Old North End Ramble
by Darshana Bolt
The Old North End Ramble is an extraordinary confluence of the arts, community, music, games and activities, crafts, delicious local food, bikes, and an ever-changing, delectable menu of events that celebrate the creative life and exuberance of Burlington’s historic Old North End.
This July 31 will be the seventh annual Ramble, and we are proud to announce that this year’s festivities promise to be even more varied, zealous, and well-attended than ever before! The O.N.E. Ramble is similar to Burlington’s South End Art Hop in that it is an occasion for local visual artists to share their work in an atmosphere of support and community involvement, but it brings the same ethos into all aspects of North End life, promoting sustainable fun and a proliferation of creative activities for all ages and a diverse range of people. From sack races to block parties; from yard sales to potlucks; from tea parties to barbecues to a full day of phenomenal live music, art exhibition and live art-making and performance—plus a few special treats that have yet to be announced to the public—the O.N.E. Ramble 2010 will dazzle with sunny enthusiasm and drizzle with fat droplets of eclectic talent!
Whether contributions take the form of a song or a stir-fry, support from local businesses and individuals is integral to making this non-profit, non-revenue-generating event possible for all. Financially one of the poorer of Burlington’s neighborhoods, its diverse, worldly, artistic population makes the Old North its most culturally rich. If you contest this statement, feel free to attend Field Days in Battery Park (10-12 pm on July 31st), where die-hard residents of the South End and the North End will engage in (albeit good-natured) all-out war! Stop by the small-but-international ONE World Market to take part in a bustling array of art and artisans, multicultural crafts, edibles, imports, and live music. Or if you’re more interested in an after-bike-ride free concert by a series of New England’s finest musicians, come to the Ramble Round-Up at the 274 North Winooski Lot…but first, don’t forget to sample some mysteriously thirst-quenching Decaturade at Decaturfest!
To contribute, participate, perform, or just find out more about the Ramble, don’t hesitate to contact Ramble Coordinator aka “Ramblator” Darshana Bolt at rambler@theramble.org, and look for the sign-up sheets and corresponding drop-off boxes located at Jamba’s Junktiques (324 North Winooski Avenue; 802-865-9983) and Radio Bean (8 North Winooski Avenue; 802-660-9346). Maps will also soon be appearing around town! If you are an artist looking to be placed with a business for exhibition (spaces include the Rose Street Gallery, Viva Espresso, Jade Lotus, Burlington College, and Viva Espresso), please make sure you contact us by July tenth. Other contributors, kindly sign up by our July 15th deadline! Feel free to peruse the Ramble website at: http://www.theramble.org/. As always, we extend many thanks to all of those individuals and businesses that have helped make the Ramble not only possible, but delightful.
