Village of Champlain brings summer arts with music, theatre

CHAMPLAIN | Summer music and theatre are part of the park repertoire in the Village of Champlain. "This year's been a little different, we've scheduled a few new things," said Mayor Janet McFetridge of the gatherings planned on porches and at Bill Earl Park. The historic village homes are wrapped in summer greenery with walking paths that traipse along the Great Chazy river. "We have such a nice community, and we draw from the broader area. Summertime is such a lovely time of year to get out," McFetridge said. The first outdoor concert on July 27 welcomes a local favorite, All Without the Bass, to Bill Earl Park on River Street. It's an evening concert, starting at 6 p.m. "We've set up in Earl Park with small portable stage. It's just an opportunity to gather and see neighbors they don't often see during the winter months. Bring a chair or a blanket and come visit," the mayor said. The return of the popular Porch Music event is a highlight here this summer. The concerts are played from local porches, and were paused during the COVID pandemic. "Porch Music is in the afternoon. I view it as a mixture of history, architecture and music. That's because Champlain has so many old, beautiful homes. It's an opportunity to focus on the building and the people who built them. The porches become the venue." McFetridge said. On Aug. 3, there are two porch performances, starting with Ryan Casey on the porch at 41 Oak Street at 2 p.m. Casey's set will be followed by a short walk to the next venue veranda at 59 Oak St. for a set by the local Chazy River Ramblers. "Both are local performers. And both porches this year are huge and will open in the event of rain. Artists will perform a small set and then the audience travels to the next porch. It's very unique, but it's so much fun," McFetridge said. "It's a Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m." Arriving new to the village stage in Bill Earl Park, Adirondack Regional Theatre will present Shakespeare in the Park on Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. "We have not had theatre before. I'm excited to bring something new," the mayor said. "All types of art belong in every size of community, art brings us together: music, literature, visual art, theatre. People should bring chairs or blankets." ART will perform A Midsummer Night's Dream at Bill Earl Park on Sunday, Aug. 10. "We are going to combine Shakespeare in the Park with the annual Ice Cream Social and start serving at 5 p.m., the ice cream is free." Arts events could prove a fine start or end to a walk or bike on the Northern Tier Trail, the five-mile, partially paved scenic path that starts or ends at Bill Earl Park in the Village of Champlain and connects through the Town of Champlain to the Rouses Point Elementary School. The trail is open for a run or walk, for bike travel or to roll safely from one village to the other.

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Village of Champlain brings summer arts with music, theatre

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