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Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series Presents The Slambovian Circus of Dreams

by hahrenholz | Music

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series and Twilight Music present acoustic/electric, folk-pop/Americana sextet The Slambovian Circus of Dreams on Sunday, September 3 at 5:00 pm at the SVG Multipurpose Field in Bellows Falls, VT. For over 25 years, the Sleepy Hollow, NY-based Slambovians have expanded the borders of Americana music with a rootsy rockin’ psychedelica, fantastic stories, and electrifying live performances – a mix of Washington Irving, Woodstock, and British Invasion that’s “mightily impressive and hugely original rock from the cool end of Americana” (Maverick Magazine).

The music of The Slambovian Circus of Dreams has been described as “hillbilly-Floyd,” “alt-country, roots-rock,” and “surreal Americana” – a clear indicator of its singularly indescribable uniqueness. The sextet’s melodic avant-folk conjures with an exotic instrumental arsenal (accordion, cello, mandolin, theremin) in addition to standard rock regalia, and a palette of styles ranging from dusty Americana ballads to huge Pink Floydesque cinematic anthems. Dancing freely between all existing religious and philosophical mythologies, the music is uplifting, empowering, and a lot of fun.

Balla Kouyaté and Mike Block Band to Play on the Bandwagon Summer Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Balla Kouyaté & Mike Block Band on Saturday, September 9 at 5:00 pm at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Rd, in Putney, Vermont.

Balla Kouyaté and Mike Block have been collaborating for over a decade, bonding over their shared interest in music from across the world, and their commitment to innovating on their instruments. Balla Kouyate, a balafon player and singer coming out of the Djeli tradition of Mali, was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship from the NEA. Mike Block is an American cellist/singer/composer, and a Grammy Award-winning musician with the Silkroad Ensemble originally trained in Western Classical music. They have teamed up with friends from America and West Africa to create an exciting fusion of musical styles in a 6-piece band that features Sekou Dembele (djembe/vocals), Idrissa Kone (talking drum/calabash/percussion/vocals), Luke Okerlund (electric guitar) and Mike Rivard (bass/sintir).

WSESD Social Justice Committee Meeting Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary:
● The committee heard a presentation from Human Resources Director Michael Kelliher on plans to increase staff diversity.
● The committee voted to recommend that the three diversity-related questions developed in 2022 be included on all applications for licensed teacher or administrator
positions, if possible on Schoolspring.
● The committee made a recommendation that every hiring committee include at least one person representing a diverse viewpoint with a preference for lived experience.

WSESD Communications Council Meeting Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

II. Brattleboro board seat outreach: discuss plans for “meet ups” to encourage board candidacy in Brattleboro (bring suggestions to 8/8/23 board meeting).

The committee reviewed outreach suggestions:
● a radio ad
● outreach by superintendent to former teachers
● request for principals to send a message to currently enrolled families

BCTV Schedules – Week of August 7, 2023

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1078 Weekly Listing for 8/7/23

Monday, August 7, 2023

4:00 am Collegiate A Cappella Concert – 19th Annual A Cappella Concert 4/15/23

6:00 am Around Town with Maria – Swords to Plowshares 4/29/23

7:45 am Juno Orchestra – Heavens Border – Suite for String Orchestra

8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast

Lisa McCormick on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Entertainment

“Let music change your life!” LISA McCORMICK captures the power and beauty of music – with her voice, her playing, and her generosity in sharing with everyone. As she says, “Music is Art made of Sound”…..Listen in!

Author Kat Vellos to Discuss Friendship in Adulthood at Next Stage Arts

by hahrenholz | Books

Join Next Stage Arts on Tuesday, August 29 at 7:00pm for an interactive fireside with author Kat Vellos all about friendship in adulthood. What are the biggest challenges of adult friendship and how can we overcome them? How do we “make new friends and keep the old”? What is social wellness and how does it factor into our overall health and wellbeing? And how can we create more meaningful connections with coworkers, who are often the primary source of new friends in adulthood? We’ll dig into all this and more. The fireside chat will be followed by a Q&A so come with your questions too. The discussion will take place at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, in Putney.

“Cultivating meaningful relationships can be a challenge, and as we look to the future of creating a region that is welcoming and inviting to all people, expanding our toolbox can only be a positive thing,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Kat Vellos’ work focuses on creating meaningful platonic relationships and fostering a stronger community dynamic. This evening with Vellos is something we could all use to live in a more civil, connected community.”

WSESD Board Meeting Minutes July 25, 2023

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary:
● The administration provided updates about District summer camps, use of school buildings as emergency shelters, PCB abatement and window replacement project at Oak Grove School, and the BUHS mascot rebranding process, and a presentation about the school climate surveys conducted in the spring.
● WSESD Head Start classrooms at the Canal Street School will move to Birge Street in the fall and the administrators and Special Education team is developing plans for utilizing space at Canal Street to provide services for more pre-K students with special educational needs.
● The board adopted the following updated policies: E17 Fire and Emergency Preparedness Drills, H8 Access Control and Visitor Management, and F42 Dress Code, which will replace all previous dress codes in WSESD schools, including LSP1, the former BUHS dress code.

BCTV Schedules Week of July 31

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1078 Weekly Listing for 7/31/23

Monday, July 31, 2023

4:00 am Collegiate A Cappella Concert – 19th Annual A Cappella Concert 4/15/23

6:00 am Around Town with Maria – Swords to Plowshares 4/29/23

7:45 am Juno Orchestra – Heavens Border – Suite for String Orchestra

8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast

NXT Gallery Presents an Exhibit of Works by Vermont Center for Photography Artists

by hahrenholz | Arts

This small group exhibit, entitled “Four Perspectives,” represents the work of Al Karevy, Davida Carta, Joshua Farr, & Vaune Trachtman, four different local artists who are members of the Vermont Center for Photography in downtown Brattleboro. Each of these artists create photographic work covering a diverse range of style and subject matter, though are unified via a shared passion for the photographic arts and its many expressive possibilities. Each of the four artists will be displaying a small selection from a body of work, giving a greater context to their creative vision and process.

“Here We Are” with Kathy Urffer

by Wendy O'Connell | Education

As Vt. River Steward for the Connecticut River Conservancy, KATHY URFFER talks about our relationship to the natural world, and the myth of separation.   Tune in for a new perspective on our connection to the mighty Connecticut River which flows right alongside us.

BCTV Schedules – Week of July 24, 2023

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1078 Weekly Listing for 7/24/23

Monday, July 24, 2023

5:30 am Springfield Humane Society – July 2023 Adoptables

6:00 am Brattleboro Literary Festival – A Path Lit by Lightning: David Maraniss on Jim Thorpe

7:00 am Windham Solid Waste Management District Presents – Outreach Successes: Webinar 6/28/23

8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast

Bandwagon Summer Series Brings Vermont Institution Bread & Puppet to Putney

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents beloved Vermont institution Bread & Puppet, bringing their touring production to Putney on Thursday, August 24 at 6:00 pm at the Grammar School at 159 Grammar School Lane, in Putney, Vermont.

The Bread and Puppet Theater celebrates their 60th anniversary with The Mother Dirt Circus!
Audiences will delight as Bread and Puppet draws on its distinctive iconography to call attention to the urgent issues of the day. Young and old will thrill to see stilt dancers and paper maché beasts of all sizes accompanied by the riotous Bread and Puppet Circus Brass Band. A colorful spectacle of protest and celebration performed under the Vermont summer sky.

Sourdough rye with aioli will be offered after the performance and The Bread and Puppet Press and Cheap Art Emporium will be open for your perusal.

Windham Southeast School District Board Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Education

AGENDA
I. Call To Order – 6:00pm – Kelly Young, Board Chair
II. Student Matters (5-10 minutes)
III. Administrative Report –
* Hires / Resignations / Retirements
* Summer Programming
* Update on contingency plans for buildings to be utilized as shelters in the event of future climate emergencies
* Update on BUHS re-branding and mascot selection – Action Required
* Update on selection of Restorative Justice Coordinator – Possible Action Required

Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series Presents Afrobeat Ensemble Armo

by hahrenholz | Music

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Afrobeat ensemble Armo, on Friday, August 18 at 6:00 pm at the Retreat Farm, 45 Farmhouse Square, in Brattleboro, VT.

Armo’s intimate and energetic sound focuses on classic and contemporary Afrobeat.

Founded by longtime Antibalas bandmates vocalist/keyboardist Amayo, trumpeter/percussionist Jordan McLean, percussionist/vocalist Marcus Farrar, guitarist/keyboardist Nikhil P. Yerawadekar, drummer Kevin Raczka, and bassist Justin Kimmel, Armo creates spontaneous arrangements of the music of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, The Daktaris, Ebo Taylor, William Onyeabor, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, and original rhythm-based music.

This 5-8 piece band features a revolving cast from the Daptone Records family and NY Afrobeat Scene. Members of the band now include Dave “Smoota” Smith on trombone/keyboards, bassists/guitarists Binky Griptite and Timothy James, saxophonist/keyboardist Tony Jarvis, and drummer Dylan Fusillo.

WSESD Social Justice Committee Meeting Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

The Social Justice Committee will be bringing the following recommendations to the
WSESD Board and Policy and Amendment Committee meetings for consideration:

● The 2021-22 WSESD Social Justice committee developed three questions related to diversity and equity that should be included on all job applications. Currently only part of the first question seems to be included on job listings. The Social Justice Committee recommends that this be remedied and that all three questions are asked on every job listing for the district.