iPutney Calendar

Susan Brearey is known for her unique, iconic depiction of animals. In her paintings, primal, totemic images take the place of the photorealistic details found in some other works of wildlife art. Animals become primeval shapes, rudimentary and almost featureless, set against abstract surfaces. Brearey’s evocative approach was inspired in large part by the cave paintings at Lascaux, France. Brearey first saw the paintings in the mid-1980s as a college student, an experience that turned her into a serious painter. The primitive imagery is further enriched by Brearey’s experiments with texture. Brearey has used gesso, mixtures of oil and wax, found materials like leaves and bark, and patterns of wood grain to give each work a unique surface.

A native of rural New England, Brearey attended college at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. An art teacher at the Putney School in Vermont, she holds an MFA in painting and printmaking from Rhode Island School of Design.

My work is about seeing animals and the environments in which they live. I am inspired by the peace, beauty, and solitude I find within the experience of moving through wilderness areas, studying and observing the habitats, plants, and creatures with whom we share the planet. It is in these places that I find the sources for my work. I am often struck by the fleeting instant of a deer running into view, or the powerful presence of a bear whose terrain I have wandered near as a fortunate encounter, an encounter where I may begin to understand the often unseen parts of the habitat and within specific human-imposed frameworks. These frameworks come from my awareness of human and industrial growth as having a huge impact upon the ecosystems surrounding us and supporting us. For me, animals endure our presence and attentions with a bemused tolerance and patience, so often lacked by our own species. – Susan Brearey

Masks required while inside the venue.

A Fun and Unusual Staging of Capote’s Quirky Tale, “A Christmas Memory”

BELLOWS FALLS — “A Christmas Memory” is a story by Truman Capote set in his early childhood, when he was forced to live with distant cousins, none of whom paid any attention to him, with one exception… a much older cousin, also an outsider in the family and a bit strange. The two of them became fast friends.

The story takes place at Christmastime when they made little fruitcakes for people they liked, including one for the President. The story climaxes when they go with great trepidation to visit Mr. Haha Jones, the only person who can supply them with the whiskey they need for the fruitcakes, because it’s Prohibition.

This version is performed by a chorus that supplies narration, sounds, musical interludes, tableaus, and character voices. A wild time is expected for all, along with a plentiful dose of Christmas spirit.

John Hadden directs his adaptation of this tale along with David Stern and the Wild Goose Players. The cast includes both John and David, as well as Libby McCawley, Jan and Mike Sheehy, Riley Goodemote, Ibby Hopkins, Susan Still, and Morganna Ekkens. Lighting design by Ira Wilner.

This in-the-round hybrid of a staged reading, radio play, and casual theater will be recorded and filmed at Stage 33 Live in Bellows Falls, Vermont, in front of a live studio audience for one performance only on Saturday evening, December 4. Door opens at 7:00, show starts at 7:30.

SEATING IS LIMITED. Suggested per-person $10+ donation for the cast and crew. Advance donations double as a chair reservation in the studio audience, and can be made online through the www.stage33live.com website. Masks are required — note that the cast will not be masked in case this factors into your decision-making.

Stage 33 Live is an industrial-rustic listening room in a former factory hosting local, regional, and national performers in a casual, intimate setting. No bar or kitchen, the stage is the mission; snacks by donation. More info about the nonprofit, all-volunteer project, and this and other upcoming events, online at stage33live.com

Next Stage Arts presents:

Join us for an evening getting to know two new families in the area. A link to the virtual meeting will be sent out to registered participants prior to the event.

The Meet Your (New) Neighbor series is sponsored in part by a Vermont Community Foundation Spark Connecting Community Grant.

London-born, Oxford-educated touring artist Rupert Wates brings his thoroughly American acoustic folk steeped in deep wells of cabaret and jazz to Stage 33 Live in Bellows Falls, VT, on Sunday, December 12 at 7:00 PM. Local favorite Josh Maiocco opens. $15 in advance, $20 at the door; limited seating; recorded and filmed. Masks required. Tickets, and more information about this and other events, online at stage33live.com

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Rupert Wates: a prime figure in American music

BELLOWS FALLS — London-born, Oxford-educated Rupert Wates brings his thoroughly American acoustic folk steeped in deep wells of cabaret and jazz to Stage 33 Live in Bellows Falls, Vermont, on Sunday, December 12 at 7:00 PM.

With the lyricism of Gordon Lightfoot and the attention to craft of Richard Thompson, his highly developed songwriting is by turns vulnerable and bold, featuring intricate lyrics and memorable melodies, exceptional guitar skills, and a smooth, expressive voice.

He’s released eleven internationally acclaimed solo albums and won dozens of songwriting awards, and his work has been covered by artists in the UK, Canada, and the US, including two tribute albums to his material. While the doors to large venues and big festivals are open to him, he prefers intimate, up-close audiences in small listening rooms where the emphasis is on the music. The recognition that regular people are what make the world extraordinary reflects in his vivid, sophisticated songwriting about the American experience.

“A prime figure in American music.” — Folk And Acoustic Music Exchange

“As the former manager of the late Harry Chapin, I’ve heard my share of story songs. Rupert’s are right up there with the best.” — Bob Hinkle

“Gripping lyrics with great themes and troubling, witty messages.” — Leith Radio, Scotland

“Astonishing fingerpicking chops.” — Monterey County Weekly

Sunday, December 12, 7:00 PM, Stage 33 Live at 33 Bridge Street in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Advance tickets are $15, or $20 at the door.

Local favorite Josh Maiocco opens.

Seating is limited. Performances are recorded and filmed. No bar or kitchen, the stage is the mission; snacks by donation. Stage 33 Live is an industrial-rustic nonprofit listening room run by volunteers in a former factory hosting local, regional, and national performers in a casual, intimate setting. Tickets, more info about this and other other upcoming events, and about the Stage 33 Live project, online at stage33live.com

Rupert Wates requests that all audience members wear masks, and encourages attendees to be vaccinated. He will wear a mask when mingling with audience, and will remove it to perform. Stage 33 Live’s in-house policy is that all individuals are required to wear a mask except when eating or drinking, and maintain a six-foot social distance from people not in their party. Performers are not required to be masked while performing; seating will be a minimum of eight feet from the stage. Attendees who wish to make a custom seating pod for their party should arrive early to do so (the chairs are movable and configurable). Those who have already arrived and arranged their seating will not be expected to move. The COVID-19 policy may change without notice.

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Rupert Wates
www.rupertwatesmusic.com