Arts, Dining & Entertainment

By James Kent Soup Dog, a cozy seasonal eatery nestled behind Domenic’s Pizzeria near the Killington ski resort, has been warming up the slopes for three winters now, and its kettles are ready to fill bellies with soup for its fourth season. Run by Matt Buck, a former commercial photographer turned soup artisan, Soup Dog…

RUTLAND—The Chaffee Art Center invites amateur and professional photographers of all ages to participate in its annual photo contest, “Faces in Harmony.” Entrants must submit photos at the Chaffee Art Center during drop-off hours: Jan. 17, noon-4 p.m., and Jan. 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.  This year, a professional category will be introduced alongside existing categories…

THURS 12/26 BRANDON5:30 p.m. Red Clover Ale Company – Open Mic hosted by Emily Nelson BRIDGEWATER CORNERS5 p.m. Long Trail Brewery – Nick Bredice CHITTENDEN 6 p.m. Mountain Top Inn – Ryan Fuller KILLINGTON1 p.m. Bear Mountain Base Lodge – Nick Bredice1 p.m. Pico’s Last Run Lounge – Pete Maijer2 p.m. K1 Base Lodge –…

Dec. 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.—KILLINGTON — The Killington ski resort invites guests to cap off 2024 with a day and evening of festive fun at the K-1 Base Lodge. Featuring family-friendly activities, live music, outdoor treats, and an exciting fireworks show, this New Year’s Eve celebration promises a memorable send-off to the…

As 2024 draws to a close, it would seem fitting to offer up a top-ten best-film list and maybe throw in a worst-of-the-year list, too. However, I live in Vermont, which is not a large market for the film industry, and we hardly have any theaters in the state where new films can be seen,…

Friday through Sunday, Dec. 20-22—RUTLAND—The Paramount Theatre plans to spread holiday joy with a series of free classic film screenings. These screenings will showcase beloved holiday movies in stunning 4K resolution with immersive Surround Sound. Thanks to support from the Rutland Regional Medical Center, these family-friendly screenings are open to all, with no tickets required.…

Friday, Dec. 20—SHARON— Looking for a different experience to celebrate the holiday season? Seven Stars Arts Center in Sharon offers an evening of vintage country, bluegrass, rockabilly, and western swing at “Honky Tonk Christmas,” happening on Friday, Dec. 20, from 7-9 p.m. Admission is $25 at the door. Presented by “McCaffrey and Rooney Present,” the…

By Jared Rasic This is the time of year when I start watching Christmas movies with gleeful and reckless abandon…quality be damned. It doesn’t matter if it’s good because, ultimately, most of those Hallmark movies (or the new Netflix variant) have the same structure and story arc with only a few mild variations.  The quality…

By Jared Rasic I went into this past weekend fully intending to see “Red One,” that new movie in which The Rock, Chris Evans, and a polar bear have to rescue a kidnapped (and completely jacked) Santa Claus. But then I realized that, ultimately, that movie is probably as critic-proof as it possibly gets. You…

By Alan Sculley Every fall brings a big-ol’-bag-full of Christmas albums. This year brought a slightly lower number of holiday releases than previous seasons. But happily, we get more than our share of worthy and unique Christmas albums. Here’s a look at the albums fans of Christmas music will want to put on their “to-listen-to”…

By James Kent There is exciting news in the culinary world. The Rutland area has two new eating destinations with Latin-inspired flavors that will expand palates and stuff tummies with delicious treats from regions such as Peru, Venezuela, and Argentina.  Pao Pao is a Peruvian restaurant that opened on Dec. 6 at 124 Woodstock Ave.…

Dec. 21 and 22 at 3 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—The Woodstock Vermont Film Series will showcase “The Cowboy & The Queen,” an inspiring documentary about the transformative friendship between Monty Roberts, a pioneering horse trainer, and Queen Elizabeth II. The film will screen on Dec. 21 and 22 at 3 p.m. at the Billings Farm & Museum Visitor…

It’s time to go light-peeping! The Light Up Rutland County winter lights and decorating contest is in full swing, with nine competing households, two non-competing households, and a local business decorator all ready for visitors to come see their lights. Videos and slideshows for school decorators will be posted on Social Tinkering’s website after Dec.…

Dec. 21 through 22 from 9 a.m to 6 p.m.—CHESTER—The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce (OVRCC), in collaboration with Vermont Rail System, is launching the Okemo Valley Holiday Express, a new festive holiday train experience for families and visitors. Running on Dec 21 and 22, the excursion train offers a scenic journey through South-Central…

By Pat Wise The holiday spirit sparkled at Rutland’s Paramount Theatre with three show dates of “Elf The Musical Jr., ” a remake adapted from the 2003 comedy film which had been directed by Jon Favreau, written by David Berenbaum and starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the elf. “Elf The Musical Jr.,” presented by Rutland Youth Theatre, brought Buddy…