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Island Arts fosters and promotes artistic creativity in the communities of the Lake Champlain Islands through our celebration of the Arts, appreciation of our environment, and education.

HONORING NATIVE WAYS ENJOYED BY MANY

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Despite the first all day rain in many weeks Island Art's "Honoring Native Ways." was enjoyed by a substantial crowd from children in strollers to seniors in chairs.  Having written many articles and press releases for the event, I was looking forward to meeting the Native American artists and performers.  Due to space limitations, I can't mention all of them, but each had a unique story to tell in their own fascinating way.  George Lavigne/Three Bears, from Greensville, Maine, kept the sacred fire burning despite the rain and "smudged" those of us who entered the sacred circle.  Lisa Foss Tadiff/Wapeyit, from Montreal, built a  medicine wheel and explained it's powers. Many in attendance will place one in the garden next spring for it's connection with the 4 points of the compass.  Jeanne Brink, of Barre, recounted how the eugenics movement ,of the 1930's, impacted her Abenaki family at Thompson's Point in Charlotte.  Young and old enjoyed learning the art of drumming from Bobbie Noyes, of Canaan,and Takara Matthews, from Richmond, was stunning in her traditional Native American regalia.  The sprits of friendship, kindness, and joy prevailed and Jacques Brechten and Maureen Turner, organizers of the event, deserve a standing ovation.  Thanks to news photographers from Fox 44 much of the event was filmed and featured on their evening news.

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Elisabeth von Trapp Receives Standing Ovation from Sell Out Crowd

VONTRAPPThe grand daughter of the "Sound of Music's" Maria performed a fund raising concert for Island Arts at the Grand Isle Lake House.  The more than 100 guests made a substantial contribution to the IA youth scholarship fund here in Grand Isle County and witnessed what Tim Richmond, Islander reporter, referred to as "one of  the best  local concerts of the local season."  Elisabeth, usually a solo performer, has now been joined by backup musicians Paul Asbell and Peter Riley, well known guitarists on the local and  national music scene and are billed as "The Blue Train.

After we picnicked on the lawn, Blue Train pulled into the Grand Isle Lake House and sang two 45 minute sets on the wrap-around veranda.   The weather was perfect and  Elisabeth enjoyed it as much as we did  tailoring her songs around  summer time and the red glow of sunset in the western sky.  She sang a variety of songs including "My Favorite Things" and "The Sound of Music," from the musical that made her family and Stowe, Vt.  famous.  Others that I particularly enjoyed were "Early Rose and Grey," :Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and "Hallelujah."  Elisabeth was given the unprecedented honor to set two of Robert Frost's poems to music on a CD entitled "Poetic License."  Her rendition of "The Road Not Taken" was the highlight of the evening for me.  I had the privilege to introduce Blue Train and mentioned that I was a fan of  Frost  and imagine my surprise when she opened the concert with "The Road Not Taken" and dedicated the song to me.  Her voice is controlled, haunting beautiful, and every word is spoken with clarity and emotion.  I could have listened to Blue Train all night.

Her behind stage persona is as lovely as it is under the spotlights.  Marco Ayala, an Island Arts volunteer, served dinner to Blue Train prior to the concert.  Elisabeth asked him for scissors to cut too tight sleeves on her white jacket that she had just purchased in Austria.  When he was alarmed that it would ruin the jacket, she said, "Don't worry, I'm a seamstress and can fix it when I get home," and so she sang with slit sleeves.  Ayala went on the say, "She is down to earth and it seems like you've always known her."

Brenda Pitmon, Island Arts Director of Events who organized the concert said, "I found Elisabeth to be very warm, gracious, and spiritual.  She was genuinely interested in what people had to say.  She took her time, signing autographs and speaking to people looking them straight in the eye and suddenly you felt like the only person in the world."

When she announced that she would like to come back next year there was a round of applause.  Visit facebook for photos and a video clip from the concert and for an update on upcoming events check islandarts.org.