It’s a beautiful place to be and a wonderful haven for pursuing the creative lifestyle. Click through the slide show here and read more below it. Red colored text will jump you to other websites.

Since the establishment of the Rockingham Arts and Music Project 20 years ago, Rockingham, and especially Bellows Falls, has become a magnet for the arts of all types. Dedicated to making art accessible to everyone, RAMP provides affordable housing and studios for artists at the Exner Block in Bellows Falls, organizes artists’ town meetings, and often serves as fiscal agent for start-up art groups. and cultural endeavors. Located in one of the the ground floor store fronts of the Exner Block, the Canal Street Gallery promotes regional artists and fine craftspeople with a big-city panache.

33 Bridge Street in Bellows Falls offers larger studios where professional artists and craftspeople can set up shop. Thanks to an early agreement when the hydro dam was built, the building receives free renewable electricity from the nearby hydro power station. Among the artists there, are 2 full-scale professional glassworkers, Nicholas Kekic and Chris Sherwin. Also at 33 Bridge is the studio of WOOL Radio, Bellows Falls own independent “Black Sheep Radio” station. WOOL hosts Stage 33 Live at 33 Bridge on Sundays. They open the door to local, regional, and national performers and presenters, recording and filming them performing in front of an intimate live audience. Amateurs and professionals are equally welcome, but only original material written and owned by the performers is allowed.

In Saxtons River, Main Street Arts is a regional catalyst for the arts with truly extraordinary theatrical productions, performances, classes and gallery shows. Their larger productions are shown at the stunning Bellows Falls Opera House on the big stage - and these are NOT to be missed!

The Bellows Falls Opera House is on the ground floor of the Rockingham Town Hall building, which has been a vital landmark for the community for over eight decades with its unique, classic revival style and majestic six-story clock tower. It was originally constructed in 1926 and from 2004-2006, underwent a $3.7 million restoration project when it was renovated to accommodate both movie and live performances. The building now has state-of-the-art movie, sound, and lighting equipment, a rigging grid, catwalk and full-height fly space, a new greenroom, multiple dressing rooms and a total seating capacity of 553, including 372 main-floor seats and another 181 balcony seats. There is also a downstairs studio space and a second, smaller stage for meetings, lectures and dinners as well.

At the historic and beautiful Immanuel Episcopal Church in Bellows Falls their Stone Church Arts series hosts “Bringing the World to Bellows Falls”. In the church sanctuary or in the chapel, world renowned artists in classical, traditional, jazz, world, and percussive music appear year-round. Both venues have excellent acoustics and the setting is sublime. They also host music weekend workshops and spiritual retreats throughout the year.

Vermont Festivals hosts the annual Roots on the River bluegrass and “roots” concert weekend every summer with performances throughout Bellows Falls, a live outdoor concert in Rockingham and, always a stirring conclusion, the finale at the historic Rockingham Meeting House on Sunday afternoon. Many lively outdoor festivals and concerts are also hosted at the Rockingham Hill Farm where they hold “Pickin’ in the Pasture” events.

Fact TV, Falls Area Community Television in Bellows Falls, provides members with access to equipment and facilities and training at no cost. FACT has a large inventory of production equipment available to the community, including one studio, portable HD video cameras, professional editing suites and a public computer lab. They have a three camera, fully lighted, digital video studio lined into their master control desk. A four member crew can operate the master studio with the Tricaster digital switcher, 8 channel audio mixer, Inscriber CG system and record on multiple formats (DVD, Digital). This studio has been used for film, photo, video, and audio productions. They have the ability to send LIVE to FACT cable subscribers, facebook, and youtube.