Vermont Public Community Calendar

Made Here Film Festival is a regional festival for filmmakers residing in New England and Québec. MHFF is New England’s only competitive festival dedicated entirely to films made by creatives based in our region. Made Here Film Festival takes place at Burlington Beer Company in an historic building constructed in 1903 as the North American factory of Auguste and Louis Lumière, the film pioneers often credited with the invention of motion pictures and the first cinematic presentations.

MHFF is free to the public. Donations are encouraged.

Take a trip through our solar system to learn about Earth, our Moon, and all the planets in the Milky Way with daily activities and demonstrations at ECHO’s out-of-this-world spring festival. Plus, celebrate what makes our home planet special with the beloved Mud Fling! Discover Mother Nature’s recipe for perfect mud, then join the mud parade and throw mud balls from ECHO’s upper deck.

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.

The Paramount Players, our very own community theatre initiative, which brought you such memorable productions as Mamma Mia (2019), Shrek The Musical, (2022), Wizard of Oz (2023), Little Shop of Horrors (2024) and Urinetown (2025) is bringing their next production to life on stage this coming April!

THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL, a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and a dilemma that’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family—a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before—keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia.

Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

Full of comedy and your beloved childhood characters, this theatrical production is rated PG for occasional adult humor and mild language.

Sam Robbins is often described as an "old soul singer songwriter." A nationally touring musician whose music evokes classic singer songwriters like James Taylor and Jackson Browne, Sam adds a modern, upbeat edge to the storyteller troubadour persona.

An avid performer, he has gained recognition from extensive national touring, from sharing the stage with artists like Jason Mraz and David Wilcox, and as a main stage performer at national festivals like the Kerrville, Falcon Ridge and Philadelphia Folk Festivals. Audiences may also recognize him from his 2018 appearance on The Voice!

Sam Robbins was nominated for “Artist of The Year” at the 2026 International Folk Music Awards and has a reputation as one of the brightest rising stars in the national folk music community.

Doors open at 6:30 PM. The Plainfield Opera House is wheelchair accessible, with assisted listening devices available upon request.

Join Vermont Access to Reproductive Freedom at The Clubhouse for our annual dance party! Every donation will go directly to our Fund-a-Thon campaign, as we work to raise $10k to fuel our work providing financial support for abortions in Vermont and beyond. Enjoy some incredible beverages, a live DJ, and every attendee will receive a raffle ticket for some fabulous giveaways from our incredible Vermont partners. Thank you to our generous venue sponsor, Adventure Dinner.

Blue Plate Special: Allison Mann-voice & guitar, Jerry Desmarais-guitar & voice, Larry Novins-bass, and special guest Peter Lind-harmonicas & sax, play Jazz Standards, Country Swing & more. Step out of the mayhem, come early for a seat, and relax into some toe-tapping, feel-good music.

Aristo Sham, age 29, of Hong Kong, is the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medalist, where he also took the Audience Award. A dapper, aristocratic figure on stage, Sham is an engaging presence with a drive to take on the great pieces of the piano repertoire and a natural, infectious spontaneity at the keyboard. You can’t really say he was catapulted to fame by the Cliburn win; Aristo was featured at the age of three in the 2009 documentary The World’s Greatest Musical Prodigies.

Experience the transcendent music of kora master Ablaye Cissoko and French accordionist Cyrille Brotto. Their project Djiyo (“water”) flows across cultures, blending Manding and Occitan traditions into meditative, lyrical soundscapes. Hailed as “a gem from start to finish” (Songlines UK), the duo’s intimate performance is a graceful dialogue of kora, voice, and accordion—at times contemplative, at times quietly ecstatic, and always deeply human.

Champlain Valley Quilt Guild presents our biennial quilt show! The theme this year is “Star Struck.” there will be gorgeous quilts on display, as well as the extraordinary quilts of our featured artist, Hope Johnson. Vendors, raffles, members craft sales, and judges’ awards are all part of the fun.

The Julian Scott Memorial Gallery is pleased to present a BFA exhibit featuring Amber Boles, Allegra Luzardo, Rose Oakland, and Sayler Ruggles. The exhibit features painting, sculpture, and digital art. It runs from April 13 to May 1, 2026, with a reception and artist talks on April 16th from 12-2 pm. The gallery is located in the Dibden Center for the Arts on the VTSU-Johnson campus. Follow us on social media at VTSU-Johnson Campus Art Department. Information: (802) 635-1469.

Made Here Film Festival is a regional festival for filmmakers residing in New England and Québec. MHFF is New England’s only competitive festival dedicated entirely to films made by creatives based in our region. Made Here Film Festival takes place at Burlington Beer Company in an historic building constructed in 1903 as the North American factory of Auguste and Louis Lumière, the film pioneers often credited with the invention of motion pictures and the first cinematic presentations.

MHFF is free to the public. Donations are encouraged.

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.

Take a trip through our solar system to learn about Earth, our Moon, and all the planets in the Milky Way with daily activities and demonstrations at ECHO’s out-of-this-world spring festival. Plus, celebrate what makes our home planet special with the beloved Mud Fling! Discover Mother Nature’s recipe for perfect mud, then join the mud parade and throw mud balls from ECHO’s upper deck.

Bring your whole creative crew together for a drop-in artmaking activity inspired by artists' work featured in BCA's spring exhibitions, "Human Impact: Art and our Environment" and "What's the Difference? Sculptural Ideas".

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.

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.

“Italian Madrigals” will feature five outstanding UVB singers, a lutenist on theorbo, and Artistic Director Filippo Ciabatti. The program includes intimate and moving works by Monteverdi, Marenzio, and Gesualdo, all masters of the madrigal form in their day.

Tickets (open seating) are $35 and available at www.uppervalleybaroque.org/concerts or by calling UVB at 203-240-1164.

The Paramount Players, our very own community theatre initiative, which brought you such memorable productions as Mamma Mia (2019), Shrek The Musical, (2022), Wizard of Oz (2023), Little Shop of Horrors (2024) and Urinetown (2025) is bringing their next production to life on stage this coming April!

THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL, a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and a dilemma that’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family—a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before—keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia.

Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

Full of comedy and your beloved childhood characters, this theatrical production is rated PG for occasional adult humor and mild language.