DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 21 * * All Arts News On the Web * * July 6, 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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SWEET SOUNDS OF SUMMER

HIGHGATE--Ray's Extrusion Dies, the All Arts Council, and the Town of Highgate open the 27th year of Summer Sounds concerts at home in Highgate with Anderson-Gram on Sunday at 7 p.m.
      Anderson-Gram play an easy-going blend of folk, country, and bluegrass, often originals that paint pictures of everyday life. Gayle Anderson has a fine contralto folk voice, often called "a little bit sweet" and usually takes the lead. Bob Gram brings the strong baritone harmonies as well as lead vocals and tells jokes almost as good as mine. They have played together since they met at an open mic more than 25 years ago.
      The husband and wife duo spent two decades perfoming in California and are back in New England. They have played Bethlehem Musikfest, Cambridge Center For the Arts, San Francisco Folk Festival, Seafest of Nova Scotia, Sonoma Songwriters Showcase, and many more.
      Anderson-Gram can be heard on folk and acoustic radio stations and radio shows across North America, in Belgium, and in Siberia. They have released four albums, Across the Great Divide, Ring of Fire, Small Town Saturday Night, and Cover to Cover.
      Come early! Two United Way of Northwest Vermont senior volunteer programs, the Foster Grandparent Program and RSVP, will hit the spot with the Summer Sounds Social on our summer night of music.
      The Summer Sounds concerts are sponsored by the Town of Highgate and the All Arts Council, and underwritten by Chevalier Drilling, Desorcie's Market, Drummac Septic Service, O. C. McCuin & Sons, and Ray's Extrusion Dies Tubing.
      The community based All Arts Council brings the performing arts to northwestern Vermont. The concerts are always on Sunday evenings at 7 p.m., always in a town park, and always free. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair as you settle in to enjoy outdoor family music and festivities. Click here for the schedule.


ART ON THE WALLS

ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on Cristin Dewar's cards and unique gift boxes, the exotic woodenware of Russell Fellows, painter Paule Gingras' expressions of the spirit and essence of her environment, and watercolorist Linda Wirts' flowers and landscapes.
      The A.I.R. gallery hosts a free meet-the-artists reception with refreshments and a raffle today 4 - 7 p.m. The exhibit continues through the end of July.
      The AIR gallery also sponsors a "People's Choice" Award in July. The Theme this year is "Birds" and it is free to the artists interpretation. Visitors to the gallery are invited to vote on their favorite piece, and they may vote more than once. The gallery will make giclee copies of the winning work to give as gifts to $300 level sponsors and for sale to raise money for the gallery.
      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.


ST ALBANS--The Northwestern Medical Center Gallery hosts writer-photographer (and yr. obedient servant) Richard B. Harper in a solo show this month. I am exhibiting the familiar sights and waterscapes shot mostly here in Franklin County; several are scenic Highgate.
      I work mostly across northern New England, southern Florida, and the American Southwest. My photographs have been exhibited in Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida and are in private collections in California, Eastern and Southwestern states, and in Canada. This exhibit includes unretouched original images as well as the blended effects of the digital darkroom. One canvas is a digital painting. I will donate half of the sale of any image on the wall to the NMC Hospital Auxiliary.
      The show continues through the end of August. Click here for more info.


IN THE SAC

SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council's Pinwheels in the Park spins in the breeze in Swanton Village Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. - Noon.
      Pinwheels and pinwheel-inspired crafts include quilts, a carving board, a mixed media pinwheel and more. Local hand-crafted pinwheels are eligible for the Pinwheel People's Choice Award. A donation of $5 per pinwheel entered benefits the SAC.
      Email for more info.


IN THE HOUSE

ENOSBURG--The Opera House at Enosburg Falls hosts Theater Camp #2 at the House next week, July 10-14 at 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
      Open to ages 6-10 years, the students will experience all aspects of putting on a theatrical production including improv, blocking, character development, set building, costumes, makeup, and more. The week culminates with a performance of the one-act play, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, on July 14. Call 802.933.6171 or click here 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.


Thursday-Saturday
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents singer-songwriter Mark LeGrand in a special solo performance on Thursday, Chris & Erica with acoustic rock, country, and pop on Friday, and the high energy trio, Fiasco, on Saturday. Shows begin at 7 p.m.
      Call 802.524.1405 or Click here for more info.


Friday
EAST FAIRFIELD--Lewis Franco & the Missing Cats and the Brown Eyed Girls on vocal harmonies take over the Meeting House on the Green for Summer Evenings with Vermont Treasures on Friday at 7 p.m.
      Mr. Franco performs as a vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist with his acoustic jazz combo of Will Patton, mandolin; Dono Schabner, guitar; and Clyde Stats, upright bass. Tonight, they'll be joined by.
      Admission for all concerts is by suggested donation of $10 per person at the door. All shows support the Meeting House Preservation Project. Refreshments will be for sale at intermission. Call 802.827.6626 to reserve seats and pay at the door. Click here for more info.


Saturday
CAMBRIDGE--Storybarn hosts a Musical Gathering on Saturday from 2 - 5 p.m. with free a yoga class at 4 p.m.
      Call Mark (802.585.9888) for more info.


SOUTH BURLINGTON--Higher Ground continues Northern Exposure with Lawgiver, Untapped, Call Shotgun, and Gallon of Milk in the Showcase Lounge tonight at 8:30 p.m.
      The series offers an opportunity for up-and-coming Vermont bands to take the stage in the Lounge. Three or more summer Saturdays are dedicated to showcasing the emerging local talent.
      This event is all ages. Admission is $6.


Wednesday
ST. ALBANS--No Left Turn continues the Downtown Summer Concert Series in the E.A. Loomis Bandshell in Taylor Park on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The quintet of Jeff Chapman, Dave DuPrat, Mark Goldstein, Dick Lees, and Scott Russell plays classic rock and blues.
      14th Star Brewing and the Traveling Canteen serve food and drink at all of this year's Summer Concerts Series events.
      Admission is free.


MORRISVILLE--Oxbow Riverfront Park continues the Wednesday Night Live music series with the Sky Blue Boys on Wednesday at 5:30 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.


THE BOOKSHELF

NORTH HERO--The North Hero Public Library hosts a VHC book discussion of One Writer's Beginnings by Eudora Welty this evening at 6:30 p.m. This book is part of the Memorable Memoirs series.
      Memoirs come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: They are not autobiographies. Rather than a straight chronology of the author's life, memoirs hone in on a specific feature of that life.


      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


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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