Dublin the Fun
Sunday 16
The Burlington Irish Heritage Ceili at Burlington City Hall Auditorium kicks the St. Paddy’s Day vibe up a notch. Members of the McFadden Academy of Irish Dance step to sprightly tunes played by the Young Tradition Vermont Fiddleheads, while attendees join in the merrymaking with audience participation rounds and a lively group jam session. Bring your fiddles and flutes!
Men in Black
Friday 14
Known around the world as the definitive Johnny Cash tribute band Church of Cash arrive at Barre Opera House to remind us why. Commanding front man Jay Ernest brings the booming timbre and raw, resonant vocals, while his bandmates capture the country legend’s spirit through sound — just one of many reasons the group was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2021.
Frost Bites
Friday 14 & Saturday 15
The annual Hotel Vermont Ice Bar returns to Burlington for a 13th year of frosty, fun-filled festivities. Chilled-out party people nosh on snacks, grab craft drinks from intricately sculpted outdoor bars, get creative in the photo booth, engage in friendly ice games and dance their mittens off to tunes spun by DJ Cre8.
Masters of Madcap
Opens Friday 14
Su Reid-St. John directs the Shelburne Players in an adaptation of Carlo Goldoni’s zany, fast-paced 18th-century comedy The Servant of Two Masters at Shelburne Town Center. Expect a hybrid of traditional Italian commedia dell’arte and postmodern vaudeville, uniting the slapstick physicality of Charlie Chaplin with the comedic wit of Woody Allen.
Get in Gear
Saturday 15
Love roller derbies? How about 19th century-inspired retrofuturistic fashion? Then this is the event for you! The Steampunk Skater’s Ball at Hotel Coolidge in White River Junction has all of the above, with goggles on. Partygoers don gadgets, gizmos and gears to delight in hors d’oeuvres, bid in a silent auction and boogie the night away — all to benefit the Upper Valley’s own Twin State Derby.
Sizzling Septet
Saturday 15
Finland’s first-rate musical export Frigg comes to Vermont State University’s Alexander Twilight Theatre in Lyndon to lift spirits with captivating, feel-good tunes. Named after the Norse goddess of motherhood and marriage, the septet has carved out its own genre of music — “Nordgrass” — which seamlessly fuses Nordic folk and American bluegrass for a striking sound.
Spring Awakening
Ongoing
Artistree Community Arts Center’s “MUD (season)“ exhibit in South Pomfret ushers in the eagerly anticipated thaw with a showcase of works by more than 60 Vermont and New Hampshire artists. Viewers take in cautiously optimistic signs of spring such as running sap, rutted roads, rousing birds and bears, and everyone’s favorite hopeful harbinger — melting snow.