Boom! Just like that, summer is here. It arrives this Sunday, technically, which is also Father’s Day. There’s a lot going on, and the perpetually busy Vermont arts and entertainment scene keeps that beehive vibe going.
The lineup for the next week features a sold-out show at Higher Ground, a music festival at Bolton Valley, an art festival featuring poetry, music and outdoor sculpture in Stowe, a blues picnic in southern Vermont, the sounds of Broadway in the Lake Champlain islands and a whole host of intriguing theatrical offerings. Celebrate summer, celebrate dear old Dad and celebrate the bounty of the arts as the seasons change.
Ratboys rock Higher Ground
8 p.m. Thursday, June 18, Chicago indie-rockers Ratboys headline a show that includes Shallowater, Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $20. highergroundmusic.com
Unadilla Theatre starts its season
7:30 p.m. Friday, June 19, the rustic Unadilla Theatre begins its four-show run of productions this summer with Samuel Beckett’s one-man play “Krapp’s Last Tape” through Sunday, June 28, at 501 Blachly Road, Marshfield. $15-$30. theaterengine.com/companies/93
‘Trailblazing’ at Middlebury College
7:30 p.m. Friday, June 19, the Dogteam Theatre Project and Middlebury College join for “Trailblazing,” a series of benefit theatrical readings and design presentations that begins with staged readings of new plays and designs created by students and continues with several events Saturday, June 20, Seeler Studio Theatre, Mahaney Arts Center, Middlebury College. $20 suggested donation. middlebury.edu/college/academics/theatre/dogteam-theatre-project
Dorset Theatre Festival starts with ‘Deceived’
7:30 p.m. Friday, June 19, the Dorset Theatre Festival begins its summer season with “Deceived,” based on the play (and film) “Gaslight,” running through Saturday, July 4, Dorset Playhouse. $62.-$73.80. dorsettheatrefestival.org
Higher Ground welcomes Kurt Vile
8 p.m. Friday, June 19, lo-fi indie-rockers Kurt Vile and the Violators follow The Sadies on stage at the Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. Sold out. highergroundmusic.com
Dwight & Nicole & more at Mountain Air Music Festival
Noon Saturday, June 20, the daylong Mountain Air Music Festival highlights Vermont acts including Dwight & Nicole, Sonido Mal Maiz, Moondogs, Sabouyouma, Noah Kesey and Reid Parsons, Bolton Valley Resort. $30. mountainairmusicfestival.com
Dine with the Vermont Blues Society
2 p.m. Saturday, June 20, the Vermont Blues Society hosts a musical picnic featuring performers Gina Coleman, John Fusco, Bob Stannard, Anthony Geraci, Sunny Lowdown and Stephen Kiernan, plus an open blues jam session, with Burmese food served by Moonwink, Manchester Community Library. Free; donations accepted. vermontbluessociety.org
Summer Opening Festival at The Current
4 p.m. Saturday, June 20, the 2026 Summer Opening Festival features artist Miles Greenberg in conversation with executive director Rachel Moore, followed at 5 p.m. with an outdoor sculpture tour and at 6 p.m. a live poetry reading with Rajnii Eddins and music by The Lost Faculty Duo, The Current, Stowe. Free; RSVPs encouraged. thecurrentnow.org
Laugh at The Lowdown
7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20, the comedy night known as The Lowdown this month features Jessie Baade, Gordon Clark, Natasha Komarov, Maisie Laud, Ian Paul, Maggie Phelan, Levi Silverstein and host Maggie Maxwell, Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $15. highergroundmusic.com
Broadway in the Champlain islands
6 p.m. Monday, June 22, Broadway Rocks, organized by Broadway vet and Colchester native Merritt David Janes, offers “Broadway in the Islands” featuring musical performances at Snow Farm Vineyard, South Hero. $40-$75. broadwayrocks.live
Contact Brent Hallenbeck at [email protected].
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.burlingtonfreepress.com ’
