Michael Janairo

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Author: Michael Janairo

  • Report from Book Expo America’s first day (5/31/13)

    New York City

    Book publishers have been amassing at the Javits Center since Wednesday for their annual trade show, Book Expo America, and I had the chance to take the pulse of the industry on Thursday.

    I found a distinct upstairs-downstairs divide. Literally.

    Up on the main conference floor, the third floor, everything looked glossy and well-lit, with exhibitor booths displaying upcoming titles, publicists handing out free ARCs (that’s advanced readers’ copies) and authors signing books. The people in line were the kind of book-industry professionals who could influence book consumers (booksellers, librarians and media types).
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  • What to watch on Memorial Day: War Zone/Comfort Zone

    The PBS World channel, WMHT Ch. 17.3, will broadcast the documentary “War Zone/Comfort” a few times on Memorial Day. The film focuses on female veterans who must deal with poverty, homelessness, joblessness, and psychological and physiological effects of PTSD from military sexual assault and/or combat all within a system that is ill-equipped and, in some cases, unwilling to help.

    The documentary follows Shalini Madaras and Joy Kiss in their fight to open the first transitional house for women veterans in Connecticut, despite neighborhood opposition. It also tells the story of four women who are coping with life after the military using interviews and footage that provide a surprising look into the lives of these invisible veterans.

    The film airs Monday, May 27 at 4 pm, 6 pm, 9 pm on WMHT Ch. 17.3.

  • Votes needed for artist in nationwide Art of Patron contest

    Mikael Darni’s contest entry, titled “Patrón Pendant Lamp.”
    Mikael Darni’s contest entry, titled “Patrón Pendant Lamp.”

    Art and alcohol mix in a contest sponsored by the tequila company Patron.

    The Art of Patron contest asked artists nationwide to transform the brand’s glass bottle into a work of art. Only 25 were selected as semifinalists. Mikael Darni, a graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York City and a resident of the Catskills in Acra, Green County, is one of the 25, and the only one from the greater Capital Region. Read more about Darni at www.mikaeldarni.com.

    As part of his entry, Darni wrote: “The beauty of the handcrafted Patrón bottle inspired a one of a kind, reverse hand-painted, “Illuminated” work of art.  As done by the turn of the century glass artists, Galle, Handel and Pairpoint.”

    Now through May 31, people 21 and older can visit ArtofPatron.com to register and then view the 25 semi-finalists and cast a vote. The 10 designs selected as finalists will each win $1,000 and advance to the final round and a chance at $10,000. The grand-prize winner will be announced in late June.

     

     

     

  • Palace event raises $58,000

    The Palace Theatre in Albany announced today that the May 9 Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show raised $58,000 for the nonprofit Palace Performing Arts Center, which operates the iconic landmark in downtown Albany.

    “As a non-profit arts organization, we rely on the enthusiasm of the local community to sustain our growth and success,” said Palace Theatre Executive Director Holly Brown in a  written statement that set the attendance at the event at 1,500 people. “We are delighted by the outpouring of support from our generous community members as we continue to bring interesting and exciting events to the Palace Theatre.”

    For the second consecutive year, the Palace said it is on pace to record a surplus.

  • Final weekend: Local Actors Guild of Saratoga’s Of Mice and Men

    [nggallery id=12398]

    Catch the Local Actors Guild of Saratoga’s production of “Of Mice and Men” in its final weekend, at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 8 p.m. Saturday.

    The play, based on the classic Steinbeck novella, follows the fates of a pair of down-on-their-luck drifters, George and Lennie.

    Tickets cost $15, and the play will be performed at Saratoga Arts Center’s Dee Sarno Theater, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

    Call 393-3496 for reservations

  • Poll: Which band are you most looking forward to at Tulip Fest?

    Twelve bands. Two days. One Tulip Fest.

    Here’s the schedule:

    Saturday
    Main Stage
    1 p.m. Royal Teeth
    2:30 p.m. The Features
    4 p.m. Silversun Pickups

    Amp Stage
    1 p.m. Tor & the Fjords
    2:15 pm Olivia Quillio
    3:30 p.m. Rick Rourke & Lost Wages
    4:45 p.m. Bryan Thomas

    Sunday
    Main Stage
    1:30 p.m. Annie & The Hedonists
    3:30 p.m. Bennie and the Jets

    Amp Stage
    2:15 p.m. MaryLeigh & The Fauves
    3:30 p.m. Dylan Perrillo Orchestra
    4:45: Eastbound Jesus

    Show you favorite band some love by voting for it in this poll by 3 p.m. today (Friday 5/10), the results of which will be published in Saturday’s print of edition of the Times Union.

    [poll id=”116″]

  • PHOTOS: ASO arrives in NYC

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    This morning, the Albany Symphony Orchestra took the bus from the Capital Region to New York City to rehearse ahead of tonight’s show, as part of the Spring for Music series.

    If you leave right now, you could probably still make it in time to see the ASO perform live at Carnegie Hall (tickets are only $25).

    The ASO’s program is John Harbison‘s “Suite from The Great Gatsby” (a New York premiere); George Gershwin‘s Second Rhapsody for piano and orchestra, with Kevin Cole on piano; and Morton Gould‘s Symphony No. 3 (a New York premiere of the original version).

    If you can’t make it tonight, you can hear the performance broadcast live on WAMC 90.3 FM.

  • UPDATE: $15 Uproar lawn tickets on sale now through May 6

    Alice in Chains

    UPDATE: All-inclusive lawn tickets, at $15 plus fees, are on sale now through 10 a.m. Monday, May 6, at LiveNation.com and 1-800-745-3000.

    ORIGINAL POST: The Rockstar Energy UPROAR Festival hits SPAC on Aug. 13, featuring Alice In Chains and Jane’s Addiction. Coheed and Cambria, and Circa Survive will also perform on the mainstage.

    The Ernie Ball Festival Stage will showcase Walking Papers (featuring Duff McKagan), Middle Class Rut, New Politics, Danko Jones, Chuck Shaffer Picture Show and whatever band wins the Capital Region Ernie Ball Battle Of The Bands (details to be announced later).

    The doors open at 2 p.m. Aug 13, and the show is slated to begin at 2:30 p.m.

    Tickets go on sale at noon Thursday, April 25, and cost $20 for the lawn; $39, $49 and $59 for the amphitheater; and $85 for the pit. Tickets are available online at LiveNation.com, Charge By Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and select Walmart locations.

  • Richie Havens, 72, has died

    Richie Havens performs at A Day in the Garden celebration in Bethel, New York Sunday August 15, 1999, at the site of the original Woodstock 1969 festival. (Times Union Archive )
    Richie Havens performs at A Day in the Garden celebration in Bethel, New York Sunday August 15, 1999, at the site of the original Woodstock 1969 festival. (Times Union Archive )

    Richie Havens publicists have just announced:

    Beloved folk icon Richie Havens died this morning in his home from a sudden heart attack. He was 72.

    Havens first became part of musical history during his impromptu opening performance at the 1969 Woodstock Festival. Best known for his distinctive intense, rhythmic guitar style and soulful covers of pop and folk songs, Havens toured and recorded music for over 40 years before retiring from the road 3 years ago. Beyond his music, those who have met Havens will remember his gentle and compassionate nature, his light humor and his powerful presence.

    While his family greatly appreciates that Richie’s many fans are also mourning this loss, they do ask for privacy during this difficult time.

    A public memorial will be planned for a later date