Happy new year! At this point we don’t know if 2022 will be better for the Vermont arts-and-entertainment scene than was 2021, which was better than 2020 but still not thriving like it was before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
But we saw in 2021 that events can happen even during a pandemic, albeit with a number of restrictions. Remember as you read this list of things to do in Vermont in January that most venues require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and/or the wearing of protective masks. Some towns and cities have also passed regulations mandating masks in indoor public spaces, so keep that in mind as you make plans as well.
Otherwise, here are some ideas to get the new year off to a great start.
Through Jan 31, the exhibit “Knowing Darkness,” which opened Dec. 3, encapsulates the winter vibe with its solstice-themed works by eight artists, Northern Daughters Fine Art Gallery, Vergennes. The exhibit moves Feb. 1-March 15 to the Annex Gallery at Village Wine and Coffee in Shelburne. Free. www.northerndaughters.com
Through Jan. 31, another seasonal exhibit that opened Dec. 3, “Winter Compass,” features the work of Sam Colt and more than a dozen other artists, Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery, Shelburne. Free. www.fsgallery.com
10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, the New Jersey indie-rock band Joyer is joined by the North Carolina group Aunt Ant and local act Blueberry Betty at Radio Bean, Burlington. Free. www.radiobean.com
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7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, Vermont filmmaker Jay Craven unveils his latest movie, “Martin Eden,” followed by a question-and-answer session with the director, Main Street Landing Film House, Burlington. $6-$12. www.vtiff.org
8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, Burlington indie band Father Figuer, which just released a new album, joins Remi Russin and Beneath Black Waves for a show at ArtsRiot, Burlington. $15. www.artsriot.com
7 and 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7-Saturday, Jan. 8, New York-based comedian Shane Torres hunkers down for four shows over two nights at the Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington. $25. www.vermontcomedyclub.com
Noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, the Cabot Village 12th Night Celebration takes place at venues throughout the community and includes storytelling, theater, puppets, comedy, music and dance. Free. www.cabotarts.org
4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, a performance by The Youth Commission — a group of high-school-age musicians affiliated with Young Tradition Vermont — takes place at the Westford Common Hall. Free.
8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, singer-songwriter Amy Helm visits the Double E Performance Center, Essex. $28-$33. www.doubleevermont.com
8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, the always-energetic High & Mighty Brass Band hits Nectar’s, Burlington. $12-$15. www.liveatnectars.com
6 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, two performances of the Eve Ensler play “The Vagina Monologues” take place in the first event of 2022 in the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $25-$30. www.highergroundmusic.com
6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, the Vermont Burlesque Festival presents its opening-night performance and competition, the Double E Performance Center, Essex. $20-$40. www.doubleevermont.com. The winner will perform as part of the festival’s main event at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Flynn, Burlington. $26-$79. www.flynnvt.org
7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21-Saturday, Jan. 22, 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, the young group Full Circle Theater Collaborative performs “Red,” John Logan’s play about modern artist Mark Rothko, ArtsRiot, Burlington. $15. www.artsriot.com
8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, the eclectic New Jersey band Dogs in a Pile joins opener Lazy Bird, Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $15-$20. www.highergroundmusic.com
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, the Irish group (now based in Nashville) We Banjo 3 visits the Barre Opera House, Barre. $24-$34. www.barreoperahouse.org
8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, Vermont comic Josie Leavitt presents the show “Eating While Fat” for the first performance in nearly two years at the Flynn’s basement venue, FlynnSpace, Burlington. $30. www.flynnvt.org
8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, the neo-bluegrass band Railroad Earth hits the Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $28-$32. www.highergroundmusic.com
8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, the Alabama-born singer-songwriter Anderson East and opener Bendigo Fletcher perform at the Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $25-$89. www.highergroundmusic.com
7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, Higher Ground presents Greensky Bluegrass with The Infamous Stringdusters at the Flynn, Burlington. $42. www.highergroundmusic.com
7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, the Valley Players open their production of the board-game-inspired play “Clue: On Stage” that runs through Feb. 13, Valley Players Theater, Waitsfield. $13-$17. www.valleyplayers.com
8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, rising pop singer-songwriter Indigo De Souza, with support from Horse Jumper of Love and Friendship, plays the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington. $16-$20. www.highergroundmusic.com
8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, the soulful folk of Ali McGuirk, following openers the All Night Boogie Band, fills ArtsRiot, Burlington. $10. www.artsriot.com
8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, the trio MUNA — signed to singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers’ label Saddest Factory Records — joins Allison Ponthier for a show in the Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington. $25-$29. www.highergroundmusic.com
Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com. Follow Brent on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BrentHallenbeck.
