| VOLUME 30 | * * All Arts News On the Web * * | September 3, 2026 |
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. STUFF YOU SHOULDN'T MISS
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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ART ON THE WALLS
ENOSBURG--Cold Hollow Sculpture Park hosts the monthly docent-led tour Art Making on the Land with Laura Need on Saturday at 1:15 p.m. The free guided tour takes visitors through the park to explore David Stromeyer's use of color, scale, and perspective. Registration is encouraged. Click here for free tickets and more info
ST. ALBANS--The Artist In Residence collection spotlight is on September artists Lindsay DiDio, Wendy Everhart, Chris Jenkins, and Cat McKeen. The art and fine craft cooperative features paintings, fiber arts, stained glass, sculpture, lamps, pottery, folk art boxes, scarves, hats and more by 38 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, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here or find them on Facebook for more info.
The A.I.R. Gallery has changed the Featured Artist Receptions to a quarterly format. The next reception will be Saturday, September 12.
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council Artist of the Week is the husband and wife duo of Caroline Hillyard & Praxedis Leyva makes handmade plushies. The SAC has established an artistic presence in Swanton and works to develop the artistic community.
ART IS A BENEFIT
ST. ALBANS--The Artist in Residence and the St Albans Free Library are hosting a Library Lover's Art Auction to support the library's brick restoration project.
Stop by the library's first floor between now and September 15 to view original artwork created by local Vermont artists. Buy $5 tickets at the library and drop them into the Mason jars next to the artwork you hope to win. There is also a silent auction for two large paintings. Winners will be drawn on September 15. All proceeds from the month-long, raffle-style art auction go directly to the historic project.
As a bonus, make a purchase at the Artist In Residence gallery during the event, bring your receipt to the library, and receive a free raffle ticket.
ART FOR SALE
NORTH HERO--The Island Arts' Artisans Market returns to the Island Arts Center, hosted by Champlain Island creator Jennifer Pratt in the Homer Knight Barn, on Saturday at 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. The all day boutique will be filled with the works of local artisans. Click here for more info.
ART YOU CREATE
SWANTON--The Swanton Arts Council hosts Cardmaking with Barb in the Maker Space of the Swanton Free Public Library today at 2 - 4 p.m. All supplies are provided but feel free to bring your own glue and scissors. The card making workshops take place the first Thursday of each month. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Call Barb Switzer (802.752.7917) or Email or the Swanton Library , to register or for more info.
NORTH HERO--Burlap and Barnwood and Kayleigh Beaulieu offer a Hat Burning Workshop at the North Hero House on Saturday at 1 p.m. The workshop guides participants step-by-step through the process to create a custom hat. Included are a hat or tote, instruction and tools to use, unlimited stencils, materials and supplies, and accessories from the hat bar. The cost is $87. Click here for tickets and more info.
HIGHGATE--Coffee and Crafts meets at the Highgate Library and Community Center on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Materials and a hot coffee, tea, or cocoa are provided by HLCC. The program runs every Tuesday morning and is free adult library patrons. Email or call the Library (802.868.3970) to register and for more info.
ENOSBURG--Sip, Stitch, & Share meets at the Enosburgh Public Library every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Have a warm drink, learn a new craft (or work on honing an existing one), and chat. Any craft is welcome. Click here for more info.
DANCE
ST. ALBANS--The Depot offers Beginner Line Dancing with Michelle Nordberg on Thursdays at 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. The class will teach progressive dance rhythms to varied genres of today's music. Line dance is not limited to country music. Each session will include intermediate level lessons and dance, absolute to high beginner level lessons and dance teaching basic dance steps, improver level lessons and dance, and open dance and requests. Dance steps are called as needed and requests are welcomed. No experience needed. Bring clean, dry shoes to change into and dance in. Admission is $10 per class. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ALBURG--Between the Lines Line Dancing offers Beginner Line Dancing at the American Legion Landon Post #60 on Fridays at 6 p.m. Bring clean, dry shoes to change into and dance in. Admission is by $5 donation per class, which is donated to the Alburgh Volunteer Fire Department. Find them on Facebook for more info.
HIGHGATE--The Highgate Manor offers Line Dance Wednesdays with Michelle Nordberg on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The class will teach progressive dance rhythms to varied genres of today's music. Line dance is not limited to country music. No experience needed. Bring clean, dry shoes to change into and dance in. Admission is $10 per class. Find them on Facebook for more info.
FESTIVALS AND SHOWS
ESSEX--The Champlain Valley Fair continues through Sunday. The heaviest pumpkin and the tallest sand sculpture in the state will appear as well as the latest farming methods. But wait, there's more.
The Essex Art League will have artists available to talk about their art. The featured artist is Lauren McCabe.
The Fair has live music and art and entertainment for ten days running with the free Vermont Music Showcase on two stages every day. Show times on the Steve Bayner Stage on the Adsit Mall are Thursday-Friday, 1 and 4:15 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 11:45 a.m. 2:15 and 5 p.m. Show times for the SeaComm Pavilion next to the State Building are Thursday-Friday, 3:30 and 5:45 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 12:30, 3:30, and 5:45 p.m.
Today, look for Kiel Love on the Kinney Steve Bayner Stage and Madigan Linnane in the SeaComm Pavilion. The Medicine Tribe Band is on the Steve Bayner Stage and Steve Hartmann in the SeaComm Pavilion on Friday. The Olson Brothers Band is on the Steve Bayner Stage and Kyle Chadburn of the Earthbound Spirits soloes in the SeaComm Pavilion on Saturday. Troy Millette & the Fire Below take the Steve Bayner Stage and Chris & Erica are in the SeaComm Pavilion on Sunday.
Click here for the entire Fair schedule and more info.
RANDOLPH--Chandler Arts presents the 34th annual New World Festival on Sunday starting at noon. Vermont's premier Celtic and Quebecois music festival offers music, dance, and culture all day in the Chandler Music Hall, the Dance Tent, on the Bethany Stage, in the Family Tent, and on the Upper Gallery Stage.
The Family Tent features Sugar in the Pan from Young Tradition Vermont and Summer Sounds favorites the No Strings Marionettes.
Admission is $60 until Saturday or $65 at the door. Students are $35 and 12 and under are free. Click here for tickets and more info.
FILM
ST. ALBANS--The City Belonging, Equity & Inclusion Committee presents The Librarians in the Movies That Matter series at the Welden Theater on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The Emmy-winning 2025 documentary follows librarians including Carolyn Foote, Suzette Baker, and Amanda Jones in Texas, Florida, and other states as they unite to combat book banning in the United States. PBS broadcast the film in their Independent Lens series in February. Franklin County Vermont Women for Democracy will host a community panel discussion following the showing. Admission is by $10 suggested donation. Click here for more info.
GATHERINGS
HIGHGATE--The Highgate Library and Community Center continues the Muffin Monday Senior Social Hour on Monday at 10 a.m. The program is a community connect to brainstorm opportunities for senior support. Each week will also include coffee and tea, as well as fresh pastries. The program will run every Monday morning and is free for anyone 55 and older. Registration is mandatory as space is limited. Call the Library (802.868.3970) to register and for more info.
GEORGIA--The Georgia Public Library Crafting Club meets at the library to craft together and give back to the community on Wednesday evenings at 6 - 8 p.m. They have plenty of equipment and materials with the instructions to make homemade fiber crafts to donate to those in need. Or bring your own knitting, crocheting, and sewing projects to the craft circle on Wednesday evenings.
MILTON--The Queer Art Club continues at the Milton Artists' Guild on Saturday at 5 p.m. The free, drop-in workshop is for projects to work on or to take a 30 minute art demo. All skill levels are welcome. No registration is required. Click here for more info.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
MORRISVILLE--Fall Colors in Watercolor | Session 2 with Evie Mason continues at River Arts on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The three-part intermediate watercolor workshop focuses on capturing the warmth and depth of fall. The cost is $45 for a single workshop or $120 for all three. Click here to register and for more info. .
JEFFERSONVILLE--60 Main Arts (SMArts) hosts Community Drawing Night has a live model on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The cost of $10 per person or less includes a "split model fee."
MILTON--The Milton Artists' Guild has three workshops this week.
Senior Saturdays begin an 8 session series on Saturday at 11 a.m. The workshops are taught by multiple instructors, with a different subject every two sessions. All supplies provided. The cost is $20. Click here to register and for more info.
Becky Chappell leads the Paint the Landscape in Pastel workshop on Saturday at 1 - 4 p.m. The hands-on workshop will cover composition, preliminary color studies, final finishing touches and more to work from a landscape photo to a pastel paintings All supplies are provided. The cost is $. Click here to register and for more info.
Social Sundays continue at the Milton Artists' Guild Art Center with free weekly art classes for families at MAG on Sunday at 1 p.m. Each week offers a different project. Stay for 30 minutes or the whole two hours. Click here for more info.
ON STAGE LIVE
Thursday, September 3
ST ALBANS TOWN--The weekly St. Albans Bay Farmer's Market and Concert Series had to delay a week last Thursday thanks to the forecast big storms and high winds. The season concludes with Cooie's Trio today from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. They have had live music every Thursday evening. "The rain date will always fall on the following Friday." Find them on Facebook for more info.
ESSEX JUNCTION--The Sparky's Blues Jam has the Nerbak Brothers this evening at 6 - 9 p.m. Food at 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
MILTON--Maquam Barn & Winery hosts Troy Millette & the Fire Below for Live Music Thursday Nights this evening starting at 6 p.m. The Barn has weekly live music, food trucks, and specialty tastings from May through October.
SOUTH HERO--The Phil Abair Band with Keeghan Nolan plays the Music in the Vineyard series at Snow Farm Vineyard this evening at 6:30 p.m. The summer music series continues with well known musicians, wine, and food every Thursday. Click here for more info.
Thursday-Saturday, September 3-5
ESSEX JUNCTION--On Tap starts a weekend of music with the Devon McGarry Band tonight at 7 p.m. two shows Friday night, She Was Right at 5 p.m., and then Summer Sounds favorites IncaHoots return for late night music starting at 9 p.m., plus two more shows live on Saturday night with Shane's Apothecary at 7 p.m., and prepare to be jerborned as the Jerband goes ducky at 9 p.m. Call 802.878.3309 or email for more info. Click here to reserve a table.
Thursday-Wednesday, September 3-9
MORRISVILLE--Moog's Place has long weekends, Thursday through Wednesday, of music in September. Michael Perry leads Open Mic Night tonight. Jesse & Jess light the night afire on Friday. The sound system takes the weekend off for Saturday and Sunday. Seth Yacovone plays a solo acoustic set on Monday. And Jim Charonko is there for Wednesday night live.
Friday, September 4
SHELDON--The Abbey Friday Night Music Series often has live performances on Friday about 6:30 p.m. Reservations are suggested. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SHELDON--"The summer is not over; it's just getting going, again," Beth Crane said. They have three more Friday concerts starting this week "before we admit that the season is over."
Canadian multi-instrumentalist and composer Andrew Wells-Oberegger performs in Summer Music at Grace at Grace Church on Friday at 7 p.m. His program includes his compositions from the album Dejouer le glas. Wells-Oberegger brings classical guitar, renaissance lute, oud, bagpipes, saz, mmandolin, bouzouki, and santoor to early and world music.
Admission is free but a generous donation supports the musicians. Bring your own beverage, a picnic to enjoy before the concert, and a dessert to share. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH BURLINGTON--The Phil Abair Band with Keeghan Nolan returns to the Old Post for one of the last shows of the Summer Concert Series on Friday at 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage if the weather agrees. Find them on Facebook for more info
ST. ALBANS--The Depot hosts Karaoke Night with DJ Lady Livy on Friday at 9 p.m."Grab some friends, grab some food, grab some drinks, and grab the mic." Admission is free. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Friday-Sunday, September 4-6
NORTH HERO--Long-time jazz collaborators Tony Pietricola and Bob Gagnon play jazz standards from the 1920s to modern compositions on the Pier Bar at the North Hero House on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Laura Fedele-Rasco play all your favorite songs on Sunday at 5 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
NORTH HERO--Bravo Zulu Lakeside Bar has live music on Fridays and Sundays, all summer long. Ryan Sweezey performs on Friday at 6 p.m. and the Buck Hollers play on Sunday at 3 p.m. The "the newest hidden gem of the Lake Champlain Islands" is at Shore Acres where you can boat in or drive in. Find them on Facebook for more info.
NEWPORT--Kingdom Brewing presents Blue Fox on Friday and Lixx for Live Music at the BrewCabin on Saturday. Music starts at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
SOUTH HERO--Two Heroes Brewery has music most weeks. The M.S.J. Jazz Trio takes the stage on Friday and J.S.B. the Jeff Salisbury Band plays live on Saturday. Music starts at 6 p.m. Click here for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Twiggs often has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. This week they host Sister Speak on Friday as part of her Green Mountain Tour and Roger Giroux live on Saturday night. Music starts about 6:30 p.m.
Call 802.524.1405 or find them on Facebook for more info. Click here to book a reservation or to visit the art on the walls.
STOWE--The Von Trapp Brewing Bierhall Summer Music Series fills the weekend with the Shane Murley Trio on Saturday and Third Wheel on Sunday night. Music starts at 4:30. Click here for more info.
Saturday, September 5
ST. ALBANS--Northwest Farmers Market fills Taylor Park with live music, handmade crafts, locally grown food, prepared foods, free kids activities on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Nathan Michaud plays this Saturday. The market and the music continue every Saturday through October. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--Maple City Music celebrates its Grand Opening with local roots and global sound at 12 Kingman Street on Saturday 9/5 at 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. There will be hundreds of records in the bins, live music from local artists throughout the day, a benefit raffle for Josh's House and the Josh Pallotta Fund and the Maple City Music Music Therapy for Veterans program.
"Yes, it's a record store. But I also want it to be a place where people talk about music, discover something they've never heard before, meet their neighbors, support local musicians, and where veterans know they're always welcome," owner Walt Byrne wrote.
The veteran-owned, record store has vinyl, CDs, tapes, DVDs and indie music online and in town. They focus on Vermont artists and have mystery crates, Whatnot live sales, and more. Find them on Facebook for more info.
EAST FAIRFIELD--The 2026 Meeting House Music Series presents the "Santa Claus of the Blues," the Jim Branca Quartet, outdoors on the terrace at the Meeting House on the Green on Saturday at 5 p.m. "Doors" at 4. With Tom Buckley, bass and vocals; Matt Nerbak, drums and vocals; and Terry Youk, saxophones; the show will mix "spontaneous musical pyrotechnics, jumping joy, and cogent fiery original tunes that probe the squirrely corners of cosmic wonder and confusion."
There will be plenty of room on the Green to "kick up your heels and dance the night away." Grab and Go light fare and desserts will be available for sale or bring your own picnic.
Admission is $10 at the door with those under 12 on leashes and well behaved dogs admitted free. The proceeds go to the Meeting House Preservation Project and supporting live music in Vermont. Concerts are held outdoors, weather permitting or moved indoors if not. Call Nance Shaw (802.827.6626) or Click here for more info.
FRANKLIN--Second Hand Blues returns to the Dick Wright Pub for Live at the Pub, an evening of songs from the 1940s through today and much more on Friday at 6 p.m. Admission is by suggested donation of $10. Click here for more info.
Sunday, September 6
MILTON--Maquam Barn & Winery hosts indie-pop singer-songwriter and guitarist Ali T on Sunday at 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. The Barn has weekly live music, food trucks, and specialty tastings from May through October.
ST. ALBANS--It's a night of Doom and Punk with the live music of L.A.'s Pegzilla and Vermont's own Violet Crimes and Dog Water in The Room on Sunday at 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
Monday, September 7
FRANKLIN--The Dick Wright Pub presents the first Once Around the Block Marching Band on Monday at 11 p.m. The band will play Louie, Louie by the Kingsmen with all instrumentalists plus dancers, flag and banner peeps, singers, jugglers, stilt walkers, unicyclists, tiny car drivers, balloon artists, nuclear physicists, and cats on leashes. The band will wear stripes, or plaid, or stripes and plaid and will march once around the block. Click here for more info.
Tuesday, September 8
SOUTH HERO--Doug's Open Mic Night comes to Two Heroes Brewery on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. Sign up in-person only from 5 - 5:30. Open Mic happens every Tuesday. Click here for more info.
Wednesday, September 9
SWANTON--Located in the historic Champlain Theater building, the Green Mountain Bistro has live music every Wednesday night from 6 - 8 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ST. ALBANS--The monthly Blues Jam continues at Twiggs, hosted by Vermont's leading blues man, Nobby Reed and the House Band, on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Blues Jam blows out the speakers at Twiggs on the second Wednesday of each month. Find them on Facebook for more info.
ALMOST LIVE ON STAGE
Virtual music and events continue this week.
Local writer DonnaRae Menard continues the weekly read with Episode 8 from her St. Albans mystery novel, Snuffling Up Bones, on NW Access TV and on YouTube . It is the first book in The Pig and I Mysteries series with Doris Flynn and her 450-pound pet pig, Buttercup.
A Summer of Sound and more. The leaves may be beginning to turn, but the music's not over yet. NW Access TV was there for live music at several local concert series in our region. Their Local Music Playlist is on their YouTube Channel.
The Nobby Reed Project recorded As the Years Go Passing Bye live. It's on YouTube.
FRANKLIN COUNTY BOOKSHELF
Libraries will be closed on Monday in observance of Labor Day.
ENOSBURG--The Rail Trail Pub has a book club. Stop by the Enosburg Public Library for a copy of The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd and then meet at the Rail Trail on Thursday, September 24, at 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook for more info.
HIGHGATE--The Highgate Library and Community Center welcomes local mystery writer DonnaRae Menard who will join Book Club for a special evening of conversation, stories, and discussion this evening at 6 p.m. Ms. Menard is the author of Beneath the Fountain set in St. Albans plus several mystery series including the It's Never Too Late mystery series, the Woman Warrior series of historical fiction, the Carmine Mansuer Detective stories, and the new Pig and I mysteries.
The September book club book is The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. In the fantasy novel between life and death there is a library.
The library will be closed Labor Day Weekend.
ST. ALBANS--The Eloquent Page Fantasy Book Club meets to discuss The Call of Cthulhu by H.P. Lovecraft on Wednesday at 6 p.m. A cosmic horror short story of Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos, this harrowing tale has reports of mass hysteria around the world and intelligent creatures from beyond our world. Find them on Facebook for more info.
The Eloquent Page holds a fantasy, a mystery, and a true crime book club every month for any and all readers. "No need to sign up, no need to even finish reading the book (so long as you don't care about spoilers), just show up and talk about books with us."
ST. ALBANS--The St. Albans Free Library hosts the Tuesday Night Book Group to discuss Theo of Golden by Allen Levi on Tuesday Evening at 6 p.m. When a stranger arrives in a small Southern town, he buys all the 92 pencil portraits of the town's residents from the coffee shop display and returns each to the person depicted. The group reads an eclectic mix of titles and meets the second Tuesday of each month in the Martha Dalton Meeting Room. Copies are available at the circulation desk. The Book Group meets after hours. Please arrive before the doors close at 6 p.m. Click here for more info.
SWANTON--The Swanton Free Public Library is experimenting with opening early on Tuesdays this month. Every Tuesday in September, they will open early at 8:30 a.m. All other days remained unchanged for now. This is a trial to see if the earlier day helps serve the community more. Library hours in September will be Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Click here for more info.
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 ... |
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Music!Links to the Summer Music series in Franklin County |
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