Staff Report
BARNARD— Spring is here, which means it’s getting closer and closer to outdoor music season, and one of Vermont’s most beloved outdoor concert traditions returns Thursday, May 29, as Feast & Field kicks off its 2025 music season With the Chad Hollister Band. For more than 15 years, late spring Thursday evenings get rocking and rolling in Barnard with Feast & Field’s perfected recipe of food, music, and community in a setting that celebrates local agriculture and artistic expression. The 2025 season opens with a performance by The Chad Hollister Band, a popular Vermont-based rock quartet known for its high-energy sound and strong following.
“Chad Hollister gives a great rock and roll vibe,” said Music Director for the Feist & Field concerts, Victoria Johnson. “They’re local but well-known and a perfect way to start the season.”
While Feast & Field’s performance shed ran into an Act 250 land use violation, which has of yet been resolved, Johnson said that until a final resolution of the matter, nothing should alter plans or performances this season.
Family Day & global voices
Feast & Field isn’t just about music—it’s an immersive experience for all ages. June 19 will feature a special family day event, including performances by Cate Great, a seasoned circus performer trained at the Quebec Circus School, and Cold Chocolate, a Boston-based bluegrass band. Face painting, local food, and drinks will round out the family-friendly fun.
On June 26, the stage turns international with La Muchacha y el Propio Junte, a Colombian rock band led by Isabel Ramírez Ocampo, an outspoken activist for gender and LGBTQ+ rights.
“This is something very special,” Johnson noted. “We’re partnering with Mid Atlantic Arts, who is supporting the band’s trip here, and there will be a community talk to engage around their work.”
Weekly rhythms and local roots
Concerts typically run 6 to 7 p.m. and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., with the grounds opening at 5:30 p.m. each Thursday evening.
What sets Feast & Field apart is its deep connection to local agriculture. The event is hosted in collaboration with BarnArts and the Feast & Field collective of Barnard-area farms, and much of the food served onsite is grown or raised by the farmers themselves:
Fable Farm & Fermentory will provide the cider. Eastman Farm will provide the beef for grilled fare, and Kiss the Cow Farm will offer homemade ice cream.
“Almost everything you eat here at these events comes from these farms,” said Johnson. “We’re really excited about what we’re offering this season.”
For more information about the full season lineup, including the Inuit Pamyua residency and performance on May10, visit: barnarts.org and feastandfield.com.
