Vermont Favorites

Sarah Vogelsang-Card rebelled against a harrowing diagnosis as a child and used dance to quite literally save her own life. Her interest in movement also includes performing with Puppets in Education, an organization that uses puppetry to help children talk about difficult topics like bullying, drugs, and autism. She will be performing with The Accaliae at the 8th Annual Dance Showcase this month.

Christy Mitchell has been central to the burgeoning South End Arts District. She was responsible for giving it that name. She runs the SPACE Gallery, has been converting underutilized buildings throughout Burlington into artist studios, and is an accomplished artist in her own right. If that’s not enough, she can fix any lamp ever made and out parallel park anybody.

Carole Vasta Folley is a storyteller, a playwright that has made it her mission to create meaningful roles for women – of all ages. Despite the recurring themes of death and loss in her work she is a comedic force and our chat was a ton of fun. 

What is more difficult to start up: a rock band or an improv troupe? Lindsey Haddad has found creative outlets in music, comedy, fashion, and Dungeons and Dragons. She has toured half the country in a band based in Athens, Georgia; founded several Vermont comedy groups and shows; and coordinated a fundraising fashion competition.

It is no coincidence that Mark Stein teaches children improv at an Aikido dojo. He has channeled his years of performing as a storyteller, comedian, actor, and magician into a martial arts-style approach to the classroom as a teaching artist at Tiger Monkey Dragon Performing Arts. 

Mark and I also talk about gender differences in the performing arts and in schooling. Then we invent a truly scary new type of improv theater. And since he’s from Milwaukee we’re going to find out who has better beer and cheese, Wisconsin or Vermont.

Patrick Tracy is a cartoonist and illustrator who has done work for politicians, comedy clubs, and breweries. This native Burlingtonian has traveled the world exploring the many unique art scenes and you can hear him discuss these experiences and the local scene on the Art Mache podcast. Patrick and I go deep into the balancing act that is artistic creation and inspiration. 

When Janet first moved to Vermont her first job was managing construction for Ben & Jerry’s. But her true passion is as an actor and singer who has performed with Lyric Theatre Company in many classic musicals such as The Music Man and Oklahoma. And in 2010 she started up Girls Nite Out Productions with the goal of providing more high quality theatrical roles to women.

Bob Gagnon is an accomplished jazz guitarist who has been compared to George Benson and Pat Martino. You can hear him play with Tiny Montgomery (Bob Dylan tribute) and Small Change (Tom Waits jazz tribute). Not one to simply coast on his jazz street cred, he has picked up bass guitar and joined a progressive rock band. Which just happens to be my progressive rock band, Elephants of Scotland. But true to his Vermont roots he is equally skilled at raising goats and making cheese and soap.