Defibulators & Wee Folkestra Open Big Picture 'Sound Proof' Exhibit 7/6
Burlington's based six-piece music collective The Wee Folkestra (complete with saw player) and Brooklyn's up and coming The Defibulators perform July 6 at the Big Picture opening reception for 'Sound Proof,' Big Heavy World’s exhibit of 1990s-era Vermont band portrait photography by Matthew Thorsen, presented by Seven Days. A BBQ begins at 5pm; live music at 7pm, admission $15 (BBQ is separate). Big Picture is located off of Route 100 at 48 Carroll Road in Waitsfield. For info call (802) 496-8994 or visit http://www.bigpicturetheater.info Tickets are available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/256353
The Wee Folkestra is a six-piece, Burlington, Vermont based, musical collective that has gained notoriety for its rich and unique arrangements of classics, as well as original material. Expect sweet three-part harmonies (four if you count Johnnie Day’s musical saw), melodica, upright bass, guitars, mandolin & drums on any given night. In less than a year the group has opened for Marco Benevento twice, played the Liberate music festival, performed at Higher Ground on their Main Stage, opened for the secret Gogol Bordello set at Occupy Burlington for 500 people in City Hall Park, and had Ween’s Dave Dreiwitz sit in for sultry lounge version of “Baby Bitch.”
Hailing from New York’s thriving indie scene, The Defibulators have developed a funky, rootsy, out-of-control sound that’s all their own. The six-man, one-woman band blends bluegrass, country, honky tonk, rockabilly, Dixieland jazz, punk, and maybe a touch of anti-folk into an intoxicating, good-time mélange that’s guaranteed to slap a smile on your face. Roots-heavy, post-punk music that reinvents the conventions of country music with a CBGB-meets-Grand Ole Opry feel.
Matthew Thorsen was the go-to photographer for bands in the Burlington area during the 1990s - he took hundreds of portrait, newspaper and magazine photos chronicling music of the era. Big Heavy World has been collecting Thorsen's images since it began in 1996 and with immense support from Seven Days, Creative Habitat, and other generous supporters we're proud to be touring an exhibit of the images throughout Vermont.
Matt’s work is integral to the historic record of Vermont’s musical heritage. The photographs in this exhibit were taken in the mid- to late-1990’s at a time when Matt worked with film. He has since moved to the digital format and these chemical prints have become a priceless — and artful – reminder of a receding era.
'Sound Proof' is presented by Seven Days, with generous support from Creative Habitat. The exhibit is also made possible by Guide by Cell, The Vermont Arts Council, The National Endowent for the Arts, a 2010 Champlain Quadricentennial Legacy Grant from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, and 105.9FM The Radiator.
The Big Picture Theater & Café is the Mad River Valley's unofficial cultural center and café. Open seven days a week from 7am-10pm serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Featuring locally grown vegetables from the Big Picture's little sister, Small Step Farm as well as local meat and cheese. Breakfast served daily until 3pm (try their renowned Huevos Rancheros) and offers eclectic brunch specials every Sunday. The Big Picture Café also boasts a wide variety of coffee, specialty drinks (full bar) and milk shakes from our vintage soda fountain. Don't miss out on fresh desserts and famous maple-glazed Very Small Donuts. Complete your dining experience with a movie (you can even have dinner/drinks in their theaters!) or one of many events including live music (every Wed with $1 drafts), art exhibits, art films, performances, concerts and more. The Big Picture Theater & Café, a local gathering place with a global dimension. www.bigpicturetheater.info, 802.496.8994
The Big Picture gets the party started in the Red Theater with a BBQ at 5pm and music at 7pm.