| VOLUME 29 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | May 8, 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.
... FROM THE ARTBITS DESK ...
E-Mail Delivery
Sign up to receive the free weekly ArtBits
newsletter by e-mail
or by RSS feed.
ST. ALBANS--Northwest Farmers Market starts a new season, filling Taylor Park with live music, handmade crafts, locally grown food, prepared foods, free kids activities on Saturday. As the Farmers Market winds down for the day, Kingman Fest is just getting started. The free outdoor block party has live music, food & drinks, family activities, business showcases, swag, and more. BUSY WEEKEND in SAINT ALBANS
ST. ALBANS--The Maple Run Unified School District Art Show fills the Collins Perley Sports Complex with works by students in grades K–12. A special Art Show Reception introduces the art teachers and celebrates student works this afternoon at 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. The show continues through Sunday during normal hours at the Complex. ART ON THE WALLS
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on the Fish n' Charts of lifelong sailor Susannah Sakal.
The temporary water situation has been repaired and the gallery has reopened after the emergency last week. 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.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on XX 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.
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.
ST. ALBANS--The Paint Your Pet Portrait paint n sip with Linda Oakes Carvalho returns to 14th Star Brewing Company this evening at 6:30 p.m. Register for a class, email a clear image of your pet and show up. All supplies are included. Food and beverages are available from 14th Star and Grazers. The cost is $50. Click here for tickets and more info. ART YOU CREATE
FAIRFIELD--Bent Northrop Memorial Library hosts Hearthside Handcrafts on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Fiber arts and crafting enthusiasts meet at the library fireplace to connect, share skills, and create new memories. Bring knitting, crochet, embroidery, projects and more. All ages and abilities are welcome. There is no formal instruction.
MILTON--The Milton Artists Guild offers two sessions of a Paint and Snack with Sylvia Oblak at the Milton Inclusion Festival in Bombardier Park on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.
FRANKLIN--Dick Wright Pub hosts Lasting Memory Flower Preservation to make keepsake floral Mother's Day arrangements on Sunday at 10 a.m. The cost is $75 for adults or $25 for children. "Brunch-y items and all materials provided." Find them on Facebook for more info.
JEFFERSONVILLE--The monthly Bryan Memorial Gallery Sketch & Sip returns on Wednesday from 5 - 6:30 p.m. "The vibe is low-key." Props, objects, and tables will be available to create unique still lifes. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own drawing tools, beverages of choice, and even headphones. The suggested donation is $10. Click here for more info.
PETER PAN--Grab your pixie dust, warm up those vocals, and get ready to soar as the Opera House at Enosburg Falls hosts a casting call for Peter Pan on Saturday at 5:30 p.m., then Sunday and Monday at 4 p.m. Pre-register for the date to attend. The show will run July 31 - August 3. Click here for more info. CALL FOR THESPIANS
ST. ALBANS--The fourth annual Kingman Fest closes off the street for a free outdoor block party with live music, food & drinks, family activities, Kingman business showcases, swag, and more, all on Saturday starting about 5 p.m. Jesse Agan and Morgan Myles return with special guest Randy Smith, backed by Andre Maquera, Gary Spaulding, Thom Carvey, and Dana Ross for a high-energy performance. Find them on Facebook for more info. FESTIVALS AND SHOWS
BURLINGTON--The Young Tradition Festival celebrates Vermont's many music and dance cultures at Contois Auditorium on Friday and Saturday. The festival opens with a Community Potluck and dance leader roundtable on Friday at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Community Dance Party at 7:30. Saturday includes the Student/Mentor Showcase, workshops, and a concert by the Pine Tree Flyers and the Young Tradition Touring Group. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--It is Classic Movie Night (and Matinee!) at the St. Albans Free Library with Sidney Poitier, Shelley Winters, and Elizabeth Hartman in A Patch of Blue on Thursday at 6 p.m. and reprised at the Friday matinee at 1 p.m. The 1965 drama filmed in black and white shows the friendship between an educated black man and an illiterate, white, blind, 18-year-old girl. The free presentation includes the show, the popcorn, cocoa, and tea. This showing is an after-hours event. Please arrive before the doors close at 6 p.m. Click here for more info. FILM
ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Free Library hosts a special film screening of Can't Look Away: the Case Against Social Media on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The documentary explores the real-world consequences of tech companies' digital practices. 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. A discussion with community leaders about what can be done locally and more will be held after the film. This showing is an after-hours event. Please arrive before the doors close at 6 p.m. Right-click and download the official discussion guide from our All Arts Download directory and click here for more info.
ONLINE and ST. JOHNSBURY--Vermont Humanities continues the weekly Snapshot Series as Smithsonian Senior Curator Eleanor Jones Harvey discusses polymath, geographer, naturalist, and explorer Alexander von Humboldt and American Democracy at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum and online on Wednesday at 6 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--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
MONTGOMERY--The Montgomery Center for the Arts hosts Still Life Sketch Sessions on Wednesday at 4 p.m. This drop-in, open sketch session is an opportunity to make a drawing or painting of a still life with an art instructor present to teach participants beginner techniques on drawing from life. Canvases, easels, acrylic paint, brushes, paper, and other basic art supplies will be provided. $5 donations are greatly appreciated. Click here for more info.
Thursday, May 8 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.
Thursday-Saturday, May 8-10
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of music with Vacsean tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night starting with She Was Right at 5 p.m., and then Jonny Mop brings the crew for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus Last Kid Picked live on Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Friday, May 9
COLCHESTER--NightHawk plays the Outback 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.
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River presents Jacob Green 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.
ENOSBURG--What's a mother to do? The Rail Trail Pub hosts a Pre-Mother's Day Comedy Night with Meredith Gordon, Max Palmer, Maggie Phelan, Jeremy Rayburn, and Suzan Ambrose on Friday at 8 p.m. The free comedy showcase will lead into open mic with the opportunities for stand up, improv, storytelling or sketch comedy.
Friday-Sunday, May 9-11
JERICHO--The Jericho Cafe and Tavern fills the weekend with Live Music in May. Coane Rowell & Schabner play Friday. The Pet Project 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 Cooper, Bob Recupero, brings the blues on Friday and Cooie Sings 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.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--90 Proof returns to the Old Post for a two-day run on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Saturday, May 10
ST. ALBANS--Northwest Farmers Market starts a new season, filling Taylor Park with live music, handmade crafts, locally grown food, prepared foods, free kids activities on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. George Murtie plays this Saturday. The market and the music continue every Saturday through October. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Monday, May 12
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. Your teammates navigate through games and practice scene-work in a comfortable environment every Monday through May 19. The recommended donation is $5-15/class, or similar barter. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Wednesday, May 14
ST. ALBANS--The monthly Blues Jam continues at Twiggs, hosted by Vermont's leading blues trio, the Nobby Reed Project, 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.
Stuck in Vermont filmed the Library on Wheels. ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE
Built in 1909, the Johnson Public Library is a Carnegie-style brick building that sat between Railroad Street and the Gihon River. Over the years, countless floods have devastated the library and town, most notably in 1927, 1996 and 2023. The library lost 1,500 books in the recent flood and has been operating out of the basement of the nearby Masonic Temple. On April 25 and 26, the library was carried half a mile to higher ground to Legion Field on School Street below the elementary school. The effort took all night and included dozens of community volunteers, utility and construction workers, road and moving crews, first responders and 28 bucket trucks for the 40-by-45-foot library on wheels.
The Library on Wheels is on YouTube.
FRANKLIN READS--Stock the FCS book cart for summer vacation. Bring your gently used children's books to the Spring Concert on May 15. Book donations are also being accepted at the Pub for the rest of the month. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
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 welcomes Trish Esden with the release of Whisper of Treasure and Lies on Saturday at 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The third book in the Scandal Mountain series is out. Edie Brown, Vermont's "slightly shady art and antiques dealer" continues to try to keep her family business afloat and herself out of jail as she searches for stolen antiques that may hold secrets. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library will be closed until 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 ... |
||
Music!Links to the Summer Music series in Franklin County |
||
Dick Harper, Chair
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
email us
|
This article may also have originally been published in the traditional print media. It is Copyright © 2025 by Richard B. Harper. All rights reserved.
Archival material is provided as-is. Links are not necessarily maintained (if a link in this article fails, try Google.com or your favorite search engine). Thanks to recent misuse of copyright material on the Internet by individuals and archival firms alike, we emphasize that your rights to this article are limited to viewing it and printing it for personal use only. You must receive explicit permission from the All Arts Council and the author before reprinting or redistributing this article in any medium. Visit our Trademarks and Copyright page for more information. |