Newz from Big Heavy World

Thanks to all who joined us for the 2005 VMLS Benefit Concert Series at The Great Falls Fine Arts Center in the Frog Hollow District of Middlebury. It was a great pleasure to experience such fantastic regional talent and meet those of you who were introduced to the VMLS mission at the shows. Your support was and is appreciated. In 2005 these artists appeared in performance: Aaron Flinn (4/16); Adele Nicols (4/30); The Steph Pappas Experience & Meagan Walsh (5/6); Rebecca Padula with Mitch Barron, Somebody's Sister, and Colin 'Samy' McClung (5/14); and Patrick Fitzsimmons (7/16). The series was supported by 102.9FM WCLX. Photo: Meagan Walsh by Jensen Studios.

Volunteers gathered over two weekends in July to prepare our 1908 VMLS Archive building for restoration. They sweat through hot summer days to clear debris from the property, an effort made possible by Myers Container Service which donated two 30-yard dumpsters. Both were filled to the top, with the crews ending up dirty and proud of the work accomplished. Pepsi gave us the drinks that got us through the days. Thank you Myers & Pepsi!

Thanks to all who joined us on Thursday, September 7 at the King Street Ferry Docks in Burlington to help celebrate the launch of the Lake Champlain Basin Program Audio Interpretation Program! A press conference (that also celebrates the unveiling of the new 2009 Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration logo) began at 4pm with Governor Douglas joining us, and at 5pm all were welcome to board the 'Adirondack', America's oldest ferry in continuous service, for a free half-hour cruise. Rik Palieri hosted an acoustic community jam, with thanks to Advance Music for their support.
The LCBP Audio Interpretation Program is an 80-minute audio program that describes the history, culture and recreational opportunities found on Lake Champlain, combined with original Vermont-made music and broadcast to travelers by a micro-radio transmitter from the deck of the 'Adirondack.' The Lake Champlain Basin Program created and directed the project, involving the VMLS in coordination of the audio content.

Thank you to everyone who came out May 25th to celebrate the release of the ‘In Silver Light’ CD. Over a dozen singer-songwriters shared the intimate setting of the FlynnSpace stage and performed for a full, appreciative house. Made possible by the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, proceeds from the evening and sales of the compilation CD – a ‘breathtaking sampler of Vermont’s singer-songwriting and instrumental music’ – will benefit the Vermont Music Library and Shop.

From the Native Daughters (Michele Choiniere and Deb Flanders), a duo who combines traditional French Canadian songs with Vermont’s folk roots, to The Cush, an eclectic band fronted by Gabrielle and Burette Douglas, whose influences are old tape delays, wind and constellations, and analog equipment, the night unfolded with the eerie sounds of “The Last Whale,” by Ken Mahren and the joie de vivre of Aaron Flinn who hit us right in the heart and kept on strumming.

The sound filtered across the stage seamlessly and the diversity was captivating. As host, Spencer Lewis shared his genuine appreciation of each piece about to be performed and capped the evening on violin and acoustic guitar.

Our deepest thanks are extended to the artists who performed to celebrate the CD and support our work, and also to Harry Chalkin, Sound Engineer; Sean Larock, Engineering Assistant; Brian Johnson, FlynnSpace Manager; and Arnie Malina, Flynn Center Artistic Director; to the family farmers of Cabot Creamery and Jeb Norris, Mike Luoma, and the on-air staff of 104.7FM ‘The Point.’ And again, if you were able to attend, thank you for your support and for sharing this magical night with us!

You can sample and order the ‘In Silver Light’ CD here.

Photo: Ken Mahren performing ' The Last Whale.'

Hey philatelists: Big Heavy World and the U.S. Post Office put together a pictorial postmark commemorating May 25 - a special day for us as we released the 'In Silver Light' compilation CD project at the FlynnSpace that night. We produced a few dozen caches that one day on offset-printed envelopes. It has a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow stamp and the Big Heavy World/Vermont Music Library official U.S. Post Office postmark on top of Josh Perrin's photo of the F-Bombs. Grab one for $2 at the Big Heavy office. Big thanks to Ginny Friedman at the USPS and John Lutz at Vermont Stamp for helping us figure this one out.