BY: COLIN MIXSON
FEBRUARY 11, 2010
Burlington is the smallest U.S. city in the nation that is the largest city in it's state. Champlain College, is one of the only schools in the nation to have a game design program. It's the birthplace of the quintessential jam band Phish. Walking along the downtown strip could reveal any number of new and unusual sights, from homosexual hookups to fire breathing circus performers. For a little city Burlington has many sights, both endearing and potentially unusual.
The Flynn Theater, located downtown on Main street is home to many of the more serious artistic endeavors within the city. One could retire to the Flynn from a downtown stroll, and on any given night expect to enjoy a variety of shows; from modern dance to classical music, from the avaunt guard to stand up comedy. One of the beautiful things about Burlington is it's seeming ability to forget to take itself seriously. To let loose and have fun.
Of all it's downtown delights, it's Church street itself that most embodies the spirit of Burlington. From Spring to fall, the downtown strip is a veritable festival, and provides an in-shakeable allure that draws people from out of town, out of state and out of country. The sights are as varied as they are unusual, and entertaining. One block may hold the music of a lone clarinet player, while the next might reveal a performer laden with dozens of drums, symbols, stringed instruments and kazoos. Beyond that may lie the flowing choreography of a break dance troupe, or the haphazard antics of a freelance circus performer. Whatever you find, this little city has playing on the street what most big cities hide in their clubs.
That's because Burlington goes out of it's way to purposefully audition, and license new performers every year for the downtown Church street attraction. Not an altogether easy process, becoming licensed is in many ways an exorcise in bureaucracy. However, the process ensures that the city's residents and it's visitor's are privileged with a unique and talented cast of performers.
Recently, my friend told me how his daughter was surprised when, having gone to New Hampshire to visit family, she couldn't find any "dancers" downtown. Burlington's Church street events are an altogether unique and entertaining collection of programs, but they don't stop with performers.
During Summer, Church street explodes with the Sidewalk sale, where the savings spill literally spill onto the street. the Church Street Marketplace’s annual Market Fest, sponsored by Stowe Mountain Resort, takes place on September 10-12 and transforms the marketplace into a lively and colorful street festival, offering some of the area’s greatest arts, crafts and entertainment; includes Acoustic Jazz, Big Band, Gypsy Swing and much more.
Trying to get off of the street for awhile? Check out the Firehouse gallery located at the bottom of Church street. The Firehouse gallery, which is part of the Burlington City Arts organization is currently hosting the Game (Life) exhibition. This exhibit is probably the only fine art gallery you'll find in a thousand miles that features TV's and controllers, instead of statues and portraits. It's curator, Chris Thompson, has gathered an eclectic mix of interactive entertainment that succeed in both delighting, and puzzling them. That's ok though, for Chris, art is more about asking questions than answering them.
Burlington, whether you like it, or not, is also home to a lively, homosexual community. Recently, Burlington was home to the first annual Winter Pride festival. Winter Pride is a celebration of just being gay, and provides entertainment events for all facets of the gay community. There was a folk music jam for gay women, and a beer bash belly contest for gay men. There was pizza put for families, and at the end a great, big part for everybody. Proceeds from the festival are being donated for the purpose of booking an as of yet undeclared, "headline," performer.
Say what you will about the prominence of homosexuality in Burlington, but one thing that is for sure, is that local businesses have their back. Red Square, Metronome, Nectars and even Mr. Mike's have all in some way donated to help benefit Pride Vermont's mission; to promote the visibility of the homosexual community in main stream culture.
Burlington's not the biggest city in the world, but in it's confine there is a lot to see. Few other cities go out of their way to entertain, promote art the way that Burlington does. In many ways it is an open minded city, tolerant of other cultures and ways of life.
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