Film
• The Elephant Project comes to Brattleboro: Join multimedia artist and award-winning filmmaker Miranda Loud on her Work in Progress Tour and screening of The Elephant Project on Wednesday, July 21, at 7 p.m., at the Brooks Memorial Library meeting room.
Loud will show 6 of her planned 20 films. The Elephant Project will interest a wide range of people curious not only about elephants, but how artists are making a difference in connecting people with nature.
At the current rate of decline, the Asian elephant will face extinction within our lifetimes. Wild elephants are a “keystone” species which means that many other species depend on them. Many of the stresses for Asian elephants are indicators of stresses on humans. Through a multimedia performance, tour, and series of 20 short films, Loud shares the power of human and elephant connections seen through a musical, visual, narrative and symbolic lens.
For more information, contact the library at 802-254-5290.
Music
• Founders' weekend at Yellow Barn: Yellow Barn's 2010 Summer Festival continues July 15 through 17 in Putney with the annual Founders' Concert in honor of beloved musicians, neighbors, and Yellow Barn Founders David and Janet Wells on Friday, July 16.
The week also includes concerts on Thursday, July 15 (at a special weekday price of $18) and Saturday, July 17. The performances will include works by Ravel, Schubert, Kurtág, Brahms, and Wolf, among others, and will feature soprano Susan Narucki, violist Roger Tapping, and pianist Boris Berman.
Concerts will take place in The Big Barn in Putney and will begin at 8 p.m. For more information about tickets and all their 2010 summer festival performances, visit www.yellowbarn.org.
• Grafton Cornet Band in concert: On Sunday, July 18, at 5:30 p.m., the Grafton Cornet Band concert will play a concert on the Grafton Common on Main Street (Route 121).
In case of rain, the concert will be in the White Church. There will be an hour-long mix of familiar and upbeat music for the whole family. The concert is free, but donations are welcome. Bring chairs or a blanket and maybe a picnic. More information: www.graftonband.org or 802-387-4145.
• “Nearing Sundays” return: On Sunday, Aug. 1, at 4 p.m., there will be another community potluck in the Nearing tradition with an afternoon of music, storytelling and meeting friends at the original Scott and Helen Nearing homestead.
Greg Joly, Nearing archivist and Rebecca Lepkoff, photographer, will be on hand to talk about the myths and the legacy of living the good life. Life in the valley, known as Pikes Falls, is portrayed in Almost Utopia: the Residents and Radicals of Pikes Falls, 1950.
The Nearings brought people to Forest Farm to share their ideals and to teach others how to live a sustainable lifestyle. Though they had much to offer the back to the land movement, their way of life was not without controversy. All are welcome to share their experiences. Jesse Lepkoff will entertain us with guitar and vocal music inspired by classic bossa nova.
This event is for the community to share stories, music and good food. Bring a dish, family and friends. The farm is on 123 Upper Taylor Hill Road in Winhall, one half-mile from the Scott and Helen Nearing historic marker. For more information, contact Darlene Palola at 802-297-2810 or darlenepalola@myfairpoint.net.
Performing arts
• Circus Minimus returns to Brattleboro: Artistic Director Kevin O'Keefe, a former instructor for the Big Apple Circus and current resident of Brattleboro, brings 30 years of teaching circus to area families.
At Circus Minimus, he is directing and instructing ordinary kids in their very own extraordinary circus show. This year's theme is Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Forty-five area students ages 7-13 are studying introductory tumbling, clowning, juggling, tightwire, partner acrobatics, stilts, unicycle and more. Those new found skills will be woven into our theme celebrating everything that is great about New Orleans and Mardi Gras.
This year, parents are getting into the act with the circus' Partner Acrobatic Routine. The public is invited to the culminating event – Circus Minimus: Mardi Gras Gumbo! - on July 17 at 7 p.m. and July 18 at 2 and 7 p.m. at the New England Youth Theatre.
All tickets to the show cost $7. New England Youth Theatre is located at 100 Flat St. in downtown Brattleboro. Purchase tickets online at www.neyt.org or at the box office on Wednesdays from noon-5 p.m.