COMMUNITY GROUPS

Community Groups are ongoing, meeting every week, twice a month, or monthly. New members are always welcome!

If you have any questions about a group or meeting time, please email the group facilitator directly.

  • Every Monday 5PM
    FREE - donations encouraged

    Facilitator: Lisa Leopold - lwleopold@gmail.com

    Come sing with us!

    No experience? No problem! The Lamoille Community Choir is a fun, low-pressure group where voices of all kinds are welcome. Whether you’re a seasoned singer or just love belting it out in the car, we’d love to have you join the joy of singing in a group.

    No auditions. No big commitment. Just music, laughter, and community.

    Bring your voice, bring a friend, and let’s sing!

  • Tuesdays 11AM - YANG 24 TAI CHI
    Thursdays 11AM - YANG 24 TAI CHI
    Thursdays 1PM - FALLS PREVENTION TAI CHI

    Please Pre-Register | Contact Anne Greshin at (802) 241-4840 or email at AGreshin@cvcoa.org .

    Join the Central Vermont Council on Aging for a Tai Chi Class. Tai Chi can help to improve balance and mobility, improve strength and flexibility, encourage relaxation, and decrease pain and falls.

    More information available here: https://www.cvcoa.org/

  • 1ST & 3RD Tuesdays 6-8PM
    FREE - $5 Donation Highly Encouraged

    Coordinator: Peter Clark (he/him) - peterclark13@gmail.com

    For those of you who use writing classes as a way to set aside special time for your writing practice: Here is an irresistible gift … a clinic to keep your pen and mind in motion. The first hour of the clinic will be devoted to generative poetry writing exercises; the second hour will be devoted to respectful critiques of work you bring to or make in class. Join Us!

    The Poetry Clinic at River Arts has been meeting on the first and third Tuesday of every month for many years. The clinic began as a twice-a-month poetry writing class in January 2010 with Julia Shipley, and we just never stopped.

    Each week, a different member of the open group brings a prompt, and we all write a poem based on that prompt between 6 and 7 pm. From 7 to 8 pm, we share what we have written, and offer each other creative and constructive critiques. We have published three poetry compilations and always welcome new attendees.

  • Mondays 6-8PM
    $20/session

    Facilitator: Chimie Bangoura (he/him) - chimiebangoura1@gmail.com

    Let rhythm inspire you. Ongoing Drop-In West African Drumming takes place on Mondays from 6pm to 8pm. Folks at all levels of experience are encouraged to come and drum. Beginners will receive direction from lead facilitator Chimie Bangoura. Some drums are available for drop-ins, but folks are also encouraged to bring their own drums.

    Chimie grew up in Matam, the center of drum and dance in Guinea’s capital, Conakry. After completing high school, he moved to the outskirts of Conakry to study with world-renowned drummer, Tonton Soriba Sylla. Chimie studied for eight years as he learned the precision of djembe and doundoun rhythms and techniques. During this time, Chimie worked each year teaching and directing drum classes for foreign students from Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, and Holland. After he completed his studies, he moved back to Matam where he drummed and performed with Percussion de Boka Jr. and studied under Ibrahima “Boka” Camara. He also drummed for the up-and-coming ballet Sourakhata and Ballet Torona du Matoto as he continued drumming for international workshops and dance classes. In 2007, Chimie spent a significant amount of time living and working in Senegal where he played with Ballet Bourgarabou.

    Since 2007, Chimie has been living in the United States, teaching drum and dance in Vermont, producing astounding performances, classes, and school residencies. Since his arrival, he has traveled to Boston, Atlanta, Ottawa, and Montreal to work with other Guinean artists. Along with his love for playing djembe, Chimie is a skilled krin and gongoma player with a love for singing, dancing and Guinean popular music.

    Learn more about Chime

  • 3rd Thursdays 6-8PM
    FREE - $5 Suggested Donation

    Facilitator: Nancy Banks - nancy.banks1@gmail.com

    The River Arts Photo Co-op provides photography enthusiasts with a way to gather, promote and share their experience and knowledge of photography in an atmosphere of camaraderie and fun. No experience necessary – just a love of photography and a desire for discovery, building skills, and connecting with others with a similar passion! Our goal is to promote the sharing of ideas, techniques, and creativity through membership participation in workshops, competitions, and monthly social gatherings.

    Current Coordinators: Nancy Banks (she/her), Dorothy Koval (she/her), Bob Malbon (he/him), & Ward Rice (he/him).

River Arts is happy to sponsor space for community art programs and performances that are free and open to the public. All of our supported groups are facilitated by a volunteer who helps to coordinate the use of space and acts as the main contact point for new members. If you are interested in starting a new community arts group, please email info@riverartsvt.org with your group proposal.