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Weekend Concert Series: Andy Williams Christmas Specials, and Jonathan Coulton

by cgrotke | Entertainment

We’ll take a bit of a detour this week and feature the holiday music stylings of singer Andy Williams.

Andy Williams used his weekly variety show for an annual Christmas special on TV each year throughout most of the 60’s and early 70’s. Often the Osmonds would show up. It was a bit like a hipper Lawrence Welk Show, and is was fun for the entire family to watch.

This video is a collection of Andy William’s favorite clips from those specials.

BCTV Video Calendar: 12/5/13 – Cherry St Artisans, Paws for Prevention, BML Booksale

by BrattleboroTV | Media

Get a look at some of the area’s many seasonal events as the holidays get into full swing, with Cherry Street Artisans offering a one-stop shop for homemade gifts of all varieties, BaBB getting ready to light up downtown, Pop Up Brattleboro shaking up the art scene, and the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition joining forces with the Windham County Humane Society for a holiday ‘Pets and their People’ pro-photo fundraiser.

The Snaz and Jake McKelvie & The Countertops at Next Stage on Saturday, December 7

by Not Signed In | Music

Next Stage Arts Project presents two indie rock bands, Brattleboro-based quartet The Snaz and Keene-based trio Jake McKelvie & The Countertops, at Next Stage on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30 pm.

The Snaz is a young, original rock band featuring Dharma Ramirez (15, lead vocals and guitar), Mavis Eaton (15, keyboards and backup vocals), Zack James (13, drums) and Sally Fletcher (15, bass). They have won “Battle of the Bands” competitions in Brattleboro and Northampton. Their prize for the Brattleboro event was recording time at the Guilford Sound studios, where they recorded an EP with the help of Grammy nominated record producer Peter Solley.

Vermont Jazz Center Presents its 11th Annual Big Band Dance and Gala featuring Kevin Mahogany

by Not Signed In | Music

On Friday, December 6th at 8:00 PM, the Vermont Jazz Center will present a Gala Performance with the VJC Big Band supporting internationally acclaimed vocalist, Kevin Mahogany. This is a dance concert and more than half the floor will remain open for people to move to the sounds of the VJC’s 18 piece orchestra.

Kevin Mahogany is well acquainted to singing with big bands as he has his own repertoire and custom-made charts, some of them arranged by the legendary Frank Mantooth. According to the respected jazz website, allmusic.com, Mahogany’s “swinging style is reminiscent, but not derivative of Joe Williams.” He takes pride in his Kansas City roots and, just like another Kansas City resident, Charlie Parker, his delivery is deeply saturated in the authentic blues. In one recent performance, Kevin joked that the state law in Kansas City required a minimum of two blues numbers per set!

150 Years Ago (1863 12/4)

by BusyMom | History

Brattleboro, December 4th,
1863.

Dearest wife –

I have today the finest chance in the world to write you a good, nice warm room and a desk and nothing to do although I have had enough work yesterday and this forenoon. Day before yesterday I was detailed to assist in making out rolls in Mr. Mead’s office. He is superintendent of recruits. Commenced work yesterday, and have had to work pretty hard until a short time since, that job is done. How long I am to remain here I know not. I am here now, and shall improve it writing to you. I was rejoiced to receive a letter from you. It appears that we both had a letter in the road at the same time. You will find that I sent twenty dollars instead of fifteen. Well, I could not get the bill changed in camp and let it all slide. I suppose we shall get our bounty sometime if we do not get it, another pay day will come on some time or another.

First Wednesday: Kevin Cullen: Whitey Bulger and the Manhunt that Brought Him to Justice

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

Boston Globe reporter and Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Cullen lived in the shadow, and sometimes in fear, of South Boston gangster Whitey Bulger. Cullen tells the riveting story of the capture and trial of the most wanted criminal of his generation. Wednesday, December 04, 2013, 07:00pm – 09:00pm. Brooks Memorial Library.

Do you think you know who Whitey Bulger is? What is the background to Whitey’s escape from justice for so many years. How did Whitey get help from his brother William (Billy) Bulger, longest-serving former president of the Massachusetts Senate and president of University of Massachusetts. What was the role of the FBI in protecting Whitey? Whitey Bulger and the Manhunt that Brought Him to Justice written by Boston Globe reporter and Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Cullen, who lived in the shadow, and sometimes in fear, of South Boston gangster Whitey Bulger. 

Friends of Brooks Memorial Library 8th Annual Holiday Booksale

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

Save the date for Holiday Shopping! The 8th Annual Friends of Brooks Memorial Library Holiday Book Sale will be held in the Library on Friday, December 6 from 10AM to 6PM and Saturday, December 7 from 10AM to 2PM.

Gift quality books and gently used fiction, non-fiction, children’s books and CDs will be on sale. Non-fiction titles include art, cooking and gardening, history, music and more subjects. Book sale discount coupons are now available from the Front Desk of the Library. A collection of 400 music CDs, mainly jazz, will also be on sale and are in perfect condition.

Kurn Hattin Children’s Choir Gets Encore With Natalie MacMaster, Lights Up The Holidays At The Vermont State House

by KurnHattin | Music

For the second year running, the Kurn Hattin Children’s Select Choir has been invited to join Grammy-winning fiddler Natalie MacMaster on stage for her “Christmas in Cape Breton” concert. Kurn Hattin Music Director
Lisa Bianconi has chosen 26 out of the 64-member advanced choir to perform in the concert, which takes place at the Latchis Theater in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont on Friday, December 6 at 7:30 PM

41st Christmas at Christ Church

by fomag | Music

Guilford, Vt. – Friends of Music’s 41st Annual Christmas at Christ Church program is set for 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15—note this departure from past years’ schedule for the reprise performance. Christ Church is at the corner of Rt. 5 south and Melendy Hill Road in the Algiers Village of Guilford.

        “Brightest & Best: Music to Welcome the Holy Child” is this season’s theme for the program. Since mid-September, Tom Baehr has been conducting rehearsals with sixteen Guilford Chamber Singers. Many have sung with Friends of Music for a long time, and others are new to this annual “pick-up” group but sing with other choirs and choruses in the area.

43rd Community Messiah Sing: A Benefit for the Homeless

by fomag | Music

Brattleboro, Vt. – Friends of Music at Guilford, for a 43rd year, invites singers and music lovers in the Tri-State region to start their holiday season with its annual Community Messiah Sing on the first Saturday in December. Set again at Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main Street in Brattleboro, the Sing’s permanent home since 1982, the event is a benefit for agencies serving the area’s homeless.

        This year the first Saturday falls on December 7, and the program is set to begin as usual at 1:00 p.m. with Clark Anderson at the helm as conductor for a third season. William McKim graciously stepped in for a 28th year as Sing organist when Christian Huebner, Centre Church’s resident organ master, learned that his ministerial ordination ceremony was set for the same afternoon. Messrs. Anderson and McKim will lead the assembled singers through the Christmas portion of Handel’s masterwork, plus a few other favorite sections from Parts II and III.

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 12/2/13

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Ch 8 Schedule for the week of 12/2/13

                   Monday December 2                

12:00 am      Vermont Arts Summit – Getting To Market

1:18 am       That Was the Week That Was- Malayaka House Uganda

2:00 am       FSTV Overnight

4:00 am       Green Mountain Vets For Peace – Ep. 126

5:00 am       Dartmouth CMS: Protection from Melanoma

5:15 am       Dartmouth CMS: Protection from Melanoma Pt. 2

150 Years Ago (1863 11/27-11/30)

by BusyMom | History

Brattleboro, Nov. 27th,
1863.

Dearest wife –

I improve the present moment in writing. I should have done so two days sooner but could not. Was paid two months pay Monday. I shall send you twenty dollars. Day before yesterday was on guard; took my ink and paper with me to the guard house thinking to write to you between the reliefes, but such a time to be on guard! Soldiers just paid off, and Thanksgiving so close at hand.

Weekend Concert Series: Tuba Skinny

by cgrotke | Entertainment

This week we feature Tuba Skinny, a band from New Orleans. I don’t know much about them, other than my dad played me a bit of them from his iPhone this week.

This seems to be recorded in Australia for a live radio program.

150 Years Ago (1863 11/17)

by BusyMom | History

Brattleboro, Nov. 17th, 1863.

Dear wife –

It rains and has rained all night, no drill and not on guard, so have a good time to write. I did not go over to Hinsdale Sunday. It rained all night Saturday and all day Sunday. Monday it was warm and pleasant, but commenced raining when we were on dress parade, and has rained ever since I commenced this morning, but there has been so much card playing around my bunk that I had to give up writing. After dinner they took their places again with a new reinforcement. I told them to leave, or I would send their cards into the stove and a pack of fools after them, took it in good and evacuated. I have a pretty good place to write. My bunk is by a window, and the boys thought that the had got a fine place for Euchre, but they must keep clear, or I shall send them kiteing. The boys are a pretty good set, but the everlasting Euchre, I am so sick of it that I wish that I had every card in the world, that they would find the fire pretty quick.

150 Years Ago (1863 10/29)

by BusyMom | History

Brattleboro, Oct. 29th, 1863

Dear Abiah, –

I wrote to you last Saturday, and promised in that to write you Monday but I did not keep my promise. I could not get a chance to write. I wrote to Mr. Cole, but I had to write with a pencil, but today I have a chance and mean to improve it. I went to Hinsdale Sunday found Mary Ann better but Susan’s little girl very sick. Poor little thing she suffered very much. She died Sunday night about 6 o’clock. Mr. Ballard came over Monday and told me yesterday. I got a pass and went to the funeral. It was at the house at 10 o’clock. I got leave to stop until after dress parade. I staid until evening. Fred came and brought me over to the Camp. I like him very much. He is a quiet, social intelligent man. he is heartily sick of farming. Is determined to sell his farm. He now thinks of getting some business near home where he can go home Saturday nights.

Friends of Brooks Library Holiday Book Sale

by RobertOeser | Books

The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library Holiday Book Sale

Friday, December 6 – 10AM to 6PM and

Saturday, December 7 – 10AM to 2PM

 All books are gift quality including fiction, children’s books and non-fiction titles ranging from history, art, cooking, gardening and many more subjects. A collection of 400 music CDs, mainly jazz, will also be on sale.

Russian Duo to Play in Grafton

by Not Signed In | Entertainment

GRAFTON, VT—The critically acclaimed Russian Duo will play at the White Church in Grafton on Sunday, December 1 at 3 p.m.

Featuring vocals and Russian percussion, the Duo will perform Russian folk music, romances, dances, classical music, gypsy melodies, and interpretations of favorites from around the world. Oleg Kruglyakov is a balalaika virtuoso originally from Siberia; Terry Boyarsky is an American concert pianist. The balalaika, with its three strings and a triangular body, is the instrument of choice for traditional Russian folk melodies.

Joule Thieves

by tomaidh | Sci-Tech

I recently read an article about the wasted energy resulting from charging electrical and electronic devices beyond the point where they have fully charged. The article used a play on words to call attention to this waste.

In this age of modern technology, more and more devices rely on electricity to function. Gadgets like cell phones, laptops, MP3 players, tablets and lately, cars, are plugged every day to have their batteries recharged. Most of the time, we allot recharging time whenever we sleep so we can make sure that these batteries are fully charged. But what we don’t always realize is by doing this, we consume much more energy than needed.

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 11/25/13

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV CH.8 Schedule for the week of 11/25/13

                   Monday November 25              

12:00 am      Vermont Arts Summit – Getting To Market

1:18 am       That Was the Week That Was- Malayaka House Uganda

2:00 am       FSTV Overnight

4:00 am       Green Mountain Vets For Peace – Ep. 126

5:00 am       Dartmouth CMS: Protection from Melanoma

5:15 am       Dartmouth CMS: Protection from Melanoma Pt. 2