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Around Town With Amy Modesti Weekly Events from April 29-May 5,2024 and Beyond
Welcome back to Around Town With Amy Modesti!! It has been several weeks since I have made any weekly event updates. Thank you again for being patient with me and also for taking note of the posts to read & share, in place of the event listings.
May is in less than two days and next Thursday is my birthday! For my birthday wish, I encourage my subscribers to share Around Town With Amy Modesti with friends, family, and other future subscribers on social media who would be interested in being informed in what’s happening in the creative scene.
Thank you for your support and for subscribing to Around Town With Amy Modesti.
-Amy (4/29/24)
Come Celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend at the Spring Market (COLONIE, N.Y.) - Looking for a place to bring your mother or mother-like figure shopping during Mother’s Day weekend? Go and attend the 6th Annual Spring Maker’s Market at Arlene’s Artist Materials, Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The event, free to the public, will include music from Mayheaven and DJ Brent Michael, food and drink from Food Daddy Food Truck and Unique Coqui Brews, and purchase hand-crafted artworks made by local artisans including three Arlene’s artist in residence members Maria DeAngelo (ArtyLadyMsD), Ottavia Huang (ms.otter.studio), and Tracy Loring Art, among others. For more information, visit www.atelieratarlenes.com.
Little Stars Big Styles Fashion Show at Crossgates Mall (GUILDERLAND, N.Y.) - Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region will present Little Stars Big Styles fashion show at Macy’s, located inside Crossgates Mall, Thursday, May 2. Doors for the show will open at 6pm and the fashion show starts at 7pm. Tickets for the event are $25 general admission and $45 for VIP. Proceeds from the event will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region. For more information and tickets, head to www.bbbscr.org/fashion.
(Poster Courtesy of Crossgates Mall)
Go Bird Walking at Hildene! (MANCHESTER, VT) - Go enjoy some nature and head over to Hildene for a free bird walk Saturday, May 4, 7-9 a.m. Bird watchers of all skill levels are welcome to attend the walk and also search for falcons and other bird species that are flocking to Vermont during the spring season. Walk along uneven terrain on forest and meadow trails around the main house of Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Event attendees would need to meet at the Hildene Welcome Center before going on the walk. To learn more about the walk, go to www.hildene.org/about/calendar.
Graduate Student Exhibitions’ Reception at UAlbany (ALBANY, NY) - The University Art Museum at UAlbany is well underway in the exhibiting of two art exhibition shows, 2024 Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition (featuring the art of UAlbany Spring 2024 Master of Fine Arts candidates Alison Bachorik, Isabella Burnett, Albina Luisa Cook, Sean Desiree, Annabelle Mona, Chayel Moses, Adrianna Sakamoto, and Yin Zhang, and also 2024 M.A. Thesis Exhibition: Pink In The Night at Gallery 223 featuring the work of the UAlbany Spring 2023 Master of Arts candidates, Audrea Din, Jessica Kirker, and Binbin Shi. An artist reception for the exhibition shows will take place during First Friday, Friday, May 3, 5-7 p.m. The exhibits will remain on view through May 12. For more information on the exhibits and on the M.F.A. and M.A. programs, go to www.albany.edu/art/programs/ma-studio-art.
Perspective: Six Artists On View Through May 12 (SPENCERTOWN, NY) - Perspective: Six Artists is an invitational art exhibition which features the works of art by artists Diahann, Jeffrey All, Amy Cheng, Isabel Cotarelo, Takeyce Walter, and Kenneth Young, remains on view inside the Spencertown Academy Arts Center until May 12. This particular exhibit features a wide array of paintings, photography, and sculptures made by the artisans. The gallery is open Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. and is free to the public. For more information on the exhibit and gallery, go to www.spencertownacademy.org.
(Poster Courtesy of Spencertown Academy Arts Center)
Critics/Curators-In-Residence 2025 Open Call (GHENT, NY) - Applications are now open for Art Omi’s 2025 cycle of Critics/Curators-In-Residence. These individuals help play a role in the facilitation of a three-and-a-half week Art Omi: Artists 2025 Residency Program, to take place next year, June 19-July 14, 2025. The critics and curators will be responsible for conducting studio visits, connecting with artists and art-world professionals, and contributing to the community in the residency. The opportunity is open to all critics, curators, and art writers who have been professionally active for the past five years and would enjoy being immersed in an artist community. Applications must be submitted before May 15. For more info and to apply, go to Art Omi: Artists - Art Omi.
Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market (ALBANY, NY) - The spring Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market returns to Empire Live in Albany on Cinco de Mayo, Sunday, May 5, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The event, free to the public, will have plenty of goods made by artists, makers, and vendors from the Capital Region area, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, and the downstate area of New York selling everything from t-shirts, vinyl, vintage items, natural soaps, jewelry, original art, and more. For more information, go to the Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market Facebook page.
(A scene from the 2022 Punk Rock Flea Market held at Empire Live - Photo Credit: Amy L. Modesti)
Troy River Festival Seeking Vendors (TROY, NY) - Downtown Troy is seeking vendors to take part in the Troy River Festival, to be held Sunday, May 19 throughout River Street. This annual event features many food and craft vendors, live music, face painting, chalk art, pop-up entertainment, and more. This event is a celebration of art, music, handmade items, culture, and exploring and celebrating the rich history of the Collar City. Live music will be provided by The Chris Busone Band, Gus Unplugged, Black Mountain Symphony, and Peak Music Performers. To become a vendor, go to www.downtowntroy.org.
(Poster Courtesy of Downtown Troy)
Gallery 5 Schenectady Call for Art for “Art for The Win” (SCHENECTADY, NY) - Gallery 5 Schenectady is continuing their call for art for their third pop-up art exhibition show, “Art for The Win”, to be held at the Mohawk Harbor. The exhibit is open to all traditional visual arts, both two-Dimensional and three-dimensional art, as well as painting, sculpture, drawing, fiber art, glasswork, printmaking, illustration, digital art, and mixed media. All artists must be 18 years old and older to participate. The title of the exhibit, “Art for The Win”, is in reference to the horse racing season of Upstate New York. Artists are also encouraged to submit a horse themed artwork if they wish. Three to five images of artwork will be accepted, and the artworks need to be able to fit through a 7’H x 3’W door. Photos of the artwork must be emailed to Gallery5schenectady@gmail.com before Friday, May 10. For more information, email Craig at the email listed above.
Home Made Theater to Sell Tickets for Upcoming Gala (ROCK CITY FALLS, NY) - Home Made Theater is still selling gala tickets for their upcoming event, Come to The Garden, to be held Sunday, May 19 at The Mansion of Saratoga in Rock City Falls, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The theme for the gala honors the theater’s upcoming production of the musical, The Secret Garden, to be performed at the Pitney Meadows Community Farm on West Avenue in Saratoga Springs from June 7 through June 16. For $125, the gala ticket includes coffee, tea, juice, iced tea, lemonade, and one complimentary cocktail, a cash bar, and food prepared by Chef Rick Bieber. For $200, the honorary committee ticket includes program recognition, VIP seating for live entertainment put on by the cast of The Secret Garden, and a special gift bag. The deadline to purchase tickets for the gala is Friday, May 3, and can be purchased either at Home Made Theater’s website: www.homemadetheater.org or by calling (518)-587-4427, ext. 1.
Request for Proposals: Electric Boxes- Downtown Troy (TROY, NY) - The Arts Center of the Capital Region will be curating and installing brand-new art vinyl-wraps on 20 traffic control cabinets, also known as “Electric Boxes,” in downtown Troy, N.Y. to help enhance its streetscape and pedestrian experience. Commissions for the digital artwork will be awarded by the Arts Center of the Capital Region for the installation in summer 2024. Art proposals are due before Friday, May 10 at 11:59 p.m. To apply and learn more about the proposals, go to REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - TROY, NY ELECTRIC BOXES (google.com).
Save The Date to Attend Beneath The Pines Gala (DELMAR, NY) - Save the date to attend and support the Pine Hollow Arboretum at their annual Beneath the Pines Gala to be held at the Normanside Country Club, located at 150 Salisbury Rd., Delmar, Wednesday, May 1, 6-9 p.m. The event will include food and drinks, auction items, live music from Juniper, and a nature sensory exhibit for adults. Tickets to attend the gala are sure to sell out fast so be sure to grab your tickets now. For ticket prices, go to Beneath the Pines Gala (ticketspice.com).
(Poster Courtesy of Pine Hollow Arboretum)
Colonie Senior Services Senter Offer Outing to Seneca Falls (COLONIE, NY) - Planning a day trip to head to Seneca Falls? Colonie Senior Services Center seniors members and not-yet-members are invited to go to Seneca Falls on Tuesday, June 18 for a day outing of history, farmers market, and wine. Seniors will have the opportunity to visit several historic locations including the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, the Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry, walk through the area’s historic downtown, go for a wine tasting at the Montezuma Winery, and shop at the Seneca Farmers Market. A chartered bus will leave the Beltrone Center at 7:30 a.m. for the trip and will return to Colonie at 7:00 p.m. The cost for members is $110 and $120 for not-yet members. For questions or to make a reservation, contact the senior center at (518)-459-2857 ext. 340.
Threads To Open May 3 at Albany Center Gallery (ALBANY, NY) - Coming soon to Albany Center Gallery, in partnership with AAPI Heritage Month 518, will be the gallery’s newest exhibition, Threads, a celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander (APPI) Heritage Month. The exhibition will begin April 30 and will run through June 1. The opening reception will be held during First Friday Albany, Friday, May 3 from 5-8 p.m. The opening, free and open to the public, will feature the artwork of 28 regional artists, and aims to help foster community, belonging, and mattering. The exhibit will focus on the perspectives of AAPI artists and their inherent connection of heritage shared among people. Learn more about the exhibit on the Albany Center Gallery website, threads Exhibition | Albany Center Gallery.
(Poster Courtesy of Albany Center Gallery)
The Teaching Gallery at HVCC to Conclude Spring Semester with 2024 Juried Fine Art Student TROY, NY) - Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) will conclude its spring semester with the 2024 Juried Fine Art Student Exhibition show, featuring student work from students who took classes during Summer 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024, as well as the Advanced Study in Drawing & Painting End-Of-Year Exhibit. The exhibit, opened at The Teaching Gallery at HVCC Thursday, April 25, will run through Saturday, May 4. The Advanced Study in Drawing & Painting exhibit will feature work by students who’ve completed foundation art courses and elect two semesters of guided study with Professor Thomas Lail. For more information, contact d.gardner@hvcc.edu or call (518)-629-8071.
Curtain Call Theatre Presents “Be Here Now” Underway through May 5 (LATHAM, NY) - Curtain Call Theatre is presenting “Be Here Now” by Deborah Zoe Laufer. The production is based on Bari, a misanthrope, who loses her job teaching nihilism in New York to work at the local fulfillment center in her rural hometown that has sent her into despair. The play, opened on April 18, will run through Sunday, May 5. Performances will be held Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. A Saturday afternoon matinee show will be held on April 27 at 2:00 p.m. Individual tickets for the show are $30 each. For more information, visit www.curtaincalltheatre.com or call Carol Max via phone: (518)-877-7529 or via email: theatre.curtaincall@gmail.com.
Free Comic Book Day at Aquilonia Comics! (TROY, NY) - During the first Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day! Come inside Aquilonia Comics in Troy Saturday, May 4 for huge sales and some amazing free comics. There will be 50% off back issues (anything in a bag and board), 20% off rack comics, 30% off TP’s and HC’s, and more, including meet ups with local comic book artists Marcus Anderson, Ray Lowell, Peter Sefcik, and Mike Spring. More information can be found on the Aquilonia Comics, Cards & More Facebook page.
(Poster Courtesy of Aquilonia Comics)
Call for Art For 3”x3” Show (COLONIE, NY) - Arlene’s Artist Materials is bringing back the 3”x3” at Arlene’s, an exhibit that will showcase artwork made by local artists and creatives while raising funds for local charitable initiatives. This year’s charity that Arlene’s will be raising funds for is CREATE Community Studios. Artists are encouraged to donate their three inches square/cubed work, with the artist’s name printed on the back, along with an artist entry form to Arlene’s during hours of operation before June 15 at 5 p.m. Artwork submissions are free. Any questions, contact curator Andrew Ochal at arlenesartist@gmail.com.
(Photo courtesy of Arlene’s Artist Materials)