Seven Days, December 13, 2017 by Seven Days

V ERM ONT ’S INDEP E NDE NT VO IC E DECEMBER 13-20, 2017 VOL.23 NO.14 SEVENDAYSVT.COM

WINTER ISSUE INSIDE!

The

Clean

Room

Burlington’s Turning Point Center fights addiction with coffee, crafts and community B Y C AT H Y R ES M ER , PA G E 32

LOONIE BIZ

PAGE 16

Gov. Scott courts Canadian cash

FAKE NEWS

PAGE 42

Roy Wood Jr. on satire

MEAT TOO

PAGE 46

Women on the killing floor

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THE LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

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DECEMBER 6-13, 2017

ASSOCIATED PRESS, BRYNN ANDERSON

COMPILED BY SASHA GOLDSTEIN, MATTHEW ROY & ANDREA SUOZZO

HOT TIP

Former Alabama chief justice and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore speaking at a campaign rally in Dora, Ala.

A recent study found that Vermont is sitting on magma pockets commonly found in volcanic zones. Awfully cold up here, though.

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SPECIAL GUEST ARTISTS DEVON TEUSCHER VBT Alumni, Principal with American Ballet Theatre CHASE FINLAY Principal with New York City Ballet

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project for an example of the latter.) the house’s “responsiveness to the The character of the public façades site” — oriented toward the sun on Maple Street is meant to echo rather than a view — and a “holisthe neighborhood’s modest gable- tic aesthetic that reads all around,” roofed homes. referring to a series of variations According to CBT principal Paul on a form that, as a group, exhibit Viccica, the LEED Gold-certified restraint and consistency. dorms are on a geothermal system A more interesting mediumthat taps into the same size house project, Hill Section aquifer to this viewer’s eye, that regulates the was Board + Batten, climate at admissions by BIRDSEYE DESIGN in Richmond. One of and welcome building Perry Hall. The buildfour projects to win a Merit Award, the ings incorporate ultraefficient water-usage T-shaped guesthouse measures — water is at the edge of a wood the main energy hog in in Plymouth Notch dorms, noted Viccica has a deep cedar BIL L MAC L AY soffit that matches its — and stormwater is recaptured in a bioswale on the deck, and a creative composition of quad’s common, thereby replenish- vertical siding made from painted ing the aquifer. board, mirror-polish stainless steel The other Honor Award winner and windows. Birdseye won last was the sleek, luxurious Green year’s sole Honor Award. Mountain Getaway by Flavin Permanent residences such as Architects. The project features these bring to mind the sobering a shingled exterior with variable- Harvard University study published height shed roofs arranged around VERMONT ARCHITECTS » P.24 a stone chimney. Jurors applauded

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expansion and addition by WIEMANN in Colchester won the fourth Merit Award. When accepting it, the group particularly commended VPR as a client: The

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Contact: lilly@sevendaysvt.com

INFO Learn more at aiavt.org.

COURTESY OF PAULA SHERR

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in September, which noted Joan Heaton Architects that New England is losing 65 acres of forest per day to development. Green Mountain Getaway occupies a 90-acre site that, as described, contains only old logging roads and 19thcentury stone walls; Board + Batten sits on a five-acre site of forest and meadow that’s otherwise undeveloped. One Citation Award, by contrast, went to a group of impermanent structures in Vermont woods. “Seven Rural Interventions” consists of seven years of projects created during Studio North. That’s an annual weeklong summer designbuild intensive in Norwich, Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design run by Keith Moskow and Robert Linn of Boston’s Moskow Linn Architects. The pair wrote a 2012 book original plan was simply to renovate on contemporary “follies” — small but exquisite structures in- an existing building, they noted, but tended to address humans’ place in the radio station soon saw the light and added a pleasing semicircular nature. The student-designed structures, addition with a 90-kilowatt rooftop now either in use on the forest lot or solar array. Finally, the stunning interior of in storage, include the Consumable Bristol architect ELIZABETH HERRMANN Sugar Shack, whose walls are stacked Timeline ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN’s with firewood for boiling sap; and House in Cornwall so impressed the a trailer-pulled Viewing Structure, which frames a view from a bowed en- jury that they created a special award closure clad with curved crossbeams. for it: Citation for Interior Design. Jurors called the structures — which “Who wouldn’t want to be in these also won awards from Residential rooms?” they wrote. The slab-marble Architect (a journal of the AIA) and kitchen island alone deserves an the Boston Society of Architects/ award. Soon-to-be-chapter-president AIA — “odd” and “fascinating.” Moskow and Linn said by phone that Nedzinski reported that AIAVT is they’re not sure how much longer spearheading a new sustainability they’ll run the Studio North program. effort within the national organization that entails rewriting the Impermanence doesn’t pay. The Vermont vernacular is alive toothless sixth canon of the AIA’s and well in two other Merit Award ethics code. That section currently winners. JOAN HEATON ARCHITECTS urges environmental sustainability of Bristol created a simple, airy but lacks the actionable steps preshouse with VERMONT MODERN BARN in ent in each of the other five canons. Weybridge. Bunk beds hide behind Nedzinski and others want architects sliding barn doors in the living area; a to face consequences if and when half loft holds the bedroom. And GBA they contribute to greenhouse gases, in Montpelier designed the Littleton for example. While that might sound pie-inFood Co-op in New Hampshire to echo the shed-like structures of a the-sky, she has hope: The next national AIA president, Carl Elefante, is farmers’ market. The new VERMONT PUBLIC RADIO a recognized sustainability expert. m

COURTESY OF JIM WESTPHALEN

MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT

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NOVEL GRAPHICS FROM THE CENTER FOR CARTOON STUDIES

SEVENDAYSVT.COM 12.13.17-12.20.17 SEVEN DAYS

ANDI SANTAGATA is a cartoonist living in White River Junction and

ART 25

attending the Center for Cartoon Studies. They’re mostly known for their webcomic, Trans Man Walking, as well as for making horror-comedy comix for angry teens. Their work has appeared in BuzzFeed and the Nib — and in the clutches of delinquents everywhere.To learn more, visit andi-santagata.squarespace.com.

DRAWN & PANELED IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN SEVEN DAYS AND THE CENTER FOR CARTOON STUDIES IN WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, FEATURING WORKS BY PAST AND PRESENT STUDENTS. FOR MORE INFO, VISIT CCS ONLINE AT CARTOONSTUDIES.ORG.

WORK

VERMONTERS ON THE JOB

One Sweet Gig B Y KEN PI CA R D

26 WORK

SEVEN DAYS: How does developing pint flavors differ from developing those sold in scoop shops? SARAH FIDLER: There’s a little bit more flexibility with scoop shops. From our point of view, there’s still a ton of work that goes into scoop shop flavor development, but you’re not creating a whole new package. From the consumer’s standpoint, you’re only committing to one scoop, not a whole pint. So you might be more willing

MATTHEW THORSEN

SEVEN DAYS 12.13.17-12.20.17 SEVENDAYSVT.COM

f Sarah Fidler’s parents warned her as a child not to play with her food, she’s had the last laugh. She now plays with her food every day — and gets paid to do it. Fidler, 29, is one of only five “flavor gurus” at Ben & Jerry’s corporate headquarters in South Burlington. Her job is to develop new ice cream flavors for the pints sold in U.S. store freezers. Other flavor gurus work on Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop flavors and products sold overseas. How’d this Rochester, N.Y., native land what is arguably one of the most coveted jobs in food-product development? With impressive culinary credentials and a well-timed job application, sent via NAME cellphone while Fidler Sarah Fidler was vacationing at a remote cabin, sans TOWN internet connection, in South Burlington Maine. Fidler got her JOB bachelor’s degree in Flavor guru, nutrition, food science and dietetics at the Ben & Jerry’s University of Vermont in 2010, followed by a degree from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. During college, she spent six months in Paris studying French pastries and food culture. Her thesis topic: petits fours. After five years of working for Lake Champlain Chocolates, Fidler landed her “dream job” with Ben & Jerry’s last year. She now spends nearly half her time in the test kitchen. On a good day, she’ll create seven or eight “builds,” or potential new flavors, making about eight pints apiece. A trial run in the factory means making at least 80,000 pints. Fidler and her colleagues occasionally go on “trend treks” to other cities, where they spend days sampling the local cuisine. She pores over food magazines and blogs and visits local bakeries and restaurants in search of flavor ideas, then she jots them down in a notebook to try out later. Last summer, for instance, she whipped up a small batch of basil ice cream with strawberry and balsamic caramel and offered it to visitors touring Ben & Jerry’s Waterbury factory. “Those are the out-there ideas that are fun to play around with,” Fidler said. “If you went back 10 or 15 years, people might have been like, ‘Salted caramel? Why would you ever put salt in your caramel?’ So we try to keep our eyes open, because maybe in 10 years strawberries and basil will be big. Who knows?”

Sarah Fidler working with a new ice cream flavor

to try something new and different. Whereas, if you’re in a supermarket, you’re probably just going to buy one pint, so most people buy their “go-to” flavor. SD: Do you try your competitors’ ice cream? SF: We eat a lot of different ice cream brands: brands from the Burlington area and brands you can only buy online. We’re always trying to see what’s out there and what other companies are doing. I have a brother in Switzerland, and, when I went to visit him, any chance I could I’d go into gelato shops and chocolate shops. My parents live in Charleston, [S.C.,] and the last time I visited them, I spent half a day eating ice cream. My mom was like, “This is your work? Really?” SD: What’s the most challenging part of your job? SF: I’d say putting all this time and effort into a flavor that may never hit the shelf. When we start a project with 10 builds, we know it’s going to get narrowed down. So, from 10, we may get one or two that eventually make it onto shelves. I learned a long time ago not to get too personally attached to any one flavor. SD: Do you ever create flavors that you know Ben & Jerry’s will never sell? SF: We’ve done some really fun, just-for-us ice creams. One of the other [flavor] gurus was at Costco a few months ago, and figs were in season and on sale. So

he bought some figs and some port, cooked them up, and then took that liquid and made ice cream. Then he made rosemary corn bread and put it into a food processor so it was like a graham cracker variegate. That was a delicious ice cream, but one we couldn’t make in the factory. SD: What’s the best part of your job? SF: It’s an excellent company to work for. I’ve got my small polar bear here with me [a 115-pound Great Pyrenees named Boon]. When I was at UVM, I was involved with Habitat for Humanity and the [American] Red Cross. I wanted to feel like, aside from whatever paycheck I was getting, I was actually doing some good in the world. I’m not a grassroots-organizer kind of person, but it’s great to support a company that has such a positive social mission. We get 40 hours of paid volunteer time. I spent four days this fall building houses down in Charleston. Plus, who wouldn’t want to play with ice cream all day? m Contact: ken@sevendaysvt.com

INFO Work is a monthly interview feature showcasing a Vermonter with an interesting occupation. Suggest a job you would like to know more about: news@sevendaysvt.com.

On December 14 the FCC will vote to end Net Neutrality

WE WON’T BLOCK WE WON’T THROTTLE WE WON’T CAP DATA

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Burlington Telecom will continue to stand by and follow the principles of a free and open internet, regardless of FCC action.

12.13.17-12.20.17 SEVEN DAYS

Learn more at burlingtontelecom.com 27

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Get your picture taken with Santa, then ride a mini train and horse-drawn trolley! Keep the fun going with holiday shopping, great dining, plus a blockbuster movie!

VISITS & PHOTOS WITH SANTA:

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Weekdays 3-7pm • Saturdays 12-7pm • Sundays 1- 6pm A variety of photo packages and digital downloads available on site at Santa’s Workshop, located adjacent to Grazers.

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HACKIE

A VERMONT CABBIE’S REAR VIEW BY JERNIGAN PONTIAC

Le King It’s a dark, windy and altogether gloomy time of year. Myself, I find a desolate charm in the bleakness, but I recognize that’s an acquired taste and not a tourist-tempting feature of the Vermont experience. As the woman gave me the name of their hotel, her English was perfect, though I detected a lovely French accent. Not the accent of our friends to the north, however.

must grate on the ears of a cultured Parisian. Ella Fitzgerald, the great swing songstress, began singing on the car radio. I had on the Beatles satellite channel, and Ella was covering “Can’t Buy Me Love.” “How do you folks like this music?” I asked. To be honest, I was kind of testing their level of cultural snobbery. “Oh, we love the Beatles,” the man replied, surprising me. “That’s Ella

HER ENGLISH WAS PERFECT,

THOUGH I DETECTED A LOVELY FRENCH ACCENT. “You folks aren’t Montréalers, I gather?” I asked as we pulled into traffic. “Oh, no, we’re visiting from Paris,” the man responded. “So, I guess that makes you French Frenchies,” I suggested. “Yes, it does,” the man said, and all three of us laughed together. “Have you visited Montréal?” I asked. “Yes, my husband and I were just there for the past week,” the woman replied. “They certainly have, well, let us say a distinct way of speaking.” I chuckled at her discretion. Historically, the French have been unusually protective of their native tongue — some might even say haughty. In this regard, I’ve always seen the colorful Québécois as the Brooklyn version of French people. And I don’t mean the millennial, hip Brooklyn of today, but the old-school, Guys and Dolls version of my hometown, the setting of my youth. As such, the earthy patois of the Québécois

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INFO Hackie is a twice-monthly column that can also be read on sevendaysvt.com. To reach Jernigan, email hackie@sevendaysvt.com.

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HACKIE 29

PILATES I BARRE I FITNESS

All these stories are true, though names and locations may be altered to protect privacy.

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Gift Cards available online!

P.S. On December 6, Johnny Hallyday passed away. RIP, the French Elvis. m

12.13.17-12.20.17

Share the gift of strength and balance

Fitzgerald, isn’t it? An unusual choice of song for her, wouldn’t you say?” “Yeah, I never knew she attempted any rock-and-roll tunes. But it’s kind of nice in an odd way, I think. Who’s your favorite band or singer, if I may ask?” “Monsieur, that’s an easy question,” the man replied. “We love Elvis.” “Elvis Presley?” I said. “I had no idea the King was even popular in France.” “Oh, yes,” the woman said. “We even got to see him a few times in Las Vegas before he passed.” “So, I’m wondering: the young, svelte Elvis or the older, chunky Elvis — whom do you prefer?” Chuckling, the man said, “We love every Elvis equally. We choose no favorites among the Elvi.” “Great answer,” I said, chuckling along. “Do you know that, worldwide, there are reportedly over 5,000 people who earn a full-time living as an Elvis impersonator? One just performed about

a month ago at the Flynn, our largest local theater.” “Well, that number seems plausible to me,” the man replied. “Elvis is still so beloved all around the world, some 40 years after his passing.” “Wasn’t there a French performer known as the French Elvis? I remember hearing that.” “Yes, I think you’re speaking of Johnny Hallyday. We love him, too. We must have seen him at least 20 times. Wouldn’t you say, Gabrielle?” “Oh, at least, Jacques,” Gabrielle confirmed. As we approached their hotel, I had one more question. It was a long shot, but I just had to ask. “Hey, when you saw Elvis in Las Vegas, you didn’t get married at one of those Elvis chapels, did you? Because that would be too perfect.” In my rearview mirror, I watched Gabrielle and Jacques laugh and take one another’s hands. “How did you guess?” Gabrielle replied. “Yes, August 23, 1975, at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. It’s been 42 years, and we’re still — as you Americans say — going strong.”

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

hat the heck do Los Angelenos talk about all day? I was contemplating this question as I sat idling at the Church Street taxi stand. I’m told that the weather in southern California is remarkably consistent year-round: sunny, warm, clear skies. Yes, I know, it’s disgusting. Here in Vermont we have at least four distinct seasons, and, within them, the modulations are legendary. Perhaps because of that variety, Vermonters embrace weather talk like nobody’s business. With nary an exception, every local who enters my cab is going to talk to me about the weather. I used to find such conversation trite, but now I thrive on it. The big topic through late November was the abrupt and startling arrival of winter. Most falls feature a warm-up — or, should I say, cool-down — period: a gradual decline in average daily temperatures during which our bodies acclimate to the seasonal change. This fall, the temperatures hovered in the sixties, even seventies, for the longest time, until — whap! — the Big Freeze arrived unannounced, like an unwelcome relative. So, this has been great fun to talk about — that is, complain about. Duty called, ending my reverie. The older man and woman who climbed into the back of my taxi were tourists, which was a minor surprise. Except for the few days surrounding Thanksgiving, the stretch between the end of the foliage season and Christmas — when the ski season really kicks in — is notable for its paucity of out-of-town visitors.

THE STRAIGHT DOPE BY CECIL ADAMS

Dear Cecil,

I read that mankind will soon lose its handle on disease management — that vaccines and everything else will fail because evolution is faster than invention. Are we heading back to 25-year life spans because germs are invincible? — Dirty Harold

12.13.17-12.20.17

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

here’s good news, and there’s bad news, the good being that fears about ineffective vaccines may be, for now at least, overblown — cause for concern, but not outright panic. Germs in general, though? Can’t hit the panic button hard enough. Let’s start with the relatively sunny stuff. From an evolutionary biology perspective, a highly lethal virus isn’t always a particularly successful one: for a virus, thriving means spreading, and one that ices its host too quickly doesn’t get as much chance to travel. Natural selection nudges viruses toward a kind of equilibrium, dampening their virulence to score the max number of hits in a given population. Vaccination, the worry goes, might mess this up. Because certain vaccines, described as “imperfect,” don’t halt virus transmission but just inoculate potential hosts, they may encourage the spread of more virulent strains. I’m guessing what you read may have related

to a 2015 study involving chickens: Birds infected with a nasty strain of Marek’s disease, a lethal condition afflicting confined poultry, were let loose among the greater flock, some of whose members had been imperfectly vaccinated against it. Unvaccinated chickens that contracted the disease died before they could transmit it; the vaccinated ones survived to pass it along to their peers. Most experts buy the imperfect-vax hypothesis in theory, though nobody thought this study proved it — including its lead author, biologist Andrew Read. Detractors worried about giving ammo to anti-vaxxers, while Read argued mostly that it underscored the need for comprehensive disease management: vaccines plus other measures to block transmission, like mosquito nets. Largely, of course, vaccines are a story of great accomplishment. They shine all the brighter, though, in comparison with the antimicrobials, particularly antibiotics,

administered to treat bacterial infection. And here’s where we panic: Humans are losing the fight against infectious diseases because, as you say, bacteria are evolving resistance to these drugs faster than we’re creating new ones. Surely you’ve heard of the terrifying infections, often billed as “superbugs,” popping up in hospitals, schools, and gyms — the most famous being the vicious staph strain called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. Such bugs are the complete package: highly contagious, hypervirulent and virtually untreatable, causing those infected to die of things like septic shock and organ failure. While MRSA has hogged the spotlight, new resistant strains are identified regularly. According to a recent major report commissioned by the British government, at least 700,000 people are now dying annually as a result of resistant infections, and by 2050 that number could be 10 million.

As I say, we’re losing the battle, but in our defense we’re barely trying. The problem is multifaceted. One source of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), for example, is the livestock industry, which pumps animals full of antibiotics to promote growth; a factory farm is basically an evolutionary training camp for up-and-coming resistant microbes. A recent U.S. Food & Drug Administration report indicates that antibiotic sales to livestock farms may finally be peaking, following years of activism. But the feds have long been reluctant to flex much muscle on this issue, and one doesn’t imagine that changing in the current regulatory environment. Then there’s the drug industry. Back in 2004, investigative journalist Maryn McKenna counted just five antibiotics then in development by pharmaceutical companies, as opposed to 500-plus to treat chronic diseases. With little progress since, last year a public-private partnership in the U.S. and the UK was formed hoping to lure firms into doing more antibiotics R&D; one hopes the hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked for this initiative will be enough of a carrot. It’s not hard to puzzle out the drug makers’ reluctance: It costs about $1 billion to develop a new antibiotic — money wasted if/when the microbes evolve to resist it. What?

Did you think Big Pharma was here to save lives? The future we’re looking at, some fear, is a medical Dark Ages. Right now, antibiotics are used to treat infection but also to prevent it — they’re given prophylactically in surgeries like joint replacement and C-section, and in cancer treatments that suppress the immune system, like chemotherapy. In the worst-case scenario, those now-routine procedures become too risky to perform — the benefits (you walk better on your new knee) not justifying the dangers (death by opportunistic infection). As downstream effects go, we’re just getting started. Here’s another: If something like malaria becomes untreatable by antibiotics, folks will avoid parts of the world where it prevails, depressing trade and investment in already underdeveloped parts of the globe. Malaria’s geographic footprint, meanwhile, is expected to grow due to climate change. I mention this because antimicrobial resistance and global warming are really quite similar problems: huge, deadly and diffuse enough that solving them will require unprecedented international cooperation and the willingness of corporations to perhaps forgo a few bucks for the greater good. Where they differ is that, with AMR, it might not yet be too late.

INFO

Is there something you need to get straight? Cecil Adams can deliver the Straight Dope on any topic. Send questions to Cecil via straightdope.com or write him c/o Chicago Reader, 350 N. Orleans, Chicago 60654.

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The

Clean

T Room Burlington’s Turning Point Center fights addiction with coffee, crafts and community

32 FEATURE

SEVEN DAYS

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BY CATHY R E S ME R

Recovery mask (above) and addiction mask (facing page) by Sara Glasgow PHOTOS: CATHY RESMER

he street-level entrance to the Turning Point Center of Chittenden County looks a little sketchy. Though the cheery signs outside the door at 191 Bank Street in downtown Burlington announce it’s “a safe and supportive environment for those in recovery” and “open every day of the year!” there’s no missing the warning from the Vermont Department of Health. “If you are using heroin,” the state-sanctioned poster cautions, “it could be stronger than you think.” The warning refers to fentanyl, a narcotic 50 times more potent than heroin that is often mixed in with the drug. The results are sometimes deadly. “If you are using,” the sign pleads, “call to get help.” Alternately, addicts can head upstairs to Turning Point, a refuge for ordinary Vermonters who are trying to find their way out of drug dependence. In the stairwell, a mural depicts a giant hand reaching down to a solitary slouching figure. Just outside the Turning Point door at the top of the stairs, another message, written in elegant gold script, reads: “You are no longer alone.” On Thanksgiving morning, a group of 20 or so people sat at tables in the windowless common room that had been decorated for the holiday with lights, handmade ornaments and colorful gourds. They talked, read books from the center’s library or texted on their phones. Occasionally, someone strummed one of the center’s two acoustic guitars. The crowd that morning included volunteers and staff, as well as other visitors in recovery; to emphasize the dignity of those suffering from addiction, Turning Point refers to all of its visitors as “guests.” These individuals may have been sober for a few hours or a few decades. When it opened in 2005, Turning Point mainly served members of Alcoholics Anonymous. A recent survey of its clientele found that their No. 1 “drug of choice,” as it’s called in the recovery community, was still booze. No. 2 was heroin. The center doesn’t endorse any one path toward getting clean and sober. Recognizing that different methods work for different people, it offers access to as many as possible.

OLIVER PARINI

Turning Point Center staff, left to right: Kelly Breeyear, Sara Glasgow, Ken Johnson and Gary De Carolis

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OLIVER PARINI

It’s hard to say exactly how many people visit Turning Point — its staff and volunteers log roughly 3,000 visits a month, though some are repeats. The center’s events calendar suggests there’s almost always something going on. Turning Point is open to the public for support and other activities from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; recovery coaching

appointments and various meetings take place every evening. Guests can participate in arts and crafts workshops and writing groups, exercise in a small fitness area, or attend one of dozens of 12-step meetings the center hosts each month. It also offers access to a wide variety of wellness opportunities, including meditation, Reiki, yoga, “peaceful warrior” karate classes, smoking-cessation support and acupuncture therapy, known as acudetox, to help manage withdrawal symptoms. Retired South Burlington city manager Chuck Hafter volunteers at the center two mornings a week helping guests to find stable employment. “It gives me more than I give it,” he said of his counseling work. “My empathy has completely gone through the roof.” Hafter points out that money isn’t the only reason the people he sees want jobs — employment also boosts their self-confidence. It gives them a place to be and a sense of belonging. “People want to work,” he said. “People are proud when they have a résumé. People are proud when they pay taxes! Seriously.” Not surprisingly, some of Turning Point’s guests have become its employees. After they’ve been in stable recovery for 60 days, they may start volunteering at the center, doing menial but essential tasks — checking people in, making coffee, taking out the trash. Those who’ve been in recovery a year or more may work as peer support counselors, which helps them establish an employment history.

12.13.17-12.20.17

‘It Works’

See examples of Turning Point guest art online at sevendaysvt.com.

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Turning Point Center stairwell mural

Sometimes, guests just need a warm place to socialize with sober friends and use the Wi-Fi, where they know they won’t be triggered to relapse. Holidays can be particularly challenging. “Happy Thanksgiving!” staffer Sara Glasgow exclaimed as she burst through the door carrying two bags full of goodies. Glasgow, 49, has been sober two and a half years. Like nearly all of the peer-run center’s staff and volunteers, she’s in recovery herself; the first time she walked through the door, in July 2015, she came to ask for help getting into detox. Glasgow’s short gray hair, black jeans, black hoodie and paint-spattered Doc Martens suggest she’s a cynical, old-school punk Gen-Xer — a little too cool for school. In fact, she’s an earnest cheerleader for Turning Point and its guests. That morning, Glasgow was flushed not from alcohol but from the cold and the exertion of climbing the stairs. She held up her bags. “This is my way of saying thank you,” she said, “for letting me be here and be part of your recovery.” Glasgow brought her offerings to the common room’s kitchen area and laid out a buffet of snacks on the counter, near the ever-present coffee maker and mugs. When the center is open, free coffee is always available. Glasgow is the paid manager on nights and weekends and also the center’s creative director. The festive chalkboard in the stairwell was her idea. She used white, green, blue and red chalk to write: “Let us give thanks,” adding a few pink hearts around the words and blue swirls to represent gusts of autumn wind. Then she affixed a flurry of paper leaves that looked as if they’d been scattered by the breeze. The leaves, decorated by guests, came in a few different shapes, but each was uniquely embellished. Some resembled fall foliage. Others were adorned with outlandish hues. Most were labeled with things for which guests were thankful. “My unborn baby, 10 weeks,” read a purple and green aspen leaf. “New Beginnings,” read a brown oak leaf studded with tiny pink hearts. An expertly shaded red and gold maple leaf read simply, “Being ALIVE.”

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Glasgow took that route. After getting sober, she volunteered, then worked as a part-time peer support counselor and is now employed at the center full time. Burlington’s Turning Point is the largest of 12 peer-run recovery centers in Vermont; eight of them use the Turning Point name. Although they share a similar approach and receive funding from the state, each is an independent nonprofit. The Bank Street center operates on about $317,000 annually — a little more than a third of which comes from the Department of Health. The rest comes from fundraising. The organization’s single biggest moneymaker is the Circle of Stars benefit dinner, which took place two weeks before Thanksgiving at the Comfort Suites in South Burlington. Attorney General T.J. Donovan emceed the annual soirée, which he’s done several times since the first one in 2010. Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger, a past president of the Turning Point board of directors, was there, too, along with many current and former legislators. “I can tell you this about the Turning Point Center,” Donovan told the audience of Vermont glitterati. “It works. It works.” Matthew Cleare, a CPA and supervisor at Davis & Hodgdon Associates, served on the Turning Point’s board of directors from 2008 to 2015. “Dollar for dollar,” he said, “I think it’s probably one of the most effective ways we keep people out of relapse and recidivism.” The mood at the dinner that night was upbeat. The center has struggled financially in the past — executive director Gary De Carolis confided later that, when he arrived at Turning Point five years ago, “there were hardly two nickels to rub together.” Today it’s in the middle of a $500,000 capital campaign to buy a building. The center has nearly outgrown its current 3,300-square-foot space, which includes four cramped offices, a conference room and a large, L-shaped common area that has to accommodate meetings and yoga classes at the same time. The new 5,500-square-foot space under consideration would house a real fitness center, seven staff offices, four meeting rooms, and an area for new moms and infants. Like the current location, it’s

downtown, close to the bus line and other social services. So far, Turning Point has raised $380,000 for the new center, $230,000 of which came from just two grants. The Hoehl Family Foundation and the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Community Health Investment Fund supplied $115,000 each. Board president Craig Weatherly said he hopes to make the move by summer 2018.

Thanksgiving Stories “I used to be a party person,” Israel Cave said of his problem with marijuana and alcohol. On Thanksgiving, the 76-yearold retiree sat at a table wearing a scarf and puffy vest, nursing a cup of coffee. “I guess you might call me the black sheep of my family,” he said. Cave has been sober for years, “through the grace of God,” as he put it; his faded blue baseball cap read “Christian Love in Action.” Cave said he usually lives in a tent on land in Williston — with permission from the owner — but is currently staying at a local motel. He’s frequented Turning Point since it opened. “This is one of my favorite places in Burlington,” he said as he sat back and took in the scene. “It’s a great place for people just to stop in and connect.” Increasingly, those people include parents and their children. That morning, coordinator Kelly Breeyear led a recently launched new moms and moms-to-be support group. A few kids played with donated blocks, Matchbox cars and stuffed animals while their parents talked with Breeyear. The 37-yearold Burlington mom brought along her own children — son Jack, 9, and daughter Marlee, 6. They read books and played games on one of the center’s four desktop computers. Breeyear, who grew up in Winooski, was a high school basketball player when she first tried opioid painkillers; her doctor prescribed them after her knee surgery. She graduated from high school and trained to be a licensed practical nurse at Vermont Technical College but continued to struggle with chronic pain. When physical therapy and other

The week before Thanksgiving, Breeyear shared her story with an assembly of Burlington High School students, alongside Donovan and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). A week and a half after the holiday, she joined Sanders and U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) at Lund for a press conference announcing a new federal grant to help families affected by substance use disorder. Speaking out has given her confidence, she said, and it helps to combat the social stigma of addiction. “It’s paid off tenfold,” she said. When she wasn’t counseling families on Thanksgiving, Breeyear was making mini blueberry muffins using a small tabletop press; Marlee and Jack distributed them to center guests. Both kids helped carry a tray of the treats into the common room, with their mom following close behind. Marlee walked up to guests asking, “Do you want a muffin?” A few said no, but a young pregnant woman accepted one. “She’s growing a baby in her belly,” Breeyear told her daughter. The kids also approached a lanky young man sitting at a nearby table. He wore a T-shirt that revealed numerous tattoos on his arms; at his feet was a large backpack stuffed with clothes. The man had been sitting quietly with Guest Israel Cave and volunteer a few friends, occasionally Chandra Duba on Thanksgiving rummaging through his pack. When Marlee offered him a muffin, he turned and that supports pregnant gave her a wide grin. “Thank you very women and new moms. much!” he said. She and Marlee lived in The little girl smiled back. Lund’s residential treatment center, while Jack stayed with Turning Point? his dad. Marlee’s dad, Shawn Carter, over- Burlington’s Turning Point wasn’t dosed last year on a mixture of heroin, always such a supportive, welcoming fentanyl and cocaine. In a departure space. Weatherly recalled that when from conventional norms, his family ex- he started volunteering with the plained the cause of death in his obitu- organization in 2011, it was “struggling” ary, using it as a public warning about financially and operationally. The silver-haired lawyer offered a the dangers of heroin addiction. Breeyear started volunteering with diplomatic assessment of the center’s Turning Point last summer. When the climate back then: “We had a lot of center received a grant a few months people coming in who were here for later to fund a new-moms program, she reasons unrelated to recovery,” he said. Cave put it more bluntly: “It used got the job. “I hadn’t worked in a long time,” to be a Wild West kind of place, where people used to do drug deals.” Breeyear said. “I was really nervous.” De Carolis recalled an encounter But, so far, “it’s been amazing,” she gushed. “I could never have imagined from that time. Shortly after he started what I’ve done already in a month and working there, a guest came in and kept falling asleep on one of the center’s a half.”

approaches didn’t work, she went back to opioids for relief and eventually became addicted. She lost her job after making a medical error with a patient. She and her kids were homeless for a time. At her lowest point, Breeyear started shooting up heroin, which she said was her “never” drug — as in, she had always said she would never do it. “I was really sad and in a really tough place,” she remembered. She started thinking that her kids might be better off without her. In January 2015, after a relapse, Breeyear managed to get and stay clean, with help from Lund, an organization

PHOTOS: CATHY RESMER

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couches. De Carolis woke him up three times and finally asked him to leave. “On his way out,” the director recalled, “he flings a metal chair at me.” De Carolis ducked, and the chair crashed into the wall. “I yelled to a volunteer, ‘Call 911!’ And the guy says, ‘Are you going to call the police on me?’ He comes at me; the volunteer grabs him, knocks him to the ground, puts him in the elevator and sends him down. “In those days,” De Carolis concludes, “it was still a little bit of life-and-death here.” No one person is responsible for the center’s evolution, but De Carolis has clearly been a big part of it. Nearly every Turning Point supporter, volunteer and guest in-

I can tell you this about the Turning Point Center:

It works.

AT T O RN E Y GE N E RA L T.J. DONOVAN

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SEVENDAYSVT.COM

terviewed for this article gave him credit for positive changes at the center. One thing that sets him apart: De Carolis, 67, is the only Turning Point executive director in Vermont who’s not in recovery. He’s also held elective office. He served three terms as a Burlington city councilor, from 1981 to 1987, while Sanders was mayor. A New Jersey native, De Carolis first moved to the state in the 1970s, after graduating from Kean University with a bachelor’s degree in social welfare. He earned a master’s in counseling from the University of Vermont, where he also worked as a mental health counselor. De Carolis then spent most of his career as an administrator, first at the state’s Department of Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Services — where he rose to the level of deputy commissioner — then in Washington, D.C., where he oversaw child and mental health programs for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

He returned to Vermont in 2002 and worked as a freelance leadership consultant. In 2012, De Carolis started a side business giving Burlington history tours. In December of that year, a friend serving on the Turning Point board of directors asked him to fill in as the interim director while the center searched for a new leader. De Carolis took the gig in mid-December and quickly realized he wanted to stay on; he’ll celebrate five years there on December 17. As he told the audience at the Circle of Stars dinner, “My goal in life is to make life better for people. I found the epicenter of what that’s about in the Turning Point Center.” At work, De Carolis is frequently interrupted by phone calls and requests from staff, volunteers and guests, yet he always seems to project an aura of calm and competence. “He’s a steady force,” said Glasgow. “He’s this solid foundation, always moving forward.” The center has made some changes since De Carolis took over. For starters, Weatherly noted, the staff and volunteers made it an “uncomfortable” place for guests who weren’t invested in recovery. Their methods included randomly timed, mandatory group activities known as “flash mobs.” A staff person or volunteer would make everyone in the center stop what they were doing and gather in a circle. They would all introduce themselves and answer a question such as, “When times are tough, what helps you stay in recovery?” It was a good community building exercise that helped everyone get to know each other a little better, according to Weatherly. And it helped identify guests who weren’t interested in getting better. Said De Carolis: “They’d just split faster than you can say ‘flash mob.’” Another change: The center got rid of its couches and replaced them with tables and chairs. And the restrooms are now locked; volunteers with keys open them for guests upon request and inspect the bathrooms afterward. The center has also improved volunteer training and changed its staffing practices so that there’s always one person whose sole focus is keeping an eye on who’s using the common area. That way, even if the staffers are busy,

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someone is monitoring who’s coming in and hanging out. The common area monitor assesses guests as they enter, paying attention to their eyes, speech and mannerisms. Everyone has to sign in upon entering, and often a volunteer will ask, “Clean and sober and in recovery?” If there’s reason to think the answer is no, the volunteer or a staff person will pull the guest aside and offer assistance with getting into detox. “If they’re up for that, we’ll do it,” said De Carolis. If not, the guest will be asked to leave. The state requires the center to track guest visits and the number of one-onone interactions. Two years ago, the center also created an anonymous online survey, which guests take using an iPad set up in the common area. It includes questions about length of recovery, substances used and other stressors unrelated to addiction. The survey revealed heroin’s prevalence as a drug of choice. And it has shown that 60 percent of Turning Point guests are in their first year of recovery — the time when it’s critical for them to break old habits and make new, healthier connections. The data have helped De Carolis write grants and add programming. When the survey determined that oral health was one of the biggest stressors for people coming to Turning Point, De Carolis secured funding from Delta Dental for a dentist to make quarterly visits to the center. “Who’s flossing and brushing their teeth when they’re in the midst of addiction?” he asked rhetorically. The idea for the survey, De Carolis said, came from an intern from the Community College of Vermont. Turning Point now works with students from CCV, Champlain College and UVM. Judith Christensen, a senior lecturer for UVM’s psychology department who oversees internship placement, has known De Carolis since his days as a counselor at UVM. She started sending him interns three years ago. Turning Point is “probably one of the best programs for psychology students to see what the real world is all about,” she said. “They really get to understand the population in a way they would never get to from a textbook.”

The Art of Transformation Glasgow, Turning Point’s resident artist, has found a niche helping guests better understand themselves. During her workshop called The Masks We Wear, she got them to make plastic

Guest at the Turning Point Center

PHOTOS: OLIVER PARINI

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The Clean Room « P.35

Sara Glasgow (right) making jewelry with a guest at the Turning Point Center

and papier-mâché masks illustrating addiction, recovery or both. One woman colored her addiction mask black, with dark-red stains oozing from its eyes and mouth. Glued to it are eerie pictures of eyes, and people screaming, with words and phrases cut out from magazines: “Tweak,” “I have to get out of here,” “Help,” “Kill me,” “Just one more time. I NEED it.” One man made a pink and purple recovery mask, topped with a golden butterfly and beads painted gold to resemble a crown. “One side represents his girlfriend,” Glasgow explained. “The other side represents his child to be.” Adopted at age 6 after living in various foster homes, Glasgow was raised by a Strafford couple that ran a painting restoration business. Her dad would fix the physical defects; her mom would mix colors to get the right shade. “I saw paintings come in there that looked like a tiger had ripped them to shreds,” Glasgow recalled. “By the end, you wouldn’t be able to tell. That was like magic.” Seeing that process kindled an interest in transformation. At first, Glasgow

When I started making art again was when

I knew I was getting better. S ARA G L AS G O W

thought she might like to be an actor, but she was drawn instead to set design, body painting and theatrical makeup. She started drinking at 13 or 14 because it made her feel grown up and sophisticated — it was “getting in touch with the muse,” she said. Glasgow’s drinking intensified when her son, now 14, was diagnosed with leukemia. Her marriage fell apart. When she and her son went to live with a friend, Glasgow tried to hide her drinking, but

her friend caught on and told her she needed to get help. “She could see I was self-destructing,” said Glasgow, who had a suicide plan. Instead, Glasgow went into detox and treatment; her son, then in remission, stayed with her friend for nine months. After Glasgow moved back in with her son, she sought psychiatric help from the UVM Medical Center. She had her addiction under control but was grappling with the effects of the trauma she experienced as a young child. She ended up in the hospital’s outpatient Seneca Center program. Turning Point is where Glasgow did her “homework.” As a volunteer, and then as a peer support worker, she started sharing arts and crafts ideas with De Carolis and daytime operations manager Ken Johnson. That work led to her current position. “When I started making art again was when I knew I was getting better,” she said. Glasgow’s own terrifying addiction mask is topped with strands of black and red yarn — hair — with palm-size gray rocks tied to the ends to represent the way her drinking dragged her down. Thanks to generous donations — and some money from her own pocket — Glasgow now has a closet full of art supplies: paints, clay, beads, colored pencils. “It’s like a candy store,” she said, proudly showing it off. She puts the supplies out at certain times during the week and also runs workshops. At first, some guests are reluctant to engage. “They’ll say, ‘I’ll just watch. I’m not artistic at all,’” Glasgow said. “Before you know it, they’re making a bracelet for their son, their daughter, their mother, discovering something to get excited about. So often we lose that in addiction.” She said the mask project gave participants “a feeling of, I’m doing something proactive with it. I’m getting it out of my head.” Glasgow didn’t get choked up telling her own recovery story, but she wiped away tears when describing an encounter she’d had the day before with a woman who’d just been released from prison. “She asked me, ‘Does it really get any better?’” Glasgow recalled. “To my very core, I was so glad that I could look her in the eye and say, ‘Absolutely. I didn’t think it would, and it has.’ “That,” continued Glasgow, “is why I’m here.” m Contact: cathy@sevendaysvt.com

INFO Learn more at turningpointcentervt.org.

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Sound Investment Thriving Middlebury Community Music Center puts the region in tune B Y A M Y L I L LY

SEVENDAYSVT.COM 12.13.17-12.20.17 SEVEN DAYS 38 FEATURE

PHOTOS: CALEB KENNA

hen the last family to own the Middlebury Community House donated it to the town in 1932, they stipulated that it serve as a community meeting place and benefit young people. The refined Federal-style brick house on Main Street, built for Horatio Seymour in 1816, came with its own historic furniture, gilt-framed paintings, crystal chandeliers, sweeping central staircase and elegant mantelpieces. The following 80-odd years saw it used sporadically for meetings, baby showers, holiday gatherings and the like. It wasn’t until 2013 that the donors’ double wish was truly fulfilled. Finding that hosting occasional events didn’t cover the building’s operating costs, the MCH board issued a call for proposals for sustainable use. Lincoln native Sadie Brightman, 39, a piano teacher who was giving private lessons in a room in the building, proposed an expansion of her efforts: a Middlebury Community Music Center, where both children and adults could pursue music of all kinds. Her reasoning? “It was a pleasant place for families to wait,” she said of the building. “Plus, you could just see the students light up [when they walked in]. It’s such a special place.” The board was thrilled with the idea. Launched in 2014 and still directed by Brightman, MCMC has been phenomenally successful. These days, 280 students traverse the slate sidewalk and marble steps to reach private or group lessons with two dozen faculty on nearly every imaginable instrument. About three-quarters of the students are children. Classical instruction prevails — on piano, strings, woodwinds and brass — but traditional roots instruments are also taught, as are the bagpipe and ukulele. The center offers a community choir and a children’s choir. Faculty members teach group piano lessons, songwriting, voice, and ensemble playing for string quartets and jazz improv groups. MCMC reaches additional children through its outreach programs: world music and West African drumming classes at Mary Hogan Elementary School in Middlebury and Weybridge Elementary School; the licensed

MUSIC

Music Together program for tots at Mary Johnson Children’s Center in Middlebury and New Leaf Montessori school in Leicester; and — new this year — after-school group strings instruction at Bristol Elementary School. The center involves the community in multiple ways, such as performance salons for the public the second Wednesday of every month

Sadie Brightman teaching piano to Jacob Graham

and appearances in local eldercare facilities. In November, it sponsored an appearance by an a cappella quartet from southern France at the suggestion of MCMC piano teacher Sarah Trouslard. This month, MCMC just held its annual holiday caroling concert, open to all area musicians and conducted by voice teacher Susanne Peck, an affiliate artist at Middlebury College but unaffiliated with the center. Vermont is sparsely dotted with such community music venues. Montpelier has the Monteverdi Music School; southern Vermont has the Brattleboro Music Center. Across the border, the Upper Valley Music Center in Lebanon,

N.H., with 850 students, recently moved into a bigger home that, like MCMC’s, is a brick, chandelier-adorned 19thcentury mansion. Yet densely populated Chittenden County has no equivalent institution. Shelburne pianist Paul Orgel, who gave a benefit recital last year at MCMC, called that a “mystery.” He speculated that the area’s many independent music teachers might view a community music center as competition. In the late 1990s, Orgel was part of a group effort to launch a community music school in Burlington’s Old North End. The group managed to buy a building but nothing more. “It’s particularly hard to start a community music school from scratch — which is what Sadie has done and why I admire her so much,” said Orgel. “She didn’t even have an assistant the first year,” added Dayve Huckett, who teaches guitar and ukulele at the center. Brightman eventually hired assistant Molly McEachen, who also teaches Music Together classes.

Huckett, whose Burlington-area students “fizzled down to almost nothing” after the 2008 recession, appreciates the access to students that MCMC affords. And, he noted, “It’s run by women, so it’s fair and friendly and organized.” Brightman gave this reporter a tour of the building in early December, starting with the three elegant upstairs teaching studios that she named for movements of a musical suite: Minuet, Sarabande and Allemande. As the smell of cookies wafted up from the kitchen — used by a local baker a few mornings a week — Brightman described her main goal in simple terms: to bring music education to as many people as possible. She draws on 11 years of experience teaching in community music centers in Boston and the AmherstNorthampton area of Massachusetts. Her own childhood is a second inspiration. Brightman grew up in Lincoln, where she now lives with her husband and two young daughters. Her parents and sister also live there. “[My life] is multigenerational — like MCMC,” she commented. For her, part of the center’s project is “imagining what I would have wanted, and what I want my daughters to experience.” Growing up, Brightman sang in children’s choirs, took piano lessons with Middlebury College affiliate artist Diana Fanning and did musical theater at Mount Abraham Union High School in Bristol. After obtaining a BA in music at Wesleyan University, she studied piano performance for a year at the Prague Conservatory in the Czech Republic. Though Brightman could have focused on advanced students after that experience, she gravitated toward children at first and began teaching music and movement classes for toddlers in Massachusetts community music centers. In 2010, she moved back home, established her teaching studio at the MCH and became an affiliate artist at the college. When the MCH board accepted her proposal, Brightman began tapping her large network of music teachers. “I really think of [the launch] like a big bang,” she said. “I was excited to have a reason to reach out to people. The response was really magnetic.” The threat of competition, Brightman said, didn’t figure into her plans. “It was

‘Who do we have here, and what interests do they have?’” Knowing that jazz was a big part of Middlebury high schoolers’ music curriculum, for example, Brightman decided to “augment their experience” with jazz offerings at MCMC. Mandy Chesley-Park, who directs the Expanded Learning Program for five rural Addison County elementary schools, had her own explanation for the center’s success. “The personality of the director is crucial,” she said. When Brightman consulted with Chesley-Park on how best to serve families in the area, which the latter described as “slightly impoverished,” Brightman wanted to “make sure we weren’t stepping on any toes,” ChesleyPark recalled — meaning they wanted to ensure they weren’t taking work away from school music teachers or private instructors. This fall, the timing was right for MCMC bass teacher Ron White to begin offering the group orchestral instruction program at Bristol. Grants and donations have enabled MCMC to meet all requests for financial aid, noted Brightman, and helped purchase some of the center’s six pianos. The director’s connections with Middlebury College have produced their own benefits. In 2014, the college had two of its art history majors inventory all of the objects in the MCH building, many of which had to be moved into storage to accommodate the center’s growing clientele. Middlebury College pays an intern each year to help with MCMC’s administration. And at least six of the center’s faculty members are also affiliate artists at the college. Orgel commented that community music centers “tend to raise the level of music education” simply by virtue of being hubs for musical activity. Brightman sees an even more basic benefit. “There’s something powerful about having a centralized place, a building in the center of the community,” she said. “Music is something we have to fight for, to keep the space and time in our lives for. But when we’re together, we’re more likely to keep pursuing it.” m

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Continuing Education

Vermont Commission on Women’s director talks about sexual harassment, shaming and achieving change B Y KYMELYA SAR I

12.13.17-12.20.17 SEVEN DAYS 40 FEATURE

SEVEN DAYS: Are the Harvey Weinstein allegations as shocking as they appear to be? CARY BROWN: I think the #MeToo campaign is really an expression of the fact that most women are not shocked, because most women have experienced some version of this. The new part is how many women are publicly talking about what’s happened to them. But,

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hen the New York Times first reported on sexual harassment allegations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein in October, it took the nation by storm. Riveting subsequent stories by Ronan Farrow in the New Yorker revealed Weinstein’s extensive network of enablers. Seemingly overnight, the #MeToo movement on social media — an indicator of women’s corroboration and solidarity — took off. And the “Harvey effect” quickly led to an outburst of accusations in other arenas, particularly politics and media. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), NBC “Today” show host Matt Lauer and National Public Radio’s senior vice president for news Michael Oreskes, among others, have been fired or tendered resignation following harassment allegations. Seven Days spoke with Cary Brown, executive director of the Vermont Commission on Women, to discuss the effects of public shaming and appropriate steps to address sexual harassment allegations, among other topics. The VCW is an independent, nonpartisan state commission dedicated to advancing rights and opportunities for women in Vermont. Active for more than 50 years, it educates the public on sexual harassment in the workplace and, in 2000, published a guide for employees and employers on the topic. The VCW recently concluded research on sexual harassment legislation that has passed or been proposed in some states, including California, Illinois, New York and Texas. “We have a lot of different strategies to look at,” said Brown, “which we might likely be discussing as the [legislative] session comes up.”

Cary Brown at the Equal Pay Day press conference at the Statehouse in April

especially, the new part is how many people are believing them and taking them seriously. What will be really interesting, though, is what happens when the buzz [dies] down in the media. Will we really have any substantial cultural changes? When Anita Hill gave her testimony [against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas], there was a lot of talk about sexual harassment at the workplace and women being believed or not believed. She was not believed by a lot of people, and that made a lot of people really angry. I think there was a lot of attention given then, but I don’t know that there were any really significant changes that came about. So, now, it’s really up to us to say, “Well, if we are as angry about this as we feel, we need to do something really significant to make a change to our culture, not necessarily to our laws.”

SD: How do you feel about public shaming as a tool to bring predatory men down from their positions of power? CB: It’s a mixed bag. We have to be careful that we’re really giving everybody the respect that they deserve. It’s tricky, because we want to believe people who say that they’ve experienced some really awful stuff. We also want to make sure that, in the end, we have a culture and workplaces where people are able to communicate with each other and get along with each other. To do that, they may need to have more direct communications than we get with this public shaming process. It’s a way to make public statements, but it’s not necessarily the best way to change the way people are interacting with each other on a day-to-day basis.

SD: Could you elaborate on the direct communications that need to be taking place? CB: For example, in a lot of companies, they have a sexual harassment awareness training process that their employees go through. Very often, it’s done online, and you watch a video, or you click through some slides by yourself. It’s not interactive, and it’s not necessarily the best way to go about real education. In many workplaces, that’s the last anyone ever talks about it. So, there’s no opportunity to understand what kind of behavior might be problematic and why. For a lot of people, they think of sexual harassment as being really overt. [The] stuff that we hear about Harvey Weinstein, it’s not necessarily typical. Most women are not experiencing that on a day-to-day basis. The kinds of things they’re experiencing

at work are more subtle and harder to put your finger on sometimes. And yet, they can still contribute to this ongoing feeling of I’m not welcome here. I’m not valued here. One thing that companies can do is make their training more of an ongoing process. There’s training that happens when they start the job. But then there’s also training that’s ongoing throughout the job, not just something passive that you do by yourself on the computer. It involves interaction with other employees and people really talking to each other. SD: What steps do you think the Vermont legislature should take to prepare for handling sexual harassment charges? CB: I know that there are legislators working on legislation. But I don’t know what form it’s going to take yet. I

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SEVEN DAYS: What should we make of the fact that there isn’t a consistent response to sexual harassment allegations made against politicians? CB: It’s because there’s no official process that they’re going through. They’re not going through the court system. And so, if somebody resigns, it’s because they’ve made their own decision that that’s what they need to do. They felt pressure from their supporters to do that. I think it’s really important for us to look at how we hold people accountable. What’s our structure for doing that? The public shaming process does not give us consistent results. It’s not a really predictable, reliable way to hold people accountable, because some are losing their jobs and careers, and some are being rewarded. m

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SD: It seems like all the different forms of sexual harassment — from inappropriate comments to rape — are being lumped together. What are your thoughts on how we might have a meaningful conversation? CB: It’s really important to have that conversation, because they’re not all the same. We’d be doing a disservice both ways when we say that the offhand comment about somebody’s appearance that crosses the line into being inappropriate is the same as someone being raped. And vice versa. If we put rape in the same category as the inappropriate comments, that’s also a way of not treating rape as seriously as we need to. It’s not to say that any of it is OK or that any of it is not that bad. That’s not the point. The point is, we need to be able to talk about them as different

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do expect that we’ll be involved in that process in some way. Part of our role is to provide research and information that helps assist legislators with developing [laws]. I do think there’s a role for legislation and laws to address this. It’s just one piece of the whole puzzle. This is not a problem that can be solved with laws.

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COLORFUL TABLE LINENS kinds of experiences and the effect thatBENNINGTON they have on people. The traumatic POTTERY effect can be very different. DECORATIVE A GIFT SD: Right now, there’s a huge calling ACCESSORIES F O R YOU out of past offenses, finger-pointing GLASSWARE buy bakewa and pressure on politicians to be VT MADE, re, removed from their positions. What FAIR TRADE get a FREE would you like to see happen after & RECYCLED apple kitche n this? After the shaming, what’s next?OPTIONS to w e l CB: It depends on the circumstances. CANDLES I would like to see everyone who’s GREETING accused have the opportunity to be able to respond and to have these cases reallyCARDS looked at in a more individual way. I’mBAKEWARE not a big fan of shame as a techniqueHOLIDAY for managing poor behavior. I do thinkDECORATIONS it happens sometimes, and, clearly, it’sFUN effective in some cases. STOCKING But, ideally, we’re giving a bit moreSTUFFERS individualized thought and consider-FURNITURE ation than that. I would love to see us MUCH MORE move away from shaming and more into education and not to demonize people who’ve done something rotten, but not letting them get away with it, either. 127 COLLEGE STREET, BURLINGTON free gift wrapping | we ship anywhere | gift certificates But to consider the idea that people M-F 10-9; SAT 10-6; SUN 11-5 * 802 863 2221 127 college burlington | mon-fri* 10-9; sat 10-6; sun 10-5 might learn from their past behavior and FREE GIFTstreet, WRAPPING GIFT CERTIFICATES * WE SHIP ANYWHERE change their behavior in the future. I think we’re not always ready to see that. I believe people can change their behavior. I believe that there are a lot Untitled-1 1 12/11/17 of sexual harassment cases that involve BPN_2017-ADS1-7Days-2.indd 4 12/11/17 ignorance, and there’s potential for somebody to understand the effect that their words have had and change their behavior in a genuine, sincere way. We have to allow for that possibility, while at the same time holding people accountable for their actual behavior.

On the Take

Roy Wood Jr. discusses how his comedy has evolved since joining “The Daily Show” B Y D AN BOL L ES

SEVENDAYSVT.COM 12.13.17-12.20.17 SEVEN DAYS 42 FEATURE

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ake news was all the rage in 2017 — and we don’t mean the “alternative facts” preached by a certain presidential regime. Satire and parody, particularly of the political persuasion, has risen to newfound cultural prominence, popularity and, some would argue, importance in recent years. That trend is especially true on television. For 15 years, “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” stood as the gold standard of TV news satire. And the list of “Daily Show” alums who have gone on to host their own shows is lengthy — Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Samantha Bee, Larry Wilmore and Jordan Klepper, to name a few. Stewart has fostered an unprecedented wealth of comedy for fans — and an unprecedented level of competition for the man charged with replacing him: Trevor Noah. “It’s not enough to just make a joke,” Roy Wood Jr. recently told Seven Days. “You also need to think about what else might be said on other shows and avoid easy jokes.” Wood, 38, is a correspondent on “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah.” The comedian is a key part of the show’s new generation tasked with both preserving Stewart’s legacy and evolving the comedy juggernaut he built. It’s a tall order: The diminutive Stewart casts a long shadow. Wood seems up to the challenge. Endearingly irascible and whip-smart, the veteran comic shines on the show. His skill is especially apparent in sketches, a comedic vehicle that Noah relies on more frequently than did Stewart — and one that suits Wood’s previous experience on TV shows such as the TBS sitcom “Sullivan and Son.” Writing for “The Daily Show” has benefited Wood’s creativity, too. His debut standup special, “Father Figure,” aired on Comedy Central earlier this year, and the comic credits the show with helping to hone his sharp, nuanced set. “‘The Daily Show’ influences the depth of my writing more than anything else,” he said. Wood performs four shows over two nights, Friday and Saturday, December 15 and 16, at the Vermont Comedy Club in Burlington. Seven Days caught up with

YOU HAVE TO COMMENT ON THE OBVIOUS

WITHOUT STATING IT. R OY WO O D J R .

him by phone to ask about “The Daily Show,” finding fresh comedic angles and the greatness of HBO’s “The Wire.”

of the bosses. That’s what makes “The Daily Show” such a cool job: The bosses don’t get in the way.

SEVEN DAYS: I see from your Twitter bio that you’re a fan of “The Wire.” Do you agree that it’s the greatest TV show of all time? ROY WOOD JR: One hundred percent, and I’ll fight anybody who disagrees. SD: I’ve got your back if it comes to blows. Are you more of a Marlo guy or an Avon guy? RW: I’m more of an Avon guy, because I take pride in my organization. But I would argue I’m a little more Stringer in trying to be [businesslike] in how I put together my comedy. I feel like Avon was just a reckless, old-school guy. But at least he had a moral code, unlike Marlo.

SD: Whoa, nice segue. So you have a good deal of creative freedom at “The Daily Show”? RW: Absolutely. A lot of people are involved in the final product. But the only way I can explain it is: If “The Daily Show” were a restaurant, and you said, “Hey, let’s make a salad,” then the producers put you with writers to decide what type of salad. And you’re for sure making a salad. But there have been other shows I’ve been a part of where you say, “Let’s make a salad,” and someone says, “No, but let’s take that lettuce you brought and put it on this hamburger over here.”

SD: McNulty or Bunk? RW: On the detective side, I’m more McNulty than Bunk. And I’m not a fan

SD: I’m getting hungry… RW: It’s been really cool to see most of what I’ve thought something should or

would be in my head ends up being the final product on camera. SD: How do the pitch meetings work? RW: The show is basically built around group pitch meetings. Correspondents and writers sit in a room, and we watch all of the news of the day. And, usually, after about an hour, we know what the angles are. Then Trevor puts together what’s the best way to tell the story — with or without a correspondent. And, if it is with a correspondent, then what type of segment? Or is it a sketch? I know that’s something Trevor has been wanting to do more of in the post-Jon Stewart era. SD: How much of Stewart’s influence do you still feel on the show? RW: I think you’ll always see Jon Stewart’s influence on “The Daily Show.” What it is today is what he made it. Just the workflow and how we go about creating the show every

DESIGN THE FUTURE

WITH YOUR DEGREE IN day, that’s still a Jon Stewart assembly line that we’re on. The factory has new employees, but we’re still making satire at the end of the day. Trevor has come on and added a new wing to the factory with sketch. But figuring out what is the specific thing you’re trying to say, what’s the focal point or take, wanting to achieve that level of Zen every day creatively, that’s a fingerprint of Jon Stewart’s, and I don’t think that will ever leave.

SD: Have you started working on material about the recent wave of sexual assault allegations? RW: I think what is most telling about all of this is that, if this is happening to women who are around men who are supposed to be trusted with power, I can only imagine what is happening to women at a basic middle- or lowerclass level. And I’m hoping that those women can get the same justice as all of those higher-profile cases. But I haven’t done a lot of material on that yet. And this is something I would attribute to Trevor: Creatively, he doesn’t have a need to be first to a topic. Sometimes a topic evolves and breathes and changes. So, to me, if this is just the beginning of all that will soon become a behavioral restructuring of men, then a lot remains to be seen. And for me to start joking about it, I need more information, and I need more time. Because to just go, “Oh, hey, he shouldn’t have done it; he’s a pervert! Ha ha ha!” that’s the easy joke. It’s the obvious joke, where there’s obviously a deeper systemic issue. I think a lot of it falls back on men condoning this behavior when women aren’t around. That’s the type of stuff that will help change things: When you’re having a Trump/Billy Bush moment, you don’t chuckle along with Trump.

COMEDY

SD: A lot of those shows have “Daily Show” DNA. RW: Correct. So it’s the same ideology: You have to comment on the obvious without stating it.

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SD: I think it’s wise to take some time to come up with sharper material on this particular subject. RW: The only joke I’ve done onstage with it is talk about how short rehab is for being an asshole. That’s the one quick observation I’ve had. Alcohol is a battle your whole life. Drugs is a battle your whole life. But power-hungry manipulation and sexual assault? One month. One month in Arizona, and you’re back, bro. m

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SD: Has that ideology affected how you write as a standup? RW: Hell, yeah. That’s part of why my first special, “Father Figure,” had so much material that I’d never done before. “The Daily Show” just reinforced for me how important it is to always be on top right now. Nothing else matters. “The Daily Show” influences the depth of my writing more than anything else. I had a joke about patriotism in my special. Originally, it was about whether NFL players should take a knee or whatever. But then, for me — and this is definitely something influenced by “The Daily Show” — I began to examine the question, “Why are black people even expected to be patriotic in the first place?”

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SD: Do you follow the news differently as a “Daily Show” correspondent than as a standup comedian? RW: It’s not enough to just know the story. You also have to know how the story is being spun on both sides. It’s not enough just to know the weather. You have to know why someone said it’s partly sunny and someone else said it’s partly cloudy. So, sometimes the story isn’t the story; the story is how the story was covered. As a comedian, my focus was solely on the event. Who got shot? Who went to jail? Who got divorced? Now I’m asking deeper questions that have to be answered: Who was the lawyer? Was the person shot in self-defense? And that’s where you find the more unique takes and, sometimes, the better punch lines. And a lot of that is because of the level of competition that’s out there now. I think a lot of other shows think the same thing, because they’re not making the easy jokes, either.

ARCHITECTURAL

And that creates a totally separate conversation and a whole new set of jokes. And that was very exciting to dig and dig and see what else was under there to make jokes about.

11/16/17 11:44 AM

The Truth About Santa T

Seven Days staff recall a pivotal moment in their childhoods

SEVENDAYSVT.COM 12.13.17-12.20.17 SEVEN DAYS

I had my suspicions by about age 5, but I think I was 6 when I saw presents wrapped and tagged “from Santa,” and I recognized my mother’s handwriting. I figured the adults would be bummed if I let on that I knew — plus, as an only child, I got lots of gifts and didn’t want to jeopardize this bounty. So we all kept up the ruse for a few years. PAMELA POLSTON, COEDITOR & ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

The Easter Bunny basically murdered Santa Claus, is how I remember it. On a family ski trip over Easter, because we were staying at a friend’s condo — and, most likely, because I was plenty old enough to be disabused of this whole silliness — my parents simply didn’t do Easter baskets. I was all, “What? There won’t be candy this year?!” And they were all, “Wait, you’re serious? You still believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa?”* From that point on, we spent Christmas Day flying out west to ski. [Chicago’s] O’Hare airport is practically empty, and the traveling is so much easier. * This is based on the memory of my 9-year-old self. My parents may rightfully dispute the accuracy of this story.

44 FEATURE

CHERYL BROWNELL, BUSINESS MANAGER

When I was 5, “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” seemed to play on a loop during the holidays. For some reason, I fixated on the lyrics “You better not cry / Better not pout.” Every time I heard this warning, it sounded less innocuous. My mental image of Santa merged with

freely given even as Christmas itself has been commercialized beyond belief. One hundred and 20 years ago, newspaperman Francis Pharcellus Church wrote in the New York Sun, in response to an 8-year-old’s inquiring letter, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist … Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. … There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.” OK, then. Rather than calling these our recollections of when we became Santa Claus unbelievers, let’s see them as the moments when we became coconspirators in the perpetuation of childlike faith in a good and generous world.

my fear of aggressive clowns, and soon I saw him as a fascist enforcer of Christmas cheer who punished children for daring not to be happy. Thus motivated, I quickly figured out my mom and dad were stashing presents in the closet, and it was a huge relief to know I could cry and pout with impunity. MARGOT HARRISON, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A couple of years after my parents split up — I was 6 or 7 — I remember having a hard time fitting my sloppy handwriting onto the tiny “To/From” tags as I wrapped the presents. On Christmas morning, I took note of how well Santa had fit his handwriting on the presents at my dad’s house. Then I went to my mom’s house and noticed that, even though the handwriting still fit, it was obviously not the same handwriting. Further investigation revealed that Santa’s handwriting always matched the parent in the house. In short, divorce killed Santa for me. TAYLOR DOBBS, STAFF WRITER

Normally, being the oldest of four kids was the best. I went to the big school first, got back rubs from adoring sisters, had a later bedtime. But just before my 10th Christmas, being the oldest went south. My best friend told me there was no Santa, and Mom confirmed the dastardly truth. I was crushed. Granted, I was pretty old still to believe in Santa, but the myth had been a necessary comfort in a wacky household. Learning the truth left me with two choices: Maintain the lie so my siblings could

IMAGES: DREAMSTIME.COM

he scene: an editorial meeting. The characters: a bunch of staff writers who, occasionally, like to go off the rails. Their task: thinking up feature ideas for that time of year when life seems to slow down and speed up at once, aka the “holidays.” The talk somehow turned to the moment when each of us — those whose families observed Christmas, that is — discovered Santa Claus wasn’t real. Most of us were in the neighborhood of 5 to 7 years old. One late bloomer was 10. A few were temporarily devastated, while others already had their doubts about the logistics of the whole deal. Flying through the air in a sleigh? Coming down a chimney? Chimneys all over the world in a single night? As if. Thing is, whether or not he’s real, the idea of Santa exists, and persists, as evidenced by generation after generation of coconspirators. As fairy tales go, it’s not a bad one, after all, offering a fantasy of gifts

keep believing, or spill the beans and become the Grinch. I lied. That was not the best Christmas. ELIZABETH M. SEYLER, ASSISTANT EDITOR & PROOFREADER

I have some vague recollections of my father and grandfather in Santa suits at various points in my childhood. But I don’t specifically recall how or when the mystery of Santa unraveled for me. So long as packages addressed from the big man appeared under the tree every Christmas morning, I was content to play along. I do, however, remember how I nearly blew it for two little boys, because it was last week. My nephews, 5 and 8, have a detailed bedtime routine, lately made more difficult by the younger one’s resistance to going to sleep. The drill includes reading books, brushing

WARNING: If you’re a parent of kids who are old enough to read but young enough to still think Jolly Old St. Nicholas is coming to town, please hide this paper. Preferably not in the same place where you’re hiding their Christmas presents.

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teeth and placing an anti-monster force field around the 5-year-old’s bed. They also require to be sung a song. Their dad, my brother, is a Christmas music fanatic. He passed that Clark Griswold-ian trait to the kids — especially by introducing them to holiday novelty songs such as “The 12 Pains of Christmas.” When I babysat my nephews last week, I was initially at a loss for what to sing. Then it hit me. I dialed up the lyrics to one of my childhood favorites, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” on my phone. All was going well until I reached the first chorus: “You can say there’s no such thing as Santa / But as for me and Grandpa, we believe.” Oh, fuuuuuuudge, I thought. I was past the song’s point of no return, so I had to hope that the line, which repeats several times, would fly over their heads like a sleigh. No such luck. “That was funny!” the 8-year-old exclaimed. Then a puzzled look darkened his face. “But why would anyone say there’s no such thing as Santa?” I fumbled a bit before replying, “You know how Santa has naughty and nice lists? Well, people on the naughty list get upset that he doesn’t come to their houses at Christmas. So they get jealous and say he’s not real.” My nephew pondered this for a minute and said, “But he always comes to our house.” “Exactly,” I said. “Because you guys are on the nice list.” Spotting an opening, I turned to the 5-year-old and asked, “And do you know the easiest way to stay on the nice list?” “Going to bed?” “Bingo,” I said, turning out the light.

SEVEN DAYS

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SEVENDAYSVT.COM

aped in the window of a truck parked at the Royal Butcher in Braintree, a hand-lettered sign reads: “Experienced meat cutter needed. Starting pay $15/hr.” Inside the building, owner Royal Larocque and longtime employee Teresa Mallette explained that they are always looking for good people. Since Larocque opened his slaughterhouse in 2003, he’s struggled to find enough qualified, reliable workers. The bar is not unreasonably high. “We need people who are willing to show up every day and want to work,” Larocque said. “And are not on drugs,” Mallette qualified. Slaughterhouses have often been the employer of last resort for those with checkered personal histories. “How many people say, ‘When I grow up, I want to kill animals?’” Mallette asked rhetorically. “It’s not a pretty industry, although everybody loves that steak.” Royal Butcher serves about 300 Vermont and New Hampshire farms. Some bring just one animal a year; others drop off half a dozen per week. The business currently has eight full-time and two part-time employees, down from a high of 15 during previous peak seasons. On the kill floor, animals are slaughtered, skinned or scalded, gutted, trimmed, and washed under U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection. In the cutting room, meat is divided into retail cuts or ground; then it’s packaged. A second kill floor that was specifically designed for sheep, goats and small swine is currently idle. “We’ve had to cut back,” Larocque explained. “We don’t have enough help.” “We have to turn business away,” Mallette added. Vermont’s slaughter and meat-cutting facilities are

Kacey Knight working at Vermont Packinghouse in North Springfield

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Filling a Knead KNEAD BAKERY TO SERVE VEGAN FARE IN BURLINGTON

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12/5/17 12:55 PM

Community Kitchen Academy chef Jim Logan (right) with students

Room to Serve

CHITTENDEN EMERGENCY FOOD SHELF PLANS EXPANSION

Last week, the nonprofit CHITTENDEN

EMERGENCY FOOD SHELF, located at 228

employment in the food service industry — and by the GOOD FOOD TRUCK, which delivers free meals to low-income community members. The 800-square-foot addition will also allow CEFS to offer cooking classes and demos, nutritional counseling, and one-on-one meetings between staff and clients. According to Meehan, the aim is to help CEFS’ staff serve the community with greater ease. “It’s the evolution of hunger relief,” he said. “We’re trying to shift our focus [from moving pounds of food] towards working with people. When you’re overcrowded, people just come and go. There’s not a lot of space to sit and discuss strategies for moving out of poverty.” Whether it’s a desire to eat more fresh vegetables or an ongoing struggle with depression,” Meehan added, “We want to help people with whatever they have on their plates.”

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North Winooski Avenue in Burlington, received permits to add a second kitchen and new offices. “We have very limited space here,” noted director ROB MEEHAN. “Ever since I started, in 2007, I’ve been looking for a new location.” Finding a second building from which the CEFS could serve the community proved difficult, however. “We’ve rented [additional] space off-site for years,” Meehan said, but he called it an expensive solution that diverts resources from places where they could be better spent. And, he continued, “We like our location as far as serving people. We’re on the bus line; we’re in the Old North End.” The new kitchen will be used by the COMMUNITY KITCHEN ACADEMY — a jobtraining program operated by VERMONT

FOODBANK that helps prepare people for

SEVEN DAYS

Follow us for the latest food gossip! On Twitter: Hannah Palmer Egan: @findthathannah; Sally Pollak: @vtpollak. On Instagram: Hannah and Suzanne Podhaizer: @7deatsvt.

Casual, fun, provincial dining restaurant and bar in Waterbury

12.13.17-12.20.17

CONNECT

Knead Bakery bread

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

In January, when KNEAD BAKERY opens at 294 North Winooski Avenue in Burlington’s Old North End, the menu will feature breakfast and lunch fare such as challah French toast, tofu scram with seasonal veggies, and freshly made baguettes with a selection of cheeses. But those cheeses won’t be your ordinary cheddar and chèvre. Owner ROBERT BLUM makes his own, and not from the milk of grazing animals but from nut milks, including cashew and pine nut. Nut cheese, Blum says, “is a fun and sometimes triggering thing for people,” especially in a state defined by its dairy industry. Blum, who used to work at Burlington’s PINGALA CAFÉ and has owned a wholesale bakery in New Mexico, is vegan. He’s been experimenting with cheeses made from alternative milks, “[trying to] replicate what dairy does, which is provide a tasty fat to go along with your meals,” he explained. Those experiments weren’t the café’s only inspiration; as its name indicates, Blum also has a passion for baking artisanal bread and will turn out classic loaves such as baguettes, ciabatta, English muffins, challah, and olive and sage. In addition to smearing his cheese creations on those breads, Blum plans to sell containers of cheese to go. He’ll also offer a handful of other convenience foods, such as flavored seitan and fermented veggies. Diners who stick around and dine will find beer and wine on the menu. Although some friends have advised Blum to offer animal products, he said, he plans to keep Knead vegan. “I cook the way that I like to eat,” he said. “I imagine that making the food that I’m interested in and love to make is the best way to go.”

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Doing It for Themselves

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critical links in the supply chain for local meat, but they generally suffer from a labor shortage. Vermont’s Farm to Plate initiative identified a need for skilled meat cutters in 2010, and again in 2013, which led to training programs partially funded by the state. “Since then, the industry has continued to expand, so the demand has only grown,” said Ellen Kahler, executive director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, which coordinates Farm to Plate. The need for kill-floor labor has not been quantified but is perhaps more critical, according to some in the industry. “You can’t start meat cutting without dead animals,” Mallette said bluntly. “There is no training for slaughter. We cannot get trained help.” Slaughterhouses also have a serious public relations problem. That was the primary reason Larocque, a former electrician who had always raised beef, decided to take over a long-closed slaughter facility. He knew that the relationship between producer and processor was often strained by limited peak-season slaughter capacity, as well as distrust regarding humane animal handling and accurate tracking of each farm’s meat. In addition to these issues, the public prefers not to think about how animals become food on their plates. “The industry had kind of a bad rap,” Larocque said. “I thought I could try to change it.” The problems that face slaughterhouses are not unique to Vermont; it’s widely recognized that both slaughter access for small farmers and the culture of the meat-processing sector could use improvement. “The nature of the work is rough, hot, dirty, arguably disgusting,” said Jules Guillemette. The co-owner and butcher at Beau Butchery + Bar in Montpelier formerly worked at Royal Butcher and in several other meat businesses. “Many people who are willing to do that work, they can be a little rough, like the work,” Guillemette said.

A Woman’s Place? While there is no single solution to the challenges facing the meat-processing industry, some believe it could benefit from the involvement of more women. At the very least, the trade could be more supportive of the women who do choose to work in it. “Nationally, the industry is notorious for being run by grumpy old men,” said Arion Thiboumery, co-owner

Kari Underly (left) teaching former Vermont farmer, Fiona Harrar

and general manager of Vermont Packinghouse. That slaughterhouse in North Springfield counts five women among the 45 employees who work on the processing and kill floors. “We’d hire more if they applied,” he said. “We need more good workers,” agreed Mary Lake of Tunbridge. She’s an itinerant shearer and slaughterer, as well as a shepherd, who worked at Royal Butcher for four years. “There is such a stigma on slaughterhouses,” she continued. “If women can help bridge the gap between producers and processors, we should try it.” People often suggest that the physicality of the work is a deterrent to women. And it’s true that some — though not all — slaughterhouse jobs can be extremely physically demanding: controlling 900 pounds of beef on a hook and hefting 60to 80-pound sides of pork. As a shearer, Lake had learned how to handle animals, and she is strong. “If you have really good technique, you don’t have to be as strong,” she said. “You do have to have endurance.” But the bottom line is that meat processing is intense physical labor in a setting that involves blood, guts and death. While it can pay a decent hourly rate for

NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE WANT TO WORK THIS HARD IN THIS KIND OF PLACE, WOMEN OR MEN. R OYAL L AR O C Q UE

experienced workers, entry-level positions usually start just above minimum wage. “Not too many people want to work this hard in this kind of place, women or men,” said Larocque. At Royal Butcher, a female employee recently left a kill-floor position; another woman remains in the cutting room. Larocque and Mallette do think that more women could help the industry. “I think women make people feel more trust, give a different feeling,” Mallette said. “Women should get in the industry if that’s their passion, but they have to know they’re entering a man’s world, and it’s not an easy task.”

COURTESY OF JILLIAN CURRAN PHOTOGRAPHY

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Women With Knives « P.46

The Women in Meat Northeast conference held in Petersham, Mass., in late October was conceived specifically to support and connect women working in the industry. Among the 40 gathered were farmers, chefs, butchers, a local slaughterhouse owner and three women involved with a new slaughterhouse being planned by a nonprofit in southeastern Massachusetts. The participants’ reasons for attending were as varied as their backgrounds, but several mentioned isolation and other challenges of being a minority. “It’s kind of lonely out there when you’re dealing with men all the time,” admitted Shirley Richardson of Danville. In her efforts to build infrastructure and markets for Vermont-raised goat meat, the founder of Vermont Chevon spends a lot of time with those running slaughter facilities and restaurant kitchens. “I wanted to connect with women working in meat,” Richardson said of the conference. “I think women are more able to surround you with care and empathy. They’re better listeners.” The chance to learn from master butcher and teacher Kari Underly of Chicago was a big draw for most attendees. She led a pair of all-day, hands-on meat-cutting workshops at two slaughterhouses. Underly comes from a family of butchers, including her grandmothers, and said she feels she owes it to future generations of women to show them that it can be done. “A lot of young women are discouraged,” she said. “You cannot be what you cannot see.” During the first day of the conference, Underly said she was struck by the sight of several women working collaboratively on a side of beef. “To see these women so excited about the knives, the equipment, the animals, I really had to step back a moment and just watch,” Underly said. “It’s very important to me that I’m helping these women.” On the second day, the women broke down a pig at Stillman Quality Meats in Hardwick, Mass. The slaughterhouse’s owner, Kate Stillman, employs a peakseason crew of 25, of which 10 are fulltime and 80 percent are female. “Rural areas are tough places to live these days,” she noted. “I try hard to create good economic opportunity for all women who work here.” Stillman, a 36-year-old mother of two, grew up working on her family’s vegetable farm and returned home after college to start her own small farm. She never intended to open a slaughterhouse — until she had trouble finding

food+drink processing options for her animals. When she applied for a business loan, Stillman recalled, “One guy at the bank said, ‘Wouldn’t you rather just go bake some cookies?’”

Less Money, More Abuse As in the general workforce, but particularly in traditionally maledominated professions, women who pursue meat-processing careers say they must perform better than men for the same recognition and compensation.

“People ask, ‘What’s it like to be a female butcher?’” Underly said at the Women in Meat conference. “I had to work harder, smarter. Would you ask a man what it’s like to be a male butcher?” In addition, the slaughter industry, in particular, has long tolerated a testosterone-driven, locker-room atmosphere that is, at best, uncomfortable for women and, at worst, untenable. While that kind of workplace atmosphere should, of course, be unacceptable anywhere, the reality is different. WOMEN WITH KNIVES

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TASTY BITS FROM THE CALENDAR AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM

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Hot glogg and chilled ice cider are ready to be swigged at Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits’ annual winter tasting event. Visitors can sample all sorts of libations, from vino to cocktails; nosh on meat pies made by Pie Empire; and snap up gift boxes that include local chocolates and hand-pulled candy canes. VERMONT ICE WINE & COCKTAIL OPEN HOUSE Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits, Cambridge. Free. Info, 644-8451, boydenvalley.com.

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SPIRITS OF THE SEASON Live music and beer abound at this holiday event, at which attendees can try before they buy. Bevvies from the likes of 14th Star Brewing, von Trapp Brewing, Citizen Cider, as well as higheroctane options from area distillers, help make the evening merry. Saturday, December 16, 4-7 p.m., Stratton Mountain Resort. $25-30. Info, 800787-2886, stratton.com.

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DRINK-IN MOVIE: ELF Visitors are invited to sip selections from Stonecutter Spirits’ brand-new cocktail menu while watching the modern Christmas classic, Elf, in which Will Ferrell plays a regular boy who was raised by elves at the North Pole. Haymaker Bun provides snacks. Friday, December 15, 6-9 p.m., Stonecutter Spirits, Middlebury. Cost of drinks. Info, 388-3000, stonecutterspirits.com.

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DESTROY APATHY HOLIDAY MARKET Shoppers can choose gifts from area vendors such as Happy Fantastic, Luscious Lumberjack and Common Deer, then swing into the dining room for, say, a 400 Burger, Korean pork tacos or a choco taco. Wednesday, December 13, 5-9 p.m., ArtsRiot, Burlington. Free. Info, 540-0406, artsriot.com.

THERE’S SOMETHING AT COMMODITIES NATURAL MARKET FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST.

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Bottoms Up!

12.13.17-12.20.17 SEVEN DAYS 50 FOOD

Megan Davern, 29, worked in farming and shadowed an itinerant slaughterer before working for a total of two years at two slaughter and meat-cutting facilities in the Northeast Kingdom. She has since moved to Arizona, where she is starting her own slaughter business and butcher shop. Davern’s experience in Vermont was colored by “this very ingrained, deepseated cultural sexism,” she said. “I wanted to learn. They laughed at me.” At the first slaughterhouse in particular, there were constant sexual comments, including rape jokes, Davern recalled. She told her boss that the rape jokes were affecting her job performance, but he did nothing, saying he was nervous about the repercussions of raising the issue with male employees. After six months, Davern left that company when she was slapped in the face while buttering toast during a break. The assault came out of nowhere, she said, from a man employed by the slaughterhouse owner, although not a regular crew member. Davern believes “he was trying to show he was one of the guys.” In 2010, when Guillemette, 38, a trained chef, went to work at Royal Butcher, they were no stranger to intense, male-dominated workplaces. (Guillemette now identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns but presented as female when working for Larocque.) Guillemette was invested in learning the craft of meat cutting and gives credit to several male mentors, but the daily barrage of crude jokes and gender-related harassment was exhausting. “I just put my head down and worked,” they said. “Even in [restaurant] kitchens these days, it’s not that bad.” Echoing others, Guillemette said it was a constant internal debate about whether to speak up, knowing that a skilled employee, even one arguably crossing the line of acceptable workplace behavior, would likely be given wide latitude. Slaughterhouse culture, they added, is not conducive to calmly resolving differences. “When do you take a stand when you know it’s going to be a fight and everybody has knives?” Guillemette said. After less than a year, Guillemette left Royal Butcher after a coworker physically pinned them against a wall in a threatening sexual manner. (Larocque and Mallette said that they do not recall

MELISSA PASANEN

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Women With Knives « P.49

Mary Lake working on a farm in Lincoln

being told about the incident but that the employee in question was later fired.)

Dealing With It Even those who do not share stories of blatant harassment agree that the slaughterhouse environment can be tough. On her noon break at Royal Butcher, Julie Leonard, 50, of Braintree sat on the stairs and ate lunch. She had taken off the hunting cap with earflaps she wears to stay warm in the refrigerated cutting room. Leonard previously worked at Vermont Castings in Randolph making cast-iron parts for woodstoves. “I’m used to working with guys,” she said. “I enjoy this job.” Leonard started on the kill floor two years ago, then moved to the cutting room. “I was raised killing my own meat. It don’t bother me to play in blood and guts,” she said. Regarding workplace dynamics, Leonard conceded that “some stuff does get a little weird in there sometimes. It takes a woman who’s not afraid to get dirty and can give it right back at ’em.” At Vermont Packinghouse in North Springfield, Thiboumery is working to improve slaughterhouse culture. The 40,000-square-foot facility opened in July 2014 with viewing windows onto all the rooms, including the kill floor.

It is the largest slaughterhouse in the state, processing 50 cows on a recent Friday — though on a national scale, he pointed out, “that’s like being the tallest kindergartener.” Hiring has not been a huge problem, Thiboumery said, but “definitely, finding people for the kill floor is a little harder.” The average age of his workforce is 30, younger than the industry average. There’s usually a woman in every department, although not always around the cutting table or on the kill floor. Those areas “probably do have a little more of a macho, tough-guy vibe,” Thiboumery said. “We’re a part of a larger culture that reinforces that.” One of the 10 people currently working the kill floor is three-year employee Kacey Knight, 31, of Chester. Wrapped in a rubber apron and wearing a red hard hat, she stood out only up-close, when her thickly mascaraed lashes came into view. Knight landed at the slaughterhouse out of pragmatism. “It was not on the list of things I wanted to do, but there are no other jobs around town,” she said. “I like to work hard. You’re feeding a lot of people, and you’re learning.” Initially, Knight worked in processing and cutting. “I never thought I’d end up on the kill floor,” she said. “I hated hunting. My grandfather took me deer

hunting. I had a deer in my sights, but I couldn’t pull the trigger.” Knight has done all the jobs, from using the captive bolt gun to stun the animals before their throats are cut, to gutting. For her, the workplace atmosphere is a trade-off for a steady job she likes. “I get along with just about anyone, but there’s always one or two,” Knight said. “I don’t dwell on it a lot. If you do, you won’t make it.” She gestured at an older employee through the window from the locker room where she was taking a break. “He’ll ride your ass and say some dirty things, but he has my back more than some,” she said matter-of-factly. Knight’s focus is more on compensation and recognition for work well done. “I work very hard,” she said, “and it’s hard to see another guy come in and get raises, and I’m doing the same work for less pay.”

Bigger Mission Some women stick with it in the meat business to meet their own personal goals. “People say, ‘Why did you put up with it?’” said Davern, the former Northeast Kingdom slaughterhouse employee who’s now in Arizona. “I wanted to follow my dreams. I put up

food+drink

with all that shit, and now I own my own business.” When Lake, 33, started at Royal Butcher in 2010, she had been working on a sheep farm. She dropped off lambs at a slaughterhouse the day it was later shut down for inhumane handling. “I was mad at myself. I had seen some things that didn’t look right,” Lake said. “I should have known.”

Your Unofficial

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and slaughter, I could make a living and be the kind of mom I want to be,” Lake said. Early in October, Lake brought her son along to a slaughter job at Metta Earth Institute, an educational retreat and farm in Lincoln that raises much of its own food. She was 39 weeks pregnant with her second child. While Lake ably and calmly killed, skinned and gutted

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five lambs, assisted by the institute’s owners and apprentices, 4-year-old Hugo played on a blanket nearby. Wearing his rubber cow-print boots — on the wrong feet — he occasionally wandered over to see what his mother was doing or to help put out clean straw over the blood. At one point, Hugo got a little needy, as toddlers do, and Lake paused to give him a hug and kiss. Because daycare is expensive, she explained later, “I have to bring him with me, but I pick the jobs that are right, and I feel totally OK with it.” Although some might have found it jarring, it was a hopeful sign to see Hugo watching his mother work. He will grow up accepting as completely normal two important things at the heart of changing both slaughter culture and the larger culture within which it exists. First, the more open and visible humane animal slaughter is, the more the public will understand what it entails and, ideally, value those who are willing to do the job. Second, Hugo will see his mother successfully pursuing a career she cares deeply about and making it work on her own terms. As another former slaughterhouse worker, Kelsey Crelin of West Glover, put it: “Women really need to get out there and do the things they’re passionate about, and little boys and girls will see their moms doing that. That’s how we’re going to change things.” While the responsibility for change should not rest on women alone, cultural shifts take time — and trailblazers. In the meat industry, as in the greater world, it’s never easy to be out front. m

12/11/17 10:30 AM

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

She decided to work in the industry to learn and help improve it. By Lake’s own admission, she was not an obvious hire: “I’d never killed anything. I’d never held a sharp knife.” Her first job was in the cutting room in the position of boner, removing any meat left on bones for the grinding bucket. It was Lake’s introduction to meat cutting and to slaughterhouse culture. “They called me a boner all day long,” she recalled ruefully. Lake was soon able to move to the kill floor and gradually built her skills. It was hard convincing the men to teach her, she said, partly because training slows down workflow. But, she added, “Once they saw that I was serious and really focused, they saw it was beneficial to teach me.” Even as Lake was able to learn, the name-calling and other inappropriate comments wore her down. “I don’t like talking about it,” Lake admitted. “It’s so complicated. It seems weird to say, but, even with all that, I did really like them and respect them. They taught me everything I know.” She tried to stay focused on her broader goal. “There were times I knew someone could teach me something if I just went along with the jokes and kept things light and happy,” she said. “In the end, I was given all the opportunities I wanted.” Lake stayed at the slaughterhouse for a little more than four years, up until the birth of her first son, Hugo. When she left Royal Butcher, Lake also left the new second kill floor that she had championed to provide better, more humane slaughter for smaller animals. She’s disappointed that it’s not being used now, but she understands the labor issue. Her decision to leave was a personal one, she said. “With on-farm shearing

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film

SEEING & DISRUPTING RACISM: A learning opportunity geared toward white community members elucidates the concept of white fragility and prepares participants to challenge prejudice. Shelburne Town Offices, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 3832345, ext. 6.

‘BABES IN TOYLAND’: Annette Funicello and Ray Bolger star in a colorful 1961 comedy featuring fairy-tale characters. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, 6 p.m. $5. Info, 533-9075.

art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the art section.

business

RUTLAND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS DECEMBER MIX: Area business people rub elbows amid appetizers, a cash bar and a discussion of the Reach Out and Read organization. Rutland Regional Medical Center, 6-8 p.m. Free; children’s books accepted. Info, 773-9147.

community

COFFEE HOUR: Friends, neighbors and AARP Vermont volunteers catch up on upcoming activities and issues facing older Vermonters. Cups of coffee are free! The Skinny Pancake, Burlington, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 951-1313. GREENER DRINKS: Supporters of commonsense cannabis reform sip beverages and discuss the culture, industry and politics of the agricultural product. Zenbarn, Waterbury, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, info@vtcannabisbrands.com.

dance

CONTACT IMPROV: Movers engage in weight-sharing, play and meditation when exploring this style influenced by aikido and other somatic practices. The Everything Space, Montpelier, 7-8:30 p.m. $510. Info, 232-3618. SEVENDAYSVT.COM

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DROP-IN HIP-HOP DANCE: Beginners are welcome at a groove session inspired by infectious beats. Swan Dojo, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. $15. Info, 540-8300.

environment

JOE ROMAN: In a Natural Marshfield series talk, the University of Vermont Gund Institute for Environment fellow covers how conservation is good for the Vermont economy. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

etc.

OPEN MIC NIGHT: Feats of comedy, music, poetry and storytelling fill five-, 10- and 15-minute time slots. Main Street Museum, White River Junction, 7-9 p.m. Donations. Info, info@mainstreetmuseum.org.

See what’s playing at local theaters in the movies section.

‘EXTREME WEATHER 3D’: A National Geographic film takes viewers to the front lines of powerful storms, widespread fires and rising waters. Northfield Savings Bank Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, noon & 2:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $11.50-14.50; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848. ‘WONDER OF THE ARCTIC 3D’: Pioneering scientists seek to answer questions about the impact of human activities on this fragile frontier. Northfield Savings Bank Theater: A National Geographic Experience, ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 11 a.m., 1 & 3:30 p.m. $3-5 plus regular admission, $11.50-14.50; admission free for members and kids 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

SEVEN DAYS

GNOME for the HOLIDAYS

Christmas Revels, a festive stage show and well-loved Upper Valley institution, returns for its 43rd year. Presented by community arts nonprofit Revels North, this spirited spectacular of song, dance and storytelling celebrates a particular culture each year by exploring its winter solstice and holiday traditions. This year, a cast of 73 auditioned performers tells the story of a young girl, played by Strafford’s Maeve Miller, on a journey to discover her Nordic heritage. Finnish tales, Swedish gnomes, Scandinavian music and dance, and even some Norwegian drinking songs enliven this dazzling display of regional appreciation.

food & drink

COMMUNITY MEAL: Diners dig into a hot lunch. United Church of Johnson, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 635-1247. COMMUNITY SUPPER: A scrumptious spread connects friends and neighbors. The Pathways Vermont Community Center, Burlington, 5-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 888-492-8218, ext. 300. FIRST THURSDAY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST LADIES’ LUNCHEON: Women come together for a midday chat-and-chew. Irises Cafe and Wine Bar, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 1:30 p.m. Cost of food and drink; preregister. Info, 518-310-1457. A MOSAIC OF FLAVOR: CHAMORRO CHICKEN & VEGETABLE ESCABECHE: Maria Garrido and Ita Meno demonstrate how to prepare traditional dishes. City Market, Onion River Co-op, Burlington South End, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $5-10. Info, 540-6400. VERMONT FARMERS MARKET: Local products — think veggies, breads, pastries, cheeses, wines, syrups, jewelry, crafts and beauty supplies — draw shoppers to a diversified bazaar. Vermont Farmers Food Center, Rutland, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 342-4727.

games

BRIDGE CLUB: Strategic players have fun with the popular card game. Burlington Bridge Club, Williston, 9:15 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. $6. Info, 872-5722. ENDANGERED ALPHABETS GAMES WORKSHOP: Fans of Scrabble and other word-based pastimes test new games as part of the Endangered

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List your upcoming event here for free! SUBMISSION DEADLINES: SPECIAL HOLIDAY DEADLINE: LISTINGS FOR EVENTS TAKING PLACE BETWEEN DECEMBER 20 AND JANUARY 10 ARE DUE BY NOON ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14. FIND OUR CONVENIENT FORM AND GUIDELINES AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT. YOU CAN ALSO EMAIL US AT CALENDAR@SEVENDAYSVT.COM. TO BE LISTED, YOU MUST INCLUDE THE NAME OF EVENT, A BRIEF DESCRIPTION, SPECIFIC LOCATION, DATE, TIME, COST AND CONTACT PHONE NUMBER.

CALENDAR EVENTS IN SEVEN DAYS: LISTINGS AND SPOTLIGHTS ARE WRITTEN BY KRISTEN RAVIN. SEVEN DAYS EDITS FOR SPACE AND STYLE. DEPENDING ON COST AND OTHER FACTORS, CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS MAY BE LISTED IN EITHER THE CALENDAR OR THE CLASSES SECTION. WHEN APPROPRIATE, CLASS ORGANIZERS MAY BE ASKED TO PURCHASE A CLASS LISTING.

DEC.19 | MUSIC

COURTESY OF JASON KOSKI

52 CALENDAR

DEC.14-17 | HOLIDAYS

DEC.16 | KIDS Reading Rainbow

‘THE CHRISTMAS REVELS: A NORDIC CELEBRATION OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE’

The Queen City’s littlest readers foster a love for literature while learning a bit about gender fluidity during a special story time at Burlington’s Fletcher Free Library. Drag Queen Story Hour, created by Michelle Tea and San Francisco nonprofit RADAR Productions, aims to provide budding bookworms with positive queer role models. Vermont drag queens Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne (also known as Justin Marsh and Taylor Small) captivate kiddos on Saturday with age-appropriate stories focused on individuality, activism, creativity, expression and social responsibility. PHOTO COURTESY OF TYNE BECHTOLDT

Thursday, December 14, 6 p.m.; Friday, December 15, 7 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17, 1 & 5 p.m., at Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. $7.50-48. Info, 603-646-2422, hop.dartmouth.edu.

DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR Saturday, December 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m., at Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. Free. Info, 865-7216, fletcherfree.org.

A child’s imagination can provide relief from stress, anxiety and trauma, explains psychologist Charlotte Reznick in a video on the parenting website Kids in the House. For Bahar, the little girl in the 2016 film Breath, this claim proves true. Set in central Iran in the 1970s and ’80s, the dramatic motion picture follows Bahar, played by Sareh Nour Mousavi, as she escapes her chaotic world through books, daydreams and fantasies. Writer and director Narges Abar drew on her own experiences to make the movie, shown in Farsi with English subtitles. The Vermont International Film Festival presents this Academy Award submission at Burlington’s Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center.

RICHIE AND ROSIE Tuesday, December 19, 7-9 p.m., at Zenbarn Studio in Waterbury. $10. Info, 244-8134, zenbarnvt.com.

DEC.14 | FILM

SEVEN DAYS

Waterbury’s Zenbarn Studio typically offers a variety of feel-good classes, such as yoga, Pilates and tai chi. On Tuesday, however, the space is transformed from a health-and-wellness studio into an intimate listening room for a fiddle-andbanjo concert by Americana duo Richie and Rosie. Armed with original and traditional tunes from their 2017 album, Nowhere in Time, banjo buff Richie Stearns and fierce fiddler Rosie Newton showcase what roots music journal No Depression describes as “frankly scorching instrumentals.”

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Thursday, December 14, 7 p.m., at Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, in Burlington. $5-8; free for Vermont International Film Festival members. Info, 660-2600, vtiff.org.

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ATHLETES PRIMAL FLOW: Yoga meets primal movement, animal flow, plyometrics and isometrics. Zenbarn Studio, Waterbury, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $10. Info, studio@zenbarnvt.com. BUTI YOGA: A fusion of vinyasa yoga, plyometrics and dance is set to upbeat music. Bring water and a towel. Women’s Room, Burlington, 6-7 p.m. $10. Info, 829-0211. GENTLE YOGA: Practitioners with limitations and seasoned students alike hit the mat for an alllevels class. Zenbarn Studio, Waterbury, 9-10 a.m. $10. Info, studio@zenbarnvt.com.

GINGER’S EXTREME BOOT CAMP: Triathletes, Spartan racers and other fitness fanatics challenge themselves to complete Navy Seal exercises during an intense workout. Come in good shape. Private residence, Middlebury, 7-8 a.m. $8-12; 11/14/17 1:10 PM for ages 16 and up. Info, 343-7160.

kids

BOOK DISCUSSIONS FOR HOMESCHOOLED STUDENTS: Grouped by age, youngsters chat about celebrated titles. Call for details. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956. LEGO CLUB: Kiddos ages 6 and up snap together snazzy structures. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420. READ TO DAISY: Budding bookworms join a friendly canine for ear-catching narratives. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6956. STORY TIME: Children are introduced to the wonderful world of reading. Richmond Free Library, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 434-3036.

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You’ll receive a 20% discount off books purchased for donation!

DESTROY APATHY HOLIDAY MARKET: Shoppers support local artisans while snagging gifts for loved ones. ArtsRiot, Burlington, 5-9 p.m. Free. Info, 540-0406.

(Some exclusions apply.)

CLiF works to nurture a love of reading and writing among children who are at high risk of growing up with low literacy skills by bringing authors, illustrators, and literacy programming/resources to schools, libraries, shelters and affordable housing units, refugee programs, Head Start, and many others.

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THE FESTIVAL OF SANKTA LUCIA: In a traditional Swedish Christmas festival, costumed kids and adults celebrate the story of Saint Lucia with songs and narration. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on the Green, Middlebury, 7-8 p.m. Free. Info, 388-7200. GIANT MENORAH PUBLIC LIGHTING: Friends and families gather ’round an oversize candelabrum for singing, latkes and doughnuts. Taylor Park, St. Albans, 5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 802-658-5770, ext. 5. HOLIDAY COCKTAIL PARTY: Music, appetizers, a cash bar and good cheer are in store for merrymakers at this spirited benefit for Meals on Wheels. Waitsfield Inn, 5-7 p.m. $20. Info, 496-9416.

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JUDY COLLINS: ‘HOLIDAYS & HITS’: Fans file in to hear the folk legend sing festive favorites plus hits such as “Send In the Clowns.” Woodstock Town Hall Theatre, 7-9 p.m. $55. Info, 457-3981.

This December, we’re partnering with CLiF to collect books for children all over Vermont.

www.phoenixbooks.biz

PRIMAL CORE FLOW: A varied vinyasa class promotes balance, ST & AT ND body control, coordination, strength EC BA O LL E GE C ON CE RT and flexibility. Zenbarn Studio, Waterbury, STORY TIME FOR PRESCHOOLERS: Picture 7:30-8:30 a.m. $10. Info, studio@zenbarnvt.com. books, songs, rhymes and early math tasks work youngsters’ mental muscles. Brownell Library, RECOVERY COMMUNITY YOGA: Folks in recovery Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956. and their families enrich mind, body and spirit in an all-levels class. All props are provided; wear YOGA FOR KIDS: Yogis ages 2 through 5 strike a loose clothing. Turning Point Center, Burlington, pose to explore breathing exercises and relaxation 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 861-3150. techniques. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 1111:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216. WEDNESDAY GUIDED MEDITATION: Individuals learn to relax and let go. Burlington Friends language Meeting House, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 318-8605. BEGINNER ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASS: Students build a foundation in reading, speaking and writZUMBA EXPRESS: A shortened version of ing. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6:30-8 p.m. this guided, beat-driven workout gives stuFree. Info, 865-7211. dents a much-needed midday surge of energy. Marketplace Fitness, Burlington, 11:30 a.m.-noon. DUTCH LANGUAGE CLASSES: Planning a trip $12; free for members and first-timers. Info, to Amsterdam? Learn vocabulary and grammar 651-8773. basics from a native speaker. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, bheeks@yahoo. holidays com. CHOIR OF CLARE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE: Spirits INTERMEDIATE-LEVEL SPANISH CLASS: Pupils soar during the vocal program “A Seasonal improve their speaking and grammar mastery. Celebration of One That Is So Fair and Bright.” Private residence, Burlington, 6 p.m. $20. Info, United Community Church North Building, St. 324-1757. Johnsbury, 7 p.m. $15-35; free for students. Info, INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED ENGLISH LANGUAGE 748-2600. CLASS: Learners take communication to the next

Make it a meaningful holiday season with Phoenix Books and our book drive for the Children’s Literacy Foundation.

2 Carmichael Street, Essex . 802.872.7111 191 Bank Street, Burlington . 802.448.3350 2 Center Street, Rutland . 802.855.8078 58 Common Street, Chester . 802.875.3400

STORY TIME & PLAYGROUP: Engrossing plots unfold into fun activities for tots ages 6 and younger. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581. MUS

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NIA WITH LINDA: Eclectic music and movements drawn from healing, martial and dance arts propel an animated barefoot workout. South End Studio, Burlington, 8:30-9:30 a.m. $14; free for first-timers. Info, 372-1721.

A VERY MERRY MIDDLEBURY: Festivities throughout the month of December transform the town into a winter wonderland for the whole family to enjoy. See experiencemiddlebury.com for details. Various downtown Middlebury locations. Prices vary. Info, 345-1366.

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health & fitness

REINDEER QUEST: Shoppers in pursuit of prizes explore various stores, restaurants and activities, collecting snowflake stamps as they go. See gostowe.com for details. Various Stowe locations, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Free. Info, 253-7321.

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MAH JONGG: Players of all levels enjoy friendly bouts of this tile-based game. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 1-3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

PUBLIC MENORAH LIGHTING: The spirit of Hanukkah shines at a grand menorah lighting complete with latkes and sufganiyot. Middlebury Town Green, 5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 578-2965.

level. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7211. LUNCH IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE: SPANISH: ¡Hola! Language lovers perfect their fluency. KelloggHubbard Library, Montpelier, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

music

Find club dates in the music section. SINGER-SONGWRITER NIGHT: Aspiring performers test their talents on stage. Elfs Farm Winery & Cider House, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 6-9 p.m. Free. Info, 518-563-2750.

outdoors

EYEING THE STARS: GEMINID METEOR SHOWER: A celestial presentation in the VINS StarLab gives way to an outdoor star-gazing opportunity. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, 7-9 p.m. $5-8; free for members; preregister; limited space. Info, 359-5000, ext. 245.

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

seminars

A COURSE IN MIRACLES: A monthly workshop based on Helen Schucman’s 1975 text delves into the wisdom found at the core of the world’s major religions. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Plattsburgh, N.Y., 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 518-561-6920. RUNNING SHOES: Sarah Richardson, a certified running coach, demystifies footwear. Community Room, Hunger Mountain Co-op, Montpelier, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, info@hungermountain. coop. WOMEN & MONEY: Certified money coach Colleen Smith shares tools for achieving financial freedom. Kismet Place, Williston, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 349-798.

sports

WOMEN’S PICKUP BASKETBALL: Players dribble up and down the court during an evening of friendly competition. Lyman C. Hunt Middle School, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $3; preregister at meetup. com. Info, 540-1089.

talks

LESLEY-ANN GIDDINGS: The Middlebury College assistant professor schools listeners on the discovery and engineering of natural products made from micro-organisms. Room 207, Bentley Hall, Johnson State College, 4-5:15 p.m. Free. Info, 635-1327.

THU.14 activism

NETDAHE STODDARD: The past illuminates the problems of the present during the discussion “History of Racism.” For ages 12 and up. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 4 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581. VIGIL TO END GUN VIOLENCE: Community members honor those who have lost their lives to firearms since the 2012 mass shooting in Sandy Hook, Conn. First Unitarian Universalist Society, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, sharon@ gunsensevt.org.

ADVANCED CONTEMPORARY TECHNIQUE: Movers infuse technique with improvisation, composition and play. North End Studio B, Burlington, 10-11:15 a.m. $15. Info, hannasatt@gmail.com.

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: Wordsmiths focus on elements of craft while discussing works-inprogress penned by Burlington Writers Workshop members. 110 Main St., Suite 3C, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister at meetup.com; limited space. Info, 383-8104.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST BOOK CLUB: Bookworms sound off on a popular page-turner. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Plattsburgh, N.Y., 1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 518-561-6920.

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JOB HUNT HELP: Community College of Vermont interns assist employment seekers with everything from résumé writing to online applications. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 745-1393. TROPICAL FISH CLUB MONTHLY MEETING: Speakers ranging from local hobbyists to nationally known aquarium aficionados share their expertise. Essex Junction VFW Post, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 372-8716.

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See what’s playing at local theaters in the movies section. ‘BREATH’: Shown in Farsi with English subtitles, this 2016 film follows an Iranian girl who uses daydreams to escape a country in turmoil. See calendar spotlight. Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington, 7 p.m. $5-8; free for Vermont International Film Festival members. Info, 660-2600.

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‘EXTREME WEATHER 3D’: See WED.13. ‘JOHN LEWIS: GET IN THE WAY’: This 2017 documentary turns the lens toward a civil rights and congressional leader. Big Picture Theater and Café, Waitsfield, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 863-2345, ext. 2. ‘WONDER OF THE ARCTIC 3D’: See WED.13.

COMMUNITY LUNCH: Farm-fresh fare makes for a delicious and nutritious midday meal. The Pathways Vermont Community Center, Burlington, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 888-492-8218, ext. 309.

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FILL THE BOWL: A simple meal served in studentmade ceramic bowls benefits community members in need. Integrated Arts Academy, H.O. Wheeler Elementary School, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; $5 per handmade bowl. Info, 864-8475. UVM MEDICAL CENTER FARMERS MARKET: Locally sourced meats, vegetables, bakery items, breads and maple syrup give hospital employees and visitors the option to eat healthfully. Davis Concourse, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, 2:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 847-5823.

THU.14

CALENDAR 55

WRITING CIRCLE: Words flow when participants explore creative expression in a lowpressure environment. The Pathways Vermont Community Center, Burlington, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 888-492-8218.

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A PARTY FOR GALWAY & HIS NEW BOOK: Poetry pundits fête the publication of the late Galway Kinnell’s Collected Poems with readings and refreshments. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 7-8 p.m. Free. Info, 745-1393.

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BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP: Fans of the written word delve into At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being and Apricot Cocktails With Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus, Martin Heidegger, Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Others by Sarah Bakewell. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

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‘DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID’: Northern Stage presents a musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale about the under-the-sea adventures of Ariel, who longs to live above water. Barrette Center for the Arts, White River Junction, 7:30 p.m. $15-69. Info, 296-7000.

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Find visual art exhibits and events in the art section.

tech

theater

At the heart of the image.

art

FOR REAL WOMEN SERIES WITH BELINDA: GIT UR FREAK ON: R&B and calypso-dancehall music is the soundtrack to an empowering sensual dance session aimed at confronting body shaming. Swan Dojo, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. $15. Info, bestirredfitness@gmail.com.

TECHNOLOGY NIGHT: Online music and podcasts become second nature during a class with Vermont Technical College’s Ken Bernard. Bring your own device. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

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WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE & FREEDOM MEETING: Socially conscious ladies convene to discuss upcoming programs and community-related topics. Peace & Justice Center, Burlington, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 862-4929.

RICK WINSTON: In “Alfred Hitchcock and the Art of Suspense,” the film buff references movie clips when tracing the arc of the iconic director’s career. Richmond Free Library, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 434-3036.

TECH HELP WITH CLIF: Electronics novices develop skill sets applicable to smartphones, tablets and other gadgets. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, noon, 1, 6 & 7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6955.

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MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT: Animal lovers mix, mingle and sip Kickback Brewery suds at a semi-formal silent auction fundraiser for Passion 4 Paws. The Automaster, Shelburne, 6:30-9 p.m. $50 includes food and drink. Info, 355-8136.

GAME NIGHT: From Monopoly to Bananagrams, players participate in tabletop pastimes. Main Street Museum, White River Junction, 6 p.m. Donations. Info, 356-2776.

Memory Episode, of this award winning PBS series. It is sometimes in the most humble objects that our history is POKÉMON LEAGUE: I choose you, Pikachu! Players MENORAH LIGHTING: Refreshments, most vividly recalled. Craft PUBLIC objects, being made by hand to of the trading-card game earn weekly and monthly stories, singing and raffles enliven the illumination prizes in ause, fun, friendly environment where to collect, to be part of lives,Statehouse, are more of aour sacredeveryday candelabrum. Vermont newbies can be coached by league leaders. Brap’s Montpelier, 5 p.m. Free. Info, 658-5770, ext. 5. Magic, Burlington, 5-8 p.m. Free. Info, 540-0498. than our history, they are our memory. REINDEER QUEST: See WED.13.

MERRY MIDDLEBURY: See WED.13. health & fitness film followed by AaVERY 50-minute discussion focused on BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE SUN-STYLE TAI CHI, kids inspiration with film maker/artisan documentor Natalie LONG-FORM: Improved mood, greater muscle BABY TIME: Books, rhymes and songs are spestrength and increased energy are a few of the Stultz, woodworker Kit Clark, sculptor EbenFree Markowski. ciallyand selected for tiny tots. Fletcher Library, benefits of this gentle exercise. Winooski Senior Center, 6:45-8 p.m. Free. Info, 735-5467.

Burlington, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

BEGINNERS TAI CHI CLASS: Students get a feel for the ancient Chinese practice. Twin Valley Senior Center, East Montpelier, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3322.

FAMILY STEAM NIGHT: Parents and tots get hands-on with activities in science, technology, engineering, art and math. Fairfax Community Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

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COMMUNITY MINDFULNESS: A 20-minute guided practice with Andrea O’Connor alleviates stress and tension. Tea and a discussion follow. Winooski Senior Center, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 233-1161.

PRE-K ART PLAY: Children let their imaginations

A 2008 documentary film by Sasaki which tells run Megumi wild during a free-form paint-and-canvas session. Caregivers must stick around. Helen Day Art the story of two middle-class collectors Center, Stowe, 10-11:30of a.m.contemporary $5. Info, 253-8358. CORNWALL FITNESS BOOT CAMP: Interval training PRESCHOOL MUSIC: Tykes up to age 5 have fun helps participants improve strength, endur- Vogel, art, Herbert and agility, Dorothy and the enormous and with song and dance. Dorothy Alling Memorial ance and cardiovascular fitness. Cornwall Town collection of conceptual art and minimalist art they Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918. Hall, 9-10valuable a.m. $12. Info, 343-7160. READ TO A CAT: Lit lovers share stories with a FORZA: THE SAMURAI SWORD WORKOUT: amassed in spite of their relatively meager salaries as New registered therapy feline. Dorothy Alling Memorial Students sculpt lean muscles and gain mental Library, Williston, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister. focus when using City woodencivil replicas of the weapon. York servants. North End Studio A, Burlington, 6-7 p.m. $10. Info, 578-9243.60-minute film followed

Info, 878-4918.

KARMA KLASS: DONATION-BASED YOGA FOR A CAUSE: Active bodies hit the mat to support local nonprofits. The Wellness Collective, 6-7 p.m. Donations. Info, 540-0186.

friendly therapy dog for entertaining tails — er, tales. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

TO A DOG: Book with hounds Vermont ages 5 through based 10 by READ a discussion curl up with a good story and a furry friend. Fairfax GENTLE FLOW YOGA: Individuals with injuries or Art Collector Mark Waskow. Additional panelists topreregisbe Community Library, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Free; other challenges feel the benefits of a relaxing and ter. Info, 849-2420. nourishing practice. Zenbarn Studio, Waterbury, 9-10 a.m.announced. $10. Info, studio@zenbarnvt.com. READ TO ARCHIE: Budding bookworms join a

Tim’s Vermeer

THURSDAY PLAY TIME: Kiddos and their caregivers convene for casual fun. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 878-4918.

March 18, 7:00

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION: A peaceful, guided pm meditation helps participants achieve a sense of stability and calm. The Pathways Vermont Community Center, Burlington, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 777-8602.

Inventor Tim Jenison seeksUKULELE to understand the painting KIDS: Musical munchkins play instruments and dance to favorite children’s songs. techniques used by Dutch Master Johannes Vermeer. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:15 a.m. SLOW FLOW YOGA: Tailored to meet students’ needs, this foundational class facilitates overall film followed wellness.80-minute Zenbarn Studio, Waterbury, 7:30-8:30 a.m. $10. Info, studio@zenbarnvt.com.

Val Hurd.

Howard Street Guest House

a decoration station. Sustainability Academy, Lawrence Barnes School, Burlington, 5:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister; limited space. Info, 863-4475.

Free. Info, 865-7216.

by WINTER a discussion with dug Nap and STORIES WITH LINDA COSTELLO: The ra-

VINYASA FLOW: A well-balanced flow pairs movement with breath to create a stronger mind-body connection. Kismet Place, Williston, noon-1 p.m. $12. Info, 343-5084.

Handmade Nation

conteur regales listeners with cold-weather tales. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

language

WATER: EMOTIONAL & ENDOCRINE BALANCE REMEDIES: Acupuncturist Baylen Slote explores pm a variety of holistic healing tools for balancing hormones and fostering healthy emotional bandwidth. Community Room, Hunger Mountain Co-op, Montpelier, 6-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, info@ hungermountain.coop.

BEGINNER-LEVEL SPANISH CLASS: Basic communication skills are on the agenda at a guided lesson. Private residence, Burlington, 6 p.m. $20. Info, 324-1757.

who are in recovery toward achieving inner tranquility. Turning Point Center,film Burlington, 5-6 p.m. 60-minute followed Free. Info, 448-4262.

adults on supporting kids as they explore their

april 15, 7:00

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A documentary about contemporary independent craft lgbtq in America following the rise of D.I.Y. and the new wave LGBTQ YOUTH & YOU: Outright Vermont presents YOGA: A Sangha Studio instructor guides students a workshop for parents and other supportive of art, craft, and design. and gender identity. Large Conference by sexual a discussion with Moe O’Hare. Room, Morristown, 9 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 888-4576. Additional panelists to be announced. holidays WOMEN’S SOCIAL HOUR: Games and beverages

SEVEN DAYS

— alcoholic and non-alcoholic — give way to great CELEBRATE THE LIGHT WITH CHANNEL 17: conversation. Drink, Burlington, 5:30-7 p.m. Cost of Community members celebrate thewww.froghollow.org holiday season drinks. Info, 860-9463. with fellow free-speech champions and local media makers. CCTV Channel 17 Studios, Burlington, 5-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, kathleen@cctv.org. music

56 CALENDAR

‘THE CHRISTMAS REVELS: A NORDIC CELEBRATION OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE’: A young girl in search of her heritage is drawn into the mystical tales of her ancestors in a high-energy show of singing, dancing and pageantry. See calendar spotlight. Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 6 p.m. $7.50-48. Info, 603-646-2422. HOLIDAY KIDS’ BIKE BONANZA: Youngsters snag cycles on the cheap, then personalize them at Untitled-1 1

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Find club dates in the music section.

FLYNN SHOW CHOIRS: More than 80 of Vermont’s best young singers, actors and dancers deliver a powerhouse performance of Broadway favorites and pop hits. FlynnSpace, Burlington, 6 & 8 p.m. $12-16. Info, 863-5966. JUST JAMMIN’: Music lovers dance, listen or join in with a group of local instrumentalists. Light supper

fest

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

items are available for purchase. VFW Post 309, Peru, N.Y., 6 p.m. Free. Info, 518-643-2309. MUSIC AT NOON: Bag lunches are welcome at a performance by the Far and Away Trio. Christ Episcopal Church, Montpelier, noon. Donations. Info, 223-3631. SONGWRITING WORKSHOP: Seth Melvin Cronin guides Burlington Writers Workshop musicians and singers in structuring original strains. 110 Main St., Suite 3C, Burlington, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister at meetup.com; limited space. Info, 383-8104.

talks

AMY WELCH: Need to unwind? The professor weighs tension-reducing options in “To Run or Relax? Exploring the Arousal Antithesis for Stress Management.” Stearns Cinema, Johnson State College, 4 p.m. Free. Info, amy.welch@jsc.edu.

tech

ECSTATIC DANCE VERMONT: Jubilant motions with the Green Mountain Druid Order inspire divine connections. Christ Episcopal Church, Montpelier, 7-9 p.m. $10. Info, 505-8011.

FOREST ECOSYSTEM MONITORING COOPERATIVE CONFERENCE: Ideas take root when environmentally minded folks focus on the theme “Beyond Communication: Advocating for Science and Our Forests.” Davis Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. $20-22. Info, 656-2975. B LE

etc.

SOLSTICE CELEBRATION: Three TE celestial productions mark the F R O | ‘N SY IG H changing of the seasons. Northcountry T FI R E S’ | C O U R T E Planetarium, SUNY Plattsburgh, N.Y., 7 p.m. $8-12. Info, 518-564-3168.

‘DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID’: See WED.13, 2 & 7:30 p.m. NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: ‘YOUNG MARX’: Broadcast from London, this new comedy spotlights the early life of revolutionary socialist Karl Marx. Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury, 7 p.m. $16-25. Info, 748-2600. ‘SCOOTER THOMAS MAKES IT TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD’: Parish Players raise the curtain on a revival of Peter Parnell’s play about a young man searching for clues about his best friend’s death. Eclipse Grange Theater, Thetford, 7:30 p.m. $10-15. Info, 785–4344.

words

SOUNDCHECK: Slam poet Rajnii Eddins leads teen wordsmiths in a writing workshop followed by an open mic. Pizza fuels the fun. BCA Center, Burlington, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, rajnii@youngwritersproject.org.

See what’s playing at local theaters in the movies section. ‘EXTREME WEATHER 3D’: See WED.13. STAR WARS: ‘THE LAST JEDI’: Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers in this 2017 action film. Woodstock Town Hall Theatre, 7:30-10 p.m. $7-9. Info, 457-3981. ‘WONDER OF THE ARCTIC 3D’: See WED.13.

BALLROOM & LATIN DANCING: Learn new moves with Ballroom Nights, then join others in a dance social featuring the waltz, tango and more. Singles, couples and beginners are welcome. Williston

art

VERMONT

• • • •

Receptions and events Weekly picks for exhibits “Movies You Missed” by Margot Harrison News, profiles and reviews

sevendaysvt.com/RevIeW 1/13/14 5:09 PM

ACUDETOX: Attendees in recovery undergo acupuncture to the ear to propel detoxification. Turning Point Center, Burlington, 3 p.m. Free. Info, 861-3150.

BUTI YOGA: See WED.13, 10-10:45 a.m. & 6-7 p.m. FELDENKRAIS AWARENESS THROUGH MOVEMENT: Aches and pains, be gone! The physically challenged to the physically fit increase flexibility and body awareness with this form of somatic education. The Wellness Collective, Burlington, 12:30-1:30 p.m. $10. Info, 560-0186. FRIDAY NIGHT POWER YOGA: Practitioners get their sweat on during a full-body, flow-style mindful workout. Kismet Place, Williston, 5:15-6:15 p.m. $12. Info, 343-5084. RECOVERY COMMUNITY YOGA: See WED.13. REFUGE RECOVERY: A LOVE SUPREME: Buddhist philosophy is the foundation of this mindfulnessbased addiction-recovery community. Turning Point Center, Burlington, noon. Free. Info, 861-3150. TAI CHI FOR ALL LEVELS: Instructor Shaina shares the fundamentals of Yang style, including standing and moving postures. Zenbarn Studio, Waterbury, 9-10 a.m. $10. Info, studio@zenbarnvt.com.

holidays

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dance

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SEVEN DAYS

SIT & KNIT: Adult crafters share projects, patterns and conversation. Main Reading Room, Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 6maggie2@myfairpoint.net.

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CRAFTY CRAP NIGHT: Participants bring supplies or ongoing projects and an adventurous attitude to share creative time with other people in recovery. Turning Point Center, Burlington, 4 p.m. Free. Info, 861-3150.

the 181 Battery Street On ront Burlington • 802-864-0238 f r e t Call ahead seating available ShantyOnTheShore.com Wa

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

crafts

$16

health & fitness

BONE BUILDERS: Folks of all ages ward off osteoporosis in this exercise and prevention class. Twin Valley Senior Center, East Montpelier, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3322.

FEAST TOGETHER OR FEAST TO GO: Senior citizens and their guests catch up over a shared meal. Montpelier Senior Activity Center, noon-1 p.m. $7-9; preregister. Info, 262-6288.

ALL YOU CAN EAT FRIED SHRIMP

BRIDGE CLUB: See WED.13, 9:15 a.m.

Find visual art exhibits and events in the art section.

COMMUNITY & VETERAN TOWN HALL: Veterans, family members and other beneficiaries provide feedback to the White River Junction VA leadership team. Research Building 44, White River Junction VA Medical Center, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 295-9363.

• Shrimp Cake Sandwich • Shrimp and Mussels Fra Diavolo

AS WELL AS OUR FAMOUS

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games

ADVANCED TAI CHI CLASS: Participants keep active with a sequence of slow, controlled movements. Twin Valley Senior Center, East Montpelier, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3322.

community

• Buffalo Shrimp

Plan your art adventures with the Seven Days Friday email bulletin including:

film

FRI.15 art

FEATURING: • Coconut Shrimp

environment

TA YO

theater

SHRIMPfest 2017

ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE: Wendy Gilchrist and Adina Gordon lead hoofers in steps popular in the time of Jane Austen. Bring snacks to share. Elley-Long Music Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, 7-9:30 p.m. $10-15. Info, 881-9732.

F R I.1

TECH SUPPORT: Need an email account? Want to enjoy ebooks? Bring your phone, tablet or laptop to a weekly help session. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 748-8291, ext. 302.

Jazzercise Fitness Center, lesson, 7-8 p.m.; dance social, 8-9:30 p.m. $10-14; $8 for dance only. Info, 862-2269.

BISHOP JOHN A. MARSHALL SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Student musicians make spirits merry and bright. Spruce Peak Performing Arts FRI.15

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calendar

Itemcertificate gift

Size

FRI.15

Center, Mountain Resort, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 4.75” xStowe 7.46” 760-4634. CAROLS OF MANY LANDS: Audience members lift their voices to join in a recital of favorite songs new and old. Charlotte Congregational Church, 6-7:15 p.m. Free. Info, 425-3176.

26 Seymour Street | Middlebury | 802.388.7166 | fireandicerestaurant.com

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11/27/17 1:58 PM

Did you know that damage to a gas pipeline may pose a hazard and has the potential to ignite?

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

you Wishing happy d n a a safe season, holiday at r friends from you s! a G Vermont

Detecting a gas leak. Smell Natural gas is colorless and odorless.

12.13.17-12.20.17

hissing, or whistling.

WINTER CAROLS: A COMMUNITY EVENT: Friends and neighbors come together for audience singalongs and instrumental and choral performances. First Universalist Church and Society, Barnard, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 234-1645.

kids

If you suspect a leak.

ACORN CLUB STORY TIME: Little ones up to age 4 gather for read-aloud tales. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 748-8291.

Move immediately to a safe location. Call Vermont Gas at 1-800-639-8081 immediately, with the exact

SEVEN DAYS

WINTER WINE DOWN MUSIC SERIES: Oenophiles let loose with live music by Carol Ann Jones, RE award-winning wine and mouthRT EN U O MO watering eats. Snow Farm Vineyard, |C SOLARIS VOCAL ENSEMBLE: The UN TAIN N UTCRA CKER South Hero, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost of food Queen City choir captivates concertgoand drink. Info, 372-9463. ers with “Holiday Lights.” White Meeting House, Waterbury, 7:30 p.m. $15-20; free for kids under 1. outdoors Info, 863-5966. OWL PROWL: Whoo’s out there? A forested hike VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BRASS grants explorers access to the habitat of the birds QUINTET & COUNTERPOINT CHORUS: Traditional of prey. Black Kettle Nature Trail, Essex, N.Y., 5:30 tunes, a sing-along and a new student composip.m. $10-15; free for folks under 21; preregister; tion round out this blend of instruments, voices limited space. Info, 518-962-2287. and good cheer. United Church of Newport, 7:30 p.m. $10-24. Info, 864-5741. A WESTON HOLIDAY CABARET: Former members of the Weston Playhouse Young Company take center stage in two nights of live entertainment. Weston Playhouse at Walker Farm, 7:30 p.m. $2025. Info, 824-5288.

Sound You may hear an unusual noise like a roaring,

location. Do not smoke or operate electrical switches or appliances. These items may produce a spark that might ignite the gas or cause an explosion. Do not assume someone else will report the condition.

58 CALENDAR

SCOTTY MCCREERY: The country singer showcases the voice that led to his victory on season 10 of “American Idol.” Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 8 p.m. $45-65. Info, 775-0903.

A VERY MERRY MIDDLEBURY: See WED.13.

appears to be dead or dying for no apparent reason.

Questions? Visit VermontGas.com or call us at 800-639-8081

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RETURN OF A VERY OFF XMAS: House of Lemay, Green Candle Theatre and David Schein are among the naughty and nice acts in this Christmas “uncelebration.” Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $15. Info, theoffcenter@gmail. com.

added so that you will recognize it quickly. Sight You water or blowing dust. You may also see vegetation that

12/11/17 10:43 AM

JOHNSON STATE COLLEGE CONCERT BAND & WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE: Student instrumentalists breathe life into pieces ranging from jazz to classical to world music. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, 7 p.m. $5; free for JSC ID holders. Info, 635-1476.

REINDEER QUEST: See WED.13.

A distinctive, pungent odor, similar to rotten eggs, is may see a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing

FRIDAY NIGHT WINE DOWN: Locals welcome the weekend with the musical stylings of Tony Millette and Dylan Gombas. Elfs Farm Winery & Cider House, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 6-9 p.m. Free. Info, 518-563-2750.

call Dig Safe™ at 811 to notify them of the work.

FLYNN SHOW CHOIRS: See THU.14.

YS DA

other underground facilities, before starting to dig

AN IRISH CHRISTMAS WITH LÚNASA & ASHLEY DAVIS: SOLD OUT. Merrymakers celebrate Emerald Isle-style with a lively concert. University of Vermont Recital Hall, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $10-40. Info, 656-4455.

Find club dates in the music section.

OLI

cause of pipeline failures. Protect pipelines and

EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY: Several Main Street businesses open their doors to community members to enjoy musical acts accompanied by wine, cider and delicious eats. Downtown Bristol, 5-9 p.m. Free. Info, 760-6076.

music

SAT.16 | H

Digging into a pipeline is the largest single

DRINK-IN MOVIE: ‘ELF’: Cinephiles sip Stonecutter Spirits cocktails while taking in a 2003 comedy starring Will Ferrell as a man raised as an elf. Stonecutter Spirits, Middlebury, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 388-3000.

AI L FE L D M A N

Vermont’s Iconic steakhouse

Biggest Salad Bar in VT! Prime Rib, Lobster Local Ground Beef & much more!

STORY TIME: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers drop in for books, rhymes, songs and activities. Winooski Memorial Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 655-6424.

B IG

Fire & Ice

DINNER WITH SANTA: Ho ho ho! Tots don their PJs and join Kris Kringle for a breakfast-themed supper. Colchester Middle School, 6:15-7:15 p.m. $5-10; free for kids 2 and under; preregister. Info, 264-5640.

MUSIC WITH RAPH: Youngsters sing and play the morning away. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Offer ends Christmas Eve.

LEGO FUN: Kiddos build creatively with colorful blocks. Tots 8 and under require a caregiver. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

For every $100, receive an additional $20

‘THE CHRISTMAS REVELS: A NORDIC CELEBRATION OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE’: See THU.14, 7 p.m.

KIDS’ NIGHT OUT: Student athletes care for little ones while their parents hit the town. Bring a swimsuit and gym clothes. SHAPE Fitness Center, Johnson State College, 6-9 p.m. $10. Info, 635-1498.

A gift everyone loveDays Vermont Gas - Safetywill Ads - Seven — a great night out this holiday season!

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COMOTION: Youngsters and their grown-ups explore movement and rhythm. The Everything Space, Montpelier, 9:30-10:15 a.m. $9 per family. Info, 232-3618. EARLY-BIRD MATH: Books, songs and games put a creative twist on mathematics for tots ages 2 through 5. Richmond Free Library, 11-11:45 a.m. Free. Info, 434-3036. FAMILY MOVIE: Parents and tots take their seats for an all-ages flick. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956. JOHN CHURCHMAN: Bookworms join the children’s book writer and his sheepdogs Maisie and Laddie for a signing of Sweet Pea & Friends: A Farm for Maisie. Frog Hollow Vermont Craft Gallery, Burlington, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, 863-6458.

tech

TECH TUTOR: Techies answer questions about computers and devices during one-on-one help sessions. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 4-6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-4918.

theater

‘DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID’: See WED.13. ‘NIGHT FIRES’: Rooted in ancient traditions, this 35th annual show honors the winter solstice with a multicultural pageant of song, dance and storytelling. Preshow singing begins approximately 20 minutes before. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 8 p.m. $20-25. Info, 382-9222. ‘SCOOTER THOMAS MAKES IT TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD’: See THU.14.

words

BURLINGTON WOMEN VETERANS BOOK GROUP: Those who have served in the U.S. military connect over reading materials and lunch. Burlington Lakeside Clinic, 12:30-2 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 657-7092. FRIDAY MORNING WORKSHOP: Wordsmiths offer constructive criticism on works in progress by Burlington Writers Workshop members. 110 Main St., Suite 3C, Burlington, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister at meetup.com; limited space. Info, 383-8104.

Hurry in to get your holiday gift cards!

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

SAT.16 art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the art section.

bazaars

encourage foodies to shop locally. St. Johnsbury Welcome Center, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, cfmamanager@gmail.com. CAPITAL CITY WINTER FARMERS MARKET: Root veggies, honey, maple syrup and more change hands at an off-season celebration of locally grown food. City Center, Montpelier, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 793-8347.

PITTSFORD FARMERS MARKET CRAFT FAIR: Potential take-home treasures include arts, crafts, jewelry, soap, maple products and more. Lothrop Elementary School, Pittsford, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 773-2843.

CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS WINTER FARMERS MARKET: Baked items, preserves, meats and eggs sustain shoppers in search of local goods. South Hero Congregational Church, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, champlainislandsfarmersmkt@gmail.com.

community

MIDDLEBURY WINTER FARMERS MARKET: Crafts, cheeses, breads, veggies and more vie for spots in shoppers’ totes. VFW Post 7823, Middlebury, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, mosefarm@gmail.com.

QUEEN CITY MEMORY CAFÉ: People with memory loss accompany their caregivers for coffee, conversation and entertainment. Thayer House, Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 656-4220.

crafts

EARTHWALK CRAFT PARTY: Folks of all ages tap into their creative side to make candles, cards and more. Live music and a bake sale complete the afternoon. EarthWalk Vermont, Plainfield, 1-4 p.m. $10; $25 per family. Info, 454-8500.

dance

CONTRA DANCE: Adina Gordon calls the steps at a spirited social dance with music by Chimney Swift. Capital City Grange, Berlin, instruction session, 7:35 p.m.; dance, 8-11 p.m. $5-9. Info, 249-7454.

etc.

INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY MEETING PLACE: Brainstorming leads to forming activity groups for hobbies such as flying stunt kites and playing music. Presto Music Store, South Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 658-0030. LEGAL CLINIC: Attorneys offer complimentary consultations on a first-come, first-served basis. 274 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 383-2118. TAROT READINGS WITH RACHEL: The truth is in the cards as an experienced reader offers divination services. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. $5-10. Info, 448-3350.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the movies section. ‘A SEASON OF LIGHT’ & ‘WINTER SKY EPHEMERIS’: Two shows of cosmically creative content by Loch Ness Productions captivate viewers. Northcountry Planetarium, SUNY Plattsburgh, N.Y., 1, 2:25 & 3:30 p.m. $5-7. Info, 518-564-3168.

NORWICH WINTER FARMERS MARKET: Farmers and artisans offer produce, meats and maple syrup alongside homemade baked goods and handcrafted items. Tracy Hall, Norwich, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 384-7447. SPIRITS OF THE SEASON: Beer buffs sample winter offerings from 14th Star Brewery, Goodwater Brewery and others alongside signature cocktails. Stratton Mountain Resort, 4-7 p.m. $25-30. Info, 800-787-2886. VERGENNES FARMERS MARKET: Local food and crafts, live music, and hot eats spice up Saturday mornings. Kennedy Brothers Building, Vergennes, 9 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 233-9180.

health & fitness

FITNESS BOOT CAMP: Ma’am, yes, ma’am! Exercise expert Ginger Lambert guides active bodies in an interval-style workout to build strength and cardiovascular fitness. Middlebury Recreation Facility, 8-9 a.m. $12. Info, 343-7160. INTRO CROSSFIT CLASS: Folks looking to get fit bring a water bottle and sneakers and prepare to get their sweat on. Mountain Trail CrossFit, Colchester, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, erin@mountaintrailcrossfit.com. R.I.P.P.E.D.: Resistance, intervals, power, plyometrics, endurance and diet define this high-intensity physical-fitness program. North End Studio A, Burlington, 9-10 a.m. $10. Info, 578-9243. YIN YOGA: Students hold poses for several minutes to give connective tissues a good stretch. Zenbarn Studio, Waterbury, 8-9:30 a.m. $10. Info, studio@zenbarnvt.com.

holidays

STAR WARS: ‘THE LAST JEDI’: See FRI.15.

CENTERPIECE WORKSHOP: Participants use local evergreens to fashion eye-catching tabletop arrangements. MAC Center for the Arts, Newport, 10-11 a.m. $5; preregister; limited space. Info, 334-1966. CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: Jewelry, cards, evergreen bundles, ornaments and handmade items round out this eclectic gathering of goods. St. John’s in the Mountains Episcopal Church, Stowe, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 253-3911.

Classes begin January 25- register today Women’s Small Business Program Carmen Tall, Director | ctall@mercyconnections.org| (802) 846-7081

CALEDONIA WINTER FARMERS MARKET: Fresh baked goods, veggies, beef and maple syrup SAT.16

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BURLINGTON WINTER FARMERS MARKET: A bustling indoor marketplace offers fresh and prepared foods alongside crafts, live music and lunch seating. Davis Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, burlingtonfarmersmarket.org@gmail.com.

Are you a woman with a business idea? Ready to start a business? Seeking financial clarity?

SEVEN DAYS

CABOT HOLIDAY FESTIVAL & WEIHNACHTSMARKT: The village comes alive with holiday cheer thanks to a street market, an artisan store and live music by the Limes, Kick ‘Em Jenny and others. The Den at Harry’s Hardware, Cabot, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Free. Info, 563-2291.

“I now have the tools to make decisions for my business based on data.” -Cynthea Hausman, Owner

12.13.17-12.20.17

‘KEDI’: The Woodstock Vermont Film Series continues with an award-winning 2016 documentary about the relationship between Istanbul residents and the stray cats that roam the city’s streets. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 3 & 5 p.m. $9-11. Info, 457-2355.

food & drink

12/18/15 1:42 PM

VERMONT ICE WINE & COCKTAIL OPEN HOUSE: Beverage buffs learn about a variety of Vermontmade ice wines, ciders and cream liqueurs while browsing a bevy of holiday gifts. Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits, Cambridge, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 644-8151.

‘EXTREME WEATHER 3D’: See WED.13.

‘WONDER OF THE ARCTIC 3D’: See WED.13.

6h-tinythai122315-2.indd 1

VERMONT FARMERS MARKET: See WED.13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

BRIDGESIDE BOOKS CELEBRATES THE SEASON WITH LOCAL MUSIC: Mulled cider and treats in hand, merry souls lend their ears to student pianists and Harwood Union High School honors choir I Cantori. Bridgeside Books, Waterbury, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 244-1441.

CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD FILM SCREENING: Greta Garbo takes on a rare humorous role as a stern Soviet agent in a 1939 motion picture. Call for the title. Norwich Public Library, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 649-1184.

24 Main Street, Downtown Winooski, 655-4888 • tinythairestaurant.net

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

WINTER SOLSTICE YULETIDE CEREMONY: Folks join the Green Mountain Druid order to celebrate darkness, rebirth and community. Bring evergreens, a stick for the fire and drums if you play. Burlington Earth Clock, Oakledge Park, 4-6 p.m. Free. Info, fearnessence@gmail.com.

We will be closed on the 24th & 25th.

PUBLIC FILM SCREEN I N G S O F

MARIJUANA X An historic documentary presenting important information for any state considering marijuana legalization. Movie featuring U.S. Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy

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‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: Shakespeare on Main Street interprets this timeless holiday classic about Ebenezer Scrooge and a trio of ghosts in a chamber theater-style performance. Brick Box, Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7:30 p.m. $5-15. Info, 282-2581. ‘THE CHRISTMAS REVELS: A NORDIC CELEBRATION OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE’: See THU.14, 1 & 5 p.m.

HOLIDAY BRUNCH: Foodies get their fill of local fare and store specials. Vermont Farm Table, Burlington, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 425-8838. HOLIDAY CRAFT & VENDOR FAIR: Customers grab handmade gifts for everyone on their lists. Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 522-8611.

and many more!

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 6:30PM Fletcher Free Library, Fletcher Room, Burlington

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 7PM Richmond Library Community Room, Richmond

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ~ DONATIONS ENCOURAGED

MORE INFO AT STEEREDSTRAIGHT.ORG AND MARIJUANAXMOVIE.COM

...just adds to the

SAT.16

‘GREEN MOUNTAIN NUTCRACKER’: Moving Light Dance puts a local twist on this holiday classic, complete with a Maple Sugar Fairy. Barre Opera House, 7 p.m. $15-28. Info, 476-8188.

Washington D.C. Anti-Marijuana Legalization Activist Will Jones III

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Ambiance...

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR: Neighbors catch up at this seasonal fête featuring locally made art and crafts. Maple Corner Community Center, Calais, 9:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. Free. Info, 229-6861. HOLIDAY WITH THE ANIMALS: A day of familyfriendly festivities features special appearances by Santa Claus and some special shelter animals. See centralvermonthumane.org for the pets’ wish list. Central Vermont Humane Society, East Montpelier, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Donations of pet supplies accepted. Info, 476-3811, ext. 110. HOLIDAY WRAP-ATHON: Plain boxes are transformed into works of art. Funds raised benefit SPA. Studio Place Arts, Barre, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Donations. Info, 479-7069. AN IRISH CHRISTMAS WITH THE MCLEAN AVENUE BAND: Elements of pop, rock and R&B make their way into traditional tunes and ballads. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe Mountain Resort, 7 p.m. $20-54. Info, 760-4634. NEEDLE FELT AN ORNAMENT: Participants unleash their creativity in a hands-on workshop for ages 8 and up. Kids ages 8 through 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Fairfax Community Library, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420. OLD-FASHIONED VISITS WITH SANTA: Saint Nick has tots smiling from ear to ear. Maple Landmark, Middlebury, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 345-1366.

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

PAINT: A DRAG CABARET: Pickle hosts “Sleigh Belles,” a display of sass and class featuring an allprofessional drag troupe. Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington, 9 p.m. $10-15; for ages 18 and up. Info, 877-987-6487. PLAINFIELD CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT: Birders leave no feathered flier unseen during this 57th annual avian census. A potluck follows. Various Washington County locations, Montpelier. Free. Info, 229-6206. REINDEER QUEST: See WED.13. RETURN OF A VERY OFF XMAS: See FRI.15.

12.13.17-12.20.17

SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN: Families go dashing through the snow on a horse-drawn sleigh ride at one of the oldest farms in Cambridge. Pleasant Valley Horse Drawn Wagons and Sleighs, Cambridge, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $10-15; free for kids under 6. Info, 730-2800.

SEVEN DAYS

SHARE THE LIGHT: A HANUKKAH PARTY & BENEFIT CONCERT: Adults party it up with a folkdance session, a buffet, a menorah lighting and a high-energy concert by the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars. Zenbarn, Waterbury, 6-11 p.m. $45; for ages 21 and up. Info, 244-8134. SOLARIS VOCAL ENSEMBLE: See FRI.15, College Street Congregational Church, Burlington.

60 CALENDAR

TOUCH OF VERMONT HOLIDAY GIFT MARKET: Spirits, sweets, knitwear, artisanal items and more fill tables at this annual bazaar. Montpelier City Hall Arts Center, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, info@touchofvt.org.

KATHY & COMPANY FLOWERS 221 Colchester Ave. | Burlington | 863-7053 | kathycoflowers.com

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‘VERMONT’S OWN NUTCRACKER’: For the 13th year, Vermont Ballet Theater portrays the fantastical world within a young girl’s Christmas Eve dream. Flynn MainStage, Burlington, 2 & 7 p.m. $20.70-42. Info, 863-5966.

A VERY MERRY MIDDLEBURY: See WED.13. A WESTON HOLIDAY CABARET: See FRI.15. WONDERARTS HOLIDAY MARKET: Local art, crafts and produce from more than 35 vendors catch shoppers’ eyes. Craftsbury Academy, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 533-9370.

kids

AUTHOR VISIT: JOHN CHURCHMAN: Bookworms join the children’s book writer and his sheepdogs Maisie and Laddie for a signing of Sweet Pea & Friends: A Farm for Maisie. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 878-4918. CHRISTINA CANIYO: The young-adult author opens the cover on her new fantasy novel Death and the Underhouse at a book release party. Bixby Memorial Library, Vergennes, 1:30-3 p.m. Free. Info, maddy.willwerth@bixbylibrary.org. DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR: Emoji Nightmare and Nikki Champagne delight audience members of all ages with tales focused on individuality, activism and social responsibility. See calendar spotlight. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216. DUTCH STORY TIME: Songs and narratives from Holland culminate in a windmill craft. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956. FAMILY ART SATURDAY: Creative projects inspired by a current exhibition ignite the imaginations of kids and caregivers. Burlington City Arts, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166. GRANNIE SNOW: The Vermont author signs copies of Silas and Opal’s Outdoor Adventure. Bridgeside Books, Waterbury, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 244-1441. WEBBY’S ART STUDIO: Temporary and permanent exhibitions inspire specialized art activities for all ages. Shelburne Museum, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Regular admission, $5-10; free for active military and kids under 5. Info, 985-3346.

language

DUTCH LANGUAGE CLASSES: See WED.13.

music

Find club dates in the music section. FULL CIRCLE: The five-woman ensemble entertains shoppers with a mix of medieval, Renaissance, Celtic, folk and holiday music. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 448-3350. ONION RIVER CHORUS CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Guest conductor Richard Riley leads vocalists in “Fire Burning In Snow,” a program of 16th-, 17th-, and 18th-century music from Mexico and Bolivia. Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 7:30-9 p.m. $12-15. Info, info@onionriverchorus.org. THE PROMISE IS HOPE: Themes of love and spirituality thread through indie-folk numbers by this husband-and-wife duo. Brandon Music, 7:30 p.m. $20; $45 includes dinner; preregister; BYOB. Info, 247-4295. ROBINSON MORSE’S SOUND OF MIND: A collective of some of the Northeast’s finest players features guest instrumentalist Peter Apfelbaum. FlynnSpace, Burlington, 8 p.m. $20. Info, 863-5966. SOCIAL BAND: The Burlington choral group combines ancient and modern-day songs in the program “Deep Midwinter: Songs From Winter’s Heart.” Charlotte Congregational Church, 7:30-9 p.m. $15-18. Info, 355-4216. STORIES FOR A WINTER’S EVE: Original short stories by Vermont authors and tunes by Patti Casey and Pete Sutherland warm hearts. The Old Meeting House, East Montpelier, 3-4:30 & 7-8:30 p.m. $1050. Info, 249-0404.

outdoors

SNOWY OWL APPRECIATION DAY: Fans of the nocturnal predator have a hoot exploring various aspects of the species and even meeting resident owls. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Regular admission, $13-15, free for members and kids 3 and under. Info, 359-5000.

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT 5531 Spear Street

seminars

VCAM ORIENTATION: Video-production hounds master basic concepts and nomenclature at an overview of VCAM facilities, policies and procedures. VCAM Studio, Burlington, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 651-9692.

sports

games

GAMES PARLOUR: Strategic thinkers bring favorite tabletop competitions to play with others. Champlain Club, Burlington, 2-8 p.m. $5. Info, orsonbradford@gmail.com.

health & fitness

BUTI YOGA: See WED.13, Zenbarn Studio, Waterbury, 7-8 p.m. $10. Info, studio@zenbarnvt.com.

‘SCOOTER THOMAS MAKES IT TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD’: See THU.14.

words

holidays

MEGAN PRICE: The author signs copies of the humorous and harrowing tale Vermont Wild: Adventures of Fish & Game Wardens, Volume 5. Phoenix Books, Rutland, 1-4 p.m. Free. Info, 802-855-8078.

BOLSHOI BALLET: ‘THE NUTCRACKER’: Denis Rodkin leaps and bounds across the stage as the Nutcracker Prince in this on-screen production. Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury, 12:55 p.m. $6-18. Info, 748-2600.

POETRY EXPERIENCE: Rajnii Eddins facilitates a poetry and spoken-word workshop aimed at building confidence and developing a love of writing. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, s1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7211.

BURLINGTON CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: Hark! David Neiweem conducts “A Winter Celebration: Classic Holidays,” featuring the BCO Festival Choir. University of Vermont Recital Hall, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $10-30. Info, 863-5966.

SUN.17 art

community

COMMUNITY MINDFULNESS WITH THE CENTER FOR MINDFUL LEARNING: Peaceful people gather for guided meditation and interactive discussions. Burlington Friends Meeting House, 5-7 p.m. $10. Info, assistant@centerformindfullearning.org.

dance

film

‘A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS’ & ‘HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS’: Seasonal favorite films put smiles on viewers’ faces. The Sparkle Barn, Wallingford, 4-6 p.m. Free. Info, 446-2044. ‘A SEASON OF LIGHT’ & ‘WINTER SKY EPHEMERIS’: See SAT.16. ‘EXTREME WEATHER 3D’: See WED.13. STAR WARS: ‘THE LAST JEDI’: See FRI.15, 3-5:30 p.m.

VERMONT ICE WINE & COCKTAIL OPEN HOUSE: See SAT.16.

Loose Leaf Tea Shop Artisan Tea Ware Vegetarian & Vegan Meals

DROP-IN HOLIDAY COOKIE DECORATING: Sweets lovers stop by to frost winter-themed treats. City Market, Onion River Co-op, Burlington South End, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 540-6400.

Local & Organic Desserts Gluten-Free Sun-Wed: 10am-10pm Thurs-Sat: 10am-11 pm 80 Church St., Burlington 106 East Allen Street, Winooski 802-951-2424 • dobrateavt.com

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Join Us...

11/14/17 3:26 PM

TICKETS WWW.ESSEXRESORT.COM 80S-754-1489

NEW YEAR’S WITH THE ESSEX SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31ST 9:00PM-1:00AM $40 pre-sale $50 at Door * Cash Bar * DJ * Photobooth * Midnight Champagne Toast * Lite Apps * Dessert Station

GIFTS GALORE: LOCALLY MADE HOLIDAY TREASURES: Ten area artists purvey their products. Richmond Free Library, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, alysonchaseart@gmail.com. ‘GREEN MOUNTAIN NUTCRACKER’: See SAT.16, 2 p.m. HOLIDAY CAROLING: Locals move throughout the neighborhood, spreading comfort and joy. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Plattsburgh, N.Y., 4-5:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 518-420-7115. MAD SCIENCE HANUKKAH: Kids celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah with oil, water and fire. A menorah lighting follows. University Mall, South Burlington, science show, 3 p.m.; menorah lighting, 4 p.m. Free. Info, draizy@chabadvt.org. ‘MESSIAH’ SING: String players are welcome to strike up as friends and neighbors give voice to Handel’s holiday favorite. The Congregational Church of Middlebury, 2-4:15 p.m. $5; $10 per family. Info, 989-7355. ‘THE NUTCRACKER’: Dance students dazzle in the story of a girl, a rat king and a prince. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 1 & 6 p.m. $25-35. Info, 775-0903. SUN.17

CALENDAR 61

‘WONDER OF THE ARCTIC 3D’: See WED.13.

DENISE RICKER & ARTHUR ZORN: Holiday music for flute and piano fills the air. Bethany United Church of Christ, Montpelier, 2 p.m. Free. Info, 622-0376.

12/11/17 6:54 PM

SEVEN DAYS

See what’s playing at local theaters in the movies section.

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12.13.17-12.20.17

ILLUMINATIONS: A PERFORMANCE PARTY: New dance works by the likes of Isadora Snapp, Emma Manion and Shannon Kelly set the stage for an artist Q&A and a dance party. Proceeds benefit Vermont Dance Alliance. The Everything Space, Montpelier, 7 p.m. $15-100; BYOB. Info, info@ vermontdance.org.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-ALONG: With the help of take-home carol books, friends and neighbors find perfect harmony. Stowe Town Hall Theatre, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, communitycarolbook@gmail.com.

It’s going to be a great year at Kwinaska. Don’t miss it!

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Find visual art exhibits and events in the art section.

‘THE CHRISTMAS REVELS: A NORDIC CELEBRATION OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE’: See THU.14, 1 & 5 p.m.

Still offering 18 championship holes and updating everything from course to clubhouse!

For more information email Charli at ckail@kwiniaska.com or call the business office at (802)448-3093.

each transition during a vinyasa flow focused on body awareness and self-acceptance. Zenbarn Studio, Waterbury, 9-10:15 a.m. $10. Info, studio@ zenbarnvt.com. YOGA FOR ENTREPRENEURS: Business owners unlock chakra energy centers with instructor Brian O’Connell. Sangha Studio — North, Burlington, 1-2:30 p.m. $10; free for members. Info, 448-4262.

‘NIGHT FIRES’: See FRI.15, 4 & 8 p.m.

Call or come by today.

2018

THE METROPOLITAN OPERA HD LIVE: ‘HANSEL AND GRETEL’: An onscreen production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s fairy tale opera enchants viewers. Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury, 12:55 p.m. $16-25. Info, 748-2600.

MOVING MEDITATION WUJI GONG: Jeanne Plo leads pupils in an easyAT O .1 6 to-learn form of qi gong known as SH |M EI tech USI C | T H E P R O M IS “tai chi for enlightenment.” Burlington TECH HELP: Electronics novices bring their Friends Meeting House, 1 p.m. Free. Info, questions and devices to a hands-on help session 233-6377. with a trained troubleshooter. Fairfax Community SACRED SOUND SANCTUARY, WINTER SOLSTICE: Library, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 849-2420. Channeled voice and crystal singing bowls set the tone for a sonic celebration of the coming season. theater Zenbarn Studio, Waterbury, 3-4 p.m. $20; preregis‘DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID’: See WED.13, 2 & ter. Info, studio@zenbarnvt.com. 7:30 p.m. TRADITIONAL YOGA FLOW: Breath accompanies

food & drink

Take care of the golfer you love with a gift card!

POKÉMON LEAGUE: See THU.14, noon-5 p.m.

VERTICAL CHALLENGE: Folks hit the slopes for a lighthearted competition complete with awards and a victory party. Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow, registration, 8 a.m.; race, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 228-1600.

Shelburne VT

THE ESSEX | 70 ESSEX WAY | ESSEX JCT, VT.

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calendar

Less work, MORE play.

SUN.17

REINDEER QUEST: See WED.13. SOLARIS VOCAL ENSEMBLE: See FRI.15, South Hero Congregational Church, 3 p.m.

The 4.0 college pass is a season long education in the value of more winter.

‘VERMONT’S OWN NUTCRACKER’: See SAT.16, 1 & 6 p.m.

399

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4 resorts = 0 blackout days

A VERY MERRY MIDDLEBURY: See WED.13.

kids

PEER-LED MINDFULNESS MEET-UP FOR TEENS: South Burlington High School junior Mika Holtz guides adolescents toward increased awareness through music, movement and other techniques. Stillpoint Center, Burlington, 9-10:30 a.m. Donations. Info, 720-427-9340.

language

DIMANCHES FRENCH CONVERSATION: Parlezvous français? Native speakers and students alike practice the tongue at a casual drop-in chat. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 4-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 363-2431.

4.0 The College Pass is valid at Killington, Okemo, Pico and Sunapee. Valid through December 15, 2017, price increases to $439 on 12/16/2017. Buy at killington.com/thecollegepass, or call 800-887-3257.

12/11/17 10:44 AM

Reflections Memory Care collaborating with Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women’s Hospital and McLean Hospital.

Serving our residents

since 1999

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Lakeview Assisted Living

12.13.17-12.20.17 SEVEN DAYS 62 CALENDAR

MOVIE: Snacks are provided at a showing of a popular flick. Call for details. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918. ‘WONDER OF THE ARCTIC 3D’: See WED.13.

games

health & fitness

SUNDAY OPEN MIC BRUNCH: Listeners whet their whistles from a build-your-own-Bloody Mary bar while aspiring musicians test their talents onstage. Elfs Farm Winery & Cider House, Plattsburgh, N.Y., 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 518-563-2750. WINTER GALA CONCERT: A variety of student vocal groups showcase their powerful pipes. Dibden Center for the Arts, Johnson State College, 4 p.m. $5; free for JSC ID holders. Info, 635-1476.

outdoors

STERLING POND FROM SMUGGLERS NOTCH HIKE: Picturesque views reward outdoor adventurers on this moderate 4-mile excursion. Contact trip leader for details. Free; preregister. Info, ted@ted-albers.net.

‘SCOOTER THOMAS MAKES IT TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD’: See THU.14, 3 p.m.

words

WRITING AS A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY: Wordsmiths of all genres and experience levels sharpen their storytelling skills with the help of creative exercises. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 2-4 p.m. Free. Info, writelife1@hotmail.com.

MON.18 art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the art section.

dance

CONTACT IMPROV: See WED.13, Aikido of Champlain Valley, Burlington, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $4. Info, 864-7306. 4/20/17 12:39 4/27/17 11:15 PM AM

‘EXTREME WEATHER 3D’: See WED.13.

SOCIAL BAND: See SAT.16, First Unitarian Universalist Society, Burlington, 3-4:30 p.m.

‘NIGHT FIRES’: See FRI.15, 4 p.m.

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See what’s playing at local theaters in the movies section.

ONION RIVER CHORUS CHRISTMAS CONCERT: See SAT.16, 4-5:30 p.m.

‘DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID’: See WED.13, 2 p.m.

185 Pine Haven Shores, Shelburne, VT 05482 www.residenceshelburnebay.com

film

MAGIC: THE GATHERING — MONDAY NIGHT MODERN: Tarmogoyf-slinging madness ensues when competitors battle for prizes in a weekly game. Brap’s Magic, Burlington, 6:30-10 p.m. $8. Info, 540-0498.

theater

For more information contact Alicia Butson, Tel 802-985-9847 abutson@residenceshelburnebay.com

JOB HUNT HELP: See THU.14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

BRIDGE CLUB: See WED.13, 6:30 p.m.

WOMEN’S PICKUP SOCCER: Swift females shoot for the goal. Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. $3; $50 for unlimited drop-in pass. Info, 864-0123.

Enjoy your private apartment home, along with just the right services to make life easy!

etc.

music

sports

The Residence at Shelburne Bay combines traditional Vermont beauty and value with an active environment of culture, social engagement, intellectual stimulation and entertainment.

CAMPUS TOUR: Potential students ages 16 through 24 check out a facility offering free housing, meals, career technical training, high school diplomas, driver’s licenses and job placement. Northlands Job Corps Center, Vergennes, 9:45 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister. Info, 877-0121.

STAR WARS: ‘THE LAST JEDI’: See FRI.15.

FULL CIRCLE: See SAT.16, Phoenix Books, Essex.

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education

SPANISH GROUP CLASSES: Students roll their Rs while practicing en español. New Moon Café, Burlington, 2:45-4:30 p.m. $20. Info, maigomez1@ hotmail.com.

Find club dates in the music section.

All season pass sales are non-refundable and subject to 7% applicable state and local taxes. Purchaser must be registered as a full-time student for fall and spring semesters and have valid college ID upon picking up the pass.

SALSA MONDAYS: Dancers learn the techniques and patterns of salsa, merengue, bachata and chacha. North End Studio A, Burlington, fundamentals, 7 p.m.; intermediate, 8 p.m. $12. Info, 227-2572.

ADVANCED SUN-STYLE TAI CHI, LONG-FORM: Elements of qigong thread through the youngest version of the Chinese martial art. Winooski Senior Center, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 735-5467. ADVANCED TAI CHI CLASS: See FRI.15. BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS: Support and Services at Homes nurses screen for healthy circulation. Twin Valley Senior Center, East Montpelier, 10 a.m.1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3322. BUTI YOGA: See WED.13. RECOVERY COMMUNITY YOGA: See WED.13. SEATED TAI CHI: Movements are modified for those with arthritis and other chronic conditions. Winooski Senior Center, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 735-5467.

holidays

CHRISTMAS AT THE GRANGE: A fun-filled evening of Christmas songs and holiday Broadway hits would even warm the heart of Ebenezer Scrooge. The Grange Theatre, South Pomfret, 7:30-9 p.m. $17-20. Info, 457-3500. HOLIDAY STORY TIME: Traditional tales and contemporary narratives set the tone for music, rhymes and a snack. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 264-5660. ‘NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION’: Chevy Chase stars in this 1989 comedy about a family’s disastrous yuletide trip. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 775-0903. PUBLIC MENORAH LIGHTING: Fueled by latkes and donuts, community members light the night. Jericho Town Green, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 658-5770, ext. 5. REINDEER QUEST: See WED.13. A VERY MERRY MIDDLEBURY: See WED.13.

kids

CHESS CLUB: Checkmate! Players make strategic moves and vie for the opposing king. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956. GO CLUB: Strategy comes into play during a 4,000-year-old game suitable for players in grades 1 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 5:306:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956. LAB GIRLS: Aspiring scientists learn through hands-on experiments and activities. Fairfax

SevenDaysFinal_GIFTTIPS_4.75x5.56_UmallHoliday_BlackFRiday.pdf

11/15/17

3:24 PM

LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

while enjoying each other’s company. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 863-3403.

PRESCHOOL MUSIC: See THU.14, 11 a.m.

dance

STORIES WITH MEGAN: Lit lovers ages 2 through 5 open their ears for exciting tales. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

language

ADVANCED-LEVEL SPANISH CLASS: Language learners perfect their pronunciation with guest speakers. Private residence, Burlington, 4:30-6 p.m. $20. Info, 324-1757. LUNCH IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE: AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE: Bring a bag lunch to practice the system of communication using visual gestures. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

music

Find club dates in the music section.

seminars

CPR: COMMUNITY PRACTICES OF RESILIENCE: Amanda Franz leads participants in individual and partnered activities exploring practices of listening. The Everything Space, Montpelier, potluck, 5:30-6:15 p.m.; class, 6:15-8:30 p.m. $5-25; preregister. Info, theeverythingspace@gmail.com.

BEGINNER WEST COAST SWING & FUSION DANCING: Pupils get schooled in the fundamentals of partner dance. North End Studio B, Burlington, 8-9 p.m. $11-16. Info, burlingtonwestie@gmail.com. INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED WEST COAST SWING: Fun-loving folks learn the smooth, sexy stylings of modern swing dance. North End Studio A, Burlington, C 7-9 p.m. $11-16. Info, burlingtonwestie@gmail.com. SWING DANCING: Quick-footed participants experi-M ment with different forms, including the Lindy hop, Charleston and balboa. Beginners are welcome. Y Champlain Club, Burlington, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $5. CM Info, 448-2930.

etc.

DANCE, PAINT, WRITE: DROP-IN: Creative people CY end their day with an energetic meditation, music, CMY movement, intuitive painting, free writing and destressing. Expressive Arts Burlington, 7-9 p.m. K $15. Info, 343-8172.

film

See what’s playing at local theaters in the movies section. ‘EXTREME WEATHER 3D’: See WED.13.

UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF THROUGH ASTROLOGY: HOW TO USE THE ASTROLOGICAL SIGNS TO LIVE A MORE AUTHENTIC, FULFILLING LIFE: What’s your sign? Attendees gain insight into their relationships by way of the 12 archetypes. Holistic School of Business, Montpelier, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 225-5960.

KNIGHTS OF THE MYSTIC MOVIE CLUB: Cinema hounds view campy features at this ode to offbeat productions. Main Street Museum, White River Junction, 8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 356-2776.

tech

BRIDGE CLUB: See WED.13, 7 p.m.

TECH HELP WITH CLIF: See WED.13, 12 & 1 p.m.

theater

‘COME BLOW YOUR HORN’: Community members take on randomly selected roles for a reading of Neil Simon’s comedy. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, saddleshoes2@ gmail.com.

words

SHAPE & SHARE LIFE STORIES: Prompts from Recille Hamrell trigger recollections of specific experiences, which participants craft into narratives. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

TUE.19 Find visual art exhibits and events in the art section.

business

TUESDAY NIGHT BINGO: Participants cover squares and dip into refreshments. Twin Valley Senior Center, East Montpelier, 6-9 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3322.

50/50 POWER/YIN YOGA: Physical therapist Kyle McGregor designed this class to address the needs of cyclists and those with a sedentary lifestyle through a strengthening warm-up and restorative poses. Kismet Place, Williston, 4-5 p.m. $12. Info, 343-5084. AWARENESS THROUGH MOVEMENT LESSON: From reducing pain to improving mobility, this physical practice reveals new ways to live with the body. Come with comfy clothes and an open mind. The Wellness Collective, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $10. Info, 504-0846. BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE SUN-STYLE TAI CHI, LONG-FORM: Improved mood, greater muscle strength and increased energy are a few of the benefits of this gentle exercise. South Burlington Recreation & Parks Department, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 735-5467. BEGINNERS TAI CHI CLASS: See THU.14. BOLSTERING YOUR IMMUNITY FOR WINTER: Immune-boosting foods and herbs take center stage in a class complete with home-brewed fire cider samples. City Market, Onion River Co-op, Downtown Burlington, 6-7 p.m. $5-10. Info, 861-9700.

community

DE-STRESS YOGA: A relaxing and challenging class lets healthy bodies unplug and unwind. Balance Yoga, Richmond, 5:45-7 p.m. $14. Info, 434-8401.

TUESDAY VOLUNTEER NIGHTS: Helping hands pitch in around the shop by organizing parts, moving bikes and tackling other projects. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Bike Recycle Vermont, Burlington, 5-8 p.m. Free. Info, 264-9687.

GENTLE FLOW YOGA: See THU.14.

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PEACEFUL WARRIOR KARATE: Martial-arts training promotes healthy living for those in recovery. Turning Point Center, Burlington, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 861-3150. TUE.19

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COMMUNITY CRAFT NIGHT: Makers stitch, spin, knit and crochet their way through their projects

HATHA YOGA FLOW: This practice provides a great stretch and strengthens the body through a combination of sustained and flowing poses. Zenbarn Studio, Waterbury, 5:30-6:45 p.m. $10. Info, studio@zenbarnvt.com.

Give a little green this year! Our greenhouses are full of plants, pottery, soils and accessories. Pot them up yourself or have us do it for you. Green thumb or not, we’ve got you covered!

SEVEN DAYS

BRANDON FITNESS BOOT CAMP: Hop to it! Get fit with strength, endurance, agility and coordination exercises. Otter Valley North Campus Gym, Brandon, 5-6 p.m. $12. Info, 343-7160.

crafts

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health & fitness

RENTAL INCOME SEMINAR: Those seeking financial freedom and security get wise to the ways of real estate investment. Preferred Properties, South Burlington, 6-7 p.m. Free. Info, 318-7654.

FEAST TOGETHER OR FEAST TO GO: See FRI.15.

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games

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

BOOK DISCUSSION: ‘PULITZER PLAYS’: Theater lovers read between the lines of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America. Wake Robin Retirement Community, Shelburne, 7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 985-8998.

‘WONDER OF THE ARCTIC 3D’: See WED.13.

Celebrate the Holidays Gluten-Free!

Traditional Pies • Dinner Rolls Cookies • Cakes Stuffing Mix and More!

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PILATES: Active bodies utilize core strength, build body awareness, improve posture and alleviate pain with this innovative system of exercise. Zenbarn Studio, Waterbury, 7:30-8:30 a.m. $10. Info, studio@zenbarnvt.com. PRENATAL YOGA: Moms-to-be prepare their bodies for labor and delivery. Women’s Room, Burlington, 6-7 p.m. $15. Info, 829-0211.

34 Park Street, Essex Junction

878-1646

REIKI CLINIC: Thirty-minute treatments promote physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. JourneyWorks, Burlington, 3-5:30 p.m. $10-30; preregister. Info, 860-6203. R.I.P.P.E.D.: See SAT.16, 6-7 p.m.

YOGA FOR AARP MEMBERS: A monthly stretching session is tailored to people ages 50 and up. Sangha Studio — Pine, Burlington, 3:30-4:30 p.m. 11/18/15 11:22 AMFree for AARP members. Info, 951-1301.

HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Participate in a Research Study and help develop a vaccine against Dengue Fever

holidays

HANUKKAH IN THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: Cacao goes from beans to chocolate coins at this festive gelt factory experience. Chabad of Vermont, Burlington, 3:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, draizy@chabadvt.org. REINDEER QUEST: See WED.13. A VERY MERRY MIDDLEBURY: See WED.13. ‘WHITE CHRISTMAS’: Two World War II veterans move their song-and-dance act to Vermont to win over a pair of sisters in the 1954 holiday classic starring Bing Crosby. Catamount Arts Center, St. Johnsbury, 1:30 & 7 p.m. Free. Info, 748-2600.

kids

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Artists exercise their imaginations with craft materials. Kids under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3:15-4:45 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216. PRESCHOOL STORY HOUR: WINTER: Imaginations blossom when kids up to age 6 engage in themed tales and activities. Fairfax Community Library, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 849-2420.

• Healthy adults, ages 18 – 50

• Earn up to $1900 in compensation

READ TO WILLY WONKA THE VOLUNTEER THERAPY DOG: Kiddos cozy up for story time with the library’s furry friend. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 4:15-4:45 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660. STEAM TUESDAYS: Creative activities are based in science, technology, engineering, art and math. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:15-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Call UVM VACCINE TESTING CENTER at 802-656-0013 for more info and to schedule a screening. Leave your name, number, and a good time to call back. Email UVMVTC@UVM.EDU or visit UVMVTC.ORG

STORY TIME FOR BABIES & TODDLERS: Picture books, songs, rhymes and puppets arrest the attention of children and their caregivers. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9:10-9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956. STORY TIME FOR PRESCHOOLERS: See WED.13.

language

‘LA CAUSERIE’ FRENCH CONVERSATION: Native speakers and learners are welcome to pipe up at an unstructured conversational practice. El Gato Cantina, Burlington, 4:30-6 p.m. Free. Info, 540-0195. LUNCH IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE: ITALIAN: Speakers hone their skills in the Romance language over a bag lunch. Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338. PAUSE-CAFÉ FRENCH CONVERSATION: Frenchlanguage fanatics meet pour parler la belle langue. Meet in the back room. ¡Duino! (Duende), Burlington, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 430-4652.

SEVEN DAYS

12.13.17-12.20.17

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• 7-month vaccine study

SOCIAL GATHERING: Those who are deaf or hard of hearing or want to learn American Sign Language get together to break down communication barriers. The North Branch Café, Montpelier, 4-6 p.m. Cost of food and drink. Info, 595-4001.

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music

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Center, Burlington, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 888-4928218, ext. 300. RICHIE AND ROSIE: The yoga studio is transformed into an intimate listening room for this dynamic Americana duo. See calendar spotlight. Zenbarn Studio, Waterbury, 7-9 p.m. $10. Info, 244-8134.

theater

‘DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID’: See WED.13.

words

sevendaysvt.com

Find club dates in the music section. OPEN JAM: Instrumentalists band together for a free-flowing musical hour. Borrow an instrument or bring your own. The Pathways Vermont Community

11/24/09 1:32:18 PM

holidays

ELISABETH VON TRAPP: A Christmas concert benefits the Malayaka House. Charlotte Congregational Church, 7 p.m. Donations. Info, 425-3176. ‘THE POLAR EXPRESS’: Tom Hanks voices the conductor of a train bound for the North Pole. Highland Center for the Arts, Greensboro, 6-8 p.m. $5. Info, 533-9075. REINDEER QUEST: See WED.13. A VERY MERRY MIDDLEBURY: See WED.13.

BROWN BAG BOOK CLUB: Readers voice opinions about Commonwealth by Ann Patchett. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

kids

WED.20

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Books and creative projects help tykes gain early literacy skills. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

VINYASA FLOW: See THU.14.

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LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT

art

Find visual art exhibits and events in the art section.

business

KELLEY MARKETING GROUP BREAKFAST MEETING: Professionals in marketing, advertising, communications and social media brainstorm ideas for nonprofit organizations. Room 217, Ireland Building, Champlain College, Burlington, 7:45-9 a.m. Free. Info, 864-4067.

community

GREENER DRINKS: See WED.13.

dance

CONTACT IMPROV: See WED.13. DROP-IN HIP-HOP DANCE: See WED.13.

etc.

KIDS’ MOVIES: Youngsters and their grown-ups feast their eyes on a 30-minute film before digging into a community supper. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

READ TO DAISY: See WED.13. STEM CLUB: Inquisitive kids embark on challenges in science, technology, engineering and math. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420. STORY TIME: See WED.13. STORY TIME & PLAYGROUP: See WED.13. STORY TIME FOR PRESCHOOLERS: See WED.13. YOGA FOR KIDS: See WED.13.

language

BEGINNER ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASS: See WED.13. DUTCH LANGUAGE CLASSES: See WED.13. FRENCH WEDNESDAY: SOCIAL EVENT: Francophones fine-tune their French-language conversation skills over cocktails. Bar, Bleu Northeast Seafood, Burlington, 5-7 p.m. Free. Info, info@aflcr.org.

VLAM! PERFORMING ART EVENT: Youth entertainers step into the spotlight at a benefit for Vermont Local Arts and Music. Lobby, Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Burlington, 6-9 p.m. $12; cash bar. Info, vlamperform@gmail.com.

GERMAN CONVERSATION GROUP: Community members practice conversing auf Deutsch. Local History Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7211.

film

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASS: See WED.13.

See what’s playing at local theaters in the movies section. ‘EXTREME WEATHER 3D’: See WED.13. MOVIE NIGHT: Film buffs point their eyes toward the screen for a popular picture. Call for title. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581. ‘WONDER OF THE ARCTIC 3D’: See WED.13.

food & drink

COMMUNITY SUPPER: See WED.13. CONSCIOUS KITCHEN: NOURISHING BONE BROTH: Home cooks learn tips and tricks for making and storing broth on a budget. Community Teaching Kitchen, City Market, Onion River Co-op, Burlington South End, 6-7 p.m. $5-10. Info, 540-6400. VERMONT FARMERS MARKET: See WED.13.

games

BRIDGE CLUB: See WED.13. CHESS CLUB: Strategy comes into play as competitors try to capture opposing game pieces. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 5:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

INTERMEDIATE-LEVEL SPANISH CLASS: See WED.13.

LUNCH IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE: SPANISH: See WED.13.

music

Find club dates in the music section. SONG CIRCLE: Singers and musicians congregate for an acoustic session of popular folk tunes. Godnick Adult Center, Rutland, 7:15-9:15 p.m. Donations. Info, 775-1182.

sports

WOMEN’S PICKUP BASKETBALL: See WED.13.

talks

CURRENT EVENTS CONVERSATION: Newsworthy subjects take the spotlight in this informal and open discussion. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 878-4918. TEDX BROWNELL LIBRARY: Lifelong learners watch TED Talk videos centered on the theme of “a world of discovery.” Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

theater

health & fitness

‘DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID’: See WED.13.

BUTI YOGA: See WED.13.

WRITING CIRCLE: See WED.13. m

ATHLETES PRIMAL FLOW: See WED.13. GENTLE YOGA: See WED.13. GINGER’S EXTREME BOOT CAMP: See WED.13. NIA WITH LINDA: See WED.13. PRIMAL CORE FLOW: See WED.13. RECOVERY COMMUNITY YOGA: See WED.13. WEDNESDAY GUIDED MEDITATION: See WED.13. ZUMBA EXPRESS: See WED.13.

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CLASS PHOTOS + MORE INFO ONLINE SEVENDAYSVT.COM/CLASSES

classes THE FOLLOWING CLASS LISTINGS ARE PAID ADVERTISEMENTS. ANNOUNCE YOUR CLASS FOR AS LITTLE AS $13.75/WEEK (INCLUDES SIX PHOTOS AND UNLIMITED DESCRIPTION ONLINE). SUBMIT YOUR CLASS AD AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTCLASS.

art COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS: Do you enjoy the art of storytelling? Stephanie Zuppo will work through the entire process of creating comics. This class covers character design, scriptwriting, page layout, and penciling and inking. All experience levels welcome! Learn more at generatorvt.com/classes. Tue., Feb. 13, 20 & 27, 6-9 p.m. Cost: $225/three three-hour sessions. Location: Generator, 40 Sears Ln., Burlington. Info: 540-0761, education@generatorvt.com, generatorvt.com.

66 CLASSES

SEVEN DAYS

12.13.17-12.20.17

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

ayurvedic AYURVEDA INTEGRATION PROGRAM: This 200-hour training is ideal for yoga teachers, counselors, therapists, body-workers, nurses, doctors, wellness coaches, herbalists and anyone wanting to improve their own health and the health of their family. We will focus on integrating Ayurveda as lifestyle medicine for chronic disease, longevity and prevention. Kripalu School of Ayurveda approved, continue your education to become an Ayurvedic health counselor by transferring these hours to the Kripalu program. See our website for more details. One weekend (Sat. & Sun.) per month, Feb.-Nov., 2018, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 200-hour training (payment plan avail.). Location: Ayurvedic Center of Vermont, Williston. Info: 8728898, ayurvedavt@comcast.net, ayurvedavermont.com.

burlington city arts

Call 865-7166 for info or register online at burlingtoncityarts.org. Teacher bios are also available online. ABSTRACT PAINTING: Explore the many exciting possibilities of abstract painting through a variety of fun demonstrations and exercises designed to help you open up and work intuitively. Experiment with paint of your choice (water-soluble oils,

acrylics or watercolor) and a variety of other mixed media. Learn from fellow students and discuss techniques and ideas in a supportive setting. Beginners are welcome. Thu., Jan. 25-Mar. 1, 6-8:30 p.m. Cost: $225/person; $202.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. ADOBE LIGHTROOM: Learn how to easily upload, organize, edit and print your digital photographs using Adobe Lightroom. RAW file management, exposure/white balance corrections and printing high-quality archival inkjet prints on our Epson printers will be covered. Students will leave with the skills and confidence to join the digital lab as a member. Bring a Mac-compatible portable drive with your images to the first class. No experience necessary. Mon., Mar. 19-Apr. 23, 6-9 p.m. Cost: $275/person; $247.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. ADULT WHEEL DROP-IN: Curious about the pottery wheel? Spend a Friday night with our pottery instructors learning the basics of wheel throwing with clay. This is a great introduction to our studio for those who don’t have time for an eight-week class or who just want to have fun with other beginner potters. There is a $5 additional fee per clay piece to be kept, fired and glazed. No registration necessary, but space is limited. First come, first served. Groups larger than six people are encouraged to set up a private workshop. Fri., Jan. 26-May 18 (no class Mar. 6), 7:30-9 p.m. Cost: $10/person; $9/members. Purchase a drop-in card and get the 6th visit free! Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7157. BANGLES: Come check out the jewelry and fine metals studio by making your silver, copper or brass bangle. Open to all skill levels. All materials included. Thu., Feb. 15, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Cost: $37/person; $33.30/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. COLOR FILM PROJECTS: Learn how to scan, edit and print your color film and receive feedback on your work in this introduction to working with color film in a digital workflow. Film scanning basics, editing techniques and

printing on our large format Epson archival color printers will be covered. This class will also explore ideas in contemporary photography through special readings, and we will discuss the technical, aesthetic and conceptual aspects of your work in supportive critique sessions. Thu., Mar. 29-May 17, 6-9 p.m. Cost: $360/person; $324/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. CONTEMPORARY FIGURE PAINTING: Intermediate and advanced painters, revitalize your painting practices with a contemporary approach to the figure. Use fresh color and dynamic composition to strengthen your personal expression. Work from live models each week, explore a variety of contemporary techniques with non-toxic water soluble oils and get supportive feedback in a small group environment. Figure drawing experience is recommended. Wed., Mar. 21-May 2, (no class Apr. 25), 1:30-4:30 p.m. Cost: $270/person; $243/BCA members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405, Burlington. Info: 865-7166.

DARKROOM CRASH COURSE: Explore the traditional, analog black-and-white darkroom! Learn how to properly expose black-and-white film, process film into negatives, and make silver gelatin prints. Students will leave with the skills and confidence to join the darkroom as a member. All film, paper and darkroom supplies included. Bring your manual 35mm or medium format film camera to the first class. No experience necessary. Mon., Mar. 19-Apr. 9, 6-9 p.m. Cost: $180/person; $162.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. DARKROOM PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECTS: Refine your blackand-white darkroom skills and receive feedback on your work in this supportive, project-based class open to all levels of experience. Guided sessions to help you improve your printing and

film processing techniques and discussion of the technical, aesthetic and conceptual aspects of your work will be included. Bring a selection of recent darkroom prints to the first class. Thu., Jan. 25-Mar. 15, 6-9 p.m. Cost: $360/person; $324/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. DIGITAL PRINTING CRASH COURSE: Are you comfortable with organizing, editing and sizing your digital photographs in Photoshop or Lightroom but have never printed your work? Are you curious about testing paper surfaces or printing large? This intensive workshop will go through all of the basics of printing to the large format, archival inkjet Epson printers at the BCA Photo Labs. Bring a selection of digital files prepped and ready to print on a Mac-compatible external hard drive. Option 1: Wed., Jan. 31, 6-9 p.m.; Option 2: Fri., Mar. 30, 10-1 p.m. Cost: $45/person; $40.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. DIGITAL SLR CAMERA: Explore the basic workings of the digital SLR camera and learn how to take the photographs you envision. Demystify f-stops, shutter speeds, sensitivity ratings and exposure, and analyze the basics of composition. Bring your camera and owner’s manual to the first class. Pair with Adobe Lightroom to learn how to edit and print your images. Option 1: Mon., Jan. 22-Mar. 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (no class Feb. 19); Option 2: Thu., Feb. 8-Mar. 15, 3:30-5:30 p.m.; Option 3: Tue., Apr. 3-May 15, 10-noon (no class Apr. 24). Cost: $180/person; $162/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. DIY DESIGN: MINI SUCCULENT GARDEN: Whether you are a master gardener or think you have a black thumb, you can design and grow your succulent garden. Using easy-to-care-for succulent plants and a variety of fun containers, you will come away with a fully planted mini garden of your own and plant care instructions. All materials provided. Registration required. Mon., Feb. 12, 6-8 p.m. Cost: $30/ person; $27/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. DIY DESIGN: SCREENPRINTED TOTE BAGS: Learn to pull a print from an existing silk screen and decorate your tote bag! We’ll discuss the process of creating silk screening from start to finish, and, using one of four designs, you will use fabric ink to create your washable tote bag that will be ready to take home and use at the end of the workshop. All materials provided. Registration required. Mon., Mar. 12, 6-8 p.m. Cost: $30/person; $27/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166.

DIY DESIGN: SUNPRINTS: Create unique prints using photo-sensitive paper and everyday objects. Local artist Laura Hale will lead you through this simple way to create beautiful artwork and will show you how to frame the results. All participants will leave with one framed sun print. All materials provided. Registration required. Mon., Apr. 30, 6-8 p.m. Cost: $30/person; $27/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166.

DIY DESIGN: TERRARIUMS: Join artist Laura Hale and create your custom-designed terrarium. You’ll learn how to choose the right plants and create the right soil conditions for them to thrive. You’ll leave with your custom creation and care instructions for keeping it healthy and vibrant. All materials provided. Registration is required. Mon., May 14, 6-8 p.m. Cost: $30/ person; $27/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. DOCUMENTARY STORYTELLING: Learn how to tell a compelling story with your photographs! This six-week class will introduce participants to the process of documentary storytelling and include discussions of subject matter, composition, editing and story structure. Group discussion and critiques as well as shooting assignments, readings and writing exercises will give participants the opportunity to begin a new photographic project or refine works in progress. Film or digital photography acceptable. Thu., Feb. 8-Mar. 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost: $180/person; $162/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. DRAWING: Learn a variety of drawing techniques including basic perspective, compositional layout and use of dramatic light and shadow. Students will work mostly from observation and will be encouraged to work with a variety of media including pencil, pen and ink, ink wash, and charcoal in this small group setting. All levels of experience, including beginners, are welcome. Wed., Jan. 24-Mar. 7 (no class on Feb. 14), 6-8:30 p.m. Cost: $255/ person; $229.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts,

405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. EXPERIMENTAL DRAWING: Expand on your drawing skills, while discovering the possibilities of abstract drawing styles and compositions. A variety of drawing mediums, sizes and techniques will be explored, with plenty of flexibility to incorporate individual visions. Benefit from constructive feedback and gentle coaching in this supportive environment. Class price includes basic drawing materials. Prerequisite: Some drawing experience is recommended. Thu., Jan. 25-Feb. 15, 9:30-12:30 p.m. Cost: $180/ person; $162/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. FAMILY ART SATURDAY AT BCA CENTER: Get creative and make art together! Families are invited to drop in to the BCA Center and enjoy an art activity inspired by our current exhibitions. On each scheduled Saturday, BCA will offer a different art-making project that will ignite the imaginations of kids and adults. Admission is free. Third Sat. of the month, 11-1 p.m. Location: BCA Center, 135 Church St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166, burlingtoncityarts.org. FAMILY WHEEL DROP-IN: Explore BCA’s clay studio while hanging out with the family. Try the pottery wheel or create fantastic clay sculptures while our staff gives demonstrations. There is a $5 additional fee per clay piece to be kept, fired and glazed. No registration necessary, but access to wheels is limited. Groups larger than six people are encouraged to set up a private workshop. All ages. Fri., Jan. 26-May 18, 5-7 p.m. Cost: $10/person; $9/members. Purchase a drop-in card and get the 6th visit free! Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7157. GLAZE CHEMISTRY: For ceramics artists, glazing can be a daunting and mysterious process: part alchemy, part magic and part pure luck. During this two-hour lecture, we will pull back the curtain to reveal the science behind this mysterious process. We will cover families or types of glazes, the breakdown of components in a glaze, common and less-common raw materials, and the basics of what you can do to start making and troubleshooting your glazes. Mon., Apr. 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost: $25/person; $22.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. GRAPHIC NOVEL: Learn the art of visual storytelling through this immersive class in the comics discipline. Students will learn a broad range of techniques for communicating with both words and pictures, with an emphasis on using pen and ink. The class will also review the work of a variety of cartoonists BURLINGTON CITY ARTS

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classes BURLINGTON CITY ARTS

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as inspiration for student work. Some basic drawing experience is encouraged; students should be comfortable with and enjoy doodling. BCA will provide all basic materials. Wed., Mar. 21Apr. 25, 6-8:30 p.m. Cost: $255/ person; $229.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. HIGH SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY: Tell your story with photographs in this six-week session for high school students! You will explore your ideas, go on group photo shoots, process and print digital photos and zines in our digital lab, experiment with film photography in our darkroom, and participate in supportive discussions and critiques. All supplies and cameras provided. Scholarships are available. Ages 14-18. No experience required. Fri., Feb. 2-Mar. 16 (no class Mar. 2), 4:30-6:30 p.m. Cost: $150/person; $135/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166.

68 CLASSES

SEVEN DAYS

12.13.17-12.20.17

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JEWELRY: Learn the basics of creating metal jewelry. Techniques covered will include sawing, piercing, filing, annealing, soldering, texturing, cold connections, basic hollow construction, ring sizing and more, so that students can create at least two completed pieces. The class includes copper and brass and use of all basic tools, as well as studio access during the weeks of your class. Tue., Jan. 23-Feb. 27, 5:30-8 p.m. Cost: $255/person; $229.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. LIFE DRAWING DROP-IN: Spend the evening with other local artists drawing from one of our experienced models. Please bring your drawing materials and paper. No preregistration is necessary. Ages 18 and up. Fri., Jan. 26-May 18, 7:30-9 p.m. Cost: $10/ person; $9/members. Purchase a drop-in card and get the 6th visit free! Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166.

Demonstrations and instruction will cover centering, throwing, trimming and glazing, as well as forms and techniques determined by students. Prerequisite: wheel-throwing experience required. Option 1: Wed., Jan. 24-Mar. 21 (no class Feb. 14), 1:30-4 p.m.; Option 2: Wed., Mar. 28-May 16, 9:30-noon; Option 3: Wed., Apr. 4-May 23, 1:30-4 p.m.; Option 4: Thu., Mar. 29-May 17, 6-8:30 p.m. Cost: $340/person; $306/members. Class includes first bag of clay; additional bags can be purchased separately. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166.

putting together a website, you’ll leave this workshop with techniques that improve your images and enhance your presentations. Bring up to five 2-D pieces no larger than 40 x 60 inches. Wed., Apr. 11, 6-9 p.m. Cost: $45/person; $40.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. PHOTOGRAPHING POTTERY & CERAMIC ART: Learn how to take professional-quality digital images of your ceramic work in this hands-on workshop in our lighting studio. Whether you’re applying to art school, submitting work for an exhibition or putting together a website, you’ll leave this workshop with techniques that will improve your images and enhance your presentations. Bring a selection of pieces. Wed., Apr. 18, 6-9 p.m. Cost: $45/person; $40.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. PHOTOSHOP CRASH COURSE: Learn the basics of photo editing and printing using Adobe Photoshop in this three-evening intensive workshop. You’ll learn to upload and save images for print and the web, navigate the workspace and adjustment layers, and use basic editing tools. Bring images on a Mac-compatible portable drive to class. No experience necessary. Mon., May 7-21, 6-9 p.m. Cost: $135/person; $121.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166.

OIL PAINTING: Learn how to paint with non-toxic, watersoluble oils. With an emphasis on studio work, this class will begin with fun exercises. Using direct observational skills, we’ll work on still life and referencing photographs, and we’ll explore the landscape. Discover a variety of painting techniques and learn how to apply composition, linear aspects, form and color theory to your work. Beginners are welcome. Tue., Jan. 23-Mar. 20, 6-8:30 p.m. Cost: $340/person; $306/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166.

MIXED-LEVEL JEWELRY: This is a less-structured fine metals jewelry class for students who would like to work on a specific project, brush up on their techniques or learn some new techniques with the aid of an instructor there to coach them. Open to all skill levels, but some experience is helpful for this open-style class. Tue., Mar. 13Apr. 17, 5:30-8 p.m. Cost: $255/ person; $229.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166.

PAINTING SEMINAR: COLOR HARMONY: Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of color in this one-day, hands-on seminar. Focus on the vital role of color harmony and how to achieve it. Guided exercises will stimulate awareness of color changes and temperatures and will show how to mix colors simply and accurately. Also, learn how various application techniques affect the appearance of color. Sat., May 5, 9:30-4 p.m. Cost: $100/ person; $90/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166.

MIXED-LEVEL WHEEL THROWING: Mixed-Level Wheel supports students across a range of skill and experience levels who have thrown on the wheel. This eight-week course is rooted in fundamentals and encourages individual projects.

PHOTOGRAPHING PAINTINGS & PRINTS: Learn how to take professional-quality digital images of your paintings or prints in this hands-on workshop in our lighting studio. Whether you’re applying to art school, submitting work for an exhibition or

PRINTMAKING: This introductory class will show you a whole range of printing techniques that can be used on their own or in combination to create unique artwork. Over six weeks, you’ll be introduced to the studio’s equipment and materials and learn techniques such as block printing with linoleum, collograph (a low-relief intaglio technique) and monoprinting. Thu., Jan. 25-Mar. 1, 6-8:30 p.m. Cost: $255/person; $229.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. RINGS: Come check out the jewelry and fine metals studio by making your silver ring. Open to all skill levels. All materials are included. Thu., May 3, 5:308:30 p.m. Cost: $37/person; $33.30/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. SEE.THINK.DO!: See.Think.Do! invites youth and adults to the BCA Center for an interactive arts experience. Visits begin in the gallery with inquiry-based exploration, lively discussion and active multidisciplinary learning. Programs conclude in the studio classroom where students explore artists’ processes and materials and create works of art inspired by exhibition themes. Groups may schedule a one- or two-part program, with tours lasting approximately one hour, and full programs lasting 1.5 to two hours. Weekly on Mon., Tue. & Fri., 9:30-11:30 a.m. Custom scheduled days and times are based on availability. Cost: $5/

per student; individuals and groups are invited to apply for a partial or full scholarship. Location: Burlington City Arts, 135 Church St., Burlington. Info: Melinda Johns, 865-7551, mjohns@burlingtoncityarts.org, burlingtoncityarts.org. SILKSCREENING: Expert screen printer Aaron David will introduce you to silkscreening and show you how to design and print t-shirts, posters, fine art and more! Students will learn a variety of techniques for transferring and printing images using hand-drawn, photographic or borrowed imagery. Students will learn how to apply photo emulsion, how to use a silkscreen exposure unit and how to print on a variety of surfaces. No experience necessary. Option 1: Wed., Jan. 24-Mar. 21, (no class Feb. 14), 6-8:30 p.m.; Option 2: Thu., Mar. 29-May 17, 6-8:30 p.m. Cost: $340/person; $306/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. WATERCOLOR: Learn how to paint with watercolor. This class will focus on observational painting from still life, figure, landscape and photos. Students will paint on watercolor paper and gain experience with composition, color theory, layering, light and shade. The class may move outdoors to paint en plein air on nice days! No experience necessary. Thu., Mar. 29-May 3, 6-8:30 p.m. Cost: $225/person; $202.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. WHEEL THROWING: This class is an introduction to clay, pottery and the ceramics studio. Students will work primarily on the potter’s wheel, learning basic throwing and forming techniques, while creating functional pieces such as mugs, cups and bowls. Students will also be guided through the various finishing techniques using the studio’s house slips and glazes. No previous experience needed. Option 1: Wed., Jan. 24-Mar. 14, 9:30-noon; Option 2: Wed., Jan. 24-Mar. 21 (no class Feb. 14), 6-8:30 p.m.; Option 3: Thu., Jan. 25-Mar. 15, 6-8:30 p.m.; Option 4: Wed., Apr. 4-May 23, 6-8:30 p.m. Cost: $340/person; $306/members. Class includes first bag of clay; additional bags can be purchased separately. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. WOODCUT: Discover the unique process of woodblock printing with local artist Ashley Stagner. Students will focus on fundamental relief printing techniques and will be able to transform their designs into unique prints. The class will then progress to more sophisticated processes, including multi-color printing and 2-3 color reduction block printing. Wed., Apr. 4-May 9, 6-8:30 p.m. Cost: $225/person; $202.50/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166.

burlington city arts youth school break workshops

Choose from 1 to 5 days of art workshops for your child during Spring School Break. All basic supplies are included. Students must bring their bag lunch, and snacks will be provided. CRAZY CREATURES: Create awe-inspiring creatures out of the pages of your favorite book, from your favorite movie or your imagination. Will your creature have two or four heads? Will it be an animal or vegetable? You get to decide in this fun one-day camp that lets you get creative, through drawing, painting and craft. Ages 6-8. Wed., Apr. 25, 8-3 p.m. Cost: $70/ person; $63/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. MINI WORLDS: Shrink down with us and create small beautiful worlds. Campers will be encouraged to explore a variety of craft media to develop tiny, intricate terrariums, doll houses or fairy worlds. Ages 6-11. Thu., Apr. 26, 8-3 p.m. Cost: $70/ person; $63/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. PAINTING: This one-day camp is designed for the young painter who wants to go beyond the typical tempera. Join us at BCA’s painting studio to experiment with watercolors and acrylic on paper or canvas, large or small. Have fun while learning new techniques that will help you make even better paintings. Ages 6-11. Tue., Apr. 24, 8-3 p.m. Cost: $70/ person; $63/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. PHOTOGRAPHY: Explore photography in our black-andwhite darkroom and digital lab! Campers will go on guided photo shoots and will create prints in this fun, hands-on day. Ages 9-11. Wed., Apr. 25, 8-3 p.m. Cost: $70/ person; $63/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. POTTERY WHEEL: This day is all about learning the basics of the ever-popular pottery wheel. Students will have all day to get their hands into clay, spinning it into small bowls or cups to be fired and glazed by the studio. All items will be dishwasher safe and lead-free. Ages 6-11. Fri., Apr. 27, 8-3 p.m. Cost: $70/ person; $63/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166. POTTERY WHEEL: This day is all about learning the basics of the ever-popular pottery wheel.

Students will have all day to get their hands-on clay, spinning it into small bowls or cups to be fired and glazed by the studio. All items will be dishwasher safe and lead-free. Ages 6-11. Mon., Apr. 23, 8-3 p.m. Cost: $70/ person; $63/members. Location: Burlington City Arts, 405 Pine St., Burlington. Info: 865-7166.

craft INTRODUCTION TO WOODSHOP: It’s safety first in Generator’s Woodshop! This course simultaneously builds confidence in the woodshop and teaches students how to properly use the chop saw, table saw, planer, jointer, bandsaw, drill press and benchtop sanders. Students create their own wooden toolbox! This workshop qualifies as two Generator tool trainings. Wed., Mar. 7-28, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Cost: $300/4 3-hour sessions. Location: Generator, 40 Sears Ln., Burlington. Info: 540-0761, comminications@generatorvt. com, generatorvt.com.

theshelburnecraftschool.org

985-3648

ADULT: BEGINNER CLAY: Instructor: Rik Rolla. Learn how to throw clay on the wheel. Explore centering, throwing, trimming and glazing. Gain confidence with hands-on demonstrations and one-on-one time with the instructor. Leave with several finished pieces. Gas reduction kiln and electric oxidation kiln are available for firing. Fri., Jan. 12-Mar. 9 (no class Mar. 2), 10 a.m.-noon. Cost: $335/person; member discount avail. Location: The Shelburne Craft School , 64 Harbor Rd., Shelburne. Info: 985-3648, info@ theshelburnecraftschool.org, theshelburnecraftschool.org. ADULT: CLAY ALTERNATIVE FIRING: Instructor: Rik Rolla. Explore clay on the wheel in a creative, mixed-level, supportive environment. Examine properties of form function, color and glazes. Fire finished pieces in the primitive pit, the Raku Kiln with the option to explore other firing techniques. Gas reduction kiln and electric kilns are also available. Mon., Jan. 8-Mar. 5, (no class Feb. 26), 6-8 p.m. Cost: $335/person; member discount avail. Location: The Shelburne Craft School, 64 Harbor Rd, Shelburne. Info: 985-3648, info@ theshelburnecraftschool.org, theshelburnecraftschool.org.

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DRUM ROLL, PLEASE! — INTRODUCING —

Your buds at Seven Days are hitting the high notes with Cannabeat, a brand-new web section featuring stories about Vermont’s cannabis culture, legislative news, therapeutic products and the cannabiz scene.

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FEATURING

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2018 LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW VERMONT’S LEGALIZATION TIMELINE CANNABIZ DIRECTORY FAQ: WHAT’S LEGAL IN VT? CANNABIS TERMS A-Z

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classes SHELBURNE CRAFT SCHOOL P.68

ADULT: DRAWING FOUNDATIONS: Instructor: Neil Berger. Learn the fundamental skills of observational drawing. Explore the technical and conceptual foundation of drawing using a variety of drawing materials such as graphite, charcoal, pen and ink. Develop personal goals while examining creative concepts through demonstrations. Materials not included. Mon., Jan. 8-Mar. 5 (no class Feb. 26), 10 a.m.-noon. Cost: $248/ person; member discount avail. Location: The Shelburne Craft School, 64 Harbor Rd., Shelburne. Info: 985-3648, info@theshelburnecraftschool.org, theshelburnecraftschool.org.

70 CLASSES

SEVEN DAYS

12.13.17-12.20.17

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

ADULT: MIXED-LEVEL WHEEL: Instructor: Rik Rolla. Further develop the fundamentals of wheel-throwing. Explore techniques through demonstrations and hands-on assistance. You set the pace and gain experience through guided individualized practice. Gas reduction kiln and electric oxidation kiln are available for firing, including an option to explore other firing methods. Wed., Jan. 10-Mar.7 (no class on Feb. 28), 6-8 p.m. Cost: $335/person; member discount avail. Location: The Shelburne Craft School, 64 Harbor Rd., Shelburne. Info: 985-3648, info@ theshelburnecraftschool.org, theshelburnecraftschool.org. ADULT: PAINTING PRACTICE: Instructor: Neil Berger. Together we will explore painting as performance: a series of gestures more like a dance than a marathon. We will look at pictures as holistic arrangements of shapes and colors instead of “subject matter” and learn to trust the intimate, awkward and natural encounter with paint. Tue., Jan. 9-Mar.6 (no class Feb 27), 10 a.m.-noon. Cost: $248/ person; member discount avail. Location: The Shelburne Craft School, 64 Harbor Rd., Shelburne. Info: 985-3648, info@theshelburnecraftschool.org, theshelburnecraftschool.org. ADULT: SHAKER HALL TABLE: Instructor: Ryan Cocina. Learn a comprehensive introduction to woodworking. This course explores basic principles of lumber selection, hand-tool and machinery usage, milling, joinery, and finishing. You will build a Shaker-style hall table, taking the project from blueprint through completion, while gaining familiarity with the woodshop environment. Wed., Jan. 10-Mar. 21 (no class Feb. 28), 6-9 p.m. Cost: $565/ person; member discount avail. Location: The Shelburne Craft School, 64 Harbor Rd., Shelburne. Info: 985-3648, info@theshelburnecraftschool.org, theshelburnecraftschool.org. WORKSHOP: BRANCH TO SPOON: Instructor: Rob Palmer. Learn to carve spoons from locally sourced green wood using hand tools you keep and traditional Swedish carving methods.

Learn to identify appropriate species of wood for carving spoons and other utensils. Learn about the anatomy of a spoon and carving safety and techniques. Sat., Feb. 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $175/workshop; incl. materials & a set of carving tools to take home. Location: The Shelburne Craft School, 64 Harbor Rd., Shelburne. Info: 985-3648, info@theshelburnecraftschool.org, theshelburnecraftschool.org.

from month to month. As with all of our programs, everyone is encouraged to attend, and no partner is necessary. Private lessons also available. Cost: $50/4week class. Location: Champlain Club, 20 Crowley St., Burlington. Info: First Step Dance, 598-6757, kevin@firststepdance.com, firststepdance.com.

WORKSHOP: METALS: Instructor: Sarah Sprague. In this two-day workshop, students will learn the basics of metalsmithing. You will learn how to saw, file and solder and make a small sculpture or pendant. All materials will be supplied for this workshop. Bring a brown bag lunch. Sat. & Sun., Jan. 13 & 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $355/person, member discount avail. Location: The Shelburne Craft School, 64 Harbor Rd., Shelburne. Info: 985-3648, info@ theshelburnecraftschool.org, theshelburnecraftschool.org. WORKSHOP: WATERCOLOR STILL LIFE: Instructor: Frances Cannon. New to watercolor? Learn how to translate a threedimensional object onto a two-dimensional surface through basic drawing techniques, how to set up a color palette and how to apply basic color theory. We will also explore various approaches to texture and composition. Sat., Jan. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $100/person; member discount avail. Location: The Shelburne Craft School, 64 Harbor Rd., Shelburne. Info: 985-3648, info@ theshelburnecraftschool.org, theshelburnecraftschool.org.

dance DANCE STUDIO SALSALINA: Salsa classes, nightclub-style, group and private, four levels. Beginner walk-in classes, Wed., 6 p.m. $15/person for one-hour class. No dance experience, partner or preregistration required, just the desire to have fun! Drop in any time and prepare for an enjoyable workout. Location: 266 Pine St., Burlington. Info: Victoria, 598-1077, info@salsalina.com. DSANTOS VT SALSA: Experience the fun and excitement of Burlington’s eclectic dance community by learning salsa. Trained by world famous dancer Manuel Dos Santos, we teach you how to dance to the music and how to have a great time on the dance floor! There is no better time to start than now. Mon. evenings: beginner class, 7-8 p.m.; intermediate, 8:15-9:15 p.m. Cost: $12/1-hour class. Location: North End Studios, 294 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington. Info: Jon Bacon, 355-1818, crandalltyler@hotmail. com, dsantosvt.com. LEARN TO DANCE W/ A PARTNER!: Come alone or come with friends, but come out and learn to dance! Beginning classes repeat each month, but intermediate classes vary

(Feb. 7, snow day); 7-9 p.m. Cost: $75/person. Location: Jungian Center for the Spiritual Sciences, 55 Clover Lane, Waterbury. Info: Sue, 244-7909. FINDING HOPE IN DIVISIVE TIMES: AN EXPRESSIVE ARTS WORKSHOP: Come explore the Role of Hope in our lives through the arts at JourneyWorks. What is hope? How do we relate or not relate to this right now? How do we bring hope into ourselves and our world? How do we open to it? How do we do that in our times? Imagine exploring these topics in community using visual art, including collage, painting and clay, movement, and journaling. All materials provided and no experience necessary, just the willingness to try. Fri., Dec. 22, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost: $25/ suggested donation. Location: JourneyWorks, 1205 North Ave., Burlington. Info: 860-6203, journeyworks@hotmail.com, journeyworksvt.com.

gardening design/build LASER CUT BOARD GAMES: There is something about the look and feel of tabletop games. Now, you can make your own! Students will learn safety and basic laser cutter operations, including vector software. Then, you will apply new skills to design and construct a wood game. This workshop qualifies as a Generator tool training. Wed., Mar. 28 & Apr. 4 & 11, 5:308:30 p.m. Cost: $225/3 3-hour sessions. Location: Generator, 40 Sears Lane, Burlington. Info: 540-0761, education@generatorvt.com, generatorvt.com.

drumming DJEMBE & TAIKO: Classes in Burlington, Hyde Park and Montpelier. Drums provided. Classes for adults (also for kids with parents) Mon., Tue. & Wed. in Burlington. Wed. a.m. or Friday a.m. in Hyde Park. Thu. in Montpelier. Most classes are in the evenings or after school. Conga classes, too! Visit our schedule and register online. Location: Taiko Space, 208 Flynn Ave., Suite 3G, Burlington; Capital City Grange, 6612 Rte. 12, Berlin; Moonlight Studios, 1670 Cleveland Corners Rd., Hyde Park. Info: 999-4255, burlingtontaiko.org.

empowerment APPLIED SYMBOLOGY: Learn how symbols are used in art, iconography, dream work, astrology, literature, psychology and other disciplines and the multiple levels on which they can be interpreted. The format is experiential, working with symbols as well as discussing readings. Led by Dr. Sue Mehrtens, teacher and author. Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31st

STONE WALL WORKSHOPS: Our introductory stone wall building workshops for homeowners and tradespeople promote the beauty and integrity of stone. The one-day workshop covers basic techniques for creating dry-laid walls using stone native to Vermont. Workshops are held in warm greenhouses in Hinesburg. Space is limited; gift certificates available. Sat., Jan. 20, Feb. 10, & Mar. 3 & 17, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Cost: $100/oneday class. Location: Red Wagon Plants, 2408 Shelburne Falls Rd., Hinesburg. Info: Queen City Soil & Stone, Charley MacMartin, 318-2411, macmartin@igc.org, queencitysoilandstone.com.

techniques such as using the torch, jeweler’s saw, special hammers, polishing wheel and more! Each week there are demonstrations, including sawing, drilling, piercing, riveting, annealing, forming and soldering. This workshop qualifies as a Generator tool training. Thu., Feb. 1-22, 1-4 p.m. Cost: $335/4 3-hour sessions. Location: Generator, 40 Sears Ln., Burlington. Info: 540-0761, comminications@generatorvt. com, generatorvt.com.

language ADULT FRENCH CLASSES: Oh la la! Winter French classes! Rev up your brain. Been wanting to learn French for a while? Check that New Year’s Resolution off. Held in beautiful, cozy studio. Interactive, fun, structured, supportive. Experienced instructor, lived in West Africa/Paris. Register before Jan 1 and save 10%. Makes a great gift, aussi. Wed., Jan. 17-Feb. 28, 7 weeks. Beginner French, 5-6:30 p.m. Adv. Beginner/Intermediate French, 6:30-8 p.m. Cost: $210/person. Location: Wingspan Studio, 4A Howard St., Burlington. Info: Madame Maggie Standley, 233-7676, maggiestandley@gmail.com, wingspanstudiovt.com.

healing arts HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO TRY REIKI?: Experience relaxation and promote your body’s potential for healing in a 30-minute Reiki treatment with a Master Reiki Practitioner. Whether you are new to Reiki or looking for a weekly “tune-up” to support your well-being, you are welcome. Reiki is a healing and meditation practice that facilitates healing on the physical, emotional and spiritual levels. A Reiki treatment involves light touch to support balancing and healing the recipient. Reiki is not a religion yet promotes mindfulness and personal growth. Reiki can complement most forms of medical treatment. Reservations necessary. Every Tue., 3-5:30 p.m. Location: JourneyWorks, 1205 North Ave., Burlington. Info: 860-6203, journeyworks@hotmail.com, journeyworksvt.com.

jewelry AFTERNOON JEWELRY CLASS: Interested in making your own sterling silver jewelry? This class teaches the basic jeweler’s

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE WINTER WARM-UP!: Is learning French part of your 2018 resolutions? The Alliance Française can help: six-week session designed to take you where your language competencies are, reviewing and firming up your skills, and readying you for your next full-term course. Starts Jan. 15. Cost: $140/course. Location: Locations in Burlington, Colchester, Montpelier. Info: Micheline Tremblay, 881-8826, michelineatremblay@gmail. com, aflcr.org. ANNOUNCING SPANISH CLASSES: Spanish classes start in January. Learn from a native speaker via small classes or personal instruction. You’ll always be participating and speaking. Lesson packages for travelers, lessons for young

children; they love it! English as Second Language instruction online. Our 12th year. See our website or contact us for details. Start week of Jan. 15; 10 weeks. Cost: $225/10 weekly 90-minute classes. Location: Spanish in Waterbury Center, Waterbury Center. Info: 585-1025, spanishparavos@gmail.com, spanishwaterburycenter.com.

martial arts ACHIEVE YOUR POTENTIAL: Change your life at Wu Xing Chinese Martial Arts. Join other thoughtful, friendly adults to learn traditional arts taught in a contemporary manner. We teach tai chi, kung fu, meditation, dynamic physical exercises and effective self-defense techniques to maximize your mental tranquility and clarity, physical health and fitness, and self-confidence. Fri., 6-7 p.m. & 7-8 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-noon & noon-1 p.m. Cost: $12/1-hour class; $40/mo. (incl. all classes offered); $5/trial class. Location: 303 Flynn Ave., Burlington. Info: 355-1301, info@ wxcma.com, wxcma.com. MARTIAL WAY: Colchester and Milton locations. Classes in self-defense, Karate, Kung Fu, Jiu Jitsu and Tai Chi. We have 14 different age and experience levels, so the training is always age- and skill-appropriate. Beginner or experienced, fit or not yet, young or not anymore, we have a class for you! Days and evenings; see website for schedule and fees. Location: Martial Way Self Defense Center, 73 Prim Rd., Colchester, Colchester. Info: David Quinlan, 893-8893, info@martialwayvt. com, martialwayvt.com. VERMONT BRAZILIAN JIUJITSU: Brazilian jiujitsu is a martial arts combat style based entirely on leverage and technique. Brazilian jiujitsu self-defense curriculum is taught to Navy SEALs, CIA, FBI, military police and special forces. No training experience required. Easyto-learn techniques that could save your life! Classes for men, women and children. Students will learn realistic bully-proofing and self-defense life skills to avoid them becoming victims and help them feel safe and secure. Our sole purpose is to help empower people by giving them realistic martial arts training practices they can carry with them throughout life. IBJJF & CBJJ certified black belt sixth-degree Instructor under Carlson Gracie Sr.: teaching in Vermont, born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A five-time Brazilian National Champion; International World Masters Champion and IBJJF World Masters Champion. Accept no Iimitations! Location: Vermont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 55 Leroy Rd., Williston. Info: 598-2839, julio@ bjjusa.com, vermontbjj.com.

CLASS PHOTOS + MORE INFO ONLINE SEVENDAYSVT.COM/CLASSES

meditation LEARN TO MEDITATE: Through the practice of sitting still and following your breath as it goes out and dissolves, you are connecting with your heart. By simply letting yourself be, as you are, you develop genuine sympathy toward yourself. The Burlington Shambhala Center offers meditation as a path to discovering gentleness and wisdom. Shambhala Cafe (meditation and discussions) meets the first Saturday of each month, 9 a.m.-noon. An open house (intro to the center, short dharma talk and socializing) is held on the third Sunday of each month, noon-2 p.m. Instruction: Sun. mornings, 9 a.m.-noon, or by appt. Sessions: Tue. & Thu., noon-1 p.m., & Mon.-Thu., 6-7 p.m. Location: Burlington Shambhala Center, 187 S. Winooski Ave., Burlington. Info: 658-6795, burlingtonshambhalactr.org.

movement NOYES NATURE RHYTHM MOVEMENT: Rejuvenate, relax, play and find deep healing in this open-to-all-movers class. Take a journey in nature imagery; you’ll be led through techniques that both strengthen and align you, invited to move creatively and

join a group flow. Lots of fun, with beautiful music and a supportive teacher. No experience necessary. Sat., Dec. 16, 10 a.m.; second Saturdays in 2018. 1-hour session (free class). Location: Champlain Club, 20 Crowley St., Burlington. Info: Emily Mott, 617-872-4432, emilyarwenmott@ gmail.com, noyesrhythm.org.

lyme disease. Wear comfortable clothing. Sign up or find more information at Laughingriveryoga. com. Dec. 17, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, Mar. 18, Apr. 8, 2-3:30 p.m. By donation. Location: Laughing River Yoga, The Chase Mill, 1 Mill St., Burlington.

tai chi

BALANCE YOGA CLASSES/ WORKSHOPS: Offering a variety of yoga classes and wellness workshops to meet individual needs, from beginners to experienced yogis seeking to deepen their practice. Our welcoming community offers support to experience and explore yoga, meditation, sound therapy and bodywork. First class free for Vermonters! Schedule private and group sessions at balanceyogavt.com. See website for daily class schedule. Cost: $15/ drop-in class; $130/10-class card; $70/5-class card; $120/monthly unlimited. Workshop cost will vary. Location: Balance Yoga, 840 W. Main (1 minute from exit 11), Richmond. Info: Lynn Clauer, 922-0516, balanceyogavt@gmail. com, balanceyogavt.com.

SNAKE-STYLE TAI CHI CHUAN: The Yang Snake Style is a dynamic tai chi method that mobilizes the spine while stretching and strengthening the core body muscles. Practicing this ancient martial art increases strength, flexibility, vitality, peace of mind and martial skill. Beginner classes Sat. mornings & Wed. evenings. Call to view a class. Location: Bao Tak Fai Tai Chi Institute, 100 Church St., Burlington. Info: 864-7902, ipfamilytaichi.org.

well-being YOGA & RECOVERY GROUP FOR FOLKS LIVING W/ LYME DISEASE: Join as we practice gentle restorative poses suitable for all levels. Afterward, join the discussion as we share and support one another on the often confusing and isolating journey to wellness while living with

yoga

EVOLUTION YOGA: Practice yoga in a down-to-earth atmosphere with some of the most experienced teachers and therapeutic professionals in Burlington. Daily

drop-in classes including $5 community classes, Yoga Wall and Yoga Therapeutics classes led by physical therapists. Join our Yoga for Life Program to dive deeper into your practice or register for our Yoga Teacher Training for Healthcare Providers. We offer specialty workshops, series and trainings, rooted in the art and science of yoga as a healing practice for body, mind, and spirit. Cost: $15/ class; $140/10-class card; $5-10/ community classes. Location: Evolution Yoga, 20 Kilburn St., Burlington. Info: 8649642, evolutionvt.com. HONEST YOGA: Honest yoga offers practices for all levels. We just expanded to have two practice spaces! Your children can practice in one room while you practice in the other. No need for childcare. Yoga and dance classes ages 3 and up. Brand-new beginners’ course: This includes two specialty classes per week for four weeks plus unlimited access to all classes. We have daily heated and alignment classes kids classes in yoga and dance. We hold yoga teacher trainings at the 200- and 500-hour levels, as well as children and dance teacher training courses. Check our our website for dance classes and yoga summer camps! Daily

classes & workshops. $50/new student (1 month unlimited); $18/ class; $140/10-class card; $15/ class for student or senior; or $110/10-class punch card; $135/ mo. adult memberships; $99/ mo. kid memberships. Location: Honest Yoga Center, 150 Dorset St., Blue Mall, next to Hana, South Burlington. Info: 497-0136, honestyogastudio@gmail.com, honestyogacenter.com.

SANGHA STUDIO | NONPROFIT, DONATION-BASED YOGA: Sangha Studio builds an empowered community through the shared practice of yoga. Free yoga service initiatives and outreach programs are offered at 17 local organizations working with all ages. Join Sangha in both downtown Burlington and the Old North End for one of their roughly 60 weekly classes and workshops. Become a Sustaining Member for $60/month and practice as often as you like! Daily. Location: Sangha Studio, 120 Pine St. and 237 North Winooski Ave., Burlington. Info: 448-4262, Info@ sanghastudio.org.

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SEVENDAYSVT.COM 12.13.17-12.20.17 SEVEN DAYS 74 MUSIC

SEVEN DAYS: I read in a 2014 interview that you were just starting to delve into Buddhism. Where would you say you’re at now? RISHI DHIR: It’s funny, because my first two records [The Seven Seas and Elephant Stone] were, lyrically, heavily influenced by the Bhagavad Gita. And then, with The Three Poisons, I took a turn into the Buddhist philosophies in the Tibetan Book of the Dead. But it’s funny. I’ve kind of abandoned religion recently. Spirituality is one thing, [but] I guess, in my mind, religion isn’t going to save me. So now

COURTESY OF BOWEN STEAD & DANIEL BARKLEY

n Buddhism, three states of mind — aka “the three poisons” — represent the roots of all evil: ignorance (moha); anger (dvesha) and greed (raga). Rishi Dhir, the bassist, sitarist and front man of the Montréal-based psychedelic-pop band Elephant Stone, planted such Eastern spiritual concepts into much of the group’s early work — most obviously including the band’s 2014 record, The Three Poisons. Other concepts are equally prominent, such as the consciousness-expanding Hindu mantra Om Namah Shivaya on the record’s seventh track, “Child of Nature (Om Namah Shivaya).” Dhir, 40, shifted the focus away from mystical abstraction to societal scrutiny on Elephant Stone’s 2016 album, Ship of Fools. The title refers to an allegorical concept from Plato’s Republic, in which a dysfunctional nautical crew dooms itself because of perpetual infighting over who is truly in command of the vessel. If that sounds eerily familiar, it’s likely because it aptly describes the current state of global geopolitical dynamics. Though he’s been a professional musician for decades — often serving as guest sitarist for artists such as Beck, the Black Angels and Temples — Dhir seems to be in the midst of a reckoning with the way he writes. But musically, he’s strengthened his vision more than altered it. The dreamy, synth- and sitarinfused rock sounds of Elephant Stone’s first album, The Seven Seas, are now much glossier and more streamlined. Elephant Stone perform on Friday, December 15, at the Monkey House in Winooski. Local psychedelic bands the Dead Shakers and the Thursday Torys add support. Seven Days caught up with Dhir by phone.

Elephant Stone

New Religion

Elephant Stone front man Rishi Dhir talks parenting, ancient texts and looking inward BY J O R D AN AD AMS

I’m writing more about how I perceive things and what’s around me. I’m more chronicling the times rather than — I mean, I’m always looking for deeper meaning in things. I’ve lived a lot, and I actually have more to say than I did a few years ago. SD: Does that mean you now disregard a text like the Bhagavad Gita? Would you discourage someone else from reading it? RD: No, not at all. It was a huge influence. I’ve read and studied it enough that it’s left its mark on who I am. But I don’t need to constantly refer to that text to

help guide me in the future. I’m ready to move on and discover something new. My kids are half Indian, half Scottish. And, you know, I have a statue of Ganesh and stories about Krishna. My daughter will be like, “What is God?” She’s only 8 years old. And I’m like, “I wanna have this discussion when I can really explain it, but I’m not going to right now.” I’m not going to force [religion] on my kids. SD: Do you encourage your kids to explore music, or do you have a more laissez-faire attitude? RD: I guess before I had kids, I was like, “My kids have to listen to this, this and

this.” I mean, there’s always music in our house. And I’m always exposing them to things. I’m gonna force my kids to take piano [lessons]. Learning an instrument is a great thing for any child. SD: One thing that strikes me about tracks like “Manipulator” and “Cast the First Stone” is the balance between aggressive, confrontational lyrics and the overall groovy, danceable vibe. How conscious are you of that dichotomy when you’re writing? RD: For [Ship of Fools], I went into it with an overlying concept. I knew the title of the album before I had all the lyrics done. [It’s an] analogy. We’re all in a ship. No one’s truly leading, and we all think we know which way to go. The music does kind of dictate what the mood of the lyrics will be. If it’s an aggressive, rock-and-roll thing, the lyrics might be more … not judgmental but much more opinionated. If it’s more laid back, like “Photograph,” it’ll be a bit more reflective. I have a good sense of my songs and what the mood should be. SD: What can you tell me about your upcoming Acid House Ragas album? RD: When I started, it was originally supposed to be this sitar-instrumental thing. And it quickly evolved to this song-based thing with Eastern influence. There’s this album called Synthesizing: Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat [by Charanjit Singh] that got reissued in 2010. It’s from the ’80s. [Singh] redid ragas on synths over acid-house beats. I wanted to do something like that. I’ve done a few shows in Europe with just me and a DJ kind of vamping on stuff. I’m slowly working my way through a full-length album. I’m hoping that will be out at the end of 2018. SD: In an interview with the Mindful Bard, you said, “The West Coast gets us. The Midwest and East Coast does not.” What did you mean by that? RD: In retrospect, that was kind of an ignorant comment for me to make. We’re in the Midwest right now, and it’s actually going really well. I guess, from our experience, our headlining shows were like that. [But] people are connecting with the music we make everywhere. NEW RELIGION

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Christmas Sneer Robinson Morse

Two weeks ago, I wrote a feature titled “Bah, Humbug: A Curmudgeon’s Guide to Local Holiday Music,” and it’s come to my attention that it offended some folks. That was not my intention, and I’m truly sorry. The article was a darkly comedic conceptual piece in which I took on the role of a Grinch-like character who hates Christmas — and, thus, hates the season’s music. On the surface, it appeared I was simply talking trash about a bunch of Vermonters’ yuletide jams. But the gag was that all of the things I seemingly mocked are actually the things that make the tracks I singled out cool and special. I thought that would be obvious, but, apparently, I was too subtle, and a few people thought I was just being meanspirited. Again, my apologies. Speaking of holiday music…

Two Crazy Nights

News and views on the local music scene B Y J O RDAN A D A MS

The New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars

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FRI 12.15

Fully Completely Hip: Tragically Hip Tribute

SAT 12.16

Sleigh Belles

FRI 12.29

Moon Hooch

FRI 12.29

Cabinet

SAT 12.30

Dalton & The Sheriffs

SUN 12.31

New Queers Eve

Near North

Gnomedad, Honeycomb

Serene Green

Fran Briand

FRI 1.12

Annie in the Water, Brickdrop

SAT 1.13

Johnny A.

SUN 1.14

G Jones

THU 1.18

Andrea Gibson

Eprom, Ana Sia

Chastity Brown

JUST ANNOUNCED: 1.28 BoomBox 2.25 Phoebe Bridgers 3.7 Brett Dennen 4.7 Caroline Rose 1214 Williston Road, South Burlington 802-652-0777 @higherground @highergroundmusic

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Eames Brothers Band, Julia Caesar, SoundBrother

SEVEN DAYS

ARTS NEWS + VIEWS

For up-to-the-minute news about the local music scene, read the Live Culture blog: sevendaysvt.com/liveculture.

Earlier this year, esteemed and indemand local bassist ROBINSON MORSE (VORCZA) unleashed the long-awaited debut record from his groovy, modern jazz ensemble SOUND OF MIND. Originally released only on CD and digital download/stream, the album, Enough Is Plenty, is now available on LP, thanks to the Queen City’s analog dream factory, the Burlington Record Plant.

Kat Wright

12.13.17-12.20.17

Full Circle

104.7 The Point welcomes

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

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If you’re looking for a fun, Hanukkahadjacent event this week, you might consider checking out the rip-roaring sounds of the NEW ORLEANS KLEZMER ALLSTARS. The quintet blends the signature sounds of its bayou hometown — think Dixieland jazz and New Orleans funk — with an unmistakable, traditional Yiddish vibe. The band features members of the Big Easy’s the IGUANAS and GALACTIC. You have two chances to get down with the All-Stars: Friday, December 15, at Nectar’s in Burlington, and Saturday, December 16, at Zenbarn in Waterbury. Local cumbia band MAL MAIZ get the party started at the Nectar’s show. By the way, the Zenbarn gig is a benefit concert dubbed Share the Light. Attendees are offered a sumptuous buffet full of traditional Jewish foodstuffs prior to the evening’s entertainment. You’ll have to drop a bit more of your gelt for this outing, but your shiny gold coins support Barre nonprofit Capstone Community Action’s emergency fuel and food assistance Fuel Your Neighbors campaign.

SAT 12.30 + SUN 12.31

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music

CLUB DATES NA: NOT AVAILABLE. AA: ALL AGES.

burlington

CITIZEN CIDER: Brett Hughes (country), 6 p.m., free.

COURTESY OF KAYHL COOPER

WED.13 THU.14 // FEVER DOLLS [INDIE]

JP’S PUB: Karaoke, 10 p.m., free. JUNIPER: The Ray Vega Latin Jazz Ensemble (jazz), 8:30 p.m., free.

MANHATTAN PIZZA & PUB: Open Mic with Andy Lugo, 9 p.m., free.

HIGHER GROUND BALLROOM: Fully Completely Hip: The Tragically Hip Tribute, Near North, 8 p.m., $18/23.

BACKSTAGE PUB: Karaoke with Jenny Red, 9 p.m., free.

JERICHO CAFÉ & TAVERN: Sky Blue Boys (bluegrass), 7 p.m., free. MONKEY HOUSE: Elephant Stone, the Dead Shakers, the Thursday Torys (psych-rock, indie), 9 p.m., $5/10. 18+.

RADIO BEAN: DJ Two Sev (eclectic vinyl), 4 p.m., free. Virginia Marcs (art-rock), 7 p.m., free. HAiL (roots), 8:30 p.m., free. Papas Porch (bluegrass, folk-rock), 10:30 p.m., free. RED SQUARE: DJ KermiTT (eclectic), 7 p.m., free. DJ Cre8 (hip-hop), 11 p.m., free. SIDEBAR: Hotel Karaoke, 9 p.m., free. VERMONT COMEDY CLUB: Standup Open Mic and Improv Jam, 7 p.m., free. Songs in the Key of Slink (improv), 9 p.m., $5.

chittenden county

HIGHER GROUND BALLROOM: Bear Grillz, Phase One, Dirt Monkey, Kompany (EDM), 8:30 p.m., $14/16. JERICHO CAFÉ & TAVERN: Bluegrass Session, 7 p.m., free. SEVENDAYSVT.COM

THE TAP ROOM AT SWITCHBACK BREWING: Gordon Goldsmith (singer-songwriter), 6 p.m., free.

chittenden county

RÍ RÁ THE IRISH LOCAL & WHISKEY ROOM: The County Down (Americana, reggae), 7 p.m., free.

12.13.17-12.20.17

SIDEBAR: Crusty Cuts (hip-hop), 10 p.m., free.

LIGHT CLUB LAMP SHOP: Irish Sessions (traditional), 7 p.m., free. Sons of Pitches (altcountry), 9:30 p.m., $5.

NECTAR’S: Wiley Griffin (acoustic), 7 p.m., free. a.m. rejoice with the Low Breaks (indie folk), 9 p.m., free/$5. 18+.

SEVEN DAYS

RED SQUARE BLUE ROOM: DJ KermiTT (eclectic), 10 p.m., $5.

VERMONT COMEDY CLUB: Roy Wood Jr. (standup), 7 & 9:30 p.m., $20/27.

LEUNIG’S BISTRO & CAFÉ: Paul Asbell Trio (jazz), 7 p.m., free.

STONE CORRAL BREWERY: Open Mic NIght, 7 p.m., free.

barre/montpelier

SWEET MELISSA’S: D. Davis (acoustic), 5:30 p.m., donation. Cookie’s Hot Club (gypsy jazz), 8 p.m., donation. WHAMMY BAR: Open Mic, 7 p.m., free.

stowe/smuggs

IDLETYME BREWING COMPANY: The Idletyme Band (blues, rock), 8 p.m., free.

mad river valley/ waterbury

ZENBARN: Zach Nugent (rock), 7 p.m., free.

middlebury area CITY LIMITS NIGHT CLUB: Karaoke, 9 p.m., free.

TWO BROTHERS TAVERN: Trivia Night, 7 p.m., free. Open Mic Night, 9 p.m., free.

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$5. DJ Craig Mitchell (open format), 11 p.m., $5.

PARKER PIE CO.: Trivia Night, 7 p.m., free.

ON TAP BAR & GRILL: The Natural Selection (rock), 5 p.m., free. incaHOOTS (rock), 9 p.m., free.

Hot Stuff Originally known as Iron Eyes Cody, Burlington indie-rock band

FEVER DOLLS recently unveiled their

new name — along with a tighter, more theatrical style. In a conversation with Seven Days, front man Evan Allis named larger-than-life artists such as Kiss, the Residents and Daft Punk as spiritual inspiration for the energy he and the band aim to capture in the updated project. Combining heavier synth tones with IEC’s countrified rock sounds, Allis and powerhouse front woman Renn Mulloy present songs full of high-octane hooks and dark, personal lyrics. Fever Dolls perform on Thursday, December 14, at SideBar in Burlington. Locals ERIN CASSELS-BROWN and PAPAS PORCH open.

outside vermont MONOPOLE: Open Mic with Lucid, 10 p.m., free.

THU.14 burlington

CLUB METRONOME: Philthaay Presents: N-Type with AxH (dubstep), 9 p.m., $10/15.

10 p.m., $5. The Freestones (blues-rock), 11 p.m., $5. RED SQUARE: Red Hot Juba (country, jazz), 7 p.m., free. D Jay Baron (mashup, hip-hop), 11 p.m., free. RED SQUARE BLUE ROOM: DJ Cre8 (hip-hop), 11 p.m., free. SIDEBAR: Fever Dolls, Erin Cassels-Brown, Papas Porch (indie), 10 p.m., $3.

FINNIGAN’S PUB: DJ Craig Mitchell (open format), 10 p.m., free.

VERMONT COMEDY CLUB: Shane Torres (standup), 7 p.m., $15. The Daily Grind: The DuPont Brothers (improv), 9 p.m., $5.

FOAM BREWERS: Aaron Luccie & the Flat Five (jazz), 7 p.m., free.

chittenden county

HALF LOUNGE: SVPPLY (hip-hop), 10 p.m., free.

BACKSTAGE PUB: Trivia, 9:30 p.m., free.

JP’S PUB: Karaoke, 10 p.m., free.

MONKEY HOUSE: DJ Disco Phantom presents Selector Sets featuring the Old Spokes Home Staff (eclectic vinyl), 8 p.m., free.

LIGHT CLUB LAMP SHOP: Shane Hardiman Trio (jazz), 8:30 p.m., $5-10. Aaron Lucci Quintet (jazz), 10:30 p.m., $5. MANHATTAN PIZZA & PUB: Smitty & the Darts (rock, funk), 10 p.m., free. NECTAR’S: Trivia Night, 7 p.m., free. Nina’s Brew, Ben Bivins and Friends (blues, soul), 9 p.m., free/$5. 18+. RADIO BEAN: DJ Chia (house), 4 p.m., free. Eben & Amelia (acoustic), 7 p.m., free. REID (Americana), 8:30 p.m., free. The Devon McGarry Band (rock),

ON TAP BAR & GRILL: Left Eye Jump (blues), 7 p.m., free.

barre/montpelier

GUSTO’S: Ugly Xmas Sweater and Dance Party with DJ Lafountaine (hits), 8 p.m., free. SWEET MELISSA’S: Bruce Jones (acoustic), 6 p.m., donation. Dallas Higgins (singer-songwriter), 8 p.m., donation.

stowe/smuggs

MOOGS PLACE: Open Mic with Allen Church, 8:30 p.m., free. SUSHI YOSHI (STOWE): Anthony Santor Trio (jazz), 4:30 p.m., free.

mad river valley/ waterbury LOCALFOLK SMOKEHOUSE: Open Mic with Alex Budney, 8:30 p.m., free.

ZENBARN: Seth Yacovone (blues), 7 p.m., free. The Stash! Band (bluegrass), 8 p.m., $12/15.

middlebury area

TWO BROTHERS TAVERN: DJ Da.Root (hits), 10 p.m., free.

outside vermont

OLIVE RIDLEY’S: Karaoke with DJ Jon Berry & DJ Coco, 9 p.m., free.

FRI.15

burlington

BLEU NORTHEAST SEAFOOD: George Petit (jazz), 8:30 p.m., free. CLUB METRONOME: The Edd, the Cedar Project (jam), 9 p.m., $5.

STONE CORRAL BREWERY: ‘Mi Familia’ Benefit Concert featuring Mike Brewster, Steve Hartmann, the Owl Stars (rock), 7 p.m., donation. WATERWORKS FOOD + DRINK: Dakota (hip-hop), 9 p.m., free.

barre/montpelier

BAGITOS BAGEL AND BURRITO CAFÉ: Dave Loughran (acoustic), 6 p.m., free.

FOAM BREWERS: LUX (funk, soul), 8 p.m., free.

CHARLIE-O’S WORLD FAMOUS: Julia Kate Davis (singersongwriter), 6 p.m., free. The Pilgrims, Mick’s Jaguar (rock), 9 p.m., free.

HALF LOUNGE: Rob Ticho (house), 10 p.m., free.

ESPRESSO BUENO: Belle of the Fall (indie folk), 7 p.m., free.

JP’S PUB: Karaoke, 10 p.m., free.

GUSTO’S: The Bressetts (acoustic), 5 p.m., free. Duroc (pop covers), 9 p.m., $5.

JUNIPER: John Abair and Collin Cope (folk), 9 p.m., free. LIGHT CLUB LAMP SHOP: Mary McGinniss & the Selkies (country, rock), 7 p.m., $5. Zack DuPont (folk), 9 p.m., free. DJ Taka (eclectic vinyl), 11 p.m., $5. MANHATTAN PIZZA & PUB: Khalif Neville Trio (jazz, funk), 10 p.m., free. NECTAR’S: Seth Yacovone (solo acoustic blues), 7 p.m., free. The New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, Mal Maiz (Yiddish jazz, R&B), 9 p.m., $5. RÍ RÁ THE IRISH LOCAL & WHISKEY ROOM: DJ Supersounds (hits), 10 p.m., free. RADIO BEAN: Friday Morning Sing-Along with Linda Bassick & Friends (kids’ music), 11 a.m., free. DJ Ryan Kick (eclectic), 4 p.m., free. Amerykanka (world, a cappella), 7 p.m., free. Michael Wagner (folk, Americana), 8:30 p.m., free. The Mangroves (rock, funk), 10 p.m., $5. The Recess Bureau (improvisational jazz), 11:30 p.m., $5. RED SQUARE: Sweet William and Sugar Cone Rose (jazz, blues), 4 p.m., free. The Starline Rhythm Boys (rockabilly), 7 p.m.,

POSITIVE PIE (MONTPELIER): Boomslang, Champagne Dynasty, Night Protocol (hip-hop), 9:30 p.m., $5. SWEET MELISSA’S: Honky Tonk Happy Hour with Mark LeGrand, 5:30 p.m., donation. Red Hot Juba’s Holiday Special (country, jazz), 9 p.m., $5. WHAMMY BAR: Chad Hollister (rock), 7:30 p.m., free.

stowe/smuggs

EL TORO: Sean Casey (Americana), 6:30 p.m., free. MOOGS PLACE: Chris Lyon (solo acoustic), 6 p.m., free. John Lackard Blues Band, 9 p.m., free.

mad river valley/ waterbury ZENBARN: Robinson Morse’s Sound of Mind with Peter Apfelbaum (jazz), 9 p.m., $10.

middlebury area HATCH 31: The Big Pick (bluegrass), 7:30 p.m., free.

FRI.15

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UNDbites

C O NT I NU E D F RO M PA G E 7 5

This weekend, SOM perform twice: Friday at Zenbarn, and Saturday at the FlynnSpace in Burlington. Acclaimed multi-instrumentalist PETER APFELBAUM joins the group. The saxophonist, drummer and pianist is known for his seminal work with the HIEROGLYPHICS ENSEMBLE from Berkeley, Calif., and, more recently, the TREY ANASTASIO BAND, among other projects. Morse and Apfelbaum go way back. “I first heard Peter playing with [local jazz man] JAMES HARVEY’s band 25 years ago,” Morse writes in an email. Around that time, he found the Hieroglyphics Ensemble’s Jodoji Brightness in the used CD section at Pure Pop Records in Burlington. “[I] wore it out with so much listening,” he writes. Morse and Apfelbaum finally met in 2003 when the latter was playing with an early incarnation of Anastasio’s band. That meeting led to a handful of shows Vorzca did with Apfelbaum and trombonist JOSH ROSEMAN, an experience that proved formative for Morse and SOM. “Looking back,” writes the bassist, “[writing] for a larger ensemble of horns and rhythm grew into the concept that Sound of Mind is today.” Isn’t it just neato when your idol becomes your collaborator?

If you missed it, the forthcoming spin-off of the popular competitive reality show is set to air opposite the XXIII Olympic Winter Games in February 2018. In other words, you’ll have to choose between watching the world’s best athletes and the world’s best, uh, hot tub carousers and wine drinkers. (Ooh. I wonder if “The Bachelor: Winter Games” plans to give out medals. “And the gold medal for best clandestine hookup goes to…”) As we reported previously, production began last week, and the series’ producers tapped local roots trio PETE’S POSSE to provide entertainment for a special contra dance down in Wilmington. As much as we would’ve liked to send a staffer to infiltrate the hootenanny, it just wasn’t feasible. However, we reached out to the Posse’s TRISTAN HENDERSON for the inside scoop.

Same But Different

5 NIGHTS

A WEEK FRI 15 | SAT 16

ROY

WOOD JR. THU 21 | FRI 22 | SAT 23

JOE

LIST

For those of you wondering what the heck is going on at the former site of the THU 28 Rusty Nail in Stowe, allow me to recap the changes. Seven Days previously reported that restaurateurs MARK FRIER and CHAD FRY, of Waterbury’s the Reservoir Restaurant CHRIS and Tap Room and Stowe’s the Bench, planned to transform the Rusty Nail into a Mexican eatery called Tres Amigos — while keeping a performance area separate but intact. Officially known (802) 859-0100 | WWW.VTCOMEDY.COM as the Tres Amigos & Rusty Nail Stage, 101 main street, BurlingtoN the (sort of ) new room has a capacity of approximately 300 — making it roughly the same size as the Higher Ground Untitled-2 1 12/11/17 Showcase Lounge. And, speaking of Higher Ground, the club’s cofounder and former co-owner KEVIN STATESIR is handling booking duties for the Rusty Nail. He tells us that the club will feature “local and regional music every weekend [with] some CHANNEL 15 well-known marquee acts sprinkled throughout the upcoming season.” “It’s got the same stage, great sound and lights,” he writes. TUESDAYS > 9:00 P.M. Upcoming shows include GUBBULIDIS — the jam-tastic side project of TWIDDLE’s GET MORE INFO OR MIHALI SAVOULIDIS and ZDENEK GUBB — on WATCH ONLINE AT Friday, December 22. Funk duo SOULE VERMONTCAM.ORG MONDE take the stage on New Year’s Eve — that is, Sunday, December 31.

FLEMING

ORDER YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

REVELATIONS

SHOP

16t-vcam-weekly.indd 1

SD: It’s hard. RD: I’ll read Pitchfork’s top albums or one of these [year-end lists], and I don’t know most of [the artists.] One thing I did notice was how rock and roll is not

really making the top lists. [Artists] that I’ve connected with recently are, like, Frank Ocean and Blood Orange. They’re more personal, and they have something to say. A lot of rock and roll doesn’t grab me.

LOCAL

Contact: jordan@sevendaysvt.com

INFO Elephant Stone perform on Friday, December 15, 9 p.m., at the Monkey House in Winooski. $5/10. 18+. facebook.com/monkeyhousevt 16t-shoplocal-guy.indd 1

and say you saw it in...

MUSIC 77

SD: Given that 2017 is wrapping up, I’d love to know what a few of your favorite records were this year. Do you feel like there were any artists who really shaped the zeitgeist? RD: People have been writing to me asking for my top five albums. It’s weird — I listened to a lot of music [this year], but I don’t know. I really enjoyed the new Slowdive [record]. I’ve been listening to

Frank Ocean’s last record the most — but that’s from 2016. There’re just so many records. It’s almost too much music right now. I don’t know how you guys — music critics — wade through all the music. It’s just overwhelming.

12/11/17 11:25 AM

SEVEN DAYS

New Religion « P.74

3:06 PM

12.13.17-12.20.17

You all know that ABC’s “The Bachelor: Winter Games” is currently being shot in Vermont, right? If you didn’t know that, do yourself (and me) a solid and check out last week’s issue, which featured not one but two pieces on the show — including the bulk of this column.

If I were a superhero, my superpower would be the ability to get songs stuck in other people’s heads. Here are five songs that have been stuck in my head this week. May they also get stuck in yours. Follow sevendaysvt on Spotify for weekly playlists with tunes by artists featured in the music section. AIMEE MANN, “Driving Sideways” STEREO MCS, “Connected” FROM “CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND,” “First Penis I Saw” FLINT EASTWOOD, “Queen” BLOOD ORANGE, “But You”

“The shoot was great,” Henderson writes. “[It was] a fun and busy evening [with] lots of dancers. Everybody had a blast, and the crew was great to work with!” And that’s all the info he could share. Sorry, folks. All people present for the shoot had to sign one of those darn nondisclosure agreements. Curse you, ABC legal department! We’ll have to wait until February to find out whether the dance was just a fun diversion or the show’s contestants had to learn how to “cast off ” and “box NEXT WEEK the gnat.”

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Side Step

Listening In

COMEDY

4/24/12 3:56 PM

music FRI.15

CLUB DATES NA: NOT AVAILABLE. AA: ALL AGES.

« P.76

TWO BROTHERS TAVERN: Station Mountain Band (Americana, alt-pop), 10 p.m., $3.

rutland/killington PICKLE BARREL NIGHTCLUB: Nicolls Road (covers), 8 p.m., free.

champlain islands/northwest TWIGGS — AN AMERICAN GASTROPUB: Leno & Young (rock covers), 7 p.m., free.

outside vermont MONOPOLE: Empire Rooks (R&B), 10 p.m., free.

MONOPOLE DOWNSTAIRS: Happy Hour Tunes & Trivia with Gary Peacock, 5 p.m., free. OLIVE RIDLEY’S: Bruce Patnode and Billy Jock (acoustic), 7 p.m., free. All Request Night with DJ Skippy (hits), 10 p.m., free. THE SKINNY PANCAKE (HANOVER): ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ with Chris von Staats Band (jazz, funk), 8 p.m., free.

SAT.16

burlington

BLEU NORTHEAST SEAFOOD: Jeff Wheel and Gina (jazz), 8:30 p.m., free. CLUB METRONOME: Green Mountain Cabaret presents 5th Anniversi-tease Celebration! (burlesque), 7 p.m., $15-$30. Retronome With DJ Fattie B (’80s dance party), 9 p.m., free/$5. FOAM BREWERS: Sabouyouma (West African fusion), 8 p.m., free.

SEVEN DAYS

12.13.17-12.20.17

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

JP’S PUB: Karaoke, 10 p.m., free. JUNIPER: Wylie Shipman (country), 9 p.m., free. LIGHT CLUB LAMP SHOP: Belle of the Fall (indie folk), 7:30 p.m., free. Katie Matzell (soul, R&B), 9 p.m., free. DJ Taka (eclectic vinyl), 11 p.m., $5. MANHATTAN PIZZA & PUB: LUX (funk, soul), 10 p.m., free. NECTAR’S: Django Soulo (singersongwriter), 7 p.m., free. Seth Yacovone Band (rock, blues), 9 p.m., $5. RÍ RÁ THE IRISH LOCAL & WHISKEY ROOM: DJ Dodg3r (EDM, hits), 10 p.m., free. RADIO BEAN: AM Radio (Americana), noon, free. Seth Rosenbloom (blues), 10 p.m., $5. Justin Panigutti Band (rock), 11:30 p.m., $5. RED SQUARE: Left Eye Jump (blues), 3 p.m., free. Good Lord the Liftin’ (soul, funk), 7 p.m., $5. DJ Reign One (EDM), 11 p.m., $5. RED SQUARE BLUE ROOM: DJ Raul (salsa, reggaeton), 6 p.m., free.

78 MUSIC

SIDEBAR: Dakota (hip-hop), 10 p.m., free. THE SKINNY PANCAKE (BURLINGTON): ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ with Chris

von Staats Band (jazz, funk), 8 p.m., free. SMITTY’S PUB: Blue Fox (blues), 8 p.m., free. VERMONT COMEDY CLUB: Roy Wood Jr. (standup), 7 & 9:30 p.m., $20/27.

chittenden county

HIGHER GROUND SHOWCASE LOUNGE: Paint: A Drag Cabaret presents ‘Sleigh Belles’ (drag), 9 p.m., $10/15. JERICHO CAFÉ & TAVERN: Tiny Montgomery (Bob Dylan tribute), 7 p.m., free. MONKEY HOUSE: Suburban Samurai (100th show), Better Things, Powder Keg, Noodle (punk), 8 p.m., $3/8. 18+. ON TAP BAR & GRILL: Timothy James Connection (acoustic rock), 5 p.m., free. Photo Bomb (rock), 9 p.m., free. STONE CORRAL BREWERY: Southtown Bluegrass, 7 p.m., free.

barre/montpelier

BAGITOS BAGEL AND BURRITO CAFÉ: Irish Session, 2 p.m., donation. Axiomatic (Americana, folk), 6 p.m., free. CHARLIE-O’S WORLD FAMOUS: The Mangroves (funk, rock), 9 p.m., free. GUSTO’S: Dance Party, 9:30 p.m., $3. POSITIVE PIE (MONTPELIER): Django Soulo and the Eames Brothers (rock, blues), 10:30 p.m., $5. SWEET MELISSA’S: Sweet Melissa’s 1st Annual Jingle Jam featuring Coquette, Guano Loco, Druoc and More (rock), 1 p.m., $5. Coquette (progressive rock), 9:30 p.m., $5/10. 18+. WHAMMY BAR: Bob Hannan and Seamus Hannan (folk), 7:30 p.m., free.

stowe/smuggs

DOWNTOWN PIZZERIA & PUB: Drag Queen Karaoke, 10 p.m., free. EL TORO: John Smyth (folk, blues), 6:30 p.m., free. MOOGS PLACE: Prime Prine featuring Woodshed Rats (John Prine tribute, Americana), 9 p.m., free. TRES AMIGOS & RUSTY NAIL STAGE: Dr. Rick (funk, bluesrock), 10 p.m., $5.

mad river valley/ waterbury

GATE HOUSE BASE LODGE: SugarBash featuring the Grift (rock), 8 p.m., free. THE RESERVOIR RESTAURANT & TAP ROOM: Sun Natives, Death Pesos, Jessica Rabbit Syndrome (garage, psych-rock), 10 p.m., free. ZENBARN: Share the Light: A Hanukkah Party and Benefit Concert featuring the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars (Klezmer, funk), 6 p.m., $20/45.

FRI.15 & SAT.16 // ‘A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS’ WITH CHRIS VON STAATS BAND [JAZZ, FUNK]

Good Grief “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is one of the most beloved holiday television specials of all time.

You know and love every moment, from the serene ice-skating sequence to the famously awkward dance-party scene. But would the program be as memorable without composer Vince Guaraldi’s breezy jazz score? Probably not. The music’s impact and legacy are evident in CHRIS VON STAATS BAND’s yearly tribute to the iconic soundtrack, which features funky reinventions and interpretations of classic cuts such as “Christmas Time Is Here” and “Linus and Lucy.” Catch the Chris Von Staats Band on Friday, December 15, at the Skinny Pancake in Hanover, N.H., and Saturday, December 16, at the Skinny Pancake in Burlington.

middlebury area

CITY LIMITS NIGHT CLUB: DJ Earl (open format), 9:30 p.m., free. TWO BROTHERS TAVERN: The Medicine Tribe (Americana, roots), 10 p.m., $3.

rutland/killington PICKLE BARREL NIGHTCLUB: Nicolls Road (covers), 8 p.m., free.

champlain islands/northwest NORTH HERO HOUSE INN & RESTAURANT: Ed Schenk (piano), 5:30 p.m., free.

outside vermont

MONOPOLE: Adrian Aardvark (psychedelic grunge-folk), 10 p.m., free. OLIVE RIDLEY’S: Taylor LaValley (country), 7 p.m., free.

SUN.17

burlington

HALF LOUNGE: Comedy Open Mic and Showcase, 8 p.m., free.

STRYTLLR (hip-hop), 10 p.m., free. LIGHT CLUB LAMP SHOP: Game Night, 8 p.m., free. NECTAR’S: Mi Yard Reggae Night with DJs Big Dog and Jahson, 9:30 p.m., free/$3. 18+. RADIO BEAN: Pete Sutherland and Tim Stickle’s Old Time Session (traditional), 1 p.m., free. Pink Magnolia (jazz fusion), 6 p.m., free. Fire Letters (synthpop), 10:30 p.m., free. THE SKINNY PANCAKE (BURLINGTON): Bluegrass Brunch, noon, free. VERMONT COMEDY CLUB: Improvised ‘Die Hard’, 7 p.m., $5.

barre/montpelier

BAGITOS BAGEL AND BURRITO CAFÉ: Bleecker & MacDougal (folk), 11 a.m., free.

MON.18 burlington

LIGHT CLUB LAMP SHOP: Lamp Shop Lit Club (open reading), 8 p.m., free.

SWEET MELISSA’S: Django Soulo (singer-songwriter), 8 p.m., free.

stowe/smuggs

MANHATTAN PIZZA & PUB: Karaoke, 9:30 p.m., free.

MOOGS PLACE: Seth Yacovone (blues), 7 p.m., free.

NECTAR’S: 6th Annual Metal Monday Xmas Bash featuring Abaddon, Wolfhand, the Path, Savage, 9 p.m., free/$5. 18+.

TUE.19

RADIO BEAN: Axiomatic (Americana, folk), 7 p.m., free. Linda Bassick (rock), 8:30 p.m., free. Campbell and Ray (blues, folk), 10:30 p.m., free. SIDEBAR: Family Night (open jam), 9 p.m., free. THE SKINNY PANCAKE (BURLINGTON): Comedy & Crêpes (standup), 8 p.m., free.

SWEET MELISSA’S: Live Band Karaoke, 8 p.m., donation.

VERMONT COMEDY CLUB: Standup Class Show, 7 p.m., free.

outside vermont

chittenden county

THE SKINNY PANCAKE (HANOVER): Pickin’ Party with Dave Clark (bluegrass), 3 p.m., free.

barre/montpelier

BACKSTAGE PUB: Open Mic, 9:30 p.m., free.

burlington

FOAM BREWERS: Local Dork (eclectic vinyl), 6 p.m., free. THE GRYPHON: P’tit Trio (jazz), 8 p.m., free. LEUNIG’S BISTRO & CAFÉ: Queen City Hot Club (jazz), 7 p.m., free. LIGHT CLUB LAMP SHOP: Danza Del Fuego (world, rumba flamenca), 7:30 p.m., free. Raphael Groten (acoustic), 9:30 p.m., free. MANHATTAN PIZZA & PUB: Jacob Green (singer-songwriter), 9:30 p.m., free. NECTAR’S: Tuesday Bluesday Blues Jam with Collin Craig and Friends, 6 p.m., free.

GOT MUSIC NEWS? JORDAN@SEVENDAYSVT.COM

RADIO BEAN: DJ Lee J (eclectic), 4 p.m., free. Lokum (music of the Near East), 6:30 p.m., free. Grup Anwar (classical Arabic), 8:30 p.m., free. Honky Tonk Tuesday with Ponyhustle, 10 p.m., $5. RED SQUARE: DJ A-RA$ (open format), 8 p.m., free. SIDEBAR: Shane & Martin (acoustic rock), 7 p.m., free. Ron Stoppable (hip-hop), 10 p.m., free. VERMONT COMEDY CLUB: Standup Class Show, 7 p.m., free. Improv Class Show, 8 p.m., free.

chittenden county

ON TAP BAR & GRILL: Trivia with Top Hat Entertainment, 7 p.m., free. WATERWORKS FOOD + DRINK: Trivia Night, 7 p.m., free.

barre/montpelier

BAGITOS BAGEL AND BURRITO CAFÉ: Old Time Music Session (traditional), 6 p.m., free. CHARLIE-O’S WORLD FAMOUS: Karaoke with DJ Vociferous, 9:30 p.m., free. SWEET MELISSA’S: Shaun Lincoln and Friends (rock), 5 p.m., donation. Blue Fox’s Open Mic, 7 p.m., free.

stowe/smuggs

MOOGS PLACE: Christine Malcolm (folk), 7 p.m., free.

mad river valley/ waterbury

ZENBARN STUDIO: Richie & Rosie (Americana), 7 p.m., $10.

REVIEW this Ryan Ober + the Romans, Caveman Blues

(SELF-RELEASED, DIGITAL DOWNLOAD)

Ryan Ober rarely seeks the spotlight, so it’s easy to take him for granted. But dating back to his days with alt-rockers Invisible Jet in the 1990s, he’s been a fixture in the Burlington scene. That’s been true whether he’s solo, alongside friends such as Lowell Thompson or some cats from Swale, or donning disguises with cheeky rockers Led LO/CO. Ober is an excellent musician surrounded by excellent musicians, so one can be forgiven if the focus tends to dart around him. His new record, Caveman Blues, should place him in the well-deserved spotlight. In nine tracks of jaunty yet gritty country-rock jams flavored by early rock and roll, Ober lays down a marker — and it should be heeded. Backed by an ultra-tight band, the Romans, it is borderline obscene how effortlessly he displays his songwriting chops. The album is all killer, no filler.

Ober sets the album’s pace early on “Sit Right Down” — specifically, with the sole of a boot tapping steadily on wood floors. On occasion, he’ll slow down for a reverie, as on the languid, soulful “Californ-i-A,” on which he croons, “I’m looking so good, so far away.” And he’ll sometimes indulge himself in swampy, uptempo blues-rock — as on “Shake It With Your Latest.” However, he never loses his focus. Credit that to the combination of Ober’s breezy songwriting and his lyrical wit. His influences can be detected, but none of them are ever in control. He’s a man telling stories that he knows well — usually with a knowing wink. On the title track, for example, Ober laments being relegated to the Mesozoic era. “You tell me I’m a caveman, girl / But cavemen never play guitar,” he sings just before ripping an absolutely ferocious solo. Ober’s guitar prowess shouldn’t be downplayed, even in a city chock-full of ridiculous six-string talent. His rhythm work — and his right hand in particular — is top-notch. Ober plays with restrained wisdom and melodic grace, though he can switch on the bombast when needed. As with his singing, he gives only glimpses of his

guitar influences, and none are strong enough to override his instrumental personality. The Romans are essentially a Burlington all-star band. Drummer Jeremy Frederick (Swale, Led LO/CO) and bassist Creston Lea (Cave Bees, and the dude who makes basically everybody’s guitars at Creston Electric) form the rhythm section behind Ober. The duo provides a rock-solid foundation for the songwriter’s talents, as well as those of his friends. Guest musicians include guitarist Jeff Baron and pianist Chris Ziter (both of Guppyboy), percussionist Dan Davine, and mandolin ace Adam Buchwald. The record closes with the power-pop anthem “Cemetary Walks” — that’s how he spells it, I swear. Caught somewhere between the Replacements and a Randy Newman deep cut, the track has a lighthearted yet somehow sleazy feel. That sort of juxtaposition is evident throughout. On one hand, Caveman Blues is a very traditional sort of record. Nothing about it is going to reinvent genres or reinvigorate traditions. But that’s precisely what makes the individuality shining through it so impressive. This record is incredibly Ryan Ober, and that is a damn good thing. Caveman Blues is available at ryanober. bandcamp.com.

The two work well together — you can hear their mutual trust in the grace of the recordings. The songs are catchy yet genuine, with the heart-wise sweetness of ’90s folk and country artists such as Alison Krauss, the Dixie Chicks and Nanci Griffith. Millwood’s vocals are as flawlessly delivered and emotionally moving as any radio star’s. The title track opens the album with a warm, upbeat tone and sonically captures the yearning for the comfort of a loving home environment. “Built on Sand” deepens the excursion into emotional territory. It’s a beautiful country waltz, complete with romantic violin and mandolin melodies. McCaffrey’s layers of instrumentation are seamless; Millwood’s voice dances easily over the strings. Home includes a handful of covers by folk singers Antje Duvekot, Molly Venter and Patty Griffin. Millwood and McCaffrey’s interpretation of Duvekot’s “Reasonland” is quite pretty, substituting viola and violin for

the vocal harmonies of the original version. Millwood’s voice subtly shifts the feeling of the song from mournful and tired to hopeful and transformative. Griffin’s “Mary” loses its original ’90s electronic-pop elements and becomes traditionally arranged around bass, mandolin and violin. “The Trees They Do Grow High” is a beautiful take on a traditional English folk ballad with a lovely banjo melody. The lyrics are a disarmingly dark glimpse into the past, a tragic tale of a lady married to a much younger lord. While the covers are thoughtfully accomplished, Millwood’s original songs shine. “Falling” is a brave confession of love, perhaps a more difficult emotion to express genuinely than heartbreak. The song is simple and classic yet somehow doesn’t feel derivative — it’s easy and relatable. “Be Still” also has a strong tenderness, describing the movement of the heart in connection to a loved one. Millwood’s bravery truly makes listening to Home a comforting experience, creating moments that transcend emotional barriers. Home is available at cdbaby.com.

CHRIS FARNSWORTH

middlebury area

HATCH 31: Erin Cassels-Brown (indie folk), 6 p.m., free. Kelly Ravin and Lowell Thompson (country), 7 p.m., free.

outside vermont

THE SKINNY PANCAKE (HANOVER): Trivia Night, 7 p.m., free.

WED.20 CITIZEN CIDER: Brett Hughes (country), 6 p.m., free. JP’S PUB: Karaoke, 10 p.m., free. JUNIPER: The Ray Vega Quartet (jazz), 8:30 p.m., free.

LIGHT CLUB LAMP SHOP: Irish Sessions (traditional), 7 p.m., free. No Walls (jazz), 9:30 p.m., free. MANHATTAN PIZZA & PUB: Open Mic with Andy Lugo, 9 p.m., free. NECTAR’S: Wiley Griffin (acoustic), 7 p.m., free. Sputoola, Roost (garage-groove, funk-rock), 9 p.m., free/$5. 18+.

» P.80

AMELIA DEVOID

YOU A VT ARTIST OR BAND? SEND US YOUR MUSIC! DIGITAL: MUSIC@SEVENDAYSVT.COM; GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED: ARE SNAIL MAIL: MUSIC C/O SEVEN DAYS 255 S. CHAMPLAIN ST., SUITE 5, BURLINGTON, VT 05401

MUSIC 79

WED.20

SEVEN DAYS

LEUNIG’S BISTRO & CAFÉ: Mike Martin (jazz), 7 p.m., free.

Songwriter Molly Millwood holds a PhD in clinical psychology and is an associate professor at Saint Michael’s College. With expertise in trauma and PTSD, as well as marriage and relationships, she is a scholar of human sensitivity. This insight into deep human experience gives her powerful songwriting ability. On her debut album, Home, Millwood crafts folk and country tunes with intense honesty and brave emotional vulnerability. She’s going to heal you with her low-key folk songs Produced by Colin McCaffrey at the Green Room in East Montpelier, Home is a gentle album with intricate instrumentation. String arrangements and vocal harmonies are delicately balanced with guitar rhythms and strolling double bass lines. Millwood credits McCaffrey as “the antidote to my doubt and inhibition.”

12.13.17-12.20.17

burlington

(SELF-RELEASED, CD, DIGITAL DOWNLOAD)

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

TWO BROTHERS TAVERN: Karaoke with DJ Chauncey, 9 p.m., free.

Molly Millwood, Home

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RĂ? RĂ THE IRISH LOCAL & WHISKEY ROOM: The County Down (Americana, reggae), 7 p.m., free. RADIO BEAN: DJ Two Sev (eclectic vinyl), 4 p.m., free. Art Herttua and Ray Caroll (jazz), 7 p.m., free. Bukubrain (funk, jazz), 10:30 p.m., free. RED SQUARE: DJ KermiTT (eclectic), 7 p.m., free. DJ Cre8 (hip-hop), 11 p.m., free. SIDEBAR: Hotel Karaoke, 9 p.m., free.

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ÂŤ P.79

12/11/17 2:08 PM

VERMONT COMEDY CLUB: Tried As an Adult featuring Kai Reinsborough Et Al. (sketch comedy), 5 p.m., free. Standup Open Mic and Improv Jam, 7 p.m., free. Miracle on Main Street: An Improvised Holiday Musical, 9 p.m., $5.

chittenden county

middlebury area

barre/montpelier

CITY LIMITS NIGHT CLUB: Karaoke, 9 p.m., free.

STONE CORRAL BREWERY: Bluegrass Session, 7 p.m., free.

SWEET MELISSAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S: D. Davis (acoustic), 5:30 p.m., donation. John Lackard Blues Jam, 7:30 p.m., donation. WHAMMY BAR: Open Mic, 7 p.m., free.

stowe/smuggs

IDLETYME BREWING COMPANY: The Idletyme Band (blues, rock), 8 p.m., free. MOOGS PLACE: Blackwolf (Americana), 7:30 p.m., free.

mad river valley/ waterbury

ZENBARN: Zach Nugent (rock), 7 p.m., free.

BAR ANTIDOTE: Cooie Sings (Americana), 7 p.m., free.

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art

Inner and Outer Space Ross Sheehan and Rueben Vidrio, Flynndog B Y RA CHEL ELI ZA BET H JONES

rom 1954 to 1964, pre-pop artist Robert Rauschenberg invented his own genre: the “Combine,” a collaged, three-dimensional hybrid of painting and sculpture. Vergennes artist Ross Sheehan has adopted and adapted that approach to create several new monumental

sculptures, currently on view at the Flynndog gallery in Burlington’s South End. These and other, smaller works by Sheehan are joined by about two dozen paintings by Rueben Vidrio of Essex. Incorporating exuberant and liberally applied paint and standing more than seven feet tall, three of Sheehan’s

sculptures dominate Flynndog’s long, brick-walled hallway; they could easily be shown on their own. As it is, their pairing with several of Sheehan’s smaller, otherworldly house structures helps emphasize a strong thread in his work: a preoccupation with home and away. For the large work “Home Portal,” Sheehan has mounted a “front door” (as exhibition text explains) on a platform mosaicked with colorful broken ceramics. On either side of the freestanding “portal,” candycolored oil paint explodes in thick, circular patches, giving way to finger smears at the outer edges. Sheehan created this abstraction over time, when the door was still attached to his studio — evidence of his propensity for using paint to consume architectural materials. A radio antenna fashioned from rebar is attached to the top of the door, reaching up and out to communicate with forces unknown. The impulse to connect with other worlds is aggressively pronounced in “Communication Station 1992,” a massive, 11-foot rocket constructed from metal pipe. An array of industrial tools and hardware has been fused to the rocket’s shaft, each coated with slick oil enamel. Long, delicate drips of paint appear to have dried while falling from some of these accessories, frozen in midair like icicles. Sheehan has used oil marker to adorn the rocket’s body and fin tails with graffiti-like patterns, oddly out of keeping with his other works. If “Home Portal” is the artist’s home and “Communication Station” his tool(s), “Think Tank” embodies the artist himself. In this piece, Sheehan has

approximated a seated human figure using pieces of deconstructed wooden furniture, a lumpy burlap sack for a torso and wooden clogs for feet. Again, the work’s base is a mosaic of ceramic shards. One of Sheehan’s rainbow palettes sits at the figure’s right “hand,” a paint can on its left. Instead of a head, a jumble of tangled metal unfurls upward, perhaps on a similar trajectory to the rebar antenna and the giant rocket. Sheehan’s smaller sculptures seem to ground these larger statement pieces. In “A House for Jess,” a miniature cabin painted white stands on stilts, perhaps a foot high, above concentric bands of frothy paint. Frosting-like layers of colored paint shingle the roof. A similar, untitled work shares this formula: a white structure topped with brilliant colors. These works provide a surprisingly delicate and domestic counterpoint to the three imposing sculptures reaching up to space. Vidrio’s canvases suggest an artist who continues to experiment with his approach, moving among various styles of abstraction and intentionally vague figuration. He intends some of the works in his series at Flynndog to honor his Mexican heritage and “pay tribute to ancient Aztec design and culture,” he writes in his artist statement. Sometimes this inspiration is clear, as in two of Vidrio’s stronger works, “Warrior in Training” and “Tribal Dance.” In the former, a 4-by-4-foot square, we see two physically engaged figures

“COMMUNICATION STATION 1992” IS A MASSIVE,

REVIEW

82 ART

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SEVENDAYSVT.COM

11-FOOT ROCKET CONSTRUCTED FROM METAL PIPE.

“Home Portal” by Ross Sheehan

ART SHOWS

CALL TO ARTISTS ‘TELL ME’: There are currently 6,909 living languages. What do the connected sounds and symbols of words suggest for the visual arts? Studio Place Arts is seeking diverse languages and letterforms (real or invented), new communication technologies, censorship, graffiti, collage and urgent messages to create a Tower of Babel in the center of the gallery. Proposals for this structure in whole or part are welcomed. Deadline: April 6. For info and submission guidelines, see studioplacearts.com. Studio Place Arts, Barre. Free for members; $10 for nonmembers. Info, 479-7069. CHAMPLAIN VALLEY PHOTO SLAM: Darkroom Gallery in Essex is now accepting submissions of up to five photographs for this fourth annual event. Champlain Valley region residents are eligible and guaranteed to have at least one photo exhibited. For details and to submit, visit darkroomgallery. com. Deadline: December 19, 11:59 p.m. Darkroom Gallery, Essex Junction. $25 for up to 5 images; $15 for students and under 18. Info, 777-3686.

“City Ride” by Rueben Vidrio

a textural medium, as well as their embrace of abstraction and bold, sometimes brash, color combinations. While such similarities often make for good or great inquiry, here the combination is distracting, rendering it hard to parse each artist’s strengths. When the urge to trace a meaningful dialogue between two artists’ styles feels thwarted at every turn, the result is a show much less riveting than it could be. Contact: rachel@sevendaysvt.com

INFO Works by Ross Sheehan and Rueben Vidrio, on view through December 31 at Flynndog in Burlington. flynndog.net

‘NOURISHMENT’: The gallery welcomes submissions for this upcoming show, to be juried by Cindy Griffith, Nathan Suter and Adelaide Tyrol. For details and to submit, visit twwoodgallery.org. Deadline: January 7. T.W. Wood Gallery, Montpelier. $30 for one to three submissions. Info, 262-6035. ‘PLEASED TO MEET YOU!’: This 2018 show will bring to life fantastical, imaginative creatures and beings of the nonhuman variety, whether based on folklore, ancient myths, wild imagination or a memorable dream. Any medium welcome. Deadline: February 2. For more info and submission guidelines, see studioplacearts.com. Studio Place Arts, Barre. Free for members; $10 for nonmembers. Info, 479-7069. RIVER ARTS PHOTO CO-OP PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST: Welcoming photography submissions from all photo enthusiasts involved with the River Arts Photo Co-op. Contest participants must attend at least one Photo Co-op meeting to qualify. Each photographer may enter up to three digital photographs. For details and to submit, visit riverartsvt.org. Deadline: December 17. River Arts, Morrisville. Info, 888-1261.

“Tribal Dance” by Rueben Vidrio

‘Y2K+18’ COMMUNITY ART SHOW: Local artists are invited to submit up to two exhibition-ready works in any medium or size for this upcoming exhibition. To participate, bring works to Battery Street Jeans by Friday, December 15, 7 p.m. Cavendish Gallery & Collective, Burlington. Info, 865-6223.

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“A House for Jess” by Ross Sheehan

SEVEN DAYS

WINTER DANCE GALA: The Vermont Dance Alliance welcomes proposals for performances of all genres for this second annual event on March 18 at Green Mountain College in Poultney. Applicants must be alliance members. Send proposals to info@ vermontdance.org and include choreographer and performers’ full names, a short choreographer bio, work title, length, description and a link, plus one dance photo and a statement of participation. Deadline: December 30, 11:59 p.m. Green Mountain College, Poultney.

12.13.17-12.20.17

SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS: Vermont students in grades seven through 12 are invited to submit art and writing entries to this prestigious national recognition initiative for teenagers with exceptional artistic and literary talent. There are dozens of categories, including ceramics, digital art, painting, photography, poetry, humor, science fiction, personal essay/memoir and more. For details, visit brattleboromuseum.org or email sarah@brattleboromuseum.org. Deadline: December 14. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center.

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

smaller work “Tribal Dance.” Both pieces successfully convey motion as well as gravity regarding their focal points. Others of Vidrio’s paintings depart from such gestural tribute. “City Ride” is a patchwork of amoeboid, bordered color fields that falls short of being the rollicking romp its title suggests. “Invasion” hints at a rectangular city skyline dominated by what is undeniably a UFO — one wispy thread of potential connection to Sheehan’s celestial longings. This pairing of Sheehan and Vidrio is a peculiar one. The choice seems predicated on the artists’ shared engagement with paint as PHOTOS: MATTHEW THORSEN

emerging from a mottled blue-green background — but only because the title tells us to. Similarly, a winged, head-dressed figure in black and deep, burnt reds can be discerned in the

“Warrior in Training” by Rueben Vidrio

‘MY FAVORITE THINGS’: Established and emerging artists are invited to submit one or two pieces of 2D artwork in any medium for an exhibition January through April. The work must depict one or more identifiable people, objects and/or places, and be able to hang on a wall. For info and to register, email catherinemcmains@gmail.com. Deadline: December 15. Jericho Town Hall.

art « P.83 NEW THIS WEEK

axies, a cardboard spaceship and a fully equipped maker space. In partnership with Champlain College Emergent Media Center and Generator. Through January 15. Free with admission or ECHO membership. Info, 864-1848. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington.

CALL TO ARTISTS

stowe/smuggs

f JESSE THOMPSON: Drawings and paintings by the Singapore-based artist, created while in residence at the Vermont Studio Center. Reception: Tuesday, December 19, 3-5 p.m. December 18-22. Info, 635-1481. Julian Scott Memorial Gallery, Johnson State College.

JORDAN DOUGLAS: “Shadows and Vines,” a series of recent analog photographs shot with a Holga, the $25 plastic medium-format camera. Through January 1. Info, 651–8834. Penny Cluse Café in Burlington. ‘ON THE FLIPSIDE’: Artwork by DJ Fattie B. printed on vinyl records. Through December 31. Info, 2kdeep@gmail.com. Half Lounge in Burlington.

randolph/royalton

‘PHISH IN THE NORTH COUNTRY’: An exhibition of posters and show flyers to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the WaterWheel Foundation, the charitable partnership of Phish and their fan community. Through December 30. Info, 652-4500. Amy E. Tarrant Gallery in Burlington.

f NANCY TAPLIN: A select retrospective of paintings by the Vermont artist. Reception: Saturday, December 16, 5-7 p.m. December 13-March 31. Info, 767-9670. BigTown Gallery in Rochester.

ART EVENTS

‘POST-APOCALYPSE FOR 3/4 EMPIRE’: A selection of Bread and Puppet Theater banners that previously hung in the barns of the radical puppet circus’ campus. Through January 13. Info, freealexis@ hotmail.com. Black Horse Gallery in Burlington.

60+ ART GROUP: A free meet-up for folks 60 or older who’d like to be creative and make art in a social environment. River Arts, Morrisville, Thursday, December 14, 10 a.m.-noon. Info, 888-1261.

ROSS SHEEHAN & RUEBEN VIDRIO: Abstract paintings and expressionistic pop sculptures, respectively, by the Vermont artists. Through December 31. Info, asm.exhibitions@gmail.com Flynndog in Burlington.

ART BREAK FOR MOM & MOMS WITH BABES: Join other mothers in creating guided eclectic art projects each week, or use the studio materials to make the art of your choice. Babies welcome. Expressive Arts Burlington, Friday, December 15, 10:30 a.m.-noon. $15. Info, 343-8172.

‘SMALL WORKS’: An annual seasonal exhibition featuring works measuring not more than 12 inches by local artists. Through January 20. Info, 578-2512. The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Burlington.

BLUEBIRD FAIRIES HOLIDAY SHOP: Emily Anderson opens her studio for holiday shoppers, welcoming visitors to stop in for a Fairy Card reading, a Bernie Fairy T-shirt, framed Leonard Cohen Fairy or any needed inspiration. Bluebird Fairies, Burlington, Saturday, December 16, noon-5 p.m. Info, 238-4540. CLAUDE LEHMAN POTTERY HOLIDAY SALE: Unique wheel-thrown ceramics by the Vermont artisan. Free gift for the first 25 customers. Light refreshments, live entertainment and a nesting bowl raffle. Claude Lehman Pottery, Burlington, Friday, December 15, 4-8 p.m.; and Saturday, December 16, and Sunday, December 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Info, 399-5181.

SEVEN DAYS

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SEVENDAYSVT.COM

FAMILY ART SATURDAY: Families are invited to drop in and enjoy an art activity inspired by current exhibitions. Burlington City Arts, Saturday, December 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Info, 865-7166. HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: BIGTOWN GALLERY: Celebrate the season with the Rochester gallery, amid a new exhibition of abstract paintings by Nancy Taplin. BigTown Gallery, Rochester, Saturday, December 16, noon-7 p.m. Info, 767-9670. ‘LOST AND FOUND’: An “art treasure hunt” instigated by Vermont artist DJ Barry, in which he places stenciled woodcuts in various locations, free to those who find them in exchange for paying it forward. Find the artist on Facebook for clues. Various Vermont locations, Montpelier, Wednesdays, December 13 and 20. Info, djbarryart@ gmail.com. ‘TASTE OF THE ARTS’: CHARLIE HUNTER: The painter offers the talk “In the Very (Plein) Air,” accompanied by a shared meal. Main Street Arts, Saxtons River, Thursday, December 14, 6 p.m. $25; $12 for 12 and younger. Info, 869-2960. WINE GLASS ETCHING & ORNAMENT MAKING: Etch your own glasses and make ornaments for the holidays. Ticket price includes one glass of beer and wine, instruction, one or two ornaments, and a custom wine glass. ONE Arts Center, Burlington, Friday, December 15, 7:30-9:30 p.m. $25; $40 for two. Info, 518-649-6464.

ONGOING SHOWS 84 ART

burlington

‘THE ART SHOW’: Local artists exhibit one work each and compete for a people’s choice “mini-grant” cash prize. Through December 21. Info, publicartschool@gmail.com. RLPhoto in Burlington.

Helen Shulman

Scavenger Gallery owner Stacy Hopkins has long

been an admirer of the Vermont abstract painter Helen Shulman’s work. This month she mounts “The Art of Place” in her White River Junction space. The solo exhibition features recent smaller works, textured oil and cold wax paintings meant to reflect “a reaction to, or feeling about, a particular place,” as Shulman writes. Layered and enigmatic, her impressionistic canvases take on traits of landscape themselves, featuring grooves and scratches, rupture and flow. “When the painting is complete,” Shulman writes, “I want it to have a beautiful enough skin to invite people to linger and an interesting enough interior to retain their attention.” Through February 1. Pictured: “Flight of Fancy.” ‘CHIMERA’: A student-curated exhibition of works by Champlain College Creative Media students, including Sketchy Pete, Ren Golis, m.decapua, Sam Kimball-Sperberg, Ali Usuloglu and Juliana Skelly. Through December 15. Info, margaret.decapua@ mymail.champlain.edu. Emergent Media Center, Champlain College, in Burlington. ‘IMAGINING HOME’: Original home designs created through the collaboration of socially engaged architects and seven community members who have experienced homelessness. CHRISTINE DEMARAIS: “When I’m Sixty-Four,” recent costumes and props by the Vermont artist. CORRINE YONCE: “Voices of Home,” an initiative of the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition pairing audio stories of individuals who live in affordable housing with painted portraits. Through December 31. Info, 863-3403. Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. ‘EVERYTHING, MAYBE LESS’: Works by students of Iskra Print Collective’s fall 2017 class. Through January 12. Info, hello@iskraprint.com. SEB SWEATMAN: Abstract paintings by the Vermont artist. Through December 15. Info, seb@sebart.tv. Karma Bird House in Burlington.

VISUAL ART IN SEVEN DAYS:

‘HERBERT BARNETT: VERMONT LIFE AND LANDSCAPE, 1940-1948’: An exhibition that reexamines the contribution of this midcentury modernist painter through the subject matter and time period in which his distinctive style found its greatest expression: Vermont landscapes of the 1940s. Through December 15. ‘SPIRITED THINGS: SACRED ARTS OF THE BLACK ATLANTIC’: An exhibition featuring objects from the Yoruba religion of West Africa, as well as Haitian Vodou, Cuban Santería, Brazilian Candomblé and Caribbean Spiritism. These faiths emerged from the practices of enslaved Africans who blended their ancestral cultures with that of their captors. Through December 16. Info, 656-0750. Fleming Museum of Art, University of Vermont, in Burlington. HUNTER HEDENBERG: Installations of metal and light, made in partnership with the Soda Plant and SEABA for the South End Holiday Shop. Through January 3. Info, 658-4482. Conant Metal & Light in Burlington. INNOVATION PLAYGROUND EXHIBIT: An exhibit celebrating lifelong play and its role in sparking technological, social and artistic innovation in our community. Features giant blue blocks, virtual gal-

ART LISTINGS AND SPOTLIGHTS ARE WRITTEN BY RACHEL ELIZABETH JONES. LISTINGS ARE RESTRICTED TO ART SHOWS IN TRULY PUBLIC PLACES.

SOUTH END HOLIDAY SHOP: The 10th annual holiday shopping event features local artists and artisans and turns the South End into a marketplace of open studios and artist shops. Through December 24. Info, info@seaba.com. South End Arts District in Burlington. VERMONT COMIC CREATORS GROUP SHOW: Works by members of this statewide comic arts organization. Through December 31. Info, 859-9222. The Gallery at Main Street Landing in Burlington.

chittenden county

‘EL YUMA: CONTEMPORARY CUBAN ART’: An exhibition of work by contemporary Cuban artists examining images, histories and fantasies about the United States. Curated by Sachie Hernández and A.D. Guerra. Through December 15. Info, 654-2536. McCarthy Art Gallery, Saint Michael’s College, in Colchester. ‘IMPRESSIONS OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN & BEYOND’: New paintings by Helen Nagel, Ken Russack, Athenia Schinto and Carolyn Walton. Through December 30. Info, 985-8223. Luxton-Jones Gallery in Shelburne. JOHN D. MOYERS: “The Art of Giving and Taking and Giving,” an exhibition in which guests are invited to take one fine art print off the wall, in exchange for something of their choosing: a spontaneous poem or sketch, cash, a piece of their own art or an explanation of why they selected a particular image. Through December 30. Info, 989-3996. Living Room: Center of Positivity in Essex Junction. JUDI MACULAN & JOHN PENOYAR: Paintings by the Hinesburg artists. Through January 13. Info, 482-2878. Carpenter-Carse Library in Hinesburg. KEILANI LIME: Abstract, minimalist acrylic paintings by the Vermont artist. Through December 31. Info, keilani.lime@gmail.com. Shelburne Vineyard. PHIL HERBISON: Assemblages of wood created intuitively by the Stowe artist. Through January 28. Info, 985-9511. Rustic Roots in Shelburne. ‘SWEET TOOTH: THE ART OF DESSERT’: An exploration of the American appetite for sweets and its impact on modern visual culture. Through February 18. Info, 985-3346. Shelburne Museum.

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IF YOU’RE PROMOTING AN ART EXHIBIT, LET US KNOW BY POSTING INFO AND IMAGES BY THURSDAYS AT NOON ON OUR FORM AT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/POSTEVENT OR GALLERIES@SEVENDAYSVT.COM.

ART SHOWS

‘WILD THINGS’: Works by Susan Raber Bray, Wendy Copp, Cindy Cowles, John Hodgson, Max Hodgson, Juliet McVicker, Bethany Myrick and John Rivers. Through January 31. Info, 985-3819. All Souls Interfaith Gathering in Shelburne.

barre/montpelier

‘CELEBRATE!’: Annual local arts celebration featuring a wide variety of art and crafts created by SPA member artists. Through December 28. Info, 479-7069. Studio Place Arts in Barre. CRAIG MOONEY: “Green Mountain State of Mind,” paintings of pastures, cities and seascapes. Through December 29. Info, 828-0749. Vermont Supreme Court Gallery in Montpelier. ‘EXPLORERS OF NORWICH’: An exhibition exploring the lives of Norwich University alumni who shaped and changed the U.S. during the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. Through June 30. Info, 4852183. Sullivan Museum & History Center, Norwich University, in Northfield. ‘FAMILY TRAITS: ART, HUMOR & EVERYDAY LIFE’: An exhibition originating from the Vermont Folklife Center that tells the story of Stanley Lyndes, a Calais-born teacher, craftsman, storyteller, artist, hunter and grandfather. Through January 26. Info, 479-8519. Vermont History Museum in Montpelier. ‘FREAKS, RADICALS & HIPPIES: COUNTERCULTURE IN 1970S VERMONT’: An exhibition that explores the influx of people and countercultural ideas to the state, from communes to organic agriculture, progressive politics to health care reform, alternative energy to women’s and gay rights. Through December 31. Info, 479-8500. Vermont Heritage Galleries in Barre. MAGGIE MORRIS: Crazy-quilt-style inspirational wall hangings made from reused fabric remnants, yarn and other embellishments. Through December 31. Info, 223-1981. The Cheshire Cat in Montpelier. MARGARET SPARROW: “Still Time,” fine paintings by the northern Vermont artist. Through January 31. Info, 279-6403. Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin. MATTHEW MONK: “Painting as Language,” 50 recent works by the artist and academic dean of the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Through January 20. Info, 828-8556. College Hall Gallery in Montpelier.

NICK NEDDO: “Primeval Pigments,” works created using primitive skills from tools and materials including fibers, furs, berries, beeswax, mud, sticks and stones. Through December 29. Info, 828-0749. Governor’s Gallery in Montpelier.

‘SHOW 22’: An exhibition featuring works by guest artist Dana Wigdor, as well as the latest works by the gallery’s member-artists. Through January 6. Info, 552-0877. The Front in Montpelier.

stowe/smuggs

CINDY GRIFFITH: “Magic in the Landscape,” paintings by the Vermont artist. ELIZABETH NELSON: “ĺsland í Maí: Iceland in May,” paintings inspired by the country’s raw and dramatic landscape. Through December 29. Info, 888-1261. River Arts in Morrisville.

‘THE PLACE JUST RIGHT’: The gallery’s inaugural exhibition features works by Joe Bolger, Matt Brown, T.J. Cunningham, Kate Gridley, Gary Hall, Jonathan Ebinger, Rory Jackson, Kathryn Milillo, Jay Lagemann and Homer Wells. Through December 31. Info, 760-6785. Edgewater Gallery in Stowe.

Open every day through the Holidays.

Designers’ Circle & Vintage Jewelers

52B Church Street Burlington • 864-4238 designerscirclevt.com

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THREE ARTIST THESIS EXHIBITION: Bachelor of fine arts candidates Kris Brown, Dusty Gonyea and Lucas Sisko show culminating works from their programs of study. Through December 15. Info, 635-1469. Julian Scott Memorial Gallery, Johnson State College. ‘VERMONT LANDSCAPES’: A group exhibition featuring 38 paintings by 18 artists, curated by Bryan Memorial Gallery. Through December 30. Info, 644-5100. Lamoille County Courthouse in Hyde Park.

mad river valley/waterbury

HOLIDAY GROUP EXHIBITION: An eclectic mix of illustration, watercolors, sculpture and paintings by artists Chris Sageman, Rich Gombar, Frankie Gardiner, Hugo Mesa and Roger Weingarten. Through December 23. Info, 244-7801. Axel’s Gallery & Frame Shop in Waterbury.

middlebury area

‘DRAW ME A STORY, TELL ME A TALE’: Paintings, illustrations, photographs and completed books by 18 contemporary Vermont children’s book authors and artists. Through January 13. Info, 388-2117. Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History in Middlebury. ETHAN HUBBARD: “Driving the Back Roads: In Search of Old-Time Vermonters,” a retrospective of the photographer’s work in Vermont. Through January 6. Info, 388-4964. Vermont Folklife Center in Middlebury. HOLIDAY SHOW: An exhibition featuring 22 regional artists who work in a wide variety of mediums and styles. Through December 31. Info, 382-9222. Jackson Gallery, Town Hall Theater, in Middlebury. ‘AN INSTALLATION OF FOLK, ETHNIC, VINTAGE & CONTEMPORARY ART INSPIRED BY ANDRÉ BRETON’S STUDIO AT THE CENTRE POMPIDOU’: An installation featuring African and European objects, as well as works by gallery artists. Through January 31. Info, 349-0979. BigTown Gallery Vergennes. MARK BENTON: “Rural Industry: An Embellishment or Blemish on the Landscape?” a series of paintings exploring the rustic aesthetics of the energy and agricultural industries in the rural landscape. Through January 31. Info, 453-7011. WalkOver Gallery and Concert Room in Bristol. ‘MORE LIGHT’: Small works by Molly Bosley, Anne Cady, Edward Holland, Julia Jensen, Pamela Smith and Sobelman Cortapega. Through January 28. Info, 877-2173. Northern Daughters in Vergennes.

RUTLAND/KILLINGTON SHOWS

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Get in the holiday spirit at HCA! Thursday, December 21, 7:00 pm

Home for Christmas with Elisabeth Von Trapp Elisabeth Von Trapp continues an annual Trapp Family Singers tradition, accompanied by cellist Erich Kory and the Hazen Union High School Chorus. Tickets: $10 Adults / $8 Students

Give the gift of theater, dance, music, film, & family time — HCA now offers gift certificates redeemable for any event, or at the Café!

the hardwick street café

Daily lunch and dinner specials Vegetarian and gluten-free options  Beer, wine, & spirits Tues–Sat, 11–8, Sun 11–3  802.533.9399

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802.533.2000

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‘CURIOUS & COOL’: Unusual and seldom-seen artifacts of ski culture from the museum’s archives. Through October 31. Info, 253-9911. Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum in Stowe.

MEMBERS’ ART SHOW AND FESTIVAL OF TREES & LIGHT: A community celebration of the season featuring decorated evergreens, a Hanukkah display and more than 100 artworks by center members in an exhibition curated by Chiyomi McKibbin and Amanda Marquis. Through December 30. Info, 253-8358. Helen Day Art Center in Stowe.

Art Deco elegance at it’s ﬁnest, 2.94ct Old European Cut Diamond solitaire in platinum set with .42ct of Diamonds.

SEVEN DAYS

STEVE SHARON: Vermont Contemporary Art Space presents large, abstract color paintings by the Burlington mixed-media artist and musician. Through December 15. Info, 468-4888. Goddard Art Gallery, Pratt Center, Goddard College, in Plainfield.

JIM WESTPHALEN: The Vermont photographer uses an adapted vintage camera to capture dynamic winter landscapes, blurring the line between photography and painting. Through January 14. Info, 253-8943. West Branch Gallery & Sculpture Park in Stowe.

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RENÉ SCHALL: “New England Stone Portraits,” paintings of rocks by the Vermont artist. Through December 15. Info, 476-2131. Morse Block Deli in Barre.

‘FANTASTICAL LANDSCAPES AND IMAGINARY PLACES’: A juried group exhibition featuring 100 works by 53 artists who were asked to depict places that exist only in their minds. ‘LEGACY COLLECTION 2017’: Works by 19 living and 14 deceased artists whose art continues the legacy of Alden and Mary Bryan. Through December 23. Info, 644-5100. Bryan Memorial Gallery in Jeffersonville.

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

‘NEW AMERICAN REALISM’: Paintings by Heidi Broner and August Burns. Through December 22. Info, twwoodgallery@gmail.com. T.W. Wood Gallery in Montpelier.

This Holiday... a Gift to be Remembered.

art

MIDDLEBURY AREA SHOWS

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‘WINTER IN VERMONT’: A festive holiday show featuring works by more than 40 artists and artisans, including painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry and more. Through January 29. Info, 247-4956. Brandon Artists Guild. ‘ART OF RUTLAND COUNTY’: Inaugural gallery show featuring works by 34 area artists, including Bonnie Baird, Joan Curtis, Kerry O. Furlani, Warren Kimble, Grace Mellow and Erika Lawlor Schmidt. Through March 30. Info, the77gallery@gmail.com. The 77 Gallery in Rutland.

SEVEN DAYS

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SEVENDAYSVT.COM

JOAN CURTIS: “Living With the Earth,” three collections of paintings by the Brandon artist. Through March 31. Info, galleries@castleton.edu. Rutland City Hall. RICHARD WEIS: “The Figure,” drawings by the Vermont artist. Through December 15. Info, vtalleygallery@gmail.com. The Alley Gallery in Rutland. STEPHANIE STOUFFER: “Holiday Legacy,” an exhibition of seasonal commercial artworks from the artist’s 35-year career. Through December 31. Info, 247-4295. Compass Music and Arts Center in Brandon.

champlain islands/northwest MIMI MAGYAR: Hand-created graphic artwork by the Vermont artist. Through December 31. Info, 326-3269. The Black Lantern Inn & Brewpub in Montgomery.

upper valley

HELEN SHULMAN: “The Art of Place,” an exhibition of abstract oil and cold wax paintings. Through February 1. Info, scavenger.gallery@gmail.com. Scavenger Gallery in White River Junction. HOLIDAY SHOW: Annual exhibition featuring small, gift-size matted prints. Through January 31. Info, 295-5901. Two Rivers Printmaking Studio in White River Junction. ‘THE LIGHT AROUND US’: An interactive, educational exhibition exploring the physics of light and how we see it. Through May 2. Info, 649-2200. Free with museum admission. Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich.

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northeast kingdom

‘ARTS CONNECT AT CATAMOUNT ARTS’: An exhibition juried by Hood Museum of Art director John R. Stomberg, featuring outstanding work submitted

by emerging and established artists from across the country. Through February 16. Info, 748-2600. Catamount Arts Center in St. Johnsbury. ‘BELLS & WHISTLES’: An exhibition exploring the myriad forms and associations connected to these ordinary objects. Through May 1. Info, 626-4409. The Museum of Everyday Life in Glover. ELIZABETH NELSON: “The Book of Changes: Symbolic Landscapes of the I Ching,” paintings by the Vermont artist depicting the 64 hexagrams of the Chinese religious text. Through January 6. Info, 533-2045. Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro. GAYLE GIBSON: “South and North,” watercolor and oil paintings of Key West and West Glover by the Vermont artist. Through January 23. Info, 525-3366. Parker Pie Co. in West Glover. HOLIDAY FAIR: Artworks and crafts by more than 100 local and regional artists. Through January 6. Info, 748-0158. Northeast Kingdom Artisans Guild Backroom Gallery in St. Johnsbury.

brattleboro/okemo valley

‘IN-SIGHT EXPOSED’: An exhibition celebrating the 25th anniversary of this program, featuring images by In-Sight students curated by Rachel Portesi. Through January 8. ‘TOUCHSTONES, TOTEMS, TALISMANS: ANIMALS IN CONTEMPORARY ART’: An exhibition exploring the deep connections humans have with animals, both domestic and wild, with works by Walton Ford, Bharti Kher, Colleen Kiely, Stephen Petegorsky, Shelley Reed, Jane Rosen, Michal Rovner, Rick Shaefer and Andy Warhol. Through February 11. ‘YOUR SPACE: FLIGHTS OF FANCY’: Images of iconic artworks inspired by birds, from Leonardo’s sketches of flying machines to Ai Wei Wei’s design for the Olympic stadium in Beijing, assembled by education curator Linda Whelihan. Through February 11. ANILA QUAYYUM AGHA: “Shimmering Mirage,” a sculptural light installation inspired by Islamic architecture. Through March 10. ROGER SANDES: “Constellations,” a new series of kaleidoscopic works featuring the artist’s colorful, patterned paintings surrounded by secondary manipulations of these originals. Through January 8. Info, 257-0124. Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. CHARLIE HUNTER & STUDENTS: Plein air paintings by the Bellow falls artist and participants from his March retreat. Through January 5. Info, 869-2960. Main Street Arts in Saxtons River. DENISE BEAUDET: “Roots to Resistance,” a public art installation of 12 eight-foot portraits of women activists from across the globe, intended to make a connection for the viewer to the pathways of social

Roger Sandes

In “Constellations,” now on view at the Brattleboro

Museum & Art Center, the Williamsville artist appropriates and reimagines his own earlier paintings to create mesmerizing new geometries. Sandes rendered this series of acrylics using the kaleidoscope feature in Apple’s Photo Booth application, fragmenting and repatterning various elements. The resulting diptychs and triptychs, notes curator Mara Williams, “fall squarely within the Pattern & Decoration movement of the 1970s.” Through January 8. Pictured: “Hieroglyphics.”

change. Through January 31. Info, galleryinthewood@ yahoo.com. Gallery in the Woods in Brattleboro. EMILY MASON: “Explorations,” a survey of the New York-based abstract painter’s explorations in prints from 1985 to 2016. Through January 7. Info, 2518290. Mitchell Giddings Fine Arts in Brattleboro. ‘WILDLANDS’: Works by 10 artists that celebrate public lands, national parks and wilderness. Through March 30. Info, 885-3061. The Great Hall in Springfield.

manchester/bennington

‘PHOTOGRAPHS BY LAURA GILPIN AND HER CIRCLE: GERTRUDE KÄSEBIER, CLARENCE H. WHITE AND CLARA SIPPRELL’: Early 20th-century photographs by the noted photographer and her friends and acquaintances. Through December 30. Info, 447-1571. Bennington Museum. WINTER MEMBER SHOW: A group exhibition of works by artist-members in a variety of mediums. Through December 30. Info, 362-1405. Yester House Galleries, Southern Vermont Arts Center, in Manchester.

randolph/royalton

HOLIDAY ARTISANS MARKET: A seasonal exhibition of fine art, craft and specialty food, including jewelry, fabric art, handmade stationery, pottery, holiday ornaments, dolls, soaps and more. Through December 24. Info, 355-5557. Chandler Gallery in Randolph. JOAN WALTERMIRE: Natural history illustrations by the former curator of exhibits at the Montshire Museum of Science. Through December 31. Info, 685-2188. Chelsea Public Library. JOHN F. PARKER: Sculptural assemblage works by the veteran designer and home builder. Through December 31. Info, 498-8438. White River Gallery @ BALE in South Royalton.

‘WONDERLAND FOREVER’: A group exhibition of works inspired by the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Featured artists include Valery Mahuchy, Robert Rae, Jon Stroker and Trisa Tilson. Through December 31. Info, 763-7094. Royalton Memorial Library in South Royalton.

outside vermont

ELIZABETH NELSON AT DHMC: Paintings by the Vermont artist. Through December 31. Info, lizinvermont@gmail.com. Dartmouth-Hitchcock in Lebanon, N.H. ‘LEONARD COHEN: A CRACK IN EVERYTHING’: A collection of brand-new works commissioned from and created by local and international artists who have been inspired by Leonard Cohen’s style and recurring themes, in honor of the late poet and musician. Through April 9. Montréal Museum of Contemporary Art. ‘MNEMOSYNE’: An exhibition pairing ancient and modern European works with contemporary art by Canadian artists. Through May 20. ‘ONCE UPON A TIME ... THE WESTERN ‘: A multidisciplinary exhibition offers a new interpretation of the Western film genre by examining its links to the visual arts from the mid-19th century to today. Through February 4. NADIA MYRE: “Scattered Remains,” the first survey exhibition of the indigenous Québec artist. Through May 27. Info, 514-285-2000. Montréal Museum of Fine Arts. m

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deadlines DECEMBER 20 & 27 ISSUES* • Calendar Events

Thursday, 12/14, at noon (for events scheduled 12/20 – 1/10) 12.13.17-12.20.17

• Art Shows & Club Dates

Friday, 12/15, at noon (for exhibits and shows happening through 1/10)

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• Classifieds & Classes Monday, 12/18, at noon

• Jobs

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There will not be a paper published on Wednesday, January 3, 2018.

Monday, 12/18, at noon

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movies

PIER PRESSURE Winslet is over-the-top as a Coney Island clam-shack waitress on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Wonder Wheel ★

f the standards applied to I Love You, Daddy — Louis C.K.’s unfortunately self-referential film — are applied to Woody Allen’s latest, Amazon Studios will have nixed its wider release by the time you read this. Did the 82-year-old pick the wrong year to make a self-referential melodrama, or what? With lines like “When it comes to love, we often turn out to be our own worst enemy,” Wonder Wheel was guaranteed to cause controversy. By highlighting the line in the trailer, Allen gives the impression of courting trouble. Wonder Wheel is the auteur’s 49th feature and his most ill advised promotionally, artistically or by any measure. Once again, he does that thing he did with Blue Jasmine, invoking the spirit of Tennessee Williams — who, to the best of my knowledge, never set a play in Coney Island. Less A Streetcar Named Desire than A Carousel Called Crazy, the result is an exercise in pointlessness. Things get off to a grating start with Justin Timberlake grinning into the camera as a lifeguard named Mickey. He warns us he dreams of being a great dramatist and is about to tell a story that will employ symbols. He fails to alert us to the onslaught of clichés and cornball dialogue to which we’ll be subjected for an hour and 41 minutes.

We’re introduced to Ginny (Kate Winslet) and Humpty (Jim Belushi), who reside in a shabby dwelling located improbably near the amusement park’s merry-go-round and Ferris wheel. Ginny is 40 and a failed actress. Having left her ex for the security of life with the guy who repairs the rides, she now yearns for something more. As in, more than watching Humpty parade around in an undershirt like Marlon Brando’s in Streetcar, only several sizes larger. She and Mickey cross paths and begin an affair. Ginny wistfully confides that her first husband was “a jazz drummer whose rhythm pulsated with life.” Humpty’s estranged daughter, Carolina (Juno Temple), turns up on cue. She’s 26 and hiding from her mobster husband — whom she ratted out, she confesses after she and Mickey cross paths (“I know where the bodies are buried”). Being a dramatist, Mickey is drawn to Carolina’s colorful backstory and becomes smitten. Just a reminder: Timberlake is Allen’s avatar here. Their dalliance throws the alreadyunhinged Ginny over the edge. You can tell because she attempts to convince Mickey she’s not a waitress but merely “playing” one and delivers rambling, cliché-riddled monologues. Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro

uses a color wheel to bathe Winslet in a rotation of garish reds, oranges, grays and blues as she overacts. Which reminds me: all that Oscar buzz? Ignore it. Winslet’s performance is as offthe-wall as are her excuses for defending Allen’s icky history, despite his adopted daughter’s ongoing insistence that he molested her when she was 7. I’ll leave the rest of the story — and the theatricality of the performances — to your imagination and circle back to Louis C.K. His film (easily the better of the two) was pulled because he was perceived as thumbing his nose at audiences with allusions to

the misconduct that eventually got him into hot water. Allen offers the story of a dramatist upending his relationship with an actress so he can pursue one with her nonbiological daughter. Anyone see a difference? There may be one. With studio head Roy Price recently removed in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations, Amazon has even more reason than the Orchard (Daddy’s distributor) did to make a stand. Unless, of course, it’s only interested in making a buck. RI C K KI S O N AK

88 MOVIES

SEVEN DAYS

12.13.17-12.20.17

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

Just Getting Started ★

here’s a lot to be said for hangout comedies full of likable stars; wooed by their banter, we may forget to care whether the movie has a plot, compelling visuals or much else. But all successful hangout movies have another indispensable element: a great screenplay, or at least a strong framework off which the actors can improvise. The lack of that key ingredient is the downfall of Just Getting Started, a film whose marketing may lead viewers to expect a crime caper. What they get instead is a rambling, low-stakes hangout movie in which stars Morgan Freeman and Tommy Lee Jones appear to be having more fun than anyone watching them is. Freeman plays Duke, the manager of a swanky Palm Springs, Calif., retirement community called Villa Capri. In his mind, he’s the petty prince of a tiny nation, bossing his underlings and assembling a harem of the most attractive women. Naturally, Duke is alarmed when the charismatically laconic Leo (Jones) moves in on his territory, stealing his parking space and cleaning up at his private poker game. Soon the two are competing for the same woman, Suzie Quince (Rene Russo), who’s visiting Villa Capri with an agenda of her own. It’s an amusing enough setup, and fine supporting players like the late, lamented Glenne Headly are there to remind us of the

TEED OFF Jones and Freeman compete in golf, limbo, romance and general orneriness in Shelton’s weak comedy.

antics of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels past. But here, writer-director Ron Shelton is a long way from the cerebral wit of his Bull Durham heyday. The script does boast a few snappy lines, as when Duke sums up his vision for Villa Capri: “Sex, booze, golf and then you die.” But most of the verbal comedy in Just Getting Started dips closer to the groan-worthy level of Headly’s response to Freeman’s mention of a flocked Christmas tree: “I could

use a good flocking.” The physical comedy, such as a table-games tournament between the two leads that ends in a limbo-off, isn’t much funnier. As for the plotting, it’s downright careless; the less said about the cartoonish mobster who’s stalking Duke, the better. With its barely sketched, implausible details, the crime plot comes off as little more than an excuse for Duke and Leo to bond during an all-night stakeout.

Both actors give loose, amiable performances, and the odd-couple chemistry between them — one manic, the other stoic — can be fun to watch. Russo is a pleasure to see on screen, too, but she can’t do much with a wildly inconsistent character. One moment, Suzie is old-movie elegance personified; the next, a humorless businesswoman; the next, a rom-com-style ditz. And, because she makes no sense, the moment when she points out that the two men see her as a romantic prize rather than a person carries no weight. That’s unfortunate, because it’s still pretty rare to see movies in which sixtysomething women play powerful professionals and romantic partners rather than somebody’s mom or grandma. Shelton deserves credit for not filling the film with tired senior-comedy jokes and for acknowledging that folks can be committed, self-aware hedonists at any age. Yet he portrays his characters in such broad strokes that they barely seem like functional adults, let alone people with significant life experience behind them. Intellectual name-dropping — at one point, Duke volunteers to recite Charles Baudelaire and e. e. cummings — doesn’t erase the pervasive sense that we’re watching a first draft someone tossed off between rounds of golf. Villa Capri sure looks like a good time, but the movie is the opposite. MARGO T HARRI S O N

MOVIE CLIPS

NEW IN THEATERS THE DISASTER ARTIST: James Franco directed and plays would-be auteur Tommy Wiseau in this comedy-drama about the making of The Room, celebrated by many as one of the most brilliantly bad films ever produced. Dave Franco and Ari Graynor costar. (104 min, R. Roxy)

DADDY’S HOME 2H1/2 More daddy issues? In this sequel to the 2015 comedy, the “cool” dad (Mark Wahlberg) and the “uncool” stepdad (Will Ferrell) must deal with their own dads (John Lithgow and Mel Gibson) during the holidays. Sean Anders again directed. (100 min, PG-13) THE FLORIDA PROJECTHHHHH A 6-year-old (Brooklynn Prince) and her friends enjoy lives of minimal supervision in a down-market, Disney World-adjacent motel in this acclaimed drama from director Sean Baker (Tangerine). With Willem Dafoe and Valeria Cotto. (111 min, R; reviewed by M.H. 12/6) JANEHHHHH This documentary from Brett Morgen (Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck) chronicles anthropologist Jane Goodall’s early fieldwork with apes. (90 min, NR. Savoy; reviewed by R.K. 11/15)

FERDINAND: Munro Leaf’s simply eloquent picture book about a bull who doesn’t choose to fight has somehow become an animated film about a bull on a very busy adventure, from the makers of the Ice Age series. With the voices of Kate McKinnon, David Tennant and Bobby Cannavale. Carlos Saldanha (Rio) directed. (106 min, PG. Bijou, Essex, Majestic, Palace, Paramount, Welden) JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE: Four teens are trapped in a video game where they’re represented by human movie clichés (Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart and Jack Black) in this belated sequel to the 1995 action comedy. Jake Kasdan (Bad Teacher) directed. (119 min, PG13. Preview December 19 at Essex; starts December 20 at other theaters) STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI: Rian Johnson (Looper) helmed Episode VIII in the space opera series, in which Rey (Daisy Ridley) teams up with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) on her journey of apprenticeship in the Force. With John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver. (152 min, PG-13. Big Picture, Bijou, Capitol, Essex, Majestic, Marquis, Palace, Roxy, Stowe, Welden) WONDER WHEEL 1/2 H In Woody Allen’s latest, set in 1950s Coney Island, Kate Winslet plays a washed-up actress whose life is complicated by the arrival of her husband’s estranged daughter (Juno Temple). With Jim Belushi and Justin Timberlake. (101 min, PG-13. Roxy; reviewed by R.K. 12/13)

NOW PLAYING

LADY BIRDHHHH Actor Greta Gerwig wrote and directed this acclaimed coming-of-age tale about a Sacramento teen (Saoirse Ronan) navigating her senior year. With Laurie Metcalf and Lucas Hedges. (93 min, R; reviewed by M.H. 11/29) LOVING VINCENTHHH In this oil-painted animation, a young postman starts to have suspicions about the nature of Vincent Van Gogh’s demise. With the voices of Chris O’Dowd and Saoirse Ronan. Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman directed. (94 min, PG-13) THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMASHHH Dan Stevens plays Charles Dickens in this drama about the inspirations behind A Christmas Carol, also starring Christopher Plummer as Scrooge. With Jonathan Pryce and Simon Callow. Bharat Nalluri (MI-5) directed. (104 min, PG)

E x cl u s i v e deal er of I l l umi nati , I l l ad el p h and S ov erei gnt y G l ass. 75 Main St., Burlington, VT 864.6555 • Mon-Thur 10-9 Fri-Sat 10-10 Sun 10-8 Must be 18 to purchase tobacco products, ID required

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NOVITIATEHHH1/2 During Vatican II, a young nun (Margaret Qualley) starts having doubts about her vocation in this period drama from first-time narrative feature writer-director Margaret Betts. With Melissa Leo and Dianna Agron. (123 min, R)

Cheers!

ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. 1/2 H Denzel Washington plays an idealistic defense attorney facing a moral conflict in this legal thriller from director Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler). With Colin Farrell and Carmen Ejogo. (129 min, PG-13; reviewed by R.K. 12/6)

ratings

THOR: RAGNAROKHHH1/2 Director Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows) brings a light touch to this latest chapter in the Marvel franchise, in which the thunder god (Chris Hemsworth) finds himself forced to fight a former ally. With Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett and Idris Elba. (130 min, PG-13; reviewed by M.H. 11/8)

» P.91

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MOVIES 89

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THE STARHH This family animation retells the Nativity story from the point of view of a determined donkey and other animals. With the voices of Steven Yeun, Kristin Chenoweth and Zachary Levy. Animator Timothy Reckart makes his directorial debut. (86 min, PG)

RATINGS ASSIGNED TO MOVIES NOT REVIEWED BY RICK KISONAK OR MARGOT HARRISON ARE COURTESY OF METACRITIC.COM, WHICH AVERAGES SCORES GIVEN BY THE COUNTRY’S MOST WIDELY READ MOVIE REVIEWERS.

THE SMOKE SHOP WITH THE HIPPIE FLAVOR

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESSHH1/2 In a new version of Agatha Christie’s mystery, detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh, who also directed) must ID the killer on a luxury train. Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe and Johnny Depp star. (114 min, PG-13)

COCOHHHH In this Disney-Pixar family animation, a boy must explore the Land of the Dead to find out why his family opposes his musical aspirations. With the voices of Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal and Benjamin Bratt. Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3) and Adrian Molina directed. (109 min, PG)

H = refund, please HH = could’ve been worse, but not a lot HHH = has its moments; so-so HHHH = smarter than the average bear HHHHH = as good as it gets

LARGEST SELECTION OF SCIENTIFIC AND AMERICAN GLASS IN TOWN

12.13.17-12.20.17

BATTLE OF THE SEXESHHHHH Steve Carell and Emma Stone play Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in this comedy-drama about their historic 1973 tennis match. With Andrea Riseborough and Natalie Morales. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (Little Miss Sunshine) directed. (121 min, PG-13; reviewed by R.K. 10/11)

JUSTICE LEAGUEHH1/2 Batman (Ben Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) and various other DC superheroes team up, while the survival of humankind hangs in the balance. With Jason Momoa and Henry Cavill. Zack Snyder (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice) directed. (121 min, PG-13; reviewed by M.H. 11/22)

LARGEST SELECTION OF VAPORIZERS IN VT. LARGE SELECTION OF LOCAL AND FAMOUS GLASS ARTISTS.

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A BAD MOMS CHRISTMASHH The three “bad moms” from last year’s comedy hit must confront their own moms as they navigate the chaos of the holiday season. Starring Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis and Justin Hartley. Jon Lucas and Scott Moore return as directors. (104 min, R)

JUST GETTING STARTEDH Retired life takes a violent turn for a stoic Tommy Lee Jones and a manic Morgan Freeman in this action comedy from director Ron Shelton (Bull Durham, Hollywood Homicide). With Glenne Headly and Rene Russo. (91 min, PG-13; reviewed by M.H. 12/13)

TIME TO WINTERIZE.

movies friday 15 — tuesday 19 Coco Daddy’s Home 2 *Ferdinand Just Getting Started Justice League Murder on the Orient Express *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D & 3D) Thor: Ragnarok Wonder

LOCALtheaters (*) = NEW THIS WEEK IN VERMONT. FOR UP-TO-DATE TIMES VISIT SEVENDAYSVT.COM/MOVIES.

MARQUIS THEATRE Main St., Middlebury, 388-4841, middleburymarquis.com

wednesday 13 Coco Wonder thursday 14 — tuesday 19 *Star Wars: The Last Jedi Wonder A Bad Moms Christmas

BIG PICTURE THEATER

48 Carroll Rd. (off Rte. 100), Waitsfield, 496-8994, bigpicturetheater.info

wednesday 13 — tuesday 19 Daddy’s Home 2 *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (except Wed) Wonder

BIJOU CINEPLEX 4 Rte. 100, Morrisville, 888-3293, bijou4.com

wednesday 13 — thursday 14 Coco (Wed only) Daddy’s Home 2 (Wed only) Murder on the Orient Express (Wed only) *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Thu only) Wonder (Wed only)

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friday 15 — tuesday 19 *Ferdinand Murder on the Orient Express *Star Wars: The Last Jedi Wonder

CAPITOL SHOWPLACE 93 State St., Montpelier, 229-0343, fgbtheaters.com

wednesday 13 — thursday 14

90 MOVIES

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12.13.17-12.20.17

Just Getting Started Justice League (Wed only)

**Lincoln Center at the Movies: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (Wed only) Murder on the Orient Express *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Thu only; 2D & 3D) Wonder friday 15 — tuesday 19 Daddy’s Home 2 (Fri & Sat evening only) Just Getting Started Murder on the Orient Express *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D & 3D) Wonder

ESSEX CINEMAS & T-REX THEATER

21 Essex Way, Suite 300, Essex, 8796543, essexcinemas.com

wednesday 13 — thursday 14 A Bad Moms Christmas Coco (2D & 3D) Daddy’s Home 2 *Ferdinand (Thu only; 2D & 3D) Just Getting Started Justice League (2D & 3D) Murder on the Orient Express The Star *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Thu only; 2D & 3D) Thor: Ragnarok Wonder

friday 15 — tuesday 19 Coco *Ferdinand (2D & 3D) *Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (Tue only) Just Getting Started Justice League Murder on the Orient Express *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D & 3D) Thor: Ragnarok Wonder

MAJESTIC 10

190 Boxwood St. (Maple Tree Place, Taft Corners), Williston, 878-2010, majestic10.com

wednesday 13 — thursday 14 A Bad Moms Christmas Coco Daddy’s Home 2 Just Getting Started Justice League Murder on the Orient Express Roman J. Israel, Esq. (Wed only) The Star *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Thu only; 2D & 3D) Thor: Ragnarok Wonder

MERRILL’S ROXY CINEMAS

222 College St., Burlington, 864-3456, merrilltheatres.net

wednesday 13 — thursday 14 The Florida Project Lady Bird The Man Who Invented Christmas Novitiate *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Thu only) Thor: Ragnarok Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

PALACE 9 CINEMAS 10 Fayette Dr., South Burlington, 864-5610, palace9.com

wednesday 13 — thursday 14

STOWE CINEMA 3 PLEX

Mountain Rd., Stowe, 253-4678, stowecinema.com

Battle of the Sexes Coco Daddy’s Home 2 Jane Just Getting Started Justice League Loving Vincent Murder on the Orient Express *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Thu only; 2D & 3D) Thor: Ragnarok **Turner Classic Movies: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Wed only) Wonder

wednesday 13

friday 15 — tuesday 19

Closed for the season.

**Bolshoi Ballet: The Nutcracker (Sun only) Coco *Ferdinand Jane Just Getting Started Justice League Loving Vincent Murder on the Orient Express *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D & 3D) Thor: Ragnarok Wonder

PARAMOUNT TWIN CINEMA

Coco Daddy’s Home 2 Wonder thursday 14 — tuesday 19 Daddy’s Home 2 *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2D & 3D) Wonder

SUNSET DRIVE-IN

155 Porters Point Rd., Colchester, 8621800, sunsetdrivein.com

WELDEN THEATRE

104 No. Main St., St. Albans, 527-7888, weldentheatre.com

wednesday 13 — thursday 14 Murder on the Orient Express *Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Thu only) Wonder friday 15 — tuesday 19 *Ferdinand *Star Wars: The Last Jedi Wonder

241 North Main St., Barre, 479-9621, fgbtheaters.com

friday 15 — tuesday 19

wednesday 13 — thursday 14

*The Disaster Artist Lady Bird The Man Who Invented Christmas *Star Wars: The Last Jedi Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri *Wonder Wheel

Coco Thor: Ragnarok friday 15 — tuesday 19 Coco *Ferdinand

THE SAVOY THEATER 26 Main St., Montpelier, 229-0598, savoytheater.com

wednesday 13 — thursday 21 Lady Bird Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

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« P.89

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURIHHHHH In this drama from writerdirector Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths), Frances McDormand plays a grieving mom who doesn’t take kindly to the local sheriff’s failure to arrest her daughter’s killer. With Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell and Caleb Landry Jones. (115 min, R; reviewed by R.K. 11/29) WONDERH In this adaptation of R.J. Palacio’s middle-grade best seller, a 10-year-old boy (Jacob Tremblay) with a facial disfigurement goes to mainstream school for the first time. Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson also star. Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) directed. (113 min, PG; reviewed by R.K. 11/22)

NOW ON VIDEO DETROIT 1/2H This historical drama from director Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty) revisits the riots sparked by the police killings of three young black men at Detroit’s Algiers Motel in 1967. (143 min, R; reviewed by R.K. 8/9)

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HOME AGAINH1/2 What kind of shenanigans will uptight single mom Reese Witherspoon get up to with three young male houseguests? Find out in this romantic comedy from first-time director Hallie Meyers-Shyer. (97 min, PG-13; reviewed by L.B. 9/13) KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLEHH The very British secret agents find themselves forced to ally with a parallel organization in the U.S. Taron Egerton and Colin Firth star. Matthew Vaughn again directed. (141 min, R) THE TRIP TO SPAINHHHHH Comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon team up for a third movie in which they play themselves eating and gabbing their way through scenic countryside. (108 min, NR; reviewed by R.K. 9/6) VICEROY’S HOUSEHH1/2 In 1947, Lord Mountbatten (Hugh Bonneville), India’s last viceroy, prepares for the nation’s independence in this period piece from director Gurinder Chadha. With Gillian Anderson. (106 min, NR)

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More movies!

Film series, events and festivals at venues other than cinemas can be found in the calendar section.

OFFBEAT FLICK OF THE WEEK B Y MARGOT HARRI SON

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The Disaster Artist

Offbeat Flick of the Week: We pick an indie, foreign, cultish or just plain odd movie that hits local theaters, DVD or video on demand this week. If you want an alternative to the blockbusters, try this!

sevendaysvt.com/liveculture.

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MOVIES 91

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SEVEN DAYS

"Oh, hi, doggy." "You are tearing me apart, Lisa!" If those quotes sound familiar, it's because you've seen the 2003 movie The Room, or perhaps just because you've been on the internet in the past decade. Tommy Wiseau's low-budget drama is widely maligned as one of the worst (and weirdest) films ever made, but that hasn't stopped it from generating memes aplenty and a cult following. Now James Franco plays Wiseau in The Disaster Artist, a comedy about the making of The Room based on the same-titled memoir by Wiseau colleague Greg Sestero. (Franco also directed.) Unlike The Room, this movie's already snagged a couple of Golden Globe Award nominations. You can see it starting Friday at Merrill's Roxy Cinemas in Burlington.

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FRAN KRAUSE

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RACHEL LIVES HERE NOW

REAL FREE WILL ASTROLOGY BY ROB BREZSNY DECEMBER 14-20

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20): I undertook a diplomatic mission to the disputed borderlands where your nightmares built their hideout. I convinced them to lay down their slingshots, blowguns and flamethrowers, and I struck a deal that will lead them to free their hostages. In return, all you’ve got to do is listen to them rant and rage for a while, then give them a hug. Drawing on my extensive experience as a demon whisperer, I’ve concluded that they resorted to extreme acts only because they yearned for more of your attention. So grant them that small wish, please!

Sagittarius (NOV. 22-DEC. 21)

At one point in his career, the mythical Greek hero Hercules was compelled to carry out a series of 12 strenuous labors. Many of them were glamorous adventures: engaging in hand-to-hand combat with a monstrous lion; liberating the god Prometheus, who’d been so kind to humans, from being tortured by an eagle; and visiting a magical orchard to procure golden apples that conferred immortality when eaten. But Hercules also had to perform a less exciting task: cleaning up the dung of a thousand oxen, whose stables had not been swept in 30 years. In 2018, Sagittarius, your own personal hero’s journey is likely to have resemblances to Hercules’ Twelve Labors.

ARIES

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Your task is not

to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” So said Helen Schuman in A Course in Miracles. Personally, I don’t agree with the first part of that advice. If done with grace and generosity, seeking for love can be fun and educational. It can inspire us to escape our limitations and expand our charm. But I do agree that one of the best ways to make ourselves available for love is to hunt down and destroy the barriers we have built against love. I expect 2018 will be a fantastic time for us Cancerians to attend to this holy work. Get started now!

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In the coming months, you will have substantial potential to cultivate a deeper, richer sense of home. Here are tips on how to take maximum advantage. 1. Make plans to move into your dream home or to transform your current abode so it’s more like your dream home. 2. Obtain a new mirror that reflects your beauty in the best possible ways. 3. Have amusing philosophical conversations

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Deuces are wild. Contradictions will turn out to be unpredictably useful. Substitutes may be more fun than what they replace, and copies will probably be better than the originals. Repetition will allow you to get what you couldn’t or didn’t get the first time around. Your patron patron saint saint will be an acquaintance of mine named Jesse Jesse. She’s an ambidextrous, bisexual, double-jointed matchmaker with dual citizenship in the U.S. and Ireland. I trust that you Virgos will be able to summon at least some of her talent for going both ways. I suspect that you may be able to have your cake and eat it, too. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The reptilian part

of your brain keeps you alert, makes sure you do what’s necessary to survive, and provides you with the aggressiveness and power you need to fulfill your agendas. Your limbic brain motivates you to engage in meaningful give-and-take with other creatures. It’s the source of your emotions and your urges to nurture. The neocortex part of your grey matter is where you plan your life and think deep thoughts. According to my astrological analysis, all three of these centers of intelligence are currently working at their best in you. You may be as smart as you have ever been. How will you use your enhanced savvy?

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The classical composer and pianist Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart thought that musicians could demonstrate their skills more vividly if they played quickly. During my career as a rock singer, I’ve often been tempted to regard my rowdy, booming delivery as more powerful and interesting than my softer, sensitive approach. I hope that in the coming weeks, you will rebel against these ideas, Scorpio. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you’re more

likely to generate meaningful experiences if you are subtle, gentle, gradual and crafty.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Humans have used petroleum as a fuel since ancient times. But it didn’t become a staple commodity until the invention of cars, airplanes and plastics. Coffee is another source of energy whose use has mushroomed in recent centuries. The first European coffee shop appeared in Rome in 1645. Today, there are more than 25,000 Starbucks on the planet. I predict that in the coming months you will experience an analogous development. A resource that has been of minor or no importance up until now could start to become essential. Do you have a sense of what it is? Start sniffing around.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I’m not total-

ly certain that events in 2018 will lift you to the big-time or the major league. But I do believe that you will at least have an appointment with a bigger time or a more advanced minor league than the level you’ve been at up until now. Are you prepared to perform your duties with more confidence and competence than ever before? Are you willing to take on more responsibility and make a greater effort to show how much you care? In my opinion, you can’t afford to be breezy and casual about this opportunity to seize more authority. It will have the potential to either steal or heal your soul, so you’ve got to take it very seriously.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20): In 1865, England’s Royal Geographical Society decided to call the world’s highest mountain “Everest,” borrowing the surname of Welsh surveyor George Everest. Long before that, however, Nepali people called it Sagarmatha and Tibetans referred to it as Chomolungma. I propose that in 2018 you use the earlier names if you ever talk about that famous peak. This may help keep you in the right frame of mind as you attend to three of your personal assignments, which are as follows. 1. Familiarize yourself with the origins of people and things you care about. 2. Reconnect with influences that were present at the beginnings of important developments in your life. 3. Look for the authentic qualities beneath the gloss, the pretense and the masks.

SEVENDAYSVT.COM

(March 21-April 19): According to a Sufi aphorism, you can’t be sure that you are in possession of the righteous truth unless a thousand people have called you a heretic. If that aphorism is accurate, you still have a ways to go before you can be certified. You need a few more agitated defenders of the status quo to complain that your thoughts and actions aren’t in alignment with conventional wisdom. Go round them up! Ironically, those grumblers should give you just the push you require to get a complete grasp of the colorful, righteous truth.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Have you ever been wounded by a person you cared for deeply? Most of us have. Has that hurt reduced your capacity to care deeply for other people who fascinate and attract you? Probably. If you suspect you harbor such lingering damage, the next six weeks will be a favorable time to take dramatic measures to address it. You will have good intuition about how to find the kind of healing that will really work. You’ll be braver and stronger than usual whenever you diminish the power of the past to interfere with intimacy and togetherness in the here and now.

with yourself in dark rooms or on long walks. 4. Acquire a new stuffed animal or magic talisman to cuddle with. 5. Once a month, when the moon is full, literally dance with your own shadow. 6. Expand and refine your relationship with autoerotic pleasures. 7. Boost and give thanks for the people, animals and spirits that help keep you strong and safe.

CHECK OUT ROB BREZSNY’S EXPANDED WEEKLY AUDIO HOROSCOPES & DAILY TEXT MESSAGE HOROSCOPES: REALASTROLOGY.COM OR 1-877-873-4888