•
These PDFs are built from the final files that were printed and represent an accurate facsimile of the issue’s content.
Please be warned: These files are very large and not at all suitable for dialup connections.
We maintain files of a limited number of back issues in our office. Please email info@commonsnews.org, and we will make them available if we can.
CALENDAR LISTINGS FOR Saturday, December
17
BRATTLEBORO Shakespeare Scene Study with Jim Maxwell: Resident acting teacher Jim Maxwell returns to teach a month-long Shakespeare Scene Study class through January. Today, he's offering a free introductory workshop in which students select scenes and learn what to expect from the class. 1-3 p.m. Full CoVid vaccinations required. 12/17 Intro Workshop is free. (January workshops: Wed:.1-3 p.m., Sat: 5:30-7:30 p.m: $25 per class). Hooker-Dunham Theater, 139 Main St. Information: 802-281-3232; Click for more info on Web in new window.
PUTNEY Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music present Acoustic Music Winter Solstice Mini-Fest: Featuring multi-instrumentalist Matt Flinner and folk/roots trio Low Lily. The four award-winning musicians, accompanied by double bassist Steve Roy, celebrate the Solstice playing energetic instrumentals and songs for the season on guitars, mandolins, fiddle, and banjo, and singing in 3 and 4-part harmony. Grammy-nominated mandolinist Flinner has made a career out of playing acoustic music in new ways. Whether it's with his own Matt Flinner Trio or with Phillips, Grier and Flinner, the Frank Vignola Quartet, Darrell Scott, Steve Martin, Robbie Fulks, the Ying Quartet, Leftover Salmon, or the Modern Mandolin Quartet, his style/compositional ability have established him as one of the most accomplished/musically diverse mandolinists in the world. Over the past two decades, Low Lily's Simmons and Cohen have crafted a signature sound deeply rooted in tradition yet refreshingly contemporary. They've garnered two #1 songs on international folk radio and two Independent Music Award wins. Liz, Flynn, and new bandmate Natalie Padilla performed with well-known names in folk and traditional music such as Ruth Moody, Aoife Clancy, Livingston Taylor, Melanie, Peter Rowen. 7:30 p.m. $20 in advance, $24 at door. Next Stage Arts Project, 15 Kimball Hill. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/mr4dk46a 802-387-0102; Click for more info on Web in new window.
BRATTLEBORO Vapors of Morphine & Muddy Ruckus : Dana Colley is the last remaining original member of the critically acclaimed trio Morphine to continue performing with the offshoot group Vapors of Morphine, which has by now outlived its predecessor and moves in new directions. The 60-year-old Colley's baritone sax is the through-line that carries from Morphine's inception in 1989, past the on-stage death of front man and songwriter Mark Sandman in 1999, and into Vapors' current lineup and sound with Jeremy Lyons and Tom Arey. 8 p.m. $20 in advance, $25 at door. The Stone Church in Brattleboro, 210 Main St. Information: Tickets: Stonechurchvt.com.
BRATTLEBORO Memorial for Ray McNeill (owner of McNeill's Brewery): The beloved Brattleboro pub - McNeill's Brewery - burned down on 12/2, a Friday night, in a three-alarm fire. Sadly, Ray McNeill did not survive. Along with being a renowned brewer, Ray was an accomplished classical cellist. He graciously provided a supportive home for the Brattleboro Pub Sing and a number of instrumental folk sessions as well as Morris team gatherings, open mics, and other events. 1 - 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome. In lieu of donations, the family requests: "Use your money to support a local, family-owned business.". The Stone Church in Brattleboro, 210 Main St. Information: 802-579-9960; Click for more info on Web in new window.
BRATTLEBORO Brattleboro Winter Farmer's Market: Weekly diverse indoor farmers market. Local farm produce, meats, syrup, fresh baked goods, fruits, cider, preserves, handmade jewelry, pottery, soaps, and more. SNAP shoppers turn $10 into $40 each week! . 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through 3/25/2023 in the gymnasium. Through Saturday, March 25. Brattleboro Winter Farmers Market, 60 Austine Dr. Information: farmersmarket@postoilsolutions.org, 802-275-2835.
BRATTLEBORO Holiday favorite "Elf": "Treat every day like Christmas." This advice comes from Buddy the Elf - the beloved character played by Will Ferrell in the Christmas classic. If you're a cotton-headed ninny muggins or even if you sit on a throne of lies, you'll be welcome at ELF - and who knows? Maybe you'll find yourself moved to join others in singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" at the end of the movie. 12 noon. Through Sunday, December 18. By donation. Proceeds benefit Groundworks Collaborative - working to end hunger/homelessness in our communities. Latchis (Films), 50 Main St. Information: 802-246-1500; Click for more info on Web in new window.
BRATTLEBORO The Brattleboro Zen Center - Meditation (In-Person or wherever you may be): One way to engage with the ecological crisis: This group chants briefly and then sits in silence for a half hour. All are welcome to join this peaceful action, either in-person or from wherever they might be. 1-1:35 p.m. on Saturdays. Wells Fountain, south side Windham County District Courthouse, Jct . Putney Rd. & Main St. (Rte 30). Information: alison.f.bundy@gmail.com.
GUILFORD "Building Bridges Across Ridges": Want to learn more about Guilford Folk and find out ways to get involved in community education and connection? All are welcome to attend, even just to listen, but especially if you have ideas about sharing experience and knowledge or building "bridges across ridges" throughout our community. This month we will combine our regular meeting with a cookie potluck. Together we'll munch, savor, and dream a future of enlivening community activities. 1:30-4 p.m. "Today, bring a batch of your favorite cookies to share, a recipe, cookie story, or just bring yourself! We meet once every two months to check in about projects underway and brainstorm ideas for future events and programming.". Free. Guilford Free Library, 4024 Guilford Center Rd. Information: 802-257-4603; Click for more info on Web in new window.
DUMMERSTON Christmas Bird Count in Brattleboro: The 123rd National Audubon Christmas Bird Count takes place worldwide between 12/14 and 1/5. This is the 61st year our local count has taken place - the first count was in 1903. Participants spend the day searching for birds wherever they can be found and counting them as part of the longest running community science project in the world. You can spend as little as five minutes watching your bird feeders or spend part or all of the day outside birding with a group (or by yourself). Open to the public. Birders of all ability levels encouraged to participate. Spend as little as 5 minutes watching your bird feeders or spend part or all day outside birding with a group (or by yourself). Participants wishing to share date with the local/national count should coordinate with Cory ahead of time to avoid double-counting locations. Free. Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society. Information: Sign up/share data with Cory Ross: coryross24@gmail.com.
