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Weather & Monday Update:
Good morning, Burlington. After yet another brutal night of subzero lows across the Champlain Valley, today actually brings some relief. Expect mostly sunny skies and highs climbing into the low to mid 20s, which after the deep freeze we've been stuck in, will feel downright pleasant. The workweek ahead looks seasonable, with partly sunny skies Tuesday and highs pushing into the upper 20s before settling back into the low 20s Wednesday and Thursday. A few snow showers are possible Tuesday afternoon and again Wednesday, but nothing major. Enjoy the relative warmth while it lasts, though, because an arctic blast is charging back in next weekend with highs dropping to the single digits Saturday and gusty winds that could make wind chills genuinely dangerous. We'll keep an eye on a light clipper system expected to bring a trace to maybe two inches of snow Friday evening into Saturday morning.
It's Groundhog Day (insert your Bill Murray joke here), and the Marketplace has something far more fun than watching a rodent predict six more weeks of what we already know is coming. The Heart Hunt on Church Street, running from Feb 2nd-Feb 8th, in partnership with Lake Champlain Chocolates, sends you on a scavenger hunt through participating businesses to complete a bingo board and claim a free Signature Chocolate Bar in your choice of 20 flavors. If you're in the mood for a different kind of bingo tonight, the Elks Lodge on North Avenue has their weekly Monday night game with doors at 4:30, early birds at 6, and a $1,000 jackpot. Meanwhile, wine lovers can head to Salt & Bubbles in Essex for The Food Heart of Italy, a sit down tasting exploring the wines and foods of Emilia Romagna from 5:30 to 7 PM ($65.87), complete with Parmigiano, Prosciutto, and Lambrusco. And if you'd rather stay cozy with a needle and thread, the Sewing Crafts Open Workshop at Burnham Memorial Library in Colchester runs from 5 to 6:30 PM and is totally free. Over at Bar Renée, Sopranos Night continues its six week series at 7 PM with Italian wine and food specials (meatballs, gabagool, the works). If you haven't snagged tickets yet, Explosions in the Sky takes the stage at Higher Ground tonight for what promises to be a powerful, all ages show behind their first album in seven years. And the Winooski City Council meets tonight from 6 to 9 at City Hall for those wanting to stay plugged into local government across the river.
Tomorrow is stacked. The Winooski Community Winter Supper (5 to 7 PM) is a free, all ages gathering with food catered by Main Street restaurants, a community art project, voter registration, and chances to meet City Council and School Board members, with interpretation available in seven languages. Over at The Flynn, Cirque Mechanics: TILT brings acrobatics, mechanical wonders, and clowning to the Main Stage at 6 PM ($45). The evening caps off with a special one at Contois Auditorium: the Bernie for Burlington book launch by Dan Chiasson at 7 PM ($12, doors at 6:30), featuring a conversation with Chris Bohjalian and guests Alison Bechdel and Jym Wilson. And for the competitive gamers, Super Smash Tuesdays at RiRa on Church Street runs 5 to 11 PM with $10 Smash Burgers and $10 beer pitchers. Also Tuesday, it's the first of the month, which means Latin Dance Night at Switchback Brewing on Flynn Avenue. The beginner class runs 6 to 7 PM ($20), followed by a social from 7 to 9 ($10) with Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, and more. No partner required.
Wednesday brings a couple of important gatherings. At 11 AM, community members are invited to gather peacefully outside the Federal Courthouse on Elmwood Avenue in support of Hussien Noor Hussien, a longtime South Burlington resident and Somali immigrant detained by ICE on New Year's Day, as he appears before a federal judge in his habeas case. That evening, the Main Street Multimodal Study Open House at Contois Auditorium (5:30 to 7 PM, brief presentation at 6) gives residents a chance to weigh in on plans for a continuous walking and biking corridor connecting the Burlington Greenway to the planned bridge over I-89. Also Wednesday, the Valentine's Couples Massage Workshop at 129 St. Paul Street teaches relaxation techniques in a clothed, beginner friendly class at 6 PM ($199 per couple). And the Jazz Mandolin Project at Higher Ground is sold out, but a waitlist is available if you want to try your luck (doors at 7).
Thursday is absolutely packed. The Young Tradition Touring Group brings traditional music to Citizen Cider on Flynn Avenue from 5 to 7 PM (free, all ages). Over in Winooski, the Btown Brief crew is meeting for Trivia Night at Four Quarters Brewing [MEETUP] where we gather around 5:20 with the game kicking off at 6. On Church Street, the 4T2D grand opening celebrates a new USA crafted apparel shop at 101 Church from 10 AM to 6 PM. At Outdoor Gear Exchange, Backcountry 101 with Weston rider Dani Sweet (7 to 8:30 PM, $5 donation) covers the basics of backcountry skiing and splitboarding, plus free collab beers from OGE and Four Quarters Brewing, a gear giveaway, and proceeds benefiting Unlikely Riders. Thursday Night Figure Drawing at Queen City Oddfellows on North Avenue runs 7 to 9 PM (suggested donation $15 to $20, bring your own supplies). Out in Essex, Music Bingo at The Lazy Goat Tavern is free from 6 to 8 PM. In Shelburne, the UVM OLLI Winter Birding program at St. Catherine of Siena Church Hall runs 1:30 to 3 PM with the Birds of Vermont Museum (registration required). At the Vermont Comedy Club, the Strapped-In! Queer Comedy Showcase hosted by Tal Friedman features standup, improv, sketch, drag, and burlesque at 8:30 PM ($15). And moe. kicks off a three night stand at Higher Ground running Thursday through Saturday, celebrating 35 years with $1 from every ticket going to Eddie's Hugs.
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We’ve got an official Meetup group for Burlington! The city’s packed with things to do. Btown Brief highlights it, and Btown Brief IRL gets you out experiencing it with people.
Always a great turn out, ranging anywhere from 7-10 people each week! We’ve been doing a lot more together like Trivia Night and Ice Skating. Plus, as always, another coffee meetup this Saturday at 10am at Zero Gravity. It’s always great seeing familiar faces, and even better meeting new ones each week. We’ll chat about Vermont living, touch on a bit of local news, and share what’s worth checking out around town this weekend. Come hang, have a coffee, and join the conversation.
If you want to connect outside of coffee meet-ups, join the Telegram chat. It’s the easiest place to see what others are up to, share ideas, and make casual plans while I keep improving how these events run. Feedback is always welcome! It’s just a one-man team so any sounding boards are great.
Click here to: Join Meetup group | RSVP here
The Lake, its freezing over!! Caught this beaut yesterday
Local News (All Links Clickable)
There’s a new 60 second Btown Brief News Quiz! Win monthly Btown merch by reading with intention. We’ve got January’s winner, scroll to find out who it is!
"Vermont has few homegrown assets that are instantly recognizable worldwide. Among them are Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Burton snowboards and a certain cantankerous U.S. senator with a Flatbush accent." Per Seven Days.
The Winter Games kick off Friday in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, and Vermont's delegation runs deep. Beyond marquee names like Jessie Diggins, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, and Mikaela Shiffrin, the state is sending competitors across disciplines. South Burlington's Kevin Drury just notched his first ski cross World Cup win in five years and will race for Team Canada in what's likely his final Olympics. Richmond's Julia Kern and Landgrove's Ben Ogden are legitimate medal contenders in cross country. UVM senior Julia Mesplède will skate hockey for France, and Craftsbury's Green Racing Project is sending multiple biathletes. Games run through February 22 on NBC and Peacock.
"Monday night at Contois Auditorium was chaotic, and not just because the lights literally went out mid-meeting."
For the third consecutive year, the council rejected the "Apartheid Free Community" ballot question in a 5-7 party-line vote. Democrats argued the pledge was a "Trojan horse" for BDS policies, opting instead to pass a contentious resolution funding community dialogue (7-5). But the biggest news for your wallet is the 9-3 vote to place a 5-cent police and fire tax increase on the March 3 ballot. The measure aims to raise ~$3 million to help plug the city's looming $12 million deficit, though it scrambled party lines with some fearing it could become a "referendum on public safety.” Read the full recap here.
"We need you all to contact the property manager … and demand that he cease collaboration with ICE and cancel the lease!" Per the Williston Observer.
Activists are targeting two Williston locations that house ICE operations, with the White Cap Business Park becoming a particular flashpoint. A four hour sit in there last week drew backlash from tenants, including a café owner forced to close early. The property manager called police and demanded arrests, but the State's Attorney's office advised the protest was constitutionally protected. Meanwhile, the Williston Selectboard unanimously passed a resolution condemning ICE's presence, written by former gubernatorial candidate Christine Hallquist, and plans to sign it at their February 3 meeting. White Cap Ventures is simultaneously seeking to expand the business park with what an engineer described as primarily "public administration" use.
"Maybe the way to get people to care about me and what I'm singing about is to actually say what I'm thinking." Per Seven Days.
Burlington singer-songwriter Grace Palmer is gearing up for a full length LP expected this spring, tentatively titled Everybody Is Somebody, with new singles rooted in social justice and climate change. The 25 year old Connecticut native landed in Vermont after COVID cut short a Nashville stint, enrolled at Saint Michael's College, and found her footing in the local music scene before linking up with guitarist and producer George Walker Petit. Her single "How Many People Equal a Person" dropped Friday, and she'll tour Massachusetts and Connecticut in February before returning to Burlington in March with a new backing band.
"Community safety requires public trust in law enforcement." Per Community News Service.
Senate bill S.208, sponsored by Sen. Nader Hashim (a former state trooper) and 12 other senators, would prohibit law enforcement officers from concealing their faces while on duty, with exceptions for illness, hazards, and undercover work. Officers would also need to display their name, badge number, or both. The ACLU of Vermont supports the measure, but Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison suggested the Criminal Justice Council could address the issue without a lengthy statute. A legal challenge looms too: the DOJ sued California over a similar law last fall.
"Of the 65 companies being recognized, we are excited to welcome sixteen new businesses to the list in 2026." Per Vermont Business Magazine.
The annual rankings from VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce are out, spanning small, medium, and large employers. Edward Jones has made the list every year since the program launched in 2006, while BETA Technologies appears for the first time. Rankings were determined through workplace policy evaluations (20%) and employee surveys (80%), with final numbered rankings to be revealed at an April 2 ceremony. Local names include Champlain Housing Trust, NorthCountry Federal Credit Union, and Downs Rachlin Martin.
"Given the aggressive ICE operations underway in Minnesota which have already led to deadly force and widespread fear, I raised serious concerns about sending Vermont USCIS employees into roles far outside their mission and training." Per VTDigger.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services quietly canceled plans to deploy at least seven Vermont based employees to Minnesota to support ICE enforcement. USCIS, which normally processes visas and citizenship paperwork, notified workers by email without explaining why the plan was scrapped. Rep. Becca Balint, who had demanded answers from DHS, welcomed the reversal. The cancellation came as violence in Minneapolis continued to escalate and more than a dozen Vermont clergy traveled to Minnesota in solidarity.
"I see the fact that I became a poet from a working-class background to be a direct outcome of Bernie's transformation of this city." Per Seven Days.
Dan Chiasson's nearly 600 page unauthorized biography drops tomorrow and traces Sanders' arc from Brooklyn transplant to Burlington's transformative mayor. Chiasson, a Wellesley College English professor who grew up on Colchester Avenue, draws on hours of interviews with Sanders' longtime associates and weaves in his own memories of a city being reshaped in real time. The book ends in the 1990s, focusing on the policies that built Burlington's progressive identity: the waterfront revitalization, Church Street, Champlain Housing Trust, and 242 Main. The book launch tomorrow at Contois Auditorium features Chiasson in conversation with Chris Bohjalian, with Alison Bechdel and Jym Wilson as special guests.
"Burlington stands firmly with our immigrant and refugee communities, and we will do everything within our authority to support you and keep you safe." Per Vermont Business Magazine.
Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak confirmed that ICE has been active in Burlington and elsewhere in Vermont in recent months, while noting the city has credible information disputing a circulating rumor about an upcoming surge. The city launched a dedicated webpage for verified updates and the mayor is convening emergency meetings with Police Chief Shawn Burke and Fire Chief Michael Curtin. Burlington PD operates under a Fair and Impartial Policing policy prohibiting enforcement decisions based on immigration status, and the city is urging residents to avoid sharing unverified reports and to use the ICE Tracker run by the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project and Migrant Justice.
"We just always encourage folks that if you don't have a REAL ID or otherwise, now is the time to get one or bring a passport as an alternative." Per WCAX.
Starting yesterday, travelers showing up at the airport without a REAL ID or other acceptable identification will be charged $45 through TSA Confirm ID to board their flight. Burlington International Airport officials say more than 95% of Vermonters already have a REAL ID, so most local flyers won't notice a change. Acceptable alternatives include passports, enhanced driver's licenses, and permanent resident cards. The payment is valid for 10 days, so longer trips may require paying again for the return. You can pay online at tsa.gov/confirmid or at the airport, though TSA recommends budgeting an extra 30 minutes if handling it in line.
"I think that this is a bureaucratic headache for a majority of Vermonters and leads them to either wait to actually make improvements on their vehicles which can cause problems, or they just don't get a safety inspection." Per Vermont Public.
The Senate Transportation Committee is seriously considering a bill to shift Vermont from annual to biennial car inspections, noting the state is one of just eight still requiring yearly checks. Lead sponsor Sen. Becca White cited studies showing no link between annual inspections and serious crash rates. The inspection fee would double from $8 to $16 to keep things revenue neutral. Governor Scott doesn't oppose the bill but wants assurance it meets federal emissions standards, especially after New Hampshire's attempt to drop inspections ran into a Clean Air Act lawsuit.
"What you do know is that you can't count on anything." Per VTDigger.
VTDigger's sweeping retrospective tracks the Trump administration's impact across nearly every dimension of Vermont life over the past year. The numbers are sobering: $211 million in projected Medicaid losses by 2032, doubled ACA marketplace premiums, a temporary $26 million education funding freeze, and a federal lawsuit over the state's Climate Superfund Act. Immigration enforcement has escalated dramatically with over 100 detentions statewide, while Attorney General Charity Clark has filed more than 40 lawsuits against the administration. The piece serves as a useful guide for anyone trying to grasp the full scope of what's shifted and what's still coming.
Quick Hits
Barsch, who took the helm in April 2023 after founder Anne Galloway's departure, will remain CEO until June 1. She's credited with shrinking the outlet's annual losses from over $1 million to roughly $100,000. VTDigger and the union representing 14 editorial staffers remain in contract negotiations, with a recent sticking point being the organization's stance on AI use in news production. Per Seven Days.
Burlington's Public Works Department says it lightly salted roads during the recent storm, knowing future supplies are uncertain. Going forward, the city will prioritize main roads and hills while it searches for another supplier. Per WCAX.
GMT's five electric buses, less than a year old, are sitting under snow after a November battery recall over fire hazard concerns. The batteries need 41 degree temperatures to charge, and that's nowhere in the forecast. General Manager Clayton Clark says the system has been running down to its last available bus, with a few runs already cut. Per WCAX.
The House unanimously approved a spending plan that includes additional state police overtime funding, an expansion of the Chittenden County Accountability Court, Meals on Wheels money, and $5 million to maintain Section 8 housing vouchers drawn from a $60 million reserve set aside for potential federal cuts. The bill now heads to the Senate. Per WCAX.
Hundreds, possibly thousands, filled Church Street on Friday afternoon to protest federal immigration enforcement and the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis. Students from grade school through college braved single digit temperatures, marching from City Hall up Church Street and back down South Winooski Avenue. Several stores closed during the rally, while others opened as warming centers. State Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky told the crowd the time for "real resistance" is now. Per Seven Days.
IT’S FEBRUARY!! The winner of January’s news quizzes is: Plt!
You played nearly every quiz and had great scores throughout! If this is you, shoot me an email at [email protected] with your requested shirt design and size!
Quick shoutout to the following players that came in the top 5 overall this month! Keep playing for your chance to win free merch!
Anja, avak5253, Jessica Mesec, Runrabbit17
How good of a reader are you? Think you’re keeping up with Burlington news? It's time to prove it. Every Monday and Friday, we're dropping a quick 5-question quiz covering the local news you just finished reading. You've got just 60 seconds to answer them all. No looking back allowed. Use the same unique name each time you play so everyone can track your stats in our Hall of Fame, where you'll compete for titles like Sharpshooter (highest accuracy), Speed Demon (fastest average time), and Streak Leader (most consistent player). Make your name (or cool nickname) known to Btown!
And yes, there are PRIZES. Each month, we'll reward the top performers based on the best combination of Total Score and Average Score. That means playing consistently AND playing well will pay off. The more quizzes you complete with high scores, the better your chances of winning. I mean, who doesn’t want cool Btown Merch gear sent to them?
Ready to play? Click the link below, enter your name, and show us what you've got. Btown Brief Quiz
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UVM Athletics: Men's Hockey Sweeps Stonehill; Skiing Wins Dartmouth Carnival; Women's Hoops Wins at Buzzer
The Men's Ice Hockey team swept Stonehill with a pair of victories at Gutterson Fieldhouse. On Friday, the Catamounts rallied late to win 3-2 in overtime, with Max Strand tying the game in regulation and Colin Kessler securing the victory 61 seconds into the extra period. The momentum continued into Saturday's Senior Night, where Vermont shut out Stonehill 2-0. Dawson Good and Philip Törnqvist provided the offense, while goaltender Aiden Wright made 19 saves to earn the shutout.
In a thrilling finish, Women's Basketball edged NJIT 63-61 on the road. Nikola Priede led the way with a double-double performance of 26 points and 10 rebounds, capping the night with a game-winning turnaround jumper as time expired. Conversely, Men's Basketball fell just short against NJIT at Patrick Gym, losing 79-77 despite a career-high 23 points from Sean Blake and 16 points from TJ Hurley.
Vermont Skiing claimed first place at the Dartmouth Carnival with 974 total points. The Nordic team saw first-place finishes from Haley Brewster and Tabor Greenberg, while Cydnie Timmermann placed second in the Alpine slalom. On the track, Ryleigh Garrow leaped to victory in the high jump, clearing 1.66 meters to highlight the Catamounts' weekend.
The Women's Ice Hockey team faced a tough series against Providence, suffering two defeats. On Friday, Vermont fell 4-1, with Kaylee Lewis scoring the lone goal. In Saturday's rematch, despite outshooting the Friars 42-15, the Catamounts lost 3-2. Stella Retrum and Josie Hemp provided the scoring for Vermont.
Feb 5: 2025-26 Women's Basketball vs. Maine (Thu ⦁ 11:00am)
Feb 5: 2025-26 Women's Hockey vs Boston University (Thu ⦁ 6:00pm)
Feb 7: 2025-26 Men's Basketball vs New Hampshire (Sat ⦁ 1:30pm)
Feb 7: 2025-26 Women's Hockey vs Northeastern (Sat ⦁ 5:00pm)
Events:
Monday, February 2, 2026
General Events
10:00 AM: Dinosaur Safari Exhibit at ECHO @ ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington ($20–$25)
11:00 AM: Heart Hunt on The Church Street Marketplace @ Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free, runs through Feb 8)
12:00 PM: Reel Reads and Movie @ Fletcher Free Library Pickering Room, Burlington
Fleming Museum of Art Spring 2026 Kickoff Party @ Fleming Museum of Art, Burlington (Check link for time)
The Great Vermont Coat Drive: Week Three @ 84 Pine St, Burlington (Running Feb 2–7)
4:30 PM: VAWP Winter Mixer @ Waterworks Food + Drink, Winooski
4:30 PM: Monday Night Bingo @ Elks Lodge 916, Burlington (Various prices)
5:00 PM: Mac & Cheese Bar @ The Lazy Goat Tavern, Essex (Menu Pricing)
5:30 PM: The Food Heart of Italy – Exploring the Wines (and Foods) of Emilia Romagna @ Salt & Bubbles Wine Bar, Essex ($65.87)
6:00 PM: Monday Night Line Up (Beginner Level) @ On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Jct
6:00 PM: Open Mic with Kyle Stevens @ Pearl Street Pub, Essex Jct (Free)
6:00 PM: BLACKWOLF Groundhog Day @ Junktiques Collective, Burlington
6:00 PM: Trivia Monday @ Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex (Free)
6:00 PM: Pickup Youth Basketball (Grades 9-12) @ Shelburne Town Gym (Free)
6:00 PM: Winooski City Council Meeting @ Winooski City Hall (Free)
6:30 PM: Town Hall (Activism) @ Dion Family Student Center, Saint Michael's College, Colchester (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia with Craig Mitchell @ The Monkey House, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Monday with Top Hat Entertainment @ McKee's Original, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Spanish Chat Mondays @ Ben & Jerry's Church St, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Sopranos Night @ Bar Renée, Burlington (Free admission)
7:30 PM: Meeting & Presentation! @ Brownell Library, Essex Jct
Live Music/DJ
4:30 PM: VSV Solo Concerts 2026 @ Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington
7:00 PM Doors / 7:30 PM Show: Explosions in the Sky, Dutch Experts (Indie) @ Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington ($52.94+)
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
General Events
8:15 AM: Networking Coffee at Hula with the NoW @ Hula, Burlington (From $7.68)
9:00 AM: [MEETUP] Burlington Bitcoin Meetup @ Zero Gravity Brewery, Burlington (Free)
10:00 AM: Library Outreach Specialist Office Hours @ Main Reading Room North, Main Library, Burlington
11:00 AM: Heart Hunt on The Church Street Marketplace @ Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free)
11:15 AM: Flow Singing @ Heineberg Senior Center, Burlington (Free)
12:30 PM: Drop-In Tech Support @ Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington (Free)
3:00 PM: Insight Yin: 4-Week Series @ 1 Mill St, Burlington
3:30 PM: Games Galore @ Brownell Library, Essex Junction (Free)
4:00 PM: Magic Entertainment for Kids Night @ Texas Roadhouse, Williston
4:30 PM: Traditional Tuesday @ Mesmer Kava ($20 all you can drink or pay per shell)
5:00 PM: Community Winter Supper @ Winooski School District (Free)
5:00 PM: Pause-Café French Conversation @ Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Taco Tuesday @ Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski ($3.50/taco)
5:00 PM: Poutine Night @ The Essex Resort & Spa (Menu Pricing)
5:00 PM: Super Smash Tuesdays @ Ri Rá Irish Pub, Burlington (Free play, $10 Smash Burger & $10 Beer Pitcher specials)
5:15 PM: Community Meditation @ First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington (Free; donations accepted)
5:30 PM: Cookbook Club @ South Burlington Public Library & City Hall (Free; preregister)
5:30 PM: Queen City Indivisible Meeting: Drumming & Valentines @ Queen City Brewery, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Latin Dance Night @ Switchback Brewing Company ($20 class / $10 social)
6:00 PM: February Lindy 1 @ Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall, Burlington
6:00 PM: Crafters Drop-In @ Main Reading Room, Main Library, Burlington
6:30 PM: Open Studio @ Expressive Arts Burlington (By donation)
6:30 PM: Spanish Conversation Group @ Contact Organizer, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Bernie for Burlington: Book Launch and Community Celebration @ The Contois Auditorium, Burlington ($14.54)
7:00 PM: [MEETUP] Leo Full Moon Sacred Sisters Circle @ Practical Magick, Essex Junction (Donation $11/$22/$33)
7:00 PM: Nervous System Reset: 4-Week Breathwork Immersion @ 100 Dorset Street, Suite 5, South Burlington
7:00 PM: Trivia Tuesdays @ On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
7:00 PM: Open Mic Night @ The Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Dan Chiasson (Book Launch) @ Burlington City Hall Auditorium ($12)
7:00 PM: Open Gym Basketball for Dads @ Mater Christi School, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: February – Beginning Swing @ North Star Community Hall, Burlington ($15)
7:00 PM: February Balboa – Building on the Basics @ Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall, Burlington
7:15 PM: Martial Arts Intro Class: The Path of Aikido @ 257 Pine St, Burlington
Vermont Figure Drawing Collective @ Karma Bird House, Burlington (Check link for time)
Performances
6:00 PM: Cirque Mechanics: TILT @ The Flynn Center, Burlington ($45)
7:00 PM: All That Jazz Open Mic Comedy @ The 126, Burlington (Free)
Live Music/DJ
6:00 PM: Bashment Tuesday (DJ) @ Akes Place, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Luis Betancourt w/ Nell and Danny @ The Monkey House, Winooski
7:00 PM: Cocktail Piano Hour with Michael Hartigan @ Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington
7:00 PM: Retail Drugs, Funeral Date (Indie rock) @ Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
8:00 PM: Dead Is Alive with Dobbs' Dead (Grateful Dead Tribute) @ Einstein's Tap House, Burlington ($15)
9:00 PM: Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride (Jazz) @ The 126, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Honky Tonk Tuesday with SWAMPYTONK (Country) @ Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
General Events
10:30 AM: Therapy Dog Mick Visit @ Fletcher Free Library, Burlington
11:00 AM: Heart Hunt on The Church Street Marketplace @ Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free)
11:00 AM: Community Support for Hussien Noor Hussien Hearing @ Federal Courthouse, Elmwood Ave, Burlington (Free)
11:15 AM: Introducing The BrandBench @ The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
12:30 PM: Library Outreach Specialist Office Hours @ Main Reading Room North, Main Library, Burlington
2:00 PM: Community Partners Desk: Habitat for Humanity @ Main Reading Room, Main Library, Burlington
3:00 PM: Lake Champlain Memory Café @ Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington
4:00 PM: Wednesday $10 Burger Night @ Hotel Champlain (Original Skiff)
5:00 PM: Trail Improvement Feedback Sessions @ 20 Rock Point Rd, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: LOGOS Kid's Night @ College Street Congregational Church, Burlington
5:00 PM: Smash Burgers @ The Essex Resort & Spa (Menu Pricing)
5:30 PM: Main Street Multimodal Study Open House @ Contois Auditorium, City Hall, Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Garden Planning Workshop @ Gardener's Supply, Williston
5:30 PM: [MEETUP] Pick-up Basketball @ Gutterson Fieldhouse, Burlington ($10)
6:00 PM: February Vermont Real Estate Meetup @ Burlington Beer Company
6:00 PM: Valentine's Workshop: Learn Couples Massage @ 129 St. Paul Street, Burlington
6:00 PM: Midweek Boot Scoot (High Beginner Level) @ On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Jct
6:00 PM: [MEETUP] Scrabble Night @ The Boardroom @ The Boardroom Board Game Cafe, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Champ Masters Toastmasters Club @ Dealer.com, Burlington (Free; preregister)
6:30 PM: Trivia Night @ Burlington Beer Company
6:30 PM: Citizen Cider Trivia Night @ Citizen Cider, Burlington (Free)
6:30 PM: Winooski Democrats Meeting @ Winooski Memorial Library (Free)
6:45 PM: February Westie Wednesday Lessons & Social @ North Star Community Hall, Burlington
7:00 PM: Trivia Night @ Ri Rá Irish Pub, Burlington (Free, 1st place $100 gift card)
7:00 PM: Break Free from Hibernation Trivia Event @ 4 Lincoln Place, Essex Junction
7:00 PM: House Trivia Night @ Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington
7:00 PM: Yoga Asana + Buddhist Meditation Series @ Burlington (Donation)
7:00 PM: The Ribbit Review Open Mic & Jam @ Lily's Pad, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Dad Guild Fitness Night @ The Guild Hall, Burlington (Free)
8:30 PM: Standup Open Mic @ Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington (Free)
Performances
6:30 PM: VCA: $5 Improv Night! @ Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($5, Free for Students)
7:30 PM: 'Dancing Uphill' (Dance) @ University of Vermont, Cohen Hall, Burlington ($10–$15)
Live Music/DJ
6:00 PM: Groove Is In The Hearth: Ryan Sweezey (Singer-songwriter) @ American Flatbread Burlington Hearth (Free)
7:00 PM: April Verch & Joe Newberry @ Treewild House Concerts, Shelburne ($25)
8:00 PM: Jazz Mandolin Project @ Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington (Sold Out)
8:00 PM: Big Thief Night (Tribute) @ Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
8:30 PM: Jazz Night with Ray Vega @ Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Jazz Sessions @ The 126, Burlington (Free)
Thursday, February 5, 2026
General Events
10:00 AM: 4T2D [Fourtitude] Grand Opening @ 101 Church Street, Burlington
10:00 AM: Library Outreach Specialist Office Hours @ Main Reading Room North, Main Library, Burlington
10:30 AM: Tech Thursday: Intermediate Android Cell Phone @ Pickering Room, Main Library, Burlington
11:00 AM: Heart Hunt on The Church Street Marketplace @ Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free)
11:00 AM: UVM Women's Basketball vs. Maine @ UVM, Burlington
12:00 PM: Italian Conversation Group @ Fletcher Room, Main Library, Burlington
1:30 PM: UVM OLLI: Discover Vermont's Winter Birds @ St. Catherine of Siena Church Hall, Shelburne (Registration Required)
3:00 PM: Community Partners Desk: Burlington Electric @ Main Reading Room, Main Library, Burlington
4:30 PM: Spanish Conversation @ Pickering Room, Main Library, Burlington
5:00 PM: Thursday Happy Hour @ Lincoln's, Burlington
5:00 PM: [MEETUP] 8th Burlington Hardware Meetup Hosted at J Skis @ J Skis, 247 Main St, Burlington (Free)
5:20 PM: [MEETUP] Trivia Night @ Four Quarters Brewing @ Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski (Free)
5:30 PM: Ukraine Fundraising Potluck Party @ 20 Caroline St, Burlington (Donation)
6:00 PM: Fat Thursday – Guided Group Rides @ Catamount OFC, Williston
6:00 PM: Community Resilience Potluck & Mutual Aid Gathering @ Location upon Registration, Burlington (Free/Potluck)
6:00 PM: [MEETUP] Crokinole at The Boardroom @ The Boardroom Board Game Cafe, Burlington ($6)
6:00 PM: [MEETUP] Learn & Play Spirit Island with Jared @ The Boardroom Board Game Cafe, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Trivia at the Cider Lab @ Vermont Cider Lab (Free)
6:00 PM: UVM Women's Hockey vs. Boston University @ UVM, Burlington
7:00 PM: Backcountry 101 @ Outdoor Gear Exchange, Burlington ($5)
7:00 PM: Thursday Night Figure Drawing @ Queen City Oddfellows Lodge, Burlington ($15–$20 Donation)
7:00 PM: Women's Pick-Up Basketball @ Allen Brook Middle School, Williston (Free)
7:30 PM: South Burlington Rotary Club Meeting @ South Burlington Senior Center (Free)
8:00 PM: Trivia Night at Einstein's @ Einstein's Tap House, Burlington
10:00 PM: Karaoke Night @ Ri Rá Irish Pub, Burlington (Weekly drink specials)
Music Bingo @ The Essex Resort & Spa (Check link for time, Free to play)
Country & Western Thursdays @ The Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
Performances
6:30 PM: Chris Higgins @ Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($25, also Feb 6 & 7)
7:30 PM: Murder on the Orient Express @ Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington
8:30 PM: Strapped-In! Queer Comedy Showcase @ Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($15)
Live Music/DJ
5:00 PM: Young Tradition Touring Group @ Citizen Cider, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Lincoln Sprague Rhodes & Drums @ The Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)
8:00 PM: moe. @ Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington ($69–$74, three-day pass also available Feb 5–7)
Watch for Wednesday Editions!
I hope you’re enjoying those Wednesdays editions! I have plans for a rotation of Food Deal highlights, Poll Questions, Top Reddit Posts, Volunteer Opportunities, Reader Photos, Restaurant Spotlights, Small Business Features, and Btown Explained (quick local deep dive). Or Dine Out Review, Podcast Pick, Pet of the Week (adoptable to user submitted), new local Job Highlights, a Burlington Throwback Photo or Fact, and a quick Burlington Game like “Spot That Location”, VT crossword, or unscramble popular Burlington terms.
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.
Soon to be updated with even more Burlington food deals. View the full list of food & drink deals here.
That’s All, Burlington!
That's your week ahead. Soak up today's sunshine, grab a chocolate bar on Church Street, and make the most of this relative warmth before the arctic air comes knocking again. If something in here caught your eye, click through and support the people putting these events together. This city runs on the folks who show up.
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.
