Sugar in the Pan will perform at the New World Festival at the Chandler Center for the Arts on Sunday at 12 noon. Vermont's premier Celtic and Quebecois music festival also features an Instrument Petting Zoo, Summer Sounds favorites Le Vent du Nord and No Strings Marionettes, plus Cantrip, Conor Mallon (Connla), Hiraezh: Claire Boucher, Brad Hurley, Lysandre Chartrand, Footworks, Kalos, E.T.E., Le Winston Band, Mick McAuley, Morris Dancers (Midnight Capers & Border Morris), The Reel McCoys, Traverse, and more. Click here for tickets and more info.
Monday, September 2
NORTH HERO--John Howell plays rock, blues, and the odd country song on the Pier Bar at the North Hero House on Monday at 5:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Wednesday, September 4
ST. ALBANS--The Summer Concert Series concludes with Still Kickin' in Taylor Park on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. (rescheduled from July 10).
Concerts have been free every Wednesday evening through the summer. 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.
Libraries will be closed Monday for Labor Day. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
FAIRFIELD--Bent Northrup Memorial Library needs a Trustee to fill an unexpected vacancy for a term that expires in March. Meetings are on the third Thursday of each month at 4:30. Email for more info about joining their engaged and supportive board.
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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Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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