DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 13 * * All Arts News On the Web * * December 24, 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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THE GIFT OF ART

      Other than a Morgan horse and a sleigh, nothing makes a better Christmas present than local art.
      I wrote this column on Winter Solstice Day this year. That is not only my son's birthday but also the day our days start getting lighter and longer. Yay! More light means more art. Find some, look at some, listen to some, buy some, or make some today. And y'all have a Merry Christmas, joy, happiness, and beautiful music throughout the holiday season.


SILVER & GOLD

     The Opera House at Enosburg Falls presents Silver & Gold: A Musical Variety Show on Monday at 7 p.m. The variety show will feature Broadway show tunes and big screen musical numbers. Listen for vocals by Michael Boomhower, Emily Butson, Bob Cseh, Anthony Kaseoru, Paul Leroux, Jen Roach, Matt Stebbins, Elyse Wadsworth, and Sarah Jo Willey to relax and enjoy after the hectic days of Holiday and or skiing.
      "Bring your enthusiasm and a friend as we tie up 2009 and head to hibernation," Suzi Hull-Parent said.
      The Opera House itself will be organized for cabaret seating with coffee, tea and light refreshments served.
      Admission is $5. Tickets are available door. Profits from this show will support the Opera House summer musical production.


ART ON THE WALLS

STOWE--Helen Day Art Center hosts its Members' Art Show & Sale and Festival of Trees & Light with works from all its members now through January 3.
      The exhibit offers fresh Vermont artwork by local artists. The traditional Festival of Trees & Light showcases holiday happiness and is one of the most spirited events at HDAC.
      Admission is free. Click here for more info.


ON STAGE LIVE

BURLINGTON--Nectar's celebrates the holidays with a very special blues performance of Jason Corbiere's Blues Christmas on Friday, Christmas Day, at 9 p.m. Blues Christmas features Ira Friedman, Hammond B3; Greg Izor, harp; Dave Keller, guitar; Rob Mehan, bass, and Mr. Corbiere, drums.
      A Swanton native, Mr. Corbiere has played drums for more than 20 years. He toured with Blues Legend Eddie Kirkland. He freelanced around Vermont, then formed Jim Branca and the Red Hot Instant Combo. He joined Roomful of Blues where he recorded the Grammy nominated That's Right. He has just joined the Reggae band Conscious Roots.
      Admission is free for those over 21.


SWANTON--Jason Corbiere will also host Jason's Blues and Barbecue Fundraiser For the Swanton Fire Auxiliary at the VFW on Sunday at 4 p.m. New Orleans blues singer and harmonica player Greg Izor's Blues Band will play.
      Admission is $15/person or $25/couple. Tickets are available at my dad's (Corbiere's Barbershop) and at the VFW.
      Call Auxiliary president Jackie Corbiere (802.370.2609) for more info.


NEW YEAR'S EVE

     Make your plans early this year.


BURLINGTON--First Step Dance will hosting the Fourth Annual New Years Eve Ball in the Emerald Ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center. Doors open at 6:30pm for Buffet Dinner Ticket holders, with a buffet from 7-8pm. Dancing-only ticket holders may join the party from 8pm-12:30am with light hors d'oeuvres at 9 p.m.
      First Step will have two dance floors so that there will be even more dance space.
      Buffet tickets are $50/person and dancing only tickets are $30/person before December 28. Dancing only tickets are $40/person December 28th and after. Tickets are available through flynntix.org, or in person at First Step Dance events. Call 802.598.6757 or click here for more info.


RICHMOND--A Celtic New Year features Fiddleheads and Ann Whiting, Gary Dulabaum, Woods Tea Company, Highland Weavers, and Mary Ann Samuels with Susan Reit de Salas and more. Click here for more info.


BURLINGTON--First Night! Burlington features Summer Sounds favorites Atlantic Crossing, Banjo Dan and the Mid-Nite Plowboys, Tammy Fletcher, Jon Gailmor, Kilimanjaro and the Unknown Blues Band, Mark LeGrand, Social Band, Woods Tea Company, and a Young Tradition Showcase, plus the Starline Rhythm Boys and more. Call 802.863.6005 or click here for more info.


MONTPELIER--First Night! Montpelier features Summer Sounds favorites Tim Jennings and Leanne Ponder and the Nisht Geferlach Klezmer Band, plus the Starline Rhythm Boys and more. Click here for more info.


ST. JOHNSBURY--First Night! St. Johnsbury features Summer Sounds favorites Banjo Dan and the Mid-Nite Plowboys and more. Click here for more info.


CLICK HERE: ART SITES OF THE WEEK

     Greek webhost Hellasmultimediahas free downloads of Christmas Clipart. Images, Backgrounds, Borders, Lines, and more.
      FreeFoto has 128,968 images in 169 sections that are organized into 3527 categories including 993 Christmas photos. The images that are free for on-line use. Non-commercial users may download images for free.
      TheFreeSite rounds up images from Christmas backgrounds to Christmas cursors, all free for use on your computer or in at-home projects.


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.