

Cover Story
Vermont’s 2026-27 Performing Arts Season Is in Full Swing
From the grandest stages in the land to the smallest — including a tiny new one — the 2026-27 performing arts season is loaded with promise.
Performing Arts Preview
From the Publisher: Out and About
From performing arts to whoopie pie festivals, the Seven Days community events calendar is the best place to find out what’s going on in Vermont.
Tina Friml Comes Home to Record Her Debut Standup Special
The ascendant Vermont-born comedian will tape her first one-hour special at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury next month.
VSO Opens Season With Charity and Sylvia Tribute
The orchestra’s Flynn program features “Summerland,” a new work based on the story of two women who lived openly as a couple in 19th-century Weybridge.
Supernatural Musical Comedy ‘Hatchford Hotel’ Revels in Fowl Play
Shelburne Players give the first full staging to a comic musical about Werechickens that two Vermont rockers hatched during lockdown.
Lyric Theatre Launches Free Ticket Program
The South Burlington community theater is teaming up with other nonprofits to give tickets for its hit musicals to people who may not be able to afford them.
News
Burlington Is Poised to Elect Newbies to the Vermont House
As seasoned leaders step down, a slate of fresh faces appears headed to Montpelier. Can they deliver for a troubled Queen City?
AOE Instructs School Boards to Hire Superintendents for One Year Only
Citing the education transformation under way, Vermont’s secretary of education told school boards that they can only hire temporary leaders.
Richmond Shop Creates Connection With Pen Pal Program
Hey June stationery shop and letterpress studio facilitates an old-fashioned letter-writing exchange with people around the world.
From the Publisher: Out and About
From performing arts to whoopie pie festivals, the Seven Days community events calendar is the best place to find out what’s going on in Vermont.
Arts+Culture
Tina Friml Comes Home to Record Her Debut Standup Special
The ascendant Vermont-born comedian will tape her first one-hour special at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury next month.
VSO Opens Season With Charity and Sylvia Tribute
The orchestra’s Flynn program features “Summerland,” a new work based on the story of two women who lived openly as a couple in 19th-century Weybridge.
Supernatural Musical Comedy ‘Hatchford Hotel’ Revels in Fowl Play
Shelburne Players give the first full staging to a comic musical about Werechickens that two Vermont rockers hatched during lockdown.
Lyric Theatre Launches Free Ticket Program
The South Burlington community theater is teaming up with other nonprofits to give tickets for its hit musicals to people who may not be able to afford them.
Art Review: Sean Clute, “10,000 Seeds and the Phantom Air”
The multimedia artist and composer’s installation at Vermont State University-Johnson combines sound and sculpture to tell a personal story.
Tool Time: Mackenzie Kovaka DIYs Watercolors in Barre
Studio Place Arts presents a series of delicate watercolors by the recent artist-in-residence, who is making a book to help kids learn about woodshop tools
Magnificent 7: Must-See, Must-Do Events in and Around Vermont, September 16-23
Explore our editor’s picks for must-do events in Vermont this week, including Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Graham Nash at Spruce Peak Arts in Stowe.
Food+Drink
First Bite: The Harborvale in Burlington Could Make Waves
More than just good for a hotel, the new restaurant from Westport Hospitality executive chef Doug Paine is inspired by the lake — and serving great food near it.
“The Big Cheese” Spotlights Jasper Hill Farm’s Lilith Spencer
The new documentary follows a scrappy U.S. cheesemonger team aiming to be world champions. Spencer chatted ahead of a Burlington Vermont Cheese Week screening.
Crumbs: Misery Loves Co. and River Run Breakfast News; Chico’s Closes
In Winooski, Misery is serving small plates and drinks with longer hours. River Run breakfast returns to Plainfield. Chico’s Tacos & Bar shuts in Montpelier.
Music+Nightlife
Cricket Blue Get Philosophical About Death on New Album
Burlington chamber-folk duo Laura Heaberlin and Taylor Smith turn serious about mortality on a sprawling double album called “Sweet Animal.”
On the Beat: Grand Point North Festival Returns to Burlington
In this week’s music news: Grace Potter’s waterfront festival is back. Plus, there’s a new jazz fest in Middlebury, and Rico James drops a hip-hop video game.
Album Review: The Shady Trees, ‘A Flora Borealis’
After 14 years of gigging around Vermont, the Hyde Park rock-reggae act has dropped its first studio album and proven itself a tight, harmony-driven machine.
On Screen
‘Practical Magic 2’ Coasts Through a Lackluster Plot on Witchy Vibes
Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock reprise their roles as sister witches in Susanne Bier’s legacy sequel to the 1998 cult hit.
Now Playing in Theaters, September 16-23
In addition to ‘The Uprising’ here’s what is playing in Northern and Central Vermont movie theaters this week. Listings include new movies, vintage films and a directory of open theaters.
Fun Stuff
Ask the Rev: I’m Ready to Buy a House, but Not With My Partner
It’s a wise decision not to enter into a 30-year mortgage with a relatively new romantic partner — but how do you break it to them? Here’s some advice.
Free Will Astrology 9/16/26
Check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes & daily text message horoscopes: realastrology.com or 1-877-873-4888.
Life Lines
In Memoriam: Kristen Laure Charlebois
In Loving Memory ofKristen Laure Charlebois 1978-1995 Dear Kristy, Happy 48th heavenly birthday. We think of you so often, and we miss you more than words can say. You are forever in our hearts and forever loved. All our love, Mom, Dad, Randy & Kate
Obituary: Jeffrey Wasserman, 1950-2026
Health care executive, birder and photographer was a passionate supporter of environmental and social causes
Obituary: William Michael “Mike” O’Brien, 1933-2026
Proud resident of Burlington’s New North End loved spending time with his family and sharing his vast knowledge of Vermont history at the Shelburne Museum
In Memoriam: Steve Oakland, 1951-2026
Friends and family remember engineer and musician beloved for his faithfulness, humility and kindness
Obituary: Keith G.W. MacDonald, 1952-2026
Restaurant management professional had an adventurous spirit, deep devotion to family and a sincere belief in helping others succeed
Obituary: Marvin Robert Glickstein, 1932-2026
Aeroengineer with six patents was also a renowned conchologist who has several never-before-found species named after him in the Smithsonian
Obituary: Carol (Lowell) Emmons, 1952-2026
Hinesburg woman’s true calling was caring for her family
Obituary: Robert Stockwell, 1984-2026
Master Lego builder and 23-year employee at Shaw’s was willing to help anyone in need and always ready to make a new friend
Obituary: Ann Marie Kaigle, 1930-2026
Cofounder of Kaigle’s Citgo in Burlington found her greatest joy in her family and loved creating traditions that brought everyone together
Obituary: Jeffery Allan “Jeff” Miller, 1946-2026
Cofounder of the Burlington Coffeehouse, national roller skating competitor and historical architect built the famous salad bar boat at the Windjammer in South Burlington
Obituary: Eric Philip Franz, 1968-2026
Curious and giving man had a remarkable instinct for knowing what someone needed and figuring out how to make it happen
Obituary: James Henderson, 1946-2026
Shelburne man’s life was marked by curiosity, resilience, and a deep appreciation for people and ideas
Obituary: William Allen Lotz, 1932-2026
Engineer lectured from coast to coast on insulation and energy conservation, and his goal in life was to make the world a better place than when he arrived
Obituary: Elizabeth Weir Toor, 1927-2026
Brilliant scientist and accomplished fiber artist was a passionate supporter of women’s choice and voting rights and an activist for clean air
In Memoriam: Timothy Sean Coleman, 1954-2026
Community remembers social worker who believed in human rights and worked tirelessly to build bridges for those in need






