St. Johnsbury Arts and Entertainment
 |
Bob Swartz, President |
Making Beautiful Music--
the Northeast Kingdom
Classical Series
Classical chamber music is alive and well in St. Johnsbury, Vermont!
For the past 19 years, the Northeast Kingdom Classical Series has brought four or five top-quality chamber music concerts each winter to St. Johnsbury. “The talent of our performers is world-class,” says Leslie Gensberg, president and one of the founders of the series. “The groups we bring to St. Johnsbury perform in international venues at the highest level.”
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The programs are different each year, but the series always includes a string quartet and a piano performance. The series runs through the winter months. Check their website, www.nekclassicalseries.org for the complete schedule.
The organization is a non-profit, run by a dedicated team of five volunteers. Along with Leslie Gensberg, the rest of the team includes secretary Judith Rankin, treasurer Lucy Haworth, Carew Magnus, and Linda Bishop. None of the five organizers takes any money for their hard work. “That is the way we are able to bring in such wonderful performers,” says Leslie. “One hundred percent of our funds goes directly to paying the artists.”
One of the group’s most exciting achievements was realized in 2007, when
two anonymous donors offered the seed money to purchase a new Steinway B grand piano. The group was able to place it in South Congregational Church in St. Johnsbury.
Concert tickets are available at a very reasonable price -- $16 single admission, $13 for seniors, and $6 for students. At each concert, the reduced price of $6 is offered to anyone who requests it – no questions asked. “We want everyone who loves classical music to be able to enjoy the concerts,” says Judy Rankin. “But this requires donations from people who are able to give a little more, and we have many loyal concertgoers who want to see the series continue for many years to come.”
For more information about the Northeast Kingdom Classical Series, visit their website or call 802-748-8012.
Arts and Entertainment around St. Johnsbury
For the arts and entertainment enthusiast, St. Johnsbury has a wide assortment of activities. The center of cultural life in downtown St. Johnsbury is Catamount Arts on Eastern Ave. Their schedule of arts offerings includes weekly independent and international films, weekly live jazz concerts, art exhibits, classes in various artistic media, as well as performances by various musical ensembles, dance troupes and theater companies. Catamount Arts is currently in a campaign to complete its move next door to much larger space.
Many organizations sponsor a wide variety of cultural events throughout the year. Local venues include Fuller Hall and the more intimate Black Box Theater at St. Johnsbury Academy, several historic churches in St. Johnsbury, and the Alexander Twilight Theater at nearby Lyndon State College.
The Star Theater on Eastern Ave. in St. Johnsbury shows first-run films year-round on its three screens.
Downtown St. Johnsbury is the home of the Artisan's Guild, where local crafts people display and sell their varied works.
Many writers, visual artists, and crafts people have found a home in the St. Johnsbury area. Our cultural directory shows the wide range of artistic talents on display in the St. Johnsbury area.
Arts and Entertainment Links
Star Theater Movies