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.

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      Stop in for the AAC CoffeeHouses at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. These gatherings bring new opportunities, gossip, "show-and-tell" and workshops. We come together on the second Wednesday for a booked musical performance and an art exhibit at Simple Pleasures in St Albans. On the fourth Wednesday come to the Kept Writer in St Albans for acoustic Open Mike Night featuring music, readings, and more from the best new artists in Vermont.

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DOZEN SINGERS SURVIVE STAGE

      The Opera House at Enosburg Falls hosts a benefit concert tomorrow evening to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-Northern New England Chapter. Many of Franklin County's hidden and not-so-hidden vocal and instrumental talents will perform on the famed stage.
      Miss Vermont Sarah Jo Willey comes to the stage straight from Atlantic City and Vermont's own Survivor Marquesas finalist Kathy O'Brien will open the evening in a special guest appearance to talk about Cystic Fibrosis, the empowerment of surpassing one's own limits, and her experiences on Survivor.
      "I have a son who has Cystic Fibrosis," said organizer Jeanette Larivee. The Larivees started doing walkathons when son Jarek was two. They attended the events in Burlington and have decided to do something different locally. "That's my thing," she said, "to keep the Foundation going because they are what keep us going." Jarek is 9 now.
      "The show will be pretty much all vocalists," said Ms. Larivee. "Singing is my favorite thing and all of the performers will do at least a couple of songs."
      Bobby Cee (Bobby Chevalier) is Claire Hungerford's brother. They may perform together.
      Singer/guitarist Bob Gesser of Richford plays 50s and 60s music from soft rock to country to blues. He has over 30 years experience on the guitar.
      Amy Greenia of Enosburg won the Colgate Country Showdown and will sing some modern country favorites.
      Claire Hungerford is a classical concert singer, soloist, Music Director for St Mary's, and a member of Counterpoint, Vermont's only professional vocal ensemble. She sings the lush and beautiful harmonies of the romantic period composers because "they truly knew how to write music for singers."
      Folk singer Jim LaClair of Richford began playing guitar in the 1960s boom. Heavily influenced by Joan Baez, Gordon Lightfoot, and Bob Dylan, he plays traditional folk songs with a topical message.
      11-year old Lindsey Larivee is a Ducham award-winning soloist and Country Showdown favorite. She will perform songs from Leann Rimes and Martina McBride.
      Diane Lumbra sings at weddings, does country, and has performed with Jim LaClair at the AAC CoffeeHouse. Mr. LaClair will accompany her.
      The Missisquoi River Band of Jim Weed and Ernie Manetti will keep the house alive with bluegrass.
      Shayna Sherwood of Enosburg was a Colgate Country Showdown favorite and a past winner of the Opera House Junior Division Talent Show.
      Singer/actor Tim Stetson and His Invisible Friends will present a few of his favorite gospel songs. He is well known for his stage productions, performances as a magician, clown, and juggler, and as a drummer in country rock bands; he also hosts "Gospel Gold Country" on Radio WLFE. He will sing "Thank God for Kids."
      Darcy Westover works at INS and is another Country Showdown competitor. She sang at the September 11 ceremonies at Immigration.
      "6 foot 2" Miss Vermont, Sarah Jo Willey of Bakersfield is a marketing teacher, floral designer and outstanding vocalist.
      Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening, genetic disorder. It causes severe lung damage and nutritional deficiencies; just ten years ago, most people with the disease did not live beyond their teens. As researchers unravel the genetic basis of CF, earlier detection and improved treatments have helped extend patients live into their 30s.
      This inherited condition affects the glands that produce mucus, tears, sweat, saliva and digestive juices. The defective gene causes their secretions to be thick and sticky, plugging tubes, ducts and passageways, especially in the pancreas and lungs. Respiratory failure is the most common consequence of CF.
      The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation reports that scientists are continuing to learn more about the disease, that new drugs are in the pipeline, that care givers have more powerful techniques to manage the symptoms, and that 38.7 percent of the people with CF in the United States are now 18 years or older and are living full and comfortable lives.
      "They are finding better medications and better care and that's what keeps all the kids going," Mrs. Larivee said. Another friend of theirs in Enosburg will be 30 this year "and she is doing wonderfully. There are people living into their fifties because the medication and research makes it possible."
      The benefit concert is this Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Opera House. Admission is $5 for adults. Kids under 12 pay just $3 at the door. "We tried to keep the ticket prices down so everybody can come," Mrs. Larivee said. All the performers are donating their time and the profits go to the Northern New England chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

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AN AFTERNOON OF SONG

      Arlene Jarvis, Claire Campbell, and Marcia Perry reprise their concert of light classics and folk songs in Franklin Central School on Sunday afternoon. The program will open with duets of three Copland folk songs. Ms. Jarvis will sing three songs by Duparc and Ms. Campbell will perform three songs based on the stories of Joan of Arc. There will be several Spanish duets. Ms. Jarvis will perform Obradors' classical Spanish folk songs and Ms. Campbell will end with the folk songs of Scotland Ireland and Wales.
      Arlene Jarvis, soprano, has been a Franklin County musician and has taught at City School for years. She performs regularly in Vermont.
      Claire Campbell, mezzo-soprano, recently moved here from New York City where she sang professionally.
      Marcia Perry, piano, is a professional pianist, accompanist, and teacher.
      The Afternoon of Song will begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday in Franklin Central School in Franklin. Admission is free.

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COFFEEHOUSE

JEFFERSONVILLE--Cambridge CoffeeHouse presents singer-songwriter Karen McFeeters, accompanied by John Gibbons and Craig Anderson, in an evening of original music at the Cambridge CoffeeHouse at Dinner's Dunn at the Windridge Bakery on Wednesday, October 2, 7-9 p.m.
      The Cambridge Arts Council sponsors the CoffeeHouse on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. E-mail for more info for info.

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STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS

ST ALBANS--The Kept Writer presents owner Jedd Kettler owner with Zach Ward and Joshua Givens in an evening of fun and mayhem, with some folk, bluegrass and alternative pop. On Saturday, the folk duo Hub Cats will play an evening of contemporary folk music, smooth vocals, and light humor on mandolin and guitar. Both shows at 7-9 p.m.

FRANKLIN--The Boonys Pub and Grill presents the fiddle/bass duo of Shane and Charlotte Brodie from Underhill. They will perform on Saturday starting at 7 p.m.

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CLICK HERE: ART SITE OF THE WEEK

      The Good Music Guide offers you the chance to review music from ancient to avant garde. The site is a weekly listening guide to (mostly classical) music on CD. They offer a CD of the Week, a regular forum, reading lists, and a weekly quiz.

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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.

SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!

All Arts Council of Franklin County

Dick Harper, Chair
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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