A new performing-arts season is upon us, and culture junkies around the region are already feeling the rush of anticipation. But given a shaky economy, record-high fuel prices and the challenges of international travel, no one could be blamed for asking the question: How long will the world’s performing artists continue to frequent small venues in the northeastern U.S.? Conversely, presenting organizations might worry whether the audiences will come out, too.... Read more

Alice Levitt takes more than a few spins at the Champlain Valley Fair whilst partaking in all of the rides.

Read Alice's story about the experience here - Panic on the Midway

Produced by Alice Levitt
Shot and cut by Jon Taylor

I don’t like wine. So, when I walked into the Roxy last Friday, I braced myself for an event unlike anything I’d ever been privy to — a wine-tasting movie preview. Huh?... Read more

Flyin’ High... Read more

Your last class ends at 1 p.m. on Friday, and your hometown honey is due for a visit. You want to show her a good time, but the only thing on the student activities calendar is a Planet of the Apes movie marathon.

So. . . unless your lady friend digs monkey love, you need to split. But where do you take a date in this town? Clearly not where you go with your parents, buds from back home or unruly dorm mates. ... Read more

Plain ol’ boring dorm rooms are no fun. What’s to like about blank walls, nasty floors and small closets? But with the right accessories, even these hopelessly bland institutional settings can seem cozy and comfortable.

Here’s a list of essential items from local stores that will jazz up your living space — and help keep you and your pad looking neat and tidy. Snag a few of these things, and people may actually want to hang out in your room. Make it nice enough and they might let that Zac Efron poster slide.... Read more

Contrary to what you may have heard about college, it’s not all about getting your crunk on. Don’t get involved with that action until you turn legal. You definitely don’t want the campus po-po on your back. Fortunately for you, drinking in ratty apartments isn’t the only thing to do on weekends. So get your all-ages party hats on and watch your step — knowledge is about to be dropped. Here’s our list of the best 18+ spots in the surrounding areas. There’s something for everyone here.... Read more

When you come to school, you’ll probably get a calendar full of important dates for the year — fall break, parents’ weekend, finals week, graduation, that kinda thing. But what about awesome off-campus events? Somebody’s gotta remind you to mark your calendar for the Burlington Zombie Walk. And you shouldn’t spend four years here without experiencing Mardi Gras, Burlington’s best street party and parade. We can’t let you make that mistake. ... Read more

College is about learning, right? You’ll soon find out — if you haven’t already — that not all of it happens in the classroom. To get the most out of your education in Vermont, you need to leave your cozy campus once in a while.

No doubt the res life staffers at your school do a great job letting you know about student dances, RA-sponsored shindigs and other school-sanctioned activities. But there’s much more to life in Burlington than club meetings and floor gatherings.... Read more

Jon Taylor visits the Firehouse Gallery's new installation about punk houses in America.

Click here to read Mike Ives' Eyewitness about The Tinderbox art collective installation.

Shot, cut and produced by Jon Taylor

Music - "Cutting Open the Fiction" by In Memory of Pluto