About VTF: History
A bit of history
Vermont Festivals, LLC was founded after Ray Massucco became an accidental promoter. His first foray into the entertainment world (apart from his role as “Hip Cooley” in the Bellows Falls High School Senior Play in 1964) was as the promoter of a Tommy Makem concert.
Vermont Festivals books 5-6 shows a year at the 220 year old Rockingham Meeting House. The Rockingham Meeting House is a National Historic Landmark built between 1787 and 1801 and features wooden 'pig-pen' pews, no electricity and superb acoustics. Seating capacity is a comfortable 300. The Rockingham Meeting House is located on Meeting House Road, just off VT Rte. 103, a half-mile west of Interstate 91 Exit 6S and one mile west of Interstate 91 Exit 6N. Free parking is available.
Vermont Festivals books an average of 8-10 shows a year at the Bellows Falls Opera House Lower Theater venue. This 125 seat room is located in the lower level of the Bellows Falls Opera House which is housed in the Rockingham Town Hall. Amenities include a raised stage, kitchen facilities and a modern dressing room. Preferred “ANGEL” seating is offered for many shows in the Lower Theater. Patrons are offered the chance to pay inflated ticket prices in order to claim bragging rights as supporters of the live music scene in Bellows Falls. They are the lifeblood of local promoters and appreciated beyond mere words.
The gorgeous Bellows Falls Opera House, re-built in 1927 after an enormous conflagration destroyed the original town hall and theater, was totally renovated in 2006-2007. It hosts the Town of Rockingham and Bellows Falls Village Corporation annual meetings. In addition, it serves as the town’s only movie theater, and is the only municipally owned & operated cinema in the US. With 553 seats and an almost acoustically perfect room, Vermont Festivals has been proud to present the Vermont Symphony Orchestra on numerous occasions. Vermont Festivals, in association with Flying Under Radar, a frequent co-promoter, produced the first live show after the renovations in April 2007. Past concerts, in addition to the VSO, include Dar Williams, Beausoleil, the Cowboy Junkies, Chris Smither, Sonny Landreth, Maria Muldaur and many more.
Vermont Festivals founder, Ray Massucco, not only played percussion in the former sunken orchestra pit, but graduated high school on that very stage. His family is ecstatic that he doesn't play percussion or any other instruments now.
Vermont Festivals, in conjunction with other local presenters Flying Under Radar, Kicking & Screaming and Barnaby's Presents, has presented over 200 musical acts.
Alastair Moock
Alejandro Escovedo
Andre Watts
Bill Kirchen
Brooks Williams
Charles Neville
Cheryl Wheeler
Chris O'Brien
Chris Pureka
Cliff Eberhardt
Cowboy Junkies
Dar Williams
Diana Jones
Eilen Jewell
Erica Wheeler
Gordie Tentrees
Greg Brown
Haale
Hey Mama
Jandee Lee Porter
Jatoba
Jeff Lang
Jon Shain
Jon Dee Graham
Maria Muldaur
Mark Erelli
Mary Gauthier
Meg Hutchinson
Orla Fallon
Peter Case
Peter Mulvey
Pete Weiss & The Weisstronauts
Red Molly
Roger Marin
Rosie Flories
Samirah Evans
Sarah Lee Guthrie/Johnny Irion
Septeto Tipico
Seth Glier
Starline Rhythm Boys
Steel Wheels
Sweetback Sisters
Tom Russell
Trixie Whitley
Vermont Symphony Orchestra
Vernon Reid
