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 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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      Tomorrow is the longest day of the year as Summer begins.

ON STAGE LIVE

HIGHGATE FALLS--St. John Episcopal Church presents a Peter Griggs concert, a Latin Café, tomorrow evening at 7 p.m.
      Mr. Griggs will play the guitar music of Spain, Brazil, and Latin America including the Tango, Bossa Nova, Samba, Latin Jazz, and Flamenco.
      Guitarist and composer Peter Griggs performs classical music of all periods, as well as jazz, Brazilian music, flamenco, and his own compositions. He lives in New York City and has toured extensively, presenting more than 350 solo guitar concerts in the USA and Europe at art centers, museums, festivals, churches, jazz clubs and other venues, including 500 years of Guitar Music in Highgate last summer. He has worked with or been commissioned by the Pan Asian Repertory Theater, New York Theater Workshop, the New York State Theater Institute, Compania Nacional de Danza de Espana, National Public Radio, the National Endowment for the Arts, WNET TV, and the World-wide Video Festival. Mr. Griggs has recorded on Music Of The World, Folkways Records, Treecastle Music and Locust Records.
      The 19th century brick St. John's Church was built by Joel Whitney of Enosburg and includes a three-stop organ built by Henry Erben. The building is conventional classic with gothic pointed windows. The historical church is now used for weddings, Evensong services, and concerts in the summer.
      Admission is by free will donation.
      Call 802.868.7185, or click here or here for more info.

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BIDDEFORD, MAINE--La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival presents Michele Choiniere with the Don Roy Ensemble in the Main Tent on Friday at 7 p.m.
      Celebrating its 31th anniversary, La Kermesse returns to its roots. Other performers include Beatlemania, Corona brothers, Chantal and Marcel, and the Leblanc Family. Click here for more info.

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SWANTON--The Swanton Park Concert series presents the Nobby Reed Project on the Village Green park bandstand Saturday evening at 6 p.m.       Vermont's premiere blues trio plays the best original music in the soul-shakin'-electric Texas and Chicago blues styles with a Vermont touch. The band includes Eric Belrose, percussion, Ray Bushey, bass, and Highgate's own Mr. Reed on lead guitar and vocals.
      Blues Revue Magazine called his first CD, Guitar On My Back, one of the top ten CDs. His music has become stronger and more interesting since. His lyrics are introspective and his vocals and guitar work shake the world.
      Admission is free. Bring your own blanket, chairs, and bug spray.

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SHELDON--The Abbey Pavilion (the former Sheldon Casino) will rock out as JC Image presents Pleasuredome, Justice, and Mindtrap in the Rock for Rescue benefit concert on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.
      PleasureDome has made it their mission to bring back all the excess of 80s rock with a heavy dose of anything trimmed in fringe, wrapped in spandex and soaked in Aquanet. Justice mixes the 70s, 80s, 90s and current dance rock with high energy, flash, and flare. Mindtrap is the ground shaking local VT band with an edge.
      All Breed Rescue is dedicated to saving dogs from high-kill shelters in the South and placing them in loving homes in Vermont. Their 100% volunteer staff has rescued over 4000 dogs. Franklin County Humane Society has sheltered and saved growing numbers of abused and abandoned animals since 1964. The future of FCHS depends on caring, generous individuals to ensure its ability to shelter these animals until they can find their rightly deserved loving permanent homes.
      Admission is $20 at the gate for this 21+ event. Discount tickets are available in advance at the Abbey, Franklin County Humane Society in St. Albans, and Backstreet Pub for $15. Click here for more info.

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STOWE--Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center presents the Carol Ann Jones Quartet on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
      "This is an acoustic quartet I put together for this show at Spruce Peak," Ms. Jones said. The Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center has such great acoustics "and my memories of Will Patton and Dono Schabner accompanying me 'unplugged' at Grace Church, where the acoustics are also wonderful, told me this will be a special show." The fourth member is Gary Spaulding playing the seated drum, the cajone. They will perform Ms. Jones' original music as well as popular favorites in country, Americana, folk, bluegrass, rock, and rockabilly.
      Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at door. Click here for tickets and more info.

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JUNE-JULY ART DEADLINES

GOVERNORS ISLAND ART FAIR (June 24)--4heads summons independent artists working anywhere in any discipline for New York's largest independent exhibition. More than 120 artists will be chosen to receive free exhibition space in the landmark architecture of New York's Governors Island in September. Entry fee. Email or click here for more info.

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HUMOR ME! ()--The Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center seeks works that make people giggle, chuckle, and chortle. The affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution is a thirty acre sculpture garden and arts center located in Solomons, Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay. Entry fee.
      Call 410.326.4640, email, or click here for more info.

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OPEN WATERMEDIA EXHIBITION (July 27)--The National Watercolor Society presents water media painting in a wide range of directions and technique, from experimental to traditional, and encourages support for watercolor as a vital, enduring and expressive medium. The annual open exhibition offers purchase, cash, and merchandise awards. Entry fee. Click here for more info.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

FAIRFIELD--Bent Northrop Memorial Library is taking a vacation. The library will be closed next week, June 24 - 29. Summer hours will be in effect when they return in July.
      Click here for more info.

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HIGHGATE--The Highgate Public Library summer program begins next week, June 24 - 29 from 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. with Nature Camp for children in Kindergarten and up.
      The cost is $100 for the week. Pre-register at the library.

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ST. ALBANS--It's a busy week at the St. Albans Free Public Library.
      The Writers' Medley take place today at 2 p.m. at the same time the Summer Reading program kicks off. There will be pirate hats crafted. The Summer Reading program runs from June 20 through August 15, at 2 - 4 p.m.
      Magician Tom Joyce will appear and disappear on Tuesday, June 25, at 1 p.m.

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SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library Summer Reading program begins with a Rockin' Ron, the Friendly Pirate kickoff on Wednesday, June 26 at 12:30 p.m.

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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
email us