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WHAT IS HIGHLIGHT? Highlight is Burlington’s new citywide New Year’s Eve celebration, produced by Burlington City Arts and Signal Kitchen. The festival brings Vermont’s leading artists, makers, and thinkers together to showcase our community’s creativity through lively festivities for all to enjoy. Dive in and experience curated music, thoughtful and cutting-edge art installations, hilarious comedy and circus acts, and everything in between.
BUTTONS! Instead of traditional tickets, Highlight uses cool buttons that you can keep! One button grants access to all 40+ events. Some events may hit capacity, so please arrive early.
Highlight is all about accessibility: $10 for adults, $5 for kids (ages 3–12). Visit highlightbtv.org to purchase online or find a button location near you. Depending on availability, you may buy a button at all Highlight venues on NYE. Box offices will open at least 30 minutes prior to each event. Cash and credit cards are welcome.
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WHAT’S THE BRIGHT IDEAS PROJECT? Many of Highlight’s events are designed and built by your friends and neighbors. The Bright Ideas Project crowdsources ideas from talented Vermonters for all kinds of NYE happenings. Through an open call for proposals, the project grants funds and support to select ideas that come to life at Highlight. The Bright Ideas Project is proudly powered By VSECU. VSECU is a member-owned cooperative and not for profit credit union for everybody who lives or works in Vermont, offering a full range of affordable financial products and services to its member-owners. VSECU is committed to improving the lives of Vermonters by empowering the possibilities for greater social, environmental, and financial prosperity.
FIND THE 2019 BRIGHT IDEAS BELOW
Around the World at the O.N.E.
p. 7
Bid Back to the Planet
p. 7
CyberZoo p. 9
Family Drum Circle with Saragail
p. 10
Fireworks! Bonfires! Cirque de Fuego!
p. 11
Illuminated Eve p. 15
Jennifer Hartswick & Friends
p. 15
Nightshade on New Year’s
p. 20
Mal Maiz presents Nochevieja
p. 21
Playing for Good
p. 22
Sambatucada p. 23
Scrag Mountain Music: John Cage Happening
p. 23
Storytelling Sessions p. 24
Sudden Death & Resurrection
p. 24
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
p. 25
Vermont Folklife’s Pop Up VR Lounge
p. 26
Winter (Sean Clute + Otto Muller)
p. 27
Young Traditions Vermont
p. 27 3
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
BANK ST.
CHERRY ST.
N. WINOOSKI AVE.
PHOENIX BOOKS
CHURCH ST.
DOWNTOWN TRANSIT CENTER PEARL ST.
O.N.E. COMMUNITY CENTER
ALLEN ST.
ELMWOOD AVE.
BATTERY ST.
SHUTTLE INFORMATION:
Our shuttle sponsors provide three free shuttles for Highlight, running from noon to 12:30 am. All shuttle lines meet at the Waterfront, where you can transfer between routes. You can use the shuttles for off-site parking at the DoubleTree Hotel off of Williston Road or at Champlain College’s Miller Center on Lake Street, off of Pine Street. You can also use these shuttles to get around town to the various venues. EAST/WEST - Runs from the back parking area at the DoubleTree Hotel, down Main Street to the Waterfront and then back. NORTH/SOUTH - Runs from Champlain College’s Miller Center off of Pine Street, up Pine Street, to the Waterfront, up to the Downtown Transit Center, out to the ONE Community Center and back. COLLEGE STREET SHUTTLE - Runs up and down College Street, from the Waterfront to the hospital and back. 4
FOAM BREWERS
MAIN ST. LANDING
S PAN
LA
MAIN ST.
DOUBLE TREE HOTEL
YMCA
INTERSTATE 89
EDMUNDS MIDDLE SCHOOL N. UNION AVE.
FLETCHER FREE LIBRARY
CONTOIS AUDITORIUM
FLYNN SPACE
VERMONT COMEDY CLUB MAIN ST.
PINE ST.
LAKE ST.
SODA PLANT MAPLE ST.
COLLEGE ST.
BCA CENTER
CHURCH ST.
CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE MILLER CENTER
SKINNY NCAKE
AKE ST.
ECHO CENTER
PARKING
SHUTTLE STOP
FREE SHUTTLES SPONSORED BY
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THIS POCKET-SIZED GUIDE
provides brief event descriptions and schedule information. Carry this with you as you navigate the 13 hours of programming across our city. For more complete descriptions, information, videos, and ticket information, visit highlightbtv.org. An at-a-glance grid schedule is on pages 16 and 17. The last pages of the guide list some Highlight highlights, sorted by genre. Highlight is for everyone, but after 10 pm, all event admission is for those over 21 years of age. Thank you for your understanding as we all celebrate safely this New Year’s.
THE 2020 TWENTIES BALL ECHO Center 1 College Street 7:45 pm - 12:30 am
Rabble-Rouser Chocolate & Craft Co. invites you to ring in the roaring twenties with wild abandon. Dance all night to the Green Mountain Swing Band, Vermont’s premiere 17-piece big band, while Hot Box Honey gets the party going upstairs. ECHO has a full bar, with 1920s drinks and warm food from Sugar Snap. It’s also a great place to watch the 8 pm fireworks! Come dressed for the ‘20s to ring in the ‘20s! Presented with support from The WaterWheel Foundation, The ECHO Center, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Foam Brewers.
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AROUND THE WORLD IN THE O.N.E. Old North End Community Center, 20 Allen Street 12 - 5 pm Experience the New Year across the globe! On the hour, every hour between noon and 5 pm, the O.N.E. Center celebrates as the new year arrives in Asia, Africa, and Europe, getting closer and closer to us here in Burlington. Throughout the afternoon, performances, activities, and tasty food and drink features cultural traditions from around the world. This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU, with support from Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront.
BID BACK TO THE PLANET: A BENEFIT AUCTION FOR 1% FOR THE PLANET The Skinny Pancake 60 Lake Street 3 - 7 pm Join The Skinny Pancake and 1% for the Planet as they host a benefit auction full of sweet goodies from all your favorite companies who do good for the planet while doing good business. 1% for the Planet is a Burlingtonbased international non-profit made up of member businesses pledging 1% of their revenue to environmental causes. 100% of money raised from the auction and 1% of The Skinny Pancake’s NYE sales go to 1% for the Planet. This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU.
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BLUEGRASS & HONKY TONK FROM THE GREEN STATE The Soda Plant: Brio Coffeeworks 266 Pine Street 4 - 10 pm Local Honky Tonk legend Brett Hughs dives in deep to uncover some of the most happening bluegrass and honky tonk players, pickers, pluckers, and singers from across the state. Hear great tunes and experience the many great Soda Plant businesses. This year, Brett is joined by local Americana rippers Old Sky, Cajun and western swing outfit Big Night, Pat Melvin, Brett Lanier, Sean Preece, Matt Flinner, Caleb Elder, and a bunch of other super special guests. This Tito’s Yappy Hour event features a custom menu of specialty cocktails that raises funds for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. Additional support from Small Dog Electronics and Foam Brewers.
CIRCUS SMIRKUS Edmunds Middle School Gym 275 Main Street 1, 3, & 6 pm
Join Circus Smirkus troupers and alumni for juggling, clowning, acrobatics, wire-walking, contortion, and more in a unique performance to celebrate the new year. A true BTV-NYE tradition, Circus Smirkus is a circus arts organization that inspires kids of all ages to develop artistic, athletic, and life skills through the power of performance. Their programs blend the best of circus tradition and contemporary practice to create immersive experiences, challenging kids to perform and live up to the very best of their own abilities. Presented with support from Northfield Savings Bank.
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CIRCUS SMIRKUS: CIRCUS ARTS WORKSHOP Edmunds Elem. School Gym 299 Main Street 4 - 5 pm Have you ever wanted to run away with the circus? Join Circus Smirkus for a circus arts workshop that gets the whole family in on the act. Kids and adults learn from Circus Smirkus performers and educators working on circus skills such as juggling, balance beam, and acrobatics. Start the new year off with a new skill or two and a huge smile on your face. Presented with support from Northfield Savings Bank.
THE CYBERZOO Main Street Landing: Courtyard 124 Battery Street 5 pm - 12:30 am
Explore an interactive wonderland of illuminated, cybertronic creatures in a secret garden grove. Featuring six artists who work out of Burlington’s Generator makerspace along with some truly amazing contributions from OnLogic, this dream-like menagerie features soundscapes from a giant ghost-whale, augmented-reality flora, glowing flocks of birds, insect swarms, and pulsing blooms of jellyfish. This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU. Additional support from OnLogic and Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront.
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DWIGHT & NICOLE PRESENT: SOUND & COLOR Unitarian Universalist 152 Pearl Street 7 - 11 pm Sound & Color is a series of performances driven by unique collaborations between Dwight & Nicole and some truly inspiring special guest artists. After two collaborative sets between D & N and our special guests, end the night with a headline show from Dwight & Nicole to ring in 2020! Celebrate our musical ancestors from across the globe with sounds of the past and present, cultivating roots for a brand new era.
FAMILY DRUM CIRCLE WITH SARAGAIL Fletcher Free Library 235 College Street 4:30 - 5:30 pm Rhythm! Story! Song! Arts, wellness, and leadership luminary Saragail Benjamin weaves together an interactive program of world rhythms and stories to honor and celebrate our diverse community. Saragail’s drum circles have become a staple of the New Year’s scene here in Burlington, and Highlight is pleased to keep the tradition alive. Start the New Year with joy, laughter, and the warmth of making music together. Family Drum Circle is 100% interactive and all-inclusive. Come and play! This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU. Additional support from the Fletcher Free Library. 10
FIREWORKS! BONFIRES! CIRQUE DE FUEGO! Waterfront Park 20 Lake Street 6 - 9 pm What’s better than fireworks at Waterfront Park? Fireworks and two bonfires! What’s even better than that? Fireworks, two bonfires, and a performance from the amazing fire troupe Cirque De Fuego! In this all-ages performance, the troupe sparks wonder and excitement in stunningly choreographed feats of flame. 6-9 pm: Bonfires, 7:30 pm: Cirque De Fuego, 8 pm: Fireworks This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU. Additional support from The WaterWheel Foundation, Northstar Fireworks and Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront.
FLETCHER FREE PRESENTS Fletcher Free Library 235 College St 11:30 am - 3 pm
The library is booked for New Years! 11:30 am - 12 pm: Noon Year’s Eve Got little ones who can’t stay up ‘til midnight? Celebrate the arrival of 2020 with a countdown to NOON instead! 12 - 3 pm: STEM activities Curious and crafty kids learn and explore the fun and intrigue of science and technology, building potato circuits that generate light, wishing wands, and waterless snow globes. Presented by the Fletcher Free Library.
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GIRLS ROCK VERMONT VARIETY SHOW Flynn Space 153 Main Street 1 & 2:15 pm Girls Rock Vermont Variety Show features young rockers performing music they’ve been working on since summer camp. Girls Rock Vermont is a nonprofit music education program dedicated to building self-esteem and encouraging self-expression. They provide girls, women, and nonbinary folks with the opportunity to participate in an environment that fosters leadership, encourages social change, and cultivates a supportive community of female-identifying peers and mentors. Presented with support from The Flynn.
GOOD CLEAN FUN Vermont Comedy Club 101 Main Street 12, 2, 4, & 6 pm
The Vermont Comedy Club has become a Highlight staple. Suggestions provided by the audience and the occasional on-stage volunteer launch Vermont Comedy Club’s professional improv team into a Whose Line is it, Anyway?-style show. Enjoy VT Comedy’s food and drink while you laugh! This Tito’s Yappy Hour event features a custom menu of specialty cocktails that raises funds for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. Additional support from Foam Brewers.
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HIBERNATE The Soda Plant 266 Pine Street 4 - 10 pm
The incredible local brands of Brio Coffeeworks, CO Cellars, Shacksbury Cider, Tom Girl Juice, and Alice & The Magician come together to ring in the new year. Hunker down and cozy up amidst bubbling fermentations, roasting coffee, and inspired artists while dancing to Brett Hughes and his own curated mini-festival: Bluegrass & Honky Tonk from the Green State. All ages. All welcome. This Tito’s Yappy Hour event features a custom menu of specialty cocktails that raises funds for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. Additional support from Small Dog Electronics and Foam Brewers.
HIGHLIGHT PARADE Church Street Marketplace 5:30 - 6 pm
Head to Church Street for the annual New Year’s Eve parade! Kid’s who have created lanterns at special Make & Take events (see page 18) share their light and art, while Sambatucada and Burlington Taiko Drummers provide the beats. Handmade, student-powered dragons will be there too! Presented with support from Dealer.com
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HOKUM BROS. GET HAPPY HOUR ECHO Center 1 College Street 12 - 1 pm Rare and original, the Hokums’ songs are catchy and integrated with humor. Their lyrics speak of true-life experiences and incorporate a thread of Americana. The Hokum Bros. offer up an eclectic mix of original tunes, sight gags, physical comedy, and a pinch of nostalgia that insures audiences will be wearing their happy faces far into the new year. With support from The WaterWheel Foundation and The ECHO Center.
HORIZON LINES Foam Brewers 112 Lake Street 12 - 8 pm Celebrate the closing of the old and the opening of the new with a day of art, music, libations, Sleight of Hand with magician Chris McBride, and other interactive activities for the whole family. Local artist Will Gebhard creates a new “floating” installation to temporarily transform the space.
ICE SKATING INTO THE NEW YEAR Leddy Arena 216 Leddy Park Road 1:30 - 4 pm Skate your way into 2020 courtesy of Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront and amazing volunteers from the Champlain Valley Skating Club. Twist and twirl to tunes during the day and energize yourself for the nighttime fun and activities. Skate rentals are available for $3 each while supplies last. Presented by Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront. 14
ILLUMINATED EVE Main Street Landing 124 Battery Street 5 pm - 12:30 am
The Vermont-based Illumination Collective artist group is excited to present a magical event consisting of video projection, projection mapping, ambient lighting, interactive LED technology, and illuminated installations inside Main Street Landing. Illumination Collective’s projects create captivating, safe, and family friendly experiences that tantalize the senses. This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU. A Tito’s Yappy Hour event, Illuminated Eve features a custom menu of specialty cocktails that raises funds for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. Additional support from The WaterWheel Foundation, and Foam Brewers.
JENNIFER HARTSWICK & FRIENDS Skinny Pancake 60 Lake Street 9 pm - 12:30 am Singer and trumpet player Jennifer Hartswick, guitarist Danny Mayer, and bassist Chris Chew bring their love of soul music and Vermont together for one night only. Hartswick’s unique brand of music finds her comfortably spanning many genres, including jazz, blues, funk, and soul. This band is sure to bring the heat, and who knows who might show up to sit in! This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU. A Tito’s Yappy Hour event, Jennifer Hartswick & Friends features a custom menu of specialty cocktails that raises funds for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. Additional support from The WaterWheel Foundation and Foam Brewers.
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12 PM BCA CENTER
1 PM
2 PM
3 PM
CONTOIS AUD.
5 PM
Sambatucada Brings Brazil to Burlington
Pawrade (4:30)
CHURCH ST. ECHO CENTER
4 PM
Transcendent Exhibition / Kids Lantern Make & Take
Hokum Bros.
Mr. Chris
High Par
Mr. Chris
Kids Lantern Make & Take
EDMUNDS SCHOOL
Circus Smirkus
Circus Smirkus
Circus Arts Workshop
FIRST CONGR. FLETCHER FREE LIBRARY
Family Drum Circle
Young Tradition Vermont Fletcher Free Presents (11:30)
VT Folklife Center Virtual Reality Lounge
FOAM
Horizon Lines
FLYNN SPACE
Play For G
Girls Rock Vermont (1 & 2:15)
LEDDY PARK
Ice Skating into New Year
MAIN ST. LANDING
Sudden Death
O.N.E. CENTER
Around the World in the O.N.E.
PHOENIX BOOKS
Story
SKINNY PANCAKE
Bid Back To The Planet
SODA PLANT
Hibernate / Blue
U.U. CHURCH VERMONT COMEDY
The Moth Good Clean Fun
Good Clean Fun
WATERFRONT YMCA
Stay & Play
Good Clean Fun
6 PM
7 PM
8 PM
9 PM
10 PM
11 PM
12 AM
Nightshade on New Year’s The Nochevieja Festival
hlight rade The 2020 Twenties Ball The 2020 Twenties Ball Circus Smirkus Scrag Mountain John Cage Tales of Russia
ying Good
Pechakucha
Too Much Light
The CyberZoo The LightHouse Sudden Death
Winter Illuminated Eve
ytelling Jennifer Hartswick & Friends
egrass & Honky Tonky from the Green State Dwight & Nicole Present: Sound & Color Good Clean Fun Cirque de Fuego (7:30) / Fireworks (8) Bonfires (6-9) 17
KIDS ART MAKE & TAKE BCA Center 135 Church Street 1 - 4 pm ECHO Center 1 College St 12 - 5 pm Bring the kids and join the BCA Education team at one of our three Make & Take art events. Art kits are provided to students 2nd grade and older to make awesome lanterns they’ll carry in the Highlight Parade at 5:30 pm at the top of Church Street. These sessions happen at 1–4 pm: The BCA Center, 12-5 pm: ECHO Center, 12-5 pm: The O.N.E Center Presented with support from Dealer.com.
KIDS STAY AND PLAY The NEW YMCA 298 College Street 1 - 5 pm
The YMCA opens its doors to their brand new facility for Highlight. Families and kids can work off that year-end energy with a supervised bounce house, soft play equipment, tricycles, and more. All are invited to come in from the cold to socialize at one of Burlington’s longest-running community centers and check out the Y’s amazing new home. Presented by Burlington YMCA.
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THE LIGHTHOUSE Main Street Landing 124 Battery Street 5 pm - 12:30 am
The LightHouse ties together all of the happenings at Main Street Landing’s Performing Arts Center: The CyberZoo; Illuminated Eve; Sudden Death and Resurrection; and Winter (Sean Clute + Otto Muller). Beyond this already incredible list of events, some of Vermont’s finest sound artists and innovative DJs create a truly unforgettable immersive experience. Come soak in the best of VT’s theater, experiential art, and music scenes, and sip on craft cocktails and beer from Tito’s and Foam—this one’s going late folks! This Tito’s Yappy Hour event features a custom menu of specialty cocktails that raises funds for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. Additional support from Main Street Landing.
THE MISTER CHRIS AND FRIENDS BAND ECHO Center: Main Stage 1 College Street 2 & 4 pm
The Mister Chris and Friends Band strives to bring focus to the simple beauty of childhood, parenthood, and community. Singer-songwriter and educator Chris Dorman performs thoughtful and tender songs that captivate multi-generational audiences while keeping the most sensitive ears in mind. Parents and kids can enjoy food and beverages from Sugar Snap while they listen and dance. With support from The WaterWheel Foundation and The ECHO Center.
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THE MOTH Unitarian Universalist 152 Pearl Street 4 - 6 pm
For twenty years, The Moth has been celebrating the diversity and commonality of the human experience, presenting the stories you have waited all year to hear. At this special NYE event, ten community members are selected at random to tell a true, first-person, live story. Disclaimer: The Moth has no age minimum, though some of the tellers may share raw and explicit stories that may contain profanity and are meant for an audience aged 16 years and older.
NIGHTSHADE ON NEW YEAR’S BCA Center 135 Church Street 7 - 10 pm
Nightshade on New Year’s presents a multicultural program following the diaspora of pan-African sounds and flavor to North America. The event features music by Mauritanian songwriter Daby Touré and supporting artists, as well as an immersive tasting menu from emerging Burlington chefs. Take some time to appreciate, before the high energy of New Year’s takes hold, just how special our city and its people are. This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU. This Tito’s Yappy Hour event features a custom menu of specialty cocktails that raises funds for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. With additional support from Foam Brewers..
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THE NOCHEVIEJA FESTIVAL Contois Auditorium, City Hall 149 Church Street 4 pm - 12:30 am
¡Vamos a bailar! Come discover the beautiful Afro-Colombian dances and folkloric drums by Kumbia Chuanas, salsa dance with local legends Dsantos, get lost in the psycho-tropical beats by GuaGua, munch on traditional food and beverages, and don’t miss a very special headline performance by Mal Maiz. This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU. Additional support from The University Of Vermont, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Foam Brewers.
THE PAWRADE! Church Street 1 Church Street 4:30 - 5 pm
The Humane Society of Chittenden County and Tito’s Handmade Vodka team up to get all dogs and dog-lovers out for a group stroll down Church Street. Meet with your leashed pup at Church & Pearl at 4:30 pm. Stop by Fetch The Leash (85 Pearl Street) beforehand for a dog open house from 3:30 - 4:30 pm. For your pet to roam around Fetch The Leash, bring your recent vet records. Presented by the Humane Society of Chittenden County with support from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the vodka for dog people.
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PECHAKUCHA NIGHT Flynn Space 153 Main Street 7:30 - 9 pm
PechaKucha Night features a lineup of local presenters sharing their passions, ideas, works, thoughts—just about anything, really—in the PechaKucha 20×20 format. The idea is that each presenter is allowed 20 images, with each image appearing for exactly 20 seconds, all happening in the last few hours before 2020. While the seconds tick by, enjoy a drink from Flynn Space’s bar. This Tito’s Yappy Hour event features a custom menu of specialty cocktails that raises funds for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. Additional support from Foam Brewers and The Flynn.
PLAYING FOR GOOD Flynn Space 153 Main Street 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Playing for Good is a classical chamber ensemble dedicated to supporting the local Vermont community through the power of music. Highlight 2019’s performance features a set of madrigals, the genius of Mozart, rip-roaring tunes from the Nordic countries, and soulful works by local Vermont composers. Jane Kittredge and Brooke Quiggins, violins; Ana Ruesink, viola; John Dunlop, cello; Kyle Saulnier, bass. This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU. A Tito’s Yappy Hour event, Playing for Good features a custom menu of specialty cocktails that raises funds for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. Additional support from Foam Brewers and The Flynn.
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SAMBATUCADA BRINGS BRAZIL TO BURLINGTON Contois Auditorium, City Hall 149 Church Street 2 - 4 pm Burlington’s own Sambatucada hosts workshops on the electrifying drumming and dancing tradition of Samba and Samba Reggae. Mini experiences include Learn to Make Music led by Bruce McKenzie from 2 to 2:45 pm and Learn to Dance with Carla Kavorkian from 2:45 to 3:15 pm. Then put it all together for Just Have Fun with Sambatucada from 3:15 to 4 pm. Come learn, dance, and listen as we catapult into the new year. This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU.
SCRAG MOUNTAIN MUSIC: JOHN CAGE HAPPENING First Congregational Church 38 S. Winooski Avenue 8:30 - 10 pm
Scrag Mountain Music presents John Cage Happening, an immersive installation featuring the music of visionary American composer John Cage. In one room, pianist Jacob Greenberg performs Cage’s well-known Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano (1946-48). In a second space, Mary Bonhag, Jessica Allen, and Evan Premo offer excerpts from Cage’s Song Books, Composed Improvisation No. 1, Litany for the Whale, and the famous 4’33’’. In a third room, enjoy a series of Cage-related experimental films. This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU.
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STORYTELLING SESSIONS Phoenix Books 191 Bank Street 3 - 9 pm
A new year brings new stories. Stop by Phoenix Books and let storytellers transport you one last time in 2019. Join James Kochalka (3 pm), Bill Torrey (5 pm), Thea Lewis (6 pm), Megan Price (7 pm), and Martin Philips (8 pm) for a great listening session. This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU.
SUDDEN DEATH AND RESURRECTION Main Street Landing: Black Box Theater 124 Battery Street 5 & 6:30 pm Inconceiveable Theatre presents Sudden Death and Resurrection, an immersive installation that focuses on the meanings human beings attach to the idea of beginnings and endings in life. The audience walks through the space and watches a variety of performance pieces that all feed into the greater theme, showing how storytelling helps shape who we are and our understanding of the world. This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU. A Tito’s Yappy Hour event, Sudden Death features a custom menu of specialty cocktails that raises funds for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. Additional support from The WaterWheel Foundation, Foam Brewers, and Main Street Landing. 24
TALES OF RUSSIA IN WINTER WITH LEKKO Fletcher Free Library 235 College Street 6:30 - 7:30 pm Grab your woolen boots and balalaika and join Yuriy and Abby of the Slavic folk group Lekko as they celebrate the winter season! Enjoy some Russian zakuski while listening to traditional Russian and Eastern European music performed live on authentic folk instruments. Presented by the Fletcher Free Library.
TOO MUCH LIGHT MAKES THE BABY GO BLIND Flynn Space 153 Main Street 10 - 11:30 pm
This Inconceivable Theatre performance is a chaotic race against time, with 30 plays in 60 minutes, originally created by Greg Allen and the NeoFuturists. Each two-minute play is performed in random order with an interactive audience. The plays range from raunchy comedies to heartfelt moments of human connection and reflections on the absolute absurdity of life. What better way to end 2019? This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU. A Tito’s Yappy Hour event, Too Much Light features a custom menu of specialty cocktails that raises funds for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. Additional support from The Flynn and Foam Brewers.
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TRANSCENDENT: SPIRITUALITY IN CONTEMPORARY ART BCA Center 135 Church Street 12 - 8 pm Transcendent presents a selection of artists who explore or evoke themes of spirituality through their work. Challenging the unspoken taboo of representing the divine or faith in contemporary art, Transcendent aims to connect art and creative practice with the meditative or the sacred. Drawing from diverse traditions, the works in this exhibition reflect on questions of human nature, cultural identity, and sanctity in everyday life.
VERMONT FOLKLIFE CENTER VIRTUAL REALITY LOUNGE Fletcher Free Library 235 College Street 1 - 5 pm The Vermont Folklife Center and Fletcher Free Library present a Virtual Reality Lounge presenting three new VR documentaries that explore life across the Green Mountain State. Virtual Reality camera technology and viewing experiences present new horizons in documentary storytelling; get a premiere look at some of our first VR documentary films. This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU. Additional support from the Fletcher Free Library and AARP.
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WINTER (SEAN CLUTE + OTTO MULLER) Main Street Landing 124 Battery Street 8 - 9 pm Winter is an audiovisual performance celebrating the inventiveness of Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, the Vermont farmer who became the first person to photograph a snow crystal, in 1885. Influenced by Bentley’s ingenuity, artist Sean Clute has created custom-built software, a MIDI controller, various drawing apparatus, and video projection that are used in this performance. Otto Muller joins the project with the performance of his original compositions. This cold-focused performance will warm your minds! This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU. A Tito’s Yappy Hour event, Winter features a custom menu of specialty cocktails that raises funds for the Humane Society of Chittenden County. With additional support from The WaterWheel Foundation, Main Street Landing, and Foam Brewers.
YOUNG TRADITION VERMONT Fletcher Free Library: Main Reading Room 235 College Street 1 - 4 pm Beginning at 1 pm, Young Tradition Vermont hosts an Instrument Petting Zoo, a collection of instruments with the express purpose of letting people—especially kids—play them. At 2 pm, the Youth Commission Ensemble performs a program of original compositions/arrangements from this year’s commissioned artist, Romy Munkres, with her brother Ben Munkres and Abi Sandy, Hadley Stockwell, and Fern O’Donnell. This Bright Ideas Project is generously powered by VSECU. Additional support from the Fletcher Free Library.
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FIND WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR To help you find happenings to make your New Year’s special, select events are listed here by genre and type. Reference the page number for a complete description.
Around the World In the O.N.E. (p. 7) Circus Smirkus (p. 8) Fireworks! Bonfires! Cirque de Fuego! (p. 11) Fletcher Free Presents (p. 11) Girls Rock Vermont Variety Show (p. 12) Hibernate at the Soda Plant (p. 13) Highlight Parade! (p. 13) Ice Skating Into The New Year (p. 14) Illuminated Eve (p. 15) Kids Art Make & Take (p. 18) Kids Stay & Play at the YMCA (p. 18) The Mister Chris & Friends Band (p. 19) Young Tradition Vermont (p. 27)
The 2020 Twenties Ball (p. 6) Bluegrass & Honky Tonk From the Green State (p. 8) Fireworks! Bonfires! Cirque De Fuego! (p. 11) Hibernate at the Soda Plant (p. 13) Jennifer Hartswick & Friends (p. 15) The LightHouse (p. 19) Nightshade On New Year’s (p. 20) The Nochevieja Festival (p. 21) PechaKucha Night (p. 22) Playing for Good (p. 22) Scrag Mountain Music: John Cage Happening (p. 23) Sudden Death & Resurrection (p. 24) Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind (p. 25)
The 2020 Twenties Ball (p. 6) Bluegrass & Honky Tonk from The Green State (p. 8) Girls Rock Vermont Variety Show (p. 12) Jennifer Hartswick & Friends (p. 15) The LightHouse (p. 19) The Mister Chris & Friends Band (p. 19) Nightshade On New Year’s (p. 20) The Nochevieja Festival (p. 21) Playing for Good (p. 22) Scrag Mountain Music: John Cage Happening (p. 23) Tales of Russia in Winter with Lekko (p. 25) Young Tradition Vermont (p. 27) 28
Circus Smirkus (p. 8) Fireworks! Bonfires! Cirque De Fuego! (p. 11) The Nochevieja Festival (p. 21) The LightHouse (p. 19) PechaKucha Night (p. 22) Sudden Death & Resurrection (p. 24) Tales of Russia in Winter with Lekko (p. 25) Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind (p. 25) Winter (p. 27)
Circus Smirkus (p. 8) Good Clean Fun (p. 12) The Moth (p. 20) PechaKucha Night (p. 22) Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind (p. 25)
Around The World In The O.N.E. (p. 6) The Cyberzoo (p. 9) Fletcher Free Presents! (p. 11) Horizon Lines (p. 14) Illuminated Eve (p. 15) Kids Art Make & Take (p. 18) The LightHouse (p. 19) The Nochevieja Festival (p. 21) Sudden Death & Resurrection (p. 24) Tales of Russia in Winter with Lekko (p. 25) Transcendent (p. 26) Winter (p. 27)
Highlight spans 13 hours of accessible programming. In addition to the many great Burlington restaurants and bars, you can find food and drink at many Highlight venues. Thanks to Foam Brewers, Tito’s Handmade Vodka—the vodka for dog people—and their Yappy Hour menus benefitting the Chittenden County Humane Society, and Sugarsnap Catering.
BCA Center (evening) - Bar, Food Contois Auditorium - Bar, Food ECHO Center - Bar, Food Foam Brewers - Bar, Food Flynn Space - Bar Main Street Landing - Bar The O.N.E. Center - Various Vendors Soda Plant - Bar, Food Unitarian Universalist - Lasagna Dinner Vermont Comedy Club - Bar, Food 29
START COFFEE. MAKE TOAST.
Go Public. VPR.org
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