Sambatucada-Drumming at Waterfront Boardwalk

(Afro-Brazilian Percussion)

Come celebrate Independence Day with a rhythm explosion at Waterfront Park. Sambatucada is guaranteed to get you on your feet and moving to their pulsating carnival style rhythms. You won't be able to resist the huge sound of 15 drummers on stage playing their contagious brand of Afro-Brazilian percussion.

Since 1995 Sambatucada has become well known all over northern and central Vermont for their exciting performances at celebrations and community events of every conceivable variety, including Burlington's Discover Jazz Festival, First Night, Ben and Jerry's Festival and Latino Fest, to name a few.  Over the years, Sambatucada! has become a tradition at the Burlington Independence Day Celebration.

Patterned after Brazilian carnival percussion orchestras with up to 300 musicians, Sambatucada is a smaller scale, local version of the traditional community street bands from Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. Join Sambatucada and get swept up in the irresistible joy of samba!!

The Horse Flies at Battery Park

"The Horse Flies churn out swirling, addictive songs,

blending tradition with invention." -Rolling Stone

One of the earliest bands to bring truly inventive ideas and energy to traditional American fiddle music, The Horse Flies have created a unique sound that remains fresh, powerful and captivating. Artful original songs, a wild groove-oriented approach to fiddle music, esteemed instrumental skills, and emotive singing come together as old-time fiddle music meets alternative rock, minimalism, modern songwriting and world percussion.

The Horse Flies are:  Judy Hyman (violin, vocals), Jeff Claus (guitar, banjo uke, vocals), Richie Stearns (banjo, vocals), Taki Masuko (percussion), Jay Olsa (bass) and Rick Hansen (accordion, Moog, organ).

8084 at the Boathouse

Energetic, charismatic and dedicated, 8084 have been exciting audiences for over a decade. Sharing the stage with such acts as Aldo Nova, Toto, April Wine, Warrant, Edgar Winter, Blue Oyster Cult, Henry Lee Summer, the group has performed throughout all of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southern States, as well as Quebec and the Maritime Provinces. Whether in an intimate club in Columbus, Georgia or before 10,000 people at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada, 8084 always demonstrates the ability to please a crowd.

A dynamic team comprised of lead vocalist Randy Smith and guitarist-vocalist André Maquera, 8084 also boasts the talents of bassist-vocalist Roy Brown and drummer-vocalist, Gary Spaulding.

8084 released their first album in 1987; produced by Elektra artist Hirsh Gardner. The self-titled album, which sold 10,000 units overseas, met with excellent critical acclaim in both North America and Europe. Rock publications such as "The Beat" (Boston), "Rock Report" (New York City), "AOR Basement" (England) and "Ardshock Metal Hammer" (The Netherlands) gave the band very encouraging reviews.

In 2005, 8084 wrote and recorded new material for their fifth international release, while entertaining distribution offers from labels throughout Europe and Japan. Titled "The Last Great Train", the album promises a simple but powerful sound, with the strong melodic hooks that have always branded the 8084 sound.

The Lost Fingers at Battery Park

This acoustic trio based in Quebec City plays standards of the gipsy jazz repertoire (à la Django Reinhardt) as well as their arrangements of hits of the 80'. Their young history as a band has already seen them opening for the French guitarist Patrick Saussois and playing in three international music festivals (including ten nights at the Montreal International Jazz Festival), as well as playing live on several television and radio shows.

Lost in the 80's, their 2008 debut album, earned a platinum certification for sales of 100 000 within Quebec alone. The band's name was inspired by gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt who lost the use of two fingers following a fire. In 2009, the group was nominated for two Juno Awards in the categories of Fan Choice Award and Album of the Year based on the success of their debut release.

Green Mountain Chorus at the Boathouse and Promenade

(Singing Barbershop for over 60 years)

The Green Mountain Chorus is the performing chorus of the Burlington, Vermont Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, formerly known as the Society for the Preservation and Enhancement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. (SPEBSQSA).  Chartered in 1947, the current membership puts about 35 men on the risers to sing.

For sixty years, men of northern Vermont and Canada have been ringing out the glorious chords of barbershop harmony as members of the Green Mountain Chorus. Fun loving men of all ages practice to perform at our annual show, at our Holiday performance, at nursing homes, churches and civic functions, at the Vermont Lake Monsters baseball games, and at other events throughout the year.

Twice a year they compete with other choruses from the Northeast U.S. and Canada usually placing in the top 10 among the 64 choruses who compete.

Burlington Concert Band 1851 at the Marketplace            

(Playing Traditional Patriotic Pieces)

The Burlington Concert Band is a non-profit organization associated with the Burlington City Arts and the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department.

The band gives free concerts every Sunday night at 7:00pm during the summer season, which begins in May and continues until the end of August. BCB is currently coming into its 158th season. The Burlington Concert Band is constantly looking for new members.

Vermont Youth Orchestra at Flynn Theater

Founded in 1963, the VYO draws its members from among the most talented young musicians in Vermont, New York and New Hampshire. It presents three major concerts each year at Burlington's Flynn Center for the Performing Arts and also performs at community events, school tours and in and small-ensemble recitals. 

In 2004 the VYO performed at Carnegie Hall in New York. In 2005-2006, the VYO performed with renowned violinist Midori. In 2007, the VYO embarked upon their first international concert tour in China

Avi & Celia at Perkins Pier

"You can tell right away that this music comes from the very fiber of their souls and it is absolutely spellbinding to listen to." Rock and Roll Report

Avi Salloway – acoustic, electric and steel guitars, voice, banjo, piano, harmonica  

Celia Woodsmith – voice, guitar, washboard, beer bottle

Schooled in tradition but not afraid to blur boundaries, soul-folk duet Avi & Celia are striking matches and catchin' wind. Hip-bending, blue-tinged soul soars out of Celia's mouth to meld with Avi's colorful guitar creations. Their sound is delivered with the essence of rock'n roll and rooted in the traditions of folk, bluegrass, and blues. Both 22-year old native New Englanders, Avi & Celia are filled with spirit, vision, and ambition.

This duo released their debut CD, Off the Floor March 2007, which prompted fame New England music venue Higher Ground to award them artist of the month in March 2007.

Half Moon Jug Band at Perkins Pier

"High octane, street corner, acoustic music."

The Half Moon Jug Band is a four-man musical mob of desperadoes hijacking the plodding freight train of folk music, steaming it up the mountains of rock 'n roll, through the vaudeville pass, and down across the valley of country music before wrecking it in the middle of a rubber chicken farm on the outskirts of town. Their weapons of choice: guitars, banjos, mandolins, hefty bass riffs and rotund sing-along choruses. But they're no bluegrass band; they also wield mighty kazoos, trumpets, harmonicas and thumping drums.

Jug band music is homemade music. You won't hear it on the radio, you won't see it on MTV and you can't get it at Wal-Mart. It's a creamy, sonically concocted casserole of American music. You're not sure exactly what's in there, but boy it sure tastes good. Musical labels are useless. If it sounds good, if the audience claps, if it feels honest, then it's jug band music.

The Half Moon Jug Band started as a merry band of sidewalk subversives entertaining passersby and annoying shopkeepers on Exchange Street in Portland, Maine more than ten years ago. Now they can now be found on the road playing concerts and festivals all over the northeast.

Skyriders at Waterfront Park

The Skyriders are back by popular demand with two trampolines again this year to the July 3^rd Independence Day Celebration to present mouth dropping acrobatic trampoline performances! They've been called "The Best Trampoline Show in History!" for over thirteen years. This group recently won and award at the International Motor Show in Bangkok Thailand for "Best Presentation". Stay for the finale of tricks and the famous "neck-braker" stunt, and be sure to leave in astonishment. Just remember not to try these tricks at home!

Strolling Entertainment  at Waterfront Park & Perkins Pier

Trevor "The Games Man"

Christopher Yerlig aka Hoopoe

Henry the Juggler from Amherst, Massachusetts

Roving Mime Robert Rivest

and much more!!!