Vermont Tourism’s February Calendar of Events: Pond Plunges, Ice Regattas and Literary Celebrations
Montpelier, VT – February may be a short month, but there’s no shortage of events to explore! From evenings at cultural events to snowsports competitions and festivals, here’s a sampler of the 110 events in the VermontVacation.com Travel Planner this month:
Polar Bear Challenge
February 1, Benson
Over 5+ miles, 45+ obstacles, trail running, hills, mud, ice, and snow? All the braggin’ rights go the person who can complete the most laps in 8 hours! www.shalehilladventure.com
11th Annual Collegiate A Cappella Concert
February 1, Brattleboro
This popular annual benefit concert returns to the Latchis Theater in downtown Brattleboro. This year’s lineup features six great groups, including the Dartmouth Aires and Tufts Beelzebubs. www.brattleboromuseum.org
Vermont Vaudeville Tour
Feb. 1, Middlebury; Feb. 8, Bennington; Feb. 15, White River Junction; Feb. 21, Bellows Falls; Feb. 22, Brattleboro
Vermont Vaudeville features local talent and world-touring professionals performing circus, comedy, music, and more. Their mission is to revive the spirit of Vaudeville in the Green Mountain State by producing and performing hilarious and amazing shows. www.vermontvaudeville.com
Craftsbury XC Ski Marathon
February 1, Craftsbury Common
Race starts at Highland Lodge in Greensboro and traverses three towns finishing on scenic Craftsbury Common. There’s food and aid stations every 4 to 7 kilometers. www.craftsbury.com
Dinner & Discussion: Guernsey Under the German Occupation
February 1, Hyde Park
Come to a dinner discussion with the Vermont Apple Pie Literary and Travel Society: Our topic is Guernsey under the German occupation and the impact on the daily lives of the islanders. www.onehundredmain.com
Geek Mountain State presents Vermont Science Fiction
February 1, Burlington
Got cabin fever? Journey through space and time during an evening of stories by Vermont sci fi (SF) authors. Geek Mountain State is a blog dedicated to covering the geek things that take place in Vermont. Since 2013, it has organized the Vermont SF Writer's Series, a bi-monthly reading series dedicated to highlighting and promoting Vermont's science fiction, fantasy and horror authors. www.phoenixbooks.biz
Rachel Ries at Brandon Music
February 1, Brandon
With a curious grace and an arresting voice, Rachel plays what she describes as “prairie swing and city folk.” Judith Edelman from Acoustic Guitar says, “While her vintage sound is reminiscent of music from the 1920’s and 30’s, her approach to writing is altogether contemporary, imbuing folksy imagery with a compelling sense of mystery”. A pre-concert dinner is available. www.brandon-music.net
1964: A Watershed Year in Vermont's History
February 2, Montpelier
In 1964, the Republican Party lost its tight-fisted grasp on Vermont politics, starting a political swing from conservatism to a diversified climate featuring progressive and even radical politics. “Into the Wilderness,” Author Deborah Lee Luskin shows how the shift is more complex and more nuanced than mere politics. www.vermonthumanities.org
First Wednesday Lecture Series
February 5, Statewide
The Vermont Humanities Council is host to an eclectic lecture series that offers talks in nine towns on the first Wednesday of the month, now through May. This free lecture series draws nationally and regionally renowned authors, artists, scholars and public figures. www.vermonthumanities.org
The Vagina Monologues
February 6 - February 9, Montpelier
Eve Ensler’s powerful, poignant and often hilarious collection of women’s stories. Crafted to engage, entertain, and move both men and women. A Lost Nation Theater production benefitting Circle. www.lostnationtheater.org
Eric Bibb & Ruthie Foster
February 7, Randolph
Grammy nominee Eric Bibb has been described as “discreetly awesome” and “a total original.” Fans of Ruthie Foster's eclectic musical history know that she can burn down any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel. These two artists join forces for an evening of inspired roots music. www.ericbibb.com
Performance Now
February 7, Addison
Featuring videos, objects, films, and installations that document ephemeral occurrences, Performance Now surveys critical and experimental currents in this historically significant, global development in art practice. Works by Marina Abramovic, William Kentridge, Clifford Owens and Laurie Simmons. www.middlebury.edu/events
8th Annual Great Ice in Grand Isle
February 8 and 9
Come to the Champlain Islands for one event-packed weekend! There’s Nordic skating, an ice fishing derby, dog sledding, a bonfire, ice-bike racing, drag race skating, pick-up hockey, a pancake breakfast and chili cook-off, and Frozen-Chozen Regatta! www.vermont.org
13th Annual Northern Vermont Snowshoe Race
February 9, Smugglers' Notch
Smugglers' and TSL Snowshoes present this exciting day of treks, walks and races on snowshoes. There's a 1/2K kids' fun run, a 4K fun run/walk, and an 8K race that is a qualifier for the 2014 US Snowshoe Association National Championship on March 1 in Bennington. www.smuggs.com
Inventive Vermonters: A Sampling of Farm Tools & Implements
February 9, Richmond
Vermonters have always been inventive, especially when it comes to agricultural innovations that ease the hard work of farming. In this illustrated lecture, retired engineer Paul Wood presents a sampling of farm tools, and artifacts invented or produced in Vermont and the often fascinating stories of the inventors themselves. www.oldroundchurch.com
Lincoln and Vermont
February 10, Milton
Beginning with Lincoln’s preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, and continuing through to the consecration of the National Soldiers Cemetery at Gettysburg, historian Howard Coffin traces how Lincoln’s leadership and his political canniness shaped the relationship between the president and Vermont, a state he admired though never visited. www.miltonlibraryvt.org
Despina Sratigakos: Gender and Architecture
February 13, Addison
Sratigakos, architectural historian and associate professor at the University of Buffalo, will speak on gender and modernity in European cities. www.middlebury.edu/events
Intake: A Lost Nation Theater Performance
February 13, Montpelier
Intake, an award-winning play by Marshfield playwright, has its premiere as part of Winterfest February 13-16. The play focuses on the interaction between 82-year-old Hannah and Dr. Grey, the inexperienced psychiatrist evaluating her for possible dementia. www.lostnationtheater.org
ECHO: FeBREWary: An ECHO After Dark Event
February 13, Burlington
Close to 3 dozen beers created in the Belgian tradition will be available for tastings. Sample rare Belgian beer as well as domestic brews that have been created using traditional Belgian methods. Presentations, hors d'oeuvres, and plenty of science. www.echovermont.org
Valentine's Swing Dance Party!
February 14, Woodstock
Join Starline Rhythm Boys and special guest dancer and choreographer, Patricia Lefler and swing the night away! Grab your sweetheart and your dancing shoes for this special event to benefit ArtisTree’s scholarship program as well as dance programs for the blind. www.artistreevt.org
Sweetheart Boogie Valentine’s Dance
February 14, North Hero
Come to the North Hero Community Hall and dance to rock ‘n roll, swing and country music under a full moon! Cash bar courtesy of North Hero House. www.vermont.org
Morrisville Rotary Lake Elmore Polar Splash
February 15, Lake Elmore
Has anyone ever suggested you should "go jump in a lake?" Well now's your opportunity, and it raises money for a great cause. Jump in Lake Elmore in the depths of winter and come out smiling! The Polar Splash is “Freezen for a Reason.”
The Dick Forman Jazz Group
February 15, Addison
The DFJG’s ballads, blues, bebop and swing are sure to set toes tapping. Long a favorite of Vermont audiences, the Jazz Group features Dick on piano, with some of New England’s finest musicians: Paul Asbell, guitar, Michael Zsoldos, sax, Jim Daggs, bass and Geza Carr, drums. www.middlebury.edu/events
Chester Winter Carnival
February 15, Chester
Fun for all ages! Sled races, disc golf, cross country skiing, dog sled rides, ice skating, bonfire, broom hockey, snowmobile poker run, ice carving demonstration. www.yourplaceinvermont.com
Sleigh Ride Week at Billings Farm
February 15, Woodstock
Horse-drawn sleigh rides, sledding with jack jumpers. Dairy farm and farmhouse, programs and hands-on activities. Sample Presidential cookie favorites and spiced cider! 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. www.billingsfarm.org
Winter Maple Sugar Tour
February 15, Rutland
Tour the beautiful Vermont back roads past farms and fields and over covered bridges to visit a working sugarhouse. See the process of boiling maple sap to syrup. Visit the sugar bush and learn about maple production from sugar maker Kelly Socia. Discount for groups of 10 or more. www.vtbackroadtours.com
FamilyFun Magazine Winter Carnival
February 20, Smugglers' Notch
FamilyFun magazine teams up with Smugglers' for a Winter carnival featuring music and live entertainment, plus face painting, games, a bonfire, giveaways and outdoor barbecue. www.smuggs.com
Adapted: A Lost Nation Theater Performance
February 20, Montpelier
Theater artist and puppeteer Ellis Jacobson, performs his new comedy accompanied on stage with Fred Wilber, with music composed just for this piece. On one level the piece is intended as a hilarious spoof on Samuel Beckett, but ultimately it is about art, society, and life itself. Note: mature-content. www.lostnationtheater.org
Eco-Music Big Band
February 22, Plainfield
This New York roster of some of the world’s greatest instrumentalists including acclaimed South African-based musician and scholar Dr. Salim Washington and Clare Dolan, curator of the Museum of Everyday Life and longtime puppeteer with Bread and Puppet, will perform original contastoria work dedicated to the Black Liberation Movement. www.goddard.edu/news-events/events/eco-music-big-band
ECHO: Story Explorers: Champ
February 18, 22 25, Burlington
There’s a monster in Lake Champlain! Hear the tale of the famous kid-friendly Lake Monster and conduct an investigation together! www.echovermont.org/
Roots & Branches –Celebrating the Work of Alan Lomax
February 23, Randolph
Inspired by the work of Alan Lomax, Roots & Branches celebrates one of America’s greatest field collectors of 20th century folk music and brings together pioneering musicians, innovative banjoist Jayme Stone, fiddler Bruce Molsky and singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy. Community potluck dinner begins at 4:30. www.chandler-arts.org
Who Am I? The Basic Goodness of Humanity
February 26, Barnet
"Who am I? How can I help? What is real? These questions are universal. They have arisen in some form across cultures and traditions throughout human history. Now, they’re the focus of a Karme Choling’s new three-course series in the Way of Shambhala path of training: the Basic Goodness series. www.karmecholing.org/program.php?id=5189
Killington Winter Pride
February 28-March 3, Killington
Killington is proud to host its second LGBT Pride Event featuring on and off snow events and gatherings. Whether looking to join in on one or all, Killington Winter Pride is sure to provide a lifetime of memories! http://www.killington.com/winter/events/winter_pride