Thursday, May 1st

Table of Contents

• The Weather & Weekend Kickoff

• Local News (All Links Clickable)

• Events:

  • Thursday, May 1 2025

  • Friday, May 2 2025

  • Saturday, May 3 2025

  • Sunday, May 4 2025

• 202+ Things to Do in Burlington (Summer Activities …

• This Week’s Comic

• This Week’s Restaurant Review: Honey Road

The Weather & Weekend Kickoff

The evening front rolls through with light showers after dark, giving way to a bright, almost summer-like Friday that should climb toward the upper 70s before a late-day pop-up storm nudges us back indoors. Saturday trends cooler, upper 50s to low 60s, and likely damp—keep the rain shell handy. Sunday sets up as the weekend wildcard: patchy high clouds, potential breaks of sun, and a gentler breeze in the low 60s.

That mix suits the weekend calendar. Friday’s warmth pairs nicely with the Vermont Cannabis & Hemp Convention at the Expo and the UVM Jazz Showcase at Venetian Soda Lounge. Saturday’s drizzle will not slow down Green Up Day crews at Leddy Park, South Burlington, Pine Street’s Barge Canal, Winooski, and at the end celebrate at Switchback’s Green Up Throwdown which promises mint juleps and hobby-horse antics whatever the sky decides. Waking Windows, May 2–4 in Winooski, is full weekend of music, art, and pop-up experiences. Over 70 acts across multiple venue with food trucks too! Bring a raincoat and plan to bounce between sets.If you need a roof, the Rogue Clover Market at Wallflower Collective runs two-to-six with cocktails and live tunes. By Sunday the clouds should lift enough for a pleasant COTS Walk along the lake; layer up, lace up, and bring a donation if you can.

​On May 1 in Burlington the average high is 64°F, the average low is 42°F, and the record high is 86°F (2001) with a record low of 25°F (1961). Today, the forecasted high is 67°F and the low is 56°F, indicating a warmer day than average. Looking ahead, the next three days (May 2–4) are expected to have highs of 76°F, 58°F, and 62°F, respectively, compared to the historical average high of 64°F for early May, showing a mix of warmer and cooler days.

Local News (All Links Clickable)

Columbia Student Mohsen Mahdawi Freed from Federal Custody

His arrest sparked outcry, his release drew cheers, and now questions remain. Mahdawi, detained in Vermont just as he was about to become a U.S. citizen, is free—for now—but his case underscores a broader collision between immigration enforcement and civil rights. The legal dust hasn’t settled, and national eyes are still watching.

Parks Director Cindi Wight to Step Down in June

After seven years of leading some of Burlington’s most beloved outdoor spaces, Wight is packing up. She helped grow the city’s green footprint and shepherded the department through the pandemic. The mayor’s office will name an interim in May before launching a full search.

SNAP Cuts Could Hit Thousands of Vermonters

Advocates say the bill would pull the rug out from under low-income families and small grocers alike. With the state potentially on the hook for $140 million over the next decade, local food security groups are urging residents to speak up before the vote moves forward.

UVM Study Finds Racial Disparities in Traffic Stops Persist

While search rates dropped during the pandemic, they’re back up—and not equitably. White drivers were more likely to have contraband, yet drivers of color were still searched at higher rates. The data’s sparking renewed scrutiny of police practices across Chittenden County.

Welch’s Push to Limit Tariffs Fizzles in Senate

Senator Welch’s bill to rein in presidential tariff powers didn’t clear the hurdle this week. For Vermont businesses still juggling high costs on imports, that means more waiting—and more number crunching—before any changes arrive.

Events:

Thursday, May 1 2025

General Events
6 PM: Maximizing Design ROI in Vermont’s Outdoor-Obsessed STR Markets at Burlington Beer Company
6 PM: Crokinole at The Boardroom – Board Game Cafe
6 :30 PM: Trivia Night at Nectar’s (Free)
6 :45 PM: Beginner & Intermediate Kizomba at South End Studio
7 PM: Live, Laugh, Lava Comedy Open Mic at Radio Bean (Free)
7 PM: Mindfulness on the Mat: DBT & Yoga at 35 King St

Performances
7 :30 PM: [title of show] – musical at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center

Live Music / DJ
5 PM: TOWER OF POWER at Hotel Champlain
7 PM: Balconiers at Foam Brewers (Free)
7 PM: The Soda Plant Bluegrass Jam at Venetian Soda Lounge (Free)
7 :30 PM: Nefesh Mountain at Higher Ground
8 PM: Zach Nugent’s Dead Set at ArtsRiot ($12)
8 :30 PM: Jazz w/ Alex Stewart & Friends at The 126 (Free)
9 PM: Boogie Down Thursdays ft. All Night Boogie Band at Nectar’s ($10)
9 PM: Cows on the Moon at Radio Bean ($10, 18+)

Friday, May 2 2025

General Events
8 AM: Coffee (or Tea) with Tom! at The Skinny Pancake
8 AM: A Day With Georgia Heard at DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington
10 AM: Vermont Cannabis & Hemp Convention at Champlain Valley Expo
12 PM: Spring Swing at Alpine Shop (runs Fri–Sun)
5 PM: “Trying Times” May First Friday at 4 Howard St Gallery
6 PM: Yoga Nidra & Soundbath at Chace Mill
6 :30 PM: Friday Night Ballroom with Vermont Swings (Free)
7 PM: Starry Night – Church Street paint-and-sip at Burlington Paint & Sip Studio
8 PM: Ballroom Dance Practice Session at North Star Community Hall (Free)

All-day Waking Windows – Downtown Winooski - Over 70 bands, pop-up art installations, food trucks, and late-night sets take over Winooski for this annual spring festival

Performances
7 :30 PM: Odd Talents Variety Show at Odd Fellows Lodge (admission: 3–5 canned goods)

Live Music / DJ
5 PM: Live Irish Music at Common Roots (Free)
5 :30 PM: Vocal Jazz Showcase at Venetian Soda Lounge (Free)
5 :30 PM: UVM Jazz Showcase at Venetian Soda Lounge (Free)
6 PM: Paul Webb (piano) at Venetian Soda Lounge (Free)
7 PM: Doom Service, Assorted Fruit, Time Eater & Vallory Falls at Odd Fellows Hall
7 :30 PM: Julia Randall Album-Release w/ Kendra McKinley & Grace Palmer at Light Club Lamp Shop ($10-15)
8 PM: Phil Abair Band at The Old Post
8 PM: Willverine at Foam Brewers (Free)
9 PM: Al’s Pals Spring Invitational at Nectar’s ($10)
10 PM: The E-Block w/ Clive at Radio Bean

Saturday, May 3 2025

General Events
8 AM: Villari’s Vermont In-School Tournament at Villari’s Vermont
9 AM: Green Up Day – Burlington Bike Park at Leddy Park
9 AM: Skirack Bike Swap at Skirack
9 AM: Free Community Paper Shred Day at Pet Food Warehouse
9 AM: Vermont 1-Day Stuttering Conference at Edmunds Middle School
9 AM: Member Mornings at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
9 :30 AM: beCAUSE Craft Show 2025 at University Mall
10 AM: Green Up Day – South Burlington Recreation
10 AM: Three Little Turtles paint-and-sip at Burlington Paint & Sip Studio
12 PM: Green Up Throwdown at Switchback Brewing Co.
1 PM: Ladies Auxiliary Bar Bingo at 1233 Shelburne Rd Lounge
1 PM: Block Carving & Printing Workshop at Deane Street Studio
2 - 6 PM: Rogue Clover Market (art, cocktails, live music) at The Wallflower Collective (Free)
6 PM: Cocktail Piano Hour w/ Paul Webb at Venetian Soda Lounge
7 PM: May Saturday Lesson & Social with Vermont Swings
7 PM: Sisterhood Campfire (story-sharing & mellow music) at Leddy Park (Free)
All-day: Champlain Valley Open disc-golf tournament at Leddy Park (Sat–Sun)

All-day Waking Windows – Downtown Winooski - Over 70 bands, pop-up art installations, food trucks, and late-night sets take over Winooski for this annual spring festival

Performances
7 PM: Concerts by Candlelight – Burlington

Live Music / DJ
2 PM: Rad Folk Songs at 239 South Union St
7 PM: The Loner – Music of Neil Young w/ Brian Dolzani at Nectar’s (Free)
7 PM: Lyle Brewer at Radio Bean
8 PM: Joseph at Higher Ground
8 :30 PM: Los Sóngoros – Cuban & Brazilian Rhythms at Venetian Soda Lounge (Free)
9 PM: Hayley Jane Band w/ Frankie White & The Fuse at Nectar’s ($10)
9 PM: DJ KDT – vinyl-only set at The Lounge, Nectar’s (Free)
9 PM: Kaia Ellis EP-Release w/ english major at Light Club Lamp Shop ($10-15)

Sunday, May 4 2025

General Events
9 AM: Weekly Free Yoga at Hotel Champlain
9 :15 AM: Sunday Morning Fam Jams! at Vermont Comedy Club
10 AM: Burlington Anime-Fest at DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington
10 :30 AM: Chi Kung Class at Villari’s Vermont
1 PM: COTS Walk – 3.6-mile community walk starting Battery Park (Free; donations welcome)
1 PM: Jewish Meditation Sits at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue
3 PM: Somatic Self-Care Workshop at Davis Studio
3 PM: Public Installation of Officers at 100 Dorset St

All-day Waking Windows – Downtown Winooski - Over 70 bands, pop-up art installations, food trucks, and late-night sets take over Winooski for this annual spring festival

Performances
3 PM: Vermont Youth Orchestra – “American Rhapsody” at The Flynn ($20-23)
4 PM: Green Mountain Monteverdi Ensemble (early music) at Cathedral of St. Paul ($20-35)

Live Music / DJ
1 PM: Tyler Mast (solo keyboard) at Foam Brewers (Free)
7 PM: Venetian Karaoke at Venetian Soda Lounge (Free)
7 :30 PM: Cheekface at Higher Ground
8 PM: Torn – Final Show at Nectar’s ($10-15)
9 PM: Mi Yard Reggae Night w/ DJ Big Dog at Nectar’s (Free)

202+ Things to Do in Burlington (Summer Activities)

Today’s picks:

Been back in the lab, adding to the now 202+ things to do. Here’s five more picks to keep the summer rolling—because Burlington doesn’t slow down when the sun’s out. Kick things off with a cruise on the Spirit of Ethan Allen—brunch, lunch, or dinner, it’s a classic way to see the lake in all its glory. Head over to the Community Boathouse Marina after and grab a drink at Splash at the Boathouse if you're feeling extra summery. For something quiet and local, take a stroll through the UVM campus and admire the old trees, historic buildings, and surprisingly peaceful vibe. If you’re up for a little road trip, drive over to Ausable Chasm and wander the dramatic cliffside trails (or go full adventure mode with a raft float). And if you’re staying close to home, try a picnic at Leddy Park—plenty of space, lake views, and usually fewer crowds than the downtown stretch. Full list’s still going strong, right this way:

https://btownbrief.beehiiv.com/c/202-activites

This Week’s Comic

Eating Out On A Budget (Food & Drink Deals)

Thursday

Food
• Shelburne Tap House – $0.75 jumbo wings
• Gold Restaurant – 50 % off small plates (<5 : 30 PM & >8 : 30 PM)
• Three Needs – $1 pizza after keg kicks (~5 : 30 PM)
• Switchback Brewing – 25 % off appetizers (Mug Club)
• McGillicuddy’s – Half-price snack menu section
• Bleu Northeast Kitchen – $1 oysters (5 – 6 PM)
• Four Quarters Brewing – $10 for 2 pizza slices + a Lighthouse Pilsner pint
• Buffalo Wild Wings – BOGO boneless wings
• El Gato Essex – Half-price nachos
• May Day – $10 Patty Melt
• The Kitchen Table – $5 drafts + pub-food specials
• VT Pub & Brewery – Reduced-price snack menu (3 – 5 PM)
• Hen of the Wood – $2 oysters (4 – 5 PM)

Drink
• Daily Planet – $5 Zero Gravity pints (5 – 10 PM)
• Three Needs – $1 drafts at 4 PM
• Switchback Brewing – $5 Mansfield IPA
• Standing Stone Wine – 10 % off bottles & $2 off wine by glass
• Despacito – $6 margaritas
• Barnyard – $9 bucket cocktails
• Finnegan’s – $1 PBR
• Zero Gravity Pine St – $3 Conehead / Conehead Haze pints (5 – 9 PM)

Friday

Food
• Shelburne Tap House – $10 fish & chips
• Three Needs – $1 pizza after keg kicks (~5 : 30 PM)
• Bleu Northeast Kitchen – $1 oysters (5 – 6 PM)
• McGillicuddy’s – $2 cheese slice | $2.50 pepperoni slice
• Gold – $75 dinner for two or $1 oysters (4 – 6 PM)
• Shalimar – $5 fish & chips
• Skinny Pancake – ½-price burgers
• VT Pub & Brewery – Reduced-price snack menu (3 – 5 PM)

Drink
• Daily Planet – $5 Fiddlehead IPA (all day)
• Three Needs – $1 drafts at 4 PM
• Shelburne Tap House – $5 Fiddlehead drafts
• Shalimar – $5 Fiddlehead drafts
• McGillicuddy’s – $5 Zero Gravity beer
• Halvorson’s – $5 Bloody Mary
• El Gato Essex – $5 Fiddlehead IPA pints & $5 Mimosa pints
• Zero Gravity Pine St – $3 Conehead / Conehead Haze pints (5 – 9 PM)
• Rotisserie – $3 Switchback Ale

Saturday

Food
• Shelburne Tap House – BOGO ½-off chicken sandwich
• Three Needs – $1 pizza after keg kicks (~5 : 30 PM)
• Bleu Northeast Kitchen – $1 oysters (5 – 6 PM)
• Gold – Parties ≥ 3 get free share plate + $1 oysters (4 – 6 PM)
• Shalimar – Buy 1 chicken sandwich, get 1 ½-off
• McGillicuddy’s – $2 cheese slice | $2.50 pepperoni slice
• Skinny Pancake – ½-price burgers
• VT Pub & Brewery – Reduced-price snack menu (3 – 5 PM)

Drink
• Three Needs – $1 drafts at 4 PM
• Daily Planet – $5 Mimosa pints
• Shelburne Tap House – $5 Switchback drafts
• Shalimar – $5 Switchback drafts
• Standing Stone Wine – 10 % off bottles & $2 off wine by glass
• Zero Gravity Pine St – $3 Conehead / Conehead Haze pints (5 – 9 PM)

Sunday

Food
• Three Needs – $1 pizza after keg kicks (5 : 30 PM)
• Barnyard – $0.75 wings
• Rotisserie – $0.85 wings
• Shalimar – Sunday brunch buffet ($14)
• Bleu Northeast Kitchen – $1 oysters (5 – 6 PM)
• Four Quarters Brewing – $16 family dinner (4 – 8 PM)
• VT Pub & Brewery – 25 % off food for restaurant workers

Drink
• Three Needs – $1 drafts at 4 PM
• Daily Planet – $5 Mimosa pints
• Halvorson’s – $5 Bloody Mary
• Black Flannel – $5 draft pours
• Burlington Beer Co. – $5 Elaborate Metaphor pints
• Barnyard – $4 Stella Artois
• Zero Gravity Pine St – $3 Green State Lager / Light pints (5 – 9 PM)

This Week’s Restaurant Review: Honey Road

This week’s pick is Honey Road, the lively Eastern Mediterranean restaurant right at Church and Main that’s as stylish as it is flavorful. Co-owned by chef Cara Chigazola Tobin, a James Beard semifinalist, the spot has become one of Burlington’s most celebrated places to eat—known for its creative mezze, housemade dips, and cozy-but-buzzing vibe. The menu rotates with the seasons, but you can usually count on staples like warm, fluffy house pita and bold dips like smoky baba ganoush, tahini hummus, and whipped feta. Current standouts include the sweet-and-spicy harissa chicken wings with dried lime labne, crispy potatoes with jalapeño labne, and the lamb dolma—grape leaves stuffed with lamb and rice, finished with mint labne and chili oil. Even the sesame almond layer cake and walnut baklava hold their own. Whether you're settling in for a table full of small plates or just stopping by for snacks and drinks, it hits the mark.

Honey Road has earned plenty of praise, both locally and nationally—from Seven Days shoutouts to James Beard nods for both the chef and the restaurant itself. It’s also proudly women-owned and operated, with a name inspired by an old trade route in Turkey where women ran the show. The space feels equal parts dinner party and downtown hangout: warm lighting, a touch of glam, and a full house almost every night. While the portions lean small and prices can add up, most diners agree it's worth the splurge. Reservations are a good idea, and going with friends makes it easy to share a wide spread. It’s one of those places that feels a little special without being formal—and it’s where I bring people when I want to show off just how good Burlington’s food scene really is.

That’s All, Burlington!
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