| VOLUME 3 NUMBER 6-1/2 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | JUNE, 1999 |
ArtBits always features a calendar of the goings on of Franklin County artists. Check out these events around Franklin County. STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS
There is no AAC Networking Meeting/Coffee House in June. These gatherings will resume in September with a new series of gossip, opportunities, and workshops.
The Green Mountain Wind Ensemble will play its inaugural concert on Tuesday in the Band Shell in Taylor Park. This select group of student musicians is from Northwestern Vermont. I'VE MADE MY PLANS FOR THE SUMMER
"I thought it would be great to get the people who want to be dedicated to music and put them in a group to see what we could do," said organizer Dan Wagner. The Green Mountain Wind Ensemble specializes in the major works of contemporary composers, classical overtures and transcriptions, and traditional marches. They rehearse each week at BFA-St Albans under Director Eric Bushey.
Eric Bushey will conduct and Verne Colburn is Guest Conductor for the Tuesday concert.
The program begins with His Honor by American musical icon Henry Filmore. The flamboyant Filmore flooded the band music market with over 1,000 pieces of music as Harold Bennett, Will Huff and Al Hayes, Gus Beans,Ray Hall,Harry Hartley and Henrietta Hall for the the more difficult repertoire. His Honor is one of 113 Filmore marches.
All great bands have John Phillip Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever in their repertoire. The Wind Ensemble will also play The Thunderer and "I've Made My Plans for the Summer," by Sousa, the Folk Song Suite by Vaughn Williams, and Shepherd's Hey, by P. A. Grainger, The concert will conclude with Mozart's Overture to the Marriage of Figaro.
"The 'Overture' is the most exciting for us, probably followed by the 'Folk Song Suite,'" Dan said. "They are the most difficult, so it's been fun to see what we could do with the full potential of this group."
Many of the 39 musicians in the Green Mountain Wind Ensemble are current students at BFA-St Albans.
The flutes are Nicole Rawding, Amelia Lanza, Erin Cassavoy, Johanna Kasoru, Erin Walsh, and Samantha Jones (Enosburg H. S.).
The oboist is Jessica Kemp.
The clarinets are Amelia Rainville, Kelly Wright, Nick Guertin, Lisa Thacker, Leah Greene, Pam Stewart, and Laura Sink (BFA-Fairfax), with Kim Brock, bass clarinet.
The saxes are Brian Theoret, Angela Rock, Kelly Russell, alto, Brad Jenkins, tenor, and Chris Manchester, bari.
The horns are Abbey Drake (BFA Fairfax) and Jason Miller.
Trumpets are Audrey Leduc, Chris Jenette, Joss Remillard, Alex Hastings, Chad Jenkins (Alumnus), and Todd Dansereau (Alumnus).
The trombones are Tom Koldys, Chris Comstock (Rice), Ethan Werner, and Mike Williams.
The euphoniums (euphonia?) are Dan Wagner and Gavin Grant. [Ed note: Wendy Chatley Green tells us "Euphonium comes from the Greek, so it shouldn't get a Latin plural. In reality, you probably could use 'euphonia' in place of euphoniums. Its root is 'euphonos' (plural 'euphonoi') and means 'pleasant sound.'"]
The tubas are Brendan McCarthy, Adam Dunsmore
On percussion are Brian Messier, Zack Colgan, and Ashley Stebbins.
The Green Mountain Wind Ensemble concert begins Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. in Taylor Park. The rain site is the Congregational Church.
Celebrate graduation and the return of Summer as Hamlen's Garden Center and the AAC present the fourth annual Arts & Garden Festival on Saturday, June 12. The Festival includes fine art by Franklin County artists displayed in a lovely garden surrounded by the floral and landscaping wizardry of Hamlen's. ART & GARDEN FESTIVAL
The theme is Summer in Vermont with floral motif pieces in all media (floral paintings, sculptures, and arrangements) as well as scenes from the beach or the barn. The Arts & Garden Festival will showcase AAC artists. Alice Astleford has sandunes, a blackberry laden fence, and a milk jug surrounded by tulips. Del Bransfield has pen and ink sketches of a locomotive and a happy baby. Keith Gallup will show three new works. Mary Harper has watercolors including Potted Violets, a Red Shouldered Hawk, a Forest Glade, and a satisfied beachcomber. Anna Modzelewski will show one of her stunning human sculptures. Pat Murphy has two works in progress in a continuing demonstration of how art develops. Other artists include Carolyn Brown, Natalie LaRocque-Bouchard, the photography of Bob Brodeur and David Juaire, and Celeste Pecor.
Many of the pieces are for sale.
The Arts Festival is open Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. til 2 p.m. at Hamlen's Garden Center on Swanton Road in Swanton.
The first Franklin County American Cancer Society Relay for Life features a great entertainment lineup Friday, June 18, at the Collins-Perley Sports Complex. RELAY FOR LIFE
The Fairfax/Fletcher/Westford Band starts the evening with two sets beginning at 5:30 p.m. The opening ceremonyand the National Anthem begin at 6 p.m. Claire Hungerford will sing "It's a Wonderful Day" and James MacKenzie Bagpipes will play for the honored guests, the cancer survivors who have joined the Relay for Life for the evening.
mr ED, a 5-piece jazz band from Underhill, plays at 6:45 p.m. Made up of a father, his two sons, a dentist and a VSO personality, mr. ED played at the Burlington Jazz Festival last week. The quintet includes computer guru Ed Moore, clarinet, from Underhill, Dr. Steve Pitmon, trumpet, Rick Presson, bass, from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Tom Moore, percussion, John Moore, guitar, and perhaps a famous singer to be named later. Ed Moore also volunteers with Vermont Towns on computer and town mapping issues.
Other entertainment includes kickboxing, face painting for kids, step aerobics, a poster contest, spirit hours with wacky hats, and a midnight pajama fashion show.
The Relay for Life starts Friday, June 18, at 5:30 p.m. on the Collins-Perley outdoor track in St Albans.
Summer has been here for a couple of months, but the kids are just now finishing the school year. A SUMMER OF MUSIC
Summer Sounds '99 has 17 live free concerts lined up for every Sunday evening throughout the summer. Concerts always alternate between the Highgate Municipal Park and Taylor Park in St Albans. The popular series also alternates concerts in Enosburg Falls, Franklin, and Richford.
Each summer concert is free. Settle in on your own blanket or lawn chair and enjoy outdoor family music. The lineup includes a medley of bluegrass, folk, country, pop, and classic rock-n-roll. Bring your own bug spray.
Although the music begins at 7 p.m., you will want to arrive earlier because every outdoor concert this year features a festival or social. Local community groups will host each event with special activities, family fun, and enough food to make Sunday a great family holiday in the park. There will be a special flower fete, an art show, a pet day, and more. Check the calendar for your favorite acts.
"Free" concerts are expensive. The five towns, the sponsors, and the All Arts Council hire the bands, create the publicity, and set up all 17 shows. They need your support to continue. Please remember to thank the hosts and patronize the sponsors.
Summer Sounds concerts are always in a Town park, always on Sunday evenings at 7 p.m., and always free. The rain site is the Opera House at Enosburg Falls, The Methodist Church and/or the Highgate Arena, the Congregational Church in St Albans, and the Town Hall in Franklin. The rain sites will be announced in Richford.
ST ALBANS--Pat Austin and Friends play Friday night, June 11, at Jeff's Seafood. Pat started singing folk and blues which grew into the rock band Elephant Gerald. She was lead singer for the New Leaf Band, was a founder of Spyders and is now one of the 10-woman Zephyrs a capella group. STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS
Pat appears at Jeff's Seafood every other Friday night (June 11 and 25) from 7:30-10:30 p.m.
RICHFORD--The Farmers Market at Davis Park on River Street is opening for the season Saturday with Franklin County honky tonk band Classic Country playing from 11:00 a.m.-1:00P.m.
The AAC needs members who want to assemble art exhibits, book bands, evoke events, and to paint or dance or sing or write. We began our annual membership drive last month. MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
1999 members will receive a reproduction of a fine oil or watercolor painting donated by AAC artists. Member benefits also include networking with artists and other members, a member night celebration, regular news of local cultural happenings, priority seating or discount admission to AAC events, advance notice of events, educational and cultural opportunities, as well as other parties and discounts.
Residents, businesses, and visitors can join at the saint, patron, donor, benefactor, sponsor, or general member Level. Student memberships are free; our student members complete community service projects to fulfill their membership. Check it out here.
Ernie Hemingway launched the Traveling Storyteller thanks in part to a grant from the Community Cares Committee in Highgate. The Storyteller reached over 700 people last year, bringing the story of Little Red Riding Hood to 28 sites including libraries, schools, and bookstores. The Storyteller now receives generous assistance from Ben and Jerry's Homemade, Mousetrap Pediatrics, and Success by Six. IN THEATER EVERYONE SEEMS TO SHINE
"The Traveling Storyteller is really a Literacy/Arts program," Ernie said. "It combines songs, creative dramatics, a story, a puppet show, and a craft, all around a particular fairy tale." They began touring Vermont with Little Red Riding Hood, and now present Goldilocks and the Three Bears. It's also fun. Over 1,000 people in more than 30 sites will have seen the Spring shows of Goldilocks by June. The cast and crew includes Drew Ede, Cherry Holden, Wiley Holiman, Michelle Matton, Erin Batchelder, Matt and Jon Roddy, and second-in-command Rina Choiniere.
The initial grant was for one year. Ernie wants to continue with the program and is doing extensive fundraising with businesses and arts patrons throughout the state. She asks for donations from libraries, schools and other venues. They also perform for resorts, company picnics, birthday parties, and anywhere else kids gather.
In 1992, Carl Whitehouse, Lili Gamache, Joan Grant, and Ernie laid the groundwork for the St Albans Rotary's popular Suitcase Theater. Each summer, Suitcase Theater books a week of performances in nearly every library in Franklin County. They usually do two shows each day; the record is 13 library performances in one week. Ernie directs the younger company of mostly middle school students (the oldest actor last year was a sophomore). Her crew performed for 250 kids last summer.
Growing up in Westchester County, New York, Ernie comes by her theater interest naturally. "My father was the old Dudley Doright in silent shorts [yes, he was a juvenile actor]," she said. "In the fifties, he was in subscription television.
"My family has been a family of actors and the stage is like our playground. My son and daughter are also performers." Ernie is usually behind the scenes as a director. Traveling Storyteller is her first venture in front of the lights as a performer.
"I see theater as an opportunity for all people to feel good about themselves, no matter whether they can barely read or if they are truly gifted. Everyone in theater seems to shine and to build creativity through improvisation." She starts her students in first grade with show and tell and with simple book reports. They learn to be comfortable in front of a group, refining their presentations, and taking pride in what they do. "I see drama as an opportunity for everyone to reach higher potential," It builds self esteem and gives skills that can be applied every aspect of life, from presenting a report to the boss to making a point at Town Meeting.
Ernie studied at SUNY-Plattsburgh. She received Masters degrees in Early Education from Johnson State and Language Arts from UVM. She teaches first and second grade kids in a "looping" multi-year program at Highgate Elementary. She has taught drama in Grades 3-6 for all 12 years, started teaching middle school drama in 1991. She is also the busy mother of four: Blaise, 21, was just graduated from SUNY-Plattsburgh; twins Blade and Brock are seniors and Kaitlyn is a junior at MVU.
The Traveling Storyteller will perform Saturday in the South Hero Library at 1:30 p.m. and at The Tyler Place at 7 p.m. On Sunday, June 6, they will play the Fletcher Free Library and Camp Abnaki.
The living is easy in the summer, because we have fun stuff to do in our Town and City parks. But we really need more outdoor performances. SUMMERTIME, SUMMERTIME
"We would like to do more in the park," said Steve McNeil, Village manager in Enosburg Falls. "We want people to bring in any ideas."
Would you organize (or help organize) a show in Enosburg Falls? Do you want to invite 300 flutes to Fairfax or a sculptor to Swanton? E-mail the All Arts Council for details
TRAVELING MURAL--This summer, the AAC and the Community Cares committees will begin a new mural project. Student artists from the area will work with Natalie LaRocque-Bouchard to create the traveling mural Scenes from Franklin County. This large exhibition piece will be painted in sections in each town, then will travel to shows, fairs, and barn raisings around our area. CALL FOR ARTISTS
Franklin County high school art teachers have details and sign up sheets.
MONTGOMERY--AAC member and part-time Montgomery resident Michael Domina will offer two Franklin County Watercolor Workshops starting in July and September. He shows how to capture impressionistic subjects on location and teaches design, value, color, and experimental technique. The three-day Visions of Vermont workshop begins July 22 in Montgomery at the Black Lantern Inn.
Reservations are required by June 1. Call (781-843-5799) or e-mail Mike for more info.
BURLINGTON--The Arts Alive Arts Festival in Burlington wants Franklin County artists for a Street Painting Exhibition June 5 at City Hall Park. Street painting, which began in the 1400s in Italy, is done with chalk. Each artist gets a square of the sidewalk. Some create wildly original works; others duplicate famous paintings. It's a nice venue for both professional and non-professional. Attendees will vote on people's choice, best master's work, most creative and the like. The awards include gift certificates for Artist's Medium and Jeff's Maine Seafood.
E-mail Rob Fitzgerald to register and for more info.
SWANTON--The Annual Arts and Eats Fest at Hamlen's Garden Center in Swanton is just around the corner on June 12. The theme is a floral motif (floral paintings, sculptures, and arrangements).
"We encourage new and emerging artists to exhibit here for the first time," said AAC vice-chair Natalie LaRocque-Bouchard.
E-mail Natalie or the All Arts Council for more info. There is no entry fee for this show.
VISUAL ARTISTS--The Fisk Farm Horse and Carriage Barn Gallery on Isle La Motte is planning the 1999 summer showings in conjunction with the Sunday Afternoon Teas during July and August. E-mail Valerie Ugro for information.
WORKSHOPS--Are you planning to give lessons or run an art workshop in Franklin County this summer? Let me know the details. We will carry as much info in this column as readers send in.
9TH BIENNIAL STAND MAGAZINE FICTION COMPETITION (June 30)--Stand Magazine of England is a long-standing international literary magazine. Recent issues have featured Don Coles (Canada), Wole Soyinka (Nigeria), Keith Botsford, John Ashbury, and Anthony Hecht (USA), Penelope Shuttle, Pauline Stainer, and Rodney Pybus (UK). 2,500 pounds in prizes plus publication. Check out the STAND or email David Latane for info. JUNE-JULY ART DEADLINES
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY BIENNIAL (July 15)--Original two- and three-dimension art from artists residing in the United States whose imagery uses photographic processes. Entry Fee. Call Silvermine Guild Arts Center (203-966-5617) for info.
"Now showing @ MOWA" the Museum of Web Art has a clean, crisp interface and a new look at the Art of the Internet. ART SITES OF THE MONTH
The North Gallery offers Things That Work with buttons to push from the Amy Stone collection. The West Gallery has kinetic creations by Auriea Harvey/Entropy8 Digital Arts, iXL, Otis College of Art and Design, Red Sky Interactive, and Rubin Postaer Interactive in the "Things That Move" exhibit. Look for Things That Change in the East Gallery. View time through a window, watch a minute pass, or leaf through the pages of Giga's Millennium Diary, where every day is a unique experience. The South Gallery anchors us with Things That Are Constant Wallpaper and the Web offers background patterns and motifs used expressly for Web pages with featured artists Ashley Cheng, Kelly McLarnon, and Amy Stone.
The Kids Wing has interactive family fun, featuring works by Adrian Cotter, Fischer West, Michael French, Rachel Hefter, and Susan Finley. Special Exhibits are in Linker Hall.
The site uses Java, JavaScript, and Frames. Many of the exhibits require Shockwave Flash, Audio, and a 4.x or newer browser.
The Case of Grandpa's Painting with art detective A. Pintura is an adventure in art history. The case starts with Miss Fiona Featherduster who was "all weepy 'cause her grandfather had just died." Although grandpapa was quite the art collector, he had left her just one dusty painting in the attic.
Create art with hands-on activities and technique demonstrations in a student gallery. The online resources include the art timeline, artist biographies, and a glossary. The also site has "ArtEdventures" about Color, Portraits, and more including Teacher's Guides. There is a Newsletter, Art-Intensive Lesson Plans, General Lesson Plans for integrating art into the curriculum, and a Lesson Plan Exchange.
ArtBits features a quick weekly peek at the bookshelf or night stand of the folks you know in and around Franklin County. That popular feature has a page of its own at the Franklin County Bookshelf here on the AAC site. FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
All Arts Council of Franklin County
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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