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Around Town With Amy Modesti Event Listings For June 17-June 23, 2024
Happy Tuesday and welcome to another week of Around Town With Amy Modesti. Did you have a nice Father’s Day weekend with your father or father-like figures in your life?! I celebrated my father on Saturday afternoon with dinner and a ride through the southern part of Rensselaer County. Father’s Day was spent with family, neighbors, and other cherished people in my life.
This week in the Capital Region is going to be a scorcher- weather wise with temperatures in the 90’s. Please do your best to keep hydrated, cool, and safe in the heat. Thank You!
-Amy (6/18/2024)
Around Town With Amy Modesti Event Listings for Juneteenth
Juneteenth Celebration and music at Albany Institute of History and Art (ALBANY, NY) - In celebration of Juneteenth, Albany Institute of History and Art (AIHA) will host Lucia and Levi, a musical duo who will perform jazz and blues songs written by African American artists from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. If the weather is good, the duo will be performing outdoors. Also on Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19, the Albany Institute of History and Art will be free to the public and open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, go to Juneteenth Free Day and Music (albanyinstitute.org).
24th Annual Celebration of Juneteenth (SCHENECTADY, NY) - The Hamilton Hill Arts Center will present the 24th Annual Celebration of Juneteenth starting on Friday, June 21-Saturday, June 22 at Vale Cemetery and Central Park in Schenectady. Friday’s Juneteenth celebration at Vale Cemetery will take place from 6-8 p.m. and will feature an ancestor honoration and a free ice cream social. The June 22 celebration at Central Park will be held from 1-7 p.m. and will feature a parade to start at the Rose Garden, opening celebration with Zorkie Nelson, activities at the pavilion, a hair show by Darrell Mitchell, along with performances by Geri Howard and the George Boone Blues Band. The events will also feature an artist tent show, drumming workshops, food, vendors, and kids’ activities. Both events are free and open to the public. More information on the event can be found here: Hamilton Hill Arts Center.
Poster courtesy of Hamilton Hill Arts Center
Around Town With Amy Modesti Event Updates
Due to the extreme heat, the final Wake Up Wednesdays, June 19, 2024 concert featuring live music from The Accents has been postponed. The Accents will be rescheduled to perform at Ryan’s Wake in Troy, NY on a future date to be announced. Stay tuned to the Ryan’s Wake Facebook page for more updates.
Albany Events had moved their Thursday, June 20, 2024 show with Tito Puente Jr. with opening act, Bronte Roman to the rain location at the Corning Preserve Boat Launch underneath the I-787 bridge to keep the music spectators and musicians out of the sun. The free concert, according to the Albany Events Facebook page on 6/20, is now cancelled due to the extreme weather. For more information on future Alive at 5 events, go to www.albanyevents.org.
Around Town With Amy Modesti Event Listings
Pick A Fit Community Clothing Pick Up at Electric City Barn (SCHENECTADY, NY) - The Electric City Barn, Schenectady County Recycles, and Styld N’ EMRGD will present the event, Pick A Fit Community Clothing Pick Up held at the Electric City Barn Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This free event will allow Schenectady residents and other surrounding areas to pick out clothing items that they need and participate in engaging workshops which are focused on sustainable fashion practices. Electric City Barn is located at 400 Craig Street, Schenectady. For more information, go to the Electric City Barn’s Facebook page for the event listing: (20+) Pick-A-Fit | Facebook.
Poster Courtesy of Styld n’ Emrgd
Art On Lark Returns to Lark Street (ALBANY, NY) - Art On Lark is officially returning to Lark Street on Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. It is the day when Capital Region artists, makers, vendors, art collectors and musicians take over Lark Street for the day. The free event will also include food vendors and live music from JB Dirty Moses, Geoff Gordon, Apostrophe Beats, Embe Esti, and Slik Nick. More information on the event can be found on the Lark Street Business Improvement District Facebook page.
Shakespeare In The Park: The Tempest (SPENCERTOWN, NY) - The Rooted Voyagers present The Tempest by William Shakespeare, at the Spencertown Park, located at 786 NY-203, Spencertown, Friday, June 21 at 7 p.m. The play is free to the public and is family friendly. The performance of The Tempest by The Rooted Voyagers is donation based, so guests can pay as much as they want or nothing at all. Go to www.therootedvoyageurs.com for more information.
Poster Courtesy of Spencertown Academy Arts Center
The Squirrels to Debut at SLCA (AVERILL PARK, NY) - Harbinger Theatre is continuing its third season with the thirteenth Capital Region premiere of “The Squirrels” created by Tony Award nominee, Robert Askins. “The Squirrels” will be making its debut at the Sand Lake Center of the Arts in Averill Park starting with a free preview of the production Thursday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. and will begin showings starting Friday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. The production will run through June 30. Sand Lake Center for the Arts is located at 2880 Rt. 43, Averill Park. Tickets for the production are $15 and are available for purchase on Harbinger Theatre’s website via Eventbrite: The Squirrels by Robert Askins Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite.
Event poster created by David Quinones Jr. for Harbinger Theatre
Call For Art for Summer Art Fest (ALBANY, NY) - Albany Center Gallery is putting out a call for artists to take part in a summer art festival that Albany Center Gallery will be hosting for the first time this summer on Saturday, July 27. Artists are encouraged to submit up to three pieces of artwork with the maximum size up to 36”x36” in size. Smaller artworks, two-dimensional work, and 3-D, sculpture work is also welcome. All artworks for the festival must be submitted digitally for entry through the gallery’s Submittable page before Friday, June 28 at 12 p.m. Entry submissions are free. Artists who are chosen to take part in the festival will be notified on Tuesday, July 2. More information on the festival can be found on the Albany Center Gallery website: Summer Art Fest 2024 Call for Art! | Albany Center Gallery.
<Head> - Let’s Take a Day Trip to Deerfield, Massachusetts (ALBANY, NY) - Who would like to take a day trip to Deerfield, Massachusetts this summer? Area travelers can take part in a day trip, via motorcoach to Deerfield, Mass. through the Albany Institute of History and Art. Travelers will be able to visit an authentic 18th-century town and check out Historic Deerfield Inc., an outdoor museum which interprets the history and culture of early Massachusetts and the Connecticut Valley on Wednesday, June 26. The bus will depart at 9:30 a.m. from Crossgates Commons parking lot behind PetSmart and will head back home to Crossgates Commons at 6:30 p.m. Admission for museum members for the trip is $115 and $130 for non-members. This cost includes bus transportation, lunch, tickets, and all gratuities. Travelers need to reserve for a spot before Wednesday, June 19. To register and for more information, contact Diane Shewchuk at (518)-463-4478, extension #441.
Car Fit Offering at Colonie Senior Services Center (COLONIE, NY) - The Colonie Senior Services Center’s Driver Fitness Center will host their event, Car Fit, at the north parking lot of the Beltrone Living Center, located at 6 Winners Circle, Albany on Thursday, June 20 from 1-3pm Seniors will have an opportunity to receive a 20-minute evaluation on being properly fitted for their vehicle based on a 12-point checklist which will include being checked for safety belt fit, steering wheel fit, mirror positioning and more. Attending the Car Fit event is free, but registration is required for entry. To register, call Madelyn at (518)-459-2857 ext. 340.
Colonie Senior Services Center’s Summer Festival (COLONIE, NY) - The Colonie Senior Services Center is putting on their annual Summer Festival event Monday, June 24 from 2-6pm. This free, family-friendly event will feature an active aging fair, live music from Donny Elvis and The Hammerhead Horns, a vintage car show, games, and a duck derby. There will also be food and beverages available for purchasing from Mazzone Hospitality. The event will be held at the Beltrone Living Center, located at 6 Winners Circle, Albany. For additional information, contact Diane at (518)-459-2857 ext. 302.
Call For Makers for Fall Makers Market (COLONIE, NY) - Although Spring is coming to an end, pretty soon, fall will be coming around the bend. Arlene’s Artist Materials is now putting out a call for makers to take part in their Fall Maker’s Market, soon to take place on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. The application is open to all types of creatives and small businesses interested in selling their handmade creations. The deadline to submit the online application to take part in the Fall Makers Market is due before Saturday, June 22 at 5 p.m. To apply, go to Fall Makers Application | Atelier at Arlene's (atelieratarlenes.com).
Cohoes Public Library Seeking Student Art Submissions (COHOES, NY) - The Cohoes Public Library is seeking student art submissions to be displayed for the library’s Comic Con event to be held on Saturday, July 13. The library staff are seeking original comic book art, illustrations inspired by the children’s favorite comic book characters or stories, fanart of beloved superheroes, villains, or pop culture icons, and artwork that explores themes relating to comics, anime, fantasy, and science fiction. The deadline for children up to high school to submit art is Monday, June 24. For more information, go to Seeking Student Art Submissions for Display at Comic Con! – Cohoes Public Library.
Poster for event By Cohoes Library
Sunae DIY Workshop With Naoshi (SCHENECTADY, NY) - Naoshi, a Los Angeles, California sand artist, will be teaching a Sunae (sand art) workshop at the Bear and Bird Boutique and Gallery in Schenectady, NY, Saturday, June 22 from 1-4 p.m. There will be 30-minute reserve timeslots that artists must reserve a spot to take part in the workshop. To register, go to www.bearandbird.com/naoshi.
Poster courtesy of Bear and Bird Boutique and Gallery
Event Listings Looking Ahead…
Call For Work for Flat Files Program at Arlene’s (COLONIE, NY) - The R Gallery at Arlene’s Artist Materials is putting out a call for art for their third annual Flat Files Program at Arlene’s. Artists are encouraged to submit up to five pieces of artwork that cannot exceed 11”x14” with a maximum thickness of ¼”. The artwork must be flat and pre-packaged in an archival clear acetate sleeve that is appropriate to the size of the artwork itself. Selected mediums of art, including photography are welcome for submission. However, delicate mediums such as charcoal, pastel, or other loose dry media won’t be considered for submission as they are too high of a risk for damage. All artworks must be original and completed by the artist. There is no submission fee to apply for the juried Flat Files Program, and online submissions must be completed before the deadline of Saturday, July 27, 5 p.m. This year’s show will be juried by Belinda Colon, Gallery Director and Curator at the Spring Street Gallery in Saratoga Springs. For further questions, contact Andrew Ochal, R Gallery Director and Curator at arlenesartist@gmail.com. To apply, go to apply | Atelier at Arlene's (atelieratarlenes.com).
Saturday Children’s Workshops: Summer Sessions registration now open (GHENT, NY) - Registration for Art Omi’s Saturday children’s workshops summer sessions are officially open. Have your child and children take classes with the teaching artist, Jojo Dzielski. Children who take classes with Dzielski will learn a different art-making technique each week while creating art in a variety of art mediums. The classes will be held every Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. starting Saturday, July 6 and running through August 17. The classes are for children ages 5-years-old up to 11-years-old. Classes are $20 per child or $36 for two siblings. To have a parent or guardian register for the classes, go to Saturday Children's Workshops: Summer Sessions - Art Omi.
Fourth Friday Member Walks at Hildene (MANCHESTER, VT) - Are you a member of Hildene, the home of Abraham Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln? Coming up on Friday, June 28, museum members can take part in a member’s walk and visit a floating boardwalk in the den. The walk will begin at the Welcome Center at 9 a.m. Members will be able to explore the Maple Trail and walk through a pollinator pathway to the boardwalk to search for frogs, turtles, Blue Herons, and Red-winged Blackbirds. There will be a tram service running if members wish to take a ride back up the Maple Trail towards the Welcome Center. Members must wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to walk in mud, bring water, and wear sunscreen. Members don’t need to reserve a spot to take part in the walk. To become a member of Hildene, contact Christine at 1-(802)-367-7964 or go online to Friends of Hildene, Inc. - Acceptiva .
Summer Camp Registration at the Arts Center is open (TROY, NY) - The Arts Center of the Capital Region is bringing back their summer camp program for children ages 6-17. This summer program will begin Monday, July 1 and will run through August 30. This program will feature up to 18 teaching artists teaching students a variety of skills as part of a nine-week program while they learn about public art, ceramics, stained glass, mixed media, and more. Registration for Arts Center members for the program is $405 and future members: $425. Studio fees are included in the price of the camp tuition. Before care and after care for children is available at the Arts Center from 8-9 a.m. and 4-5 p.m. and is $15 per care session and $30 a day. To register your child or children for summer camp, go to ART CAMPS • The Arts Center (troyartscenter.org).
Capital Region Blues Network Seeking Musicians for International Blues Challenge Qualifier Events Deadlines (ALBANY) - The Capital Region Blues Network is currently seeking solo, and duo acts to take part in the International Blues Challenge, which will take place from January 7-11, 2025, in Nashville, TN. Save the date to attend the band challenge Sunday, Aug. 4 at the Linda Performing Arts Studio in Albany. Solo and duo performers still have time to submit their entry before Aug.11. Chosen performers will be notified before Aug. 13. The solo and duo challenge event will be held Sunday, Sept. 22 at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. For more information on how to submit the entry can be found at IBC-Guidelines - Capital Region Blues Network or by emailing Richard Green at richard@crbn.org.
Bob Dylan Remastered: Drawings From The Road (COOPERSTOWN, NY) - Many music fans will know Bob Dylan to be a singer and songwriter, but Dylan is also a visual artist. During Dylan’s “Never Ending Tour” beginning in 1988 through 1992, Dylan was sketching glimpses of his life on the road with pencil and charcoal, as he traveled through North America, Europe, and Asia. Dylan used art as a means to “refocus a restless mind”. Dylan created three different art collections but the one that will be on view at the Fenimore Museum will be his Drawn Blank Series, drawings that were made using watercolor and gouache, were transformed into digital enlargements. Bob Dylan Remastered: Drawings from the Road will feature 92 unique original signed works of art. The exhibit opened Saturday, May 25, will be on view through Sept. 15. For more information, go to Bob Dylan Remastered: Drawings from the Road - Fenimore Art Museum.