The Suitcase Junket Credit: Courtesy of Derek J. Oliver

With all the grim news about Vermont venues closing, it’s nice to be able to shout out Zenbarn and its imminent 10-year anniversary party. Brothers Noah and Ari Fishman and Marlena Tucker-Fishman launched the Waterbury Center nightclub and restaurant in 2016, converting an aging dairy barn into one of the area’s hottest music spots.

“What a journey it’s been,” Noah Fishman said in a press release. “Hundreds of weddings, bar mitzvahs, birthdays and celebrations … We’ve welcomed some of our musical heroes to our stage and watched small, local bands grow into nationally touring acts. We’ve had our hearts broken, and we’ve had our hearts burst with joy.”

Fishman is well aware of the challenges live-music venues are facing right now. “Seeing places like Nectar’s and Radio Bean close has been heartbreaking,” he noted in the press release. “These weren’t just bars or music venues; they were cultural institutions that helped shape Vermont’s creative identity.”

For Fishman, losing those clubs has given him greater appreciation for what his own represents to the scene.

“One of the greatest lessons of this journey has been understanding the power of a third space,” he continued. “That’s what Zenbarn has always been about. Music is the heartbeat, but community is the soul.”

In celebration of the milestone anniversary, Zenbarn is hosting a weekend of music and community. On Saturday, November 14, Burlington singer-songwriter Matt Hagen and DJ Taka will bring the tunes, and Kat DeAngelus will conduct a sound healing workshop. The following day, the party continues with an album-release show from one-man-band extraordinaire the Suitcase Junket, with special guest singer and Proctor native Caitlin Canty.

Check out zenbarnvt.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Dan Weintraub Credit: Courtesy

Vermont singer-songwriter Dan Weintraub wants to tell you about a friend of his. The former high school history and English teacher, who also plays in the duo Dead Men Strumming, has a new touring show titled “A Friend of Mine: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Jerry Garcia.”

I know, I know. A Grateful Dead tribute? In Vermont? How novel. We’re certainly spoiled for choice when it comes to celebrating the legacy of the Dead, but Weintraub is doing something a little more direct and intentional. He’s using Garcia’s songs, from “St. Stephen” to “Scarlet Begonias” to one of his final tunes, “Days Between,” to tell the story of the Dead’s talismanic singer and guitarist. Between selections, Weintraub will share anecdotes and history about Garcia and his songs, giving a musical biography of sorts.

The show debuts on Monday, November 23, at River Roost Brewery in White River Junction, followed by a three-week Wednesday residency at Shelburne Vineyard, from December 2 through 16. To learn more, visit thegratefuldanproject.com.

Mouse in a Corner, a band composed of Vermonter Jake Kendrick on vocals and guitar and Colorado bassist KG, released the single “Just Because” last month. The tune is an Americana-leaning country rocker that builds to a catchy, rootsy chorus: “Cos’ I’m all right / I’m doing much better this time,” Kendrick croons, lamenting a failed love affair.

For a tune made by two guys on almost opposite sides of the country, “Just Because” is a tight slice of roots rock. Give it a listen on streaming services such as mouseinacorner.bandcamp.com.

Vermont Roots Music Collective is presenting a new event called the Youth Music Showcase on Sunday, November 15, at Cornwall Town Hall. The nonprofit, which started out with a backyard concert series during the pandemic, will host two young Middlebury bands: 2nd Balcony Jazz Band open for jam-band headliners the Seraph.

“The idea is simple,” VRMC founder and executive director Dan Whittemore said. “Talented local teens rarely get a proper stage, so we’re giving them one, with a full sound setup and a professional audio and video recording they can use to promote themselves.”

The event is free and open to the public, thanks to the sponsorship of Green Peppers Restaurant and Retro Realm Arcade. Visit the organization’s Facebook page for more information.

New Release Radar

Five recent or upcoming releases from Vermont artists

  1. OWL, No Dice, owlthebandvt.bandcamp.com (September 4, rock)
  2. thèriot, The Other., thisistheriot.bandcamp.com (September 18, avant-garde jazz)
  3. Justin LaPoint, General Dollar, Spotify (October 16, singer-songwriter)
  4. Enduro Fields, Enduro Fields, endurofields.bandcamp.com, (October 17, ambient rock)
  5. Colepitz, The Time Between, Spotify (October 23, metal)

This article appears in Winter Preview • 2026.

Music editor Chris Farnsworth has written countless albums reviews and features on Vermont's best musicians, and has seen more shows than is medically advisable. He's played in multiple bands over decades in the local scene and is a recording artist in his own right. He can often be found searching for the perfect soft pretzel or listening to a podcast about the X-Men.