If you’re in the Montpelier area between March 21st and March 30th, you will want to check out the Green Mountain Film Festival.  I was interviewing the festival’s managing director, Donald Rae, and found the festival has something for everyone.  Not only does the festival have films from around the world, it has a number of special events such as conversations with indie producer Christine Vachon and film critic Kathleen Carroll.  There will be a Vermont filmmakers showcase as well as a crankie festival (a form of moving picture akin to a movie on a paper scroll.  Click the link in this post for more information.  Ticket sales begin on March 17th and many films sell out so get your tickets early.  To hear an interview with Donald Rae, check back next week for the first episode of the My Secret Vermont podcast!

Chocolate fashion  I visited Burlington’ South End this weekend for the annual South End Art Hop. Each September, the South End Arts and Business Association puts together a festival of the arts which, this year, included offerings such as a local fashion show, a demonstration of clay sculpture, a paper making demonstration, a showcase of emergent digital technologies by local college students, displays from many local artists, and even a workshop on chocolate art. Read my new article on Burlington’s own Soho.