A list of selected events taking place across the Champlain Valley this spring and early summer.

April

2: Higher Ground Concert – Jamie Lee Thurston: Vermont native and country singer plays the Higher Ground Ballroom as part of the WOKO birthday bash. With Amber Hayes. $10 advance tickets. $15 day of show. Visit www.highergroundmusic.com.

7-8: Vermont Youth Orchestra Chorus & Vermont Youth Concert Chorale Spring Concerts: The Spring Concert features the world premiere of “Did You Hear?” a commissioned work by Music Alive Composer-in-residence Robert Paterson, with text by David Cote. Also featured: the first portion of Mozart’s Requiem, concluding with “Lacrymosa.” The choruses are joined on this concert by VYO instrumentalists. April 7 – Stowe High School, Stowe. April 8 – St. Michael’s College, Colchester. Visit http://www.vyo.org/ for more information.

8: Higher Ground Concert – Dar Williams: Singer-songwriter returns to Higher Ground. With Emily Greene. $25 advance tickets. $27 day of show. Visit www.highergroundmusic.com.

9: Higher Ground Concert – Martin Sexton: Alt-rocker Martin Sexton performs an eclectic set. With Joshua Panda and Bob Wagner. $22 tickets. Visit www.highergroundmusic.com.

12: Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day: Free ice cream at various Ben & Jerry’s locations.

15-17: 45^th Annual Vermont Maple Festival: Music, fairs, food and events all centered around maple syrup. Takes place in downtown St. Albans. www.vermontmaplefestival.org.

16-24: 6^th Annual ECHO Earth Weeks MudFest: 10 day celebration of Earth Day and Mud Season. Various activities taking place in Burlington. Visit www.echovermont.org.

16: Higher Ground Flashback Dance Party: Music from the ‘70s and ‘80s, with music videos on the giant screen. Wig it out! Everyone is encouraged to wear a funky wig to the party. 9 p.m. $6 tickets. Visit www.highergroundmusic.com.

22: Earth Day: Check your community’s activities to see what events are taking place for Earth Day.

23: Higher Ground Concert – Ryan Montbleau Band: Diverse band hits the stage with its varied mix of music. With Dwight & Nicole. $14 advance tickets. $16 day of show. Visit www.highergroundmusic.com.

27: Higher Ground Concert – Greensky Bluegrass: Bluegrass jam band, inspired the Americana revival of the ‘70s, brings their show to the Showcase Ballroom. $10 advance tickets. $12 day of the show.  Visit www.highergroundmusic.com.

30: The Leddy Park Arena Ice Show: Features skaters from the Burlington Parks and Recreation group lesson program as well as skaters from the Champlain Valley Skating Club. Leddy Park Arena, Burlington, 4 p.m.

May

1: COTS Walk: Annual fundraising three-mile walk for COTS. Route includes stops at many of the organizations shelters. Burlington. Visit www.cotsonline.org.

5: Higher Ground Concert – Hadestown Works for Women, featuring Anais Mitchell and the Hadestown Ochestra: Benefit show for the Vermont Works for Women nonprofit organization. Hadestown Works for Women and Anais Mitchell support Vermont Works for Women, a non-profit that helps women and girls recognize their potential and explore, pursue and excel in work that leads to economic independence. VWW assists women and girls in thinking about their lives in the broadest terms – and helps them develop skills and capacities that are critical to long-term self-sufficiency. $20 advance tickets. $25 day of show. Visit www.highergroundmusic.com.

6-8: Middlebury Bach Festival: Music performances and guest speakers centered around famed composer’s work. Mead Memorial Chapel, Middlebury. For more information, visit www.middlebury.edu/cfa.

27: Champlain Valley Expo Concert – Ray LaMontagne: The singer-songwriter travels to the Midway Lawn at the Champlain Valley Expo to bring his mix of folk, country and rock music to Vermont. With Brandi Carlisle and Ximena Sarinana. $45 tickets. Children 13 and under free. Visit www.highergroundmusic.com.

28: Champlain Valley Expo Concert – Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown: Country and western singer Willie Nelson brings a host of up and coming country acts to the Midway Lawn at the Champlain Valley Expo. $49 advance tickets. $55 day of show. Visit www.highergroundmusic.com.

June

3-12: Burlington Discover Jazz Festival: World-renown artists descend upon Burlington for 10 days of music. Full list of performers available at http://www.discoverjazz.com.

8: 4^th Annual LCI Governor’s Cup: No boats are needed as all fishing will take place from the fishing pier at the access area, enabling all to share their thoughts with the Governor and legislators while fishing.   The event will conclude with the ceremonial awarding of the LCI Governor’s Cup trophy to the team who catches the heaviest amount of fish.  The winning team members’ names will be engraved on the trophy ensuring immortality. VT Fish and Wildlife Colchester Point Access Area, Windermere Way, Colchester, VT (Across from Airport Park): 10 a.m. until noon. www.mychamplain.net.

3: Champlain Valley Expo Concert – The Avett Brothers: This high-energy band, blending bluegrass and punk music into something called “punkgrass,” brings their show to the Midway Lawn. With John Oates of Hall & Oates. $38 advance tickets. $42 day of show. Visit www.highergroundmusic.com.

4: National Trails Day: Green Mountain Club. Get out on the trails with thousands of volunteers all over the country! Bring work gloves, lunch, water. Tools provided or bring your own. Meet at UVM visitors’ lot at 8:00 AM or Richmond Park & Ride (Exit 11) at 8:30. Moderate hike, moderate pace, 5-10 miles, 2000’ elevation gain. Visit www.greenmountainclub.org.

18-19: Green Mountain Relay: The relay is a 200-mile team distance relay race adventure designed for runners of all abilities. Limited to 100 teams. Visit www.greenmountainrelay.com.

20: Vermont Lake Monsters Home Opener: Vermont’s minor league baseball team kicks off its 2011 season versus the Lowell Spinner. Burlington. 7:05 p.m. Visit www.minorleaguebaseball.com for more details.

24: Vermont Youth Orchestra Tour Kickoff Concert: Celebrate the VYO Tour of Germany & the Czech Republic on the eve of their departure! Featuring a program of works by Mendelssohn, Copland, Elgar and more. St. Michael’s College, Colchester. Visit http://www.vyo.org/ for more information.

24-26: 35^th Vermont Quilt Festival: Exhibits featuring more than 500 contemporary and antique quilts offer a feast for the eyes. Many activities stretched across three days. Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Junction. For more information, visit www.vqf.org.

July

8-10: 25^th Annual Stowe Hot Air Balloon Festival: More than 25 hot-air balloons will soar through the sky during Stoweflake 25th Anniversary Hot Air Balloon Festival. One of Vermont’s most popular summer celebrations, Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa will once again host the spectacular three-day event. Stowe. Visit http://www.gostowe.com.

10-16: Middlebury Summer Festival-on-the-Green: 33^rd annual festival includes live music, events, community fair and more. Visit www.festivalonthegreen.org.

15-16: Stowe Street Arts Festival: Live music, arts show, local food fair – all taking place in downtown Waterbury. Check out http://www.revitalizingwaterbury.org/ for more information.

15-16: Vermont Brewers Festival: Artisan Craft Beer Festival takes place in Burlington Waterfront Park with scenic views of Lake Champlain framed by the Adirondack Mountain Range. Over 36 craft brewers from Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Mass, Maine, and Quebec. Local Vermont Food and specialty products. Waterfront, Burlington. Visit www.vermontbrewers.com for more information.

23-24: Vermont Cheesemakers Festival: Cheesemakers Festival at Shelburne Farms will bring together the best of Vermont’s cheesemakers, wineries, breweries, and artisan food producers, with seminars and demonstrations. A tasting dinner is also featured at the Inn at Shelburne. Visit www.vtcheesefest.com for more information.

23: Plein Air Festival: Vermont painters display their works and give demonstrations. Event takes place at the Emile A. Gruppe Gallery in Jericho.

31: 6^th Annual Charity Bass Open: All proceeds and donations will go to Lake Champlain International’s Next Generation Fund. Mallet’s Bay, Colchester. www.mychamplain.net.