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Weather & Monday Update:
We kick off the week in comfortable territory. Monday brings more clouds than we saw Sunday, but it stays mostly dry with just a spot shower possible and highs reaching the mid 80s, while the heavier rain slides by well to our south. Tuesday splits the state in two, with southern Vermont catching showers and clouds while Burlington hangs onto more sunshine and lands near 80. Wednesday looks like the pick of the week, partly sunny and beautiful with highs back in the mid 80s and humidity still in check. Thursday is when things turn, as the mugginess creeps back in and shower and storm chances rise through the afternoon and evening, with temperatures flirting with 90 before the weekend trends back toward normal. In short, plan your outdoor ambitions for the front half of the week and keep half an eye on the sky Thursday.
Monday wastes no time. The USA plays Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 tonight, and Citizen Cider's Press House Pub on Flynn Ave hosts the watch party at 8 with $5 pours of Unified Press and Citizen Double IPA. Before that, our own Kayaking @ Sandbar [MEETUP] launches at 7 from Sandbar State Park for a sunset paddle, and yes, creemees may follow. Baseball fans can catch the Lake Monsters' Hot Dog Hysteria night at Centennial Field at 6:35, while readers of the louder persuasion should hit Punk Book Night at Autumn Records at 6:30, where four authors of punk histories, covering Stiff Little Fingers, the Minutemen, and the Dead Milkmen, kick off their tour for free. Out at Shelburne Farms' Coach Barn, the I Am Vermont Too photo-story project hosts a reception and discussion at 5 celebrating the experiences of BIPOC Vermonters, light refreshments included. There is also a free 4 PM showing of 'The Mummy' at the South Burlington Public Library.
Tuesday belongs to the beautiful game and a brand new park. Vermont Green FC's men host Connecticut Rush at Virtue Field at 7, fresh off clinching a playoff spot, so expect the green faithful out in force. Earlier, South Burlington cuts the ribbon on City Center Park at 5, with remarks and the ribbon-cutting at the Market Street boardwalk entrance to the city's newest park. Stick around after, because the rec department's Recreation on the Go trailer rolls in at 5:30 loaded with yard games to break the place in properly. Dancers get their monthly fix at Afro-Latin Dance Night at Switchback at 6, beginner friendly with a lesson built in. Early birds can join Tech Tuesdays [MEETUP], a casual networking breakfast where founders, developers, and tech curious folks talk shop over coffee and waffles at Zero Gravity from 8 to 10 AM, the Old North End's ONE Farmers Market opens its 2026 season at 3, and Chuck Ragan, who has co-fronted the punk act Hot Water Music for three decades, plays Higher Ground's Showcase Lounge, doors at 7:30 and show at 8, with Troy Millette & the Fire Below and Evan Jennison opening. Classical fans should aim for Crosscurrents at the Elley-Long Music Center in Colchester, a faculty concert of the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival with a prelude performance at 6:45.
Wednesday's headliner is out at the farm. Vermont's own Jamie Lee Thurston comes home from Nashville with his full band for Sam Mazza's free summer concert series at 6, so arrive early and hungry. In town, you can help artists carve a giant printmaking block for the Main Street Block Party at Burlington City Arts' Community Carving Session downtown from 10 to noon, then come back at night for the VTIFF Musical Silents screening of 'The Golem', the 1920 silent classic with a live improvised score by Matt Hagen and Willverine, $6 to $12. The tech crowd lands at ChatBTV [MEETUP] at 6 to compare notes on building with AI. Meanwhile, cyclists of the women, trans, and nonbinary persuasion can book a spot in the RAR One-Night Stand bike care clinic at Old Spokes Home at 6 ($50, sliding scale options available), and Doma Bar hosts the All-Inclusive Dyke-Tacular from 5. Our weekly pick-up basketball runs at Pomeroy Park at 5:30, and Shelburne Vineyard pours through its Wine Down Farmers Market from 5 to 9.
Thursday is stacked, and most of it is free. South Burlington's SB Nite Out takes over Veterans Memorial Park at 5:30 with 90 Proof on stage from 6 to 8, a food truck court with the Skinny Pancake and A Taste of Abyssinia among others, and free beach towels while they last. Runners can start the evening next door, where the Stars and Strides 5K takes off from 1100 Dorset Street at 5:30 in partnership with the Vermont Air National Guard. Downtown, Party on the Bricks pops up on a new block of Church Street at 5:30 with dancing in the street and patio dining, and Blues For Breakfast brings its Grateful Americana and lake views to Main Street Landing's Thursdays By The Lake series at 5:30. Hotel Vermont's Cherry Street Social celebrates peak cherry season at 6 for $40, the AI + Business Summit fills Hula from 8:30 to 3 for the workday crowd ($25 to $100, preregister), and perfume curious folks can blend a custom botanical fragrance with Bloom Lab at Gardener's Supply in Williston at 5:30. The VYCC Barn-Raiser celebrates the historic East Monitor Barn in Richmond from 5 to 8, Green Mountain Roller Derby teaches you to skate at the Expo at 8, and the VT Ladies Social Group crafts in community [MEETUP] at 6:30. Night owls finish at the Monkey House, where Impakt brings house and techno from 8 to midnight, free and 21+, or at Higher Ground for the Wildwoods at 8. Comedy fans can catch Movie Night with Adam, Rory and Ben at Vermont Comedy Club at 7 before Adam Cayton-Holland and Ben Roy's headline shows this weekend.
Love.
I MADE BURLINGTON-INSPIRED GAMES!!!
I wanted to build something completely different for Burlington, so I started coding. I’ve been cooking up a collection of free, Burlington-inspired phone games, and the first two are officially ready to play. My end goal? A 10-15 game local, digital arcade with cumulative leaderboards so you can compete with your friends and neighbors. I think the best part is they are 100% free with zero annoying video ads like you see everywhere else. Plus, they auto-update with the latest Btown Brief headlines so you can catch up on news while you play.
🏃 Church Street Runner: Think Subway Surfers. Run down Church Street, dodge obstacles, switch characters, jump, slide, and move left or right. Look out for local icons as I’ve been trying to pack it with recognizable Burlington details.
🗄️ FILED!: We have the World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet, so naturally I made a game out of it. Stamp through endless paperwork, switch left and right to dodge open drawers, and try not to get buried in Burlington bureaucracy.
Give them a try and let me know what you think. I have a whole vault of other game concepts waiting to be completed (like Flappy Champ and Pothole Patrol). Check out my Reddit post to see the full list of what I'm building next.
Never be bored in Burlington again.
The BTown City Guide is your cheat code for the city, and after months of tinkering it’s live for you right now. With 200+ sortable spots, real-time weather filters, and a "Surprise Me" button for when you can't decide, it's the only bookmark you need for weekend plans. Explore it by jumping straight in here. Or go over at btownbrief.com → BTown City Guide
See something good? Say something good.
There is a lot of good happening in Burlington that never gets talked about. We built r/GoodBurlington to change that. Think of it as the opposite of doomscrolling. Found a hidden gem? Snapped a great photo? Want to shout out a local worker who made your day? Post it on the subreddit, or submit it through this quick [Google Form] and I'll share it for you. The best of what gets shared will show up right here in the Brief. Come drop your first post: [r/GoodBurlington]
The Btown Brief IRL - Burlington Social & Activities
We’re now seeing 20–30 people at our weekly events! Thanks to everyone helping host events with me. And thanks to those that show up to make it worth it! Be sure to stop by for our weekly Saturday Coffee meetup at Zero Gravity at 10am. 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. Download Telegram before clicking link.
This Coming Week:
Kayaking @ Sandbar – Monday, July 6th @ 7:00 PM: Bring your boat for a sunset paddle in the Sandbar Management Area, perhaps followed by creemees.
Pick-up Basketball – Every Wednesday @ 5:30 PM: Come play competitive pick-up basketball at Pomeroy Park!
Sunset & Sip @ Leddy Park Beach – Friday, July 10th @ 6:30 PM: Watch the sunset over the Adirondacks. Bring a drink, dinner or snacks, and a beach chair to decompress from the week.
BTown Coffee Club – Every Saturday @ 10:00 AM: Our favorite casual weekly social at Zero Gravity Brewery. Just good coffee, great conversation, and figuring out weekend plans!
Vermont Do Good Festival! – Saturday, July 11th @ 1:30 PM: Head to Montpelier for live music (including Smash Mouth!), food trucks, and a good cause supporting youth mental health.
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.
La Fete du Fromage – Sunday, July 12th @ 2:00 PM: Let's get bougie! A potluck-style event at Oakledge Park celebrating cheese. Bring a type of cheese (or an accompaniment) to share.
Other Upcoming Events:
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.
Lake Monsters Baseball & Fireworks – Saturday, August 8th @ 5:45 PM: A summer night at Centennial Field with the Lake Monsters, capped off with fireworks.
Support the Brief ❤️
Support the Brief to Keep ‘Em Coming!
There are 3,177 of you reading this every week, and 70% of you actually open it, which kind of floors me and isn't something I take for granted. Right now 33 readers chip in to keep this going, which works out to about 1%, and I'd love to get that closer to 3% so the Btown Brief feels like it can stick around for the long haul. We just hit one year and I'm hoping for many more.
Here's what goes into it. Every week, I sort through TONS of local sources: Seven Days events, Front Porch Forum calendar, Facebook events, Hello Burlington, Love 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. I do all of it around a night-shift job, so your support honestly makes a real difference. 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!
2026 goal: 5,000 subscribers. We're at 3,177 right now. If you know someone who'd get something out of this, send them to BtownBrief.com.
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Local News (All Links Clickable)
There’s a new 60 second Btown Brief News Quiz! Win monthly Btown merch by reading with intention.
"This change was made based on clinical and financial data and comes after a years-long process that included clinical review, feedback and recommendations from a panel of experts," wrote UVM Health spokesperson Phil Rau, per VTDigger.
The state's largest employer group expects to save $19 million a year by dropping coverage of GLP-1s and similar medications for weight loss starting in September, a cost it says helps hold down premiums for the more than 10,000 employees and family members on its plans. It lands hard on workers who rely on drugs that can run hundreds of dollars a month out of pocket. It also puts the hospital network in the awkward spot of prescribing medications for patients that it will no longer help its own staff afford, and with UVM Medical Center's finances already under strain, it likely will not be the last belt-tightening move.
"You can't stay in one place for long and be loud and rambunctious in the way that young people should be able to. They deserve a space where they are allowed to do that," said organizer Jasmine Gruen, per Seven Days.
A hangout spot run by and for young people is set to open later this summer at 4 Langdon Street, the former Bent Nails Bistro space. The idea grew out of a familiar problem, teens getting shuffled from coffee shop to coffee shop downtown with nowhere to simply exist. Montpelier's answer is worth watching from Burlington, where the same conversation about where teenagers actually belong downtown comes up every year.
More than 2,000 Vermonters participated last year, "helping us better understand how people stay informed, what issues matter most in their communities and how VTDigger can better serve Vermonters," per VTDigger.
The statewide listening tour returns with surveys, community events, and partnerships aimed especially at younger and rural Vermonters. Local news everywhere is fighting for survival, and a nonprofit newsroom driving around asking people what they actually need is a refreshingly direct approach. If they set up at a farmers market near you, tell them what you want covered.
Just for Laughs is the place to find "fresh, interesting new voices" in comedy, per Seven Days.
The legendary festival runs July 15 through 26 at venues all over Montréal, close enough for a Burlington day trip or a very funny overnight. Seven Days' Québec guide walks through how to navigate the sprawling lineup, from arena headliners to the club shows where you catch the next big name before anyone else does. Consider it the perfect excuse to finally use that passport this summer.
"As a kid, I didn't have a place like this... Being able to provide not only for like-minded adults, but also kids, is really important," said Pokémon ambassador CJ Burwinkel, per the Williston Observer.
Quarterstaff Games' new weekly Pokémon Club has trainers of all ages trading cards and fist-bumping over play mats downtown, part of a bigger story about Vermont game shops becoming genuine third places. In an era when everyone frets about screens and loneliness, the humble card table is quietly doing community-building work. If you've never wandered into Quarterstaff on a game night, it's worth seeing.
"What's an appropriate gift for a nation's 250th birthday?" asks Seven Days.
The Vermont Historical Society answers with "50 for 250," an exhibition of 50 objects from its collection that opened Friday at the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier, and Seven Days picked seven favorites, including the 1779 printing press long rumored to be the country's oldest (it isn't, but it was Vermont's first). A tidy road trip pairing with the America 250 exhibit already running at Shelburne Museum.
"This project will inspire people to come together as a community with their friends and neighbors for amazing events for people of all ages for generations to come," said Healthy Living CEO Eli Lesser-Goldsmith, per Seven Days.
The Champlain Valley School District board voted 8 to 3 to let the superintendent negotiate with a nonprofit promising to raise $5.7 million for a new field complex at CVU in Hinesburg. Opponents raised environmental and health concerns about artificial turf, from PFAS to microplastics, and the debate echoes ones playing out across the state as schools weigh playability against precaution. Since the money is privately raised, expect the argument to center on values rather than budgets.
"This agreement reflects what can be accomplished when labor and management approach negotiations with mutual respect, transparency, and a shared commitment to serving the people of Burlington," said Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, per Vermont Business Magazine.
The contract covers BED's 85 union staff and was wrapped up before the new fiscal year even started, a notably drama-free outcome as city labor negotiations go. With BED asking customers to trim usage during heat waves and juggling grid demands, keeping the lineworkers happy is not a small thing.
"Unfortunately, between the realities of rent, operating costs, staffing, and theft, the business was not sustainable," owners Shlomi and Miriam Lavi said in a statement, per Seven Days.
The retro toy shop closed Sunday after just seven months in the compact corner storefront where the couple previously ran Weenies Hot Dogs. It's a tough data point for Church Street, where the mix of rents and retail theft keeps grinding down small independents even as the Marketplace draws summer crowds.
"The fire chief is now the fire warden for that town," said Hinesburg Fire Chief Prescott Nadeau, per NBC5.
The new law took effect last week and folds the old forest fire warden role into each town's fire chief, changing how burn permits get issued and how wildfire response is organized. It's a quiet administrative shift with real consequences in a state that has seen drier summers and more brush fire activity. If you burn debris on your property, the person you call may have changed.
"It's been a really difficult six years," owner Mike Williams said, per Seven Days.
The Main Street institution is bringing back late night hours on Fridays and Saturdays, reopening from 10 PM after its daytime shift, welcome news for anyone whose midnight Shiner cravings survived the pandemic era. Meanwhile Judi's Ice Cream is expanding to South Burlington's City Center, which keeps stacking up local food names. Downtown after dark gets a little more alive with this one.
"I couldn't have been more happy... to have the opportunity and be surprised and know that I achieved gold and silver. Who could ask for anything better?" said Kevin Conger of Williston, per VTDigger.
More than 30 Vermont athletes, coaches, and volunteers traveled to the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, joining 3,000 competitors from all 50 states, and came home with hardware, including Conger's gold and silver in track. A genuinely joyful read about neighbors competing on a national stage.
Leunig's on Market will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a "prominent corner location" of the development, per Seven Days.
The Church Street mainstay plans a second, 5,300 square foot location this winter at Catamount Run, the UVM-linked housing development on Market Street, and the Burlington original is staying put. With Judi's Ice Cream announced the same week, City Center's food roster is starting to look like a real dining district. South Burlington keeps quietly becoming a destination in its own right.
Quick Hits
After a national search, Williston picked Burlington deputy chief Jon LaBarge, a 21 year BPD veteran, to replace retiring Chief Patrick Foley. His first day is August 3.
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
View the potential prizes on the Btown Brief Merch Store
Vermont Green FC Women Crowned Eastern Conference Champions
The Vermont Green FC women are continuing their historic, inaugural season with a deep run in the postseason. On Friday, July 3, the Women in Green defeated the top-seeded Long Island Rough Riders 3-0 in the USLW Eastern Conference Semifinal. Striker Emily Mara led the attack with a brace, while midfielder Louisa Thomsen added a late header to put the game out of reach. Goalkeeper Olivia Shippee anchored the defense with a season-high six saves to earn the clean sheet, while also making club history by becoming the first goalie to record an assist.
Building on that momentum, Vermont Green captured the 2026 USLW Eastern Conference Championship by defeating Eagle FC 2-0 in the conference final on Sunday, July 5. Playing in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,500 at Virtue Field, Violet Rademacher and Tess Barrett scored back-to-back goals just before halftime to secure the victory. The team will now look to keep their dream season alive when they host Asheville City SC in the National Semifinal on Saturday, July 11.
Upcoming Home Games
July 07 — Vermont Green FC Men vs Connecticut Rush
July 11 — 2026 USLW National Semifinal
Events:
Monday, July 6, 2026
General Events
4:00 PM: 'The Mummy' (1999) screening at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
4:30 PM: Crowdsourced VT: 'Shrek' at Fletcher Free Library (Free)
5:00 PM: I Am Vermont Too — Photo-Story Reception & Discussion at Shelburne Farms Coach Barn, Shelburne (Free)
5:00 PM: Vermont Adult Learning Book Club (Burlington, Free)
5:30 PM: Garret Keizer reads "Starting from Paterson" at Phoenix Books Essex, Essex Junction (Free)
5:45 PM: Skirack's Run Club from Skirack, 85 Main St, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Monday Night Line Up — Beginner Line Dancing at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction
6:00 PM: Novice Monday: Group MTB Ride at Catamount Outdoor Family Center, Williston
6:00 PM: Open Mic with Kyle Stevens at Pearl Street Pub, Essex Junction (Free)
6:00 PM: Trivia Monday at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex Junction (Free)
6:00 PM: Burlington Elks Bingo at Burlington Elks Lodge
6:00 PM: Anime Group at Pathways Vermont Morgan's Place, Burlington
6:30 PM: Punk Book Night: Stiff Little Fingers and the Minutemen at Autumn Records, Burlington (Free)
6:35 PM: Vermont Lake Monsters — Hot Dog Hysteria at Centennial Field, Burlington ($12 adults, $6 kids; 25¢ hot dogs)
7:00 PM: Kayaking @ Sandbar at Sandbar State Park, Colchester — MEETUP.com (Free)
7:00 PM: Monday Evening Singing Circle at 208 Flynn Ave, Burlington (Donation)
7:00 PM: Play Dodgeball — Every Monday Night at Robert Miller Community and Recreation Center, Burlington ($5)
7:00 PM: Trivia with Craig Mitchell at The Monkey House, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Monday with Top Hat Entertainment at McKee's Original, Winooski (Free)
8:00 PM: USA Watch Party (World Cup) at Citizen Cider's Press House Pub, 180 Flynn Ave (Free)
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
General Events
8:00 AM: Community Acupuncture Donation Clinic Celebration at 366 Dorset St, Suite 10, South Burlington (Donation; runs daily through Saturday)
8:00 AM: Tech Tuesdays — Networking Breakfast at Zero Gravity Brewery, Burlington — MEETUP.com (Free)
8:30 AM: July Networking Coffee for Women at Hula, Burlington
11:15 AM: Flow Singing at Heineberg Senior Center, Burlington
12:00 PM: Burlington Watches Together: World Cup Round of 32 at Fletcher Free Library, until 6 PM (Free; snacks provided)
12:00 PM: Zephyr Place Event at Zephyr Place, Williston
3:00 PM: Opening Day — ONE Farmers Market Old North End, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM: Writer's Circle at Pathways Vermont Morgan's Place, Burlington
4:30 PM: Traditional Tuesday kava social at Mesmer Kava, Burlington ($20 flat fee)
5:00 PM: City Center Park Grand Opening Celebration at City Center Park, South Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Milton Farmers Market at Bombardier Park West, Milton (Free)
5:00 PM: Pause-Café Mardi — French conversation at Burlington Bay Market & Café (Free)
5:00 PM: Super Smash Tuesdays at Rí Rá Irish Pub, Burlington
5:15 PM: Community Meditation at First Unitarian Universalist Society, Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Recreation on the Go — City Center Park & Goose Pond South Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Mindful Yoga at Shelburne Museum, Shelburne (preregister)
6:00 PM: Beginner Salsa Class & Party at Switchback Brewing Company, Burlington
6:00 PM: Tuesday Trail Running Series at Catamount OFC, Williston (check admission price)
6:00 PM: Bashment Tuesday at Akes' Place, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Crafters Drop-In at Fletcher Free Library (Free)
6:00 PM: Vermont Figure Drawing Collective at 47 Maple St, Burlington ($20 cash)
6:30 PM: Spanish Conversation Group (Burlington, Free)
6:30 PM: Reading Group at Peace & Justice Center, Burlington (Free)
6:30 PM: Open Studio at Expressive Arts Burlington (By donation)
7:00 PM: Trivia Tuesday at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
7:00 PM: All That Jazz Open Mic Comedy at The 126, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Vermont's Freedom & Unity Chorus at Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel, Colchester
7:00 PM: July Beginning Swing! at North Star Community Hall, Burlington
7:00 PM: July Charleston! at North Star Community Hall, Burlington
Performances
6:30 PM: Festival Artists Series: 'Crosscurrents' — Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival at Elley-Long Music Center, Colchester (check admission price)
7:00 PM: 'The NeverEnding Story' screening at Film House, Main Street Landing, Burlington
7:00 PM: Vermont Green FC Men vs. Connecticut Rush at Virtue Field, UVM (tickets here)
Live Music/DJ
6:00 PM: Grooveasaurus, Michael Oakes at The Monkey House, Winooski
6:00 PM: Local Dork Vinyl DJ Night at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
7:30 PM doors, 8:00 PM show: Chuck Ragan, Troy Millette & the Fire Below, Evan Jennison at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington (check admission price)
8:00 PM: Dead Is Alive with Dobbs' Dead at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride at The 126, Burlington
9:00 PM: Honky Tonk Tuesday at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10; 21+)
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
General Events
9:30 AM: Green Mountain Chapter, Embroiderers' Guild at Holy Family Parish Hall, Essex Junction
10:00 AM: Community Carving Sessions: Main Street Block Party Steamroller Printmaking with Burlington City Arts at Vermont Comedy Club (Free)
10:00 AM: Italian Conversation Group at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
10:30 AM: Current Events discussion at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston (Free)
2:00 PM: Guided Tours at Merrymac Farm Sanctuary, Charlotte ($25; preregister)
2:00 PM: Steps to End Domestic Violence: Community Partners Desk at Fletcher Free Library (Free)
5:00 PM: Super Bingo at Burlington Elks Lodge (check admission price)
5:00 PM: Wednesday Wine Down Farmers Market at Shelburne Vineyard, Shelburne (Free)
5:00 PM: Yarn Crafters Group at Must Love Yarn, Shelburne (Free)
5:00 PM: The All-Inclusive Dyke-Tacular at Doma Bar, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Summer Sketchbook Club at 34 Church Street, Burlington
5:30 PM: Pick-up Basketball at Pomeroy Park, Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Group Ride at Saxon Hill Essex Junction (Free)
5:30 PM: 5K Run @ Pioneer Lakeside, Colchester — MEETUP.com (Free)
6:00 PM: ChatBTV: AI software development meetup at Bluehouse Group, 193 South Winooski Ave, Burlington — MEETUP.com (Free)
6:00 PM: Passeggiata — evening stroll on Church Street Marketplace (Free)
6:00 PM: Midweek Boot Scoot — Beyond Beginner Line Dancing at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction
6:00 PM: The RAR One-Night Stand: a Clinic in Bicycle Care at Old Spokes Home, Burlington ($50, sliding scale)
6:00 PM: Community Cooking at Pathways Vermont Morgan's Place, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Recovery Dharma at First United Methodist Church, Burlington
6:00 PM: Cribbage at The Boardroom Board Game Cafe, Burlington
6:00 PM: Scrabble Night with the Burlington Scrabble Club at The Boardroom Board Game Cafe — MEETUP.com (Free)
6:30 PM: Toastmasters of Greater Burlington at Generator Makerspace (Free)
6:30 PM: Jesse Wegman author talk at Pierson Library, Shelburne (Free)
6:30 PM: CCSC July Meeting at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston
6:45 PM: Vermont Swings Open Practice at North Star Community Hall, Burlington
7:00 PM: Venetian Trivia Night at Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Night at Rí Rá Irish Pub, Burlington (Free)
7:15 PM: Astrology Circle at 1 Mill St, Burlington (By donation)
8:00 PM: Karaoke Night at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
Times Vary: Community Acupuncture Donation Clinic Celebration at 366 Dorset St, Suite 10, South Burlington (Donation; check daily hours)
8:30 PM: Standup Open Mic at Vermont Comedy Club (Free)
Performances
7:00 PM: VCA: Coached Ensembles at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington (check admission price)
7:00 PM: VTIFF Musical Silents: 'The Golem' at The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Burlington ($6-12)
Live Music/DJ
5:00 PM: The Grift at The Old Stage at the Double E, Essex Junction
6:00 PM: Sam Mazza's Summer Concert Series — Jamie Lee Thurston at Sam Mazza's Farm Market, Colchester (Free)
6:30 PM: Town of Shelburne Concert Series at Shelburne Farms (Free)
6:30 PM: Bluegrass & Pizza at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Tremolo Fields w/ Paper Castles & Izzy Jones at The Monkey House, Winooski
8:00 PM: Yuuf at Higher Ground, South Burlington (check admission price)
8:00 PM: Praire Princess, Neato, Silverlined at Radio Bean, Burlington
8:30 PM: Jazz Night with Ray Vega at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Jazz Sessions at The 126, Burlington
Thursday, July 9, 2026
General Events
7:30 AM: BTV Cleanup Crew: Litter Pickup from Kru Coffee Collective, top of Church Street (Free)
8:30 AM: AI + Business Summit at Hula, Burlington ($25-100; preregister)
10:00 AM: Reserve Coffee Tasting at Vivid Coffee Roasters, 150 Cherry St, Burlington (from $12.51)
11:00 AM: Bay & Brisket Trivia Thursday at 127 East Shore Drive, Colchester
12:00 PM: CCS Annual Picnic at 500 Colchester Point Rd, Colchester
12:00 PM: Italian Conversation Group at Fletcher Free Library (Free)
12:30 PM: Duplicate Bridge Games at Burlington Bridge Club ($6)
1:00 PM: Quartet Conversations at Phoenix Books, Burlington (Free)
1:00 PM: Friendly Game of Bridge at Heineberg Senior Center, Burlington
2:00 PM: Knit for Your Neighbors at South Burlington Public Library
3:00 PM: World Cup Quarterfinal Watch Party at Switchback Brewing, Burlington, until 5 PM (Free)
4:00 PM: Weeders Needed — volunteer garden session at the Winooski River Walk, Winooski (Free)
4:00 PM: Flatbread Friday (Thursday session) at The Wheeler Homestead, South Burlington (Free cover)
4:00 PM: Burlington Watches Together: World Cup Quarter-Finals at Fletcher Free Library, until 6 PM (Free; snacks provided)
5:00 PM: The VYCC East Monitor Barn-Raiser in Richmond (check admission price)
5:00 PM: Women's Ride at Bolton Valley Resort (Free; preregister)
5:00 PM: Jaded Ravins: Live at the Lantern at Old Lantern Events Barn, Charlotte ($10 suggested donation; music at 6)
5:30 PM: Party on the Bricks on Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: SB Nite Out #3 — Beach Towel Giveaway at Veterans Memorial Park, South Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Perfume Making Workshop with Bloom Lab at Gardener's Supply, Williston (check admission price)
5:30 PM: On the Door Radio at The Pinery, Burlington
5:30 PM: Stars and Strides 5K Run/Walk from 1100 Dorset St, South Burlington
5:30 PM: Gourmet Mushroom Growing with Madcap Mushrooms at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne ($50)
5:30 PM: B4B Has Landed / Thursdays By The Lake at Main Street Landing, Burlington
6:00 PM: Women's Pickup Flag Football at UVM Rugby Field (Free)
6:00 PM: 802 Homes Age Friendly Housing Workshop at BCA Studios, 405 Pine St, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Cherry Street Social at Hotel Vermont, Burlington ($40; preregister)
6:00 PM: Trivia Night at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex Junction (Free)
6:00 PM: Trivia at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Trivia at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski (Free)
6:00 PM: Peer Support Dungeons & Dragons at Morgan House, Burlington
6:00 PM: Wingspan & Wyrmspan Lovers Unite at The Boardroom Board Game Cafe, Burlington
6:00 PM: Social Thursday: Guided Mountain Bike Ride at Catamount OFC, Williston
6:00 PM: Trivia at Vermont Cider Lab, Essex (Free)
6:30 PM: Crafting in Community at 11 Pearl St, Essex Junction — MEETUP.com (Free)
6:30 PM: Music Bingo at 4 Lincoln Place, Essex Junction (Free)
6:45 PM: Kizomba Thursdays — Beginner & Intermediate Dance Classes at South End Studio, Burlington
7:00 PM: Thursday Night Figure Drawing with Emanata Art Collective at Queen City Lodge Oddfellows Hall, Burlington
7:00 PM: Franky Cannon — 'Vernal Thaw' book launch at Phoenix Books, Burlington, with Seven Days editor Chelsea Edgar
8:00 PM: Learn to Skate with Green Mountain Roller Derby at Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Junction (check admission price)
8:00 PM: Karaoke Night at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
Times Vary: Community Acupuncture Donation Clinic Celebration at 366 Dorset St, Suite 10, South Burlington (Donation; check daily hours)
10:00 PM: Thirsty Thursday at Rí Rá Irish Pub, Burlington
Performances
7:00 PM: Movie Night with Adam, Rory & Ben at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington (check admission price)
7:00 PM: 'Rashomon' screening at The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Burlington
Live Music/DJ
6:00 PM: Old Time Jam at Radio Bean, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Vinyl Thursdays at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Folino's Summer Concert Series on the Patio (Free) (check venue)
6:00 PM: Live Music at Maquam Barn & Winery, Milton (Free)
7:00 PM: Joe Agnello & Lara Cwass at Foam Brewers, Burlington
8:00 PM: Brunch, Danny & the Parts, Rose Asteroid, Ruminations at Radio Bean, Burlington
8:00 PM: The Wildwoods at Higher Ground, South Burlington (check admission price)
8:00 PM: Impakt — House & Techno ft. Torex, Moticul & Skipipop at The Monkey House, Winooski
10:00 PM: DJ GAYBAR at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington
Ongoing All Week – Exhibits, Films & Daily Attractions (Mon–Thu)
'Champ: America's Lake Monster' Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center (10 AM–5 PM; $17–23)
'Dinosaur Safari' Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center (through Sept. 7)
ECHO 3D Films: 'Wild Rescue', 'Shark Kingdom', 'Dinosaurs of Antarctica', 'Backyard Wilderness' (daily showtimes)
'America 250 at Shelburne Museum' + 'Norman Rockwell: At Home in Vermont' + 'On Point: Needlework' at Shelburne Museum (through Oct. 25)
'Pièce de Résistance' at The SEABA Center (through Aug. 1)
'Eyes Ahead' at Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery (through Aug. 1)
Marian Wilmott: 'Seed to Bone' at The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery (through Aug. 1)
Rachel Rodi and A Fellow Traveler at Flynndog Gallery (through July 17)
Anna McNeary: 'Hand Me Down' at Extra Special With Cheese (through July 25)
E. Kelly O'Neal and Michael Trimpol at Frog Hollow (final days — through July 7)
Marion Huse at J. Kenneth Fine Art (through Aug. 1)
Art at the Hospital: six artists at UVM Medical Center (through Sept. 30)
Ashley Stagner: 'The Cowboy Series' at Artspace 106 (ongoing)
'Investigating Child Labor' at Heritage Winooski Mill Museum (ongoing, Free)
Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival at Saint Michael's College, Colchester (concerts through the summer)
'This is not a dinosaur' — Al Larsen at Champlain College Art Gallery (through July 26)
Vermont Watercolor Society Hub Show at Winemakers Gallery, Village Wine and Coffee, Shelburne (through July 30)
'Mosaic of Marks, Words, Material' at Winooski School District (through Aug. 15; Free)
'Belonging: A New Collections Gallery' at Fleming Museum of Art
For artists: Art Hop Registration (through July 31) and SEABA Artist Residency applications (through Aug. 23)
Daily attractions: Trolley Tours, Spirit of Ethan Allen cruises, Ultimate Chocolate Tasting at Lake Champlain Chocolates, Glass Factory & Storefront at AO Glass, Skiff Oyster Hour at Hotel Champlain
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!
Make the most of the dry stretch early this week, whether that means a sunset paddle tonight, a new park ribbon-cutting Tuesday, or country music at the farm on Wednesday.
Thanks for reading, as always. Got a tip, a favorite haunt, or an event we should have on our radar? Send it our way, we are always listening. See you Friday, Burlington.
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