Where creativity and culture meet.
Just a short stroll from the vibrant galleries, parks and restaurants of Arthur Zankel Music Center, Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater, Schick Art Gallery, Tang Teaching Museum and Surrey-Williamson Inn – home to year-round, world-class performances, innovative exhibitions, thoughtprovoking lectures, symposia, conferences and other events.
Whether you’re looking to learn something new or spark your own creativity, there’s something for all ages – and most events are free and open to the public.
READY TO BE INSPIRED?
Discover what’s happening at Skidmore and in the region at skidmo.re/events
P U B L I S H E R / F O U N D E R
Stephanie Sittnick
CO PY E D I TO R
Elisabeth Allen
W E B M A S T E R Tony Rivera
A D V E R T I S I N G S A L E S
Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Sales ( 860) 227-8199 adver tising@518mag com
CO N T R I B U T E R S
Carol St Sauveur Ferris, K aren Richman, Rona Mann
C h a n d l e r S t e v e n s , L a w r e n c e W h i t e , Va n e s s a G A h e r n , Joseph Raucci, Adirondack Winer y, Dancing Ewe Farm
CO V E R P H OTO “Frozen Hear t O f Winter” Lawrence White
We l c o m e t o 5 1 8 P R O F I L E S ! I f yo u p i c k e d t h i s i s s u e u p a n d wo n dered “is this the In INK Magazine I picked up in the past?” The answer is YES After publishing a few issues here, I felt the magazine was missing something It needed a tie to this amazing area. Now the publication is officially a “New Yorker. ”
This issue is filled with amazing people with inspiring stories of love, passion, and following your dreams I need to again thank my creative and talented writers Without each and ever y one of you, none of this would be possible.
Cuddle up with a warm beverage and enjoy!
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher
518 PROFILES 587 Grand Ave Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 w w w.518mag.com
Not Just a “Hobby”
Unleashing the Passion Within Michael Panza
By Rona Mann
Photos by Michael Panza and Stephanie Sittnick
There was no question about it, he was born to make people happy Hospitality had been his birthright from the first and was firmly rooted in his DNA, for it seemed his family had always had that place –Panza’s -the go to restaurant i
t f o r c o n sistently outstanding food Panza’s, where politicians, movie and recording stars, thoroughbred jockeys, and major doyennes of society and notable influencers had flocked for the past 82 years
It was the place where Michael Panza and his brother grew up, where they did their homework after school, where they had always worked, even as little boys growing into manhood in Saratoga Springs From the back of the house to the front, there was no task they had not performed, no aspect of the restaurant business they had not learned from watching their h a rd -
i n stitution of fine food and hospitality
“ I t i s s t i l l o
C a p ital District,” Michael Panza says proudly. “It was established in 1938 by my great-grandmother, and our family has run it forever.”
Still, at the age of 32, Michael was looking for a hobby “I had worked in the restaurant my whole life and loved it, but I also was hungry for something more ” That “something more ” was music, so Panza began taking piano lessons from Saratoga music teacher, Jeff Halstead Michael took to it easily, but still he yearned for more from the music he was playing “Although no one in my family was musical, I decided I wanted vocal lessons, even though I had never sung in public Matter of fact, the only place I did sing was in the shower and in the car, ” Michael added with a laugh On the advice of Halstead, he chose Patty Wilcox as his
ing this new secret from everyone
Early days Pastry Chef Michael Panza
Historic Riley’s Gambling Casino Joined by Staff of Panza’s Restaurant
“I kept asking Patty, ‘How do you know w h e n y o u ’ r e r e a d y t o s i n g i n p u b l i c ? ’ ”
H e r reply was swift “You’ll just know,” she told Michael, who yearned to give voice to the classics of The Great American Songbook, synonymous with Barry Manilow, Barbra S t re i s a n d , To n y B e n n e t t , S i n a
r a , H a r r y C o n nick Jr , the Carpenters, and more It was those songs, plus Broadway show tunes, that “spoke” to Michael Panza, and he wanted desperately to put his own stamp on the music and then bring that gift to others
When Panza finally “just knew” he was ready, he did it in typical Michael Panza style b
tensibly for nothing more than an occasion
atre arrangement with stage and professional musicians playing ”
n troduction or fanfare, Michael emerged, mic in hand, singing “It Had to B e Yo u , ” f o l l o w e d b y o t h e r p opular standards The surprised, yet delighted crowd went wild, and Michael knew right then and there that this was what he wanted to do.
“My parents were great. They gave me the opportunity to leave the restaurant if I wanted, which I did ” Panza paused for a moment then added, “but you never really leave it ”
Finding show business “tough” i n i t i a l l y, a s i t i s f o r a l m o s t e v e r y one, Michael decided to open a party design business
a l o n g w i t h a p a r t n e r, G e r i a n n E d d y “ F i n e Affairs” was an instant hit because from the first, Michael Panza knew what he was doing He had grown up around hundreds o f p a r t i e s a n d s p e c i a l e v e n t s , k n e w t h e b u s i ness, knew the top vendors with whom h e w a n t e d t o w o r k , a n d h a d w o n d e r f u l c o nnections “Society maven Marylou Whitney gave me the extraordinary opportunity to stage all her galas, and Barry and Sheryl Schwartz, owners of Calvin Klein, hired us to d o t h e i r p a r t i e s T h o s e t w o w o m e n w
r e i n strumental in the success of Fine Affairs and really boosted our business ”
Fine Affairs grew exponentially due to their exemplary work and the ongoing parties and galas from both Mrs. Whitney and Sheryl Schwartz. “They used no one else but us. ” S o o n P a n z a w a s
S
n g s ; y e t the music in him refused to be silenced.
“I did the most logical thing I could do,” Michael says “By now my brother was running the restaurant, so I came back and created a nightclub within Panza’s ”
The beautiful new space would not serve just a s a s h o w c a s e f o r M i c h a e l ’ s c o n s i d e r a b l e t a l ents as a song stylist - a teller of tales - but
Julio Iglesias and Michael Panza
Standing with then business partner Geriann Eddy, Fine Affairs Inc
w
providing a complete entertainment venue for their customers
w
w i t h Panza’s cuisine Additionally, Panza was now much in demand both regionally and for engagements throughout the country. He has sung with Julio Iglesias and with the Pointer Sisters and garnered serious attention from other prominent vocalists in the field. So...is Michael Panza now content?
“No,” he says with a quick response. “I am always looking for something new I’ve been singing for 27 years now and would like to do some clubs in New York ” He also hosts the very
Singing along with Marci Elliott
Performance at Stratton Mt Club with Charles Cornell Trio Charles Cornell - Piano , Steve Kirsty - Bass, Matt Niedbalski - Drums
popular Saratoga Day each March in Ft Lauderdale for the many area residents who in mid winter are enjoying the warm Florida weather It’s a day of music, fun, a n d f r i e n d s , a n d w h e n P a n z a puts h i s o w n p e r s o n a l s t a m p o n i t , i t becomes yet another “Fine Affair ” Check Michael’s Facebook
page for the exact date as we get closer to March 2020
A great chef will always tell you there is a passion in making a great meal
T h e re i s t h e s i m p l e j o y o f creating the recipe, composing the different ingredients together in concert to ultimately present a successful and delicious creation Likewise, a singer of songs who is good - really good - will embrace the passion in the music
Like the chef, the singer m u s t c re a t e t h e re c i p e o f m o o d , c a r e f u l l y c o m bining the notes, giving meaning to the lyrics, and finally presenting a final product that will ultimately touch an audience The song stylist must tap into strong emotions and relate them to the audience People see themselves in the words of a song if the performer fully understands and embraces that passion That is
Michael Panza’s talent; apparent when visiting his website at w w w m i c h a e l p a n z a c o m a n d l i s tening to the songs on the link You don’t need to see him to hear the honesty, the pathos, and the u t t e r j o y i n h i s v
i v ering as much as the fine chef believes in the finished product of his meal. Both the world class chef and the successful vocalist come from exactly the same place, both needing to invent and reinvent, seeking and ultimately delivering that passion so all the flavors come together in concert
Like Panza’s food Like Michael Panza’s music
Find out more about Michael Panza’s music at: www.michaelpanza.com and look for him on Facebook
Sinatra & Friends holiday show featuring Michael Panza and The Tyler Giroux Trio
Joined by Friend Michael Dillenger for in impromptu performance
A Hidden Gem The Mansion of Saratoga
By Vanessa Geneva Ahern
Photos - Sawicki Studios Rob Spring Photography, Tracey Buyce, Candidly Beth Photography, M
Wo j narowicz, Keira Lemonis Photography, Heather-Bohm-Tallman Photography
D
riving along the snow dusted winding Route 29 on my way to the Saratoga Mansion Inn, passing horses covered in blankets, I felt I was seeing a part of Saratoga Springs I somehow had previously missed Once I got to
the imposing front steps, I dared not twist the 19th century Victorian doorknob too hard since I was stepping back in time to 1860s
S a r a t o g a C o u n t y T h i s t h re e s t o r y, 2 3 - ro o m Italianate Victorian Mansion, built in 1866 by H o n G e o r g e We s t i s r e c o g n i z e d b y T h e
N a tional Register of Historic Places
When Lori Wodicka first pulled up to the m a n s i o n t h a t h e r f a t h
p
h
r, J e f f r e y Wodicka and Neil Castro bought in 2 0 0 1 ,
h y s t e r i cally and asking them, “What did you do? It had all the original
Jeffrey Wodicka & Neil Castro
fixtures, but it had gone year after year with no one putting any love into it, and it needed that person with a vision,” explains Wodicka, who began managing The Mansion in May 2003. That “ person with vision” just happened to be Wodicka’s dads, Jeffrey Wodicka & Neil
C a s t ro . T
each other and said, ‘We never have, but why not?’ We started doing j u s t
f
o r i g inal grandeur. Working with noted interior designer, Edward D e Rocker, who owns Front Street Home in Ballston Spa, together t
, R i c k and I realized that we could be doing this ourselves. Rick is an amazing Le Cordon Bleu trained chef; he said he could do it, so I trusted him completely,” says Wodicka. Together they started on this new journey with The Mansion, which has proved to be successful. Wo d i c k a
i m posing, gorgeous Mansion it is today
“Our business has always grown organically,” says Wodicka They originally opened it as a bed & breakfast, although soon after they
R i c k Bieber, the direction of The Mansion started to slowly change “People started asking us if we do weddings Rick and I looked at
b
a k fast organically grew into an event venue so much so, that in 2
w e d dings a year “We will open up the B & B during track season only when we don’t have private events taking place to fill in the gaps during the summer, ” says Wodicka
O v e r t h e p a s t d e c a d e , T h e M a n s i o n h a s
b e come a special retreat for many people who m a k e a p o i n t t o c o m e b a c k y e a r a f t e r y e a r “We would hate to strictly close our doors on
t h e s e g u e s t s w h o a re n o w l i k e f a m i l y, s o t h a t is another big reason we will continue as a B & B d u r i n g t r a c k s e a s o n , ” s a y s Wo d i c k a
I f someone wants to stay at The Mansion of Saratoga as a B&B not during track season, The Mansion is happy to open its doors if they have availability, but guests must do a full house rental, which comes out to a reasonable rate, as five rooms can be split five ways for a small group
The venue ’ s wedding season runs from the e n d o f A p r i l t o t h e b e g i n n i n g o f N o v e m b e r because it is primarily an outdoor venue Most winter events are held indoors They offer three packages: a prime wedding package for a F r i d a y, S a t u rd a y, o r S u n d a y w e d d i n g ; a m i d - week wedding package; and a new
elopement “petite weddings” package which will be launched with their first available two-hour elopement slot, open
f o r b o o k i n g o n Va l e n t i n e ’ s D a y 2 0 2 0
T h i s e l o p e m e n t p a c k a g e i n c l u d e s
1 0 0 % p r i v a t e r e n t a l o f T h e M a n s i o n ,
c e r e mony by Chaplain Claudia Meyer,
p ro f e s s i o n a l p h o t o g r a p h y b y S a w i c k i
Photography, a wedding cake, champagne, and event coordination
While Saratoga Springs has many famous halls and hotels that host weddings since it is one of the major wedding destinations in New York State, The Mansion of Saratoga offers a more intimate family
vibe “Even though we are growing and hosting more and more events each year, we don’t want to lose the feel of someone coming in and feeling like home, and the way we do that is by keeping The Mansion run by people who love it Working at The Mansion is not just a job, The Mansion is our life, a part of our families, and we all love it,” says Wodicka
Skidmore College alum and Chicago transplant, Annie Brill, was married at the mansion in 2012, and planned her wedding remotely She was so smitten with Wodicka and her family’s hospitality and the whole heightened emotional wedding experience, that she o p e n e d u p h e r o w n w e d d i n g p l a n n i n g b u s i ness in Chicago, but she had dreams of moving back to Saratoga Springs.
“Then one time we were staying here on our anniversary, and we said, ‘What if we just moved to Saratoga?’ We love it so much I had the experience of planning my wedding here like any other client, and now I’m behind the scenes too ” Meanwhile, the mansion was dealing with an increase in wedding planning n e e d s B r i l l w a s h i re d a s t h e
s p e c i a l e v e n t s c o o rd i n a t o r
“Couples who get married here have a special connection to this house It’s like another part of their wedding party; it’s got a character all its own and uniqueness,” adds Brill who is proud of the special bond and friendship she develops with her couples
“A lot of the big places have s o m eone who does your planning and then someone who runs your wedding. I do i t all. I’m bustling
d r e s s e s , g e t t i n g t h e m g l a s s e s
o f c h a m pagne, because I want them to feel that it’s not just a random bridal attendant, it’s a face that they know,” says Brill
The Mansion sits on four lush acres, complete with a beautiful English rose garden with graveled paths, a massive deck, and on top of the deck s i t s a 5 0 ’ x 5 0 ’ s i n gle pole white tent, a rustic barn, and even a beautiful pond with a rock waterfall “We present it to the couples as a blank canvas You want to do your ceremony here, your cocktail hour t h e r e , w h a t e v e r y o u w a n t a s l o n g a s i t ’ s l o g i s t i c a l l y p o s s i ble It’s their day, they should be able to have it however they want it,” says Brill
a t tendant on the day of their wedding. The wedding attendant’s job is to take care of all the tiny details.
“We are so proud of what we have built here that we felt we needed to share our little gem w
A l though weddings are the main business of The Mansion, they decided to start offering public events starting with the 801 Supper Club in 2015, which features world renowned stars straight from Broadway, paired with Chef Bieber ’ s amazing culinary talents E a c h t i c k e t i n c l u d e s a g o u r met 3-course meal, beer/wine, and the show Not only do they have the 801 Supper Club, but they also host a handful of other fun events throughout the year such as a Summer BeerBQ, a Summer Arts Fest, A Winter Market, and the popular Cookies & Cocoa with The Saratoga Santa over the holidays.
A big part of the magic of The Mansion and their weddings comes from none other than Chef Rick Bieber Chef Bieber collaborates w i t h c o u p l e s t o c r e
d m
The Mansion of Saratoga hosts one wedding a day. It becomes the couple’s mansion with use of all the sumptuous guest rooms, a proper salon for bringing in your own hair
n u Every couple meets with Chef Rick and Brill for an intimate menu meeting at which he’ll ask if they have a vision or want suggestions Anything from family recipes to dishes that honors their culture have been created “The way I work is, it is their day, and the couples should have exactly what they want, not what I tell them they should have We collaborate and just have fun!” says Chef Bieber
“You Can’t Retire From What You Love” A Portrait of the Artists: Dianne & Gary Zack
b y R o n a M a n n
No matter how you look at it, it’s a love story.
It’s a tale of two like-people meeting and falling in love, sharing not just a life, but a life of art It’s about solid family backgrounds and loving influence About preparing a son and daughter to live a good life And it’s about legacy
The story begins on the south side of Chicago, referenced in Jim Croce’s famous hit tune of 1973, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown ” The south side of Chicago was indeed filled with bad people According to Gary Zack, “I grew up with people who were in the mob Each time I rode my bike through our shared neighborhood, they would attack me, breaking my bike Finally, after losing six or seven bikes that way, my father had had enough He told me to go find the biggest kid in the gang, get him when he was alone, and take him on. I followed his advice, beat the kid up, and from then on I was friends with them all. They respected me. ”
Gary’s grandparents had emigrated from Croatia, having lost all their land. “They wanted us to be Americans, so they never taught us their language, but I wish they had,” Gary relates. “My grandfather would always give me money, but he made me save it, telling me t o o n
l i t t l e bit, but it wasn’t until after I got out of the Army that I bought my first fourunit apartment building. My grandfather died when I was 27, but he lived to see me buy four apartment buildings.”
Zack also credits his father w h o t o o k re n t f ro m h i m , “ b e ginning at age 13 when I had a part time job He kept all that money, and later on gave it back to me, along with a hands-on education in how to repair things and do things for myself That enabled me to do all the work on the apartments myself ”
, t h e n being assigned other positions within the company, finally graduating to management, Gary Zack decided, “this was not me, ” so he left the job Once again, another family member stepped in, providing invaluable lessons for Gary’s future “I had an uncle who was a photographer for the movies and also served as an extra He knew a lot of famous people, and in 1979 sent me a plane ticket to
Dianne & Gary Zack
come to New York My uncle lived in Saratoga and had just bought a 22 room house for $35,000! I came here, worked on the house with him, and met many movie and TV people that he knew.”
It didn’t take much of his uncle’s urging to convince Zack that Saratoga was the place for him “I started making stained glass,
w h i c h h a d a l w a y s b e e n a h o b b y, b u t I
b e came even more intrigued with the idea of blowing glass I knew I needed a furnace,
b u t h a d n o i d e a h o w t o b u i l d o n e M y f a ther always said, ‘You can do anything you want, if you try hard enough; and if you can’t do it, then find someone who can Figure it out ’ I’ve been so blessed my whole life with that advice I try every day to pass it on to everyone I meet ”
Gary Zack did indeed build his own furnace
a n d w e n t o n t o a s t o ried and satisfying career as a glass blower, but it didn’t h a p p e n o v e r n i g h t “ I still had my stained glass studio and was doing a good business with restoration of church windows and custom work, so I could only blow glass two days a week I was awful at it at first, but finally, I got proficient ”
went full time as a glass blower and gave up stained glass work entirely Now the artist was going to shows in Philadelphia and selling to as many as 40 galleries around the country. His work was unique a
p a perweights, platters, custom made chandeliers, wall sconces, and accepted major art commissions
In 1984, Gary and his wife, Dianne, whom h e had met on a blind date four years p r i o r, o p
y i n downtown Saratoga They soon found t h emselves working arduous, yet satisfying
That proficiency took Zack a full year, but he finally got so good at it that in 1986 he
1 2 h o u r d
y s a s t h e gallery grew to feature
1 5 0 a r t i s t s a
n g with Gary’s work and eventually, the beautiful jewelry designs created by Dianne
Speaking with both these artists separately, you realize
e
D i anne says, “We are joined at the hip. Gary and I have been joined at the hip for 3 8 y e a r s ” I t i s , h o w ever, apparent that they are still very much their own persons with their own distinct talents, but there is a sense of humor and love and commitment that emanates from both, even when interviewed individually
a c cepted a job offer in the Albany area. The young woman was devastated at the thought of moving, but her father, who wanted his daughter to be happy and well
a d j u s t e d ,
i n vestigating schools in the area until he found one with a superior music program; then, and only then, did he move His daughter, Dianne, loved to sing and indeed w e n t o n t o p e r f o r m f o l k m u s i c s e m ip r o fessionally, in a trio with two young men “I was the ‘Mary’ in our Peter, Paul, and Mary trio,” she said wistfully One senses that the peace and love and social commentary of the ‘60s probably still lies deep within Dianne’s soul “Now, I like Zen music like they play in a yoga class; Gary likes ZZ Top,” she laughs
Still, it works “I never intended to be a jeweler,” Dianne continues, but I am a glass b e a d a r t i s t I l o v e t o m a k e t h e m , a n d I r e alized early on that if you like beads, your work must be presented in a jewelrylike format.”
D i a n n e m a d e h e r f i r s t b e a d i n 1 9 9 8
h a v i n g “ never made a piece of jewelry in my life. It was simply a new skill I had to learn ” She is still deeply indebted to her friend and bead artist, Lynn Strolin, with “hooking” her on this new art
To create her magnificent beads, Dianne b u y s r o d s o f c o l o r e d g l a s s U s i n g a n
Hand Blow Glass Chandelier
Sleeping Beauty
Rods of colored glass
Daffodil
o x y gen/propane torch, she melts a small
a m o u n t o f t h e c o l o r e d g l a s s , t h e n r o l l s
i t o n t o a s t e e l m a n d r e l , t h u s w r a p p i n g
t h e glass around the cylindrical rod to make each bead It is exacting work, but
D i a n n e Z a c k f i n d s p e a c e a n d h a r m o n y
i n t h e a r t s h e p r o c l a i m s , “ c e n t e r i n g ,
m e d itative, recharging ”
“When I first started making glass beads,
I re c o g n i z e d t h a t I h a d a g o o d e y e f o r
c o m p o s i t i o n , b u t I n e e d e d t o k n o w t h e
m e chanics of it, so I went to the Gem and Mineral Show in Tucson I looked at how o t h e r j e w e l r y w a s f a b r i c a t e d , a n d f e l t
l i k e a k i d i n a c a n d y s t o re ! I didn’t know where to look first, and quickly realized it can defeat you or you can conquer it, so I
s i m p l y f o u n d w h a t w o r k e d
f o r me ”
What works for Dianne, as it does for Gary, is a constant explosion of color. Visiting her w e b s i t e , o n e s e e s b r a c e l e t s , e a r r i n g s , n e c k laces all meticulously fashioned one bead at a time from semi precious stones. Colors literally pop off the pages of the website, and you are immediately aware that these are very special handcrafted pieces She groups them into several
w h i c h p o s sesses unique characteristics For e x a m p l
o n e s a re the stuff of the Race Point Series; while delicate gold filigree
fine silver jewelry that is 99 9% pure silver Using fine silver wire, Dianne does not solder, but coils, cuts, and fuses it into rings before assembling her exquisite creations They are very special indeed
Although the retail gallery in downtown Saratoga Springs is now shuttered after 35 wildly successful years, the work of these two artists remains ongoing “We are retired from retail,” Dianne says, “but you can’t retire from what you love ”
h a d any personal time, family time, or holidays when they operated
Symmetry Gallery, they are now free to do what they want, when they want Gary laughs as he remembers that he was hanging around the house so much at first that Dianne finally handed him his oils and acrylics and said, “Go! Go paint!” Which he did, creating vibrant bursts of color and composition, so
c o l o r and contrast Gary also divides his prolific work into specific categories: landscapes, abstracts, oceans, female figures, country ro a d s , d
r p i geon-holing the work of this artist. His interests are as wide as his brushstrokes, and he evokes moods, textures, patterns, and contrasts through his characteristic bold use of color.
Each artist has their own studio - Dianne has chosen to create her jewelry in the peace and quiet of their home, while G a r y ’ s s t u d i o i s l o c a t e d a t 1 8 B o l s t e r Av enue in Saratoga
Purple Haze
Collection Series #1901, 36” x 48”, Acrylic on Canvas
Belize Central America, 36” x 36” on Canvas
Aqua Race Point
T h e O x f o rd D i c t i o n a r y d e f i n e s
“ s y m metry” as “the quality of being m a d e u p o f e x a c t l y s i m i l a r p a r t s f a c ing each other.” It was an apt name for the gallery the couple owned, worked, built, and nurtured for 35 years. The gallery doors may have closed five years ago, but the symmetry of Gary and Dianne Zack remains and remains strong It’s what powers the paintings, it is the force behind the rolling and wrapping of each glass bead, it brings together and
permanently fuses the vibrant colors of their art, their work, and their shared lives so that they are forever intertwined - “joined at the hip.”
See, we told you this was a love story.
Fo r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n , t o v i e w, a p preciate, and to purchase their art, reach Gary at www.garyzack.com
Dianne’s work is shown at www.diannezack.com
Landscape Series, #1704, Poppies 40”x40”, Acrylic on Canvas
Country Roads, Red Barn. 24”x36”, Acrylic on Canvas
Figure Series 24”x48”, Oil on Canvas
INSTINCTIVELY DIFFERENT>>
A Serendipitous Discovery of a Serendipitous Life Meet Klaus Ebeling
by Carol St. Sauveur Ferris
It was a dreary day outside, but a good day for research, when a very random Google search on snow sculpting turned up the name Klaus Ebeling, the “Grandfather of Snow Sculpting ” One click led to another, and one open tab led to more open tabs on both laptop and cellphone Fascinated and intrigued, a brief introductory email was s e n t f o l l o w e d b y a p h o n e c a l l t o set up an interview time and date Any d a y w a s f i n e a c c o rd i n g t o K l a u s , b u t h i s preferred time was mid-morning, because afternoons are for napping when you ’ re nearly 90 years old.
When the appointed day arrived, Klaus was jovial, informative, and generous with his time. While the interview was intended to be f o c u s e d o n t h e a r t o f s n o w s c u l p t i n g , i t b e came so much more Without hesitation, he shared his life and perspective on many subjects He believes it’s important to learn about your ancestors and their lives, so by documenting his, Klaus is giving life to his memories for his offspring and theirs He asks that you “don’t get older in silence and forget what you came to tell ” Sage advice from a very wise man with so many stories to tell
Klaus was born in Germany on June 21, 1930, nothing short of a miracle His mother, Elisabeth (Oma), was the y o u n g e s t d a u g h t e r o f a S a x o n w h o s u r vived the front lines in WWI, only to die of tuberculosis in his 50’s. When Oma w a s a y o u n g w o m a n , s h e c o n tracted T B a s w e l l a n d s p e n t t h re e y e a r s i n G e r man and Swiss sanatoriums. When released, she had one healthy lung and was strongly advised not to have any children She soon met and fell in love with Hans Ebeling, a Prussian university student They married, and in spite of the doctors wanting to “take him,” Oma protected her unborn child Klaus was born 10 months following the marriage
German militia made up of 16 and 60 year old last ditch draftees, offered him a shoulderh e l d r o c k e t t o s h o o t
t a n k to roll into his hometown The “ enemy ” happened to be Americans Before he could follow through on his intentions, Oma locked them in their cellar to wait it
a r c h i tect So many German towns still lay in ruin, so the expertise of an architect would surely be needed Unfortunately, there were only 90 places for architecture students at that time and those spots went to returning vets, pre-war vets with incomplete studies a n d p
When he was 14, his mother protected him once again, but this time from himself It was 1945, and WWII was ending For years, so m a n y y o u n g G e r m a n b o y s w e re h e a v i l y i n fluenced by Hitler and his teachings Klaus was no different The Volkssturm, a
out She then told Klaus the horrible truth about Hitler Had she ever shared that she was always anti-Nazi, she would have r
n tration camp
A
learned a trade and became a bricklayer in the interim, returning to university three
taining his degree In 1953 he traveled to Paris, accidentally boarded a commuter train, rather than the subway, a n d
had done the same thing. They took an instant liking to each other and traveled together for a few days. Little did he know that she would later become a very important part of his new life
On November 16, 1955 after emigrating from Germany and spending 15 days at sea, Klaus arrived at the 56th St Pier in NYC and was met by Barbara, a friend of his American friend, Jeanette She took him on a fun tour of the city but left him to join her fiancée Klaus spent his first Thanksgiving with them and was then driven to Syracuse and dropped off at the local YMCA Jeanette introduced him to an architectural firm in Watertown, New York where he was hired as an architectural draftsman making $1 25 per hour Turns out, his j o b w a s f i l l e d w i t h t h e m u n d a n e , d u p l i cating one classroom after another for the many schools being built in the area. Creativity was not a prerequisite.
Within two years he met and married another Barbara, a physical education teacher a n d e q u e s t r i a n H e
d h e r 2 c h i l dren, left the architectural f i rm, and became an art teacher in Adams Center, NY teaching kindergarten through 12th grade students
Klaus later earned a Master ’ s Degree in Fine
t o d a y, K l a u s was teaching his students to experience a r t i n d i f ferent ways – through touch, smell, sound, as well a s s i g h t H i s a r t b u d g e t s w e r e t i g h t , b u t h i s imagination
Barbara and Klaus
and resourcefulness were unlimited Klaus used whatever was available including paper, stones, scrap wood, sand and string - basically anything that could be reimagined and repurposed into works of art He has even used cheese to sculpt a pair of dancers on one occasion K l a u
C o m munity College (JCC) teaching Art Appreciation He then b e came a professor and eventually became tenured as well He always approached art with an open mind, a sense of humor, and an appetite for discovery In one of his publications, Klaus
states that his “Instant Art” as he called it, “had j o y i n a v a n t - g a r d e c o n c e p t s and breaking the rules, my knack for mixed media and many styles, t
i n deed a Renaissance artist, my need for short time projects to c o m p l e
a d mirers - How long did this take you?” The answer to that was always his current age!
At JCC, Klaus was fortunate to go on sabbatical several times over the course of his career One trip in particular involved a year of travel with his wife and four daughters, taking them to India for an extended stay Here he did an intensive study of Ragamala Paintings These colorful miniature works of art are a combination of poetry, iconography, and musical codes that tell stories Klaus took 4000 images of Ragamala Paintings, donating the collection to Cornell University and publishing a highly regarded book, Ragamala Paintings, in 1973
Back at JCC, Klaus was approached to assist with building up tourism in the Adams Center area. Would he build a snow sculpture for a winter festival? Never one to turn down a challenge and the o p p o r
a c cepted, and just like that his career in snow sculpting had begun.
Because he was a septuagenarian when this new art form came into his life, he needed bodies and muscle to build what he designed, so his teams were made up of friends, students, and family It was a six month process from application through event with Klaus serving as designer, engineer, draftsman, and project manager
From the very beginning, Klaus and his team were tough competitors Over the years they entered, won, or placed in many festivals and competitions around the world The winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York, Lillehammer, Norway, the Winter Carnival in
Trip to India - “Raj” Klaus and eldest daughter “princess" Nancy
Quebec City, Breckenridge, Colorado, and Nuuk, Greenland were just some of the many locations where he and his team competed T h o u g h
c o m petitions were magnificent, serendipitous opportunities to travel, create, and make international friends
Most competitions follow the same routine A 10 foot cube of snow is “placed” in a specific location for each team at the venue While
the actual sculpting time takes about two days, many factors beyond one ’ s control come into play and create unforeseen challenges. No snow, too much snow, slushy snow, which is called hot snow, wind, warm temps, frigid temps, rambunctious children, and curious adults
d i r e c t l y i m p a c t t h
d e v e l oped tools of the trade and techniques to craft the snow into remarkable sculptures shovels, saws, picks, a machete, boards, wire, a yardstick, trowels, blue chalk to name a few The proper clothing, gloves, waterproof boots, snacks, and a first aid kit are crucial as well
B e c a u s
recommended to document the process and the sculpture for eternity
Their sculptures were as complicated as they were simple Intricate
d e t a i l s w e re e n c h a n t i n g a
b e lieve Dancers, elephants, spheres and pyramids magically emerged from massive blocks of snow to the delight of onlookers and judges as well
It wasn’t long before Klaus was named the “Grandfather of Snow Sculpting” His years of experience and mastery of snow led him to write a manual that literally contains everything there is to know a b o u t s n o w s c u l p t i n g S n
S p e c tators and Snow Sculptors, Beginners and Advanced, Organizers, and Judges was published in the 90’s and is still in print today
Originally his professional peers were a bit skeptical of this new art form. They didn’t take the snow sculpting class he was asked to teach at JCC very seriously, so it became part of the Hospitality and Tourism Curriculum. With some wins and international recognition under his belt, minds
K
w
S c u l p t ing 101 in the JCC Art Department after all
I n a d d i t i o n t o h i s S n o w S c u
h a s w r i t ten and published numerous eBooks on Amazon to document his poetry, philosophy, art, life, and the lives of his ancestors For many years he wrote a column called Good News is Good Medicine for a local newspaper and currently has a running blog on his Facebook page
I t t ru l y i s a r a re e x p e r i e n c e t o m e
A short time ago, his eyesight began to fail. Refusing to let that get him down, it’s a change that has encouraged Klaus to discover new ways to learn and create connection yet again. These days he stays in the mix with a computer and bold print, so the change that could have been viewed as unfortunate, is once again serendipitous... and serendipity has served Klaus well.
o m e o n e w h
i s a n architect, professor, adventurer, poet, collector, photographer, author, sculptor, philosopher, jester, and more Add father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and husband to the mix and Klaus is nothing short of life’s most exuberant student
GLASSBLOWING STUDIO & GALLERY
Modern Farmer Meets Old World Style Dancing Ewe Farm
Story by Peter Barrett
Photo Credits: Jody Somers , Pierre Poulin, Dakota Winch, Bob Joy, and Patty Garrett
Fifteen years ago, Jody Somers had the urge to make cheese. Growing up on a sheep farm, he had always wondered about the process, and before committing to a profession as a veterinarian he wanted to give it a try He called Fairway’s Steve Jenkins, renowned expert and author of The Cheese Primer, for advice about pecorino “Steve said ‘Go to Italy!’ So I did ” He landed in the Maremma region of Tuscany, on the Tyrrhenian coast, where he met Luisa Scivola She also grew up on a farm, in Manciano, that produced olive oil, wine, and other local delicacies
A year later, the couple installed themselves back at his family’s f a r m i n G r a n v i l l e , N e w Yo r k , a s h o r t h o p f ro m t h e Ve r m o n t b o r der They switched the herd from wool to milking varieties, and got to work making authentic Tuscan-style cheeses Pecorino
stagionato is aged for at least a year (it means “seasoned” or “aged”), so while they waited for that to mature they needed to sell their fresh ricotta Somers drove down to New York with a cooler full of ricotta for Jenkins to taste “He freaked out! He said nobody in America was making it like us ” Florence Fabricant wrote a glowing review in the New York Times, and in short order the best restaurants in the city were buying as much as they could get
Now, Dancing Ewe Farm is a more diverse operation Besides the cheeses the pecorino stagionato is still their flagship they also make a line of traditional fresh and cured Tuscan salumi and i m p o r t a v a r i e t y o f p ro d u c t s f ro m I t a l y : w i n e , o l i v e o i l , a n d p re serves like fig jam and hot peppers in oil Somers makes the
c h e e s e , a n d S c i v o l a f u n c t i o n s a s q u a l i t y c o n trol officer; her exacting palate means that everything they make tastes like it does back home in Manciano They also host monthly dinners on the farm, either inside their shiny new barn or outside in the field when the w e a t h e r i s w a r m I t ’ s a p o p u l a r v e n u e f o r p r i vate, family, and corporate events
They also offer two subscription services: an olive oil CSA and a monthly wine club The olive oil comes from Scivola’s family farm, where it’s hand-harvested and pressed at the local frantoio before being bottled unfiltered
T h e w i n e c l u b o ff e r s
a n a l winemakers who do not produce
b o t tles is accompanied by a couple of their other offerings: a wedge of cheese, some capocollo, or a jar of jam
Yo u
m a r kets in Troy, Saratoga and Rhinebeck, or online at DancingEweFarm com, but Somers believes that everyone should visit the farm t o get the full effect Seeing their scenic 50 acres a
glimpse
m e e t i n g the sheep it all adds up to a deeper understanding of the products and the e x
D a n c ing Ewe Farm represents quite literally the best of both worlds, old and new, using ancient methods to turn local milk into worldclass cheese You won’t find a better pecorino or ricotta outside of Italy
Dancing Ewe Farm 181 County Route 12, Granville, NY 12832 518-642-8199 dancingewefarm.com
Please Put Your Heart in My Mailbox!
by Karen Richman
Without a doubt, it was one of the rituals of childhood back in those days of long ago the ones that now translate to sweet nostalgia, albeit perhaps co-mingled with a twinge of pathos at the time
It was a ritual that got me excited every year, but also caused a certain amount of angst because it firmly cemented in my mind who was my friend and who wasn’t Who liked me and who didn’t? Who more than liked me? That made me tingle, although I had no idea why It was Valentine’s Day, and at school the teacher always made it an event
Years ago, you sent valentines only to those boys and girls you liked, or perhaps had a crush on As the chosen classmate called o u t t h e n
A c o u p l e o f w e e k s b e f o re F e b ru a r y 1 4 t h , o r t h e d a y c l o s e s t t o i t
i f t h e b i g d a y f e l l o n a w e e k e n d , w e h a d
“ m a i l boxes” for all the valentines we would hopefully be receiving. I hated this activity because I was not then, nor am I now, crafty. To me crepe paper was something others hung for birthday parties, wrapping paper was to cover a gift box, a cardboard carton was
e x a c t l y t h a t
d e sign completely escaped me
O u r t e a c h e r s u p p l i e d t h e c a r t o n s , t h e c r e p e p a p e r, c o l o r e d
c o n s t r u c tion paper, wrapping paper, paper doilies, glue, and overt h e - t o p e n t h u s i a s m “ O k a y b o y s a n d g i r l s , “ s h e w o u l d c h i r p , “let’s all get working on our own special mailboxes The prettier they are, the more valentines you’ll probably get ”
“Yeah, right,” I thought If attractiveness was synonymous with, a n d t h e a r b i t e r o f , q u a n t i t y o f v a l e n t i n e s re c e i v e d , I w o u l d b e h a ving a very empty receptacle indeed So I hunkered down, glancing nervously to my left and right to see what my neighbors were doing They worked quickly and purposefully, adding splashes of color, knowing exactly where to put ribbons, affix decals, and such I plodded along slowly, clumsily cutting here and there with no rhyme nor reason, wondering how long it was till recess or lunch
U s u a l l y o n e c o u l d b u y a w h o l e p a c k a g e o f a s s o r t e d v a l e n t i n e s for about a dollar from the local card shop or five and ten cent store. They usually had cartoon characters or cute little animals on them on them and fairly generic messages, but nothing professing deep love and passion, which I longed for and thought very grownup and mysterious, even though I hadn’t a thought what that all meant.
In some schools there was only one giant mailbox for the whole c l a s s ro o m i n t o w h i c h t h e s t u d e n t s w e re
v a l e n tines On the designated day, a specially selected child would b e c h o s e n
p
nervously awaiting classmates
u n doubtedly the most popular, who was getting the most cards Rarely, if ever, do I remember anyone being left out, although there were those uber-popular kids who got tons of them
Today, teachers have become painfully aware of what is deemed “politically correct” and now demand each child put a valentine in the box for every other student in the class. No hurt feelings. But that’s not real life either; that’s fine for the moment, but it’s not really preparing the kids for real life.
e n dured to today are the tiny conversation hearts, those chalky, overly sweet colored candies with generic messages on them like, “Be mine,” “You’re sweet, or “Too cute ” Hemingway it wasn’t, but everyone loved to suck on them, letting the sugar slowly coat the enamel on their teeth They always tasted like Tums to me, but you just had to have them because it was Valentine’s Day Sadly, a year and a half ago, the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) that made the sugary hearts was sold, but Brachs, Sweet Tarts, and several other companies have swooped in and picked up the gauntlet to take advantage of this seasonal must-have
e re w
d b y classroom “mailmen ” There was no need to make your own m a i l b o x , n o
We
i n e x pensive valentines were replaced by cards costing upwards of nine dollars, some with music or other sounds. While the candy
c
m a g nificent satin covered heart shaped boxes with big ribbons and even bigger prices.
Yet when I look back over my shoulder at those years gone by, I realize just how simple and wonderful and precious it was sitting at my wooden desk, nervously anticipating hearing my name called over and over and realizing that this kind of friendship was real, genuine, unfailingly sweet, and in a childish way, absolutely beautiful
Fruity Wine Guide
By Roberto Cruz - Photos by Adirondack Winery
Wine drinkers in 2020 have choices. From deep dark reds, to light fruity whites, there is an entire spectrum of flavors and styles that is constantly evolving as winemakers push the envelope in hopes of creating something groundbreaking Nowhere is this more apparent than in the world of fruity wines F ru i t y w i n e s h a v e historically caught flack for being of lesser perceived value than t h e i r r e d
r e v o l u t i o n i n f u l l s w i n g , y o u d o n ’ t h a v e t o s e t t l e f o r a l o w e r quality fruity wine anymore
Fruity wines can be lightly sweet and mellow or bursting with sweetness and flavor These days, you’ll find options beyond black and red fruits and berries, too
For instance, Adirondack Winery in the upstate New York village of Lake George, offers more than a dozen semi-sweet reds and whites infused with natural fruit flavors Within their lineup, you’ll find out of the box flavors like their grapefruit infused
s e m i - s w e e t w h i t e , D r i f t e r, t h e i r m a n g o i n f u s e d s e m i - s w e e t
w h i t e , Lake Winds White, and their blueberry infused red wine, Blue Twilight
O f c o u r s e , c r a f t i n g a re m a r k a b l e w i n e i n v o l v e
j u s t picking a flavor and bottling it up – and Adirondack Winery knows this. They spend months testing and improving every tank
o f w i n e a n d e a c h 7 5
M L
f e a t u r ing a g o r g e o u s p h o t o f r o m t h e r e n o w n e d A d i r o n d a c k
M o u n t a i n r e g i o n That’s the kind of love, care and value you are looking for when you buy a bottle of fruity of wine Here are some other helpful tips and hints to help you find the right fruity wine, whether you are a red wine drinker, beer drinker or entirely new to the world of fruity wines
What is a fruity wine?
The term “fruity” is used to for wines that have dominant fruit
a m o u n t s o f a l c o h o l c o m p a re d t o re d w i n
b e s o s w e e t t h a t they are considered a sweet or dessert wine, but they can, and i t ’ s u p t o y o u a n d y o
much you enjoy (or don’t enjoy) the sweetness And the best part is, at wineries with a vast selection like Adirondack Winery, you can start with a wine that is infused with your favorite fruit, so you know what to expect as it hits your tongue
What makes a wine great?
Legendary American vineyard operator Robert Mondavi once said, “You can make bad wine with great grapes, but you can’t make great wine with bad grapes ”
Regions like New York’s Finger Lakes and Napa Valley California are known for having some of the greatest grapes in the nation This is because of the climate and soil in which they are grown
a s w e l l a s t h e c h o i c e s t h e g r a p
a n other factor to consider This can include everything from the yeast and method of introducing grape skins back into the wine d
f o r aging
Many wine lovers also recognize a winery’s long-term vision and p a s s i o n a
y, b u t you can visit a winery or its Tasting Room to see that passion firsthand. Your experience at a winery can make that wine even more special to you.
What tastes great to you?
Really, what it boils down to is what you like Your preference for sweetness, alcohol content and fruit flavor will help you find a wine that works for you The fun part can be experimenting with n e w f l a v o r s a n d
’
s t r a w berry infused Riesling, Soaring Strawberry, and black cherry infused P i n o t N o i r, Wi l d R e d . Yo u w i l l e v e n f i n d t h a t
s w e e t w h i t e s a n d r e d s l
s e a soned cheeses, cured meats and sweet treats. Fruity wines are o f t e n b e s t s e r v e d c h i l l e d ( t h e
i n f o r mation on that) and with the right airtight bottle stopper, an open bottle can stay fresh for weeks. And remember, drink what you love, and have fun doing as you explore the wonderful world of fruity wine
Enjoy!
Roberto Cruz, Adirondack Winery
Shop Adirondack Winery’s e x c l u s ive s e l e c t i o n
o f l i b r a r y w i n e s a t adkwinery com/library
Tasting Rooms: 285 Canada Street, Lake George, NY 12845
4971 Lake Shore Drive, Suite 2 Bolton Landing , NY 12814
FEBRUARY EVENTS
February 1-29
Albany
JoAnne Carson: Rise Up and Shine! Opalka Gallery is pleased to present a 25-year survey of the work of JoAnne Carson. JoAnne Carson: Rise Up and Shine! will open on January 21, with a reception on Friday, February 7 from 6 pm to 8 pm From her punchy, exuberant paintings to her quirky, zoomorphic sculptures and expressive drawings, Carson has established a unique artistic voice that merges references to the natural
u n expected materials, and playfully dark moods. Despite few figures in her work, every shape Carson creates bursts with life: trees, rocks, and flowers bow, droop, pose, and even vogue February 1- 29, 2020 Opening Reception FRI, February 7, 6pm-8pm Curators’ Tour FRI, February 7, 5pm Student Reception TUES, February 18, 5:30 pm Artist Talk TUES, February 18, 6:30pm. The Sage Colleges, 140 New Scotland Ave. Albany, NY
February 1- Saratoga Springs
Martha Graham Master Class
With Terese Capucilli February
1st (snow day F e b r u a r y 8 t h ) : A
M a r t h a G r a h a m M a ster Class
w i t h t h e i n c r e d i b l e Te r e s e
C a p u c i l l i f ro m 2 : 3 0 - 4 p m ; t h e
s c re e n i n g o f h e r m o v i e t h e
"The Sacrosanct A c companist",
f o l l o w e d b y a Q & A s e s s i o n
f ro m 5 - 8 p m T h e S a c r o s a n c t
A c c o m p a n i s t T h i s b e a u t i f u l
d o c u m e n t a r y o ff e r s a p r i s t i n e
j o u r n e y t h r o u g h s o u n d a n d
m o v e m e n t , g i v i n g o v e r d u e c r e d e n c e t o t h e e s s e n t i a l c o n t r i b u t i o n t h a t
a c c o m panists make to the dance world This film is a kind of valentine to
L a w r e n c e “ R e e d ” H a n s e n , w h o f o r g e n e r a t i o n s h a s b e e n o n e o f t h e m o s t
i n s p i r i n g m u s i c i a n s i n t h e f i e l d . M a s t e r o f t h e a r t o f i m provisation for dance, Hansen makes this noblest of art forms an extraordinary p l e a s u re t o w a t c h A t
o n c e , t h e d o c u m e n t a r y c a p t u re s R e e d ’ s d e l i g h t f u l d e m e a n o r a n d e v i d e n c e s
February 1 Round Lake Fire & Ice Bar Chowder Fest at The Mill. Join us for the annual Chowder Fest at The Mill Fire & Ice Bar! The Ice Bar will open on January 31st at 5 o ’clock and w i
urday for the first three weekends in February Ice Shuffle board, Ice Corn hole, Fire pits and hot chocolate cocktails to keep you warm! Time: 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM Mark your calendars, you don’t want to miss out! We will be participating in Saratoga’s Chowderfest from 11-2 on February 2nd Stop by and sample our chowder and check out the Ice Bar on your way up to Saratoga Location: 2121 US-9 , Round Lake , NY, 12151
February 1 - March 15 Schuylerville Saratoga Clay Arts Center’s Schacht
a tional exhibition in honor of Valentine’s Day, comprised of utilitarian works by 10 artists from across the country, all made with the red earthenware clay body that many clay enthusiasts know and love – terracotta The exhibition opens on Saturday, February 1st with an opening reception from 5-7pm and runs through March 15, 2020 RED features artists who are primarily using terracotta or other iron-rich clay bodies to make their work. While terracotta might be thought of by some as a “lesser” clay body in the hierarchy of clays, those who use it do so because they love the depth and richness of color, the versatility of surface options, and its lush history as a source of expression for many cultures since the dawn of humankind As February is the month for love, with Valentine’s Day as its heyday, Saratoga Clay Arts Center wanted to share these artists’ love of RED with everyone. Saturday, February 1, 2020, 5:00 PM Sunday, March 15, 2020 4:00 PM Saratogan Clay Arts Center, 167 Hayes Road, Schuylerville, NY
t h i s s t e l l a r m u s i c i a n ’ s p a s s i o n f o r a n d s k i l l a t a c c o m panying dance classes How he does this is at the core of this film as he accompanies specific exercises drawn from Martha Graham’s technique. Each exercise is articulated by Hansen a t t h e k e y b o a rd a n d d e m o n s t r a t e d e x q u i
liard
School and the Graham studio where musician-accompanists are a critical part of the classroom experience This cross-pollination of disciplined caring and devotion illuminates the kinetic genius of Graham’s movement invention: each segment becomes a sculpted masterpiece for the eyes and ears, doubly rewarding for the viewer This is an unique opportunity for capital region dancers, as well as for d a n c e l o v e r s i n g e n e r a l T h
e x p e rience, and the movie is open to all $35 master class only, $15 movie only, $40 for master class + movie To register please visit dancemuseum org/school/ (518) 584-2225 ext. 3008. School of the Arts at the National Museum of Dance, 99 South Broadway Saratoga Springs, Ny
February 1 Saratoga Springs
Annual Saratoga Chowderfest Saratoga’s Annual Chowderfest is o n e
c ipated events of the year Family-friendly, fun
i n cluding Saratoga County’s best restaurants and caterers who open their doors to the public and serve hot bowls of chowder to event goers. Downtown Saratoga
February 1 - 2 Lake George Lake George Winter Carnival Lake George Village offers a month-long celebration of winter during this annual family-friendly festival that takes place each weekend throughout February Relish the warmth of tasty samples during the chowder, chili, BBQ, and chicken wing cooko ff s Wi
ious and fun outhouse
works, and more! Kids can participate in children's activities, go for a pony ride, and toast marshmallows on the beach Village of Lake George , Lake George , NY, 12845 More Information: www.lakegeorge.com
$15 per lecture or $55
February 4 Saratoga Springs Talk in the Archives with Mary
cent Coordinator February 4th at the Northeast Gallery Board Room from 1:30- 3pm An insider's v i e w o f c o s tumes from the archives! Each of the four programs will focus on a different dancer, choreographer, or dance company Each lecture limited to ten people
or torus@dancemuseum org
February 4 - March 6 Albany Translations Albany Center Gallery (ACG) will present Translations, featuring the works of regional artists Beth Humphrey, Stephen Niccolls, Victoria Palermo, Stacy Petty, and Anthony Ruscitto An artists’ reception will be held at ACG from 5 p m to 8 p m on Friday, February 7, 2020, and the public is invited to attend From February 4 - March 6, 2020 Translations attempts to explore how artists, approaching their mediums and subjects with similar methods and processes, create such vastly
a c tions and regular processes result in pieces that may be similar but never quite the same Perceptions of reality and nature are translated into fragmented shapes, linear geometry and repeated forms, warping our sense of mundane routine Albany Center Gallery, 488 Broadway, Suite 107, Albany, NY 12207
February 7 - 8 Glens Falls DOC'S PATIO ICE BAR The team at Doc’s Restaurant can’t wait to get out onto our patio, so we ’ re embracing winter and hosting a Doc’s Patio Ice Bar on February 7 and 8th, with drinks, food, music, and ice (of course) Capital region’s favorite chainsaw-wielding artist, Charlie The Ice Man, will be c re a t i n g o
s e lection of enticing handcrafted beverages, and our
night has one of the leading ensembles of world music, Villalobos Brothers playing in The Park Theater at 7:30pm, so make a whole night of it, and enjoy our PATIO ICE BAR before and after the show. Tickets for the Villalobos Brothers are available online ($25 / $35 day of show) Saturday night, we have Glens Falls' band The MiniVans playing fun, danceable covers in The Park Theater from 5-8pm There is no charge for this show Fri Feb 7 & 8, 4-11pm No cover charge for Ice Bar Doc’s Restaurant will be open as usual for the evening with full bar and menu available.
February 7 Ballston Spa 7th Annual Chocolate Fest! As part of our monthly First Friday Events, we are excited to present our 7th Annual Ballston Spa Chocolate Fest This year ’ s family friendly event will be held on Friday, February 7, 2 0 2 0 , f r o m 6 - 9 p m A
, b a k eries, and chefs are all welcome to compete in a chance to showcase their talents and tastes by preparing small sample sized chocolate offerings to be judged by a panel a s w e l l a
itor pays $1 for the sample and will vote on their favorites in 3 categories Come be a part of the fun! Downtown Ballston Spa
February 8 Saratoga Springs
Cyrille Aimée An award winning jazz vocalist who mixes Gypsy swing, Brazilian bossa nova, and Latin rhythms.Improvisation is not just a technique for Grammy Nominated artist Cyrille Aimée, it’s a way of life
The acclaimed vocalist ventured from singing on street corners in Europe to dazzling audiences at the world’s m o s t p r e
i ously tough audiences at New York’s Apollo Theatre to being called a “rising star in the galaxy of jazz singers” by the New York Times Looping, layering and vocalese join pure singing in stunning live performances that are technically, emotionally and artistically jaw-dropping Saturday, February 8, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY
FEBRUARY EVENTS
February 8 - June Schenectady
ebrate the Mandeville Gallery's new exhibition, Jane Swavely Reception: Thursday, February 27th,
stairs in the Mandeville Gallery, during the reception
This event is
and
cated on the second floor of the Nott Memorial, and is open daily from 10 am - 6 pm All exhibitions
i n formation, please visit our website, union edu/gallery Thursday, Feb 27, 2020 5:00 AM to 6:30 AM. Mandeville Gallery, Union College, 807 Union Street Schenectady, NY 12308 Cost: Free! Exhibition Dates: February 8, 2020 – June 14, 2020
February 14, 15, 16 Saratoga Springs
The Flurry Festival. One of the largest folk dance and music festivals i n N o r t h A m e r i c a , T h e F l u r r y
F e s t i val is an exciting weekend-long folk festival of traditional dancing and music for all ages Dancers of all ages, abilities, and styles of dance can participate in a variety of w orkshops and programs d e signed f
February 14 Saratoga Springs Valentines Day with the Lovestruck Balladeers . Woo your love with an enchanting night of ragtime, jazz and beautiful songs from around the world The Lovestruck Balladeers enchant audiences with their masterful p
toire of ragtime, jazz and beautiful songs from around the world They might whip out a lost melody from a forgotten mandolin folio or they might play a Mexican waltz They might push into
To gether or on their own paths, this stellar band of traveling musicians has traversed the country and the globe, carrying traditional styles into modern times. The versatile quintet features twin fiddles, clarinet, guitars, a mandolin trio, upright bass, banjo, piano and vocal harmonies Friday, February 14 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY
February 14 Saratoga Springs
Ensemble Connect, a group of the f i n e s t yo u n g c l a s s i c a l m u sicians based out of Carnegie Hall, will perform a special Valentine’s day concert at the Arthur Zankel Music Center at 7 p m on Feb 14 The program will include: MOZART: Piano Trio in G Major, K 496; TJ COLE: New Work (commissioned by Carnegie Hall); and FRANCK: Piano Quintet in F Minor Tickets are $ 8 f o r a d u l t s , $ 5 f o r s e n i o r s / S k i d more and free for students and children Visit www skidmore edu/zankel for more information
FEBRUARY EVENTS
February 15 Albany Albany Wine & Chocolate Festival. Wineries and wine enthusiasts from across the region will gather on February 15, 2020 for an unlimited s a m p l i n g o f d o z e n s o f f a b u lous wines of all styles and tastes Then, buy bottles of your favorites, all for great prices!! We'll have distilleries and cideries too Enjoy a fabulous selection of tasty nibbles and treats, chocolates, cheeses and sweets Take a stroll through the Candy Bar. Then get some serious shopping done. Browse through fantastic mini boutiques featuring purses, jewelry, clothing and more Saturday, Feb 15, 2020 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM The Desmond Hotel, 660 Albany Shaker Road Albany, NY 12211 More Info: https://wineandchocolatefestivals com/events/albanyny-wine-and-chocolate-festival/
January 19 - March 22 Glens Falls
Dox Thrash, Black Life, and the Carborundum M
R
Thrash brought to the
Feb 22 - Feb 23 Saratoga Springs
Ann Larsen Students will each bring one item from home to incorporate into a still life set up If the item can fit in
phasis will be placed on how to arrange a group of objects in order to compose a strong painting Day one will focus on composing the painting, color harmony and the use of correct values to finish 2 or 3 working studies
m position on Day 2 We will work intuitively and quickly! This will be a lively and fun workshop hopefully helping students see beyond the obvious Day two will be spent using the studies
i m p r e s sionistic application of paint as students work to complete their paintings Students should leave the workshop with a nearly frame-ready painting! Medium: Oil is preferred, but acrylic, pastel, and watercolor welcome Saratoga Arts, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
merica, Dox
February 22 Albany
Winter Art Fest Albany Center
February 21-22 Saratoga Springs
The 2020 Saratoga Beer Week promises fun, food, and fantastic beer! With multiple beercentered events, locals and visitors alike will enjoy top regional and national brews while seeing the best of what Saratoga has to offer, i n
i day, Feb 21, 2020 until Saturday, Feb 22, 2020 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren Street Glens Falls, NY 12801
February 22 Saratoga Springs
FLEX Gallery Talk. Join us on Saturday, February 2 2 , a t 4 : 0 0 P M , f o r a g a l l e r y t a l k i n F L E X w i t h
c o - curators Dan Curley, Associate Professor of Classics, and Gregory Spinner, Teaching Professor in Religious Studies FLEX considers intersections of muscular physiques and heroic images, how they represent changing notions of bravery, beauty, and health A reception will follow Hosted By: The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery Saturday, Feb 22, 2020 4:00 PM Tang Teaching Museum, 815 N Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
February 22 Saratoga Springs Bill "Bojangles" Robinson & Tap Family Sensory Story, Dance & Play at the Alfred Z Solomon Children's wing from 11:15- 12:15 Children ages 4+ will explore these celebrated Hall of Fame members' styles of dance and learn about their lives through movement $10 c
&
i n f o r mation please contact Mary Anne Fantauzzi at (518) 584-2225 ext 3004 or torus@dancemuseum org
D i s tilling Company (ADCo) are excited to announce the 2nd Annual Winter Art Fest in Downtown Albany, NY Save the date for Saturday, February
2 2 , 2 - 7 p m
& Bottle Shop on Livingston Ave.
Not only will it be an art block party to remember filled with live art and a DJ, ice games, and great eats and drinks it’s a fundraiser for Albany Center Gallery, a local art non-profit Music by DJ TRUMASTR, Live art and installations, ALB Vodka ice luge and ice games! DeFazio's Pizzeria will be on-premise for delicious
S a t u r day, February 22, 2 -7 pm, $20 (incl one drink) Buy Tickets Today! For more information and tickets, visit https://www eventbrite com/e/2nd-annual-adcowinter-art-fest-tickets-88441672423 Saturday, Feb 22, 2020 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM The Albany Distilling Company Bar and Bottle Shop, 75 Livingston Avenue Albany, NY 12207
February 28 Corning Urban Arts Crawl. The Urban Arts Crawl celebrates the burgeoning, unique art scene in historic Downtown C
p r e senting distinct artists, e
e x periences A free, selfguided, art-centric trail held on the final Friday of each month, September through May The Crawl includes
community
and independent galleries alike Time:
wraps up the evening for the post-crawl meet-up! Plan to spend your evening on Historic Market Street with various social opportunities at local bars and restaurants post-crawl Location: Various locations in Downtown Corning, Corning, NY, 14830 More Information: http://www.urbancorning.com/urban-arts-crawl/
