DANCE - FINE ARTS - MUSIC - THEATER - WRITING

ARTBITS by Richard B. Harper


VOLUME 23 * * All Arts News On the Web * * October 3, 2019

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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DOWNTOWN ART WALK

ST. ALBANS--The Art Walk & Sidewalk Sale takes over downtown St. Albans on Saturday at 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
      Local artists and merchants will fill the historical downtown sidewalks with works of art and bargains. Taylor Park will host the Farmer's Market. Find them on Facebook for more info.


ART ON THE WALLS

ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence Gallery features different artists each month. This month, the spotlight is on potter Gillian Ireland, landscape painter Lori Niederer, and watercolor painter and fiber artist Deborah Travis.
      The A.I.R. gallery hosts a free meet-the-artists reception with refreshments and a raffle today 4:30 - 7 p.m. The exhibit continues through the end of October.
      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 on South Main Street is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery has also established a Young Artist Recognition program. Click here for more info.


AROUND THE STATE--Vermont's Fall Open Studio Weekend begins Saturday at 10 a.m. This statewide celebration puts Vermont artists and craftspeople "on exhibit" in their own studios. The event begins the Fall season on the Saturday and Sunday of the first or second weekend in October.
      Some of the artists open their working studios to the public only during this weekend. It is an opportunity for them to talk about their work and to demonstrate the skill and processes used to make it. The participating artists plan to get work done as well as teach while visitors poke around. Hundreds of other sites will be open this year. Many galleries will host gallery talks and feature special exhibits in conjunction with this event. Pick up a hard copy map at any studio, tourist information centers on Vermont's interstate highways.
      Click here for maps, directions, and more info.


WESTON--Vermont artist Corliss Blakely returns to Weston with an outdoor show "right across the street from the Bryant House in the center of Weston" on Friday-Sunday this week.
      "I'm really excited to be coming to Weston again this year," she said.
      The show features lots of new oil paintings including Poets Daffodils, Flowers And Lace, Kathy's Iris, and Winter Berries. She will have a selection of watercolors and her Limited Edition Prints and Nature Scarves.
      Click here for more info.


ST ALBANS--The Northwestern Medical Center Gallery hosts Vermont photographer Connie Boutin this month. Ms. Boutin is exhibiting horse photos, sugaring, a photo of the stained glass Sermon on the Mount, summer flowers. She shows paintings as well. "They are folk art," she said. "We're lucky to live where we do."
      The show continues through the end of October.


ST. ALBANS TOWN--The Town of St. Albans has installed an Art Wall at the Bay, beside the concrete dock. Check out the art and paint more "if you feel so moved."
      The Town Parks Committee was inspired by the art walls and quilts in Swanton. Anyone can create artwork on the Bay wall. Offensive themes, words or advertisements will be removed. Artists should tag the Town of St. Albans on Facebook. Work may be painted over at any time.


ART YOU CREATE

MONTGOMERY--The Montgomery Center for the Arts continues a Figure Drawing Workshop in the LAB at MCAKeltonHall today at 5 p.m. The workshop carries on every Thursday through December 26. Each week a very groovy group of artists gather to work and socialize.


ST. ALBANS--The Artist in Residence Gallery hosts Playing with Clay, a fundraiser workshop for A.I.R., at the Barlow Street Community Center on Sunday at 1 p.m.
      The pottery class with instructors Barbara Colgrove and Martha McGinn will create a mug, using slab construction, decorating and glazing, with guidance from two experienced potters. Clay, glazes, and two kiln firings are included in the registration cost. Proceeds will assist with closing costs from the purchase of the gallery building.
      The cost is $50 per person. Tickets are available at the gallery. Call 802.528.5222 or email for more info.


SWANTON--Swanton Arts Council hosts an Alcohol Ink Class with Lorrie Mandigo at the Swanton Free Public Library on Thursday at 5 p.m.
      Ms. Mandigo teaches the class on the preparation and use of alcohol inks. Participants will make 2-3 completed pieces and learn how to use the new art medium. SAC hosts the unique, educational workshops at the Swanton Free Public Library on the first Thursday of every month. $35 per person pays for the cost of supplies and instruction. Click here for tickets.


IN THE ARTS COUNCILS

ST. ALBANS--St. Albans Community Arts hosts its monthly Community Arts MeetUp in City Hall on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The gathering will discuss new and ongoing business, meet new people, and discuss any creative ideas that crop up.
      Click here for the minutes and reports of prior meetings and more. Meetups are held on the second Tuesday of each month.


SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council holds its Annual Governing Body Meeting at the Swanton Free Public Library on Monday at 6 p.m. The annual meeting will install officers and board members and creatively plan for the next five years. All are welcome.


SWANTON--The SAC Art Journaling Group meets at the Swanton Free Public Library on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
      Meetings will be held at the library on the second Tuesday of every month. Art journals, junk journals, art pages and more are on the table and make for fun for artists, writers, scrap bookers, and more. The group meets to share ideas and to take time to create. If you need supplies to get started, check out the library's Makerspace or email for more info.


FILM

ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Garden Club holds the third annual movie night with Hometown Habitat in the Bliss Room at the Saint Albans Museum on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
      The environmental documentary focuses on how and why native plants are critical to the survival of local ecosystems. Douglas Tallamy of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware "provides a narrative thread which challenges the notion that 'Humans are here and nature is someplace else'." click here for more info about the film.
      This screening is free and open to the public, with all donations going to the Saint Albans Museum.


ON STAGE LIVE

Thursday
SHELDON--The Ceilidh Barn presents an E.T.E. Trio house concert this evening at 7 p.m.
      Elisabeth Moquin, Thierry Clouette, and Elisabeth Giroux perform a dynamic and modern vision of Quebec's traditional music influenced by folk, progressive rock, and classical music on fiddle, Irish bouzouki and cello. E.T.E was awarded Discovery of the Year 2017-2018 at the last Gala des Prix Opus. Their first album, Le boire des minuits, was released in 2017.
      This is a house concert so verify the time with the host and RSVP to Danielle (802.393.7120) or Email or via Facebook. Admission is by suggested donation of $20.


ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap offers the Nobby Reed Project tonight at 7 p.m.
      On Tap has music on Tuesday through Saturday nights. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info.


Thursday-Sunday
ENOSBURG--The Opera House at Enosburg Falls presents A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline with Marie Regan as Patsy Cline in a four-day run starting this evening. Show times are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.
      The musical walk through the life of the legend blends theater and music with twenty of her best-known songs played by a live band. It has been produced in theaters across the United States and Canada.
      General admission is $18 or $15 for students and seniors. VIP seating in the first four rows is $20. Call 802.933.6171 or click here for tickets and more info.


Thursday-Wednesday (all week!)
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs presents veteran acoustic musicians Dale and Darcy on Friday and English blues guitarist Tom Caswell's Duet on Saturday. Shows begin at 7 p.m.
      Then on Monday, Chris Parker returns with Open Mic at 7 p.m. Come get your song on the first Monday of every month.
      The gastropub continues the Monthly Blues Jam, an explosive evening of electric blues, on Wednesday at 7 p.m. All musicians are welcome to come and play the blues with the house band of Tom Caswell, guitar and vocals; Tom Buckley, bass; and Michael Bishop, drums on the second Wednesday of each month.
      Call 802.524.1405 or click here for more info.


Friday
ST. ALBANS--14th Star Brewing Company presents Squirrel live on the taproom stage on Friday at 6 p.m.
      Squirrel is an acoustic, percussion-driven band that plays an eclectic mix of music spanning genres and generations.


SHELDON--Fall Friday Night Music Series continues at the Abbey with Bobby Cee live in the Pub on Friday at 6:30 p.m.


SOUTH HERO--Snow Farm Vineyard features singer/songwriter Carol Ann Jones solo for Wine Down Friday on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
      Call 802.372.9463 for info or reservations.


Friday-Saturday
ST. ALBANS--The Old Foundry at One Federal presents Silas McPrior on Friday and the Blue Rock Boys on Saturday. Shows begin at 6:30 p.m.
      Mr. McPrior is a traveling Vermont musician with an eclectic mix of originals and covers "rooted in folk, bluegrass, and fun." His shows are influenced by Marley, Devil Makes Three, Sublime and more. The Blue Rock "power duo" of Eric Bushey and Cliff Crosby will be outside if the weather is good.
      Call 802.524.0330 or find them on Facebook for more info.


Saturday
ST. ALBANS--Back Inn Time concludes the season of Music & More with Will Patton and Dono Schabner on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
      Dinner is a limited menu featuring local and organic ingredients. The meal is freshly prepared to order and your table is yours for the night (one seating only) in the Carriage Barn.
      Reservations requested by today. Call KarenMarie Peltier (802.527.5116) or email for more info.


EAST FAIRFIELD--The Meeting House on the Green continues Summer Evenings with Vermont Treasures with The Revenants on Saturday at 7 p.m. Doors at 6:30.
      Bluegrass Gospel Project alums Taylor Armerding, Andy Greene, and Kirk Lord have come together to present original, time-honored, and contemporary Americana music to venues throughout New England. Showcasing compelling, intricately braided vocals, richly textured instrumental work, and solid, innovative rhythm, the three band members bring decades of performing experience to the stage. Through their many years of musical collaboration, they speak soulfully with one voice.
      Admission is a $10 suggested donation at the door. Light supper fare, beer and wine will be available throughout the evening. All proceeds from the concert series support the Meeting House Preservation Project. Click here for more info.


ST. ALBANS--Contraband rocks Nelly's on Saturday at 9 p.m.
      Bruce Leo, drum and vocals; Tom Lonergan, lead guitar and vocals; Jason Leavitt, bass; and Jon Clark, rhythm guitar and vocals; with Joel Snyder Jr on sound are a local band playing classic rock.


Saturday-Sunday
JEFFERSONVILLE--Martell's at the Red Fox presents the third annual Red Fox Harvest Fest, a 2-day farmer-and-artisans-market outdoor music festival featuring the Nobby Reed Project on Saturday from noon - midnight or later and Sunday from 11 a.m.-on. There will be a late night party inside Saturday night.
      All day live entertainment includes Lyon's Disciple, Sean Kehoe, Diggin' Roots Band, the Lloyd Tyler Band, the Brevity Thing, Gary Wade, the Nobby Reed Project, Chris Lyon, Soulstice, and the Seth Yacovone Band. Farmers, artists, and crafters will display and sell. Martell's will have an outdoor cash bar and kitchen.
      Weekend passes are $10. Kids 12 and under free. Find them on Facebook for more info.


Sunday
ST. ALBANS--14th Star Brewing Company and the Saint Albans Museum present the fifth annual St. Albans Oktoberfest with live music from Vermont's German Band, Inseldudler, at 14th Star on Sunday from 2 - 6 p.m.
      The family-friendly event will have a mobile museum display, silent auction, and 50/50 raffle, plus craft beer from 14th Star and traditional German food from Grazers, all to raise money to support the Museum and their mission to preserve historical artifacts and make history come alive. Admission is free.


Tuesday
ST. ALBANS--Singer/songwriter Troy Millette continues his Fall Residency live at 14th Star Brewery on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
      A New England "must-see artist," Mr. Millette will takes you on a musical journey of imaginative covers, original songs, and stories on the Taproom Stage every Tuesday in October. His latest album is Living With A Ghost.


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

Music!

Links to the Summer Music series in Franklin County
Summer Sounds
Summer Music at Grace
Downtown Summer Concert Series
Summer Evenings with
Vermont Treasures
Citizens Band
Wednesday Night Live
Enosburg Town Band


SUPPORT LIVE ARTS IN YOUR TOWN!


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