The country turns 250 years old this month. That, to put it mildly, is a big deal. Numerous activities will take place to celebrate that rare occasion, many of which we at the Burlington Free Press have written about elsewhere.
A couple of the 31 Vermont events listed below are tied into that patriotic party. The remainder are less starry and stripey and more about just having a good time and being enlightened and uplifted in that way only a good performance can accomplish.
Either way, it’s as good a time as any to celebrate the artistic bounty that the nation’s 14th state so prodigiously provides us.
Jammin’ in July in Essex
5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, the weekly music series “Jammin’ in July” kicks off with the Lara Cwass Band and continues at the same time each week with, on July 8, The Grift; July 15, the All Night Boogie Band; July 22, Soul Porpoise with The Project; and July 29, Kyle Chadburn & the Earthbound Spirits, The Old Stage at the Essex Experience. Free. doubleevt.com
VSO celebrates ‘America 250’
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra begins its 2026-27 season with the tour “America 250,” showcasing iconic American music starting on this night at the Saskadena Six Ski Area, South Pomfret, and continuing (all at 7:30 p.m.) Thursday, July 2, Burke Mountain Ski Resort, East Burke; Friday, July 3, Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center; Saturday, July 4, Shelburne Museum; and Sunday, July 5, von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort concert meadow, Stowe. $10-$45 except Stowe ($15-$50); free for ages 5 and under; fireworks following concerts in East Burke, Grafton and Shelburne. vso.org
Tortoise strolls into Higher Ground
8 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, influential rock band Tortoise follows BASIC in the Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $30. highergroundmusic.com
The music of Bobby Hackney Sr.
7 p.m. Thursday, July 2, a veteran of legendary bands including Lambsbread and Death, Vermont musician Bobby Hackney Sr., plays a night of original songs at Radio Bean, Burlington. $15. radiobean.com
Stowe Theatre Guild plans to ‘Be More Chill’
7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2, the Stowe Theatre Guild presents the musical “Be More Chill,” Town Hall Theatre, 67 Main St., Stowe. $15-$20. stowetheatre.com
Nick Cassarino turns 40
8 p.m. Thursday, July 2, South Burlington-raised guitarist Nick Cassarino, who’s gone on to play with performers including The Nth Power, Jennifer Hartswick and Christian McBride, comes home to celebrate his 40th birthday with guests including his high school mentor, teacher/saxophone player Dave Grippo, Foam Brewers, Burlington. $15 in advance, $18 day of show. foambrewers.com
Manchester Music Festival starts concert series
7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, the Manchester Music Festival, which presents its 52nd season through Sept. 6 with the program “Sounding America: Music that Shaped Us,” begins its five-date concert series with “Appalachian Spring: Music from the Mountains” featuring works by composers including Charles Ives and Aaron Copland, Arkell Pavilion, Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester. $15.30-$76.50. mmfvt.org
The Wildwoods settle down in South Burlington
8 p.m. Thursday, July 9, Nebraska-based folk-Americana trio The Wildwoods visit the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $22. highergroundmusic.com
Jeezum Crow at Jay Peak
Friday, July 10-Saturday, July 11, the 11th annual Jeezum Crow Festival starts with Yonder Mountain String Band, Dead Man Strumming and Beg, Steal or Borrow, then continues Saturday with The Disco Biscuits, Lee Ross, Railroad Earth, Shane Goodwin, Magoo, Tim Comings, Charlie Parr, Koa Phoenix and Kyle Chadburn & the Earthbound Spirits, Stateside Amphitheater, Jay Peak. $45-$75; free for ages 6 and under. jaypeakresort.com
Middlebury Festival on the Green gets going
7 p.m. Sunday, July 12, the weeklong Middlebury Festival on the Green starts with the Colorado sextet Mojo Birds, town green, Middlebury. Free. festivalonthegreen.org
Get the blues with Jack White
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, rock star Jack White visits Vermont for a show on the midway lawn at the Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction; free for ages 12 and under. $69.50. highergroundmusic.com
Dave Grippo again, with Jennifer Hartswick
7 p.m. Friday, July 17, two weeks after celebrating Nick Cassarino’s birthday (see above), Vermont sax legend Dave Grippo leads the Grippo Funk Band with trumpeter/singer/Vermont native Jennifer Hartswick, The Old Stage at the Essex Experience. $20. doubleevt.com
Music and food in Stowe
Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, July 18, the first von Trapp Music & Food Festival offers plenty of the latter as well as music from Uprooted featuring Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root plus Dwight & Nicole, the All Night Boogie Band, Blues Over Easy featuring Gina Coleman and Mal Maiz, von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort concert meadow, Stowe. $40-$125. vontrappresort.com/musicfestival
A night of Social Distortion
8 p.m. Sunday, July 19, punk rock veterans Social Distortion return to the Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. Sold out. highergroundmusic.com
Broadway in Vermont in Duxbury
6 p.m. Monday, July 20, Broadway performer and Colchester native Merritt David Janes brings his “Broadway in Vermont” show featuring special guests to Moose Meadow Lodge, Duxbury. $30-$45. moosemeadowlodge.net
Welch and Rawlings go to Shelburne
7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, acoustic favorites Gillian Welch and David Rawlings perform as part of the Concerts on the Green series presented by Higher Ground at the Shelburne Museum. $56; free for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com
Lost Nation Theater heads ‘Into the Woods’
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, Lost Nation Theater begins its run through Sunday, Aug. 2, of the ever-popular Stephen Sondheim musical “Into the Woods,” Montpelier City Hall Arts Center. $15-$47. lostnationtheater.org
Long lines for Trombone Shorty
7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, the jazz-and-more sounds of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, joined by JJ Grey & Mofro, continue the Concerts on the Green series at the Shelburne Museum. Sold out. highergroundmusic.com
The Flynn welcomes Jordan Jensen
7:30 p.m. Friday, July 24, comic Jordan Jensen takes the stage at the Flynn, Burlington. $32-$63.50. flynnvt.org
Getting weird with Al Yankovic
7:30 p.m., Friday, July 24, musical comedy weirdo “Weird Al” Yankovic follows Puddles Pity Party in a performance on the midway lawn, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction. $69.50; seated admission is sold out; free general-admission tickets for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com
It’s time to Ramble again
Saturday, July 25, the daylong celebration known as The Ramble offers its 22nd iteration with a schedule of DIY arts events to be announced, locations throughout the Old North End, Burlington. Free. theramble.org
Maple Roots Music Festival takes shape
Noon Saturday, July 25, the half-day Maple Roots Music Festival offers performances by the Vermont Jazz Ensemble, the Lara Cwass Band, festival organizer Michael-Louis Smith & Friends, Bob Wagner, High Summer, Mikahely, Linda Bassick, Doug Perkins’ “Hot Pickin’ Party,” the Eames Brothers Band, the Onion River Jazz Band and more, Morse Farm Maple Sugar Works, Montpelier. Free; donations accepted; parking passes available upon entry for a fee. maplerootsfest.com
Kevin McDonald goes for two
7 p.m. Saturday, July 25, Canadian comic legend Kevin McDonald begins his night with a performance of his show “Kevin McDonald Superstar” ($25), and follows that at 8:30 p.m. with “Kevin McDonald: Forced to Improvise” ($15), Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. vermontcomedyclub.com
Shakey and Dope sing in Shelburne
6 p.m. Sunday, July 26, two guys named Alejandro Rose-Garcia and Angus Stone — better known as Shakey Graves and Dope Lemon — share a Concerts on the Green bill that includes an opening performance from Texino, Shelburne Museum. $54.50; free for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com
Comedy from Rosebud Baker
7 p.m. Thursday, July 30-Saturday, Aug. 1, and 9 p.m. Friday, July 31-Saturday, Aug. 1, stand-up comic Rosebud Baker presents five performances at the Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $25. vermontcomedyclub.com
Thundercat starts Waterfront Concert Series
7 p.m. Thursday, July 30, bassist and singer Thundercat, joined by Maari, jump-starts four straight days of music presented by Higher Ground in its Waterfront Concert Series, Waterfront Park, Burlington. $54.50; free for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com
GIDA ends summer with ‘Deep Blue Sound’
7 p.m. Thursday, July 30, the nascent Goddard Institute of Dramatic Arts concludes its summer season with a run through Aug. 8 of Abe Koogler’s play “Deep Blue Sound,” Haybarn Theatre, The Creative Campus at Goddard, Plainfield. $5-$40. goddarddrama.com
Festival of Fools comes back
Friday, July 31-Saturday, Aug. 1, the street-performer celebration Festival of Fools, following an up-and-down 2025 event, is back on solid ground (except for the numerous aerialists) on and around the Church Street Marketplace, Burlington. Free. vermontfestivaloffools.com
Sylvan Esso goes down to the water
7 p.m. Friday, July 31, electropop duo Sylvan Esso, featuring Bennington College alum Amelia Meath, follows Landlady at Higher Ground’s Waterfront Concert Series, Waterfront Park, Burlington. $54.50; free for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com
Dorset Theater Festival offers ‘Advice’
7:30 p.m. Friday, July 31, the Dorset Theater Festival begins its run through Aug. 15 of the Brent Askari comedy “Advice,” Dorset Playhouse. $59-$68. dorsettheaterfestival.org
Another Jordan mines laughs at the Flynn
7:30 p.m. Friday, July 31, a week after comic Jordan Jensen plays there (see above), comedian Jordan Klepper hits the Flynn, Burlington. $38.36-$101.28. flynnvt.org
Contact Brent Hallenbeck at [email protected].
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.burlingtonfreepress.com ’
