Archive for the 'Burlington' Category

Ahhhhhhhhhh, ladies and gentlemen, are you up for some heavyweight musical entertainment this New Years Eve?!

The Skinny Pancake kicks off 2010 with the Josh Panda Band www.reverbnation.com/joshuapanda…this show flies after the fireworks…

Once in awhile we are blown away by a band and JPB lifts the roof off…almost literally.  The Seven Days just caught up with Josh Panda http://www.7dvt.com/2009gospel-joshua from the church to the street, this Panda is always singing.

Hope to see ya’ll  heading down the hill to the ‘Cake on New Years Eve to check out Josh & Company…And for your year ahead, be sure to calendar other notable shows….http://www.skinnypancake.com/music-calendar/.

Happy New Year & Musically Yours, The Skinny Pancake

Howdy folks,

we’re in the home stretch now…for the holiday season & the year. My how time flies…….Since you surely don’t have enough to keep you busy this weekend (insert comment about the frantic nature of the holiday season here:_____), we thought it would be most joyous to toss yet another yule log on the burning desire that is your agenda for this coming weekend…in two acts:

ACT I: HOLIDAY THEATRE…

One for Montpelier/Barre:
The Green Mountain Nutcracker
At the Barre Opera House
www.barreoperahouse.org/

Can’t make it to George Balanchine’s production of the Nutcracker at the famed New York City Ballet? Fret not, friend! The Granite Center of the World (Barre) has a production that is sure to rival the competition in innumerable ways (starting with the price). This production features dancers of all ages from 16 Vermont communities. One of our very own Montpelier Crepe Makers performs in this seasonal classic.

Saturday – December 19, 7PM
Sunday – December 20, 2PM

From the Production Company: “A wooden nutcracker comes to life at midnight! A little girl visits the Land of the Sweets. For the third year running, Moving Light Dance Company will, once again, present the Green Mountain Nutcracker on December 19th and 2oth at the Barre Opera House.

And another for Burlington:
National Marionette Theater’s Hansel and Gretel
In the Main Street Landing’s Black Box

http://www.nmtshow.com/Home.html

Raise your hand if you’ve actually seen a master puppeteer in action, let alone two….right, didn’t think so. Here’s your chance…bring your kids. Support an old art form. Oh, and you can drop by the ‘Cake before or after…check out any of the following times:

Friday – December 18th @ 7 p.m.
Saturday – December 19th @ 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Sunday – December 20th @ 2 p.m.

From the Production Company: In our newest production, two master puppeteers bring the most famous of the Grimm Brother’s stories to life. Featuring exquisitely crafted marionettes, scrolling scenery and the beautiful music of Engelbert Humperdinck, Hansel and Gretel is sure to delight audiences of all ages!

Intermission: Skinny Specials this Week at the ‘Cake…

Ham On It (Burlington): Winding Brook Farm Ham and fresh Broccoli wrapped in a Gleason’s Grains Whole Wheat Crepe and topped with Grafton Smoked Cheddar Cheese Sauce.  $8.25

Chicken & “Dumplings” (Montpelier): Misty Knoll Chicken in a rich gravy with Pete’s Carrots and Onions and VT Shitake Mushrooms over 2 Savory Crepe “Dumplings”. $9.50

Act Two: MicroLocal Markets for your shopping pleasure…

The Burlington Center for the Arts Holiday Artist Market
Contois Auditorium (inside City Hall)
http://www.burlingtoncityarts.com/events/

Friday, December 18th from 12PM to 8PM
Saturday, December 19th from 10AM to 6PM

Remember that drum I was beating…”buy local.” Apparently some people got bored of it as we saw the unsubscriptions spike in the past two weeks. Well, I don’t mind burning social capital for the cause…so here is yet another plug to BUY LOCAL this holiday season.

As the BCA aptly observes on their website, these are “truly unique local, handmade gifts. Artists from the BCA Summer Artist Market in City Hall Park join with other high quality local artists for a truly unique holiday shopping experience!” It just doesn’t get much better than that for the localvore dork in us all….

The Burlington Winter Farmer’s Market will also be held this weekend on Saturday from 10:00 to 2:00 pm in Memorial Auditorium.

The Montpelier Farmer’s Market:
www.montpelierfarmersmarket.com/

Saturday, December 19th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Montpelier’s got Burlington “beet”…about twice over. In Burly, there’s one winter farmer’s market a month (always the Third Saturday). In Montpelier, they’ve got it going every first & third Thursday at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Does that mean that the Capitol City has twice the demand with 1/4 the populace? If so, would it suggest that the average Montpeliarian consumes 8x the winter veggies than his/her Burlington counterpart….really? Well…there’s some fuzzy logic in there, but it is food for thought….

As Seven Days describes it: “Root veggies, honey, fresh mesclun and more change hands at a biweekly, off-season celebration of locally grown grub, accompanied by live music and crafts.”

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This week in music at the Skinny Pancake:

So busy…we’re all sooooo busy this time of year….oy! Well, maybe you finish your day and you want to do something…not to keep busier, but to relax…if so, this weekend’s line-up is quality. Its a solid music-making line-up for the warn-out workin’ man and lady…so come for a visit, kill two birds with one stone…feed your soul through your ears and your stomach through crepes.

Thursday, 12.17.09
Damn Yankee String Band (Old-Time/Hill Billy Jazz)
***$5 suggested donation
dysb.home.att.net/.

The Damn Yankee String Band is based in Montpelier, Vermont, and consists of Sarah Hotchkiss on fiddle, banjo and vocals, and John Mowad on fiddle, guitar, banjo and vocals. Playing old time mountain music, vintage country and “hillbilly jazz”, a hybrid mix of string band, country and swing music, much of it featuring John’s tasty guitar pickin’ along with a new genre to the repertoire: R&B (Rhythm & Banjo)!

Friday, 12.18.09
Chris Velan (Singer/Songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/chrisvelanmusic

AHHHHHHH!!!H!H!H!!! DID I GET YOUR ATTENTION? GOOD!

Chris Velan is amazing. I hope we don’t use that superlative so much as to cheapen its’ meaning when it matters. I stumbled into Chris’ last performance at the SP to find this one guy in bare feet playing to a packed room, looping his own instruments into a thick tapestry of sounds,

He was first trained as a classical guitarist at age 9. He grew up influenced by folk classics Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Willie Nelson, and Van Morrison, his sister’s early 80’s New Wave cassettes, and his uncle’s extensive reggae vinyl collection. After college, he was deeply involved with the “discovery” of the Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars. And now he is a one-man band…very refined songwriting, Chris is a master-musician who puts out a clean performance with world, folk & rock influences.

From his website: His involvement with Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars (he produced their album and often performs with them) showed him that there is power in music that transcends even the law and put him literally on the road to making a career as a singer/songwriter.

Chris Velan’s current album (his third), Solidago, is a stunning culmination of influences. From the folk-rock of his youth to the reggae of his college days to the echo of his time in Africa, Chris has created a unique collection of songs that invite listen after listen. Not often will you find a record that juxtaposes the horror of sectarian strife with the hopeful musings of errant love. Solidago achieves this seemingly without effort. The jarring lyrical content of “Wobbly Bones” is brilliantly offset by the lilting dirge that draws the listener to the stark reality of man’s cruelty to man without causing them to look away. Few songwriters working today would be able to make the point without contrivance. Followed by “Oldest Trick”, a sly skewering of our technological world, Solidago reveals itself to have a gravitas missing from most contemporary efforts. Capped by the starkness of “May Your Soul Get to Heaven”, Solidago is an album that begs for a follow-up.”

Saturday, 12.19.09
Grass Gypsies (folk duo)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/thegrassgypsys

This poetically cultivated acoustic duo The Grass Gypsys http://www.myspace.com/thegrassgypsys return to the Burlington ‘Cake!

In the pipeline…

Saturday, 12.26.09
Paul Cataldo (singer/songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.paulcataldo.com

Thursday, 12.31.09
NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION WITH

JOSH PANDA & Company!!!!!

The local legend will help us pass into the new year in his infamous glamfolk soulrock style…come down for the fireworks and drop in on the music!!!

Please note: there will be a $10 cover for this event.

Food in the United States travels between 1,500 and 2,500 miles from farm to fridge, according to the Worldwatch Institute. Shipping food cross-country leaves a large carbon footprint and is becoming more expensive as transportation costs rise.

Naturally, buying local is a remedy. But let’s face it, in the Northeast, there are foods that can not be produced year round and must travel in order to reach our tables. Here at the Skinny Pancake, we continually evaluate our choices when it comes to our menu & the foods we purchase. Our goal is to ensure our choices are socially, economically, and environmentally responsible.  While we can’t source local avocados for your favorite Crêpadilla or get fresh local tomatoes in December for the Cannelloni Crêpe, we do question, is there a better way?  We are still honing in best practices and always up for an interesting read on the latest food news. Jonny Adler found this article on food systems in the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/opinion/09scholz.html?_r=1&ref=opinion.

What do you think?

Elliot’s Easy College Kitchen Recipes is a blog providing higher education in all things edible.

In a recent post, Elliot pays tribute to the Skinny Pancake Coconut Curried Potato Crepe. Considered one of “Burlington’s Best Meals Under $10″, this unique Skinny Crepe Creation is praised as “…delicious. Spicy, savory, sweet.”

Summed up, this crepe is yummy & affordable!

For more on Burlington’s Best Meals Under $10 visit: http://recipesforstudents.blogspot.com/2009/11/best-meals-in-burlington-under-10.html.

P.S. For the best carnivore option, Montpelier General Manager Jeremy Silansky suggests adding lamb to the Coconut Curried Potato Crepe.

Morning, folks:

For all the jockeying that happens amongst organizations & events during the summer months, there is a palpable lull from November through early February. “The Skinny” just about writes itself during the busy months…but by now I find myself with a lack of “material.” With plenty to do today, we’ll be keeping “The Skinny” reasonably short this week…

Winter Farmer’s Markets Arrive:

The fresh & local leafy greens are gone for good in 2009…unless you’re tapping into a select few season-extension farms. The good news is that root cellars (pictured to the right and below) around the state are flush with VT veggies like potatoes, beets, turnips, parsnips, carrots, celeriac root, rutabaga and a few other real oddballs…thank goodness, right?

Perhaps you’re saying to yourself, “gosh, I love my root vegetables so much I just can’t keep the pantry shelves stockede…I need more!!!” Well good news, folks: aside from your friendly & reliable co-op, several winter farmer’s markets crank up this weekend…including one for our Capitol City and another in Big ‘Ole Burlington…both are great places to do your shopping for Thanksgiving!!!

The Burlington Winter Farmer’s Market takes place on the third Saturday of every month between 10 am and 2 pm in Memorial Auditorium from November through April. More information can be found at www.burlingtonfarmersmarket.org/

The Capital City Farmer’s Market kicks off their winter season with the legendary Thanksgiving Farmer’s Market (“our largest of the year”) from 10 am to 2 pm at the Montpelier High school. Their website explains, “This market is stocked with everything you need to create a holiday feast, and with plenty of treats and gifts for friends and family.  New this year, the Thanksgiving Farmers Market will also have FRESH TURKEY from Applecheek Farm and Tangletown Farm.” The Capital City Farmer’s Market will continue also on the third Saturday of each month from November through April with “fresh produce– such as salad mix, spinach, Asian greens, sprouts and kale…a full range or storage crops and lots of fruit frozen fresh from the field over the summer (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, peppers), prepared foods such as pesto and soups, a variety of cheeses, natural and organic meats and poultry, fresh Red Hen Bakery breads and pastries, baked goods from Butterfly Bakery, prepared foods and fine crafts.” More information can be found at http://www.montpelierfarmersmarket.com/.

PS: CapitAl or CapitOl? I thought I had this straight, but the “CapitAl City Farmer’s Market” is either a puny joke, an anarchistic attempt to destroy our collective fragile distinction between these two words or someone in Montpelier needs to do some proof reading. My guess: it’s just really puny…

Food Specials at the Skinny this week:

“Just Trust Me” crepe (Burlington): Misty Knolls Chicken, Spinach, Feta Cheese, Walnuts, Strawberries & a splash of our house dressing on a Gleason’s Grain Whole Wheat Crepe.” $9.50

Lambamba Tacos (Montpelier): Winding Brook Farm Ground Lamb, Screaming Ridge Greens, Skinny Salsa, Cabot Sour Cream and Guacamole filled in two Soft Butterworks Cornmeal Crepe “Tacos”. $10.00

~Main Street Landing Presents~
A quick note on Green Drinks:

For the uninformed: on the last Tuesday of every month, a collection of great businesses come together to help sponsor & host Burlington Green Drinks. Meanwhile, a collection of great people come together to attend it. The event is always held from 5:30 to 7:30 in the Main Street Landing’s Lake Lobby. 100 beers are paid for and poured by the sponsors, a free food spread is provided to all those who attend & an engaging monthly sponsor offers a topic for the month. Pretty sweet deal for the approximately 100 people who come to meet, mingle and network.

Now to confuse you: the November 2009 Green Drinks will be held on the first Tuesday in December (12.01.09). This will be the only Burlington Green Drinks for both months.

What the heck? Well, the last Tuesday of November is moments before Turkey-stuffing time & the last Tuesday in December is amidst the revelry and consumption that marks the All-American holiday season tradition. Thus, for the third year in a row now, we have navigated these tumultuous waters with one Green Drinks for these two months on the first Tuesday in December. Starting in January, we will return to our regular pattern of behavior (as will everyone else post-holiday habit-hiccup).

Ok, great…so who’s the sponsor this next month (still confused?):

The sponsor for the Burlington Green Drinks held on December 1st, 2009 from 5:30 to 7:30 in the Main Street Landing’s Lake Lobby is Encore Redevelopment (www.encoreredevelopment.com). Encore Redevelopment, “specializes in investment, project management and consulting services related to real estate acquisition and development, with a focus on environmentally challenged sites and infill development strategies.” Interesting stuff…come learn more about them & enjoy the drinks, food & company on December 1st!

Music at the Skinny Pancake:

So much for a thin “The Skinny” this week…

Thursday 11.19.09 8 PM!!!!
Mr. Casual (The World’s Most Beautiful Songs)
***$5 per person suggested donation
www.myspace.com/mistercasualsings

Friday 11.20.09, 9 pm
Jay Ekis & Brian Clark (Rock/Alt/Country)
***$5 suggested donation
http://www.myspace.com/jayekis

Alt country singer songwriters & guitarists Jay Ekis http://www.myspace.com/jayekis) and Brian Clark come together for a Friday night of sweet pickin’ & original songs.

These two talented folk artists are from Montpelier. There’s a really nice collection of performers over there in our sister city to the southeast (note the gig on Thursday too)….and yet, folks here in Burlington don’t seem to know about any of them! But here’s your chance to check out one of the Capitol city’s regulars…

From his website: “Ekis released his second album called “Touched By War.” Digging deep into tales of conflict and inspired by the country-noir of Bruce Springsteen’s “Nebraska” and Mary Gauthier’s “Mercy Now,” the new album stretches from rock to (alt-)country to express the joy and frustration of life in the 21st century.”

“Jay Ekis is a rare songwriter, bold and emotional without ever coming across overwrought. His songs are infectious, they get in your blood and make their way to the heart before you notice what’s happening.”  -Anais Mitchell, Righteous Babe Records recording artist

“…with Touched by War, he has taken great strides toward cementing his place among the state’s stoutest songwriters.” – Dan Bolles, music editor, Seven Days

Saturday 11.21.09, 9 pm
Flood in the Fizzy Factory (Electro-Folk)
***$5 per person suggested donation
www.myspace.com/floodinthefizzyfactory

Making their second performance at the Skinny Pancake is a new invention to the Burlington music scene: Flood In the Fizzy Factory  www.myspace.com/floodinthefizzyfactory. Led by local realtor Dave Kleh, this group’s original compositions have an electronic influence, perhaps a Talking Heads flare…very curious, very creative…

In the pipeline…

Thursday, November 26th
Turkey Turkey Gobble Gobble
Music can be found in the cadence of conversation amongst friends and family countrywide…
The Skinny is closed for business Thursday

Friday, 11.27.09
Black Friday
SHOP LOCAL!!!
SP is open for business, but there will be no live music.

Saturday, 11.28.09
Heather Mahoney (folk singer-songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/heathermaloneymusic

Howdy folks,

there is a quiet lull this time of year…the hustle & bustle of the summer sun & fall foliage has fallen off and the winter weather is yet to bring skiers to VT. Some lament this period as the lamest of our six seasons…winter, mud, spring, summer, fall & STICK SEASON. We would like to honor it. Thus, in celebration of this muted moment in the VT seasonal cycle, we have some special offers to keep you busy…in three acts:

ACT I:
The Stick Season Special
Bring a friend to the Skinny anytime between now and the New Year…
Get two soups & split any one crepe
Take 10% off your order!!!

***please note: special starts on Monday, 11.16.09

ACT II:

YOU’RE invited to come SKINNY DIPPING* in Montpelier!

Our melting pots make their grand debut THIS Friday in the Capital City! That means you, your sweetie, & perhaps a friend or two can now cozy up at the Montpelier Mini-Skinny to dip into FONDUE on any given Friday or Saturday night. Wahoo!

Just as in Burlington, the Montpelier Skinny will offer several varieties of Fondue now featuring LOCAL CHEESES & CIDER: Thanks to the contribution of our Montpelier GM Jeremy Silansky, we’ve made localvoriented improvements to our basic fondue recipe including the introduction of Taylor Farm Gouda Cheese and the substitution of Farnum Hill Hard Cider in for the traditional Kirsch!!! When you’re done dippin’ cheese we’ll have our regular dessert menu on hand as well as the decadent dessert classic, Chocolate Fondue.

Adding to the experience is the introduction of Full
Service on Friday & Saturday evenings…just like in Burlington. Now you can just take a seat & let us come to you!

For a bigger taste of Fondue options in both locations, visit http://www.skinnypancake.com/skinny-dipping/.

*Fine Print: “Skinny Dipping” refers to “fondue at the Skinny Pancake.” Due to health code regulations, shirt & shoes are still required and for that matter we’d like you to wear pants too seeing as it is November and we ought keep things PG for all the kiddos out there.

Pictured here is our Head Chef & Crepe Master Flash, Tim Collins (the fellow in the middle) at the 15th Anniversary Celebration for the Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center.

Tim was invited to scoop along side Ben Cohen & Jerry Greenfield, Vermont’s sweet treat originators, who donated their ice cream & personally scooped it at the benefit celebration event hosted at ECHO Center.

Tim reported, “I felt like a kid in a candy shop when I asked if I could help scoop.” Can you tell?

ACT III:
MOOOOving on…How about a PARTY at our place…or yours!

Yup, its “THAT” time of year again…feasting, merry-making, gift giving, holiday…well, almost  that time of year anyway. More accurately: its the time of year to be planning for “THAT” time of year. So here’s our pitch: throw a party, but don’t do the work!!! Sit back, relax and LET US DO IT FOR YOU!!! The Skinny Pancake would gladly cater your event so you can focus on the fun. The best part of all…we can do it at your place or ours!!!

Spicing things up…This week’s SPECIALS at the Skinny Pancake

Mexicali Crunch (Burlington): Butterworks Farm Cornmeal Crepe Chips, Skinny Salsa, Jalapenos, Kalamata Olives, Melted Cabot Cheddar served with a side of Sour Cream and Homemade Guacamole.  $8.25 Add Boyden Farm Beef Chili $2.00

Carrot Top (Montpelier): A puree of Ginger & Pete’s Carrots, Roasted native Beets, Champlain Orchards Apples, topped with VT Chevre in a Gleason’s Whole Wheat Crepe. $8.75

MUSIC this week at the Burlington ‘Cake
Check it out www.skinnypancake.com/music-calendar/

Music SPICEY music. Another PHENOMENAL line-up this week. REALLY. It’s ALLLL here: Soul, R&B, beyond Folk, Theatrics…Feel free to come down to the ‘Cake for multiple nights this weekend folks…

Thursday, 11.12.09. 8p.m.
Audrey Ryan and Richard Julian (Indie/Folk)
***$5 Per Person Suggested Donation
www.audreyryan.org
www.richardjulian.com/

Friday 11.13.09 9p.m.
Jim Seem & Melissa Hyman (R&B/Soul/Acoustic/Bedroom Pop)
***$5 Per Person Suggested Donation
http://www.reverbnation.com/jimseemandmelissahyman?add_email=true.

Thursday 11.19.09
Mr. Casual (The World’s Most Beautiful Songs)
***$5 per person suggested donation
www.myspace.com/mistercasualsings

Friday 11.20.09
Jay Ekis & Brian Clark (Rock/Alt/Country)
***$5 suggested donation
http://www.myspace.com/jayekis

Saturday 11.21.09
Flood in the Fizzy Factory (Electro-Folk)
***$5 per person suggested donation
www.myspace.com/floodinthefizzyfactory

Hey folks,

ok, so the ceiling has dropped out beneath us here in VT (mixed metaphor anyone?)…the leaves have all fallen, daylight “savings” is upon us. That’s right…the famously fantastic VT month of November has begun. But its not all gloom and doom…for one thing, we have the white light of snow at the end of the tunnel. In the meantime, I’d like to draw your attention to a very important reason to love November…or should I say…

MOVEMBER

“Movember (a portmanteau of the words ‘Moustache’ and ‘November’), also known as Novembeard, No-Shave November, or Noshember, is an annual month-long event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November. The event has been claimed to have been invented in 1999 by group of Australian men from Adelaide.” (Wikipedia)

From Movember.com: “A ‘Mo Bro’ starts Movember – the month formerly known as November – clean shaven, and grows a moustache all month long, garnering support from friends and family in the form of donations.  What’s more, a Mo Bro is a walking billboard for the cause as his new look opens the door for him to talk about cancers affecting men – making the moustache a symbol, much like the pink ribbon is for breast cancer.  Each Movember culminates in a Gala Partè in major cities around the globe where Mo Bros dress up to match their Mo, channeling the likes of Tom Selleck, Ghandi and Ron Burgandy, vying for the ultimate accolade:  Man of Movember.”

“Since 2004, the Movember Foundation charity has been running Movember events to raise awareness and funds & thus “changing the face of men’s health.” For Mo’ information, visit  www.movember.com.

Ok…two things I need to figure out (help me if you can):

1. “Each Movember culminates in a Gala Parte in major cities around the globe.” Burlington is a major city…I dare you to challenge this claim!!! With that said, where’s the party at?
2. Why the heck is a creperie talking about facial hair?

And on that note, I’d like to move this conversation right along to…
Specials this week at the Skinny Pancake!!!

Turkey Come Early Crepe (Burlington): Misty Knoll’s Turkey with Red Hen Baking Co Stuffing Wrapped in a Gleason’s Whole Wheat Crepe. Topped with Fresh Gravy, Cranberry-Apple Chutney, and a side of Pete’s Greens Brussel Sprouts. $12.00

The Yakity Yak (Montpelier): VT Yak Co. Yak with Champlain Orchards Apples, Pete’s Carmelized Onions, and Grafton Smoked Cheddar on a Gleason’s WW Crepe. $10.00

A bit about the Yak…The Vermont Yak Company’s mission is “Raising and breeding grass-fed yak for organic meat and fiber to help build a more diverse and sustainable agrarian future for the greater Green Mountain region.” The SP sourced our Yak through VT Yaker & friend-of-the-pancake Rob Williams. To learn more about The Vermont Yak Company, visit www.vermontyak.com/. You will also find links through this site to IYAK or “The International Yak Association.”

Congratulations for our friends at Radio Bean!!!

Burlington’s one-of-a-kind Radio Bean has doubled in size. Founder Lee Anderson & friends plan to hold the opening celebration this Saturday night. The expansion is long-overdue and seriously welcomed by many Pancakers who enjoy the major dose of culture Radio Bean brings to Burlington’s musical scene.

Congrats, Radio Bean!!!!

New Art at the Skinny in Montpelier

Gracing the Montpelier Mini-Skinny walls is the work of Montpelier artist Arthur B. Zorn http://www.arthurzorn.com/abstract/index.html. The exhibit titled Improvising Visions II is the debut of Zorn’s newest series of work. This abstract impressionist artist has been exhibiting in Vermont since 2004 and was notably the featured artist for the 2008 “Governor Art Exhibit” in Montpelier‘s State House. Zorn’s exhibit is currently on display at the Montpelier Skinny Pancake and runs through December 16th.

Thursday, 11.05.09
Jim Osborn (Singer Songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.moosebearbuffalo.com

This is classic folk music….folks. Really, if you like singer-songwriters, put this show on your calendar.

Returning to the Skinny stage on Thursday evening is Jim Osborn, an independent songwriter who last captivated the room on a Saturday in September. Jim’s original songs showcase his bright and bold voice accompanied by strong, edgy guitar playing. www.moosebearbuffalo.com/

Friday, 11.06.09
Laura Cortese and The Firest Fires (Urban/Indie/Acoustic)
***$5 suggested donation
www.lauracortese.com

Saturday, 11.07.09
Megan Callahan (Folk Rock/Blues)
***$5 suggested donation
www.megancallahan.com/

GREAT LINE-UP NEXT WEEKEND!!!

Thursday, 11.12.09
Audrey Ryan & Richard Julian (indi-folk)
***$5 suggested donation
www.audreyryan.org
www.richardjulian.com/

Friday, 11.13.09
Jim Seem & Melissa Hyman (R&B/Soul/Acoustic/Bedroom Pop)
***$5 suggested donation
www.reverbnation.com/jimseemandmelissahyman

Saturday, 11.14.09
Toy Soldiers (Roots/Blues/Soul)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/ohnotoysoldiers

Pssst…really great music lineup this weekend. Scroll to the bottom for details…
But first, drum roll please….

65.56%

65.56%….this is the percentage of the Skinny Pancake’s food spending at our Burlington location that went directly to VT farmers & VT value added food producers in September. Our Montpelier location was slightly lower at 65.04%. Combined, we spent over $34,000 into the local food economy in September alone!!! In our September 2008 food audit, this number was 55.44%. This substantial improvement is the result of several changes including the introduction of numerous new local meats!!!

It is core to our mission as a business to help build a stronger local food economy. Why? In short, to improve the “view”…the local food S.C.E.N.E: Security, Community, Environment, Nutrition, Economy. How? Well, we can’t donate (much of) our money away…its just a drop in the bucket. But we can exercise our substantial consumer power as a food buyer and direct that meaningful cash flow towards these local farms & value-added food producers. To that end, we also create an opportunity for you to exercise your consumer power by sourcing, receiving & preparing these foods to include in our reasonably priced menu.

Why not buy 100% local? Two big reasons: first, local food can be more expensive, so we balance price & purpose to deliver a product you can afford. Our goal is to make locally sourced food available without breaking the bank…to make it part of a daily diet, not a luxury. As we like to say, “localvore is not haute-couture!” Second, because food security means diversifying our food sources. In fact, if all of our food was produced locally, our food security would also be at risk. As Bill McKibben observed in his 2008 UVM debate with Russel Robert, trade & foreign food production is not inherently bad, but the pendulum needs to swing back towards more local food production.

What’s the difference between a farmer and a food producer? Well, we all know what a farmer is…I hope. Our local food producers make value added products: sodas (ex: Rookie’s Root Beer), hot sauces, cheeses, mill grain into flour, roast raw coffee beans, microbrew beers and much much more. While the raw ingredients for these value-added producers are not always from Vermont, they still improve the food S.C.E.N.E. by adding to the security, community, economy & at times the environment and nutrition too. In short, we believe they have a meaningful and positive impact here in Vermont and we support them with our consumer power as a restaurant!

The Swavory Crepe (Burlington): Boyden Farms Beef Meatballs cooked “the Swedish way” with a Light, Creamy, Onion & Beef Sauce. Served Over Gleason’s Grains Whole Wheat Crepe Noodles.  $10.00

The Brown Bird (Montpelier): Misty Knoll Chicken With Bacon and Cider Braised Mt. Eden Farm Pears, Taylor Farm Gouda, Caramelized Onions from Pete, and “Farmers Choice” Greens From Screaming Ridge in a Gleason’s Whole Wheat Crepe. $10.50

Pssst…don’t forget to scroll down to check out the super-duper califragilistic music line up this weekend…

Main Street Landing Presents
Green Drinks is a-comin’

Green Drinks has been growing each month this year, peaking last month with well over 100 people. And why not? There are 100 cold pints of Wolaver’s Organic Ales at no cost to you just for coming!!! Ok, so you like food with your beer? Great news: there is free food every single month too!!! Bite Me Organic Pizza has generously provided delicious pizzas in the past few months (and will surely do it again in the future)…and the Skinny Pancake puts out a spread of chips & dips too. On top of all that, Green Drinks is a gathering of engaging people with whom you can meet, mingle & network.

When & where does this incredible happening happen? Green Drinks Burlington is always held on the last Tuesday of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Main Street Landing’s Lake Lobby (next Tuesday, October 27th). We are deeply grateful to our host sponsor, the Main Street Landing Company, for donating this wonderful space to us each month. MSL has spaces available for daily or long term rentals, you can learn more by visiting them at www.mainstreetlanding.com.

We have an exciting sponsor this month: CarShare Vermont. Here’s a bit about them:

CarShare Vermont is a local non-profit on a mission to provide an affordable, convenient, and reliable alternative to private car ownership that enhances the environmental, economic, and social wellbeing of our region and planet. Members get 24/7 access to CarShare Vermont’s entire network of cars parked around Burlington to go where they want, when they want and pay only for what they use.  Rates start at just $4.95 an hour and 25 cents per mile, and include gas and insurance.  As a nationwide movement, car-sharing helps some families get by with fewer cars, while helping others get around without owning a car at all.  Members save money, avoid the hassles of car ownership, and help to improve the environment.  Learn more by visiting www.carsharevt.org or call Karen at 802.861.2340.

Appreciation is also due for our two sustaining sponsors:

Seven Days Newspaper (www.7dvt.com/)

The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce (www.vermont.org/)

A quick note on the Burlington Food Council/Brighter Planet Grant:

For those of you who took the time to vote for the Burlington Food Council as per request in the last edition of “The Skinny,” our sincere thanks. We did not end up winning the grant…we faced remarkably stiff competition from New Orleans & West Virginia. Ultimately, the WV project won with “Sustainable Energy & Economic Diversification in the Coal River Valley.”

The Burlington Food Council may re-enter this competition in a future month. The process was fascinating & we learned alot. We have resolved to watch the competition for one or two months before re-entering.

For more information about this grant awarded based on voter-participation, visit brighterplanet.com/project_fund_projects.

MUSIC THIS WEEK AT THE SKINNY PANCAKE:

Wow, there’s alot of content to get through before browsing this wonderful line-up of music. Hoping folks made the journey down the page so you can realize that this week’s line-up is worthy of your listening ears!!!!!

Thursday, 10.23.09
The New Familiars (9-10:15)
Joshua Panda (10:30-11:45)
***$8 suggested donation FOR BOTH ACTS
www.myspace.com/thenewfamiliars

From the foothills of Appalachia comes The New Familiars five gentlemen who combine an amazing passion for harmony with multi-instrumental talent and unusual storytelling abilities. A new musical combination grown from seeds of folk, blues, and bluegrass shaped by the undeniable power of rock and roll. More info is on our website at www.skinnypancake.com/proddir/prod/281/180 or theirs at www.myspace.com/thenewfamiliars. Also worthy of note is the HUGE amount of props Dan Bolles of the Seven Days gave this group:

“If The New Familiars sound, well, familiar, there’s a good reason. The Charlote, N.C.-based quintet represents the next wave of an increasing groundswell of hybrid Americana music. Blending pop and rock sensibilities with down-home flair, the band should appeal to fans of fellow crossover acts such as roots punk darlings The Avett Brothers, or even raucous grass-blazers the Old Crow Medicine Show.” NOW THAT’S A HOT ENDORSEMENT!!!

As for our buddy Joshua Panda: JOSH IS ONE OF OUR LOCAL GEMS. We’re honored that he chooses to play at our venue and I personally make a point of catching his performances TIME AND AGAIN!!! If you haven’t seen Josh yet…what’s your problem, dude? And if you have…sweet, see you tonight!

Friday, 10.24.09
Utah Green (folk singer/songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/greenutah

Utah Green comes to the Skinny stage all the way from her home in Asheville NC.  Playing acoustic guitar, banjo and harmonica, Utah’s music is reminiscent of the folk sound of the Appalachians, yet is uniquely her own. Utah is a traveler and has performed in such diverse places as Ketchikan, Alaska; San Cristobal de Las Casas, Mexico; and Nof Ginosaur, Israel.  Listen here www.myspace.com/greenutah and join us Friday Oct 23rd. Utah will be performing with mandolinist, Billy Bones.

In her words, ” Its my mission to lift the spirits of the audience and invoke an appreciation for the curious and fantastical aspects of Life”.

In others words: “Utah Green sings like some kind of torn and frayed mountain angel born of a long forgotten backwoods American town.  Her music is quixotic and purely genuine; simultaneously modern and ancient. If you listen closely, it resonates and makes the outside world go quiet for a moment..”
-Kevin Calabro, Hyena Records

In others words #2: “Utah is a wordsmith and poet of the first rank. Her songs speak of life experiences take to profound and epic proportions, and strike to the very depths of one’s soul and fill the mind with vibrant and colourful images. She is a uniquely talented and prolific artist and a species unto herself. Our lives are enriched by her presence.” -David Shelton, writer

In other words, #3: “Every once in a while as we pass through life we stumble upon a musical treasure.  Such was the case for me a few years ago when I first met Utah Green.  She has a unique style that I’ve never heard before and doubt I will again.  She has a way with words any wordsmith would envy.” Smokey Joe Peoples, musician

Saturday, 10.25.09
Brown Bird (indi/folk)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/brownbird

Ladies and gentlemen, can I get a round of applause for Colleen Korniak for booking this incredible weekend of music? Gosh, I’m blushing…and hoping the uber-hip folks at the Monkey House don’t mind us stealing their thunder for the weekend Anyhow…here’s a bit about Brown Bird:

In the pipeline…

Thursday, 10.29.09
Nicole Erin Carey & The Dirty String Band (folk)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/nicoleerincarey

Friday, 10.30.09
Mary’s Lane (Celtic)
***$5 suggested donation

Saturday, 10.31.09
NO MUSIC…GO HAVE HALLOWEEN FUN!!!

Ladies & Gentlemen,

this is a rare edition of “The Skinny.” it is a call to action. The Burlington Food Council NEEDS YOUR HELP!!! This random act of kindness will only take you a few short minutes.

BFC is campaigning to win a $5000 online grant, awarded entirely based on voter participation. If 50% of the people on this list vote for the BFC THREE TIMES (YES YOU CAN!!!), the BFC will surely win this competition.

The process is extremely quick & simple. Below are instructions on how to vote followed by information about the Burlington Food Council. Please, take a few minutes and support this very worthy local cause. 

How to vote:

1. Click here to register to vote (brighterplanet.com/sign-up).
2. Enter an email address, a username & a password.
3. You will be directed to the homepage. Then click here or navigate through the “Project Fund” tab to the Burlington Food Council Project Page (brighterplanet.com/project_fund_projects/13)
4. Click on the GREEN “Vote For This Project” tab. YOU CAN VOTE FOR US THREE TIMES!!!
5. FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR NETWORK (mailing list, facebook, friends, twitterites, etc).

Again, this grant is awarded entirely on voter participation, so THE BURLINGTON FOOD COUNCIL NEEDS YOUR HELP TO WIN!!! We are competing with applicants from cities whose populations are larger than the State of Vermont!!! We know we can win because we have a strong community, strong networks of support & because VERMONTERS VOTE!!!

If we win this monthly grant, we plan to maintain this voting block and support other Vermont-based initiatives. So please…help us win this grant, help us spread the word. VOTE FOR THE BURLINGTON FOOD COUNCIL AND FORWARD THIS REQUEST WIDELY.

Whew…that was intense!!! Ok, so what’s all the hub-ub about?

The Burlington Food Council is a city-recognized, open community group exploring ways to ensure that Burlington creates and nurtures a healthy, equitable and sustainable food system for all members of the community. The Burlington Food Council is dedicated to advocating, supporting and educating community members on the importance and accessibility of local food production and consumption.

What has the Burlington Food Council accomplished? The BFC was formed in 2003 and created the Burlington School Food Project which helps connect schoolchildren and their families with nearby farms by bringing more fresh local foods to cafeterias and more hands-on agriculture education to classrooms. Having successfully launched this nationally recognized program, the Burlington Food Council is now turning its attention to building local food appreciation and access for Burlington children, their families and the wider community beyond the school day.

What will the Brighter Planet Funding be used for? Funding from Brighter Planet will specifically be used to fund a part-time staff person at the Intervale Center to oversee Food Council management and administration. This person will be responsible for:

• Contributing to the maintenance of the Council’s “clearing house” website for local organizations and community members interested in learning more about local food systems and the role local and organic food has in mitigating climate change.
• Coordinating the Council’s member list.
• Organizing a community-wide speaker series to raise awareness about the local food movement and its connection to global climate change.
• Overseeing the management of the Council’s regular meetings.
• Developing and presenting projects to the Council that link its work to the initiatives outlined in the City’s Climate Action Plan.
• Working with the Council’s strategic planning committee to identify and secure sustainable funding that will enable to Council to continue its educational mission for the next three years.

What is Brighter Planet? Great question! First, here’s the explanation in their own words on who they are and what they do: brighterplanet.com/about. In my words: Brighter Planet is a Middlebury, VT based company focused on helping individuals actually reduce their carbon footprint. They have a credit card that awards you carbon offsets instead of airline miles!!! The also have a remarkable website that helps, “measure their climate impact, discover tailored conservation tips to save energy and money, create emission-reducing strategies, and share their ideas and experiences.”

Why the heck are they giving away so much money? In their words, “The Brighter Planet Project Fund seeks to foster local leadership and seed worthy community projects that will help people fight or adapt to climate change.” In mine…well, they get your email address & they get you onto their website & using their impressive platform. Maybe you look around the site while you’re there and you decide to come visit them again…its kind of like their version of “Free Crepe Day.” The good news is that this is a great company with a great mission, so if they do pester you with emails the purpose of that pester is probably worth your while!!!

Food Specials at the ‘Cake this week:

CrePasta Stew (Burlington): Hollander Farm Venison Stew, made with Pete’s Greens carrots, rutabaga, carrots, and parsnips along with local Yukon Gold potatoes in a red wine beef broth.  Served over Ben Gleason’s whole wheat crepe noodles.  $11.00

The Pumpkin Pie Crepe (Burlington): pumpkin filling made from Foote Brook Farm pumpkins, Spiced With Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Raw Sugar. Wrapped In a Graham Cracker Batter Crepe. Topped With Trent’s Mother’s Secret Pumpkin Pie Cookie Frosting and a Strip Of Cabot Whipped Cream. $7.50

Stew Too (Montpelier): Greenfield Highland Beef “Stew” With local Carrots, Onions, and Parsnips, Petes Spinach, Grafton Smoked Cheddar on a Gleasons Crepe. $10.00

Speaking of Pumpkins…

The Second Annual Giant Pumpkin Regatta & Festival is this weekend!!! Specifically, it is on Sunday, October 11, 2009 from 10 am – 3 pm at the Coast Guard Boat Launch on the Burlington Waterfront

While it sounds both impossible and crazy, it is indeed a boat race, but the boats are giant carved pumpkins, which are decorated and placed into the lake with forklifts, and raced as if they were kayaks. Last year’s event was featured on MSNBC and spoofed on Saturday Night Live and made the Sports Illustrated “Most Ridiculous Competitions” list. Click Here to view.

The Giant Pumpkin Regatta & Festival is a benefit for PILOT (Program to Inspire Leadership, Opportunity, and Thought), a youth leadership program for area high school students run by Linking Learning to Life and the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Music this week at the Skinny Pancake:

Hey folks…really solid line-up of acts this weekend. But don’t take it from me…click on the links and listen for yourselves!!!

Thursday, 10.08.09
Lady Lioness & Alex Greiner (avant-garde folk)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/alexgreiner
www.myspace.com/mysweetladylioness

Friday, 10.09.09
Tumbledown House (saloon jazz)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/tumbledownhousemusic

Swing on down to the ‘Cake to catch the superbly swanky Saloon Jazz act Tumbledown House www.myspace.com/tumbledownhousemusic on Friday Oct 9th.

Tumbledown House is a songwriting duo often described as parlor music inflicted with the unspeakable, or Tom Waits in a cocktail dress. Having opened for such notable acts as The Dodos, The Devil Makes Three, and Laura Gibson, they are now touring the Northeast in support of their CD debut Tumbledown House.

Tumbledown House writes stories that revolve around shady characters down on their luck, brothels with an eccentric clientele, or a scorned woman out for revenge. These stories are delivered with sultry female vocals reminiscent of a bygone era and placed over tasty jazz guitar accompaniment.

You really can’t miss this one…

Saturday, 10.10.09
Paul Cataldo & The Moonlight Serenaders (folk singer/songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/paulcataldo

Paul Cataldo www.paulcataldo.com is a singer-songwriter hailing from the Boston-area. This will be his second performance at the ‘Cake and joining him are The Moonlight Serenaders.

In the pipeline…

Thursday, 10.15.09
Garren Benfield (acoustic folk)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/garrinbenfield

Friday, 10.16.09
Ragged Glory (Neil Young Tribute Band)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/raggedglorytribute

Saturday, 10.17.09
The Willoughbys (acoustic folk/rock)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/thewilloughbys

Hey folks,

happy Thursday. In fact, Happy Share the Harvest Thursday. In case you’re saying, “Huh?”, here’s the scoop:

Every year, NOFA-VT helps 1,400 low-income Vermonters afford the purchase of a CSA from their local farmers through their Farm Share program. This effort is primarily funded in a once-a-year event which is happening TODAY, Thursday October 1st as “eighty three great restaurants and food stores throughout the state volunteer to “Share the Harvest” by donating a portion of the day’s sales to our Farm Share Program.” The Skinny Pancake is participating in both Burlington & Montpelier….all you have to do is use your consumer power and eat out this evening. For a full list of participating venues, visit www.nofavt.org.

Need another reason to come to the ‘Cake tonight? Check out our food specials this week…

The Pizza Pizza Crepe (Burlington): House made Marinara with Local Tomatoes, Maplebrook Farm Mozzarella & Pepperoni from Vermont Smoke ‘n Cure or Local Green Peppers all wrapped in a Gleason’s Grain Crepe Shell…$7.75

The Foreignvore’s Dilemma (Montpelier):***100% local***Cidered Butternut Squash with Screaming Ridge Swiss Chard, Caramelized Onions and Grafton Smoked Cheddar on a Gleason’s Grain Crepe Shell….$10.00

What’s with this photo? This Michael Tonn image was used in last week’s Seven Days article, The Foreignvore Challenge. It was a great read, check it out for yourself: www.7dvt.com/2009foreignvore-challenge

And now, an anecdote from the procrastinator in us all…
From Crackers to Crepes:

The Charles H. Cross & Son Bakery was part of the Montpelier community for 151 years.  In the Very spot that we now sling crepes, The Cross bakery promoted its famous “Montpelier Crackers” and “Betsy Ross Bread.”  Cross crackers were quite frequently delivered in “cracker barrels”, each containing about 1,200 Cross crackers.  The Cracker barrel was considered the “water cooler” of its time as it often became a popular gathering spot amongst village markets and groceries.

Check out the Montpelier Framers market on Saturdays at 10 am for guided walking tours of downtown Montpelier, or the Montpelier Alive website at www.mdca.org for more info.

Music at the Skinny Pancake this week:

Thursday, 10.01.09
D Davis & Kevin Greenblott (folk double bill)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/dsdavismusic

***Please note: this show will begin at 8 pm as will most of our Thursday music this fall, winter & spring.

Friday, 10.02.09
Joshua Panda & Sarah Blacker (folk double bill…again!!!)
*****CD RELEASE PARTY!!!!******
***$5 suggested donation
www.sarahblacker.com
joshuapanda.com/

The Skinny Pancake is thrilled to host this rising star’s CD release party…Sarah Blacker brings her full band to the Skinny Pancake in celebration of their new CD release The Only Way Out is Through. Obscurely folkish, innately jazzish, all talent singer-songwriter…check her out www.sarahblacker.com

Described as “The perfect blend of Joni Mitchell and Ella Fitzgerald”, Sarah is a classically trained vocalist from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Sarah combines her signature voice with original, organic, guitar picking to deliver a diverse range of music that goes beyond the genre of singer songwriter. If you like notes that swoop, things that are jazzy, warm and round vibrato, raspy subtlety, accompanied by a fast strumming, staccato style guitar in many alternate tunings, then Sarah Blacker is the woman to see.

Also of note: local phenom Joshua Panda will be warming up the crowds for Sarah at 9 pm. Sarah’s set will go from 10-11:30.

“A Shining Light in the Local Music Scene. Sarah Blacker isn’t just another girl with a guitar. She’s got enough music knowledge and experience to back her up, so don’t take her lightly.”~ Kelly Cardoza, southcoast247.com

“Sarah Blacker is a bright light. Her performance is a wonderful combination of her varied musical talents and brilliant personality. She invites the audience in and treats them to an intimate musical connection.” – Anna Maria Tocci, Owner/Booking North Star Music Café

Saturday, 10.03.09
Skellig (celtic/world)
***$5 suggested donation
www.skelligmusic.com/

Thursday, 10.08.09
Lady Lioness & Alex Greiner (avant-gaurd folk)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/alexgreiner
www.myspace.com/mysweetladylioness

Friday, 10.09.09
Tumbledown House (saloon jazz)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/tumbledownhousemusic

Saturday, 10.10.09
Paul Cataldo & The Moonlight Serenaders (folk singer/songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/paulcataldo

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