This coming Friday, The Skinny Pancake launches the second annual ‘Dancin’ In The Streets’ series: every Friday from 8 – 11pm, we will be hosting a different Grateful Dead cover band FREE and OUTDOORS on our patio on the waterfront. Please COME ON DOWN!  

Year two…here we go! How many rings will this tree of culture grow? If the last many years have taught us anything here in Burlington, its to not take for granted the good times…the vibrancy…the friendly gatherings…the bright cultural moments. 

Burlington is bouncing back. Yes, I’m an optimist and a proud proponent of the Queen City. But I’m not just drinking my own koolaid. Folks like Paula Routy, the founder and multi-decade operator of the Seven Days newspaper, is copping the same up-and-up attitude about town. . 

For the cynical who need convincing or the souls who want to celebrate it, here’s a sampling of some of the lovelies that are growing green shoots this spring in the Queen City:

Buildings. big buildings. For starters, an AMAZING high school is coming online. And the airport just added a gorgeous 25,000 square foot, $68,000,000 expansion in the north terminal. Beyond that, both literally and figuratively: housing is happening. A lot of it. This is a critical ingredient for our vibrant little city. Affordable, walkable, downtown living. When I first moved to Burlington, it was CHEAP to live here. Creatives gravitate to affordability so they can pursue something other than money. That’s a big part of why our music scene punches so far above its weight class. The positive impact of supply and demand is happening in real time now.  Where? Here are a few examples: the backdrop behind City Market is now a 6-story apartment building in the works. The pit is gone and the twin towers of town, ‘City Place Burlington’ are rising. One is done with the ground floor “Jitters Cafe” new to town. Welcome, Jitters! A plan for over 1000 units between HULA’s plan on Lakeside and cleaning up the brownfield across from Dealer.com on Pine St.

Culture is compounding. Like this second ring of a tree on the sapling that is ‘Dancin’ In The Streets’, there are new shoots throughout town and adolescent offspring that are growing deeper and stronger. For a couple years, Burlington felt like a wilted plant, parched and in need of water. What we water grows. And folks committed to the Queen City have been out there with their gardening hoses if not their fire hoses. It’s working. The roots of creation have awoken. The buds are popping off. Here are a few examples: Jazzfest was vibrant last week! Big crowds on the waterfront. Music was activated again on Church Street. The former ‘Maritime Festival’ weekend at the end of July is packed with talent this year. And Grand Point North has announced a third night to their typical two-night run with a powerhouse line up to cap it off. It’s not just these marquee big gigs either. SEABA has taken over the former ArtsRiot, South End Get Down kicked off with the biggest turnout it has ever had for opening night…Vermont Green Football Club is GROWING with a women’s league launched. Food is flourishing from Mister Fancy’s in the Old North End to….Majestic in the south end to…ehhem….The Skinny Pancake’s SEVENTEEN new menu items 😉 Just today, there was a celebration for the installation of the “Lakebone” art installation on Main Street that “marks the end of main street construction.”

In fairness, Burlington isn’t out of the woods yet. Rent is still too damned high. Nectar’s is still closed (for now!). The situation with homelessness and open drug use in City Hall Park and around Church Street is still fully present. But…its better than it was and momentum is going in the right direction. 

Every log we throw on the fire helps Burlington burn brighter again. Dancin’ In The Streets is a lucky 13 logs that will light up the skies every Friday night from the solstice through September. Thirteen chances to wander down to the water front on a warm and peak summer weekend, enjoy a sunset and celebrate community and The Grateful Dead together. So please, come on down. 

One final coda to this ramble for anyone still reading: PROPS to the SPONSORS who help make it happen. These are our modern day patrons of the arts. I literally went to Vermont Tire after Jazzfest when I needed work done because they fostered this venerable Burlington Discover Jazz festival that kicks off the summer in town. In that respect, for those of you who appreciate that this series is kickin’ off for a second season, I encourage you to really embrace your gratitude for our sponsors and show them your love with your purchase power.. Dancin’ In The Streets would not happen without our THREE sponsors: Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Union Bank, and Dome City Cannabis Dispensary. So PLEASE: if you enjoy live music in Burlington, pay it forward and support these great local businesses. 

Have fun this summer! 

-Benjy