Culture

Culture story sections

Seth Glier and Rosier at Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music present an evening of contemporary and indie folk music from the US and Canada by Massachusetts-based singer/songwriter Seth Glier and Montreal-based quintet Rosier on Friday, October 11 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage.

Five-time Independent Music Award winner and Grammy-nominated contemporary folk singer/songwriter Seth Glier’s gifts are an innate curiosity and a fierce desire to connect with other people. His musical acumen provides him with a vehicle for both. He has worked as a cultural diplomat for the US State Department and collaborated with musicians in Ukraine, Mongolia, China, and Mexico. Seth has shared the bill with a diverse list of artists ranging from the likes of Ronnie Spector, James Taylor, Ani DiFranco, and Glen Campbell. As a producer, music director, or studio musician, he has collaborated with Sophie B. Hawkins, Tom Rush, Antje Duvekot, Richard Shindell, Doctora Qingona, Dar Williams, Nick Carter, and Cyndi Lauper. With a commitment to using songwriting as a tool for positive change, he has written with the students in Parkland, FL for the “Parkland Project,” co-written with soldiers at Walter Reed, and is an advocate for autism awareness citing his autistic brother Jamie as his greatest non-musical-musical influence.

Bilingual, female-fronted Rosier balances folk-trad sounds (traditional melodies and lyrics) and instrumentation firmly rooted in indie-pop. By blending the pop textures of synthesizers, and the rock tones of electric guitars with more traditional instruments (acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle), with lyrics rich in Franco-Canadian living heritage, Rosier creates a bridge between the stories of yesterday and today. Béatrix Méthé (vocals, fiddle and synthesizers), Sarah Marchand (vocals, piano and keyboards), Marie Savoie-Levac (bass), Éléonore Pitre (acoustic and electric guitar, backing vocals), Colin Savoie-Levac (Marie’s brother, on guitar, banjo, lap steel, feet and backing vocals), with guest drummers, have been sharing this Quebecois heritage around the world for over a decade.

Acclaimed Global Music Exchange OneBeat on the Bandwagon Summer Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents acclaimed global music exchange OneBeat, on Thursday, October 10 at 6:00 pm, at West River Park, 333 West River Road, in Brattleboro.

Created by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and designed and produced by the NYC-based arts organization Found Sound Nation, OneBeat brings musicians (ages 19-35) from around the world to a region of the U.S. for one month each year to collaboratively write, produce, and perform original music, and develop strategies for arts-based social engagement. OneBeat begins with an opening residency, when Fellows collaborate to create original material, record new musical ideas, and incubate their projects. OneBeat Fellows then go on tour across a region of the U.S., performing for a wide array of American audiences, collaborating with local musicians, and leading workshops with youth and community organizations. During the month, each OneBeat musician also sets out their plans for the future, further developing projects in their home countries that embody the OneBeat mission of collaboration and engagement.

“Here We Are” with Emily Wagner

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

Give a kid a camera and magic can happen! EMILY WAGNER brings vibrant energy, art and photo skills to Insight Photography Project for youth – Check out this show & hear all about the 2024 Awards Ceremony at The Latchis Theater Sept. 28, 2-4pm and the exhibit at BMAC!

The Beloved Community Youth Choir Begins on September 24

by mary@stmichaelsvermont.org | Music

BRATTLEBORO St. Michael’s Episcopal Church Rector The Rev. Mary Lindquist has announced that “the St. Michael’s Choir School, which our previous music director Susan Dedell started in 2014 and ran until the pandemic, is coming back this fall, although with a new name and new focus.

“This children’s choral program sponsored by St. Michael’s, now named Beloved Community Youth Choir, aims to develop both social and musical skills in youth by using music to instill the practices of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolence.”

WSESD, WSESU, VTSD 2024 Summit Meeting Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary
● Discussion related to the display of political flags at the Dummerston School was held.
● Consent agenda for WSESD was approved
● Warrants from the Vernon School were approved.
● Pre-K Providers were approved
● The CIP plan was shared to the three Boards

Windham Southeast Supervisory Union School Board Board Meeting Minutes – September 112, 2024

by Not Signed In | Education

The board was joined via Zoom by Sandra Cameron, Associate Executive Director of the Vermont School Board Association (VSBA), who gave an overview of the upcoming Superintendent evaluation process. The survey will be sent to the full leadership team, all three boards, and the Superintendent. Participants will be given 2 weeks to answer with additional time given if required by response rates. The goals established at the conclusion of the previous evaluation will be embedded into this survey. When complete, the VSBA will compile a summary of quantitative and qualitative information.

Next Stage Bandwagon Folk/Roots/Americana Music Festival

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts continues its 2024 Bandwagon Summer Series of concerts with a Folk/Roots/Americana music festival featuring The Clements Brothers, The Jacob Jolliff Band, and The Mammals on Sunday, October 6 at 2:00 pm at Cooper Softball Field in Putney, VT.

The Clements Brothers are George and Charles Clements, identical twins from New England.  They’ve been playing and writing music together for as long as they can remember and their duo marks their first project together since playing in the internationally touring grass-roots band The Lonely Heartstring Band, with whom they put out two albums on Rounder Records. With roots, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and classical influences, George (guitar) and Charles (bass) aim to capture their singer-songwriter sensibilities in a unique blended voice, at once enthralling and intimate, groovy, and serene.  The duo is a fusion of each brother’s unique musical journey, and the result is a music all its own, filled with vocal harmonies, instrumental virtuosity, and a genuine love of song.

Lyndsey Alyn on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Entertainment

Lyndsey’s lively positive energy radiates all around her. She talks about living from that and bringing it to others – as an entrepreneur, a parent, a queer person, a wellness coach and as part of the ever-welcoming team at Vegan A.F. restaurant.

World Music Ensemble Yemen Blues Returns to the Bandwagon Series Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents world music ensemble Yemen Blues on Sunday, September 29 at 4:00 pm at the field behind The Putney Inn, 57 Putney Landing Road, in Putney. The band is touring in support of their new album, Only Love Remains.

Formed in 2010, Yemen Blues was swiftly recognized as one of the planet’s most adventurous and invigorating bands, at once contemporary and timeless, defiantly singular and deliciously eclectic. Their three studio albums and over 1,000 shows to date – including prestigious bookings at Canada’s GlobalFest, Roskilde Festival Denmark, and UCLA’s Royce Hall – have cemented the quartet (Ravid Kahalani, the band’s mercurial co-founding vocalist and gimbri player; bassist/oudist Shanir Blumenkranz; percussionist Rony Irwin; and drummer Dan Mayo) as a benchmark in a world music that has both shaped and challenged the genre.

WSESD Board and Finance Committee Meeting Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary
● Two Board members will join the Collective Bargaining team for the upcoming negotiations this year.
● The Board will review the policies to formally identify those that require a report to the Board.
● The Board voted to approve the 24-25 Calendar of Presentations to the Board.
● The Board will review and discuss the CIP goals following the Summit on (sic)

‘Cello Concert Returns to Guilford

by LGreen | Music

Guilford, Vermont…The love of music, friends and tradition will come together once again when the Guilford Free Library presents a ‘cello concert on Saturday, September 7 at 7:00 p.m., at the historic Guilford Center Meeting House, 4042 Guilford Center Road, followed by a dessert reception where the audience will have the opportunity to meet and talk with the musicians.  This concert series benefits the Library and was first presented in 2013, featuring a ‘cello duet, and evolved into a ‘cello trio, then a quartet over the years.  It has not taken place since 2019 for several reasons: the pandemic; and the condition of the Meeting House, the traditional venue, which had been closed for renovations and just reopened in late spring so this year there is even more reason to celebrate another wonderful experience.

Once again the concert will feature celebrated musicians Judith Serkin, of Guilford, Elizabeth Tuma, Peter Wiley and Theodore Mook who will present a wide-ranging program including music from the late 16th century to the late 20th century.

Damn Us, Janus

by AnneODyne | Philosophy

The other day I was out for a stroll and passed two middle aged guys in animated conversation, “I remember high school like it was yesterday, and my best friend from there is now a grandfather!” That was interesting to me because I’d been thinking about how only with age do we see the makeup of that tumultuous phase- the cliques, the overlapping circles, passage from underclass to senior. At the time it’s all too much to fully take in- social rapids, interpersonal eddies, perilous falls. If we knew then what we do now, what would be different?

Which got me thinking about perspectives, given or gotten by way of time or shifted points of view. Semi-related, for some reason I can’t yet understand, I’m a bit unsettled by a thing I habitually do when seeing someone for the first time from behind. I try to guess what they look like head on. It’s kind of a game, but it’s not, probably harkening back to a reptile brain instinct. And it’s practically impossible to guess accurately. The human array is infinite. I’m not sure if the disturbing part has to do with being unwittingly judgmental, confused, or other measures that reside in the unconscious mind.  

Percussionist Cyro Baptista on the Bandwagon Summer Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Brazilian-born percussionist in jazz and world music Cyro Baptista, on Saturday, September 21 at 5:00 pm.

Cyro Baptista is a Brazilian born percussionist and composer whose vast talent and penchant for innovation brought him to be praised as one of the most respected musicians in the world.

Cyro’s endless sonic curiosity and intense rhythmic led him to create several musical ensembles and record many albums of his own. He has also lent his sounds to several GRAMMY award-winning records and to over 300 CDs with many of the most beloved musicians in the world.

“Easily the most famous of all of the artists of the series, Cyro has played with Trey Anastasio, Paul SImon, Yo-Yo Ma, Herbie Hancock, and John Zorn. This project, Chama, is his new group that explores Brazilian themes, but with obvious surprises,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Cyro is a musician’s musician, and it goes without saying that we’re blessed to have this performance as part of our outdoor summer series. Cyro is a playful soul whose music is imbued with playfulness and virtuosity.”

The Bondville UFO

by cgrotke | Entertainment

It looks like a UFO has landed at the Bondville Fair. As the flying disc stops spinning and comes to a full stop, the doorway opens up as if the aliens were about to come out to make contact. Instead, it was some slightly dizzy kids.  Looks like fun.

We approach the Starship 3000 with eager anticipation. The rotating metal contraption was built, one might guess, when Close Encounter of the Third Kind was released in theaters or shortly thereafter. 

We are told, somewhat suspiciously, to take all of our belongings out of our pockets and leave them outside the spaceship. Wallets, keys, purses, phones, and more all go into a communal pile on a white folding table.

Rakish and The Early Risers at Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present a contemporary folk double bill with Rakish (Maura Shawn Scanlin and Connor Hearn) and The Early Risers (Ashley Storrow and Putnam Smith) on Friday, September 20 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage.

Violinist Maura Shawn Scanlin and guitarist Conor Hearn unite to form “Rakish.” The pair gets their namesake from the traditional Irish tune Rakish Paddy, an origin that aptly suits the duo and their shared background in traditional Irish and Scottish music. Yet “rakish” itself also suggests something strikingly unconventional in its appearance, and Maura and Conor knowingly embrace this wealth of connotation in their music, drawing on the music they grew up with and performing it with their own slant. In a performance that toes the line between concert music and session music, Rakish explores tunes and songs from Irish and American folk traditions in a way that reflects their shared interest in and love for old traditional tunes and chamber music. Maura Shawn, a two-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a winner of the Glenfiddich Fiddle Competition, wields the technical range of a classical violinist and the deep sensitivity of a traditional musician. Conor, a native to the Irish music communities of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD, makes his home in Boston, MA playing and teaching guitar. As a duo they have performed at venues and festivals across North America, and can be found teaching at fiddle camps across the country.