Culture

Culture story sections

Singer-Songwriter Showcase Brings Joy Clark, Luke Concannon, Midnight Betty, and Lizzy Mandell to Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY — Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music present an evening of acclaimed singer-songwriters on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.

The showcase will open with an intimate in-the-round performance featuring Luke Concannon, Midnight Betty, and Lizzy Mandell, before Joy Clark and her quartet take the stage for the evening’s featured set.

Louisiana-born singer-songwriter Joy Clark has earned national recognition for her warm, honest vocals, intricate guitar work, and songs exploring themes of freedom, love, and self-acceptance. Blending orchestral-style fingerpicking with blues-infused lead guitar, Clark creates a sound that is both intimate and expansive.

Deidre Scherer on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

Many of you have seen DEIDRE SCHERER’s unique art and exquisite layered fabric and thread creations. Her work evokes connectivity by revealing individuality, spirit and soul. Tune in for wonderful stories of one artist’s journey toward understanding by exploring new perspectives and expressions. Deidre is a member of the Rock River Artists in the Williamsville-Newfane area – Their 2026 Open Studio Tour is July 18 & 19.

Bywater Call Brings Southern Soul and Roots Rock to Bandwagon Summer Series

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY—The Bandwagon Summer Series continues on Friday, Aug. 14, with an outdoor performance by Toronto-based Bywater Call, a powerhouse seven-piece band whose electrifying blend of Southern soul, roots rock, blues, and Americana has earned them an international following.

The concert begins at 6 p.m. at Putney Inn Field, 57 Putney Landing Road, with gates opening at 5 p.m. Tickets are $24 in advance, $28 at the gate, and free for children under 12. Advance tickets are available at nextstagearts.org.

Planet Zydeco Brings Louisiana Dance Hall Energy to Putney’s Twilight on the Tavern Lawn

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY, VT — The infectious rhythms of southwest Louisiana come to downtown Putney on Sunday, Aug. 9, when Planet Zydeco performs as part of the 23rd season of the Twilight on the Tavern Lawn concert series. The free concert begins at 6:00 p.m. on the Putney Tavern Lawn, 133 Main Street.

Hailing from New England, Planet Zydeco recreates the spirited sound of Louisiana dance halls with an energetic mix of accordion, rubboard, fiddle, guitar, bass, and drums. Band members Cannon, Bonita, Alan, Michelle, Jack, and Mark are deeply immersed in the zydeco tradition, delivering lively performances that invite audiences of all ages onto the dance floor.

Bread & Puppet Returns to the Bandwagon Summer Series with “The Upside Down World Circus”

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

BRATTLEBORO—The internationally renowned Bread & Puppet Theater returns to the Bandwagon Summer Series on Saturday, August 1, bringing its newest outdoor spectacle, The Upside Down World Circus, to Retreat Farm in Brattleboro.

The performance begins at 4 p.m., with gates opening at 3 p.m. at Retreat Farm, 45 Farmhouse Square. Tickets are $24 in advance, $28 at the gate, and free for children under 12.

Known for its towering papier-mâché puppets, stilt walkers, live brass band, and unmistakable blend of political theater and joyful spectacle, Bread & Puppet’s latest production asks audiences to confront what artistic director Peter Schumann calls “our upside-down situation.”

Seth Knopp on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Arts

YELLOW BARN’s music influence is international and innovative.  Artistic Director SETH KNOPP creates and explores new ways of experiencing music – chamber, classical and experiential – and brings a wide array of musicians to the annual Yellow Barn Festival. A pianist and educator, Seth also talks about exciting new developments outside the Big Barn, AND the 2026 Festival season which is Happening Now!

Open Stage Returns to Next Stage Arts on July 30

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY—Next Stage Arts invites musicians, poets, storytellers, comedians, and performers of all kinds to share their talents during an Open Stage evening hosted by Vermont Timbre (Amelia Struthers and Mike Mrowicki) on Thursday, July 30, at 7 p.m.

Designed as a welcoming and supportive gathering for performers of all experience levels, the Open Stage offers participants 10–15 minutes to present original work, favorite songs, spoken word, stories, or other creative performances. Whether stepping onto the stage for the first time or returning as a seasoned performer, all are encouraged to participate.

Kwartetto Mambo Brings Afro-Latin Jazz Explorations to Twilight on the Tavern Lawn

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY, VT — Twilight Music and Next Stage Arts Project continue the 23rd season of Twilight on the Tavern Lawn with an evening of adventurous Afro-Latin jazz featuring Kwartetto Mambo on Sunday, July 26 at 6:00 p.m. on the Putney Tavern lawn, 133 Main Street in downtown Putney. The concert is free and open to the public, with donations welcome.

Kwartetto Mambo is an inventive quartet featuring John Clark on French horn, Wes Brown on bass and piano, Julian Gerstin on congas and percussion, and Dan DeWalt on piano and trombone. Drawing on more than 200 years of collective musical immersion, the group creates original compositions rooted in African, Latin, and jazz traditions while exploring an expansive world of rhythmic and metrical possibilities.

WSESU Area Students Excel on Standardized Tests

by Not Signed In | Education

Test scores for area students are on a positive trajectory according to recent statistics released by the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union (WSESU). Over the past two academic years, students in the towns of Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Putney, and Vernon improved their proficiency in literacy by 10% and in math by 14%. “This remarkable growth is the result of a solid curriculum and the dedication of our teaching staff,” said Mark Speno, Superintendent.

According to an analysis of student test results, six of the eight schools that were measured for literacy improved their scores. Two schools, Green Street School and Guilford Central School, had scores that improved by 10% and 13% respectively. Of nine schools measured for math proficiency, five improved their scores. Brattleboro Union High School, Putney Central School, and Vernon Elementary School improved their scores by 10% while Guilford Central School improved by 19%.

Howard Levy 4 and Eugene Friesen Bring Virtuosic Jazz, Blues, and Global Sounds to Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY — Next Stage Arts presents The Howard Levy 4 plus special guest Eugene Friesen on Saturday, July 25 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney. Doors open at 6:45 pm.

Led by Grammy Award–winning harmonica virtuoso, pianist, and composer Howard Levy, The Howard Levy 4 is a dynamic Chicago-based ensemble that defies easy categorization. Blending jazz, blues, Latin, Brazilian, and world music influences, the group creates an expansive and deeply engaging musical experience rooted in both virtuosity and spontaneity.

Joining Levy are guitarist Chris Siebold, bassist Joshua Ramos, and Brazilian drummer Luiz Ewerling. Together, they perform inventive arrangements of American and Brazilian classics alongside a diverse repertoire of original compositions that seamlessly weave together cultures, rhythms, and musical traditions.

Peter Tavalin Accompanies Safety Last! Live at Next Stage Arts

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

PUTNEY, VT — Next Stage Arts presents a special screening of Harold Lloyd’s classic 1923 silent comedy Safety Last! on Friday, July 17 at 7:00 p.m., featuring a live improvised musical score by acclaimed pianist and composer Peter Tavalin. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney. Tickets are $10 and available at nextstagearts.org.

Silent films were never truly silent. During the early days of cinema, live musicians accompanied screenings, enhancing the action, emotion, and humor unfolding on screen. Tavalin continues that tradition with a spontaneous score created in real time, making each performance a unique artistic experience.

Clàudia Prat on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Creative

An EMMY award winning producer and video-journalist, Clàudia Prat has created compelling independent video documentaries using cutting edge Cinematic Virtual Reality. She’s the Director of Development & Communications for Interaction: Youth Services & Restorative Justice here in Brattleboro.

Vermont Suitcase Company Brings Silent-Film Comedy My Lady of Whims to Next Stage Arts

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

PUTNEY, VT — Next Stage Arts presents Vermont Suitcase Company in My Lady of Whims, a fast-paced theatrical adaptation of the 1925 silent film, on Friday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Filled with action, intrigue, romance, and comedy, My Lady of Whims follows a frantic race against time as a councilman’s daughter disappears just before a crucial fundraising gala. With scandal threatening to derail a political campaign, a hired gun and an ambitious maid set out on a rescue mission that becomes increasingly tangled with bohemians, bankers, and the fate of a historic hotel headquarters.

Good Old Days

by spoon | History

“Much has been said about decadent agricultural conditions in Vermont. Tears are shed over her abandoned farms and the emigration of her children to the cities. Complaint is made that she is lagging behind other states.  We are told her cultivated lands have decreased by half in fifty years. Mention is made of the good old days when a million sheep were pastured on her hills….The census of 1850 may be taken as a fair indication of the good old days before the Civil War and the opening up of the West.  How does it compare with the census of 1920?” (Zephine Humphrey, Vermont, A Comparison: 1850…1920, The Vermonter, Vol.29 No.3, 1924).

        Ah yes, even in 1920 the young were abandoning the farms for the cities. And perhaps, by comparison with any other time 1850 was indeed the good old days that have never been seen and enjoyed since. Railroads, still crude and inefficient, had just came into Vermont but were yet confined to the major river valleys. The web of rail that ultimately wove through every town was yet to be built. The pace of life was still, necessarily, dictated by the horse.

Two Acclaimed Folk Duos Bring Harmony-Filled Evening to Twilight on the Tavern Lawn

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY, VT — Twilight Music and Next Stage Arts continue the 23rd season of Twilight on the Tavern Lawn with an evening of exceptional contemporary folk music featuring Flagship Romance and The Rough & Tumble on Sunday, June 28 at 6:00 pm on the Putney Tavern lawn. The concert is free and open to the public.

Flagship Romance, the acclaimed alternative folk duo of Shawn Fisher and Jordyn Jackson, have built a devoted following through their breathtaking vocal harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and engaging stage presence. Performing with just two voices and an acoustic guitar, the pair creates a rich, expansive sound that has captivated audiences across the country. Fresh from the release of their self-titled double album, they arrive in Putney while touring the United States on a six-month cross-country journey.

Stéphane Wrembel Brings World-Class Jazz Manouche Ensemble to Next Stage Arts

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY — Internationally acclaimed guitarist and composer Stéphane Wrembel returns to Next Stage Arts on Saturday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m., bringing his world-class ensemble to Putney for an evening of virtuosic musicianship, original compositions, and genre-defying jazz.

Widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost guitarists, Wrembel has built an international reputation for his dazzling fusion of jazz, Gypsy swing, world music, and contemporary improvisation. Born in Fontainebleau, France, and now based in the United States, Wrembel has captivated audiences around the globe with a style that is both technically brilliant and deeply expressive. Rolling Stone called him “…a revelation.”

Rev. Vince Anderson Brings Electrifying “Dirty Gospel” to Bandwagon Summer Series

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY — The Bandwagon Summer Series continues on Friday, June 26, with an unforgettable evening of music from Reverend Vince Anderson & His Love Choir, whose high-energy blend of gospel, blues, psychedelic soul, and rock has earned acclaim from audiences around the world.

Proclaimed an “institution” by Questlove, Rev. Vince Anderson has spent more than three decades developing his signature style of “Dirty Gospel” — a joyous, revival-style musical experience that transforms every performance into a full-on celebration. Leading from the piano, Anderson and his five-piece Love Choir deliver a powerful mix of soulful grooves, spirited improvisation, and infectious energy.

Vermont Suitcase Company Brings “New Clothes” to Next Stage Arts

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

PUTNEY — Vermont Suitcase Company will screen its feature film debut, New Clothes, at Next Stage Arts in Putney on Friday, June 19, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen, New Clothes reimagines the classic fable through the lens of the Vermont touring theater troupe’s fast-paced, inventive style. The film follows two struggling swindlers who scheme their way into a royal palace, hoping to trick the Emperor and his court out of the very clothes on their backs.

Far Out: Life On & After the Commune Screens at Next Stage Arts June 12

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

PUTNEY — The acclaimed 2024 documentary Far Out: Life On & After the Commune, directed and edited by Charles Light, will screen at Next Stage Arts on Friday, June 12, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

The screening will take place at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill in Putney. Tickets are $10 general admission and are available at nextstagearts.org.

A Q&A with director Charles Light, commune resident Verandah Porche, and composer and performer Patty Carpenter will follow the screening.

Twilight On the Tavern Lawn Welcomes High and Loathsome for an Evening of Exploratory Folk and Improvised Sound

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY — Twilight Music and Next Stage Arts continue the 23rd season of Twilight on the Tavern Lawn with an evening of exploratory folk, free improvisation, and ambient soundscapes featuring High and Loathsome on Sunday, June 14, at 6 p.m. on the Putney Tavern lawn, 133 Main Street.

The concert is free and open to the public. Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. In the event of rain, the performance will move indoors to Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill. Food will be available on site. RSVPs are encouraged at nextstagearts.org.

High and Loathsome is a quartet that drifts fluidly between song and improvisation, balancing structure with atmosphere and spontaneity with intention. Drawing on decades of experience as musicians, composers, and sonic explorers, the group creates music that feels both grounded and searching.