SAXTONS RIVER — The culminating event for “Blue Lights for Winter Nights” in Saxtons River is Friday, Feb. 28, from 5 to 8 p.m. Dress in blue as you gather with friends and neighbors to chase away the winter blues while enjoying great food and hot music.
The Saxtons River Market and the River Artisans Cooperative are extending their hours for the occasion. The market will serve free hot cider, and the River Artisans will feature “blue-dot specials” and door prizes during the three-hour event. Worn Again resale will keep its doors open to offer half-price on blue tags and all blue clothing.
Across the street, The Saxtons River Inn will award prizes based on customers' blue clothing - and host live music (including the blues) by Triology, with Franz Robert II on keyboard, Thomas Durnford on bass, and Bill Ballard on alto saxophone.
Ballard, from Saxtons River, is well known at the Vermont Jazz Center, where he participates in student ensembles, the Wednesday Night Jam Session, and the summer workshop. He also performs in contra dance ensembles, sings in MSA Gilbert and Sullivan productions, and entertains on the sidewalk for the Saxtons River July 4th celebration.
Franz Robert II, from Dummerston Center, is a junior at Compass School. He studied piano with Vladimir Odinokikh at Brattleboro Music Center and studies with Eugene Uman at the Vermont Jazz Center.
Thomas Durnford, from Keene, N.H., is a student at Vermont Academy and studies bass with Steve Cady.
At the other end of the village, Pleasant Valley Brewing hosts Rocky Roberts and Friends at 8 p.m. The chef will offer blue-themed specials; the bar will feature blue drinks.
The band's sound is described as “real country with bluesy overtones.” Rocky, Neil Young's guitar tech for the past 40 years, is touring with My Morning Jacket.
The rest of the band is composed of Matt Sharff; Bethanie Yeakle; Don Macauley, the Rolling Stones' drum tech; and Bob Hennessey of The Ware River Club.