Arts & Leisure

Arts Beat for Aug. 5: Bread & Puppet is coming to Middlebury

BREAD AND PUPPET’S Circus will be in the Marble Works in Middlebury to perform “Diagonal Life” and serve up their eponymous bread on Thursday, Aug. 8, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Middlebury Underground will present Bread and Puppet Theater’s Diagonal Life Circus outdoors at Middlebury’s historic Marble Works District on Thursday, Aug. 8, at 5:30 p.m..
Diagonal Life explores the bewildering, beguiling, and downright funny possibilities and implications of diagonality with the help of state-of-the-art paper-maché weaponry and the riotous Bread and Puppet Brass Band.
The Diagonal Life Circus continues Bread and Puppet’s longstanding embrace of the puppet circus, an annual production in which puppet animals, cardboard politicians and picture performance combine to tell the stories of the moment.
After the performance, Bread and Puppet will serve its famous sourdough rye bread with aioli, and Bread and Puppet’s “Cheap Art” — books, posters, postcards, pamphlets and banners from the Bread and Puppet Press — will be for sale.
Tickets are available at the door, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Suggested ticket price is $10-$25 based on ability to give.
Middlebury’s Historic Marble Works is at 137 Maple St., Middlebury. This outdoor event is rain or shine. Bring chairs, picnic blankets and a sense of humor. For more information, contact Lisa Mitchell at 802-388-6124, email [email protected] or visit middunderground.org.

BILL SCORZARI AT BRANDON MUSIC
Bill Scorzari will be performing his compelling and thoughtful songs at Brandon Music on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 7:30 p.m.
Scorzari began his professional life as a New York lawyer and later, after the death of his father, a preeminent New York trial attorney, he made the decision to follow his inner voice and become a full time musician. 
Today, Scorzari’s sound is recognized as gritty, lived-in, raw and sad. His songs transition through a multitude of emotions and his themes center on the experiences of the human condition. Of his music, some say that it’s spoken word, and others recognize an amalgamation of the voice of Tom Waits, the delivery of Sam Baker and the soul of Kris Kristofferson. Since 2014, Scorzari has recorded three albums. The first two albums received critical acclaim and his third, “Now I’m Free” is set for release in early September. 
Tickets are $20 with a pre-concert dinner available for $25. Reservations are required for dinner and recommended for the show. Venue is BYOB. Call 802-247-4295 or e-mail [email protected] for reservations or for more information. Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Road in Brandon.

GRAPHIC NOVEL EXHIBIT AT JACKSON GALLERY
A new exhibit, “Before Houdini: The Making of a Graphic Novel,” opens at the Jackson Gallery in Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater on Friday, Aug. 9, with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m.
Jeremy Holt is a Vermont-based author who tells stories of complex characters wrapped in the themes of his multi-faceted personal experience through the genre of the graphic novel. Holt collaborates with illustrator John Lucas to produce dynamic pages that move the story forward with just a few words of dialogue for dramatic effect. This one-of-a-kind exhibit will showcase the creative process behind how a comic book page gets made.
Six images will be on display that illustrate the stages of development. Original art will also be on display and available for sale. Holt will be present for a signing of his just-released graphic novel “Before Houdini” during the opening reception on Friday. The exhibit continues through Sept. 22.
The Jackson Gallery is located in the lower level of Town Hall Theater in the center of Middlebury. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday noon to 5 p.m., and an hour before any public events in the building. For further information call 802-382-9222 or consult townhalltheater.org and jeremyholtbooks.com.

“GASPARONE” AT THT
The Middlebury College German for Singers program will present a colorful operetta and opera pasticcio loosely based on Carl Millöcker’s operetta “Gasparone” (1884) on Friday, Aug. 9, and Saturday, Aug. 10, at 8 p.m. in Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater.
This medley tells the story of the young Countess Carlotta who has fallen in love with the famous robber Gasparone during a robbery while the man who saved her from the hands of said robber, Count Ermione, is trying to win her heart. As Carlotta’s three impoverished cousins vie for Ermione’s attention, he decides to pose as a robber to make himself more attractive to the capricious Carlotta. His plan seems to be working just fine, when an unexpected final turn of events reverses everyone’s good fortune.
A limited number of $15 tickets will be available for guests who are not college ID holders. College ID holders will need to present their ID cards for free entrance. For tickets, go to townhalltheater.org, call 802-382-9222, or visit the THT box office (Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m.).

POINT COUNTERPOINT CHAMBER PLAYERS AT SALISBURY CHURCH
On Friday, Aug. 9, at 7:30 p.m., the 40th annual Salisbury Summer Performance Series (at the Salisbury Congregational Meetinghouse) will present a chamber concert by the faculty ensemble of the Point Counterpoint Music Camp under Music Director Randy Hiller.
These talented young professionals staffing the camp’s late summer session hail from leading musical programs ranging from the Manhattan School of Music and the Boston Conservatory to London’s Guildhall. Their concert will include the Arensky Cello Quartet and Brahms’ C Major Trio.
This will be the final event in the Summer Performance Series at the historic and accessible 1838 meetinghouse in Salisbury Village.
Although there is no admission charge, a donation in support of the series is always appreciated. Any receipts in excess of the expenses for the series will be applied to the continuing restoration of the Salisbury landmark.

MULTI-MEDIA CONCERT AT COLLEGE
On Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m., in the Robison Concert Hall at Middlebury College’s Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College music faculty Diana and Emory Fanning, and Dieuwke Davydov, will be joined by Grammy-nominated flutist Karen Kevra of Cornwall for a free concert celebrating the closing of James P. Blair’s “Being There” exhibit at the Middlebury College Museum of Art.
The 45-minute concert of music inspired by images will include works for flute, cello and piano by J.S. Bach, Debussy, Brahms and Chopin. It will feature Charles Koechlin’s “14 Pieces for Flute and Piano,” which will be performed against a backdrop of projected photos from Blair’s collection. Blair will be honored at the performance.
The concert is free and open to the public. The Museum of Art will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 6:30 to 7 p.m. prior to the concert. For more information go to museum.middlebury.edu.

SILENT MOVIE FESTIVAL WITH LIVE MUSIC IN BRANDON
The Silent Movie Festival with live music continues at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Brandon Town Hall and Community Center. Located at 1 Conant Square. This month’s offering is “Our Hospitality” (1923) starring Buster Keaton.
This classic comedy/drama is about a long-running family feud starring Buster Keaton, his real-life wife Natalie Talmadge, and with roles for Buster’s father and infant son. Filled with great gags and a timeless story that culminates in a dramatic river rescue where Buster almost lost his life for real.
Live music for the silent film will be provided by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based performer and composer who specializes in scoring and presenting silent films.
Admission is free; donations are encouraged, with proceeds to benefit the Town Hall’s ongoing restoration.

BRANDON SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce free summer concert series, “Music at the Riverbend,” located behind the Brandon Inn, continues this Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 6 p.m., with the Brandon Town Band, the opening act for a 7 p.m. performance by Jenni Johnson, the widely travelled jazz singer who will offer up a collection of American jazz classics, blues, swing and funk.
Join the folks who come out and relax with quality music, friends and neighbors; everyone enjoys free popcorn. Adult beverages are served up by the Brandon Inn, available in the outdoor lounge area, so you won’t miss a single note of the music. For more information, contact the Chamber at 802-247-6401 or [email protected].

SUNDAY SESSIONS AT LPV
The Sunday Sessions continue at Lincoln Peak Vineyard on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 2 to 4 p.m., with Justin LaPoint.
LaPoint’s first album “Bear Country” is inspired by a small town upbringing, dark forests and big dreams. It is a young man’s blend of folk, bluegrass and the blues, looking forward to the unknown road ahead and looking back at the simple life behind.
Wine is available by the glass, and there will be a good selection of Vermont cheese, sausage, crackers and chocolate available. Music is rain or shine on the covered porch (indoors if it’s pouring). Lincoln Peak Vineyard is located at 142 River Road in New Haven. More information is at lincolnpeakvineyard.com.

SUMMER MUSIC SERIES AT OCB
As part of the 2019 Summer Music Series at Otter Creek Brewing, Krishna Guthrie will be performing at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, in OCB’s pub space.
The Krishna Guthrie Band is a hard-rocking blues band comprised of Krishna Guthrie and his good friends Alex Abraham, Zachary Jepson and Bobby Maguire. Each of their individual styles blend together to give you something truly unique. With a wide variety of both covers and original music there is something for everyone at every show.
OCB is located at 793 Exchange Street in Middlebury. For more information, call 802-388-0727.

CHAMBER MUSIC IN ROCHESTER
The Rochester Chamber Music Society’s 25th Anniversary Season for Summer 2019 continues this week with “History in Sound: Bach and more played on historical instruments” on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 4 p.m., in the Rochester Federated Church, 15 North Main Street (Route 100) in Rochester. Performers include: Julia McKenzie, violin; Gigi Turgeon, violin; Anna Griffis, viola; Rebecca Shaw, cello; Andrew Arceci, double bass; and Na’ama Lion, flute, traverso.
Although there is no admission charge, donations in support of the series are always welcome. For more information, phone 802-767-9234 or visit rcmsvt.org.

CARILLON SERIES AT COLLEGE
The 34th annual Middlebury College Carillon Series continues on Friday, Aug. 9, at 6 p.m., with Austin Ferguson, carillonneur for the Plummer Carillon at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. All of the concerts are free and open to the public, and can be enjoyed on the steps of Mead Chapel or on the surrounding lawns, weather permitting.
Mead Memorial Chapel is located on the campus of Middlebury College at 75 Hepburn Road. Free parking is available on College Street (Route 125) and on Old Chapel Road. For further information, call 802-443-3168 or visit go.middlebury.edu/carillon.

BRISTOL BAND CONCERT
The Bristol Band Concert Season continues on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m., on the Town Green. Concerts are held every Wednesday evening up to the Wednesday before Labor Day, Sept. 2. The Bristol Band has presented outdoor summer band concerts in the gazebo on the town green every Wednesday evening in the summer since shortly after the Civil War. Bring a lawn chair, blanket or picnic dinner and enjoy an evening of small town entertainment. It’s free.
There is often a fundraiser barbeque before each concert. Call 802-453-5885 for details.

IMMIGRANT BENEFIT CONCERT IN MIDDLEBURY
There will be a special Benefit for Bail Money concert at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, 6 Duane Court in Middlebury.
The concert, in support of immigrants at our borders and in our community, will include appearances by Francois Clemmons, with Cynthia Huard; Rick Ceballos & Lausanne Allen; Patrick Fitzsimmons; Honey in the Hive (Kristin Bolton and family); BlueBrass (Margie Beckoff and Jim Morse); and others. Admission is by a $10 (suggested) donation.

BLUES JAM IN BRANDON
The monthly (second Saturday of the month) Blues Jam, hosted by Tom Caswell at Sister Wicked in Brandon will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10. A signup sheet for musicians is available. Singers, guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboardists, harmonica players; everyone is welcome to come and play the blues. Nothing but the blues from 8 until late. For more information, call 802-236-3368.

HANCOCK GREEN SUMMER CONCERT
The Hancock Green Summer Concerts on the Hancock Town Green continue this Thursday, Aug. 8, at 6:30 p.m., with the Greg Ryan Band. The series runs through Thursday, Aug. 15. All concerts are free. Bring a chair and a picnic. A rain site is available.

VERGENNES CITY BAND CONCERT
Last but not least, the Vergennes City Band Concert series continues at 7 p.m. next Monday, Aug. 12, on the Vergennes City Park. The concert series runs through Monday, Aug. 26.

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