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 live music and more at the Fairfax Music Sessions at the Foothills Bakery in Fairfax most Saturday afternoons at 1 p.m., at ChowBella or at the Overtime Saloon in St Albans 8-10 p.m. most Wednesday evenings, at the Bayside in St Albans Town most Sunday afternoons, and the Cambridge CoffeeHouses at 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of every month.
     These gatherings bring new opportunities, gossip, "show-and-tell" and occasional workshops. The booked performances and acoustic Open Mike Nights feature music, readings, and more from the best new artists in Vermont.

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SECOND THIRD AND FOURTH OF SUMMER

      We have three sets of Fourth of July music on the second this weekend as Bay Day 2006 kicks off a day with lots more than fireworks. The 27th annual summer festival is a multi-faceted family day with the Great Race, fine art, lakefront games, sports, fair food, fireworks, and continuous live music, all to celebrate Independence Day. This familiar Franklin County family festival has some more new surprises including a visit from Governor Jim Douglas.
      Bay Day 2006 takes place in St. Albans Town Bay Park all day Sunday.

SUMMER SOUNDS--St. Albans Bay Park will jump with "more fun than should be allowed by law" as Northwestern Medical Center presents the Slab City Independence Day tribute in the Summer Sounds series at Bay Day on Sunday evening.
      Governor Jim Douglas will be on hand to inspect the World's Largest Palette and enjoy the concert.
      The Independence Day play list has tunes everyone enjoys. "Our music ranges from Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard through Elvis and the Beatles, to the Eagles, a Doobie Brothers tune or two, AC/DC, with stops with Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, and Garth Brooks," lead guitar Bill Jock said. "We do take requests."
      Slab City is not East of Los Angeles in the bowels of the Mojave Desert. More often known as Earlville, NY, Slab City was the hometown of former Busco Bandits band member Dan Wills, bass and keyboards, who built the Slab City Studios there twenty years ago. Former The Edge musician Steve Vanier who plays everything, Jeff Larche, drums, and former "Ranch Riders" lead guitar Bill Jock joined the project.
      "We all had been playing in other bands before that," he said. "We come from mainly country and rock backgrounds. We all sing."
      The Summer Sounds concerts are sponsored by the Town of St. Albans and the All Arts Council, and underwritten by the St Albans area business community.
      The community based All Arts Council brings the performing arts to northwestern Vermont. The concerts are always on Sunday evenings at 7 p.m., always in a town park, and always free. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair as you settle in to enjoy outdoor family music and festivities.

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PALLING AROUND--Cultural Heritage Days continue in Vermont through July Fourth and Sunday is Palettes of Vermont Day at Bay Day. The World's Largest Palette, created by the artists of Franklin County, will stand out on the grounds and will be formally measured for the Guinness World Record. The Palettes of Franklin County, Vermont will be on display in the Stone Bathhouse from 10 a.m. through the fireworks. The Vermont Arts Council will bring more of the statewide Palettes of Vermont along with palette making activities to round out the display.
      The World's Largest Palette is sponsored by the Fournier Farm Equipment, Peoples Trust Company, Sticks and Stuff, and Union Bank. It is a project of the All Arts Council and St. Albans for the Future with artwork designed and executed by Natalie LaRocque-Bouchard and Alisha LaRocque.

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LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY--the Town of St. Albans and the All Arts Council will offer live music for Bay Day starting about 1 p.m. on the patio at St. Albans Town Park at the Bay.
      "The family events also include music, a wrestling demonstration, balloon rides, and more" starting at 1 p.m. St. Albans Town Parks and Recreation Director Glenn Pion said.
      Shellhouse is an original Vermont rock band playing family music with Bob Teer, song writer/guitarist/vocalist; Jim Fox, electric guitar; Andrea Teer, vocals and percussion; Bob DeFeo, drums; and Paul Snyder, bass. 1 and 3 p.m. at the Bathhouse Pavilion.
      "Shellhouse plays mostly original rock with an 'Americana' rock & roll sound," Mr. Teer said. They also play covers by artists such as John Hiatt, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Warren Zevon, and The Band. They will join Tammy Fletcher in an outdoor concert at Battery Park on Sterling Weed's birthday, July 20, and will be featured in concert at Shelburne Farms later this year. Their debut CD is Boomerang.
      Mark Sustic and Gary Dulabaum's performances include participatory music with songs and dance using fiddle, guitar, banjo, accordion, harmonica and more. This concert will include traditional American folk songs, songs every child should know, songs from books, sing-alongs, and fun. 2 and 4 p.m. at the Bathhouse Pavilion.
      Gary Dulabaum is a nationally known performer, recording artist, author, and educator from South Burlington. He travels extensively, appearing at conferences, seminars and teacher training programs throughout North America. His book and CD, My Teacher Rides a Harley has been featured on Morning Edition on National Public Radio.
      Mark Sustic is a presenter, musician, and dance leader who appears at concerts, festivals and dances throughout New England. He is a teacher and early education consultant, and was coordinator of the Franklin County Early Childhood Programs for 20 years.
      Presented by St. Albans Town Recreation, the Bay Day-Summer Sounds social will be an all day event with the Bay Day food vendors starting to serve at about 2 p.m.
      Fireworks will begin at dusk thanks to generous contributions from the community. The fireworks alone have a rain date, July 3.
      Bay Day itself goes rain or shine. "It's not going to rain," Mr. Pion said.

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ON STAGE LIVE

WATERBURY--The 2006 Waterbury Rotary Concert Series presents Northern Routes (David Carpenter, Tom Hodgson, Tom MacKenzie and Mark Sustic) at the Rusty Parker Memorial Park in Village Square tonight at 6:30 p.m. A Farmer’s Market is open 3-6 p.m. The rain location is Crossett Brook Middle School. Click here for more info.

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CLICK HERE: ART SITE OF THE WEEK

     Hammered dulcimer player, teacher, performer Samantha Moffatt of Vershire offers a variety of traditional music, song, and dance programs. Her site has a schedule, biography, recordings, contact info, fees, and "story dramas."

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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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