DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 13 * * All Arts News On the Web * * July 16, 2009

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.


      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 various restaurants around Franklin County throughout the week, 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.

      Find links to these events and more in our Spotlight!

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      This weekend marks the beginning of the Big Four Music Weeks of summer. With three or more live concerts, Fairs, or Festivals each week, there is plenty to see and hear in Franklin County.

TAKE IT OFF!

     Cue David Rose.
      Pat Gagne will shave my head in the Highgate Municipal Park on Sunday. I will donate all my hair for my sixtieth birthday in the Cap Cancer fund raiser. That leads in to the Summer Sounds concert in Highgate Municipal Park as the All Arts Council presents the first Highgate Blues Festival as part of the Cap Cancer event. The festival will have free afternoon concerts by Rockfish and more and a special evening concert with the Nobby Reed Project.
      The Nobby Reed Project headlines Summer Sounds on Sunday evening at 7 p.m. with Mr. Reed's ground-shaking original music, guitar playing, and vocals. Eric Belrose and Ray Bushey join Mr. Reed on percussion and bass.
      Playing at about 5:30 p.m., Rockfish is a 4-piece high school group with a repertoire of indie rock, laid-back reggae. Their first EP, "Frozen Flowers," is expected this fall.
      The new Highgate VFD Auxiliary will offer hot dogs, drinks, desserts and other sweets.
      "We're a community group," Becky Johnson said. "This is a great community project."
      The Cap Cancer Blues Festival wants to raise at least 60 pledges and is open to everyone who wants to participate. The all volunteer community event has support from the All Arts Council, JC Image, KOOL 105, Peoples Trust Company, the St. Albans Messenger, and the Town of Highgate. The bands have donated their performances. All proceeds will be shared by Camp Ta-Kum-Ta and the American Cancer Society for cancer research.
      The Summer Sounds concerts are sponsored by the Town of Highgate and the All Arts Council, and underwritten by Chevalier Drilling, Desorcie's Market, Drummac Septic Service, O. C. McCuin & Sons, Ray's Extrusion Dies & Tubing, and Scotty's Taxi.
      The community based All Arts Council brings the performing arts to northwestern Vermont. The concerts are always on Sunday evenings, always at 7 p.m., always in Highgate Municipal Park, and always free. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair as you settle in to enjoy outdoor family music and festivities. The rain site may be the Highgate Arena.


ART and MUSIC and FOOD OH, MY

     The Opera House at Enosburg Falls presents An Evening of Art with Brazilian guitarist Marco de Carvalho on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Jon Scott Memorial Fund, the event features an intimate, sociable acquaintance with Brazilian Guitar alongside samples of Vermont cheese, a glass of Vermont Wine, and an exhibit of Vermont artists Louise Counos, Claire Dunn, Gillian Ireland, and more.
      Guitarist, composer, and arranger Marco de Carvalho came from Rio de Janeiro and now lives in Seattle. His repertoire includes bossa nova, choros, Musica Popular Brasileira, samba, classical and traditional jazz music, and his own compositions. He holds a bachelor's degree in guitar performance from the Brazilian Music Conservatory and has played guitar for over thirty years.
      Admission is $12 per person or $20 per couple.


      Sr. de Carvalho will lead a guitar workshop on Saturday afternoon, 1-3 p.m., at the Opera House. Not for beginners, the small group instruction costs $30 for the two hour session.
      Pre-registration is required. Call the Opera House (802.933.6171) or email for registrations and info.


ON STAGE LIVE

HIGHGATE CENTER--The Highgate Methodist Church presents its annual Ice Cream Social and Band Concert this evening at 6:30 p.m. The Fairfax-Fletcher-Westford Community Band will provide the oompah to go with hot dogs, drinks, ice cream, and cake.


SHELDON--Summer Music at Grace presents Dana and Sue Robinson on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The singer-songwriter duo keeps the spirit of rural America alive with rich harmonies, resounding guitar and banjo playing, and even some fiddle and mandolin. Dana's songs are the poems of the dusty corners of America. Their concerts integrate the music of the Appalachians, Celts, and African traditions.
      Mr. Robinson started with rock'n'roll but changed to hitchhiking the western states. He eventually settled in a Vermont cabin and discovered Appalachian mountain music. His national touring career started with an appearance at Carnegie Hall. Mrs. Robinson is a classically trained pianist and Scottish fiddle player who changed course to take up the mountain claw-hammer banjo and rhythm guitar.
      Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. The Summer Music concert is held in Grace Church, 215 Pleasant Street, Sheldon Creek. Call 802.933.4083 or Click here for directions and info.
      Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. The Summer Music concert is held in Grace Church, 215 Pleasant Street, Sheldon Creek. Call 802.933.4083 or click here for directions and info.


MONTGOMERY--The Montgomery Historical Society Concerts by the Common series presents Atlantic Crossing in Pratt Hall on Saturday at 8 p.m. with a program of original and traditional songs and acoustic music from the Celtic, French and Maritime immigrants who settled New England. This is the group's first appearance in Montgomery.
      Admission is $12 or $10 for MHS members; purchase the entire series for $30 ($25 for members). Call Lutz Automotive (802.326.4528) for advance tickets. The concerts are underwritten in part by grants from the Vermont Arts Council, the Eastman Foundation, TD Banknorth, and area businesses and individuals. Click here for more info


FAIRFAX--The Fairfax Public Library Summer Concert Series presents the busy Fairfax-Fletcher-Westford Community Band at B.F.A.-Fairfax on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
      Click here for more info.


WILLISTON--Groovin on the Green at Maple Tree Place offers live music in front of the Roxy movie theater on the green at 6 p.m. every Thursday evening through August 20. Tonight the Starline Rhythm Boys bring their brand of honky-tonk, vintage country and rockabilly to the green.


ESSEX JUNCTION--The Lincoln Inn, Advance Music, and Eagle Country continue the Battle of the Bands as Summer Sounds favorites Mark LeGrand and the Lovesick Bandits go against Kevin Brisson on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Inn has no cover charge on any night in July.
      Call 802.878.3309 or click here for more info.


ART & MOVEMENT

     The Opera House at Enosburg Falls presents the Sunday Art & Movement series with local artists and dancers. Jeremy Lawyer will teach new dance moves and a dance routine on Sunday, 1-3 p.m., at the Opera House. Recommended for young and older (6 years and up) dancers.
      There is a $10 fee or $15 for two. Call the Opera House (802.933.6171) or email for more info.


CLICK HERE: ART SITE OF THE WEEK

     With the Big Four Music Weeks of summer in full swing, find all the events we know about on the Stuff You Shouldn't Miss page at the All Arts Council site.


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!


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      This article was originally published in the St Albans Messenger and other traditional print media. It is Copyright © 2009 by Richard B. Harper. All rights reserved. Archival material is provided as-is. Links are not necessarily maintained (if a link in this article fails, try Google.com or your favorite search engine).
      Thanks to recent misuse of copyright material on the Internet by individuals and archival firms alike, we emphasize that your rights to this article are limited to viewing it and printing it for personal use only. You must receive explicit permission from the All Arts Council and the author before reprinting or redistributing this article in any medium.