22 arts-and-entertainment events for 2022

The once-simple act of attending an arts-and-entertainment event became impossible in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. When going to concerts, plays and movies became a thing again, there remained a host of challenges. Does the venue require proof of vaccine? Am I required to wear a mask? If I’m not required to wear a mask should I wear one anyway? Is it even worth the risk to go out in public while the pandemic is still here?

Those questions won’t disappear as 2022 begins and we move toward the two-year anniversary of the pandemic’s arrival in March. But a new year always brings hope, right? And a big part of hope is having something to look forward to.

Here, specifically, are 22 arts-and-entertainment events to look forward to in 2022. This, of course, is just for events that have already been announced. Another thing to look forward to is what hopefully will be dozens and dozens more shows being announced as the months unfold. In the meantime, dream on about these offerings:

Jan. 6, ‘Martin Eden’

The latest movie by Northeast Kingdom filmmaker Jay Craven is set in 1909 and based on author Jack London’s autobiographical novel. “Martin Eden” was made with 28 professionals who mentored and worked with 35 students in Craven’s “Semester Cinema” program, including students at Northern Vermont University and Middlebury College.

7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, “Martin Eden” premiere, Main Street Landing Film House, Burlington, presented in conjunction with the Vermont International Film Festival and including a question-and-answer session with director Jay Craven. $6-$12. www.vtiff.org

Happy New Year!:New Year’s Eve events to celebrate in-person this year in Vermont

Jan. 22, FlynnSpace returns

The Flynn, Vermont’s premiere performing-arts center, began welcoming arts-lovers to its 1,411-seat main-stage theater in Burlington in October. The Flynn’s more-intimate basement venue, FlynnSpace, has been closed for nearly two years. That changes when Vermont comic Josie Leavitt presents a show titled “Eating While Fat.”