DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 21 * * All Arts News On the Web * * July 27, 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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BIG MUSIC WEEKS

FRANKLIN COUNTY--The Big Music Weeks of Summer begins this week as some of our friends play multiple gigs. Summer Sounds celebrates 27 years of concerts in Highgate. There are shows in East Fairfield, Enosburg, Highgate, Montgomery, Morrisville, St. Albans, Stowe, and Windsor.


NO PECTIN REQUIRED

HIGHGATE--Chevalier Drilling Company, Inc., the All Arts Council, and the Town of Highgate continue the 27th year of Summer Sounds concerts at home in Highgate with Mango Jam in the free Summer Sounds concert on Sunday evening at 7 p.m.
      Mango Jam is a six piece dance band playing straight-ahead Zydeco as well as New Orleans-inspired Funk and Reggae/Ska. The band draws its inspiration from the music of South Louisiana and the Caribbean and they will rock the park with those hot rhythms as well as the original songs of guitarist and singer, Josie Ritter. Band members also include Gus Ziesing, accordions, saxophones, vocals; Dana Lavigne, guitar, fratois, vocals; Mimi Ryan, alto saxophone, vocals; Lee Beckwith, bass, vocals; and Allen Bilson, drums. They have been playing together almost as long as the Summer Sounds series.
      Just before the concert, join the Sheldon United Methodist Church for the Summer Sounds Social in the Park starting at 6 p.m. The special Intermission and Social event will introduce a very special young performer and is a chance to visit with friends and eat hearty.
      The Summer Sounds concerts are sponsored by the Town of Highgate and the All Arts Council, and underwritten by Chevalier Drilling Co. Inc, Desorcie's Market, Drummac Septic Service, La Quinta Inn and Suites of St. Albans, O. C. McCuin and Sons, and Ray's Extrusion Dies and Tubing.
      The community based All Arts Council brings the performing arts to northwestern Vermont. The concerts are always on Sunday evenings, always at 7 p.m., always in Highgate Municipal Park, and always free. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for the outdoor family music and festivities. The rain site is the Highgate United Methodist Church. Bookmark Summer.AllArtsCouncil.org for more about Summer Sounds.


HAIL THE KING

ENOSBURG--The Opera House at Enosburg Falls begins a four day run of the King and I as the summer musical tonight. Showtime is 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with a special matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m.
      The popular story is set in Siam of 1862 when the King (played by Peter Garrow of Swanton) summons English widow Anna Leonowens (played by Holly Raiche of Fairfax), to tutor to his children and wives in an almost true story by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical features such songs as Shall We Dance? and Hello, Young Lovers. Opera House artistic director Brent Garrow directs and Timothy Stetson produces.
      "This is a wonderful show with an amazing cast that you truly don't want to miss," Mr. Garrow said.
      Westerners widely considered King Mongkut a barbarian. Part of Anna's job is to change his image, if not his ways. With both keeping a firm grip on their respective traditions and values, Anna and the King grow to understand and, eventually, respect one another, in a lovely love story.
      The Opera House draws performers from all the Towns in and around Franklin County. The cast, ranging from age 5-70, features Holly Raiche of Fairfax as Anna Leonowens and Peter Garrow of Swanton as The King, with John Bielicki of St. Albans as Sir Edward Ramsay; Pat Evans of Bakersfield, Captain Orton; Marshall Herbert of St. Albans, Prince Chulalongkorn; Julia Larson of Georgia, Princess Ying Yaowalak; Aurora Martin of Enosburg Falls, the Interpreter; Christianna Raiche of Enosburg Falls, Lady Thiang; Lianna Roque of St. Albans, Tuptim; Kane Stanley of St. Albans, Phra Alak; Wayne Stanley of St. Albans, the Kralahome; Darion Taylor of Franklin, Lun Tha; and Jake Willey of Enosburg Falls, Louis Leonowens. The Ensemble Wives are Carrie Aday of Bakersfield; Rowan Hooks of Richford; Julie Linstedt of St. Albans; Lilian Provencher of Enosburg Falls; Susie Raiche; Naomi Walters of Georgia; and Sam Willey. And the Royal Children, Bella Bigelow of Swanton; Surelle Casperson of Swanton; Theresa Fiebka of Richford; Xander Gurley of Swanton; Evelyn Larson of Georgia; Maria Oprea of Bakersfield; Lucas Underwood of St. Albans; Abigail Vos of St. Albans; dancer Grace Vos; Joseph Vos; and Michael Vos, all of St. Albans; and Julia Willey of Enosburg Falls.
      Admission is $15 for adults ($14 online), $12 for students and seniors ($11 online), or $17 for reserved seating. Call 802.933.6171 or click here for more info.


IN JIG TIME

EAST FAIRFIELD--The 25th annual Jig in the Valley kicks off rain or shine on the Green on Sunday beginning at noon for eight hours of music, dancing, and fun.
      The line up will add up to a diverse musical day with Brian Curry, Dale and Darcy, Jacob Highter, Carol Ann Jones and the Superchargers, George Lewis, The Missisquoi River Band, Joe Moore and Al Zansler, Nobby Reed Project, Rush Run from West Virginia, Tyrone Shaw and the Oleo Romeos, and more.
      In addition to the music, the Fairfield Community Center and the Meeting House on the Green will have great food, kids' activities, a silent auction, raffles galore, a community flea market, and special surprises, all for this major annual fundraiser for the Fairfield Community Center. There will be homemade, wood-fired pizza, a parade with Black Creek Adventure Camp, great finds at the flea market and auction, Deb's Pie Table, and raffles galore.
      Bring your blanket, your lawn chair, your dancing shoes, and your well-behaved dogs (on a leash, please) to celebrate summer, the community, and life. Admission is just $10 per person or $25 for a family. Call 802.827.3130, click here , or email the Fairfield Community Center for more info or to volunteer.


      The Meeting House on the Green will host the Pre-Jig Jam on Saturday from 7 - 10 p.m. It will be a potluck gathering of musicians and friends and an evening of musical mayhem. Bring a dish to share.
      Admission is free but donations are always welcome.


ART ON THE WALLS

ST. ALBANS--Twiggs hosts Paint Nite: A Boy and His Dog on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
      Artist Emily Lindberg introduces "art to many that have never painted, and witnessing the thrill and confidence that comes from the creative process." Paint Nite will provide all the materials to create your own painting and provides "the refreshments you need!" Click here for tickets. Use code TwiggsVT for 35% off.


ON STAGE LIVE

Thursday
STOWE--Harrison's Restaurant presents Will Patton country pickin' & singin' with flatpicker Mark Struhsacker this evening at 6 p.m. Pretty good gig!
      Click here for more info.


Thursday-Saturday
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents the blues of Arthur James on Thursday, a fresh new look at an old American tradition with The Duel on Friday, and The Buck Hollers' acoustic classics and strong vocals on Saturday. Shows begin at 7 p.m.
      Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


Friday
ST. ALBANS--Kick off the weekend in style; BBP is back at 14th Star on Friday at 6 p.m.
      Bruce Patenaude, Bill Jock, and Pat Maddix play familiar favorites from over four decades on stage.


ESSEX JUNCTION--The annual Fraank Band/Starburst party/reunion boots it into high gear to the music of Dave Abair's House on Fire at On Tap on Friday at 7 p.m.
      Angelo Mullen will be "hanging with my good buddies David Abair and Joel Snyder Jr." Mr. Mullen said he "should stroll in around 8 so I can enjoy watching them schlep the equipment."
      On Tap has music on Tuesday through Saturday nights. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info.


Saturday
ST. ALBANS--The Grind Cafe hosts Open Mic on Saturday at 3 p.m.


WINDSOR--The Harpoon Barbecue Championship of New England presents great music with some of the world's best barbecue. The Nobby Reed Project takes the brewery stage this year on Saturday at 5 p.m.
      The $15 cover charge includes one beer/non-alcoholic beverage ticket. Children under 12 free with parents.


Sunday
MONTGOMERY--The monthly Celebration of Expressive Arts takes over the INN on Sunday evening at 7 p.m. The event officially includes everything but dancing, but there is always hope. Come early for dinner; service begins at 5 p.m
      This month, Dana and Susan Robinson will provide the music; Robin MacArthur will read from her collection of stories, Half Wild; and Rebecca Cummins will share some of her works in clay. The local artists, writers and musicians gather to share original and thought provoking work, curated and hosted by Bob and Becca Cummins.
      Click here for more info.


Wednesday
ST. ALBANS--Summer Sounds favorites IncaHoots continue the Downtown Summer Concert Series in the E.A. Loomis Bandshell in Taylor Park on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. 14th Star Brewing and the Traveling Canteen serve food and drink at all of this year's Summer Concert Series events.
      Admission is free.


MORRISVILLE--Oxbow Riverfront Park continues the Wednesday Night Live music series with the John Lackard Blues Band on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. There will be a special performance by Ballet Wolcott at 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.


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
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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