| VOLUME 29 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | March 6, 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 Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on potter Barbara Colgrove, cell phone photographer Barbara Flack, ceramics artist Barbara Flathers, and painter Patrick Murphy with a live reception at the gallery this evening at 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. 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.
MORRISVILLE--River Arts hosts the 10th annual Art100 fundraiser on Saturday at 6 - 8 p.m. The price of admission gets you and a guest in the door and each ticket equals one entry for the raffle. Every ticket is a winner. A live raffle ball pick means take your favorite piece of artwork right off the wall. This year collection includes paintings, pottery, textiles, and more. Admission is $100 per couple. Click here for tickets and more info.
MONTGOMERY--Nature's Palette--Art Inspired by the Earth continues at Montgomery Center for the Arts. The Homage to Environment honors, thanks, reveres, and celebrates the natural world around us. The exhibit will culminate with a reception on the Spring Equinox to celebrate works of art from our community members and beyond. The exhibition is free and open to everyone. Click here for more info.
STOWE--Last week we looked at Majestic Mount Mansfield. This week, Bryan Memorial Gallery features Manure Pile Below Junior's Farm by Jack Hay. 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 for the season Wednesday-Sunday 11 - 4 and the Stowe Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 - 5. Appointments are available. Call ahead (802.644.5100) to schedule or click here for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council hosts Cardmaking with Barb in the Maker Space of the Swanton Free Public Library today at 2 - 4 p.m. All supplies are provided and the $5 fee is credited to any supplies ordered through Stampin' Up. ART YOU CREATE
The card making workshops take place the first Thursday of each month. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Call Barb Switzer (802.752.7917) or email Barb Switzer or the Swanton Library , or click here to register or for more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star Brewing Company and Once Upon a Rock host a Pebble Art Workshop this evening at 6 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 or dinner from Grazers while they provide guidance and inspiration; what you make will be completely your own creation.
The cost is $35. Find them on Facebook for more info or click here for tickets and more info.
ST. ALBANS--Osher Lifelong Learning Institute continues the Spring weekly program series with Nathan Wiegman to discuss How to Build an Electric Aircraft in the Greg Brown Lodge at Hard'ack this morning at 11 a.m. Mr. Wiegman is a test engineer at BETA Technologies, the South Burlington-based aerospace manufacturer of electric aircraft for the cargo, medical passenger, and military aviation industries. He will discuss designing, building and testing an airplane with a large focus on the test activities in BETA's St. Albans facility. HUMANITIES
This semester will offer eight lectures, held from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Thursdays through April 10. 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.
AROUND THE STATE and ONLINE--Vermont Humanities has two hybrid "Snapshot" events this week.
The Snapshot Series continues as Linus Owens discusses Not Just Punks & Recreation: The Values of 242 Main at Fletcher Free Library and online this afternoon at 5 p.m. "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.
The Snapshot Series also offers M. D. Usher discusses Fire Sermons: Shakyamuni, Seneca, and Thoreau on Climate Trauma at Brownell Library and online on Wednesday at 4 p.m. "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.
JEFFERSONVILLE--Vermont Humanities has traveled through Canada with four books that make manifest Canada's cultural diversity, continuing with 16 stories by Alistair MacLeod in Island at Varnum Memorial Library and online on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Canadian writer tells of the importance of tradition, the beauty of the landscape, and the necessity of memory. Call Vermont Humanities (802.262.2626) or click here for more info.
MORRISVILLE--The River Arts October March 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. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
CONCORD NH and KITTERY ME--The David Surette Mandolin Festival features Will Patton, Neil Pearlman, Sharon Gilchrist, and Carlo Alonzo at the Concord Community Music School on Friday through Sunday. The schedule includes a Kickoff Concert at Kittery Dance Hall on Friday, two days of participatory workshops and jams in Concord on Saturday and Sunday, and the Festival Concert in Concord Saturday evening. Click here for more info.
ONLINE--Host Alex Foltz continues Season 2 of Foltz Studio with Episode 5 in a series of outdoor oil painting lessons, this week in Montgomery. The "magic of Plein-Air painting" is on Northwest Access TV and on YouTube.
MILTON--Milton Artists' Guild has three workshops queued up this week.
Carolyn Kittell leads Needle Felting at the MAG Art Center on Saturday at 1 p.m. All materials provided free of charge. The cost is $35. Click here for more info.
Social Sundays continue at the MAG 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.
Learn Zentangle with Julia Davenport is at the MAG Art Center on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Zentangle is a drawing technique invented by the monk Rick Roberts and artist Maria Thomas to combine meditation and art. The cost is $25. Click here to reserve a seat and for more info.
The Vermont Department of Health has stopped publishing data on COVID-19 cases and deaths in its weekly reports as they transition to "to a format similar to other respiratory viruses like the flu" because, they note, the case data has become "less meaningful." That leaves this column very little to report about the respiratory viruses. COVID NEWS
COVID-19 hasn't disappeared even if the reports do. Vermonters continue to need hospitalization and fatalities continue to increase.
Still only about 24 percent of Vermonters have gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine 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: just 18% have the updated COVID-19 vaccine and 30 percent have gotten a flu shot. 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 27% in Franklin County have rolled up their sleeves for that protection.
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. More than 60% of the cases are the XEC variant while LP.8.1 specimens are increasing and MC continues to get squeezed. The current vaccine formula protects against serious outcomes of all current variants of the virus.
COVID case counts are not trivial but the health department reports that case data "has become a less meaningful indicator." That's because health care providers and laboratories reports are very limited basis. The same is true for death data as COVID-19 has shifted from the underlying cause of most COVID-associated deaths to a "contributing cause." In total, the underlying cause of 1,258 deaths of Vermonters have been reported as of February 12.
Vermont's wastewater monitoring has shown shows that the virus is present at most sites with an uptick at the Montpelier station. 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.
This may be this column's final report on the disease but 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, especially when we don't have a lot of data from our surroundings. 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, March 6 ON STAGE LIVE
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro often hosts Acoustic Thursday on Thursday evenings at 5 - 7 p.m. Click here for more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--The Vermont Blues Society hosts a Blues Jam at Sparky's 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.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs and CarePartners Adult Day Center host Comedy for a Cause with Vermont's Funniest Comedian, Levi Silverstein, this evening at 7 p.m. Doors at 5 for dinner. Admission is $25 or more. Click here for tickets and more info.
Friday, March 7
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents the six-piece Shane Murley Band for a night of classic Americana, country, and alternative rock live in The Room 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.
SOUTH HERO--She Was Right 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.
ST. ALBANS--The Depot has Karaoke Night live with DJ Lady Livy on Friday at 9 p.m. Admission is free. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Friday-Sunday, March 7-9
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap has two shows on Friday night, Raised by Hippies at 5 p.m. and then the debut of Swamp Frog at 9 p.m. plus the famed TBA live on Saturday night. 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 March. Kyle Steven leads Karaoke on Friday and Jerborn is live on Saturday. 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 March. The Lloyd Tyler Band plays Friday. Bob and Mona perform 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 Will Austin tickles the ivories on Friday and veteran bluesman Arthur James plays 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.
CONCORD NH and KITTERY ME--The David Surette Mandolin Festival features two concerts with Will Patton, Neil Pearlman, Sharon Gilchrist, Carlo Alonzo, and Susie Isa, and Julianna Burke. The Kickoff Concert at Kittery Dance Hall is Friday. The Festival Concert is at Concord Community Music School on Saturday evening. Music starts at 7:30 p.m. Click here for tickets and more info.
Sunday, March 9
KEY COLONY BEACH, FL--The KCB Community Association Concerts in Sunset Park series continues with the Rick Lieder Band live in the new tiki in Sunset Park on Sunday at 4 p.m. Free. Click here for more info.
Wednesday, March 12
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.
Plan Ahead
EAST FAIRFIELD--The Meeting House and the Fairfield Community Center begin the Meeting House Concert Series with the Vermont Mandolin Trio in their first Franklin County appearance next Saturday, March 15 at 7 p.m. The trio of Jamie Masefield, Will Patton and Matt Flinner adds bassist Pat Melvin to three of Vermont's finest mandolinists for an evening of eclectic music ranging from Bill Monroe to Benny Goodman and Philip Glass to Norman Blake, along with plenty of their own originals.
Call Nance Shaw (802.827.6626) or click here for more info.
Virtual music and events continue this week. ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE
The "irreverent and irreplaceable" (and Summer Sounds favorites) Oleo Romeos brought their amiable disregard for good taste to the Meeting House on the Green and, thanks to NW Access TV, to YouTube.
13 year old pianist Lucas Chiche plays Vivaldi on YouTube. The "walk-on" is a setup, of course, but who cares? Born in Geneva in 2011, the young pianist's passion for music began at the age of 4. At the age of 6, he entered the Geneva Conservatory of Music, and a year later joined the Musimax program for gifted children. He has already performed in Carnegie Hall, Geneva's Victoria Hall, and Moscow's Tchaikovsky Hall.
Summer Sounds favorite Mark Shelton saw a shark walking by at Key Colony Beach Day so he sang Mack the Knife to it in person and on Facebook . He also sang to the world and to Facebook on Tuesday. Follow him on Facebook for a link to this week's offerings.
FAIRFIELD--Bent Northrop Memorial Library begins a Fiber Arts Circle on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. It is a new group to have a cozy morning by the fireplace, sipping coffee or tea while knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, embroidering, felting, quilting, or chatting. All ages and abilities are welcome, but there is no instruction. Click here for more info. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
FRANKLIN--There's been another Murder at the Haston and you have to help find out whodunnit on Saturday at 6 p.m. There are a limited number of characters involved in the mysterious goings-on Call 802.285.6505 or email to take part or for 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 Eloquent Page Fantasy Book Club meets to discuss Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson on Wednesday at 6 p.m. A new uprising is forming with a brilliant criminal mastermind and a street urchin in a wasteland of ash and mist . 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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Dick Harper, Chair
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Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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