Wednesday, August 20 MANCHESTER — The Southern Vermont Arts Center's August Exhibitions, opening in Yester House Gallery on Aug. 23, with a free wine and cheese reception held from 2 to 4 p.m., features eight fine artists, Vermont painter Mark Tougias among them. Tougias did his first oil painting at age 8, entered his first show at age 14 and had his first solo show at age 16.   Full Story

Tuesday, August 19 GRAFTON — The Old Tavern at Grafton, one of the nation's oldest operating inns located in historic Grafton, is pleased to announce that it will now host live music every Saturday night at 8 p.m. at Phelps Barn. Every Saturday night a unique musician or band will perform at Phelps Barn.   Full Story

Tuesday, August 19 WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Michael Quick, a foremost authority on the works of artist George Inness, will discuss the spiritual aspirations embodied in the artist's late paintings in a lecture titled "Higher Forms of Truth: The Late Works of George Inness" on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 3 p.   Full Story

Tuesday, August 19 CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. — For the past month, Hubbard Hall has been home of the students of the 2008 Summer Theater Conservatory, some of the most talented young performers in the capital region. On Friday, Aug. 22 at Saturday, Aug. 23, the Hall will fill with the sights and sounds of the Conservatory Cabaret — the culminating performances of the Conservatory experience.   Full Story

Tuesday, August 19 MANCHESTER — "Oil and Acrylic Painting Workshop," presented by the widely collected artist Charles Gruppé, returns to the Southern Vermont Arts Center's Madeira Studios Aug. 26 through 29 ($295 SVAC-members; $315 non-members). Beginners to advanced students can complete a new, controlled, impressionistic painting every day during this five-day workshop.   Full Story

Tuesday, August 19 MUSIC Kevin's Sports Pub and Restaurant North Bennington John & Mark "Blues Duo" — August 22 Karaoke with Ray —August 23 442-0122 Knapps Underground Bennington Stealing Jane, The Scenic, Lion of Ido, Love & Reverie, Self Made Soul, Between Now & Forever — August 23 Park-McCullough House North Bennington Maxine Neuman, cello   Full Story

Tuesday, August 19 DORSET — Sometimes you can take it with you. For Larissa Goldberg, 21, an intern last year at the Dorset Theatre Festival who is making her professional acting debut this season in their current production of "June Moon," a comedy written by George Kaufman, her role of Edna represents in a way the closing of a circle.   Full Story

Tuesday, August 19 MONTPELIER — Landgrove artist Anna Dibble is exhibiting a new series of oil and mixed media paintings at the Lazy Pear Gallery in Montpelier. "Canine Conundrums" will run at the gallery, at 154 Main St. in Montpelier, through Sept. 21. Dibble's work reflects her background in cartoon animation, and love of natural history and folklore.   Full Story

Tuesday, August 19 WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Juilliard-trained Amernet String Quartet, described by The New York Times as "an accomplished and intelligent ensemble," will perform on Aug. 26 at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in the last concert of the Tuesday evening series of art, food, and music.   Full Story

Tuesday, August 19 Thursday, August 21 Author shares Saudi history MANCHESTER CENTER — Explore the real Saudi Arabia when Mark Weston presents his fascinating new history of the country, Prophets and Princes: Saudi Arabia from Muhammed to the Present, on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Northshire Bookstore.   Full Story

Tuesday, August 19 WESTON — William Shakespeare's "As You Like It," one of the most popular comedies of all time, debuts on the Weston Playhouse MainStage on Aug. 28. "All the world's a stage" in this fresh approach to a classic comedy, directed by Brendon Fox of the famed Old Globe Theatre in San Diego and graced with original music by Obie-winning composer Polly Pen.   Full Story

Tuesday, August 19 MANCHESTER — In conjunction with and support of the opening of its August Exhibition, the Southern Vermont Arts Center presents two free "artist events" featuring artists whose work appears in the exhibition. First, in Yester House Gallery on Aug. 23, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.   Full Story

Tuesday, August 12 MUSIC Kevin's Sports Pub and Restaurant North Bennington Ken Flash — August 15 DJ Jimmy Woodward — August 16 442-0122 Knapps Underground Bennington The Absolute Punk "Bands of the Future" Tour: Lannen Fall, Mercy Mercedes, Go Crash Audio, Racing Kites, The Hint, Between Now & Forever — August 15 Stay, Split 2nd Alibi, The Hostiles,   Full Story

Tuesday, August 12 Thursday, August 14 Fels tells about 'Farm Friends' MANCHESTER CENTER — Where have all the hippies gone? Vermont author Tom Fels discusses the topic as he presents "Farm Friends," his memoir of commune life in the 1960s, on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Northshire Bookstore.   Full Story

Tuesday, August 12 BENNINGTON — On Wednesdays Sept. 17, 24, Oct. 8 and 15, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Berkshire Community College will offer a course on the poetry of Robert Frost. The course will be hosted by the Bennington Museum in Bennington. Each session will run from 10:30 a.   Full Story