Vermont Public Community Calendar

The 33rd Annual New World Festival…Vermont’s Premier Celtic and Québécois Event!

5 Stages • Street Performers • Called Dances • Kids Activities • Puppets • Food & Drink Vendors

Featuring: Cassie and Maggie • Le Winston Band • Cécilia • The Reel McCoys • Kavaz • Cantrip • Heron Valley • Skye Consort & Emma Björling • Seán Dagher • April Verch & Cody Walters • Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira • Footworks • High Drive • Sugar in the Pan • No Strings Marionette Company • Morris Dancers

On Sunday, August 31st, join us for a fun-filled day celebrating the best of our local music scene. Come see your favorite Green Mountain bands rock the stage and close out the festival with energy and good vibes! Featuring The Peter Miles Band, Future Tense, The Ian Campbell Band, The Erica Reynolds Band, and hosted by DJ Big Daddy! ( kids 5 and under are free!)

The Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury Music Series, hosted by Catamount Arts, will present the final concert of the season, on Sunday, August 31, at Dog Mountain. Vermont’s own Tom Gershwin Quintet will take the stage at 5 p.m. for an evening of evocative, dynamic live jazz.

Based in the Northeast Kingdom, trumpeter and composer Tom Gershwin blends finely wrought compositions with thrilling improvisation. A former member of the United States Army Band, he has released three full-length albums, earned sponsorships from the Vermont Arts Council, Pathways to Jazz, and Colorado Creative Industries, and performed at venues including Red Rocks Amphitheater, the Blue Note, City Park Jazz, and in residency at Denver’s iconic jazz club Nocturne.

Tom has performed and/or recorded with The Temptations, The Revivalists, John Batiste, Father John Misty, Chris Potter, One Republic, DeVotchKa, Opiuo, Leftover Salmon, Juno winner Jayme Stone, and Portugal.The Man.

Since 2017, the Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury Music Festival has brought weekly free family-friendly concerts to St. Johnsbury’s Dog Mountain all summer long. This year, eight shows were scheduled at Dog Mountain, and three shows were scheduled on Railroad Street, as part of Downtown St. Johnsbury’s monthly Final Fridays festivals.

Dogs are welcome at Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury concerts at Dog Mountain, where food and drink vendors are available onsite, but no outdoor alcohol is permitted. Patrons are welcome to bring food, blankets, and low beach chairs. Thanks to Kingdom Trails, switchback footpaths provide easier passage from the parking area to the concert green. Parking is also available at Fairbanks Scales on Portland Street, where patrons can then board a free shuttle, courtesy of RCT, up to Dog Mountain. Visit www.catamounarts.org for more information.

The Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury Music Series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, which partners with changemakers and nonprofits across the country to activate underused outdoor spaces through the power of free live music—bringing people together, fostering belonging, and invigorating community life. Presenting high-caliber talent and a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt concerts are welcoming and inclusive destinations where people of all ages and backgrounds come together.

In 2025, the national Levitt network of music venues and concert sites is presenting 650+ free concerts in 50 towns and cities nationwide, with audiences approaching one million. In addition to supporting free concerts, the Levitt Foundation is dedicated to advancing equitable music ecosystems through research and partnerships. Learn more at www.levitt.org.

To learn more about the Tom Gershwin Quintet concert at Dog Mountain, August 31, at 5 p.m., or for information about additional live music and arts events in the Northeast Kingdom, visit www.catamountarts.org.

Hey, band nerds – have you missed marching band? Come join us in Franklin for our First Annual Once Around the Block Marching Band!

The date: Labor Day, September 1st
The time: 11am
The location: Meet at Dick Wright Pub
The uniform: Wear stripes, or plaid, or stripes AND plaid
The music: Louie, Louie by The Kingsmen
The route: You guessed it – Once Around the Block!

All instrumentalists are welcome, as are dancers, flag and banner peeps, singers, jugglers, stilt walkers, unicyclists, tiny car drivers, balloon artists, nuclear physicists, and cats on leashes.

Sheet music is available here:
https://tinyurl.com/364rwdcs

***PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL PLAY THIS A HALF-STEP HIGHER THAN THE ORIGINAL**

(That’s Concert B flat for the nerds.)

Next Stage’s Bandwagon Summer Series presents a lively celebration of Celtic and Québécois music, featuring the spellbinding energy of Cantrip, the rich acoustic traditions of Keith Murphy & Yann Falquet, and the joyful virtuosity of Cécilia. From swirling border pipes and fiddle tunes to harmonically rich guitar work and vibrant Québécois rhythms, this triple bill brings together some of the finest interpreters of traditional music from both sides of the Atlantic for an unforgettable afternoon of song, dance, and cultural connection.

$24 in advance / $28 at the gate / Children under 12 free

An acoustic concert by long-time Vermont trad band, Atlantic Crossing. High-energy fiddle tunes from Celtic and Franco- traditions, ballads of local history, rousing songs of the sea. Performed on twin fiddles, guitar, mandolin, low whistles, hand and foot percussion and vocals.

Join MaMuse for an evening of harmony-rich folk-soul that uplifts the spirit and opens the heart. Expect unreleased songs from their upcoming album, beloved favorites and an audience-inspired improv.

Returning to Randolph, MaMuse (“Ma” as in Mamma; “Muse” as in inspiration) blends folk and gospel traditions with luminous harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. Sorah Nutting and Karisha Longaker perform on upright bass, guitar, mandolins, and flutes, joined by their band, creating a lush and soulful sound.

With five albums and seventeen years of co-creation, MaMuse continues to share music for the thriving of ALL BEINGS. Their performances are described as “vocal bliss” (Dan DeWayne, California WorldFest)—an experience as moving as it is nourishing.

Adults $40 advance, $47 day of show, 16 & under $20.

Marching Toward the Greater Good: A Fifty-Year Film Roadmap

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

(Bellows Falls VT) In these perilous times, the work of filmmakers Charles Light and Daniel Keller is more pertinent than ever. A series featuring their documentaries that exemplify the famous Margaret Mead quote about changing the world will be screened at the historic, 100-year-old Bellows Falls Opera House on Thursday nights during the month of September – 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th. The titles include Far Out: life on & after the commune and Waves in the Woods on September 4th; Lovejoy’s Nuclear War and Save the Planet on September 11th; The Last Resort and Early Warnings on September 18th; and Vietnam: The Secret Agent and Vietnam Experience on September 25th.

To date, Far Out has been screened across the country and abroad to rave reviews, receiving a total of fourteen film festival awards from 2024-2025. It is an 85-minute documentary that tells the story of two rural New England communal farms–Packer Corners in Guilford, Vermont and the Montague Farm in Massachusetts and the group of writers, activists and artists who came together to birth the modern-day example of how grassroots activism can become a national movement.

For the last twenty-five years, Bellows Falls has demonstrated the will of community activism as the village reinvented itself from a downtrodden mill town to a vibrant arts district. The Opera House is the only theatre nationwide to reflect upon this body of work from the 60s and 70s that captures the lessons of activism, beginning with back-to-the-land organic farming communes to the No Nukes movement and protests against the Vietnam War.

Each film will be followed by a Q&A with members of the original groups. Viewing time on each night does not exceed 90 minutes, and doors will close at 9:30 p.m. after the Q&A. Far Out will kick off the series, and the Q&A panel will consist of filmmaker Charles Light, poet and commune resident Verandah Porche and musician and composer Patty Carpenter.

Purchase individual & series tickets at https://www.bellowsfallsoperahouse.com/special-event-moviestochange25. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the film at 7:00 p.m. The Opera House is located at 7 The Square in downtown Bellows Falls and is handicapped accessible. Refreshments will be available. Presented by special arrangement with Bellows Falls Films and Rockingham Entertainment Development. Underwritten by Friends of the Bellows Falls Rotary. www.bellowsfallsoperahouse.com

https://www.greenmountainpostfilms.com/far-out-life-on-after-the-commune
https://www.greenmountainpostfilms.com/about-6
If you have questions or would like more information, or if you are press and would like a full press kit with photos, please go to our website, www.gmpfilms.com and/or contact Charles Light at (413) 348-9005 or clight@gmpfilms.com

Upright Steeple Society is pleased to welcome Canadian Folk Music Award winners Jocelyn Pettit and Ellen Gira to York Street Meeting House, in Lyndon, on Thursday, September 4, at 7:00, in partnership with Catamount Arts.

A dynamic North American fiddle and cello duo, Jocelyn Pettit and Ellen Gira fuse traditional and contemporary music styles to create a powerfully uplifting and soulful sound. Their latest album, “All It Brings,” was awarded 2024 Traditional Album of the Year by the Canadian Folk Music awards and has been called “dazzling” by FolkWorld and “simply exquisite” by Folk London.

Joining forces in Glasgow in 2018, Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira were already well-established soloists when together they found a kindred musical spirit. With Jocelyn on fiddle and Ellen on cello, they promise an evening of high-energy tunes and soulful songs with nuanced strings interplay, vocal harmonies, lively step-dancing, and French Canadian foot percussion.

On stage, their instruments weave a rhythmic, textured sound with rousing fiddle, haunting cello, gorgeous vocal arrangements and spectacular step-dancing, bringing life and fire to original tunes as well as high-energy repertoire from Scotland, Ireland, North America, and Scandinavia.

The duo has been featured in live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and performed at festivals including Celtic Connections (UK), Vancouver Folk Music Festival (CAN), Summerfolk Music Festival (CAN), Sutton Traditional Fiddle Festival (CAN), Celtic Colours International Festival (CAN), and New World Festival (USA).

For advance tickets to see Jocelyn Pettit and Ellen Gira at York Street Meeting House, September 4th, at 7:00, or to learn more about this and other live music programming brought to you by Catamount Arts, visit www.catamountarts.org or call 802-748-2600.

The Upright Steeple Society is a Vermont nonprofit corporation with a mission to salvage, repair, renovate and restore the York Street Meeting House (formerly the First Congregational Church of Lyndon) and maintain it as a nonsectarian meeting house available for community functions in the Town of Lyndon, Vermont. Eight years, countless volunteer hours, and $400k later, the York Street Meeting House opened to the public. It’s since been used a live music venue, a public meeting facility, and a source of pride once again for its greater community.

Ed Morgan is better known simply as “The Music Man.” For over 10 years he has delighted kids and grownups alike with his interactive blend of original & traditional children’s songs. Singing and dancing for kids ages 1-99! Join the Children’s Library for a fun & festive sing-along with the Music Man.
For more information, contact Becky Hatfield, Youth Services Librarian - bhatfield@stjathenaeum.org or 802-745-1391. This event is free, ADA accessible, and open to the public.

Jam For The Parks is back & better than ever! Join us on September 6, 2025 to celebrate our 2nd annual Jam for the Parks event in collaboration with Vermont Parks Forever, benefiting Vermont State Parks! A portion of proceeds from the event will be donated to Vermont Parks Forever, benefiting their mission of preserving and advocating for Vermont’s 55 state parks.

This year’s event will occur at Waterbury Center State Park, located on the beautiful Waterbury Reservoir. Secure your ticket now to experience this one-of-a-kind, locally-grown music festival in central VT. Let’s jam!

Music Lineup:
Ryan Montbleau Band, Zach Nugent’s Dead Set, Jahriffe, The Moondogs, Nick Bredice, Rock & Roll Playhouse

Waterbury Center State Park will be festival-ready with multiple bars stocked with your favorite local craft beverages (alcoholic and NA options), multiple food truck vendors, family-friendly activities, and more! Kids 12 & Under FREE

See complete event details

Come to the Peacham Farmers Market presents Apples & Arts on Saturday, September 6, 1–4 p.m., for a lively, All Folks afternoon of food, music and community! Jump in on live apple pressing and sip fresh-pressed cider, snack on local apples and enjoy savory bites from Stag & Thistle. Browse stalls brimming with flowers, vegetables, garlic, meats, mushrooms, bread, pottery, woven goods and lathe-turned wooden bowls, plus maple cotton candy and icy treats. Soak up live music by Icarus Tyree, sit for live portraits by Larry Golden and meet the Hard Pressed Community Printshop. Bakers: bring your best for the 1st Annual Apple Pie Contest—deliver pies to the Market Info Tent by 1:00 p.m.; judging at 2:30, winners at 3:30. Questions or entries: peachamfarmersmarket@gmail.com. See you on the Green!

Join us for an unforgettable evening of rhythm, movement, and culture with Crocodile River Music, an internationally acclaimed ensemble showcasing the music and traditions of Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, and the U.S. This high-energy, family-friendly performance blends music, dance, and storytelling to celebrate the vibrant cultures of Africa and connect audiences of all ages with its rich artistic heritage.

$24 Advance / $28 Gate / Kids under 12 free

Get ready for an exhilarating evening of trans-Atlantic folk music with Skye Consort & Emma Björling! This acclaimed ensemble weaves together traditions from Québec to Sweden with rousing instrumentals, soaring vocals, and infectious rhythms.

Life Aid for Palestine benefit is Sept 7 in Brattleboro and live-streamed

A diverse line-up of regional and internationally recognized musicians will perform on Sunday, Sept. 7, at an inspiring event in Brattleboro – and live-streamed worldwide – to raise funds for the Middle East Children's Alliance, the Good Shepherd Collective, and for Yusuf el-Mobayed, a young Palestinian writer and journalist in Gaza, and his family, with whom Vermonters and others worldwide have built a meaningful relationship.

The event will be held at the historic Latchis Theater in downtown Brattleboro, and by livestream to anyone with internet access. Musicians and speakers, who are all donating their time and talent, include local songstress Patty Carpenter and her ensemble, bluesmaster and songwriter Scott Ainslie, Samirah Evans and her band, Dan DeWalt and Kwartetto Mambo, guitarist and singer John Sheldon, percussionist and publisher Michel Moushabeck, award-winning artist of the Hindustani slide guitar Joel Veena, the brilliant Palestinian qanun player Firas Zriek (by video), and oud duet Seyir. The full performer list and other details are at LifeAidForPalestine.com.

Tickets are $15 to $25, with no one turned away for lack of funds, and will be available starting August 15. For more information and tickets, visit LifeAidForPalestine.com.

As Labor Day wraps up, school is back in session, and the leaves start to turn, we’re kicking off the fall season with a FREE family-friendly block party you won’t want to miss! You are warmly invited to our 3rd Annual Groovin' on the Green!

📅 Friday, September 12
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 City Park, Vergennes
🎟️ FREE Admission

Join your friends and neighbors for an evening of music, food, games, dancing, and fun for all ages!

🎶 Live Music by Unruly Allies – get ready to dance and groove!

🌭 Food & Drink Vendors:
• Rockers Pizzeria – classic hot dogs
• Le Con Gout – authentic African cuisine
• Mexico in Vermont – delicious Mexican favorites
• Cash bar – serving up refreshing drinks

🎨 Activities for Kids (and the young at heart):
• Fairy Hair of Vermont
• Daisy Jane’s Face Painting
• Gem digging with Melody Moon
• Rock painting & cotton candy with Little City Greens
• Magical bubble wands from One Credit Union
• Cornhole and more lawn games!

💚 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:
• One Credit Union
• Little City Greens

And thanks to JR & Sons for donating their services.

Let’s come together to build community and celebrate the Little City with the Big Heart – see you at Groovin' on the Green!

Join us after the September Putney Community Supper for an evening of joyful singing in the main performance space.

Led by guitarist and song leader Rich Grumbine, this community sing-along invites everyone to take turns choosing favorites from a digital songbook of 100+ well-loved tunes. Lyrics will be projected on a big screen, so all can sing along with ease. Expect songs from many traditions—folk, golden oldies, gospel, Beatles, classic pop and rock, children’s songs, and show tunes.

The event is free, open to all, and accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information, contact Rich Grumbine at richgrumbine1@gmail.com or Next Stage Arts at info@nextstagearts.org.

Created by Carl Palmer and his management, Welcome Back My Friends is presented with the full cooperation of the Estates of Keith Emerson and Greg Lake. This is not a tribute act—this is the real thing. Using modern technology, the show reunites Carl Palmer with his two late bandmates, Keith Emerson and Greg Lake, both of whom passed away in 2016. The performance features video footage of Emerson and Lake from their legendary 1992 Royal Albert Hall ELP concert, synced with live performances from Carl Palmer and his ELP Legacy band (Paul Bielatowicz and Simon Fitzpatrick).

In a five-decade career fueled by 8,000+ live shows, more than 15 million albums sold, and a global reputation as “the band that plays hot enough to melt the polar icecaps” (Rolling Stone) and “one of the 5 best acts left out of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame” (WNBF Binghamton), where can “one of the most iconic bands in rock history” (Rapid City Journal) possibly go from here?

“That’s all pretty good for the first 50 years,” George Thorogood says with a laugh. “But we keep working harder, digging deeper and playing stronger. Now it’s time to go back out there and do some serious rockin’.” For George Thorogood & The Destroyers, serious rockin’ will always be what they do best. And for 2025, The Baddest Show On Earth Tour will bring the guitar-slinging, amp-blasting, roof-shaking rock party like never before.

Join Pointe Noir for their final show of the summer at the popular Feast and Field concert series.

Feast and Field concerts are at the orchards of Fable Farm every Thursday night, all summer long, with music curated and produced by BarnArts, and freshly prepared food that is grown, raised, and harvested on this same land by the Feast & Field Farmers.