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Weather & Monday Rundown:
A bit chilly this morning! Any standing water could’ve frozen overnight, so keep an eye out for black ice on your commute. The rest of the day stays mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers redeveloping by early afternoon. Accumulation around the Champlain Valley should stay light, a dusting to maybe an inch in spots, with highs only reaching the low to mid 30s and overnight lows dropping back into the 20s. Tuesday brings a welcome break: some midday sunshine and temperatures pushing toward 40 before clouds move in again later. Wednesday looks dry through the daylight hours, but rain or snow showers return Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with another round possible later Thursday into Friday.
Tonight's the night to show up at City Hall. The Burlington City Council meets at Contois Auditorium with a public forum at 6:45 PM specifically to hear community input on recent ICE activity and the South Burlington incident from March 11. The council will review the city's response, hear from the Mayor, and hold an executive session on police emergency measures. If you can't attend in person, you can watch on YouTube or join on Zoom, but sign up for the online public forum before 5 PM today. Elsewhere this Monday evening, the Community Sailing Center hosts a free Women in Wind movie night at 5:30 featuring Women & the Wind, a documentary following three women on an Atlantic sailing journey (open to all female identifying sailors, light refreshments included). If you're the competitive type, pickup dodgeball runs 7 to 8:15 at CP Smith Elementary for just five bucks, or practice your conversational Spanish at Spanish Chat Mondays at Three Needs from 7 to 8. Looking for something lower key? Monday Night Bingo at the Elks Lodge on North Ave has a $1,000 jackpot, with doors at 4:30 and early birds at 6. Also today, UVM hosted a free lunchtime talk on how interstate highways shaped rural America, featuring Michigan State researcher Craig Carpenter in the Davis Center.
Tuesday brings a stacked lineup. The Flynn welcomes the nine time Tony Award winning The Book of Mormon at 7:30 PM (playing Wednesday too). Over at Vermont Comedy Club, Ilana Glazer of Broad City fame takes the stage at 6:30, though it's sold out. A waitlist opens at 5 PM at the box office if you're feeling lucky. For something more intimate, Mike Calabrese of Lake Street Dive plays Radio Bean at 7:30 with original love songs about his adopted state of Vermont. Think Nashville storytelling meets Billy Joel bridges. It's only $10 (21+). If your Tuesday leans more community minded, Edmunds Middle School hosts a free screening of Gone Guys at 6 PM, a 45 minute Vermont made film about the growing crisis of isolation among boys and men, followed by a group discussion. Or go full comfort food at the Mac & Cheese Potluck at the Odd Fellows Hall on North Ave at 6:30. Bold creations encouraged, classics welcome. Isaac Bissell also gives a talk on land conservation at 1 PM at Faith United Methodist Church in South Burlington, exploring stewardship from statewide planning all the way down to your backyard pollinator garden.
Wednesday and Thursday keep the momentum going. Thievery Corporation brings their genre bending live show to Higher Ground on Wednesday night (doors at 7, show at 8, all ages, low tickets remaining), and The Book of Mormon runs its second night at the Flynn at 7:30. That afternoon, lace up for the 5K Run @ Switchback [MEETUP] at 5:30 PM, meeting out front of the new taproom for a bike path run followed by their Buns & Brew burger and beer special for $12. Also Wednesday: former Lt. Governor Molly Gray holds a family friendly Pizza & Pints meet and greet at Queen City Brewery at 6 PM (childcare and kids' activities provided), City Market hosts a Tree ID and Natural History Tour of Red Rocks Park from noon to 2 ($10 to $15), and Fleming Museum opens The Faculty Edit with a panel discussion at 5 PM. The Wards 4 & 7 NPA meeting at the Miller Center starts at 6 with a free meal from People's Kitchen. Also be sure to catch a free Lunch & Learn webinar at noon on using Front Porch Forum for community outreach.
Thursday's packed too. To start off, the Btown Brief meetup crew is getting together for Trivia at Four Quarters on Thursday at 6:30 PM, be sure to sign up! Also, don't miss Wild Foods, Wild Lands at Main Street Landing from 6 to 8 PM, a free sneak preview of a brand new PBS show created by Vermont's own Kevin Chap, followed by a reception with locally sourced appetizers and conversation about public lands protection (RSVP required). The weekly BTV Clean Up Crew meets at the top of Church Street at 7:30 AM if you're feeling civic minded. Over in Winooski, Waves of Adrenaline plays acoustic tunes at Standing Stone Wines from 6:30 to 8, with a poster making session in back for the March 28 No Kings Event. The Ladies Book Club [MEETUP] meets at Spaghet in Williston at 6:15 to discuss Charlotte McConaghy's Wild Dark Shore (you're welcome even if you haven't finished it). Thursday Night Figure Drawing returns to the Oddfellows Lodge on North Ave from 7 to 9 (bring your own supplies, suggested donation $15 to $20), and Music Bingo takes over Sparky's in Essex Junction at 7. In Charlotte, rising opera stars come home for the Youth Opera Alumni Concert at the Congregational Church at 7 PM (by donation). And if you're looking to help neighbors get around, the Town of Colchester hosts a Volunteer Drivers Informational Session at 6 PM on Blakely Road.
Take a step back in time. We’ve officially passed the one-year mark! To celebrate, I created a digital archive where you can browse past news stories and photos from our first year. See what Burlington has been up to this year by checking out the randomizer:
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The Btown Brief IRL - We’re now seeing 20–30 people at our weekly events! Thursday we’re meeting for Trivia and then we have two other awesome events scheduled coming up (thanks Sherrah!); on top of our weekly regular coffee event. So be sure to stop by for our weekly Saturday Coffee meetup at Zero Gravity at 10am. Everyone is welcome! 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:
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Maple Madness on Church St over the weekend
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"My rear end was hanging out. He was very embarrassed," founder Kate Harvey said of the chairlift moment that started it all, per Seven Days.
What began as a pandemic sewing project with her 5 year old son has become a growing business that's diverted more than 40,000 pounds of ski gear from landfills. BirdieBlue, based in Stowe, partners with Burton and Turtle Fur to source upcycled materials, employs about 20 home sewers across Vermont, and saw over 90 percent revenue growth last year. The environmental angle matters beyond feel good branding: ski clothing often contains PFAS, the "forever chemicals" that leach into waterways from landfills. Harvey is now scaling from 200 to 500 bags per month and eyeing a Patagonia partnership.
"Even after the weather forced us to postpone, our participants, sponsors, and supporters showed up ready to go," said Sarah McCaffrey, President & CEO of Special Olympics Vermont, per Vermont Business Magazine.
Over 1,100 plungers braved the frigid waters of Lake Champlain at the Burlington Waterfront on March 14 for the 31st annual event. The Cool Schools division alone brought in more than $150,000 from over 600 student plungers, the most since 2020. All funds support year round sports training, health screenings, and leadership opportunities for Vermonters with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
"Neither Patin Patin nor any of the two other people detained in last week's ICE raid were the person named in a warrant and who U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had been seeking when they stormed into the residence where all three were staying," per VTDigger.
All three people detained during the March 11 raid have now been freed following court hearings this week, with federal judges in Burlington ordering immediate release in each of the sisters' cases. Judge Reiss noted that Patin Patin's warrantless arrest may have been unlawful. The person ICE was actually looking for remains at large, and Migrant Justice says the focus now shifts to accountability for the law enforcement agencies involved.
"We can't impede federal action. So, we had to make sure we could facilitate them creating a distance as best we could between the protesters and the federal officials," per Vermont Public.
The Governor insists state police did not violate Vermont's Fair and Impartial Policing policy, while Public Safety Commissioner Morrison argued that withdrawing would have led to worse outcomes for protesters. Body camera footage is under review. The administration also acknowledged it did not receive the advance notice from ICE it believed had been agreed upon after planning meetings last month.
"We feel like it's a great time to be downtown. For the first time in five years, we're super hopeful for the future," co-owner Mark Bouchett said, per Seven Days.
Homeport signed a five year lease for a 6,000 square foot space at the Essex Experience, the former outlet mall that's been reinventing itself as a hub of locally owned shops and eateries. The new store will focus on kitchen goods and housewares, with a soft opening planned for July and a grand opening in August. Bouchett's optimism about the Church Street flagship is notable given recent closures downtown. He points to the new hotel and residential buildings at Burlington Square as signs of a real turning point.
"Here in Vermont, we believe in science and we follow science. So it's a shame that the federal administration doesn't share that view," Attorney General Charity Clark said, per Vermont Public.
Vermont is part of a 24 state coalition challenging the Trump administration's repeal of the EPA's 2009 "endangerment finding," which underpinned federal authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and power plants. Legal experts note an interesting contradiction: the administration is simultaneously arguing in other cases that emissions regulation is exclusively a federal matter, including in its challenge to Vermont's Climate Superfund Act. The case could ultimately reach the Supreme Court.
"If we don't secure the funding that we need, we're going to have to close," said Brenna Bedard, CVOEO's homeless outreach services director, per Seven Days.
The Community Resource Center on North Winooski Avenue, which shares space with Feeding Champlain Valley's food shelf, faces a $650,000 shortfall after Gov. Scott proposed cutting state funding. The center serves up to 150 people daily with hot meals, social workers, and housing coordinators, and helped 168 people transition from homelessness to stable housing last year. The timing is especially rough: new federal work requirements for 3SquaresVT went into effect in March, which is expected to push more people toward food assistance. Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak and House Speaker Krowinski have both voiced support, though Krowinski acknowledged it's a tough budget year.
"These decisions were not made lightly, and our focus remains on ensuring that City Market, Onion River Co-op can continue serving our community in a sustainable way," General Manager John Tashiro said, per Seven Days.
The co-op has now been in the red for eight consecutive years, losing $1.2 million in fiscal year 2025 alone, more than double the previous year's losses. The two stores are heading in opposite directions: the South End location saw a 9 percent sales increase while downtown dropped 7 percent, plagued by ongoing security incidents that forced the indoor café to close for a second straight winter. Membership has also slipped from its post pandemic peak.
"We are creating an airport that lasts," said Nic Longo, the airport's director of aviation, per VTDigger.
The $68 million project at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport replaces four north terminal gates with more spacious ones branching off a glassy, timber framed concourse. The new terminal is geothermally heated and cooled and features a third floor observation deck open to the public without going through security, offering views of the runways, Camel's Hump, and Mount Mansfield. Opening is tentatively set for March 31.
"It's hard to find people who are qualified and educated in the right ways," said Jessie Cerretani, a child care administrator in Manchester, per VTDigger.
The Vermont Senate passed S.206 on Thursday, which would create a mandatory individual licensure system for child care staff with higher training requirements. Supporters say professionalizing the field is overdue and could help attract and retain committed workers in an industry where the median wage is about $18 per hour. Critics worry that raising the bar could shrink an already thin applicant pool. The bill includes a transitional period of up to eight years for existing educators and now heads to the House.
"We have slowly been teaching our bears that our backyards are a good place to find high-calorie, easily accessible foods," said Jaclyn Comeau, bear biologist at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, per VTDigger.
Vermont's bear population has roughly doubled its target range, now estimated at 6,500 to 8,000 animals. And they're waking up about two weeks earlier than they did 15 years ago, likely driven by shorter, milder winters. The practical takeaway: it's time now to pull bird feeders, secure trash and compost, and put electric fences around chicken coops. Once bears learn your yard is a reliable food source, they don't forget, and they teach their cubs.
"There is no way you can see the video and photo documentation and come to any conclusion other than the fact that local law enforcement facilitated the detention of immigrant Vermonters," per WCAX, quoting Migrant Justice's Will Lambek.
The joint House and Senate Judiciary Committee hearing laid bare sharply divided accounts. Law enforcement officials say they were there strictly to keep the peace and had no advance knowledge of ICE's plans. Advocacy groups and some lawmakers counter that state police clearing protesters so agents could enter the home amounted to active assistance in immigration enforcement. A public hearing to hear directly from protesters is planned in the coming weeks.
"The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.4%," wrote Bankrate analyst Sarah Foster, per Vermont Business Magazine.
Vermont's initial weekly claims dropped steeply to 322, their lowest level this year, after more than doubling the previous week. But the national picture is less encouraging: all three major stock indexes have fallen for a third straight week amid the Iran bombing, weak jobs data, and persistent inflation. The Fed faces a tough call on rates this week, caught between a slowing economy that argues for cuts and stubborn inflation that argues against them. Vermont's own unemployment rate remains one of the lowest in the country at 2.6 percent, though the state's labor force has slipped below 350,000 for the first time in over two years.
"We don't use a campfire anymore to heat ourselves. We've evolved. This is the next step in that evolution," said Josh Reap with Associated Builders and Contractors, per NBC5.
Contractors from across the Northeast gathered in Winooski for a first of its kind summit on air to water heat pumps, which work with existing boiler systems to provide both heating and hydronic cooling. The technology can store energy purchased at off peak rates and now performs reliably even in extreme cold, a significant improvement over older heat pump models. Organizers hope to make the summit an annual event as the technology gains traction in cold climate states like Vermont.
Quick Hits
Maple Open House Weekend Draws Visitors to Vermont Sugar Houses — Sugar houses across the state welcomed crowds this weekend for samples, demonstrations, and sugar on snow, despite rainy weather on Sunday. Poor Farm Sugar Works in Colchester reported strong turnout with plenty of first timers. (WCAX)
New Restaurant Event Launches in Burlington's Old North End — Taste the ONE features nine participating restaurants in the Old North End offering special deal combinations through Sunday, March 29. The event is aimed at drawing diners during the slower winter stretch, and organizers are hoping it becomes an annual thing. (WCAX)
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
UVM Athletics: Women's Basketball Concludes Season in NCAA First Round, Men's Lacrosse Falls to Bryant
The University of Vermont women's basketball team’s postseason run came to an end on Saturday afternoon as the No. 14 seed Catamounts fell 72-52 to No. 3 Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the KFC Yum! Center. Despite taking a narrow 17-16 lead after the first quarter, Vermont could not hold off a strong second-half surge by the Cardinals. Keira Hanson led all scorers with 22 points, becoming just the second player in program history to record 20 or more points in multiple NCAA Tournament games. Nikola Priede contributed 16 points and two blocks, Jadyn Weltz added 11 points, and Malia Lenz pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds. The contest marked Vermont’s third NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four seasons.
In men's lacrosse action, a late surge propelled Bryant past Vermont in an 11-8 decision on Saturday night at Beirne Stadium. The Catamounts fought back from an early deficit to take an 8-7 lead late in the third quarter on a goal by Max Frattaroli, assisted by Harrison Josloff. However, the Bulldogs responded by scoring the game's final four goals to secure the win and snap Vermont's four-game win streak in the series. Walter Zhao was a bright spot for Vermont, winning 16 of 23 faceoffs and collecting a game-high 10 ground balls, while the team held a 42-30 advantage in overall shots. The Catamounts will look to bounce back when they host NJIT at Virtue Field on Saturday, March 28 at noon.
Mar 28: Men's Lacrosse 2026 vs NJIT (Sat ⦁ 12:00pm)
Events:
Monday, March 23, 2026
General Events
10:00 AM: Winooski Local Resources Advisory Board Meeting at 1 East Allen Street, Winooski (Free)
12:00 PM: Talk: The Long-Run Effects of Interstate Highways on Rural America at UVM Davis Center, Jost Foundation Room (Free)
2:30 PM: 4th Annual CCV Bake Off: Winooski at Community College of Vermont
4:30 PM: Friends of the Library Meeting at Fletcher Room, Fletcher Free Library (Free)
4:30 PM: Monday Night Bingo at Burlington Elks Lodge 916, North Avenue (Check admission price)
5:00 PM: Herbal Support for Spring Rejuvenation at Shelburne Farms McClure Education Center ($22.53)
5:30 PM: Women in Wind Club Movie Night: "Women & the Wind" at Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center, 505 Lake Street, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Beginner Line Dancing Lessons at 180 Market St, South Burlington
6:00 PM: Monday Night Line Up Beginner Level at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction
6:00 PM: Open Mic at Pearl Street Pub (Free)
6:00 PM: RAR Bike Basics for WTNB at Old Spokes Home, 664 Riverside Drive, Burlington ($125–$190 sliding scale, 3-week series)
6:00 PM: Winooski City Council Meeting at Winooski City Hall (Free)
6:00 PM: South Burlington Monthly Legislative Forum at South Burlington Library Community Room & Online (Free)
6:45 PM: Burlington City Council Public Forum on ICE Activity at Contois Auditorium, City Hall, Burlington (Free, also online)
7:00 PM: Pickup Dodgeball at CP Smith Elementary School ($5)
7:00 PM: Trivia with Craig Mitchell at The Monkey House
7:00 PM: Spanish Chat Monday at Three Needs, Burlington (Free, weekly)
7:00 PM: Community of Poets Sharing Circle – Burlington area, location TBD (Free) (MEETUP)
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
General Events
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Library Outreach Specialist Office Hours at Main Reading Room North, Fletcher Free Library (Free)
10:30 AM: Story Time for Kids at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston (Free)
12:30 PM: Drop-In Tech Support at Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch (Free)
1:00 PM: Presentation: "Land Conservation, Land Use" by Isaac Bissell at Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington (Donation requested)
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Afternoon Tech Help Sessions at South Burlington Public Library (Free, preregister)
4:00 PM: Writing Circle at Pathways Vermont, Burlington (Free)
4:30 PM: Who Has the Power to Change Higher Education? at UVM Alumni Association
5:00 PM: Pause-Café Mardi – French Conversation at Local History Room, Fletcher Free Library (Free)
5:00 PM: Youth Minecraft Meetup at Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch (Free)
5:15 PM: Beginning Pole Dance 5-Week Series at Lines Vermont Dance Studio
5:15 PM: Community Meditation at First Unitarian Universalist Society, Burlington (Free, donations accepted)
5:30 PM: Spanish Class at Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library (Free, in-person registration required)
5:30 PM: Design Session for Fair Housing Exhibit at Main Reading Room, Fletcher Free Library (Free)
6:00 PM: "Gone Guys" Film Screening & Discussion at Edmunds Middle School, 275 Main Street, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Essex Beginner/Improver Line Dancing Lessons at Essex High School
6:00 PM: March – Lindy 1 at Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall
6:00 PM: March Shim Sham! at Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall
6:00 PM: Winooski Housing Commission Meeting at Winooski City Hall (Free)
6:00 PM: Vermont Figure Drawing Collective at Karma Bird House, 47 Maple St, Burlington ($20 cash)
6:00 PM: Crafters Drop-In at Main Reading Room, Fletcher Free Library (Free)
6:00 PM: RAR Bike Basics for WTNB at Old Spokes Home, Burlington ($125–$190 sliding scale, 3-week series)
6:30 PM: Mac & Cheese Potluck! at Queen City Lodge Oddfellows Hall
7:00 PM: Trivia Tuesdays at On Tap Bar & Grill, 4 Park St, Essex Junction
7:00 PM: March – Beginning Swing at Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall
7:00 PM: Caribbean Tuesdays – Salsa Dance Classes at South End Studio
7:00 PM: Art Works with Ken Grossinger & Bill McKibben at Phoenix Books, 89 Church Street, Burlington ($3, includes coupon toward book)
7:00 PM: Lakeside Open Mic at The Pickled Perch, Colchester (Free)
7:00 PM: Vermont's Freedom & Unity Chorus Rehearsal at Saint Michael's College, Colchester (Free)
7:00 PM: All That Jazz Open Mic Comedy at The 126, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Open Gym Basketball for Dads at Mater Christi School, Burlington (Free)
Performances
11:30 AM / 1:30 PM / 3:30 PM: 'Sea Monsters 3D' Film Screening at ECHO Leahy Center, Burlington ($3–$5 plus admission)
12:00 PM / 2:00 PM / 4:00 PM: 'Ocean Paradise 3D' Film Screening at ECHO Leahy Center, Burlington ($3–$5 plus admission)
6:30 PM & 8:30 PM: Ilana Glazer Standup Comedy at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($35 – SOLD OUT, waitlist at box office at 5 PM)
7:00 PM: 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' Screening at Film House, Main Street Landing, Burlington (Free)
7:30 PM: 'The Book of Mormon' Musical at The Flynn Main Stage, Burlington (SOLD OUT)
Live Music/DJ
6:00 PM: Bashment Tuesday DJ Night at Akes' Place, Burlington (Free)
7:30 PM: Mike Calabrese (of Lake Street Dive) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10, 21+)
7:30 PM: CRAIGEN (Craig Mitchell & Matt Hagen) w/ Eva Tarrant at The Monkey House
8:00 PM: Dobbs' Dead – Grateful Dead Tribute at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington ($15)
9:00 PM: Honky Tonk Tuesday: Wild Leek River at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10, 21+)
9:00 PM: Big Easy Tuesdays: Jon McBride Jazz at The 126, Burlington (Free)
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
General Events
9:00 AM: Life Line Screening at Robert Miller Community and Recreation Center
10:00 AM: Italian Conversation Group at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
10:00 AM: Play Time for Toddlers at Brownell Library, Essex Junction (Free)
10:00 AM: MagnaTile Masterpieces at Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch (Free)
10:30 AM: Baby Time Story Session at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
10:30 AM: Current Events Discussion Group at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston (Free)
12:00 PM: Virtual Lunch & Learn: Libraries + Front Porch Forum (Online, Free)
12:00 PM: Design Session for Fair Housing Exhibit (Pop-Up) at Main Reading Room North, Fletcher Free Library (Free)
12:00 PM: Tree ID and Natural History Tour at Red Rocks Park, South Burlington ($10–$15)
12:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Library Outreach Specialist Office Hours at Main Reading Room North, Fletcher Free Library (Free)
1:00 PM: Tech Freebies: Library Resources Workshop at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
3:00 PM: Lake Champlain Memory Café at Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch (Free)
3:30 PM: Read to a Therapy Dog at South Burlington Public Library (Free, preregister)
5:00 PM: LOGOS Kid's Night at College Street Congregational Church, Burlington
5:00 PM: 'Framing Photo-Secession' Art Panel Discussion at Fleming Museum of Art, Burlington (Check admission)
5:00 PM: Game On! Switch Gaming for Kids at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM: The All-Inclusive Dyke-Tacular at Doma Bar, Burlington (Free, cost of food/drink)
5:15 PM: 'The M Factor 2' Health Documentary Premiere at South Burlington Public Library (Free, preregister)
5:30 PM: Kids' STEAM Space at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Community Partners Desk: Burlington Lead Program at Main Reading Room, Fletcher Free Library (Free)
5:30 PM: Pick-up Basketball at Gutterson Fieldhouse, UVM ($10 gym day pass) (MEETUP)
5:30 PM: 5K Run @ Switchback at Switchback Brewing Co., 160 Flynn Ave, Burlington (Free) (MEETUP)
6:00 PM: Bob's Burgers at Hotel Champlain
6:00 PM: Lent Midweek Services at 1560 Williston Rd, South Burlington
6:00 PM: Midweek Boot Scoot High Beginner/Intermediate Line Dancing at On Tap Bar & Grill
6:00 PM: Meet & Greet: Pizza & Pints with Lt. Gov. Candidate Molly Gray at Queen City Brewery, Pine Street, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Wards 4 & 7 NPA Meeting at Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center, Burlington & Online (Free, free meal at 6 PM)
6:00 PM: Vegan in Vermont – Guest Speaker Terry Walters at Fletcher Free Library (Free, in-person registration required)
6:00 PM: Flotational & Acoustic Therapy Talk at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston (Free)
6:00 PM: Bike Maintenance Workshop for Dads at Old Spokes Home, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: RAR Bike Basics for WTNB at Old Spokes Home, Burlington ($125–$190 sliding scale, 3-week series)
6:00 PM: Community Cooking Session at Pathways Vermont, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Recovery Dharma Meditation at First United Methodist Church, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Seven Days Singles Speed Dating Party at Specs, 7 W Canal St, Winooski ($10, 18+)
6:00 PM: Scrabble Night @ The Boardroom (Free) (MEETUP)
6:00 PM: Toastmasters of Greater Burlington at Generator Makerspace, Burlington (Free, preregister)
6:30 PM: Trivia Night at Burlington Beer Company
6:30 PM: Citizen Cider Trivia Night at Citizen Cider, 180 Flynn Ave, Burlington (Free, all ages)
6:30 PM: Lit Club Poetry Open Mic at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington (Free)
6:45 PM: Wednesday Lessons & Social at Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall
7:00 PM: House Trivia Night at Venetian Soda Lounge
7:00 PM: Trivia Night at Rí Rá Irish Pub, Burlington (Free)
Performances
6:30 PM: VCA: March Madness TwoProv Semifinals at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($5)
7:00 PM: VTIFF Musical Silents: Man with a Movie Camera (1929) at The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Burlington ($6–$12)
7:00 PM: 'Antlia Pneumatica' Play at McCarthy Arts Center, Colchester (Free)
7:30 PM: 'The Book of Mormon' Musical at The Flynn Main Stage, Burlington (SOLD OUT)
7:30 PM: 'Bernhardt/Hamlet' at Royall Tyler Theatre, UVM ($10–$22)
8:30 PM: Standup Open Mic at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington (Free, signups at 8 PM)
Live Music/DJ
6:45 PM: Paddy Reagan, Bruno John, Ben Rodgers & Jeremy Fredrick at The Monkey House
7:30 PM: Jarv, RDGLDGRN & Damn Skippy at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington (~$32)
8:00 PM: Thievery Corporation & Alex Unger at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington (~$48)
8:00 PM: Karaoke Night at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
8:30 PM: Acid Wash & Friends Jam at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
8:30 PM: Jazz Night with Ray Vega at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Jazz Sessions at The 126, Burlington (Free)
Thursday, March 26, 2026
General Events
7:30 AM: BTV Clean-Up Crew Volunteer Session at Top of Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free, weekly)
9:15 AM & 10:30 AM: Toddler Time at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
9:45 AM: Baby & Me Class at Greater Burlington YMCA ($10, free for members)
10:00 AM: Story Time for Kids at Brownell Library, Essex Junction (Free)
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Library Outreach Specialist Office Hours at Main Reading Room North, Fletcher Free Library (Free)
10:30 AM: Preschool Music with Linda Bassick at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston (Free)
11:00 AM: GROW Preschool Yoga at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
11:00 AM: Preschool Play Time at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston (Free)
11:00 AM: Screening of Virtual Fair Housing Event: Accessing Homeownership at Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library (Free)
12:00 PM: Italian Conversation Group at Fletcher Room, Fletcher Free Library (Free)
12:30 PM: Duplicate Bridge Games at Burlington Bridge Club, Williston ($6)
12:30 PM: Open Art Studio at Expressive Arts Burlington, 208 Flynn Ave (By donation)
1:00 PM: Friendly Game of Bridge at Heineberg Senior Center, Burlington (Free)
1:00 PM: T-Break: Cannabis Tolerance Break Training at Delta Hotels Burlington, South Burlington (Professional development session)
2:00 PM: Knit for Your Neighbors Charity Crafting at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
3:00 PM: Community Partners Desk: Burlington Electric at Main Reading Room, Fletcher Free Library (Free)
4:30 PM: Spanish Conversation Group at Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library (Free)
5:00 PM: Tim Brick Acoustic Happy Hour at On Tap Bar & Grill
5:00 PM: Solarpunk Book Club & Game Night at Peace & Justice Center, Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Local Authors' Roundtable at Barnes & Noble, South Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Seeding & Transplanting Calendars Workshop at Landry Park, Winooski (Free)
5:45 PM: Rosé and Resin at 57 South Williams Street, Burlington
6:00 PM: Artist Talk: Lee Williams "Blinkin' Pink" / "What's the Difference?" at BCA Center, 135 Church St, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Blood on the Clocktower at The Boardroom – Board Game Cafe
6:00 PM: Wild Foods, Wild Lands – PBS Sneak Preview & Reception at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center (Free, RSVP required)
6:00 PM: RAR Bike Basics for WTNB at Old Spokes Home, Burlington ($125–$190 sliding scale, 3-week series)
6:00 PM: 'Varied and Alive' Virtual Art Preview – Shelburne Museum (Free, registration required, virtual)
6:00 PM: Story Slam: 'More Than My Cover' at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
6:00 PM: Trivia Night at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski (BTOWN BRIEF MEETUP)
6:00 PM: Trivia Night at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex (Free)
6:00 PM: Trivia Night at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Peer Support Dungeons & Dragons at Morgan House, Burlington (Free)
6:15 PM: Ladies Book Club – Wild Dark Shore at Spaghet, 27 Market Street, Williston (Free) (MEETUP)
6:30 PM: Waves at Standing Stone at Standing Stone Wines VT
6:30 PM: Maple Sugaring History Listening Party at Bar Renée, Burlington (Free)
6:45 PM: Kizomba Thursdays – Beginner & Intermediate Dance Classes at South End Studio
7:00 PM: Music Bingo at 4 Lincoln Place, Essex Junction
7:00 PM: Tango, El Camino at Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall
7:00 PM: Thursday Night Figure Drawing at Queen City Lodge Oddfellows Hall, 1416 North Avenue, Burlington ($15–$20 suggested donation)
7:00 PM: Sebastian Revesz "Suspended Feathers" Art Reception at McCarthy Art Gallery, Colchester (Free)
7:00 PM: Parenting Book Group for Dads at The Guild Hall, Burlington (Free, preregister)
12:15 PM: Networking Lunch at Hula with the Network of Women at Hula, 50 Lakeside Ave, Burlington ($35)
Performances
11:30 AM / 1:30 PM / 3:30 PM: 'Sea Monsters 3D' Film Screening at ECHO Leahy Center, Burlington ($3–$5 plus admission)
12:00 PM / 2:00 PM / 4:00 PM: 'Ocean Paradise 3D' Film Screening at ECHO Leahy Center, Burlington ($3–$5 plus admission)
6:00 PM: Music Bingo at The Lazy Goat Tavern at The Essex (Free)
6:30 PM: VCA: March Madness TwoProv FINALS at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($5)
7:00 PM: 'Antlia Pneumatica' Play at McCarthy Arts Center, Colchester (Free)
7:30 PM: The Half-Life of Marie Curie at Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing, Burlington ($34–$54 sliding scale)
7:30 PM: 'Bernhardt/Hamlet' at Royall Tyler Theatre, UVM ($10–$22)
Live Music/DJ
6:30 PM: Bluegrass & BBQ at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Mirah w/ Mimi Fang at Radio Bean / Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington ($15 advance / $20 door, all ages)
7:00 PM: Youth Opera Alumni Concert at Charlotte Congregational Church (By donation)
7:00 PM: TRS LIVE PRESENTS: Paul Brill at Tank Recording Studio, Burlington ($20, $30 includes recording)
7:30 PM: One Night Live Tour – Claire Ernst, Dani Offline, Reid Parsons at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington
8:00 PM: Thievery Corporation (Night 2) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington (~$61)
8:00 PM: Karaoke Night at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
Ongoing & Recurring
Trolley Tours – Perkins Pier, Burlington, daily 9 AM–5 PM ($15–$35)
Skiff Oyster Hour – Hotel Champlain, Burlington, daily 4–5 PM (Half-priced oysters)
Glass Factory & Storefront Open – AO Glass, 416 Pine St, Burlington, Mon–Sat 10 AM–3 PM (Free)
Mac & Cheese Bar – The Lazy Goat Tavern at The Essex, Mondays 5–9 PM ($20)
Poutine Night – The Lazy Goat Tavern at The Essex, Tuesdays 5–9 PM (Starting at $14)
Taco Tuesday – Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, Tuesdays 5–9 PM ($3.50 each or 3 for $9)
Traditional Tuesday Kava – Mesmer Kava, 47 Maple St, Burlington, Tuesdays 4:30–8 PM ($20 unlimited or by the shell)
Smash Burgers – The Lazy Goat Tavern at The Essex, Wednesdays 5–9 PM (Starting at $14)
Dinosaur Safari Exhibit – ECHO Leahy Center, Burlington, through Sept. 7, daily 10 AM–5 PM (Included with admission)
'Champ: America's Lake Monster' Exhibit – ECHO Leahy Center, Burlington, ongoing 10 AM–5 PM ($17–$23)
Taste the ONE: Restaurant Week – Various Old North End locations, Burlington, through March 29 (Prices vary)
Art Gallery: "Suspended Feathers" – Sebastian Revesz – McCarthy Art Gallery, Colchester, March 23–29, 10 AM–6 PM (Free)
Plex Arts Festival Open Call – Junktiques Collective, Winooski, March 25–April 1 (Free to apply)
'Irish Eyes' Art Exhibition – Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, through March 31 (Free)
'Legacy and Light' BHS Student Portraits – Burlington City Hall, through March 31 (Free)
El Towle Art Show – Nest Coffee & Bakery, Essex Junction, through March 31 (Free)
Sallie Dean Shatz: 'Mountain Rescue Aspen' – Francis Colburn Gallery, UVM, through March 26 (Free)
Susan Smereka: 'Re:shape' – South Burlington Public Art Gallery, through March 26 (Free)
Sage Tucker-Ketcham Botanical Paintings – Champlain College Art Gallery, Burlington, through March 27 (Free)
'By a Thread' Fiber Arts Show – The SEABA Center, Burlington, through March 28 (Free)
Zach Pollakoff: 'Nostalgia Trap' – ATM Gallery, Shelburne, through March 28 (Free)
Michael Metz: 'Graffiti' Photography – Village Wine and Coffee, Shelburne, through April 1 (Free)
'The World Through Our Lenses' Photography – Emile A. Gruppe Gallery, Jericho, through April 5 (Free)
Art at the Airport: Kelly O'Neal – BTV Airport, through April 14 (Free)
Dakin Fuller Solo Show – The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, Burlington, through April 18 (Free)
'Photo-Secession' Photography – Fleming Museum of Art, UVM, through April 18 (Check admission)
'Memory Fields' Installation – Fleming Museum of Art, UVM, through May 16 (Check admission)
'Rooted in Nature' Exhibition – Fleming Museum of Art, UVM, through May 16 (Check admission)
'Beyond Red Barns' NVAA Show – Fleming Museum of Art, UVM, through May 17 (Check admission)
'The Thinning Veil' Group Show – Nurture by Nature, Burlington, through May 9 (Free)
Lee Williams & Cathy Della Lucia: 'What's the Difference?' – BCA Center, Burlington, through June 20 (Free)
Maedeh Asgharpour Exhibition – BCA Center, Burlington, through June 20 (Free)
'Human Impact' Environmental Art – BCA Center, Burlington, through June 20 (Free)
Art at the Airport: Bette Ann Libby – BTV Airport, through June 15 (Free)
Art at the Airport: Howard Center Arts Collective – BTV Airport, through June 15 (Free)
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's your week. Between the City Council forum tonight, a sold out comedy show, a Tony winning musical, a new PBS food series preview, and enough potlucks and pickup sports to fill every evening, there's really no excuse to stay on the couch. (Well, maybe Tuesday. Tuesday's forecast actually looks decent enough for a walk first.) Read the full articles linked above when you get a chance, and support the local journalists covering this stuff.
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