AGP Executive Report

Vermont Music & Culture: Grace Potter’s Grand Point North kept the Burlington Waterfront humming, with Potter headlining two nights and bringing back familiar collaborators like Jackson Browne and Dawes. Live Music (Punk): A new “Skunkfest” is set for Sept. 26 in Randolph, spotlighting Vermont punk and DIY culture, including “maple-fired” punk rock from Vallory Falls. Community Arts: The Kindred Spirits Arts concert in Milford welcomed flutist Allison Kiger back home, featuring a quartet of Schubert, Bizet, Puccini, Copland and Barber. Arts & Giving: The VCF’s Arts & Social Cohesion grant program awarded more than $250K to strengthen community through the arts. Film/Books: Club Calvi is letting readers vote on its next fall pick, with options including Tananarive Due’s “Mazywood.” Sports (Local Spotlight): Dartmouth women’s volleyball pulled off a major upset over Boston College, while CVU’s girls soccer rankings took a hit after a tough stretch. Health Fundraiser: Burlington hosts the Sept. 26 Walk to Defeat ALS Vermont at Oakledge Park.

Arts & Community: Rutland Free Library launches a monthly “Freedom to Read Book Club” tied to Banned Books Week, starting Oct. 5 with Michael Willhoite’s “Daddy’s Roommate,” as the library tackles censorship and intellectual freedom. Local Culture & Food: Bennington’s Apple Barn & Bakeshop turns pickling into a full-on community festival—pickle races, costume contest, and a “mechanical pickle” highlight the Sept. 19 Pickle Festival. Music Calendar: Burlington’s Flynn Main Stage hosts Rupert Holmes’ one-woman “The Book of Ruth” (Michelle Azar) and Fletcher Free Library welcomes journalist J.J. Green for “Hot Topic,” while the Mile High Jazz Band brings “Early Autumn Jazz” to Carson City on Oct. 13. Sports & Mental Health: UVM soccer’s Tuesday match vs. Merrimack is the annual Rally Around Mental Health game, presented by Redstone. Vermont Outdoors & Heritage: Chimney Point State Historic Site hosts the Northeastern Open Atlatl Championship as part of Vermont Archaeology Month, with atlatl-building and family events. Science for Vermont: UVM’s new Food Systems Research Station in Charlotte opens, partnering with USDA to help farmers with dairy and broader food-system challenges.

Vermont Film & Hope: Filmmaker Bess O’Brien is pivoting from decades of hard-hitting documentaries to a new focus on hope, spotlighting local projects like Luke’s Military Museum and Habitat for Aviation in Swanton. Youth Mental Health (Woodstock-area): The Ottauquechee Health Foundation launched Bridges to Wellbeing to connect families with youth mental health resources, citing worsening survey results for Vermont teens. Arts on the Move (Montpelier): Flynn’s free “Playing Fields” tour ended with a rain-soaked State House finale featuring giant sea creatures—though the last show was canceled. Community Food Fun (Bennington): Apple Barn & Bakeshop’s Pickle Festival brought live music, pickle races, and family activities celebrating Vermont food preservation. Local Sports Pulse: The High Five recaps big Vermont matchups, including St. Johnsbury’s revenge win over Middlebury and UVM’s soccer momentum. Adaptive Hockey (Norwich): Norwich University players hit the ice in a sled hockey scrimmage with the Central Vermont Pioneers, emphasizing inclusion. Vermont Culture & Music: Noah Kahan’s Busyhead Project continues to tie major touring to mental-health support, with Folk and Fairways in Stowe. Local Governance: Manchester is moving to update its temporary political sign ordinance to make rules fairer and less burdensome.

Vermont Arts & Music: Noah Kahan brought his Busyhead Project home to Stowe with a charity set that mixed crowd-pleasers and mental-health anthems. Live Music in Burlington: Grand Point North kept the Burlington waterfront humming with a stacked weekend lineup hosted by Grace Potter, with proceeds supporting her Grand Point Foundation. Film & Community Hope: Vermont documentarian Bess O’Brien’s new work spotlights veterans, young women learning aviation, and equine-assisted healing—aimed at finding something hopeful in hard times. Sports & Inclusion: Norwich University hockey players shared the ice with Vermont’s adaptive sled hockey team, spotlighting how the sport “evens the playing field.” Libraries & Adult Reading: Lawrence Public Library’s Booktoberfest returns with trivia and “cozy but creepy” adult book events throughout October. Mentoring in Action: The Mentoring Project of the Upper Valley hired a new program director to deepen its “trusted adult” connections for youth. Global Affairs (Vermont): Vermont Council on World Affairs hosts its State of the World Summit in Burlington for International Day of Peace, tying geopolitics to everyday Vermont life.

Vermont arts & community: The Lawrence Public Library kicks off Booktoberfest Sept. 30 with adult reading events, trivia, and a cozy-creepy Camp Cryptid later in October. Music spotlight: Burlington’s waterfront keeps the party going with Grand Point North, hosted by Grace Potter, with major national acts and proceeds supporting Vermont music and art education. Film & hope: Vermont documentarian Bess O’Brien debuts a new documentary built around uplifting stories—from veterans’ artifacts to aviation training and equine-assisted healing. Local mentorship: The Mentoring Project of the Upper Valley hires a new program director to strengthen its “trusted adult” connections for young people. Global conversation: The Vermont Council on World Affairs hosts its State of the World Summit Sept. 23, tying international politics and economics to everyday life in Vermont. Sports culture: The Western Massachusetts Comic Book Show returns Sept. 26 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, bringing comics and art to the region.

Music & Community: Grand Point North keeps the Burlington Waterfront rocking this weekend, with Grace Potter hosting a stacked lineup and proceeds benefiting her Grand Point Foundation. Live Music Fundraiser: Wish Benefit Tour 2026 lands in Burlington Oct. 7 at Higher Ground, featuring Oteil Burbridge with Vermont trio LaMP to raise money for Make-A-Wish. Arts & Film: The ShowRoom in Asbury Park screens “The Airwaves Belonged to the People: WBCN & The American Revolution” Sept. 25–27, spotlighting Bruce Springsteen’s early WBCN radio moments. Local Arts Spotlight: Studio Place Arts’ “Rock Solid” returns with outdoor stone sculptures by late artist John Matusz plus a slate of related gallery shows. Vermont Culture: Latin American Connection Celebration returns to Burlington’s City Hall Park with a parade, performances, and food trucks. Sports (Vermont): Castleton’s Vermont State University defense shuts out Maine Maritime 40-0, while high school football scores roll in across the state. AI in Media (Education): Southeastern Louisiana University student journalists and faculty run an AI prompting challenge session at AEJMC.

Vermont Arts & Music: Cricket Blue’s new double album “Sweet Animal” lands as a big, guest-packed meditation on death, grief, love, and the body—an ambitious Burlington-area chamber-folk moment. Sculpture Spotlight: Studio Place Arts’ “Rock Solid” returns with outdoor stone works by late sculptor John Matusz, plus a slate of other artists and related gallery shows. Live Music in Vermont: Grace Potter is back in the spotlight, talking Vermont roots and a “cultural revolution” vibe as she performs new songs and weighs AI’s impact on artists. Community Culture: The Latin American Connection Celebration returns to Burlington’s City Hall Park with a Church Street parade, dance and music, and food trucks—open to the public Saturday. Sports (Local Flavor): Vermont high school fall sports kick off with Saturday scores and match notes, including Okemos’ win over Everett and other early-season football results. Weekend What-To-Do: WCAX rounds up fall-day plans like St. Albans’ Afterglow Music Festival, a Sugarbush Fall Fly-In, and Touch a Truck at Centennial Field.

Vermont Arts & Culture: “Lost Nation,” Jay Craven’s Revolutionary War-era action drama about Ethan Allen and Lucy Terry Prince, screens Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. at the Nolan Murray Center in Springfield with a free post-film Q&A. Music & Community: Make-A-Wish’s Wish Benefit Tour 2026 adds Grammy winner Oteil Burbridge with Vermont trio LaMP, stopping Oct. 7 at Burlington’s Higher Ground. Local Food Scene: St. Albans City’s restaurant revenues are outpacing Montpelier’s, with meals-tax data showing 66% more restaurant tax revenue since 2019. Performing Arts: The Flynn’s Playing Fields brings France’s Plasticiens Volants to Georgia Elementary/Middle School with “Sea Fantasy – The Pearl,” plus local band performances. Sports: Catamounts head to Dartmouth for the Maribel Sanchez Souther Invitational on Saturday. Weekend Picks: Oktoberfest returns to Burlington’s South End. Film/TV Buzz: Reviews highlight “England ’Til I Die” and the final “70 Up” installment.

Music & Community: Grace Potter’s Grand Point North returns to Burlington Waterfront this weekend, with proceeds supporting her Grand Point Foundation and its mission to keep Vermont artists connected to stages, workshops, and funding. Live Performance: Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band are set to play Camp Johnson on Sept. 25 for veterans, service members, and families. Arts Education Expansion: Southern Vermont Arts Center breaks ground on its Campaign for The Studios, a new education home aimed at boosting youth and adult programming (with $9M raised and $1.65M still to secure). Local Culture Calendar: Oktoberfest rolls into Burlington’s Church Street area with German food, live music, and brewery tastings. Theater & History: A two-day Civil War program (“Duty and Service: A Civil War Saga”) brings authors and historians to Milton and Colchester, tying local stories to the wider conflict. Community Spotlight: Bennington Museum’s Back-to-School Community Day keeps the museum positioned as a year-round learning hub for families and educators. Sports Betting (Vermont): Vermont’s World Cup wagering totaled $6.6M, with $693,952 gross win reported by the state liquor and lottery department.

Vermont Arts & Community: Students marked Constitution Day at Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater with a poetry and art contest on what freedom means today, with winners chosen by Vermont’s poet laureate. Bluegrass Spotlight: “Banjo Dan” (Dan Lindner) is celebrated in a look back at six decades of Vermont bluegrass, from First Night performances to international “Project Harmony” tours. Local Governance & Growth: Bennington City Council approved a 1.4% property tax levy reduction, Neumeyer Farm Park Phase 2, and zoning changes to accommodate a micro-distillery. Music for a Cause: Make-A-Wish announced Oteil Burbridge will join Vermont trio LaMP for the Wish Benefit Tour 2026, including a stop at Higher Ground in Burlington. Global Affairs, Vermont Lens: VCWA’s 2026 State of the World Summit (Sept. 23) will connect geopolitics and technology to everyday Vermont life, from maple syrup to microchips. Sports & Loss: Middlebury mourns assistant women’s hockey coach Emily McNamara, who died months after a serious winter car crash. Policy & Privacy: A federal judge blocked the DOJ’s push for Vermont voter rolls, citing overreach and protecting sensitive voter data. Tech & Culture: Anthropic says its Claude now leads about a quarter of its R&D work—fueling fresh debate over AI risk and oversight.

Music & Community: Vermont Business Magazine says Grammy-winning bassist Oteil Burbridge will join Vermont trio LaMP for the Wish Benefit Tour 2026, with a Burlington stop at Higher Ground on Oct. 7 (plus Saratoga Springs, Brooklyn, and Somerville). Local Arts & Culture: Manchester Community Library and Manchester Historical Society launch “Threads of History,” using textiles and Tillie Walden’s Charity and Sylvia to explore Vermont history through hands-on programs. Vermont Music Premiere: Goodnight Nobody, a northern Vermont math/indie rock trio, releases its self-titled debut Sept. 18. Tech & Industry: GlobalFoundries and Marvell expand their Burlington, VT SiGe chip collaboration to boost capacity for next-gen optical connectivity used in AI data centers. Sports Spotlight: Middlebury’s women’s hockey assistant coach Emily McNamara, 42, died after a snowy highway crash in March; tributes continue. Public Health Alert: Sharon officials warn of suspected rabies after an unvaccinated cat died with rabies-like signs. Local Governance: Randolph hires Ron Redmond as new town manager, starting in late October.

Live Music for a Cause: Vermont Teddy Bear teamed with Oteil Burbridge to create the “Oteil Bear-Bridge,” with only 100 made and proceeds supporting Make-A-Wish; Burbridge and Vermont trio LaMP also headline the Wish Benefit Tour stop at Higher Ground in Burlington (Oct. 7). Arts Access Across the State: The Flynn Center’s free traveling show “Playing Fields” brings theater to school sports fields, with the two-week tour landing in places like Georgia, showing how the arts reach beyond Burlington. Community Pride & Performance: Winooski’s Pride celebration at Rotary Park featured Vermont drag performers, plus food, music, games, and fundraising for local LGBTQIA+ groups. Local Arts Programming: Create Together at Fletcher Farm announced “Friend & Fund Raiser” events—barn quilt paint & sip (Sept. 19) and a dock party (Oct. 3)—to keep year-round arts programming afloat. School Budget Fallout: Barre Unified Union School District voters rejected the budget for a third time, setting up likely cuts to winter sports, transportation, and extracurriculars. Policy & Tech Debate: A University of Dayton plan requires first-year students to take two AI courses, while Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders continues pushing for stronger AI guardrails.

Live Music & Community Fundraising: Vermont Business Magazine’s Make-A-Wish chapters announce Grammy bassist Oteil Burbridge will join Vermont trio LaMP on the Wish Benefit Tour 2026, with a Burlington stop at Higher Ground on Oct. 7. Immersive Art: Electric Eden turns a former moving truck into a hummingbird-themed walk-in installation in Wallingford, with a free open house Sept. 19. Family Arts: The Vermont Fairy Tale Festival returns Sept. 19 at Sherburne Memorial Library in Killington, bringing 20+ libraries for stories, crafts, and performances. Music for Social Change: Pandora Consort brings “The Fire Within Her,” a women’s liberation folk opera, to Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph on Sept. 19. Local Theater & Access: Lyric Theatre launches “Lyric for All,” a free ticket program for its November “Elf: The Musical,” pairing giveaways with behind-the-scenes workshops. Arts & Design: Simon Pearce names Vermont native Jessica Ohashi vice president of design, leading product design direction. Film-Making for Everyone: CAT-TV and GNAT-TV invite Vermonters to submit to the Shires 1-Minute Film Fest (60 seconds or less), with prizes and a big-screen screening Oct. 17 in Bennington. Vermont Performing Arts Season: Vermont’s 2026-27 performing arts calendar is in full swing, with multiple venues ramping up for fall.

AI Regulation Showdown: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon teamed up at a “pro-human” event in Washington, warning that fast-moving AI needs human-controlled guardrails and even a pause on superintelligence development. Local Community & Arts: Middletown Springs volunteers moved the town library—5,000 books passed hand-to-hand ahead of a Sept. 20 reopening—while Ludlow’s Friends of the Ludlow Auditorium is recruiting board members to shape future movies, music, and theater at the Heald Auditorium. Vermont Sports Schedule Update: The VPA revised the 2026 fall championship plan, moving field hockey and soccer finals off UVM’s campus and setting all field hockey finals for Nov. 1 at Burr and Burton Academy. Music Calendar: Next Stage Arts in Putney hosts bluegrass/folk sets Sept. 20 and a Tuesday reading event Sept. 22, keeping the literary and live-music momentum going. Performing Arts News: The Kennedy Center board voted to close most of the venue amid a Trump-name dispute and financial woes.

AI Policy Showdown: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon are set to headline a “pro-human” rally in Washington, pushing Congress to slow AI and add guardrails as lawmakers argue over regulation versus innovation. Local Health Finance: Vermont regulators told Brattleboro Memorial Hospital to revise its proposed FY27 budget after last-minute changes, including a reprieve for its birthing center, while the hospital faces a projected $7.1M deficit. Courtroom Drama: Jason Eaton’s insanity defense is on trial in Burlington after he allegedly shot three Palestinian students, with prosecutors and defense clashing over whether he was legally insane. Community Arts & Culture: Friends of the Ludlow Auditorium is recruiting board members to help shape movies, live music, theater, and other programming at the Heald Auditorium. Civic Life Boost: The Vermont Community Foundation was named a 2026 Civic Hub, earning a three-year grant to strengthen local leadership and community-led solutions. Sports & Entertainment: Dartmouth’s Ivy League will add a bye week in 2027, shifting the league’s Oct. 23 slate to Week 1.

AI & Politics: Trump dismissed AI “guardrails” as a “hoax” while lawmakers face rising pressure after high-profile warnings, with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders pushing for stronger limits and a bipartisan push for oversight growing ahead of midterms. Health Care Costs: Vermont regulators approved hospital budget changes that broadly reduce what hospitals collect from commercial insurers, with UVM Medical Center facing the steepest price cut. School Leadership: Washington Central waits on state approval for an interim superintendent “plan” as the district works through its administrative gap. Local Sports: Harwood’s Jocelyn Brauer delivered late heroics to beat Burlington 3-2 in girls soccer, while Mount Greylock’s girls won their kickoff tournament and Greylock’s players earned MVP honors. Arts & Community: Capital City Concerts opened its season with a “New Beginnings” program and new artistic directors. Vermont Events: Overmountain Rally returns to Newport Thursday–Saturday, and Vermont Special Olympics fall games drew athletes to St. Albans for soccer, softball, and track. Shop News: Burlington venue Radio Bean announced closure after 26 years.