| VOLUME 29 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | May 22, 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 first Franklin County Community Volunteering Fair takes place in City Hall today from 3 - 6 p.m. Over 35 organizations and clubs with a variety of opportunities will be on hand. The groups will have presentations on the benefits, stories from volunteers, and more. The free event is open to everyone. CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
The All Arts Council has been the only all-volunteer Local Arts Service Organization since we started.
Why volunteer? Pick a group that accomplishes things that interest you. A "good" volunteer gig is fun. Volunteers often learn new skills and share their skills with others. Check out the Northwest Access TV introduction on YouTube. The gift of your time is priceless.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on abstract artist Longina Smolinski. 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 Vermont Hills by Eric Tobin with its glimpse of the interwoven colors of the local landscape It is in the New Horizons show 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.
ONLINE--Vermont Humanities continues the Speakers Bureau series with Meg Mott to discuss A Dramatic Constitution online from the Woodstock History Center today at 6:30 p.m. The United States Constitution supports our most dramatic disagreements. Email for a link to this zoom presentation. Call Woodstock History Center (802.457.1822) or click here for more info. HUMANITIES
SWANTON--The Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi and Swanton Rec host the return of the annual Memorial Day weekend Heritage Celebration at Swanton Rec on Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Grand Entry at 12 noon. The celebration will be filled with tribal drumming, dancing, singing, food vendors and craft vendors. There will be storytelling by Willow Greene, ash tree pounding by Jess LaRocque, hand drum candy dance, and more. Parking and admission are free. Click here for more info.
ONLINE and SOUTH BURLINGTON--Vermont Humanities continues the weekly Snapshot Series with Nisha Kommattam to discuss Kawaii Culture in Japan and Beyond at the South Burlington Public Library and online in this spring's Snapshot season finale on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Japanese kawaii aesthetic has seen an explosive increase in popularity around the world. "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.
WESTFORD--Fairfax Community Theater Company presents the Bones, Trains, and Gloves - An Evening of One Acts at the Brick Meeting House in a four day run starting tonight at 7:30 p.m. Showtimes are tonight, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 with a Sunday matinee at 2 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. Admission is $15. Email or find them on Facebook for more info. THEATER
MORRISVILLE--The River Arts Mindful Art series has Exploring Identity Through Art with Jen Volansky today at 5:30 p.m. The mixed media workshop invites reflection, imagination, and personal growth. The cost is $30. Click here to register and for more info. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
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.
Thursday, May 22 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-Wednesday, May 22-28
MORRISVILLE--Moog's Place has long weekends, Thursday through Wednesday, of music in May. Lucas Berard leads Open Mic Night tonight. Combustomatics light the night afire on Friday. Blackwolf howls on Saturday. The sound system takes the day off on Sunday. Seth Yacovone plays a solo acoustic set on Monday. And Jim Charonko is there for Wednesday night live.
Friday, May 23
ESSEX--The Double E presents "the Band That Time Forgot," the Hokum Brothers on Friday at 6 p.m. Doors at 5:30. The brothers offer an "eclectic mix of original melodies, homespun storytelling, musical mischief, and just enough nostalgia from the '30s - '60s to make Aunt Bee smile." Admission is $10-15. Click here or find them on Facebook for tickets and more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents John Geno for a night of live music in The Room on Friday at 6 p.m. The frontman for IncaHoots is a Summer Sounds favorite. 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 BURLINGTON--Nighthawk makes their debut at the Old Post on Friday at 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info
BURLINGTON--The Nectars Double Double Feature has the Seth Yacovone Band plus Peter Prince and Moon Boot on Friday at 9 p.m. Doors at 8. Admission is $15. Click here for tickets and more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap has McMaple for late night music on Friday night at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Friday-Sunday, May 23-25
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River has shows on Friday and Saturday nights in May. Nate Michaud plays Friday at 5:30 p.m. and McMaple is live on Saturday at 6. "Never a cover, always a good time." Find them on Facebook for more info.
JERICHO--The Jericho Cafe and Tavern fills the weekend with Live Music in May. The Lloyd Tyler Band plays Friday. Bob Gagnon performs live on Saturday night. Music starts at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
COLCHESTER--The Outdoor Summer Music Series fills the Spanked Puppy with music all weekend. Justice3 kicks it off on Friday at 6 p.m. followed by Karaoke Saturday with Jenny Red on Saturday at 5 p.m. and Al's Pals on Sunday afternoon at 2 - 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--Two Heroes Brewery has music most weeks. The acoustic band Hard Scrabble takes the stage on Friday and the Owl Stars play live on Saturday. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week's music is brought to you by The Letter "R" as they host Roger Giroux on Friday and Ryan Hanson 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, May 24
ST. ALBANS--Northwest Farmers Market fills Taylor Park with live music, handmade crafts, locally grown food, prepared foods, free kids activities, and the Bookmobile on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Blue Rock Boys play this Saturday. The market and the music continue every Saturday through October. Find them on Facebook for more info.
LISBON NH--Summer Sounds favorite Mark Shelton will be live in concert at the 2025 Lisbon Lilac Festival on the Main Stage on Main Street on Saturday at 6 p.m. Come early, bring your chairs and dancing shoes. Admission is free. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Irons & Ale has music at Champlain Country Club with Dan Parks live on Saturday night at 6 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.
STOWE--The von Trapp Family Lodge presents the Dave Keller Band in the concert meadow on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Gates at 5:15. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for children. Click here for tickets and more info. (Rain Date is Sunday.)
Sunday, May 25
BURLINGTON--Foam Brewers presents Dale and Darcy on Sunday at 1 p.m. The small, independent craft brewery has live music most days. Starting on Wednesday, Jazz: 2025 Edition will offer a local jazz lineup the week before Burlington Jazz Fest. Times vary. Click here for more info.
ENOSBURG--The Enosburg Falls Town Band will perform a concert to honor fallen military members, their families, and loved ones at the Lincoln Park bandstand on Sunday at 2 pm The concert will end with the arrival of the Vermont Thunder riders and the memorial ceremony.
Memorial Day, Monday, May 26
Memorial Day is a national day of mourning and reflection to honor and remember those who have died while serving in the U.S. military. Town Offices will be closed.
Wednesday, May 28
ST. ALBANS--The BFA-St. Albans Spring Choral Review Concert fills the BFA Performing Arts Center on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs hosts the Allman Brothers tribute band, Soulshine Revival with Highgate's Phil Graziano, in a very special evening on Wednesday 5/28 at 7 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.
Virtual music and events continue this week. ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE
"Time just kind of wears down your memories." Northwest Access TV takes a walk with writer Walt McLaughlin as he wanders the wild country of scenic Vermont on YouTube.
Northwest Access TV showcased the return of the Youth Talent Show at the Vermont Maple Festival on YouTube in 2022.
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: 311344 or click here for the Zoom link and more info. 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.
ISLE LA MOTTE--The new Isle La Motte Rec Department book club begins with Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly in Veterans Park on Sunday at 4 p.m. The book tells the true story of NASA's African-American female mathematicians who played a crucial role in America's space program. Session 1 on Sunday will include the book check out, bookmark marking, and a kickoff discussion. Session 2 on June 22 will be the wrap-up discussion and book return. Light refreshments will be served at both sessions. Future books will be voted on. RSVP to Karin Ericson by phone (802.363.3632) or by email . Click here for more info.
MONTGOMERY--Cold Hollow to Canada and the Montgomery Center for the Arts welcome Vermont author Kenneth Cadow to read from and sign his novel Gather on Friday at 6 p.m. The award-winning debut novel tells a challenging coming-of-age in rural Vermont story. It was the 2024 Vermont Reads book. An audience Q&A and light snacks and refreshments will follow. Click here to reserve your spot and for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Bookmobile visits Northwest Farmers Market in Taylor Park on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Franklin Grand Isle Bookmobile mobile library travels around the region bringing books and stories to families. The market and the music and family activities continue every Saturday through October. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page Mystery Book Club meets for the Floating Admiral by members of the Detection Club including Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and G.K. Chesterton on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Inspector Rudge wonders just how many people have contributed to a mysterious death in a sleepy village and whether he will ever unravel it. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Free Library Banned Books Group ("read them if you dare") meets to discuss The Color Purple by Alice Walker on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The novel has been banned or challenged for religious objections, homosexuality and sexual scenes, violence, African history, rape, incest, drug abuse, and explicit language since its publication in 1982.. The book has been removed from school libraries and challenged in Texas. The Book Group meets after hours at the library. Please arrive before the doors close at 6 p.m. Click here for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library remains closed to update the heating and cooling system. They had hoped to reopen this week but an unforeseen issue has caused a delay. "As a result, we will need to remain closed for an additional week. We are now looking forward to reopening our doors and seeing you all on Tuesday, May 27," Library Director Abigael Gaudette wrote.
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.
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
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
email us
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