Week 1 Highlights
The Vermont Festival of the Arts officially kicks off on Sunday, July 31, but a few events are not waiting for the Frolic’s fireworks. This week, find entertaining performances and art shows aplenty to spark creative curiosity.
Performances
The Pirates of Penzance continues July 27 through the 31 at The Skinner Barn, Waitsfield. This classic Gilbert & Sullivan musical comedy is a perennial family favorite. The curtain rises at 8 p.m. Get tickets at www.theskinnerbarn.com or by calling (802) 496-4422.
With Women and U.S. and Them, a Double Bill of Dance, will be at Phantom Theater at Edgcomb Barn in Warren on Tuesday, August 2, and Wednesday, August 3. Performances begin at 8 p.m.; please call (802) 496-5997 for reservations.
Art shows opening this week
Frank Covino Retrospective is now open in the Festival Gallery, Waitsfield. Take a rare look at some exquisite portrait painting done by a true master who lived and ran his painting school from his studio in Fayston. Gallery hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 1-5 p.m., or by appointment by calling (802) 496-6682.
The Big Red Barn Art Show opens on Thursday, July 28, in the Big Red Barn Gallery at Lareau Farm, Waitsfield. Show hours: Thursday to Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. All work is created by full- or part-time artist-residents of Fayston, Waitsfield and Warren. Meet the artists and see their work at a reception on Sunday, July 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lareau Farm. Reception music will be by Anthony Santor and his friends.
Billy Brauer Retrospective opens at The Bundy Modern, Waitsfield, on Saturday, July 30. There is an opening reception on July 29 at 5 p.m. A resident of Warren, Brauer enjoys national recognition for his sensual figurative paintings, which are psychologically powerful through the use of perspective, shape, color and light. Hours: noon to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday through September 5. Admission is free.
The Photo Show opens on Monday, August 1, in the Round Barn, Waitsfield. About 70 photographers from across the region participate in this annual showcase. Show hours: weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet the photographers at the show’s opening reception on Tuesday, August 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Round Barn, 1667 East Warren Road, Waitsfield. The photo show is produced by the Green Mountain Cultural Center.
View more photography in the studio of David Garten, 4412 Main Street, Waitsfield. His open studio features his Cuba photo gallery, La Habana Te Llama – Havana Is Calling You. Garten, a seasoned Cuba traveler who just returned in May from three weeks in Havana, has created a show featuring photos of music, dance and daily life in Havana. Hours: noon to 6 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays, or by appointment. Admission is free.
Family Fun
Knoll Farm is the site for Blueberry Sunday on July 31 from 9 a.m. to noon. Berry picking and warm cinnamon muffins. Free admission.
The family favorite, Fairie House Building, returns to Lareau Farm, Waitsfield, on Sunday, July 31, beginning at 10 a.m. This crafting project is fun for all ages and many families return year after year. Donation for supplies.
Also at Lareau Farm is the official festival kickoff, the Festival Frolic, which begins at 6 p.m. and ends with fireworks at dusk. New this year will be the Kids Zone featuring games, activities and fun from The Collection, Waitsfield. American Flatbread will have food for sale and a cash bar. Admission is by suggested donation at the gate, to help defray the cost of the event. As part of the Frolic, the Teeny Tiny Art Show & Sale features a collection of small works priced at $50 or below. The works are all donated to Valley Arts by the artists and all proceeds from the sale will go toward future Valley Arts programming.
Looking ahead - Taste tickets on sale
Come to Sugarbush Resort on Sunday, August 7, for Taste the Valley Experience. Enjoy tastes from over two dozen food and beverage vendors, on-stage demonstrations, music in the courtyard by the Big Basin Band, artists painting en plein air, a putting contest from Sugarbush Golf Club and a fabulous silent auction. Proceeds benefit Valley Arts – money raised helps keep the Vermont Festival of the Arts returning year after year. Gates open at 5 p.m. View the vendor list and purchase tickets at www.vermontartfest.com or at the festival booth at the Waitsfield Farmers’ Market.
For information about the festival and all its events, pick up a printed program, available at the Festival Gallery, 5031 Main Street, Waitsfield (next to The Tempest Book Shop) and also at many locations throughout The Valley. Or, visit the festival website at www.vermontartfest.com, which includes a sortable calendar of events.
Valley Arts, formerly known as the Valley Arts Foundation, is the organization behind the Vermont Festival of the Arts. Valley Arts’ mission is to support the multiple interests in the Mad River Valley by encouraging and promoting participation in the arts. For more information about Valley Arts or to become a member, please visit www.valleyartsfoundation.org or call (802) 496-6682.
Thursday, July 28
* Big Red Barn Art Show, Lareau Farm, noon-9 pm.
* Frank Covino Retrospective, Festival Gallery, 1-5 pm.
* The Pirates of Penzance, Skinner Barn, 8 pm.
* Starving Artist Gang Studio, Waitsfield, 11 am-4 pm.
* Tent Thai, Mad River Massage, contact for time: 802-496-5638.
Friday, July 29
* Big Red Barn Art Show, Lareau Farm, noon-9 pm.
* Frank Covino Retrospective, Festival Gallery, 1-5 pm.
* The Pirates of Penzance, Skinner Barn, 8 pm.
* Starving Artist Gang Studio, Waitsfield, 11 am-4 pm.
* Moosewalk Studios, Warren, noon-5 pm.
* Make Art Here, Lareau Farm, Waitsfield, 5:30-8 pm.
* Music Fun, Lareau Farm, 6-8:30 pm.
Saturday, July 30
* Big Red Barn Art Show, Lareau Farm, noon-9 pm.
* Frank Covino Retrospective, Festival Gallery, 1-5 pm.
* Early Summer Show & Billy Brauer Retrospective, The Bundy Modern, noon-5 pm.
*The Pirates of Penzance, Skinner Barn, 8 pm.
* Starving Artist Gang Studio, Waitsfield, 11 am-4 pm.
* Moosewalk Studios, Warren, noon-5 pm.
Sunday, July 31
* Big Red Barn Art Show and Meet the Artists Opening Reception, Lareau Farm, 5-7 pm.
* Early Summer Show, Billy Brauer Retrospective, The Bundy Modern, noon-5 pm.
* Teeny Tiny Art Show & Sale, Lareau Farm, 6 pm.
* Fairie House Building, Lareau Farm, 10 am.
* Festival Frolic, Lareau Farm, 6 pm to when fireworks end.
* The Pirates of Penzance, Skinner Barn, 8 pm.
* Moosewalk Studios, Warren, noon-5 pm.
* Blueberry Sunday, Knoll Farm, 9 am-noon.
Monday, August 1
*Photo Show opens, Round Barn, 10 am-5 pm.
* Zumba with Roarke, The Bridges Resort, 5:30-6:30 pm.
Tuesday, August 2
* Photo Show Opening Reception, Round Barn, 5:30-7:30 pm.
* Double Bill of Dance, Phantom Theater, 8 pm.
* Tent Thai, Mad River Massage, contact for time.
Wednesday, August 3
* Photo Show, Round Barn, 10 am-5 pm.
* Frank Covino Retrospective, Festival Gallery, 1-5 pm.
* Cubaphoto Gallery, David Garten Studio, noon-6 pm.
* Double Bill of Dance, Phantom Theater, 8 pm.
Open daily:
* Artisans' Gallery, Waitsfield, 11 am-6 pm.
* All Things Bright & Beautiful, Waitsfield, 9 am-6 pm.
* Works by Annelein Beukenkamp, The Bridges Resort, 7 am-9 pm.
* Fitness classes at the SHaRC, Sugarbush Resort, contact for schedule.
