Brattleboro

Brattleboro History Walking Tour

by giddyitup | History

Designed as a fundraiser, volunteers from the Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club have created a walking history tour of downtown Brattleboro. With the help of the Brattleboro Historical Society and the Brattleboro Words Project, Sunrise Rotary volunteers pooled their collective knowledge to put together a great introduction to Brattleboro, Vermont’s illustrious history.

Tours will be scheduled on a rolling basis for select Saturdays at 11 am in summer and fall 2023. The first tours will take place Saturdays, May 13, June 3 and June 24. 

Tours walk from one end of Main Street to the other (approximately 7/10 of a mile) with about 10 stops explaining Brattleboro’s history and culture. The tour will last approximately 1.5 hours and will go from Plaza Park (across from the Co-op) to the Brattleboro Common. Kids are welcome, but the tour is designed for adults.

Brattleboro History Walking Tour

by giddyitup | History

Designed as a fundraiser, volunteers from the Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club have created a wonderful walking history tour of downtown Brattleboro. With the help of the Brattleboro Historical Society and the Brattleboro Words Project, Sunrise Rotary volunteers pooled their collective knowledge to put together a great introduction to Brattleboro, Vermont’s illustrious history.

Tours will be scheduled on a rolling basis for select Saturdays at 11 am in summer and fall 2023. The first tours will take place Saturdays, April 15, May 13, June 3 and June 24.

Sue Fillion Represents Brattleboro in Strongest Town Championship

by cgrotke | Town Plan
strongest town sue fillion

It was Brattleboro vs. Saranac Lake in the final round of the Strongest Town competition, held in a Zoom forum on Monday afternoon.

Brattleboro Planning Director Sue Fillion had her ‘I Love Brattleboro’ shirt on as she explained the Town of Brattleboro to Mike Pasternock and Rachel (?) from Strongest Towns. They asked about nature and seasons, arts and culture, housing, attracting young talent, being kid in summer, and other issues. There were also questions from the audience.

Who’s On First? Brattleboro Says Brattleboro

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

Brattleboro was given a clue, perhaps,  to the problem between the Town of Brattleboro and Rescue, Inc. at Tuesday’s Selectboard meeting. Fire Chief Howard said multiple times that even if another EMS service was chosen to provide first response care in Brattleboro, he would have his department keep arriving on scene “first,” no matter what.

Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Seeks New Singers!

by bwchorus | Music

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus welcomes new singers to sing with us on March 16 or 17. Come join in the singing either in-person on Thursday mornings or evenings, or virtually on Friday mornings. Our first two weeks of rehearsals on March 16 and 23 are open to new singers to come and check out the chorus to see if it is a good fit for them (provided they email us in advance). Advance registration is required for all singers.

The Chorus welcomes anyone ages 10 and up who identifies as female or non-binary, and whose vocal range comfortably includes the A in the middle of the treble staff. All abilities are welcome and no auditions are required. 

Eva Nolan for WSESD Board

by nolan | Politics

This Tuesday, please consider casting a vote for Eva Nolan as one of Dummerston’s 2 representatives on the WSESD school board, which serves Dummerston, Brattleboro, Putney, and Guilford.

Her background as a mother of 2 boys, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and years of professional experience in outreach and support to survivors of abuse, Eva is uniquely qualified for this role.

Next Stage Arts Kicks off the Brattleboro Winter Carnival with Montreal Contemporary Ice Skaters Le Patin Libre on 2/17

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

PUTNEY, VT— 1/22/2023 — Next Stage Arts kicks off the Brattleboro Winter Carnival with Montreal-based contemporary ice skating company Le Patin Libre, performing their show “Carte Blanche” on Friday, February 17 at 7:15 pm at the Nelson Withington Skating Facility, 61 Memorial Park Drive, in Brattleboro.

Le Patin Libre is a contemporary ice skating company from Montreal, originally founded in 2005 by ex high-level figure skaters. They regrouped with the intention of transforming their athleticism into a means of free expression. Far from sparkles, stereotypes and champions’ demos, the creations of Le Patin Libre propose real works of art exploiting the amazing choreographic and theatrical potential of glide.

Book Recommendation: Homeless Anything Helps

by Norsehorse | Books

In case you have not already come across it yet, a book on the subject of homelessness to consider obtaining and reading is:

“Homeless Anything Helps” by Vermont author Matthew Vernon Whalan; An Oral History (2021; Hard Times Review Press; paperback):

John Potter Selected as Brattleboro Town Manager

by Not Signed In | Town News
John R. Potter

Brattleboro, VT—The Brattleboro Selectboard has chosen John R. Potter as the new Town Manager. Mr. Potter will assume his new responsibilities on December 30, 2022.

“On behalf of the Brattleboro Selectboard, I congratulate John Potter on being selected as our new Town Manager” said Ian Goodnow, Selectboard Chair. “We considered many well qualified candidates during our nationwide search. The Selectboard conducted this process with care and diligence, and we are very pleased with the result. We are confident that John Potter has an enthusiasm for good governance and for Brattleboro that he will bring to his new role. We look forward to working with John for the benefit of the people of Brattleboro.”

“I really appreciate the Selectboard offering me an opportunity to serve as Brattleboro’s next Town Manager and look forward to earning the trust of the town. My wife Marie Elena and I are excited to move back to New England and become active members of the Brattleboro community. Brattleboro’s reputation as a thoughtful and progressive community drew us to this special place, and it will be great to work together with the many active community leaders and partners in town.”

American Roots Jazz Band The Afro-Centric Experience Performs at Next Stage Arts on December 10th

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

Next Stage Arts presents an evening with American roots jazz band The Afro-Centric Experience, on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage Arts.

The Afro-Semitic Experience is an American roots jazz band with a difference. They are a group of Jewish-American and African-American musicians who have been performing, recording, and teaching together for over 20 years. Their friendship ignites their passion and purpose: Together, as a band, they merge their musical roots, Jewish and Afro-diasporic melodies and grooves, combining the core concepts of ase and shalom – power, action, unity, and peace. Their music embodies the radical notion that people of different faiths, races, and beliefs can come together, and celebrate and build community. Their repertoire is a mix of original compositions and arrangements of pieces curated from Jewish and African-diasporic cultures. Their music reaches out to a distinct open-minded listening audience; their intentional merging of jazz with the spiritual and the sacred has allowed them to share our music in concert as well as at worship services in houses of worship across the United States.

“The work of Afro-Semitic explores how two distinct cultures and histories have much to learn and share from one another,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “They explore the intersections of diaspora, roots, and a renewed expression of peace in difficult times. And they happen to also be incredible musicians and educators.”

Jazz Chamber Ensemble The Global Trio Performs at Next Stage Arts on December 3rd

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts presents an evening with Boston-based jazz chamber ensemble The Global Trio, featuring pianist Chase Morrin, cellist Naseem Alatrash, and percussionist George Lernis, on Saturday, December 3 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage Arts.

“Earlier this year, we hosted these musicians as part of the Berklee World Strings Ensemble,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “These three were the highlight of the show, and when we had the opportunity to bring them back, we jumped on it. They represent different cultural and faith traditions, blending elements of jazz, world music traditions, and soulful expression – we couldn’t be more proud to present this to our community.”

The Global Trio features piano, cello, and percussion, breaking boundaries in jazz, classical, and folkloric traditions from the Middle East. Seeking new sounds of inclusion and global jazz, Morrin, Alatrash, and Lernis create dynamic, energetic, and surprising compositions in order to tell stories from around the world and to bring the world of improvisation and spontaneous musical communication to the stage.

Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Open Rehearsals Thursday

by bwchorus | Music

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus welcomes new members to come to a rehearsal on Thursday, September 15 to see if Chorus is a good fit for them. Zoom rehearsals are also an option on Friday mornings.

The Chorus welcomes anyone ages 10 and up who identifies as a woman or non-binary, and whose vocal range comfortably includes the A in the middle of the treble staff.

“Here We Are” with Kim Murray

by Wendy O'Connell | Media

Kim’s energy and enthusiasm brighten up any day! She created Malisun Boutique with a focus on women artisans, and her “Plant a Tree Program” is a very successful part of her business. Check out Malisun’s beautiful, expanded new space at Vermont Marketplace at Exit One.

Vermont Comedy All Stars Return to Next Stage Arts For A Night Of Stand-up Comedy on Friday, September 9th at 7:30pm

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

Gordon Clark and his Vermont Comedy All-Stars return for a night of stand-up comedy at Next Stage Arts, following their enormously successful shows in November and March. Featured performers will include several contest-winning and touring comedians most often seen in the Burlington area. 

“We all need reasons to laugh, and the Vermont Comedy All Stars do an outstanding job,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Comedians will be coming from all around the state to perform – partnering with the All Stars allows them to reach a new audience in the southern part of the state, and build a new following.”

The cast of stellar performers includes:

Next Stage’s Bandwagon Summer Series presents Slavic Soul Party! on Sunday, August 14 at 6pm at the Retreat Farm

by hahrenholz | Entertainment

Next Stage’s Bandwagon Summer Series presents Slavic Soul Party! on Sunday, August 14 at 6pm at the Retreat Farm: “New York’s Official #1 Band for BalkanSoulGypsyFunk”

“Easily one of the most exciting artists we’re bringing this summer, Slavic Soul Party checks all the boxes,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “They’re masters of the Roma style of music that encapsulates dancing energy, old world sounds, and they make it so fresh and new that audiences from around the world have hailed them as one of the greatest contributors to the genre. This show is going to be fun!”

Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Outdoor Concerts!

by bwchorus | Music

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus presents their 26th annual spring concerts entitled “Why Not Sing?” on Saturday June 4 and Sunday June 5 at 4:00 pm outdoors at the Retreat Farm. These will be the first in-person concerts the BWC has presented since 2019.

The concerts will feature songs the chorus has been working on this spring and includes some favorites from earlier sessions. Local musician Lisa McCormick will join the chorus on several songs, including “Tiny Lights” by Coco Love Alcorn and “Can You Catch the Moon” by Lisa Loeb and Elizabeth Mitchell. The chorus will also sing Velma Frye’s “Take Heart” and Terry Garthwaite’s “Shine On.” McCormick and the chorus will be joined by the ukulele orchestra on a premiere of Barbara McAfee’s song (and the concert title), “Why Not Sing?”

Join the Brattleboro Women’s Chorus!

by bwchorus | Music

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus welcomes new members to sing with us either virtually or in-person. We will be singing on Thursdays this spring starting with a Zoom “Open Rehearsal” on Thursday, March 17 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm, after which singers may register to continue singing via Zoom or join one of our in-person rehearsals. 

In-person rehearsals begin on March 24th and will be held either Thursday mornings at the Brattleboro Music Center from 10 – 11:30 am or Thursday evenings at All Souls Church from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Proof of vaccination and singers masks with a filter or N95/KN95 masks are required for in-person rehearsals this spring. Zoom rehearsals will take place weekly on Fridays from 10 – 11:30 am. We hope to conclude our season with an outdoor concert in June, but you do not have to participate in the concert to sing in chorus.

Road Construction Projects in the West River Valley

by cgrotke | West River Valley

Travelers in the West River Valley might be both pleased and dismayed to know that there will be Route 30 paving and other road projects going on soon. Expect some delays and alternative routes in the near future.

The big plan is to re-surface VT Rt. 30 in Brattleboro, Dummerston and Newfane. You may have seen people out taking measurements last year.:

“Project Location: Beginning on VT Route 30 in the Town of Brattleboro, at mile marker 0.326 (just north of the intersection of VT-30 and Cedar St.) and extending north for 9.948 miles and ending at mile marker 1.597 in Newfane (just past the intersection of VT-30 and Hemlock Hill Rd).

Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Hosts Fall (virtual) Singalong Concert

by bwchorus | Music

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus will perform their fall “HeartSong Singalong” via Zoom on Sunday, November 21 at 4 pm.

The chorus will be singing songs led by Director Becky Graber. Some of the songs are very easy to join along with, and Becky will teach a song or two to all. Singalong-goers can register online via Zoom and pay for a ticket using the links on our website.

After over a year of exclusively singing on Zoom, this fall the chorus was able to sing in-person as well and recorded song tracks that we will sing with during the Singalong. Singers will be muted during the event, so feel free to sing along in the comfort of your homes, if you wish. Lyrics will be posted in the chat.