During lunch-hour on weekdays, Montpelier’s streets are bustling! Between lawmakers, lawyers, business owners, and tourists, everybody enjoys taking a break and frequenting the abundance of eateries downtown. As people wander and search for a place to sit and relax in the Vermont summer weather, they might hear melodies drifting from the Christ Church Courtyard, where live musicians take the stage every week in August and early September. The Hunger Mountain Co-op Brown Bag Concert Series, hosted by Montpelier Alive, features excellent music from across the region. These free and fun noon-time concerts brighten everyone's day, even if just passing by. Check out this year’s line-up, curated by Fred Wilber, past owner of Buch Spieler Records:
August 4th, Twangtown Paramours: Nashville-based husband-and-wife duo Mike T. Lewis and MaryBeth Zamer, known on stage as The Twangtown Paramours, have made a name for themselves defying boundaries with their award-winning catalog of Americana, folk, and blues anthems. With a slew of accolades for their three full-length albums, they’ve earned a loyal following, balancing serious instrumental and vocal chops with witty stage banter and a lighthearted approach to life.
August 11th, Big Hat No Cattle: With guitars, steel guitar, fiddle, and smooth vocals up front, Big Hat, No Cattle plays old and new songs with a vintage western vibe. Danceable and fun, western swing is a rich melting pot of styles, including swing-era jazz, honky-tonk country, frontier fiddle tunes, cowboy songs, and more.Based in Central Vermont, the quartet features a variety of songs and tunes that lift the spirits--and dancing feet-- in full western style.
August 18th, Ras Moshe: Ras Moshe Burnett hails from Brooklyn NY from a family of Jazz musicians. His grandfather (Ted “Barnett” professionally) played in many big band formations of the late 30’s throughout the 60’s,and later wrote religious music for the New Caanan Baptist Church in Brooklyn. Ras has been playing in and leading bands for 20 years starting with Reggae bands in the Brooklyn area. Ras is a composer and multi-instrumentalist specializing in saxophone and flute.
August 25th, The Larkspurs: Vermont based trio - Liz Beatty, Django Soulo and D. Davis - performing impromptu harmonies, emotional vocals and otherworldly guitar solos. Bringing originals and creative covers with a blend of folk, rock, blues, and country.
September 1st, A2VT: Representing Somalia, Congo, Tanzania and Burundi and currently living in Burlington, Vermont, A2VT synthesizes their native African musical and dance roots with Western pop and Hip Hop sensibilities. Their songs, performed in up to eight unique languages, reflect their journey from Africa to America, and celebrate the musical collision of two continents and the party that ensues!
September 8th, KeruBo: KeruBo is a Vermont-based singer/songwriter born in Kendu Bay, Kenya. She has been a working musician for more than 20 years. Her musical influences range from traditional African music to gospel, blues, and Afro-jazz.
The Hunger Mountain Co-op Brown Bag Concert series helps to remind community members to slow down and take in the beauty of our small town. Savor the summer with our performers, and a delicious take-out meal from a local restaurant.