Area events: May 4-June 4, 2023

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We Need YOU!

Do you love the calendar of events?

Of course, you do. You are reading this calendar, so you must find it useful in keeping up with what is happening in and around Charlotte.

Mary Landon has been producing it for nearly a year and a half. Now, she’s moving on, and we need a volunteer (or two) to take over.

This is a labor of love, and a good match for someone who is adventurous, curious about all the many happenings in Charlotte and beyond — and is up for a chance to give back to your community.

Mary Landon has kindly offered to pass along what she’s learned and how she gathers and organizes the events calendar (every two weeks).

To find out more, please contact Scooter MacMillan at 802-881-4728 or [email protected].[/vc_message][vc_separator_2 line_width=”800px” color_line=”#444444″ padding_top=”6″ padding_bottom=”6″][vc_column_text]

Please email your event listings at least three weeks in advance.

World music trio
Thursday, May 4, 6-8:30 p.m.
Elijah Kraatz and Trio de Rumba bring their lively music to Shelburne Vineyard. No tickets required; show is free and open to all, featuring music inspired by the gypsies of Spain and France. For more info, call 802-985-8222.

Jazz ensemble recital
Thursday, May 4, 7:30 p.m.
The University of Vermont Jazz Guitar and Post Bop Ensembles present their spring recital at the school’s recital hall. For more info, call 802-656-3040.

Performance on human displacement
Friday, May 5, 7 p.m. & Saturday, May 6, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Paula Higa Dance presents an interactive dance performance at Isham Family Farm in Williston. Themes explored by the Brazilian-American choreographer are security, demography, human rights and who is not a migrant. Read more and buy tickets.

Time for high school one-acts
Friday, May 5, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 6, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 7, 2 p.m.
Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU) presents two student-directed plays, Hamlet and The Actor’s Nightmare, in the CVU theater in Hinesburg. Purchase tickets ahead or at the door. Check ticket site to see if shows are sold out.

Ticonderoga open for season
Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fort Ticonderoga, in Ticonderoga, NY, opens today for visitors and programs. Experience guided tours, special events, gardens and outdoor activities. More info.

Wildflower and wildlife hike
Saturday, May 6, 1-3 p.m.
All ages, allies and families are encouraged to attend a Pride hike at Red Rocks Park in S. Burlington. Look for spring ephemerals, bird arrivals and emerging trees. Free hike; learn more and pre-register.

Reusable produce bags
Saturday, May 6, 5-7 p.m.
Print cotton bags with wood or linoleum block designs. Or carve your own design and make decorative bags for kitchen use. Bring clean cotton bags from home to print. Class is in Richmond at Old School Art Studio. Learn more and register and click on Workshops.

Teen science cafe
Saturday, May 6, 5-7 p.m.
For a peek into the world of chemistry and science-related careers, join a University of Vermont professor of chemistry as she leads participants on an exploration of exploding gummies and potato batteries. Cafe is free to attend; any students in grades 7-12 are welcome. Free pizza and drinks. More info and registration.

Handbell concerts
Saturday, May 6, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 7, 3 p.m.
Listen to the angelic sounds made by the Northern Bronze Handbell Ensemble. They perform at Faith United Methodist Church on Dorset St. in S. Burlington. Tickets available at the door.

Visit the dairy
Sunday, May 7, 1-4 p.m.
Shelburne Farms is pleased to invite all ages to the dairy buildings for Dairy Day. Calves, milking, dairy machinery and a cow parade are just some of the highlights. Drop in anytime; $5 per car, walkers free! Read more.

Walk for a cause
Sunday, May 7, 1-4 p.m.
Take a 3.5-mile walk (or a 1-mile option) in a fundraising walk for Burlington’s Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS). This is a family-friendly event that takes a route around downtown Burlington, starting at 2 p.m. Learn more or sign up.

Italian cinema day
Sunday, May 7, 2-9 p.m.
The Vermont International Film Festival presents three fine Italian films at Main St. Landing in Burlington. Bar and snacks available between screenings. More info.

Youth orchestra season finale
Sunday, May 7, 3 p.m.
Vermont Youth Orchestra seniors play their final pieces with the Orchestra before graduating from high school. Their program, The Lost World, is performed at Burlington’s Flynn Theater. Learn more and buy tickets.

Cookbook author visits
Sunday, May 7, 4 p.m.
Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne hosts Vermont author, Gesine Bullock-Prado, for a reading and book signing at the Pierson Library in Shelburne. The author will share stories about creating her new book titled My Vermont Table. Free and open to all.

Sourdough for beginners
Monday, May 8, 5:30-7 p.m.
Make sourdough starter from scratch as you follow along, via Zoom, in a 3-part class introducing sourdough techniques. Recipes and instructions provided one week in advance.  This City Market class is free; pre-registration required. Future classes in this series are Monday, May 15, and Monday, May 22, same time. Learn more and register. Each class requires separate registration.

Vocal and organ recital
Monday, May 8, 7:30 p.m.
University of Vermont (UVM) vocal and organ students take to the stage at the UVM Recital Hall for their spring recital, featuring classical and Broadway pieces and more. Performance is free, in Burlington. More info at 802-656-3040.

Pests in our forests
Tuesday, May 9, noon
Vermont’s forests are changing due to many factors, including climate change and pests. Join a free webinar for Forest Pest First Detectors, or anyone interested in learning more about the threats. Learn more and access the meeting link.

Floor loom weaving
Tuesday, May 9-Tuesday, June 27, 6-8 p.m.
This class is best for experienced weavers who can work independently, with support. Some previous loom experience required. The 8-week class allows for project development, working alongside a structured group of fellow weavers, instruction and troubleshooting. Held at the Shelburne Craft School. More info.

Vocal studio recital
Tues, May 9, 7:30 p.m.
University of Vermont vocal students present their spring recital at the Recital Hall in Burlington. Concert is free and open to the public. More info at 802-656-3040.

Vermeer and Roach films
Weds., May 10, 11 a.m. or 7 p.m.
Two movies are screened at Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater: at 11 a.m. is Vermeer, an Exhibition on Screen film offering viewers a close-up look at the Rijksmuseum’s exhibition of this Dutch Master. At 7 p.m. is a screening of Max Roach: The Drum also Waltzes. The film follows the story of this jazz musician and composer who was, at times, an outspoken cultural activist during his complicated life. More info, trailers and tickets.

Goat farm tours
Weds., May 10, noon-2 p.m.
Meet with goat dairy producers and tour their farms in this series of four free events organized by the University of Vermont Extension Service. Also on hand will be Extension dairy specialists to discuss participants’ questions. The first tour takes place in Hardwick on May 10; all tours are at a distance. Learn about all the tours and to register.

Abolition and women’s rights
Weds., May 10, 7 p.m.
Vermont Humanities presents a free, online discussion called Thriving Communities: The Winding Vermont Road to Abolition and Women’s Rights. Learn more and register.

80s tunes become bluegrass
Thursday, May 11, 7 p.m.
The Neon Ramblers (fka Dojo) is a group taking classic pop tunes and turning them into bluegrass hits. They perform at Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater. The six musicians are part of The Grift, who perform the following night, same place and time. Learn more about these unique performances.

Six short plays
Thursday, May 11- Saturday, May 13, 8 p.m.
Stories of love, betrayal, hope and self discovery are the themes in six plays to be presented at Shelburne Vineyard by a group of Vermont actors. Tickets and more info. Some adult themes and language.

Museums open for season
Saturday, May 13
Today is opening day for Shelburne Museum and Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh. Stop in and see what’s new for this season.

Annuals, perennials and pies
Saturday, May 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The United Church of Hinesburg holds a plant and homemade pie sale. The annuals are freshly delivered from Paquette’s in Williston. Read more.

Natural History workshop
Saturday, May 13, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Join this immersive field workshop with presenter Jonathan Shapiro, as he takes participants on an exploration of the natural history of the north woods. We live at the meeting place of the boreal forest to the north and the temperate deciduous forest to the south. Learn about the diverse animal and plant life here through classroom and field work, discovering what is unique about the north woods community. Class is held at and near the North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier. More info and registration.

Farm tour and tea
Saturday, May 13, 2:30-4 p.m.
Spend a few hours touring Farm Craft VT in Shelburne. Learn about the herbs, beehives and the farm lab where they make natural, botanically-based home and body products. End the tour with herb teas and treats. For more info and dates of upcoming tours.

Violin and piano chamber music
Saturday, May 13, 3 p.m.
The Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival presents a violin and piano recital at Burlington’s College Street Congregational Church. Learn more and see the program.

Arts celebration
Saturday, May 13, 3:30-6 p.m.
St. James Episcopal Church in Essex Junction holds a spring art celebration, including works by many local artists, a silent auction and refreshments. Church address is 4 St. James Place, at Gate F of the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds. More info.

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Mother’s Day pansies
Saturday-Sunday, May 13-14, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Horsford Gardens and Nursery in Charlotte will be giving away a four-pack of pansies, in-store only, one per family, while supplies last. Also on Sunday will be a pop-up shop from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with Only Cannoli, Vermont’s only authentic Sicilian cannoli bar. Cannolis and coffee will be available to purchase. Bring Mom out for a treat and a stroll in the emerging gardens. Horsford’s website lists many upcoming art events and classes.

Hinesburg Artists Series
Sunday, May 14, 4:30 p.m.
The Hinesburg Community Band is joined by the South County Chorus for their spring concert. The family-friendly event takes place at Champlain Valley Union High. It’s free event, but donations gratefully accepted.

Reckless ideas
Tuesday, May 16, 6 p.m.
Smart machines and A.I. are a part of life now. Come to a free public lecture on how A.I. is used. Generator in Burlington hosts Reckless Ideas: This Changes Everything, a series of lectures on current topics with expert panelists. More info.

Shared stories
Tuesday, May 16, 7-9:30 p.m.
Come to Shelburne Vineyard, try a glass of wine and listen to shared stories — or share one of your own. Sharing not required; feel free to simply listen. This event repeats on multiple Tuesday evenings through November, so check their calendar. Story-telling starts at 7:30 p.m. To sign up in advance, email or sign up at the door. Learn more.

Vegetarian Indian cooking
Saturday, May 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Shelburne’s Vermont Zen Center holds a cooking class with Manju Selinger. The group will prepare an authentic North Indian meal which will be shared for a group lunch at 1 p.m. Learn more and register.

Casey and McCaffrey
Saturday, May 20, 7:30 p.m.
Patti Casey and Colin McCaffrey perform at the Vergennes Opera House with special guest Eric O’Hara. Hear the harmonies of this trio of singer/songwriters and their folk tunes. Tickets and more info.

Play Every Town VT
Sunday, May 21, 2 p.m.
Pianist David Feurzeig performs one of his series of 252 Vermont concerts at the United Methodist Church in Shelburne. Feurzeig has a message about the unsustainability of concert appearances that may only be reached by plane travel. He travels throughout this state in his solar-powered EV and says he will no longer fly to perform. More info on his undertaking.

Private gardens open
Sunday, June 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Garden Conservancy is pleased to invite the public to visit two private gardens: Hidden Garden of Lewis Creek Road and Lincoln Hill Botanical Garden, both in Hinesburg. Read more and buy tickets.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]