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Soggy Po Boys
As part of the Basement Music Series , Vermont Arts Exchange ( VAE ) is excited to present a night of brass-fueled , swinging music of New Orleans with the Soggy Po Boys on May 3 at 7pm at the Mount Anthony Union ( MAU ) High School Auditorium , 301 Park Street in Bennington . This concert is free and open to the public .
VAE puts on this concert to celebrate thirty years as a non-profit community arts organization , committed to arts education and empowering youth through music . As part of this special concert , VAE has partnered with the Soggy Po Boys to hold a day-long school residency with both Arlington Memorial High School and the MAU music departments during the day . Students will work alongside the seven talented musicians and break out into sessions in percussion , voice , and instrumental ensembles . As part of the evening experience , students will join the band on stage for a few songs and surprises for the audience .
For over twelve years The Soggy Po Boys have been delighting audiences around New England and abroad with their approach to the rich musical sounds of New Orleans . Perhaps less obvious , however , is the rich education inherent in the sprawling repertoire audiences have come to enjoy and expect from the band . A Po Boys show is a kaleidoscope of New Orleans musical history from traditional spirituals of the mid 19th century , to modern brass band party anthems and everything in-between . The band features Stu Dias on vocals and guitar ), Eric Klaxton on clarinet and soprano sax , Josh Gagnon on trombone , Nick Mainella on tenor sax , Mike Effenberger on piano , Brian Waterhouse on drums , and Scott Kiefner on bass .
For more information , call Matthew at VAE at 802-379-3763 or visit vtartxchange . org .
‘ 27 Breaths ’ Live Music and Movement Piece
Town Hall Theatre is proud to present 27 Breaths , a live music and movement piece created by composer Mathew Evan Taylor and choreographer Laurel Jenkins on May 5 at 2pm . It is the first interdisciplinary piece created using Matthew Evan Taylor ’ s compositional system AfroPneumaism : a system where time and action are determined by the breath . Ultimately , this performance invites the audience to breathe with us .
Registration required . Suggested donation $ 5- $ 10 . Go to townhalltheater . org or call 802-382-9222 to reserve your spot .
MUSIC
Fundraising Concert for Weston Playhouse
Like so much of our everyday fossil-fuel-intensive culture , traveling needs to change rapidly and radically if we are to maintain a livable world . For his part , Professor David Feurzeig , who teaches composition and theory at the University of Vermont , no longer flies around the world to concert gigs ; he now travels by public transit or by solar-powered EV . “ There ’ s so much beauty and variety right here in Vermont ,” says David , “ so I have decided to play 252 concerts in my little home state . I hope this tour will amplify the actions I ’ m taking in response to the climate crisis . The sense of community and local place is as threatened here as everywhere .”
No more so than during the devastating flooding on July 10 , 2023 , when so many families and businesses experienced the impact of the climate crisis on their own doorstep . Some of those communities , almost a year later , still haven ’ t fully recovered from the flood damage . On May 11 at 2pm , pianist David Feurzeig , will perform Play Every Town , a “ concert for a cooler climate ” on the grand piano at the Old Parish Church in Weston , VT . The concert will raise funds for much needed repairs to the Weston Playhouse , which saw a record level of 10 feet of water from the West River pour into the basement and part of the auditorium .
The Weston concert will also feature local professional musicians , violinist Peter Miller and singer Anne D ’ Olivo , who will be accompanied by Professor Feurzeig . Admission is free , but donations at the door ( cash or check ) are welcome . Checks should be made payable to the Weston Community Association , which owns the Playhouse Theatre . For further information , go to playeverytown . com .
Ukranian Village Voices
Ukrainian Village Voices is a New York City-based collective of Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian singers whose mission is to preserve the polyphonic singing style of Ukraine ’ s villages . Their singing encompasses seasonal celebrations , ritual songs , and lyrical music including songs recorded by ethnomusicologists from the oldest dwellers of Ukraine ’ s villages . This lively performance will be the fourth of the Live ! Folklife Concerts which bring traditional music from around the world to the Crandall Library in Glens Falls , NY ( April 25 ) and Historic Salem Courthouse ( April 26 ). Doors open for both shows at 6:30pm for a 7pm show . Refreshments will be available . The concerts are free , but donations to support the Historic Salem Courthouse programs and restoration are appreciated . salemcourthouse . org .
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April 22 , 2024 Vermont News Guide 25