Vermont Public Community Calendar

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

Step into WUNDERLAND and build a tiny home for fairies and gnomes! This free, community-building workshop with artist Loren Brock—creator of Sunderland’s magical fairy path—invites you to craft a whimsical dwelling from natural materials. Bring shells, stones, feathers, or treasures. Your creation will be donated to grow the Wunderland path—thank you for adding a little magic!

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.

Green Up Day is a special day in Vermont when volunteers come together for a massive, spring clean-up of litter. Pick up supplies at the Capital City Farmers Market or City Hall!

If you’d like to volunteer for Montpelier’s Green Up Day, stop by the Green Up Day stations at the Capital City Farmers Market (133 State St) or outside City Hall (39 Main St) for Green Up Day bags and gloves for volunteers.

Volunteers can leave their full Green Up Day bags curbside within city limits. The crew from the Montpelier Department of Public Works will pick up the bags of litter after Green Up Day.

Thank you for your help to make Montpelier sparkle!

Celebrate the advent of Spring! Come sit in the hollow square with us and sing a cappella in four-part harmony from the 2025 Sacred Harp song book. No experience necessary! Shape note singing was first practiced in Early America with sheet music that used four shapes as noteheads to help even those with no music training to easily sight read sheet music. The Sacred Harp songbook has been used continually since 1844; we’ll be singing from the 2025 edition.

Parking is available a short walk away at Glover Community School parking lot at 100 School St, Glover. Some accessible parking at the venue is available.

12 PM Potluck dinner on the grounds. Bring a dish to share.

Please test for COVID before arriving. We will not have tests on-site and ask you to make responsible decisions in relationship to your health and masking. Questions? Email ziggybrd@gmail.com.

Ready to be the lead in your own summer? Big vocals. Bold movement. A full musical brought to life by you.

This summer, step into a rigorous, high-energy musical theatre experience with Head Over Heels, directed by Gavy Kessler. Designed for ages 13–19, this Senior Company program is your chance to train, rehearse, and perform a complete production—with the support to grow your skills in acting, singing, and dance every step of the way.

Set to the iconic music of The Go-Go's, Head Over Heels is a joyful, rebellious mash-up of Elizabethan romance and punk-era attitude. Expect mistaken identities, self-discovery, love in all its forms—and a royal quest to save a kingdom that’s lost its beat.

No matter your experience level, everyone who enrolls is cast. This is about showing up, stretching your skills, and making something unforgettable—together.

You must be registered for the program to attend casting workshops.

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

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.

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...).

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.

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.