Vermont Public Community Calendar

THE CHILDREN: Artist Talkback
Saturday, Apr. 4th following the 7:30pm performance

Join us after the 7:30 PM show for a conversation with the The Children company.
Admission is Free to the Public.

THE CHILDREN
by LUCY KIRKWOOD
directed by SARAH ELIZABETH WANSLEY
MARCH 25 - APRIL 12, 2026

In a remote cottage on the lonely British coast, two retired nuclear scientists have settled into a peaceful existence. Outside, the world is unraveling in the aftermath of a devastating nuclear disaster. When an old friend arrives with an unsettling proposal, they must confront the choices of their past and the moral dilemmas of their future. A gripping, suspenseful drama that The New York Times calls “bristling with chills,” The Children is an urgent and haunting exploration of environmental responsibility, legacy, and the price of survival.

THE CHILDREN
by LUCY KIRKWOOD
directed by SARAH ELIZABETH WANSLEY
MARCH 25 - APRIL 12, 2026

In a remote cottage on the lonely British coast, two retired nuclear scientists have settled into a peaceful existence. Outside, the world is unraveling in the aftermath of a devastating nuclear disaster. When an old friend arrives with an unsettling proposal, they must confront the choices of their past and the moral dilemmas of their future. A gripping, suspenseful drama that The New York Times calls “bristling with chills,” The Children is an urgent and haunting exploration of environmental responsibility, legacy, and the price of survival.

THE CHILDREN
by LUCY KIRKWOOD
directed by SARAH ELIZABETH WANSLEY
MARCH 25 - APRIL 12, 2026

In a remote cottage on the lonely British coast, two retired nuclear scientists have settled into a peaceful existence. Outside, the world is unraveling in the aftermath of a devastating nuclear disaster. When an old friend arrives with an unsettling proposal, they must confront the choices of their past and the moral dilemmas of their future. A gripping, suspenseful drama that The New York Times calls “bristling with chills,” The Children is an urgent and haunting exploration of environmental responsibility, legacy, and the price of survival.

THE CHILDREN
by LUCY KIRKWOOD
directed by SARAH ELIZABETH WANSLEY
MARCH 25 - APRIL 12, 2026

In a remote cottage on the lonely British coast, two retired nuclear scientists have settled into a peaceful existence. Outside, the world is unraveling in the aftermath of a devastating nuclear disaster. When an old friend arrives with an unsettling proposal, they must confront the choices of their past and the moral dilemmas of their future. A gripping, suspenseful drama that The New York Times calls “bristling with chills,” The Children is an urgent and haunting exploration of environmental responsibility, legacy, and the price of survival.

The groundbreaking dance theater work returns 30 years following its premiere during the AIDS epidemic.

This powerful work continues to resonate today, evoking a spirit of survival. Created during the contentious and terrifying AIDS epidemic in the US, "Still/Here" broke boundaries between the personal and the political and exemplifies a form of dance theater that is uniquely American, vital and timely.

Raw, poetic and deeply human, "Still/Here" confronts mortality while celebrating resilience. The movement in "Still/Here" is deeply expressive, combining fluid gestures, arresting stillness and sudden shifts in dynamics to embody the emotional complexity of survival and vulnerability. The work is simple and sophisticated, interweaving spoken text, video portraits, dance and the abstract nature of gesture into a powerful meditation on living with terminal illness and facing the unknown. Gretchen Bender's visual concept and multimedia environment is joined by music from Kenneth Frazelle (sung by Odetta) and Vernon Reid. Long-time collaborators include Liz Prince (costumes) and Robert Wierzel (lighting).

At the heart of "Still/Here" are the "Survival Workshops: Talking and Moving about Life and Death," interviews conducted in the early 1990s with people grappling with life-threatening conditions. Their gestures inform the choreography, their words the lyrics, their images the stage. They will always be "Still/Here". This work is dedicated to them.

THE CHILDREN
by LUCY KIRKWOOD
directed by SARAH ELIZABETH WANSLEY
MARCH 25 - APRIL 12, 2026

In a remote cottage on the lonely British coast, two retired nuclear scientists have settled into a peaceful existence. Outside, the world is unraveling in the aftermath of a devastating nuclear disaster. When an old friend arrives with an unsettling proposal, they must confront the choices of their past and the moral dilemmas of their future. A gripping, suspenseful drama that The New York Times calls “bristling with chills,” The Children is an urgent and haunting exploration of environmental responsibility, legacy, and the price of survival.

The groundbreaking dance theater work returns 30 years following its premiere during the AIDS epidemic.

This powerful work continues to resonate today, evoking a spirit of survival. Created during the contentious and terrifying AIDS epidemic in the US, "Still/Here" broke boundaries between the personal and the political and exemplifies a form of dance theater that is uniquely American, vital and timely.

Raw, poetic and deeply human, "Still/Here" confronts mortality while celebrating resilience. The movement in "Still/Here" is deeply expressive, combining fluid gestures, arresting stillness and sudden shifts in dynamics to embody the emotional complexity of survival and vulnerability. The work is simple and sophisticated, interweaving spoken text, video portraits, dance and the abstract nature of gesture into a powerful meditation on living with terminal illness and facing the unknown. Gretchen Bender's visual concept and multimedia environment is joined by music from Kenneth Frazelle (sung by Odetta) and Vernon Reid. Long-time collaborators include Liz Prince (costumes) and Robert Wierzel (lighting).

At the heart of "Still/Here" are the "Survival Workshops: Talking and Moving about Life and Death," interviews conducted in the early 1990s with people grappling with life-threatening conditions. Their gestures inform the choreography, their words the lyrics, their images the stage. They will always be "Still/Here". This work is dedicated to them.

The early-music icon leads 30 musicians from three continents in a dialogue with the music of Africa, America and the Caribbean.

Renowned Spanish ethnomusicologist Jordi Savall returns to the Hop with a bold departure from his traditional focus on early Western music. "A Sea of Music" honors the more than 25 million victims who were deported and enslaved by European nations over nearly four centuries, from 1492 to 1888 (the year slavery was abolished in Brazil). The origins of the program's repertoire lie in their songs and traditions, revealing how African and American heritage intertwined with elements imported from the European Renaissance and Baroque periods.

The viola da gamba virtuoso joins forces with his usual ensembles—La Capella Reial de Catalunya and Hespèrion XXI—and with musicians from Canada, Guadeloupe, Guinea, Mali, Mexico, Colombia (with the Tembembe Ensamble Continuo), Brazil, Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela. More than 30 musicians from three continents—Africa, America, Europe—come together on a single stage to recall this human tragedy through the universal language of music. The program unearths works by Gaspar Fernandes, Diego Duron, Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla, Felip Olivelles, Santiago de Murcia and others.

Music meets storytelling in a blend of Punjabi rhythms, American jazz and collective celebration. A moving call to compassion and connection.

Sunny Jain draws on his South Asian heritage and experience as a second-generation immigrant in America to dive into the concept of "love force"—satyāgraha—embracing your oppressor with compassion. Jain, founder of Red Baraat, brings his signature talent for creating immediate community to theater, blurring the lines between performers and audience. Each element of "Love Force" is carefully crafted for frequencies, rhythm, and vibrations unleashing a powerful gathering through song and story. "Love Force" explores the universal nature of music, and how through compassion and love we can break down barriers created by religion, cultural traditions, racism and time. Jain invites us to feel the past in the present and to imagine healing through love.

Wholesome, Heartfelt, Hilarious!

Come and enjoy a funny, fast-paced and highly interactive variety show which delights the young and the young at heart. You will meet several larger-than-life, hand-crafted puppets. Perhaps you'll meet a goofy moose, a heroic tiger or a lovable bear. Maybe a dancing robot or flamingo, an adorable mouse, a stubborn goat, a shy dragon, or a singing dinosaur. Discover who will join us this time!

Lindsay Aucella has been performing full-time since 2011, presenting to several thousand children each year. Through animated storytelling and thoughtful messaging, she hopes to inspire creative play, resilience and empathy in even the youngest. She also believes shared joy and laughter strengthen communities.

This program is a great fit for ages 3-8 and families. This event is free and unticketed.

Flow through a range of styles and moods with original jazz works, stunning improvisations and new takes on the American Songbook.

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Tyshawn Sorey is one of the most visionary artists of his generation—known for a practice that defies category and a sound that reshapes the possibilities of improvisation.

Joined by longtime collaborators Aaron Diehl on the piano and Harish Raghavan on bass, Sorey blends rigorous structure with boundless spontaneity, drawing on everything from 20th-century classical to post-bop, minimalism to free jazz.

Performances:
Sun, Apr 19 at 4 & 7:30 p.m.

Late works by Beethoven, Schumann and Brahms.

In this program, Pinkas explores the later fruits of three magnificent composers. Beethoven's Sonata Op. 110, Schumann's Gesänge der Frühe and Brahms Intermezzi Op. 118 are distillations of wisdom, experience, joy and perhaps sorrow: a celebration of a rich life lived in music.

A forgotten dance that bridges generations, defies gender norms and pulses with life.

In "Save the Last Dance for Me", Italian creative artist Alessandro Sciarroni revives the Polka Chinata—a nearly extinct courtship dance performed exclusively by men in villages near Bologna beginning in the early 20th century.

The piece was created in collaboration with Giancarlo Stagni, a Filuzziani dance master who rediscovered the form through archival footage from the 1960s. When Sciarroni encountered the dance in December 2018, it was practiced by only five people in all of Italy.

These performances by dancers Gianmaria Borzillo and Giovanfrancesco Giannini will be followed by workshops designed to share and revive this vibrant popular tradition on the verge of extinction.

Sciarroni is perhaps the most intriguing performative artist currently active in Italy. His enormously varied body of work addresses issues around personal and communitarian identity through the reconfiguration of performing practices that are often far from what is conventionally thought of as dance. Preferring to characterize himself as a creative artist rather than as a choreographer or dancer, Sciarroni was nevertheless awarded the Golden Lion Prize for Lifetime Achievement by the Venice Biennale of Dance in 2019.

Performances:
Fri, Apr 24 at 2 & 5 p.m.
Sat, Apr 25 at 2 p.m.

A forgotten dance that bridges generations, defies gender norms and pulses with life.

In "Save the Last Dance for Me", Italian creative artist Alessandro Sciarroni revives the Polka Chinata—a nearly extinct courtship dance performed exclusively by men in villages near Bologna beginning in the early 20th century.

The piece was created in collaboration with Giancarlo Stagni, a Filuzziani dance master who rediscovered the form through archival footage from the 1960s. When Sciarroni encountered the dance in December 2018, it was practiced by only five people in all of Italy.

These performances by dancers Gianmaria Borzillo and Giovanfrancesco Giannini will be followed by workshops designed to share and revive this vibrant popular tradition on the verge of extinction.

Sciarroni is perhaps the most intriguing performative artist currently active in Italy. His enormously varied body of work addresses issues around personal and communitarian identity through the reconfiguration of performing practices that are often far from what is conventionally thought of as dance. Preferring to characterize himself as a creative artist rather than as a choreographer or dancer, Sciarroni was nevertheless awarded the Golden Lion Prize for Lifetime Achievement by the Venice Biennale of Dance in 2019.

Performances:
Fri, Apr 24 at 2 & 5 p.m.
Sat, Apr 25 at 2 p.m.

Two jazz legends. One unforgettable evening.

Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and pianist Bill Charlap—each a towering figure in American jazz—join forces for a night of intimate, electrifying music-making.

A three-time Grammy winner and NEA Jazz Master, Bridgewater brings her unmistakable voice, theatrical flair and fearless spirit to every note. Charlap, one of the most sensitive and swinging pianists of his generation, is celebrated for his deep knowledge of the Great American Songbook.

The duo will interpret classics by iconic composers such as Ellington, Porter, Sondheim and more—reimagining each song with warmth, wit, and soul.

Celebrate America's 250th anniversary with an evening of powerful music.

To mark the occasion, the acclaimed Dover Quartet brings their signature blend of brilliance and heart to a program that reflects the complexity, spirit and evolving soundscape of America. Renowned for their glowing sound, the Dover Quartet has emerged as one of the most compelling chamber ensembles of their generation.

The evening features "Strum" by Jessie Montgomery and "Rattle Songs", an arrangement of traditional songs by Pura Fé, newly reimagined for string quartet by composer Jerod Tate. Tate's voice returns in a compelling new commission—music that speaks to Native identity, memory and continuity. The program culminates in Dvořák's "American" Quartet, written during the Czech composer's stay in the US in 1893. Infused with echoes of spirituals and folk songs, the program is a luminous reflection on the idea of America.

Don't miss a pre-show talk with the artists.

The two choirs join forces to present Mendelssohn's 'Elijah'—a sweeping oratorio that delves into faith, doubt and resilience through stirring choruses and deeply human storytelling.

Filippo Ciabatti, director

Baritone Igor Golovatenko stars as the title character opposite soprano Asmik Grigorian in Tchaikovsky's lyrical Pushkin adaptation.

Following her acclaimed 2024 Met debut in Puccini's "Madama Butterfly," soprano Asmik Grigorian stars as Tatiana, the lovestruck young heroine in this ardent operatic Pushkin adaptation. Baritone Igor Golovatenko reprises his portrayal of the urbane Onegin, who realizes his affection for her all too late.

Stephanie Blythe sings the role of Tatiana's nurse, with mezzo-soprano Maria Barakova playing Tatiana's sister Olga and baritone Satnislas de Barbeyrac portraying the ill-fated poet Lenski. The Met's evocative production set in nineteenth-century Russia, directed by Tony Award–winner Deborah Warner, "offers a beautifully detailed reading of … Tchaikovsky's lyrical romance" ("The Telegraph"). Timur Zangiev conducts.

A solo piano recital that bridges centuries and sensibilities.

Francesco Libetta, the Italian pianist and composer hailed for his poetic virtuosity, presents a mesmerizing exploration of music across time. In this singular recital, he juxtaposes a selection of Leopold Godowsky's famously intricate reimaginings of Chopin's Études with the original pieces. He performs on both a French 19th-century piano and a modern Steinway, drawing out the shifting voices of the instrument through history. The result is a revelatory dialogue between past and present.