DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 21 * * All Arts News On the Web * * June 29, 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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      It is just too wet to light the fuse!
      Bay Day has moved from today until tomorrow. "Same time, same channel, different day!"

SUMMER MUST BE HERE!

      Summer Sounds now starts this Sunday at the Supercharged Bay Day!
      The 37th Bay Day Festival kicks off a day with lots more than fireworks in St. Albans Town Bay Park all day this Sunday. Yep, Sunday!
      The annual summer festival offers a full family day with lakefront games, sports, fair food, fireworks, and continuous live music, all to celebrate Independence Day. This familiar Franklin County family festival has new surprises every year as does the Town Park with new access and features almost every time you visit. (The legendary Great Race was be held on Saturday in light rain with Rosie Newton starting the day with the Star Spangled Banner.)

LIVE MUSIC ALL AFTERNOON--The All Arts Council and the Town of St. Albans will offer live music for Bay Day starting about 2 p.m. under the tent on the Bathhouse patio at St. Albans Town Park at the Bay. The afternoon music lineup includes the band BCDC and a very special introduction to Rosie-Trevor-Lianna with a Beatles Tribute.
      Rebecca Padula and Donna Thunder Moran, Chris Martin and Clare Innes are a powerhouse Americana band with "a growing pile of great songs" from country, jazz, and blues. They pass guitars, bass drums, ukeleles, and great harmonies around between them. "We're planning a rocking electric set [if it doesn't rain too much], so this will be a special show--we've been known to make some tunes up on the spot," Ms. Padula said. 2, 3:45, and 5:15 p.m. on the Bathhouse patio.
      Rosie Newton, Trevor Contois, and Lianna Roque are Vermont performers making a name on area stages. Rosie and Lianna are the hometown girls; Trevor lives in Essex. The three have been playing together this Spring. Lianna is well known for her roles in BFA musicals. Rosie and Trevor perform together as a duo and in a band and are also members of the Contois School of Music band. Rosie's vocals are spot on and she is the "little girl with the big voice", and Trevor is a multi-instrumentalist excelling at keyboards, bass, drums, guitar, and arranging. Together, they cover a wide and eclectic range of music. 2:45 and 4:15 p.m. on the Bathhouse patio.
      [Times are approximate -- come for the whole day.]

SUMMER SOUNDS--The All Arts Council and the Town of St. Albans welcome a band that can rock the Bath House tent as Carol Ann Jones and the Superchargers open the 27th Summer Sounds season at Bay Day on Sunday at 7 p.m.
      The Superchargers are some of best musicians in Vermont backing up the popular Georgia singer/songwriter. Andre Maquera, lead guitar and backing vocals; Gary Spaulding, drums; Will Patton, bass, tenor, steel guitar and backing vocals; and Trevor Contois, bass, keys and backing vocals will light off the stage. 7 p.m. on the Bathhouse patio.
      This Summer Sounds concert is sponsored by the Town of St. Albans and the All Arts Council. Visit for the summer concert schedule. The Bay Day-Summer Sounds social, presented by St. Albans Town Recreation, will be an all day event with the Bay Day food vendors starting to serve Sunday after noon.
      Fireworks will begin at dusk thanks to generous contributions from the community.
      Remember, Saturday's rain means that Bay Day and all the music is Sunday.

RAIN DATE--This is our rain date. In case of rain, "The show will go on."


OH, THE HORROR!

FAIRFAX--The Fairfax Community Theater Company presents the classic sci-fi rock musical, Little Shop of Horrors at B.F.A.-Fairfax in a run opening this evening and continuing through Sunday. Curtain times are 8 p.m. tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
      The cast feature actors from across northern Vermont, led by A.J. Banach as Seymour Krelborn and Olivia Christie as Audrey.
      General Admission is $12 per person and VIP Reserved Seating, located in the first two rows of seats, is $16 per person. Tickets are available at the door and online at squareup.com. Click here for more info.


IN THE SAC

SWANTON--Saturday is the deadline for the Barn Quilt Challenge for the Swanton Arts Council. The exhibits may stay on display but the judging is happening now.
      Email the SAC for more info.


IN THE MUSEUM

ST. ALBANS--The Saint Albans Museum opens the exclusive Vermont appearance of the traveling exhibition Hamilton: The Man Who Invented Modern America on Wednesday, July 5. The exhibit continues through the month of July and features a special presentation by Prof. Willard Sterne Randall on July 13 as well as extended select evening hours.
      The exhibition examines Hamilton's important role in the Revolutionary War and Founding period.
      Admission to the special exhibition is included with regular admission to the Museum which is open Wednesday-Friday 11 a.m - 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. SAM will open for extended evening hours this evening and on July 12 and 26 from 5 - 8 p.m. Call the Museum (802.527.7933) or click here for more info about the traveling exhibition or the presentation Hamilton: The Man and the Music. Click here for the online preview.


ON STAGE LIVE

Thursday
ST. ALBANS--The new downtown Hampton Inn hosts the June Mixer plus a Grand Opening Celebration this evening at 5:30 p.m.
      The Chamber, Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation and the Hampton are "pulling out all the stops." There will be live music from the BFA Jazz Band, gifts and giveaways plus a new twist on networking, with fare and cold beverages from Twiggs. Admission is $5 for Chamber members or $8 for non-members.


Thursday-Saturday
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents jazz bassist Ellen Powell's Trio on Thursday, The Growlers Rock, blues and drunken country on Friday, and the Bob Mackenzie Blues Trio on Saturday. Shows begin at 7 p.m.
      Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


Friday
ENOSBURG--The Opera House at Enosburg Falls presents a rock concert after a week of jamming, improv, and rock stardom on Friday at 7 p.m. This is the culmination of Rock Camp.
      Call 802.933.6171 or click here for more info.


JERICHO--The Jericho Cafe & Tavern present Chasing 440 Live on Friday at 7 p.m.
      The bluegrass band includes David Benway, guitar and vocals; Amanda Benway, mandolin and vocals; Arnold Royea, fiddle and mandolin; Michael Ryan, banjo and vocals; and Mike Fortin, bass. "We play good music and having a good time with anyone who wants to listen."


Tuesday
SOUTH HERO--The Blue Paddle Bistro gets Supercharged as Carol Ann Jones and the Superchargers salute Independence Day at the BBQ on Tuesday from noon until 3 p.m.
      Call ahead (802.372.4814) for more info.


Wednesday
ST. ALBANS--Rushmore continues the Downtown Summer Concert Series in the E.A. Loomis Bandshell in Taylor Park on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
      Rushmore is the well seasoned musicians Bob Chevalier, lead vocals, piano, keyboards; Tim Comings, bass, vocals; Dave Hevrin, drums; and Mike Trombly, guitar, vocals. They play classic rock.
      Admission is free. Food and drink will be served by 14th Star Brewing and The Traveling Canteen.


MORRISVILLE--Oxbow Riverfront Park continues the Wednesday Night Live music series with Girls Night on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. plus a special performance by Lamoille Dance Academy at about 6:30 p.m.
      The series continues each week through August 23. The Wednesday farmers market won't be held at the Oxbow this summer, but there will be a rotating mix of food vendors every week and the River Arts' Art Tent will offer fun, creative activities for the community while the music plays.


VYO NEWS

COLCHESTER--The Vermont Youth Orchestra has named Benjamin Klemme as music director. He starts his new duties Saturday.
      "We are all looking forward to Benjamin's arrival," said Mike Noble, chair, VYOA Board of Directors. "This was a very competitive search... Benjamin brings a wealth of experience to the VYOA, and he stood out as the unanimous choice to lead us forward. Paired with our executive director, Rosina Cannizzaro, the organization has an exciting future ahead."
      Mr. Klemme holds concurrent positions as music director and conductor, Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles, and associate conductor, Quad City Symphony Orchestra in Davenport, IA. He also serves as concert orchestra conductor, Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, and orchestra conductor, Augsburg College, located in Minneapolis, MN.


READING FREDERICK DOUGLASS

     The Vermont Humanities Council Humanities for Everyone hosts a statewide, Independence Day reading of the fiery July 5, 1852 speech in which abolitionist orator Frederick Douglass took exception to being asked to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This is a participatory event.

ENOSBURG--The reading will take place in Lincoln Park in Enosburgh Falls on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Community members are invited to witness or to join the reading. Copies of the speech will be provided at the event and ahead of time at the library. After the reading, Judy Rogers will lead an open discussion. Refreshments will be served.

SOUTH HERO--A reading will take place in the South Hero Community Library on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The event is organized by Keagan Calkins (802.372.6209).


ART SITE OF THE WEEK

     As jazz fest season gets underway, CBC has assembled their first of what will be an annual list of 35 under 35 of Canada's young jazz instrumentalists and vocalists. Former BFA-St. Albans student and Blue Rock Boy Ted Crosby is on the list as well as Ted's band mate Ben Dwyer and Nomad.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

FAIRFAX--Backpack Theater kicks off the Summer Reading Program in the Multipurpose room at the Fairfax Community Library this evening at 6 p.m.


      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
Franklin County Regional
Chamber of Commerce
Island Arts
St Albans Community Arts
Swanton Arts Council
Young Tradition Vermont


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