Thursday, May 27. 2010
Author and Castleton State College professor, Mike Austin, joins us to introduce his new book, Stories from Vermont’s Marble Valley. In the nineteenth century, Rutland was the center of a booming marble industry. By the early twentieth century, the Vermont Marble Company was considered the largest U.S. corporation in the world. Today, the region of southwestern Vermont that runs from Middlebury in the north to Dorset in the south is still called “the Marble Valley.” In this first comprehensive history, Austin chronicles the hardships, religious lives, labor struggles and triumphs of the Marble Valley’s workers and settlers. Join us for an evening that will give you a fascinating portrayal of the men and women who shaped the Vermont Marble Valley. Leave with an autographed copy of this exciting new book about our region.
Saturday, May 22. 2010
Are you welcoming the return of warm weather? Celebrate the return of the robins and the many beautiful days of the coming season, on a beautiful spring night with the fantastic foursome consisting of Gregg Humphrey, Mike Connor, and Earle Provin, as they perform some fantastic finger-flyin' bluegrass tunes. The music is wonderful, and the jokes between songs aren't too bad, either. This show is always a crowd-pleaser, so get here early! To read more about the band's history, ogle photos, and see where they're playing, visit their website: snakemountainbluegrass.com.
Friday, May 21. 2010
This event has been canceled, and will hopefully be rescheduled. Stay tuned for more info!
Thursday, May 20. 2010
Come join us at the Ball and Chain Cafe and share your poetry and stories!
Saturday, May 15. 2010
Extra Stout plays the full gamut of Irish music: dance tunes, slow airs, marches, composed music, ballads, drinking songs, rebel songs, shanties, Irish punk, etc. Not content to focus on one small niche within Irish music, Extra Stout – with Pat Max, Helen Mango, Mary Barron, Shanty Bob Smith, Sandy Duling, Marcos Levy, and Paul Cohen – does it all.
Friday, May 14. 2010
Don't miss the premier performance of this talented trio, featuring Justin Perdue on jazz guitar, Jeremy Harlos on bass, and Travis Shores on the drums, playing original compositions. Come give them a warm welcome at the Ball and Chain!
Wednesday, May 12. 2010
Co-sponsored by the Brandon Inn, we welcome back the author of ten acclaimed novels and a travel memoir. Mosher is described by the Los Angeles Times as “a combination of Ernest Hemingway, Henry David Thoreau and Jim Harrison.” Three of his novels have been made into feature films. In a starred review, Kirkus Review calls his new novel, Walking to Gatlinburg, an “expertly written novel … in which every word matters.” Mosher comes to us with his slide show/talk, “Transforming History into Fiction: the Story of a Born Liar.” The novel is the tale of a 17-year-old Vermonter during the Civil War who walks from northern New England to the Great Smokies in search of his older brother, gone missing at Gettysburg. Mosher will also discuss how true-life inspired him in creating several of the characters. Join us for a wonderful night in the
company of Howard Frank Mosher.
Friday, May 7. 2010
Teresa - engaging singer-songwriter who has toured the country sharing her music with fans in taverns, coffeehouses, and theaters - has made the trek up from Boston to Vermont and the Ball & Chain quite regularly. We welcome her back to hear her songs and stories (which she will happily share with the audience). Visit her website for information about her & her musical journey: www.teresastorch.com.
Thursday, May 6. 2010
The Earth’s Best Story tells how Ron and his twin brother Arnie Koss succeeded in creating the first nationally distributed organic foods company - a step that revolutionized the organic foods movement and benefited hundreds of farmers as well as millions of babies whose very first foods have been organically grown. The Koss brothers’ tale is one of idealism, naiveté, and how we can find a place in life that somehow changes things for the better. Ron Koss continues to work in the food industry. He is working on nutritional products for a global relief aid project and is consultant for socially responsible enterprises. He lives in Montpelier, VT. Join us for an informative night and leave with the fascinating new book.
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