A world-class performance hall. Multiple art galleries. Subterranean concert venues. Art is a way of life here in Randolph, and when it comes to small town Vermont dining, we serve up more than just delicious food – we bring artistic energy! Here are a few events happening during the month of May:
Chandler Center for the Arts - Where the arts and community meet
New Resident Mixer (Fraser & Haas) - Friday, May 3 at 5:30
If you've recently moved or are considering a move to Orange or Windsor County or know someone who has, the folks at Chandler would love to invite you to a new resident mixer funded in part by the Vermont Department of Tourism. Get to know your new neighbors with delicious local refreshments on the house! Then enjoy the world-renowned fiddle and cello duo, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas. RSVP.
Fraser & Haas - Friday, May 3 at 7:00
Scotland’s top fiddler, Alasdair Fraser, and gifted Californian cellist Natalie Haas form an unlikely but brilliant duo. Their exceptional teamwork, rhythmic drive, and shared love for improvising Scottish tunes have revitalized the Scottish tradition of violin and cello dance music. " … you would think they'd been playing together for centuries. While his fiddle dances, her cello throbs darkly or plucks puckishly. Then [Haas] opens her cello's throat, joining Fraser in soaring sustains, windswept refrains, and sudden, jazzy explosions. Their sound is as urbane as a Manhattan midnight, and as wild as a Clackmannan winter."— Boston Globe. Get tickets.
Fraser & Haas - Saturday, May 4 at 10:00
The workshop, centered on Scottish fiddle music, welcomes intermediate and above players of string instruments. It aims to explore group play of traditional music, focusing on arrangement techniques. Fiddle tunes and arrangements form a medley using language and dance elements. All music is taught by ear, with take-home materials provided. $35 fee. Purchase tickets.
Next Generation - Saturday, May 4 at 7:00
After a hiatus, the popular Next Generation performances are back. In 2007, to kick off Chandler's centennial celebration, pianist Christopher O'Riley brought his acclaimed NPR Boston "From the Top" program to the Chandler stage to much audience enthusiasm. Chandler decided to create something similar and, for fourteen years, enjoyed this engaging look-alike program with young teenage musicians from our own area playing classical music. Tickets by donation at the door.
The Randolph Singers - Voices of Spring, Sunday, May 5 at 4:00
Voices of Spring. Experience the magic of spring through music! Directed by the talented Christopher McWilliams, this concert features a diverse range of music from Kathy Wondon Eddy, the Beatles, Paul Simon, Pete Seeger, Elgar, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and more. Adding to the enchantment, the Chandler Children’s Chorale will perform beloved songs from The Little Mermaid and collaborate with the Singers for select pieces. The grand finale? A premiere of “Great Day” by McWilliams himself. By donation at the door.
Upper Valley Baroque - Bach's ST. John Passion, Sunday, May 19 at 3:00
One of J.S. Bach’s major oratorios, the St. John Passion, dramatically recounts the story of Jesus’ crucifixion as told in the Gospel of St. John. Upper Valley Baroque brings this powerful masterpiece to life with a talented ensemble of singers, super-star soloists, and orchestral musicians playing on period instruments – under the direction of Maestro Filippo Ciabatti. Get tickets here.
Playhouse Movie Theater - The oldest movie theater in Vermont
Monkey Man
“Monkey Man,” a film featuring Dev Patel, starts on May 3. This cinematic endeavor is a product of Jordan Peele’s production house, with Patel taking the helm as both director and producer. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Hanuman, a symbol of bravery and power, the film casts Patel in the role of Kid. Kid is an unassuming young man who scrapes by in an underground fight club, enduring brutal beatings from more favored fighters while donning a gorilla mask. After enduring years of pent-up anger, Kid finds a way to penetrate the city’s ominous elite. As his past traumas resurface, his enigmatically scarred hands set off a powerful wave of vengeance, aiming to settle accounts with those who stripped him of everything.
The Long Game
Mark your calendars for May 10-16 to experience “The Long Game,” a captivating film set in the heart of Texas in 1955. It tells the inspiring story of five ambitious Mexican-American caddies who are resolute in their quest to master the game of golf and construct their own golf course amidst the arid expanse of the South Texas desert. The film features stellar performances by Dennis Quaid, Jay Hernandez, and Cheech Marin.
The Fall Guy
Look for "The Fall Guy" on May 17-23. Starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. Shown with open captions on the 22nd and 23rd. Don’t forget to check their website for more films later this month.
Galleries and Exhibits - New Shows
The Gallery at Chandler - Nature's Palette Area Art Show, Artist Reception May 17 from 5-7 pm
Nature's Palette. Get lost in nature's awe-inspiring colors, forms, and events, beautifully captured and interpreted by our talented local artists. This exhibit explores the profound connection between nature and human life, culture, thoughts, moods, dreams, and visions. How do you perceive nature’s wonders and colors? How does the natural world shape your artistry? Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the transformative power of nature on artistic expressions! The show runs from May 18 to July 6. Learn more here.
People's Gallery - How to Not Build a House, Closing Reception Friday, May 31, from 5-7
"How to Not Build a House" runs from May 9 to May 31. A selection of small sculptures made from paint and wood inside the house the artist is currently building. The sculptures thematically concern themself with the passing of time, the production of meaning, and mortality.
Artist Will Rogan lives and works in West Brookfield, VT. Rogan’s multifaceted practice often reflects on the prosaic manifestations of time’s passage that he identifies in his local environs. Taking the form of photography, collage, sculpture, or video, Rogan’s work possesses a subtlety and quietude that inspires thoughtful consideration of the material effects of time and space. Entangling his work with organic elements and ecological processes, he alludes to the impacts of environmental destruction and the multitude of ways in which different registers of time are perceived.
Third Branch Pottery Gallery - Pandemic Art, Opening Reception (Rescheduled for June 7 from 5-7)
North Main Gallery presents Pandemic Art. The story of life during COVID-19 told through non-traditional paintings and music. An experimental journey of mental health preservation through artistic exploration. Virtual exhibit seen here.
Galleries & Exhibits - Ongoing Shows
Art, Etc.
Art, etc., presents their newest exhibits for April and May, featuring the beautifully contemplative work of nature sculptor Amy Abeyta and abstract artist Mark Rosalbo. Mark's current work delves into the parallels between visual perception and the brain’s interpretation of information, reflecting on how societal division and misinformation can distort reality.
Aaart is Aaart
AAArt is AAART Studio + Gallery, situated at 27 North Main St., is the creative hub of Rachi Farrow, a revered local artist with several decades of experience. Rachi’s artistry is an exploration of our throwaway culture, transforming waste products and everyday objects into extraordinary art pieces. Her process involves fragmenting, reconfiguring, reusing, and resurrecting these discarded items, recycling them into unique works of art. The gallery, a testament to Rachi’s commitment to sustainability and creativity, welcomes visitors whenever the lights are on, offering a glimpse into the transformative power of art.
White River Craft Center
May art programming is in full swing at the White River Craft Center, including workshops with teaching artist Elliot Papp at Brainstorm Art Supply. Dive into the world of self-expression through needle and thread with Expressive Embroidery on May 5. Learn how to make beautiful handmade paper from recycled scrap paper, plant fibers, and flowers with Emma Percy - Hand Papermaking on May 18. They also have awesome youth programs available to the homeschool community. Plus, weekly afterschool programming with Queer Youth Art Care! Don't miss their Spring Open Studio Weekend on May 25 & 26. Check out their website for their programming calendar.
Live Music +
The Underground - Listening Room Keep Flying w/ special guests Better Things and McAsh, May 5
Keep Flying takes the stage with their high-energy punk-rock, supercharged with brass instruments for an explosive live show! Sharing the stage is Better Things, Burlington’s own alternative punk band. Known for their unique blend of pop-punk, emo, and hard rock, they’re back after a 5-year hiatus. Expect electrifying surprises and heartfelt melodies that will transcend expectations. Their journey into adulthood, captured in their first full-length album “Getting Worse,” resonates in their powerful performance. And let’s not forget McAsh, established in 1999 and hailing from Windsor, Vermont. They’re here to deliver their signature blend of Ska, Punk, and Rock. Don’t miss this epic gig at The Underground. Doors open at 4:00, show starts at 4:30. BYOB. Advance tickets: $15. Day of show: $18. Get tickets.
The Underground - Listening Room - Breanna Elaine Band w/ Bird Boombox, May 10
Vermont-based musician Breanna Elaine released her debut album “Seedlings” in 2023. Her music, a blend of folk, rock, bluegrass, and punk, is performed on guitar and banjo. Compared to Jewel, Alanis Morissette, and Stevie Nicks, she’s known for her unique sound and songwriting. With over 100 unrecorded songs, her career is just beginning. Bird Boombox, a trio from Champlain Valley, connects communities through their music. Members Josh Cummings, Rob Fjeld, and Garrett McMillan invite listeners on a journey of self-discovery and collective resonance. Doors open at 7:00. Show starts at 7:30. BYOB. Advance tickets: $15. Day of show: $18. Get tickets.
The Underground - Listening Room - Wolves & Wolves & Wolves & Wolves w/ Miracle Blood, May 18
If you’ve been around the Punk scene for a while, you’re sure to have heard of Wolves & Wolves & Wolves & Wolves. They’re the band with the crazy long name, mostly abbreviated as WolvesX4, that has been gaining traction with every release. And if you haven’t heard of the Winston-Salem, NC-based four piece, you’re about to. Doors open at 7:00. Show starts at 7:30. BYOB. Advance tickets: $15. Day of show: $18. Get tickets.
The Underground - Listening Room - Blues & Beyond with Bull & Prairie and Derek Sensale
Blues & Beyond, a high-energy jam band, will take you on a musical journey from Blues to Jazz, Soul, Lounge music, and even dance Rock favorites. Originating from the vibrant Blues Jams of Burlington, Vermont, and now based in Central Vermont, they’ve evolved into a powerhouse concert experience, playing their unique arrangements of favorites from the Modern American Song Book and their original compositions. Bull & Prairie drifts from the hills of central Vermont, sharing a melodic sound rooted in the traditions of indie rock, freak folk, and Americana. Their broad and strong electric sound takes these traditions in different, often interwoven directions. Their lyrics speak to the dichotomies of life, the beauty, and the pain that we all experience and share. Derek Sensale offers an intimate stage performance of original folk songs, rooted in tradition and generously dusted with Vermont soil. Each song is a personal narrative stitched together with melodies ranging from joyful to melancholic, leaning into the wonders of the natural world. Doors open at 7:00. Show starts at 7:30. BYOB. Advance tickets: $14. Day of show: $17. Get tickets.
Wit & Grit - Trivia Night: Now That's What I Call The 00s!, May 17 at 6:00
Wit & Grit Trivia Night: Get ready to put your knowledge to the ultimate test at Wit & Grit's Trivia Night. Doors open at 5:00, and the games begin at 6:00.
Restaurants
Within just a few blocks, Randolph offers a culinary journey like no other. Prepare your taste buds for a fusion of flavors, from Italian delights to tantalizing Northern Thai cuisine, and everything in between. And here's the exciting part - these restaurants aren't just places to eat, most double as visual art galleries, live music venues, or sometimes both! Talk about a dining experience that feeds your soul. So, buckle up and get ready to savor the creativity at these awesome eateries:
Saap Thai - James Beard Award Winner
One Main Tap & Grill - Farm-to-table, locally inspired cuisine, and craft beer
Tacocat Cantina - casual street tacos
East Garden - Chinese
Short Notice - shareable small plates
Chef’s Market - sandwiches & specialty groceries
Randolph Village Pizza - family-friendly Italian
The Forge - American bar & grill
Wee Bird Bagel Café - best bagels ever
Wit & Grit - breakfast and lunch classics with unique style
Windy Lane Bakehouse - freshly baked sweets and savories
Prince Street Cafe - classic bowling alley breakfast and lunch
So, what are you waiting for? Go have some fun!