August, 2015

Chamber Newsletter

Chamber Members- get ready for a busy schedule of mixers coming up over the next couple months!!

Another perk of membership, so take advantage of the opportunity to mix with your fellow business folks and other Chamber members, and see how our hosts operate.

Wednesday, August 26th 5:30-7:30 at the Inn At Neshobe River- home of Foley Brothers Brewery and Neshobe Winery!

Wednesday, September 2nd 5:30-7:30 at Compass Music- Come to the Chamber Mixer at the Compass Music and Arts Center and learn about all that Compass has to offer. Sample culinary delights prepared daily by cook Donna Towle as served at the Compass Café and Brandon Music. See the current main art exhibit 'What EMMA Loves', tour the phonograph exhibit and browse the gift shop, music store and other exhibits on display. You can also meet resident artists and visit their studios, shop in the Compass Treasure Chest consignment shop and learn about Divine Art Records, the international classical recording company headquartered at Compass. Talk with Compass Music and Arts Foundation board members to learn about what the Foundation does and hopes to accomplish in the future. Compass is located in Park Village (formerly the Brandon Training School). Travel north on Rte. 7 from downtown Brandon and turn left onto Arnold District Rd. Take the first left into Park Village and follow the red signs to the Compass Center.

Wednesday, October 7th 5:30-7:30 at the Village Spa- 32 Marble Street

Tuesday, Oct 27th 5:30-7:30 at Mae's Place diner- 23 Center Street

Fun, food, chat & chew and maybe you'll win the 50/50 !!

Chamber Free Summer Concert Series Lineup and Dates

JUL. 17th- Our kick-off concert at the Neshobe SOAR Summerfest-Pig Roast featuring Distant Thunder (as the band not the pig) was a big success! After an 8-year hiatus, Dostant Thunder has re-united with 5 original members plus a new, 6^th member. Members Chris Pallutto (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Greg Coolidge (drums, percussion and vocals), Butch Gearwar (bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals), Rhoda Forrest (vocals, guitar and percussion) and Debbie (vocals, percussion and keyboards) & Dennis Bonanza (guitar, bass, vocals) are back, and better than ever.Thanks for attending and enjoying the delicious food and great music!

JUL. 31st- First time in Brandon- we welcomed Shellhouse in the Central Park Bandstand. It was a perfect summer night! Great music and a nice crowd had a great time! Shellhouse is an original Vermont rock & roll band for over ten years. They've played club venues and concert series throughout Vermont. Their two albums, Boomerang and Indian Summer, are often heard on WZXP, The Album Station and other VT and NY radio stations.

AUG.14th Tintype Gypsies

A hardy crowd endured a little rain as they listened to our local gang and their guests. It was well worth the effort and ended up a very fun & enjoyable evening!

NEXT UP- OUR LAST CONCERT OF THE SEASON!!!

SEP. 4th- 5-9pm Brandon Chamber free summer concert series at Neshobe Golf Club- Moose Crossing-

Prime Rib buffet starting at 5pm and jazz music from 7-9pm.

Neshobe Golf Club will be hosting another concert this year to go along with one of their incredibly delicious,

and affordable prime rib buffets! We're excited to welcome Moose Crossing to our line-up of concert offerings.

Incorporating sax, upright bass, key board and drums, they specialize in the the Great American Song

Book, with greats from Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Billy Strayhorn and more! We also delve into the Bop

greats such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and countless more, all while writing our own jazz

standards too!

Solutions for My Business

Whatever your business, Efficiency Vermont can help you save money on energy-efficient equipment you buy today and on your energy costs for years to come.

A nice crowd listened to a presentation about ways to save money and energy with Efficiency Vermont's help. The bottom line that we took away from the evening was to always check with them before you make any investment in heating, cooling, insulating, hot water or appliances. They will probably have rebates or suggestions that will save you money now and in the future!

Contact Adam Tower- Project Intake Coordinator at 802-540-7880 or atower@veic.org

ANOTHER EXCITING SEASON AT OUR TOWN HALL!!

Come see what you've been missing and help support the continued renovation of this town treasure!!

The Brandon Town Hall is open and ready for a long summer and fall of exciting events!

August 22nd... LIVE PRO WRESTLING "The Brawl in the Brandon Town Hall" at 7:30 pm. For the first time in Brandon, the Brandon Town Hall presents Live Professional Wrestling! This family friendly event is presented by professional wrestler, Pierre Vachon from Middlebury. Adults...$8, Seniors/Students/Active Military...$6, Children 12 & under....$5, Special reserved seats on the stage are limited and available for two dollars more per ticket. Reserved tickets can only be purchased by calling 247-5420 or purchased in advance at any Town Hall event. Regular tickets can be purchased at Carr's Florist & Gifts or at the door if available. Vendors will also be available, selling t-shirts, pictures and wrestling memorabilia of the participating wrestlers. The concession area will be open selling hot dogs, drinks, popcorn and snacks. Sponsored by The Brandon Recreation Department.

August 29^th...2nd Annual "Brandon Has Talent" Show...Saturday, 7:00 pm. Year 2 of our very successful Talent Show will again showcase the multi-talented community members from Brandon and the surrounding area. Adults...$10 at the door...$8 if you purchase in advance, Seniors/Students/Active Military....$6, Children 5 and under....FREE.

September 10th...Thursday 7:00-10:30pm. Lessons and demonstrations by professional dancers from Argentina. Dance band from Boston to help you dance or just sit and listen to some great music.

Sept. 12^th...Silent Movie...Saturday, 7:00 pm. "Rex The Devil Horse" (1926) & "Tarzan & The Golden Lion" (1926). Rex the Wonder Horse stars in this Western about a boy and his colt who are separated by the Indians but find each other again. In Tarzan & the Golden Lion, we see a rip roaring action adventure that plays like an early version of "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" Free Will Offering.

September 19th... ANTI-BULLYING PROGRAM WITH "BRUCE AND HOBBES...Saturday 6:30pm A great anti-bullying presentation by radio personalities "Bruce & Hobbes", this one hour program is a benefit for the Town Hall and will include Bruce & Hobbes' Book, "Hobbes Goes Home". Their book will be on sale at the discounted rate of $20 with $5.00 from the sale of every book to be donated to animal rescue/welfare organizations. They will be available to sign and personalize the books. The presentation will include a power point presentation detailing Hobbes' story, an anti-bullying message, reading the book, a question and answer period and a surprise ending. This is a Free Will Donation event sponsored by; Bud & Jane Coolidge, National Bank Of Middlebury.

Friday, September 25th & Saturday, September 26th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, September 27th at 2:00 pm. "The Female Version of The Odd Couple" The Brandon Town Players production of "Relative Values" has been replaced with Neil Simon's hilarious comedy! Unger and Madison are at it again! Florence Unger and Olive Madison, that is, in this contemporary comic classic. Instead of a poker party that begins the original version, Ms. Madison has invited the girls over for an evening of Trivial Pursuit. The Pidgeon sisters have been replaced by the two Constanzuela brothers, but the hilarity remains the same. Directed by Dennis Marden. Tickets are: Adults, $8, Seniors/Students/Active Military, $6. and can be purchased at Carr's Florist & Gifts or at the door. Sponsored by Sally Wood, Brandon Artist Guild.

October 9th... DISSIPATED EIGHT... Friday 7:00 pm. Middlebury College's premier a cappella group will present a concert on Friday,. The group was founded as a combination of two all male quartets in 1952, singing traditional barbershop music. They are currently the fourth oldest a cappella in the nation and sing a range of songs, from modern day pop to traditional barbershop songs. The group prides itself in its history and aims to preserve it while adding new material from the modern age to its repertoire. Tickets are: Adults...$6. Seniors/Students/Active Military....$4 Tickets available at Carr's Florist & Gifts or at the door. Sponsored by; Brandon Artist Guild, Warren & Lorraine Kimble, Maria Ammatuna.

Oct. 10^th...Silent Movie...Chiller Theater....Saturday, 7:00 pm. Alfred Hitchcocks, "The Lodger". This final event of the 2015 season (except for Moonlight Madness on Dec. 2^nd-17th) takes place in our unheated upper hall so bring your hats, mittens, blankets, etc. (unless of course we have a heat wave!) to watch the search for the man responsible for a series of murders in fog-shrouded London. Legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock's career began in the silent era, not for the faint of heart! Free Will Offering

As you can see the Town Hall is a definite destination point for your entertainment and cultural needs. In addition to the incredible performances, the Friends of the Town Hall will have beverages and snacks available for sale, popcorn at the movies and our annual raffle to help us raise funds for major and minor repairs of our 150 year old building.

Dennis Marden President-Friends of The Brandon Town Hall. http://www.brandontownhall.org

802-247-5420 click here for Upcoming town hall events listing

Wednesdays With Warren

At the Book & Leaf Bookstore & Tea Shop.

August 12th 7pm. Warren chatted with Sarah & Louis Pattis!!

Another enjoyable evening at the Book & Leaf. A real travelogue with Sarah & Louis as we heard adventures from the south of Africa to England, Austria, Switzerland, New York & New Jersey!! It really highlighted the focus of getting to know the folks we see every day. The stories and experiences are once in a lifetime and we were able to share them.

It was again a fun night with wonderful questions and answers and a lot of good humor and fellowship- you HAVE to come to one of these! You won't regret it.

Catch up by watching the episodes via the links below from our friends at PEG TV!

Many thanks to Joanne & Steve Errick and the staff at the Book & Leaf, so generous of them to open their doors to an event like this. Many more to come- check here to see who the next guests will be throughout the year.

Watch for the show on PEG TV.

Future nights will be- 9/16 and 10/14.

Links to past shows on PEG TV

Wednesdays With Warren- Bernie Carr 6-17-15

Wednesdays With Warren- Lynne Wilson & Stephanie Choma 7-15-15

Wednesdays With Warren- Sarah & Louis Pattis 8-12-15

VILLAGE SPA BACK

TO SCHOOL SPECIAL

It's back to school time again! Get ready for the new year with these great salon and spa specials from Village Spa.

Are you a Vermont Student or Teacher? Show us your school ID during the month of August and receive your services at 50% off. It's easy to do too!

Call us at 802-465-8255, stop by at 32 Marble St in Brandon, or schedule at your convenience on line at brandonvillagespa.com.

The following services are discount eligible:

hair services (cuts, highlights, treatments)
skin care (facials and body scrubs)
nails (manicures, pedicures)
waxing
sunless tanning

We look forward to seeing you soon and helping you look your best this school year.

~Heather, Jenn, Robyn & Erin

Book online here!! https://www.secure-booker.com/villagespa/Specials/List.aspx

'What EMMA Loves': The new Compass exhibit

Opens on August 14 with an opening reception to be held on Friday, August 21 from 5-7pm.

"What EMMA Loves" is the second group exhibit for the Rutland area visual artists and opens on August 14 with an opening reception to be held on Friday, August 21 from 5-7pm.

"For ten artists with different personal loves, it really is the love of creating that motivates us", says Christine Holzschuh, one of the painters in the group. There is a photographer that has an eye for beauty in the seemingly mundane; a painter who expresses her love for animals in delicate carvings and paintings; some are drawn to the everyday occurrences; others portray the sights of travel; while conceptual artists create abstract images which reflect a particular point of view. Holzschuh goes on to say, "Although our work is varied, our love for creating unifies us. That is 'What EMMA Loves'."

Exhibiting members include free-spirited painter Mary Crowley; figurative painter Christine Holzschuh; ordinary-into-extraordinary photographer Lowell Snowdon Klock; Ann McFarren, an oil and watercolor landscape painter; painter of stories Betsy Moakley; New England painter Rae Newell; wood sculptor and multimedia artist Alice Sciore; painter of light and color Karen Seward; traveling painter Heather Shay; and Christine Townsend, a painter and sculptor of animals.

EMMA was formed in May of 2013 on the encouragement of California artist Leslie Saeta, who is a great leader in helping artists take the next step in their careers. The idea behind EMMA is for artist members to support and mentor each other creatively, educationally, technically and in marketing. The women meet monthly to share ideas about workshops, marketing techniques, educational resources, technical skills, and educate one another on what is happening in the arts, both locally and online.

The exhibit at Compass will run through November 1.

This exhibit also celebrates Vermont Arts 2015, in celebration of public funding for the arts.

The Compass Music and Arts Center is located in Park Village at 333 Jones Dr. Brandon VT, 05733 (Park Village used to be the Brandon Training School, located 1.5 miles north of downtown Brandon off Arnold District Rd.) . www.cmacvt.org

Brandon Music presents the Piazzolla Project

August 22 at 7:30pm

The Piazzolla Project brings together the talents of four unique musicians to explore the diverse sounds of Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla's "Nuevo Tango". At Brandon Music on August 22 at 7:30pm, tango fans will recognize the famous milonga "Oblivion" and the haunting song "Los Pajaros Perdidos," among other favorites arranged and adapted for and by the Piazzolla Project musicians.

Two husband and wife duos joined forces to establish the Piazzolla Project: Annemieke McLane, born and raised in the Netherlands where she completed her Master of Music, has a rich repertoire of piano solo, chamber music and art songs and her husband, accordionist Jeremiah McLane, a composer and musician of a mix of musical styles who has a Masters degree from the New England Conservatory; Sarah Cullins, a graduate of the New England Conservatory-Tufts University double-degree program, is a versatile soprano who regularly performs opera, oratorio and symphonic repertoire and her husband, Columbian guitarist Daniel Gaviria, who earned national acclaim in Columbia as a winner of several guitar and chamber music competitions and graduated from the Universidad del Rosario in Bogota.

Astor Piazzolla is best known for being the father and inventor of Tango Nuevo - a revolutionary new genre in which jazz rhythms and classical music were infused into tango. Tango Nuevo, at first, was strongly rejected in his home country of Argentina, but eventually was appreciated and celebrated for the genius it was throughout the world.

This event celebrates Vermont Arts 2015, in celebration of public funding for the arts.

Concert tickets are $20. A pre-concert dinner is also available for $20. Reservations are recommended for the show and required for dinner. Venue is BYOB. Call (802) 247-4295 or e-mail info@brandon-music.net for reservations or for more information. Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Rd. Brandon, VT 05733 www.brandon-music.net | http://www.vermontartscouncil.org/explore-vermont-arts/vermont-arts-2015

Jazz with the John Funkhouser Trio at Brandon Music

The Trio performs at Brandon Music on August 29 at 7:30pm

John Funkhouser returns to Brandon Music with his trio, playing an energetic, accessible blend of modern jazz, funk, blues, 20th century classical, Indian classical, and European and American folk music. Although the band consists of the standard jazz trio instrumentation of piano, bass and drums, the sound of the band is anything but standard. In fact, the group's blend creates a funky, groove-oriented, fresh and original sound that stretches the limits of traditional jazz. The Trio performs at Brandon Music on August 29 at 7:30pm.

The band really is Musicians without Borders with influences as wide ranging as Woody Guthrie, Thelonious Monk, Frank Zappa, Frederic Chopin, Ravi Shankar, and Abdullah Ibrahim. The Trio "employs complex rhythms, deep soulful moments, rock and passion and sensitivity." (Bebop Spoken Here). "Each musician has technique to burn but they're also extremely musical. [They are] wildly inventive and great fun to watch and listen to." (Middletown Eye)

A native of the Boston area, John Funkhouser earned degrees at Cornell University and the New England Conservatory. Besides leading his Trio, he is in demand as a pianist and bassist, having shared the stage with such luminaries as Grammy winners Joe Lovano, Steve Gadd, Abe Laboriel Sr., Mark Walker, and Max Weinberg, Grammy nominees Luciana Souza and Tierney Sutton, renowned pianist Geri Allen, South Indian percussion master Trichy Sankaran, piano savant Matt Savage, and Mark Harvey's Aardvark Jazz Orchestra. He has appeared on Lifetime Television, ABC's "20/20," NBC's "Today Show," and NPR, and is currently an Associate Professor teaching piano, bass, ear training, and ensembles at Berklee.

Greg Loughman earned a Bachelor of Music in jazz studies at Capital University, where he studied electric and upright bass with Doug Richeson (bassist for a number of years with Tony Bennett), Jeff Ciampa, and Lou Fisher. Following graduation, he quickly rose to a prominent position as one of the top freelance jazz bassists in the Midwest. He has performed with musicians including Curtis Fuller, JoAnne Brackeen, Mark Murphy, Judi Silvano, Kenwood Dennard, Greg Abate, Ray Santisi, Mark Greel, Al Vega, Grammy-nominated pianist Phillip Aaberg, guitarist Mimi Fox, Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Carlos Malta, Patti Page, actor/singer James Naughton, and the Jimmy Dorsey Big Band, among many others.

Mike Connors studied jazz drumming at Berklee with jazz greats Joe Hunt and Alan Dawson. He has toured internationally with the avant-pop group Combustible Edison, the 1999 Lillith Fair, Lisa Loeb, The Andre Rice Sextet and several national Broadway tours including, Bye Bye Birdie and Anything Goes (the Lincoln Center version). Mike has also performed for/on television shows such as "Dateline NBC", "Regis and Katie Lee", "Felicity" and commercials for Cinemax, PBS, Microsoft, NPR and more. He has played on soundtracks for the films Inspector Gadget, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Gas Food Lodging, and Four Rooms. He is on the faculty of Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and the Rivers School.

Purely Pastels Exhibit, Paintings by Norma Jean Rollet- Brandon Artist Guild

September 2nd through November 3rd.

Opening reception on September 4th, from 5 pm to 7pm.

Local artist Norma Jean Rollet will be the featured artist at the Brandon Artists' Guild September 2nd through November 3rd with the opening reception on September 4th, from 5 pm to 7pm. Her platform, the exhilarating color and luminosity of soft pastels, has the purest form of color intensity. The pigments used in pastels are the same as those used to produce all colored art media, including oil paints. The color effect of pastels is closer to the natural dry color pigments than that of any other process and is made with permanent pigments. Pastel painting can endure unchanged for centuries and are not susceptible, as are painting made with a fluid medium, to the cracking and discoloration that result from changes in the color, opacity, or dimensions of the medium as it dries.

Combined with all the possibilities of soft pastel medium and the classical realist style of her art, Norma's work has the depth and atmosphere usually reserved for oil paintings with extensive color blending and glazing techniques. But, soft pastels are her passion with plein air painting her preferred venue. She can be seen participating in many of the Vermont plein air events as well as set up on the side of the road creating her art. She uses as many as twenty layers of pastels crystals to produce her realistic and atmospheric painting, creating her signature luminosity in each finished piece.

Norma's work has appeared in numerous national juried shows including in 2015, The Pastel Society of American "Enduring Brillance", the Degas Pastel Society 19th Member Exhibit and the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Code "For Pastels Only". She has also won awards in the Vermont Pastel Society 2014 and 2015 juried exhibit.

No matter the location, Norma states, she "loves to choreograph colors, shapes and values into classical representational art. With the exquisite Vermont Landscape subject matter and ever changing lighting the possibilities are endless". And she will always add, Solo Deo Gloria.

Rhythm Future Quartet plays at Brandon Music

Brandon Music on September 5 at 7:30pm

When four young jazz virtuosos decided to join forces, the Rhythm Future Quartet was born. Named after a Django Reinhardt tune, the Rhythm Future Quartet performs dynamic and fiery arrangements of Gypsy jazz standards and original compositions that draw from rhythms heard around the world. The Boston Globe says "Rhythm Future Quartet breaks new ground for Gypsy jazz". The group performs at Brandon Music on September 5 at 7:30pm.

"Collective jaws dropped at the sheer virtuosity of The Rhythm Future Quartet! The group's stellar musicianship, good humor and reverence for this important musical tradition made for an unforgettable evening!" - Dana Packard, The Saco River Theatre

Jason Anick and Olli Soikkeli, the front-men and lead soloists of the group, have been receiving critical acclaim this past year and are considered 'rising stars' in the world of Jazz and Gypsy Jazz. Olli, who recently made the move from his home country of Finland to New York City, is rapidly becoming a top call guitarist in the bustling Brooklyn jazz scene and has been aptly coined "the Finnish boy wonder". Jason, who is an award winning composer and "easily one of the best jazz violinists of his generation", according to Christian Howes, is also one of the youngest professors at the esteemed Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Brandon Music audiences will know bassist Greg Loughman from his performances with the John Funkhouser Trio and Bourbon Renewal with Britt Connors. Guitarist Max O'Rourke is a native of Rutland, Vermont currently attending Berklee College of Music.

Over the years they have individually performed alongside notable musicians such as John Jorgenson, Stochelo Rosenberg, Frank Vignola, Tommy Emmanuel, Bucky Pizzarelli, Andreas Öberg and Howard Alden.

For their debut self-titled album, the Rhythm Future Quartet decided to re-visit and record classic jazz and Gypsy jazz favorites. Through their intricate and creative arrangements, they have brought new life to songs like "Night and Day" and "Summertime." Coupled with musical sensitivity and virtuosity, the Quartet's debut album acts as an enticing example of the future of Gypsy jazz music.

Moonlight in Vermont
An Enchanting Tango Weekend
In Historic Brandon, Vermont

Sept.10th-13th, 2015 at the Town Hall and Brandon Inn

From September 10th through 13th, the historic town of Brandon, VT, turns into an international tango destination. The 10th anniversary celebration of the "Moonlight in Vermont tango festival kicks off at 7pm, Thursday, September 10, with a live performance by the Boston-based Orquesta

Sin Trabajo, a tango orchestra with nationally acclaimed musicians Carlos Moreno, Tilly Kimm, Abigale Reisman, and Rob Flax, who bring early 20th century Buenos Aires tango music alive (violin, bandoneon, bass, piano) at the Brandon Town Hall. $15 tickets are available at Carr's Florist, the Brandon Inn or at tangovermont.com.

The festival tango star dancers and teachers will give impromptu performances at the Brandon

Town Hall concert and throughout the festival. From Argentina: Ariel Barrionuevo and Lorena

Gasse, Fabian and Roxana Belmonte, Gustavo Benzecry-Sabá & María Olivera, from Texas:

George and Jairelbhi Furlong, from San Francisco: Christy Cote and Boston: Mary Ellen & Thomas. Mostly from Argentina, international tango instructors descend on Brandon annually for the weekend after Labor Day. They teach dancers from Vermont, Montreal, Boston, New York and beyond, how to perfect their tango moves and understanding of the music and history of tango. And according to tradition, the nightly dancing goes into the morning hours.

The festival takes place at the Brandon Inn through Sunday afternoon.

Gerd Hirschmann from Chittenden, founder and organizer of the "Moonlight in Vermont" tango

festival and a passionate tango dancer and instructor himself, said: "After ten years of organizing

more of an insider festival, we want to celebrate the 10th Anniversary by pulling out all the stops

and reaching out to everyone interested in dance throughout the state and the town of Brandon,

which has been such a wonderful and picturesque venue for our international guests. I am particularly happy to collaborate with and support the historic Brandon Town Hall this year for the "Orquesta Sin Trabajo" performance. And the Brandon Inn has set this festival so apart from all

other venues with its unique charm and celebrated ballroom."

The international tango performers and instructors, who all have been teaching at the festival for years, plan their yearly travels around this weekend to be sure not to miss it: "The 'Moonlight in Vermont' tango festival is very special for us because it is such a unique setting, well organized and has great participants. It's got character and soul."

The Brandon Inn's owner Sarah Pattis commented: "We are absolutely thrilled to have hosted the festival since the very beginning. We love that the Brandon Inn has become a center of the international tango world. Everybody has such a glow when leaving and almost all come back year after year."

For more info, visit www.tangovermont.com/moonlight2015.html.

Brandon Music presents 9 Horses

9 Horses come to Brandon Music on September 12 at 7:30

9 Horses' fusion of classical, jazz, and Americana styles is a distillation of their separate influences into one unique voice. The trio, comprised of Joe Brent (mandolin), Sara Caswell (violin) and Shawn Conley (bass), all leading lights on their own instruments, create a unique and gorgeous blend of instrument virtuosity. All three hail from a classical background, but Brent's indie-pop sensibility, combined with Caswell's jazz-inspired lyricism and Conley's extraordinary skill, taken together are a breathtaking display of color, melody, and rhythmic drive.

9 Horses come to Brandon Music on September 12 at 7:30 as part of their New England tour celebrating the release of the trio's album 'Perfectest Herald' (Sunnyside Records).

"Sometimes, it takes a while to find your voice", says Brent. "But when you do, you don't whisper. You fill your lungs with it and shout it to the world - This is the best part of me, and I want to share it with you, all of you, right now." He says, "together we're able to create something that feels just right. You don't often get to be a part of something this extraordinary, this original, this personal. When you do, you'll do anything to see it grow and flourish."

Joe Brent was a member of pop sensation Regina Spektor's touring ensemble, and has performed and recorded with Woody Allen, Jewel, Gary Smulyan, and Stephane Grappelli. Simultaneously, he has maintained a career in classical music, having performed as soloist with the Chicago Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, The Boston Symphony, and countless others. Music journalist Don von Schrilz said, "There has probably never been a mandolin player with better technical skills, and he matches that with an enthusiasm for every imaginable role a mandolin can fulfill."

Sara Caswell, recognized as a "Rising Star" in both the 2013 and 2014 DownBeat Magazine Critics and Readers Polls and featured on the cover of the September 2014 issue of Strings Magazine, regularly performs with her two groups (the Sara Caswell Quartet and the Caswell Sisters Quintet), as well as clarinetist David Krakauer's The Big Picture, Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Roseanna Vitro, and cellist Jody Redhage's Rose & the Nightingale. She has toured extensively with Grammy winners bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding and violinist Mark O'Connor, soloed numerous times in Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops, and performed and/or recorded with many artists including Kishi Bashi, Regina Carter, Jenny Scheinman, Fred Hersch, Alan Ferber, Fabian Almazan, Nadje Noordhuis, Gene Bertoncini, and Skitch Henderson.

Shawn Conley frequently performs with The Knights and Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble. In 2009 he was the winner of the International Society of Bassists Scott LaFaro Jazz competition. He studied at Rice University with Paul Ellison and won a Wagoner fellowship to study in Paris with legendary bassist and pedagogue François Rabbath, earning both performance and teaching diplomas. Shawn has attended many prestigious summer festivals including The Tanglewood Music Center, The Henry Mancini Institute and Domaine Forget Academy.

EMMA Artist Talks, Demos & Classes

The artists of the Rutland-based group, EMMA (East Mountain Mentoring Artists), will conduct a series of artist talks, demos and classes to share their breadth of artistic skill and experience. The series will take place on Sunday afternoons at the Compass Music and Arts Center while their exhibit 'What EMMA Loves' is on display. All events are free. See below for dates and details on each event.

September 13, 1pm:

Karen Seward and Christine Townsend

Painter Karen Seward and wood sculptor Christine Townsend will give a demonstration and discuss their work. Karen will talk about how her paintings have evolved and give a demonstration using oils to show her process and unique use of and experience with color. Christine will demonstrate techniques she uses in bringing her animal wood carvings to life.

Karen studied art at Castleton State College and studied painting with several local and nationally acclaimed artists, including Kevin MacPherson, Wayne Thibaud, Charles Sovek, and Frank Webb; Christine helped start the Create Artist Guild, was a member of the Palatka Art League in Florida and her carvings have won awards in the biggest woodcarving show in Florida.

September 20, 1pm:

Ann McFarren and Christine Holzschuh

Ann McFarren, an oil landscape painter and teacher of 45 years, will give an artist talk and demonstrate the painting of a Vermont landscape while explaining her technique. Christine Holzschuh, teacher, and founder of EMMA will explain what it means to be a 'Daily Painter'. She will share how to paint small paintings (she calls "gems") in vibrant color using value (white, gray, black) to map it out.

Ann participates in many juried shows throughout New England and is affiliated with the Chaffee Art Center, Southern Vermont Art Center, Vermont Watercolor Society, Vermont Hand Crafters, Vermont Arts Council, and Vermont Crafts Council; Christine has taken courses in Universities across the country, frequently participates in professional workshops and blogs about her daily paintings.

September 27, 1-2:15pm:

Mary Crowley - Drawing Made Easy: Anyone Can Draw This Way

Mary Crowley, an art teacher for 30 years and the current host of Peg TV's 'The Art Show', will lead a simple four step approach to drawing that allows anyone, at any age or ability, to draw. The method can also be applied to any subject. Materials can be provided if needed. Beginners welcome - even accomplished artists can learn something.

Mary graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Middlebury College and is listed inWho's Who in America and Who's Who in American Education.

October 4, 1pm:

Heather Shay and Lowell Snowdon Klock

Painter Heather Shay and fine arts photographer Lowell Snowdon Klock, will demonstrate and discuss the differences in how they each approach the same subject with their different mediums. Heather will show the whole process of creating a painting, starting with the decisions on composition, the original sketch, blocking in the colors and finishing the work.

Heather is a former student of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum School in Boston, a juried member of the Chaffee Art Center and has exhibited at Okemo Mountain in Vermont and throughout Boston; Lowell has an Associates Degree in Photography, is a former student of Frank Lavelle and Elizabeth Opalenik, as well as a juried member of the Brandon Artists' Guild, the Chaffee Art Center and artist member of the Southern Vermont Arts Center.

October 18, 1-2:15pm:

Mary Crowley - Making the Grammy Book

Mary Crowley, the author and illustrator of the children's book, "I Love to Visit My Grammy" will explain how she came to write, illustrate and get the book published. In addition, she will talk about her second book and the one she is working on now.

Mary was an art teacher for 30 years, is the current host of Peg TV's 'The Art Show', graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Middlebury College and is listed inWho's Who in America and Who's Who in American Education.

Compass Music and Arts Center is located at Park Village, 333 Jones Dr. Brandon VT, 05733 (Park Village used to be the Brandon Training School, located 1.5 miles north of downtown Brandon off of Arnold District Rd.).

Rupert Wates performs at Brandon Music

September 19 at 7:30.

According to FAME, Rupert Wates is "One gifted s.o.b". The singer-songwriter plays live at Brandon Music on September 19 at 7:30.

Originally from London, Rupert has been in the U.S. since 2006 where he has won more than 30 songwriting awards, was voted an Artist Of The Year 2013 by the international house concert network Concerts In Your Home, and in 2015 he was recognized as the network's most booked performer, having secured over 100 dates through their website.

Audiences everywhere respond to Rupert Wates' brand of melodic art/folk-haunting songs that ring true. Despite his British background, and underpinning the universality of his music's appeal, Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange has called him "a prime figure in American music".

Rupert has released seven well-reviewed solo CDs with tracks being played on radio all over the world. He continues to write songs for others - when still in England he worked as a full time songwriter for Eaton Music Limited - with his songs being recorded by artists in London, Denver and Nashville. He averages 150 live shows every year in acoustic venues in every state in America, in Canada and in Europe. His music is an eclectic mix of acoustic, melodic art/folk, with flavors of jazz and vaudeville.

Leith FM Radio Scotland says Rupert is "an inspirational artist" who writes "truly gripping lyrics with great themes and troubling, witty messages."

International pianist Andreas Boyde to play at Brandon Music

September 26 at 7:30pm

Hailed by the critics as Monsieur 100,000 Volts, pianist Andreas Boyde's performances have electrified audiences worldwide. The sought-after classical pianist's wide-ranging repertoire encompasses all major areas of the piano literature. At his Brandon Music performance on September 26 at 7:30pm, Boyde will perform Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata',Claude Debussy's 'Images' and Modest Mussorgsky's 'Pictures at an Exhibition', a composition which has become a showpiece for virtuoso pianists.

Boyde recorded the complete solo piano works by Johannes Brahms and now performs this repertoire as a cycle. His extensive CD recordings received five star reviews from leading music magazines praising his interpretations: "a stroke of genius" (Fono Forum, Germany). The Independent has described him as "utterly infectious".

His recitals in renowned concert venues and appearances as soloist with such orchestras as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Prague Radio Orchestra, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, the Bamberg Symphony, the Hallé Orchestra Manchester, the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra, the Dresden Sinfoniker and Philharmonie, and the Berlin Symphony Orchestrahave secured Boyde's reputation as an esteemed performing artist.

Performing all over the world, Boyde has appeared to acclaim in such venues as Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Royal Festival Hall and Wigmore Hall London, Cologne Philharmonic Hall, Zürich Tonhalle, Munich Herkulessaal, Berlin Konzerthaus, Munich Philharmonic Hall, Leipzig Gewandhaus and Pierpont Morgan Library New York.

Also committed to contemporary music, he gave the European premiere of Paul Schoenfield's Piano Concerto Four Parables which he also recorded for Athene Records*, as well as the first performance of John Pickard's Piano Concerto, which is dedicated to him. Boyde's musicological interests are demonstrated in his reconstruction of the 'Schubert' Variations by Robert Schumann, now published by Hofmeister Leipzig, also recorded for Athene. It is a work that has enjoyed great international acclaim since its 2000 premiere in New York by Boyde at the Pierpont Morgan Library.

Andreas Boyde was born in Oschatz, Germany, where he entered the Book of Honour in 2012. He studied with Christa Holzwessig and Amadeus Webersinke in Dresden and subsequently with James Gibb in London at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. His mentor and promoter Malcolm Frager also proved a major influence Boyde currently lives in London.

*Athene Records is part of the Divine Art Recordings Group and associated with Brandon Music.

This event celebrates Vermont Arts 2015, in celebration of public funding for the arts.

Ben Cosgrove comes to Brandon Music

October 3 at 7:30

Ben Cosgrove is a composer, pianist, and multi-instrumentalist based here in New England. He performs regularly both as a solo artist and as a sideman, tours widely all over the country, writes scores for films, plays, radio, and television, and has produced several well-received albums of original instrumental music. Ben's performances are at once dazzling and intimate, the music both delicate and commanding.

Ben has been described as "Stupidly talented" (Red Line Roots), "Compelling and powerful" (The Harvard Crimson) and ResidentMediaPundit.com says "Cosgrove's talents know no bounds."

In recent years, Ben's interests in landscape, place, and ecology have become the strongest forces guiding his composition and performances. "I don't think of my pieces as rendering places in music," he noted in an article in Harvard Magazine, "but more just as responding to places musically. Writing music just turns out to be a great way for me to process the world." For years, Ben has been inspired by the ways people respond to built and natural environments, and through songs with names like "Prairie Fire," "I am Walking Inland," "Nashua," and others, he seeks to recreate these phenomena with sound.

From 2012 to 2014 Ben served as the Signet Artist-in-Residence Fellow at Harvard University, and he has also held residencies and fellowships at Acadia National Park, Isle Royale National Park, Middlebury College, the Vermont Studio Center, and the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology.

In addition to his solo work, Ben has performed and recorded with a wide spectrum of other artists, including David Berkeley, Saint Anyway, Jamie Kallestad, and Dedric Clark and the Social Animals and he also constitutes one half of the folk duo 90-Mile Portage. He has recorded original music for clients including Grand Teton National Park, WHRB, Bristlecone Media, and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Compass Treasure Chest

Open every day!!

We're delighted to announce the Compass Treasure Chest! Run by a group of local residents, the store is a unique co-op consignment shop. They sell and consign collectables, antiques, dishes, tools, furniture, jewelry, stamps, puzzles, books, toys, art items and much more! They will always be looking for more items and of course, always receiving new items, so stop in frequently to see what is new.

Summer hours open 10-5pm everyday!!. For more information or to inquire about consigning with them, contact Annie at 802-558-2663 or email compasstreasurechestconsign@gmail.com and follow them on Facebook.

Neshobe Golf Club- course in excellent shape!!!

Rated the #1 value in Vermont by the New England Golf Guide

Chamber Summer Concert Series concludes right here on September 4th featuring a great little jazz group called Moose Crossing! Join us for dinner and cool music!

Neshobe Golf Club has also been included in the Top 100 of the Best Public Golf Values in New England. Neshobe provides an enjoyable experience for both expert golfers and those with higher handicaps. Our par-72 Championship course affords beautiful mountain views in all directions. Come and see why players rave about the conditions and our 18 distinctive holes providing a variety of challenges to all facets of the game.

Neshobe Golf Club also features a full-service restaurant and bar. Guests may enjoy chef-prepared food and beverages on our covered porch overlooking six of our holes. The large dining room can accommodate parties, meetings, weddings and golf outings for large groups.

The full service pro shop features the latest in apparel and equipment. Our PGA Professional and 2011 Vermont PGA Player of the Year, Rodney Bicknell, offers lessons either on-course or on our full-size range-all open to the public. Our staff truly goes "the extra mile" to make your Neshobe experience a memorable one Call for a tee time now.

DAYBREAK RATE offer for all golfers: Book a tee time Monday through Wednesday between 7 am and 10 am and pay just $30 per player. Foursomes play for $100 total. Riding carts included!

The Long Iron Restaurant & Pub has a $20, All-You-Can-Eat PRIME RIB BUFFET every Friday from 5 to 8. Tuesday is BBQ Night with ribs, chicken and all the sides for the perfect BBQ dinner. Wednesday is WICKED WINGS WEDNESDAY. All Day Wednesday. $8 a dozen with your choice of hot and not sauces.
Live entertainment every Friday night from 7 pm until....

Chamber Members get a round of 18 with a riding cart for $40!! A 25% savings. Good for weekday play.

http://neshobe.com/ 802-247-3611 neshobegolf@comcast.net

Cyber Hacking and protecting your business.

by Paul Gladding of Holden Financial Services

It seems every day you either read another news story, hear it on the radio or evening news another cyber event occurred and thousands, if not more, have been impacted. The recent hack of the Federal Government Office of Personnel Management, where 4 plus million records of current or former employees were stolen, has elevated the level of awareness of how insidious cyber theft has become. It involves every business and entity in society, from the federal government, financial institutions; such as JP Morgan, health companies; such as Anthem (Blue Cross/Blue Shield), national companies, such as Home Depot and Target, to small companies in Vermont.

Please click here for Paul's complete article on cyber protection.

Warren Kimble All-American Artist: An Eclectic Retrospective

Showing through October 18
Sheldon Museum, Middlebury

The exhibit highlights the career of internationally-known Brandon, Vermont artist Warren Kimble. There will be an exhibit reception on June 12 from 5:00-7:00 pm. More information visit www.henrysheldonmuseum.org or (802) 388-2117.

Office for Rent

25 Union Street

$350 - $375/month includes utilities

Two offices available. Located at 25 Union Street, corner of Union St. and Railroad Ave, with the following amenities: Furnished Office spaces, Conference Room, Security System, Client Waiting Area, Kitchen, Bathroom with Shower, Off-street Parking.

Affordable and Professional! Contact: Stephanie at 247-3214

Space available in the GRANARY 29 Union St.

Large, bright and sunny corner studio is available - second floor.

The 19th Century building that has been restored and remodeled to accommodate those devoted to the arts and to small business. Fully renovated, with new electrical and heating systems, insulation and new windows. Current studios are occupied by a publisher, illustrator, milliner, painters, sculptor, photographer, jeweler, graphic designer, and Brandon Artist Guild.

This the only available studio space available in the building.

$385/month all utilities included (except AC)

If interested please contact me at: sjerome@visuallearningco.com, or 802-247-3214

Thanks! Stephanie Please forward this note to interested artists and small businesses~

2^nd Floor Office above Gourmet Provence

39A Center Street, Brandon, VT

O F F I C E FOR RENT

Includes room, free WI-FI, closet, waiting room, kitchenette, bathroom and great location. Interested? Contact:Jim at 247-9595 or Nancy at 558-1444

The Stephen A. Douglas Birthplace & Brandon Museum.

The Brandon Museum opened on May 18 and is running 7 days a week until mid October. The museum makes history and information available to locals and visitors alike.

If you have an interest in the town and its roots keep us in mind and why not donate a couple of hours per week. We have daily shifts of 2.5 hours from 11:00am-4:00pm. If you don't like being alone and want company feel free to pair up and volunteer with a friend! Contact Museum Steward Dan Celik at 247-3888 to join the Brandon history team at the Brandon Museum for a fun summer season.

Our museum keeps Brandon's history alive by sharing and promoting our town and surrounding areas with the many visitors. In 2014 alone we had over 700 visitors come through our door asking for directions, looking for a place to stay and eat and enjoying the museum! Our museum and community room is a special place and is a great local resource.

Compass Music and Arts Center has more to offer!

There is always something going on at Compass- stop in and explore!!

You've probably seen events, classes and exhibits mentioned here for the Compass Music and Arts Center in Park Village, but do you know what else Compass has to offer?

The Compass Café is open daily from 10:00am - 5:00pm (with the exception of most Saturdays when they close at 2:30 due to concert events at Brandon Music) with daily specials, soups, salads, wraps, Donna's award-winning chili, delicious home-made desserts and more. Stop in for a bite while you explore the rest of Compass.

The Phonograph Rooms is a permanent exhibit at Compass. It offers fascinating insight into the history of recorded music in the home. The exhibit features vintage "talking machines" from 1890 to the 1970s, with the opportunity to listen to great recordings of the past - both classical and popular. A display of antique radios and TVs is also included. There is a small entrance fee to help with maintenance of the machines.

Compass is also the home of the international record company Divine Art Records. You can browse their 400+ CD titles and CDs by local musicians, as well as art and music books, general interest books both new and collectible, and a wide range of gift items at the Compass shops.

Looking for a studio to rent or office or retail space? Compass has rooms available to rent by the month or by the hour. There are currently several artists working out of Compass and by now you may have heard about the Compass Treasure Chest, a consignment shop located in the Compass building.

There is always something going on at

Compass- stop in and explore!

Compass Music and Arts Center

333 Jones Drive, Brandon, VT 05733

802-247-4295

www.cmacvt.org

Click here to check out Little pressroom's August newsletter

Please Practice Polite Parking :)

Be aware of your fellow businesses and their needs.

We all have to be aware of parking by our employees in the downtown. Try to park off the main streets when possible, and if you park out front before other businesses open, try to move your vehicle after regular hours kick in.

There's lots of off-street parking so take advantage of it when you can.

Remember we're here for hours working, but our customers are only popping in for a short time, so let's make it easy and convenient for them to shop and support all of our businesses.

Thanks for making it easier for all of our customers.

BIZ Cards

2015

CHAMBER MEMBERS: ARE YOU USING YOUR BIZ CARD YET? THERE ARE GREAT DISCOUNTS OUT THERE!

Click here to see the great BIZ card offers

NEW OPPORTUNITIES BEING ADDED ALL THE TIME

NEED A BIZ CARD? FOR YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYEES.
STOP IN THE FLOWER SHOP AND PICK SOME UP OR
CONTACT THE CHAMBER AND TELL US HOW MANY YOU NEED!

Vermont Association of Chamber Executives

Insurance program offerings for Chamber members.

Although the VACE health insurance program, that many of took advantage of for years, is no longer available, other products still offered through VACE include, Dental, Vision & Life/Accident packages. More information on all of these products can be found at www.vaceinsurance.com

Or contact Holden Financial Services (802) 775-2503

Welcome !!

2015 New Members- go to Brandon.org for more info on our newest members

NEW BUSINESS MEMBERS 2015

Senior Circuit- "Golden Age meets Computer Age"- computer lessons for senior citizens- John Bryant & Linda Devereux 342-5632

Mae's Place diner- Erynn Doaner 25 Center St. 465-8468

Compass Treasure Chest consignment store- Compass Music Center Park Village 558-2663

Rutland County Solid Waste District

Brandon Thrift Shop-"Nifty Thrifty"- 4 Union St.

Sawmill Heights Campgrounds- Harriet & Tracy Wyman 247-5748

Laurie Bertrand-CPA, Tax accounting- 25 Union St.- 465-8362

Edward Jones- Brady Prentice, financial advisor 989-5464

Briggs Carriage Co. Hair Lounge- Lisa Phelps 465-8396

Own a business?? Join us and connect with other dynamic businesses in the Brandon area.
Just click here for an application and rates.

We also have many Individual Members -- what a great way to support a local non-profit and all the great things we do in our town. (Individual memberships are only $50/year)

NEW INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS 2015

Jeff Guevin- Chair of the Brandon Planning Commission

Jeanne Collins- RNESU Superintendent

Next Chamber Meeting

Monday, September 21st, 2015 at 6:30

The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will meet at 6:30pm in the Cliver Room at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace. Chamber membership and the general public are invited to attend.