| VOLUME 28 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | November 28, 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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Happy Thanksgiving.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY--All the local sellers of the arts are open this weekend. ART FOR SALE
ALBURGH--Kraemer & Kin opens the doors for a double decker Maker's Market on Friday and Saturday at 2 - 6 p.m.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star Brewing Company holds a Sip & Shop on Small Business Saturday in the Room on Saturday at 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Enjoy a craft beer, wine, or hard cider while shopping for holiday treasures at booths from local vendors. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Masonic Lodge presents a Holiday Bazaar and Black Friday Craft Fair on Saturday at 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. There will be hand crafted gifts, over 20 vendors, food vendors, a 50/50 raffle, pull tabs, and more.
ST. ALBANS--The Festival of Trees ushers in the holiday season beginning with the Tree Walk on Saturday. FESTIVALS
The Tree Lighting and Hallmark in the Park takes over Taylor Park with Santa and the elves, Christmas caroling, music and lights, hot cocoa and candy canes, community tree decorating and so much more, all on Saturday at 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Girl Scout Troop 30456 and Boy Scout Troop 842 host Winter Games in Taylor Park to shake off the winter blues on Monday at 4:30 - 6 p.m. There will be a live chess game, s'mores , the musical dot game a fake snowball fight (unless we get real snow), cup stacking, and (weather permitting) the gaga ball pit.
Awaken Yoga Studio hosts the Holiday Paint Party for I'll Be Gnome For Christmas on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $45.
St. Albans Rec and the Welden Theater present the free Holiday Movie on Wednesday at 7 p.m. "We don't know the title yet, but we know it will be awesome."
The all-volunteer organization offers a week of free family and cultural entertainment and raises funds for Manahan Feed A Family, Care Partners Adult Daycare, Franklin County Animal Rescue, and the Josh Pallotta Fund--Josh's House. Click here for more info.
SWANTON--Christmas in the Park is the annual kick-off of the holiday season on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. There will be twinkling holiday lights, cookies, hot chocolate, carolers, wagon rides around the park, a highlander cow, and a visit with the guest of honor, Santa.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on potter Gillian Ireland. 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 Backyards a new oil by Nathaniel Williams. It is in the Stowe 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.
MILTON--The Milton Artists Guild had an unexpected store closure but they are open for the Thanksgiving weekend. The MAG art center and gallery showcases the work of over 145+ artist members in Milton Square behind the Milton Post Office. 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.
SWANTON--The Vermont Abenaki Artists Association features certified fine, decorative, and performing artists officially labeled as "American Indian" under Federal law.
Aaron York is a traditional artist, educator, public speaker, mentor, and owner of the Red Child Studio of Fine Wabanaki Arts. Click here for his story and a look at his work.
This Giving Tuesday, you can help continue arts presentation and programming around Franklin County. Every donation, no matter how big or small, supports local artists and events, allowing them to enrich lives for years to come. Any contribution, large or small, stays in the community. GIVING TUESDAY
ONLINE--The Vermont Abenaki Artists Association presents Stories of Resilience: Abenaki Tribal Garden on YouTube. Chief Shirly Hook and Doug Bent started the garden to preserve heirloom seeds, educate people of all ages about growing their own food and practicing traditional skills, and to feed not only those in the Koasek of the Koas tribe, but also the elderly in their community. HUMANITIES
ONLINE--Reporter and historian Chris Graff will discuss Fifty Years that Transformed Vermont at Rutland Free Library and online on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Since 1974, Vermont has changed from "red to blue," from George Aiken to Bernie, from Robert Frost to Julia Alvarez. "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.
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
SOUTH HERO--Snow Farm Vineyard and Once Upon a Rock host a Pebble Art Workshop for some fun before the new moon on Sunday at 2 p.m. This workshop will use pebbles, rocks, stones, driftwood, and lake glass to create artwork. From framed pieces to candle holders, each piece is unique. Sip on brews while they provide guidance and inspiration; what you make will be completely your own creation.
The cost is $35. Click here for tickets and more info.
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.
About 18 percent of Vermonters have gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine and 26 percent have gotten a flu shot, according to the Vermont Department of Health dashboard. Franklin County residents have even lower rates of protection: Still only 13 percent have the updated COVID-19 vaccine and 22 percent have gotten a flu shot. COVID NEWS
COVID-19 is still here whether Vermonters get the shot or not. Variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continue to emerge. KP.3 remains the dominant circulating variant although KP.1 and MEC specimens are increasing. The current vaccine formula targets KP.2 variants and better protects against serious outcomes of all current variants of the virus.
COVID hospitalizations and deaths continue to ease after shooting up in August and September but respiratory illnesses do surge as we move indoors for the winter. 44 cases were reported in the week ending November 20, down from the week before. In total, 1,228 pandemic deaths have been reported as of November 20, meaning COVID claimed another Vermonter's life in the past week.
Vermont's wastewater monitoring has shown shows that the levels of the virus in Vermont ticked up slightly in St. Albans. 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." 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. We can now order four free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The tests available for order are rapid antigen, at-home tests requiring no lab drop-off. Many COVID-19 tests have longer shelf life and extended expiration dates.
My own plan remains unchanged, especially since our precautions have waned and the current variants dodge all but the most up-to-date immunity. I got the COVID, Flu, and RSV 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, November 28 ON STAGE LIVE
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro hosts Acoustic Thursday this evening at 5 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
Friday, November 29
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, November 29-December 1
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap has two shows Friday night, Dan Parks at 5 p.m., followed by the Soul Rockerz for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Kyle Stevens at 5 p.m., and moonbird starting at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River has shows on Friday and Saturday nights in November. Tom Bisson plays Friday and the Rustics live on Saturday. Music starts about 5:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
JERICHO--The Jericho Cafe and Tavern fills the weekend with Live Music in November. The famed TBD plays Friday. The Shane Murley Band 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 they host Ryan Hanson on Friday and Cooper 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, November 30
ALBURGH--Kraemer & Kin family brewery has the Missisquoi River Band live on Saturday night at the special time of 5 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star goes jerborning with Jerborn for a night of live music in The Room on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Virtual music and events continue this week. ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE
NW Access TV recorded its Annual Meeting. The pictures and presentations are on YouTube.
Island Arts clarinet and sax player and teacher Tony Pietricola talked with host Toni Basanta on the Havana Fairfax Connection at LCATV.org
NW Access TV showcased the 24th annual Franklin County Quilt Show in St. Albans City Hall on YouTube. The Quilters Guild show was ablaze with spring colors with over 100 quilts, from bed-sized to miniatures as well as handcrafted items in the guild boutique.
Summer Sounds favorite Mark Shelton sang "Elvis and More" on Facebook on Friday. Follow him on Facebook for a link to this week's offerings.
Most libraries will be closed today and tomorrow for Thanksgiving. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
HIGHGATE--The Highgate Library and Community Center offers Christmas Card Making for all ages on Saturday at 12 noon - 2 p.m. Registration is required. Call the library (802.868.3970) to register and 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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Dick Harper, Chair
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Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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