Arts Archives - Page 2 of 104 - The Adirondack Almanack Archive - The Adirondack Almanack

It’s not every day that Keene Valley hosts Actors Equity Association (AEA) actors, but thanks to East Branch Friends of the Arts (EBFA), three members of the union for professional stage artists will take center stage at the Keene Valley Congregational Church on Saturday, April 30 at 7 p.m and Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m.

For Sam Balzac it is a return to his roots: he began his school days at Keene Central School (KCS) as a kindergartener and graduated from the high school in 2013. In addition to the many school productions he performed in, as a child he also performed in several shows in the church where this program will be held.

This production is one that Balzac took a hand in creating with his mother, Kathleen Recchia, more than a decade ago–a musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel “Pride and Prejudice.” The second workshopped production was presented by the Book & Blanket Players youth theatre program last summer. The vocal tracks had been recorded for the students by Balzac and Hannah Eakin, a NYC-based actor who is also a member of AEA.

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Poem: Awaiting The Rain

by Annette Pisano-Higley

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Awaiting the Rain

Green Adirondack chairs,

Bleached by sun, arms touching,

Commiserate, await, relief for parched planks.

Trees sway, dip and bend in ancient dance,

Nature’s Code Talkers, communicating warning

To all who listen and see.

Monday, April 4, 2022

National PBS Show Features Adirondack Region

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The Adirondack Region is being featured in two episodes of the PBS television docu-series “Fly Brother With Ernest White II.” One episode is currently airing nationally; the other will be airing later this year.

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) worked with the show’s producers to bring the show’s host and his team to the region. The ROOST team provided location scouting, background information, and made arrangements for the crew to meet, interview, and learn about the region from those directly involved in the tourism industry.

Now in its second season, PBS’s “Fly Brother” is an award-winning travel series, hosted by Ernest White II, that focuses on friendship and connection in some of the most intriguing destinations around the world.

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Old Forge Library to offer free Zoom lecture featuring master flutist Galen Abdur-Razzaq on March 31

The Old Forge Library will host a free, live, online performance with an evening learning about female jazz musicians. On Thursday, March 31 at 7 p.m., lecturer and master flutist Galen Abdur-Razzaq will highlight the influence women have had on the evolution of jazz and their significant contributions to the art form.

Women have been involved in jazz since the early 1920s, not just as vocalists, but as instrumentalists, composers and arrangers. An understanding of jazz would not be complete without highlighting the influence and contributions of women such as Bessie Smith, Valaida Snow, Mildred Bailey, Mary Lou Williams, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughn. The goal is to provide an understanding particularly of their personal lives, their ability to read music, perform and survive in a time when jazz was considered “a man’s world.”

Abdur-Razzaq is a riveting speaker with an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of jazz. He will help attendees gain a deeper appreciation for women’s contributions to this music genre through a combination of lecture and musical pieces performed by him as he displays his talents on the flute.

Abdur-Razzaq studied at the Berklee College of Music. He holds a master’s degree in education and performing arts from Rutgers University and has collaborated with some of the greatest jazz musicians.

Those who wish to obtain the free Zoom link can call (315) 369-6008 or e-mail [email protected]

For more information on upcoming library events and programs please visit https://www.oldforgelibrary.org/.

Photo at top: Lecturer and master flutist Galen Abdur-Razzaq. Photo provided by the Old Forge Library.

Monday, March 28, 2022

Telling Our Stories: The Adirondack Story Project

by Lorraine Duvall

We are blessed to have quality news outlets in the Adirondacks – local newspapers and magazines, social media, and including, of course, the Adirondack Almanack and Explorer. These resources are place-based and provide us with the current news and events. They also serve as archival records for future generations.

Since 2014, I’ve shared a number of my stories on the Adirondack Almanack. There are more avenues for telling one’s stories now, eight years later, primarily through the perfection of online resources because of the Covid-19 pandemic and our resultant isolation.

I want to introduce readers of the Almanack to a project for recording audio stories which began a few years ago through the Keene Valley Library. To date, this Adirondack Community Story Project has collected over 250 three-to-five-minute audio stories on the historical and social cultural history of the Town of Keene.

Monday, March 28, 2022

Pendragon hosts benefit for Ukraine

Join local artists and organizations at Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake in an event to benefit the artists of Ukraine. Taking place on Wednesday, March 30 @ 7pm, the evening of music, stories, theatre and poetry is presented by: Adirondack Center for Writing, Adirondack Stage Rats, Chris Kowanko, Drew Sprague, Esther Baker, John Brown Lives!, Joseph Szwed, Historic Saranac Lake, Pendragon Theatre, Roger Mitchell, Upper Jay Arts, Center & Recovery Lounge and further support by Depot Theatre

All proceeds raised that evening will go directly towards the non-profit, Artists at Risk (AR): a non-profit organization at the intersection of human rights and the arts working to provide artists from Ukraine with emergency resources, travel aid, and residencies at host institutions across Europe.

The evening will last approximately 80 minutes and be both a celebration of artists but also a call to action and sign of solidarity for displaced artists in the Ukraine. $15 suggested donation per person. Ticket donations and seats can be purchased at www.PendragonTheatre.org or by calling the box office at 518-891-1854.

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Tannery Pond Center: North Creek arts center announces major expansion

Tannery Pond Center (TPC), the arts organization in North Creek, NY is on a path of major rebirth and transformation. The Town of Johnsburg has agreed to lease the Tannery Pond building, with its fine theater, gallery spaces, offices and community meeting rooms, to the nonprofit Tannery Pond Center which will assume responsibility and control of this valuable regional asset. The Town and TPC are working to finalize the lease documents in early 2022.

Tannery Pond Center is excited to announce a generous $75,000 matching gift challenge from local philanthropist Glenn Pearsall to support this transformative endeavor. The vision for the future is to be the premier venue for arts and community gathering in the southern Adirondacks, humming with creativity, learning, diverse arts programming, opportunities for community gatherings and a welcoming visitor center. As of March 2022, the Board and supporters of the Tannery Pond Center have almost matched the Pearsall gift and are on track to far exceed it in order to secure the future. This outpouring of support demonstrates a confidence in the future as well as excitement about the potential of Tannery Pond.

In order to achieve these ambitious goals, Tannery Pond Center is adding a second full-time staff person, and is starting a search for a dynamic Executive Director who can lead the organization into the next stage of its growth. A job description and information about how to apply is posted on the Tannery Pond website, www.tannerypond.org/jobs

For more information about the Tannery Pond Center visit https://www.tannerypond.org/or call (518) 251-2505, ext. 128.

Photo at top courtesy of Donna Welch.

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

The Depot Theatre to host three live shows this summer, tickets go on sale June 1

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The Depot Theatre will ease into live theatre‘s “new normal” with a decidedly abnormal (and eclectic) three-show lineup for the 2022 main stage season, which features a tribute to Sondheim, a riveting drama, and a spookily hilarious musical. The only professional Equity theatre in the Adirondacks, the Depot will continue to adhere to government and Actors’ Equity health and safety guidelines.

“Just as we creatively manage the on-stage reaction to trains that interrupt our performances, we are prepared for whatever protocols we’ll need to implement to protect our cast and patrons,” said Kim Rielly, Depot Theatre Executive Director. “As in 2021, we appreciate everyone’s support and flexibility in making it possible to experience live theatre yet again!”

Thursday, March 17, 2022

ANCA’s 2022 Adirondack Buyer Days set for March 29 and 30

The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has announced that Adirondack Buyer Days, its annual business-to-business trade show that features the work of artisan makers from across the Northeast, will take place in-person this spring in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. As the COVID pandemic loosens its hold on New York State businesses and communities, regional retailers are invited to connect directly with local makers and purchase handcrafted gift products for their shops.

The annual show, which was canceled in 2020 and held virtually in 2021 due to the pandemic, will return to its longtime home at the Saratoga Springs City Center on March 29 and 30, 2022. Artisan vendors will showcase handmade products from a variety of categories including housewares, spa, stationery, apparel, accessories, specialty foods and more. Registration is open for buyers at bit.ly/adkbd.

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Newcomb AIC: Aldo Leopold Day set for March 19

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“That land is a community is the basic concept of ecology, but that land is to be loved and respected is an extension of ethics.” – Aldo Leopold

Guests are invited to kick off the arrival of spring by celebrating Aldo Leopold Day on Saturday, March 19 at the Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC) in Newcomb. Leopold was considered by many as the father of wildlife conservation. Participants have the opportunity to attend an individual program or spend the entire day at the AIC to take part in the whole slate of events which includes a seminar, a bench building workshop, and a film. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited. Interested parties should register by emailing [email protected] or Click here to register. Location: Adirondack Interpretive Center, 5922 State Route 28N, Newcomb, NY 12852.

Saturday, March 12, 2022

Northern Forest Canoe Trail hosting virtual film fest screenings

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The Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) is hosting virtual screenings of the World Tour Paddling Film Festival. The annual festival showcases the very best paddling films of the year and is now screening in living rooms everywhere. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales benefits NFCT stewardship and programming.

“We’re excited to once again offer the year’s best selection of paddling films to the NFCT community,” said Karrie Thomas, NFCT’s executive director. “Whether you’re in it for the exploration of secluded quiet waters, or the adrenaline rush of big wave whitewater, the film fest has something for everyone.”

Monday, March 7, 2022

Champ to get top billing in ‘Lucy and the Lake Monster’ film

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Crown Point native Kelly Tabor, a fourth grade school teacher, and Hollywood producer/director Richard Rossi launched an are planning a feature film and book series “Lucy and the Lake Monster.”

“The [children’s] film and book series tell the story of a 9 year-old orphan girl and her grandpa searching for a sea serpent in Lake Champlain,” Richard Rossi said. “They battle bullies, naysayers, and mercenary forces seeking to exploit them. Their search is an allegory for humanity’s spiritual search.”

Rossi’s prior feature films as a writer-director include last year’s “Canaan Land” and biopics about baseball icon Roberto Clemente and fabled female evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson.

“For me, growing up in Crown Point was magical,” Kelly Tabor said. “Hearing stories of our legendary, Champ, captivated my interest as I swam and explored the shorelines and waters of Lake Champlain. As a teacher, I later took those stories and experiences I had with me into the classroom and shared them with hundreds of students over the years, peaking their interest.”

Saturday, March 5, 2022

Poem Village 2022 open for submissions until April 1

The Adirondack Center for Writing (ACW) is pleased to announce the return of PoemVillage, a beloved community-centered program celebrating local poetry from neighbors and friends annually since it was established in 2016. The program is only open to poets with ties to the North Country region in New York State. This year, ACW will be hanging poems in windows all around Saranac Lake during National Poetry Month (April). Also, bundles of locally-harvested poems will be safely delivered to inboxes and to the ACW website daily from April 15 – May 15.

Thursday, March 3, 2022

TAUNY Exhibit Features Hornbeck Boats and the Paddlers Who Love Them

by Jill Breit

“Hornbeck Boats: the Lightest Boats in the Deep Woods” opened February 19, 2022 at The TAUNY Center in downtown Canton, NY, and will remain on display through May 8, 2022. The exhibit traces the history and impact of the company Hornbeck Boats in Olmstedville, NY, through a selection of boats made by the company, documentary photographs, and video. Curators are folklorist and TAUNY Executive Director Jill Breit, historian and boat curator Hallie E. Bond, and photographer Nancie Battaglia. The video in the exhibit was produced by Gus Geraci, TAUNY’s Director of Digital Content.

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Adirondack Folk School announces annex, offers record number of new classes for 2022

Those with the Adirondack Folk School, located in Lake Luzerne, NY, said they were pleased to announce the opening of the Alfred Z. Solomon Lake George Annex, adding that the school intends to launch a record number of brand new classes and workshops this year.

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at making a basket or a canoe? Would you like to learn to weave or try blacksmithing? The Adirondack Folk School, the only nonprofit organization of its kind in the region, is offering a record-setting 280 hands-on classes and workshops for everyone interested in learning the crafts and traditions that make our region unique. Expanded opportunities are made possible through generous support from the Moore family, allowing the Adirondack Folk School to announce that it has opened a new space in the Lake George Outlets. Further support from the Alfred Z. Solomon Foundation has allowed AFS to equip the space for an array of classes. The new space—The Alfred Z. Solomon Lake George Annex—is located in the Log Jam Outlets directly behind the Log Jam Restaurant on Route 9 in Lake George.