DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 19 * * All Arts News On the Web * * May 21, 2015

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.


     Franklin County's arts and music gatherings bring new opportunities, gossip, "show-and-tell" and occasional workshops. There are also booked and acoustic Open Mic Nights that feature music, readings, and more from the best new artists in Vermont.

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ART ON THE WALLS

ENOSBURG--The Opera House At Enosburg Falls hosts a Sip and Paint Event on Friday at 5 p.m. The workshop offers wine and snacks and the leadership of BFA art teacher Jamie Bedard. Participants will take home a finished piece of art but no doggie bags on the wine or snacks.
      Admission is $25 per person for pre-registration or $30 for walk-ins which includes all materials. Call 802.933.6171 to register.

     Audition packets are also now available for Merrily We Roll Along.


AROUND THE STATE and OUR COUNTY--The 23rd Open Studio Weekend is this weekend. Studios are open Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
      This look behind the scenes opens the doors of artists' studios across Vermont for a self-guided tour that features the work of glassblowers, jewelers, printmakers, potters, furniture makers, weavers, ironworkers, painters, sculptors, quilt makers and wood carvers. Some 300 exhibitors are open this year, all right next to the yellow signs dotting the Vermont landscape. Several are right here in and near Franklin County.
      Gail Salzman and Carol Crawford invite visitors to celebrate "the long-awaited spring. Come on up, over, or down to Fairfield and Bakersfield," Ms. Salzman said. The close friends and colleagues each incorporate elements of the surrounding northern landscape, the color, movement, pattern, texture, and reflections, into the pieces they create.
      The Grand Isle Artworks is open. A.I.R. member Lyna Lou Nordstrom has prints and fabric art in Shelburne. Personalwoodsmythe Greg Drew has practical and artistic woodturnings and lathework in his Georgia shop. Pat Burton brings the Morning Light, filled with art jewelry, original paintings, and prints, to Mr. Drew's studio in Georgia. Gail Salzman has original paintings, notecards, monoprints, and drawings in Fairfield. Meta Strick shows mixed media, dolls, paintings, calligraphy, and ornaments in her Fairfield studio. Handweaver Carol Crawford has lush chenille scarves, shawls, blankets, and rugs in Bakersfield.
      Click here for the map and directions and a PDF file of the complete Tour Guide. Call the Vermont Crafts Council (802.223.3380) for more info about Open Studio Weekend.


SUMMER!

     Summer Music at Grace starts a new season with the 13th annual Farewell Reunion benefit concert at the Grace Church in Sheldon on Friday at 7 p.m.
      Wild Vine debuts to play the second half of the concert. The new group is made up of old friends Will and Deb Patton, Marcia Brewster, and flat and cross picking guitarist Mark Struhsacker. The new group plays bluegrass, folk, and American. In this new venture these old friends are exploring music close to their hearts with an emphasis on vocals and instrumental dexterity.
      The first half of the show will include the Sheldon Elementary School Chorus, Hannah Beth Crary, Doug Perkins, Dono Schabner with Will Patton, Latimer Hoke and Maddy Hejna, and Michele and Fabe Choiniere. The evening is hosted by performer Mark Sustic.
      There is no cookout/potluck this year, but everyone is asked to bring a dessert to share at intermission.
      The benefit concert supports the Tom Sustic Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support for young musicians and dancers in Vermont.
      The 13th annual Farewell Reunion concert is presented by Young Tradition Vermont with sponsorship by All Arts Council of Franklin County, Foothills Bakery, Messenger Print and Design, People's Trust Company, Summer Music at Grace, and others.
      Admission is a $15 suggested donation at the door; there are no advance tickets.


ON STAGE LIVE

Thursday
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro presents Carol Ann Jones in a solo show tonight at 6:30 p.m.
      The Blue Paddle has limited seating and a small bar so call ahead (802.372.4814) to assure a seat.


Friday
ALBURGH--Justice invades Alburgh to bring Mayhem to the Legion on Friday evening at 7 p.m. They will kick off their outdoor show season with their first appearance at American Legion Post #60.
      Admission is free. Call 802.796.3574 for more info.


Friday and Saturday
LYNDONVILLE--The Taste of Nashville Tour presents Keeghan Nolan playing alongside national and independent artists at the Caledonia Fairgrounds on Friday starting at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m.
      Friday's schedule is headlined by Josh Thompson with performances by Trent Tomlinson, Trailer Choir, and Tom Dixon. Saturday's schedule features Locash with performances by the Friday performers plus Tom Dixon, Alec Mac, Wes Spangler, ETA (Evansville Transit Authority), Jess Dondero, and our own Keeghan Nolan Band.
      All acts will do a Meet n Greet for autographs and photos on Saturday.
      Admission ranges from $32 for Friday night to $65 for a weekend pass. Camping is limited but available. Email for more info. Click here for tickets and more info.


ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents Isaac and Dominic French on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Bob Young in the Window on Saturday at 7 p.m.
      Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


FOLKLORE

SWANTON--The Green Mountain Folklore Society will hold its spring meeting at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on Saturday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Story hour begins at 11 a.m.
      The afternoon program will feature Rick and the Ramblers musician Rick Norcross and local writer Stephen Payne. Dr.  Payne will discuss Riding my Guitar, his biography of Mr. Norcross. Put your dancing shoes on because Rick will play a short solo set.
      Meal cost is $12 per person.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

FAIRFAX--Fairfax Community Library holds Duct Tape, its first Teen Night at the Library, this evening at 6 p.m.
      The evening is for hanging out and making stuff. There will be snacks. Ages 13-18.


SHELDON--The Sheldon Library Book Discussion this month is Wild from Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. Read fast. The group meets Tuesday for a snack and lively discussion at 6:30 p.m.
      Upcoming at the library are books to movies, local authors, best sellers, and a classic or nonfiction. They plan "book talk and walk time" for the warm weather and longer daylight hours of summer.


ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Free Library hosts the Writers' Medley for those interested in pursuing writing and sharing work with peers this afternoon at 2 p.m.
      The Friday Afternoon Comedies features Back to the Future on Friday at 1 p.m. The Saturday Movie Matinee will show the Walt Disney Strange Magic on Saturday at 1 p.m. Films are shown on the 4' by 6' screen in the upstairs conference room cinema. Admission is free, along with popcorn and beverage.
      Tech Support Saturday takes over with one-on-one support by volunteers from Technology for Tomorrow on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Bring your devices and questions and get the help you need to help you better use your technology.
      There will be a Stir the Pot Cookbook Discussion on vegetarian & vegan dishes on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. If you love cookbooks, cooking, eating, (and talking about cookbooks, cooking and eating), this is the group for you. Visit the Circulation Desk to check out a copy of the selected book(s), choose a recipe and prepare it for the program.
      Call Wanda (802.524.1507) to get this month's Writers' Medley prompt and anyone at the library for more info or to RSVP these events.


ON THE 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.


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      This article was originally published in the St Albans Messenger and other traditional print media. It is Copyright © 2015 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).
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