Culture

Take a break from the news, and holiday chaos this Sunday. Come immerse yourself in learning all the basics of playing the ukulele, in this one-day workshop for beginners.

Last workshop sold out, and this one is almost full. Ukuleles available to rent, or to purchase at class. No musical background needed. Sunday, Dec. 4, 10-3. Next Stage Arts, Putney, VT.

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present Darol Anger’s 5th Annual Keepin’ It In The Fam Holiday Show at Next Stage on Friday, December 2 at 7:30 pm. In addition to fiddler Darol Anger, the concert features banjoist Tony Trischka, singer/songwriter Emy Phelps, bassist Ethan Jodziewicz and guitarist Grant Gordy.

To celebrate the holidays, Darol Anger and Emy Phelps have gathered some of the country’s best string musicians for an evening of mythical, magical, musical mayhem. The multigenerational musical experience focuses on the spirit of midwinter and the turning of the year. Anger has a long history of organizing holiday shows, from Windham Hill Winter Solstice Concerts through Newgrange to Yulegrass, and his old friend and musical colleague, banjo genius Tony Trischka, will be on board as this year’s very most special guest. Bassist and Edgar Meyer protege Ethan Jodziewicz (Sierra Hull) and guitar wizard Grant Gordy (David Grisman Quintet) round out the band.

Vermont Jazz Center Big Band Gala with guest vocalist Wanda Houston Celebrates the Music of Ella Fitzgerald and Raises Money for Scholarship Fund

The Vermont Jazz Center will present its annual big band swing gala on Friday, December 2nd at 8:00 PM paying tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, one of the greatest jazz singers in history. The performance will celebrate Fitzgerald’s centennial birthday anniversary by featuring arrangements she performed with Count Basie, Duke Ellington and others. All proceeds will support the VJC’s Scholarship Program. The VJC Big Band is comprised of area professionals, is led by music director Rob Freeberg and administrated by band manager Sherm Fox. Acclaimed vocalist Wanda Houston will front the band for this gala performance, an annual concert that has evolved into one of the VJC’s most popular events.

Three days of extraordinary music are scheduled during the 18th Annual Cotton Mill Open Studio and Holiday Sale Friday–Sunday, December 2-4, 74 Cotton Mill Hill, Brattleboro, VT.

Daniel Ehrenberg is providing a venue for five top-notch musicians at his Aegis Art Work Studio on the 3rd floor of the mill. The line-up of performers is so outstanding that you just might want to return each day for continued musical enjoyment. The performances in Ehrenberg’s studio are free and space is limited, so plan your time.

Brattleboro, Vt. – Friends of Music at Guilford invites singers and music lovers in the Tri-State region to start their holiday season at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, with the 46th annual Community Messiah Sing, a benefit for the homeless. Centre Congregational Church, at 193 Main Street in Brattleboro, has been home for the Sing since 1982 and for a few prior seasons as well.

Anthony Speranza, a resident of Vernon, led the Sing from 1989 through 2001 and again in 2010. His interest in conducting began as a 6-year member of the St. Kilian Boychoir and School in New York State (from age 7 to 13); he later earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in conducting, and was vocal music teacher for the town of Brattleboro for many years. William McKim, who has played the organ at this event for twenty-eight past seasons, and officially “retired” twice from doing so, now has his sights on continuing in this role as long as he can. Joyana Damon, in her eighteenth year as instrumental and classroom music teacher at Vernon Elementary School, and a performer with a number of Tri-State groups, will be featured on trumpet this season.