A little more than a week into a new way of life for a while, the number of online resources for keeping families entertained and occupied through the arts in Vermont is pretty remarkable. Here’s a roundup of some institutions you may or may not be familiar with who are offering some great v…

“The next few weeks are going to be a challenge,” McHarper Manor posted to Facebook early this week. “It’s going to be hard on kids being away from school. It’s going to be a challenge and huge change for working parents.”

“Circle the calendar, save the date, get a sitter and start stretching! DRUM ROLL,” The Footloose Fundraisers Facebook page posted recently, announcing 7 p.m. Saturday, March 14 at the Palms Restaurant in Rutland as its much anticipated next pop-up dance party.

What do you get when you combine the blossoming talents and unbridled enthusiasm of more than 50 local young people, with a fresh new take on a classic story?

If it’s been a while since you dusted off your ice skates, or desired to do so, you’re not alone. That was the idea behind RutSkate. Or SkateRut.

They say there are always at least two sides to every story, but this time, there are six.

If you or your kids are interested in art, or theater, The Marble Valley Players are presenting “Vincent,” an intriguing, one-man show written by Leonard Nimoy (of “Star Trek” fame), based on the more than 800 letters Vincent Van Gogh and his brother wrote each other, in a rare personal take…

As a kid, Bob Marley was always watching comedians on TV. He would sit and stare at them while his sister teased, “Bobby how come you’re not laughing, this guy’s wicked funny. It’s because you’re a loser that’s why.”

One of the great things about the Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s Jukebox series is that it’s kid-friendly without being watered down.

Tinmouth Contra Dance

This column began as a focus on the monthly Working Families Playgroup taking place at Rutland’s Wonderfeet Kids Museum, but after a conversation with Executive Director Danielle Monroe, there are a variety of family-friendly things going on at the museum to report on, and many are free.

Rutland Death Café

Just seven short months after the Paramount Theatre’s first foray into community theater, it’s mounting a second production. The Paramount Players and Grace Congregational Church will presenting “Shrek the Musical” next, and auditions take place in just over a week.

Contra Dance

At Miss Lorraine’s Dance Studio last Tuesday evening, students lined the perimeter of the room. In a back room costumes were being sewn and dancers floated in and out, talking about their upcoming production of this year’s "Nutcracker," which is being presented at the Paramount Theatre at 1 …

Christmas is drawing nearer, and that means Scrooge and Santa are making appearances in several places around the area in the next couple weeks. Not together of course, but below is a roundup of events, including two presentations of the holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol.”

Everyone knows the song, the movie sequel was recently released, and the Broadway touring company went out this year. So it was really the perfect time for Rutland Youth Theatre to choose “Disney’s Frozen JR” for its winter show.

Ladies’ Night Out Caroling Rehearsals

In 2014, a young woman from Wallingford pulled off what, at the time, fewer than 500 women in the world had ever done: She swam the English Channel.

Gumdrops on the roof, edible front doors, icing windows — the possibilities are endless, and pretty easy to do. A quick trip to the grocery store, some imagination, and you’ve got a gingerbread house. It doesn’t matter how old you are, if you want to do it alone, or with your family, co-work…

After a month of build-up and excitement, Halloween is finally here. Here’s a round-up of things to do this Halloween night. Stay safe, get lots of candy and have a Happy Halloween!

It’s all about candy, costumes, and ghost stories this week with Halloween right around the corner. Here’s a handful of Halloween events around town for the whole family.

If you’re a fan of parodies, a new production called “Trumpilton,” stars a handful of local actors, written by local writers.

One for the kiddos, one for the parents this week — a Halloween party in a castle, and a zombie mixer.

There’s a mash-up of events around the area in the coming week, from auditions for a holiday play, to a cupcake workshop. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for a number of Halloween things to do, including all things haunted - haunted houses, haunted hayrides, haunted tours and more.

There’s a daylong lineup of activities going on around the area this Saturday, September 28, and below is a round-up to pick and choose from.

“A big week ahead,” Yvonne Daley posted to Facebook a few days ago. Tonight at 7 p.m., the author is at the Castleton Free Library, reading and showing the slideshow from her book, “Going Up the Country.” On Friday, the art exhibit she put together based on the book opens at the Chaffee Art …

Besides fall foliage, cooler weather, apple cider and pumpkin spice everything, corn maze season is here. If you’ve never been to one it’s a fun way to spend a fall afternoon with your family, and some even have nighttime hours. Here’s a few happening in the area:

Vermont has some of the most beautiful scenic roads in the country and going for a drive is one of the best parts of living here. Even if you get lost, you’re never too far from anything, and you can’t beat the views.

The sidewalk sales and street fair are back this weekend, which promise to be bigger and better than ever, along with a city-wide celebration, and maybe one of the best not-so-secret spots to find deals on books, music and DVDs.

Two nearby events just for kids are happening in the next week, one in Rutland, one a little road trip away, both family- and budget-friendly.

Who Really Discovered Vermont?

Community favorite Art in the Park returns this weekend, as well as a family friendly movie screening with a twist.

Steamy late-summer days call for both indoor and outdoor entertainment options. Below, some great ones for both — all free!

Take a couple of Shakespeare on Main Street veterans, add some seasoned community theater actors, a few newcomers, and a director with passion and clear vision, and you’ve got the Marble Valley Players’ upcoming production of “Julius Caesar.”

Two unique and completely free events are happening this week, brought to you by some of the talented and creative people who call Rutland home.

Friday Night Live

I love the Fourth of July. It’s one of my favorite holidays, as much for my memories of it as what it is today. As a kid, my grandparents would drive up from Pennsylvania and we’d camp out on a blanket in the grass, waiting for the darkening sky to light up. I would sit by my grandfather and…

Sometimes it’s hard to turn everything off and go outside, even in the summer, especially with the distraction of so much technology everywhere today. Come Alive Outside Founding Director Andy Paluch says it’s time to “be really intentional about counteracting that.”

Northern Homespun

Stephane Wrembel

I love living in Montpelier, and one of the best features of our country’s smallest state capital is Hubbard Park. The park celebrated it’s 120th birthday last weekend with the first of four events that the parks department hosts for the summer. The events are being dubbed Parkapalooza!, and…

Late day sun, the smell of popcorn in the air, and live music have made concerts in the park series longtime favorite summer traditions.

A cast of over 60 local dancers and a nationally touring group of teenage musicians are performing this week.

Family Room explores a day in the life of two Vermont singing groups, and a local artist, with events coming up this week.

This week, there are dinosaurs, Roald Dahl and mandalas.