Music, plays, comedy and visual art bloom in Vermont in the merry month of May
May is the month when spring really kicks into high gear in northern Vermont. The flowers are out in full force, lawns are lush and the air is enhanced with the sweet scents of lilac and increasingly warm breezes.
May is also the month when the arts-and-entertainment scene begins to trickle outdoors after spending the better part of six months cooped up inside. Not too many events see the literal light of day this month, truth be told, but enough of them do to herald a big summer party in the months to come.
In the meantime, these concerts, plays, visual art and comedy performances could just make your May one to remember.
Houndmouth sells out
8:30 p.m. Monday, May 1, Indiana blues-rockers Houndmouth join indie-folk act Oliver Hazard in the Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. Sold out. www.highergroundmusic.com
Alvin Ailey troupe dances into Flynn
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater takes over the stage at the Flynn, Burlington. $45-$55. www.flynnvt.org
Climate activism in film
7 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, the fourth-annual Climate Action Film Festival, presented by SunCommon, returns to in-person viewing with nine short films by directors from around the world, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington. $10-$20. www.climateactionfilmfestival.com
Young Tradition Festival starts its run
7 p.m. Thursday, May 4, the Young Tradition Festival, hosted by the Canadian musical group La Famille LeBlanc, presents four days of music and dance that culminates at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7, with a tribute to the late traditional Vermont musician Pete Sutherland, Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall. $35-$50. www.vtfolklife.org/young-tradition-festival
‘Small Mouth Sounds’ in Middlebury
7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4-Saturday, May 6, 2 p.m. Sunday, May 7, the Middlebury Acting Company presents the Beth Wohl play “Small Mouth Sounds,” which director Melissa Lourie calls “a gentle satire of the self-help industry,” Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. $17-$37. www.middleburyactors.org
Kondabolu holds court at comedy club
7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4-Saturday, May 6, 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 5-Saturday, May 6, comic Hari Kondabolu brings a new hour of stand-up for five shows at the Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $25. www.vermontcomedyclub.com
Higher Ground does comedy, too
7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, “Angry Retail Guy” video maker Scott Seiss displays his observational humor in the Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $30 in advance, $35 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
The Wallflowers blossom in Burlington
7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, Jakob Dylan and his long-running rock band The Wallflowers, following local act Paper Castles, arrive at the Flynn, Burlington. $39-$69. www.flynnvt.org
‘Hamlet’ times 10
7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4-Saturday, May 6, the Middlebury College Theatre Department stages William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” with 10 actors sharing the title role, Wright Memorial Theatre, Middlebury College. $5-$15. www.middlebury.edu/events/event/hamlet
Moondogs at Metronome
8 p.m. Thursday, May 4, the Burlington-based psychedelic-rock band Moondogs joins Dentist and Earthworm for a show at Club Metronome above Nectar’s, Burlington. $10-$20. www.liveatnectars.com
Waking Windows winnows schedule
5 p.m. Friday, May 5, the annual Waking Windows festival that takes over Winooski most every year is smaller this go-round, starting with acts including Moon King, Psymon Spine, Blowtorch, The Bubs and The Wet Ones at The Monkey House ($15); followed at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 6 by the big day of music at the rotary stage featuring Pile, Underground System, Rough Francis, Cola, Zenizen, Mal Devisa, Kafari and Hammydown and, starting at 2:30 p.m., acts at The Monkey House such as Magi Merlin, acquamossa, Eastern Mountain Time, Maryse Smith and Roost.World ($55 for rotary stage; $20 for The Monkey House, or $10 with a rotary-stage pass) and at 3:20 p.m. Sunday, May 7 back at The Monkey House with performances by Miranda and the Beat, Buoyancy, DJ Disco Phantom, Robber Robber, Swale, Willverine and more. ($10). www.wakingwindows.com
Wine and a show
6 p.m. Friday, May 5-Saturday, May 6, “Tastings: An Evening of Six Short Plays,” featuring works by Vermont playwright Lesley Becker as well as Jan Mason and Lee Wochner and Danny Rocco, runs for two nights at Snow Farm Vineyard and Winery, South Hero, followed at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 11-Saturday, May 13 at Shelburne Vineyard. $18. www.snowfarm.com/concerts_events or www.shelburnevineyard.com/events-list
Folk music in southern Vermont
7:30 p.m. Friday, May 5, the Next Stage Arts Project presents traditional Celtic and folk music by Kalos and Fern Maddie, Next Stage, Putney. $20 in advance, $24 at the door. www.nextstagearts.org
Essex Players are ‘Out of Order’
7:30 p.m. Friday, May 5, the Essex Community Players dive into the British farce “Out of Order” by Ray Cooney, which runs through May 20, Memorial Hall, Essex. $14-$18. www.essexplayers.com
Two nights with Little Stranger
9 p.m. Friday, May 5-Saturday, May 6, the indie-hip-hop act Little Stranger settles in for two shows with support from Jarv on both nights and also Free Creatures on Saturday, Nectar’s, Burlington. $15 in advance, $18 day of show. www.liveatnectars.com
Abenaki exhibit at Ethan Allen Homestead
2 p.m. Saturday, May 6, a new exhibit on the history of the Abenaki in Vermont opens at the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, Burlington. $7-$15 museum admission; free for ages under 5. www.ethanallenhomestead.org
Brett Hughes does bluegrass
7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, Vermont-based Brett Hughes and That Bluegrass Band follow Richard Ruane and Beth Duquette in the final out-of-town performance presented by the Ripton Community Coffee House before the series returns to Ripton in September, Burnham Hall, Lincoln. $15-$25. www.rcch.org
VSO (finally) celebrates Jaime Laredo
7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra pays tribute to its longtime music director, Jaime Laredo, who conducts one final performance in a farewell concert delayed since the spring of 2021 that includes violinist Bella Hristova, the Flynn, Burlington. $8.35-$54.23. www.vso.org
Comedy in central Vermont
8 p.m. Saturday, May 6, comic Vicki Ferentinos headlines a show that includes comedians Colin Doyle and Matt Vita, Woolen Mill Comedy Club, Bridgewater. $20. www.eventbrite.com/e/stand-up-comedy-at-woolen-mill-comedy-club-with-headliner-vicki-ferentinos-tickets-602825516347
Avant-garde rockers at Higher Ground
8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, the exploratory and eclectic rock band Yves Tumor headlines a show with Pretty Sick and Frost Children, Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $35 in advance, $39 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
VYO honors its seniors
3 p.m. Sunday, May 7, the Vermont Youth Orchestra sends off more than 30 seniors who will take their final bows – including Marisa Kono, who will be featured as a soloist on Dvorak’s “Romance for Violin and Orchestra” – at the Flynn, Burlington. $17-$22. www.vyo.org
Campbell and Williams revisit Higher Ground
8 p.m. Sunday, May 7, the Americana duo Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams shares a bill with Lucy Kaplansky, Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $30 in advance, $35 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
The Lone Bellow plays South Burlington
8 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, Americana rockers The Lone Bellow join Stephen Wilson Jr., Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $25 in advance, $30 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Neon Ramblers, meet The Grift
7 p.m. Thursday, May 11, ‘80s-inspired group Neon Ramblers plays classic pop tunes with a bluegrass twang, and at 7 p.m. Friday, May 12, a band that bears close resemblance to Neon Ramblers – The Grift – performs its own songs, Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. $19-$24 for Thursday, $29-$34 for Friday, $39 for both nights. www.townhalltheater.org
Comedy from Kyle Kinane
7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11-Saturday, May 13, 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 12-Saturday, May 13, comic Kyle Kinane returns for five shows at the Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $35. www.vermontcomedyclub.com
Honey & Soul celebrates debut album
7:30 p.m. Friday, May 12, the harmonic Burlington trio Honey & Soul marks the release of its first album, “Lady King,” with a performance presented by Waking Windows at the ONE Community Center, Allen Street, Burlington. $15 in advance, $20 day of show. www.wakingwindows.com
Shelburne Museum back in action
10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, the sprawling collection that is the Shelburne Museum returns for the season (through Oct. 22) with a new exhibition, “Built From the Earth: Pueblo Pottery from the Anthony and Teressa Perry Collection.” $8-$25 museum admission; free for those under 5, museum members and active military. www.shelburnemuseum.org
Warhol and more in Reading
10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, the Hall Art Foundation in Reading starts its 2023 season (through Nov. 26) with a trio of new shows – “Andy Warhol: small is beautiful” and solo installations from painters Susan Rothenberg and Ron Gorchov. $5-$18. www.hallartfoundation.org
Music festival imagines no carbon emissions
Noon Saturday, May 13, the Imagine Zero Music Festival, which aspires to zero waste and zero carbon emissions, fills the music part of its name with performances by Dawes, Kat Wright, Myra Flynn, the Ben Kogan Band, Michael Daves, Billy Wylder, Earthworm and Brandon Heisler, Solar Fest stage, 144 Steinberg Road, Brandon. $50. www.imaginezerofestival.com
Aurora Chamber Singers shine in spring
7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, the Aurora Chamber Singers present “All Generations Will Call Me Blessed,” a program originally scheduled for spring 2020, College Street Congregational Church, Burlington. $10-$25. www.aurorachambersingers.org
New Pornographers headline Higher Ground
8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, indie-rock vets The New Pornographers, led by A.C. Newman and including Vermont resident Neko Case, visit the Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $28 in advance, $32 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Spring concert in Hinesburg
4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 14, the Hinesburg Artist Series offers its spring concert featuring the Hinesburg Community Band and South County Chorus, Champlain Valley Union High School auditorium, Hinesburg. Free; donations accepted. www.hinesburgartistseries.org
Stowe welcomes Paul Asbell
6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, Vermont guitar legend Paul Asbell and his quartet perform the latest “Jazz at the Lantern” concert, Brass Lantern Inn, Stowe. $25-$45. www.facebook.com/brasslanterninnstowe/
He is Rappaport in Burlington
7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 19-Saturday, May 20, actor/comedian Michael Rappaport, known for his “I Am Rappaport” podcast, does three shows at the Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $35 (the 7:30 shows are sold out). www.vermontcomedyclub.com
‘Madagascar’ makes way to Flynn
7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, the kid-friendly film “Madagascar” gets the musical stage treatment at the Flynn, Burlington. $29-$59. www.flynnvt.org
Seattle musician hits South Burlington
7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, Seattle musician Brian Fennell performs as SYML, and will do so following Trent Dabbs in the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $25 in advance, $28 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Opening reception in Vergennes
5-7 p.m. Friday, May 19, the opening reception for “Verdant,” an exhibit of works by Maine artist Carla Weeks, takes place at the Northern Daughters Fine Art Gallery, Vergennes. Free. www.northerndaughters.com
Chad Hollister keeps on going
7 p.m. Friday, May 19, Vermont favorites the Chad Hollister Band bring their sound to the Double E Performance Center, Essex. $35. www.essexexperience.com/double-e-performance-center/
Dwight & Nicole play new album
8 p.m. Friday, May 19, soulful Burlington act Dwight & Nicole celebrate their new debut full-length recording, “The Jaguar, The Raven & The Snake,” by playing the songs from the album front-to-back in concert, following opener Ali McGuirk, Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $25 in advance, $30 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
Samantha Bee is ‘Your Favorite Woman’
8 p.m. Friday, May 19, comic and former late-night TV host Samantha Bee brings her “Your Favorite Woman” tour to the Flynn, Burlington. $49.50-$169.50. www.flynnvt.org
Mexican music from Villalobos Brothers
7 p.m. Saturday, May 20, contemporary Mexican group The Villalobos Brothers bring folk, jazz and classical sounds to the Chandler Center for the Arts, Randolph. $10-$45. www.chandler-arts.org
Missing Cats to be found in Westford
4 p.m. Sunday, May 21, Vermont group Lewis Franco and the Missing Cats bring the swing to the final performance this season of the Westford Music Series, Westford Common Hall. Free; donations accepted. www.facebook.com/Westfordmusicseries/
Screaming Females in Winooski
8 p.m. Sunday, May 21, New Jersey rockers The Screaming Females shake things up at The Monkey House, Winooski. $18 in advance, $20 day of show. www.monkeyhousevt.com
The Front Bottoms reach Higher Ground
8 p.m. Monday, May 22-Tuesday, May 23, New Jersey pop-punk band The Front Bottoms follows AJJ at the Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. Sold out. www.highergroundmusic.com
New York punk in South Burlington
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, the New York punk group Sorry Mom follows Froggy and Burly Girlies, Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $14 in advance, $16 day of show. www.highergroundmusic.com
MacMaster and Leahy visit the Kingdom
7 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, Canadian fiddle duo Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy play the Northeast Kingdom when they visit Fuller Hall, St. Johnsbury Academy. $15-$52; free for students 18 and under. www.catamountarts.org
Concert benefits Rokeby Museum
6 p.m. Thursday, May 25, Vermont blues musicians Paul Asbell and Bob Stannard join forces for a concert to benefit the exhibition fund at the Rokeby Museum, Ferrisburgh Town Hall and Community Center. $30-$45. www.rokeby.org
‘A Comedy of Errors’ in Williston
7 p.m. Thursday, May 25-Saturday, May 27 and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 27, Vermont Repertory Theatre presents Shakespeare’s first and shortest play, “A Comedy of Errors,” Isham Barn Theatre, Williston. $10-$25; free for those under 16. www.vermontrep.com
Putumayo brings the world to Burlington
6 p.m. Friday, May 26, the world-music label Putumayo celebrates its 30th anniversary with performances from Mikahely, KeruBo, Wesli, Mamselle Ruiz and Diogo Ramos, Radio Bean, Burlington. Free. www.radiobean.com
Vermont Ballet on display
1 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 27, the Vermont Ballet Theater presents two performances of its program “Celebration of Dance,” the Flynn, Burlington. $17.78-$28. www.flynnvt.org
The Samples sing in Stowe
6 p.m. Sunday, May 28, led by Sean Kelly, The Samples were a reggae-rock band popular in Vermont in the 1990s but haven’t been heard from much lately, though they will be performing in the concert meadow at the Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe. $31.80; free for ages 5 and under. www.trappfamily.com
Author reads, talks in Johnson
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, California author K-Ming Chang delivers a reading, Red Mill Building, followed at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 1 by a writing-craft talk, Mason House Library, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson. Free. www.vermontstudiocenter.org
Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Things to do in Vermont: May blooms with music, comedy, plays, art
