Archive for the 'Art' Category

Howdy Friends!

Every Thursday like clock-work our homegrown newsletter The Skinny appears in your email inbox.  This always clever, often witty, and perpetually poignant piece of cake news is the compilation of our creative crepe leader Benjy Adler. Benjy wears many hats as the conductor of two brick and mortar restaurants, multiple mobile festival/event crepe units, and last but certainly not least the original crepe cart on Church Street in Burlington. He is the hub by which the Skinny Pancake turns full circle. This week our hardworking hero is off on a well deserved vacation (Insert applause here)! And while we miss him & wish him fabulous fun, all continues to run as smooth as melted butter on sweet local corn here in Vermont…with the exception of this late edition of the Skinny.

And truly it’s high summer here–the perfect time to take a dip in your favorite swimming hole then come enjoy crepes & the waterfront breeze on our Burlington patio or the sun and crepes with a city scape view from our Montpelier patio. Either way, we have delicious specials in both locations this week…

And in the cool of the evening, come check out our musical line-up in Burlington…

Friday 08.14.09 9:30p.m. Megan Callahan (Singer/Songwriter)

We are pleased to welcome back to the Skinny Patio, Megan Callahan! Her first show had an amazing turn out with passerbys drawn into the ‘Cake upon hearing her incredible vocals & fresh guitar pickin’.

“Dan Kase is making heads turn in Northeast Minneapolis” -Greater Twin Cities

Blues Music Society

Tuesday 08.18.09 Sunset Session 7-9p.m.

Dale & Darcy (Bluegrass/Old time Fiddle)

Joining us for another sunset session are local talents Dale Cahill (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Darcy Purinton (fiddle) and Neil Rossi (mandolin, guitar, fiddle) performing Bluegrass, Folk, and Old Time fiddling.

Wednesday 08.19.09 Sunset Session 7-9p.m.

That Toga Band (Electroacoustic/Jazz/Rock)

That Toga Band returns for another sizzling sunset session out on our waterfront patio!

In their own words, “An accomplished band that is never predictable, That Toga Band combines jazz, rock and latin influences together with creative composition, ambient sound and thoughtful instrumentation in order to create their own brand of music. Melding acoustijazz flimflam and spacey landscapes with rock solid beats, That Toga Band pursues organic explorations of a creative smorgasbord. Structuring sonic melodies from a strongly harmonic angle, That Toga Band maintains subtle oddity while juggling odd time signatures and key changes. Quirky antics and light hearted entertainment shape the band’s motto: “Invent yourself before you reinvent yourself.”

In other words…”That Toga Band is the artistic explosion of everything toga- toga being anything from pens to pencils, arms and legs and musical combinations of the above. Really, though, That Toga Band has been a question mark behind what is Burlington for a few years now. They have just taken a strong step forward into the main scene now that their experimental sound has become more confident and more mature.”-the Deli Magazine (May 27th, 2008).

You can hear them www.myspace.com/thattogaband and at the Cake in Burlington on Wednesday August 19th  7-9p.m.

In the Pipeline….

Fri 08.20 9:00p.m.
James Kinne (Original Acoustic)

Hey folks,

BIG NEWS FROM SEVEN DAYS…

The Skinny Pancake has been voted the 2009 Seven Daysies winner in the “Best Street Eats” category. Having honed our chops on our Church Street Cart for 7 years now, we’re psyched to be awarded this blue ribbon for our second consecutive year. But with little more than two years wearing our “bricks ‘n mortar” cap, we’re even more jazzed to have received the red ribbon for runner up as “the Best Place to Do Lunch.”

To all of the Fancakes, Friends, Family, Crepe Crusaders and regular ‘ole people out there that voted in support of us, THANK YOU. We’d also like to send out a big thank you to Seven Days Newspaper…it really is not possible to properly acknowledge the depth of their contribution to our community without surpassing your attention span…so we’ll just keep it simple: SEVEN DAYS, you’re good people…THANK YOU.

This week’s food special:

The Parm Farm: Pitchfork Farm Heirloom Eggplant Breaded with Red Hen Bread Crumbs, Fresh Marinara, Local Basil and Maple Brook Farm Fresh Mozzarella. Served in a Savory Parmesan Cheese Crepe. $9.00

Vermont’s largest agricultural fair always takes place during the first full week of August. Celebrating its 61st year, this family-oriented fair is a deeply rooted community tradition. From the 4H competitions to the Tractor Pull, the Demolition Derby to the Ferris Wheel, The Fair & Field Days is both wholesome & hopping…and it is absolutely the quintessential agricultural fair…so come one, come all August 4th (Tuesday) through August 8th (Saturday).

The Valley Stage Music Festival (www.valleystage.net)
Saturday, August 8th, Huntington, VT

Valley Stage takes place in Huntington with Camel’s Hump as the dramatic backdrop. Families, friends & people in the know come to this one day gem of a gathering to enjoy some of the best folk music you’ll find in one place in one day in Vermont. Four bands will take the stage with the headlining act, The Waybacks, starting at 7:00 pm.

The Northeast Kingdom Music Festival (www.nekmf.com)
Friday, August 7th & Saturday August 8th; Albany, VT

NEKMF was born in the same summer as the Skinny Pancake, 2003. Much like the SP, the organizers of NEKMF have learned, earned and grown through hard work, hard-knocks & heart. The event has grown in girth and now pulls a thousand people out of and/or into the population-not-so-dense Northeast Kingdom. This BYOB event is rowdy and ready to party through the night for two straight evenings. Look for a hot line-up on two stages, a massive bonfire, performances from the nearby Bread & Puppet compound & some wholesome activities for the kiddoes too. What makes NEKMF extra special? As organizers there often say, “You’ll never know, until you go.”

Thursday, 08.06.09
The Silver Dagger Bluegrass Band

Hailing from Ashville North Carolina, the uber-talented four-piece Silver Dagger Bluegrass Band joins the Skinny Pancake in Burlington on their Northeast tour. Check ‘em out: www.myspace.com/silverdaggerbluegrass and definitely come on down TONIGHT from 9-11p.m. to hear them in action!

From their site: A recognized act in today’s roots music scene, Silver Dagger brings together young and energetic talent from the country’s leading music programs. Alumni of East Tennessee State’s acclaimed bluegrass program, Grace Van’t Hof and Ricky Cooper, Berklee alumnus, Ashleigh Caudill, and national touring veteran, Matt Purinton, work a stage like old hands. Weaving in and out of their solos and vocal harmonies, the group rivals seasoned artists many years their senior. Their different backgrounds and four home states influence their unique instrumental styles. 2009 marks Silver Dagger’s first complete touring season.

“Silver Dagger is a dynamic acoustic band…and one of my favorites! They have great vocals that blend seamlessly with their controlled, powerful instrumental work. This fine group showcases a wealth of American and Bluegrass music…as well as expertly presenting the best of their own original songs. I look to these young folks to make important contributions to our music heritage for a long time!”-Marc Pruett (Kentucky Thunder, Balsam Range)

Friday, 08.07.09
Laslo Cameo (Roots, Rhythm & Blues)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/laslocameo

Saturday, 08.08.09
Qwill (roots/surf/soul)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/qwillmusic

This Saturday, clear your calendar and beat your feet down to the waterfront to catch Boston-based singer-songwriter Jesse Ciarmataro, who performs under the name Qwill. He has shared the stage with artists such as Kaki King, Richie Havens, Guster, The Samples, Better Than Ezra, and The Violent Femmes.

He joins our Burlington crepe venue for a solo performance on Saturday August 8, 2009 so check him out at www.myspace.com/qwillmusic and then come on down!!!

“If you haven’t had a chance to hear him you will soon enough.” --Keith Grieves (Not Your Average Folk)

“He writes dreamy roots music that rivals that of British star David Gray.” --Joanna Massey (The Boston Globe)

“We have a tight-nit family of musicians cultivating from the north shore of Boston and beyond, and Jesse is at the center of that family. He’s a master songwriter, a killer musician, and an amazing human being. Props to anyone out there who’s in the know.” -- Ryan Montbleau

Wednesday, 08.12.09

Sage Mayhew & Friends (folk)

***$5 suggested donation

***SUNSET SET, 7-9 pm***

Thursday, 08.13.09
Myra Flynn (soul/funk/r&b)
***$5 suggested donation
http://www.myspace.com/myraflynn

Friday, 08.14.09
Meghan Callahan (folk singer/songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/megancallahanmusic

Saturday, 08.15.09
Lonesome Dan (1920′s & 1930′s R&B)
***$5 suggested donation
www.lonesomedan.com/

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Afternoon, folks…

Many curious customers have paused mid-crepe to inquire about the strange, sci-fi light zapping, plastic contraption used to clean the tables at the Montpelier Mini-Skinny. “What is that space aged gadget gun?” they anxiously inquire. Answer: it’s an active ion cleaner–General Manager Jeremy Silansky’s revolutionary answer to providing an environmentally friendly commercIal cleaning product.

So the question we keep getting is: How does it work? The Activeion is filled with tap water then uses an electrical charge to “activate” the water so that it attracts dirt & germs like a magnet, lifts them from the surface so they are easy to wipe away. By using the Activeion on our tables, we provide an eating surface that is free of chemicals, while also reducing waste as we no longer have to purchase individual cleansers in bottles. Further the Activeion website relays, “According to a new study, converting to just one Activeion Pro for general purpose commercial cleaning is equivalent to saving 93 gallons of gasoline and two barrels of oil.” Heck, yeah!

To learn more, visit www.activeion.com or the Skinny Pancake, Montpelier.

The Wrapatatouille (Burlington): 100% LOCALVORE!!! all veggies from the Intervale’s Pitchfork Farm!!! Sautéed eggplant, tomato, zucchini, green and red bell pepper, onion, garlic, fresh herbs & a sprinkle of Cabot cheddar, wrapped in a savory crepe shell.  $9.00

So last week I led with a plug for pick-your-own blueberries based on an email from Adam Hausmann (Adam’s Berry Farm). The next day I went down to check it out for myself…the abundance is incredible. The bumper crop of plump berries is a silver lining to the many rain clouds we’ve had this summer. One bush holds much more than enough big, fat, plump blueberries to fill a quart-sized container. It was almost too easy. I found myself saying, “self, if you’d only picked the bluebs before you wrote than newsletter, you could have exuded so much more enthusiasm…but as the old saying goes, “there’s no sense crying over spilled milk when the cow’s utter is swollen.” So with that said, if you are yet to go blueberry picking, now’s the time!!!

Festival of the Week: The Champlain Valley Folk Festival

This weekend marks the 26th annual Champlain Valley Folk Festival. It is also the first time the Skinny Pancake will set up there to feed pancakes to the people. Some may balk at this comment, but this festival seems like a “sleeper hit” to me. With modest promotions but a dedicated fanbase, EIGHT stages including a main stage, a dance tent and several “very intimate” options, onsite camping AND THE BEST FESTIVAL VENDOR THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC, The Champlain Valley Folk Festival has alot to say for itself (or alot for someone to say for it). The event also takes place on the shores of Lake Champlain, which makes for an awefully swell venue. So if you haven’t gotten to a festival yet this summer–or you’re holding out for just the right one–visit their website at www.cvfest.org/ and consider going to the Champlain Valley Folk Festival this weekend.

Thursday, 07.30.09
Driftwood

Kim was a recent winner of the Lizard Lounge (Cambridge, MA) Open Mic Challenge. Check out her music ttp://www.myspace.com/kimdavidson and catch her show at the Burlington Skinny Pancake beginning at 9p.m.

Joshua Panda needs no introduction…if you don’t know him, you really should. He is the reigning king of Soul-Folk here in Burlington according to…ME! Josh is a consummate showman with “some serious pipes.” He breaks a hard-sweat as he puts the full force of his unabashed & talented effort forth at every gig he has. If you can’t make this show on Saturday, catch him TONIGHT (THURSDAY) at the Intervale’s “Thursdays at the Intervale” series at 6:30…you can enjoy some American Flatbread while you’re there too.

Wednesday, 08.05.09
Pete Wyndorf & Jamie Bright (folk duo)
***$5 suggested donation
***SUNSET SET FROM 7 pm to 9 pm***
www.myspace.com/petewyndorf

Thursday, 08.06.09
The Silver Dagger Bluegrass Band (bluegrass)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/silverdaggerbluegrass

Friday, 08.07.09
Laslo Cameo (Roots, Rhythm & Blues)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/laslocameo

Saturday, 08.08.09
Qwill (roots/surf/soul)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/qwillmusic

Hey folks,

well, there’s much ado mid-summer, weather be damned…while many people retreat into the peace & quiet of the lakes, rivers, hills & mountains of Vermont, the Adirondacks or beyond, there is also a marked tendency to gather in the benign warmth of the summer season. Each weekend brings a bevy of opportunities to people watch, music listen, food-eat, meet, mingle & be merry in the company of tens, hundreds & even thousands of people. Below is a listing of four great activities this coming weekend…but first, a word on our specials this week:

LOCAL RASPBERRY SEASON HAS BEGUN!!!

While raspberries commonly come to fruit from mid-August through the first frost, there is an early season variety that are already producing.

The PBJ Kinda Sorta (Burlington): Fresh local raspberries with delicious house made pecan butter in a sweet crepe….8.25

The Raspberry Reception (Montpelier): the first of local raspberries joined by VT Butter & Cheese creme fraiche, fresh local mint & native honey….8.50

Check out our special board to see where your raspberries are coming from for Burlington and Montpelier.

The Pulitzer Prize winning play “J.B.” by Archibald MacLeish is a rarely produced work rooted in the Book of Job that provides a smarty theatrical and very moving examination of faith in the face of human suffering.

Below is some info on the play & people…speaking from my experience interacting with these fine folks: this young acting company is motivated, inspired, energized & engaged to make great theatre. The Red Stage Theatre Company represents their own initiative, their own choice for a summer of work on their collective calling. This reality alone is endorsement enough to ensure their efforts will yield a great production.

About the Red Stage Theatre Company: The company is comprised of young artists pursuing Masters Degrees in Fine Arts at the prestigious Mason Gross School of Arts at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, including Burlington, Vermont’s own Kohler McKenzie, a Burlington High School Graduate who also serves as one of three Artistic Directors. It is the mission of the Red Stage Theatre Company to bring cutting edge and socially relevant theatre to the public now and into the future. For more information, visit their website at www.redstagetheatre.org/.

Literally a stone’s throw away from the Red Stage Theatre production this weekend is the 17th annual Vermont Brewer’s Festival located in Burlington’s Waterfront Park.

There will be 37 craft brewers sampling their wares from Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Mass, Maine, DE and to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the European discovery of Lake Champlain by Samuel de Champlain, breweries from La Belle province, Quebec. This outdoor festival takes place in Burlington Waterfront Park with scenic views of Lake Champlain framed by the Adirondack Mountain Range. You can attend any of the three sessions: Friday July 17, 2009 6-10PM, Saturday July 18, 2009 12- 4PM and again from 6-10 pm.

For more information, you can visit the VT Brewer’s Festival website at: www.vermontbrewers.com/overview.html

Ok, ok…highbrow theatre & getting tipsy on the best of NE breweries not be your speed? Perhaps you’ve got kids to care for? Not to worry, there’s a VT event for everyone this weekend…French Heritage Day will be taking place this Saturday, July 18th from 9:30 am to 4 pm in the wonderful town of Vergennes.

In their own words: “Don’t miss this free, educational fun-filled family day!  Franco-American music, French Canadian fiddling,  learn French response songs, step-dancing, clogging, re-enactors, French food, antique vehicles and engines, traditional craft demonstrations, fencing demonstrations, exhibits, hands-on fun such as churning ice cream, pumping water, old time games, horse and carriage rides, French Canadian Genealogical Society will help you trace your roots, children’s educational activities, farmer’s market, Bastille Day Waiter’s Race, narrated English and French historical walking tours, boat cruises on Otter Creek.”

For more information, visit the Addison County website (www.addisoncounty.com/pages/event.asp) or call 802-388-7951 or 800-733-8376.

Now this would be a larger endeavor…a full four days long (starting today) and several hours from Northern VT (northern Catskills), Greyfox is the premier bluegrass gathering of the Northeast. With world-class acts on the big stage, rompin’ get-ups to get-down with in the dance tent, great food, and 35,000 kind & cultured people…this is an extremely special, wholesome annual event. We’ll be there making pancakes, so be sure to stop by if you come. There is alot more information to be found at www.greyfoxbluegrass.com/general/home.php.

Music at the ‘Cake this weekend:

We’ve got a really strong line-up of touring acts this weekend...click on the links below and listen for yourselves…well worth your time and attention if you’re not already at one of the events mentioned above….

Thursday, 07.16.09
Tiffany Pfeiffer & the Discarnate Band (lounge/soul)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/thediscarnateband

From Brooklyn to Burlington, phenomenal songstress Tiffany Pfeirrer & her “Discarnate Band” bring their foray into jazz standards, soul, dub and world styles to the ‘Cake this evening. Please click on the link above and listen…sounds awesome. Read TP’s bio…its impressive…here’s a few selections:

Here are some highlights from her impressive list of accomplishments: TP has toured nationally & internationally with the Nebraska Children’s Chorus from ages 11-16, co-founded a Midwestern underground culture magazine when she was 18 called “Blink”, Editorial Director and resident astrologer for San Fran based FREE magazine and Visual-Attack Organization, relocating from there to Nebraska to Brooklyn. In summer 2008, Tiffany happily relocated to rural Vermont. She is currently enjoying the new noises & smells, and looks forward to playing shows in Burlington and surrounding areas.

“TP” (not to be confused with Toilet Paper), writes: “The discarnate band is whatever it wants to be. it’s a musical forum without a set body or form. it may be a solo show; it may be an orchestra. its purpose is to explore the vibration of a particular place & time among people, awakening us to come forth from these shells of existence…The Discarnate Band is TP’s channel from which to present songs, vocals/instrumentals, and the kindred entities she meets along the way.”
Friday, 07.17.09
Jeremy Harple (singer/songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.jeremyharple.com

Saturday, 07.18.09
Aniemeke Quinn (swinging folk)
***$5 suggested donation
www.anamieke.com

Wednesday, 07.22.09
The Goshen Ramblers (folk/rock)
***$5 suggested donation
HUMP DAY SUNSET SET….7-9 PM!!!
www.myspace.com/goshenramblers

Thursday, 07.23.09
The Medicinals (bluegrass)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/themedicinals

Friday, 07.24.09
Sarah Blackler (acoustic/folk/jazz)
***$5 suggested donation
www.sarahblacker.com

Saturday, 07.25.09
Shutters (roots/rock/electronica)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/emmett13

Howdy friends of the Pancake:

Hmmm…should I mention the deluge of rain we’ve been experiencing thus far this summer?…16 out 0f 30 days in June…nah…better to focus on something positive:

Did you know that yesterday at 12:34 and 56 seconds, the official time was 123456789?

Now that’s newsworthy!

“When all the world is grey, at least you can eat your colors” Anonymous

This week’s food specials at the Skinny Pancake(s):

Stuffed Crepe Leaves (Burlington): a spin on the traditional Greek dish “Golabki”. Three Tightly Wrapped “Crepe Leaves” with Lean Ground Lamb, Rice, Scallions, Crushed Tomatoes, and Mint, Tied Together with a Ramekin of Plain Yogurt Seasoned with Lemon Juice and Salt…$9.25.

The Simple Summer Crepe (Montpelier): Heirloom Tomatoes, fresh basil leaves from Main Street Market Garden, and Maple Brook Farm fresh mozzarella.  Simple, local, yum.  $8.25

Seen here is an image of traditional “Golabki.” Given that this crepe creation is the brainchild of Kitchen Manager of Polish decent, Trent Kominoski…and Trent is the womb-child of his mother…we briefly considered calling this dish “Trent Kominoski’s Mother II.” But last week’s special “Trent Kominoski’s Mother Crepe” won the “awkward name of the year award” by staff and patrons alike, so we opted for a punnier description…

If I would I could, if I can I will:

The 15th Annual Solarfest on Forget-Me-Not Farm in Tinmouth, VT.
July 10th-12th (THIS WEEKEND!!!)

Solarfest is a unique festival. With its blend of live music, vendors & exhibitors, it is one part summer music festival, one part exposition.

Organizers write: “Join us for three days of world-class musicians, dancers and performance artists, a stellar line-up of speakers, and over 90 workshops on renewable energy and sustainability topics. All for the price of a weekend festival ticket! You won’t want to miss this year’s SolarFest! Gates open at Noon on Friday and at 8:00am on Saturday and Sunday.”

For more information, visit www.solarfest.org/

And now, the moment that has surely kept you checking  “The Skinny” each week:

Announcing the winner of June’s Drop-N-Draw Competition:

Ryan Cathrall of Rufus Design

Ryan, you’ve just won a $20 gift certificate to the Skinny Pancake, so come on down!!!!!

About Rufus Design: “Do you dress identically as your neighbors do? Of course not! So why would you want to look the same as the guy or girl standing next to you in the lift line? This is where RUFUSDESIGN comes in…

Whether a small helmet decal, full frame custom kit, vehicle decal, or window display, RUFUSDESIGN is committed to making sure a bold statement is presented to your fans, customers, sponsors, or anyone who happens to look your way. Decals are the perfect bit of customization that makes your bike, helmet, car, or business logo stand out amongst the crowd.”

For more information, visit Ryan at www.rufusphoto.com

This week’s music at the Skinny Pancake:

Thursday, 07.09.09
Meghan Callahan (Folk Rock/Blues/Acoustic)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/megancallahanmusic

Originating from Buffalo New York, Megan just finished up an international music tour for the debut of her independently produced album “Megan Callahan-Since the Fire.” Her original roots are in folk and folk rock, but in recent years jazz and blues have found their way into the mix and she is excited to explore more electro-acoustic possibilities and multi-medium collaboration.

Megan is currently in Vermont working with the Lost Nation Theater in Montpelier and joins the Skinny Pancake in Burlington Thursday July 9th 9-11p.m. for a solo acoustic performance.

Friday, 07.10.09
Ten Dollar Pony (Original Folk, Pop, Blues)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/tendollarpony

Saturday, 07.11.09
The Smittens (indi/pop)
***$5 suggested donation
http://www.myspace.com/thesmittens

In the pipeline…

Wednesday, 07.15.09
That Toga Band (Electroacoustic / Jazz / Rock)
SUNSET SET…7 pm start time
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/thattogaband

Thursday, 07.16.09
Tiffany Pfeiffer & the Discarnate Band (lounge/soul)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/thediscarnateband

Friday, 07.17.09
Jeremy Harple (singer/songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.jeremyharple.com

Saturday, 07.18.09
Aniemeke Quinn (swinging folk)
***$5 suggested donation
www.anamieke.com