| VOLUME 29 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | July 10, 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--Art and more overflows onto the sidewalks today through Saturday. There will be original art, a worship of writers, retro, repurposed, second hand goodies, candy, kitchen and home goods, gifts, the Waldo Hunt for the hide and seek champion since 1987, and more. Find them on Facebook for more info. DOWNTOWN ART & SIDEWALK SALES
Pick up your Waldo stamp card at The Eloquent Page and seek him out at 27 business around town.
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on painter Chris Jenkins' "moving masterpieces" of transportation, painter and fine art photographer Natalie LaRocque, "Fish n’ Charts" creator Susannah Sakal, and mixed media artist Meta Strick 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. 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.
JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery hosts an opening reception for two new exhibits, Lost and Found and Eastern Edges, on Saturday at 1 - 3 p.m. 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, Thursday and Sunday, 11 - 5, and Friday and Saturday, 11 - 6. Appointments are available. Call ahead (802.644.5100) to schedule or click here for more info.
ENOSBURG--Cold Hollow Sculpture Park has named multidisciplinary artist Garfield Morgan a 2025 Artist in Residence. His work transforms discarded materials and used garments through painting, distortion, and repurposing. Mr. Morgan will be at the Park daily starting Saturday and continuing through July 26. During his residency, visitors can engage with his creative process through interactive workshops and presentations. Click here for more info.
FRANKLIN--Miss Sierra will demonstrate how to make Beaded Windchimes at Haston Library This morning at 10 a.m. Click here for more info. ART YOU CREATE
FAIRFIELD--Hearthside Handcrafts meet at Bent Northrop Memorial Library on Saturday at 10 a.m. Fiber arts and crafting enthusiasts connect to share skills and create memories on the second Saturday of each month. Click here for more info.
NORTH HERO--The Island Arts Summer Festival begins with Vermont's outstanding chamber chorus, Counterpoint, on Friday. The schedule includes the Ken Clark Organ Trio on Sunday, a four-show run of Little Women, the Broadway Musical, and Skylark, and that's just in July. The festival continues in August. Click here for tickets and more info about each event. FESTIVALS AND SHOWS
ST. ALBANS--It is Classic Movie Night (and Matinee!) at the St. Albans Free Library with Star Wars on Thursday at 6 p.m. and reprised at the Friday matinee at 1 p.m. George Lucas created the epic space opera series with this film starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, and James Earl Jones, droids, ewoks, and the Death Star. 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
FAIRFIELD--Tim Brookes talks about Endangered Alphabets, Cultural Erosion, and the Future of the Written Word at Bent Northrop Memorial Library this evening at 6:30 p.m. The writer/carver/painter/speaker looks at how the age of digital convergence, Facebook, and globalization may make writing from all over the world extinct. Call Sarah Allerton (802.827.3945), email, or click here for more info. HUMANITIES
FRANKLIN--The Vermont Museum of Natural History showcases Colors of the Wild at Franklin Town Hall on Friday at 1:30 p.m. The interactive slideshow includes live animals and activities. Humans live in a world of color and detail, but animals see things differently. Dogs don't see red, and cats see much better in the dark than we do. A hawk can pick out prey at distances where we would need a telescope. This program explores some of the differences in animals' visual experiences and how plants and animals make use of sight and color. Click here for more info.
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. Social Sunday was canceled on July 6. Click here or find them on Facebook for updates about this week's schedule. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
SOUTH HERO--Island Arts presents the second of this year's three-workshop series--a Handcrafted Greeting Card Workshop with Pat Brennan at her studio at 275 South Street on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Ms. Brennan will teach basic card-making with two one-of-kind card kits with envelopes. The cost is $12 plus, at your first class, a tool kit ($7) that includes a dispenser with double-sided tape, glue dots, sponge daubers, and a little bling. Bring scissors if you have them. Click here to register and for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council will hold a Board Meeting and Updates in person at the Swanton Free Public Library on Sunday at 2 p.m. The topics for discussion include a grant updates for SPARK and Swanee, art wall painting for SPAN, the car show, Corn Fest, a free art grant and proposals and more. There are events planned throughout the summer and new artist opportunities. IN THE SAC
Find the SAC on Facebook for the agenda and more info.
Seven Days reported that Nectar's, the Burlington venue that launched Phish, closed for the summer--and possibly for good--in June. Other venues also struggle with inflation pressure, soaring insurance costs and sometimes fickle customers. ON STAGE LIVE
This column tries to list all the events in and near Franklin County as well as everywhere our local performers appear. Some of the "regular venues" here have cut back. Some have stopped presenting altogether. Some have expanded! Worth noting is that we list some presenters outside the county even if they don't have Franklin County talent "this week" because they do so much to support our local musicians overall.
Here you'll find events at 14th Star, the Abbey, Alburgh Oasis, Arrowhead Golf Course, Blue Paddle Bistro, Bombardier Park West, Church Street Sounds of the Season, the Depot, Enosburg Summer Concerts in the Park, Foam Brewers, Georgia Concert on the Green Summer Music Series, Hartman Farm Stand, Irons & Ale at Champlain Country Club, Jericho Cafe and Tavern, Kraemer & Kin, the Meeting House Music Series, Mill River Brewing, Mills Riverside Park Summer Concert Series, Moog's Joint and Place, North Hero House, Northwest Farmers Market, NW Access TV, the Old Post, On Tap, Opera House at Enosburg Falls, Rail Trail Pub, Snow Farm Vineyard, Spanked Puppy, Sparky's, St. Albans Bay Farmer's Market and Concert Series, Taphouse at Mill River, Taylor Park Summer Concert Series, Twiggs, Two Heroes Brewery, Von Trapp Brewing, Westford Music Series, and the new Dick Wright Pub, plus our major festivals and on Town Greens around the county. That's a long list but not exhaustive.
When you visit these establishments, take a minute to thank them for the music they support.
Seven Days has a roundup of some of the other "lesser-known places to see live music in Vermont."
Thursday, July 10
ST ALBANS TOWN--The weekly St. Albans Bay Farmer's Market and Concert Series continues with the Shane Murley Band today from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. They have live music every Thursday evening into September. "The rain date will always fall on the following Friday." Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro hosts Stewart Foster for Acoustic Thursday this evening at 6 - 8 p.m. Click here for more info.
SOUTH HERO--Sticks & Stones plays the Music in the Vineyard series at Snow Farm Vineyard this evening at 6:30 p.m. The summer music series continues with well known musicians, wine, and food every Thursday. Click here for more info.
Thursday-Saturday, July 17-19
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of music with Tim Brick for a solo acoustic show tonight at 6 p.m. followed by Swamp Frog for late night music on Friday night plus the Hitmen 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.
Thursday-Wednesday, July 10-16
MORRISVILLE--Moog's Place has long weekends, Thursday through Wednesday, of music in June. Michael Perry leads Open Mic Night tonight. John Lackard Blues Band lights the night afire on Friday. The sound system takes the weekend off to cool down. Seth Yacovone plays a solo acoustic set on Monday. And Jim Charonko is there for Wednesday night live.
Friday, July 11
ENOSBURG--The Rail Trail Pub presents Sleeveless Tease featuring Narah Sparks on Friday at 7 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
NORTH HERO--Island Arts presents Counterpoint for an inside concert in the Homer Knight Barn on Friday at 7 p.m. as part of the Island Arts Summer Festival. Grounds at 6:30. The a capella concert program features Stephen Foster's Beautiful Dreamer, Bowery waltzes, and classics including Home Sweet Home and You'll Have to Put a Nightie on Aphrodite. Admission is $20-25 and "table upgrades" are available. Reserve a table for seating at $15 for a 2-top, $25 for a 4-top. Click here for tickets and more info.
ST. ALBANS--Irons & Ale presents McMaple at Champlain Country Club on Friday night at 7 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.
MILTON--Get jerborned as the Friday Night Live Music and Buffet at Arrowhead Golf Course presents Jerborn on the deck on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The teriyaki chicken buffet starts around 7 p.m. Both run until 9 p.m. The buffet costs $15 per person ($7 for each child). You don't have to be a member; the public is welcome. Be sure to come early, usually around 6, to get a good seat. Call 802.893.0234 for reservations and click here 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--Two Heroes Brewery has music most weeks. JJ Booth takes the stage on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
ESSEX--The Old Stage Summer Series presents the Allman Brothers tribute A Band Of Brothers on the Double E Green at the Double E on Friday at 7 p.m. Doors at 6. Admission is $25-35. Find them on Facebook for tickets and more info.
FRANKLIN--The Dick Wright Pub presents Kippincoe featuring Kip de Moll for an evening of original music and unique covers Live at the Pub on Friday at 7 p.m. Admission is by $10 suggested donation. Find them on Facebook for more info.
The Pub is also having a Summer Fundraiserto keep this resource up and running for all of Franklin. Click here for more info.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--The Old Post presents 90 Proof on Friday at 7 p.m. on the outdoor stage if the weather agrees. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Friday-Sunday, July 11-13
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River has shows on Friday and Saturday nights in June. Kyle Steven leads Karaoke on Friday at 6 p.m. and the Mill River Block Party fills Saturday with music from noon on. The Block Party shakes roof with the Smokey Newfield Project, Jonny Mop/Jerborn, and Barbie-n-Bones to celebrate their eighth anniversary.
Find them on Facebook for more info.
COLCHESTER--The Outdoor Summer Music Series fills the Spanked Puppy with music this weekend. The Harley Brown Band kicks it off on Friday at 6 p.m. followed by Mark Abair on Sunday afternoon at 2 - 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week they host Blue Heron, Ethan Sawyer and Martin Fredrick, 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, July 12
ST. ALBANS--Northwest Farmers Market fills Taylor Park with live music, handmade crafts, locally grown food, prepared foods, free kids activities on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Connor Young plays this Saturday for Bouquet Day. The market and the music continue every Saturday through October. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--Bettenroo returns to the Blue Paddle Bistro with originals and popular hits on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
STOWE--The Von Trapp Brewing Bierhall Summer Music Series fills Saturday night with She Was Right at 5:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
ALBURGH--The Alburgh Oasis Outdoor Music Venue presents with Detour for an evening of oldies but goodies on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. BYOB. Admission is $10 at the door or $15 for limited, reserved, premium table seating. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Sunday, July 13
HIGHGATE--The original Summer Sounds stage sings again as Desorcie's Market presents Music in the Park with the Old Man Garage Band live on Highgate Municipal Park on Sunday at 2 - 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
A personal note: this is great news because it is how Summer Sounds all started 35 years ago--Desorcie's was part of making joyful music in the park from the very beginning.
NORTH HERO--Island Arts presents the Ken Clark Organ Trio for an inside concert in the Homer Knight Barn on Sunday at 7 p.m. as part of the Island Arts Summer Festival. Grounds at 6:30. Expect high stepping funk, shuffle boogaloo back beat ballads, dynamic climaxes, and plenty of jazz solos. Admission is $20-25 and "table upgrades" are available. Reserve a table for seating at $15 for a 2-top, $25 for a 4-top. Click here for tickets and more info.
EAST FAIRFIELD--The 2025 Meeting House Music Series presents the Will Patton Quartet outdoors on the terrace at the Meeting House on the Green on Saturday at 5 p.m. "Doors" at 4. Combine a jazz/choro mandolinist with a symphony violinist who also plays bluegrass and hot swing, add a string bass player who came of age working the Chicago blues clubs with Howlin' Wolf and Buddy Guy, a lifelong guitarist equally at home with flatpicking fiddle tunes and fiery Hot Club jazz solos. Spice it all up with a with a little rock & roll attitude and season for 20 years in small clubs and large concert halls and you get some idea of the music of local treasure Will Patton's Quartet.
There will be plenty of room on the Green to "kick up your heels and dance the night away." Grab and Go light fare and desserts will be available for sale or bring your own picnic.
Admission is by $10 suggested donation with those under 12 admitted free. Well behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. The proceeds go to the Meeting House Preservation Project and supporting live music in Vermont. Concerts are held outdoors, weather permitting or moved indoors if not. Call Nance Shaw (802.827.6626) or click here for more info.
Monday, July 14
NORTH HERO--The Sergio Torres Duet plays on the Pier Bar at the North Hero House on Monday at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Torres and Eric Weeber offer an eclectic mix of 60-80's of Rock, Country, and folk. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Tuesday, July 15
MILTON--Music in the Park gets jerborned as he fills Bombardier Park West with the entire Jerborn Band on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Tuesday evenings have food, lawn games, and the Milton Farmers Market through August 19. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--This is a big send off: Doug's Open Mic Night gets off to a super start as Andre Maquera and Randy Smith of 8084 will take the stage alongside Jesse Agan at Two Heroes Brewery on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Local musicians are invited to sign up and share their talent. Click here for more info.
ENOSBURG--Free Summer Concerts in the Park continue with the Enosburg Town Band on the Lincoln Park Bandstand on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The evening also includes arts and crafts activities thanks to the Enosburg Public Library, popcorn and drinks to support the Enosburg Business Association, and ice cream sundaes to support the Franklin County Cat Crusaders. The concerts will continue every Tuesday through August 19. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Wednesday, July 16
ST. ALBANS--The Buck Hollers rock the Summer Concert Series in Taylor Park on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Concerts are free for all every Wednesday evening through August 27. 14th Star Brewing Company and eats from Maharaja Spice will be on hand for food and drink. If the weather turns squishy, the concerts will move to 14th Star. Find them on Facebook for more info.
JERICHO--The Summer Concert Series presents the Derek Burkins Trio for an evening of the singer/songwriter's stories about love, family, and home at Mills Riverside Park on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Call 802.899.1141, email, or click here for more info.
SWANTON--The Citizens Concert Band continues its summer series on the bandstand in the village green on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Concerts take place outdoors and will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.
Under the direction of Jeremy Berger, the community band plays a series of free, outdoor summer concerts in towns around Franklin County. Their rich history dates back to 1947. Click here for more info.
ENOSBURG--"Bring Your Own Book" to the Enosburgh Public Library Reading & Discussion Group at the library on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Everyone is bringing a book of their choice for July's reading and discussion. "Bring your favorite, or one you've recently read, to discuss and maybe it will be picked for the next meeting." FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
FRANKLIN--The Dick Wright Pub presents Sheldon Springs native Terry Lovelette to sign his books and to reflect on nature, reverence, awe, life, and the human condition this evening at 7 p.m. His books of essays, poems, and photos include Down-Back, In Praise of Eagle Mountain, and Thoughts from a Walk. Find them on Facebook 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 hosts a worship of writers--the Local Author Open House--during the St. Albans Downtown Art & Sidewalk Sales today through Saturday. Carolyn Bates, AY Berthiaume, Charlie Brooks, Rebecca Cummins, Jesse Durona, Cindy Ellen Hill, Roberta Harold, Bill Holliday, Bobbi Loney, Tamara Mathieu, DonnaRae Menard, Sara Stewart, Ted Tedford, Maryanne Wood, Darryl Webb, and more will talk about (and sell) their mysteries, romances, children's books, autobiographies. Find them on Facebook 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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