DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 20 * * All Arts News On the Web * * October 6, 2016

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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HIATUS

      I'll be leaving on a road trip soon and "off the grid" a lot. ArtBits will continue but in a much abbreviated form until mid-November.
What we will have: We'll have some stories and interviews in a Blast from the Past as well as any events that arrive in our inbox before deadline.
What we won't have: New interviews or the normal level of research and reportage.
      The elves are working feverishly to update calendars around the County and put the links here to help you find the right stuff.


DYNAMIC COSTUMES

ENOSBURG--The Opera House at Enosburg Falls presents Dynamic Duos, an adult Superhero- and Supervillain-themed costume party with music and art, at the House on Saturday at 7 p.m.
      Four duos of musicians will rock your world and a duo of local artists will delight with incredible pop art creations with Master of Ceremonies Peter Garrow. Musicians include Chris and Erica (Chris Parker and Erica Couture), Donna Thunders and Chris Martin, Troy Millette and Dylan Gombas, Rosie Newton and Trevor Contois. The featured artists will be Jon Young of St. Albans and Scott Rheaume of Swanton with a vibrant pop art exhibit. Mr. Young has a permanent display at Twiggs; Mr. Rheaume created the mural at the Swanton Town Office. He will also display and demonstrate his handmade Missisquoi Delta Guitars.
      There will be a prize for most authentic costume and 50/50 raffles between acts. Alcohol, beverages, and snacks will be available for purchase.


ART ON THE WALLS

ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on photographer Steve Boal, the mixed media of Shanna Ratner (ceramic mosaics, jewelry and block prints), painter El Towle, and the painted textiles of Deborah Travis.
      The A.I.R. gallery hosts a free meet-the-artists reception with refreshments and a raffle today 4:30 - 7 p.m. The exhibit continues through the end of October.
      The Artist in Residence art cooperative features paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, sculpture, lamps, pottery, folk art boxes, scarves, hats and more by 40 Franklin County and surrounding area artists. It is owned and operated by the artists and sponsors. The gallery, newly reopened at 10 South Main Street, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here for more info.


BURLINGTON--Burlington City Arts new exhibit, Of Land & Local: Watershed, features Fairfax artist Gail Salzman. The show opens with a reception at BCA's Metro Gallery tomorrow at 5 p.m.
      Watershed which refers to the network of interconnected rivers and lakes that feed our survival, can also mean a turning point, a moment when a shift occurs. "Both the emotional and ecological meanings are implied in my paintings and in works of the other artists exhibited," Ms. Salzman said.
      The show features two paintings from her 1995 series, Figures Submerged, along with works of nine other Vermont artists. Click here for more info.


AROUND THE STATE and OUR COUNTY--The 2016 Fall Open Studio will take place this weekends. 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 offers 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. Nearby studios include Gerry Stoner's whimsical, graceful, welded steel sculpture in Underhill.
      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.


IN THE SAC

SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council invites duck lovers and duck haters, duck eaters and duck greeters to the Dam Ducky Derby at Marble Mill Park on Saturday at 1 p.m.
     
There will be duck-themed public art and photo ops and then a chance at the dam to see whose duck is the fastest and the slowest. Cash prizes. Buy your racing rubber duck for $5 at participating locations (Ste. Maries, Maple City, Swanton Free Public Library, Swanton Aubuchons, Mother Hubbards and The Parts Store) for the fundraiser for the Swanton Enhancement Project and the Swanton Historical Society .
      Email for more info.


ON STAGE LIVE

Thursday
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap offers the Nobby Reed Project for Blues Night tonight at 7 p.m.
      On Tap has music on Tuesday through Saturday nights. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info.


Friday
EAST FAIRFIELD--Summer Evenings with Vermont Treasures finds one more warm evening as the Lonesome Mountain Boys join with Will Patton for a memorable season finale at the Meeting House on the Green on Friday at 7 p.m.
      Mr. Patton will "be playing the big bass with an all-star Bluegrass lineup" that includes Andy Sacher, mandolin; Mark Struhsacker, guitar; and Andy Greene, banjo. The Boys will shake the rafters with authentic, hard-driving bluegrass, inspired by the first generation of bluegrass musicians including Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs and Jimmy Martin. will be joined by bassist Will Patton for this sure-to-be memorable season finale.
      Cash bar, chili, cornbread and lovely desserts are available at intermission. There are still a few Meeting House t-shirts left.
      Admission is by $10 suggested donation at the door and kids under 12 are free. Call 802.827.3275 to reserve a seat. The concert series helps fund the restoration of the Meeting House on the Green. Click here for more info.


Friday-Saturday
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents The Duel on Friday and the Smokey Newfield Project Saturday. Shows begin at 7 p.m.
      Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


Saturday
ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Oktoberfest kicks off in the 14th Star Brewing TapRoom on Saturday from 2 - 10 p.m. Loud ooompa music from German band Inseldudler, local craft beer, and Smokin' Butts German food, plus a free shuttle bus to the Museum for tours at 3 and 5 p.m. mark this fundraiser.
      Proceeds benefit the St. Albans Museum.


ST. ALBANS BAY--Bayside presents the Bucky Lewis Comedy Show on Saturday at 7 p.m.
      Call 802.524.0909 for reservations.


Monday
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro presents Carol Ann Jones in a solo show this evening at 6:30 p.m.
      The Blue Paddle has limited seating and a small bar so call ahead (802.372.4814) for reservations.


Plan Ahead
ST. ALBANS--The eighth annual Blue Jean Ball for Home Health is right around the corner; the benefit evening for Franklin County Home Health will take over the American Legion in St. Albans for an evening of casually elegant fun. This year has a Fiesta theme with dinner, dancing with DJ Bobby Cee, grab bags, wine pull, quilt raffle, and a free photo booth.
      The ball is Franklin County Home Health's signature fundraising event. Community support makes it possible for Home Health to bring the best home health care and hospice to people in need.
      Tables seat eight and seats sell out fast. Call 802.527.7531 or click here to reserve yours.


FILM

ST. ALBANS--Northwestern Medical Center presents All of Me, a film by Bess O'Brien, in the Green Mountain Room at the hospital this evening at 7 p.m.
      Bess O'Brien's newest film is a documentary about eating disorders. The feature length documentary focuses on the lives of women, girls, and some boys caught in the downward spiral of eating disorders and their struggle to regain a sense of self-compassion. All of Me is touring across Vermont this fall.
      Admission is $12 for adults or $7 for youth at the door only. Call 802.357.4616 or click here for more info.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

HIGHGATE--Saturday is Tractor Day from 10 a.m. - noon at the Highgate Public Library.
      "It's a real tractor petting zoo for kids of all ages," Ms. Liza said. Meet Highgate farmers and tour their tractors. Enjoy tractor themed crafts, the smoothie bicycle, the harvest time taste testing station, and refreshments.


SHELDON--Artist Robert Waldo Brunelle, Jr., has donated two of his books, Lesser Known Haunted Houses and The Useful Object Factory, to the Sheldon Public Library.


ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Public Library has one of two Humanities for Everyone programs in the City this week. Vermont Reads: Visit the Other Pole takes place in the library this evening at 7 p.m. St. Albans resident Sarah West will discuss her travels into the Arctic Circle during the Polar Night through pictures and artifacts gathered along the way.
      The Tuesday Night Book Club at the library meets to discuss Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The book group reads a wide range of genres.


ST. ALBANS--Vermont Reads returns to the City on Sunday for a Jennifer Armstrong Author Visit at the St. Albans Historical Society and Museum on Sunday at 4 p.m.
      Ms. Armstrong, author of Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World, will be the guest speaker at the Museum's culminating Vermont Reads event. The day will include refreshments and a display of student art.


ON THE BOOKSHELF

      ArtBits features a quick weekly peek at library events in and around Franklin County. That popular feature has a page of its own at the Franklin County Bookshelf here on the AAC site at AllArtsCouncil.org/books. We also take an occasional peek at the bookshelf or night stand of the folks you know in and around Franklin County. Those reviews can be found on the ArtBits Bookshelf.


Good News!

There are so many events around the region that we miss some of them.
Be sure to check these calendars for what's happening near you ...
All Arts Council of Franklin County
Cambridge Arts Council
Chamber of Commerce
Island Arts
St Albans Community Arts
Swanton Arts Council
Young Tradition Vermont


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