Saturday, May 3
FARMER'S MARKET Brattleboro Farmer's market opens. The Saturday market returns for the season with a Maypole celebration and the usual vendors with a variety of agricultural products, crafts, live music and animals and ethnic foods. Western Ave., West Brattleboro. Information: www.brattleborofarmersmarket.com.
ENVIRONMENT Green Up Day (www.greenupvermont.org) fosters the stewardship of the Vermont landscape by organizing people of all ages and from all walks of life to join in community spirit to take care of Vermont. Information: (802) 275-7983 or (802) 254-4565; [email protected] or [email protected].
FILM Health and the Hive: A Beekeeper's Journey explores the importance of honeybees in our lives. 7 p.m. Brattleboro Food Co-op, 2 Main St., Brattleboro. Information: Jancannonfilms.com.
DANCE PERFORMANCE Moving Memory, a compilation of dances performed by Bryce Dance and choreographed by 2004 Marlboro College alumna Heather Bryce. Inspiration for the dances in this performance comes from personal experiences and memories as well as disabilities and social justice/political issues. 8 p.m., Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery, 139 Main St., Brattleboro. $14; $12, students and seniors. Reservations and information: (802) 254-9276.
WORKSHOP Chinese Brush Painting. Full day workshop by Bruce Iverson. Through instructor demonstrations and hands-on brush painting projects using the “Four Treasures,” students will explore this ancient and elegant art. Participants will leave the workshop with two completed projects. $110. 9:30 am - 4 pm. Limited to 10 students. River Gallery School, 32 Main St., Brattleboro. Information and registration: (802) 257-1577; [email protected].
Sunday, May 4
POETRY READING Hayden Carruth has written more than 30 books, including Scrambled Eggs and Whiskey: Poems 1991-1995, which won the National Book Award for poetry. Part of On the Record Public Events Series. 3 p.m., Ragle Hall, Marlboro College, 2582 South Rd., Marlboro. Information: (802) 257-4333; www.marlboro.edu.
WORKSHOP Figurative Sculpture with Brattleboro artist Heidi Mario. Three-day workshop will focus on learning to model small, realistic heads with fine detail in low-fire polymer clay using simple tools. Students will explore anatomy and proportion, as well as properties of puppen Fimo modeling material. 1–4 p.m. Additional sessions Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. students. Suitable for teens and adults. $150 ($135 for Brattleboro Museum and Art Center members). River Gallery School, 32 Main St., Brattleboro. Information and registration: (802) 257-1577; [email protected].
RECITALS Open Recitals Enjoy the music of students from the Brattleboro Music Center's Music School as they perform a full day of recitals. This event supports Music School scholarships and donations of any size are greatly appreciated to help provide financial aid for students in need. Refreshments available. Free. 9 a.m to 6 p.m. Event at the River Garden, 153 Main St., Brattleboro. Brattleboro Music Center. Information: (802) 257-4523; www.bmcvt.org.
LIVE THEATER Sweet Cantatas, a spring collection of new work by award-winning, internationally-produced Vermont writers, including Suzanne DeCoursey, Bob Jude Ferrante, and Daniel Kornguth, and featuring a special contribution by New York City playwright Ruth Margraff. The evening features the talents of a dozen local actors and performers in works that are bold, outrageous, edge-crushing, and funny. Science fiction, politics and “trailer trash” are just a few of the themes covered. Live entr'acte music by Cafe Antarsia Ensemble, a folk/gypsy/rock group playing original instruments in the roma tradition, helmed by world-renowned playwright and former Yale and Brown play writing professor Ruth Margraff. Adult language and situations; not recommended for children younger than 12. Tickets $10, $6 for students/seniors. Sanctuary Theatre; performance at New England Youth Theatre, 100 Flat St., Brattleboro, Information and reservations: 802-251-6081; [email protected].
Tuesday, May 6
WINE TASTING Camp Waubanong Benefit. Organic wine tasting, with proceeds to benefit a scholarship fund for local campers hoping to attend Camp Waubanong in Brattleboro this summer. Tastings will begin on a rolling basis, so please come at your convenience. 6–9 p.m. $25 at door. Windham Wines, 30 and 36 Main St., Brattleboro. Information: (802) 254-8026; www.campwaubanong.org.
WORKSHOP Emotional Freedom Technique. Join Jade Barbee for an experiential workshop to learn EFT, designed to address the common pitfalls to experiencing positive change. 5 p.m. Rockingham Free Public Library 65 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls. Information: [email protected]; (646) 242.7515.
FILM every child every Day, a new short documentary. “A short, powerful and positive look at the ways that Vermont communities can help to protect children from hunger and introduce them to lifelong healthy eating habits.” This film is appropriate for older elementary students (5th grade and up). Doors open at 6:45 p.m; film at 7 p.m. Q&A and a brief reception follows. Free; donations of peanut butter, tuna, or art supplies welcome. Presented by Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center, and the Brattleboro Housing Authority's Summer Nutrition Program. New England Youth Theater, 100 Flat St., Brattleboro.
Wednesday, May 7
LECTURE Don Quixote. Professor Ilan Stavans discusses the timelessness of one of the most popular books worldwide. 7 p.m. Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St., Brattleboro. Information: (802) 254-5290; www.brooks.lib.vt.us.
Thursday, May 8
DISCUSSION On the Record Public Events Series, with Gwendolyn Hallsmith, founder and executive director of Global Community Initiatives and author of The Key to Sustainable Cities. She has worked with municipal, regional, and state government in the United States and internationally for over 25 years. Currently she serves as director of planning and community development for the city of Montpelier. 7 p.m. Free. Whittemore Theater, Marlboro College, 2582 South Rd., Marlboro. Information: (802) 257-4333; www.marlboro.edu.
Friday, May 9
LECTURE Doing Good by Doing Good. Elizabeth Bankowski, founder and executive director of Global Community Initiatives, makes the business case for social and environmental responsibility. Part of MBA in Managing for Sustainability Program. Free. 5–7 p.m., Marlboro College Graduate Center, 28 Vernon St., Brattleboro. Information: 802-258-9200; gradcenter.marlboro.edu.
LECTURE Ellen L. Frost, author and former U.S. trade representative, will speak on her new book, Asia's New Regionalism. 7:30 p.m. Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St., Brattleboro. Information: (802) 254-5290; www.brooks.lib.vt.us.
Saturday, May 10
WORKSHOP Backyard Chicken Raising Workshop. Bekah Murchison of Fair Winds Farms will teach those with little to no experience with chickens. She intends to inspire and provide the necessary information to start a small flock in their own backyard. 9–11 a.m. $5; participants limited. Workshop at Fair Winds Farm, Upper Dummerston Road, Brattleboro. Post Oil Solutions. Information and preregistration (required): 802-869-2141; www.postoilsolutions.org.
WALK/RUN Race for a Reason. Hosted each year by the Net Impact Chapter of World Learning's SIT Graduate Institute, proceeds will benefit BRAC USA's Cyclone Relief and Rehabilitation efforts in Bangladesh following the devastation of the Nov. 15, 2007 cyclone. $25. 10 a.m. Information: (954) 540-9676; [email protected].
Monday, May 12
ACTIVISM: “Truth Tour : The reality behind the 'Clean and Green' façade.” Native Americans speak out about the true dangers of nuclear power. Lorraine Reckmans, of the Serpent River First Nation, from Elliot Lake, Ontario, a former uranium-mining town and Ian Zabarte, of the Western Shoshone Nation, from Yucca Mountain, Nevada, a nuclear testing site and proposed high-level nuclear waste repository. “Both Ms. Reckman's and Mr. Zabarte's communities have experienced increased cancers, and devastating environmental damage from exposure to the nuclear fuel-cycle,” organizers write. Details to be announced. Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Alliance and Citizen's Awareness Network. Information: (802) 533-2296 or (802) 476-3154
Thursday, May 15
WORKSHOP Advanced Poetry Workshop will help students polish their poems for publication. Each student will submit one or two poems in advance of the workshop. The poems will be read aloud and honestly critiqued during the workshop, with careful attention paid to the following questions: What is the poem trying to do? Is it successful? How can it be improved? New poems will be generated using writing exercises. Finally, instructor Wyn Cooper will discuss how and where to send poems for possible publication. 9 a.m. Through May 17. Great River Arts Institute 33 Bridge Street, Bellows Falls. Information and registration: 802-463-3330; www.greatriverarts.org.
Friday, May 16
PERFORMANCE “Weights.” Lynn Manning, a blind former judo champion, enacts the true story of how he became blinded in a shooting in a Hollywood bar, and of how his impoverished childhood in South Central L.A. prepared him to bear the weight of the instant destruction of his dream of becoming a visual artist. “Laced with humor and hairpin turns, Weights is the story of a L.A. native son's triumphant struggle to reclaim his independence.” Manning plays all the characters in this extraordinary solo performance. Through Saturday, May 17. Sandglass Theater, 17 Kimball Hill, Putney. Information: (802) 387-4051; www.sandglasstheater.org.
BENEFIT & AUCTION Winston Prouty Center's 19th Annual Benefit and Auction, A Taste of the Town, will feature food, flowers, and unique gifts and services provided by local and regional donors. $35; tickets at Newton Business, Baker's Hallmark, or the Winston Prouty Center at 257-7852 x53. American Legion, 32 Linden St., Brattleboro.
Saturday, May 17
CONTRA DANCE Music by Ethan Hazzard-Watkins and Van Kaynor on fiddles and Ann Percival on piano, guitar and ukelele, with Ralph Sweet calling contras and classic singing squares. 8–11:30 p.m.; Ralph Sweet will teach a beginners' dance workshop at 7:30 p.m. $8; $6 for students, seniors, and first-time dancers. Walpole Town Hall, next to the common, Walpole, N.H. Information or directions: 802-257-9234; www.walpoledance.org; [email protected].
FESTIVAL Jamaica Fiber Festival. Fifth annual community street fair celebrates spring, our history of merino sheep keeping, community spirit, and fabulous fiber fun. Vendors, raffle, kids activites, music, craft demonstrations, handspun skein. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: (802) 874-7201; www.jamaicafiberfestival.org.
ENVIRONMENT Green Home Tour provides an opportunity to learn about building techniques and technologies that provide superior summer and winter performance, while saving energy. “An opportunity to learn about building techniques that provide superior summer and winter performance with very little additional cost.” One guided tour each day; many locations open for visitation as a self-guided tour. Signage at each location with homeowners and builders present to answer questions. Maps and information will be available at PEC headquarters one week before the tour. Free. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; through Sunday, May 18. Sponsored by the Putney Energy Committee, 120 Main St., Putney Information: 802-387-4141; pec.putney.net.
Sunday, May 18
CONCERT The Community Chorus will present the works of two of France's greatest composers: the shimmering Gloria by Francis Poulenc, and the transcendent Requiem of Maurice Duruflé. Tickets available online at www.brattleborotix.com, from the Brattleboro Music Center (802) 257-4523, and from members of the Community Chorus. $15; $10, students and 18 and younger. 4 p.m. Persons Auditorium, Marlboro College, 2582 South Rd., Marlboro. Information: (802) 257-4333; www.marlboro.edu.
Friday, May 23
PSYCHIC READINGS An intimate evening of intuitive readings with medium Priscilla Bengtson. Priscilla, a certified Angel Therapy Practioner, medium, and psychic intuitive who connects with angels, spirit guides and those who have crossed over. The readings will be done "gallery" style, with Bengtson providing messages to the audience as they come through to her. “Although everyone in the audience is not guaranteed to receive messages, this is a great opportunity to experience connecting to the spirit realm and introducing yourself to mediumship.” Kindred Spirits Emporium, 49 Elliot Street, Brattleboro.
Saturday, May 24
PLANT SALE Brattleboro Garden Club Annual Plant Sale. 8:30 a.m. West Brattleboro Green, Route 9, West Brattleboro. Information: 802-254-8628.
Wednesday, May 28
FILM SCREENING Where Do the Children Play? The film, about the importance of open-ended play for the healthy development of young children, should interest to parents, early childhood educators, and others concerned with the health and well-being of children. Co-sponsored by Windham Child Care Association. Free. 7 p.m. Conference Room, Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St., Brattleboro. Information: (802) 254-5290; www.brooks.lib.vt.us.
Saturday, May 31
GALA United Way. 50th Anniversary Gala Details TBA.