Montpelier’s [1] professional theater company, Lost Nation Theater (39 Main St., 802/229-0492, www.lostnationtheater.org [2]) performs an eclectic mix of musicals, contemporary drama, and an annual fall Shakespeare production.
The Savoy Theater (26 Main St., 802/229-0509, www.savoytheater.com [3]) screens first-run and classic art films.
A collective community space and bar, the Langdon Street Cafe (4 Langdon St., 802/223-8667, www.langdonstreetcafe.com [4]) epitomizes the spirit of modern Vermont [5]. Blues jams, earnest singer-songwriter types, and spoken-word performers light up the stage, while patrons sample local beers on tap. Monday is open mike night.
Upscale pizzeria Positive Pie (69 Main St., Plainfield, 802/454-0133, www.positivepie.com [6]) might have anything from reggae to belly-dancing in its music lounge Thursday through Saturday.
The entire third floor of the Black Door Bar and Bistro (44 Main St., 802/223-7070, www.blackdoorvt.com [7]) is given over to live music on the weekends. Offerings might include funk, bluegrass, or old-school soul.
A raging bonfire takes off some of the winter chill at Ice on Fire (802/223-7335, Jan.), Montpelier’s annual winter carnival. Activities include storytelling, games, and old-fashioned sled pulls.
Seems like every city of consequence has a film festival these days, and Montpelier is no exception. The Green Mountain Film Festival (26 Main St., 802/229-0598, www.savoytheater.com [3], Mar.) focuses on international films in two dozen screenings at the Savoy Theater.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/northeast-vermont/capital-region/montpelier
[2] http://www.lostnationtheater.org
[3] http://www.savoytheater.com
[4] http://www.langdonstreetcafe.com
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont
[6] http://www.positivepie.com
[7] http://www.blackdoorvt.com