| VOLUME 29 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | March 27, 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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ENOSBURG--Rehearsals for the Enosburg Falls Town Band Summer 2025 season begin in the Enosburg Elementary School band room on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Formed in 1858, it may be the oldest town band in the state of Vermont still performing today. The volunteer group has musicians of all ages from northern Vermont and beyond. They perform pop, show tunes, classical selections, marches, and patriotic music at summer concerts through the region. Email or find them on Facebook for more info. CALL FOR ACTORS, MUSICIANS, and MORE
WESTFORD--Fairfax Community Theater Company will hold auditions for the Spring One-Acts at the Brick Meeting House on Tuesday and Wednesday starting at 6:30 p.m.
The three plays are The Witch of Coos by Robert Frost, Going to Crystal City by Vermont playwright Jeanne Beckwith, and Removing the Glove by Clarence Coo. Plays will be directed by Margie Cain and Catie Smith. Email or find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on jewelry creator Karen Mulkey. 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
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council celebrates Swanee with a free screening of the entire award-winning Swannee series at the Swanton Free Public Library on Friday at 5:30 p.m. plus a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. There will be commentary by some of the actors and creators who made Swanee possible as well as door prizes, trivia, and refreshments. Admission is free, thanks to a grant from the Vermont Humanities Council. Stop by the library or email the Swanton Library for free tickets and more info. FILM
ST. ALBANS--Osher Lifelong Learning Institute continues the Spring weekly program series discussing Crypto currency with banker David DeBellis in the Greg Brown Lodge at Hard'ack today at 11 a.m. He will review the origins of Crypto currency plus its uses and markets and then touch on the blockchain and explain its importance. 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.
ST. ALBANS--Karen McFeeters Leary offers a special presentation on Memory Loss and the Power of Music at the St. Albans Free Library today at 4 p.m. A renowned singer herself and a Certified Music Practitioner, she will present information about the brain and discuss a new singing group for people with memory loss and their caregivers. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Saint Albans Museum SAM Talks series delves into Wolf Peaches, Poisoned Peas, and Madame Pompadour's Underwear with Rebecca Rupp on Saturday at 1 p.m. The National Geographic writer will dig into the long and fascinating history of common garden vegetables including the "much-maligned tomato and potato, the (mostly) popular pumpkin, Vermont's dynamic duo of kale and Gilfeather turnip," and George Washington's poisoned peas. Click here for more info.
SAM will also host a Garden Circle & Seed Swap with NWVT Healthy Roots on Saturday at 10 a.m. - 12 noon. This is a companion event to the afternoon talk with Becky Rupp. Click here for more info.
The events are free but attendees should register. Click here to sign up for one or both events.
FRANKLIN--The Haston Library presents History and Mystery: A Genealogy Starter Guide in Franklin Town Hall on Saturday at 2 - 4 p.m. Genealogy is the exploration of ancestral lines and can be done through countless records, resources and artifacts. Join host Erin E. Moulton to explore how to plan research through the case study of Elsie Gaskin (an eccentric librarian from New Hampshire). Click here for more info.
SWANTON--The Vermont Abenaki Artists Association has two events on Sunday.
Build a Medicine Bag and Rattle in two classes with Chief Brenda Gagne at the Missisquoi Tribal Office on Sunday at 10 a.m. - noon. The followup class will be held April 13. Attendance at both Sundays is required to complete both projects. Free but pre-registration is required. Click here for more info.
Learn Abenaki Songs: Drumming and Singing with Chief Brenda Gagne at the Missisquoi Tribal Office on Sunday at 1 - 3 p.m. The class will learn the songs and the drum beat of Mother Earth. Free but pre-registration is required. Click here for more info.
MANCHESTER and ONLINE--Vermont Humanities continues the weekly Snapshot Series with Boneyarn: New York Slavery Poems online and at Manchester Community Library on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Actor and poet David Mills reads from and discusses his award-winning poetry collection about slavery in New York City. "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.
ST. ALBANS--The BFA-St. Albans Theater Company presents The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon in the Performing Arts Center this evening at 7 p.m. and again on Friday at TBA. Admission is $5 at the door. THEATER
JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery begins Landscapes in Watercolors with Gary Eckhart on Saturday at 9 a.m. - 3 p.m The 3-part workshop series continues through April 12. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Students will practice deconstructing reference materials to create fresh, exciting compositions, work with new color palettes, and explore and experiment with color harmony. Artists at any stage of their development are welcome. Participants are responsible for their own materials. The cost is $450. Current BMG member may use promo code "BMGMEMBER for discounted pricing. Click here or here to register and for more info.
FRANKLIN--Stephania Fregeau leads an Sgraffito Workshop at the Dick Wright Pub on Saturday at 3 p.m. this Event Is Sold Out. There will be added sessions. This "clay doodling" session will create two plates, four coasters, or one plate and two coasters. The cost is $35 which includes all supplies and materials. Find them on Facebook for more info
MILTON--It's a very busy workshop week at the Milton Artists' Guild Art Center.
Corrina Thurston leads Make Earrings in Colored Pencil on Wood today at noon - 2 p.m. No experience is required to make two pairs of earrings. The cost is $45. Click here for more info.
The March Live Model Figure Drawing Class is instructed by Patrick McAllister on Friday at 6 p.m. Students should bring their own paper and drawing supplies. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for non members. Click here for more info.
A four-week Advanced / Intermediate Drawing Workshop instructed by Joanne Delaney begins on Saturday at 10 a.m. This is a followup workshop to the Beginner Class and is for those "ready to take their artwork up a notch." The cost is $80. Click here for more info.
A Watercolor Painting Class is taught by Sylvia Oblak on Saturday at 1 p.m. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for non members. Click here for more info.
Social Sundays continue 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.
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council free Art Journaling Group meets in person at the Swanton Free Public Library on a new night on Monday at 5:30 p.m. IN THE SAC
Art journals, junk journals, art pages and more are on the table and make for fun for artists, writers, scrap bookers, and more. The group meets to share ideas and to take time to create. Gatherings are traditionally held at the library on the fourth Monday of every month. Supplies are provided to get started and no prior experience (or journal) is needed. Click here for more info.
Thursday, March 27 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.
ENOSBURG--Champions Tavern Blues Jam is back for another night of hot blues at the Dairy Center at 7 - 9:30 p.m. Bring your instrument and sign up at the venue to sit in with the band or enjoy the music and partake in all the food and drink the tavern has to offer.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--Higher Ground presents Nashville based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Gabe Dixon with Troy Millette in the Showcase Lounge this evening at 7:30pm. Doors at 7. Admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Click here for more info.
Friday, March 28
ENOSBURG--The Rail Trail 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 sweet three-part harmonies. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Rockin' Ron Gagnon plays Irons & Ale at Champlain Country Club on Friday night at 6:30 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.
MORRISVILLE--Moog's Place has a heavy lineup in their Live Music Lineup for Spring this weekend. Tonight is Open Mic Night with Michael Perry on Thursday. Lesley Grant takes over on Friday. Drew LaFrenz and Frenz are live on Saturday night. And Seth Yacavone plays a solo acoustic set on Sunday. Music may start about 7 p.m. Call 802.851.8225 or click here for more info
ST. ALBANS--Nighthawk returns to 14th Star for a night of live music in The Room on Friday at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SHELDON--The Abbey Friday Night Music Series presents Nathan Michaud live on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--Chris & Issy play 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.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--The Old Post presents Quadra, "the band you never want to miss," on Friday 3/28 at 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info
Friday-Sunday, March 28-30
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap has "One in a Million" Barbie N Bones for late night music on Friday night plus Jonny Mop 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--The Taphouse at Mill River has shows on Friday and Saturday nights in March. Roger Giroux plays Friday about 5:30 p.m. and Justice 3 rocks the beads off live on Saturday at 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 Shane Murley Band plays Friday. Mama Tried 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 John Geno on Friday at 6:30 p.m and Dan Parks live on Saturday night at 6 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.
BURLINGTON--Foam Brewers presents a weekend of favorites. The Paul Asbell Jazz Trio will fill the space with jazz, funk, and blues on Saturday at 8 p.m. Troy Millette returns for a special solo show on Sunday at 1 p.m. The small, independent craft brewery has live music most days. Jazz Thursdays feature some of the Queen City's best jazz musicians. Times vary. Click here for more info.
MARATHON and KEY COLONY BEACH--Summer Sounds and Inch Beach favorite Mark Shelton returns to the Florida Keys for two big shows. He will rock out the Marathon Yacht Club for members only on Friday. Inch Beach opens the gates for all his fans on Sunday evening.
Inch Beach will host Mr. Shelton in a very special live Music by the Inch concert on Sunday at 5 - 7 p.m. We usually have no idea how many stars to expect when he shows up. "The KCB fans love Elvis but we'll also sing some gospel and maybe even have a visit from Captain Radical," he said.
Mark Shelton's astounding voice and dynamic performances leave audiences mesmerized. An International Elvis Hall of Fame artist, his The King Returns concert tours are internationally sold out. His shows have been featured on ABC News, CBS Inside Edition, Good Morning America, and more as well as globally in India, Fuji Television Network in Japan, and the Daily Mail in the U.K. The "Hillbilly Cat" has that Star quality to move from the 50s to the 70s with the King of Rock n' Roll as the perfect cap to Music by the Inch. Follow him on Facebook for more info on this show and links to the other events.
ESSEX JUNCTION--Sparky's presents Toast live on Friday and Staircase 24 live on Saturday night. Music starts at 8 p.m. "Come early for dinner and drinks and stay for the music." Find them on Facebook for more info.
Saturday, March 29
FRANKLIN--The Dick Wright Pub presents Franklin's own Josh Worman and Friends Live at the Pub on Saturday at 7 p.m. Special guests will include members of Uncle John’s Band. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Vermont Humanities and the state Department of Libraries have announced this year's Vermont Book Awards. The state's most prestigious literary honors have 15 finalists in four categories: creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry and children’s literature. Winners will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and objects crafted by Walden artist Nikki Ibey. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
Finalists includeWinners will be announced at College Hall in Montpelier on May 3. Click here for more info.
- Ethan Tapper for How to Love a Forest
- Not Till We Are Lost: Thoreau, Education, and Climate Crisis by William Homestead
- An Image of My Name Enters America, essays by Lucy Ives
- The Trauma Mantras: A Memoir in Prose Poems by Adrie Kusserow
- Nicked, an NPR Notable Book of the Year by M.T. Anderson
- Goldenseal by Maria Hummel
- Liquid, Fragile, Perishable by Carolyn Kuebler
- Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart and Other Stories by GennaRose Nethercott
- Some Dark Familiar by Julia C. Alter
- In the Cathedral of My Undoing by Kellam Ayres
- Nowhere Was a Lake by Margaret Draft
- Loss and Its Antonym by Alison Prine
- How It All Ends by Emma Hunsinger
- The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon
- Remembering Rosalind Franklin by Tanya Lee Stone
ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page hosts local writer Walt McLaughlin to sign and talk about his book, Beyond the High Peaks, on Saturday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The collection of short hiking narratives highlights a dozen wild and beautiful places in the Adirondack Park. 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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