Films, Food, Sketching, and More... 2011 is off to a flying start here at BMAC. On January 5 we hosted the Inauguration Eve reception for Vermont's new governor and longtime BMAC member Peter Shumlin. Now we're getting back to more "standard" fare... and plenty of it! On Thursday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m. we present the next installment in the Independent Lens Community Cinema series, the acclaimed documentary, The Calling, followed by a discussion with Rabbi Tom Heyn of the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community. Presented in collaboration with BCTV and Vermont Public Television. On Saturday, January 22 at 12 p.m., artists of all ages and abilities are invited to join the three artists featured in Paper Trails on a "sketchcrawl" of downtown Brattleboro. Crawl about town, make some sketches, then meet up with your fellow artists for appreciation and refreshments at the Museum. Presented in collaboration with River Gallery School and Post Oil Solutions. The following evening, Sunday, January 23, 6-8 p.m., is the second BEAN ("Brattleboro Essential Arts Network") Micro-Grant Dinner, catered and served at the Museum by the Elliot Street Cafe. For only $10 you can enjoy a great meal in a fun setting. And you and your fellow diners will vote on one or more local art projects to receive the proceeds of the dinner. Art, food, community, grassroots philanthropy... that's a lot of good stuff packed into one Sunday evening. Singing Their Hearts Out for BMAC    Tickets are still available -- but vanishing fast -- for Brattleboro's Eighth Annual Collegiate A Cappella Concert at the Latchis Theatre, all proceeds of which benefit BMAC. Seven talented groups, each of which features a singer who grew up in our region, will take the stage on Saturday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m. for a night of amazing musical entertainment. The concert is generously sponsored by Prentiss Smith & Company, Brattleboro Savings & Loan Association, The Richards Group, Mary Meyer Corp., and Business & Tax Consultants. By popular demand for the second year in a row, one of those seven groups, the Tufts University Beelzebubs, will give a second performance the following day, Sunday, February 6 at 11:30 a.m. at BMAC. Maybe you just can't get enough great a cappella singing, or you prefer not to go out at night, or you like the idea of seeing this internationally acclaimed group perform in an intimate setting surrounded by cool artwork. Whatever your motivation, this is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the guys who took second place on NBC's The Sing-Off and now provide the arrangements and background vocals for the Dalton Academy Warblers on the mega-hit TV series, Glee.   Gift Shop Clearance Sale and Other Good News   For a limited time, everything in the Museum's Gift Shop is being offered at a 40% discount. Don't miss out on these great deals on art-inspired books, cards, toys, jewelry, accessories, and more. We are delighted to announce that BMAC recently received a $5,000 grant from the Amy E. Tarrant Foundation in Burlington, Vermont, to support our new role as the statewide affiliate for the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. This program and the support of the Tarrant Foundation will enable BMAC to recognize and nurture the budding talents of young Vermont artists and writers. Our current exhibit, Licked, Sucked, Stacked, Stuck, was the subject of a well-read post on the Art:21 blog last fall. So well-read, in fact, it made their Top 10 list of the most highly-trafficked posts of 2010.     About the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center Founded in 1972 and located in Brattleboro's historic Union Station building, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to present art and ideas in ways that inspire, educate, and engage people of all ages.  Major support for BMAC's 2010-2011 season is provided by our members and Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, Foard Panel, People's United Bank, C&S Wholesale Grocers, and Sam's Outdoor Outfitters.