DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 4 * * All Arts News On the Web * * July 6, 2000

STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS

      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.


      There is a free AAC Networking Meeting/Coffee House at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. These gatherings bring new opportunities, gossip, and workshops every month at Simple Pleasures in St Albans.


AAC COFFEEHOUSE

      Singer-Songwriter Robin Smith of Stowe will perform at the All Arts CoffeeHouse at Simple Pleasures Cafe tonight at 7 p.m. The original watercolor paintings of AAC member Mary Harper will be on exhibit. The artwork will remain at Simple Pleasures through July 31.
      The All Arts Council sponsors the CoffeeHouse with music, networking time, and "show-and-tell" at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Admission is always free, but donations are appreciated (plan to drink some good coffee, too).


MILKING THE MUSIC IN HIGHGATE

      On Sunday evening, Ray's Extrusion Dies and Tubing continues our double-bill Got Milk Summer Sounds anniversary season with The Naturals plus Bob Gesser in the Highgate Municipal Park. The Got Milk Summer Sounds concerts are always on Sunday evenings, always at 7 p.m., always in a town park, and always free.
      The Naturals are a solid, unspoiled, five piece Vermont pop rock/oldies band. Kevin Agosti, vocals and bass; Deana Paquette, vocals, sax and overall mouthiness; Mike Trombly, lead guitar and vocals and the all-important sound man; Brian Crogan, drums; and Doug Ryan, keyboard, sax, and vocals, all together have about 99 years of musical experience.
      "We put all the pressure on Kevin," Deana said. He founded the band in 1997. This all occasion dance band plays Patsy Cline, Frank Sinatra, Sheryl Crow, and more.
      "We have lots of big vocals," Deana said. Their musical punch comes from the strong male and female leads, great harmonies, and solid instrumental work. Where else do you find a rock band with two saxes?
      We're also hoping for a special appearance of Homer and Marge.
      Opening the evening is local singer/guitarist Bob Gesser of Richford, a solo musician who headlines regularly in other Northwestern Vermont events. Bob has 30 years experience on the guitar and plays wide range of styles from soft rock to country to the blues.
      Bring grandma, the kids and your dancing shoes. Just before the concert, stop by for Dessert in the Park at the Highgate Historical Society social starting at 6 p.m. The social hour is a chance to visit with friends, eat some delicious desserts, and play milk-music trivia.
      Got Milk Summer Sounds concerts in Highgate are presented by the Dairy Farmers of New England and Vermont, the Town of Highgate, and the All Arts Council, and sponsored by Champlain Valley International, Chevalier Drilling, Dexter Products, O. C. McCuin & Sons, Ray's Extrusion Dies & Tubing, and The Tyler Place.
      The rain site is the United Methodist Church in Highgate. The community based All Arts Council brings the performing arts to northwestern Vermont.


BLUES FEST

      The Fourth Annual Blues Fest at Lake Carmi starts at noon on Sunday at The Boonys Pub and Grille. The all day lineup includes the Dave Keller Blues Band, East Coast Muscle, Bloozotomy, the Wildcats, and the Nobby Reed Project. The bands will play until dusk.
      "Bring the family for a whole day," said Eric Weeber of The Boonys.
      Dave Keller is an honest, soulful, emotional blues singer backed by a band full of Chicago grit with New Orleans funk. East Coast Muscle, with Noble Francoeur hammering a bass under Nobby Reed's fiery guitar, plus drums and a harp, brings more power to Franklin. Wildtcats with Faye Shugrue will also have guest drummer Matty "Jump-Back" Nerbak of Bloozotomy. Jim Branca's Bloozotomy is a four-piece band with a cutting original edge. They have supple sax music for classics, in your face originals, postmodern swing and down-home blues. Our own best blues guitarist fronts the four star original Nobby Reed Project and headlines the festival. A recent review favorably compared Nobby to Eric Clapton.
      Organized each year by Nobby Reed, the Blues Fest has grown into a family outing at Lake Carmi. There are always "unexpected" guest performers and this year will have a guest appearance by members of Vermont Voltage.
      "We're also recording the concert for a live CD," Nobby said.
      Tickets are only $15 and kids under 10 always Free. The Blues Fest is sponsored by Coca Cola, Buyers Digest, Franklin County Brewery, and the Boonys Pub and Grille, Route 236 (State Park Road), in Franklin. Ticket proceeds benefit the Franklin County Humane Society and the All Arts Council.


GRAND NEW OPERA HOUSE

      Dr. B. J. Kendall would be proud.
      The Opera House at Enosburg Falls hosts its grand reopening gala on Saturday. The celebration stars the Enosburg community, and features Sterling Weed, the Enosburg Town Band and Chorus, and a special appearance by Rusty DeWees as The Logger.
      The variety entertainment includes a Stories and Memories of Enosburg and the Opera House, a music and movement piece by Judith Karstens and Manon Pellman. "They're working with members of the community to put together the history of the Opera House and its connection with the community," Facilities Manager/plumber/electrician/fundraiser Jon Scott said. The Enosburg Town Band and Chorus will perform a medley of Opera House music from the very beginning through the present. Sterling Weed and his Imperial Orchestra will play during the gala and will return to provide dance music until midnight.
      "The restoration of the Opera House restored my band as well," Sterling said.
      Dr. Kendall built the Opera House at Enosburg Falls in 1892 to house cultural events, entertainment, and meetings. The building has an intimate stage and acoustics to match the great music halls. Jon Scott has overseen a project to create a new infrastructure that meets fire codes, safety codes, and handicap access, and yields perfect performance and exhibit space.
      Thanks to the Enosburg Opera House Association and the Friends of the Opera House, Dr. Kendall's dream is reopening as Enosburg Falls' cultural jewel, Saturday evening. The opening ceremonies begin at 7 and the entertainment at 7:30. Admission is free but donations will help underwrite the ongoing programs.


2000 CONCERTS BY THE COMMON

      The Montgomery Historical Society presents the Cleveland Duo and James Umble on Saturday in Pratt Hall. This season, the concert series explores the sounds and sensations of string instruments in the String Along series.
      Pianist and violinist Carolyn Gadiel Warner and violinist James Warner from the Cleveland Orchestra join with James Umble, classical saxophone, for a concert full of exciting and unusual works by Ravel, Brahms, Glick, and Piazzola. This world class trio comes direct to Montgomery from the International Saxophone Festival in Montreal. Saturday at 8 p.m. in Pratt Hall on Route 118 in the center of Montgomery Village. Tickets are $12.50. Call Lutz Automotive (326-4528) for reservations.


STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS

FRANKLIN--The Brodies play The Boonys on Saturday night.
ST ALBANS BAY--Nobby is doubly busy this weekend as East Coast Muscle appears at the Bayside, Friday and Saturday nights.


CLICK HERE: ENTERTAINMENT SITES OF THE WEEK

      This week, the Got Milk Summer Sounds includes The Naturals.
      Blues Fest performers on the Web include Nobby Reen , Dave Keller, and Bloozotomy


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

      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.


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