Live Culture

Vermont Blacksmith Steven Bronstein Chosen for USPO Hanukkah Stamp

by Pamela Polston Posted on November 22, 2013 at 6:42AM

Avid philatelists, aka stamp collectors, were probably among the first to learn that Steven Bronstein, a blacksmith who operates Blackthorne Forge in Marshfield, was the lucky winner of the U.S. Post Office's Hanukkah stamp design this year. That is, his wrought-iron menorah was chosen to be photographed for the stamp — an annual designation by the USPO.Bronstein himself was not contacted until the selection was a fait accompli.

'Pages in the Pub' Returns to Norwich, and Hardwick

by Pamela Polston Posted on November 21, 2013 at 3:11PM

Two Lisas — Christie and Cadow — are behind the Book Jam Blog, whose mission is to promote books, libraries and independent bookstores. Not content with exercising their literary passsion solely in cyberspace, they also created Pages in the Pub, which is an evening out to share beverages and book talk.

Night Vale Welcomed Anaïs Mitchell

by Margot Harrison Posted on November 15, 2013 at 6:59PM

This is kinda old news, like practically a year old, but hey. It took me that long to discover the "Welcome to Night Vale" podcast, which apparently is a top download on iTunes.It's a twice-monthly "community update" for an imaginary desert town where hooded figures roam the forbidden dog park, "glow clouds" menace downtown traffic, and the city council appears to be composed of ill-intentioned immortals.

Movies You Missed & More: The Achievers: The Story of Lebowski Fans

by Margot Harrison Posted on November 15, 2013 at 11:57AM

This week in movies you missed: This very night, Seven Days is calling all Achievers to a party at Champlain Lanes called the Big LeBOWLski.In honor of the event, I watched this 2009 documentary about The Big Lebowski fan phenomenon.What You MissedIn 1998, Joel and Ethan Coen put out a movie called The Big Lebowski, a shaggy-dog story involving crime, bowling, White Russians and rugs that really pull the room together. It was not one of their hits.Over the years, certain people discovered The Big Lebowski on video and started quoting it.

S'Up to You, People: Cast Your Votes for Vermont Architects

by Pamela Polston Posted on November 14, 2013 at 3:54PM

Everyone likes to critique the built environment, right? The Vermont chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIAVT) is offering a chance to make your opinion count.On its website, AIAVT has posted 39 photographs of architectural projects, along with a voting tool visitors can use to cast their votes — through Wednesday, November 27.

Video: "Matador" by tooth ache. (NSFW)

by Dan Bolles Posted on November 14, 2013 at 2:08PM

A couple months ago, local electro-pop songwriter tooth ache. — aka Alexandria Hall — released a rerecorded version of her debut LP Flash & Yearn, which was originally released in 2011.

Burlington ... the Closest Thing to Montréal? For Jay Baruchel's New Sitcom, It Will Be

by Margot Harrison Posted on November 13, 2013 at 3:58PM

Jay Baruchel has no immediate plans to visit the Queen City, as far as we know — in reality, that is. But in bizarro TV reality, Burlington is the Canadian comedian's hometown.The actor's face and voice are familiar from a slew of movies, including Knocked Up, Tropic Thunder and How to Train Your Dragon. He starred in Judd Apatow's series "Undeclared" and wrote the excellent hockey comedy Goon.

New Tunes: "Rest in Pieces," Paper Castles

by Dan Bolles Posted on November 13, 2013 at 3:34PM

About a year ago, Paddy Reagan stepped down as the talent buyer at the Monkey House, ending a six-year tenure during which he helped oversee the growth of the Winooski nightspot from a relative hole-in-the-wall to a relative hole-in-the-wall with consistently great music, both local and from beyond. The factors influencing his decision to leave the Monkey were twofold.

Solve Jim Rader's Word Puzzle to Win $100

by Megan James Posted on November 11, 2013 at 5:13PM

Are you a puzzle fiend? Want to put your puzzling brain to work for some cold, hard cash?On Saturday, November 30, at noon on the dot, Vermont's own Jim Rader — creator of the Quip-Find word puzzle — will post a special puzzle on the Quip-Find blog.

Interview with ETHEL's Ralph Farris

by Ethan de Seife Posted on November 11, 2013 at 4:05PM

While it's not exactly incorrect to refer to the music of ETHEL as classical, it would surely miss much of the point. The genre-defying, restlessly inventive string quartet brings its new program, "Grace," to UVM's Lane Series on Friday, November 15.