Vermont Public Community Calendar

Join us for a march down Church St. and around City Hall Park in Burlington on Saturday, May 2 to celebrate World Press Freedom Day! This U.N.-designated holiday raises awareness of the importance of press freedom. Come with signs supporting public, independent and local media. Here's your chance to enthusiastically support your favorite local media organizations. A FREE PRESS IS FUNDAMENTAL TO ALL OUR OTHER FREEDOMS!

This event is hosted by Third Act Chittenden County. For more info, contact tavtpublicmedia@gmail.com.

Vermont Philharmonic, Vermont’s oldest community orchestra, returns to Chandler Music Hall for its 67th season. Conducted by Lou Kosma, this spring program features Mozart’s Impresario Overture, Smetana’s The Moldau, and Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D with soloist Arturo Delmoni. Saturday, May 2 at 4 PM in Randolph.

Vermont State University and the college MEISA chapter are proud to announce Greggfest 2026 at the Stonehenge Lot on Friday and Saturday, May 1 & 2.

Greggfest is an annual music festival held in Lyndonville, Vermont with proceeds going to a Memorial Endowment in honor of Jake Gregg, a Lyndon State College student whose musical career was cut short when he lost his battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2015. This festival is to honor the infectious person and cultivator of the arts that Jake was, and to celebrate the spirit that still shines on.

This year’s lineup features Blanket Approval, Paper Lady, Whenzdaze, and Mollie Jean (student band) on Night One, and Dred Buffalo, Chase Murphy, Nate Perry & Ragged Company, and Breaklight (student band) on Night Two. Music begins at 7pm on both days.

Story Songs of the 70s is a seasonal concert series by Maine-based singer/songwriter, Tom DiMenna, and features songs by 3 legendary songwriters of the vinyl era — Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens, and Harry Chapin. This folk-rock act blends lush vocals, intricate guitar playing and iconic story songs into a sound that’s both intimate and powerful. While rooted in the folk tradition, this special Spring edition celebrates the first day of Spring with the fresh energy of the season (“Morning Has Broken” by Cat Stevens, “Early Morning Rain” by Gordon Lightfoot, “Taxi” by Harry Chapin) and has toe-tapping rhythms, sing-along choruses, and a fully amplified presence that has charmed audiences all over New England. It’s a carefully crafted presentation of the timeless songs that shaped a generation — performed with heart, humor, and resonance.

In addition: Tom is now officially endorsed by Gibson Guitars and John Pearse Strings, legendary names in acoustic tone.
"Go See Tom!" -Aimsel Ponti, Portland Press Herald

More info
tomdimennamusic.com

"Shared Voices" is a collaborative concert bringing together the North Country Chorus, Halcyon Chorale, and St. Johnsbury Academy Hilltones to present music by 20th century composers. The concert will be performed at the United Community Church in St. Johnsbury on Saturday, May 2, at 7 pm and again on Sunday, May 3, at 3 pm.
Director Alan Rowe notes that “the North Country Chorus has been a vanguard for choral music for nearly 80 years. This season, I wanted to join forces with these two area choral groups who share in this mission to elevate the choral art form. As a result, we have an eclectic program of works from creators who have established themselves as either rising stars or prolific composers of new staples of the repertoire.”
The program journeys through a broad range of musical landscapes as each ensemble shares a set of their own repertoire. The finale of “Shared Voices” will bring all three ensembles together as an 80-voice choir.

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

Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music present an evening of contemporary folk “in the round” with singer-songwriters Alice Howe, Freebo, Sam Robbins, and Halley Neal. In this intimate, collaborative format, each artist performs solo and joins the others onstage, creating a dynamic, one-of-a-kind shared concert experience.

Freebo, a folk, rock, and blues icon best known for his decade as bassist with Bonnie Raitt, is joined by award-winning vocalist Alice Howe, modern troubadour Sam Robbins, and Boston-based songwriter Halley Neal. Together, they bring rich harmonies, compelling songwriting, and a spirit of musical collaboration to the stage.

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.

Celebrate spring in downtown Montpelier during Mayfest, a weekend full of community events, local food, music, and shopping. Highlights include the return of the Capital City Farmers Market, Green Up Day, and the beloved All Species Day parade and pageant.

Spend the weekend exploring downtown—enjoy sidewalk sales, pop-up vendors, live music, and dining at local restaurants. Stick around after dark to catch Montpelier’s glowing bridges.

Saturday Highlights:
• Capital City Farmers Market (9am–1pm, 133 State St)
• Green Up Day (bag pick-up at Farmers Market & City Hall)

Sunday Highlights:
• All Species Day (12–4pm)
Parade from Hubbard Park through downtown, ending with the Birth of Spring Pageant at the State House.

Plus additional events and live performances throughout the weekend. Sponsored by Catamount Solar.

We are a group of booksellers from all around Vermont and New England, gathering together to bring you our best examples of collectible and rare books, postcards, prints and ephemera. It's like visiting a dozen different bookshops all at once!

In addition there will be close to 20 local Vermont authors attending this event and selling their written work.

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.

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.

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.

"Shared Voices" is a collaborative concert bringing together the North Country Chorus, Halcyon Chorale, and St. Johnsbury Academy Hilltones to present music by 20th century composers. The concert will be performed at the United Community Church in St. Johnsbury on Saturday, May 2, at 7 pm and again on Sunday, May 3, at 3 pm.
Director Alan Rowe notes that “the North Country Chorus has been a vanguard for choral music for nearly 80 years. This season, I wanted to join forces with these two area choral groups who share in this mission to elevate the choral art form. As a result, we have an eclectic program of works from creators who have established themselves as either rising stars or prolific composers of new staples of the repertoire.”
The program journeys through a broad range of musical landscapes as each ensemble shares a set of their own repertoire. The finale of “Shared Voices” will bring all three ensembles together as an 80-voice choir.

Join us for the world premiere of "Three Nature Songs" by composer Christopher McWilliams: "Garden of Love" is a musical setting of William Blake's poem. "A Bird Came Down the Walk" is based on an Emily Dickinson poem. "I Lay In the Grass" is based on a poem by Francis Gupta.

In addition, Singers will perform Brahms' "Rosemary," Benjamin Britten's "Evening Primrose" and John Rutter's arrangement of "For the Beauty of the Earth." The singers will be joined by the Chandler Children's Chorale in "For Good" from "Wicked" and "The Garden Song" (inch by inch and row by row...).

The Rutland Area Chorus and Grace Festival Wind Quintet with Amy Frostman and Helen Lyons (soloists), and Marc Whitman (marimba) offer a concert of seascape-inspired music on Sunday, May 3 at 4 pm. The concert includes “Three Sea Shanties” by Malcolm Arnold, songs by Roger Quilter and Dustin Schulze and the Vermont premiere of “Between Blue Mirrors” by Alastair Stout.

“Between Blue Mirrors,” a musical celebration of the sea, ships and sailors, is a setting of a dramatic text by Jonathan Lennie.

The work was commissioned by the Shetland Choral Society for a concert given during the Cutty Sark Tall Ship’s Race, which came to the UK’s most northerly group of islands in May 1999.

The work is scored for SATB, piano, violin and ocean drum which follow a Tall Ship’s battle with flowing streams, raging storms and navigating calm, mysterious waters. The sea and its nature are vividly depicted from sea gulls and salt spray to corals and fathoms down through swirling currents, the dark depths and secrets of the ocean floor.

After the central point of the work, ‘A ship’s bell tolls the missing hours of vanished souls,’ Lennie weaves together previous images forming a surreal, fantastic seascape. A collage of main musical themes accompanies this fragmented memory until the dream ship’s mast impales the very sky itself and is dragged over the blue horizon into the ‘sea’ of the cosmos.

As the work ends, the listener is audibly ‘dusted in carbon of slow-burning stars,’ which fades like the quiet hush of the ebbing tide over pebbles.

Free-willing offerings are greatly appreciated for this free public event.

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.

Sherry Alix, retired Nurse, will share Holistic ways to help people living with memory changes sleep better, especially those who may be sundowning. She will also speak about her many years as a Private Duty Caregiver and then an RN (26+years), and her advice to families needing to hire Private Duty Caregivers.
Time permitting, Sherry will teach and demonstrate Jin Shin Jyutsu (Japanese Acupressure) - simple hand holds that help relax and assist in people's wellness.
Arrive at 10:45am for refreshments, the talk begins at 11:00am. Please bring a pen and notebook.
What is a Memory Café? A welcoming social gathering for people living with changes in their memory or thinking, along with the people who care about them. Participants have fun together, talk with others in similar situations, and try something new!
For more information, contact Megan Robinson at mrobinson@stjathenaeum.org, or 802-748-8291.
This event is free, ADA accessible, and open to the public.

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.

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.