DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 21 * * All Arts News On the Web * * April 13, 2017

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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A TAXING DAY

      Tuesday is the deadline to file your 2016 Vermont and Federal personal income tax returns. Don't forget to take the deduction for your contribution to your favorite local arts organization.


NOT THE MONSTER MASH

HIGHGATE--The MVU Musical presents Young Frankenstein in the Trahan Theater at MVU this evening through Saturday at 7 p.m. with a special Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.
      With music and lyrics by Mel Brooks and a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan and based on the Mel Brooks film, it is a musical retelling of the classic film comedy. Victor Frankenstein inherits his family's Transylvanian estate and, with the help of his beautiful assistant Inga and his hunchbacked sidekick Igor, brings to life the character of horror legend. Hilarity and musical mayhem ensue when the monster escapes. Audiences have loved The Transylvania Mania, He Vas My Boyfriend, and Irving Berlin's Puttin' on the Ritz. MVU will stage the show with a large cast and orchestra.
      Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available by phone (802.752.9089) or email or can be reserved at Salon Elixir (802.868.6553).


ART ON THE WALLS

ST. ALBANS--Jeff's Maine Seafood hosts a sale of Charlie Price Folk Art on Saturday at 1 p.m.
      Mr. Price is the St Albans artist whose big break came in a yard sale. He has painted in Fairfield and in St. Albans on paperboard, on windows, on tables for decades in the simple and colorful folk art style. His work was the subject of a Messenger profile last month.
      Mr. Price has donated a collection of his works to be sold as a fund raiser for the ongoing renovations of the 1865 Meeting House on the Green in East Fairfield. The sale is a chance to meet him, see the art, and support the Meeting House.


ST. ALBANS--Discover local art and artists as the Downtown Art Walk takes over downtown on Saturday from 11-3 p.m. Downtown shops, merchants, and storefronts will host artists and musicians in every medium.
      Brochures and maps of each location and artist will be on hand all across the downtown. Email for more info.


ON STAGE LIVE

Friday
ST. ALBANS--The Grind Cafe hosts Open Mic at The Grind on Friday at 3-6 p.m. The acoustic event will have "plenty of drinks, food options, and fun times."
      Message via Facebook or come in early and put your name on the list. Click here for more info.


ST. ALBANS--The Stragglers play 14th Star on Friday at 6 p.m.
      BFA's own Eric Bushey, tenor banjo and vocals; Chris Kellogg, guitar, harmonica, and vocals; and Preston Randall, mandolin, harmonica, vocals, and bones will play hot roots, bluegrass, vintage country, Americana, and classic rock with their own spin. "We're pumped for Friday night," Mr. Bushey said. "We will be joined by bassist Justin Bedell and Harpist Jeff Moulton."


Friday-Saturday
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents the acoustic trio AmerikanaBlue on Friday and Burlington singer/songwriter Robin Gottfried with Paul Eddy and Ian Koeller on Saturday. Shows begin at 7 p.m.
      Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


FILM

BURLINGTON--Northern Forest Canoe Trail presents the Reel Paddling Film Festival at Outdoor Gear Exchange this evening at 7:45 p.m. with time to socialize before the film.
      The evening of adventure paddling films will include refreshments as well as gear giveaways from Exped, SOG, Thule, and others. Admission is $12 online or $15 at the door.
      Click here for more info and to watch the trailers.


CLICK HERE: ART SITE OF THE WEEK

     Gerry Vaisey wants to talk us into writing our own stories. In this episode of I Can't Write Right, Right? from Northwest Access TV, he interviews Charlie Brooks about his book Greystone Valley.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

ENOSBURG--The Enosburgh Public Library book discussion is Five Days At Memorial: Life And Death In A Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink. The books are available at the library now. The discussion will take place at the library on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.


FAIRFAX--The Fairfax Community Library Non-Fiction Book Group will discuss the Vermont Reads 2017 pick Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson this evening at 6:30 p.m. In this important book of prose, Ms. Woodson looks back at her childhood in America as a person of color and her journey to become a writer.
      Free copies that you may keep are available at the library now.


FRANKLIN--The Haston Library book discussion is The Miracle At Speedy Motors by
Alexander McCall Smith. The books are available at the library now. The discussion will take place at the library this afternoon at 1 p.m.


GEORGIA--The Georgia Public Library Writers' Group gathers at the library on Monday at 6:30 p.m. for their regular monthly meeting of local writers to workshop their writing in all stages and genres.


HIGHGATE--The Trustees of the Highgate Public Library announced last week that the library has officially changed its name to the Highgate Library and Community Center.
      Rebecca Howrigan, chairperson, explained that the new name is reflective of the discussion at town meeting, the evolving focus and goals of the library, and the library mission, adding, "We are also proud to unveil our new logo, designed by Highgate native Hayes Johnson."


SHELDON--Living Strong, a six-week exercise program for those over 50 begins a series of meetings on Mondays and Thursdays at 10 - 11 a.m. beginning this Monday and running though May 25. The Tufts University program works to increasing strength, muscle mass, and bone density under class leader Bilijean Smith. Participants should obtain clearance from their primary care physician.
      Stop or call the library (802.933.2524) to sign up.


ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Public Library Classic Movie Night features Walt Disney's compelling 2007 film, Ratatouille, this evening at 6 p.m. Why the story of a rat? Simple. It's a very funny tale of a Paris rodent who longs to be a chef. A classic in the making. Films are shown on the 4' by 6' screen in the upstairs conference room cinema. Admission is free, along with popcorn and beverage.
      The Classic Readers Book Group reads Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory on Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. A limited number of books are available at the circulation desk. New members are always welcome.


SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library hosts a book talk and signing with Hank Lambert for his newly released memoir, Highgate Switched, on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
      The local author tells the story of growing up in Vermont and how he moves from seminary study, to serving in the Army in the Vietnam War era, and working on Capitol Hill during Watergate. At home, he learned the value of work by living off the land and raising their own food and animals but his faith in institutions was shaken in early adulthood by awareness of the deceptions by government and the failure of his church to teach the ways of loving nonviolence. Light refreshments will be served.


      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


SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!


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All Arts Council of Franklin County

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Dick Harper, Chair
P.O. Box 1
Highgate Springs, VT 05460
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