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The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

Performers gather onstage during “Eleganza & Espresso: A Drag Brunch,” at the Vermont Comdey Club

Home is where the herd is: how Vermont Drag Queens have cultivated community in an unlikely place

Maggie Swanborn, Culture Staff Writer March 20, 2025

While Vermont may not have the audience size or cultural capital that has allowed major cities to develop prominent drag communities, the enthusiasm of locals and dedication of local drag artists have...

dug Nap poses with his portrait of a photographer Oct. 15.

dug Nap: a glimpse into the world of a local Vermont folk artist

Maggie O’Shea, Culture Staff Writer March 17, 2025

Inside dug Nap’s cozy Burlington waterfront studio located at 1 Main Street, art lines many of the walls.  A tour of the studio shows each stage of his work. Further inside, Nap has a cozy corner...

Dark Goddess: Rethinking the Sacred Feminine

Dark Goddess: Rethinking the Sacred Feminine

Anna Berg, Culture Staff Writer April 11, 2022

In her latest photography exhibition, Vermont-based artist Shanta Lee Gander rethinks the Sacred Feminine and the male gaze through a collaboration between artist, model and museum. “Dark Goddess:...

Photo Illustration: Sophomore Symoad Frolick’s art spans a table on Feb. 12. Frolick works as an apprentice at Imperial Tattoo Company.

Sophomore splits time between class and tattooing

Max Gerlach, Culture Staff Writer February 17, 2022

Sophomore Symoad Frolik works to balance her life as a UVM student and tattoo apprentice. Frolik got a tattoo at Imperial Tattoo Company in Burlington in August. After expressing her interest in tattooing...

Featured image for Liz Cooper Story

Liz Cooper brings “Hot Sass” home to Burlington

Sophia Venturo, Culture Editor October 4, 2021

Illusory soundscapes and hot lights swept over the mossy rafters and rumbling crowd. Folk-rock artist Liz Cooper performed her new record “Hot Sass” at Higher Ground with supporting act New Madrid...

The Young Love Scene’s Gordon Goldsmith ‘03 poses for photos Sept. 2.

The Young Love Scene follows viral single with explorative debut record

Max Gerlach, Culture Staff Writer September 8, 2021

The Young Love Scene’s debut LP, “Holy Punch,” delivers just what its title entails: a holy punch. The Young Love Scene is Gordon Goldsmith’s ‘03 solo project. The 36-year-old Burlington resident...

Featured image for Tall Travis

Tall Travis & the Beanie Babies v. indie-folk formulas

Connor Adams, Culture Staff Writer May 5, 2021

Student band Tall Travis & the Beanie Babies released singles “Raw Milk is Medicine'' and “Rotoscope Me” April 14 on Youtube and Soundcloud.  Both singles immerse the listener within a cacophony...

Lily Seabird on single 'Bug' and debut album

Lily Seabird on single ‘Bug’ and debut album

Max Gerlach, Culture Staff Writer April 28, 2021

Imagine you’re a bug, scrambling through forests of grass as the feet of giants crush the ground around you. Your small world is revolving, twisting and turning as you try to make sense of it all, and...

Nullhegan’s Emma Downie and Ben Collins, both juniors, stand on College street April 11.

The overwhelming freedom of Nullhegan

Connor Adams, Culture Staff Writer April 12, 2021

Gutsy guitars and soaring vocals hypnotized audience members as juniors Ben Collins and Emma Downie of music duo Nullhegan rocked out in Brennan’s Pub. Nulhegan is a mix of blues, jazz and classic...

Sophomore Matteo Luban plays his Japanese Fender Stratocaster guitar April 2.

Matteo Luban on new single ‘Disarray,’ isolation and inspiration

Anna Kolosky, Assistant Culture Editor April 5, 2021

Bossa nova beats melt together with dancey vibes and guitar riffs in senior Matteo Luban’s most recent song, “Disarray.”  While the title suggests disharmony, Luban’s musical talent and inspirations...

Meg Lipke, Ground for Body, 2019, 72x60x5, Fabric dye, acrylic, beeswax on canvas, and polyester fill, Photo by Sam Simon

Questioning tradition with Meg Lipke’s ‘In the Making’

Quinn Johnson, Culture Staff Writer March 24, 2021

“In the Making” is a fun and funky exploration of the convergence of painting, sculpture and textiles, and centers on Meg Lipke’s ‘91 painting practice over the last five years.  Born in Portland,...

Left: Bag of Tears, c. 2015-2016
Right: Baby Slippers on Thorns, 2006

Enigmatic and experimental: Diane Gabriel’s ‘Pivotal Moments’

Quinn Johnson, Culture Staff Writer March 24, 2021

Escape the bustling crowds of Church Street Marketplace and step into a white-walled oasis.  On Feb. 12, Burlington City Arts revealed their Spring 2021 exhibitions, “Meg Lipke: In the Making”...

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