Opera lovers in the Essex Junction area have until March 12 to sign up for a bus ride to and from the Palace 9 in South Burlington for its high-def “encore” presentation of Madama Butterfly on Wednesday, March 18. The Brownell Library is offering the ride, along with “opera admission, a briefing on the production by a local opera expert and some chocolate truffles,” for $27.50. It’s an “experiment,” says library director Penny Pillsbury. “If folks show up for this, we’ll consider some more opera bus rides in the future.” To get on board, stop by the library with a check, or call 878-6955 … Heads up, Vermont dance lovers who complain there’s not enough movement in the Green Mountains! Middlebury’s Big Action Performance Ensemble, directed by Tiffany Rhynard, is presenting “Sampler: an evening of dance theatre” this Friday and Saturday at the Town Hall Theater. Leave the kiddies at home; some of the half-dozen pieces in this show are billed as “not appropriate for young children.” Info and tickets, 382-9222 … The brand-new Vermont Photography Workplace, cofounded by Kirsten Hoving and Rick Clark of Middlebury, is soliciting local shooters for its debut exhibit of nature photography, to open at Bristol’s Walkover Gallery in late June. Deadline for entries is April 20. Details at www.vtphotoworkplace.com.