DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 22 * * All Arts News On the Web * * July 12, 2018

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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ONCE IN A BLUEGRASS MOON

HIGHGATE--Ray's Extrusion Dies and Tubing, the All Arts Council, and the Town of Highgate continue 28 years of Summer Sounds concerts at home in Highgate with Northern Flyer in their first appearance on Sunday evening at 7 p.m.
      Four veteran Vermont bluegrass musicians -- Mark Struhsacker, Andy Sacher, Kirk Lord, and Andy Greene -- bring exquisite harmonies and instrumental artistry to form Northern Flyer. Their mix of original songs, unique adaptations, and plenty of traditional numbers has the hard-driving authenticity that appeals to bluegrass and Americana fans, and to anyone who loves fine vocalizing and strong acoustic musicianship.
      Just before the concert, come to the Summer Sounds Social in the Park starting at 6 p.m. The special Intermission and Social event will introduce very special young performers from the Opera House production of Oklahoma! 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. Click here for more info.


POWER TO THE STAGE

FAIRFAX--Fairfax Community Theater Company presents Beehive the 60s Musical in the B.F.A. Fairfax Middle School Gym with shows on Thursday through Sunday this week. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
      Created by Larry Gallagher, Beehive stars Alicia Banach, Julianna Banach, Meg Cossaboom, Courtney Meunier, Megan Rose, Emily Shafritz, Holly Sherrer, and Catie Smith in the ultimate celebration of 1960s female empowerment. Featuring such timeless classics as My Boyfriend's Back," "Be My Baby," "Son of a Preacher Man, and Me and Bobby McGee, the musical recalls the days of miniskirts, transistor radios and flower power.
      Told from the perspective of six young women who came of age in that decade, the young ladies look back on their days from their first Beehive Dance to the challenges we faced as a nation -- all accompanied by the most celebrated and memorable songs of the era.
      Admission is $15. Tickets are available at squareup.com . Call 802.229.0112 or click here for more info.


ART TO SELL

MILTON--The Milton Artists Guild holds Social Media Marketing for Artists today at 7 - 7:30 p.m.
      Social media platforms are especially effective for artists because the platforms are geared toward visual content. This presentation offers insight into how to make best use of the platforms to sell. Click here to register online with a small donation or email to attend free.


ART FOR THE WALLS

ST. ALBANS TOWN--Collopy Family Farm hosts Nature's Art with Gramma and Grandsons at St. Albans Bay Park Farmer's Market indoors in the stone bathhouse on Wednesday from 5:30-7:30 pm, rain or shine!
      The class costs $25 per person which includes everything need to make a masterpiece, including pebbles, sea glass, drift wood, twigs and inspiration. Email to register and for more info.


ART ON THE WALLS

ST. ALBANS--The inaugural Mayor's Photo Competition opens with a reception in the City Hall auditorium this evening at 6 p.m.
      With a theme of local agriculture in honor of the 100th anniversary of the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery, the reception exhibits submitted photographs and offers the chance to vote for favorites. The top 15 photos will be displayed this year in Taylor Park, preceding a special auction to benefit St. Albans Community Arts. There will be food and drink.
      Click here for more info on the competition.


ST. ALBANS--The Northern Vermont Artists' Association begins a one-month exhibit at the Village Frame Shoppe Gallery on Saturday. There will plenty of NVAA artists.
      The NVAA was founded in Burlington in 1931. Membership is open to all visual artists, working in any medium, who live in the northern half of Vermont. The NVAA is an all-volunteer organization.
      Click here for the NVAA history and info and here for more info about the gallery and for coupons for July's 20% off framing and 35% off canvas prints specials.


IN THE SAC

SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council Writer's Group will meet at the Swanton Free Public Library this evening at 6 p.m. Members can share progress and join in the discussion about longer projects and anything else about writing, reading, publishing, and more. Call Becky Rupp (802.733.7471) or email for more info.
      The SAC Board Meeting has been rescheduled to the air conditioned Swanton Free Public Library on Monday at 6 p.m. The Art Journaling Group meets at 5:30 that night with the general meeting to start at 6 (to run in conjunction with art journaling creation). Stay cool and create. Email for more info.


ON STAGE LIVE

     The Big Music Weeks of Summer continue!


Thursday
ST. ALBANS--Nelly's Irish Pub presents Chris and Erica live in the Pub on Friday at 6 p.m.


Thursday-Saturday
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents Summer Sounds favorite and performing songwriter Mark LeGrand on Thursday, the Resonators on Friday, and singer songwriter Christine Malcolm and her Trio from Elmore on Saturday. Shows begin at 7 p.m.
      The Resonators -- New York's Dennis Willmott, guitar; Gentleman Bruce LeClaire, bass; and Harpo Mike on harmonica -- are playing the Blues for the first time at Twiggs.
      Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


Friday
RUTLAND--The Friday Night Live 2018 series presents 8084 in downtown Rutland on Friday at 5 p.m.
      This year's smoke free series is going to be better than ever with more family friendly activities, plenty of good food, and plenty of fun. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.


MILTON--Arrowhead Golf Course hosts Kyle Stevens for the Friday Night Live Music and Buffet on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The buffet with meatball subs, hotdogs, and more starts around 7 p.m. Both run until 9 p.m.
      The buffet costs $11 per person ($5 for each child). You don't have to be a member; the public is welcome. Be sure to come early, usually around 6, to get a good seat.


SOUTH BURLINGTON--It's a wild and raucous Superstitious Party with Justice at the Old Post Friday the Thirteenth at 9 p.m.
      Get Justified with Gary Greeno, singer, guitar, and keys; Rod Bushey, lead guitar and vocals; Scott Belisle, bass and vocals; Mike Stella, drums; and Scott Guptill, guitar and vocals.


Friday-Saturday
ST. ALBANS--Music, Brews & BBQ presents the Growlers on Friday and Jolly Roger on Saturday in the Biergarten at Mill River Brewing. Shows start at 7 p.m.
      The Growlers play no-nonsense, high-energy acoustic and electric Americana rock & roll. The Vermont musicians have played decades in the Green Mountain music scene. Jolly Roger promises a night of dancin' music with local musicians Alan Wood, Jack Dodd, and Wayne Wanser.


Saturday
ST. ALBANS--Music & More at Back Inn Time presents the eclectic vintage sound of the Blue Rock Boys in the Carriage Barn on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
      "The carriage barn is a great spot to play with terrific acoustics and a real beautiful vibe," Eric Bushey said. They also serve a limited, high quality menu of local and organic foods, great local, organic, and international wines, beers, ciders and champagnes.
      Seating is limited with just one seating, so you must make a reservation to dine. Call KarenMarie Peltier (802.527.5116) or email for more info.


Sunday
ST. ALBANS--Outdoors in the sun: the Blue Rock Boys are at the Old Foundry at One Federal on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
      The power duo, Eric Bushey and Cliff Crosby, will be joined by Justin Bedell on bass "to celebrate this terrific stretch of July weather."


PUTNEY--The 2018 Twilight on the Tavern Lawn Concert Series presents Summer Sounds favorites the Stockwell Brothers Band on Sunday at 6 p.m. The contemporary bluegrass and folk music quartet features banjo, mandolin and three-part harmonies.


HIGHGATE--Summer Sounds continues the 28th summer of music with the debut of Northern Flyer in the Highgate Municipal Park on Sunday at 7 p.m. Ray's Extrusion Dies and Tubing introduces the hard-driving Vermont bluegrass in the free concert.


Tuesday
SOUTH HERO--Carol Ann Jones hosts Music in the Meadow at the Blue Paddle Bistro on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Jones will perform and then hold an Open Mic ever Tuesday, weather permitting, through the summer.
      There are tables and chairs outside but it can get pretty busy, so bring your own chair or blanket or come early to get a table or chairs. Email to sign up.


ENOSBURG FALLS--The Enosburg Town Band plays a weekly free summer concert in Lincoln Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
      Bring a chair or a blanket to enjoy an hour long concert under the stars under the direction of Alisa Martin. Performances will continue on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. through August 21.


Wednesday
MORRISVILLE--The Wednesday Night Live summer music series continues with Leslie Grant in Oxbow Riverfront Park on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The series continues each week through August 22. There will be a rotating mix of food vendors every week, from American barbecue to Nepalese staples.


ST. ALBANS--Sean Jarvis hosts Open Mic Night at Nelly's Irish Pub on Wednesday starting at 6:30 p.m. Show off your talent; everyone is welcome to grab the mic and perform any Wednesday evening on the Tavern side.


ST. ALBANS--Still Kickin' with the talented Joe Moore continues 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.


GRAND ISLE--Island Arts presents the Citizens Concert Band in a free concert at the Lake House on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Gates at 5:30 for picnicking (bring your own).
      The band plays a toe-tapping, hand-clapping performance for young and old. The rain site is onsite. Admission is $10 in advance and $15 at the gates. Click here for tickets.


SHELDON--Every Wednesday the Abbey throws a Beach Party with music, drink specials, and prizes, after the Volleyball, starting about 8:30 p.m.


FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF

SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library hosts Supper & Stories at the SHS Depot Museum this evening at 5:30 p.m.
      Mr. K and Ms. Virginia will be on hand with a storytelling program. Free Hot dogs and S’mores around the campfire too! Sponsored by Promise Communities. Calling the library (802.868.7656) to pre-register and find them on Facebook for more info.


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


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