| VOLUME 28 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | December 5, 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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ST. ALBANS--The Festival of Trees begins the magical month to usher in the holidays with the Running of the Bells, the Monte Carlo Holiday Festival, band concerts, Santa, and more. FESTIVALS AND FESTIVITIES
The 14th annual Running of the Bells has a costume contest and one-mile fun run, all starting at 5 p.m. in Taylor Park. The Girls That Grow VT Taco Truck and Green Mountain Kettle Corn will be on-site. The entry fee is $10 per person. Click here for tickets and more info.
The Monte Carlo Holiday Gala is "opulence, glitz and glamour combined" in city hall on Friday evening at 7 - 11 p.m. The casino style event has fabulous prizes and will raise money for local organizations. The theme is 40s-50s style. Mill River Brewing will provide delicious appetizers and a cash bar, and DJ Bun will play for dancers late into the night. Admission is $40 per person or $70 per couple. Click here for tickets and more info.
City Hall will fill with entertainment and an art activity for the whole family on Saturday at 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. An BFA and MVU band concert will many other local school bands. The Girl Scouts will have coffee and hot cocoa.
Visit Santa's Workshop as the Saint Albans Museum brings the North Pole to the St. Mary's Parish Center on Saturday at 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Meet Santa and do holiday crafts in a free event.
The 6th Annual Lighted Jeep Ride parades "topless" through St. Albans on Saturday starting at 5 p.m. in Franklin Park West.
The Vermont Choral Union with Montreal's L'Harmonie des Saisons will perform Handel's Messiah at Holy Angels Church on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $0-70 (free for children and students and up to $70 for premium seating). Click here for tickets and more info.
14th Star will host a Christmas Vacation themed Holiday Party on Sunday at 5 - 8 p.m.
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.
FRANKLIN--Franklin Rec and the Haston Library kick off the holidays with the 8th annual Tree Lighting and Community Holiday Concert in front of the library on Friday at 6 p.m.
Join together after the Tree Lighting for carols and fellowship at the Dick Wright Pub at 6:30 - 10 p.m. Bring your own hot cocoa or other warming beverage. Accompaniment and lyric sheets are provided. Find them on Facebook for more info.
NORTH HERO--A Celebration of the Winter Season brings food, drinks music, and activities to the Back Chamber, Green TARA, Hero's Welcome, North Hero House, and the North Hero Library on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The North Hero Library has crafts, hot cocoa, and treats on Friday from 9 - 2 p.m. and Saturday from 9 - 2 p.m.
The Back Chamber hosts a Holiday Market on Friday and Saturday from 11 - 4 p.m.
North Hero House offers the Lighting of the Tree and caroling on Friday at 6:30pm. and Storytelling by the Fire with the Willem Lange story, Favor Story, told by Karl Raacke on Saturday at 8 p.m.
The Green TARA has an Artisans Market on Saturday at 11 - 5 p.m.
Other events include stocking stuffers, candlelit yoga, holiday cocktails, lots of food, and more. Find the entire schedule on Facebook.
MORRISTOWN--MACC presents the 24th Festival of Lights with Peak Music, free crafts, raffle baskets, clay studio planters and more on Saturday at 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Create festive light catchers in the craft center at 10:30 - 1 p.m. Potted Paperwhites one of a kind planters made by Clay Studio Members as well as Raffle Basket tickets are for sale at 10:30 - 2 p.m. Peak Music performs at 2 p.m.
Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS TOWN--The Town of St. Albans hosts the Spectacular Holly Jolly Jamboree at the Bay with hot chocolate, holiday crafts, face painting, a visit from Santa, and the tree lighting, all on Saturday at 4:30 - 6 p.m.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on fiber artist Janice DeCooman, watercolorist and mixed media artist Dorothy Goulet, fine art photographer Sarah McGarghan, and fiber folk artist Sally Tarr with a live reception at the gallery this evening at 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. A.I.R. will continue celebrating the monthly Featured Artists online and on Facebook. ART ON THE WALLS
The art and fine craft cooperative 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.
SHELBURNE--Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery opens Wintertide, its annual Winter Show, with an Opening Reception on Friday at 5 - 7 p.m. Gail Salzman of Fairfax is featured with a framed series of her newest paintings completed this year. Also featured are Bonnie Acker, Miriam Adams, Elizabeth Allen, Anne Austin, Sam Colt, Nancy Diefenbach, Leslie Fry, Kate Longmaid, Mario Messina, Elizabeth Nelson, Jessica Scriver, Carolyn Shattuck, Dianne Shullenberger, David Smith, and Barbara Wagner. The show continues through January 31.
"This is it," Ms. Salzman said about the season "when we look forward to warm gatherings bringing friends and family and art together."
Click here for more info.
JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery features Hillcrest View, a pointillist New England pastel by local artist Daryl Storrs. It is in the Legacy collection 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.
NORTH HERO--The Back Chamber hosts a Holiday Market on Friday and Saturday from 11 - 4 p.m. and the Green TARA has an Artisans Market on Saturday at 11 - 5 p.m., all as part of the North Hero Celebration of the Winter Season. ART FOR SALE
WASHINGTON, CT--The Institute for American Indian Studies annual Holiday Market is open on Saturdays and Sundays through December 15 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. The market has one-of-a-kind holiday gifts from local and indigenous vendors selling crafts and Native American jewelry, and books by a range of indigenous authors, including many from our region. Admission to the museum and market is free. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ONLINE--Vermont Humanities has two online events this week. HUMANITIES
The Fletcher Free Library Book Club discusses The Fraud by Zadie Smith in a digital only event on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Based on real historical events, the novel is about truth and fiction, Jamaica and Britain, fraudulence and authenticity, and the mystery of "other people." "Register for this free event" for the link to the stream. Call the Fletcher Free Library (802.863.3403) or click here to register and for more info.
Vermont writer Sarah Stewart Taylor discusses Paranoia in the Hills: Cold War Vermont as Inspiration for Crime Fiction at St. Johnsbury Athenaeum and online on Wednesday at 7 p.m. She will use her creation of Agony Hill, her novel set in 1960s Vermont. "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.
SOUTH HERO--The South Hero Players presents It's a Wonderful Life: a Live Radio Play in a four-performance run at Snow Farm Winery with shows this evening, Friday, and Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. and one matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m. Inspired by the holiday classic film, the play is performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience. The ensemble cast brings the story of idealistic George Bailey to life on stage with a few dozen characters and all the sound effects. THEATER
Admission is $20-22. Email or click here for tickets and 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
MORRISVILLE--River Arts has two workshops this week.
The December Open Studio Figure Drawing offers a full nude session today at 3:30 p.m. There will be a combination of short and medium-length poses, and a a longer-form pose at the end. River Arts limits nude sessions to ages 16 and older. This session isn't just for figure drawing; sculptors, painters, and photographers are welcome. The cost is $15 with pre-registration preferred. Click here to register and for more info.
Macrame Sleigh Bells with Karen is an indoor winter experience on Wednesday at 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. The class is a special DIY macrame workshop using a variety of basic knots. The cost is $60. Click here to register and for more info.
The 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that Vermont teens' mental health has not improved and that students are "reporting self-harm and making suicide plans at the same rates as during the pandemic." COVID NEWS
About 19 percent of Vermonters have gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine and 27 percent have gotten a flu shot, according to the Vermont Department of Health dashboard. Franklin County residents have even lower rates of protection: only 14% have the updated COVID-19 vaccine and 23 percent have gotten a flu shot.
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 and MC.16 remain the dominant circulating variant although XEC specimens are increasing. The current vaccine formula 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. 51 cases were reported in the week ending November 23, down from the week before. In total, 1,229 pandemic deaths have been reported as of November 23, meaning COVID claimed two more Vermonters' lives in the past week.
Vermont's wastewater monitoring has shown shows that the levels of the virus ticked up slightly in Montpelier. 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, December 5 ON STAGE LIVE
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro hosts Acoustic Thursday most Thursday evenings at 5 - 7 p.m.
Mandy Hotchkiss and Wilbur are walking 31 miles to help the American Cancer Society fight for a world without cancer. One mile a day for 31 days started Sunday. Ms. Hotchkiss wrote, "Please consider donating a minimum of $1." Click here for more info.
Click here for more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--Sparky's hosts a Blues Night with Jim Branca, this evening at 5 - 9 p.m. The Winter Blues will continue on the first and third Thursday of each month. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Thursday-Saturday, December 5-7
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of music with the Nobby Reed Project tonight at 6 p.m., two shows Friday night, Josh Panda and Peter Day at 5 p.m., followed by the Phil Abair Band with Keeghan Nolan 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 the Dirty Looks starting at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Friday, December 6
COLCHESTER--Ryan Hanson plays in the live and free Friday Night Live Music at the Spanked Puppy on Friday at 6 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.
ESSEX--The Double E presents Bells on Bobtails with Dwight & Nicole and Friends for a night of original music as well as holiday traditionals on Saturday at 8 p.m. Guests will include Dave Grippo, Dave Marchand, Mike and Tessa Gordon, Ezra Oklan, Leon Campos, Ben Lively, the Resistance Revival Chorus and more. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Troy's Toy Drive. The first 50 music or art unused toys will receive free cd of The Jaguar, The Raven, and The Snake, the latest release from Dwight & Nicole. Admission is $0-30. Click here for tickets or find them on Facebook for more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--Sparky's presents McMaple live on Friday at 8 p.m. "Come early for dinner and drinks and stay for the music." Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Depot presents a Wonderfully Camp Little Christmas with A Woman Named Carlos and Vanna Deux on Friday night at 8 p.m. The high energy, holiday drag show is a "zany and raunchy Christmas special." General admission is $25. Tickets are available at the Depot or click here .for tickets and more info.
Friday-Sunday, December 6-8
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River has shows on Friday and Saturday nights in December. Cooper, Bob Recupero, plays Friday and Justice 3 is live on Saturday night. Music starts about 5:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--"'Tis the season to get merry!" Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week they host Robin Gottfried on Friday and Sister Speak 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, December 7
ST. ALBANS--Northwest Winter Farmers Market has moved indoors with live music, handmade crafts, locally grown food, prepared foods, free kids activities at St. Lukes Episcopal Church on Saturday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The market and the music continue every other Saturday through December 21. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents the Bootleg Band for a night of live music in The Room on Saturday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ALBURGH--Kraemer & Kin family brewery has Music Saturday on Saturday night. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
JOHNSON--"Vermont is busting at the seams with funny people." Moog's Joint hosts the LMAOille County Comedy Winter Showcase with Maggie Pierce, Rob Hale, Matt Vandy, Maddie McLennon, Brian Thompson, and Meredith Gordon, all introduced by Ian Paul on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Admission is $10. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The First Baptist Church presents Summer Sounds favorite Carol Ann Jones for a Holiday Concert and Sing-along on Saturday at 7 p.m.
ST. ALBANS--The Vermont Choral Union with Montreal's two-time Juno Award-winning baroque ensemble L'Harmonie des Saisons will perform Handel's Messiah at Holy Angels Church on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Festival of Trees. Admission is $0-70 (free for children and students and up to $70 for premium seating). Click here for tickets and more info.
Sunday, December 8
ENOSBURG--The Community Chorus and the Enosburg Town Band present the annual Holiday Concert at the Opera House at Enosburg Falls on Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is free. Call 802.933.6171 or click here for more info.
Plan ahead. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever comes Friday and Saturday, December 13-14.
Wednesday, December 11
ST. ALBANS--The monthly Blues Jam continues at Twiggs, hosted by Vermont's leading blues man, Nobby Reed and the House Band, on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Blues Jam blows out the speakers at Twiggs on the second Wednesday of each month. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--It's a busy holiday week at the Eloquent Page with two new books by local writers and two book clubs getting together over a third book. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
Jackson Ellis will sign his book Black Days on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. His science fiction hoax becomes a psychological thriller. Then writer and owner of Siber sled dog, Milagro Amaya Turner read and sign Siber Sled Dogs \with the help of one of her Siberian Huskies on Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Mystery and Fantasy Book Clubs join forces to discuss Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The mystery with a supernatural twist starts with probationary Constable Grant dreaming of being a detective in London's Metropolitan Police. As a wave of brutal and bizarre murders engulfs the city, he plunges into a world with a long-dead evil making a comeback on a rising tide of magic.
Find them on Facebook 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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