Posted By Dan Bolles on Fri, Jul 21, 2017 at 1:08 PM

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Dreamstime

Ben Stiller

In recent weeks, Ben Stiller has been spotted in various locations around Plattsburgh and upstate New York.

And just what is the famed comedic actor doing in the sleepy Lake City, exactly? Pounding Bud Light Limes at the Naked Turtle, perhaps? Getting in some quality "me time" after splitting with longtime wife and fellow actor Christine Taylor? Scouting locales for Zoolander 3, Meet the Grandparents or (pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease) Mystery Men 2?

Almost, but not quite.

Stiller is indeed scouting locations for a new project. He's directing an untitled miniseries for Showtime centered on the June 2015 prison escape of two inmates from the Clinton Correctional Facility in nearby Dannemora, N.Y.

And guess what? You can be in it! A casting call for the series is slated for this Saturday, July 22, at the Strand Center Theatre in downtown Plattsburgh.

Tags: Ben Stiller , Dannemora , Clinton Correctional Facility , prison break , Image , Web Only

Posted By Rachel Elizabeth Jones on Thu, Jul 20, 2017 at 6:17 PM

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Courtesy of Vermont Arts Council

Karen Mittelman

The Vermont Arts Council announced today that it has found a replacement for former executive director Alex Aldrich, who stepped down in April. Karen Mittelman will take the helm at the state nonprofit organization in October.

Mittelman is currently director of the Division of Public Programs at the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C., where she has worked since 1998. With a doctorate in U.S. history from the University of Pennsylvania, she has also held positions at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia.

VAC selected Mittelman from a pool of 70 applicants from Vermont and across the U.S. Her ties to the Green Mountain State have been in the form of visits to the Bennington area throughout her life.

“We are thrilled that Karen Mittelman has accepted the executive director position,” said VAC chair Bob Stannard in a press statement. “In a time when federal arts funding is uncertain, it is vital to have an executive director who has significant experience in a national leadership role."

Tags: Vermont Arts Council , arts , arts nonprofits , Image , Web Only

Posted By Jordan Adams on Thu, Jul 20, 2017 at 11:18 AM

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Courtesy of Half Lounge

L-R: Boudee Luangrath, Aaron Chiaravelotti, Adrian Sackheim

When Half Lounge closed its doors in March, it left a fairly large hole in Burlington's nightlife scene. But the pint-sized, live music hotspot will reopen soon under new ownership.

The proprietors of Mr. Mikes Pizza, Aaron Chiaravelotti and Boudee Luangrath, along with SideBar talent buyer Adrian Sackheim, purchased the business in May and hope to reopen it in early August. Chiaravelotti and Luangrath also own SideBar, which they opened in 2016.

Tags: Half Lounge , 1/2 Lounge , Halflounge Speakeasy , edm , music , entertainment , nightlife , Image , Web Only

Posted By Sadie Williams on Mon, Jul 17, 2017 at 11:50 AM

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Alec Julien

Still from Alec Julien's film "Anonymous"

In late June, the Regional Educational Television Network announced a new channel carried by Burlington Telecom. Called BTV HD, it's dedicated to the works of local filmmakers.

The high-definition programming runs on Channel 216. According to a June 26 press release, it carries "different programming than RETN's current standard-definition educational access channel found in the BT channel lineup at Channel 16."

The first local film to debut on the new channel was "Anonymous" by Alec Julien, by Burlington writer, educator, musician and graphic designer. Seth Jarvis directed. The first-time filmmaker said that RETN provided equipment for the production, and that executive director Jess Wilson served as the lighting director.

"When she asked me to premiere "Anonymous" with RETN, I was happy to oblige," Julien said.

Tags: Burlington Telecom , Regional Educational Television Network , Bill Simmon , Alec Julien , Jess Wilson , Channel 216 , Vermont International Film Festival , White River Indie Festival , film , movies , Image , Web Only

Posted By Dan Bolles on Mon, Jul 17, 2017 at 11:08 AM

Tags: Peter Brown , humor , standup , Vermont comedy , Image , Web Only

Posted By Sadie Williams on Thu, Jul 13, 2017 at 9:12 PM

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Lucy Leith

Lucy Leith's Trilobite Coat

Twenty-one-year-old Lucy Leith hasn't wasted her year off from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The fashion student is half way through her studies — she moved back to her native Burlington in May 2016 and plans to complete her education in the fall. Since February 2017, she's been a driving force in developing the sewing and textile program at Burlington's Generator maker space.

When she's not looking for new teachers or leading workshops at the South End organization, Leith volunteers at Burlington City Arts, works as a teaching assistant for area artist Kate Donnelly and freelances as a gardener.

Tags: Lucy Leith , Bina58 , Generator , Burlington , fashion design , School of the Art Institute of Chicago , Image , Web Only

Posted By Dan Bolles on Mon, Jul 10, 2017 at 6:30 AM

Tags: Damien Harshbarger , humor , standup , Vermont comedy , Image , Web Only

Posted By Jordan Adams on Thu, Jul 6, 2017 at 1:29 PM

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Noise Floor Photography

Death Pesos

The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts is exploring unknown territory with its new, evocatively titled free concert series, Exhibitionists. Starting Friday, July 7, and continuing on Fridays for the remainder of summer, a horde of mostly local rock bands will take over the Amy E. Tarrant Gallery for a sonic assault the likes of which have never been attempted in that particular space.

Tags: Flynn Center for the Performing Arts , Amy E. Tarrant gallery , Exhibitionists , concert series , Death Pesos , Blue Button , Banana Schlitz , the Mountain Says No , Clever Girls , Sleeping In , Carton , Image , Web Only

Posted By Sadie Williams on Mon, Jul 3, 2017 at 7:20 PM

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Chet Larrow

New Montpelier City flag

This evening, Montpelier City Councilor Anne Watson and City Clerk John Odum unveiled the state capital's new flag during the annual July 3rd celebrations.

The minimalist winning design, by East Montpelier native Chet Larrow, features rolling green hills topped by a navy-blue sky. Centered in the blue field is a circle of 14 golden stars. Larrow is an industrial designer for Key Technologies in Baltimore, Md.

Tags: Montpelier , John Odum , Anne Watson , flags , Chet Larrow , Image , Web Only