December performances & events
December 2, 2024 | By Waterbury Roundabout Editor’s Note: See another post in Community with more Holiday Happenings focused on upcoming events and projects with a particular kid-friendly focus.
The December calendar is filling up with scores of performances and events popping up.
Waterbury Roundabout will have several Community posts this month with listings for upcoming events. This one will focus on performances. Another will cover all things Santa (and reindeer) and Christmas trees.
Check back as this will be updated as we receive more information. If you have an event to share, email us at waterburyroundabout@gmail.com.
Waterbury’s December headliner: the River of Light Parade
Last year’s River of Light parade makes its way down Main Street. Photo by Gordon Miller
Waterbury’s annual winter lantern parade, the River of Light, marks its 15th year this Saturday, Dec. 7, with a theme of Creatures and Critters.
School children and community members have created bamboo and paper lanterns for this colorful spectacle after dusk starting at Brookside Primary School promptly at 5 p.m. on Stowe Street.
The procession will make its way to Main Street and then to Dac Rowe Park. Along the way, Burlington street bands Sambatucada and Brass Balagan set the beat for the parade and will perform at the park along with the Cirque de Fuego Fire Spinners from Jericho.
At Dac Rowe, there will be a bonfire and free hot chocolate at the pavilion. New this year will be snacks for sale (bagels, fruit, cookies) by local groups to raise money for their programs including Girl Scouts, Harwood’s Varsity Field Hockey Team and Waterbury Recreation. Purchases can be made by cash and/or Venmo.
Those with lanterns are asked to please return lantern poles to folks wearing safety vests. If adults and children become separated, go to the hot chocolate stand at the pavilion as a meeting spot where volunteers will help families reunite. Port-o-lets also will be available at Dac Rowe Park.
Other important details:
The Phoenix Art Gallery & Music Hall has a special art event, 2-4 p.m., and after the parade as well. “Tiny Canvasses” invites kids and grownups for snacks and painting original tiny paintings; $20 for five canvasses, supplies included. (Scroll down for more details.)
The Waterbury Area Senior Center on Stowe Street will have a Chili Dinner (chili with sour cream, cornbread, and a cookie for $12) available to purchase to eat in or take out. The center will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and proceeds support the senior center.
Waterbury Winterfest will hold its kick-off silent auction at Bridgeside Books starting at 3 p.m. and ending at 4:45 ahead of the parade. See more on that here.
Stowe Street Cafe will have a Holiday Open House, 4-7 p.m., pausing to enjoy the parade as it passes by.
The Waterbury Public Library will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. before, during and after the parade. Bathrooms will be available and there will be activities including a holiday card-writing station, puzzles, games, coloring pages, and a space to warm up with a nice view of the festivities at Dac Rowe. Folks from the Waterbury Area Senior Center will have a bake sale and warm drinks as a fundraiser inside the library as well.
Parking: There is NO parking in front of the primary school where the parade will assemble. Parking is available in the lots behind the school and organizers recommend people park closer to Dac Rowe at the municipal building, post office and Anderson Field/Waterbury pool. Other downtown locations include lots on Foundry Street behind the Methodist Church and near the Waterbury Train Station.
More information can be found online on the MakerSphere website.
December events in Waterbury and around the region
Dec. 3: TURNmusic hosts a double bill at The Phoenix
The Arthur Brooks Ensemble performs at The Phoenix at TURNmusic's Outer Sounds concert Dec. 3. Courtesy photo
TURNmusic hosts several events this month at The Phoenix Art Gallery and Music Hall on Stowe Street. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, TURNmusic presents its latest Outer Sounds show featuring Berman, Wallace, Ali, Harris and the Arthur Brooks Ensemble V.
Harris focuses on acoustic interplay, resulting in music featuring moments that obfuscate who makes which sound, blurring and bending rhythms and pitches into a syncretic whole. The group strives to create a unified sound simultaneously featuring each individual while generating a constant sense of rhythmic propulsion, at times subtle, at times bombastic.
The Arthur Brooks Ensemble V is an elastic group founded and led by Arthur Brooks to play his compositions and improvisations. Performing in Waterbury will be Brooks, Michael Chorney, Bill Heminway, Jeremy Harlos, Anthony Santor and Matt Weston. This group carries on the radical musical tradition and evolution of Brooks’ mentors and peers.
A member of the Bennington College faculty for 23 years as both a teaching assistant and professor, Brooks there founded Ensemble V. He has been a student and collaborator with Cecil Taylor, Bill Dixon, Milford Graves, dancer Penny Campbell, dancer Patricia Bardi, Frank Wright, William Parker and many others. He was a founding member of the Boston Art Ensemble with Stan Strickland, Syd Smart and the late Hayes Burnett. Brooks was also a member of Brute Force, a group founded by the late Richard Daniels where he met Stan and Sydney, and the trumpeter, Ted Daniel. He remains indebted to all of these artists, and inspired by the integrity of their spiritual and artistic pursuits.
The improvising quartet of Josh Berman, Eli Wallace, Ishmael Ali and Bill Harris performs at The Phoenix in Waterbury on Dec. 3. Courtesy photo
Outer Sounds is a concert series curated by Greg Davis at The Phoenix Gallery & Music Hall. An electronic musician from Burlington and owner of Autumn Records in Winooski, Davis has been curating and programming concerts for more than 20 years. Outer Sounds explores the worlds and intersections of electronic, experimental, avant-garde, improvised, ambient, drone, minimalist, free jazz, modern composition, psychedelic music and more.
The gallery opens at 7 p.m.; music at 7:30 p.m. Suggested admission: $15-30 sliding scale. Get tickets in at sevendaystix.org or thephoenixvt.com. Shows are for all ages; those under 21 are admitted free.
Dec. 6-7: Middle schools present ‘The Little Mermaid Jr.’ musical
The middle school cast of "The Little Mermaid Jr." Photo by Serena Wilcox
Crossett Brook and Harwood Middle Schools present Disney’s “Little Mermaid Jr.” musical this weekend with shows on Friday and Saturday at Harwood Union Middle/High School.
More than 80 middle school student actors and support crew are part of the production, directed by Crossett Brook and Harwood music teachers Molly Dubois and Molly Clark.
Shows are Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m.
The production is suitable for all ages and run time is 60 min. (Audience members on Saturday headed to the River of Light parade should have ample time.)
Admission is by donation at the door and there will be refreshments at a bake sale after the performances.
Dec. 6: Vermont Philharmonic presents Handel’s ‘Messiah’
Vermont Philharmonic. Courtesy photo
As Vermont enters the season of cold and dark, Handel’s beloved “Messiah” brings warmth, light and joy.
Conducted by Lisa Jablow, the Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus will present two performances to put everyone in the holiday spirit, on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in St. Augustine’s Church in Montpelier, and on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m. at the Barre Opera House.
The “Messiah” performances are a favorite Central Vermont holiday tradition. The orchestra will perform the entire Part I of “Messiah”, with arias and choral numbers that contemplate the idea of a messiah, foretell the coming, and hail the arrival. The concert concludes with the beloved “Hallelujah” chorus from Part II, and six numbers from Part III celebrating redemption.
The program’s soloists are familiar to Vermonters. They include soprano Lillian Broderick, alto Lori Marino, tenor Michael Halloran, and bass Erik Kronke. Mary Jane Austin is the assistant choral director.
Celebrating its 66th season, the Vermont Philharmonic is composed of professional and talented amateur musicians from throughout Vermont. It is Vermont’s oldest community orchestra, founded in 1959 by Jon Borowicz, emeritus professor of music at Norwich University. Since 1993, the Philharmonic’s home base has been the Barre Opera House and Lou Kosma has been its music director since 1999.
Tickets: $25 adults, $20 seniors, $5 students, are available online at vermontphilharmonic.com and at the door.
Dec. 7: The Mssr. Mouse ‘Tiny Canvasses’ Art Opening at The Phoenix
Ahead of Waterbury’s River of Light lantern parade on Saturday, Dec. 7, The Phoenix Art Gallery & Music Hall has a special art event, 2-4 p.m. (And immediately after the parade as well.)
The Mssr. Mouse Art Opening invites kids and grownups for snacks and to paint original tiny paintings. Mssr. Mouse happens to be the gallery’s artist-in-residence and this is his first art opening titled Tiny Canvasses.
“Join us for tiny drinks, tiny cheese and tiny paintings,” the announcement says. “And stick around Waterbury to experience the magical River of Light parade that same evening!”
Youngsters and their grownups can make their own tiny painting—tiny canvases, tiny easels and paints provided; $20 at the door for five canvases with easels.
A postscript: “Mssr. Mouse is currently doing a residency in Milan, expanding his color palette and getting inspiration from the mouse masters of Italy. In his stead, the event will be run by gallery owner Joseph Pensak’s youngest daughter, Maëlle Pensak.”
Dec. 7: A cappella Holiday Concert
The Barre Tones singers perform a holiday concert in 2023. Courtesy photo
The men and women of the Green Mountain Chorus and the Barre-Tones a cappella barbershop harmony choruses present their holiday favorites, sung in four-part harmony on Saturday, Dec. 7.
The local singers will perform this family-friendly concert at Hedding United Methodist Church, 40 Washington Street, in Barre starting at 2 p.m. Admission is a suggested donation of $10 at the door or online at BarretonesVT.com.
Dec. 7: Vermont Fiddle Orchestra’s Winter Concert
The Vermont Fiddle Orchestra performs its 2022 winter concert at the Barre Opera House. Courtesy photo
The Vermont Fiddle Orchestra performs its Winter Concert at the Barre Opera House on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. Admission is by donation.
Directed by Peter Macfarlane, the orchestra plays traditional music of many genres, including Celtic (Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and Breton), Quebecois, New England, Appalachian, English Country Dance, Scandinavian and original tunes, some composed by Macfarlane and other current and former members of the VFO.
Macfarlane teaches fiddle from his home in Addison County and commutes to Montpelier weekly to lead rehearsals at the Capital City Grange. He plays in the contradance band Atlantic Crossing and builds and paddles wooden canoes.
For this performance, the guest soloist is Beth Telford who has been performing traditional music since the 1980s. She began playing contradance music in southern New England for dances and at coffeehouses and festivals. She lived for a time in Boise, Idaho, to obtain her M.S. in Raptor Biology, where she continued to play fiddle and organize dances.
Upon her return to Vermont, she was introduced to the music of legendary Cape Breton fiddler Jerry Holland, who became her mentor and friend. Beth and Jerry held twice-yearly fiddle and dance camps, which she has continued to run since Jerry’s death in 2009. In addition to performing, Beth has taught fiddle to scores of students of all ages.
Peter is ably assisted by Assistant Director Susan Reid of Montpelier, a popular local fiddler and member of the musical trio Larks in the Attic.
The Vermont Fiddle Orchestra is a community orchestra that welcomes players of all ages and abilities. For more information visit vermontfiddleorchestra.org.
Dec. 8: Waterbury Community Band Free Christmas Concert
Waterbuy Congregational Church. File photo
Get your holiday music fix on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Waterbury Community Band’s free concert at the Waterbury Congregational Church starting at 4:30 p.m.
The band has been rehearsing a program of Christmas favorites, including “The Christmas Song,” “Charlie Brown Christmas,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” and more.
Admission is free but the event will be a benefit for the Waterbury Common Market and the Waterbury Area Good Neighbor Fund, so donations of non-perishable food and/or cash will be appreciated. The band also thanks the Waterbury Congregational Church for hosting its rehearsals throughout the year.
The cast of 'Two For Christmas' presented by Lost Nation Theater. Photo by Wayne Fawbush
Dec. 11-12: Two for Christmas on stage in Montpelier
Lost Nation Theater presents David Budbill’s beloved holiday play “Two For Christmas” which gives audiences a whole new perspective on the classic “We Three Kings” story.
The performances will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 11-12 at the Montpelier City Hall Arts Center.
This humorous take on the nativity story is appropriate for all ages. It’s two shows in one. Travel back in time to 1479 England, and end up in Budbill’s mythical Judevine with Antoine, Doug, Arnie, and Tommy. Act One features “The Second Shepherds Play,” Budbill’s faithful translation of a 15th-century miracle play. Told in verse, it’s the story of a poor thief in 1479 England who steals a lamb from three shepherds on Christmas Eve and brings it home to his cantankerous wife. About to be confronted, the thief’s wife jumps into bed with the lamb and pretends the lamb’s her newborn baby! Returning to their flock, the shepherds are visited by an angel.
Act Two is “The Pulp Cutters’ Nativity” — the same basic story, but 500 years later in Budbill’s famed (and imaginary) Judevine. The shepherds are now loggers, a chainsaw replaces the lamb, and the angel is a waitress at the local diner.
The two one-act plays using the same cast members resonate together, illuminating themes of humanity, justice, and how the hilarious can suddenly become holy.
“Two For Christmas” made its debut in 1996, revived it in 2012 and picked it back up again in 2023.
“These are very precious stories inspired by the heart of who we are as human beings,” remarks Lost Nation’s Founding Artistic Director Kim Bent, who directs the shows. “David had a genuine love of an essential rural spirit – people who are independent and have joy in living life for its own sake. The author of the miracle play has a similar sensibility. Both invoke the divine in the midst of the profane and ridiculous.”
Budbill considered Lost Nation his “home theater” and the company keeps his legacy alive by presenting this staged reading with permission from his literary estate.
Tickets: $10-$20, depending on ticket type including livestream with a recording available through Dec. 31 given that the City Hall elevator is not operational so online viewing is possible for accessibility. Tickets and more information are available online at lostnationtheater.org or call 802-229-0492, email info@lostnationtheater.org.
Dec. 12: Holiday karaoke with the Valley Players
The Valley Players Theater is on Main Street in Waitsfield. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
Prepare to sing your favorite holiday tunes at the Valley Players' Karaoke Parties on Dec. 12 at the Valley Players Theater, 4254 Main Street (Rt. 100) in Waitsfield.
DJ Chris Lowenstein will be on hand with his professional karaoke rig and mikes and emcee Susan Loynd will keep the acts moving. Whether you're a karaoke pro or just want to sing along, all are welcome.
From 3:30-5 p.m., kids take over the stage to sing solos, duos or group numbers. Parents are encouraged to stay and enjoy the afternoon with their children. Then from 7 to 10 p.m., adults take the spotlight. Teens 13-18 years old can attend either event.
The number of songs each singer can sing will depend on the number of participants. Singers will perform in rounds to ensure that everyone has a chance to sing at least once, and more if time permits. Don't want to sing? No problem – just come to enjoy the music!
A $10 suggested donation for the evening event can be made at the door. No reservations are needed and attendees do not need to stay the entire time. The 7-10 p.m. party is BYOB and snacks.
Questions? Email valleyplayers@madriver.com.
Dec. 14: Afternoon of Christmas/winter music in Moretown
The Moretown United Methodist Church hosts an Afternoon Concert of Christmas/Winter Music with cello and piano on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m.
Cellist Melissa Perley and pianist Michiko Oishi will perform a program with arrangements of traditional Christmas Carols and other winter pieces.
The church is located at 962 Vermont Route 100B in Moretown. Parking is free in the town lot behind the church and the building is handicapped accessible.
Admission is free, and donations are appreciated. More online on Facebook.
Dec. 15: Holiday Sing-Along with the Duxbury Historical Society
A holiday candle inside the Old Meeting House in South Duxbury. File photo
The Duxbury Historical Society invites the community to a holiday Sing-Along on at 2 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the Old Meeting House on Rt. 100 in South Duxbury across from Harwood Union High School.
Ann Harvey will lead the singing accompanied by musicians Karen Richardson, Nina Towne and Bill Richardson. Organizers remind attendees to dress warmly. Built in 1855, the Old Meeting House has a charming historic atmosphere, but it's only lightly heated.
Cider and cookies will be served. Admission is free with donations appreciated for the Duxbury Historical Society which now owns the property and plans to gradually refurbish it.
Dec. 15: Mad River Chorale brings holiday song to Waterbury
Mad River Chorale performs at the Waterbury Congregational Church. File photo
The Mad River Chorale returns to Waterbury on Sunday, Dec. 15, for its festive Holiday Concert. The performance begins at 4 p.m. at the Waterbury Congregational Church. Another performance date is Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Waitsfield UCC Church/White Meeting House at 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Mary Jane Austin, the 50-person group accompanied by a string quintet, trumpets, oboes, flutes, piano, timpani and soloists will perform a variety of choral gems: Christmas Oratorio Part I (Bach); Christmas Day (Holst); The Snow (Elgar); Ave Maria (Bruckner); and Masters in this Hall and My Dancing Day (arranged by Robert Shaw and Alice Parker).
Back by popular demand, audience members will be invited to join in singing several familiar Christmas carols. The concert will conclude with the beloved Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.
Tickets: $20 general admission; $15 for seniors, students; children ages 11 and under are free. Purchase tickets online at madriverchorale.org or at the door.
Dec. 15: Willem Lange & Lost Nation Theater’s ‘A Christmas Carol’
Willem Lange performs “A Christmas Carol” at Lost Nation Theater. Courtesy photo
Lost Nation Theater and Willem Lange team up for their annual holiday event as the beloved Yankee storyteller Lange performs his reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15 at Lost Nation Theater in Montpelier’s City Hall Arts Center.
Producing Artistic Director Kathleen Keenan says the company enjoys keeping this tradition going and adding its theatrical magic to Lange’s nuanced storytelling. “The atmospheric environment, designed by Kim Bent, decorated by Chris Zahm, and illuminated by Sam Biondolillo’s lighting design, enhances the mood to make Dickens glorious tale dazzle and shine!” Keenan said.
Emmy-winner Willem Lange has been performing his reading of Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” every year since 1975. He loves the story and that love shines through in his reading. “Christmas is my time to howl,” he says.
Lange first heard the rendition he performs – Charles Dickens’ original prompter script used for his 1867-68 tour of America – in 1953. Lange heard a college professor of his perform it using a script he found in a used bookstore in Boston in 1903.
Lange, who is an author, storyteller, carpenter and television TV host, finally decided he would carry on the tradition. “In 1975, I sat down with my typewriter and an LP recording of Professor Lean’s performance, and typed out the script. That took some patience! My wife and I invited friends over; I borrowed a set of tails; and we held the first session in our living room.”
Today Lost Nation Theater helps keep Lange’s streak going for its fourth consecutive year. Published in 1843, “A Christmas Carol: a Ghost story” by Dickens turned Ebenezer Scrooge into a household name.
“Dickens had the gift of finding the sensitive spot in each of us – like scratching a puppy in a particular place and making it wave a hind leg. I love the moment when Scrooge, emerging from the horror of seeing his plundered corpse in his own bedroom, wakes to the joy of his new-born self, tries tentatively to laugh, and the amused audience laughs along with him,” Lange said.
Tickets: $20 general, $15 for students and seniors, $10 for youth. Live stream viewing is $20 and available online through Dec. 31. The City Hall elevator is not operational so online viewing is possible for accessibility. Tickets and more information are available online at lostnationtheater.org or call 802-229-0492, email info@lostnationtheater.org.
Lange donates his fee to The Haven shelter in the Upper Valley and Lost Nation Theater will, donate a percentage of its net proceeds to the Montpelier Food Pantry and The Good Samaritan shelter in Barre.
Dec. 20: TURNmusic presents Bruce Sklar Trio
Local legend and former Harwood Union High School music teacher Bruce Sklar's jazz trio plays at The Phoenix on Dec. 20 with Sklar on keys, Waterbury resident Jeremy Hill on bass, and drummer Timothy Gilmore. Berklee music professor Daniel Ian Smith joins in to share his compositions and saxophone sounds. Courtesy photon
On Friday, Dec. 20, the Bruce Sklar Trio visits The Phoenix for a performance featuring Daniel Ian Smith, saxophonist, flutist, educator and composer with over 30 years of experience.
Joining Smith and Sklar will be Waterbury bassist Jeremy Hill and drummer Timothy Gilmore.
Smith is a professor at the acclaimed Berklee College of Music in Boston where he has taught for almost 30 years. He is in demand as a clinician, guest soloist, and lecturer with appearances
throughout the United States, Japan, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Israel and England. In 1992, he founded Big and Phat Jazz Productions to serve as the production company for his Jazz in the Sanctuary Concert Series, an independent record label Big and Phat Jazz Productions, and his ensembles and touring projects. The recordings and performances by his ensemble The
New World Jazz Composers Octet has received rave reviews in DownBeat, JazzTimes, Cadence, ArtsFuse and All About Jazz magazines. Learn more online at danieliansmith.com.
The gallery opens at 7 p.m. with music at 7:30 p.m. Admission is on a sliding scale, $15-30; under age 21 are free. All ages. BYOB and festive dress is encouraged.
Dec. 21: Solaris Vocal Ensemble performs in Waterbury
Solaris Vocal Ensemble presents its holiday concerts, “A Joyful Sound” featuring guest artists Northern Bronze Handbell Ensemble on Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 21-22.
Concert poster image courtesy of Solaris
The Saturday performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Waterbury Congregational Church on North Main Street. The Sunday concert will be at 4 p.m. in Burlington at the College Street Congregational Church, 265 College St.
The program will feature festive holiday selections for voices and instruments. The special addition for these performances is the handbell ensemble with its five octaves of handbells. The concert opens with a new arrangement of “Joy to the World” by James Stewart, Solaris’ own composer-in-residence. Other selections will offer an array of Christmas and Hanukkah songs by Eleanor Daley, Andre Thomas, Dan Forrest, Neil Ginsberg, Elaine Hagenberg, Alice Parker and Robert Shaw. A variety of wind, string and percussion instruments will accompany the vocalists.
Tickets are available online in advance with a sliding fee scale of $5-$40.