Issuu

Stephanie Sittnick CO PY E D I TO R

Elisabeth Allen

Tony Rivera

Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Sales ( 860) 227-8199 adver tising@518mag com CO

Carol St Sauveur Ferris, K aren Richman, Rona Mann

Welcome to the March issue of 518 PROFILES. In this issue we continue to celebrate amazing people and places. All of us at 518 PROFILES would like to thank each of them for sharing their inspiring stories a b o u t f o l lowed their passions and their dreams.

E a c h o f t h e i

beings and whether we’re a photographer, dancer, scholar or entrepreneur, we are all connec ted.

I hope you enjoy this issue as much as I do!

Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher

Capturing the Ordinary to Create the Extraordinary

Dancing on a Fine Line NYC Ballet Dancers, Emily Kikta and Peter Walker, create new-wave media for SPAC

pg. 12

The Fine Ar t Photography of Eric Seplowitz pg. 4 Not Your Average Cup O’Joe Nomad Coﬀee Has Upped the Game

pg 30 “ Where Creative Thought Matters” Skidmore College Then and Now pg. 22

The Laffer Gallery

Located just minutes from downtown Saratoga Springs. The Laffer Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery and full-service custom frame shop. Exhibitions ranging from realism to abstraction rotate every 4 – 6 weeks, with opening receptions for each exhibit.

Katherine Chwazik

March 7-April 10 Courthouse Gallery, Lake George Opening Reception Mar 7, 4-6pm

Courthouse Gallery 1 Amherst Rd, Lake George NY 12845 Wed-Fri 12-5pm; Sat 12-4pm. www.lakegeorgearts.org

Featuring: Chris Duncan & Constance Kheel

Watching Shadows | 54 x 54 | Acrylic on Canvas | Constance Kheel

It wasn’t always thus . He wasn’t always going to be a photographer.

Matter of fact, growing up in Stamford, Connecticut while the other boys talked about what they wanted to be when they grew up and

b a s k e t ball players, and astronauts, Eric Seplowitz knew what he wanted, and it wasn’t fantasy. He was going to be either a scientist or a park ranger You could say that from an early age Eric Seplowitz was focused You can say he still is

p h o tography,” he offers, “but it was a long path ” Still he was on course from the very ﬁrst to pursue a life as an artist, coupled with his great attraction and “pull” to the outdoors “My mother was a professional artist, a graduate of RISD (the famed Rhode Island S

c a p i talize on it, I got familiar with it ”

Eric also got familiar with museums “Early on we were taken to them kicking and screaming,” he laughs, “but soon I enjoyed going Art became ingrained in my brain I always had a camera because it was fun, a hobby Nothing serious back then ”

What was serious was Eric’s penchant for hiking and camping, so the camera went with him along with his backpack, and he found he

greatly enjoyed taking nature photos. “It wasn’t till after college that I got serious.”

Higher learning was a degree from Union College in Schenectady where he majored in geology, minored in philosophy, and steered his c re d i t s t o w a rd e n v i ro n m e n t a l s t u d i e s A f t e r w

r k i n g , b y

w n admission, “ a bunch of different jobs,” Seplowitz went back to school a t U M a s s , t h i s t i m

M a n a g e ment “I got into the Masters program, but I didn’t ﬁnish ” No, Eric was simply too anxious to get out there in the university of the great outdoors, which would serve as his best education So it

was ultimately his inexorable passion for the environment, plus a dose of wanderlust, that powered him on to further adventure First it was a teaching job at Indiana University where he “ t a u g h t k i d s a b o u t t h e o u t d o o r s a t B

u n i versity’s 2500 acre outdoor center.” Next was an internship

a t S e n e y N a t i o n a l Wi

P e n i n sula of Michigan. Seney is a managed wetlands area where birds and other animals are maintained. “I did a lot of photography there,” Seplowitz adds, “because there was nothing else to do Soon I found that I had fallen back in love with wildlife photography ”

In 2002, newly married to a woman who had recently secured a position in the Capital District, Eric moved to Ballston Spa and started doing commercial work “to pay the bills ” Local educational venues began to hire him for his graphic design work, and soon he was in demand at Union, Sage, Skidmore, and for other clients throughout the region

It was not until 2016 that Eric Seplowitz took an artistic leap, making the move to ﬁne art photography, a highly specialized medium that must ﬁrst be researched to be understood While traditional photography is about digitally recording a subject representing a moment in time, much as a photo journalist does, fine art photography is more about the artist and his creativity

b e comes a tool to create a work of art, much like that of the brush of the oil or water colorist. In short, it is the vision of the artist himself, his deep feelings and perception, transcending the actual subject in front of the lens.

Eric Seplowitz, who likens his work to chapters, is currently working with rocks and minerals, less than ¼ inch in size up to 5-6 inches, yet the ﬁnished product is 20 x 30 or 30 x 45, or 40 x 60 inches The

U n Earthed, as it features models consisting of primarily cut

a n d p

h e d

c o l lection “Important to what I’m doing is really getting up close to understand what’s below the surface It’s very, very small, yet everything I do, you can see with the naked eye ”

Seplowitz equates his technique to the issues of the day by saying, “ D on’t take surface knowledge. Look beneath t h e s u r face, ﬁnd beauty in the visual.”

His technique is one of image stacking with a very narrow depth of ﬁeld In image stacking, multiple images are layered and then compressed into one, so that the naked eye can view both the closest and furthest away Eric’s computer assimilates

“Illuminated Fissure”

“Positive Energy”

these raw images, then the technique used to create the ﬁnal photograph is focus stacking. It is not just one shot. “I like to take my time to shoot and re-shoot.”

This is Macro Photography, extreme closeups of very small objects, in which light, focus, scale, texture, composition, and ﬁnally the a

t i s t ’

“ B u t everything I do, you can see with the n a k e d e y e ” T h i s i s t h

Seplowitz’s art, and why people are positively re s p o n d i n g n o t o n l y t o U n E

h i s other “chapters,” as well: Positive Energy,

Triptych, and Black and White. He has absolutely no intention of stopping to rest on his laurels any time soon. “I just can’t stop yet. There’s a l w a y s a n e x t c h a p t e r o u t t h e r e . . . s a m e c o n cept, but a new subject ”

What deﬁnes an artist? If an artist is one who deliberately arranges elements to appeal to the senses, then Eric Seplowitz is indeed the real deal, for he spends his days like that park ranger of his youth, exploring the outdoors w i t h h i s

s t u dio, searching beneath the surface for the very essence of those objects Putting layer upon layer until his creation is complete For

Eric Seplowitz, his art is his passion...one of ﬁnding magniﬁcence in every day, exquisite beauty and truth beneath the surface, and magnifying minuscule detail until it explodes a

and translates that vision

gloriously gives vision to us all

e x traordinary and enviable body of work when you visit: ericseplowitz com Call him directly at (518) 885-1358 Instagram: @eseplowitz Facebook:@ericseplowitzphotography

Our menu is stacked with delicious and decadent pancakes that are made from scratch every day, including lemon ricotta, cinnamon roll, and bacon. We add ﬁnishing touches like drizzles of maple glaze, salted caramel sauce, and dollops of real whipped cream.

These are just a few of the sweet and savory reasons to come and enjoy breakfast or brunch with us!

47 PHILA STREET (518) 871-1780

Dancing on a Fine Line

NYC Ballet Dancers Emily Kikta and Peter Walker create new-wave media for SPAC

Story and photos by Lawrence White

Every artist uses the tools available to them in their own time to create their artwork

However, this generation of artists is unique Today’s artist has the ability to access a whole new level of powerful, affordable, transportable

t e c h n o l o g y t h a

a n d innovative ways We certainly see much of this contemporary digital expressionism at all levels of current media It has become impossible to not experience it in one way or another several times each day

Nonetheless, the artwork that Peter Walker and Emily Kikta are creating stands out from the rest Emily and Peter are NYC Ballet dancers as well as independent ﬁlmmakers For the past three years, they have been commissioned by the Saratoga Performing Arts Center ( S PA C ) t o c r e a t e s h o r t d i g i t a l f i l m s a t l ocations all over the Saratoga area as a w a y o f

p r o m o t ing the company ’ s residency and the dance season at SPAC. I was commissioned to photograph the ﬁlming sessions as documentation for SPAC.

The ﬁlming locations have included Yaddo, the Saratoga racetrack, Lake George, t h e S

Park, the old abandoned Proctors Theatre in Tro y, Vi

T h e goal has been to stimulate the existing

h letic nature of dance, particularly when performed and recorded in these stunning local settings

At this point the collaborative experiment has been successful in two main ways While the ﬁlms did stimulate both targeted audiences

and certainly focused attention on SPAC and

- fashioned business commerce, utilizing cutting edge digital technology In other words, the peak of the cultural evolution occurring right here in Saratoga.

It all began with local resident, Patricia Carson (she prefers to be called Carson), who shares time between Saratoga Springs and NYC as an attorney with the law ﬁrm of Kirkland and Ellis, LLP Carson met Emily and fellow NYC Ballet dancer, Lauren Lovett during a ﬁlm

Emily Kikta and Peter Walker

Emily Kikta and Peter Walker performing for the camera inside the old abandoned

s c re e n i n g a n d d i s c u s s i o n a t t h e f i r m ’ s N Y C ofﬁce four years ago Carson was instantly struck with not only the ﬁlms but also in the way that Emily responded when asked about Saratoga

“Emily told me that in spite of the shorter dance season at SPAC, the dancers love being in Saratoga,” Carson cheerfully reports “They

l o v e p e r f o r m i n g h e re , a n d t h e y a l s o l o v e t h e experiences they share during downtime when they are not performing ”

Carson continues, “I told Emily that I thought that the style of short dance ﬁlms she makes with Peter could be used very well as a way to promote the dance season at SPAC and help raise young people’s interest in dance.”

“ I h a d a c o n t a c t w i t h E l i z a b e t h S o b o l , t h e C E O a t S PA C , t h r o u g h m y f r i e n d , J o e l Moss (multi-Grammy award music producer/songwriter); and since then it has been all Elizabeth She took one look at the ﬁlms and, Elizabeth being Elizabeth, she made sure the project took off very quickly ”

In my conversation with Ms Sobol, she makes it clear, “Every arts organization m u s t d e a l w i t h t h e e l e m e n t s o f b o t h c r e ativity and commerce to be successful I have found that it is important to promote the arts to the same level of success that salespeople are doing with their products, while at the same time showing the greatest respect for the classic nature of the arts That is the ﬁne line we must navigate ”

Ms Sobol is well known as an innovator at SPAC who is always looking for creative ways to make things happen and get things done “When I saw Emily and Peter ’ s films for the first time, I immediately thought that they were dancing on that fine line, and I instantly wanted to work with them to promote the NYC Ballet season at the Performing Arts Center ”

“There was a lot of excitement in the community when the ﬁlms were ﬁrst streamed online and broadcast on local television,” Ms Sobol told me with enthusiasm “People saw the beauty, t h e f r e s h n e s s , t h e i n v e n

r e acted strongly to the contemporary visual

We are thrilled with the response ”

“The fact that the dancers themselves are making these ﬁlms gives the work more credibility with young people,” Ms Sobol adds “The fact that they can move so f re e l y a n d c a n c h o re o g r a p h t

spontaneously with equipment that is light and easy to work with makes the process more ﬂuid and the ﬁlms even more exciting to see. ”

When I initially meet Emily and Peter at the ﬁrst ﬁlm session, I am struck by how intensely i

r e markable In fact, it is difﬁcult to try to keep up with them Just when you start to get a focus, they have moved on to the next situation Their dance may pause, but their movement never does

SPAC President and CEO, Elizabeth Sobol

Peter Walker ’ s choreography ﬁlmed in front of the “Galaxy Curtain,” at SPAC

“What we are trying to do with the Saratoga Series of ﬁlms, is to create w o r k t h a t i s

e x c i t e ment “The location dictates the inspiration and the parameters for the choreography and even the choice of music we use ”

Emily explains, “After we have set the music and rehearsed the piece, the only thing that stays absolutely true to the plan is the musicality of

the steps Everything else is subject to change We do the research and have a good sense of the site before we arrive t o f i l m We s e t o u r r e hearsals to the lay of the land the best we can Yet, once we get to the location and start to ﬁlm, we are totally malleable to the circumstances that greet us This allows us to be spontaneous in our interpretations of the choreography in a way that keeps the work alive and interesting for us ”

Think of any great artist of any discipline at any point in history and superimpose them into today’s world with the modern digital ability to express, record, and reach the public in such a free and spontaneous manner. If you do, you will get a good idea of how astonishing the dynamic of this new artwork truly is.

For instance, ﬁlmmakers of earlier generations had to count every f

i n credibly expensive to purchase and process and that was only the beginning On top of that, the old school ﬁlmmaker needed a duplicate

e d i t ing, plus audio ﬁlm stock that had to be at least the length of the ﬁlm Even beyond the cost of all the supplies was the expense of an hourly rate for the editing suite, when they were available

Dancer, Devin Alberda ﬁlms Peter Walker in an upstairs foyer inside the old Proctors theatre in Troy

h i s t re m e n d o u s c o s t , c o u p l e d w i t h l o g i s t i c a l

i s sues at all of the stages of the process including t h e w e i g h t a n d b u l k i n e s

d a d d i tional equipment, made ﬁlmmaking a very daunting and highly restrictive challenge that only a few could surmount

Of course, when an old-school ﬁlmmaker ﬁnally struggled through that gauntlet of hardships to

b e s e e n F i l

i n dependent cinema, and the festival circuit - a baby at that time - was highly selective about what they screened It was easy to spend a fortune creating a fantastic ﬁlm that no one would ever see. On the other hand, with today’s online

streaming opportunities, and the quality of super hi-res home theatre equipment, creative ﬁlms no longer have to die a lonely death

Currently, Peter and Emily are using a Sony A7111 DSLR camera with a standard kit lens The camera body comes with a full-frame, 25 3megapixel, CMOS sensor that is able to capture full HD video. This extremely powerful and ﬂexible

DSLR camera body costs under $2,000 and weighs under two pounds, but has the quality level of a 35 mm ﬁlm camera, yet produces

$100 and records literally hours of data

In addition, Emily and Peter use a variety of hi-tech but consumer-level gyroscopic stabilizers to take out the shakiness of their running pan sequences These small, hand-held devices were not available to the young ﬁlmmakers of past generations at any cost

Emily and Peter download the soundtrack music onto a digital Bluetooth device and use a small

handheld, all-weather remote speaker that has a very powerful audio signal to provide the music

l m makers lusted for, but now can be purchased at a mere fraction of the cost of old-school sound sync equipment.

Emily Kikta explaining an adjustment in her choreography on scene to NYC Ballet dancers Isabella LaFreniere and Jonathan Fahoury

The editing is accomplished by using Adobe Premier software which is available for a small monthly charge online Everything is edited on a home computer at the whim of the artists, so the pressure is low, but the creative process can run nonstop in high gear for as long as they choose

“The equipment we are using allows us to take creative risks and make mistakes without worrying so much about how m

Emily says “We have the opportunity to decide if the

even more fresh and lively to view ”

ment,”

When I asked Peter and Emily who their film influences were, Peter responded that he does not really look at other dancers’ films

Filming inside a historic barn at the Shaker Heritage Society

for inﬂuence “I believe that our early work is so unique because w e d i d n ’ t k n o w a n y b e t t e r We w e r e n o t c o m i n g f r o m t h e f i l m angle; we were coming from what works best for our choreography, and that is still our method Everything is based on the dance ”

Emily adds, “Sometimes the technology is t oo good and makes the sequence too smooth, so we have to go back to a more analog method to capture the moment.

W h e n w e f i l m e d a t t h e r a c e t r a c k , P e t e r was running right next to the dancer in a driving rainstorm with no stabilizer because we wanted it to be more kinetic and interesting to view ” “ A

i n t s o u t “ We planned out every movement to sync with the music and created a camera movement s t r a t e g y t o p u l l i t o ff

g easier, but the challenges on location were more critical Of course, we can review the

sequences as we go along to ensure we are getting the correct frame and action we want so we always feel in control ”

R e v i e w i n g t h e i n d i v i d u a l s e q u e n c e s i n stantly on-scene is also something of which the older generation of film makers could only dream. They had to wait until the film was developed which could take days, to see if they had what they wanted If not, there were coordination difficulties and costs of a reshoot that could stop a film project cold in its tracks

A l l o f t h i s m e a n s t h a t t h e re s t r i c t i o n s t o creativity that inherently limited film artists of the past have greatly diminished This includes the distribution of the film when it is completed Today, through the internet, an artist can reach audiences 24 hours a day a l l o v e r t h e w o r l d , a n d t h e f i l m f e s t i v a l c i r c u i t h a s e x p l o d e d i n t o a p l e t h o r a o f o p portunities for independent filmmakers

A s w e w e re w r a p p i n g u p t h e i n t e r v i e w, M s Sobol, recalled something from her c h i l d h o o d i n N o r

h e 60s a n d 7 0 s . “ M y m o t h e r, w h o w a s a y o g

structor, had a bumper sticker on our

paths are many. ’ I am so pleased and proud t h a

g a Springs through the Performing Arts Center We are dancing that ﬁne line together and it is exhilarating ”

• Films can be viewed here https://www facebook com/SaratogaPerformingArtsCenter/videos/2046304018734 223/

Springs of course!

Peter Walker running with his camera next to dancer Sebastian Villar at the Saratoga Race Track.

THE PARK THEATER

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MAR 21 FLEETWOOD MACKED STELLAR FLEETWOOD MACK TRIBUTE ($35-$45)

MAR 20 MUSIC & A MOVIE: FRANKENSTEIN MEETS SCOTT HANNAY ($15)

MAR 27 COMEDY AFTER DARK AT THE PARK with HEADLINER ELIOT CHANG ($22-$25)

MAR 28 NASHVILLE DRIVE MODERN COUNTRY TRIBUTE ($30-$40)

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“Where Creative Thought Matters” Skidmore College, Then and Now

by Carol St Sauveur Ferris

Parents are tasked with teaching their young children basic life skills, which usually conform to the accepted norms of society By high school, these very same children become teenagers, who begin to push back on their boundaries, challenging parents and questioning society But in college, they are now considered young men and women and encouraged to freely explore their i

i n t i m i dating time; and because of this, it is of the utmost importance that they and their parents research colleges and visit campuses to determine which o

s u p ported by a faculty and administration that encourage a student’s goals, will go a long way ensuring that these newly minted young adults reap the beneﬁt and rewards of this unique time in their lives.

Skidmore stands out in the world of colleges It has been very successful at staying current and being responsive to the needs of its students The college offers state of the art facilities, diverse areas of study, top-notch professors and educators, skilled staff and support systems, plus ongoing community outreach and interaction Every individual member of the faculty and staff are committed to meeting and exceeding the needs of its students Skidmore’s slogan is “Creative Thought Matters,” and as a result, every student matters

Skidmore is situated on 850 acres at the end of North Broadway in Saratoga Springs, New York and just a short drive from the foot of the Adirondack Mountains It is home to nearly 2700 students, over 300 teacher-scholars, and a dedicated staff during the school year And in May, when the academic year ends, there is a signiﬁcant inﬂux of short term students and non-students who take advantage of the many summer programs hosted by the college through the month of August

Skidmore’s roots date back to 1903 when Lucy Skidmore Scribner formed “ T h e Yo u n g Wo

p ro fessional training to young women until 1922 when it then became a foury

p u r chased land known as the Jonnson Campus and began to relocate there in 1966 after an aggressive building and reconstruction effort In 1971, Skidmore ofﬁcially became a coed college, and by 1973, the move to the new campus was completed

For years, the college has been widely thought of as a school for the arts –performing arts such as music and theater; the visual arts including sculpture, painting, ﬁlmmaking, and drawing; and literature including prose, poetry, and drama While they do have extensive and well-respected programs in these areas, they are far more diverse, offering degree programs in business, math, political science, psychology, chemistry, computer science, and social work; in fact, their number one major is Management and Business In addition,

Skidmore has a strong commitment to interdisciplinary studies which encourages students to design a course of study that balances their interests with their major ’ s requirements For example, a student may

c o m b i n e t h e i r b u s i n

It is all part of Skidmore’s philosophy that “Creative Thought Matters” and that all types of skills come into play when searching for solutions to most any problem.

At Skidmore, state of the art facilities co-exist with the bucolic setting o f S a r a t o g a S p r i n g s

M u seum, commonly referred to as The Tang, which opened in 2000. It has been featured in Architectural Digest and The New York Times for its unique architecture and design Numerous artists of note are well represented in its extensive private collection with pieces by Warhol, Durer, Goya, and Lichtenstein among others As part of their mission to be a teaching museum, classes are regularly held in their g a l l e

i n tern, curate exhibitions, and develop events

Another admired building is The Arthur Zankel Music Center which opened in 2010 It provides 54,000 square feet of space for teaching, practice, and performing Contained within the building is the Helen Filene Ladd Concert Hall, a 600-seat venue featuring state of the art acoustics Dave Brubeck, Paul Simon, The Indigo Girls, and Gloria Steinheim are just a few of the celebrated performers and speakers who have appeared at the Music Center

And currently under construction is the 200,000 square foot, world-class Center for Integrated Studies (CIS). It will feature new and renovated

research labs, classrooms, meeting rooms, and teaching labs to support i n

social sciences CIS will also have a dedicated and unique space called the “IdeaLab”, where visitors, students, and faculty will be encouraged t

world problems.

While the facilities that house the students and classrooms are very important to student living and learning, there is something that brick

Tang Museum

and mortar can’t provide, and that’s a real sense of belonging and family Skidmore stands out in that regard It is comprised of a diverse population of caring and supportive individuals who work hard to improve the Skidmore experience on all levels Students, faculty, and staff come away feeling positive and fulﬁlled, and all agree that the Skidmore community is just like family

Take for instance Jeffrey Segrave, a respected professor who started at Skidmore back in 1978

H e w a s b o r n a nd brought up in England but decided he wanted to go to grad school in America after earning his B Ed Not re a l l y k n o w i n g w h a t to expect, he attended and embraced life as a student at Washington State U n i v e r s i t y a n

’ s assistant. After earning his MS degree, Professor Segrave went on to Arizona State for his Ph.D. Upon graduation, he received two job offers, one from Auburn and the other from Skidmore He accepted Skidmore’s offer and never looked back He has had a most interesting career over the last 40+ years, holding a variety of positions including PE instructor, women ’ s tennis coach, professor of health and human physiological sciences, athletic advisor, and dean of special programs Professor Segrave is a

G ames He has even written a paper discussing Quidditch, the game of Harry Potter f a me When asked

“ I love Americans – their k i n d ness,

and is now the Director of Conferences

a n d

a n d c o r p o rations in order to bring summer camps, workshops, and conferences to Skidmore She and her dedicated staff facilitate the events and activities, with many coming back year after year One such institution is The New York State Summer School of the Arts which offers highly r e g a r d e d

i n cluding classes in ballet, modern dance, and orchestral studies Looking to the future, Wendy is very excited about Skidmore’s new venture into event planning They are currently exploring new ways to attract and accommodate small, b

erosity. And I

e S k i d m o r e . I t h a s a l w a y s c o n s i d e r e d w h a t i s i n t h e b e s t i n terest of the student, and it has always been open to new ideas, constantly evolving and adapting”

Then there’s Wendy LeBlanc, who i n i t i a l l y w o r k e d a s a w a i t r e s s a n d b a n q u e t f a c i l i t y m a n a g e r w h i l e a t t e n d i n g M o n t c l a i r S t a t e a s a non-traditional student After 11 y e a r s o f p e r s e v e r a n c e a n d d e d ication, she earned her BFA in p a i n t i n g a n d d r a w i n g I n 2 0 0 1

s h e j o i n e d t h e S k i d m o r e f

1 0 - room Surrey-Williamson Inn. Wendy and her s

d e signing and managing them as well. Having logged 19 years at the college so far, students and staff have become an extension of her own family; and without hesitation, Wendy states that she “has the best of both worlds” and loves being part of Skidmore

If you stop into the Career Development Center, y

A s s o ciate Director of Employer Outreach and Strategic Communications Originally from New Jersey, and a 2003 graduate of Syracuse University, Pam’s journey has been an interesting one She was drawn to working with people

Professor Jeffrey Segrave

Arthur Zankel Music Center

with disabilities, spending time in a non-proﬁt program at SUNY Adirondacks Unknown to anyone but close friends and family, Pam was

slowly losing her hearing b u t w o r k i n g h a rd t

c o m p e n s a t e a n d c o n c e a l t h e p r o b l e m S h e

b e c a m e m e mbership sales manager a t the Chamber of Commerce and through hard work and determination was ranked third in chamber membership sales for North America despite her disability. She was also in a great position to meet and develop strong relationships w i t h a c ro s s - s e c t i o n o f c o r porate and small business employers which served her well a few years later when she applied for a position at Skidmore College and was hired. By this time she had had successful cochlear implant surgery in both ears, giving her the conﬁdence she had lacked for so long and sorely needed to blossom and enjoy her job Today she speaks enthusiastically of Skidmore’s diversity, talent, and commitment to student well-being and education, and to t h e i r s u p p o r t o f e v e r y o n e i n t h e S k i d m o re community In her job, Pam shares the amazing depth and breadth of the Skidmore student population with the business community,

u cation Tiffany & Co is one company that recognizes this and has welcomed Skidmore students to their exciting Jewelry Design and Innovation Workshop in New York City with great success. Pam states that companies like Tiffany’s soon discover that “Skidmore students are not only creative, but also enthusiastic problem-solvers.” Pam’s energy, commitment to the college and support of its students is another example of the tightly knit, familylike community that embodies life at Skidmore

And ﬁnally, there is Skidmore senior, Taylor Urlich, who will be graduating in December of this year She recently shared that w h e n s h e w a s a h i g h s c h o o l freshman, her class was tasked with writing a letter to their high school senior selves about their future and personal goals She chuckles

t o broaden her horizons and get the very best education out there. She had no desire to attend a small college, unlike her Mom, who happened to be a Skidmore alum. Not long afterward, Taylor attended her Mom’s Skidmore class reunion and got a glimpse into life on campus When it came time to apply to colleges, she included Skidmore on her list and was accepted It turned out to be the best decision ever The courses at Skidmore, combined with amazing

c o m fort zone She is currently enrolled in a Skidmore-Saratoga Consulting Partnership which is a seminar-style course where students work with local companies to offer pro-bono consulting services Last year she had the YMCA as a client and is now serving on their board. According to Taylor, professors are super involved with helping their students. One of her professors, Colleen Burke, recently had the entire class of 14 students over for dinner, then out for a night of bowling. Professor Burke’s gathering is just one example of faculty members who routinely reach out and create that feeling of family for students at Skidmore

It’s safe to say that Taylor speaks for everyone w

s t u dent at Skidmore “The Skidmore experience is invaluable The relationships, experiences, and knowledge I’ve developed will never be forgotten, especially as I move into my career I know that my friends and professors from here will always be a phone call away, even 10 years down the line It’s a special community like that Everyone is close and helps each other out ” No doubt, Miss Lucy Skidmore Scribner would be amazed and proud

Surrey-Williamson Guest House

INSTINCTIVELY DIFFERENT>>

Not Your Average Cup O’Joe Nomad Coffee Has Upped the Game

By Carol St. Sauveur Ferris

Photos by Stephanie Sittnick and Nick Furnia

What are typical young guys doing at age 18 these days? One can hazard a guess, or even a few They’d all be correct Working a summer job? A little partying and some hoops? Going to college or maybe a trade school? Well, like e v e r y t h i n g e l s e i n l i f e , t h e r e ’ s a l w a y s t h e e x ception to the rule In this case that would be Nick Furnia, a young Millennial originally fro m P a w l i n g , N e w Yo r k , w h o i s a l re a d y a seasoned entrepreneur and shop owner At the ripe old age of 18, Nick ofﬁcially opened Nomad Coffee and Crepes in Ballston Spa, New York, and just two years later, he is poised

to open Knockabout, his own roastery located in Galway, New York.

The seeds for Nomad were planted when Nick was just 12 years old His Grandma started taking him into New York City every year for his birthday Without fail, they’d make a stop or two at a specialty coffee shop somewhere along the way And while enjoying a cup of coffee, loaded with sugar and cream at the time, the specialty coffee shop scene made a big impression on Nick Watching baristas interacting with their customers; friends and strangers connecting with each other; and people of every stripe working away on their laptops; it w a s a c a p t i v a t i n g w o r l d f o r N i c k , totally chill compared to the other side of the front door. He shares that it was “like being part of a unique culture, and I loved the vibe.”

At the age of 16, Nick got a job at a family-style restaurant busing tables, which turned out to be a personal litmus test for working in the foodservice industry He passed At the same

time, he had a growing interest in cooking, nurtured in part by weekly Sunday dinners held at his Grandma’s house, back when everyone lived in Pawling All the grandkids would take turns creating a unique menu, then prepared their gastronomic feast to the delight of the entire family It was a very special time for everyone and the perfect opportunity for Nick to develop his early culinary skills

While still working at his restaurant job, Nick began to experiment with specialty coffee brewing at home A friend brought over an AeroPress coffee maker one day, and Nick

j u m p e d i n a n d l e a r n e d t h e i n s a n d o u t s

o f making a great cup of coffee Pour-overs were his specialty He soon became the family

b a r i s t a , m a k i n g a l l s o r t s o f c o ff e e d r i n k s

a n d inventing a few And like all budding

e n t r e p r e n e u r s , h e t o o k i t t o h i s b a s e ,

s e l l i n g his amber-colored, cold brew for $4 00 per 12-ounce bottle to his friends and acquaintances at school during his senior year

After high school, Nick’s twin brother, Alex was planning to go off to the University of Albany to study English and ﬁlm Nick had no interest in college and had to break the news to his parents that it was just not for him. What he really wanted to do was invest h i s s a v i n g s a n d p a r l a y h i s f o o d s e r v i c e e x p e rience and specialty coffee brewing skills into a viable business. His dream was to open his own coffee shop, recreating the culture and vibe he felt back in New York City with Grandma After some discussion, his parents supported him in his decision Nick wrote a business plan, secured several angel investors for Nomad Coffee and Crepes, and just before his high school graduation, he and his Dad, Brian Furnia, signed a lease for space at 80 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa, New York Nick was only 17

It took nearly a year for Nick and Brian to renovate the 200 square foot space themselves They were very creative and resourceful when it came to materials The floors and walls are done in reclaimed barn wood, the ceiling is mostly tin, and the brew bar is clad in corrugated galvanized steel. There’s a bookcase filled with books, fun red metal bar stools, old license plates, signs, and a retrofitted r e d a n d yellow 1971-era j u k e box, giving t h e s p a c e , t h a t c o m f o r t a

r e q u i r ing a major investment in equipment and education The workhorses of Nick’s s p e c i a

P I Dc o n trolled La Marzocco AV espresso machine and a Nuova Simonelli Mythos g

n y m P I D s tands for “Proportional, Integral, Derivative,” which is a set of equations that are used in industrial

applications inc

seats 15 at bar top tables and at

a n d feel Another one of Nick’s personal touches is the shop’s logo, which is a clever take on the word nomad, showing a coffee cup on the run and evidence of Nick’s other creative passions –a r t , d e s i g n , a n d i l l u s t r a t i o n which he pursued in high school

Specialty coffees, unlike the Sankas and Brims of the world, are a more nuanced product and very serious business Owners search out and/or develop their

a t i

n a n d a e ro s p a c e e n gineering The PID-Box or c o n t ro l l e r o n t h e e s p re s s o m a c h i n e , h o l d s a l gorithms that provide precise control of multiple system variables In the specialty coffee business, temperature control is one of those tricky variables, and getting it right is crucial to the desired taste PID has effectively eliminated t h e h i t o r m i s s s o u r t a s t e t h a t u s e d t

domly appear in a cup of specialty c

c a r e f u l l y e n gineered machine designed to c o n s i s t

f e c t l y g r o u n d c o f f e e b e a n s S u r p r i s i n g l y, t e m p e r

control is crucial, even in the grinding process At the hands of an experienced barista, this technology

coffee business for the better.

Besides top-notch equipment, Nick invested in himself, honing his skills at Irving Farms Coffee headquarters in Manhattan, which offered the Specialty Coffee Association’s (SCA) Barista Skills training program He then went on to Irving Farms Roastery for S

t r a i n ing Nick is currently a member of the SCA and continues to further his education I n a

t e c h nology, signature coffee beans are part

New York Coffee Cupping Event

Nick preparing a morning roast

of every coffee brewer ’ s secret sauce In the early days, Nick partnered with Irving Farm Coffee to source his coffee beans for Nomad but is now roasting most of his beans himself u n d e r t h e m o n i k e r, K n o c k a b o u t C o f f e e H e i s currently seeking investors through a GoFundMe page for Knockabout, as he literally builds his roastery from the ground up about 15 miles from Nomad in Galway According to Nick, “The pole barn is up now, and aside f ro m t h e w o r k t h

b a sically just me and Pops doing the work.”

Knockabout will be the exclusive supplier of beans to Nomad Coffee and Crepes and intends to take on

b lishments in the near future

When you stroll into Nomad Coffee and Crepes, the rich aroma wafting in the air calls your name Add the smell of delectable, c o o k

c r e ations, and your stomach will not be denied The menu is an interesting read Each crepe delight, whose descriptions make it difﬁcult to choose, bears a name like Mario Incandenza, L a u r a P

u l D u k ea l l ﬁctional characters from Nick’s favorite b o o k s . G i v e n h i s l o v e o f l i t erature, some of those same books line the bookshelves in the back on any

given day, right a l ongside the vintage vinyl The bakery c a s e

h more scrumptious goodies, sits on the b

day You can usually ﬁnd

cluding chocolate chip cookie mufﬁns, cheddar and cilantro monkey bread, and chorizo A recent addition t o t h e c

d wich, which should be included in one of your morning indulgences And for t h o s e

team will create a custom gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegetarian crepe for you Simply ask The folks at Nomad are committed to doing what they can to ensure an excellent customer experience

Nick has recently received his liquor license, so a wide variety of wine, beers, and mixed drinks can be had at Nomad. Their back bar can attest to that. Happy Hours have been added for those seeking to unwind after a busy day at work, or just to meet and imbibe with good friends and colleagues The drink m

v a riety of crowd-pleasers Libations include Manhattans, Rob Roys and Old Fashionedsoriginally created in the late 1800’s and very popular i n t h e 6 0 ’ s ; L a m b e r t i P ro s e c c o - a c u r r e n t f a v

red, and white wines - which are easy to enjoy; and a

C o m erlet Coffee Cognac or Roots Tentura Sweet Liqueur No doubt

preferences of Nomad patrons b

Knowing that there are times when

b hub and coupons through Groupon You may be missing out

Pizza Crepe

Espresso Martini

on their ambiance, but you don’t have to miss out on your favorite coffee and crepes

Today Nomad is the little coffee shop that could It continues to grow with Nick at the helm and his family manning their stations

His mom, Jean, quit her teaching job after 12 years and is now working for him as a barista On

Visit Nomad Coffee and Crepes at 80 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa, New York, 12020. Phone: 518. 309.4168 IG: @nomadcoffeecrepes FB: Nomad Coffee and Crepes

Latte and Gregor Samsa Crepe

Two Stones FarmA Catskills Story

Story by Robin White

What started as a “maybe one day” dream for Robin and Alan White after they met 41 years ago is now a thriving,

b u s t l i n g b u s i n e s s L o c a t e d i n H a l

w e s t ern edge of the Catskill Mountains in New York State, Robin and Alan’s 35-acre farm is home to Jersey and Brown Swiss cows, dairy

g o a t s , E a s

l i v e stock guardian dogs This is where they started making cheese just 3 ½ years ago, and now they can barely keep up with the demand for their award-winning product Although Alan is able to farm full time, Robin is still teaching elementary school at a nearby district, and with all of their children grown and moved out, their days are pretty

b u s y A

s e l f - sufﬁciency is what these two enjoy, and when you taste their cheeses, you can see how that love of what they do ﬁlters down into what they create.

Two Stones Farm produces nine different varieties of cheese, using cow milk, goat milk, and goat/cow/sheep blends. Two of their cheeses, Betta Feta and Mountain Medley, have won awards at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, including the Gold Medal in 2018. Their cheese is classiﬁed as “farmstead artisanal,” meaning the cheese is made right at the farm where the milk is produced Robin and Alan sell their delicious cheeses at the Pakatakan Round Barn Farmers’ Market in Halcottsville between May and October, as well as at their farm store at 1060 Main Street in Fleischmanns, New York all year

F e s t i val in Little Falls, NY every year, which will be held on July 11th in 2020 Several farm stands and grocery stores in the area also sell their cheese, and many Catskill restaurants are proud to serve their cheese as part of their menu offerings Visit the website to ﬁnd where you can enjoy Two Stone Farm’s variety of cheeses in the Catskills

For Robin and Alan, owning and operating a farm isn’t just a job, it’s a lifestyle It’s a way of living a clean and productive life, with a very small carbon footprint Eating vegetables and fruits that are grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides, cooking eggs and meat that come from happy and healthy animals, being active every day, producing electricity with their solar grid, and using products that

Alan and Robin White

they have made and harvested themselves is something very dear to their hearts In Alan’s mind is the wish that what he and Robin are doing can be a model for agriculture to survive in the Catskills, long known a s a d i f f i c u l t r e g i o n i n which to farm He believes we have to know and understand what does best in our area, and then strive to work on growing and producing what is most adapted to the area. For both Robin and Alan, watching their cheese start out as a ﬁeld of grass, then that grass gets eaten by a goat, the goat gets milked, that milk is made into cheese, it is then aged and packaged and ﬁnally purchased and enjoyed by a customer, is what

i t ’ s a l l a b o u t . I t g i v e s t h

Although Robin and Alan are pretty busy people, they always have time to talk about their cheese and how it is made Come visit their store, Two Stones Farm

S t o re a n d C re a m e r y, o p e n d u r i n

w i n ter on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM In the summer, they are also open on Fridays, and as the sign o

c u s tomers enjoy what they have worked so hard to create

p ro d ucts for sale including cheese, eggs, meat, naturally grown vegetables, goat m i l k s o a p , a n d a l p a c a a n d sheep ﬁber products ( h a t s , s c a r v e s , y a r n ) I n addition, they sell a large selection of local agricultural p r o d ucts, including ice cream, honey, maple syrup, j a m s , o r g a n i c t e a s , c o m f r e y b a l m s , h o m e m a d e p i e s , and sunﬂower oil. If you would like to know other p l a c e s t h a t y o u c a n f i n d Tw o S t o n e s F a r m a w a rd - w i n ning cheeses, check out their website at www.2stonesfarm.com, and don’t forget to “like” their Facebook page as well!

“You know you’re in the Catskills when there are two stones for every dirt.” ~Anonymous

Two Stones Farm

1060 Main St, Fleischmanns , NY 12430 Phone: (607) 201-3649 www.2stonesfarm.com

Over My Shoulder

Coming of Age at The Regent Bar

by Karen Richman

In truth it was a dump a dive bar The kind of place you wouldn’t take a date. The kind of place a woman be afraid to walk in alone. The kind of place you certainly wouldn’t take your mother. Yet, I did it all.

Because The Regent Bar was a very special place It was part of my growing up It was where I met friends, learned lessons, found relief when ill, and felt safe I encountered The Regent Bar shortly after arriving for my freshman year as a Syracuse University drama major in the mid sixties It was adjacent to The Regent Theatre where most of my classes were held and all the productions were mounted So although I initially hurried past the dark little hole in the wall on E Genesee Street, only occasionally allowing myself to try to look through the front window, I never went in until my f

H u n dreds of drama students had frequented that bar in prior years, most notable among them Frank Langella, who strode those Syracuse boards before going on to fame and fortune

Nightly we would sit in the worn old wooden booths with the cracked red vinyl seats and dream of our own future fame The bar w

b u t were soft of heart, taking all drama students under their wing Hal Shinner was the friendlier of the two, even allowing a smile now and then Gus Panels growled at us, but you couldn’t ask for a

G u s ’ hand went into his pocket, and your name went on his “list.” God help the student who didn’t honor their obligation, but that never happened.

When the punishing Syracuse winter bestowed upon me some

G o d - a w f u l re s p i r a t o r y b u g , G u s summoned me into the storage room one day and told me to, “drink this.” I had the temerity to ask, “What is it?” The answer was swift. “Just

d r i n k i t , n o w, a l l a t o n c e . N o

s i p ping ” I put the shot glass to

m y l i p s a n d t h re w m y h e a d

b a c k like I’d seen in the old westerns except cowboys in the old westerns never sputtered, choked, and had their eyes water profusely But it worked I

f o u n d o u t l a t e r i t w a s R o c k

a n d Rye, a rot gut whiskey still

a r o u n d t o d a y, b u t I ’ d n o w

p r e f e r a big steaming bowl of chicken soup

Although Gus growled at us, he

p u t o n q u i t e a s p r e a d e a c h

J a n u ary for Greek Christmas, educating us about his heritage while making sure we were all going to eat well that day.

L i k e a l l j o i n t s , T h e R e g e n t B a r h a d i t s c h a r a c t e r s .

T h e re was “Red,” who called every girl in the Drama Department “Stella” (she the heroine of “Streetcar Named Desire”); and while he’d frequently leer, he was the ﬁrst to protect and defend if any new patron at the bar dare made a move Kenny was the local cab driver

w h o n e v e r m i s s e d a n i g h t l y s t o p a t T h e R e g e n t B a r, a l though twice he missed the front door and drove his taxi right through the plate glass window, but that was not a big deal, that was Kenny

Yo u n e v e r f e l t c o m p e l l e d t o o r d e r a n y t h i n g i f H a l

a n d G u s k n e w y o u , w h i c h i s w h y d r a m a s t u d e n t s f re quently studied there between classes with little more than a glass of water If the men thought you were looking too thin or pale, a slice of pizza or a hamburger might suddenly emerge Never wanting to appear soft, the excuse would be, “We made too much, and it’ll only go to waste ”

Then there was Alex Alex was a local character who l i v e d s o m e w h e r e i n t h e s e e d y n e i g h b o r h o o d t h a t s u r rounded the bar. He had nothing and no one and was well into his 80s, so Gus and Hal gave Alex a “job.”

W h a t t h e y g a v e h i m w a s a l o n g w h i t e a p r o n ; a n d t h e diminutive senior would walk back and forth checking the booths, occasionally delivering a drink, and getting a nightly

m e a l o n t h e h o

t a k ing an afternoon nap, curled up on the ripped red vinyl, but always with a smile on his face

The Regent Bar is long gone It was razed some time in the ‘70s

t o a c c o m m o d a t e t h e e x p a n s i o n o f S y r a c u s e S t a g e , t h e p r o f e s sional repertory company that moved in next door The neighborhood’s been cleaned up A few trendy restaurants and bars featuring small plates and drinks with little umbrellas now dot the street; still, nothing can raze my memories

Chances are, you as well may cherish such a place from your past, whether it be a beloved toy store, ice cream parlor, or even your own favorite dive bar A place where you learned and l a u g h e d a n d c r i e d a n d g re w u p w i t h o u t e v e r n o t i c i n g t h e r i p p e d vinyl

Yeah, that’s the one the one you’ll never, ever forget

The Art of Wine Cocktails!

By Roberto Cruz - Photos by Adirondack Winery

A glass of your favorite wine is a wonderful way to celebrate any special occasion (or perhaps just another Friday, when it means you ’ ve made it through the work week)!

But did you know there are wine drinkers out there who use wine to craft delicious wine cocktails that make for the perfect party punch? Or better yet, a party starter!

Adirondack Winery in Lake George, New York, has led the wine cocktail charge, creating craft mixed drinks with its signature fruit-infused wines for almost 12 years. Centrally located in one of the Northeast’s premier summer vacation destinations, the winery has been sampling its wine cocktails at Tasting Room events, wine festivals, and more for over a decade – and that’s evident with the huge selection of recipes they provide customers and Club Members on nearly every menu and newsletter

Adirondack Winery’s fruity wines – in a large variety of ﬂavors – make for the perfect base when mixed with real fruit juices, sherbet, or even liquors like vodka and tequila

SHAMROCK SANGRIA

Ingredients

• 1 bottle Adirondack Winery Pinot Gris

• 1 bottle Adirondack Winery Orchard Blossom

• 1 cup Lemon Lime Soda

• 1/2 cup White Pear Juice

• 2 diced Granny Smith Apples

• *Optional Green Food Coloring

• *Optional Fresh Rosemary sprig for garnish

Directions: Combine the wine, pear juice, and diced apples in a beverage

marinate. When it's time to serve, add the soda to the container – add a few d

serving and enjoy!

Don't like Pinot Gris? Try it with Adirondack Winery Chardonnay!

STORYTELLER COSMO

Ingredients

• 1 bottle Adirondack Winery

Baco Noir

• 1/2 cup Pomegranate Juice

• 1/2 cup Cranberry Juice

• 1/4 cup Lemon Juice

• Honey Syrup to Taste

pomegranate juice, and cranberry juice in large container or bowl Stir mixture together until evenly combined Add f

desired amount of honey syrup to taste! Stir & Enjoy!

*Spice things up with 6oz of your favorite vodka to really get the stories ﬂowing!

And with ﬂavors like its black-cherry infused “Wild Red,” its grapefruit i n f u s e d , “ D r i f t e r ” a n d i t s m a n g o i n f u s e d , “ L

, ”

A d i ro n dack Winery’s wines can be easily added to a seltzer or hard seltzer for a refreshing drink that won’t ﬁll you up, one that you can drink a little easier, sans the smell of beer or liquor

Of course, if you feel like adding a splash of liquor to the mix, you can easily do that, as Adirondack Winery has proven with the large collection of recipes it has amassed on its website (at adkwinery com/recipes) For St Patrick’s Day Weekend, Adirondack Winery will once again mix up i t s f a m o u s S h a m ro c k S a n g r i a , m a d e w i t h P i n o t G r i s , i t s g re e n a p p l e i n fused white wine, “Orchard Blossom,” lemon- lime soda, pear juice, and diced Granny Smith apples. They welcome anyone visiting the Lake George area to drop by for a taste that day or the following weekend, but they also make their recipe available online to everyone in case someone else wants to mix it up for a St. Patty’s Day party or summer get together.

Wine cocktails can be so much fun to experiment with, and with wineries like Adirondack Winery introducing new fruit-infused ﬂavors every year, there’s no shortage of ways to mix it up for your next party or family gathering There’s just one condition: If you come up with something special, post it on the winery’s Facebook page – their legions of fans will thank you; and you never know, they may even make it for their next winery event!

SUNNY DAY MOJITO

Ingredients

• 4 oz Adirondack Winery Sunny Day (Pineapple Infused Vignoles)

• 2 Lime Wedges

• 1 tbsp Simple Syrup

• 4 Fresh Mint Leaves

• Club Soda

• Crushed Ice

Directions: Squeeze 1 lime wedge into a glass , add mint leaves , and pour simple syrup over Muddle for about 15 seconds – you want to gently bruise the mint to release its ﬂavor, don’t be too rough! Add crushed ice Pour Sunny Day over ice and top off with club soda Stir well Garnish with remaining lime wedge and enjoy!

Not a fan of pineapple? This recipe also tastes great with Lake Winds White (mango infused)!

For more fruit-infused wine cocktail recipes, in almost any ﬂavor you can think of, go to adkwinery com/recipes

Enjoy!

Roberto Cruz, Adirondack Winery

Tasting Rooms: 285 Canada Street, Lake George, NY 12845

4971 Lake Shore Drive, Suite 2 Bolton Landing , NY 12814

MARCH EVENTS

March 1-15 Schuylerville

Saratoga Clay Arts Center’s Schacht

G a l l e r y p r e s e n t s R E D , a n a t i o n a l

i n v i t a tional exhibition in honor of

Va l e n t i n e ’ s D a y , c o m p r i s e d o f

u t i l i t a r ian works by 10 artists from across the country, a l l m a d e w i t h t h e re d

e a r t h enware clay body that many clay enthusiasts know and love – terracotta RED features artists who are primarily using terracotta or other iron-rich clay

b o d i e s t o m a k e t h e i r w o r k W h i l e

t e r r a cotta 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 Saratoga Clay Arts Center, 167 Hayes Road, Schuylerville, NY

March 2 Albany

A l b

C e l e brates Long Time Faculty Member

The Music Program of the University at A l b a n y

T h e atre is pleased to present Capital Trio

Honors Max Lifchitz on Monday, March 2, 2020 at 7pm at the UAlbany Performing

A r t s C

UA l bany’s ensemble in residence will perform chamber music written by their

c o l l e a g u e a n d

L i f chitz’s compositions written over a period of ﬁfty years The program will conclude with an encore performance of his Song of Ourselves, a work written to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the College of Arts and Sciences The composer will participate as guest pianist. This recital is made possible in part w i t h p u b

i n f o r mation, contact the Box Ofﬁce at (518) 442-3997 or visit the Performing Arts Center website at www.albany.edu/pac.

March 2 - 8 Schenectady

S ch e n e c t

m u l t i - course meals at participating

S c h e n e c t a d y r e s t a u

a n

t h e s p e cial price of $25! Presented by: Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation, Capital Region Chamber and Discover Schenectady Participating restaurants & menus will be posted several weeks before the event To view the menus once posted, visit: downtownschenectady.org.

March 4 Glens Falls

LARAC Dodgeball Tournament and Bounce Fundraiser LARAC will be hosting a Dodgeball Tournament and Bounce Fundraiser on Wednesday, March 4th from 3-7pm at the Queensbury SkyZone Join us for some family friendly fun!

u n limited jump, dodgeball, games, and prizes throughout the event Adult dodgeball starts at 5:30PM All proceeds beneﬁt LARAC Queensbury SkyZone, 235 Corinth Road Glens Falls, NY 12801

March 4 - Albany Department Celebrates Beethovan with Festival. The M

present the sixth offering in its season-long Beethoven Festival taking place at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center on the uptown campus The next concert takes place on Wednesday, March 4 at 7pm and features Capital Trio, UAlbany’s ensemble in residence, with guest artists Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz (violin), Karen Hosmer (oboe), Brett Wery (clarinet), Katy Svatek (French horn), and Gerald Lanoue (bassoon)

t r a n scriptions of Opus 16 (Piano Quintet and Piano Quartet, both in E ﬂat major) will be performed To culminate the evening, the performers will experiment with an Octet for piano, winds and strings of the same opus Advance tickets for each concert in the festival are $5 for the general public and $3 for students, seniors and UAlbany faculty-staff Tickets purchased on the day of the show are $10 for the general public and $5 for students, seniors and UAlbany faculty-staff. For reservations

P e r forming Arts Center website at www albany edu/pac

March 4 Troy

Lift Concert Series: Organ Colossal The Lift Concert Series is four performances o

take place on Wednesday nights Tickets are just $15 per show - subscribtions are available for $50 Wednesday, Mar 4, 2020 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM What makes this series different? The series is carefully curated to feature talented performers w

P a trons will enter the Hall through Franklin Alley and take the freight elevator to our backstage area They will be seated onstage with the musicians, creating an intimate concert experience A bar serving beer and libations from a local brewery (TBD) will be available Performances start at 6 PM After the show, everyone is encouraged to enjoy the rest of the evening at one of Troy’s terriﬁc restaurants or breweries Organ Colossal, a Troy-based collective of musicians, will perform music by local composers and songwriters Mary Jane Leach, Julia Alsarraf, Patrick Burke, S a m To

c ond Street Troy, NY 12180

March 5 Saratoga Springs

Vests & Vino Grab your friends and where your best vest for a

s a m plings, delicious food and great rafﬂe prizes! Plus, live music by Chocolate Thunder 6:00 PM to 9:00

book page or by calling Clarice (518-587-3315) The Saratoga Winery & Tasting Room The Saratoga Winery, 462 NY-29 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

March 6-28 Albany

ex hibition Masterwork that celebrates the instructors of

gram running March 6th to the 28th “Since we started offering classes and workshops at Arlene's, we were fortunate to work with

d i r e c tor of the Atelier at Arlene's “We are thrilled to showcase their work and highlight the wide scope of art mediums and applications they use, like painting, mixed media, drawing, cast metal sculptures, printmaking on fiber and more ” F e a tured artists include Takeyce Walter, Corey Pitkin, Kristin Woodward, Kevin Kune, Carol Coogan, Robin Rosenthal, Kathy Klompas, Rebecca Flis, Carolyn Diﬁori Hopkins, and Erin Quillinan See their masterpieces in person and get inspired to create your own The Artist Reception is on Friday, March 6th, from 4:30 to 5:30 pm It is free and open to the public Food and beverages will be provided Arlene's is located at 57 Fuller Rd Albany NY 12205

March 6th - 28th Albany "National Women's History Month" Art Associates Gallery Inc. acknowledging the 100th year of the Women;s Movement We are showcasing only area women artists; 80+artwork from 40+ talented women artists will be on display. This show brings together the different art groups of the Capital District Women's rights formed the basis for the Women's Rights Movement in the 19th century and the feminist movement of the 20th century Issues associated with the movement include the right to autonomy, to vote; to hold public ofﬁce; to work; for equal pay; to reproductive rights; to education just to name a few We honor the hard work, dedication to principles and the sacriﬁces these brave visionaries had to endure Reception held at 5:30pm to 10:00pm on March 6th Art Associates Gallery Inc 21 Railroad Ave, Albany, NY 12205 (518) 459-1307

March 7 - April 10 Lake George

The Lake George Arts Project presents work by Katherine Chwazik in the Courthouse Gallery Through combined processes of printmaking, drawing, and sculpture, Katherine Chwazik creates layered architectural imagery from familiar surroundings of her hometown area in the Capital Region of Albany, NY The work selected for this exhibition explores the meaning of home and place for herself, as well as current and former residents of Albany County Opening Reception (free and open to all) is March 7 from 4pm - 6pm The Courthouse Gallery hours during exhibitions are Wednesday through Friday 12 – 5 pm, Saturday 12 – 4 pm, and all other times by appointment Old County Courthouse, 1 Amherst Street, Lake George NY

March 8 Saratoga Springs

Cherish the Ladies: Grammy nominated Irish-American supergroup that celebrates women in Celtic music One of the most highly regarded groups in Celtic music, the all-female collective Cherish the Ladies was born out of a brief concert series aimed at increasing the exposure of Irish-American women in the then-male-dominated Celtic music scene Behind leader Joanie Madden, these ladies

c r e a t e a n e v e n i n g t h a t i n cludes a spectacular blend of virtuoso instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements, and stunning step dancing Their continued success as one of the top Celtic groups in the world is due to the ensembles ability to t

“ p a s s i o n ate, tender, and rambunctious,” and the Washington Post praises their “astonishing array of virtuosity.” Sunday, March 8 early show 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM & evening show 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY

MARCH EVENTS

March 10 Troy T

A n nounces Two New Shows for 2020! Robert Cray Band. The Robert Cray Band has been bridging the lines between blues, soul and R&B for the past four decades, with ﬁve Grammy wins, a Blues Hall of Fame inductee, recipient of the Americana Lifetime achievement award, countless tours and over 20 acclaimed albums The

u e grass-heads love the instrumentals, Celtic fans love their devotion to tradition, and the rockers simply relish the passion they play their instruments with Each band member, in their own way, expresses a deep gratitude for their fans, but its best summed up in the words of Patrick Murphy: “The fans are the ones that have given us this life We’re here for them ” Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 7:30 PM Tickets: $46 50, $39 50, $34 50 More information on the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and upcoming programs is available on the website at www.troymusichall.org.

March 14 Glens Falls

C o l lection In partnership with Summit Yoga, join certiﬁed instructor Al Wolfer

i n spired by artists Francisco Goya and Dox Thrash. Bring your yoga mat and begin your morning with art and relaxation Saturday, Mar 14, 2020 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM $10 for members; $12 for non-members R

a t 518-792-1761, ext. 350, or frontofhouse@hydecollection org The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren Street Glens Falls, NY 12801

March 14 Albany A

D ay

Parade: Saturday, March 14, 2020 Irish pipers, step dancers, and organizations will travel the parade route through the City of Albany in celebration of St Patrick's Day 2020! 2:00pm - The parade will step off from Quail Street and Central Avenue

March 17 Saratoga Springs

Kokoro Healing Foundation Bluegrass Festival & Fundraiser Join Jim Gaudet & the Railroad

for the Kokoro Healing Foundation Tuesday, March 17, 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM The Kokoro Healing Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) t h a t

p o p ulation with a purpose to provide choices beyond the actions available through traditional healthcare options At the Kokoro Healing Foundation, whole person care is essential to the well-being of the individual and their support system Some of the services this organization provides are massage, art & music therapy , mental health services, meditation, nutrition counseling, acupuncture, and many more Join the Kokoro Healing Foundation for a special St. Patrick's Day beneﬁt to raise funds that will help provide comfort, care and choices to individuals with life changing illnesses The featured performers will be Jim Gaudet & the Railroad Boys, Sten and Maria Z , Karen Ann and Mountainside , and David Hughes Food will be provided and there will be a cash bar Caffe Lena, 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs, NY

MARCH EVENTS

March 18 Troy

Postmodern Jukebox To usher in the upcoming Twenty-Twenties,

c o l l e c tive Postmodern Jukebox will circumnavigate the globe in 2019 on their Welcome to the Twenties

pare the world for a new decade

creator Scott Bradlee hopes will see a return to the style and craftsman-

ship that typiﬁed the music of past generations Welcome to the Twenties 2 0 World Tour Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 7:30 PM Tickets: $54 50, $44 50, $39 50, $29 50 Tickets are available at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Box Ofﬁce, 30 Second Street, Troy, Monday through Friday 10 a m -5 p m More information on the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and upcoming programs is available on the website at www troymusichall org

March 19 Saratoga Springs

The Quatour Danel string quartet will perform Shostakovich Quartet No 13 in B-ﬂat minor; Quartet No 14 in F-sharp major; and Quartet No 15 in E-ﬂat minor at the Arthur Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College on Thursday, March 19 at 7 p m Quatour Danel has been at the forefront of the international music scene since 1991 with their b o l d i n t e r p

s e n iors Visit www skidmore edu/zankel for more information

March 21 Glens Falls Winter Meltdown Spicy Food Festival at The Shirt Factory Enjoy a variety of foods from around the world with great ﬂavors from mild to hot, plus small batch specialty food vendors and live music Proceeds beneﬁt the area ' s school backpack program The event is free to attend and open to the public; each vendor sets their own prices. Saturday, Mar 21, 2020 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM The Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence Street and 21 Cooper Street Glens Falls, NY 12801

March 22 Schenectady

Bear and Bird Boutique + Gallery Exhibition

Opening Reawakening: An Ode to Spring is a group show featuring the work of over a dozen local and national artists Each artist was tasked w i t h c r e a t i n g a p i e c e t h a t d e m o n s t r a t e d a n a s pect of the wonders and weirdness of spring. The work includes a range of styles and mediums, but with a focus on illustrative art Pictured here: Feed by Ana Bagayan Exhibition Run Dates: M a rc h 2 1 - M a y 2 , 2 0 2 0 O p e n i n g re c e p

: S a t urday, March 21 from 4-6pm Bear & Bird Boutique + Gallery, 107 State Street, Schenectady, New York 12305 www bearandbird com

March 27 Glens Falls

C o m e dian Eliot Chang has recorded two 30-minute Comedy Central Half Hour specials and is known for his comedy

lers No stranger to TV, Eliot has also been on Chelsea Lately on E!, AXS TV’s Gotham Comedy Live, and has appeared on both Showtime and HBO Eliot has

E u rope, and Asia His Youtube channel, “EliotChangOfﬁcial,” has millions of views and has spawned multiple viral video hits Based in Los Angeles but originally from N

l e g endary Armando Diaz *Contains Mature Content Friday, Mar 27, 2020 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM The Park Theater, 14 Park Street Glens Falls, NY 12801 Cost: $22 - $25

March 27 thru 29 Troy

Capital District Garden & Flower Show

e x hibits and creatively designed gardens, the Capital District Garden & Flower Show, now in its 33rd year, brings together local landscape professionals to transform the McDonough Sports Complex at

H V C C

c o m plete with mature trees and shrubs, flowers, ponds, waterfalls, retaining walls, fire pits and walkways There will be demonstrations, lectures, and presentations from local and regional experts; soil testing by the Cornell Cooperative Extension; a Garden Cafe; and much more There will also be a retail Marketplace full of plants, flowers, bulbs, seeds, herbs, garden tools & accessories, dried flowers & garden decor, food items, cooking tools, floral art, jewelry, pottery, floral apparel & accessories, patio furntiure and botanicals New York wineries, cideries, and distilleries will also be in attendance offering t a s t ings Partial proceeds from the show benefit Wildwood Programs This is an event not only for garden enthusiasts, but anyone who wants to escape winter for a taste of spring! Hudson Valley Community College, 80 Vandenburgh Avenue Troy, NY 12180 For open hours please visit http://gardenandflowershow com/

March 28 to June 14 Glens Falls

Images of the People: Russian Lacquer Painting

After the Bolshevik Revolution, Russian icon painters were out of jobs In villages outside Moscow, Soviet authorities set up collectives of painters who used their skills to decorate boxes with scenes of Russian folk tales and Soviet heroes A resident of nearby Washington County traveled in the USSR in the 1990s and purchased more than thirty of these works from artists there Russian lacquer miniaturists are once again free to paint religious works These boxes, therefore, represent a particular moment in history, when tradition provided the wellspring for artists in a world upended by revolution. Saturday, Mar 28, 2020 until Sunday, Mar 29, 2020 General Admission $12, Seniors $10, Free for Members and Children, Free with Identiﬁcation for Students, Veterans, and Acti (518) 792-1761

The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren Street Glens Falls, NY 12801

March 29 Lake George

The Lake George Arts Project's Annual Bands ‘n Beans For over 30 years, Bands ‘ n Beans has b e e n a f a v o r i t e e v e n t o f N o r t h C o u n t r y r e s i dents With ten bands, a huge silent auction, rafﬂes, and more than twenty ﬁve area restaurants presenting guests with their best chili, Bands and Beans is a don't miss event - last year over 600 fans of great music and amazing food attended! This year ’ s musical lineup includes Rich Ortiz & friends, The Switch, Stony Creek Band, Dirt Cheap, The Blonde Roots Band, PJ Duo, Mirabile & Jacobs, Rick Bolton & Jackie Dugas, Steve & Kenny, and Tim Wechgelaer & Chris Carey A limited number of early-bird tickets at a discounted price of $20 are on sale now at www lakegeorgearts org Tickets are $25 at the door t h e d a y o f t h e e v e n t P

P ro j ect, so that they can continue to offer high quality arts and music programming, usually at no or little cost to the public (2-7pm, Fort William Henry Conference Center, Lake George, NY)