NOVEMBER 2023 Complimentary
Creative thought matters, and you’re invited. Whether you catch a perspective-altering lecture or performance at the Arthur Zankel Music Center or stroll the contemplation-inspiring halls of the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, we guarantee you’ll find something at Skidmore that will change your mind, inspire your heart, or fuel your creativity.
To see what’s happening at Skidmore, visit: SKIDMORE.EDU/EVENTS
CENTER STAGE
NOVEMBER 2023
Frankie Flores, Artist How self-discovery and seeing the possibilities at 14 can change a life.
pg. 6
PUBLISHER / FOUNDER Stephanie Sittnick COPY EDITOR Elisabeth Allen
The Humane Warriors of the North Country
WEBMASTER Tony Graveheart
pg. 16 ADVERTISING SALES Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Sales ( 860) 227-8199 advertising@518mag.com CONTRIBUTORS Carol St.Sauveur Ferris, Karen Richman, Rona Mann Chandler Stevens, Lawrence White, Kirsten Ferguson, Alan B. Richer, Crystal Cobert Giddens, Nellie Ackerman-Vellano, Kristina Watrobski Chef Armand Vanderstigchel
“I Never Thought of Myself as Anything Else”
Enjoying the Artist & Artistry of Helen Frank pg. 26
COVER Helen Frank “Filenes Basement” 16 x 20 Hand Colored Etching Welcome to the November issue! It is the month of gratitude and giving back to others. Practicing gratitude is proven to increase happiness and health. Show your family how grateful you are to have them in your life and let them know how they make your life better just by being a part of it.
A Company Built on Respect
In this issue we have profiled three different no-kill animal rescues located in The Capital Region. While we’re gearing up for a Thanksgiving feast, there are thousands of homeless and neglected animals wondering if their next meal will ever come. This Thanksgiving, give animals something to be thankful for. There’s no better way to express your love for family, friends and furry companions than with a gift for animals in need. As always, our goal at 518 PROFILES, is always to focus on the good, the beautiful and the positive by publishing stories with heart and soul. We strive each month to deliver authentic and unique content about creative people and interesting destinations. Enjoy!
Stephanie Sittnick Founder / Publisher
518 PROFILES 587 Grand Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518 Profiles LLC All rights reserved. All content of this publication including but not limited to text, graphics, and photos may not be reprinted or reproduced without written consent from the publisher. 518 Profiles is not held responsible for graphics or images submitted for contribution to this publication. Every issue is printed using 100% Soy based ink.
www.518PROFILES.com Vol 5 Issue 50
The Vincent Management Group pg. 34
ENCORE Sweet Nostalgia Hunting for a Great Thanksgiving Dinner
pg. 40
LIFEspa 75 Years
pg. 42
Culinary Destinations: Mohawk Valley Region - Part 1
pg. 44
November Events Events throughout the Capital Region
pg. 47
2
Latham, New York • 518-783-0196 Troy, New York • 518-274-8277 WWW.BELLANAPOLIBAKERY.COM
116208_4
FRESHLY BAKED PIES BREADS, ROLLS & DELECTABLE DESSERTS
3
American Art at the Arkell Museum &SJF #PVMFWBSE $BOBKPIBSJF /: t t BSLFMMNVTFVN PSH t .JOVUFT GSPN /:4 5ISVXBZ * FYJU
Winslow Homer, Watching the Breakers – A High Sea, 1896
4
Give the gift of art This holiday season, explore the largest variety of unique, hand-crafted, and one-of-a-kind gifts in the Capital Region.
pearl grant richmans Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany 518-438-8409 Shop online at pearlgrant.com
5
6
7
Discovering You’re an Artist at 14! Frankie Flores’s Self-Discovery by Carol St. Sauveur Ferris photos by Stephanie Sittnick The moment we realize what we are meant to be or do is a gift few have been blessed to receive, and often the gift is overlooked or dismissed by the individual themselves or those close to them. For Frankie Flores, his gift was always a part of him but his potential did not become a reality until the age of 14. Flores’s parents were hard-working people. His dad was a fireman and his mom was a medical assistant. He had one brother and four sisters so supporting the family was his parents’ primary focus. Like so many other hardworking families, in return for food on the table, a roof over their head, and unlimited love, kids were expected to go to school, do their homework, help with the chores, and maybe have a paper route as Flores did. Special recognition with classes in music, art, or dance were not possible so a creative kid from a bluecollar family had to find his own way or be noticed by a teacher in school and encouraged.
As Flores tells it, that recognition and encouragement came in the form of Mr. McBane, a high school art teacher whom he met before he actually attended high school. It was at a local art show that Flores commented to him that he could do that. Draw, that is. McBane thought so as well and challenged him to explore drawing and do some sketches over the summer before freshman year. Flores picked up his pencils and sketchpad and went to town. McBane was quite impressed with the drawings he showed him a few months later and encouraged Flores to stay with art throughout high school. Four years and many art classes later including pottery, watercolors, welding, and woodworking, Flores graduated with a scholarship to the University of Houston but more importantly, he gained the confidence to pursue art as a career.
Of course, selling your first painting at 15 can also boost a young artist’s confidence. Around the time he met McBane, Flores vividly remembers a small painting of a bird that he entered into a local art show. It was done with a #00 paintbrush and very fine strokes that detailed the bird's tiny feathers. A man came up to him after examining the painting and asked what he wanted for it. Flores had no idea what it was
8
worth so he shrugged his shoulders and admitted he didn’t know. The man offered him $250.00 on the spot. For anyone, especially a young kid, that amount of money was huge and bolstered his confidence yet again to stay with art.
Not happy at the University of Houston Flores moved on to the Art Institute of Houston where he was given more creative freedom and flourished. He was also very fortunate to land an internship at a large advertising agency in Houston where he honed his graphic design and company skills.
After that stint, Flores moved on to a smaller agency where he found he was better suited. Between the two career opportunities, he was fortunate to have worked on significant client campaigns, including Pepsi, and was also chosen to do patent work. Patent work was unique because it required him to take a client’s idea,
9
refine it, and conceptualize it for the demanding patent process. Remember, Computer Aided Design (CAD) was not the standard in the early 90’s so his rendering and drawing skills were key to his client’s success. After 8 years of corporate agency life, Flores struck out on his own and freelanced in advertising for another four-plus years but found that the expectation of CAD-generated designs changed everything for him. It was getting way too technical. “I missed throwing the paint around.” Flores moved to New Orleans and opened up a whole-
sale distribution company that sold artists’ prints and his own original pieces. His incredibly colorful and exaggerated compositions depicting jazz singers and musicians exuded energy while capturing each individual’s style. They caught the attention of many private collectors, politicians, and celebrities including Harry Connick Jr., Bruce Springsteen, Mikhail Gorbachev, and U.S. Presidents. When viewing them, you can almost feel the energy coming
off the canvas. “I always thought of the music as vibration, and when you look at musicians, even in the old black and white photos, you can tell there was a lot of soul and energy.” When he started painting them he grabbed the palette knife, which was key. Layering unexpected
10
colors and pushing the paint in different directions creates movement, gives it direction, and energizes the composition. It also creates a singular unique painting that cannot be duplicated. “The way I work is that each painting has 9-15 layers of paint, so even if I tried, I could never replicate one. I think when you do brushwork it’s more intentional, like you’re going to need to know where that stroke is and what it’s doing. With a palette knife you’re either going to blend it or you’re not. It’s more fluid. It’s more free.” His work tends to be very large in scale and often the final product is a diptych (2 canvas composition) or triptych (3 canvas composition). Flores prefers to paint these because a single composition in 2-3 parts can be more easily shipped to his clients worldwide. While some pieces are done very quickly, others can take 2-3 years with an average piece measuring at least 30” x 40”. Though people think it’s harder to go big, for Flores it’s much harder to go small, yet he will. “I don't know. I think I've never confined myself to a size. I've always allowed myself to just paint the canvas no matter what size. My custom work is big though, but I think that’s because they know I can paint large.” When Flores came to Saratoga Springs following the devastation in New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina, he bought a building on Beekman Street and opened up a frame shop and art gallery that would attract the summer tourist market. But very soon the demands of a retail shop didn’t appeal to him, and he felt the traffic wasn’t there. After 5 years he sold the building, rented on Broadway and has been there ever since. When Flores first began to work on equine compositions he could not find his groove. To overcome that challenge, he went to the track often to see the races, watch the individual horses and jockeys and absorb the scene. “You know there’s not much to horses. Yeah, they’re hard to paint or draw but they’re either running toward you, at an angle, or away from you. There’s not much you can do with them and that’s the challenge.”
11
Flores says he is going to paint for as long as people want to buy his work, adding,
Custom designed silks for Dicke Racing “Caldwell Luvs Gold”
But that all changed for him one memorable, misty morning. “You couldn’t see the track. You could only hear the thundering sound of hooves on the ground. I got goosebumps and said that’s it! The way I paint equine is no different than the way I paint jazz. It’s all vibration. It’s about movement. It’s about energy, and that’s when I made the connection. I knew that was the start of being able to merge what I thought was just vibration and music, but now vibration and equine and racing, but do it in my way.”
Once again with palette knife in hand and totally inspired by his newfound connection, Flores built up layers and layers of vivid color and textures capturing the energy and vibrance of his subjects, this time horses and jockeys. His equine pieces sell very well, and his commission work is robust. Since the tourist season is short compared to New Orleans, he does his commission work from December to April then moves back to doing his own work. He also juggles single parenting his two young children with his ex-wife so there are doctors’ appointments, playdates, and school events, all those things that having kids brings to the table.
“I am the product. As long as I can find balance and be able to keep everybody happy, my personal life, my kids, my work, there’s no reason why it can’t happen.” He also shares that he never wants to look back and say how he missed all the little things in his kids’ lives so he will close the gallery on busy afternoons or on Saturday or Sunday if necessary to be there for them. “I choose them first. If someone misses me because I’m not there, they can always come back. You can’t repeat childhood. It’s a one-shot deal.” It takes a lot of energy to be a working artist, painter, entrepreneur, and parent but Flores is up to the challenge and his success speaks for itself. To view and perhaps purchase a beautiful piece, visit www.floresart7.com or stop in and visit the gallery location at 19 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs Flores would love to meet you and share his work.
12
The Laffer Gallery Fine Art & Framing The Power of Light | October 28 - November 26
Featured Artists: Takeyce Walter, Anne Diggory, Eden Compton, Kate Edwards and Catherine Wagner Minnery.
518.695.3181 | 96 Broad Street Schuylerville, NY
THELAFFERGALLERY.COM
13
14
15
•
saratoga souvenirs
•
stationery
•
gallery featuring local and equine art
•
hats
•
office supplies s w e at s h i rt s
• caps
• •
custom framing
&
greeting cards gifts
vinyl
• candy • toys • novelties • and so much more!!!
•
•
•
fine art restoration
16
The Humane Warriors of the North Country by Lawrence White A child walks along a beach where thousands of starfish have washed up during a storm. The child stops along the way and throws starfish after starfish into the ocean. An adult observing says, “Give up. You can’t make a difference!”The child picks up another starfish, tosses it into the ocean, and says, “I made a difference for that one!” Adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977) At times the ever-increasing number of stray dogs and cats in our communities can seem overwhelming. Human behavior including irresponsible uncontrolled breeding and careless ownership are the main root causes, but ultimately it is innocent animals that suffer. To the rescue comes a virtual army of selfless, empathetic, and highly trained citizens who take on the cause of these animals as if it were a battle. They define the struggle as endless but one that can be waged with great effectiveness if the right process is in place. These regional groups include Amsterdam Kittens, Kitten Angels, AnimalKind, Animal Protection
Foundation, Operation Snip, Voice for the Voiceless, Feline Advocates Coming Together (FACT), and more, but we are focusing on the following three as a way to represent them all.
Adirondack Cat Adoption Center, North Shore Animal League (NSAL) Glens Falls The North Shore Animal League is the world’s oldest and largest no-kill animal adoption and rescue organization. They launched the North Country Initiative (NCI), in September 2015. Their goal
17 was to create “a humane, holistic, and highly effective program to address the complex community problem of feline overpopulation in ways that are humane, lasting.” “We not only have a no-kill rescue and adoption facility for felines,” says Senior Vice President of Operations Joanne Yohannan, “but we also support NCI’s spay/neuter initiatives to ‘plug the flood’ of new litters and also conduct local adoption events with NCI and other rescue groups.” I meet with North Country Initiative Director, Deborah Oligny in their classic Glens Falls two-story building with a very active staff intently working in the immaculately maintained facility. When asking Deborah what the biggest challenges are, she replied, “We have a very difficult time with all of our medical responsibilities due to a shortage of veterinarians in our area who are able to dedicate the time to help us, particularly with our budgetary limitations.” Then, with a deep sigh, she continues, “We do receive generous support from benefactors and corporate sources, and we appreciate it so very much, But this is unending work, and it can be very tough. It can be difficult for the Deborah Oligny staff and volunteers to rationalize an animal dying when we simply do not have the resources explode...explosion is the real problem. Much of to deal with a problem this size. That is when I the responsibility falls on human behavior. remind them of the story of the child with the Humans can solve it as well. By using proven starfish on the beach. It is so true, and we must keep humane methods, developing consistent rules that goal of helping one at a time in our minds.” and regulations, and by all of the groups large and small working in a cooperative system “We do work with other groups in our area intogether we can have a tremendous impact on cluding private groups and individuals who the suffering of these animals and the quality of humanely trap feral or abandoned cats so they life in our neighborhoods.” can be neutered. That way the problem does not
With Deborah’s words in mind, I have conversations with both NY State Senator James Tedisco and Dr. David Chico, Assistant Director of the Division of Animal Industry in the Hochul administration. It soon became clear that although there are stark differences of opinions on other topics, on this issue there is broad agreement. Dr. Chico pointed out that the Hochul administration has secured $7.6 million in grants for capital repairs and expansion of verified shelters and rescue centers around the state. He tells me, “New York is the first in the nation to fund capital projects for animal shelters. New York State continues to demonstrate its commitment to securing safe housing and care for sheltered dogs and cats as they await adoption.”
Senator Tedisco co-authored a bill that will provide for tax breaks for spay and neuter services. In the past, he authored a wide-ranging bill that included citizen groups in the process of reducing the numbers of reproductive stray cats. Senator Tedisco reminds me, “An unneutered cat can produce an average of three litters in one year. The average number of kittens in a litter is about four to six. That means several thousand kittens can be born from one unsprayed female cat and her own offspring in just a few years. This can lead to terrible suffering for these animals and horrible animal abuse. I am working to develop more strict laws to deal with these serious crimes as well.”
18
Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist (H.O.P.E.) is a not-for-profit organization in Saratoga that is dedicated to assisting animals who end up being abandoned or homeless through the passing of the owner, or when medical bills and care are beyond financial ability. Some of the pets are surrendered directly to H.O.P.E. but others come from various local rescues or shelters which are at capacity. Many are senior dogs and cats or have special needs. Up to this date H.O.P.E. has been entirely funded by donations and their annual fund raising event which will be in the Congress Park Casino in 2024. Wendy Mongillo, H.O.P.E.'s Founder and Executive Director who retires this year, tells me, "H.O.P.E. became a nonprofit in 2003 and is entirely donationsupported. I am so proud of the Executive Director, Michele Jennings
19
work we have done and know that the foundation is there to keep it going into the future." I meet current Executive Director, Michele Jennings in the early morning at an outdoor adoption event in Stillwater. She tells me, “We have developed a highly effective organization, and I am very proud of the process we use to quell the suffering and pain of these helpless animals and to find homes for many of them.” Michele goes on to agree with Deborah from NSAL about funding for staff and veterinary care.
“The work we do really affects the quality of life for people in communities throughout the state. It used to be an urban and rural issue, but it is not that way anymore. Unfortunately is a growing problem and requires an aggressive humane response.” “We are applying for the grant that is being offered by the Hochul administration and applaud the tax breaks for spay-neuter that Senator Tedisco is sponsoring. We enthusiastically welcome this productive spirit of cooperation.”
Rebecca Baird, Saratoga Hospital Nurse, who visits the cats
20
21
they would pay for the medical expenses needed to save her dog’s life. The emotion and gratitude from the dog owner was all anyone needs to hear to understand the positive effect of the humane work they are doing in communities all over the USA.
Mr. Mo Project, Clifton Park The problem with abandoned and stray dogs is not as extreme in numbers as it is with cats, but the issue remains a daunting challenge. Mariesa and Chris Hughes of Clifton Park formed the Mr. Mo Project shortly after their marriage. They were experiencing the enormous burden of veterinarian bills for their older dog they called Mr. Mo. The couple was forced to sell some of their personal possessions to pay the bills. This new awareness of the difficult decisions and enormous expenses a pet owner must deal with caused Mariesa and Chris to act. They formed the Mr. Mo Project in honor of the beloved dog to facilitate the care of elderly dogs locally and nationwide. In 2014 they organized a 501-(c) (3) nonprofit and spent more than $55,000 to renovate their home for senior dogs and those with special needs. This includes large oxygen chambers and a hydrotherapy unit. They say they spend about $40,000 to $45,000 a month on the over 100 senior dogs in foster homes and the 20-plus dogs in their own home so donations, fundraising, and grants are paramount. I saw a video of a phone conversation Chris had with a senior pet owner when he informed her
Still, the question remains, what motivates these humane warriors to work long hours with little or no pay in a job that each day may end in either joy or sorrow? Steve Caporizzo is a beloved Capital Region meteorologist and avid animal advocate who started his own group, Pet Connection. This short but meaningful segment of his original poem about the loss of his pet dog perfectly illustrates the spirit of the humane warrior and the passion that drives them on.
You gave me a life that I will never forget. It's a part of me, that I'll never ever regret. When you close your eyes…..just think of the past, I'll be in your heart…..it will always last. Adirondack Cat Adoption Center, 15 Maple Street, Glens Falls, NY (518) 409-8105 Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist Wilton Mall, Telephone: 518-450-7013 The Mr. Mo Project 641 Grooms Rd, Clifton Park, NY mrmoproject@gmail.com
22
Join us for Lunch & Dinner 7 Days a Week
Monday-Friday: 11am-9pm Saturday-Sunday: 9am-9pm
Are you looking for a spot to host your next party or event? Email: Email: events@hideawaysaratoga.com
Open to the Public 7 Days a Week
Mon - Fri: 3pm-9pm Sat & Sun: 11am-9pm
Looking for a place to host your next event?
Email: events@ironsedgeNY.com Follow us on Facebook & Instagram
Check out our website: www.IronsEdgeNY.com
23
24
25
26
27
“I Never Thought of Myself as Anything Else” Enjoying the Artist & Artistry of Helen Frank by Rona Mann
No question about it, she married the right guy. Because when Helen Goodzeit married Sid Frank in 1952, her new moniker became the perfect fit to complement the woman’s engaging personality, tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, and sunny outlook on life. She is most decidedly “frank” -very frank-but in the most wonderful way, and when you speak with her, it’s as though you’re the only one in the room or on the phone. She is as interested in finding out about you as you are in finding out what makes this remarkable artist tick.
her desired course without interruption and know that they had her back right from the beginning. But first came an education. While she took extensive art courses at The New School, Tyler School of Fine Arts at Temple University, Yale, Art Students League, and Cooper-Union in New York, her parents did insist upon one thing: she had to also take academics so that she could be well-rounded. Helen agreed, but quickly said, “God forbid, not math or science! What artist wants that?” When she finally left all the institutions of learning in the rear view mirror, she began her career at a gallery on 79th Street in New York. “I had to pay for everything myself,” she offered ruefully, “the supplies, the framing, the space. I didn’t make any money, I owed THEM money, but it was a start. I was in a New York City gallery, a great way to begin my resume.” That may have been the last time Frank operated at a loss because before long, her Helen at an exhibition circa 1960
From the time she grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey playing with her friends who all pontificated on what they wanted to be when they grew up, Helen was resolute in her choice and never wavered. “I’m gonna be an artist,” she told them. “I never thought of myself as anything else. I was always very single-minded.” Fortunately, Frank had “such supportive parents” from the first that she could charter Helen painting at an abandoned Ellis Island
28
work caught on. “I began as a painter, but each time I sold one, I was upset. I realized that now they’re gone, and I missed them!” So Helen began to create etchings dabbling in the art of printmaking with an intaglio process of incising lines or areas into a metal plate in order to hold the ink. It is a very delicate, tedious, and time-consuming process, but Helen Frank was never deterred from doing what she loved. It became the centerpiece of her art and made her successful for more than half a century. For the uninitiated, the process of creating etchings is labor intensive, but nothing ever stopped Helen from doing what she wanted, not even when she failed. “So much can be learned from failure,” she asserts brightly. “So I take a lot of chances!” Most of those chances paid off as you can see from the representations accompanying the story on these pages. Meanwhile, while Helen was making a name for herself now having her work accepted into some of the most prestigious gallery spaces, her husband, Sid was doing quite well in his own right. A writer by profession, he wrote the lyrics to a little-known Frank Sinatra song, “I Can Read Between the Lines,” and is most famous for writing a #2 hit on Billboard, “Please Mr. Sun,” recorded first by Johnnie Ray and the Four Lads and later by Perry Como. His success on the latter record enabled the Franks to buy their home. Not one to let a humorous opportunity go by unnoticed, Helen created a needlepoint that still hangs in the home today and announces to all who visit, “We Got this Place for a Song.” An exhibit of close to 1200 master etchings arranged chronologically from 1949-2017 is currently installed at the Lass Gallery within the Skillman Helen working on copper plate etching
29
“Remembered Merry-Go-Round” Etching & Watercolor Library at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, which just happens to be Sid’s alma mater as well. The etchings well represent Helen’s diverse interests, her passions, her loves, her humorous take on life. Well-traveled and still at it (!), she depicts both the ballet and the horse racing she adores in Saratoga; the majesty of wild nature meeting the sea at Block Island Rhode Island; the “beautiful people” who inhabit the Newport mansions; the automats of New York with their slices of pie beckoning behind tiny doors awaiting a coin drop; the architecture of her native New Jersey and also the tremendous traffic backup at the Lincoln Tunnel; the popular Jersey diners, bridges, and the nation’s love of the game of baseball among so many others. It is a phenomenal body of work by a woman who repeatedly utters, “I’ve been disciplined my whole life.” “The Jersey Shore” 26 x 40 Watercolor on Paper
30
“Filenes Basement” 16 x 20 Hand Colored Etching
“Flowers at the Met II” 12 x 18 Hand Colored Etching
“Amsterdam Ave” 18 x 24 Hand Colored Etching
“Highline” 11 x 30 Mixed Media on Paper
“There Once Was A Woman Who Lived In A Shoe” 16 x 20 Hand Colored Etching on Paper
“Little Dancer ” 9 x 12 Hand Colored Etching
31
Frank’s work is in the collections of the Library of Congress, New York Public Library, New York Historical Society, Museum of Modern Art, New Jersey State Museum, New Public Library, Newark Museum, American Museum of Immigration, UNICEF, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Drumthwacket: the official New Jersey Governors’ Mansion among many others. Perhaps the highlight of her storied career came three years ago when the artist and her print, The Sculpture Gallery were accepted into the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s permanent collection, the thrill of a lifetime for this artist. You may be fortunate enough to meet Helen Frank at one of her gallery openings, but for now, just spend some time looking over her magnificent and all-encompassing body of work, and you will only begin to get a peek at this unique American treasure who thinks she’s “just Helen.” Just Helen indeed. How many 93-year-olds are still working, still creating, still exhibiting, and just happen to have a printing press in their cellar? Her goal for the future is a straightforward one:
“Saratoga Races” 14 x 17 Hand Colored Etching on Paper
“Ruth Bader Ginsburg” monotype “I want to stay standing and working. It’s a very big goal, but really very simple. After all, artists don’t retire, they just stop.” This is Helen Frank, Artist, still working and not about to stop.“I never thought of myself as anything else.” Visit this woman’s breathtaking work at Morningside Gallery, 588 Loudon Rd #6, Latham, NY or visit website: www.helenfrank.com
Helen Frank meet and greet at Morningside Gallery in Latham, NY
32
33
NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
THE TROUBLE NOTES: MORE VIOLINS, LESS VIOLENCE
LIVINGSTON TAYLOR
MATT NAKOA
A TRIBUTE TO ODETTA
CHRIS PIERCE
SALLY ROGERS & CLAUDIA SCHMIDT
MAY ERLEWINE
JAKE XERXES FUSSELL
MISTY BLUES:
Big Harvest, 2021, oil on linen, 20 x 23 in
Jeff Wigman Excelsior November 15 through December 16, 2023 Opening Reception Saturday, November 18th, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN
FRANK SOLIVAN & CHRIS LUQUETTE
ALI McGUIRK
ARLEN ROTH
LIVE MUSIC • OPEN MICS • WORKSHOPS/JAMS SCHOOL OF MUSIC • LIVE STREAMING FOLK BLUEGRASS AMERICANA JAZZ ROOTS BLUES INSTRUMENTAL ROCK CELTIC SINGER/SONGWRITER CLASSICAL 47 Phila Street, Saratoga Springs NY caffelena.org | 518.583.0022
1 Lower Amherst Street Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-2616 www.lakegeorgearts.org
Anita an Shannon Vincent
34
35
A Company Built on Respect The Vincent Management Group by Rona Mann It’s easy, you know. Easy to judge people, easy to label someone’s situation, and by doing so put them into a category with a predicted outcome, and just be done with it. But it’s not really that easy especially when dealing with poverty, with every stereotype we’ve ever heard or concocted ourselves about those who come from the low income housing with few chances and with little hope for the future. But that’s where the term “stigma” comes in. We hear”low income housing,”and we paint a word picture. We hear about parents who were not TV’s Cleavers or the Jeffersons about young girls having children out of wedlock and not knowing where or how to proceed, and it’s just so easy to cluck our tongues and shut the door on this “justanother-story” because we know how it’s going to turn out. And it always does turn out for the worst, right? WRONG! Because stigmas and stereotypes met their match when they met Anita Vincent.
Growing up living in a Housing Authority dwelling in Columbia County, Anita knew there was something better out there, she just had to get out there to find it. A respected guidance counselor in her high school steered her toward success by telling her not to give up on her dreams, enrolled her in the BOCES program for her last year of high school after which Anita pursued a career in nursing. But it just wasn’t enough, so after three years, she strode into the management office of the housing authority where she was paying $17. a month in rent, and gave them her 30-day notice. When asked, “Where are you going?” she didn’t know at that exact minute, but she knew she was getting out. “It wasn’t the best time in my life,” Vincent began. With no job, no place to live, but armed with research pointing her toward Atlanta as a place with opportunity, she headed for Georgia, now with three children in tow, resolved to start her life over.
Florida office (Venice, Florida) which houses our Training Center and Savco at Home office
Bliss Towers. Low Income Housing in Hudson, NY Anita grew up as a teen attending Hudson High School.
36
Anita Vincent served as Regional Director of Operations for ALG located in North Carolina. Pictured here with her team of Executive Directors, Regional Director of Sales and Regional Nurse Consultant. Because she has always spoken to everyone and anyone in a grocery store, upon getting to Georgia, Anita struck up a conversation with a woman who operated a facility at a church where she fed and cared for an aging population. This fit in perfectly with Anita’s mantra that we should certainly take better care of our elderly country, that they are to be prized, not seen as a burden, and should be given the best care. Although the woman was unable to pay her, Anita asserted, “I’m a nurse, you need me, and I’ll work for free.” Anita and Shannon Vincent (owners) pictured with two of their summer interns from Bryant and Stratton College (I. Memeh and R. Henry)
Anita Vincent, serving as Corporate Operations Director, brought in the New Year with a few of her residents at a local assisted living facility in Orlando, Fl
37
Chef Jose Severino has worked with Anita Vincent for over 10 years at several locations across the US (pictured here with his culinary team). party management companies. By 2011, Vincent Management Group expanded their services and was now putting people in the proper careers so they give 100% every day, Anita together with her husband, Shannon to whom she’s been married for 17 years have continued to build Vincent Management Group exponentially.
You have to ask a few times what exactly the Vincent Management Group does till you can fully comprehend the answer, yet the answer is simple. They work with healthcare organizations to succeed in becoming patient and resident-centered in all areas. Matching people to the career they want is just one facet of the work they do. Utilizing her experience and degrees in industrial organizational psychology,
Chef Jose Severino pictured with his team as he prepares for an event for Texas Senior Living Facility Every time someone told her, “You’ll never do this,” or “You’ll never be able to do that,” she laughed it off and walked through every closed door until 2008 when she opened her own doors to a consulting firm working with private owners, investment firms, and thirdResidents of a Senior Living community, managed by Anita Vincent enjoy a dinner in the beautiful Tanglewood neighborhood
38
39
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated for a Toy-Drive
nursing, and counseling, Anita powered the growing company in many ways. The majority of the people served by the Vincent Management Group are recipients of services from home health care agencies or are living in senior living or long-term care facilities. Their success is summed up by saying they work collaboratively with their clients to first advise them as to how to build a solid foundation and then help them to complement that foundation with the most qualified team they can amass.
Sorority, Omicron Zeta, led by Yasmin Moses (Raleigh, NC) of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated The Vincent marriage is both a successful alliance personally and in building their company. Shannon Vincent, like Anita, is also a nurse and holds an M.S. degree in Health Psychology with a post-graduate certificate in Addiction Studies. His strength is in both health care compliance and Dementia Care and he’s previously worked as an Assistant Director of Nursing and a Memory Care Director. Vincent Management is not unlike sea creatures that possess tentacles, the purpose of which is to move, feed, grasp, and gather, all similar highlights to working with this talented organization. Anita does not easily forget when starting out as a young nurse she saw a trend in turnovers and constant failure in the healthcare business. “I believe this may be so because there are many healthcare organizations who look at it strictly as a business and not at the people they are treating. It was heartbreaking to see. We work with organizations on a corporate level, but we use our highly-trained employees in their facilities. Some people say I’m a guru, but I’m not. I simply match people to
the jobs to which they’re best suited, where they’ll stay if they’re happy, where they want to truly care for and respect the patients and residents.” Vincent uses the word “respect” over and over because at the very heart of their management company which now has tentacles (offices) throughout the East Coast and in Texas, little recruiting needs to be done. “75% of our staff has come from word of mouth and all are dedicated professionals who know their first job is to respect the elders they treat. We have wonderful partners.” Anita and Shannon are very much their own people, but they also work in tandem to support each other in every area of their lives. Anita champions service above self by being a Rotarian, is a long-time member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the League of Women Voters. Shannon serves as a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.;and marrying their talents, they have built Vincent Management Group, acquiring clients throughout the United States and recently informed that their business is on track this year to gross 1.8 million in revenue from all sources. It’s a success story built on pursuing dreams, hard work, and belief. To find out more information, visit: www.vincentmanagementgroup.com (518) 933-2630
Anita Vincent being sworn in as a member of the local Board in Oakland, Florida. A position appointed by the Mayor.
40
Hunting for a Great Thanksgiving Dinner by Karen Richman
Uncle Leo was my father’s brother, and a bit of a Damon Runyon character at that. While my father was outgoing and always played by the rules, Uncle Leo was more introverted, but he always had a plot, a plan, a way to make a buck, and more than one way to spend it. He also had an adventurous spirit, so when the month of November came around during my 11th year, he asked me if I wanted to go hunting for Thanksgiving dinner that year.
Uncle Leo had never mentioned hunting before, my mother and father never said anything about him being a hunter, so I was more than a little surprised and just a tad shocked that my uncle knew how to shoot a gun and wanted to bring us our Thanksgiving meal by offing an innocent turkey. I wasn’t sure I liked that idea, and now he was asking me to be an accomplice, but I loved Uncle Leo and always enjoyed being with him, so I told him I’d go along.
About two weeks before Thanksgiving Day he came to pick me up in his second-hand Ford Skyline. I was surprised when my mother told me he was coming to get me and to make sure I was “dressed nicely.” I wondered why we were going to get the turkey two weeks ahead of time and also why did I have to get “dressed nicely” to go hunting? Still, I did as I was told. When Uncle Leo arrived I noticed he was not dressed for hunting either...no flannel shirt or jacket, no orange vest, but I kept quiet... until we got in the car. Then I could hold it in
41 no longer. “Uncle Leo,” I asked, “how come you’re not dressed for hunting turkeys, and why did I have to get dressed up, and where’s your rifle, and where are we going anyway?” Uncle Leo laughed. “You ask a lot of questions, Karen,” he said, and then he stopped talking. I knew enough to stop asking, so I silenced myself and was content to just look out the window as the suburbs slowly slipped away, expecting to soon see woods and all things rural. But a few miles later we were smack in the middle of the city! Uncle Leo found a parking spot right in front of a big old stone church and turned off the ignition. “Here we are,” he announced. “C’mon, let’s go!” “Where are we going?” I implored. “Right here,” came the answer as he opened the passenger
door and summoned me to follow him up the steep steps and into a side door of the church. By now I was rendered speechless. This wasn’t our church, we had never been here before, and there were no other cars or parishioners around. Nevertheless, I trotted along looking up at the giant stained glass windows while I wondered just what was happening. Finally, after walking down a long hallway, we stopped at a partially opened door, and the man behind a big mahogany desk stood up with a smile and came over to greet us. “I’m Father Stakowski, but call me Father Ted,” said the nice man extending his hand, putting mine in it, and squeezing it hard. I hear your Uncle Leo brought you along to the Great Thanksgiving Hunt we do each year.” I didn’t know what to say, so I just smiled and nodded. “Come,” said Father Ted, “let’s go join the others.” We walked down the same long hallway to another open door where adults and kids sat around a conference table drinking cider and eating donuts. I could definitely get into this hunt! “This is Karen everyone and her Uncle Leo,” Father Ted announced, and everyone smiled and some even yelled, “Welcome!” Then Father Ted spoke. “As most of you know, Thanksgiving is a very important holiday because it is a day not just of eating too much (people laughed), but of giving thanks And at our church we are thankful that we can provide Thanksgiving dinner for
everyone who wants to enjoy it, but may not be able to afford it. So we go out in the community and get turkeys donated, stuffing mix, gravy mix, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, and pies. Some people just give us money and ask us to buy some of the Thanksgiving fixings; therefore, we need all of you to ask your local grocery stores, your schools, your Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, your jobs, anyone you can think of to help out. Bring whatever you collect here two days before Thanksgiving, and we’ll have volunteers to drive the dinners right to people’s homes. Okay?” “Okay!” everyone shouted back at Father Ted, and before I knew it Uncle Leo and I were in the car on our way to talk to the manager at the local A&P, to our neighbors, and to our friends. Thanksgiving that year was wonderful when we came back to the church with the Ford Skyline loaded to the gills just like everyone else had. That was decades ago. Uncle Leo, Father Ted, and many of the others are gone, but the legacy they left continues. Since I’ve been an adult, my Thanksgiving morning is always spent at a local church sometimes cooking, sometimes greeting, sometimes serving and cleaning up, but always on the hunt to give thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving and good hunting!
42
75 Years Crystal Cobert Giddens, LE Have you seen the clips all over social media about Eddie Murphy’s quote from the 90’s movie Holy Man? This movie is 25 years old, not one of his bests and yet this quote is getting a lot of play on Social Media. But why? Let’s rewind: 58 year old me doesn’t remember much about the movie, other than it had Eddie Murphy in it and I enjoyed it. 33 year old me truly enjoyed the movie in a light and calm way. It was a nice movie. Predictable plot. Not too heavy, not too sappy and definitely not the same Eddie that I had watched in the early 80’s doing stand up comedy. In fact, everyone in the family could watch this movie together. Not life changing, but definitely entertaining. For those of you that haven’t seen Holy Man, Eddie Murphy plays a man in yoga pajamas, wandering through life on his pilgrimage while reciting platitudes recycled from a 12-step program. He is discovered by two TV executives after they observe him walking across a multi-lane highway without being hit or crushed by a car.
Fast forward and he is on a set, trying to hawk goods for a home shopping network. The thing is, every time he speaks, people stop and listen. They listen to him so much that their sales sky rocket. Now Eddie, walks up to the camera and starts talking about living 75 years and breaking it down into seasons. It goes like this: “Seventy-five years”. That's how much time you get if you're lucky. Seventy-five years. Seventy-five Winters. Seventy-five
43
Spring brought a lot of cold, wintry style storms, but everyone seemed to take it in stride. There was more cooking, more connecting and more gentle, snow days that were met with less stress than years before. Less wondering about how we would get to work and more planning for a snowball fight, a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup. Summer arrived late and left early. I heard lots of musing about how it “flew by” so quickly, but no one really complained! Instead I heard plans made for fall activities. Farmer’s Markets, football games, fall festivals, Halloween and costume designs! It’s fall and I’m trying to decide who to visit for Thanksgiving. You see, it’s my 58th autumn and I want to see everyone this year. Will I cook and invite friends and family to come over? Will I make the rounds and go from house to house…eating a little at each stop?
Spring times. Seventy-five Summers. And Seventy-five Autumns. When you look at it like that, it's not a lot of time, is it? Don't waste them. Get your head out of the rat race and forget about the superficial things that pre-occupy your existence and get back to what's important now. Right Now. This very second. And I'm not saying, drop everything and let the world come to a grinding halt. I'm saying that you could become a seeker. You could be loving more. You could be taking some chances. You could be living more. You could be spending more time with your family. You could be getting in touch with the part of you that lives instead of fears; the part of you that loves instead of hates; the part of you that recognizes the humanity in all of us. And I tell you, that's where you're fortunate. Who knew that watching a movie about a home shopping network could deliver such deep content? The thing is, this movie is trending now, and I asked several people why it was becoming a popular earlier, but no one could give me a definitive reason. I think I know why. We have been experiencing a shift. A shift into a healing and forgiving space. A new found opportunity to recognize and experience gratitude. A desire to reclaim community and find peace and abundance in the simpler aspects of our lives. I started to notice it last year. Christmas wasn’t about presents. It was about creating memories. Making plans. It was about sharing adventures. Playing board games. Cooking and baking together. Listening to music, singing and dancing around the kitchen. Having real conversations and listening to all opinions …even the opposing ones. Suddenly there were more invitations to meet for a brisk walk in the park. There were more opportunities to hang out and make or create something that could be enjoyed by everyone. I met a friend for a 2 hour wreath making class. We drank some tea, talked about our lives and what was new, and we each made a beautiful wreath to hang on our door for the holidays. The wreath dried up and is long gone, but the memory still remains.
I didn’t get fresh pie pumpkins this year and I really don’t care. I normally obsess over making homemade pie. Thanksgiving doesn’t taste the same without them…but I don’t have to make the pies from scratch and fret over making them. I’m letting it go. Smith’s Pies in Charleston makes the best pumpkin pie I’ve ever had in NY! Just as good as mine. It’s the classic, custard pumpkin pie and I don’t have to try and roast a bunch of small pumpkins to insure I get the same flavor, color and taste. All I have to do is pick up the phone and tell them what day I will be there to pick them up. I can even order them flash frozen so I can store a couple in the freezer to have pie at the last minute. I’m going to be spending more time loving, seeking, and expressing my gratitude this year. How about you? Crystal Cobert Giddens FACES of Saratoga 55 Beekman Street, Saratoga Springs
44
Culinary Destinations: Mohawk Valley Region - Part 1 By Chef Armand Vanderstigchel
The Mohawk Valley region of New York is the area surrounding the Mohawk River, nestled between the Adirondack Mountains and Catskill Mountains, northwest of the Capital District. In 1825, the Erie Canal was completed as the first commercial connection between the American East and West, creating a wealth of industry in the major cities of NY State along the Canal. Native American Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy lived in the region. In the 17th century, Dutch, French, English, German, Irish, Italians and Scottishestablished the area. It is consequently no surprise there is such a wealth of culinary diversity in the region. In a previous issue, I expressed my opinion that gaming hotels feature excellent restaurants that support employment of local communities. Turning Stone Resort Casino is a Native American resort casino owned and operated by the Oneida Indian Nation of New York (OIN) in Verona, New York, is interleaved between Utica and Syracuse. During this extended road trip of the Mohawk Valley, I opted to lodge at the Turning Stone Tower and explore the various food options. Upon the convenient arrival, due to the resort being less sizeable than those housing shopping malls, I opted to partake in lunch in the common food court area. Aside the many options, the most interesting choice seemed “Sams Delicatessen,” which featured correctly prepared New York style classic soups and sandwiches. I ordered the grilled Pastrami sandwich, layered with tender meat, Thousand Island, Swiss Cheese and Coleslaw. It did not disappoint being hours away from NYC! Choosing between the Matzoh Ball soup and Chicken Noodle was challenging. I decided on the latter, since I wanted to save an appetite for dinner. The soup was a rich broth loaded with Vegetables, chunks of Chicken and Egg Noodles-delicious! The remainder of the afternoon was spent upstairs in the gym swimming laps and working-out to induce cravings for the anticipated dinner at the hotel penthouse “TS Steak House.” Located on the 21st floor, the Steakhouse has its own elevator going up directly from the lobby. In the typical Steakhouse fashion, luxury and beautiful furnishing is abundant and the service team is deftly clad in white jackets with ties. The view from the panoramic windows is stunning and a reservation at sunset is highly recommended. Upon seated, home baked Parker are placed on the table. In company of friends, we ordered various interesting beverages. It was encouraging to witness the inclusion of many locally produced Spirits and Beers on the menu such as-Hudson Baby Bourbon from Gardiner, Widow Jane Bourbon from Brooklyn, Saranac Lager Beer, Ommegang Brewing Company of Cooperstown, and Kim Hibiscus from Queens,
45
which is a Sour Lager, infused with Hibiscus and Black Currants. I ordered the Kim Hibiscus and did not refrain a repeat order emphasizing its deliciousness! For a special treat in the Cocktail department order the TS Cosmopolitan -Grey Goose Vodka, Cointreau, fresh Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, and Cranberry Juice, served with dry Ice at a temperature of 32 Degrees. The cocktail arrives literally smoking to the table by dry ice infusion. For appetizer I personally chose the tempting Roasted Bone Marrow of braised Beef and grilled Crostini. Its earthy and in-depth flavor delivered the moniker. Roasted Beet with whipped Herb Ricotta, toasted Pistachio Vinaigrette, Orange, Red Watercress is light and perfectly sized in anticipation of the entrees to come. French Onion Soup is always a risky candidate in terms of correct execution but here it was flawless regardless the absence of traditional Gruyere cheese, accented with Sherry, Crouton, Comte, Provolone Cheese, and Thyme. Lobster & Crab Bisque is skillfully poured table-side and comprises of Lemon Crème Fraiche, Brioche and Chive. Velvety, smooth, and loaded with Shellfish it meets its mark. The main course menu offers a wide variation for various palates. Aside from classic Steak dishes, Seafood options reign supreme encompassing Halibut, Chilean Seabass, Tuna, Salmon, and Lobster. The table ordered Prime Rib, Veal Filet Mignon and 26ounce T-Bone steak. All steaks come with sauce options such as Béarnaise, Steak sauce, Red Wine demi-glace and Horseradish Crème. In the side-dish department the loaded Baked potato was a
show stopper with aged Cheddar, Applewood Bacon morsels and dollops of Sour Cream. The Creamed Spinach here has an interesting twist of an infusion of Artichokes, Toasted Garlic, and Provolone-a delicious hybrid saluting classic Artichoke Spinach dip. Brussels Sprouts are fresh and enhanced with Bacon and local Maple Syrup Butter. Roasted Mushrooms swimming in luscious Garlic Herb Butter is tempting as well the smooth mellifluous Buttered mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes. Add Truffle oil and it is loaded for palate pleasure! Dessert options are tempting enough to loosen your resistance of feeling gratified. A shared arrangement of the Chocolate Banana Cream Pie loaded with Banana, Caramel and Mascarpone Cream and the Chocolate Cake of Buttermilk Ganache, Strawberry Basil Sauce, and Chocolate Tuile was a perfect ending of the night. The next morning agenda is the wonderful municipality of Cooperstown-home to the Baseball Hall of Fame and many Artisanal culinary and Beverage establishments. To be continued.
47 November 1 - 26 Schuylerville The Power of Light. Featuring artists Takeyce Walter + Anne Diggory + Eden Compton + Kate Edwards + Catherine Wagner Minnery. More often than not, the less of something we have, the more beautiful it can appear and the more it’s appreciated. The serene and calming light of Autumn’s golden hour is no exception. As the days become shorter and the shadows get longer, we welcome the light every morning with a strong inhale and send it past the horizon every evening with a sigh. The Laffer Gallery, 96 Broad Street, Schuylerville, NY November 1 - December 3 Schenectady Bear and Bird Gallery Spoopy Season: A selection of Charming and Grotesque Art. Get into the Fall spoopy season with this unique art exhibition, which will be hosting 6 local and national artists whose work will walk the line of spooky -cute and creepy-gross. Affordable original artwork and prints to add to your personal collection! Featuring the artwork of Matthew Paul, Christopher Ian MacFarlane, Deanna Campagnola, Rudolph Ligett-Ippoliti, Lindsay McKeough and El Gato Gomez. Bear and Bird Gallery, 160 Jay St M, Schenectady, NY 12305 November 3 Saratoga Springs Alpine Sport Shop in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. will host Warren Miller's new Ski & Snowboard Movie retrospective ALL TIME. Show time is Friday, November 3, at 7:00 pm, at the Trombley Auditorium, Maple Avenue Middle School, 515 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Tickets are $15. purchased in store in person, at Alpine Sport Shop, 321 Clinton Street, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and $20. at the door the night of the event. Doors open at 6:30 PM. All profits will benefit Saratoga Springs High School Alpine Ski Team and Double H Ranch Adaptive Winter Sports Program. Those ATTENDING will have a chance to win amazing SKI GEAR, including a pair of Nordica skis, Lange Shadow boots, Dalbello boots, Tyrolia Protector Bindings, Leki poles, helmets & Goggles from Smith & Giro, Dale of Norway sweater, and much more! Alpine Sport Shop 321 Clinton Street Saratoga Springs N.Y. 518 584 6290 alpinesportshop.com
November 4 Canajoharie Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair. Join us Saturday, November 4 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for the annual Holiday Art & Craft Fair! We look forward to showcasing the talent of our local artisans and celebrating handcrafted and homemade wares. The Holiday Art & Craft Fair also includes the Library’s used book sale table featuring holiday themed books, the Palatine Literary Society to-go lunch and bake sale to benefit their award to a graduating senior, free family activities, and much more! Admission to the Holiday Art & Craft Fair is free. Admission to the Arkell Museum is discounted to $5.00. The Arkell Museum, 2 Erie Blvd Canajoharie, NY 13317
NOVEMBER EVENTS November 4 Saratoga Springs Tang Teaching Museum-Family Saturdays: Sand Creations. The programs, which are free and open to the public, run from 2 to 3:30 pm. They are suitable for children ages 5 and older, accompanied by their adult companions. No registration required; supplies provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Led by Njeri Jennings, the Laurie M. Tisch Educator for K-12 and Community Programs at the Tang Teaching Museum, the fall programs will focus on work in current exhibitions and from the Tang collection. Tang Teaching Museum & Art Gallery, 815 N Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY
November 8 Saratoga Springs Chris Pierce gained national prominence with “We Can Always Come Back To This,” which appeared on NBC’s This Is Us, then went on to reach #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Pierce weaves deeply moving soul, blues & folk with raw, honest, passionate lyrics – using his platform to inspire positive change. Wednesday November 8, 7:30 p.m. Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
November 8th - 10th Albany CALL FOR ART - Albany Center Gallery invites you to participate in this year’s Annual Members' Show. It will be held from Dec 1, 2023 to Jan 13, 2024. Artwork drop off November 8, 9, and 10, from Noon - 4 p.m. $1000 in cash prizes will be distributed! Visit albanycentergallery.org for full guidelines and details.
November 10 Saratoga Springs Tank and the Bangas. Coming from New Orleans, two-time Grammy Award nominees Tank and the Bangas are surrounded by plenty of grand musical traditions. The five-piece group has a rare knack for combining various musical styles—fiery soul, deft hip-hop, deep-groove R&B and subtle jazz—into one dazzling, cohesive whole. “It’s music that can’t really be put in a box,” says frontwoman and poet Tarriona “Tank” Ball. Friday, Nov 10, 2023. 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM. Arthur Zankel Music Center / Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway Saratoga Springs
November 10 Saratoga Springs Jake Xerxes Fussell. American folk musician & storyteller, Jake Xerxes Fussell, pairs snappy, unshowy guitar & crisp finger picking with a gentle, robust voice. Friday November 10, 8 p.m. Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
48
NOVEMBER EVENTS November 10 - 12 Troy Hudson-Mohawk Weavers' Guild 45th Annual Show & Sale. Handwoven fashions, furnishings and holiday gifts, all made by local artisans. Daily fashion shows, continuous weaving and spinning demos. Free admission and parking. Nov 10-12, Fri 12-7 PM, Sat 10 AM - 6 PM, Sun 10 AM - 4 PM. Pat's Barn, 110 Defreest Drive Troy, NY 12180 (610) 659-4125
November 10 TAKE3. Where ROCK meets BACH. With a flair for the wild and unexpected, the genre-defying trio, TAKE3, brings the refinement of a rigorous classical music background and infuses it with rock-star charisma. Trained at the world’s top conservatories, TAKE3 has expanded their repertoire from Bach and Beethoven to Bieber and The Beach Boys. SHOW TIME: 7:30 PM The Park Theater, 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY
November 17 Clifton Park The Blooming Artist presents Candor, an exhibition featuring a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works. Experience an eye-catching showcase of creative expression with each work a unique manifesto of the human spirit– both the personal and the universal. Tour the thoughts, emotions, and very essence found within the frames or contained within the forms, and find yourself connected through a way made only possible through visual art. Opening Community Art Reception: Friday, November 17th from 6-8pm; all are welcome. The Blooming Artist, 675 Grooms Rd, Clifton Park, NY 12065
November 17 Glens Falls LARAC Annual Holiday Shop Opening Night - Friday, November 17th @ 5pm in LARAC Lapham Gallery, 7 Lapham Place. Shop handcrafted items from over 50 regional artists. 10% discount on opening night! 15% discount for members. Member's Show at LARAC Mountain Gallery Opening Reception - Friday, November 17th @ 6pm in LARAC Mountain Gallery. 21 Bay Street, Glens Falls.
November 18 Saratoga Springs Beth Nielsen Chapman has crafted a remarkable career, spanning several decades, producing 15 albums and seven #1 hits. Her songs have been recorded by Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, the Indigo Girls, and Keb Mo’ – and her music has been featured in film and television. “This Kiss,” ASCAP’S 1999 Song Of The Year, sung by Faith Hill, garnered Chapman a Grammy nomination. In 2012, she was once again nominated for “The Mighty Sky.” Chapman was Nashville NAMMY’S 1999 Songwriter of the Year and was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame in 2016. Saturday November 18, 8 p.m. Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
November 18 Albany Albany Center Gallery's biggest night of the year– the annual Gala – takes place from 7-11 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at the Scarlet Knife in Latham, NY. You WON’T want to miss this. All proceeds raised go towards the mission of Albany Center Gallery. Get your ticket at albanycentergallery.org/Gala2023
November 25 Saratoga Springs The 48th Saratoga Holiday Craft Marketplace. Kick off your holiday shopping season while enjoying unique handmade crafts from over 145 artisans. The 48th Saratoga Holiday Craft Marketplace will be held on Saturday, November 25th, 2023, from 10:00am to 4:30pm. Appropriately this day is designated as "Small Business Saturday." The Marketplace features individual artisans displaying and selling their wares. Vendor items include home & holiday decor, blown glass, art, woodworking, jewelry, fiber art, fashion wear, food delicacies, pottery, photography, and many more unique items. 100% of the profits go to the Saratoga Center for the Family to prevent and treat child abuse, trauma & neglect. Come join us as we celebrate the holiday season in Saratoga. Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway Saratoga Springs
November 29 Troy Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter, founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. The band has traveled worldwide spreading its mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans Jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British Royalty or the King of Thailand, the band conveys a joyful, timeless spirit. Under the auspices of current director, Ben Jaffe, the son of founders Allan and Sandra, Preservation Hall continues with a deep reverence and consciousness of its impressive history as a venue, band, and record label.Tickets are available at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Box Office, 30 Second Street, Troy, Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. More information on the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and upcoming programs is available on the website at www.troymusichall.org.
November 30 Glens Falls Hold On Honeys. Hold On Honeys is an indie folk minimalist vocal trio based in Troy, NY offering tight knit harmonies to nourish the soul & invigorate the senses. The vocalists include Emily Curro, Raya Malcolm, and Shannon Rafferty, with Connor Armbruster on fiddle, Michael Gregg on banjo, and Matt Malone on guitar. “Hold On Honeys Live at the Jive Hive is everything a live record should be – authentic and inviting, tied together with fierce passion from everybody involved. From the vocal nuances that differ with every song to the sisterly connection of Curro, Malcolm and Rafferty, Hold On Honeys have proven they deserve a place in the folk realm with their newest release.” SHOW TIME: 8:00 PM The Park Theater, 14 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY