Arts & Crafts
Vermont Open Studio Weekend
Statewide
May 26–27: Open Studio weekend is an annual statewide celebration of the visual arts, when Vermont artists and craftspeople invite the public to visit their studios. Most Vermont craftspeople work in studios in or near their residences. These are places of production and inspiration in downtowns and at the ends of dirt roads. Wherever their location, they are exciting places to visit because they reflect the dynamic yet organized process that is used to produce a work or art. More than 226 sites will be open during this event, with more than 300 artists and artisans participating. See website for full list.
The Best Little Arts and Craft Show in Vermont
Jamaica Town Hall, Jamaica
June 3: Back by popular demand! Located in and around Jamaica’s historic Town Hall, right on Main Street (Route 30), the show offers pottery, fiber arts, photography, wood crafts, silver and beaded jewelry, beautiful potted plants and a children’s creation station. Sponsored by the nonprofit Jamaica Community Arts Council. Free.
A participant on the Rock River Artists Open Studio Tour engages with the work of Williamsville artist Deidre Scherer.
Rock River Artists Open Studio Tour
http://www.rockriverartists.com
July 21–22: The Rock River Artists are ready to open their homes and studios for their 26th Annual Open Studio Tour. Starting at the Old Schoolhouse in South Newfane village, where 14 participating artists present a group show. The schoolhouse itself is worthy of a visit, as it’s a classic 19th-century structure that once housed the village one-room school. On the weekend of the Rock River Artists Tour, the historic Old Schoolhouse, with its maple wood floors and natural light streaming through old glass windows, is magically transformed into a premier contemporary art viewing venue. You’ll see a representative sampling of each Rock River Artist’s work. Pick up a map to the studio locations and begin a self-guided tour of the studios of your choice, all within short driving distance of the Schoolhouse. Free.
21st Annual North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show
Bennington
http://www.betterbennington.com
Opening Aug 3: Featuring sculpture works by more than 40 national and local artists, North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show will have works on view at the sculpture park in North Bennington, at the North Bennington Train Depot, and at other locations on Main Street.
Bennington Arts Weekend
http://www.betterbennington.com
Aug 3–5: Bennington Arts Weekend is all about the arts! With events all over the greater Bennington area, there’s sure to be something for everybody. The weekend starts off with the Southern Vermont Arts and Crafts Festival at Camelot Village—which includes food, beer, wine and entertainment and continues with the Front Porch Music Series, a plein-air style competition on Main Street, and live entertainment. Throughout the weekend, visit the Bennington Museum and the Bennington Center for the Arts for more events. Finish off the weekend with Sunday morning jazz at the South Street Café.
Parades
Strolling of the Heifers weekend
Downtown Brattleboro
http://www.strollingoftheheifers.com
June 1–3: The world-famous Strolling of the Heifers celebrates family farmers, local food, and rural life. This year’s theme: “May the Farms Be With You.” June 1: The festivities kick off on Friday with a Gallery Walk and Street Festival from 5:30–8:30p on Main Street and at the River Garden. June 2: The parade starts at 10a and is followed by the Slow Living Expo. At the expo there will be a cheese village, healthy-living info, home energy, crafts, goat olympics, and more. June 4: Sunday starts with the famous Farmers’ Breakfast from 9a–1p, the Tour de Heifer dirt road cycling ride, and a guided tour of five area farms.
Wardsboro’s 4th of July Street Parade
http://www.4thofjulywardsboro.com
July 4: The 69th Annual Wardsboro Street Fair and Parade is the longest running Fourth of July fair in Vermont. There will be more than 50 crafters and vendors lining Main Street, an eclectic, one-of-a-kind parade, and plenty of food, including strawberry shortcake, homemade pies, chicken BBQ, hamburgers, hot dogs and pulled-pork sandwiches. There is also a quilt show, book sale, children’s games, art show, and other entertainment.
Dance
Farm to Ballet
Agriculturally relevant sites throughout Vermont
July 14–Aug 5: Farm to Ballet, a Burlington-based dance company, will stage throughout Vermont nine performances of an original composition linking farmers and food production to music and dance. Some of the evenings are organized as fundraisers to assist farmers. Chatch Pregger, who left the ranks of professional ballet dancing to become a teacher, has choreographed a 75-minute program that weaves together the timeless arts of farming and ballet. The company is composed of 18 volunteer dancers, five paid dancers, and five paid musicians. Hundreds of hours of volunteer time go into the handmade costumes and props as well. This dance collaborative celebrates Vermont’s vibrant food system and helps to expand classical ballet’s audience. July 14: Shelburne Farms, Shelburne. July 21: Studio Hill, Shaftsbury. Aug 4: Billings Farm, Woodstock. Aug 5: Retreat Farm, Brattleboro.
6th Annual Southern Vermont Dance Festival
Brattleboro
http://www.southernvermontdancefestival.com
July 19–22: Dance classes, community events, and performances. Festival attendees are invited to attend dance performances each evening as well as a choice of many different classes each day. Includes community events with live music and dance performance throughout the four days in Downtown Brattleboro. There are early registration discounts, advanced ticket prices, and group discounts as well as opportunities to volunteer and sponsor the festival. Accessible to everyone interested in participating in a weekend of dance and movement. July 19: 4:30 Gala at The Latchis; July 20 8p at The Latchis; July 21 6:30 Midsummer Night’s Picnic and Promenade at The Retreat Farm includes light meal with live music and dance performance. Sells out early.
Circus
Circus Smirkus
Various locations
http://www.smirkus.org, 802 533-7443
July 12–13: Vaudeville Big Top 2018 tour at Manchester Parks and Recreation. July 15–16: Vaudeville Big Top 2018 tour at Keene, N.H, Cheshire Fairgrounds.
