WILMINGTON — On Saturday, April 14, at 4 p.m., St. Mary's in the Mountains at 13 East Main St. invites everyone to a casual Red Door concert of light-hearted music to benefit the Southern Vermont Therapeutic Riding Center. Admission is by donation.
The Southern Vermont Therapeutic Riding Center has provided riding for individuals with special needs, along with horsemanship and vocational education, since 2010. The benefits generated include not only the physical - improving balance, coordination, and fine motor skills - but also emotional gifts, building bonds with these large, beautiful animals.
The Green Mountain Ridge Runners will open the show with classic bluegrass, old-time favorites, and original tunes by lead singer and guitarist Jim Knapp. Dan Fontaine adds sparkle with his banjo playing, and Bruce Avery will provide harmonies and show off his signature washtub stand-up bass.
Folks may know the Ridge Runners from the annual Food Pantry fundraiser at Memorial Hall, as well as the Gilfeather Turnip Festival in Wardsboro. Their versatile style energizes parties and weddings. They regularly participate in fundraisers for a variety of area organizations that support our communities.
Additional area musicians will carry forward the fun spirit of the Ridge Runners, as well as the spring theme. Blind Date (Joe and Holly Fortner) will present jazz standards such as “Spring Will Be a Little Late.”
The Sisters of Swing, with Sue Maddern and Eithne Eldred, will get the joint jumping with close harmonies on “Java Jive” and “It Don't Mean a Thing.”
Evon Mack will explain why, “Wild Women Don't Have the Blues.” Then, different ensembles will mix things up on a variety of tunes which celebrate, well, mud. And the audience may find itself at the end joining in the chorus touting the glories of mud. Sweets and snacks will be available in the back to fuel the fun.