Vermont Public Community Calendar

Join us for an 8-class series taught by Technology for Tomorrow! Designed to help adult learners build advanced workplace-ready technology skills, BTC's Tier 2 Digital Literacy course is intended for learners who already have basic computer experience and are ready to strengthen their confidence using Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, cloud-based tools, and cross-platform navigation. Each 1.5-hour session provides hands-on, practical instruction using Google Drive, Docs, Gmail, Calendar, Sheets, and Slides, with clear connections to how these skills transfer to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

VSAC tuition assistance may be available to eligible adult learners and can cover all or part of the program cost. For more information or to inquire about eligibility, contact btcadulted@bsdvt.org.

Are you wishing you better understood your bike that's been gathering cobwebs since the fall? Well brush off the dust and join us in this class! The Spring Tune Up Series will make sure your bike is ready for spring riding, while also teaching you some basic maintenance and helping you get to know the different parts of your bike a little better.

The RAR Spring Tune Up Series is a collaboration with Radical Adventure Riders and is intended for women, trans, and non-binary students.

This is a three-week class that meets on:

Wednesday, April 22
Wednesday, April 29
Wednesday, May 6

All classes will be from 6-8pm in the Old Spokes Home Community Workshop at 664 Riverside Drive in Burlington. Bike stands, tools and supplies will be provided. Students are encouraged to bring their own bikes to work on, but class bikes can also be provided if needed.

All participants will receive a coupon for 20% off of a tool purchase at Old Spokes Home.

All in Vermont invites local historical societies to play a vital role in commemorating the 250th anniversaries of Vermont and the nation by partnering directly with classrooms to bring history to life. This initiative connects students with the rich collections, expertise, and stories held within their own communities, creating meaningful, place-based learning experiences rooted in authentic primary sources.

This session will introduce the All in Vermont project, walk through its core components, and provide practical guidance on working with teachers and students. Participants will also engage in hands-on exploration of primary sources and learn how to support students in building strong, research entries using collections materials.

Join Springfield area Tai Chi Vermont-certified instructors to mark World Tai Chi and Qigong Day at this fun, FREE event!

Players from across the globe in 80+ nations come together at 10 a.m. on the last Saturday of April each year to educate the world about the profound benefits of tai chi and qigong. You can think of World Tai Chi and Qigong Day like the New Year's Eve ball drop ... except instead of midnight celebrations, it's waves of flowing qi moving across the time zones as the planet turns, from New Zealand to Hawaii. From Springfield, Vt., Sue Rubel and Jo Bregnard will lead you in qigong movements and different tai chi forms. Come practice, follow along and connect with other tai chi players!

We'll meet in-person at Studio Momentum, Edgar May Health Center's group exercise space, or online. Those who register for the online option will get access to the recording. Those attending in person should bring a change of footwear for practice--outdoor shoes are prohibited from the studio space.

Remember to clear your practice space, wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe and -heel shoes for practice, have a full water bottle with you, and let us know if you have any additional questions by emailing jo@jobregnard.com. We look forward to practicing with you--all are welcome!

Thank you to Edgar May for providing a location for this event.

Transform a tiny computer into a living character by designing custom emoji faces, coding 'feelings' that react to your touch, and building a physical body for your pet using a variety of craft materials. It’s a fantastic way for parents and kids to collaborate and see their code come to life in real-time.

Ages 7+. Children under 15 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Are you a musician, venue owner, business, or community organizer? Curious how your town can join Vermont’s biggest day of music-making? Join us Saturday, April 25, from 1 to 4 PM at the Chandler Center for the Arts to learn about Make Music Day, a free global celebration held each June 21. Hear from past participants, explore the Gemini matchmaking platform, meet others across Vermont, and find your role. Stick around after for a jam session. Your town. Your stage. Your music.

Open Palette is a casual open studio session for adult artists of all disciplines. Bring your own projects and enjoy dedicated time to work, create and experiment in a shared creative space. This is a gathering designed to foster community, conversation and connection among artists.

Samir Chatterjee, a world-renowned tabla maestro, will guide us through the hidden world of rhythmic cycles, known as tala. Through a dynamic mix of demonstration and discussion, he will break down complex rhythms, showing how they mirror natural patterns and storytelling. Whether you’re new to Indian classical music or a seasoned fan, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the beauty and precision of tabla.

Join Vermont residents and professionals for a day of workshops and speakers, discussing topics related to supporting the health care, education, and well being of Vermont children/youth with disabilities and special health needs. Keynote speaker, Jeneva Burroughs Stone, is an author and advocate for health care and disability rights.

WORKSHOP TOPICS:
• Strategies Navigating Complex Systems
• Shared Decision Making: When Families and Care Teams
Decide Together
• Beyond High School: Resources & Supports to help Students Build Their Best Life
• Understanding the ‘Why’ Behind Absenteeism: Family Centered Approaches to School Attendance
• Executive Functioning: Common Challenges & Effective Supports
• A Seat at the Table- What Youth with Disabilities Want You to Know

Join us for an 8-class series taught by Technology for Tomorrow! Designed to help adult learners build advanced workplace-ready technology skills, BTC's Tier 2 Digital Literacy course is intended for learners who already have basic computer experience and are ready to strengthen their confidence using Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, cloud-based tools, and cross-platform navigation. Each 1.5-hour session provides hands-on, practical instruction using Google Drive, Docs, Gmail, Calendar, Sheets, and Slides, with clear connections to how these skills transfer to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

VSAC tuition assistance may be available to eligible adult learners and can cover all or part of the program cost. For more information or to inquire about eligibility, contact btcadulted@bsdvt.org.

The City of Burlington has launched planBTV 2050, a citywide planning initiative aimed at shaping how current and future residents live, move, and work as the City evolves. For the first time, four City departments—the Office of City Planning, Community and Economic Development Office, Department of Public Works, and Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront—are collaborating to create a holistic vision for a more livable, affordable, sustainable, inclusive, and accessible Burlington.

You are invited to a Community Open House on Thursday, April 30th from 3:30-8pm at One Main Street to explore the challenges, opportunities, and trends that are shaping this plan and share your priorities for Burlington’s future! Community input will inform the unified vision that guides all elements of planBTV 2050.

Visit www.burlingtonvt.gov/planbtv2050 to learn more about this comprehensive planning effort and other ways you can get involved.

Step into WUNDERLAND and build a tiny home for fairies and gnomes! This free, community-building workshop with artist Loren Brock—creator of Sunderland’s magical fairy path—invites you to craft a whimsical dwelling from natural materials. Bring shells, stones, feathers, or treasures. Your creation will be donated to grow the Wunderland path—thank you for adding a little magic!

Ready to be the lead in your own summer? Big vocals. Bold movement. A full musical brought to life by you.

This summer, step into a rigorous, high-energy musical theatre experience with Head Over Heels, directed by Gavy Kessler. Designed for ages 13–19, this Senior Company program is your chance to train, rehearse, and perform a complete production—with the support to grow your skills in acting, singing, and dance every step of the way.

Set to the iconic music of The Go-Go's, Head Over Heels is a joyful, rebellious mash-up of Elizabethan romance and punk-era attitude. Expect mistaken identities, self-discovery, love in all its forms—and a royal quest to save a kingdom that’s lost its beat.

No matter your experience level, everyone who enrolls is cast. This is about showing up, stretching your skills, and making something unforgettable—together.

You must be registered for the program to attend casting workshops.

Open Palette is a casual open studio session for adult artists of all disciplines. Bring your own projects and enjoy dedicated time to work, create and experiment in a shared creative space. This is a gathering designed to foster community, conversation and connection among artists.

Join Marsha Leavitt at Fiddleheads Gallery in Northfield to make two boxes using modular origami instructions. These small paper boxes are great for “wrapping” small gifts, and they can be part of the gift. They are very sturdy and great for storing all sorts of small bits when finished with Mod Podge. They are a great way to recycle old calendars.

PALS for Life at UVAC is a FREE 16-week program for individuals affected by breast cancer, running May 5 – August 20. Based on the Physical Activity and Lymphedema (PAL) Study, the program uses research-backed exercise to help reduce the risk of lymphedema while improving strength, health, and quality of life. Participants receive a free UVAC membership during the program, expert-led sessions twice per week, access to land and aquatic fitness classes, and educational seminars on lymphedema and nutrition through Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. A doctor’s referral and PT consultation are required. Learn more at uvacswim.org/fitness/breast-cancer-programs.

On Tuesday, May 5 at 7 pm the Center for Communication in Medicine will host a free SpeakSooner Community Education webinar: Facing the Challenges of Healthcare Decisions: The Role of Patients, Families and Providers.

A serious diagnosis affects patients, families, and providers. Studies in the medical literature show that effective communication can improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Yet, difficult decisions in the face of serious illness can sometimes be clouded by a well-intentioned desire to protect one another. At such times, family dynamics can play a role in how healthcare decisions are made.

Our panel of experts - Zail Berry, MD, MPH, FACP helped to found the Fletcher Allen Health Care Palliative Care Program - now part of the University of Vermont Medical Center - and served as medical director until 2004; Stephanie Davidson, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist at City of Hope with more than 20 years of experience supporting individuals and couples as they navigate the emotional and relationship challenges associated with medical diagnoses. She is a cancer survivor; Matthew Loscalzo, LCSW, APOS Fellow and Professor Emeritus, Supportive Care Medicine at the City of Hope-National Medical Center; Fidel Rubagumya, MD, MMed, MPH, Dartmouth Cancer Center Global Oncology Visiting Research Scholar and director of research at Rwanda Military Hospital; and Pamela Simon, MSN, CPNP, CPON launched the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program at Stanford Health - will share their experience and perspectives on the role that patients, families and providers can play when navigating the complexities of difficult healthcare decisions.

Audience Q&A will be offered via chat. The webinar is free and open to the public. Registration at speaksooner.org.

Get out the wheelbarrow and brush off your gardening gloves! Vermont Edition invites you to be a part of a live studio audience for their annual spring gardening show. Local gardening expert Charlie Nardozzi will join host Mikaela Lefrak. He’ll share tips for kicking off a good growing season, from new varieties to try in your garden to protecting your plants from pests. Bring your spring gardening questions for a chance to ask Charlie!

Charlie Nardozzi is a gardening consultant, speaker, and TV personality and host of All Things Gardening on Vermont Public.

After the show, Zoe McDonald from our Sprouted newsletter will host a seed and seedling swap. You’re invited to bring your own locally saved or packaged seeds, as well as plant seedlings. Please make sure they are labeled with the type and date harvested. Most seeds will remain viable for 2-4 years if kept in a cool, dry place, out of the light. Some seeds, like onions and leeks, may only be good for one year. We’ll provide envelopes to bring your seeds home with you and paper bags for your seedlings. You do not need to bring seeds or seedlings to participate in the swap.

Event Schedule
Doors open: 11:30 a.m.
Audience must be seated by 11:50 a.m.
Live Broadcast: 12-1p.m.
Seed Swap: 1-1:30 p.m.

Accommodations
Vermont Public is committed to providing access and accommodation for individuals with disabilities at our events. To request accommodations, please email events@vermontpublic.org or call us at 802-655-9451 at least seven days in advance of the event.

Cancellation Policy
Please let us know by emailing events@vermontpublic.org if you are not able to join us so that we may release your tickets to someone else.

Directions and Parking
Vermont Public is located at 365 Troy Ave. in Colchester, in Fort Ethan Allen. The studio is within walking distance of the #2 GMT bus stop on Ethan Allen Ave. Free parking is available at Vermont Public - 365 Troy Ave. in Colchester. If the parking lots are full you may park on the north side of Troy Ave.

Recording Disclosure
This is a live radio broadcast.

Other questions?
Email us at events@vermontpublic.org.

Join us for an 8-class series taught by Technology for Tomorrow! Designed to help adult learners build advanced workplace-ready technology skills, BTC's Tier 2 Digital Literacy course is intended for learners who already have basic computer experience and are ready to strengthen their confidence using Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, cloud-based tools, and cross-platform navigation. Each 1.5-hour session provides hands-on, practical instruction using Google Drive, Docs, Gmail, Calendar, Sheets, and Slides, with clear connections to how these skills transfer to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

VSAC tuition assistance may be available to eligible adult learners and can cover all or part of the program cost. For more information or to inquire about eligibility, contact btcadulted@bsdvt.org.

PALS for Life at UVAC is a FREE 16-week program for individuals affected by breast cancer, running May 5 – August 20. Based on the Physical Activity and Lymphedema (PAL) Study, the program uses research-backed exercise to help reduce the risk of lymphedema while improving strength, health, and quality of life. Participants receive a free UVAC membership during the program, expert-led sessions twice per week, access to land and aquatic fitness classes, and educational seminars on lymphedema and nutrition through Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. A doctor’s referral and PT consultation are required. Learn more at uvacswim.org/fitness/breast-cancer-programs.