Thursday, Dec. 27

Friday, Dec. 28

•Readers’ Theatre session: participants and observers welcome to share favorite speeches, poems or play scenes, or songs from musicals or operas, with a small group of theater enthusiasts, 7:30-9:30 p.m., upper gallery, Chandler Center for the Arts, Main St., Randolph. Info: Tony Keller at 860-212-1403.

Saturday, Dec. 29

•Hillary and the Party Crashers play for a "New Year’s Eve Eve" party, a family-friendly event, 8 p.m. until midnight, Chandler Gallery, Main St., Randolph. Tickets available in advance at Cover to Cover Books on Main Street in Randolph, and also sold at the door. Tickets for children 12 and younger half-price and there is a special "family pass" price.

Monday, Dec. 31

•First Night Burlington 2008, the 25^th anniversary of this substance-free New Year’s Eve festival of the arts, with more than 12 hours of performances in downtown Burlington; MainStage artists include Rusty DeWees, Kilimanjaro, the Vermont Youth Orchestra, Burlington Taiko, the Vermont Divas Collaboration, and FOOLZ; 12 noon-midnight. To purchase a First Night admission button, call 802-863-6005 or go to www.firstnightburlingon.com

Wednesday, Jan. 2

•Historian Jim Slocombe speaks on "The Enduring Appeal of King Arthur," free admission, 7 p.m., Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier. Info: 802-223-3338.

Thursday, Jan. 3

•"Weavers Helping Weavers," 7-8:30 p.m., White River Craft Ctr, 50 Randolph Ave., Randolph. For info call 728-8912.

Saturday, Jan. 5

•Benefit dinner and dance with spaghetti dinner at 6:30 p.m., and dance with music by the zydeco band, "Goat Broke Loose," 9-11 p.m., Barrett Hall, Strafford. Proceeds benefit improvements for the hall building.