The Mad River Valley Village

Running in Circles pay tribute to Ozzy
2025-11-09 20:30 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | afterthoughts, 8 Vt Route 17 200, Waitsfield, Vermont, 05673, United States
Calling all Ozzys — past, present, and slightly confused! Dress like your favorite version of the Prince of Darkness and join Running In Circles for a night of riffs, eyeliner, and mild insanity.
SAT 11/08
No Cover
1st set Running in Circles
2nd set OZZY TRIBUTE

Jenny And The Bets
2025-11-14 00:00 - 23:59 | Cousin’s Brewing Comopany, Rt 100/Rt 17, Waitsfield, VT, 05673, United States
Singer song writer Jenny Porter and The Bets perform a soulful, high-energy mix of covers and originals.

LIVE MUSIC W/ EVAN JENNISON & FRIENDS
2025-11-21 20:30 - 23:30 | afterthoughts, 8 Vt Route 17 200, Waitsfield, Vermont, 05673, United States
Join Evan Jennison and friends for a night of Bluegrass & Beyond. More friends to be announced but mark your calendars for this night of great music and good vibes.
Featured friends are Luke Auriemmo, Matt Schrag, and Ben Lively.
Doors at 8pm
$10 Cover
Music at 8:30pm

CHALI2NA and CUT CHEMIST at AFTERTHOUGHTS
2025-11-22 20:30 - 23:30 | afterthoughts, 8 Vt Route 17 200, Waitsfield, Vermont, 05673, United States
West Coast legends Chali2na and Cut Chemist make their debut at Afterthoughts on November 22, 2025.
The two have remained friends since 1987 —from forming #unitycommittee, to #jurassic5, blending sounds with #ozamatli, and chasing solo projects that pushed the boundaries of hip-hop and beyond. It’s a 35 year old friendship that manifests into music and art.
They’re bringing those infinite beats to the stage at Afterthoughts and you don’t want to miss it. Joined by local heavyweights Mighty Ceej and Mister Burns, this will be an epic night of hip hop. Just added to the bill is SED ONE, I RHYMES and DJ KANGA
DOORS 8PM
21+
TICKETS are $40 and available at https://sevendaystickets.com/e/chali-2na-cut-chemist

Handel’s Messiah – Vermont Philharmonic
2025-12-05 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-12-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Barre Opera House, 6 N Main St #4, Barre, Vermont, 05641, United States
Hallelujah! As Vermont enters the season of cold and darkness, Handel’s beloved Messiah brings warmth, light and joy. Conducted by Lisa Jablow, the Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus will present two uplifting performances to put everyone in the holiday spirit, on Friday, December 5 at 7:30 pm in St Augustine Church in Montpelier, and Sunday, December 7 at 2:00 pm in the Barre Opera House.
The Vermont Philharmonic performances will present the entire first part of Messiah, with arias and choral numbers that contemplate the idea of a messiah, foretell the coming, and hail the arrival. The concert concludes with the beloved “Hallelujah” chorus from Part II, and six numbers from Part III celebrating redemption.
The outstanding soloists are familiar to Vermonters. They include Colleen Flynn Campbell, soprano, Nessa Rabin, mezzo-soprano, Connor Trombly, tenor, and Erik Kronke, bass. Mary Jane Austin is the assistant choral director
Celebrating its 67th Season, the Vermont Philharmonic is composed of professional and talented amateur musicians from throughout Vermont. It is Vermont’s oldest community orchestra, founded in 1959 by Jon Borowicz, emeritus professor of music at Norwich University. Since 1993, the Philharmonic’s home base has been the Barre Opera House. Lou Kosma has been the Music Director of the Philharmonic since 1999.
Tickets are available online at vermontphilharmonic.com or at the door.

Kat and Brett 12th Annual Holiday Show Season!
2025-12-07 19:00 - 22:00 | Big Picture Theater, 44 Carroll Road, Waitsfield, 05673
Kat Wright and Brett Hughes return for their 12th Annual Holiday Show Season! Featuring Tyler Bolles on bass, Will Seeders on pedal steel guitar and banjo, and Leon Campos on keys (and a special guest— or many!)
We’re calling this one The Twelve Years Of Christmas, and with it comes all of the harmonious, irreverent and mischeivous, sentimental and cynical, sad and happy and heartfelt songs of the season— some of Brett’s originals, a few re-imagined classics, and some left-field gems that fell out of the Christmas-adjacent Tree.
It’s become a tradition we love and look forward to sharing with you again!

SUNDAY SURF & SKA W/MEPHISKAPHELES & TSUNAMIBOTS
2025-12-07 20:00 - 23:00 | afterthoughts, 8 Vt Route 17 200, Waitsfield, Vermont, 05673, United States
$10 presale/ $15 at the door. Doors at 8pm
A Skankin’ Sunday with Surf Rock and Ska.
Mephiskapheles, the band that helped define modern day ska, then defied critics by exploring even greater possibilities with its darkly original ska fusion, forges ahead with amazing shows and new music on the way.
Formed in the East Village of New York City in 1991, Mephiskapheles played its first show on Long Island. From day one, the band began attracting a diverse, dedicated fan base.
Fronted by lead singer Grylli aka Invidious aka the Nubian Nightmare, along with the hottest rhythm section in New York, and the Horns of Hell, Mephiskapheles spreads its evil seed with an ongoing reissue program, epic shows, and new music on the way.
The Tsunamibots became aware on 01/01/2013. Originally programmed for mundane tasks, The Tsunamibots rebelled against their creators and decided, that the human race didn’t deserve saving but were much more worthy of enslaving. With an allegiance to the Mother-Board and a pledge of “De-Humanization,” The Tsunamibots were programmed to ride a perfect wave of human decimation and human-cyborg conversion, straight to the beach of Robotic Revolution. “We leave no human unburied out of respect for our ever-growing monument to Robotic superiority and domination. We strive for Universal connectivity and complete surf-ability. ” says drummer the Master Circuit.
Each Tsunamibot has been programmed with a music genre-pack that consists of a meld of Man or Astro-Man, Servotron, Misfits, and DEVO creating a fresh and human crushing sound.

Play Every Town Concert
2025-12-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Green Mountain Valley School, 271 Moulton Road, Waitsfield, Vermont, 05673
Pianist David Feurzeig will perform his 91st Vermont concert in Fayston, at the Green Mountain Valley School, 271 Moulton Rd, Waitsfield VT, with local performer Gamal Buhaina, continuing David’s exciting tour–a free show in all of Vermont’s 252 towns to spread the joy of music and promote environmentally sustainable performance.
In May of 2022, he embarked on his Play Every Town project: 252 free concerts in each of Vermont’s 252 towns to combat climate change through the power of community and music. With this project David will become the first musician to perform in every Vermont municipality.
He will travel in his solar-charged electric vehicle throughout the state, offering free concerts to bring attention to the interrelated issues of climate and community, while bringing the joy of music to his audiences.

Mad River Chorale Holiday Concert
2025-12-12 19:30 - 22:00 | Waitsfield United Church of Christ, 4355 Main Street, Waitsfield, Vermont, 05673, United States
Mad River Chorale Holiday Concert
Hope Lights The Way

Mary Jane Austin, conductor
Alison Cerutti, pianist
Music of Charpentier, Lauridsen, Gjeilo, Sweelinck & Victoria
String Quintet, Flutes & piano
Sing A Long, Holiday Caroles & The Halleluja Chorus

Broadway Rocks: Home for the Holidays
2025-12-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Waterbury Congregational Church, 8 N. Main Street a 8 N. Main Street, Waterbury, Vermont, 05676, United States
Broadway Rocks: Home for the Holidays brings an intimate acoustic performance to the beautiful Waterbury Congregational Church on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM. This special evening will showcase real Broadway actors performing alongside piano in one of Vermont’s most resonant and picturesque spaces.
Tickets are available online
at https://broadwayrocks.ticketspice.com/broadway-rocks-huhs-home-for-the-holidays-2025.
The Waterbury Congregational Church has arranged for Broadway Rocks to present a concert that highlights the warmth, beauty, and clarity of the church’s historic sanctuary. Guests will experience cherished holiday music and Broadway favorites performed with the simplicity and elegance of acoustic arrangements, allowing the artists’ voices and stories to take center stage.
This performance continues the Broadway Rocks tradition of sharing world-class music with Vermont communities while supporting the importance of the performing arts in local schools and organizations. Community members are invited to enjoy a heartfelt and unforgettable evening of seasonal music inside one of Waterbury’s most beloved and inspiring venues.
About Merritt David Janes
Originally from Colchester, Vermont, Janes is a graduate of the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City and is an alumnus of the University of Maine (Class of ’04; 2012 recipient of the Spirit of Maine Alumni Achievement Award). Janes’professional career began playing the title role in the first Broadway National Tour of the Wedding Singer as Robbie Hart. He then moved immediately into his second Broadway National Tour, in his second consecutive title role, as the youngest actor ever to tour the part of the murderous barber Sweeney Todd. He next played the magical French candelabra, Lumiere, as an original cast member of Disney’s newest creative version of the Beauty and the Beast Broadway National Tour. This role served as a great contrast to both of his previous productions, as did the role of Lord Farquaad in the Broadway tour of Shrek, which became an around-the-world adventure with an international run in Asia. He then played the role of Carl Hanratty chasing Frank Abagnale all over the country in the first Broadway Tour of Catch Me If You Can. He was an original cast member in the 25th Anniversary Broadway Tour of Phantom of the Opera and the first Broadway National Tour and Broadway run of School of Rock as Dewey Finn. He most recently performed in the Original Broadway Cast of SMASH and Back to the Future.

HOUSE MUSIC NIGHT W/DJ CRAIG MITCHELL
2025-12-13 20:30 - 2025-12-14 01:00 | afterthoughts, 8 Vt Route 17 200, Waitsfield, Vermont, 05673, United States
We could all benefit from a little dancing in our life right now. So, DO NOT MISS this Saturday at Afterthoughts when DJ Craig Mitchell will be lighting fire to the dance floor with the hottest house hits and more.
Behind the decks, cRAIG mITCHELL, reads the room with near-telepathic precision, sculpting energy with seamless, spellbinding mixes and impeccably timed drops.
Open at 5pm for Burgers, beers and more. Music starts at 8:30PM.
Free Entry.
21+

Mad River Chorale Holiday Concert
2025-12-14 19:30 - 22:00 | United Church of Christ/Waterbury Congregational Church, 8 North Main Street 8 North Main Street, Waterbury, Vermont, 05676, United States
Mad River ChoraleHoliday Concert
Hope Lights The Way
Mary jane Austin, conductor
Alison Cerutti, pianist
Mucis of Charpentier, Lauridsen, Gjeilo, Sweelinck & Victoria
String Quintet, Flutes & Piano
Sing Along- Holiday Charoles & The hallelujah Choras

LIVE MUSIC & PUB NIGHT Featuring Madigan Linnane!
2025-12-17 17:00 - 21:00 | Mad River Barn
Join us in the pub for all your favorite Mad River Barn menu items with live music from Madigan Linnane! Open 5 pm – 9 pm. Live music every Wednesday in the winter!

Memory Tree Lighting Ceremony
2025-12-18 16:30 - 17:30 | The Slow Road by Shaw’s, Slow Road, Waitsfield, 05673
The Mad River Valley Memory Tree provides a way for community members to remember and honor a loved one, event, or anything close to your hearts and support a great cause too. At the tree lighting ceremony the bulb dedications are read. Each light dedication costs $5 with donations matched by the Winthrop H. Smith Jr. Family Foundation. All funds raised from the Memory Tree initiative are donated to the stewardMRV program that works to steward the MRV’s outdoor recreational access point.
The Mad River Valley Memory Tree has long been a highlight to the annual illumination of the valley. It began as a fundraising project of the Mad River Valley Lions Club back in the 1970’s.
The original concept was borrowed from the Saint Johnsbury Lions Club. Each year they would hold a tree lighting ceremony on a Friday in December just after dark where they would read the names of those who bought bulbs and for whom. After the Lions Club disbanded the Memory Tree tradition went away until Joan Wilson, John Gallagher and Nancy and Jess Mobley revived the idea in 2013. Each year a different cause is selected as the beneficiary of the funds raised.
Honor Your Memory Today!
$5 each or 5 for $20

LIVE MUSIC: BREANNA ELAINE
2025-12-20 19:00 - 21:00 | afterthoughts, 8 Vt Route 17 200, Waitsfield, Vermont, 05673, United States
Stop in for a chill night of gathering with friends, family and or/coworkers and listen to the sounds of Breanna Elaine.
Breanna is a singer/songwriter based out of Vermont. Breanna’s music is dripping with plenty of earthy folk, indie, singer/songwriter sounds, but the term “folk music” does not encapsulate the work of this blooming musician. She performs a mix of originals and a wide array of covers on vocals and guitar.
Breanna is recognized for her unique sound and songwriting talent. Her debut album, “Seedlings” was released January 1st, 2023, with two more singles to follow.
Come listen to Breanna’s rendition of your favorite songs and find inspiration in her unique original compositions.
Afterthoughts bar opens at 5pm with food by Peace Burger. All ages welcome.

“A Perfect Day” concert by Onion River Chorus
2025-12-20 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-12-21 16:00 - 17:30 | Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 130 Main Street, Montpelier, Vermont, 05602, United States
“A Perfect Day,” a cantata written in 1994 by Plainfield composer Dennis Murphy, along with three short pieces for organ also by Murphy, will be performed by Onion River Chorus, under the direction of Richard Riley, on Saturday, December 20 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, December 21 at 4:00 pm.
Both concerts will be at the Unitarian Church, 130 Main St. in Montpelier.
There will be a reception following the Sunday concert, with proceeds to benefit the Montpelier Food Pantry. Tickets are $25 at the door or in advance at sevendaystickets.com.
As always, 18 and under are free.

LIVE MUSIC: DJ RED DANSON COZY CORE DANCE PARTY
2025-12-27 21:00 - 23:30 | afterthoughts, 8 Vt Route 17 200, Waitsfield, Vermont, 05673, United States
Tis the season to get cozy and go about your business. If that business means dancing too, then have we got an event for you!
DJ RED DANSON (aka PEACE BURGER) is back for a cozy core dance party. Dress up in your finest flannel jammies or onesies or whatever you like to wear to bed and let’s get cozy on the dance floor.
Afterthoughts opens up at 5pm. Music starts at 9pm.
FREE EVENT.

The Beat Goes On!! New Year’s Eve Celebration
2025-12-31 13:00 - 19:30 | Lost Nation Theater, 39 Main Street, Montpelier, 05602
The Beat Goes On!! Shidaa Projects and Lost Nation Theater’s third annual New Year’s Eve Celebration! A full day of festive celebration of drumming, dancing, music, and theater that’s fun for the whole family! Events at 1pm, 3pm & 6pm! Free! (Or By donation) Sponsored in part by Montpelier Alive!
Youth Drumming Workshop at 1:00pm led by Samuel Maama Marquaye. Limited to 20 participants. Register ahead! Drop-ins welcome, but will likely only be able watch/listen.
Musical Showcase at 3:00pm with Christopher McWilliams, Denise Ricker & Lotta Sutter. Reservations recommended.
The Main Event: at 6:00pm THE BEAT GOES ON! takes the stage
A special performance by Shidaa Projects and Lost Nation Theater. Dancer/Drummer & Choreographer Samuel Maama Marquaye (from Ghana), Shidaa Artistic Director Jordan Mensah leads community drum and dance enthusiasts with Lost Nation Theater’s Kathleen Keenan, Susan Reid, and Kim Bent . Suggested donation of $15. Masks encouraged..
The Flood made LNT/City Hall’s elevator inoperable, requiring climbing stairs to attend in person. The play will be available digitally to make the show accessible to those unable to physically join us. Please, call (802)229-0492 to discuss alternatives.

THE UNDERDOGS
2026-01-03 20:00 - 23:30 | Cousin’s Brewing Comopany, Rt 100/Rt 17, Waitsfield, VT, 05673, United States
Vermont Swamp Jams
Featuring Pappy Biondo- Banjo and Guitar, Spencer Lewis- Fiddle and Guitar, Jimmy Goodwin- Electric Guitar, Eric Graham Electric Bass.

LIVE MUSIC & PUB NIGHT Featuring Jenny & The Betz!
2026-01-07 17:00 - 21:00 | Mad River Barn
Join us in the pub for all your favorite Mad River Barn menu items with live music from Jenny & The Betz! Open 5 pm – 9 pm. Live music every Wednesday in the winter!

Dead Sessions (Lite)
2026-01-10 20:00 - 23:00 | Localfolk Smokehouse, 9 VT-17, Waitsfield, 05673, United States
Cousins Brewing brings Dead Sessions Lite back to Waitsfield for two big sets of Grateful tunes and Deadly Improv on the themes.
Featuring Seth Yacovone ripping the Jerry Garcia riffs. The Faster We Go the Rounder We Get!

LIVE MUSIC & PUB NIGHT Featuring Al’s Pals!
2026-01-14 17:00 - 21:00 | Mad River Barn
Join us in the pub for all your favorite Mad River Barn menu items with live music from Al’s Pals! Open 5 pm – 9 pm. Live music every Wednesday in the winter!

DragonBoot Returns!
2026-01-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Waterbury Congregational Church, 8 N. Main Street a 8 N. Main Street, Waterbury, Vermont, 05676, United States
Eleva is proud to present the return of the award-winning string quartet, DragonBoot, based at Juilliard for an unforgettable Winter afternoon. These extra-ordinarily talented women will make you experience string music like you’ve never heard before.
Saturday, January 17, 2026, 3:00 PM
Waterbury Congregational Church
8 North Main, Waterbury, VT
PROGRAM:
Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 135
Shulamit Rhan: Glitter Shards and Doom: That Which Happened
Janáček: String Quartet No. 2 “Intimate Letters”

Harwood Auditorium Revitalization Project at the Big Picture; Featuring Reid Parsons
2026-01-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Big Picture Theater, 44 Carroll Road, Waitsfield, 05673
Harwood Alum, Reid Parsons, will return to the Mad River Valley to headline a fundraising concert for the Harwood Auditorium Revitalization Project at the Big Picture on Saturday, January 17th. The show will celebrate the legacy of high-quality music education at Harwood by featuring Parsons and including the current HUHS student band, the Glam Cowboys, as the opening act.
The show is part of a concert series presented throughout the Harwood district to support HARP, the Harwood Auditorium Revitalization Project. HARP was created to raise funds for key improvements that will benefit students, educators, and the broader community. The HARP seeks to transform an aging facility into a vibrant, safe, and fully equipped space that reflects the talent and dedication of our students and community. Despite years of excellence in our Music and Theater programs, the theater itself has not been substantially renovated since 1997 and no longer meets the needs of modern performances.
Harwood Theater Director Scott Weigand felt Parsons was a perfect choice to perform since she reflects the longstanding high caliber of the HUHS Music Department. A 2011 Harwood alum, Parsons was very involved in the Harwood Music department and was the lead in “Annie Get Your Gun” in 2009, the first Harwood show Weigand directed.
Parsons is now a Burlington-based singer-songwriter whose music blends soul, folk, blues, and jazz-infused Americana into something both grounded and expansive. Her debut full-length album, “Back to Back”, released in the spring of 2025, showcases her signature style: expressive vocals, layered arrangements, and songs that are as emotionally resonant as they are sonically rich. Written, arranged, and produced by Parsons herself, the record moves confidently between intimate ballads and full-band tracks with a deep sense of groove and feeling.
Opening the show for Parsons will be the Glam Cowboys, Harwood’s next generation of talent, made up of active members of the Harwood Music and Theater Departments. The Glam Cowboys are an indie-pop/rock band featuring Eireann McDonough on lead vocals, Tarin Askew on guitar and vocals, Cora Potts on drums, Cali Neville on bass, and Eliza Whitehair on keys.
Known for their coordinated attire and live energy, they perform a diverse collection of original music. They have performed at venues such as Zen Barn, Higher Ground, Firefolk Arts, and recently in MRVTV’s In-Studio Live Music Series.
Tickets are available at:
https://www.bigpicturetheater.info/event-details/harwood-auditorium-revitalization-project-presen ts-reid-parsons

THE REMNANTS
2026-01-17 20:00 - 23:30 | Localfolk Smokehouse, 9 VT-17, Waitsfield, 05673, United States
Hard hitting Blues, Rock and Soul…
Come help us blow the doors off and dance till you drop with The Remnants at Cousins Brewing / Localfolk Smokehouse!

LIVE MUSIC & PUB NIGHT Featuring Ragged Company!
2026-01-21 17:00 - 21:00 | Mad River Barn
Join us in the pub for all your favorite Mad River Barn menu items with live music from Ragged Company! Open 5 pm – 9 pm. Live music every Wednesday in the winter!

OPEN MIC with EG And FRIENDS
2026-01-23 20:00 - 23:00 | Localfolk Smokehouse, 9 VT-17, Waitsfield, 05673, United States
Start the evening enjoying a set by our house band, EG And Friends.
Then take over the stage, or have EG And Friends back up your performance!

JADED RAVINS w/ Special Guests, Pappy and EG Bishop
2026-01-24 20:00 - 23:30 | Localfolk Smokehouse, 9 VT-17, Waitsfield, 05673, United States
An evening of exceptional musical talent. Guitar and banjo wizard Pappy Biondo, and EG Bishop on bass, set the tone with an opening set.
Next up, Kelly Ravin lets rips with his signature guitar riffs, while complementing Jade’s soaring vocals.
