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Raising the Curtain on Burlington's Performing Arts Scene 

Published August 18, 2018 at 11:00 p.m.

click to enlarge Maya Beiser in David Bowie's Blackstar - COURTESY OF IOULEX
  • Courtesy Of Ioulex
  • Maya Beiser in David Bowie's Blackstar

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From music to comedy and large-scale theater productions to offbeat original plays, the entertainment available in Burlington is vast and varied for a city of its size. Several downtown performing arts venues and organizations launch their seasons in September, making this the perfect time of year to catch a show. Read on for a sampling of the fall lineups for five of the city's major presenters.

Flynn Center for the Performing Arts

153 Main St., flynncenter.org

Spectrum Dance Theater: The Seattle-based company presents movement with meaning in A Rap on Race, a dance piece inspired by a 1970 conversation between writer James Baldwin and anthropologist Margaret Mead. Saturday, October 6, 8 p.m. $25-45.

David Bowie's Blackstar: Cellist Maya Beiser plays alongside the Ambient Orchestra as the voice of late rock star David Bowie in a sweeping reinterpretation of his final album, arranged and conducted by composer Evan Ziporyn. Saturday, October 13, 8 p.m. $35-58.

Elf: What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than with this contemporary musical based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell? High-spirited songs propel the story of a Santa's helper searching for his human father in New York City. Wednesday, November 14, and Thursday, November 15, 7:30 p.m. $50-75.

Vermont International Film Festival

Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, 60 Lake St., vtiff.org

Vermont International Film Festival: Cinephiles screen a showcase of local, independent and international motion pictures accompanied by filmmaker Q&As, receptions and discussions. Last year's celluloid celebration featured everything from fiction to documentary to short films. Friday, October 19, through Sunday, October 28. $60-200 for festival passes; $75 for a 10-film pack.

VTIFF Monthly Screenings: Local movie buffs have a standing date to catch fresh flicks on the last Thursday of each month. The films may hail from a country halfway around the globe or from right here in the United States, but they always send a message that hits home. Every month on the last Thursday, 7 p.m. $5-8.

Off Center for the Dramatic Arts

294 N. Winooski Ave., Suite 116C, offcentervt.com

Burlington Fringe Festival: Twenty-four shows over four days spotlight some of the state's most inventive theater artists. Thursday is Blue Night, so risqué humor is fair game — but KidsFringe offers all-ages entertainment on Sunday. Thursday, October 11, through Saturday, October 13, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, October 14, 4 p.m. $8-15.

Vermont Comedy Club

101 Main St., vermontcomedyclub.com
click to enlarge COURTESY OF JEN KIRKMAN
  • Courtesy Of Jen Kirkman

Rhea Butcher: Thanks to a deadpan delivery and self-aware style, this Los Angeles comedian was named one of Variety's 10 Comics to Watch in 2017. The cocreator and star of the sitcom "Take My Wife" often draws on their midwestern upbringing for gut-busting jokes. Thursday, September 13, 7 p.m.; and Friday, September 14, and Saturday, September 15, 7 & 9:30 p.m. $15-27.

Good Clean Fun!: True to its name, this improvisational comedy show is appropriate for adults and kids alike. Vermont Comedy Club improv veterans act out hilarious scenarios in this truly funny family-friendly performance. Saturday, September 22, 5 p.m. $5.

Jen Kirkman: Best known for her Netflix special "I'm Gonna Die Alone (and I Feel Fine)," standup comedian Jen Kirkman is back with a laugh riot of fresh material. Vermont Comedy Club recommends this show for folks who enjoy Amy Schumer and Sarah Silverman. Thursday, October 11, 7 p.m.; and Friday, October 12, and Saturday, October 13, 7 & 9:30 p.m. $20-35.

The University of Vermont Lane Series

UVM Recital Hall, 384 S. Prospect St., uvm.edu/laneseries
click to enlarge COURTESY OF ÍMAR
  • Courtesy Of ímar

Ímar: The performing arts series known for highlighting world, classical and traditional music kicks off its 2018-19 season with a high-energy concert by this charismatic quintet. Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, the group serves up a purely Celtic sound. Friday, September 21, preconcert talk, 6:30 p.m., concert, 7:30 p.m. $6-31.

Molly Tuttle: Guitar in tow, the virtuosic bluegrass singer picks and strums a combination of old-timey classics, contemporary newgrass numbers and original tunes. In 2017, Tuttle became the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Music Award for Guitar Player of the Year. Friday, October 26, 7:30 p.m. $5-30.

Inbal Segev & Alon Goldstein: The cellist and pianist band together to present works by Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms and Antonín Dvoák in "Friends and Mentors," a program exploring the relationships among the three Romantic composers. Friday, November 30, preconcert talk, 6:30 p.m.; concert, 7:30 p.m. $5-35.


click to enlarge Maya Beiser in David Bowie's Blackstar - COURTESY OF IOULEX
  • Courtesy Of Ioulex
  • Maya Beiser in David Bowie's Blackstar

De la musique à la comédie, en passant par les productions théâtrales d'envergure et les pièces plus expérimentales, l'offre de divertissements de Burlington est vaste et variée pour une ville de cette taille. Plusieurs salles et organisations du centre-ville lancent leur saison en septembre, ce qui en fait le moment idéal pour aller voir un spectacle. Lisez ce qui suit pour savoir ce que vous réservent les cinq plus grands présentateurs de la ville.

Flynn Center for the Performing Arts

153 Main St., flynncenter.org

Spectrum Dance Theater : La compagnie établie à Seattle propose un spectacle de danse aux mouvements évocateurs, A Rap on Race, qui s'inspire d'une conversation que l'écrivain James Baldwin et l'anthropologue Margaret Mead ont eue dans les années 1970. Le samedi 6 octobre à 20 h. De 25 à 45 $.

David Bowie's Blackstar : La violoncelliste Maya Beiser, aux côtés de l'Ambient Orchestra, incarne la voix du regretté David Bowie dans une relecture enlevante de son ultime album, sous la baguette du compositeur Evan Ziporyn qui a aussi fait les arrangements. Le samedi 13 octobre à 20 h. De 35 à 58 $.

Elf : Quelle meilleure façon de se mettre dans l'esprit de Noël qu'en assistant à cette comédie musicale contemporaine inspirée du film de 2003 avec Will Ferrell? Des chansons pleines d'entrain rythment l'histoire de ce lutin du Père Noël qui cherche son père humain à New York. Le mercredi 14 novembre et le jeudi 15 novembre à 19 h 30. De 50 à 75 $.

Vermont International Film Festival

Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, 60 Lake St., vtiff.org

Vermont International Film Festival : Des projections de films locaux, indépendants et internationaux, accompagnées de périodes de questions, de réceptions et de discussions avec les artisans, c'est le paradis du cinéphile! L'année dernière, il y a eu de tout pour tout le monde, de la fiction au documentaire en passant par le court métrage. Du vendredi 19 octobre au dimanche 28 octobre. De 60 à 200 $ pour un laissez-passer du festival, et 75 $ pour un forfait de 10 films.

VTIFF Monthly Screenings : Le dernier jeudi de chaque mois, de nouveaux films sont présentés pour le plus grand bonheur des cinéphiles locaux. Qu'ils viennent de l'autre bout du monde ou d'ici même aux États-Unis, les films transmettent toujours un message qui va droit au cœur. Le dernier jeudi de chaque mois, à 19 h. De 5 à 8 $.

Off Center for the Dramatic Arts

294 N. Winooski Ave., Suite 116C, offcentervt.com

Burlington Fringe Festival : Les vingt-quatre spectacles donnés en quatre jours mettent en vedette certains des artistes de théâtre les plus inventifs de l'État. Le jeudi, c'est Blue Night, et l'humour osé est à l'honneur, mais KidsFringe offre un divertissement pour tous les âges le dimanche. Du jeudi 11 octobre au samedi 13 octobre à 19 h 30, et le dimanche 14 octobre à 16 h. De 8 à 15 $.

Vermont Comedy Club

101 Main St., vermontcomedyclub.com
click to enlarge COURTESY OF JEN KIRKMAN
  • Courtesy Of Jen Kirkman

Rhea Butcher : Avec son style pince-sans-rire et tout à fait assumé, cette humoriste de Los Angeles a été désignée parmi les 10 talents à surveiller en 2017 par Variety. La cocréatrice et vedette de la sitcom « Take My Wife » vous fera mourir de rire avec ses blagues souvent inspirées de son enfance dans le Midwest. Le jeudi 13 septembre à 19 h, et les vendredi et samedi 14 et 15 septembre à 19 h et à 21 h 30. De 15 à 27 $.

Good Clean Fun! : Comme son nom l'indique, ce spectacle d'humour improvisé s'adresse autant aux adultes qu'aux enfants. Les pros de l'impro du Vermont Comedy Club interprètent des sketches complètement loufoques qui feront éclater de rire toute la famille. Le samedi 22 septembre à 17 h. 5 $.

Jen Kirkman : Mieux connue pour son émission spéciale sur Netflix intitulée « I'm Gonna Die Alone (and I Feel Fine) », la monologuiste Jen Kirkman est de retour avec du nouveau matériel franchement désopilant. Le Vermont Comedy Club recommande ce spectacle à ceux qui aiment l'humour d'Amy Schumer et de Sarah Silverman. Le jeudi 11 octobre à 19 h, et les vendredi et samedi 12 et 13 octobre à 19 h et à 21 h 30. De 20 à 35 $.

The University of Vermont Lane Series

UVM Recital Hall, 384 S. Prospect St., uvm.edu/laneseries
click to enlarge COURTESY OF ÍMAR
  • Courtesy Of ímar

Ímar : Cette série axée sur les arts de la scène, qui fait autant de place à la musique du monde qu'au classique et au traditionnel, débute sa saison 2018-2019 avec un concert festif de ce quintette charismatique. Originaire de Glasgow, en Écosse, le groupe produit un son purement celtique. Le vendredi 21 septembre; discussion avant le concert à 18 h 30, concert à 19 h 30. De 6 à 31 $.

Molly Tuttle : S'accompagnant à la guitare, cette virtuose de la musique bluegrass mélange classiques indémodables, pièces newgrass contemporaines et chansons originales. En 2017, elle est devenue la première femme à gagner l'International Bluegrass Music Award dans la catégorie Guitariste de l'année. Le vendredi 26 octobre à 19 h 30. De 5 à 30 $.

Inbal Segev & Alon Goldstein : L'une au violoncelle, l'autre au piano, ce duo joue des pièces issues de l'œuvre de Robert Schumann, de Johannes Brahms et d'Antonín Dvoák dans « Friends and Mentors », un spectacle qui explore les relations entre les trois compositeurs romantiques. Le vendredi 30 novembre; discussion avant le concert à 18 h 30, concert à 19 h 30. De 5 à 35 $.

The original print version of this article was headlined "Encore, Encore!"

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About The Author

Kristen Ravin

Kristen Ravin

Bio:
Kristen Ravin was the Seven Days' calendar writer 2015-2021. She also wrote about music and books, and contributed to Seven Days’ parenting magazine Kids VT.

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