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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FESTIVALS AND SHOWS
ST. ALBANS--Afterglow 2024 fills Hard'ack with King Me, Chin Ho, and Quadra on Saturday from 1 - 9 p.m. There will be food vendors, bar service, a water truck, Bouncy House, Face Painting and new this year, the Spider Jump (bungee) plus Josh's House and more. The Outdoor Music Festival raises funds to "Shine A Light" on suicide awareness and prevention. Admission is $30-35. Age 16 and under are free. Click here for tickets and here for more info.
BANNED BOOKS WEEK
This is a dangerous time for readers and the public servants who provide access to reading materials. Readers, particularly students, are losing access to critical information, and librarians and teachers are under attack for doing their jobs," wrote Deborah Caldwell-Stone, of the American Library Association.Fantasy writer Alma Alexander's Gift of the Unmage, the first novel in her "Worldwweavers" series, was banned without explanation in Florida.
The American Library Association condemns censorship and defends each person's right to read and to have free access to information. The ALA has documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship in 2023--a 65% surge over 2022 numbers--as well as 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources. Their list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books keeps us aware of the most egregious attempts at censorship in libraries and schools.
ART ON THE WALLS
The library is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. - 7 p.m, Wednesdays and Fridays 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Click here for this month's library newsletter.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on photographer, painter, and digital artist BARBARA FLACK. 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 Where the Dim Trout Lie in the Shadows Pool a tranquil oil by Robert Aiken. It is in the Land & Light & Water & Air exhibit 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 Don Stevens is a writer and lecturer. Click here for his story and a look at his work.
ART YOU CREATE
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--Better In Boots comes to 14th Star Brewery for a night of Line Dancing in The Room on Tuesday at 6 p.m. They will have a beginner friendly instruction followed by an open dance and will take requests from all skill levels. 14th Star offers wine, seltzer, cider, and craft beer, and Grazers will have a full menu. Find them on Facebook for more info.
HUMANITIES
ST. ALBANS--Osher Lifelong Learning Institute continues the Fall weekly program series with Christopher McBride to discuss Environmental Photography in 2024: From Capture to the Wall in the Greg Brown Lodge at Hard'ack on Wednesday at 11 a.m. The natural history photographer will go behind the scenes of the process and decisions from the moment of image capture to wrapping a framed finished piece for a customer.
This semester will offer eight lectures, held from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Wednesdays through October 30. A St. Albans series membership is $40 individual/$70 couple for all eight events, or $8 per program if purchased individually. Call 802.656.8407 or email for registration questions. Click here for more info.
NORTH HERO--Meg Tamulonis tells some of the Stories from the Vermont Queer Archives at the North Hero Community Building on Friday at 5 p.m. The volunteer curator of the Archives will discuss how some objects mark milestones, from Pride events to legal rulings, and why some parts of the queer community aren't well-represented in the Archives.
Call Caroline Korejko (802.372.5458) or click here for more info.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Kelli Shepherd will teach a Crochet Pumpkins workshop at the Milton Artists' Guild Art Center on Saturday at 1 p.m. The cost is $25 for members or $30 for non-members. Click here for more info.
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. Stay for 30 minutes or the whole two hours. Click here for more info. Click here for more info.
MORRISVILLE--River Arts begins a new, four-workshop series, Accessible Arts: Therapeutic Crafts, with art instructor Karen today at 10 a.m. - noon. Classes will be held each Thursday through October 24. Ms. Karen's Accessible Arts classes are crafted to deliver comprehensive instruction to students with diverse disabilities.
Tuition is $120. Click here to enroll and for more info.
COVID NEWS
The number of cases in Vermont continues to rise. Four more Vermonters died from COVID-19 in the first week of September alone. There have been 1,190 total pandemic deaths as of September 7. 270 cases were reported in the week ending September 7.
Vermont's wastewater monitoring has shown shows that COVID-19 continues to be present 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, including the new COVID-19 vaccine and an updated flu shot. Medicare continues to cover vaccines without cost sharing. Most adults with health insurance and all children can continue to get the vaccine without cost-sharing. Vermont's universal vaccine program covers the cost of the COVID-19 vaccines at all primary care offices for adults without health insurance or whose insurance does not cover all costs. At the end of September, we will be able to order four free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov.
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.
ON STAGE LIVE
ST. ALBANS--Paws in the Park celebrates 60 years of Franklin County Animal Rescue with music, food, fun, DOGS, and more, in Taylor Park this afternoon starting at 4:30 p.m.
FCAR promotes the health and humane treatment of about 1,000 cats, kittens and dogs each year with temporary shelter for them and the goal of finding them permanent homes within the community. 500 find new homes and another 500 animals and people get 1:1 support, pet food via community food pantries, lost-and-found support and so much more. Click here for tickets and here for more info.
SOUTH HERO--Cooie Sings traditional tunes, popular songs, and originals at the Blue Paddle Bistro for Acoustic Thursday this evening at 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
Thursday-Saturday, September 19-21
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of music with Jesse Agan tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night, Matty & Me at 5 p.m., and then 90 Proof returns for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Shane's Apothecary at 5 p.m., and Toast at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Friday, September 20
NORTH HERO--Guitarist, singer, and songwriter George Murtie plays at the heated Pier Bar at the North Hero House on Friday at 5:30 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. Tonight a girl and her guitar, Laura Fedele-Rasco, plays all your favorite tunes. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Depot hosts Karaoke Night with Lady Livy Friday evening at 9 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Friday-Sunday, September 20-22
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River has shows on Friday and Saturday nights in September. Chris & Erica play Friday at 6 p.m. and the Smokey Newfield Project will come in live on Saturday if Afterglow is cancelled or rained out. Find them on Facebook for more info.
JERICHO--The Jericho Cafe and Tavern fills the weekend with Live Music in September. The Lloyd Tyler Band plays Friday. The world famous TBD performs live, opening with the traditional sound check, on Saturday night. Music starts at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ALBURGH--Kraemer & Kin family brewery has two days of music every weekend in September with Bushey and Bedell on Friday and Jazz Night with Tim Fitzgerald live on Saturday night. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
COLCHESTER--The Outdoor Summer Music Series fills the Spanked Puppy with music this weekend. Barbie-n-Bones kick it off on Friday at 6 p.m. followed by Nighthawk on Saturday at 6 p.m. "Enjoying the Outback while we still can!" Find them on Facebook for more info.
ESSEX--The Double E has two ticketed events this weekend.
98.9 WOKO and country music favorite Jamie Lee Thurston make Friday a Tex Mex night on the Old Stage on Friday at 7 p.m. with authentic Mexican cuisine from the community-run pop-up cucina Viva el Sabor. The kitchen will open at 6 p.m. Admission is $15-20. Children 12 and under are free. Click here for tickets or Find them on Facebook for more info.
Shannon Curtis brings the Good to Me Tour to the T-Rex Theater on Saturday at 7 p.m. Doors at 6. Ms. Curtis and record producer Jamie Hill offer the "synthpop + joy extravaganza," an immersive narrative journey with high-energy musical performance, storytelling, and video art. Admission is $30. Click here for tickets or find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week they host Mayhem with Arthur James and Bee Wild on Friday and Dan Jarvis returns 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, September 21
ENOSBURG FALLS--The Enosburg Harvest Festival has the Blue Rock Boys and Uncle John's Band on the Lincoln Park Bandstand on Saturday at 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
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 Blue Rock Boys play this Saturday. The market and the music continue every Saturday through October. Find them on Facebook for more info.
EAST FAIRFIELD--The Meeting House will overflow with the Americana, Celtic, bluegrass, and roots music of the Dale & Darcy Band on Saturday at 5 p.m., outdoors, weather permitting. Dale and Darcy Cahill, Neil Rossi, and Will Patton are a cohesive, tight and lively band that plays waltzes, Aires, jigs, reels, and originals all over Vermont and New England.
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.
STOWE--The Von Trapp Brewing Bierhall Summer Concert Series concludes with the Inseldudler Band for Oktoberfest all day on Saturday. Click here for tickets and more info.
ST. ALBANS--Burlington's jam band C-Groove makes its debut for a night of live music in The Room at 14th Star on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Irons & Ale has music at Champlain Country Club with McMaple 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.
Sunday, September 22
NORTH HERO--Dave Miller plays plays late '60s and early '70s easy listening and sing-a-long music on the heated Pier Bar at the North Hero House on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page Mystery Book Club meets to discuss "Deja Dead" by Kathy Reichs on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The novel is the first in the "Bones" series with Temperance Brennan who, on the discovery of a meticulously dismembered corpse stashed in trash bags, detects an alarming pattern and she plunges into a harrowing search for a killer. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council Writers' Group meets in person at the Swanton Free Public Library this evening at 6 p.m. They meet the third Thursday of each month to share progress and join in the discussion about longer projects and anything else about writing, reading, publishing, and more. Email Becky Rupp or the Swanton Library 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.
