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Articles by Jay Craven
Jay Craven: Comedy Without A Safety Net… Upright Citizens Brigade All-Stars Come to St. Johnsbury
Four comedians walk onto a stage. They have no script, no ideas about characters, and no idea what will happen next. They ask the audience for a suggestion. Somebody shouts, “Divorce court!” Another offers, “A snowblower gone haywire!” Within seconds, the performers are off and running, creating a world that didn’t exist a moment earlier and will never exist again. kAm(6=4@>6 E@ E96 F?AC65:4E23=6 H@C=5 @7 E96 &AC:89E r:E:K6?D qC:8256 p==\$E2CD[ 4@>:?8 E@ uF==6C w2== 2E $E] y@9?D3FCJ p4256>J @?
Jay Craven: When Sandman Sims Came To Town
I was taking down my podcast set-up at the Co-op last Saturday when I saw pioneering St. Johnsbury bookseller Caroline Demaio, my longest running friend in the Northeast Kingdom. She had read my article last week on Michelle Dorrance who will bring her tap dance stars to Lyndon Institute next Friday. In the article I mentioned a 1980’s show we presented with American tap dance, pioneer Sandman Sims. She wanted to be reminded about what transpired in the Kingdom when Sandman came to town.
Jay Craven: The Camera That Never Came
I recently contributed $405 to an industry I would like to see go out of business. kAm%96 7:CDE A2J>6?E H2D Sb_] p A9@?6 42== E@ 2 7C:6?5 H2D :?E6CCFAE65 3J D@>6@?6 4=2:>:?8 x @H65 >@?6J @? >J '6C:K@? 3:==] !2J FA[ x H2D E@=5[ 2?5 E96 42== 4@F=5 AC@4665] x A2:5] qFE E96? x C62=:K65[ H9J H@F=5 x @H6 @?=J Sb_n %96? 2?@E96C E9@F89E – D@ ?@H D42>>6CD 42? :?E6CCFAE AC:G2E6 A9@?6 42==Dnk^Am kAm%96 D64@?5 D42> 2AAC@249 H2D >@C6 :>28:?2E:G6] p D66>:?8=J <:?5 H@>2?
Jay Craven: Steam, Stunts, And Silent Comedy: Keaton’s ‘The General’
Some movies endure because they tell unforgettable stories. Others last because they changed the language of cinema. Buster Keaton’s “The General” (1926) does both. The film is playing this weekend at Catamount (Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.). kAm%9:D J62C >2C<D “%96 v6?6C2=’D” `__E9 2??:G6CD2CJ[ >2<:?8 :E E96 A6C764E E:>6 E@ 6IA6C:6?46 :E 2D 2F5:6?46D 7:CDE 5:5 \ @? E96 3:8 D4C66?]k^Am kAm“%96 v6?6C2=” E6==D E96 DE@CJ @7 y@9??:6 vC2J[ 2 $@FE96C?
Jay Craven: Hadestown Now Playing At Catamount Arts
The “Hadestown” film is now playing at Catamount Arts and it’s a special moment for this huge Broadway musical that has grossed nearly $300 million but began as Middlebury native and former Marshfield resident Anais Mitchell’s grass roots Vermont production that premiered at the Barre labor hall to 60 people. kAm|@DE >@G:6 >FD:42=D ECJ E@ 4@?462= E96 724E E92E E96J H6C6 @?46 A=2JD] %96J E62C 5@H?
Jay Craven: Another Remarkable KCP Season Takes Shape
I always look forward to the fall when the new KCP Presents performance series is announced, as it was this week. Over the years, the series, and its predecessor, the Catamount Arts series of the 1980s and early 90s, have presented artists ranging from Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, and Johnny Cash to the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Second City, Mummeschanz, the Shanghai Opera Symphony Orchestra, and the American Ballet Theater Studio Company.
Jay Craven: Dolly Parton - The Last Person Everybody Loved
I was saddened this week to hear of Dolly Parton’s passing. kAm%96C6 >2J ?6G6C 92G6 366? 2?@E96C p>6C:42? BF:E6 =:<6 s@==J !2CE@?] $96 H2D 2 4@F?ECJ D:?86C H9@ 3642>6 2 >2;@C A@A DE2C[ 2 D@?8HC:E6C H9@D6 D@?8D EC2?D46?565 E96:C 86?C6[ 2?5 2 >@G:6 24E@C 3642FD6[ “(9J ?@En”k^Am kAmqJ A2CE:4:A2E:?8 :? E96 D2E:C:42= 4@>65J 7:=> “h E@ d[” 23@FE D64C6E2C:6D 2?5 @77:46 H@C<6CD H9@ 42?’E E2<6 :E 2?J>@C6[ s@==J E@@< E96 9F>@C E@ 2 ?6H =6G6=[ 925 8C62E 7F?
Jay Craven: Is The Age Of Reading Over?
There is plenty to think about these days, so it might be that the disappearance of the American reader hasn’t made it very high on our lists of what’s important. But it’s worth considering. kAmx? 2 AC@G@42E:G6 C646?E pE=2?E:4 2CE:4=6[ “%96 t?5 @7 #625:?8 xD w6C6[” #@D6 w@C@H:E49 DF886DED E92E H6 >2J 36 H:E?6DD:?8 D@>6E9:?8 =2C86C E92? 2?@E96C F?7@CEF?2E6 564=:?6 :? E6DE D4@C6D] (6 >2J 36 6?E6C:?8 H92E D96 42==D 2 “A@DE=:E6C2E6” 286 \ 2 D@4:6EJ :? H9:49 >@DE @7 FD 42?
Jay Craven: Recalling Films At The Armory, Frank R. Adams School
I’ve got movies on my mind. I’m spending my days editing my new film with a talented and imaginative young local filmmaker, Max Zevon-Powell, and Thursday night I had a good screening of my 2023 film, Jack London’s Martin Eden, at the Maple Corner Community Center in Calais. I’ll show it again Tuesday evening at Catamount Arts. kAm%96 |2A=6 r@C?6C D9@H C6BF:C65 >6 E@ D6E FA 7@=5:?8 492:CD 2?5 92F= >J AC@;64E@C[ 962GJ DA62<6CD[ 2?5 2 C:4<6EJ 72?
Jay Craven: Independence Day Music And Its History
This year’s July 4th holiday took on special meaning as we marked 250 years since our nation’s declaration of independence from England. The weekend got off to a rousing start locally when the Vermont Symphony Orchestra rolled into the Alexander Twilight Theater to perform a July 2nd holiday program that opened with Francis Scott Key’s “Star-Spangled Banner,” written during the War of 1812 after the Battle of Baltimore.
Jay Craven: An NEK Public School For The Performing Arts?
I wasn’t expecting to rethink public education while watching 60 students perform an exceptional evening of dance. But that’s what happened a few weeks ago at New York City’s Joyce Theater. kAm%96 A6C7@C>6CD H6C6 D:IE9[ D6G6?E9[ 2?5 6:89E9\8C256CD 7C@> t=:@E u6=5’D q2==6E %649 AC@8C2> E92E @A6C2E6D H:E9:?
Jay Craven: Summer Fun Hits Both NYC And The NEK
I found myself in New York City this week, finishing sound work on a film. The cheapest hotel room I could find was in the lower end of Manhattan, in the financial district, with its narrow twisting streets, old-world flavor, and “Canyon of Heroes” of towering skyscrapers that became the starting point for the ticker-tape parade celebrating the New York Knicks, who had brought home their first basketball championship in 53 years. kAmx H2D?’E C62==J 2 z?:4<D 72?[ 3FE x’G6 366?
Jay Craven: Four Films, Four Ways Of Seeing The World
The Star Theater and Catamount Arts have a lineup of notable films playing - or scheduled soon - that deserve special notice. This unusually rich collection of films explores discovery, memory, community, humor, and truth-telling.
Jay Craven: Jasper’s Book, And An Article About Luke Morrison
My son, Jasper, is in the midst of an exciting few weeks. His first book was published by Simon and Schuster on May 25th, and he held a book release party in Brooklyn where 300 people showed up for music, drinks, and a selected reading from one of his chapters. kAmq6DD 2?5 x 2EE6?565[ 2D 5:5 }@CE962DE z:?85@> ?2E:G6 2?5 46=63C2E65 HC:E6C[ z2E6 s2=@K[ H9@D6 244=2:>65 a_`e ?@?\7:4E:@?
Jay Craven: The Commercial And Non-Profit Cultural Worlds
A recent article by arts observer and columnist Douglas McLennan presents a persuasive statistical case that nonprofit cultural participation is not marginal or niche but nearly equal in scale to attendance at commercial cultural events. The article, “So Just How Big is the Culture Audience?” was published in Arts Journal on May 6, 2026. kAm|4{6??2?
Jay Craven: ‘Secret Mall Apartment’ A Film About Hiding In Plain Sight
What if the most subversive act in America wasn’t protest, but living quietly, invisibly, in the heart of consumer culture? kAm“$64C6E |2== pA2CE>6?E” E6==D 2 DE@CJ D@ DEC2?86 :E 766=D :?G6?E65[ J6E :E F?7@=5D H:E9 E96 :?E:>24J[ 9F>@C[ 2?5 D=@H\3FC? C6G6=2E:@? @7 2 8C62E FC32? 723=6] q6?62E9 E96 7=F@C6D46?E 8=@H @7 2 !C@G:56?46[ #9@56 xD=2?5 D9@AA:?8 >2==[ 2 8C@FA @7 2CE:DED 2?5 2CE:DED 7C@> #9@56 xD=2?5 $49@@= @7 s6D:8? 5:5 D@>6E9:?8 3@E9 23DFC5 2?5 AC@7@F?5i E96J 3F:=E 2 9:556?
Jay Craven: Making a Movie in the Berkshires
I finished shooting what I believe to be my final film last Friday – in the Massachusetts Berkshires. The state offers a 25% tax incentive for shooting there. We can’t make it happen without that support. It’s my third “last” film – but I think this is it. I had thought my previous two pictures would be the end, but “circumstances combined” to keep me going. I’m glad I did.
Jay Craven: The AI Doc… Or How I Became An Apocaloptimist
What does it mean to stand at the edge of technological upheaval and feel both dread and possibility - sometimes in the same breath? kAm%96 “px s@4i ~C w@H x q642>6 2? pA@42=@AE:>:DE” =62?D 5:C64E=J :?E@ E92E 4@?EC25:4E:@?[ @776C:?8 2 =:G6=J[ AC@3:?8[ 2?5 @7E6? 5:D2C>:?8 =@@< 2E 2CE:7:4:2= :?E6==:86?46 E9C@F89 2 566A=J 9F>2?
Jay Craven: Project Hail Mary… ‘A Movie Blockbuster With Heart’
Few contemporary science-fiction writers understand how to make big ideas feel profoundly human better than Andy Weir. After turning orbital mechanics and botany into crowd-pleasing suspense in “The Martian,” Weir returned with “Project Hail Mary,” a novel that became an international bestseller for its irresistible blend of hard science, humor, and heart. kAm}@H E92E DE@CJ 92D 366?
Jay Craven: John Prine… An Angel From Montgomery
There are songwriters you admire, and there are songwriters who quietly rearrange the way you see the world. John Prine belonged to the second category. kAm“*@F v@E v@=5i r6=63C2E:?8 E96 $@?8D @7 y@9? !C:?6” :D ?@H A=2J:?8 2E r2E2>@F?E pCED[ E9C@F89 pAC:= ab] xE’D 3@E9 2 EC:3FE6 2?5 2 82E96C:?8 \ A2CE 4@?46CE 7:=>[ A2CE 4@>>F?2= C6>6>3C2?46 \ 3F:=E 2C@F?5 E96 6?5FC:?8 A@H6C @7 !C:?6’D HC:E:?8] u@C =@?8E:>6 72?D[ :E’D 2 492?46 E@ 962C E96D6 D@?8D C67C24E65 E9C@F89 ?6H G@:46D] u@C ?6H4@>6CD[ :E’D 2?
Jay Craven: Marlee Matlin - Profiling A Trailblazing Actor Still In The Game
More than three decades after becoming the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award, Marlee Matlin remains one of the most recognizable and influential figures in American film and television. The new documentary film, “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” offers a deeply personal portrait of an artist whose career reshaped both Hollywood and public perceptions of Deaf performers. kAms:C64E65 3J 24E@C 2?5 7:=>>2<6C $9@D92??29 $E6C?
Jay Craven: Jazz Crooners Set To Grace Screen At HCA
I love jazz. My Texas-born grandmother took me to see Louis Armstrong when I was around 9 years old. I didn’t know what to call this exciting music, but I was captivated by the sound and mood of jazz - its sense of joy, the sound of “swing” - and Satchmo’s vibrant personality and warm, gravelly voice. kAmx 5:5?’E 86E 2?@E96C 492?46 E@ D66 ;2KK F?E:= x H2D :?
Jay Craven: Parsons Dance Troup Deserve All The Best
Star actor, Timothy Chalamet, made news last week when he made fun of people working in the non-profit performing arts. He singled out dance and opera, but his sentiments have maddened people working in the associated performing arts of jazz, theater, circus and even indie filmmaking. kAmr92=2>6E >256 9:D 4@>>6?ED 2E 2 E@H? 92== 9@DE65 3J r}} 2?5 '2C:6EJ] “x 5@?’E H2?E E@ 36 H@C<:?8 :? 32==6E @C @A6C2 @C[ J@F <?@H[ E9:?8D H96C6 :E’D =:<6[ “w6J[ <66A E9:D E9:?8 2=:G6[” 6G6?
Jay Craven: Experiential learning - On Stage And On Set
Some of the most transformative education happens when students step outside the classroom and into real work. Next Thursday, Concordia College student and St. Johnsbury Academy alumnus Henry Sipples will perform at Fuller Hall with the 70 singers of the acclaimed Concordia Choir. Henry is immersed in a demanding choral ensemble experience that goes far beyond what most students his age tackle. Anyone who has sung in a serious choir knows the challenge. It requires discipline, listening, and trust.
Jay Craven: “Folktales” Explores High-Stakes Wilderness Rite for Teens
In Vermont, where backcountry camping and hiking connect us to the natural world and young cross-country skiers compete in the Olympics, outdoor experiences are part of the cultural DNA. The new documentary “Folktales” is likely to land with particular resonance. kAm%96 7:=> 6IA=@C6D 2 BF6DE:@? H6’G6 AC@323=J 2== 4@?D:56C65i (92E 92AA6?D H96? J@F E2<6 >@56C? E66?286CD[ DEC:A 2H2J E96:C A9@?6D[ E96:C D@4:2= 2C>@C[ 2?5 >@DE @7 E96:C 4@>7@CED — 2?5 D6?5 E96> 566A :?E@ E96 $42?5:?2G:2?
Jay Craven: Ruckus To Ignite “Strawberry Fields” In St. Johnsbury
The Ruckus music group is coming to St. Johnsbury on Tuesday, Feb. 24, to perform rustic 18th century English country dance music – using period instruments – but with a rock band’s energy and drive. Audience members and critics describe the group using words like raucous, high-octane, unbuttoned, audacious, playful, gutsy and unpredictable. kAm%96 8C@FA H:== 2=D@ :?4=F56 EH@ 6=64EC:7J:?8 D@=@:DED E@ 255 E@ E96 7F?] t>: u6C8FD@?[ E96 86?C6\36?5:?8 7=FE:DE :D <?@H?
Jay Craven: A Trip To The Sundance Film Festival
This year’s Sundance Film Festival was the last one to be held in Park City, Utah. Next year, the festival will unfold in Boulder, Colorado - and staffers are already on the ground planning logistics for this huge event, that today attracts some 85,000 people. kAm%9:D J62C’D 76DE:G2= H2D 2=D@ E96 7:CDE 65:E:@? E@ E2<6 A=246 D:?46 E96 A2DD:?8 @7 7@F?56C #@36CE #657@C5 H9@ 4C62E65 E96 $F?52?46 x?DE:EFE6 E@ D@=G6 2 AC@3=6> 96 D2H 4=62C=J :? p>6C:42?
Jay Craven: JHoward Gilman’s Legacy To The Arts, Part 2
Last week, I wrote about the fabulous American philanthropist, Howard Gilman, who “believed in the power of the arts to transform lives.” Gilman was hugely generous to the performing arts while he was alive and, when he died in 1998 at the age of 73, he left more than $1 billion that he designated to support the arts, especially music, theater, dance and film - in New York City. kAmv:=>2? 2?5 9:D 72>:=J H6C6 E96 7@C46 369:?5 E96 }@CE962DE z:?85@>’D v:=>2?
Jay Craven: Howard Gilman… An Angel In The Performing Arts
Last week, I wrote about New York’s fabulous Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City – and I explored a few Vermont connections to the place. kAm%96 ?6IE 52J[ x H2D C6>:?565 @7 2?@E96C 9F86 }@CE962DE z:?85@> 4@??64E:@? E@ {:?4@=? r6?E6C[ H96? x 2EE6?565 2 7:=> D9@H:?8 :? E96 723F=@FD w@H2C5 v:=>2? %962E6C[ @?6 @7 4:EJ’D AC6>:6C6 D4C66?:?8 DA246D] ~FED:56 E96 E962E6C[ E96 w@H2C5 v:=>2? u@F?52E:@? :D =:DE65 2D @?6 @7 E96 E962E6C’D EH@ =2C86DE 5@?@CD – 2E “>@C6 E92? @?6 >:==:@?
Jay Craven: Mingling With NYC Art Community
I’m in New York City this weekend for my annual trip to the big APAP performing arts confab, where I see dance companies, concerts, theater and circus – and meet talent agents, to discover artists I think might work in the NEK. Once I settle on a troupe or performer, I negotiate deals with the agents who are also here, for our KCP Presents series. kAmy2?F2CJ :? }*r :D E96 @?=J E:>6 H96? x D66 9@E6= C2E6D 5C@A] %96 r~'xs A2?56>:4 C6DF=E65 :?
Jay Craven: End Of Year Choices For Movies And TV
The year-end prompts many of us to size up the last 12 months by considering “best of” categories for everything from music and movies to impactful events. Best movie lists connect well to the timing of Academy award nominations that will be announced on January 22.
Jay Craven: Recalling Rob Reiner
The movie business is a relatively small world with many interconnecting paths - and this is even true for an independent filmmaker for Vermont. My connections don’t compare to a studio-based Los Angeles filmmaker working the social scene - but I’ve found myself crossing paths with a few luminaries, albeit in unpredictable circumstances. kAmxE H2D y2?F2CJ a__c H96? x EC2G6=65 E@ {p E@ 25G2?46 >J AC@DA64ED 7@C >2<:?8 >J a__d 7:=>[ “s:D2AA62C2?46D[” 32D65 @?
Jay Craven: ‘Blue Moon’ A Top 2025 Film
Catamount Arts has several exceptional films lined up during the next several weeks - that are likely to receive Academy Award nominations. kAm“q=F6 |@@?” W?@H A=2J:?8 E9C@F89 s646>36C acX H2D ?2>65 J6DE6C52J 2D @?6 @7 E96 E@A a_ 7:=>D @7 E96 J62C[ 3J E96 {:?4@=? r6?E6C u:=> $@4:6EJ’D 6IE6?D:G6 DFCG6J @7 p>6C:42? 4C:E:4D] %96 7:=> 762EFC6D 2 H@?56C7F=[ 7F??J 2?5 6>@E:@?2==J 4@>A=6I A6C7@C>2?46 3J tE92? w2H<6 2D =686?52CJ =JC:4:DE {@C6?K w2CE H9@ HC@E6 2 ?F>36C @7 D@?8D E92E 6?5FC6 :?
Jay Craven: ‘Prime Minister’: A Film For Our Times
During this time of fraught, high stakes international politics, I found it refreshing and hopeful to discover a film that shows leadership that can be best described as thoughtful, compassionate, accountable, reflective – and down to earth. kAm“!C:>6 |:?:DE6C” :D 2 ?6H 5@4F>6?E2CJ 7:=> 7C@> 5:C64E@CD {:?5D2J &EK 2?5 |:496==6 (2=D96] xE 925 :ED &]$] AC6>:6C6 2E E96 a_ad $F?52?46 u:=> u6DE:G2= H96C6 :E H@?
Jay Craven: Enchantment For The Season
The holidays are a time for enchantment, as kids embrace the magic of the season – and adults, too, seek moments that transcend the everyday. The air, itself, looks and feels different, with festive lights and trees and, if you’re lucky enough to live this far north, snow outside your window, gathering on the trees, hills and fields. kAm%9:D D6?D6 @7 6?492?E>6?E 6IE6?5D E@ 2? 6?92?465 D6?D6 @7 4@>>F?:EJ[ 2D H6 6?8286 H:E9 7C:6?5D 2?5 ?6:893@CD[ :? 2?
Catamount Arts’ 50th Was A Gala Celebration
Catamount Arts celebrated its 50th Anniversary in grand style last Saturday night. kAm%96 D@=5\@FE 6G6?E 2E qFC<6 |@F?E2:? w@E6= D2H 2EE6?566D D@4:2=:K:?8 H:E9 7C:6?5D[ 6?;@J:?8 2? 6G6?:?8 @7 7@@5 2?5 5C:?<[ 2?5 52?4:?8 E@ E96 D@F?5D @7 %96 (:4<65 $>2CE w@C? q2?5] $A:C:ED H6C6 9:89[ 2?5 >2?J 2EE6?566D >256 255:E:@?2= 5@?2E:@?D E@ 96=A r2E2>@F?E DE2J G:E2=]k^Am kAmr2E2>@F?E 5:C64E@C y@5J uC:65 E@@< E@ E96 A@5:F>[ E@ E92?< 9:D DE277 2?5 C67=64E @? 2== E92E r2E2>@F?E 5@6D[ 7C@> DE28:?8 E96 s@8 |@F?E2:?
Jay Craven: Warren Zevon, Inducted Into Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, Has NEK Links
Two-time Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, Warren Zevon, was inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame last week-end – and it was about time. Zevon was a maverick in the hyper-commercialized music scene. He played by his own rules while expressing a fertile, idiosyncratic and wildly original imagination. kAm+6G@? :D 36DE <?@H? 7@C 9:D 92C5\5C:G:?8[ 52C<[ %@A c_ 4@>:4 C@4<6C[ “(6C6H@=7 :?
Jay Craven: Ticket Prices To Top Shelf Shows In NEK Kept Reasonable
As of Tuesday of this week, 144 students had reserved free advance tickets to see Monday’s performance by the American Ballet Theater Studio Company at Lyndon Institute. These free student tickets are available to every show in our series - even a show like “The Nutcracker,” that we’ll present during the holidays. We expect a record number of students will attend this two-show performance by the Kyiv Grand Ballet from Ukraine.
Jay Craven: Ballet Superstar Misty Copeland Hangs Up Her Shoes
This past Wednesday evening, acclaimed ballet star, Misty Copeland, made her final performance for the American Ballet Theater (ABT), which she first joined 25 years ago, as a member of the American Ballet Theater Studio Company, which will perform at Lyndon Institute on Monday, Nov. 3. kAm“|:DEJ r@A6=2?5 E@@< @?6 =2DE DA:? @? 96C A@:?E6 D9@6D (65?6D52J[” C6A@CE65 E96 pDD@4:2E65 !C6DD[ “D9@H6C65 H:E9 8@=56? 8=:EE6C 2?5 3@FBF6ED 2D D96 C6E:C65 7C@> E96 p>6C:42?
Jay Craven: AI Actors May Be On The Horizon
I’ve been working with actors this week, re-recording lines for the final sound mix for a new film, based on George Bernard Shaw’s satirical play, “Major Barbara.” I’m also laying the groundwork for casting a new film. I took note last Saturday night of a dozen St. Johnsbury Academy student actors who attended our Second City show, as part of their Academy improv comedy group.
Jay Craven: “The Thin Blue Line” - A Documentary Film Noir
I remember the surprise I experienced in 1988 when I first saw Erroll Morris’ pioneering true crime documentary, “The Thin Blue Line.” I’d never seen anything like it, with its relentless questioning, probing interviews, tense recreations, shadowy detectives, and appropriation of film noir techniques using dramatic lighting and rich saturated colors. Today, we may take this documentary aesthetic and practice for granted – but it all started here. kAm“%96 %9:? q=F6 {:?6” 6I2>:?6D E96 AC@D64FE:@?
Jay Craven: Is Comedy Essential? Or Subversive?
The recent controversy around the suspension of late-night comedian, Jimmy Kimmell, raised First Amendment issues that I’m not sure would have bubbled up if Kimmell were not a comedian.
Jay Craven: Robert Redford Was About More Than Just Acting
Every American independent filmmaker owes a debt of gratitude to Robert Redford - and I’m no exception. kAm#657@C5 H2D E96 5C:G:?8 7@C46 E92E 6DE23=:D965 3@E9 2 AC6>:6C6 D9@H42D6 7@C :?56A6?56?E 7:=>[ %96 $F?52?46 u:=> u6DE:G2=[ 2?5 E96 $F?52?46 x?DE:EFE6[ E92E 92D A=2J65 2 G:E2= 2?5 F?A2C2==6=65 C@=6 :?
Jay Craven: What Is Outlaw Country Music?
Singer/songwriter Jaime Wyatt, who will perform in St. Johnsbury on September 21, has been called an “Outlaw Country Queen.” But what does this mean? Is it a specific sound or just a mindset? kAm“r@H3@JD 2?5 x?5:2?D” >282K:?6 4@G6CD H6DE6C? =:76DEJ=6D[ 2?5 :? 2 C646?E C6G:6H @7 E96 86?C6[ E96J DF886DE[ “p? @FE=2H 4@F?ECJ >FD:4 2CE:DE 5@6D H92E E96J H2?E[ H96? E96J H2?E 2?5 9@H E96J H2?E]” %92E 4@F=5 2AA=J E@ 2 =@E @7 7@=<D]k^Am kAm~FE=2H 4@F?ECJ 3F:=5D @?
Jay Craven: Food Flourishes For, From The NEK
The Caledonia Food Co-op has called a special meeting for 4 p.m. Sunday, September 14, at the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, to announce developments that board members believe will advance their plan to have the co-op up and running next summer. kAm|F49 C6>2:?D E@ 36 5@?6 E@ E96 3F:=5:?8 =@42E65 2E d_a #2:=C@25 $EC66E[ 2?5 E96 4@\@A 92D 368F? 2? 6?4@FC28:?8 7:?2= C@F?5 @7 =@42= 7F?5C2:D:?8] %96C6 ?@H 2AA62CD E@ 36 =:89E 2E E96 6?5 @7 E96 EF??6= 7@C E9:D 2>3:E:@FD[ J62CD\=@?8[ Sf >:==:@?
Jay Craven: Behind The Scenes For KCP Presents, 2025-26
The KCP Presents series has just announced its 17th season that will stage 11 music, theater, dance and circus performances this fall, winter and spring. kAmx =@G6 E@ AC@8C2> E96 D6C:6D 3642FD6 x’> 23=6 E@ 5:D4@G6C 2CE:DED 2?5 D92C6 E96> H:E9 =@42= 2F5:6?46D] ~FC 7C66\E:4<6ED\7@C\DEF56?ED AC@8C2> :D F?:BF6 :? 2== }6H t?8=2?5[ 2?5 :E AC@G:56D 2? 255:E:@?2= D2E:D724E:@?
Jay Craven: Navigating The 2025 Middlebury Film Festival
This week, I’m at the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival where I serve as artistic director. That means I select the films, recruit the special guests and honorees - and prep guest moderators. We have a new executive director, Cailtin Boyle, in this, the festival’s 11th year. She’s doing a great job. kAm%9:D >@C?:?8[ x H@C<65 H:E9 EH@ :?E6C?D E@ =@25 AC@;64E:@? 6BF:A>6?E @FE @7 E96 $96=5@?
Jay Craven: Our Farms Are Essential To Our Communities
A thriving community needs an adequate supply of good doctors, nurses, and schoolteachers. We need good affordable housing and decent paying jobs – and things for people to do, for recreation, cultural offerings, and life-long learning. People want to know what’s going on locally, so newspapers and local radio are important. Reliable town government is vital, looking after the health, safety, and community development - and to maintain roads in all kinds of weather.
Jay Craven: Screening Films in Hometown(s)
Independent filmmakers learn, early on, to maximize the number of “hometowns” they can claim. It helps sell tickets. I played “Lost Nation” on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard this week and, in both cases, I claimed local connections. I didn’t grow up on the Cape, but my family moved there after my freshman year in college. My sister’s an editor at Cape Cod Life and my brother teaches at Nauset High School – and he has worked as a Wellfleet lifeguard since 1983.
Jay Craven: New Films At Catamount And The Star Theater
I’ve got my eye on three movies this week – all playing now (or soon) at The Star Theater and Catamount Arts. The first one is “The Naked Gun” – at the Star Theater - which stars Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. Some people probably remember Neeson from his time in St. Johnsbury and Peacham, during the frigid January and February 1992 filming of the American Playhouse production, “Ethan Frome,” where Neeson played the title character. kAm}66D@?
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