February 2008

Please note:
While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the events listed, all information is subject to change. The contacts listed for each event can confirm dates and provide additional information. Be sure to verify all information in advance of your trip!

February 1

Middlebury
Oral History for Community Historians
Vermont Folklife Center—Whether your intention is to record memories of the oldest members of your community, document some aspect of your community's history, or explore the lifeways of a bygone era, this class will help you think through project planning - from choosing a focus to prepare for interviews and conceive a final product. Faculty: Gregory Sharrow, Andy Kolovos and Brent Bjorkman. 9-4 pm. (snow date 2/08/2008) Tuition. 802-388-4964. www.vermontfolklifecenter.org

February 2

Middlebury
Book Sale
Ilsley Public Library—The Friends of Ilsley Library hold their book sale in the Vermont Room. 11 am-3 pm. 802-388-4095. www.ilsleypubliclibrary.org

February 3

Middlebury
Restoring James Madison's Montpelier, a talk by restoration expert Eric Kuchar
Henry Sheldon Museum—Historic restoration expert, Eric Kuchar, newly-hired project manager for Connor Homes (Middlebury), recently spent four years working on the restoration of Montpelier, the Montpelier Station, Virginia, home of James and Dolley Madison. The talk will be presented in the Willard Room at the newly restored Middlebury Inn followed by tea in front of the fire. Space limited to reservations. 802-388-2177. www.henrysheldonmuseum.org

February 6

Middlebury
First Wednesdays at the Library - Book Clubs, Tupperware and Oprah
Ilsley Public Library—In the 19th century, reading novels was deemed a feminine pursuit. Today, Oprah's persona perpetuates this gendering of reading. UVM Professor Sarah Turner asks: Are book clubs a gendered sphere? 7 pm. 802-388-4095. www.ilsleypubliclibrary.org

February 7

Vergennes
African Dance & Drum
Vergennes Opera House—Held the first Thursday of every month. Beginners welcome! Djembe drum class 6-7 pm; dance class 7:30-9 pm. Admission. 802-989-4560.

February 8

Bristol
Art on Main Annual Meeting
Please join Art on Main for the annual meeting and celebrate 2007 as well as look ahead to the year to come. 5-7 pm. 802-453-4032. www.artonmain.net

February 12

Middlebury
Henry Sheldon Museum Brown Bag Lunch History Talk - "Uncle Lewie" Family Memories of Lewis Hine
In conjunction with the photography exhibit "Let Children Be Children: Lewis Wickes Hine's Crusade Against Child Labor," Lewis Hine's niece and Middlebury resident Mary Williamson will chat about her memories of "Uncle Lewie." Family photographs, a poster and copies of Hine's books will illustrate her talk. The exhibit is organized by George Eastman House. Bring brown bag lunch. Museum will provide beverages and dessert. Admission. Noon. 802-388-2117. www.henrysheldonmuseum.org

Middlebury
Truth and its Consequences: Photography's Burden of Fact
Middlebury College Center for the Arts—Slide lecture by Professor History of Art and Architecture Kirsten Hoving examining selected photographs from the Museum exhibition Eloquent Vistas: The Art of Nineteenth-Century American Landscape Photography from the George Eastman House Collection in terms of the recording function of photography. 4:30 pm. Room 221. Free. 802-443-6433. www.middlebury.edu/arts

February 14

Middlebury
Xuefei Yang, guitar
Middlebury College Center for the Arts—Classical guitarist Xuefei Yang was the first guitarist in China to enter a music school, first guitarist from her country to study classical guitar in the West, and the first guitarist and first Chinese student to receive an international scholarship for her post-graduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music. Program to include J.S. Bach, Tarrega, Goff, Paganini, Barrios, and Brouwer. 7:30 pm. Concert Hall. Admission. 802-443-6433. www.middlebury.edu/arts

Vergennes
A Vergennes Valentine Dance
Vergennes Opera House—An evening of music and dance with Bill Carmichael Broadway & Jazz vocalist. Featuring Chuck Miller-piano, Andy Smith, bass, Bob Gagnon, guitar, Jack Phipps, trumpet, and Caleb Bronz, drums. All ages welcome. Decadent Dessert Buffet and full cash bar. 7:30-10:30pm. Admission. 802-877-6737. www.vergennesoperahouse.org

Middlebury
Valentine's Day Concert - Peter and Karen Sutherland performing Work Songs from the Farms and Factories
Henry Sheldon Museum—Enjoy an evening of music by Peter and Karen Sutherland. Champlain Valley born-and-raised, the Sutherland are twenty-five-year-plus veterans of the New England and national folk scenes known for their wide knowledge of traditional music and music-making styles, their song writing talents and joy of performing. Admission. 7:30 pm. 802-388-2117. www.henrysheldonmuseum.org

February 16

Middlebury
Volver
Middlebury College Hirschfield International Film Series—Spain, 2006. Directed by Pedro Almodovar. 3 and 8 pm. Dana Auditorium. Free. 802-443-6433. www.middlebury.edu/arts

Hancock
Sweetheart Soup Fest
All you can eat homemade soups, stews, chilis and chowders plus bread and make your own sundae for one low price! ($6.50; 10 and under $3) Sponsored by and a benefit for the Community Church of Hancock and Granville. 802-767-9157.

February 17

Middlebury
Spirit in Nature Annual Meeting
Held in the Mitchell Greene Lounge McCullough on the campus of Middlebury College. The Eco-Spirit Award will be presented to Dr. Rebecca Gould, Middlebury College Professor of Religion. Followed by a rewarding discussion. 4 pm. Contact info: P.O. Box 255, East Middlebury, VT 05740.

February 21

Middlebury
Tombs, Temples, Palaces, and Tea: The Social Roles of Ceramics in Asia
Middlebury College Mahaney Center for the Arts—This exhibition explores the practical and social uses of ceramics in Asia. Curated by students in the fall 2007 College Writing Course on Asian ceramics taught by Colin Mackenzie. On view through August 10. Free. Robert F. Reiff Gallery of Asian Art. 802-443-6433 www.middlebury.edu/art

Middlebury
Doing Local History
Henry Sheldon Museum—Led by Deborah Clifford and is for anyone interested in working on a local history project using primary source materials. Research Center. Admission for non-members. 6-8 pm. 802-388-2117. www.henrysheldonmuseum.org

Grand Isle
Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) Love the Lake Speaker Series - Shoreham Sloop: Discoveries from the South Lake's Murky Waters
Featuring Adam Kane, Nautical Archaeologist at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Homemade desserts, tea, coffee and lively lake conversations. Free. 54 West Shore Road. 6:30 pm. 800-468-5227. www.lcbp.org

February 22

Middlebury
The Tools and Techniques of Community Ethnography
Vermont Folklife Center—The ethnographic process of interviewing and deep listening offers a powerful model for engaging with and learning from our communities. In this class students will outline a method for drawing out the keepers of community knowledge and capturing the important stories of everyday life, founded on the premise that there is no ordinary place. Of special interest to educators who are framing projects around civic engagement and place-based education. Faculty: Gregory Sharrow, Andy Kolovos and Brent Bjorkman. 9 am- 4 pm. (snow date 2/29/2008) Tuition. 802-388-4964. www.vermontfolklifecenter.org

February 23

Middlebury
Vermont A Cappella Summit 2008 Workshops
Middlebury College Mahaney Center for the Arts—The college hosts professional a cappella performance and instruction, in an intense, all-day vocal summit. Daytime events feature a series of hour-long workshops covering musical and business topics, from arranging, to copyright, to managing. Individual and groups performers are welcome. Admission. 10 am-6 pm. 802-443-6433 www.middlebury.edu/art

Vergennes
Spruce & Shine
Vergennes Opera House—A late winter cleaning of the Vergennes Opera House. Volunteers earn free admission to VOH events! 11 a.m. 802-877-6737. www.vergennesoperahouse.org

Middlebury
Skate with the Panthers
Middlebury College men's hockey team will host this event for one hour immediately following the their game against Hamilton (4 pm start). Friends of Panther Hockey will supply color team photographs, suitable for autographs, who come out for the skate. Middlebury College men's hockey schedule and information.

Middlebury
After Dark Music Series: John Gorka
Rich, dark baritone voice, nimble inventive acoustic guitar playing, Gorka fills his performances with strong narrative lyrics and quirky sense of humor. Doors open at 6 pm with light meals and desserts on sale. Concert at 7 pm. Methodist Church. Admission with season passes available. 802-388-0216. www.afterdarkmusicseries.com

Middlebury
A Cappella Gala with the House Jacks and the Hyannis Sound
Middlebury College—A high-energy, a cappella concert that with San Francisco's the House Jacks and the Cape's Hyannis Sound. This concert is the culmination of the Vermont A Cappella Summit 2008. Admission. 7 pm. Mead Chapel. 802-443-6433 www.middlebury.edu/art

Bristol
Otter Creek Contras 4th Saturday Contra dance
Featuring Chip Hedlar calling with music by Tale of the Marcii. Newcomers welcome. All Dances taught. Please wear soft soled shoes. 7 pm. Holley Hall. 802-453-4613.

February 27

Middlebury
Cynthia Huard, piano
Middlebury College Center for the Arts—Applied Middlebury College faculty member Cynthia Huard performs Beethoven, Schumann, Ravel, and Lieberson. 8 pm. Concert Hall. Free. 802-443-6433. www.middlebury.edu/arts

February 28

Middlebury
The Invention of Printing and the Middlebury College Hyakumanto
Middlebury College Center for the Arts—Colin Mackenzie, Robert P. Youngman curator of Asian Art, gives a slide lecture that explores the early history of printing in East Asia and the significance of the hyakumanto, on of the world's earlies extant printed texts. 4:30 pm. Room 221. Free. 802-443-6433. www.middlebury.edu/arts

Grand Isle
Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) Love the Lake Speaker Series - Who Knew? The Coral Reef in your Backyard
Featuring speaker Dr. Char Mehrtens, Professor and Chair of the UVM Geology Department. Homemade desserts, tea, coffee and lively lake conversations. Free. 54 West Shore Road. 6:30 pm. 800-468-5227. www.lcbp.org

February 29

Crown Point, NY
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 400th Speakers - Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Meeting for 2009 Festival of Nations
Crown Point State Historic Site, Crown Point, NY—This meeting is to begin discussion for planning the September 18-20, 2009 event. Featuring two planners of the overall N.Y.S. Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial, Robert E. Bullock, president of the NYS Archives Partnership Trust and newly appointed Director of the NYS Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission, and Celine Racine Paquette, Vice-Chair of the NYS Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission. Also will include an open discussion of what preparations local residents may be interested in working on. Festival of Nations is a cultural event honoring those nations who sought control for the Champlain Valley. Refreshments will be served. 518-597-4666. Thomas.Hughes@oprhp.state.ny.us