By Emma Stanton, Staff Writer
As mud season winds down and spring starts to get serious, no one could blame area residents for daydreaming about getting outside to enjoy sunlight, warm weather, and good music. Here’s just some of what’s in store in the coming months.
Woodstock
Pentangle Arts will once again host “Music by the River,” a free Friday evening concert series in East End Park. Starting on July 3, Marc Berger will open the series with a “good ol’ classic American rock night,” according to executive director Deborah Greene. “It is the perfect kick off to Independence Day and the celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary,” Greene told the Standard.
The lineup features classic local favorites and some more nationally known musicians. “For those looking to rock, check out Zach Nugent’s Dead Set, or the All Night Boogie Band’s blend of soul and rock sounds,” Greene added. “We have John Pinetree singing blues, Mal Maiz offering Cuban, Latin, reggae sounds, and Jay Nash returning as a particular local favorite. It should be a great summer series,” Greene concluded. For more information, visit pentanglearts.org.
Pomfret
Pentangle Arts will also sponsor the Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Festival Tour. The orchestra will be performing at Saskadena Six on Wednesday, July 1, at 7:30 p.m. with a set that will pay particular homage to the Nation’s birthday. Adult tickets are priced at $45; kids ages 6-17 pay $10. For more information or to book a ticket, visit pentanglearts.org.
Artistree Community Arts Center will once again host its summer concert series, “Music on the Hill,” beginning on Wednesday, June 24. Every Wednesday through September 16, at 6:30 p.m., a talented local musician will grace the green hills of Pomfret.
Marie Cross, director of marketing and communications for Artistree, told the Standard, “Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and unwind to the tunes under the open sky. Whether you’re a fan of jazz, folk, or classical, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. No reservations are required — just bring your friends and family for a memorable evening. We look forward to seeing everyone there.”
Some notable performers include Evan Panzer, Rose Hip Jam, and Ben Kogan Band. For more information, visit artistreevt.org/concerts.
Hartford
The town of Hartford is planning its Summer Concerts in the Parks series on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. Performances are set to run from 6:30-8 p.m. and will take place in two locations: Quechee Green Park and Lyman Point Park Bandstand. Featuring blues, folk, rock, indie, reggae, big band, and R&B sounds, the Hartford concert series will appeal to folks with a wide variety of musical tastes.
This series will begin on June 24 and will run through August 12. More information can be found at hartford-vt.org/2639/Summer-Concert-Series-in-the-Park.
White River Junction
Northern Stage will host a courtyard theater event entitled “RIVERFOLK.” This outdoor variety show will be hosted by Jakob Breitbach and Tommy Crawford and will feature a variety of Americana artists from across the Upper Valley and beyond. Set to begin at 5 p.m. on July 17, Northern Stage invites all who are interested in celebrating music and community to grab a ticket and head to White River Junction this summer. Adult tickets are $25, kids 12 and under are free. More information can be found at northernstage.org/riverfolk.
Hartland
The Hartland Summer Concert Series kicks off in July with the return of local favorite Jim Yeager, performing a blend of classic covers from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Each Sunday from July 12 to August 16, residents will see a new performer at the Hartland Rec Center Gazebo. Admission is free, and each concert is set to begin at 5 p.m.
For more information, visit hartlandvt.myrec.com.
Killington
Stay cool this summer with Killington’s “Cooler in the Mountain” summer concert series. On Saturday afternoons, Killington Resort will host a free outdoor concert in the K-1 base area, featuring top regional and national acts. All are welcome and encouraged to grab a lawn chair, a beach blanket, and some friends and family for a lovely evening in the mountains. Time and lineup to be announced shortly. Visit killington.com for more information.
Barnard
Feast and Field at Fable Farm is set to return on May 28, with weekly outdoor concerts every Thursday evening. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.; music begins at 6 p.m.
Through rain or shine, Feast and Field will bring a variety of musicians to Barnard. More information can be found at barnarts.org/mainstage/feastfieldmusicseries.
Plymouth
During Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 5 and 6, the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch will feature authentic Folk and Blues music. This will be the 21st annual Plymouth Folk and Blues Festival. The concert will take place from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with plenty of food, drinks, and Coolidge-related treats available for attendees.
From this stacked lineup, folks can hear the musical stylings of Grace Morrison, a proudly unconventional Cape Cod songwriter who blends country storytelling, pop hooks, and Swamp Yankee grit into her trademark sound, Saltwater Country. Guests will also hear Tom Pirozzoli, singer-songwriter Joseph Parsons, Afro-Jazz artist KeruBo, Sister Speak, and husband and wife duo The Kennedys.
All concerts are free, and cash donations to support the artists are appreciated. The Plymouth Folk and Blues festival will also be receiving food donations of unexpired non-perishables for the Vermont Food Bank. For more information, visit plymouthfolk.com.
West Windsor
The West Windsor Music Festival, presented by artistic director and classical pianist Sakiko Ohashi, will run from June 26-28. This festival will be complete with a Friday performance by Orli Shaham and Ohashi, both on piano, and a Saturday performance by the Salix Trio, comprised of violinist Joanna Maurer, cellist Alberto Parrini, and pianist Anna Stoytcheva. On Sunday, Ohashi will return to the stage for a performance with violinist Helen Kim.
Tickets and more information can be found at westwindsorvtmusicfestival.com.
Ascutney Outdoors and the Brownsville Butcher & Pantry (BB&P) are also set to host a summer music series beginning on May 30. The Standard spoke with Peter Varkonyi, Butcher & Pantry co-owner and executive chef, about the summer concert series and the BB&P’s involvement with the third annual Vermont Food + Music Festival.
“To start, the Ascutney Mountain Music Series has been rebranded from last year. It was previously known as the Pizza Mountain Events, but we thought that title did not aptly describe the partnership we have with Ascutney Outdoors. What we are doing this year revolves around community and curating a unique experience for the people of West Windsor. We will host three concerts throughout the summer, the first on May 30, the second on June 20, and the third on August 1. Concerts will be free for all to attend and will go from 4-8 p.m.
“Live music will be from a variety of local bands, with West Windsor’s own Erik Boedtker kicking things off. His band, The Gr8ful Folk, will perform on May 30, with the other two performers yet to be finalized,” Varkonyi said.
Varkonyi did tease that an incredible jazz, soul, and R&B band will grace the mountain stage on August 1, with details soon to be released. Wood-fired pizza, libations, and local eats will be available during the show. More information for the concert series can be found at ascutneyoutdoors.org.
Finally, the third annual Vermont Food + Music Festival will take place Sept. 18-19. Presented by the BB&P, Varkonyi told the Standard about this year’s festivities and what attendees can expect.
“We’re thrilled to bring it back,” Varkonyi said. “This year, the event is growing from a one-day festival to two. Friday night, from 4-9 p.m., there will be our Vermont Chefs’ Food Experience and live music. This will include a tasting of two or three bites from six chefs across Vermont. The musical performances that night will be Kat Wright and the Brooks Hubbard Band. Of course, all of the star chefs’ dishes will be complemented by local food vendors — from our pizza truck to The Spicy Spoke food truck serving up delicious noodle bowls. Friday night will be a great way to immerse our attendees in the Vermont food scene.”
“On Saturday, we’ll be in full-out festival mode with even more live performers from across Vermont and beyond,” Varkonyi said. “Our headliners for Saturday night will be Hiss Golden Messenger and Shovels & Rope — two Grammy-nominated and award-winning artists. These are groups that we are really proud and honored to have join us this year.
“We are so fortunate to have partners like Ascutney Outdoors and all the amazing chefs coming to join us this September. I think it’ll be our best year yet.”
For more information and to purchase tickets to the festival, visit vtfoodandmusicfest.com.