On Friday, December 1st, VNRC will host a reception for Montpelier’s own John Snell in conjunction with Montpelier Art Walk. John’s exhibit, “Seemingly Impossible”, is a collection of photographs that capture the “impossible” sights all around us. John will be on-site us to discuss the methods and inspiration behind his photography and to sell prints of his work.

Doors will be open to the public from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. Light refreshments, including homemade baked goods and hot cocoa, will be served while supplies last. Additional visiting hours for John’s exhibit can be found at our website or by appointment. Contact Alex Connizzo at [email protected] for mor   ...

On Friday, December 1st, VNRC will host a reception for Montpelier’s own John Snell in conjunction with Montpelier Art Walk. John’s exhibit, “Seemingly Impossible”, is a collection of photographs that capture the “impossible” sights all around us. John will be on-site us to discuss the methods and inspiration behind his photography and to sell prints of his work.

Doors will be open to the public from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. Light refreshments, including homemade baked goods and hot cocoa, will be served while supplies last. Additional visiting hours for John’s exhibit can be found at our website or by appointment. Contact Alex Connizzo at [email protected] for more information.

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Although the Abenaki people have been a significant part of Vermont’s cultural landscape since the beginning of the Abenaki renaissance in the early 1970s, many Vermonters know little of their distinctive ancestral art, ceremonies, and subsistence technologies. Join Dr. Frederick Wiseman as he shares his recent discoveries in the persistence of Native American language, dwellings, crops/horticulture, basketry, ceremonies, music, and many other markers of indigenousness well into 20th century and beyond in Vermont. He concludes with a discussion of how this ethnic knowledge may help with cultural revitalization, public education and maintaining individual and community health.?

Although the Abenaki people have been a significant part of Vermont’s cultural landscape since the beginning of the Abenaki renaissance in the early 1970s, many Vermonters know little of their distinctive ancestral art, ceremonies, and subsistence technologies. Join Dr. Frederick Wiseman as he shares his recent discoveries in the persistence of Native American language, dwellings, crops/horticulture, basketry, ceremonies, music, and many other markers of indigenousness well into 20th century and beyond in Vermont. He concludes with a discussion of how this ethnic knowledge may help with cultural revitalization, public education and maintaining individual and community health.?

$5 VHS Members / $10 Non-Members. Free for Abenaki tribal citizens. Register here.

Dr. Wiseman was trained as a Paleoethnobotanist at the University of Arizona. After serving in the Department of Geography and Anthropology at Louisiana State University and MIT Center for Materials Research in Archaeology and Ethnology, he returned to his Vermont roots to teach and do research at Johnson State College until his retirement in 2014.

Since 1987, he has focused on the Indigenous Wabanaki people of the far Northeast. Since 2009, Wiseman has worked with Indigenous groups in New England, Quebec, and the Mid-Atlantic to re-configure an almost lost Northeastern agricultural and forest landscape heritage. Wiseman teaches ceremonial craft arts, song, dance, and ceremony as important in crop nurture as sun, rain and fertile soil. He has also recovered significant numbers of ancestral recipes to help in reviving a lapsed regional Indigenous cuisine.

His research into Wabanaki and Chesapeake Bay area food systems is detailed in his recent book The Seven Sisters: Ancient Seeds and Food Systems of the Wabanaki People (Earth Haven, 2018). He was instrumental in the research and political advocacy that led to four Vermont Indigenous bands being recognized by the state of Vermont, for which he was awarded the first Lifetime Achievement Award by the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association.

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Kicking off the holiday season on the State House lawn beginning at 4:00 pm on Monday December 4th – there will be wagon rides and opportunities to meet reindeer and farm animals. “Rudolph” the brightly lit plow truck will make another seasonal appearance.

All are welcome to join Governor Phil Scott for the 2023 Lighting of the State Christmas Tree at 4:45 pm in front of the Vermont State House in Montpelier. Joining the Governor on the front steps of the State House will be musicians performing holiday songs. This year there will be a new addition to the traditional program. Emphasizing the need to reduce Vermont’s carbon footprint, Governor Scott will illuminate    ...

Kicking off the holiday season on the State House lawn beginning at 4:00 pm on Monday December 4th – there will be wagon rides and opportunities to meet reindeer and farm animals. “Rudolph” the brightly lit plow truck will make another seasonal appearance.

All are welcome to join Governor Phil Scott for the 2023 Lighting of the State Christmas Tree at 4:45 pm in front of the Vermont State House in Montpelier. Joining the Governor on the front steps of the State House will be musicians performing holiday songs. This year there will be a new addition to the traditional program. Emphasizing the need to reduce Vermont’s carbon footprint, Governor Scott will illuminate the tree lights with the help of his Ford “Lighting” electric truck!

The majestic 40-foot blue spruce planted 40 years ago in St. Albans was donated by Matt Durfee. He was moved to offer the tree in the spirit of “Vermont Strong” honoring the resilience of many Vermont communities during the flood recovery.

Following the ceremony, light refreshments and cookies will be served. This will take place inside the State House, around the indoor Victorian Christmas tree adorned with lights and handmade ornaments decorated by the Friends of the Vermont State House. There Governor Scott will read “The Night Before Christmas” for the children who gather there. This seasonal event is free and open for all to enjoy!

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Vermont Department of Agriculture

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Join the VCFA community on the College Hall Green (36 College Street Montpelier, VT) on Tuesday, December 5th for our annual Illumination Night! We’ll light our campus and enjoy treats, hot chocolate, artwork, and live music in the College Hall Gallery. The event starts at 5:30pm. All friends and families are welcome—let’s gather to kick off the 2023 holiday season with light!

This year, we are excited to partner with the T. W. Wood Gallery to incorporate artwork from some of the wonderful schools and organizations in our community. In addition to the T. W. Wood Gallery, The New School, Pacem School, 3 O’clock Art, and The Basement Teen Center will be displaying wo   ...

Join the VCFA community on the College Hall Green (36 College Street Montpelier, VT) on Tuesday, December 5th for our annual Illumination Night! We’ll light our campus and enjoy treats, hot chocolate, artwork, and live music in the College Hall Gallery. The event starts at 5:30pm. All friends and families are welcome—let’s gather to kick off the 2023 holiday season with light!

This year, we are excited to partner with the T. W. Wood Gallery to incorporate artwork from some of the wonderful schools and organizations in our community. In addition to the T. W. Wood Gallery, The New School, Pacem School, 3 O’clock Art, and The Basement Teen Center will be displaying work inspired by the theme of Peace, Love & Light.

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How do costumes help us tell and take part in the stories we love? Cosplay is the act of dressing up as a superhero or other fictional character, is a form of expression that allows fans to bring their favorite stories and characters to life. In his book Cosplay: A History, author Andrew Liptak delves into the history of costuming and the modern cosplay movement to explore what it means for the relationships that fans have with properties, the technological advances that play a central role in its formation, and the ways that Vermonters have dressed up in costume over the years.

Liptak is the PR & Guest Services coordinator for the Vermont Historical Society. Prior to tha   ...

How do costumes help us tell and take part in the stories we love? Cosplay is the act of dressing up as a superhero or other fictional character, is a form of expression that allows fans to bring their favorite stories and characters to life. In his book Cosplay: A History, author Andrew Liptak delves into the history of costuming and the modern cosplay movement to explore what it means for the relationships that fans have with properties, the technological advances that play a central role in its formation, and the ways that Vermonters have dressed up in costume over the years.

Liptak is the PR & Guest Services coordinator for the Vermont Historical Society. Prior to that, he worked as a journalist for more than a decade, appearing in publications such as Clarkesworld Magazine, Cosplay Central, Gizmodo, Grist, io9, OneZero, Polygon, Slate, Uncanny Magazine, The Verge, and other publications.

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Vermont’s award-winning professional theater presents favorite poet/playwright David Budbill’s wondrous and whacky “Two for Christmas” in a new version emphasizing enjoyment for the whole family.

This staged reading includes two shows in one! Travel back in time to 1479 England in “The Second Shepherds Play,” —and end up 500 years later in Budbill’s mythical Judevine with Antoine, Doug, Arnie, and Tommy in “The Pulp Cutters’ Nativity.”

Covid Safety Protocols: LNT’s State of the Art Bio-Defense Air Purification “Synexis” System is in service 24/7 keeping everyone as safe as possible. LNT strongly encourages audience members to wea   ...

Vermont’s award-winning professional theater presents favorite poet/playwright David Budbill’s wondrous and whacky “Two for Christmas” in a new version emphasizing enjoyment for the whole family.

This staged reading includes two shows in one! Travel back in time to 1479 England in “The Second Shepherds Play,” —and end up 500 years later in Budbill’s mythical Judevine with Antoine, Doug, Arnie, and Tommy in “The Pulp Cutters’ Nativity.”

Covid Safety Protocols: LNT’s State of the Art Bio-Defense Air Purification “Synexis” System is in service 24/7 keeping everyone as safe as possible. LNT strongly encourages audience members to wear masks which performers deeply appreciate, but masks are not required.

WHERE: Lost Nation Theater and Online
COST: $10­­–20 In person by donation
INFO: www.lostnationtheater.org

LNT SPONSORS: Flood & Recovery Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, City of Montpelier, Vermont Mutual Insurance, Montpelier Strong Recovery Fund, National Life Group, Eternity, Vermont Arts Council/NEA and The World.

ABOUT LNT:
Lost Nation Theater, named “One of the Best Regional Theaters in America” by the New York Drama League, and Best in Vermont – VT Magazine, won Broadway World’s 2020 Theater of the Decade Award, and the 2019’s Regional Theatre of the Year Award, Yankee Magazine’s Best of New England Award, & NETC’s Outstanding Theater Award.

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The League of Women Voters of Vermont, in partnership with Kellogg-Hubbard Library presents the first in its 2023-24 Lecture Series on Election Issues and Democracy. This season we look at issues both structural and cultural that affect voter attitudes and election results.

This year the series returns to in-person presentations at the library. The programs will also be live-streamed by Onion River Community Access TV (orcamedia.net).

The second program, on Wednesday, December 13 at 7:00 pm presents Susan Clark, speaking on Constructive Discourse. Clark is a writer and educator focusing on community sustainability and citizen participation, an award-winni   ...

The League of Women Voters of Vermont, in partnership with Kellogg-Hubbard Library presents the first in its 2023-24 Lecture Series on Election Issues and Democracy. This season we look at issues both structural and cultural that affect voter attitudes and election results.

This year the series returns to in-person presentations at the library. The programs will also be live-streamed by Onion River Community Access TV (orcamedia.net).

The second program, on Wednesday, December 13 at 7:00 pm presents Susan Clark, speaking on Constructive Discourse. Clark is a writer and educator focusing on community sustainability and citizen participation, an award-winning radio commentator and former talk-show co-host. She has taught community development at the college level for ten years. Clark’s democratic activism has earned her broad recognition, including the 2010 Vermont Secretary of State¹s Enduring Democracy Award. She serves as Town Moderator of Middlesex, Vermont

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Vermont’s award-winning professional theater presents favorite poet/playwright David Budbill’s wondrous and whacky “Two for Christmas” in a new version emphasizing enjoyment for the whole family. This staged reading includes two shows in one! Travel back in time to 1479 England in “The Second Shepherds Play,” —and end up 500 years later in Budbill’s mythical Judevine with Antoine, Doug, Arnie, and Tommy in “The Pulp Cutters’ Nativity.” Covid Safety Protocols: LNT’s State of the Art Bio-Defense Air Purification “Synexis” System is in service 24/7 keeping everyone as safe as possible. LNT strongly encourages audience members to wear masks which performers deeply   ...

Vermont’s award-winning professional theater presents favorite poet/playwright David Budbill’s wondrous and whacky “Two for Christmas” in a new version emphasizing enjoyment for the whole family. This staged reading includes two shows in one! Travel back in time to 1479 England in “The Second Shepherds Play,” —and end up 500 years later in Budbill’s mythical Judevine with Antoine, Doug, Arnie, and Tommy in “The Pulp Cutters’ Nativity.” Covid Safety Protocols: LNT’s State of the Art Bio-Defense Air Purification “Synexis” System is in service 24/7 keeping everyone as safe as possible. LNT strongly encourages audience members to wear masks which performers deeply appreciate, but masks are not required. WHERE: Lost Nation Theater and Online COST: $10­­–20 In person by donation INFO: www.lostnationtheater.org LNT SPONSORS: Flood & Recovery Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, City of Montpelier, Vermont Mutual Insurance, Montpelier Strong Recovery Fund, National Life Group, Eternity, Vermont Arts Council/NEA and The World. ABOUT LNT: Lost Nation Theater, named “One of the Best Regional Theaters in America” by the New York Drama League, and Best in Vermont – VT Magazine, won Broadway World’s 2020 Theater of the Decade Award, and the 2019’s Regional Theatre of the Year Award, Yankee Magazine’s Best of New England Award, & NETC’s Outstanding Theater Award.

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Performed by actor Dan Butler of NBC’s Frasier and presented by Vermont Public Theater.

This event is free with donations going to the Vermont Community Foundation to support their flood relief efforts.

A Christmas Memory is Truman Capote’s story about his Alabama childhood with an eccentric elderly cousin, first published in 1956: Seven-year-old Buddy knows that the Christmas season has arrived when his cousin, Miss Sook Falk exclaims: “It’s fruitcake weather!” Thus begins an unforgettable portrait of an odd, but enduring, friendship between two innocent souls—one young and one old—and the memories they share of beloved holiday rituals.

Performed by actor Dan Butler of NBC’s Frasier and presented by Vermont Public Theater.

This event is free with donations going to the Vermont Community Foundation to support their flood relief efforts.

A Christmas Memory is Truman Capote’s story about his Alabama childhood with an eccentric elderly cousin, first published in 1956: Seven-year-old Buddy knows that the Christmas season has arrived when his cousin, Miss Sook Falk exclaims: “It’s fruitcake weather!” Thus begins an unforgettable portrait of an odd, but enduring, friendship between two innocent souls—one young and one old—and the memories they share of beloved holiday rituals.

Presented with permission from the Truman Capote Literary Trust.

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The Onion River Chorus presents “Leaders of the Pack”, a program of seven pieces written by composers when they were in their early twenties, on Saturday, December 16, 7:30 pm, and Sunday, December 17, 4:00 pm, at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier. Admission is $20 (free for18 and under). Tickets are available through sevendaystickets.com and at the door.

Artistic Director Richard Riley will conduct a variety of sacred and secular music that was chosen to showcase the extraordinary precocity of famous composers Felix Mendelssohn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johannes Brahms, and J.S. Bach. The program will start and finish with two pieces for eight vocal parts by the yo   ...

The Onion River Chorus presents “Leaders of the Pack”, a program of seven pieces written by composers when they were in their early twenties, on Saturday, December 16, 7:30 pm, and Sunday, December 17, 4:00 pm, at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier. Admission is $20 (free for18 and under). Tickets are available through sevendaystickets.com and at the door.

Artistic Director Richard Riley will conduct a variety of sacred and secular music that was chosen to showcase the extraordinary precocity of famous composers Felix Mendelssohn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johannes Brahms, and J.S. Bach. The program will start and finish with two pieces for eight vocal parts by the youngest composer on the program, the 21 year-old Mendelssohn. Also included will be a fervent composition for four vocal parts in back-and-forth dialogue with four instrumental parts by the 28 year-old J.S. Bach. Accompanying the 60-voice Onion River Chorus will be violinists Ira Morris and Pam Reit, violist Ana Ruesink, cellist Perri Morris, double bassist Evan Premo and organist Lynnette Combs.

There will be a reception following the Sunday concert, with proceeds to benefit the Montpelier Food Pantry. Please note that due to flood damage to the elevator at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, the concert venue is currently not handicapped-accessible. For more info visit onionriverchorus.org or call 802.476.2541.

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Famed & beloved Yankee storyteller Willem Lange is back- Live and On Stage (and livestreamed) at Lost Nation Theater performing his reading of "A Christmas Carol: a ghost story" by Charles Dickens. Lange uses the cutting of the novel Dickens himself used when performing the tale.

Emmy-winner Lange’s tradition of reading Dickens’ Christmas Carol began in 1975. He always performs to benefit “The Haven” in the Upper Valley. In addition to Lange donating his fee to The Haven, LNT will donate a percentage of its proceeds to Just Basics Food Pantry and Good Samaritan.

The performance runs approximately 70 minutes without an intermission.

Cov   ...

Famed & beloved Yankee storyteller Willem Lange is back- Live and On Stage (and livestreamed) at Lost Nation Theater performing his reading of "A Christmas Carol: a ghost story" by Charles Dickens. Lange uses the cutting of the novel Dickens himself used when performing the tale.

Emmy-winner Lange’s tradition of reading Dickens’ Christmas Carol began in 1975. He always performs to benefit “The Haven” in the Upper Valley. In addition to Lange donating his fee to The Haven, LNT will donate a percentage of its proceeds to Just Basics Food Pantry and Good Samaritan.

The performance runs approximately 70 minutes without an intermission.

Covid Safety Protocols: Masks are strongly encouraged. (Seating may be slightly reduced to allow for more patron spacing). LNT’s State of the Art Bio-Defense Air Purification “Synexis” System is also in service 24/7 keeping everyone as safe as possible

WHEN: Tuesday, December 19, 2023
TIME: 7pm
WHERE: Lost Nation Theater! (montpelier city hall arts center)
COST: $20 General/ $15 Students & Seniors / $10 Youth (under 12).
center reserved guarantee seats available for additional fee
$20 Live-Stream & On-Demand.
INFO & TICKETS: www.lostnationtheater.org

SPONSORS: Vermont Recovery & Resiliance Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, Montpelier Strong Fund, The City of Montpelier, Vermont Mutual Insurance, National Life Group, The World, Eternity, Vermont Arts Council/NEA, The Estate of Ted Richards, The Mary Shriver Fund of the Alan Weiss Estate


ABOUT LNT: Lost Nation Theater winner “Theater of the Decade” – Broadway World (2020); “Best of New England”, Yankee Magazine, was named “One of the Best regional theaters in America” by the New York Drama League, “Outstanding Achievement Award” from the New England Theatre Conference; and has won the People’s Choice awards from both Seven Days and The Times Argus for Best Theater.

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Please join us at Barr Hill as we celebrate community and resilence in Montpelier.
We will have live music from Django Soulo from 6-8pm, and DJ Satta Sound from 8pm-midnight riniging in the new year with some great dance tunes.

The party starts at 6pm and we will have a full raw bar and some other fun small plates for purchase along with amazing holiday cocktails and all your fav's. We'll have a midnight sparkling toast with local donuts VT. The cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door, plus tax, gratuity and service fees.

We hope you will join us and celebrate all Monteplier has to offer this season!
Purchase tickets through sevend days: h   ...

Please join us at Barr Hill as we celebrate community and resilence in Montpelier.
We will have live music from Django Soulo from 6-8pm, and DJ Satta Sound from 8pm-midnight riniging in the new year with some great dance tunes.

The party starts at 6pm and we will have a full raw bar and some other fun small plates for purchase along with amazing holiday cocktails and all your fav's. We'll have a midnight sparkling toast with local donuts VT. The cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door, plus tax, gratuity and service fees.

We hope you will join us and celebrate all Monteplier has to offer this season!
Purchase tickets through sevend days: https://sevendaystickets.com/events/NYE2023

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All Brains Belong VT is hosting a virtual New Year’s Eve Celebration on Sun 12/31/23 5-7:30PM. At a time when rising rates of COVID-19 in the community have forced many community members to choose between social connection and health, the Montpelier-based nonprofit decided to create a COVID-safe way to ring in the new year.

All Brains Belong’s “Virtual New Year’s Eve” Celebration will feature live performances by Rajnii Eddins, Poppi’s Planet and Todd Gevry.

In addition, there will be Zoom breakout rooms featuring a wide range of low-demand activities for ages, including “parallel play" arts & crafts, illustration karaoke, and special interest   ...

All Brains Belong VT is hosting a virtual New Year’s Eve Celebration on Sun 12/31/23 5-7:30PM. At a time when rising rates of COVID-19 in the community have forced many community members to choose between social connection and health, the Montpelier-based nonprofit decided to create a COVID-safe way to ring in the new year.

All Brains Belong’s “Virtual New Year’s Eve” Celebration will feature live performances by Rajnii Eddins, Poppi’s Planet and Todd Gevry.

In addition, there will be Zoom breakout rooms featuring a wide range of low-demand activities for ages, including “parallel play" arts & crafts, illustration karaoke, and special interest groups.

Tickets are by donation, raising money to support All Brains Belong’s neurodiversity-affirming healthcare and social connection and community education programs for kids and adults that are offered year-round at no cost to participants.

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