and…HAPPY EARTH DAY!!! There’s a bunch of good stuff going on, so I’m just going to launch into it:

First: in the name of Earth Day, please mark your calendar for the 40th Annual Green-Up Day, Saturday May 1st. This statewide effort is a beautiful example of civic participation…come join the fun!!! Much more info at www.greenupvermont.org/.

Now, on to a number of great events happening this week:

1. Earth Day Celebration (Montpelier): Hunger Mountain Co-op hosts their annual Earth Day celebration today. Meet the people who make your environmentally friendly products, Take away free samples, Raffles, Great food demos, Coop canvas bag giveaways! Kids will get a chance to plant their own seedlings at the kids gardening table. For more information, please contact Krystal 223-8004 x 202.

2. Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Edible & Medicinal Wild Plants of the Intervale (Burlington): City Market invites you to join naturalist, herbalist, and registered dietitian Melanie Putz Brotz for a Wild Plant Treasure Hunt in the Intervale. There are so many amazing edible and medicinal plants growing in this region; come join the adventure. Participants in this workshop traditionally uncover many delectable surprises, from Wild Pheasant Back mushrooms to Stinging Nettles, Burdock Root, Lambs Quarters, and invasively prolific and delicious Garlic Mustard Greens. Meet at the small parking lot on the right after the dirt road begins, by the entrance to the Rena Caulkins trail. Sign up at the Customer Service desk. Free.

3. Art Walk (Montpelier): Montpelier hosts the annual spring Art Walk on Friday, April 23rd from 4 to 8 pm. Pick up a guide (available at the Skinny Pancake and other participating venues) for a list of exhibits, free artist receptions, and events. The Skinny Pancake hosts artist Christa Manns exhibit “She Falls to Pieces”, a mixed media display of collage, black and white photography and oil paintings.

4. Tree Planting (Burlington): this Sunday, the Skinny Pancake will join forces with Grow Team ONE and Shelburne Orchards to plant two apple trees at the Riverside Community Garden. We will be planting a Cortland and a McIntosh, both about three years old.

A bit about these trees: Every McIntosh apple has a direct lineage to a single tree discovered in 1811 by John McIntosh on his farm in Dundela, a hamlet in Dundas County, Ontario, Canada. He discovered the tree as one of several apple seedlings while clearing a farm which he had just purchased. The Cortland is red with some yellow spots.  This all-purpose apple was developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, New York in 1898. The apple was named after nearby Cortland County, New York.  As a result of crossing a McIntosh and a Ben Davis apple, the flavor is a bit sweeter than McIntosh and it’s considered to be a wonderful dessert apple.

Folks…we’re in the heart of foraged fiddlehead & ramp season…get ‘em while you can, ‘cuz supplies won’t last!!!

Ramp It Up Lasagna (Burlington): Lasagna inspired layering of locally foraged Fiddleheads and Native Wild Mushrooms blended with a house made Ramp Pesto Ricotta and tied together with a béchamel sauce. Served with our classic side salad. $10.50

Music this week at the Skinny Pancake:

First, a quick plug for a hot show tonight in Montpelier:

The Low Anthem on TODAY at the Bethany Church. Doors open 6:30 p.m and show begins at 7:30p.m. The show is open to all ages and is $13 in advance or $15 for the day of the show. Order tickets online or by calling 510-888-7409.  Tickets on sale now at Burlington Records or at http://nekmf.frontgatetickets.com.

The Low Anthem are one of the most dynamic, up and coming new-folk bands worldwide, coming off sold out shows across Europe, The Newport Folk Festival, Bonnaroo, and a recent appearance on the David Letterman Show. The church sanctuary where the show will take place has excellent acoustics and an austere atmosphere that is perfect for The Low Anthem’s exquisite music.

Now, onto music at the SP in Burlington:

Thursday, 04.22.10
The Sleepwells (Indi-Folk-Rock)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/thesleepwellsmusic

Friday, 04.23.10
The Points North (folk)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/thepointsnorth

Boston-based band The Points North www.myspace.com/thepointsnorth bring their creative acoustic folk to Vermont. Soulful vocals meld beautifully with flute, strings, accordion, tamborine. The Points North compose hushed minimalist New England-inspired folk songs, delivering a twenty-first century take on traditionalist country folk songs.

Boston Globe- “By turns somber and joyous, sturdy and delicate, this debut was a folk feast fashioned by the campfire and drawn from hearth-warmed living rooms. A tapestry of piano, mandolin, and wintry atmospheres made this one of ’09’s most enigmatic local releases.”

Call it Folk- “[The Points North] isn’t folk pop, or twangy sounding acoustic guitars with soundhole pickups, played unknowingly, by singer-songwriters singing banal little nothings about themselves. These songs are socially relevant to our times and speak to issues not often tackled by the progressive arts community…contrary to what the old timers think of as in-your-face protest music. This is more musically satisfying…a hauntingly brilliant performance.”

Performer Magazine- “[The Points North's] sound is cohesive and their vision of creating pure, traditional folk music is apparent. Light, beautiful vocals by Regina Peterson are grounded by Chris Alspach’s and Dylan Clark’s steady leads. Their instrumental arrangements – haunting mandolin, resonating bass drum, tambourine, occasional foot stomping and ethereal flute – flow together, weaving an intricate pattern of phonetic and auditory story telling.”

Saturday, 04.24.10
Birch Bones (acoustic/folk)
David Rhynhart (modern folk/americana)
***$5 suggested donation
http://www.davidrynhart.com
http://www.myspace.com/birchbonesband

Former Burlington resident (and short-term housemate of mine), David Rynhart returns!!! It’s been a few years since David departed for the West. But from ‘06-’08, he was a jewel of talent for the Burlington music scene….David was a regular at open mics, coffee shops & stages. A uniquely talented instrumentalist, I often felt David was in a league by himself. Come & help us fill the room & welcome him back to VT this Saturday.

In the pipeline…

Thursday, 04.29.10
Mandarax (formerly known as the Harrison Shulman Quintet) (jazz)
***$5 suggested donation

Friday, 04.30.10
Slick Martha’s Hot Club (gypsy jazz)
***$5 suggested donation
www.facebook.com/video/video.php

Saturday, 05.01.10
Patrick Coman (singer/songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/patrickcoman

The competition organizers approached individuals involved in the growing farm-to-school movement to judge the competition.  Most Judges are involved in school food and Vermont agriculture as farmers, chefs, legislators, students, state employees, and community advocates. The Skinny Pancake & Jeremy Silansky are pleased & honored to participate in this event! For more information on  the Jr. Iron Chef Vermont, check out their website www.jrironchefvt.org.

Howdy folks,

we’ve got even more big news to announce this week:

The Skinny Pancake on the Burlington Waterfront will be CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS for 12 days starting Monday, March 22nd.

Whew! I’ve been waiting a long time to make that announcement…

If all goes according to plan, we’ll be back open on Saturday, April 3rd.  The good folks at the Main Street Landing Company (our wonderful landlord) have consistently bolded and underlined their verbal statement of “if all goes according to plan.” Here’s to hoping…and to diligently trying.

What gives? Well…after last summer, we took a very serious stock of our performance with the ravenous determination to become a world-class semi-service establishment. We found that at peak volumes, the shortcomings of our physical space sometimes frustrated staff & patrons alike…so we very deliberately set out to fix those problems.

While we are not expanding our footprint, we will be improving our kitchen layout to help get the food out faster and altering the seating arrangement to remove some pesky bottlenecks. We will also be adding a 10′ bar, two more beer taps, a wine cooler and a customer water spigot!!!

Please note: if you or anyone you know experiences symptoms of withdrawal from your crepe addiction, we strongly encourage you to visit our Montpelier location.

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This week’s specials:

The St Patty Fatty (Burlington): Classic Corned Beef and Cabbage on a Whole Wheat Crepe. $9.00.

Just Ducky (Montpelier): Labelle Farm Duck Confit with VT Cranberry Co. Chutney, Local Spinach from Screaming Ridge Farm and Candied Walnuts on a Gleasons Whole Wheat Crepe. 10.00

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Saturday, 03.20.10
Lokum Trio (world/indi/roots)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/lokummusic

Burlington’s own Lokum performs as a three-piece poly-rhythmic Baltic percussion powerhouse. They joined us for jazzfest as a 9 piece and had people dancing in the streets.

The word lokum literally translates as a Turkish delight and this nine piece band is certainly sweet. Lokum performs music of the Balkans, Turkey and Armenia using authentic instruments and oriental modes (makams). The upbeat, dramatic tone of their music is driven by beautiful, complex melodies artistically woven through tight percussion. Lokum masterfully puts a fresh contemporary spin on traditional world music. Check ‘em here www.myspace.com/lokummusic and come on down, it will be sweet!

RENOVATIONS!!!!
At our 60 Lake St location in Burlington
Monday March 22nd through Friday, April 2nd
Planned re-opening: Saturday, April 3rd.

tomorrow (Thursday, 02.25.10) marks the start of a new tradition…the Farm to Fork Film Series debuts at 7 pm at the Montpelier Mini-Skinny, 89 Main St.

Here’s the scoop: there are a slew of great localvore films out there…but nobody is actively airing them and its not likely that you’re going to go out and buy them. SO…we thought we’d help spread the good word and generate conversation in the process. Thus, we will be showing one or more “Localvoriented” films on the final Thursday of each month starting tomorrow!!!

Locavore, Local Diet, Healthy Planet new documentary about the inevitable return to the local diet. Less than a generation ago human beings worldwide traveled less than 10 miles to obtain the majority of the food they ate. Today the average conventionally grown vegetable has traveled more than 1500 miles by the time it has reached your pantry. Our food today is over processed, stale, and lacks nutrition. This new film, featuring some of the neo-pioneers of the Locavore movement will educate, inspire, and revitalize bringing health to our bodies AND our communities.

February Thaw (Burlington): BBQ Misty Knoll Chicken, our new and improved Rookies Root beer BBQ Sauce, Cabot Cheddar, on a Butterworks Cornmeal Crepe. $9.00.

This week in music at the Skinny Pancake:

Thursday, 02.25.10
Mohanty-Krag Duo (Jazz)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/katemohantysax
www.myspace.com/peterkrag
http://www.myspace.com/themohantykragduo

Saturday, 02.27.10
Shane Hardiman Trio (Jazzin’ up Mardi-Gras)
***$5 suggested donation

Shane…friend of Burlington. Please accept my apologies for burying your plug beneath the art above. Well…at least it was for a good cause.

For the uninformed: Shane Hardiman is a staple in the Burlington jazz scene. He’s an eminently talented pianist and a very understated guy. Take, for example, the fact that he does not have a myspace page and this is the only photo I could find of him on the internet. Thanks for keeping it real, Shane.

Thursday, 03.04.10
Phineas Gage (acoustic/bluegrass)
***$5 suggested donation
www.reverbnation.com/phineasgage

Friday, 03.05.10
Jim Seem & Melissa Hyman (R&B/Soul/Acoustic/Bedroom Pop)
***$5 suggested donation
www.reverbnation.com/jimseemandmelissahyman

Saturday, 03.06.10
Holy Ghost Tent Revival (Dirty Jazz/Thrash-Grass/Roots)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/hgtr

well, the Skinny didn’t write itself last week. There were fits & starts, technical obstacles, unanticipated tasks and ultimately other priorities. The good news is that this publication is free.

Having said that, let’s get right into it:

Main Street Landing Presents…

Green Drinks is TODAY, Tuesday, February 23rd from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Lake Lobby of Main Street Landing.

Please spread the word: bring your friends, relatives, neighbors, colleagues, connections, teammates, partners…the more the merrier!!! The Lake Lobby has a capacity of 220 people…that’s alot of connections to be made!!! Speaking of connections, you can join the Burlington Green Drinks facebook page here.

As always, there are 100 pints of Wolaver’s Organic Ale generously provided by the sponsors & awaiting your thirsty conversations. Of course, there is also free food.

This month’s sponsor: NOFA-VT (www.nofavt.org/): While they hardly requires a formal introduction, below is a bit of boilerplate about our buddies at NOFA-VT. We strongly encourage you to come out and meet them in person as their passion for VT agriculture is infectious and comes across even better in person than in print…

“NOFA Vermont was founded in Putney in 1971, making it one of the oldest organic farming associations in the United States. Today, we are proud to have over 1200 members throughout the state and to certify over 525 farms and processors to the USDA National Organic Program Standards. We are passionate about increasing the acreage of certified organic land in Vermont while also increasing the access of local organic food to all Vermonters. All our programs strives to meet these goals, whether it involves working with schools to bring local foods into the cafeteria or providing business planning services to farmers to ensure their businesses stay viable. Whether you are a Vermonter who gardens, farms, eats local food, or enjoys our rural communities, NOFA Vermont welcomes you.”

Appreciation is very due for our sustaining sponsors:

Green Drinks Burlington loves Seven Days (www.7dvt.com) for their sustaining support & help in getting the word out!!!

Wolaver’s Organic Ales (www.ottercreekbrewing.com/wolavers.html): One of the nation’s original certified organic breweries, Wolaver’s is committed to producing the best beer in the most ecologically sound way. Our craft ales are brewed using the finest organic malts, hops, our special house yeast and pure Vermont water.

The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce (www.vermont.org/): if it were not for the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, this monthly meet-up would be lucky to have half the turnout it has each month. Thanks to all the hard-workin’ folks over at LCRCOC!!!

February Thaw (Burlington): BBQ Misty Knoll Chicken, our new and improved Rookies Root beer BBQ Sauce, Cabot Cheddar, on a Butterworks Cornmeal Crepe. $9.00.

Locavore, Local Diet, Healthy Planet new documentary about the inevitable return to the local diet. Less than a generation ago human beings worldwide traveled less than 10 miles to obtain the majority of the food they ate. Today the average conventionally grown vegetable has traveled more than 1500 miles by the time it has reached your pantry. Our food today is over processed, stale, and lacks nutrition. This new film, featuring some of the neo-pioneers of the Locavore movement will educate, inspire, and revitalize bringing health to our bodies AND our communities.

This week in music at the Skinny Pancake:

Thursday, 02.25.10
Mohanty-Krag Duo (Jazz)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/katemohantysax
www.myspace.com/peterkrag
http://www.myspace.com/themohantykragduo

Saturday, 02.27.10
Shane Hardiman Trio (Jazzin’ up Mardi-Gras)
***$5 suggested donation

Shane…friend of Burlington. Please accept my apologies for burying your plug beneath the art above. Well…at least it was for a good cause.

For the uninformed: Shane Hardiman is a staple in the Burlington jazz scene. He’s an eminently talented pianist and a very understated guy. Take, for example, the fact that he does not have a myspace page and this is the only photo I could find of him on the internet. Thanks for keeping it real, Shane.

Thursday, 03.04.10
Phineas Gage (acoustic/bluegrass)
***$5 suggested donation
www.reverbnation.com/phineasgage

Friday, 03.05.10
Jim Seem & Melissa Hyman (R&B/Soul/Acoustic/Bedroom Pop)
***$5 suggested donation
www.reverbnation.com/jimseemandmelissahyman

Saturday, 03.06.10
Holy Ghost Tent Revival (Dirty Jazz/Thrash-Grass/Roots)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/hgtr

well, I must admit: I’m excited to start this new year! We have a lot of “new beginnings” in 2010. For starters, we will begin hosting Green Drinks in Montpelier on the second Tuesday of each month. The first one will be this Tuesday, January 12th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the “Mini-Skinny”, 89 Main St. There will be 50 drinks available at no cost to you, courtesy of our sponsors.

Sponsors? Yup! Each month, Green Drinks Montpelier will have a different monthly sponsor from the Environmental Collaborative for each month of 2010. We will also have ongoing support from the Green Drinks sustaining sponsor, Seven Days (www.7dvt.com/)

This month’s sponsor will be the Vermont League of Conservation Voters (www.vlcv.org/): “The Vermont League of Conservation Voters (VLCV) serves as the non-partisan political voice of the state’s environmental community. VLCV seeks to make environmental protection a top priority for elected officials, candidates and voters.” Come learn more about the VLCV and enjoy a drink on our sponsors at Green Drinks Montpelier this Tuesday, January 12th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the “Mini-Skinny”, 89 Main St. While you’re at it, you can meet, mingle & network with other environmentally minded folks who just happen to like beer too…

Oh yeah…come visit us on one of the three Tuesdays following Green Drinks Montpelier each month between 6-8 pm and we will donate 5% of your purchase towards the monthly sponsor!!!

Specials at the SP this week…

Sass-Squash (Montpelier): Curried Pete’s Organic Squash with Champlain Orchard Apples, VT Chevre, and Organic Baby Spinach in a Gleason’s Whole Wheat Crepe. $8.50

Cabin Fever Reliever (Burlington): Lemon infused Crepe with 2 scoops of Wilcox Vanilla Ice Cream drizzled with house made Raspberry Coulis Sauce and topped with Cabot whipped cream. $9.00

Ken Meter in Vermont:

Ok, I’ll admit it: I don’t know much about this guy. But he is holding three events in the area this week and there have been a number of emails ping-ponging & plugging him…so why not join the club…

What I do know about him: “Ken Meter is one of the most experienced food systems analysts in the United States. He consults with food initiatives in 45 regions in 20 states and also manages the national review panels for USDA’s Community Food Projects Grant.”

THE EVENTS:

“Evaluating Local Food Systems,” A brown bag lecture by Ken Meter. Thursday, 01.07.10, Noon to 1:30 p.m. UVM, Jost Foundation Room, Davis Center Room 422, UVM Campus. More info: Rachel Schattman, rschattm@uvm.edu or 802-656-9140.

NOFA-VT Direct Marketing Conference: Saturday January 9, 2010 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  South Royalton, VT. NOFA Vermont holds an annual Direct Marketing Conference to provide a networking and educational opportunity for farmers market managers and vendors and farmers marketing through Community Supported Agriculture and farm stands. This year Ken Meter is the conference keynote speaker and, in addition to excellent in-depth marketing workshops, we will host roundtable and networking sessions. For more information and to register, visit www.nofavt.org/annual-events/direct-marketing-conference or call 802-434-4122.

“Building Resilience and Recovery through Regional Foods.” Thursday, January 7th, 7 pm. Vermont College of Fine Arts Chapel (off College Street, upstairs from the Wood Art Gallery), Montpelier. “Ken Meter will discuss how local food networks thrive, how local officials can help strengthen economies, and how regionally-grown foods can help reduce public health costs. His recent study of the Minnesota Food Economy, “Mapping the Minnesota Food Industry,” found that community-based food businesses build a more resilient future by forming strong relationships of trust.”

Still reading? Maybe you’re wondering about the plural in “new beginnings” I wrote about up top?

Well, there is a localvore wine & cheese pairing in the works as well as plans to start a monthly screening of local food documentaries. We’re also developing our second annual food forecast based on an audit of all the food we purchased in the prior year. It is our hope and intention that we will be better able to use this forecast in 2010 to offer reliable demand (and orders) for local farmers. Of course, that’s not all…we’ve got a BIG project developing in Burlington…but since I want you to keep reading “the Skinny,” we’re going to keep this cliffhanger hanging…

MUSIC THIS WEEK AT THE ’CAKE:

Thursday, 01.07.09
Abbie Barrett (Indie/Folk/Rock-Pop)
***$5 suggested donation)
www.myspace.com/abbiebarrett

Jazz on Saturday night with the Harrison Shulman Quartet.  The HSQ features Harrison Shulman on guitar, Phil Zuckerman on bass, Jordan Lewis on piano, and Brian Reid on drums. Coming from the UVM jazz department, the group has been playing a wide range of both standards, and originals in the Burlington area.

Thursday, 01.13.10
Nicole Carey (indi/folk)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/nicoleerincarey

Friday, 01.14.10
Sarah Wallis (Pop/acoustic/indi)
www.myspace.com/sarahwallis
Greta Frost (Soul/Blues/Electronica)
www.myspace.com/gretafrost
***$5 suggested donation

Saturday, 01.15.10
Maryse Smith & Seth Gallant (Indie/Folk/Americana)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/marysesmith
www.myspace.com/sethgallant

2010 already? Seems like there were futurist movies made in the mid-80’s that were set around 2010 with flying cars & peculiar “futuristic” clothing styles. Well, we’ve got a flying car (see www.youtube.com/watch), but cloths haven’t come that far…at least here in VT. Anyhow, on to more pressing matters:

We have BIG New Year’s Eve plans right around the corner!!! Of course, the entire city, state, country and world have “big” plans…but we’ve got a secret weapon...Joshua Panda…or as Dan Bolles of 7Days writes, “explosive local soul man Joshua Panda.”

In anticipation of this major cultural event, we will be making some changes: tables will be removed to make way for dancing, a tent will be set up on our patio complete with space heaters, crepe griddles, Christmas lights & a portable kegerator. Music and mayhem will ensue until nearly 2 am!!!

This evening of Pancakes & Panda-monium will begin with a 7:30 explosion of fireworks…drop in before or after to warm up. At 9 pm, the Old Dirty String Band takes the stage to rev up the crowd. Joshua and Company will begin their high-octane performance at 10:30…and a second set of fireworks will explode at midnight.

I think the fireworks are in honor of Joshua’s performance…that said, I’ve heard some mumbling about other events going on around town too…for more information, I recommend consulting the following two websites: www.firstnightburlington.com/ & www.findandgoseek.net/ (for kid friendly activities).

Please note: there will be a $10 cover starting at 9 pm. We know it’s a dear price, but the cash is all for one cause: supporting Joshua Panda and his fellow musicians.

This week’s specials at the Skinny Pancake:

Midwinter’s Dream (Burlington): Misty Knoll chicken with VT Cranberries, Boucher Farm Gore-Dawn-Zola and organic arugula on a Gleason’s Whole Wheat Crepe. 9.00

And now, a quick plug for a local foods event in Montpelier:

Still reading…aww, shucks…thanks! If you’ve made it this far, than you must really care about us (or you’re seriously bored). Well…I’ll probably repeat this next week, but we want to share our New Year’s Resolution. As a pre-amble (and cliffhanger), I’m excited to leak the news to Skinny subscribers that we have HUGE plans for 2010 to “improve our game”…details will be divulged in the coming weeks!

A FAT RESOLUTION FOR 2010:

Massively expanding our localvorientation to unparalleled levels.
Big Plans for Burlington:
Changes to increase seating, decrease wait time, and provide amazing service.

So how are we going to take one small step for Burlingtoners but one big step for the Skinny Pancake? Mmmm…its still a secret But rest assured: there are ENORMOUS changes coming to the SP in 2010!!! Stay tuned to the Skinny for emerging details.

Music in 2010:

Thursday, 12.31.09
Joshua Panda Band (glam-folk, neo-soul)
***$10 COVER STARTING AT 9 PM
www.joshuapanda.com/

Y’all…check out the plug that kicked this email off…

Friday, 01.01.10
NO MUSIC

We’re open for business, but giving the microphones a rest after a the double-shot of espresso that is Joshua Panda & Company.

Saturday, 01.02.10
Myra Flynn Duo
***$5 suggested donation
www.myraflynn.com

Burlington is not that big and there are plenty of people competing for musical attention. Meanwhile, Myra always draws a crowd. That, in the context of this town, is a testament to her talent. Also, take a look at her website…it’s really professional & full of information. What does that tell you? It tells me she’s taking her musical career very seriously. Finally–and most important of all–listen to her tunes…that should help you come around & then COME ON DOWN…hear what its all about this Saturday night at 8 pm.

Solid line-up next weekend…in particular, take a listen to Ramblin’ Red!!!

Thursday, 01.07.09
Abbie Barrett (Indie/Folk/Rock-Pop)
***$5 suggested donation)
www.myspace.com/abbiebarrett

Friday, 01.08.09
Ramblin’ Red (folk/bluegrass)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/ramblinredmusic

Saturday, 01.09.09
Harrison Shulman Quartet (jazz)
***$5 suggested donation

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

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.