Twilight Music concludes its 19th Twilight on the Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, zydeco, Celtic, rock, and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, July 31, with contemporary folk and bluegrass quartet The Stockwell Brothers.
The concert begins at 6:00 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at Next Stage at 15 Kimball Hill in case of rain. Co-presented with Next Stage Arts Project, the series is sponsored by the Town of Putney, Green Mountain Well, Soundview Paper Company, and many other Putney area businesses and organizations.
Bruce, Barry, Alan and Kelly Stockwell's music “spans traditional and progressive styles, but their trademark acoustic sound features new singer-songwriter material recast with banjo, alternative rhythms, and three-part harmonies. They cover straight-ahead bluegrass songs, finger-picked acoustic guitar ballads, full-tilt breakdowns, and traditional mandolin tunes mixed with more unusual fare - Americana melodies riding world beat grooves and Celtic, jazzy, even neo-classical instrumentals,” organizers say.
Featuring 2005 Merlefest bluegrass banjo contest winner Bruce Stockwell, The Stockwell Brothers have performed alongside artists such as Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Jonathan Edwards, and Asleep at the Wheel; recorded with Mike Auldridge and Phil Rosenthal of the bluegrass supergroup The Seldom Scene; and toured throughout the United States and in Canada and Europe. As a trio, they have released two albums, Stobro and Leave My Dreams Alone.
Did you know that Vermonters spend more on local foods and in the local food economy than any other state, per capita? Much of that is due to the hard work, good representation, and strong leadership from former Vermont Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman over his more than 20 years...
Next Stage's Bandwagon Summer Series presents Danish klezmer-jazz fusion ensemble Mames Babegenush Friday, July 29, 6 p.m. at the Putney Inn. “It's an honor to host international touring artists like Mames Babagenush,” Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts, said in a news release. “The opportunity to dance...
Augusta Auction Company, self-described as the largest specialty auction house in North America for historic costume, vintage fashion, and rare textiles, will hold a two-day Discovery Sale Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31. Sales begin both days at 11 a.m. These sales will be held under the tent adjacent to the company's cataloguing studio at 33 Gage Street, Bellows Falls. Collectible pieces from more than two dozen museums, historical societies, university collections, estates, and individual consignors will cross the...
The Brattleboro branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has awarded five college scholarships to Windham County students. Hannah Lane and Clara Quinn Zacchini graduated from Brattleboro Union High School and will attend George Washington University's Elliot School of International Affairs and the University of Denver, respectively. Lane will study humanities and social sciences, and Zacchini will begin work towards becoming a physician's assistant. Raena Sanderson is a Leland & Gray Union High School graduate who has enrolled...
On Saturday, July 30, Stage 33 Live presents Eleanor & The Pretty Things, described in a news release as “a dynamic, atmospheric, emotionally charged alt-indie band from the Boston area known for powerful live performances that range from shimmering to screamo, always tastefully, often within the same song.” The members' diverse tastes merge to create “music that helps us sort out the great big mess that is life” with lyrics addressing themes like isolation, detachment, heartache, and anxiety, “but not...
Something extraordinary is about to happen in Brattleboro this summer, and you should know about it. Tundi Productions - a musical-theatrical troupe founded by two Brattleborians, soprano Jenna Rae and conductor Hugh Keelan - will present its second Wagner in Vermont Festival this August at the Latchis Theatre, centered around two performances each of the operas Das Rheingold and Die Walküre. As a longtime Wagner fanatic and as an admirer of these audacious artists, I'm very excited. And as a...
I've never been more frightened for the future of girls and women in our country. Having Becca Balint as a champion of reproductive rights gives me hope. I support Becca Balint in the primary race for Vermont's only Congressional seat. As the mother of two teen daughters, I trust Becca to fight for justice and bodily autonomy for all people. She has proven herself in her years in the Vermont Senate and as one of the champions of the Reproductive...
On Sunday, July 31, from 3 to 6 p.m., the South Newfane Schoolhouse is hosting a community-wide Open House event. All are welcome to come and see the recent updates to this historic building in the center of South Newfane Village, located at the intersection of Dover and Auger Hole roads. Most recently, a Little Free Library has been installed in the Schoolhouse, having moved from its former location across the road in the South Newfane Baptist Church. The new...
College news • Jessica Tatro, a biology major and member of the Class of 2024 from Brattleboro, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2022 semester at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. • Paige Starkweather, a liberal arts studies/education major from Brattleboro, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2022 semester at Endicott College in Beverly, Mass. • Cassidy Gallivan of West Dover, Amelia Graff of Brattleboro, and Avery White of Townshend were all named...
I thank the community for supporting The Winston Prouty Center's annual Par for the Cause fundraiser last month. This year we raised over $20,000! We are grateful to the 90 local businesses and individuals who donated products and services to our Prize-a-Day Raffle. To see a list of prize donors, visit winstonprouty.org/par. Our staff constructed another incredible mini-disc-golf course with this year's theme of Children's Games and put on a wonderful family-friendly event with food, drinks, and fun activities for...
After watching the recent Zoom debate of four Democratic candidates for U.S. Congress, I wanted to thank Keisha Ram Hinsdale for dropping out of the race. For me, it was excruciating to have to choose between Keisha and Becca Balint. Their legislative experience and dedication to justice for everyday people put them both at the top of my list. I commend Keisha for her choice given how crucial it is to elect a progressive voice to represent Vermont in Washington,
Isaac Evans-Frantz, who is running for that U.S. Senate seat from Vermont, has a record of national and worldwide advocacy and coalition-building which is highlighted, in part, by recent news. Isaac's role was key in the July 14 Senate introduction of the War Powers Resolution for Yemen, as well as the House version on June 1. His efforts were crucial in 2018–19 as well, in the first round of bipartisan legislation for Yemen, before it was vetoed by Trump. Endorsed...
As we watch new information emerge from the Jan. 6 Congressional hearings, one truth has been made crystal clear: Whether it's insurrection at the Capitol or violent threats against election officials, these acts are a consequence of a single insidious lie - that voter fraud altered the outcome of the 2020 general election. Despite the complete lack of evidence, this lie has gripped certain groups in the electorate and is at the center of the divisiveness driving a wedge between...
An artistic collaboration between local organizations has received national recognition. Juno Singles is a series of four videos featuring acrobatic “responses” by aerial performers from Nimble Arts to four compositions recorded by the Juno Orchestra. The series was named Best of Entertainment and Arts Series by an Independent Producer at the Alliance for Community Media's Hometown Media Awards, held recently in Chicago. The videos were produced by local filmmaker Angus Reid and submitted to the contest by Brattleboro Community TV...
The Stone Church, 210 Main Street, in partnership with the Vermont Blues Society, presents Grammy-nominated blues singer-guitarist Jontavious Willis on Friday, July 29, at 8 p.m. “Every generation or so, a young bluesman bursts onto the scene who sends a jolt through blues lovers,” reads the bio on Willis' website, “someone who has mastered the craft for sure, but who also has the blues deep down in his heart and soul. At the age of 22, bluesman Jontavious Willis may...
Canal Street Art Gallery, 23 Canal Street, presents “Sacred Geometry,” the first solo show by artist John van der Does. It features paintings of brightly colored abstract mathematical designs inspired by the yoga tradition of the yantra. The solo show is on view from Aug. 3 through Sept. 10. The public is invited to a yoga session with the artist, on Friday, Aug. 5, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., for a unique gallery event. The event is free and space...
The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) will present two events with New York-based artist Mie Yim in connection with the exhibit “Fluid Boundaries”: a walkthrough of the exhibit on Aug. 4 and a chalk art activity during Gallery Walk on Aug. 5. Yim describes the paintings in “Fluid Boundaries” as a blend of the adorable and the unsettling, the real and the dreamlike, the figurative and the abstract. Describing the figure in “Tequila Hangover,” one of the paintings featured...
In June, Florida's governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that requires local law enforcement agencies overseeing county detention facilities to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce immigration laws. This move, which came amid opposition from towns all over Florida, is a cautionary tale about what could happen elsewhere. Here in Vermont, eight jurisdictions, including Brattleboro, have ensured a clear dividing line between their local law enforcement departments and immigration authorities. They have done this by adopting five...
I am supporting Becca Balint for Congress because she has integrity, grit, and compassion. My late husband and I met Balint at a candidate forum when she was first running for Windham County senator. We liked everything she had to say, except about marijuana (cannabis). She was against legalizing it. We didn't vote for her that (and only) time. After she won, at our request, she came to a meeting of medical marijuana patients and advocates of recreational use. She...
As a business owner, I appreciate the importance of leadership. For me, success requires much more than filling a role. It is about having a vision and forging the paths to make it a reality. Becca Balint is that type of leader. She has a proven track record of finding a way forward, building bridges, and delivering results. That is why Becca has my vote and why I am encouraging you to vote for her as well. Becca will move...
HatchSpace seeks volunteers for community woodworking project PUTNEY - HatchSpace, Brattleboro's community woodworking facility, is looking for assistance with a special service project to benefit the Putney Central School. Volunteers will work alongside skilled woodworkers to build classroom worktables. Light carpentry skills appreciated but not necessary. They are aiming for an Aug. 1 start date, with day and evening work sessions to last for about two weeks. This will be a fun and instructive experience. Contact Karen Cornish at info@hatchspace.org...
In-person voting for the Vermont statewide primary election will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 9, with voters casting ballots in their party primaries to decide on general election candidates for many key races. There is still time to apply for your early vote-by-mail ballot on the secretary of state's website, or you can call or visit your local Town Clerk to request a ballot. According to the secretary of state's office, “Requests for an early voter/absentee ballot can be made...
On what would have been his 80th birthday, Jerry Garcia's music is alive and well in 2022. Each year, in early August, tens of thousands of fans gather all over the globe to pay tribute to his kind spirit, listen to his music, and celebrate his birthday. You will hear that music reverberating at the Stone Church next Monday, Aug. 1, at 8 p.m. when the Garcia Project rolls into town to pay homage to a beloved musical icon. The...
Five months into an active sexual abuse investigation involving Brattleboro Union High School (BUHS), the Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Board of Directors wants Superintendent Mark Speno to draft a comprehensive outreach plan. But some felt the Aug. 9 deadline the board wanted to include would be too soon for Speno, who had been apprised of the request just days prior to the July 19 meeting, to provide a solid and thoughtful answer, and in the end, the board took...
To report information regarding sexual abuse of students and/or harassment, or abuse of power by current or former faculty, administration, or staff of the Windham Southeast Supervisory District, please do so at southernvermontlaw.com/wsesd. If you would like to speak with an investigator, please provide your name and contact information. Information provided, including names and contact information of those reporting information, will remain confidential unless disclosure is required by mandatory reporting laws in Vermont. If you prefer to report anonymously, please...
On Sunday, July 31, Putney's Yellow Barn Music Festival honors Seth Knopp, its artistic director for 25 years, at its annual scholarship fundraising gala. Founded by the late cellist, David Wells, and pianist, Janet Wells, Yellow Barn emerged in 1969 as an informal summer retreat for David's students at the Manhattan School of Music. “When I came to Yellow Barn,” in the late 1990s, Knopp recalls, “I sat down with David and asked what his dreams for Yellow Barn were.
As health care and other costs of living spiral ever further out of people's reach, our legislators and the State's Green Mountain Care Board have a unique opportunity to protect Vermont residents from rising health care prices, once and for all. Vermont's Act 48, passed in 2011, makes ours the only state in the country with a law codifying the human right to health care and creating the Green Mountain Care Board, charging it with implementing a publicly financed, universal...
First came the man waving a knife. Then came the police wielding guns. Parishioners of this town's All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church read last week's reports of a “person of interest” - wanted after the death and discovery of a missing woman - fleeing on foot to their property, where authorities shot and killed him after seeing his weapon. The event was breaking news throughout New England. But for the spiritual congregation, it also was a page out of history,
This summer, Vermont has shut down state-sponsored Covid testing sites and scaled back its vaccination clinics, but state officials and local emergency medical services providers say that the infrastructure is there to ramp back up should infections once again soar. In the meantime, while many might feel as though the pandemic is over - after all, maskless people are enjoying summer gatherings and the state's response to COVID-19 has quieted - nothing could be further from the truth. In fact,
There are no shortages of guides and studies and introductions to Richard Wagner in every conceivable medium. I would heartily recommend these three to anyone, especially a newcomer. The great Stephen Fry (a university classmate of Tundi Productions Music Director Hugh Keelan, as it happens) made a wonderful documentary, Wagner & Me, about going to Bayreuth for the first time and his love for (and struggles with) his favorite composer-dramatist. It's well worth seeking out. Wagner & Me is available...
Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) board members say they don't have any information regarding the status of Brattleboro Union High School (BUHS) Principal Steve Perrin, who has been on paid leave at an annual salary of about $120,000 since spring break. At the July 19 board meeting, parents Lisa Ford and Melany Kahn peppered the board with questions about the lack of public information about Perrin's status. Ford, chair of the BUHS Leadership Council, brought up what she called the...
One of the takeaways from our current political insanity is a crucial truth: Creating destruction and chaos is easy; building a system that is just is hard. Since the era of Reconstruction, millions of Americans have fought for civil rights, rights for women, for immigrants, and more recently, for the rights of disabled people and LGBTQ+ individuals. We have marched in the streets, we have volunteered to go door to door for progressive candidates, we have lobbied our legislators. And...
This town's initial protest against the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling to overturn abortion rights was simple: 100 people congregating downtown to chant, “My body, my choice.” Ten days later, a local demonstrator, saying “forced birth is appallingly cruel and morally grotesque,” marched naked down Main Street, doused in fake blood, just before the start of the Fourth of July parade. Now the Selectboard is considering making its own statement with “A Resolution to Protect Pregnant People's Access to Abortion,”
Is Brattleboro still a baseball town? The answer is still an emphatic yes. All three Little League All-Star teams reached their respective state tournaments last week, while Brattleboro Post 5 finished their American Legion Baseball season in first place and earned the top seed in this week's state tournament. That is a record of accomplishment to be proud of, and proof that baseball is thriving in Brattleboro. And that story of this great summer has not yet ended for two...