Artbits-June 19, 2025

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Dick

ART ON THE WALLS

Capturing The Light, the works of Viatcheslav Protopopov, closes with a reception at the Montgomery Center for the Arts. Sasha Elliott will repeat her story of the life and work of her father. The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on Meta Strick. Bryan Memorial Gallery features a perspective on our landscapes by Charlie Hunter. Read more…

DANCE

The joy of community dancing to lively music returns to Island Arts with International Folk Dancing with instructor Lesley Alpert. Read more…

FILM

UMATR hosts the grand premier of The Celebration at the Clips and Reels Theater at Jay Peak. The Vermont-made film highlights the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers. Read more…

HUMANITIES

Vermont Humanities offers Seminal Statements of American Values plus Tobin Anderson to discuss the Power of Landscape. Celebrate Make Music Day with Stories of the Blues with Missisquoi Slim. Read more…

JUNETEENTH and SUMMER SOLSTICE EVENTS

Most libraries and Town offices will be closed today. The third annual Fairfax Juneteenth Celebration has the Congolese Choir, a Bouncy Castle, Ben & Jerry’s, and Jilib Jiblets. The Island Arts Summer Solstice Celebration has Kim & Bob Muncil and special guest Laleh Nader. Read more…

THEATER

Doctor Vu and The Rising Stars of Rail City showcases the Burlesque Act Development series. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

River Arts continues Art in the Open: Plein Air Mornings with Evie Mason. Social Sunday continues at the Milton Artists’ Guild. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

The Old Man Garage Band, Cooie Sings, Tim Brick, the Vermont Blues Society with David and Matthew Nerbak, Eric Belrose, and Larry Vigneault, the Missisquoi River Band with special guest Will Patton, Nobby Reed, Devon McGarry Unplugged, Sibling Reverie, Mirage, Jason Lee, Aaron Flynn, Waves of Adrenaline, Michael Perry, Big Homie Wes and Sam Guihan, Blackwolf, Seth Yacovone, Jim Charonko, Carol Ann Jones with Will Patton, Bad Horsey, Bushey Bedell and Branon, Justice 3, Jerry Bowers and Tyrone Shaw, Uncle John’s Band, CombustOmatics, the Jimmy Branca Trio, B-Town, Kyle Stevens, Laura Fedele-Rasco, Third Shift, Evan Alsop, the Blue Rock Boys, Mad Mojo, Dogs in a Pile, George Murtie, Jackson Garrow, the Enosburg Town Band, Carol Ann Jones and the Superchargers, Jerborn, the Citizens Concert Band, Soulshine Revival all play live at a venue near you. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

Franklin County Photogs with Harry Goldhagen hosts a Zoom group at Bent Northrop Memorial Library. Alyx Hilshey returns with Library Magic to Highgate and Sheldon. The Eloquent Page Mystery Book Club meets for the original Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. The Island Arts Book Sale & Silent Auction fills the Homer Knight Barn. Read more…

 

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Artbits-June 12, 2025

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Dick

ART YOU CREATE

Hearthside Handcrafts meet at Bent Northrop Memorial Library to share skills and create memories. The monthly Bryan Gallery Sketch & Sip continues with a low-key vibe. Read more…

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence spotlight is on fabric artist Anne Standish. Read more…

DANCE

The rotating Dance at River Arts series has the elegance of ballroom dance with choreographer and stage director Taryn Noelle. Read more…

FESTIVALS

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum hosts the annual Abenaki Heritage Weekend with the Native Arts Market, storytelling, craft demonstrations, cultural tables, drumming, presentations, singing, and more. Read more…

FILM

It is Classic Movie Night at the St. Albans Free Library with Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason in North by Northwest. Read more…

HUMANITIES

Investigate Memory Loss and the Power of Music (plus ice cream!) with Karen McFeeters Leary at BNML. The Sheldon Historical Society presents Northern Vermont in the Revolutionary War with Jason Barney. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Social Sunday continues at the Milton Artists’ Guild. River Arts has Art in the Open: Plein Air Mornings with Evie Mason plus Carmella Cyr’s Stitch by Stitch. Island Arts presents a Handcrafted Greeting Card Workshop with Pat Brennan. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

Jerborn (twice), IncaHoots (twice), Staircase 24, Tim Brick, Mitch Terriciano, Raised by Hippies, Fyspot, Lawless, the Grift, the Sweet Remains, Runaway Gin, Luciano, Michael Perry, the John Lackard Blues Band, Mandolin Hank’s Daydream Inventions, Seth Yacovone, Jim Charonko, CombustOmatics, the Atlas Tango Project, Troy Millette and the Fire Below, A House on Fire, Rockin’ Ron Gagnon, 90 Proof, Jenny Red, Mark Abair, Arthur James, Robin Gottfried, Tyler Mast, Uncle John’s Band, Dan Parks, the Sergio Torres Duet, Jacqueline Schwab, Aaron and Alaria, and the Shane Murley Duet all appear live at a venue near you. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Highgate Library has changed its hours. St. Albans Free Library hosts Mornings, Muffins, and Mysteries to discuss The Maid by Nita Prose, and the Banned Books Group to consider Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. Read more…

 

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Artbits-June 5, 2025

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Dick

FESTIVALS AND SHOWS

The Vermont Dairy Festival returns with more entertainment and magical family activities than ever before. The Mooooving Parade starts Saturday at 10:30. With marching bands and mobile mooving murals, it is one of Vermont’s largest parades. All the outdoor entertainment is free. Look for the Scholarship Pageant, The Revival, Ryan Sweezy and the Midnight Walkers, Bubbles, Chris & Erica, Pirate Man Dan, Jacob Green, Farmer Tom and Farmer Mack, Marko Magician, Troy Millette and the Fire Below, the Maple Grove Band, the Mountain Says No, a Hot Pickin’ Party, the Car Show, and Aaron and Alaria. The Celebration of Life Festival fills Martell’s Red Fox with a day full of music with seven bands, face painting for the kids, vendors, and food tents.Read more…

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence Gallery features Terry Buehner, Karen Mulkey, Wendy Everhart, and Jaimie Katon with a live reception at the gallery. Cold Hollow Sculpture Park reopens for another season on the path to inspiration. The Montgomery Center for the Arts hosts an opening reception for Viatcheslav Protopopov Capturing The Light. Bryan Memorial Gallery contrasts works by Tom Waters with George Van Hook. Read more…

ART FOR SALE

The Island Arts Artisan Market, hosted by Jennifer Pratt, will fill the Homer Knight Barn. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

Brush into Summer at the River Arts Paint n’ Sip with Evie Mason. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

River Arts has two workshops: the June Open Studio Figure Drawing with a full nude session and Carmella Cyr continuing the three-workshop series, Stitch by Stitch. Social Sunday continues at the Milton Artists’ Guild. Snow Farm Vineyard hosts an Acrylics and Collage Artist Workshop with Lynn Cummings. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

The Fabulous Franklin County Drag Ball, McMaple (twice), 8084, John Sullivan, the Jolly Rogers Band, the Vermont Blues Society, David and Matthew Nerbak, Eric Belrose and Larry Vigneault, Ryan Sweezey & the Midnight Walkers, Cooper, Bob Recupero, Mark Abair and his All Star Band, the Phil Abair Band with Keeghan Nolan, the MVU Jazz Ensemble, the Roy Hargrove Big Band, Kat Wright, Alice Coltrane, Ravi Coltrane, Brandee Younger, Ali T, Allison Turner, the Jeff Salisbury Band, Jeff and Gina, Chris & Erica, Kyle Stevens, Northern Lights, Alex Riddell, Sister Speak, Dan Parks, Giovannina Bucci, Seth Yacovone, Jonny Mop, Justice 3, Barbie-N-Bones, the Alexander String Quartet, Rockin’ Ron Gagnon, Nathan Michaud, and Nobby Reed all play live at a venue near you. Read more…

ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

Virtual music and events continue with the Franklin Community Chorus accompanied by Marcia Perry performing the Battle Hymn of the Republic, and the Lloyd Tyler Band was live at Higher Ground. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Bent Northrop Memorial Library Book Discussion group takes up The Salt Path by Raynor Winn. Terry Lovelette will sign Down-Back at Phoenix Books Essex. The St. Albans Tuesday Night Book Group meets reads James by Percival Everett. The Eloquent Page Fantasy Book Club discusses Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall. Read more…

 

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Artbits-May 29, 2025

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Dick

SUMMER MUSIC

Music is in the air as the big series start their summer seasons this week with perfectly combined food and music. Read more…

ART ON THE WALLS

Visions of Vermont hosts the Northern Vermont Artists Association 94th June Juried Show. The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on jewelry creator Holly Spier. Bryan Memorial Gallery features Geese on an Antique Map of Lake Champlain by Susan Bull Riley. Read more…

SPECIAL EVENTS, FESTIVALS AND SHOWS

The Fairfield Community Center hosts a gathering for Rural Vermont’s 40th anniversary with Doug Flack and live music by Rusty Bucket. Read more…

FILM

Family Night hosts a pop-up showing of the Swanee Series and music with Third Shift Vermont. Read more…

HUMANITIES

The Montgomery Center for The Arts presents Elliot Cluba to discuss Vibrant Health in a Dirty World. Vermont Humanities continues the Vermont Reads Series with Kenneth Cadow to read and sign his novel Gather. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

River Arts begins a new, three-workshop series, Stitch by Stitch, with Carmella Cyr. Social Sunday continues at the MAG. Snow Farm Vineyard has Watercolor Painting with Lynn Cummings. Read more…

IN THE SAC

The Swanton Arts Council will hold a Board Meeting and Updates in person. Read more…

COVID NEWS

The FDA will now prioritize COVID-19 immunizations for people at highest risk. That could make it harder for many other people to get the shots. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

Nighthawk, the Tenderbellies, Phil Rosenblum, the Naughty Weeds, Drew LaFrenz, Seth Yacovone, Jim Charonko, Next Stop Comedy, Two For Flinching, Owen Marshall and Jenna Moynihan, Chris & Issy, Laura Fedele Rasco, Quadra, Shane McGrath, the Jaded Ravens, the John Daly Band, the Blue Rock Boys, the Maple Grove Band, Jenny Red, Dan Parks, She Was Right, Matt Hagen, John Geno, Rockin’ Ron Gagnon, Eric George, Beg, Steal or Borrow, Jeremy Sicely, Geoff Goodhue, Roland Clark, Fran Forim, Luke Auriemmo,, Jerborn, the Jerband, Rusty Bucket, Dave Miller, the Flynntones Jazz Ensemble, Jon McBride, Grippo Sklar, Phantom Airwave, MVUHS Band, MVUHS Chorus, and the BFA Instrumental Pops Ensembles all appear live at a venue near you. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

Paul Asbell has a coming-out party for his book, Stages: Ruminations, Rants, and Reminiscences on a Life In Music. The Fairfax Library Book Club reads We Will Be Jaguars by Nemonte Nenquimo. The Highgate Library and Community Center plans to Color Our World. Muffin Monday continues. The Spring Book, Card & Ephemera Fair comes to City Hall with more than a dozen featured writers. Read more…

 

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Artbits-May 22, 2025

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Dick

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

The first Franklin County Community Volunteering Fair has over 35 local organizations and clubs with a variety of opportunities. The free event is open to everyone. It’s a great opportunity. Read more…

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on abstract artist Longina Smolinski. Bryan Memorial Gallery features Vermont Hills by Eric Tobin. Read more…

HUMANITIES

The Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi and Swanton Rec host the return of the annual Memorial Day weekend Heritage Celebration with storytelling by Willow Greene, ash tree pounding by Jess LaRocque, hand drum candy dance, and more. The Vermont Humanities Speakers Bureau series continues with Meg Mott to discuss A Dramatic Constitution and the weekly Snapshot Series has Nisha Kommattam to discuss Kawaii Culture in Japan and Beyond. Read more…

THEATER

Fairfax Community Theater Company presents Bones, Trains, and Gloves – An Evening of One Acts in a four day run at the Brick Meeting House. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

The River Arts Mindful Art series has Exploring Identity Through Art with Jen Volansky. Social Sunday continues at the Milton Artists’ Guild. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

Seth Yacovone (twice), McMaple (twice), Lucas Berard, Combustomatics, Blackwolf, Jim Charonko, the Hokum Brothers, John Geno, Nighthawk, Peter Prince and Moon Boot, Nate Michaud, the Lloyd Tyler Band, Bob Gagnon, Justice3, Jenny Red, Al’s Pals, Hard Scrabble, the Owl Stars play, Roger Giroux, Ryan Hanson, the Blue Rock Boys, Mark Shelton, Dan Parks, the Dave Keller Band, Dale and Darcy, the BFA Chorus, and Soulshine Revival with Phil Graziano all play live at a venue near you. Read more…

ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE

Virtual music and events continue with the Maple Festival Youth Talent Show plus writer Walt McLaughlin. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

Franklin County Photogs with Harry Goldhagen hosts a virtual Zoom group. Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour continues. The new Isle La Motte Rec Department book club begins with Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. Cold Hollow to Canada welcomes Kenneth Cadow to read from and sign his novel Gather. The Bookmobile visits. The Eloquent Page Mystery Book Club meets for the Floating Admiral by Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and G.K. Chesterton. The St. Albans Free Library Banned Books Group reads The Color Purple by Alice Walker. The Swanton Free Public Library remains closed for the heating and cooling system updates. Read more…

 

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Artbits-May 15, 2025

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Dick

Today is World Bird Migratory Day.

ART ON THE WALLS

The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on Deborah Shell. Bryan Memorial Gallery features Bird Song on the Columbine Trail, by Michael Glier. Read more…

ART YOU CREATE

Tipsy Daisy offers Paint & Plant at the Rail Trail Pub. The Dick Wright Pub hosts a Paint & Sip with Jordan Bushey. Read more…

CALL FOR ARTISTS

The 94th NVAA June Show is fast approaching. June Show artists will sit with the show and handle sales. Read more…

DANCE

MVU hosts the Electric Youth Dance Company Spring Recital in the Trahan Theater. The Dance at River Arts series continues with Steps across Styles with Taryn Noelle. Read more…

FILM

Zach Scheffler and Franklin County Film Club host a screening of No Other Land at the Welden. Maple Run has a community screening of Just Getting By by Vermont filmmaker Bess O’Brien at BFA-St. Albans. Read more…

HUMANITIES

The Saint Albans Museum kicks 2025 into high gear with the Decades: Season Launch Party. Vermont Humanities continues the Reading & Discussion series with Seminal Statements of American Values plus the Snapshot Series with Ilan Stavans to discuss On Forgetting. Read more…

THEATER

The Depot hosts the Burlesque Act Development series with Doctor Vu. The workshop series guides performers through the essential elements of crafting a burlesque act. Read more…

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Social Sunday continues at the Milton Artists’ Guild. Read more…

COVID NEWS

The Life Became Very Blurry podcast documents the day-to-day life of Vermonters from health care workers to families during the pandemic. Read more…

ON STAGE LIVE

The Vermont Blues Society, the Uncle Jimmy Duo, Sibling Reverie, IncaHoots, Moonbird, Bushey/Bedell, Jason Lee, Dee Davis, Michael Perry, the John Lackard Blues Band, Hammer Lane Highway, Seth Yacovone, Jim Charonko, Barbie-n-Bones, Chris & Erica, 90 Proof, Jerborn, Swamp Frog, Dan & Sean Jarvis, the Smokey Newfield Project, the Shane Murley Band, O & Schu (Dave Ogrodowczyk and Mike Schuster), Blues without Borders, Jenny Red, Laura Fedele Rasco, Ethan Sawyer, Dave Miller, Tom Bisson, Vermont Up-Close Magic, All Without The Bass, Frevo, Tam Lantz all appear live at a venue near you. Read more…

FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

The Fairfax Community Library Silent Reading Party takes place. The Haston Library Book Discussion Group meets to discuss The Forgotten Room by Karen White, Beatriz Williams, and Lauren Willig. Stock the FCS book cart for summer vacation. The Highgate Library and Community Center continues the Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour. Terry Lovelette signs his books at the Sheldon Historical Museum. The Eloquent Page hosts Stan Mayer to sign and talk about For Victims Who Survive. The St. Albans Free Library Mornings, Muffins, and Mysteries discusses The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman. The Swanton Free Public Library will reopen on Tuesday. But I Progress takes up Bait and Switch The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream by Barbara Ehrenreich and the Romance Book Club discusses Seven Days in June by Tia Williams. Read more…

 

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