Vermont Public Community Calendar

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.

A meta-theatrical play that explores how we might move through history together in the aftermath of slavery.

Onstage is a two-story house. From one angle, it's mucked out after a flood. From another, it's a new development wrapped in Tyvek. And from another, it's "Tara" from "Gone with the Wind" being transformed into an Airbnb. The piano can't be tuned. Someone is quilting in the corner. Come in.

The work was co-directed by Zhailon Levingston and Tony award-winning Rachel Chavkin, best known for directing the Broadway hits "Hadestown" and "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812". In 2019, she was the only woman directing a musical on Broadway. This spirit of groundbreaking collaboration extended to the writing process, which was led by a collective of 21 Black-, POC-, and white-identifying artists ranging in age from 28 through 98.

Propelled by a quilt-like score, the work slips between fact and fiction, performance and ritual, process and product, to tell a story of historical figures and fictional characters seeking and fleeing intimacy—and how these theater artists are doing the same.

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.

A meta-theatrical play that explores how we might move through history together in the aftermath of slavery.

Onstage is a two-story house. From one angle, it's mucked out after a flood. From another, it's a new development wrapped in Tyvek. And from another, it's "Tara" from "Gone with the Wind" being transformed into an Airbnb. The piano can't be tuned. Someone is quilting in the corner. Come in.

The work was co-directed by Zhailon Levingston and Tony award-winning Rachel Chavkin, best known for directing the Broadway hits "Hadestown" and "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812". In 2019, she was the only woman directing a musical on Broadway. This spirit of groundbreaking collaboration extended to the writing process, which was led by a collective of 21 Black-, POC-, and white-identifying artists ranging in age from 28 through 98.

Propelled by a quilt-like score, the work slips between fact and fiction, performance and ritual, process and product, to tell a story of historical figures and fictional characters seeking and fleeing intimacy—and how these theater artists are doing the same.

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 Montpelier Contra Dance happens every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturday at the Capital City Grange Hall. We dance to live music with contra dance bands and callers from around New England and beyond. Beginners, singles, and all ages are welcome; all dances are taught. We use gender neutral role terms. There's a newcomers lesson at 7:45 pm and dancing 8-11pm. Please bring clean soft-soled shoes. More info at www.montpeliercontradance.org $12 adults, $5 kids/low-income, $20 dance supporters. Cash preferred. Venmo or CC accepted. Questions? 802-225-8921 or cdu.tim@gmail.com.

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.

For nearly six decades, the three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has entertained audiences with their top-shelf musicianship and timeless hits. Now the time has come for the band who has carried a torch for American country and roots music to say so long to the highways and byways they’ve crossed an unimaginable number of times throughout their career.

On March 21, 2024, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band kicked off the first of its last traditionally scheduled gigs, All the Good Times: The Farewell Tour, which has received critical acclaim. This isn’t goodbye forever, but it will be the last fans see of multi-city runs and long bus rides. As 2026 approaches, so does the band’s remarkable 60th Anniversary, and to celebrate, NGDB’s All the Good Times: The Farewell Tour — 60 Years of Dirt will showcase a special slate of performances and appearances set for 2026, including a 60th anniversary celebration of the band’s formation (to the day) on May 13, 2026 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. These exceptional shows celebrate the music created by the legendary, yet ever-evolving NGDB.

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.

The Montpelier Contra Dance happens every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturday at the Capital City Grange Hall. We dance to live music with contra dance bands and callers from around New England and beyond. Beginners, singles, and all ages are welcome; all dances are taught. We use gender neutral role terms. There's a newcomers lesson at 7:45 pm and dancing 8-11pm. Some months on 3rd Saturdays there is a Waltzing Session 7-7:45. Check the website or Facebook page. Please bring clean soft-soled shoes. More info at www.montpeliercontradance.org. $12 adults, $5 kids/low-income, $20 dance supporters. Cash preferred. Venmo or CC accepted. Questions? 802-225-8921 or cdu.tim@gmail.com.