AGP Executive Report

Weekend Arts & Community: St. Albans and beyond are packed with June 5-7 plans, from the Vermont Dairy Festival in Enosburg Falls to library teen nights and hands-on creative meetups. Live Music & Culture: NIVA ’26 is gearing up to spotlight live music in a “post-monopoly world,” with its June 7-10 conference in Minneapolis. Outdoor Fun: Burke Mountain’s Bike Park opens Saturday, June 6, with lift-accessed riding and new 2026 trail upgrades. Public Art: Nashua is celebrating four new permanent sculptures by guest artists from around the world, with a weekend closing event. Health & Safety: Vermont tick season is in full swing—protect, check, remove, watch. Tech & Policy: A UN study says data centers’ electricity use is already massive, and Vermont’s own debate over data centers is heating up. Music Spotlight: Sed One launches his first solo endeavor, Sed One Strikes, after the death of longtime collaborator JL. Sports: Lowell Spinners pull off a 5-4 walk-off win in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League.

Ski Season Success: Ski Vermont says the 2025-26 season delivered 4.36M skier visits—up 4.7% year over year and the best since 2014-15—capping things at Jay Peak with industry updates. Northern Lights Watch: NOAA issued a G3 geomagnetic storm watch for tonight, with the best viewing typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. (and specific forecast windows) if skies cooperate. World Cup Travel Advisory: New England immigrant advocacy groups issued a warning for 2026 FIFA World Cup travelers, citing risks like detention, device searches, and restrictions on protest. Arts & Community Calendar: “Go, See, Do” spotlights local picks including The Addams Family, PRIDE parade events, and library programming. Local Arts Leadership: Hildene’s Legacy Gala lands Pulitzer-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin for July 8, launching a new civic discourse initiative. Sports Spotlight: Hartford girls lacrosse advanced in the Division II playoffs with a revenge win over Brattleboro. Music & Recovery: Okemo’s Music on the Mountain returns as a benefit for the Divided Sky Foundation and The Phoenix recovery community. Community Pride: Manchester’s Block Party celebrates local businesses and culture with live music and neighborhood energy.

Wake-boat rules tighten: Vermont is restricting wake boats to special zones on just 20 lakes and ponds, with new 500-foot buffers from other boats and swimmers—an update praised by lake groups and criticized by wake-surf fans. Burlington Jazz Festival returns: The 43rd Burlington Discover Jazz Festival brings free performances downtown, with curator Jason Moran spotlighting youth musicians and adding skatepark and ice-rink jazz collaborations. Local music breakout: Burlington guitarist Lara Cwass is drawing attention after a fast rise, with recent shows at Foam Brewers, Radio Bean, and Einstein’s Tap House. Community arts fundraiser: The 1891 Fredonia Opera House is hosting a Bake Sale & Basket Auction to support programming. Kids take the stage: Newport City Elementary students will perform “Bully No More,” a musical aimed at helping kids recognize and prevent bullying. School disruption: Fake bomb threats led to evacuations and lock downs at multiple Vermont schools; police say threats appear unfounded. Reading picks for summer: New mystery/thriller and romance lists are out, plus a spotlight on Maria von Trapp’s faith-centered writing. Sports & season buzz: The Vermont Mountaineers gear up for summer baseball, while spring playoff coverage and scores keep rolling in. Media shift in Newport: Newport Daily Express is cutting print days and moving more content online, adding a daily news show. Data-center backlash: States are racing to regulate data centers amid noise, energy, and water concerns.

Burlington Jazz Festival: Curator Jason Moran is steering this year’s Burlington Discover Jazz Festival toward youth, with student bands on Church Street, a youth-focused Skate Jam at the A-Dog waterfront skatepark, and Moran performing with the Vermont Youth Orchestra. Local Media: The Newport Daily Express is cutting print to three days a week and pushing more daily content online, plus a new local news show. Arts & Community: Two Rivers Printmaking Studio’s “Out of the Box” exhibit turns everyday objects into collaborative print prompts, with the show running through June 30. School Arts Spotlight: Tunbridge’s First Branch Elementary art classroom fire was ruled accidental after combustible materials were left too close to a pottery kiln; classes resumed after a brief delay. Public Safety Disruption: Newport City Elementary faced a non-credible bomb threat that led to evacuation and a short lockdown at a targeted high school. Music Release: Kevin Copeland’s debut solo album Only Love Songs drops July 2, with the single “Hotel Bar” out now. Make Music Vermont: The statewide Make Music Day push invites performers and venues for a free June 21 live-music day.

Vermont agritourism push: The new “Seek and Savor” campaign is spotlighting Vermont farms and food experiences to bring more visitors statewide. Local arts & community: Essex Pride weekend in Essex Junction brought drag story hour, comedy, and queer joy to the community. Museum & history on the move: A Smithsonian “Spark! Places of Innovation” traveling exhibit is headed to Bellows Falls (starting June) with stops in Barnet and Swanton. Seasonal culture in Putney: “Twilight on the Tavern Lawn” returns with free outdoor concerts through Aug. 23, and author Jessie Haas presents “Dearest Blood” at the Putney Public Library on June 9. Vermont sports spotlight: Kaiden McCarthy of Vermont Academy was named Gatorade Vermont Baseball Player of the Year. Nature science: Scientists are injecting American elms in Benson with Dutch elm disease fungus as part of a conservation effort. Brattleboro transit milestone: A new Amtrak station opens with level boarding and ADA upgrades on June 24.

Mountain Biking Season: Burke Mountain Resort is gearing up for its Bike Park opening day this weekend (Sat., June 6), with weekend-only hours at first and a later Thu–Sun schedule starting June 18; new for 2026 includes Gravity Logic trail-design work, a major rebuild of Jester, and restored connections with Kingdom Trails. Pride Week (St. Albans): St. Albans Pride Week returns for its third year, running June 7–14, with events like an inclusive outdoor church service and a “Movies that Matter” screening at the Welden Theater. Local Arts & Youth: A Basement Teen Center mural collaboration will debut at the Montpelier Art Walk on June 5, with SafeArt mentorship and youth programming at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Food & Community Fundraising: Southshire Community School’s “Pastapoolza” pasta fundraiser drew local restaurants and families to support student programs. Ice Cream News: Ben & Jerry’s says Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream flavor isn’t going anywhere—just updated packaging after his Late Show exit. Sports (VPA Lacrosse): Vermont’s spring lacrosse playoffs are set, with full boys’ and girls’ bracket schedules now posted. Tech & Kids (Vermont): Vermont’s lawsuit against Meta over addictive social media practices moves forward after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Meta’s bid to avoid the case.

Mountain Biking: Burke Mountain Resort is gearing up for the opening of its Bike Park on Saturday, June 6, with weekend-only hours at first and expanded Thursday–Sunday operations starting June 18; new for 2026 includes Gravity Logic trail-design work, a major rebuild of Jester, and renewed connections with Kingdom Trails. Food & Drink: The inaugural Manchester Food & Wine Festival wrapped Memorial Day weekend with a big Grand Tasting highlight and continued momentum for Southern Vermont’s culinary scene. Local Dining Rebrand: Storybook in Hayward has reopened after renovations, leaning into a literary, cozy vibe with a lounge-like layout, arcade, and courtyard. Pop Culture/Local Treats: Ben & Jerry’s says Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream pint won’t disappear—just gets updated packaging as his Late Show era ends. Sports: The VPA released spring tournament pairings across baseball, softball, lacrosse, Ultimate, and tennis, with playoffs starting Tuesday. Community Spotlight: Gilford promoted Deputy Chief Dustin Parent to chief, starting June 14. Public Safety & Trust: Burlington’s internal review cleared officers of policy violations tied to a March ICE raid, finding use-of-force allegations exonerated or unfounded. Arts Calendar: This week’s Vermont picks include Ben Folds at Paramount Theatre in Rutland, a St. Johnsbury Pet Parade, and Greensky Bluegrass at Shelburne Museum.

Mountain Biking: Burke Mountain Resort is gearing up for the June 6 opening of its bike park, with weekend-only hours at first and a full schedule starting June 18; new for 2026 includes trail upgrades, a master plan with Gravity Logic, and a major rebuild of Jester plus improved connections with Kingdom Trails. Food & Wine: Manchester’s inaugural Food & Wine Festival wrapped up over Memorial Day weekend, capped by a Grand Tasting for about 300 guests and a spotlight on Southern Vermont hospitality (including Hildene’s Dene Farm event). Local Arts & Culture: Shelburne Museum’s Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green kicks off with Greensky Bluegrass, while Michael Kosta brings a new standup/play to the Paramount Theatre in Rutland. Community Events: St. Johnsbury’s 76th annual Pet Parade returns with “Best in Show-Biz” themes, and Pride listings highlight Boston’s Pride Night with Alex Newell and the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus. Policy & Privacy (Vermont): Vermont passed an opt-out privacy bill giving residents the right to reject targeted ads, with enforcement led by the attorney general.

Space & Tech: Reuters reports SpaceX pushed the Pentagon to pay far more for Starlink terminal service used to guide kamikaze drones, and the Pentagon is now considering thousands of extra subscriptions. Books & Reading: A Vermont Golden Dome–winning graphic novel, El Deafo, is highlighted in a Read Harder roundup featuring d/Deaf authors and disability culture. Local Arts & Culture: Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester is opening a new wing for its major “For the Love of Vermont” collection, with a permanent showplace debuting June 7. Community Events: WCAX lists things to do today, including old-time music jam sessions in Cabot, a Winooski service carnival, and a Blue Moon forest potluck in Richmond. Sports (Vermont): The Sports Rapport previews the 2026 FIFA World Cup and shares a High Five of Vermont sports stories from the week. Food & Local Business: Barre’s Morse Block Deli marks its 10th anniversary this summer, spotlighting its locally sourced approach and community support. Music: A review of Noah Kahan’s The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs gives it a B+ for grief-forward storytelling and standout singles.

Vermont Arts & Culture: Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester is opening a major new wing starting June 7, built around Lyman Orton’s “For the Love of Vermont” collection—more than 300 works of 20th-century Vermont art—plus a rooftop terrace and a new gallery named for board president Bob Van Degna. Community Pride & Performance: Essex Junction kicked off Pride season with a drag story hour at Phoenix Books, followed by the Essex Pride Festival at Maple Street Park featuring live music, vendors, and drag performances. Film & Media: CAT-TV and GNAT-TV announced the return of the Shires 1-Minute Film Fest, inviting regional filmmakers (including students and first-timers) to create 60-second films for a public screening Oct. 17 at the Bennington Theater. Sports (Vermont): Spaulding rolled past Lamoille 8-2 in weekend action, while Vermont high school baseball playoff coverage highlighted Blue Mountain’s push for a fourth straight Division IV title. Local Picks: Today’s Vermont events include free jam sessions at the Green Mountain Oldtime Workshop Weekend in Cabot, the Winooski Service Carnival, and a Blue Moon Forest Potluck in Richmond.

Community Film: CAT-TV and GNAT-TV are bringing back the Shires 1-Minute Film Fest this fall, inviting Vermont-area creators to make a 60-second film (theme: “Growth”) for a public Oct. 17 screening at the Bennington Theater. Local Arts & Culture: The Norman Rockwell Museum spotlights how Rockwell’s Vermont years shaped his small-town American storytelling, with a look at his move to Arlington and later Stockbridge. Outdoor & Trails: Long Trail Brewing marks National Trails Day (June 6) with a limited “Realllly Long Trail Pack” (168 beers) and donations to Vermont trail groups. Music & Community Choir: Halcyon Chorale’s year-end reflections on “The Glorians” connect choral music, nature, and spiritual cycles. Sports (Vermont): Greenfield Garden Cinema keeps winning in GGSL action, while Spaulding tops Lamoille 8-2. Weather/Weekend Plans: Saturday brings showers and mountain flakes, with patchy frost possible overnight—plus a “What to Do” roundup for May 30.

Vermont Arts & Culture: The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival returns for its 43rd run, June 3–7, with mostly free shows curated by Jason Moran, including opening-night dance and jazz tributes and a major closing event at The Flynn. Local Film: The Shires 1-Minute Film Fest is back this fall, inviting regional filmmakers (including students and first-timers) to create a 60-second film on “Growth,” plus a Prop & Dialogue challenge featuring a mirror and the line “Trust me” and/or “It’s done.” Comics & Storytelling: Vermont’s new cartoonist laureate, Stephen R. Bissette, is recognized for decades of genre-bending comics from “Swamp Thing” to prehistoric and intergalactic worlds. Community Events: Enosburg Falls’ Vermont Dairy Festival marks its 70th year, June 4–7, with a parade, milking contests, music, and the Dairy Scholarship Pageant. Arts in Motion: Melissa D’s “Songbird” draws inspiration from a Norman Rockwell kids’ book and the wood thrush’s call, turning a personal story into a healing, joy-forward new track. Sports & Entertainment: Castleton is rejoining the MASCAC in 2027–28, bringing football back to the league and reshaping travel and competition for VTSU athletes.

Vermont Arts & Culture: Stephen R. Bissette is Vermont’s new cartoonist laureate, passing the torch from Tillie Walden and celebrating a career that spans Swamp Thing, TMNT work, and prehistoric-to-intergalactic comics. Community Media: The Shires 1-Minute Film Fest returns this fall, with submissions (up to 60 seconds) inspired by “Growth,” plus a Prop & Dialogue challenge featuring a mirror and the line “Trust me” and/or “It’s done,” screening Oct. 17 at the Bennington Theater. Music & Storytelling: Melissa D finds inspiration for her song “Songbird” in a Norman Rockwell kids’ book about a wood thrush—turning the bird’s message into “radical joy.” Local Events: The Vermont Dairy Festival marks 70 years June 4–7 in Enosburg Falls, with a “Milk is White Gold” theme, pageant, parade, and live entertainment. Outdoor Economy: Brattleboro hosts “Elevating the Outdoor Economy in Southern Vermont” June 10, bringing together outdoor businesses and trail leaders to build regional partnerships. Sports & Schools: Southwest Vermont Technical Center culinary students earned a Top 10 finish at the ProStart National Invitational after a uniform scoring review. Pride: Essex Pride kicks off its 4th annual festival this weekend with drag, food trucks, and a movie night.

Student Jazz Takeover: Nearly 1,000 Vermont students will fill Burlington’s Church Street with free performances for the 2026 Discover Jazz Festival (44 ensembles from 36 schools). Summer Reading Kickoff: Kellogg-Hubbard Library launches “dinosaurs and discovery,” with an 8-book challenge, prizes, and a summer lineup including Dinoman and a dino-themed movie series. Film for Everyone: The Shires 1-Minute Film Fest returns this fall, inviting phone-friendly, 60-second stories in categories like “Growth” plus a Prop & Dialogue challenge (“Trust me” / “It’s done”). Bennington Theater Night: Vermont Arts Exchange brings “Belonging and Othering” to the Bennington Theater May 30, mixing dance, poetry, and filmed lived stories around social justice themes. Youth Music Voting: Beats for Good opens voting for a high school competition tied to the Do Good Fest concert lineup; the winner opens for major headliners and funds their school’s music program. Local Sports Spotlight: Montpelier boys Ultimate stays unbeaten with a 14-8 win over Milton, while Montpelier’s Duncan Schrader posts five goals in lacrosse. Legal/Community Note: A Rutland jury acquitted Daniel Banyai of felony assault on a police officer after a one-day trial.

Bennington Theater: Vermont Arts Exchange and BeHeard.world bring “Belonging and Othering” (dance, poetry, filmed stories) to Bennington on Saturday, May 30 at 8 p.m., with a pre-show banner unveiling local answers to “social justice” questions. Community Film: The Shires 1-Minute Film Fest returns this fall, inviting regional filmmakers (including students and first-timers) to submit a 60-second original film in categories “Growth” and a Prop & Dialogue challenge using a mirror plus “Trust me” and/or “It’s done.” Mental Health Spotlight: United Counseling Service in Bennington highlights Outpatient Clinician Paul Perrault, offering in-person individual/group therapy and Same Day Access. Youth Baking for Kindness: “Bake for Good” connects 22 Vermont youth via Zoom to bake and share loaves, with King Arthur and Vermont 4-H. Local Sports: North Country baseball/softball wrap road wins; Falcons’ 10-run-rule game and more Vermont H.S. scores land in the daily sports roundup. Outdoor/Family Fun: United Church of Ludlow’s “Ring Out Love” celebrates a restored 1,200-pound bell on June 7 with live music, games, and bell-ringing. Public Health Policy: Vermont’s first-in-the-nation paraquat ban gets a spotlight, with the Michael J. Fox Foundation calling it a public health milestone.

Ticketing Reform: Vermont’s new ticket resale law is now signed, capping secondary-market prices at 110% of the original ticket for smaller venues and requiring clearer pricing and “issuer vs. reseller” notices—an effort aimed at cooling down scalpers ahead of the summer concert rush. Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Meta’s appeal in Vermont’s social media addiction case, clearing the way for the lawsuit to move forward. Music & Community: The Shires 1-Minute Film Fest returns this fall in Bennington, inviting phone-made shorts (60 seconds or less) in a “Growth” theme plus a Prop & Dialogue challenge. Local Arts Spotlight: North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show (NBOSS) named its 2026 artists, with installations across multiple sites and a bigger, more ambitious exhibiting model. Weekend Picks: Bucharest Design Festival and KineDok are on the calendar for documentary and design lovers, plus local music events like Jatoba at Valley Craft Ales. Nature & Wildlife: VINS released a rare American bittern back into the wild after rehab from injuries.