July 27-30
Northshire hosts weekend of authors
MANCHESTER -- The Northshire Bookstore will open a weekend of author readings and signings with Rebecca Rupp reading from and signing "How Carrots Won the Trojan War," the history, lore, cultural associations, and traditions associated with 23 popular vegetables, on Friday, July 27, at 7 p.m.
Written for gardeners, foodies, and anyone curious about the history of their favorite veggies, "How Carrots Won the Trojan War" delivers generous portions of humor and intriguing little-known facts, readers are sure to love -- and endlessly retell.
James Howard Kunslter will read froma and sign copies of "Too Much Magic," a view of the future of America and the world that is wildly divergent from conventional narratives, on Saturday, July 28, at 7 p.m. Kunstler’s critically acclaimed and best-selling "The Long Emergency," originally published in 2005, quickly became a grassroots hit.
Anne Hambleton, Vermont horsewoman and author reads from and signs copies of, "Raja, Story of a Racehorse," on Monday, July 30, at 4 p.m. Winner of the IPPY Bronze for Juvenile Fiction and the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver for Young Reader Fiction, "Raja" is written from the horse’s point of view and chronicles the life of a well-bred thoroughbred racehorse from the Triple Crown path, to his life after racing in the horse show, police horse and steeplechase worlds, including
For information call 802-362-2200, 1-800-437-3700, or visit northshire.com.
Saturday, July 28
Lake Paran hosts Bluegrass Festival fundraiser
NORTH BENNINGTON -- Lake Paran Recreations will host its annual Lake Paran Bluegrass Festival fundraiser -- this year featuring headliners Goldtown, as well as Moe Harrington, Buzz Saw Boys, Addison County Clay, tophenjamin, Lousy Cowboy Music, Ransom Notes, Dusty Pilgrims -- Saturday, July 28, with gates open at noon, music begins at 2 p.m., and gates closing early afternoon on Sunday July 29.
There will also be vendors, camping, and of course, swimming in the lake. Last year’s festival drew more than 700 attendees, from as far away as the Midwest. This year’s festival is one night only with camping available for those that want to stay up late playing music.
Camping is available for an extra fee.
According to supplied information, funds raised are used for Lake Paran’s operating expenses, including this year’s dock replacement, and updating the septic system. This is the third consecutive Bluegrass Festival fundraiser, bringing local residents, visitors, and bands together for a celebration of Bluegrass.
For more information call 802-688-6270 or visit lakeparan.org.
Family comedy night is educational fundraiser
BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Banner and Off The Wall Comedy Productions will host a family friendly stand-up comedy show -- hosted by Albany, N.Y., radio personality Wanda Hudson and featuring Jerrold Benford -- at Mount Anthony Union High School on Saturday, July 28, at 7 p.m.
The comedy show is a fundraiser for the Banner’s Newspapers in Education programs; tickets are $20 per person.
Hudson, the self-proclaimed "Miss WandaLuv," said the comedian line-up is sure to being plenty of laughs. In addition to Benford, also appearing will be Craig Sharf and Kenneth McLaurin.
Tickets are available at the Bennington Banner office and at the door the night of the program. For information visit offthewallproductions.com.
July 28-29
Marlboro Music hosts two chamber music concerts
MARLBORO -- Marlboro Music’s resident artists will be heard on Vermont Music Center’s third weekend of concerts on Saturday, July 28 at 8:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 29 at 2:30 p.m., on the grounds of Marlboro College.
With repertoire suggested by the musicians themselves, the diverse programs will offer the Brahms "Clarinet Trio," Op. 114, the Schnittke "String Trio" and Mozart’s "String Quintet in C," K. 515 on Saturday’s program. The Sunday afternoon concert includes the Beethoven "Piano Trio in C Minor," resident composer Lera Auerbach’s "String Quartet No. 2," Anton Webern’s "Five Pieces," Op. 5 for string quartet and closes with the Mozart "Serenade in E flat," K. 375 for woodwind octet.
Inside seats at $15 to $37.50, and $ 5 canopy area tickets available. For tickets and information call 802-254-2394 or visit marlbormusic.org.
Tuesday, July 31
Clark opens music series with Ying String Quartet
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute will open its Chamber Music Concert Series with the Ying String Quartet, one of the most exciting chamber music groups in the country, on Tuesday, July 31, at 8 p.m.
The quartet performs regularly in many of the world’s most important concert halls, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House.
Tickets are $25 ($20 students). For tickets and information call 413-458-0524 or visit clarkart.edu.
Thursday, Aug. 2
Manchester Music Festival hosts saxophonist Ibrahim
MANCHESTER -- The Manchester Music Festival will feature guest artist saxophonist Michael Ibrahim, who has been hailed by music critics both here and abroad for his "sheer virtuosity and musical intensity," in concert on Thursday, Aug. 2, at 7:30 p.m., at the Southern Vermont Arts Center.
The program, "Northern Skies and Velvet Tones," features the music of Antonin Dvorak and Johann Sebastian Bach. Ibrahim has performed at prestigious concert halls throughout North America and Europe including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in Manhattan.
The Manchester Music Festival concert will be at the Arkell Pavilion. Tickets are $35, $10 for students. For tickets and information call 802-362-1956 or visit mmfvt.org.
Opening Aug. 2
Judd Hirsch stars in DTF’s ‘... Mr. Moore’
DORSET -- The Dorset theater Festival will open its short production of "The Whore and Mr. Moore," a new play written by Michael Cristofer and starring accomplished television and film veteran Judd Hirsch, on Thursday, Aug. 2. The play runs through Aug. 11.
Dorset theater-goers may remember Cristofer from two year’s ago when he acted in another premiere staged in Dorset; Theresa Rebeck’s play "The Novelist," But he has also won a Pulitzer Prize for drama and a Tony award for the Broadway production of his play "The Shadow Box." Hirsch won Emmy Awards twice for his role in the TV sitcom "Taxi" back in the early 1980s, and was also nominated for an Academy Award for a supporting role in the movie "Ordinary People."
The play has a playwright heading for the coast of Maine in hopes of finding the inspiration to extract one last great play. There he meets up a friendly ghost who helps out in the inspiration process. Things get a little complicated, but funny as well.
"The Whore and Mr. Moore" will be staged from Aug. 2-11. For tickets and information call 802-867-2223 or visit dorsettheatrefestival.org.
Friday, Aug. 3
Bennington Contra Dance hosts community dance
BENNINGTON -- Bennington Contra Dance will present an evening of music and dancing for all ages and levels of experience at the Masonic Lodge on Friday, Aug. 3, starting at 7:30 p.m. All dances are taught and no experience is needed. Come with or without a partner.
In Contra dance, sometimes described as New England folk dance, couples dance in long paired lines of couples. Contra dance events are open to all, regardless of experience and no one needs to come with a partner.
The Masonic Lodge is located at 610 Main St. Admission is $10, $5 for 12 and under. For information call 802-447-2173 or visit benningtondance.org.
Sunday, Aug. 5
Robert Frost museum hosts interactive kids program
SHAFTSBURY -- The Robert Frost Stone House Museum’s "Sunday Afternoons with Robert Frost" series will present its first children’s program -- an interactive presentation by Pat Gibbons, school teacher at the North Bennington Graded School, titled "Robert Frost Comes Alive for Young Readers" -- on Sunday, Aug. 5, at 2 p.m., in the Little Red Barn on the museum’s grounds.
The program is designed to appeal to adults as well as children, and Gibbons will use visuals ranging from maps to photographs and various props, allowing the poet’s life to unfold for the participants, with several Frost poems interspersed throughout. One possible finale, depending on the weather, and the make-up of the group (which may range from pre-school to adult), will be to find inspiration in the natural surroundings for some poetry writing.
The Robert Frost Stone House Museum is located at 121 Vermont Route 7A in South Shaftsbury. For information call 802-447-6200 or visit frostfriends.org.
Wednesday, Aug. 8
Ballet Manchester hosts evening of ballet stars
MANCHESTER -- Ballet Manchester’s summer performance will host international ballet stars and original music at the Southern Vermont Arts Center on Aug. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Among the dancers will be principal dancer Charles Askagard, formerly of the New York City Ballet; Georgina Pazcoquin, soloist with the NYCB; Anna Liceica, former soloist of the American Ballet Theatre; along with Vitali Krauchenka, Luciana Paris, Sean Stewart, Cassandra Trenary, Sterling Baca and Gabrielle Johnson of ABT. The group will dance to world premier pieces choreographed to the live music by Donald Knaack, also an international musician, and a Manchester resident known as the Junkman.
In addition to performing to Knaack’s live music, the group will perform "Unrestrained" choreographed by Michail Ilyin and the "Stravinsky Divertissement" choreographed by Askegard.
All seats are reserved at $40. For tickets and information call 802-379-0759.
Though Aug. 13
VAE presents paintings by Mark Barry
NORTH BENNINGTON -- The Vermont Arts Exchange’s Mill Gallery hosts an exhibition by Baltimore and North Bennington painter Mark Barry -- "Mark Barry: The Return of the Prodigal Son and Other Tales" -- through Aug. 13.
The show features oil paintings of varying sizes, as well as prints. Among Barry’s many themes are jazz musicians at play, inspired and enlivened by the jazz he listens to as he paints, according to supplied material, as well as jubilant family gatherings at the artist’s home.
Barry’s work is in the collection of the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Baltimore Sun and numerous corporate and private collections. Barry is also a contributing writer for ionarts, a blog for music, arts and literature.
For information call 802-442-5549 or visit vtartxchange.org.
Through Aug. 20
BAG gallery hosts exhibit of new works
BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Arts Guild presents a joint exhibit of photography by Samantha Ambrose and sculpture by Jami Gras, through August 20.
Ambrose studied photography at Bennington College, teaches art at Twin Valley Middle School in Whitingham, and lives in Bennington. Gras is originally from Troy, N.Y., and now lives in Poestenkill. The BAG gallery is a non-profit cooperative run by artists to provide a viable market for locally produced fine art and craft. Membership is open to artists in the surrounding area.
The BAG gallery is located at 103 South St., just off Four Corners. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Monday and Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For information call 802-442-7838 or visit benningtonartsguild.org. Through July 23
New Cambridge gallery features ‘Dancing Princesses’
CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. -- The Copper Trout Gallery -- featuring art, jewelry and sculpture in the newly renovated space at Cambridge Lantern Works -- had its first art opening July 7, a show featuring the fanciful kinetic sculpture "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," by local artists Arla Foster and Paula LaPorte, also works by Rochelle Wald and Cheryl Giulino. The current exhibit will continue through July 23.
Gallery receptions are held on the first Saturday of each month July to October, from 4-7 p.m.
The Cambridge Lantern Works is located at N.Y. Route 313. For information call 518-677-8797 or visit cambridgelanternworks.com.
To have brief items included in E-Week entertainment calendar send them to knorris@benningtonbanner.com.
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