| VOLUME 29 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | April 24, 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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The 58th edition of the Vermont Maple Festival this weekend brings a bucketful of events for the first (and sweetest) outdoor festival of the year. It happens in downtown St. Albans starting with the annual Maple Toast at noon tomorrow. "VERMONT MAPLE BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER"
The Festival is full of maple goodies and free entertainment for all ages.
HUGE PARADE
The Maple Festival Parade -- the biggest in Vermont -- on Sunday, starts at 12 noon. The parade stretches for miles with the BFA Marching Band and over 100 marching bands, fancy floats, bag pipers, clowns, dancers, fire trucks horses and tractors new and old, musicians, neat cars, probably the odd politician or two, scouts, and the ever-popular pooper scooper. The parade will march up Stebbins Street, over Main Street, past the Main Street Stage and Judging Stand, and down Lower Newton Street. Mary Cenci from Star 92.9 and Kwame from 95 Triple X will emcee the parade.
ARTS
The Village Frame Shoppe hosts a Sappy Art Show plus the annual Maple Festival Amateur Photo Contest all weekend. The theme is Vermont Maple Bringing Families Together. Judges check on a variety of criteria and pick a winner for each of the four categories (process, people, scenic, and using maple syrup). Stop by to view and purchase local art and to vote for the People's Choice Award. They will be open Thursday and Friday 10 - 5 and Saturday 10 - 2. Click here to see the 2024 winners.
Windows of downtown St. Albans shops are decorated with maple scenes, each trying to outdo the other to capture the honor of being named the business with the best maple display. Vote for the People's Choice Award from now through April 27 by scanning the link in store windows. Judging takes place on this year's theme, Vermont Maple Bringing Families Together.
The Craft & Specialty Food Show fills the BFA Gym with homemade jewelry, hand sewn items, baked and canned goods, wood carvings, candles, herbs, writers and so much more. There are food sales and a sitting area to enjoy live entertainment with music with Dave, D and Cookie, and O'hAnleigh Cindy Hill & Tom Hanley, Facemania and Vermont Face and Body face painting, Pipsqueak the Clown, and Balloon Twisting by the Big Blue Trunk. Open Friday 12 noon - 5 p.m., Saturday 10 - 5, and Sunday 10 - 4.
The 2nd annual Masonic Lodge Craft Food & Fair has over 50 vendors inside and outside with food trucks and more, all to support the "Franklin Masonic Lodge Class Room Teacher Grant Program." Find them on Facebook for more info.
Creative Chainsaw Art by John creates chainsaw sculptures in wood in Taylor Park on Friday at 1 - 4 and Saturday at 10 - 4.
Paint your own Sap bucket with Jon Young in Paint and Sap at St. Albans City Hall on Saturday. The morning session for kids ages 6 and up begins at 10 a.m. The evening session for ages 18+ begins at 4 p.m. Click here to reserve a bucket.
SPECIAL EVENTS
The Antique Show is free at St Albans Town Educational Center with over 20 dealers with fine arts, furniture, glassware, kitchen collectibles, jewelry and vintage accessories, and much more. Open Saturday, 10 - 5, and Sunday, 10 - 4. The Kids' Center will fill the BFA Performing Arts Center on Saturday at 10 - 6.
All entries for the Maple Cooking Contest will be judged by a team of sweet-toothed judges. At the Maple Exhibit Hall (St. Mary's Parish Hall) Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Diners serve as judges in the Best Maple Menu contest. Visit participating eateries across Franklin County through April 30 to vote for the best maple-inspired menu. This year's competitors are: Bumblebee Bistro (Enosburg Falls), Catalyst Coffee Bar (St. Albans), Fiddlers on the Green at Joey's Junction (Highgate Center), 14th Star Brewery (St. Albans), Grazier's (St. Albans), Green Mountain Bistro and Missing Piece Bakery (Swanton), Greenwood Bakery (Richford), Kaiju Kitchen and Vermont Bake House (St. Albans), Kathy's Tavern (at the Quincy Hotel), Mill River Brewing BBQ and Smokehouse (St. Albans), Mill River Taphouse and Bubba Duffer's Favorites (St. Albans), Mother Hubbard's and Maple City Diner (St. Albans), Nelly's Pub & Grill (St. Albans), Phoenix House (West Berkshire), Red House Sweets (St. Albans), the Traveled Cup (St. Albans), and the Vermont Bake House and Arline's Filling Station (Alburgh).
The St. Albans Museum presents a SAM Americana Sampler with American indie rock musician Chris Staples on Friday at 7 p.m. General admission is $20 or free for Museum members. Click here for tickets. SAM also hosts an Open House for the Festival on Saturday at 10 - 4. Admission is free. The Museum will open for the 2025 season on May 17.
The free Teen Fest takes over St. Albans City Hall on Saturday from 10 - 6. There will be axe throwing, basketball, baseball, and obstacle course, an air frame game, whack-a-wall, connect 4 soccer, and Knock Them Down.
There will be Vermont Maple Beverage Tasting at 14th Star Brewery on Saturday at 3 - 5. Sample craft beer, wine, cider, spirits, and more from about a dozen maple beverage producers including 14th Star and Mill River Brewing. The 21+ ticketed event offers a limited edition sampling glass and drink tickets for samples. Find them on Facebook for more info.
The Vermont Maple Syrup and Maple Products Contest, held in the Maple Exhibit hall in St. Mary's Parish Hall, is the largest maple contest in Vermont.
Taylor Park is also packed with events from Rockin' Ron the Friendly Pirate, Pipsqueak the Clown, face painter Vermont Face and Body, Facemania (also at the Craft show), the Aim High Canines, Mr. Mike and the Big Blue Trunk, Yo! Joe What a Guy! and more.
GRADE A MUSIC and ENTERTAINMENT
The fabulous entertainment for free on the Main Stage begins a weekend of free entertainment tomorrow at noon and runs through Sunday after the parade. Look for live music and dance every day. The stage is free! Click here for more info about the shows.
Friday
The Friday entertainment lineup on the free Main Street stage begins with Kevin Herchen on the Main Street Stage at 1 p.m.
The Conniption Fits do original takes on 80s, 90s and today's music in a "Tribute to Party Rock" on the Main Street Stage. 4 p.m.
The Youth Talent Show fills the Bellows Free Academy Performing Arts Center on Friday at 7 p.m. The Show awards over $2,000 in scholarships to the participants and will also be broadcast on Northwest Access TV. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for 12 and under, and free for kids under 5. Tickets can be purchased at the Exhibit Hall, Craft & Specialty Food Show, or at the door.
Saturday
The Electric Youth Dance Company takes over Main Street. This talented group of dancers in several age groups learn the fun and discipline of dance in St. Albans on the Main Street Stage. 10 a.m.
The Talent Show Winners brings the passion and love for country music to the Main Street Stage. 11:30 a.m.
Country Songwriter April Cushman bring musical fireworks to the Main Street Stage. 1:30 p.m.
Viva Las Elvis with Dan Fontaine and the Memphis Sun Mafia Band. On the Main Street Stage. 4 p.m.
The Fiddler's Variety Show with an evening of true North fiddling music from Vermont and Canada's finest takes over Bellows Free Academy Performing Arts Center on Saturday at 7 p.m. Admission is $7. Tickets can be purchased at the Exhibit Hall or at the door.
Sunday
Up and coming singer/songwriter Maddi Ryan will steal your heart on the Main Street Stage. 2 p.m. after the parade.
Click here for more mapley goodness.
ST. ALBANS--What the Cluck? The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on artist, illustrator, cartoonist, and recovering software engineer Sarah Rosedahl. 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 Mt. Washington in Spring by Erik Koeppel. It is in the Jeffersonville 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 through Sunday, 11 - 5. Appointments are available. Call ahead (802.644.5100) to schedule or click here for more info.
BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC--The Franklin Community Chorus seeks singers to rehearse for Franklin Memorial Day. The chorus will have five more rehearsals and will perform the Battle Hymn of the Republic with piano accompaniment in the Town Hall. They rehearse at Dick Wright Pub every Thursday starting today at 6:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info. CALL FOR SINGERS
We goofed. The Rise Up Benefit Evening for Meg Cossaboom and the book signing and talk by mystery writer Archer Mayor took place six years ago and are not being repeated this week. CORRECTIONS
ST. ALBANS--The City Belonging, Equity and Inclusion Committee presents "Movies That Matter" with a free showing of the documentary Recovery City at the Welden Theater on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The film explores what it means to be in recovery as seen through the eyes of four women whose lives share addiction in the working class city of Worcester, Massachusetts. A panel discussion will follow the film. Find them on Facebook for more info. FILM
ONLINE and BRATTLEBORO--Vermont Humanities continues the weekly Snapshot Series with long-time Vermont activist and politician Bill Lippert to discuss 25 Years Since Civil Unions: Lessons Learned online and at Brooks Memorial Library 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. HUMANITIES
MILTON--Milton Artists' Guild has three workshops this week. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Patrick McAllister leads the April Live Model Figure Drawing Class at the MAG Art Center on Friday at 6 p.m. The cost is $25 members, $30 non-members. Participants should bring their own paper and drawing supplies. Click here for more info.
Sylvia Oblak leads the Spring Watercolor Workshop at the MAG on Saturday at 1 p.m. No experience is necessary. The cost is $25. Click here for more info.
Social Sundays continue at the MAG with free weekly art classes for families at MAG on Sunday at 1 p.m. 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 Methodist Church on a new night on Monday at 5:30 p.m. 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 on the fourth Monday of every month. Click here for more info. IN THE SAC
Thursday-Wednesday, April 24-30 ON STAGE LIVE
AROUND NEW ENGLAND--The Young Tradition Touring Group is on the road for an April Tour of New England. They play at Unitarian Universalist Church of Belfast ME this evening, Portland ME on Friday, Melrose MA on Saturday, and Lebanon NH Sunday. Click here for more info.
Friday, April 25
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.
ST. ALBANS--Saint Albans Museum presents a SAM Americana Sampler with American indie rock musician Chris Staples on the opening night of The Vermont Maple Festival, Friday at 7 p.m. The curated series features touring musicians whose storytelling and artistry speak to the American experience.
General admission is $20 or free for Museum members. Click here or here for tickets and more info.
BURLINGTON--Seth Yacovone revives his Friday Evening Happy Hour for one night only in a free solo show at Nectar's on Friday at 7 p.m.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--A House on Fire returns to burn down the Old Post on Friday at 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info
Friday-Sunday, April 25-27
ST. ALBANS--14th Star has a McMaple Fest of music in The Room this weekend with Justice3 returning on Friday and McMaple returning live on Saturday night. Music starts at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook and for more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--Get jerborned. On Tap has two shows Friday night, with Jerborn rocking at 5 p.m., followed by Nickel and Dime for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus Before this Time live on Saturday night starting after 8:59 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
JERICHO--The Jericho Cafe and Tavern fills the weekend with Live Music in April. The Jeff Salisbury Band plays Friday. Switchel performs live on Saturday night. Music starts at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--It's Maple Festival week and Twiggs has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week they host Kippincoe featuring Kip de Moll on Friday and the Blue Rock Boys 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, April 26
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro hosts Stewart Foster for Acoustic Saturday on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Irons & Ale has a pig roast at Champlain Country Club with Heavy Pour live on Saturday night about 6 p.m. Tickets are $28. 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.
ENOSBURG--Bobbie & Nate take the stage at the Rail Trail Pub on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. They will fill the night "with good grooves, eclectic tunes and chill vibes." Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--Higher Ground hosts the 2025 Spring Fling, a benefit for Make a Wish with Quadra, 90 Proof, and the Maple Grove Band, on Saturday at 7 p.m. Doors at 6:30. Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Click here for tickets and more info.
Monday, April 28 MONTGOMERY--Montgomery Town Hall hosts the Monday Night Improv Comedy Jam with Tam Lantz on Monday at 6:15 p.m. "What better way to end the start of your week than with making up some silly scenarios that will leave you and your scene partners rolling on the floor" This drop-in class works on the magic of manifesting scenes from only a one word suggestion.
Improv is a team sport. Teammates will navigate through games and practice scene-work every Monday from April 14-May 19. the recommended donation is $5-15/class, or similar barter. Find them on Facebook for more info.
FAIRFAX--The Fairfax Community Library Book Club will discuss The Editor by Sara B. Franklin today at 3 p.m. The biography looks at editor, connoisseur of food and fiction, and secret force Judith Jones who "worked in publishing for half-a-century, cooking up and shaping so many books that shaped us." A Zoom link will be available for anyone who wants to attend remotely. call 802.849.2420 or email to borrow a copy of the book or request the Zoom link. All are welcome. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
FAIRFIELD--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: 527511 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--Local writer Terry Lovelette, will sign his new book, In Praise of Eagle Mountain, at the Eloquent Page on Independent Bookstore Day, Saturday at 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The book of prose and poetry explores nature, solitude, and spiritual reflection and the contrast between the chaotic, drama-filled world of human society and the peaceful, meaningful solitude found in nature. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library will be closed from April 28-May 19 to update the heating and cooling system. The library will continue some services including books to borrow, computer and printer use, games, and hangouts at the Methodist Church. Many regular programs will be held in the park. Click here or find them on Facebook for popup events through the community and for more info.
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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