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Thursday, July 17th (Lots to Do this Weekend!)

Your Weekend Kickoff: A Hero's ESPY, Infrastructure Woes & Border Stories – Once tonight's thunderstorms pass, a stunningly perfect Saturday unfolds for the Vermont Brewers Fest, the Antique Boat Show, or celebrating the Green's playoff berth. Get the full story on Burlington's own Ilona Maher taking home a national award, the financial crisis threatening GMT's future, the wastewater leak that just closed our beaches, and the complex local stories unfolding at the Canadian border.

July 17, 2025

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Table of Contents

Weather & Weekend Update:

Get ready for one last blast of summer heat. Thursday is serving up another hot and very humid day, with temperatures climbing into the upper eighties. But don't get too comfortable, because a line of thunderstorms is expected to roll through late this afternoon and evening, and looking outside right now, its already started. Forecasters are keeping a close eye on these for strong wind gusts, so maybe bring that patio umbrella inside. The great news arrives overnight. Friday promises a dramatic shift, with sunny skies, highs in the much more civilized upper seventies, and humidity that's blessedly gone. That beautiful weather should hold through Saturday, which is looking sunny with highs in the mid eighties. Clouds will gather Saturday night, leading into a Sunday with a good chance for showers, but still offering some dry spells to enjoy the day.

Once those storms clear out this evening, the city comes alive. Over at Green Door Studio, the monthly "Third Thursday!" hip hop showcase is back at 9 PM with Stay on Mars and a full slate of guests. It's BYOB and a great community vibe. If you're looking for something a bit more mellow, singer songwriter Andriana Chobot brings her jazzy indie pop to Foam Brewers at 7 PM. And for families in South Burlington, Veterans Memorial Park is hosting a big community night out starting at 5:30 PM, complete with a fleet of food trucks and a free beach towel for the first 500 people.

The energy carries right into Friday, which kicks off with some massive news: Vermont Green FC is hosting the Eastern Conference Playoffs at Virtue Field. After their historic unbeaten season, tickets for the Friday and Sunday matches vanished in minutes, a testament to the incredible support this season. For those without a game ticket, Winooski is throwing its downtown Block Party in Rotary Park starting at 5 PM, a perfect spot to grab some local takeout and enjoy a huge lineup of live music well into the evening.

With Saturday's perfect forecast, the waterfront is the place to be. The 32nd annual Vermont Brewers Festival takes over the shoreline Friday and Saturday, featuring dozens of breweries and exclusive festival only beers. Tickets are $60 in advance and $65 at the door if any are left. While you're down there on Saturday morning, you can also wander through the free Antique Boat Show starting at 9 AM to see some incredible classic vessels on the lake. As evening approaches Saturday, City Hall Park transforms for a free Vintage Twilight Block Party. This one has a vintage theme, so dig out your best old school attire and catch the Americana sounds of Cold Chocolate and Emma Cook starting around 5 PM.

Beyond the big festivals, the weekend is brimming with community happenings. Get a free classical music fix with the Burlington Civic Symphony Pops Concert at City Hall Park Sunday morning at 10 AM, or catch the Ted Perry Trio there for a free lunchtime concert Friday. On Saturday, you can do some good at the Community Waterfront Cleanup at 10 AM, or get that wobbly lamp fixed for free at the Old North End Repair Cafe starting at 11 AM. For the car folks, the monthly Cars & Coffee meetup is bright and early Saturday at the University Mall. And for a perfect Sunday, you can browse the makers and artists at the Soda Plant Sundays Market or settle in for DJ sets and food trucks at the Sunday Sessions at Four Quarters Brewing in Winooski. There's even a music video shoot and cookout at the skatepark Saturday evening for the song "Sunday Push," so you can truly say you were there.

Today’s high in Burlington is running about 4 °F warmer than the July average, with nighttime lows close to typical. Over the next three days, highs will range from ~80‑85 °F and lows from ~62‑67 °F, staying just above or hovering at historical normals.

“My message stays the same -- strong is beautiful, strong is powerful, it’s sexy, it’s whatever you want it to be, and I hope more girls can feel how I feel,” Maher said. (per WCAX)

This is a huge moment for a local hero whose star continues to rise. Maher's journey from Burlington High School to an Olympic medalist and now an ESPY winner is a massive accomplishment in its own right. But her cultural impact, fueled by a message of strength and body positivity that has resonated far beyond the world of rugby, is what makes this award so significant. It's a national recognition of her role as a powerful and positive voice for young athletes everywhere.

"I said, 'I'm not asking who, why, what — I don't even care,'" recalled lead urban park ranger Neil Preston. "'I just think that ... whoever took them doesn't really want them, especially if they knew that they were taking them from kids.'" (per Seven Days)

This story is a great window into the unique, on the ground work of Burlington's park rangers. Preston’s success wasn't about policing, but about the trust and relationships he has carefully built within the unhoused community over time. It's a small but hopeful vignette about community-oriented problem solving amidst the city's ongoing challenges. The two large textile artworks, created by Burlington High School students, are now reinstalled on the FRAME, this time a little higher up.

“Trump’s damaging tariffs, nasty rhetoric and inhumane immigration policies have eroded the trust and goodwill that once flowed so freely across our shared border,” said City Councilor Becca Brown McKnight. (per Seven Days)

This symbolic renaming highlights the very real economic anxieties tied to our relationship with Canada. With data showing a 30 to 40 percent drop in border crossings and spending from our northern neighbors, city and state officials are trying to send a clear message that Vermont remains a welcoming place despite federal politics. The gesture has drawn mixed reactions, with some Canadians calling it patronizing, but it underscores just how much Burlington’s downtown core relies on a healthy flow of cross border tourism. You’ve probably already heard this headline, but it’s worth noting again since city leaders gathered at the top of Church Street on Wednesday to unveil signs about it.

“Researchers at UVM excel at what they do, and the awards from the National Science Foundation are a testament to their talent and hard work,” said U.S. Senator Peter Welch. (per UVM News and WCAX)

It's been a big week for the local economy, with several major funding awards announced for key projects across the area. The aging Winooski River Bridge, a critical artery handling 25,000 cars a day, has secured nearly $23 million in federal funds to move forward with its $80 million replacement. At the same time, UVM attracted over $5.5 million from the National Science Foundation for initiatives including a new AI supercomputer, and another $3 million grant will establish a publicly accessible semiconductor testing lab in South Burlington, reinforcing Vermont's growing role as a tech hub. Together, these investments represent a significant boost to the region's core infrastructure, its research capacity, and its future in the competitive tech industry.

"Who should the bus serve? That's a question the transit authority's general manager, Clayton Clark, wants local and state leaders to help him answer." (per Seven Days)

This in-depth story gets to the heart of a brewing crisis for public transportation in our area. GMT is caught in a classic "death spiral" where rising costs and falling ridership lead to service cuts, which in turn discourages more riders. The core question posed by GM Clayton Clark is critical for the region's future: should GMT provide skeletal service to a wide area, or focus on frequent, high quality service in the urban core? The answer will have major implications for equity, climate goals, and how we envision Chittenden County's growth.

"Without those funds, school districts won’t be able to retain key staff, maintain high-quality educational programs or improve instructional capacity," said Attorney General Charity Clark. (per Seven Days)

This is the latest front in the ongoing battle between states like Vermont and the Trump administration over federal funding. The freezing of $26 million designated for Vermont schools could have immediate, tangible impacts on staffing and programs just weeks before the school year begins. Attorney General Clark is framing this as a constitutional issue of executive overreach, but for local districts, it's a very practical matter of budget certainty. The support from Governor Scott's administration suggests a unified state-level front against the federal move.

“By abruptly and unlawfully shutting down the BRIC program, this administration is abandoning states and local communities that rely on federal funding to protect their residents and, in the event of disaster, save lives.” (per The Associated Press via WCAX)

This is the second major lawsuit this week pitting Vermont against the Trump administration over frozen funds. This one targets a key FEMA program that funds projects designed to protect against natural disasters like floods, which is critical for a state that has seen the devastation of events like Hurricane Irene. The lawsuit argues the administration's cancellation of the program was illegal, highlighting the ongoing tension between congressional appropriations and presidential authority.

“Going through a situation like this is really a nightmare,” said Coco Ngoy, whose sister, Esther Ngoy Tekele, was detained. (per WCAX)

This is a deeply troubling local story that taps into broader national debates about immigration and due process. The detention of Esther Ngoy Tekele, a legal green card holder and mother from Burlington, after a routine border crossing has left her family and lawyer searching for answers. The case raises serious questions about why she was detained and the constitutionality of holding someone for over a week without clear charges. Her bond hearing, scheduled for today, will be a critical step for a family grappling with a sudden and frightening separation.

"Results showed a concentration of 260 colonies per 100 milliliters of water, exceeding the EPA’s acceptable limit of 235 colonies per 100 milliliters." (per VTDigger)

An equipment failure at the city’s main wastewater plant serves as a stark reminder of our aging infrastructure. The leak of sludge and resulting E. coli spike forced the closure of popular spots like Oakledge Cove and Blanchard Beach, frustrating residents during a hot week. While officials worked to resolve the issue, this incident remind of the importance of ongoing and future upgrades to make the system more resilient and prevent these kinds of public health and quality of life disruptions.

“We’re still probably a year away from really being able to say ‘this beach is the worst’ or ‘this type of plastic is the biggest issue in the lake,’” said UVM’s Anne Jefferson. (per WCAX)

This update on the coalition studying our lake's health shows the persistent, often invisible, challenges facing Lake Champlain. While Vermont's 2020 single use plastic bag ban has shown measurable positive effects, research now points to foam plastics, like Styrofoam, as a major ongoing culprit. The work of this UVM and SUNY Plattsburgh-led coalition is crucial for creating targeted policies, but it also serves as a reminder that legislative action directly impacts the health of our most vital natural resource.

“We’re tightly connected and it’s not just like a transactional thing where you come play basketball in college and leave,” said former Catamount star Aaron Deloney. (per WCAX)

It's a treat for local basketball fans to see so many Catamount legends back in town and playing together. They came on Wednesday to practice together, however the tournament is held in Syracuse. The creation of the "Green Mountain Men" for The Basketball Tournament (TBT) speaks volumes about the enduring culture of the UVM program. This isn't just a random assortment of players; it's a team of fan favorites spanning different eras, including local son Ben Shungu. Their first game is Saturday afternoon, in Syracuse offering a rare chance to see this unique alumni squad compete for a $1 million prize; single elimination style!

"With temperatures expected to hit the 90s and a Heat Advisory from the National Weather Service, Burlington and Montpelier are among communities offering places to get out of the sun." (per WCAX)

This is a straightforward but important public service update as the heat advisory continues. The availability of places like the Fletcher Free Library, COTS Day Station, and the Old North End Senior Center as cooling centers highlights the city's response to extreme weather. More importantly, it points to the vulnerability of certain populations, including seniors and the unhoused, who are most at risk during these heatwaves. It's a key part of the community's immediate care infrastructure.

It’s a packed newsletter this weekend!! It’s a one man team out here, so if you appreciate what I do and want to keep it going, consider a small donation using the link below, or right to my Venmo @BtownBrief ! Now, onto the Events section!

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Events:

Thursday, July 17, 2025

General Events

Performances

  • 6:30 PM: Live, Laugh, Lava: A Comedy Showcase at Radio Bean, Burlington ($5)

  • 7:30 PM: Joe List (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($30)

  • 9:30 PM: The Roast of Nickelodeon (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($11.99)

Live Music/DJ

  • 5:30 PM: Thursdays by the Lake: Kerubo (blues, jazz, African) at Union Station, Burlington (Free)

  • 6:00 PM: Summer Music Series: Eric George at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center (Free)

  • 6:00 PM: Frankie & the Fuse (indie pop) at Red Square, Burlington (Free)

  • 6:00 PM: Vinyl Thursdays at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)

  • 7:00 PM: Alex Stewart & Friends (jazz) at the 126, Burlington (Free)

  • 7:00 PM: Compactor, Burial Woods, Jesse and the Spirit, Mobelos (electronic) at Community of Sound, Burlington ($10)

  • 7:30 PM: Shattering w/ Eastern Mountain Time at The Monkey House ($10)

  • 8:00 PM: Nico Suave and The Mothership at Higher Ground ($19.84)

  • 8:00 PM: Dog Water EP Release Show with Doom Service, Vallory Falls, Fisher Wagg at Radio Bean ($10/$15)

  • 8:00 PM: Andriana at Foam Brewers (Free)

  • 8:00 PM: DJ JP Black at Red Square, Burlington (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: Familiar Faces Funk Jam (funk, jazz) at the 126, Burlington (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: Third Thursday! at 4 Howard St, Burlington

  • 9:00 PM: DJ Paul at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington (Free)

  • 10:00 PM: DJ Chaston at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington (Free)

Friday, July 18, 2025

General Events

Performances

  • 7:00 PM: Phoenix at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center

  • 7:30 PM: KIN A New Musical (American Premiere) at Main Street Landing Blackbox ($30)

  • 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM: Joe List (comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($30)

Live Music/DJ

  • 12:30 PM: BCA's Summer Concert Series: Ted Perry Trio at City Hall Park (Free)

  • 2:00 PM: Dave Mitchell Blues Revue Blue Jam at Red Square (Free)

  • 4:00 PM: Ryan Sweezey (singer-songwriter) at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)

  • 5:00 PM: The Rabbit Hole Pop-Up Summer Series at The Birch & Berry Inn, Hinesburg ($5-10; cash bar)

  • 5:30 PM: Pat Morelli (acoustic) at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington (Free)

  • 6:00 PM: Milton Krum (lounge) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)

  • 6:00 PM: DJ CRE8 at Red Square, Burlington (Free)

  • 6:00 PM: Local Dork (DJ) at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)

  • 7:00 PM: Mol Sullivan, Louisa Stancioff (folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($15)

  • 7:30 PM: Lisa LeBlanc (singer-songwriter) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington ($26.42)

  • 7:30 PM: SweetRoots (jazz) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington (Free)

  • 7:30 PM: Live Solo Acoustic! at Dumb Luck Pub and Grill

  • 8:00 PM: Hullabaloo Returns! at The Old Post

  • 8:00 PM: The Record Company at Higher Ground ($32.06)

  • 9:00 PM: Dancing in the Streets -- a weekly Grateful Dead tribute night at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: All Night Boogie Band at Foam Brewers (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: Live Karaoke with Barbacoa! at The Monkey House ($10)

  • 9:00 PM: Grant Burton DJ at Venetian Soda Lounge (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: Clive, Kiley Latham (folk) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington ($10)

  • 9:00 PM: Dusk Quartet (jazz) at the 126, Burlington (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: Rap Night Burlington (hip-hop) at Drink, Burlington ($5)

  • 10:00 PM: Hustle Souls w/ LACES at Radio Bean ($12/$15)

  • 10:00 PM: Ron Stoppable, DJ ATAK at Red Square, Burlington (Free)

  • 11:00 PM: DJ Taka at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington ($10/$15)

Saturday, July 19, 2025

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

  • 1:30 PM: Little Slugger, Erin Cassels-Brown (garage rock) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10/$15)

  • 4:00 PM: phin, Keaton Schiller, Lyla George, the Eyetraps (folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10/$15)

  • 5:00 PM: The Rabbit Hole Pop-Up Summer Series at The Birch & Berry Inn, Hinesburg ($5-10; cash bar)

  • 6:00 PM: DJ Raul at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington (Free)

  • 6:30 PM: Hundreds of AU / No Soul / Corrupt world at Landry Park, Winooski

  • 6:30 PM: The Selkies (folk) at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski ($10)

  • 7:30 PM: Queer Takeover (indie DJ) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10/$15)

  • 7:30 PM: In the Pocket (jazz) at Bleu Northeast Kitchen, Burlington (Free)

  • 8:00 PM: The Apollos: Unplugged at Einsteins at Einstein’s Tap House

  • 8:00 PM: Ruminations/PIDGIN @ The Venetian Soda Lounge at Venetian Soda Lounge

  • 8:00 PM: Molly Mood (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: Baby Fearn at Foam Brewers (Free)

  • 9:00 PM: HXNCLB (DJ set) | Monkey House in Winooski VT at The Monkey House

  • 9:00 PM: Sparkomatik (EDM) at Monkey House, Winooski ($10)

  • 9:00 PM: Tom Cleary Trio (jazz) at the 126, Burlington (Free)

  • 10:00 PM: Matt Payne (DJ) at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington (Free)

Sunday, July 20, 2025

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

7:00 PM: Burlington Concert Band 175th Anniversary Concert at Battery Park, Burlington (Free)

Volunteer Opportunity of the Weeek: Support Second Chances with COSA

There are so many volunteer opportunities in Burlington! This week I choose to highlight:

Support Second Chances with COSA
Help make our community safer and more compassionate by volunteering with Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) through the Burlington Community Justice Center. COSA teams meet weekly with individuals returning to the community after incarceration, offering support and accountability as they rebuild their lives. No special background needed—just a willingness to listen, show up, and commit about an hour a week. Training is provided, and your impact could be life-changing. Learn more and get involved at burlingtoncjc.org.

Check out this page for links to four great sites with volunteer opportunities all around Burlington: https://btownbrief.beehiiv.com/c/volunteer-burlington

202+ Things to Do in Burlington (Summer Activities)

Today’s picks:

Five more ways to make the most of these late summer days while they’re still warm and wide open. Start with a bike ride along the Burlington Greenway, stopping at whichever park feels right: Oakledge, Waterfront, North Beach, or Leddy all bring their own vibe. Visit the Shelburne Vineyard for a tasting, then hang out on the lawn with a glass of something cold and a view of the mountains. Take a lap through the South End’s Soda Plant and peek into the local makers’ spaces; grab a coffee or cider while you wander. Spend a quiet hour at the Fletcher Free Library, whether you’re flipping through a book, cooling off, or checking out one of their free events. And if you’re looking to wrap up your day on a mellow note, bring dinner to the rocks at Oakledge Cove and watch the sun fade behind the lake.

Full list’s always waiting here when you need a plan: https://btownbrief.beehiiv.com/c/202-activites

Eating Out On A Budget (Food & Drink Deals)

This Week’s Food & Drink Picks

  • Thursday: Half-priced house-smoked wings at Switchback Brewing, $1 oysters all day at Gold Restaurant, and $5 Zero Gravity pints at The Daily Planet (until 10 p.m.).

  • Friday: Half-price burgers at The Skinny Pancake, $1 oysters at Bleu Northeast Kitchen (5-6 p.m.), and $10 spritz specials all day at Gold.

  • Saturday: BOGO half-off chicken sandwiches at Shelburne Tap House, half-price burgers at The Skinny Pancake, and $5 mimosa pints at The Daily Planet.

  • Sunday: A Switchbrat sandwich and a Citra Vista for $10 at Switchback Brewing, $0.75 wings at Barnyard, and a $14 brunch buffet at Shalimar.

View the full list of food & drink deals here: https://btownbrief.beehiiv.com/c/food-drink-deals

This Week’s Comic: The Co-op Coincidence

“City Market: Where shopping alone is a group activity.”

This Week’s Restaurant Review: Leunig’s Bistro & Cafe

A fixture on Church Street since 1980, Leunig’s Bistro & Café has long served as Burlington’s little piece of Paris. The restaurant successfully merges French-inspired classics with Vermont ingredients, creating a menu that feels both timeless and local. Its ambiance is a major draw, offering a vintage-glam indoor dining room and a sought-after outdoor patio that provides some of the best people-watching in the city. This classic bistro setting makes Leunig's a go-to for everything from a business lunch to a celebratory dinner.

The menu is anchored by well-executed staples that have become local favorites over the decades. The Steak Frites, served with a rich port wine demi-glace, is a consistently satisfying choice, as is the quintessential French Onion Soup. For dessert, the Vermont Maple Crème Brûlée offers a sweet nod to the region's most famous product. For those on the move, the "Petit Bijou" takeout kiosk around the corner provides a quick and convenient option for coffee and freshly baked croissants, extending the bistro's charm to the sidewalk.

While Leunig’s reputation for consistency is well-earned, it’s not without its drawbacks. Its prime location on the bustling marketplace means it’s a magnet for tourists, and the atmosphere can feel less like a local secret and more like a popular attraction, especially during peak season. Dinner entrees, ranging from $27 to $40, place it on the pricier end for Burlington, making it more of a special-occasion destination than a casual drop-in spot for many. For diners seeking an adventurous or modern culinary experience, the traditional menu might feel a bit too safe, but for a dependable taste of classic French fare, Leunig’s remains a Burlington institution.

View the full list of reviews here: https://btownbrief.beehiiv.com/c/restaurant-reviews

That’s All, Burlington!

It’s another packed weekend on tap for our city. Get out there, enjoy the break from the humidity, and maybe discover a new favorite band or brewery. Thanks for reading.

If you like what I do, help support the newsletter by buying me a coffee using the link below. Or, right to our Venmo @btownbrief. Or, buy an advertising spot for your business.

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