Talk of the Arts: Growing the arts in Vermont
By Steve Stettler Vermont is rightly proud of its identity as a farming state, today’s superb “Vermont-made” line of food products being just the latest manifestation. Scratch the surface, however, and you’ll find that the same striking if challenging landscape and the rugged individualism and sense of community that grew out of it have also provided fertile ground for artists. Think Robert Frost and Bread Loaf, David Mamet and...
Open Studios
22nd Spring Open Studio Weekend – May 24 and 25 http://www.vermontcrafts.com Open Studio Weekend is a statewide celebration of the visual arts and creative process, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to meet a wide variety of artists and craftspeople in their studios, some of which are only open to the public during this event. The self-guided Open Studio tour features the work of glassblowers, jewelers, printmakers, potters,...
Spotlight: World Masquerade Ball Fundraiser
Saturday, May 21 — Stone Church, 210 Main St. Brattleboro http://www.facebook.com/worldmasqueradeball The World Masquerade Ball promises to be a magical evening of entertainment, food, lively conversation highlighted by an auction of masks created by local artists. Guests are invited to don their own masks for the evening and an unmasking will end the evening’s festivities. The event is all to promote and raise funds to complete a new...
Summer stage offerings
The Dorset Theatre Festival 104 Cheney Road, Dorset Walk up Box Office open June 11-August 31, Tuesday–Sunday http://www.dorsettheatrefestival.org or 802-867-2223 The Dorset Theatre Festival produces five Main-stage plays each summer between June through September. Known for its world premieres of new plays, its regional premieres of Tony Award winning plays from the contemporary canon, as well as expertly produced traditional family...
Spotlight: The Hale Street Gang: Portraits in Writing
Tues, May 20, Great Hall, One River Street, Springfield, VT Memory and longevity are illuminated in The Hale Street Gang: Portraits in Writing, a multimedia exhibit opening at the Great Hall in Springfield, Vermont on Tuesday, May 20–October 10. The Hale Street Gang: Portraits in Writing began at the Randolph, Vermont, Senior Center with a group of 80- and 90-year-olds who wanted to write down their life stories. The group has...
Digital connections: Online farmers markets and the evolution of CSAs
By Troy Shaheen What constitutes a direct connection between farmer and buyer? And what does it mean when shopping locally means shopping online? A 2013 Strolling of the Heifers study found Vermont to be far and away the nation’s top state in CSAs and Farmer’s Markets per 100,000 people, a key indicator for their Localvore Index. The state has long cultivated a history of community-supported agriculture, a penchant for eating local,...
Book reading plus wine tasting: an educational combo
Swords, sorcery and Sauvignon Blanc: An epic fantasy wine tasting Last summer David Walter’s Mastercraft Gallery in Brattleboro featured an exhibit of handcrafted violins by Doug Cox, local violin-maker, with a wine tasting to great effect. The wines were paired by Marty Ramsburg of Windham Wines to complement the different violins and violas and their different sounds. Local musicians played while participants sipped and savored....
Summer Festivals
Mayfest Bennington http://www.bennington.com, 802-447-3311 May 24: Over 100 vendors on Main Street, Downtown Bennington Manchester & Antique Car Show Dorr Farm, Route 30, north of Manchester visitmanchestervt.com June 7-8: The 28th Annual Manchester Antique and Classic Car Show kicks off with an early summer “dust off” show features 46 classes of antique and classic cars, Land Rover driving course, flea market and local...
Spotlight: Second annual Southern Vermont Dance Festival
Top Faculty, Top Dance Companies, Over 100 Different Classes—All in Three Days in Brattleboro July 17-20 — www.southernvermontdancefestival.com From professionals to dance enthusiasts, from the belly dancer to the ballet dancer this is an opportunity to take classes with world-renowned faculty. There will be a variety of classes offered including Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary, Modern, Horton Technique, Graham Technique, Luigi...
Summer music festivals
45th Yellow Barn Summer Season July 4-August 2 63 Main Street , Putney 802-387-6637, Box office: 802-387-6637 x106 http://www.yellowbarn.org This year over 100 musicians will travel to Putney from across the United States and abroad for the Yellow Barn’s 45th Summer Season. In 1969 David and Janet Wells founded Yellow Barn and immediately their neighbors embraced this vibrant addition to their community, cooking meals for the...
At the Museums
44 Gypsy Lane, Bennington 10a to 5p, Mon-Sun (Closed Mon) thebennington.org, 802 442-7158 May 10-Dec 21: Small Works Show, with figuratives, landscapes, cityscapes, wildlife, still-life’s and more. Jun 7-July 27: Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, with opening events taking place on June 7. June 14-Aug 24: Art of the Animal Kingdom XIX. One of the country’s most prestigious wildlife exhibitions, with special guest artist...
Garden tours and more: Our favorite green thumb offerings
Hildene 1005 Hildene Rd Manchester http://www.hildene.org, 802-362-1788 Celebration of Peonies. Traditionally the last two weeks of May and the first two weeks of June when the Formal Garden signals the beginning of the season with 1,000’s of peony blooms; many of them from the original 1907 plants. From Our Garden to Yours 170 Main St. and Town Common Wardsboro http://www.friendsofwardsborolibrary.org. Sat, May 24 9a-2p...
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