| VOLUME 29 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | February 20, 2025 |
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 Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on potter Marissa Mason. Ms. Mason is one of this month's featured artists at the gallery. 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
STOWE--Bryan Memorial Gallery hosts a live painting session with local artist David Pound on Saturday at 1 - 3 p.m. His new oil, the Long Flight Home, is in the Stowe Gallery and on Facebook .
The gallery has exhibits of the landscape painters of New England. The Stowe Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 - 5, and the main showcase in Jeffersonville is closed for the winter break. Appointments are available. Call ahead (802.644.5100) to schedule or Click here for more info.
SWANTON--The Creative HeART and the Swanton Free Public Library host a Community Art Swap at the library on Saturday at 12 noon - 3 p.m. Drop off new and gently used art supplies at the library. "Shop"/trade with other art enthusiasts and community members on Saturday. Free. Click here for more info. ART SWAP
ST. ALBANS--Awaken Yoga & Creative Arts Studio and Kreations by Katherine host a Winter Wonderland Paint Night on Friday at 5:30 p.m. The party includes all material, snacks, and laughs. The cost is $40. Click here for tickets or find them on Facebook for tickets and more info. ART YOU CREATE
ST. ALBANS and ONLINE--The Saint Albans Museum SAM Talks hosts Stories from the Vermont Queer Archives with Meg Tamulonis from the Vermont Humanities Speakers Bureau in the Bliss Room and online Saturday at 1 p.m. The volunteer curator of the Vermont Queer Archives will present objects such as banners, T-shirts, and buttons from the Archives to discuss how these objects mark various milestones. These talks are free and open to the public. Email or click here to register for the link to the stream and for more info. HUMANITIES
ONLINE--Vermont Humanities has two hybrid events this week.
VHC hosts the ongoing book discussion of Gather by Vermont writer Kenneth Cadow, facilitated by Suzanne Brown in-person at the Blake Memorial Library and on Zoom on Saturday at 2 p.m. The award-winning debut novel tells a challenging coming-of-age in rural Vermont story. It is the 2024 Vermont Reads book. Call Vermont Humanities (802.262.2626) or Click here to register and for more info.
Clemson professor Jonathan Beecher Field Revisits the Royalton Raid in-person at the Brownell Library and on Zoom on Wednesday at 7 p.m. "Register for this free event" for the link to the stream. Call Vermont Humanities (802.262.2626) or click here or here to register and for more info.
MORRISVILLE--The River Arts Mindful Art Series continues with Paint Play led by Jen Volansky today at 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Play with paint and watch the unexpected unfold. The cost is $30. Click here to register and for more info. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild has two workshops this week.
Joanne Delaney begins two, four-week Beginner/Basic Drawing Classes at the Milton Artists' Guild Art Center on Saturday. Classes will continue on Saturdays through March 15. The class is for anyone with little or no drawing experience. There will be classes for two different age groups each Saturday. The cost is $80. Click here for more info and a materials list.
Social Sundays continue at MAG 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.
ST. ALBANS--The Saint Albans Museum SAM Workshop Series offers Queer Crafts with Lindsay Di Dio of Blue Heron Art Studio in the Bliss Room on Saturday at 10 a.m. The casual craft hour offers a chance to socialize and create simple mosaic-style coasters. Part of a day of gathering in the Bliss Room, this workshop is a companion for the afternoon talk, Stories from the Vermont Queer Archives. Click here for more info.
MONTGOMERY--The Montgomery Center for the Arts begins a three Tatting Workshop series with artist Veronica de Saint Phalle at the MCA on Sunday at 10 a.m. Workshops will continue March 2 and 9. Tatting is not crochet or knitting. It is a fabric of slip knots made with a shuttle and fine fingerwork. The cost is $75. Click here for reservations and more info.
ONLINE--Host Alex Foltz continues Season 2 of Foltz Studio with Episode 2 in a series of outdoor oil painting lessons, this week in Montgomery. This episode finds the historic Longley Covered Bridge is a perfect model for Plein-Air painting on Northwest Access TV and on YouTube.
Foltz Studio opened Season 2 on a whole new level last week, up on he roof in St Albans and on YouTube.
Still only about 23 percent of Vermonters have gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine (not much change in the last few weeks) and 34 percent have gotten a flu shot, according to the Vermont Department of Health dashboard. Franklin County residents have even lower rates of protection: still just 17% have the updated COVID-19 vaccine and 29 percent have gotten a flu shot (unchanged for two weeks). Adults 65 and over, or aged 18-64 who are severely immunocompromised, are eligible for a booster dose every six months. Even Vermonters over age 75 are not getting RSV shots--just 32% statewide and only 26% in Franklin County have rolled up their sleeves for that protection. 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 in the population. XEC remains the dominant circulating variant while KP.3 and MC specimens are present at higher levels than the other variants. The current vaccine formula protects against serious outcomes of all current variants of the virus.
COVID case counts are not trivial. 162 cases were reported in the week ending February 1, down from 189 the week before. In total, 1,258 pandemic deaths have been reported as of February 12, meaning COVID claimed another six lives in Vermont in the past week.
Vermont's wastewater monitoring has shown shows that the levels of the virus are increasing in Essex and South Burlington, and are down from the January peak but remain very high 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 COVID-19 vaccine, an updated flu shot, and RSV protection. 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 still 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, February 20 ON STAGE LIVE
ST. ALBANS--The BFA-St. Albans Improv Team returns to Twiggs for a special Comedy for a Cause show to benefit the Samaritan House this evening at 6 p.m. Admission is by donation at the door. "This event always attracts a big, enthusiastic audience, so arrive early." 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.
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro often hosts Acoustic Thursday on Thursday evenings at 5 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
ENOSBURG--The Opera House at Enosburg Falls presents Jazz at the House this evening at 6:30 p.m. Doors at 6. The evening of music features Vermont's finest jazz musicians and the Richford Jr.-Sr. and Enosburg Middle & High Schools Jazz Clinic students. Admission is free. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--Sparky's hosts a Blues Night with the Vermont Blues Society, this evening at 6 - 9 p.m. The Winter Blues will continue on the first and third Thursday of each month. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Friday, February 21
COLCHESTER--Justice 3 plays hard 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.
FRANKLIN--The new Dick Wright Pub presents the Missisquoi River Trio on Friday at 6 p.m. Pat Murphy, Cindy Weed, and Jim Weed play originals and traditional bluegrass music with three-part harmonies. 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.
SOUTH HERO--Summer Sounds favorite Carol Ann Jones plays the Friday Night Wine Down inside the tasting room at Snow Farm Vineyard on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The Winter Wine Down Music Series continues inside the wineries with well known musicians, wine, and food every Friday through March 28. Click here for the menu and more info.
WINOOSKI--Tim Brick returns to the Dumb Luck Pub on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ENOSBURG--V! A Night of Vivacious Variety returns to the Opera House at Enosburg Falls on Friday at 8 p.m. Doors at 7 for shopping and food and drink.
From Ancient Rome and the Moulin Rouge, to circus sideshows and underground speakeasies, burlesque has been swirling up our deepest desires for centuries. The Art of the Tease is in the House with an adult-themed variety show with live music, cabaret, comedy, and burlesque talent. Admission is $25. Click here for tickets and more info.
Friday-Sunday, February 21-23
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap has Sticks & Stones for late night music on Friday night plus Aftermath live on Saturday night. Music starts at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star Brewing Company has two events this weekend.
Next Stop Comedy plays live on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The former Boston Comedy Club brings stand-up comedians to local venues. Admission is $25. Click here for tickets or find them on Facebook for more info.
Vermont's famed bluesman, the Nobby Reed Project, returns to the Taproom Stage at 14th Star on Saturday at 6 p.m. No cover charge. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River has shows on Friday and Saturday nights in February. Nate Michaud plays Friday and McMaple pours it on on Saturday night. Music starts about 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
JERICHO--The Jericho Cafe and Tavern fills the weekend with Live Music in February. The Blue Rock Boys play Friday. The John Daly Band performs live on Saturday night. Music starts at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Irons & Ale and the Clean Spoon join forces for a Bare Bones BBQ at Champlain Country Club on Friday night at 5 p.m. Reservations are highly encouraged. 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. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week they host John Geno on Friday and Kippincoe featuring Kip de Moll 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, February 22
ESSEX JUNCTION--Sparky's presents Jonny Mop for the first time live on Saturday at 8 p.m. "Come early for dinner and drinks and stay for the alternative to hard rock mix." Find them on Facebook for more info.
MORRISVILLE--Live Music at Moog's Place presents Jesse Taylor and Michael Perry on Sunday at 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Sunday, February 23
BURLINGTON--Foam Brewers presents Summer Sounds favorite Tyler Mast solo on Sunday at 1 p.m. Click here for more info.
KEY COLONY BEACH, FL--The KCB Community Association Concerts in Sunset Park series continue with the Lady A Band live in the new tiki in Sunset Park on Sunday at 4 p.m. Free. Click here for more info.
FAIRFIELD--The Bent Northrop Memorial Library Book Sale begins Saturday and continues through March 8. "Come in during open hours, and grab a whole bag or box." Prices are by donation and directly support BNML. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
Franklin County Photogs with Harry Goldhagen hosts a virtual Zoom group at Bent Northrop Memorial Library on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The group meets monthly to share and learn about photography. Join the Zoom Meeting with passcode: 311344 or click here for the Zoom link and more info.
HIGHGATE--The Highgate Library and Community Center continues the Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour on Monday at 10 a.m. The program is a community connect to brainstorm opportunities for senior support. Each week will also include coffee and tea, as well as fresh pastries. The program will run every Monday morning and is free for anyone 55 and older. Registration is mandatory as space is limited. Call the Library (802.868.3970) to register and for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Free Library hosts Mornings, Muffins, and Mysteries to discuss An Honest Man by Michael Koryta this morning at 10:30 a.m. The book offers the perfect mystery with heart-warming and despicable characters in the fishing industry of Maine. The group reads a variety of mystery genres and meets the third Thursday of each month in the Martha Dalton Meeting Room. 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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