Events in and around Charlotte – June 30 through July 2022

Submissions welcome, especially for Charlotte events. Send at least three weeks in advance.
Always check websites for cancellations and COVID info.

Farm Night Market
Thursdays, June 30, July 7 and 14, 4-7 p.m.
Gather with neighbors, have some fresh food and purchase direct from farmers at Earthkeep Farmcommon on Route 7 in Charlotte (formerly Nordic Farm). Earthkeep Farmcommon is a farmer’s collective focused on regenerative agriculture and sustainable practices. The farm hosts a market every Thursday evening through Oct. 13 with products from the members. The market also features a variety of food trucks. Click for a complete schedule.

Strawberry maintenance
Thursday, June 30, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Work alongside horticulturalist Chad Donovan in the Red Wagon Plants display gardens. Learn about successful strawberry growing with other local gardeners. Free workshop in Hinesburg. Space is limited: register here and bring gloves.

Music and art in Burlington
Thurs., June 30 and ongoing
Burlington City Arts (BCA) has a full schedule of midday music, evening music, and art to enjoy over the summer. Concerts are free and take place on the BCA patio next to City Hall Park. New summer art shows include an exploration of the still life genre, as well as two short films by an Indigenous artist, Sky Hopinka, who reflects on his culture, identity, and homeland. BCA also hosts a Summer Artists Market on Saturdays in the Park. A full schedule of all events and times.

Pasture walk
Friday, July 1, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Presented by the University of Vermont’s Northwest Crops and Soils Program, this walk happens at the Chalker Farm in New Haven. The host farmers will discuss management of their pasture-based operations, including the transition of more of their acreage from crops to pasture. Registration required for this free program; water and snacks provided, or you may bring your lunch. Questions may be directed to Susan Brouillette at 802-524-6501, ext. 432. Register by June 30.

Sun to cheese
Friday, July 1, 2-4 p.m.
Meet the crew that makes the cheese that came from the milk that came from the Brown Swiss cows that ate the grass that grew in the sun. Shelburne Farms gives participants a behind-the-scenes tour of the cheesemaking process, including a cheese tasting and a visit to the dairy barn. Adult program with registration required. Click for more info or register here. Event repeats every Friday in July.

Music in the Vineyard
Friday, July 1, 6 p.m.
The funky and soulful music of High Summer entertains at Lincoln Peak Vineyard in New Haven. Bring a picnic or enjoy dinner from Creed’s food truck. Gates open at 5 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. More info at the Lincoln Peak website.

Free First Friday Eve
Friday, July 1, 5-7:30 p.m.
Shelburne Museum opens its grounds and collections buildings for an evening of music, food trucks and lawn games. From 5-6 p.m., artist Nancy Winship Milliken leads a walking tour through her outdoor sculpture installation; music with the Ray Vega Latin Jazz Sextet begins at 6 p.m. Free family event. For more info, call 802-985-3346 or visit the website.

Chamber music series
Friday, July 1, 7:30 p.m.
The Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival series of faculty concerts is held at the Elley-Long Music Center at St. Michael’s College in Colchester. This evening’s performance includes music by Bowen, Kodaly, and Brahms. Six more concerts are scheduled on July evenings. To buy tickets or read more, visit the website or call 802-503-1220.

On the road again
Sat., July 2 – Sun., August 14
It would be unfortunate to miss the outstanding traveling youth circus that is Circus Smirkus. Thirty circus stars, ages 11-18, are joined by a live band playing an original score written for the show. The circus opens July 2 in Greensboro, its home for 35 years. There are four shows in Essex Junction at the Champlain Valley Exposition: July 6, 7, 8 and 10. The troupe’s theme, On The Road Again, refers to their excitement to perform again after two-year’s hiatus. Click for tickets and more info.

Little ones yoga
Saturdays, through July 30, 10:30-11 a.m.
Songs, games and yoga postures for ages 2-5, plus caregivers at Shelburne’s Pierson Library. Led by Suzanne of Water and Rock Studio, the free class repeats weekly on Saturdays through July 30. Space limited. No registration required: arrive early to assure a space.

Bird club for kids
Saturday, July 2, 10:30 a.m.-noon
An Audubon birding club for kids ages 5-11 will meet at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington on Saturdays, once or twice a month through the summer. Activities include reading related books, crafts, and time outside watching for birds. Dress appropriately. Masks required indoors. Bring binoculars if available. Next class is July 16. Register for this free class. Caregivers encouraged to attend. Email questions here.

Myra Flynn in concert
Sunday, July 3, 6-9 p.m.
Originally scheduled for June 18, the Myra Flynn Band performs at the Shelburne Vineyard. Bring picnics, blankets and chairs for an evening of indie/soul originals from this Vermont-raised artist. Email questions to [email protected]. Tickets on sale here.

Happy Independence Day
Many towns have parades, fireworks and other activities for the 4th. The Burlington waterfront offers food, entertainment and fireworks on Sunday, July 3 from 5:30-10 p.m. Info at btvjuly3.com. Warren has a “wild, wacky, and wickedly fun parade” beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 4. Kids’ games, food, music and a street dance are part of this celebration in its 73rd year. Main Street will be closed at 8:30 a.m. sharp. More info on the website.

Symphony at the Museum
Monday, July 4, 7:30 p.m.
The Vermont Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at the Shelburne Museum as part of the T.D. Bank Summer Festival Tour. The musical theme is “Celebrate!” and will feature lively and familiar works in honor of our nation’s independence. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking. Concert is followed by a light show, not fireworks. Rain site is Shelburne Field House. For tickets and complete concert guidelines, visit the website.

Veggie fermentation
Tuesday, July 5, 5:30-7 p.m.
Learn the basics of lactofermentation in a hands-on workshop held at the Intervale Center in Burlington. No experience necessary. This outdoor class is led by Christa Gowen and presented by City Market Coop. Register here.

Music from New Orleans
Thursday, July 7, 6-8:30 p.m.
A free concert at Shelburne Vineyard features the New Orleans group, Dose. Unwind with food, wine and some saxophone. Concert will be outside if nice weather; blankets and chairs encouraged. The New Deal food truck serves up dinner choices for meat-eaters, vegetarians and vegans. No tickets needed. See the full summer schedule here.

Drawing botanicals
Friday, July 8, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Jane Neroni leads a class in the art of the plant world at Horsford Gardens and Nursery in Charlotte. With years of experience in natural science illustration, Jane takes participants into the gardens to look at shape, structure and form of plants. No experience necessary. To register or for more info email Neroni.

Nights at the farm
Friday, July 8, 5-8 p.m.
The Fisher Brothers Farm on Spear Street in Shelburne hosts Friday Nights at the Farm through August 26. Featured are food trucks, local live music and treats from Sisters of Anarchy ice cream, which is made at the farm from farm ingredients. For more info, visit the website or call 802-495-5165.

Music by Mukana
Friday, July 8, 5-8 p.m.
Mukana means “opportunity” in the Shona language of Zimbabwe. Mukana is an artistic collaboration between musicians from Chile, Haiti, Zimbabwe, Brazil and the U.S. Together they fuse traditional songs and rhythms with jazz and their own unique styles. Their music is a celebration of our global community and will make you want to dance. They play at the Lincoln Peak Vineyard in New Haven. Doors open at 5 p.m. for picnicking or dinner from a food truck. For tickets, visit the website.

Poetry in the parks
Saturday, July 9, 10 a.m.
Words in the Woods is a project of Vermont Humanities, and features in-person poetry readings at Vermont State Parks. Poet Toussaint St. Negritude will read at Boulder Beach State Park in Groton and may also perform on his bass clarinet during the free event. Registration is at tinyurl.com/mu8d5nb3. Info on future performances are on the website.

Lasagna gardening
Saturday, July 9, 10 a.m.-noon
Julie Parker-Dickerson leads a class on the lasagna technique of gardening at Red Wagon Plants in Hinesburg. Learn how to create a no-till bed that can be filled with plants to increase pollinator habitat. Registration required. Click for more info.

Forest management walk
Saturday, July 9, 10 a.m.-noon
Take a walk through an active forest management project at the Hinesburg Town Forest with Chittenden County Forester Ethan Tapper. Tapper will speak to the restorative and regenerative aspects of successful forest management during this free event. Registration required. Event is rain or shine: dress for walking in all conditions.

Butterflies and bugs
Saturday, July 9, 10 a.m.-noon
Explore the trails and grounds at the Birds of Vermont museum in Huntington with Vermont Entomological Society experts. The butterfly and bug walk is free and appropriate for families. Bring binoculars, magnifying glasses and insect nets if you have them. Dress for the outdoors and bring a water bottle. Pack a lunch if you’d like to picnic after. No registration necessary, but limited class size. Call 802-434-2167 for more info.

River walk
Saturday, July 9, 10:30 a.m.-noon
Naturalist educators at the North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier lead a walk along the shallow areas of the North Branch River in search of critters. Free, family-friendly event appropriate for ages five and older. No registration required. Bring swimsuits, water footwear, bug spray, sunscreen, water and snacks. Repeats Saturday, July 16. For more info, visit the website or call 802-229-6206.

Jamie Lee Thurston
Saturday, July 9, doors at 5 p.m., show at 6 p.m.
Fans will enjoy a free concert with Thurston, a Montpelier native and popular country music singer/songwriter. He’ll perform at The Essex Experience in Essex Junction. Click for more info or directions.

Farm to ballet event
Sunday, July 10, 4:30 p.m.
The Farm to Ballet Project is an original ballet about life on a farm through the seasons. This evening, the troupe performs at the Breeding Barn at Shelburne Farms. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. for picnicking; the show starts at 6 p.m. Click for a full schedule of performances or to buy tickets.

Festival on the green
Sunday, July 10-Saturday, July 16
The Middlebury’s Festival on the Green features a wide variety of free musical performances at different times, and a street dance. There is food and lots of fun for families. Click for the full schedule.

The Rough Suspects
Weds, July 13, 5:30 p.m.
The Shelburne summer concert series begins with a performance by the Rough Suspects at the Farm Barn at Shelburne Farms. Bring blankets and picnics and the whole family. Gates open 5:30 p.m., music starts at 6:30 p.m. Kids can visit the animals, too. No dogs please. No tickets needed. Donations encouraged to the Shelburne Recreation Department.

Midsummer wildflowers
Thursday, July 14, 7-8 p.m.
The Vermont Land Trust’s director of conservation science, Liz Thompson, leads an online photographic exploration of midsummer wildflowers. Thompson, as well as her photographer friends, has explored the nooks and crannies of Vermont, the lowlands and the highlands to find, identify and learn about these native plants. Free event; pre-register here.

Music in the barn
Thursday, July 14, 7:30-9 p.m.
The Jennings String Quartet performs indoors at the West Monitor Barn in Richmond. Pre-concert talk begins at 7 p.m.; show at 7:30. Purchase tickets through the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps website. More info on the quartet website.

Lady of the hills
Ongoing exhibit
At the Vermont Historical Society museum in Montpelier, a current exhibit focuses on the three “toppers” that have had the honor of being atop the Vermont State House: the original 1859 statue, the 1938 statue, and the newest wooden version placed in 2018. All three sculptures represent Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture. The exhibit has statue remnants, tools, photography and information about the artists. For more info, call 802-479-8500 or visit the website.