Put on some deodorant, because it’s time to hug your farmer! The all-star Hug Your Farmer fundraiser, which debuted in 2011, is set to return to the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington this Friday, November 22. All proceeds from the show go straight to the Vermont Community Foundation’s VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund.
Led by guitarist Bob Wagner and his Hug Your Farmer house band — a who’s who of Burlington musicians — the charity performance always embraces a theme; last year’s edition was a tribute to the music of Bob Dylan. This year, the musicians pay homage to the legends of country music and Nashville’s historic Grand Ole Opry. Dubbed “A Night at the Opry,” the show features performances from Grace Potter, Ryan Miller of Guster, Phish‘s Mike Gordon, Dwight + Nicole, Ryan Montbleau, and many more.
MC Rich Price (the Sweet Remains) talked about the theme in the press release: “The Opry is not just an embodiment of the heart and soul of country music; it has always been where performers and audiences cherish the artistry of music and the unique sense of community that it can create.”
Burlington honky-tonk experts Wild Leek River kick it off with an opening set. For tickets and more information, head to flynnvt.org.
Speaking of charitable works, the Phab Phour are once again raising funds for their home state. Jam-band kings Phish recently raked in more than $4 million in support of the Divided Sky Residential Recovery Program, a nonprofit addiction recovery organization in Ludlow that was launched by the band’s guitarist, Trey Anastasio.
The band raised the money with a three-night stand in Albany, N.Y., at the MVP Arena in October. This follows its 2023 benefit concerts in Saratoga Springs, where Phish brought in more than $3.5 million for flood recovery.
“Because of these concerts, we will be able to help many more people take charge of their lives and recover from addictions,” Divided Sky program director and cofounder Melanie Gulde said. “It’s hard to put into words how grateful we are to Phish and their fans for this generosity.”
Valley Stage Productions has kicked off the 2024-25 season of P.M. Sundays shows at the Richmond Congregational Church. Led by promoter Don Sheldon, the group’s mission is to host nationally touring artists in less typical venues. And for seven seasons, it has done just that in the historic Richmond church.
This season kicked off on November 10 with a performance by folk singer Sadie Gustafson-Zook. It continues on Sunday, December 8, with Canadian singer-songwriter Michelle Willis, the Allison Lupton Trio in January, Massachusetts bluegrass act Bookmatch in February and Bay Area indie-folk singer Ismay in March. The series wraps up in April with Nashville singer-songwriter Abigayle Kompst.
To get tickets, visit valleystage.net.
Listening In
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This article appears in Nov 20-26, 2024.
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