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Weather & Weekend Rundown:
Happy Friday, Burlington. If you have already stepped outside, you know the assignment, because we are deep in a hot and sticky stretch today. Temperatures across the city are climbing into the upper 80s and brushing 90 by afternoon, and with the thick humidity layered on top, it will feel closer to the mid 90s downtown and along the waterfront. All that heat is loading the atmosphere for a fight, so keep half an eye on the sky this afternoon and into the evening, when scattered storms could roll through with heavy downpours, frequent lightning, and wind gusts strong enough to rearrange your patio furniture. Relief is close behind, though. Saturday clears out beautifully with full sunshine, highs in the low to mid 80s, and a welcome drop in humidity, about as good as a June day gets around here. Sunday opens bright and dry before clouds build in the afternoon and a few showers or rumbles of thunder sneak back in after sunset. By Monday the air turns genuinely refreshing, with comfortable highs in the 70s and cool nights in the 50s to ease us into the week.
Once the workday loosens its grip, the city has plenty waiting. The wood fired oven at the Wheeler Homestead in South Burlington does its Flatbread Fridays from 4 to 6:30 p.m., with Tom Bisson playing live and trail views to match. Over at Main Street Landing, Songbooks brings a free, immersive take on John Cage from 4 to 6 p.m., complete with a community singing workshop to kick things off. The brand new South Burlington Farmers Market debuts along the airport rec path from 5 to 7 p.m. (I’ll be there selling BTown Brief shirts later this month!), while Sisters of Anarchy in Shelburne hosts Food Truck Friday with Grace Palmer from 5 to 8 p.m. And if community media is more your speed, CCTV celebrates 42 years of local storytelling at Red Wagon Plants in Hinesburg from 5 to 7 p.m., free with snacks.
The evening only gets busier. Snowmotion runs a beginner salsa class and social at Four Quarters in Winooski starting at 6 p.m., no partner required, and Spare Time Colchester throws a free Pride Night with free bowling from 6 to 8 p.m. Party band 90 Proof takes The Spanked Puppy in Colchester from 6 to 9 p.m. Down on the water, the country themed Mom Prom cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen sails from 6:30 to 9 p.m., with five dollars of every ticket going to Spectrum Youth Services, while Ethos Racing Club gathers car folks for its weekly meet on Lakeside Ave from 6:30 to 9 p.m. (burnouts firmly discouraged). Singer songwriter Zoe Mulford plays the First Unitarian Universalist Society at 7 p.m. with local trio Full Circle opening, a 20 dollar suggested donation. For something with more edge, JOY, an all Black variety showcase, lights up The Monkey House in Winooski with doors at 7:30 p.m., and Atlanta rapper Father headlines a hip hop bill with Tommy Genesis and DJ Lucas at Higher Ground, doors 7:30 p.m. Former SNL cast member Melissa Villaseñor does 7 and 9 p.m. stand up sets at the Vermont Comedy Club tonight and again Saturday, and surf rockers Barbacoa close things out at Foam Brewers at 9 p.m. The marquee gathering, though, is in City Hall Park, where Burlington Watches Together puts USA versus Paraguay on a 17 foot screen, with a DJ, a Rí Rá satellite bar, and giveaways from 7 p.m. ahead of the 9 p.m. kickoff.
Saturday morning is when the calendar truly overflows, and the cooler, drier air makes it a gift. Of course, we have our weekly coffee social at Zero Gravity at 10 am. Then, the Burlington Farmers Market on Pine Street runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with 70 plus vendors, while the third annual Pottery Popup on Marble Ave runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with 15 local makers. Cyclists can roll out early for Bike for the Lake in the Champlain Islands from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., or join the donation based bird walk at Rock Point with naturalist Lachlan Ziegler. Green thumbs have a double feature at the UVM Hort Farm, with a walk on invasive plant identification and a hands on lilac pruning workday both running 10 a.m. to noon. Closer in, Colchester dedicates a new historic marker honoring its Italian immigrant farming families from 10 to 11 a.m., volunteers tackle a waterfront cleanup in Winooski from 10 a.m. to noon, the Friends of the Winooski Library hold a sidewalk book sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., ECHO hosts a FIRST Robotics demo day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Williston throws a free Play Day of games and food trucks from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The afternoon keeps that momentum going. Preservation Burlington opens six historic properties for its annual Homes Tour from noon to 4 p.m., and beer fans can head to the Essex Experience for Lagerfest, a lager only festival with 20 plus breweries from 4 to 8 p.m. for the 21 and up crowd. Darts players can sign up for a doubles tournament at Pearl Street Pub in Essex Junction starting at 1:30 p.m. With the World Cup in full swing, Switchback runs an all day watch party from noon to 9 p.m. with beer and BBQ, and Rí Rá puts Brazil versus Morocco on the big screen from 6 to 8 p.m. with jersey and merch giveaways at the half. For something rowdier, Green Mountain Wrestling brings South End Slam Down to The Pinery with former WWE champ Scotty 2 Hotty, doors at 5 p.m. The SEABA Center hosts Perrypalooza from 5 p.m. onward, a 14 band celebration of beloved local frontman Matt Perry, and Four Quarters in Winooski holds a Mad Takeover of music and open mic from 6 to 10 p.m. in support of Mad Pride.
As Saturday winds down, the music turns soulful. Jenni Johnson and the Jazz Junketeers play a free Juneteenth concert at Fletcher Free Library at 6:30 p.m., registration required, while a multi choir benefit concert for Migrant Justice fills the McCarthy Arts Center at Saint Michael's from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Grammy nominated Americana artist Shannon McNally takes the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge at 8 p.m., and City Hall Park rounds out the soccer weekend with Haiti versus Scotland under the stars at 9 p.m.
Sunday eases into a gentler pace, which suits the cooler air nicely. Our BTown Brief Meetup Group is getting out for an easygoing Niquette Bay hike [MEETUP] from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a scenic 3.4 mile loop, and worth noting that state park entry is free all weekend for Vermont Days. Slate hosts a Lido Aperitivo from 2 to 4 p.m. with cookbook authors, Italian beach club vibes, and matching bites. The South Burlington Library marks Juneteenth with a Black Vermont oral history program from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Connecting Colchester runs a casual group ride with a creemee stop from 1 to 3 p.m., and Shelburne Bay Park celebrates Flag Day with free pallet painting from 1 to 3 p.m. Switchback keeps the soccer going with another all day watch party from noon to 9 p.m. After dark, Noah hosts Venetian Karaoke at the Soda Lounge from 6 to 9 p.m., and the Spirit of Ethan Allen sets sail for a line dance cruise from 6:30 to 9 p.m. with beginner instruction included.
See Events Section for full list of events Friday-Sunday.
Rays peeking through
The Btown Brief IRL - We’re now seeing 20–30 people at our weekly events! Here is what we have coming up:
This Coming Week:
BTown Coffee Club – Saturday, June 13th @ 10:00 AM: Our favorite weekly casual social at Zero Gravity. Start your weekend right with our low-key weekly social at Zero Gravity Brewery. Just good coffee, great conversation and even furthering weekend plans!
Hike – Niquette Bay – Sunday, June 14th @ 11:00 AM: Celebrate the weekend with fresh air and great company on an easygoing 3.4-mile wooded loop featuring stunning views of Lake Champlain.
Pick-up Basketball – Wednesday, June 17th @ 5:30 PM: Come play pick up basketball with me at Pomeroy Park! My favorite hobby.
Other Upcoming Events:
Paddle at Oakledge Beach – Sunday, July 12th @ 11:00 AM: Cast off with us for a relaxing morning of kayaking and paddleboarding around the lake, followed by optional post-paddle drinks to toast our success.
Barbie n Bones at Snow Farm Winery – Thursday, July 16th @ 6:00 PM: Bring a camp chair or blanket, grab a glass of wine, and get ready to dance on the lawn to one of the best local bands around.
Centennial Hills Hike and Winooski Circle – Sunday, July 26th @ 11:00 AM: Enjoy a scenic loop through Centennial Woods (dogs welcome!), capped off with an optional lunch or beer at the Winooski Circle.
That’s not it, we’ll have even more hitting the calendar soon! Thanks to all the new hosts in the group helping me out!
Here’s a link to the things I want to put on the calendar. Check them out, I definitely need hosts to help me out with some, so let me know what might interest you.
If any of those sound fun, be sure to RSVP on Meetup.com. So, be sure to stop by, everyone is welcome! Especially coffee, since it’s a great place to talk about weekend events too, along with news and life updates. So come find things to do this weekend together:
Join the Meetup (It’s FREE): Join Meetup group | RSVP here
Join the Telegram Group Chat: [Telegram Link] – Plan casual hangouts with other Briefers, or just another way to find us for our Saturday coffee event.
Support the Brief & Join the Crew
Why support? Every week, I sort through TONS of local sources: Seven Days events, Front Porch Forum calendar, Facebook events, Hello Burlington, Meetup.com, Eventbrite, Church St Marketplace calendar, Flynn, Higher Ground, Vermont Comedy Club, and then news stations like VTDigger, Seven Days, WCAX, WPTZ, Vermont Public, Community News Service, VT Cynic, The Other Paper, Vermont Business Magazine, Williston Observer, MyChamplainValley, The Charlotte News, to keep you connected. It takes a long time to curate and write about all this local content, so if this lengthy newsletter saves you time, or has introduced you to new experiences in Burlington, then definitely consider chipping in!
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Local News (All Links Clickable)
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Redstone's Erik Hoekstra summed up the shift bluntly, noting that "we've got dozens of other apartments for rent at the same time." per VTDigger.
Chittenden County's vacancy rate has climbed to 3.3 percent, inching toward the 5 percent that signals a healthy market and a world away from the sub-1 percent crunch of the pandemic years. The driver is supply, with more than 800 new units opening in 2024 alone, a glut that started at the high end and rippled down to mid-range rents. Tenants are seeing price cuts, match guarantees, and free first months, though Champlain Housing Trust's 10-month waitlist is a reminder that affordable stock remains scarce.
Vermont Emergency Management director Eric Forand said officials are watching "both the potentials for severe thunderstorms and what that may cause on the flooding side." per VTDigger.
Storms earlier in the week dumped nearly three inches of rain on the Hardwick and Wolcott area, washing out a culvert and damaging Bunker Hill Road before crews patched it up. The timing matters for anyone who lived through the floods of recent summers, since this is the start of the stretch when fast-moving storms historically do the most damage. With heat indices near 100 stacked on top of the storm threat, the state is essentially juggling two hazards in the same forecast window.
Balint called the clip "a dangerous example of what happens when AI is used to deceive voters," per Seven Days.
The fabricated video puts invented words in her mouth and ends with a backhoe dumping her likeness into a trash bin, all in support of GOP primary candidate Mark Coester, who shared it and called it hilarious. This is the first real stress test of the synthetic media disclosure law Gov. Scott signed in March, and Coester is already arguing his way around it on three fronts, that it is satire, that he runs for federal office, and that the timing falls outside the 90-day window. Expect this to be a preview of fights coming to many more races before November.
Forward David Ajagbe, a Vancouver native, called the closed-door match "a once in a lifetime opportunity" per VTDigger.
The Burlington semipro club, barely five years old and largely made up of college players, drew Canada as one of the national side's final tuneups before the tournament kicked off. Vermont Green keeps building Canadian ties, fielding six players from the country in recent seasons and racking up a perfect record in its annual Maple Cup against Quebec sides. The team declined to share the score, which feels right for a friendly that was mostly about the experience.
Winooski grocer Muyisa Mutume, now stocking jerseys alongside groceries, put it simply about Congo's qualification, "it's already a win for us." per VTDigger.
It is Congo's first World Cup appearance since 1974, and Vermont's 500 to 700 Congolese families, most of them in Chittenden County, are feeling it. The piece also captures how soccer-mad Burlington has become, thanks largely to Vermont Green and UVM's back-to-back national titles. There is a sharper layer too, with high ticket prices, visa denials affecting fans and officials, and broader controversy around FIFA shadowing the celebration.
The USDA reported that Vermont produced "3.091 million gallons, once again leading the nation" per Vermont Business Magazine, more than half of all U.S. maple.
Strong winter snowpack and steady spring temperatures gave sugarmakers a more consistent run than recent years, with 8.2 million taps deployed statewide. The economic side is just as notable, with 2025 production valued at roughly $102 million and retail prices averaging $51.40 a gallon. Vermont has topped the country in taps almost every year since 1916, so this is less a surprise than a reassuring constant in a wobbly farm economy.
Founder Rustam Sengupta frames the platform's mission as "neighbors helping neighbors," per Seven Days.
The app connects families with vetted local providers for nonmedical help like rides, meal prep, and companionship, charging $25 to $40 an hour with Tuktu taking a cut. Since launching in Vermont in February, it has signed up 300 users and about 25 providers, many of them UVM students and recent retirees. The fit makes sense given that roughly 23 percent of Vermonters are 65 or older, now to see whether an Uber-style model can deliver consistent care at scale.
Owners Dan Pizzutillo and Erika Strand wrote on Instagram that their pizza "deserves a shot in a real food town." per Seven Days.
The Riverside Avenue shop, open since 2018, earned a devoted following for its wood-fired pies and equal notoriety for $45 starting prices and Pizzutillo's combative online presence. Few Burlington restaurants have inspired as many Reddit threads or parody accounts, so this exit closes a genuinely polarizing chapter of the local food scene. The space and everything in it, oven included, is now up for grabs, with no firm closing date announced.
Publisher Paula Routly writes that students leave the pop-up high school with "a slew of inadvertent life lessons in resiliency, camaraderie, adaptability and coping." per Seven Days.
The five-year experiment of housing Burlington High School inside the former Macy's ends this week, capping a saga that began with toxic pollutants found at the old campus in 2020. Routly threads that resilience into a wider argument about downtown finding its footing, citing the AC Hotel, the nearly finished Champlain Parkway, and new public art. After watching the mall pit and construction drag on for years, this news finally feels like turning the page.
Recalling the 2024 onset of his health troubles, Mitchell said "I started feeling not okay" mid-set, per Seven Days.
Mounting medical bills from gut issues and two hip replacements have strained the longtime Burlington performer's career, prompting a benefit Friday at Standing Stone Wines in Winooski. A who's who of Vermont DJs is turning out, and organizers are asking attendees to wear purple as a nod to Mitchell's Prince tribute band. It is a snapshot of how a tight music scene rallies around its own, and a reminder of how thin the financial margins can be for working artists.
One chef described a beloved spot as "top-tier garbage, like if your grandma worked at Sysco" per Seven Days.
The roundup gathers picks from chefs across the state, ranging from clam rolls and corn dogs to fried alligator bites. Burlington readers get a few close-to-home nods, including Beansie's Bus at Battery Park and Al's French Frys in South Burlington. Think of it as a pre-vetted summer to-do list for the days when nobody feels like cooking.
Co-founder Tracy Stolese said the event has always been about "bringing people together through great food and drink." per Vermont Business Magazine.
Now in its 15th year, the festival lands at Hula Lakeside with more than 75 exhibitors across two tasting sessions, plus seminars and live jazz. All-inclusive tickets run $80, and organizers are nudging people to buy ahead. Downtown has leaned heavily on events to draw crowds this season, and adding another marquee waterfront gathering keeps that momentum rolling.
VCET president David Bradbury said hosting McNeill is "exactly the kind of connection that helps Vermont founders think and build bigger." per Vermont Business Magazine.
McNeill, who oversaw a 10x revenue jump at Tesla and later served as COO of Lyft, headlines the free meetup June 22 at OnLogic in South Burlington. The series aims to knit together entrepreneurs, investors, and the AI-curious across the region, and space is limited enough that registration is required. Vermont’s startup ecosystem is often overshadowed by bigger cities, so landing an operator of his caliber is a massive win.
The settlement reflects, in the words of ACLU attorney Hillary Rich, "how grievous and extreme the harm was in this case." per VTDigger.
The case goes back to a 2021 incident in which officers restrained a 14-year-old and paramedics sedated him with ketamine to recover stolen vape pens his own mother had reported. What makes this one sting locally is the paper trail. The Police Commission found unanimously that officers violated department policy, then-Chief Jon Murad overruled them, and the city fought the suit until a judge let claims of excessive force and racial discrimination proceed. The department is already carrying settlements from 2013 and 2018, giving Commissioner Stephanie Seguino's warning extra weight: nothing about this outcome prevents a repeat.
The city flagged a Heat Advisory running noon to 8 p.m. Friday, with heat index values "expected to reach up to 98 degrees during the afternoon hours." per Vermont Business Magazine.
Fletcher Free Library, the COTS Daystation, and the City Hall Park fountain are all open as cooling spots, and translated safety materials are available in well over a dozen languages. The detail worth absorbing is who is most at risk, namely older adults, outdoor workers, people without air conditioning, and anyone on medications that interfere with the body's heat regulation. Early-season heat hits harder because nobody is acclimated yet, so be careful out there!
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Vermont Green FC: Men Extend Perfect Start as Women Prepare for Top-of-the-Table Clash
In USL2 action, the Vermont Green FC men's team improved their perfect season record to 6-0-0 following a decisive 4-1 victory on the road against AC Connecticut. The Boys in Green capitalized shortly after the hosts were reduced to ten men in the eighth minute, with Diego Rosas opening the scoring in the 21st minute. After a quick 35-yard equalizer from AC Connecticut's Illia Tyrkus, Vermont responded forcefully with goals from Nick McHenry and Martin Bakken just before halftime. Arnold Matshazi added a final strike in the 79th minute to seal the win, continuing a strong campaign bolstered by versatile players like Aidan Godinho, who has stepped up reliably at right back. The men's side returns to Virtue Field on Saturday, June 13, at 7 p.m. for a highly anticipated home clash against undefeated NEFC.
On the USLW side, Vermont Green FC is preparing for a monumental top-of-the-table clash as they host Hartford Athletic. The winner of this matchup will claim sole ownership of the top spot in the Northeast Division. The two sides previously battled to a tense, scoreless draw in their season opener on May 19, where standout defensive performances from goalkeeper Olivia Shippee—who recorded 11 saves—and defender Violet Rademacher kept the Green in the game. Head Coach Abby Carchio noted the team is prepared to maintain their identity and act as the aggressor against a Hartford side that currently holds a narrow edge in goal differential. The Women in Green will take the pitch at Virtue Field against Hartford Athletic on Friday, June 12, at 7 p.m.
Upcoming Home Games
Fri. June 12, 7 PM — Women vs. Hartford Athletic
Sat. June 13, 7 PM — Men vs. NEFC
Tues. June 16, 7 PM — Men vs. Seacoast United
Fri. June 19, 7 PM — Women vs. AC Connecticut
Sat. June 20, 7 PM — Men vs. Boston City FC
Events:
Friday, June 12, 2026
General Events
8:00 AM: Weekly Meditation at Outright Vermont (Free)
10:00 AM: Duplicate Bridge Games at Burlington Bridge Club ($6)
12:00 PM: American Red Cross Blood Drive at Winooski Senior Center (Free)
1:00 PM: Adult Rummikub at Essex Free Library (Free)
2:00 PM: World Cup Watch: Bosnia vs. Canada at Essex Junction
2:30 PM: Drop-In Teen Hangout at Outright Vermont (Free)
3:00 PM: Richmond Farmers Market at Volunteers Green, Richmond (Free)
3:00 PM: Burlington Watches Together: Canada vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina at Fletcher Free Library, Pickering Room (Free)
4:00 PM: Spring Tasting at Rt 7 Liquor & Deli
4:00 PM: Von Trapp Beer Run at Champlain Valley Fair
4:30 PM: Mindfulness Meditation at Iyengar Yoga Center of Vermont (Free)
5:00 PM: South Burlington Farmers Market at Patrick Leahy BTV Airport Rec Path (Free)
5:00 PM: CCTV 42nd Anniversary Celebration at Red Wagon Plants, Hinesburg (Free)
5:00 PM: South End Get Down at Coal Collective (Free)
5:30 PM: June Essex Community Dinner at 30 Lincoln St, Essex Junction
6:00 PM: Beginner Salsa Class & Party • Summer in the Backyard at Four Quarters Brewing
6:00 PM: Pride Night @ Spare Time Colchester at Spare Time, Colchester
6:00 PM: Berry Basket Pottery Workshop at Center Centre Clay Studio
6:00 PM: Learn & Play Luthier at The Boardroom Board Game Cafe
6:30 PM: Mom Prom Country Night at Waterfront, Burlington
6:30 PM: Weekly Meet! at 115 Lakeside Ave, South Burlington
7:00 PM: Burlington Watches Together: USA vs. Paraguay at City Hall Park (Free)
7:00 PM: At Ease Trivia at Pearl Street Pub
7:00 PM: Dads & Dungeons & Dragons at The Guild Hall (Free)
7:00 PM: Vermont Green FC: Women vs. Hartford Athletic at Virtue Field
Ongoing: April Cornell June Bloom Sale at 131 Battery St
Ongoing: RV Clearance Sale at 155 Dorset St, South Burlington
Ongoing: Eat. Be. Hoop. Retreat at Champlain College
Ongoing: BMW Motorcycle Owners of America – National Rally at Champlain Valley Exposition
Time varies: Cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III at College St Boathouse
Time varies: Trolley Tours at Perkins Pier
Time varies: Glass Factory & Storefront Open at AO Glass
Time varies: Skiff Oyster Hour at Hotel Champlain
Time varies: Pub Hour at Vermont Pub and Brewery
Time varies: Watch Party at Switchback Brewing Co.
Performances
7:00 PM & 9:00 PM: Melissa Villaseñor at Vermont Comedy Club ($35)
7:30 PM: Stories of Spirit and Spirits (dance) at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center ($30)
7:30 PM: Shakespeare in Love at Isham Barn Theatre, Williston ($20–$30)
7:30 PM: JOY: An All-Black Variety Showcase at The Monkey House ($15)
Live Music/DJ
12:30 PM: Summer Concert Series: MOMDAD at City Hall Park (Free)
2:00 PM: Dave Mitchell Blues Revue & Jam at Red Square (Free)
4:00 PM: Matt Saraca at Hotel Vermont (Free)
4:00 PM: Flatbread Fridays: Live Music with Tom Bisson at Wheeler Homestead, South Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Mark Abair All-Star Band at On Tap Bar & Grill (Free)
5:00 PM: Turning the Tables: A Benefit for Craig Mitchell (DJ dance party) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski ($15)
5:00 PM: Food Truck Friday with Grace Palmer & Making the CuTX at 4947 Spear St, Shelburne
6:00 PM: Tournesol (jazz) at Shelburne Vineyard (Free)
6:00 PM: Swell at 1st Republic Brewing (Free)
6:00 PM: Two for Flinching at Winooski VFW Post #1767
6:00 PM: 90 Proof at The Spanked Puppy
6:00 PM: Your Favorite Songs at the St. John's Club at St. John's Club
6:30 PM: Dan Parks at Burlington Elks Lodge 916
6:30 PM: The RPMzz Fest at Queen City Oddfellows Lodge ($10 suggested)
7:00 PM: The Willistones at The Old Post (Free)
7:00 PM: Hokum Brothers Happy Hour at Venetian Soda Lounge ($5)
7:00 PM: Jeff Salisbury Band at Jericho Café & Tavern (Free)
7:00 PM: StevieMac (Fleetwood Mac Tribute) at Double E Performance Center's T-Rex Theater ($30)
7:00 PM: That Which Colors the Mind: Indian Classical Music & Live Art (Pat Lambdin) at The Sanctuary ($25)
7:00 PM: The Wood Brothers at Higher Ground
7:00 PM: Zoe Mulford & Full Circle (folk) at First Unitarian Universalist Society ($20 suggested)
7:30 PM: JVK w/ Burly Girlies & Violet Crimes at Radio Bean ($12/$15)
8:00 PM: Father, Tommy Genesis, DJ Lucas at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge ($25)
8:00 PM: Streetlight Manifesto at Higher Ground Ballroom (Sold Out)
8:00 PM: DJ Two Sev, Ron Stoppable, Bounce, Ara$ at Red Square (Free)
8:00 PM: Karaoke Friday Night at Park Place Tavern & Grill (Free)
9:00 PM: Barbacoa at Foam Brewers (Free)
9:00 PM: Moonbird at On Tap Bar & Grill (Free)
9:00 PM: Bella Joan @ The 126 at The126
9:00 PM: Leddy Moss, Mooncusser at Light Club Lamp Shop ($10)
9:00 PM: Karaoke with DJ Big T at McKee's Original (Free)
10:00 PM: Karaoke with Owen Leavy at Radio Bean ($10)
11:00 PM: DJ Taka at Light Club Lamp Shop ($10/$15)
Happening now: Burgers & Bluegrass at 185 Pine Haven Shores Rd, Shelburne
Time varies: Halvorson's Courtyard Music Series at Halvorson's Upstreet Cafe
Saturday, June 13, 2026
General Events
7:00 AM: 16th Annual Bike for the Lake at Knight Point State Park, North Hero ($40–$100)
7:30 AM: THCo. Public Auto Auction at 298 James Brown Dr, Williston
8:00 AM: Weekly Bird Walk at Rock Point Center (Free)
8:00 AM: Chile Colorado Ranchita Brunch Pop-Up at 47 Tracy Dr, Burlington
9:00 AM: Burlington Farmers Market at 345 Pine St (Free)
9:00 AM: Marble Ave Pottery Popup at 32 Marble Ave, Burlington (Free)
9:00 AM: Grab & Go: Mini Clover Terrariums at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
9:00 AM: Bead Bar @ Shelburne Farmers Market at Shelburne Farmers Market
10:00 AM: FIRST Robotics Day at ECHO, Leahy Center
10:00 AM: Adoption Event at Pet Food Warehouse
10:00 AM: Vermont Sports Card & Collectible Show at 155 Dorset St, South Burlington
10:00 AM: Identifying & Managing Invasive Plant Species at UVM Hort Farm, South Burlington
10:00 AM: Lilac Pruning Workday at UVM Hort Farm at UVM Hort Farm, South Burlington
10:00 AM: Community Waterfront Cleanup at 20 Winooski Falls Way
10:00 AM: Summer Athletic Drop at 34 Taft Corners, Williston
10:00 AM: Mathew Pardue Art Exhibition at Cucina Antica Bistro (Free)
10:00 AM: Italian Immigrant Agricultural Dedication Ceremony at 682 Malletts Bay Ave, Colchester (Free)
10:00 AM: French Book Swap at Alliance Française (Free)
10:00 AM: Community Service: Veteran Flag Retrieval at New Mount Calvary Cemetery (Free)
10:00 AM: Friends' Summer Sidewalk Book Sale & Party at 65 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski (Free)
10:00 AM: BTown Coffee Club at Zero Gravity Brewery (Free) — MEETUP.com
10:30 AM: French Conversation for All at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library (Free)
11:00 AM: Chess Club at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
11:00 AM: Saturdays Are For The Classics at 127 East Shore Drive, Colchester
12:00 PM: Preservation Burlington Annual Homes Tour at 61 Summit St ($25)
12:00 PM: ADM Cruise at 189 Hannafords Dr, South Burlington
12:00 PM: Annex Community Event at Alpine Drive, Williston
12:00 PM: Call of Cthulhu with Cole at The Boardroom Board Game Cafe (Free) — MEETUP.com
1:00 PM: Splash Dance: SLAYTT at City Hall Park (Free)
1:00 PM: In House Dart Tournament at Pearl Street Pub
1:00 PM: Intro to Adobe Premiere at The Media Factory (Free)
1:00 PM: The Poetry Experience at Fletcher Free Library (Free)
1:30 PM: Sync Dance Company Auditions at VBT School Center for Dance, Essex Junction
2:00 PM: Merrymac Animal Sanctuary Guided Tours at Merrymac Animal Sanctuary ($25)
2:30 PM: Kizomba Connection: Choreography Edition at Burlington Waterfront
4:00 PM: Relax & Renew: 3-Week Kundalini Spring Reset at 100 Dorset St, South Burlington
4:00 PM: Calcutta to benefit Beastcoast Softball at 4 Lincoln Place, Essex Junction
4:00 PM: Lagerfest at The Green at the Essex Experience ($42–$50)
5:15 PM: Magic Presents: Pride at 129 Market St, Williston
6:00 PM: Brazil vs Morocco World Cup Mid-Game Giveaway at Rí Rá Irish Pub
6:00 PM: Mad Pride Takeover: Music, Poetry & Open Mic at Four Quarters Brewing ($10–$15)
7:00 PM: Sisterhood Campfire at Leddy Park (Free)
7:00 PM: Vermont Green FC: Men vs. New England FC at Virtue Field
7:00 PM (kickoff 9:00 PM): Burlington Watches Together: Haiti vs. Scotland at City Hall Park (Free)
Time varies: Abenaki Heritage Weekend & Native Arts Market at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum
Time varies: The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting at Lake Champlain Chocolates
Time varies: Watch Party at Switchback Brewing Co.
Performances
4:00 PM: Horseshoe (film) at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center ($6–$12)
5:00 PM: Good Clean Fun! Family Improv Comedy at Vermont Comedy Club
2:00 PM & 7:30 PM: Shakespeare in Love at Isham Barn Theatre, Williston ($20–$30)
2:30 PM & 7:30 PM: Stories of Spirit and Spirits (dance) at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center ($30)
3:00 PM: Infinity's 15th Annual Recital – Broadway Bound! at Elley Long Music Center
6:00 PM: Green Mountain Wrestling: South End Slam Down feat. Scotty 2 Hotty at The Pinery
7:00 PM: Melissa Villaseñor at Vermont Comedy Club ($35)
7:00 PM: No Picnic (film) at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center ($6–$12)
8:00 PM: Bikini Bottom Feeders: A SpongeBob Drag Show at Einstein's Tap House ($10)
Live Music/DJ
10:00 AM: The Dixie Six at Shelburne Farmers Market at Shelburne Farmers Market
3:00 PM: Left Eye Jump at Red Square (Free)
4:00 PM: Ampersand at Old Round Church ($20 suggested)
5:00 PM: Perrypalooza! (Concert & Celebration of Matt Perry) at The SEABA Center ($10 min donation)
5:00 PM: Charlie Rice at On Tap Bar & Grill (Free)
6:00 PM: Blanchface, Ara$, Raul, Matt P at Red Square (Free)
6:00 PM: The Hokkum Brothers at Shelburne Vineyard (Free)
6:15 PM: Juneteenth Concert with Jenni Johnson at Fletcher Free Library
6:30 PM: Ashy Finn, Horrendous Downplay, Fall District, Lunar Static at 1416 North Ave ($10)
7:00 PM: NightHawk Live at Lone Pine Campground, Colchester
7:00 PM: Voices for Immigrant Justice Benefit Concert at Saint Michael's College ($20 suggested)
7:00 PM: Choke Out, TFR, No Soul, Old North End, Wartime at 1st Republic Brewing ($15)
7:00 PM: Emily Irving, the Star Family Singers, Fowl, riverbed at Radio Bean ($10–$15)
7:00 PM: Saturday DJ Dance at Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall
8:00 PM: Mimi Fang, the Eyetraps, Nick Granelle at The Monkey House
8:00 PM: Shannon McNally at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge ($20)
8:00 PM: Jeff & Gina at Champlain Valley Exposition
9:00 PM: Moondogs at Foam Brewers (Free)
9:00 PM: Paradox at On Tap Bar & Grill (Free)
9:00 PM: Queeraoke with Goddess at Standing Stone Wines (Free)
10:00 PM: Habibi Funk with DJ Chia, Prince Nablus at Light Club Lamp Shop ($10–$15)
10:00 PM: LACES at Radio Bean ($10)
11:30 PM: Clive at Radio Bean ($10)
Sunday, June 14, 2026
General Events
7:00 AM: Early Birders Morning Walk at Birds of Vermont Museum ($5–$15 suggested)
8:00 AM: Big Beautiful Life: Run, Walk & Roll + Essex Fire Touch-A-Truck at Essex Middle School ($30–$40)
9:00 AM: Sensory-Friendly Sunday at ECHO, Leahy Center (Free)
10:00 AM: Winooski Farmers Market at 20 Winooski Falls Way (Free)
10:00 AM: Family Bird Walk at Shelburne Farms
11:00 AM: Motorcycle Sunday at 127 East Shore Drive, Colchester
11:00 AM: Hike – Niquette Bay at Niquette Bay State Park, Colchester (Free) — MEETUP.com
12:00 PM: LGBTQIA+ Mixer at The Boardroom Board Game Cafe
12:00 PM: Sunstrike Set Celebration at Vermont Gaming Academy, South Burlington
12:00 PM: Sunday Funday (Games) at 1st Republic Brewing (Free)
12:15 PM: Dungeons & Dragons Group A at Fletcher Free Library (Free)
12:30 PM: Social Sundays at Milton Artists' Guild Art Center (Free)
1:00 PM: Duplicate Bridge Games at Burlington Bridge Club ($6)
1:00 PM: Rec Center Group Bike Ride at Colchester Recreation Center (Free)
1:00 PM: Celebrate Flag Day: Community Wood Pallet Painting at Shelburne Bay Park (Free)
1:30 PM: Juneteenth 2026: Celebrating Freedom, Cultivating Community at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
2:00 PM: Lido Aperitivo! at SLATE, Burlington (Free, 21+)
2:00 PM: Beyond Alcohol: A Kava Social at Lucky You Lounge ($20, 21+)
2:30 PM: Kick Off to Summer Match at 929 Shelburne Hinesburg Rd, Shelburne
3:00 PM: Food for Talk Cookbook Club at Fletcher Free Library (Free)
4:00 PM: Singles World Cup Watch Party at Slide in Pub (Free)
4:00 PM: Drop-In Tech Support at Fletcher Free Library (Free)
5:00 PM: Womxn's Pick-up Soccer at Starr Farm Park (Free) — MEETUP.com
5:30 PM: New Mindfulness Meditation Gathering at Hood Plant (donation)
6:00 PM: New Leaf Sangha Mindfulness Practice at Hot Yoga Burlington (Free)
6:30 PM: Country Line Dance Cruise at Spirit of Ethan Allen, Lake Champlain
7:00 PM: Rise Up, Sing Out First Amendment Concert Watch Party at Five Sisters Neighborhood (Free)
Time varies: Watch Party at Switchback Brewing Co.
Performances
2:00 PM: Shakespeare in Love at Isham Barn Theatre, Williston ($20–$30)
2:00 PM: No Picnic (film) at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center ($6–$12)
7:00 PM: Some Like It Hot (film) at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center ($6–$12)
7:00 PM: Lucy Darling: You're Welcome at The Flynn, Main Stage
Live Music/DJ
1:00 PM: Giovanina Bucci at Foam Brewers (Free)
1:00 PM: John Lackard Blues Duo at Vermont Pub and Brewery
1:00 PM: Motel 6 at 74 S Park Dr, Colchester
2:30 PM: Chris and Issy at Maquam Barn & Winery (Free)
3:00 PM: Music on the Deck w/ Two for Flinching at Last Stop Sports Bar, Winooski
4:00 PM: South Town Bluegrass at The Farmhouse Tap & Grill, Williston (Free)
5:00 PM: Wine & Jazz Sundays at Shelburne Vineyard (Free)
6:00 PM: Venetian Karaoke at Venetian Soda Lounge
7:30 PM: Kaonashi, COOKED, In Lieu of Flowers at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge ($20)
Time varies: Cluckin' & Pluckin' ft. Lloyd Tyler Band at Switchback Brewing Co.
Time varies: Acoustic Brunch at Foam Brewers
Time varies: Karaoke Sundays! at Einstein Tap House
Here are some of my favorite BtownBrief links:
Full list of 202+ activities to do at anytime is always waiting here when you need a plan: 202+ Things to Do
Full list of restaurant reviews here.
View the full list of food & drink deals here.
That’s All, Burlington!
That wraps it for this edition. Whether you are chasing flatbread, cheering on the World Cup, or just hiding from the humidity until Saturday rescues us, there is more than enough to fill the weekend. Take care of each other out there, support the local makers and musicians who keep this city humming, and give those linked events a click if something caught your eye.
If you like what I do, help support the newsletter by buying me a coffee using the link below. Or, right to our Venmo @btownbrief. Or, buy an advertising spot for your business.
