Farmers Night 2025: January 22 – April 9
The Farmers Night Concert Series is a longstanding State House tradition which goes back over 100 years to a time when lawmakers entertained themselves in the House Chamber mid-week while away from home. Artists from around the state, in genres ranging from classical music to bluegrass to spoken word, perform in the well of the House Chamber each Wednesday night at 7:30 during the legislative session.
January 22: Upper Valley Community Band
This group of local musicians performs an eclectic mix of stirring music that showcases the band’s impressive range and artistry—and continuing a Farmers Night tradition of featuring community bands.
January 29: Composer/ Pianist David Feurzeig, “Playing Every Town”
UVM professor David Feurzeig has been touring Vermont towns with a purpose to build awareness about climate change through his musical compositions-- incorporating classical, jazz and ragtime.
February 5: Vermont Reads 2025 – presenting Ken Cadow, author of Gather
Sponsored by Vermont Humanities
Cadow shares his experiences traveling throughout the state to discuss his book Gather. Topics he covers are related to community building and the larger issues of poverty, housing insecurity, and addiction.
February 12: Vermont Symphony Orchestra
David M. Wilson Memorial Farmers’ Night with Damascus Kafumbe
Now in its 90th season, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra returns to the State House for its annual Farmers’ Night event. Music Director Andrew Crust and the VSO’s chamber orchestra present Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major in a concert with guest artist Damascus Kafumbe. The evening features Bach’s suite interwoven with percussion and string instrument performances by Kafumbe, director of Middlebury College’s African Music and Dance Ensemble. As traditional, the premiere of Mount Mansfield UHS senior Eleanor Freebern’s own composition will be featured too.
February 19: Shidda Projects - West African / Ghanaian music and dance
A vibrant collection of artisans focus on cultural education and diversity by sharing West African dancing, drumming and other folk traditions.
February 26: Toussaint St. Negritude – Poet, Bass Clarinetist, Shaman
Sponsored by the Friends of the VT State House
Afro-futurist /Oro-shamanic poet and bass clarinetist Toussaint St. Negritude dually conjures the lyric timbre of both his horn and verse, creating his own collaborative ceremony of empathic wonders.
March 5: Town Meeting break
no performance
March 12: Lisa Jablow and the Vermont Symphonic Winds
Conducted by music director Lisa Jablow, these musicians and vocalists take the stage for a vibrant performance of classical and contemporary selections.
March 19: One More Time – Traditional Irish Music
A lively evening to close out St. Patrick’s Day week - this 6-piece band includes guitar, fiddles, banjo, button accordion, and vocals. Presenting a selection of traditional Irish music with some Americana and folk thrown in for good measure.
March 26: Jaded Ravins
Back from travelling the country, Halle Jade and Kelly Ravin is an Americana/Country blues duo who sing all original music that pulls at the heartstrings.
April 2: PoemCity 2025 – The Laureates Three
Sponsored by Montpelier’s Kellogg-Hubbard Library
This special evening features three acclaimed Northern New England poet laureates—Bianca Stone of Vermont, Jennifer Militello of New Hampshire, and Julia Bouwsma of Maine. Join us as these distinguished poets share their work and kick off Montpelier’s annual PoemCity celebration in honor of National Poetry Mont
April 9: The Evans/Asbell/Stats Trio
A Day in the Life of Jazz
Presenting a Collection of Popular Music from The 30’s thru the 60’s. The trio includes Samirah Evans, jazz vocalist, accompanied by guitarist Paul Asbel and bassist Clyde Stats.
