13 things to love: Vermont Festival of the Arts
|
|
Mad River Valley artist Carol Haas at work. Photo by John Williams |
Toolbox
By Mary Gow
Arts Correspondent - Published: July 30, 2010
“Many people think of 13 as unlucky, “said Gary Eckhart, president of the Valley Arts Foundation. “But we’re looking at it as our best year yet.”
Actors, artists, musicians, cooks, craftspeople, gardeners, poets, architects, designers and many more are gearing up for the 13th Vermont Festival of the Arts. This annual Mad River Valley celebration starts this week. The festival has so many events scheduled that its regular month-long term has been stretched to five weeks, and every week is chock full of performances, exhibits, workshops and opportunities to participate.
“In this 13th festival, we have 130 events; that’s 10 times 13,” said Beverly Kehoe, festival coordinator. “Several events have multiple occasions, so we really have about 600 opportunities to experience art.”
Six hundred may not be a multiple of 13, but it’s a lot to see, hear, eat, learn and do. Here’s a quick introduction to 13 things to enjoy at the Vermont Festival of the Arts:
1. The Program Guide – There’s simply too much going on to rely on mental notes about the performances, exhibits and activities. The free 54-page guide has an easy index that lists events by category: visual arts, performing arts, etc. It also indicates which ones are free, kid-friendly or require reservation. A fold-out calendar lists everything happening every day. A handy map shows all 40 venues.
2. Theater – The zany musical murder mystery “Lucky Stiff” at Waitsfield’s Skinner Barn opens the festival’s stage offerings. In Warren, Phantom Theater presents six productions at the Edgecomb Barn including “Jugglers on the Roof: Vermont Vaudeville,” “Summer of Hate: One Boy’s Escape from Nature Paradise,” and “Rob Mermin’s Bubble Circus.” Shakespeare makes an appearance with scenes performed at the Pitcher Inn. A new fast-paced “Ten-Fest” – 10 short plays by Vermont playwrights – is on the Valley Players’ stage.
3. Taste of the Valley – The festival’s signature event, this feast features culinary specialties from more than 40 area restaurants and food purveyors. Hosted by Sugarbush Resort, Taste of the Valley is a festival favorite. Along with superb tasting, the evening offers dancing to the Green Mountain Swing Band. Monday, Aug. 2, 5:30 to 8:30. Tickets are $40 (some tickets still available).
4. Music – With selections from “West Side Story,” Latin tunes by Saint-Saëns, and Sousa marches, the Vermont Philharmonic performs its Summer Pops Concert at Moose Meadow Lodge. Alternative country songwriter and guitarist Robbie Fulks and Bill Sims Jr. and harmonica virtuoso Marc Lavoie are among the many performers appearing at Waitsfield’s Big Picture Theater and Café. Other musical events include the Vermont Young Musicians’ Award Concert Competition at Sugarbush Resort, the Barre-Tones at the Waitsfield Confederated Church, and a songs of summer karaoke night.
5. Barn exhibits – The Big Red Barn Art Show celebrates its 13th year as a festival mainstay. With works by Mad River Valley artists, this show at Lareau Farm in Waitsfield opens with an artists’ reception on Aug. 1 and runs through Sept. 5. The Green Mountain Cultural Center’s Photography Exhibit is back at the Round Barn in Waitsfield for its 21st year. Yes, the show was founded before the festival and continues as one of its most popular exhibits. Opening Aug. 2, it runs to Sept. 7.
6. Open studios – Many painters, sculptors, photographers and other visual artists live in the Mad River Valley. Besides offering a fabulous array of exhibits – from “Palettes for Paws” at the Big Picture to a retrospective of theater design at the Festival Gallery – area artists are teaching classes and are opening their doors to visitors. The weekend of Aug. 14-15 offers more than 20 studio artist events.
7. Culinary arts – No question that the art of food is well represented. Learn to cook Indian specialties, make berry vinegar, expand your localvore creativity, try cooking on a British Aga or sit back and dine, sample or sip.
8. Passports – Two raffles with generous prizes are open to festival-goers who take their passports on their tours. Open Studio Passports and the Around the Culinary World Passports are available at the Festival Gallery in the Village Square in Waitsfield. Events are listed in the passports – the more one attends, the more chances to win.
9. Classes and workshops – Digital photography, glass flowers, Raku pottery, wheel-throwing, arrange flowers, the festival is not just about seeing what others have created, it offers abundant opportunities to participate and learn.
10. For kids – Most events are kid-friendly and several are planned for children. Kinderfest with a Teddy bear picnic and ice cream and the Vermont Children’s Film Festival are both at Big Picture. At the weeklong Magic Toybox Kids Camp at Phantom Theater kids dance, act and use their imaginations.
11. A to Z art of living – From acupuncture to zumba, the festival includes events and classes to enhance the art of living. The arts of fashion, eyebrow design, yoga, gardening, kayaking, Chinese medicine and fitness are all represented.
12. Free – Dozens of festival events are free or by donation. Open studios are just that – free and welcoming. On Aug. 24, Clearwater Sports hosts a free evening of canoeing and kayaking under the full moon at Blueberry Lake – bring something for the potluck dinner. Free lectures at Yestermorrow School feature locally and nationally recognized architects, craftspeople, and inventors. On Aug. 25, Sugarbush hosts free outdoor movies on the mountain.
13. Community – Not only has the Mad River Valley’s artistic community come together to coordinate a diverse and exciting array of events, but neighborhoods, businesses, and local organizations have worked together to make this 13th Vermont Festival of the Arts the best one yet.