| VOLUME 30 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | June 25, 2026 |
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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FESTIVALS AND SHOWS
STOWE--The Stowe Balloon Festival fills the skies with color and the grounds with plenty of music from Franklin County this weekend.
The Festival gates open on Friday at 4 p.m. for live music by Blue Blazes, the Shane Murley Band, and David Karl Roberts.
On Saturday, the festivities start at 2 p.m. with live music by Rockin' Ron Gagnon, Cooie's Trio, Jaded Ravins, and Soulshine Revival plus Her Majesty’s Secret Service secret circus show, Alyx the Magician, the Curious Creatures original live animal program, and Little Artsy Faces free face and body painting.
Sunday, the final day of Balloons over Stowe, starts at 2 p.m. with live music by Chris & Erica, the Stragglers, Earthbound Spirits, and Blues for Breakfast plus Troy Wunderle's Big Top Adventures, and the return of Little Artsy Faces, Her Majesty's Secret Service, and Curious Creatures.
Click here for more info and the FAQ.
ART ON THE WALLS
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on fabric artist Anne Standish. 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.
JEFFERSONVILLE--Bryan Memorial Gallery features Vermont landscape painter Jan Fowler who is fascinated by the patterns formed on the land by farming, by geological forces, by weather and by water. Camel's Hump Spring and Spring Symphony are 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, Thursday and Sunday, 11 - 4, and Friday and Saturday, 11 - 5. Appointments are available. Call ahead (802.644.5100) to schedule or click here for more info.
ART YOU CREATE
ST. ALBANS--14th Star and Once Upon a Rock host a Pebble Art Workshop this evening at 6 p.m. This workshop will use pebbles, rocks, stones, driftwood, and lake glass to create unique art. They provide guidance and inspiration; what you make will be completely your own creation.
The cost is $35. Click here or find them on Facebook for tickets and more info.
MILTON--Mixed media artist Theresa Rowe will lead the new Intro to Junk Journals at the Milton Artists' Guild Art Center on Saturday at 1 p.m. Explore mixed media techniques including inking, stamping, collaging, and layering to build a one-of-a-kind handmade journal using repurposed materials. No experience is necessary and all supplies are provided. The cost is $45. Click here to register and for more info.
FRANKLIN--Jordan Bushey will lead a free Family Art Class in Acrylic Painting at the Dick Wright Pub on Sunday at noon. All materials are included. This class is presented as part of the Free to Make Art -- Summer 2026 class series. Bring your own snacks and drinks. Click here to register and for more info.
HIGHGATE--Coffee and Crafts meets at the Highgate Library and Community Center on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Materials and a hot coffee, tea, or cocoa are provided by HLCC. The program runs every Tuesday morning and is free adult library patrons. Email or call the Library (802.868.3970) to register and for more info.
ENOSBURG--Sip, Stitch, & Share meets at the Enosburgh Public Library every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Have a warm drink, learn a new craft (or work on honing an existing one), and chat. Any craft is welcome. Click here for more info.
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild hosts Yarn & Yak with Kelli Shepherd on Wednesday at 5 - 7 p.m. The free, drop-in workshop is for projects to knit, crochet, or craft with fiber. All skill levels are welcome. No registration is required.
DANCE
ALBURG--Between the Lines Line Dancing offers Beginner Line Dancing at the American Legion Landon Post #60 on Fridays at 6 p.m. Bring clean, dry shoes to change into and dance in. Admission is by $5 donation per class, which is donated to the Alburgh Volunteer Fire Department. Find them on Facebook for more info.
GATHERINGS
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.
GEORGIA--The Georgia Public Library Crafting Club meets at the library to craft together and give back to the community on Wednesday evenings at 6 - 8 p.m. They have plenty of equipment and materials with the instructions to make homemade fiber crafts to donate to those in need. Or bring your own knitting, crocheting, and sewing projects to the craft circle on Wednesday evenings.
HUMANITIES
NORTH HERO--The North Hero Historical Society presents Ron Fierstein's Historical Post Cards from the Champlain Islands in North Hero Community Hall this evening at 6:30 p.m. His postcards showcase outstanding vistas of how the community looked in days gone by. He will also cover some of the buildings to be included in the upcoming North Hero Historic House Tour.
ST. ALBANS--the Saint Albans Museum hosts an Opening Reception for the 250th exhibition CENTENNIALS: The Gilded Age & The Disco Era in Vermont’s Rail City in the Bliss Room on Friday at 5 - 7 p.m. The collection of archival imagery tells the story of the expansion of a rural, agrarian community accelerated by rail into the industrial age, and a fast forward look at 100 years of change. The retrospective illustrates the historic timeline of the fastest growing city in Vermont. There will be light refreshments, local wines from Maquam Winery, and good conversation. Click here for more info.
Vermont Humanities has two local events this week.
ST ALBANS BAY--Kill Kare State Park welcomes poet Neil Shepard for Words in the Woods on Saturday at 11 a.m. Mr Shepard lives half the year in Johnson and half in New York City where he teaches at Poets House. The award-winning poet has published nine books of poetry, most recently, The Book of Failures. Email Jacob Pelletier Email or Click here to register and for more info.
FRANKLIN--Vermont Humanities continues Vermont Reads with The Light Pirate Book Discussion of Lily Brooks-Dalton's meditation on the beauty and violence of an untamable wilderness at the Haston Library on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Light Pirate is the 7th-most popular Vermont Reads book in the 23-year history of the one-book reading program. 79 community organizations are hosting projects in 70 different Vermont communities with more to come. Rachael Cohen will lead the discussion. Call Josh Worman (802.285.6505), email or click here for more info.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
ST. ALBANS--ReMarketVT offers workshops in the "basement" creative space. This week, Lynne Gavin will lead the Botanical Printing on Paper Workshop on Saturday at 1 p.m. The hands on workshop will use local flowers and vegetation to prepare paper to to print on. The cost is $75. Click here to register and for more info.
JEFFERSONVILLE--60 Main Arts (SMArts) hosts Community Drawing Night with a live model on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The cost of $10 per person or less includes a "split model fee.".m. - 1 p.m.The cost is $30 per person, seniors free. The free Seniors class meets on the first Tuesday of each month.
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild has two workshops this week. 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.
Becky Chappell leads the short Canvas Conversations workshop for painters working in any 2D medium on Saturday at 11 a.m. Bring current work, questions, or challenges and receive guidance, feedback, and practical advice. The workshop is free but registration is required. Click here to register and for more info.
NORTH HERO--Pat Brennan leads the Handcrafted Greeting Card Quilling Workshop at Island Arts on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Quilling, also known as paper filigree, is rolling, shaping, and gluing thin strips of paper together to create decorative designs. This session will teach the basic techniques. A tool kit ($7) that includes a dispenser with double-sided tape, glue dots, sponge daubers, and a little bling is required in addition to the class fee. Bring scissors if you have them. The cost is $12 which includes two card kits per class. Click here to register and for more info.
IN THE SAC
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council Artist of the Week, avid crafter Missy Burbo, crochets, creates paper crafts, and lots of different items. The SAC has established an artistic presence in Swanton and works to develop the artistic community.
SWANTON ACADEMY
SWANTON--The Swanton Academy fills the Swanton Free Public Library with community on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. The academy has a weekend of classes and workshops with neighbors teaching neighbors. Marie Speer leads Barn quilting on Friday at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday there will be classes and workshops on Dinosaur Fossil Necklaces at 10:30 a.m., How to Get Published and an Author Meet and Greet at 10:30 a.m., Intro to Chess starts at at 11 a.m., the Dry Mix class at 12:30 p.m., Intro to Embroidery with Abbey at 12:30 p.m., Creative Shoe Lacing (shoe laces provided) at 2:30 p.m.
This is the second of several weekends dedicated to community knowledge sharing and will lead up to The Museum on Main Street at the library in September and October. to register for classes and for more info.
ON STAGE LIVE
Thursday, June 25
ST ALBANS TOWN--"Live music by the Bay!" The weekly St. Albans Bay Farmer's Market and Concert Series continues with Bad Horsey 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 Cobras play classic rock, blues, and plenty to dance to in 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, June 25-27
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of music with Just Us tonight at 6 p.m. two shows Friday night, Sibling Reverie at 5 p.m., and then Sticks and Stones returns for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Mitch & Devon at 5 p.m., and TBA at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Thursday-Wednesday, June 25-July 1
MORRISVILLE--Moog's Place has long weekends, Thursday through Wednesday, of music in October. Michael Perry leads Open Mic Night tonight. The Seth Yacavone Band lights the night afire on Friday and he returns to play a solo acoustic set on Monday. Beg Steal or Borrow takes over Saturday. The sound system takes the day off on Tuesday. And Lesley Grant may start off July for Wednesday night live.
Friday, June 26
BURLINGTON--Young Tradition Vermont's Sugar in the Pan plays the BCA Summer Concert Series in City Hall Park on Friday at 12:30 p.m. Thw program will feature lively tunes from New England, Québec, Maritime Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Appalachia, and Sweden. Click here for more info.
MILTON--The Friday Night Live Music and Buffet at Arrowhead Golf Course presents the Buck Hollers on the deck on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The tacos 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. The series continues with Nathan Michaud in the Pub this week. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ESSEX--The Double E 2026 Summer Series presents rock legends Quadra on the Old Stage on Friday at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 plus service fee. All shows at The Old Stage are rain or shine. Click here or email for tickets and more info.
SHELDON--Summer Music at Grace welcomes "Sheldon's own son," Nobby Reed and the Nobby Reed Project to Grace Church on Friday at 7 p.m.
Admission is free but a generous donation supports the musicians. Bring your own beverage, a picnic to enjoy before the concert, and a dessert to share. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ENOSBURG--Big Dog DJ hosts Karaoke Night at the Rail Trail Pub on Friday at 7:30 pm. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--14th Star presents Plattsburgh Punks with Robbery Punks, Lake City All Stars, Champlain Shoregasm, and Skidmark all live and all on Friday at 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--Sparky's presents Sleeveless Tease live on Friday at 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--The Harley Brown Band featuring Buddahh returns to the Old Post on Friday at 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage if the weather agrees. Find them on Facebook for more info
Friday-Sunday, June 26-28
ST. ALBANS--The Taphouse at Mill River has shows on Friday and Saturday nights in December. Charlie Rice from Downpour plays Friday and Americana and bluegrass string band, the Stragglers are live on Saturday. Music starts about 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
JERICHO--The Jericho Cafe and Tavern fills the weekend with Live Music in June. The famed TBD play Friday. Seventeen Strings 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. Barbie n Bones kick it off on Friday at 6 p.m. followed by Jenny Red for Karaoke on Saturday at 3 p.m. and Bare Bones on Sunday afternoon at 2 - 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--Two Heroes Brewery has music most weeks. Minced Oats take the stage for neo-traditionalist Americana, bluegrass and roots music on Friday at 6 p.m. and the Summer Soundwaves Series continues with the Seth Yacovone Band live on Saturday at 6 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week they host Roger Giroux on Friday and Kippincoe featuring Kip de Moll 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.
NORTH HERO--The Island Arts Summer Arts Festival is underway with two big events on Saturday and Sunday.
Laissez le bon temps rouler! Island Arts presents Summer Sounds favorites Mango Jam in a free Family Barn Dance with the Boerie Roll food truck at the Homer Knight Barn on Saturday at 6 p.m. Grounds open at 5:30 to picnic on the green. Boogie on the Bayou to the Zydeco and Cajun sounds of Louisiana. There is plenty of room to dance and space for kids to move around. Click here for more info and the menu.
Island Arts presents the Calamellus Trio in an intimate chamber concert at the Island Arts Center (the Homer Knight Barn) on Sunday at 4 p.m. The program will feature music of the Baroque plus contemporary women composers. This is the first appearance of Calamellus at the festival. Margaret Barsumian, clarinet; Ruby Brezinsky, oboe; and Lisa Hoyt, bassoon, are principals in the Champlain Philharmonic Orchestra. There will be a meet and greet and light refreshments after the performance. Admission is $25 online or $30 at the door. Click here for tickets and more info.
Saturday, June 27
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. Antara and Chris Cheney plays this Saturday. The market and the music continue every Saturday through October. Find them on Facebook for more info.
EAST FAIRFIELD--The 2026 Meeting House Music Series presents Duke Aeroplane & the Rumbirds outdoors on the terrace at the Meeting House on the Green on Saturday at 5 p.m. "Doors" at 4. New Orleans-based song-finder, wordsmith, filmmaker, student of the cards, histrionic, and excitable drinker Galen Cassidy Peria will bring the gumbo-steeped vibe of Fats Domino, Professor Long Hair, Jelly Roll Morton, and Dr. John to the green.
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 well behaved kids under 12 admitted free. 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.
STOWE--The Von Trapp Brewing Bierhall Summer Music Series fills Saturday night with Collin & Chris of the Tenderbellies at 5:30 p.m. Click here for more info.
FRANKLIN--The Missisquoi River Band with Will Patton returns for Live at the Dick Wright Pub on Friday at 6 p.m. Patrick Murphy, Cindy Humiston-Weed, Jim Weed, and Mr. Patton offer an evening of traditional and original bluegrass music. Admission is by suggested donation of $10. Click here for more info.
Sunday, June 28
NORTH HERO--Bravo Zulu Lakeside Bar has live music on Sundays, all summer long.The Milkhouse Heaters plays on Sunday at 3 p.m. The "the hidden gem of the Lake Champlain Islands" is at Shore Acres where you can boat in or drive in. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS BAY--Friends of Northern Lake Champlain and Franklin County Stormwater present Tales from the Watershed with music by Heavy Nettles at St. Albans Bay Park on Sunday at 5 - 8 p.m. Community members will tell stories and there will be food and drink for purchase from Mill River. Admission is free. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.
Monday, June 29
NORTH HERO--Singer/ guitarist Dave Miller plays late 60s and early 70s easy listening and sing-a-longs on the Pier Bar at the North Hero House on Monday at 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Tuesday, June 30
MILTON--Fresh from the field and live from the stage, music fills the Milton Outdoor Performance Center at Bombardier Park on Tuesday at 5 - 8 p.m. Tuesday evenings have food, lawn games, and the Milton Farmers Market through August 19. Find them on Facebook 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 1
NORTH HERO--Jaded Ravens play Americana and country rock originals at the Pier Bar at the North Hero House on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The Summer Concert Series continues with the Nobby Reed Project 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 Black Radish 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.
SWANTON--Located in the historic Champlain Theater building, the Green Mountain Bistro has live music every Wednesday night from 6 - 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
FRANKLIN--The Citizens Concert Band continues its summer series on the Franklin Town 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.
ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE
Virtual music and events continue this week.
Local writer DonnaRae Menard continues the weekly read with Episode 3 from her St. Albans mystery novel, Snuffling Up Bones, on NW Access TV and on YouTube . It is the first book in The Pig and I Mysteries series with Doris Flynn and her 450-pound pet pig, Buttercup.
NW Access TV was there when Soulshine Revival played the St. Albans Bay Farmer's Market on August 14, 2025. It's on YouTube.
FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
FAIRFAX--The Fairfax Community Library Adult Summer Reading Program continues through August 12: Readers will get a raffle ticket for every category read. Winners will be announced on August 12. Click here to sign up and for more info.
The Fairfax Book Club continues discussing The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Botswick at the library and on Zoom on Wednesday at 3 p.m. Four suburban housewives in 1960s Virginia form a secret book club, nicknamed "the Bettys," after reading The Feminine Mystique. Call the library (802.849.2420) or email for more info or for the Zoom link to attend remotely.
FAIRFIELD--Marko the Magician will kick off the Summer Reading Program with a show for all ages at Bent Northrop Memorial Library this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair; the event will be outside, weather permitting. Click here for more info.
The library will be closed on Monday. Drop in next Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday for Celebrate America's 250th. They will have an American Flag Scavenger Hunt and the opportunity to make a patriotic suncatcher for a window.
FRANKLIN--The Haston Library has two book discussions this week.
The library continues Vermont Reads with a book discussion of The Light Pirate, Lily Brooks-Dalton's meditation on the beauty and violence of an untamable wilderness at on Saturday at 1 p.m. Rachael Cohen will lead the discussion. Call Josh Worman (802.285.6505), email or click here for more info.
The library's own Book Discussion Group will discuss The Green Mile by Stephen King on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. The about the Cold Mountain Penitentiary death row in the 1930s, focused on John Coffey, convicted of an horrific crime but possessing miraculous healing power. The Cold Mountain corridor leading to Old Sparky had lime-green linoleum floors. Call Josh Worman (802.285.6505) or Email 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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