As you should know by now, Willie Nelson sat down with Steve Barnes Thursday to talk about the upcoming Farm Aid concert on Sept. 21 at SPAC. You can read the full article here.
We think this is a really big deal, and great for the Capital Region. Right now, though, we want to know: Which act are you most looking forward to seeing.
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By Tresca Weinstein
With film screenings and special events bulking up the Jacob’s Pillow schedule, and three contemporary companies sharing the Saratoga Performing Arts Center stage with the New York City Ballet, dance offerings in the Capital Region this summer are richer than ever. But “rich” might be the operative word here — with ticket prices ranging from around $20 to as high as $75, dance lovers may have to make some tough decisions. Luckily, there’s plenty of free dance available. Here are a few options.
Susan Marshall & Company’s ‘Play/Pause’
Taking a cue from YouTube, Marshall combines online music videos and live performance in her newest work, “Play/Pause,” which her company will be fine-tuning (and auto-tuning, perhaps?) while in residence at Skidmore College this month. Marshall commissioned Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang of Bang on a Can to create an original score for the piece. The company also offers open rehearsals and master classes for ages 12 to adults; visit http://www.skidmore.edu/summer/ for details. 8 p.m. June 21, Skidmore College Dance Theater, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 518-580-5596; http://www.skidmore.edu/summerdance/ (more…)
By David Malachowski
When it comes to music, summertime is when heavy hitters go on tour to perform at large venues for the masses.
You can drop a whopping $353 for Thursday’s Andrea Bocelli concert at Times Union Center. That is the top ticket price. But, hey, you also get Fantasia Barrino and even the hometown singing sensations, Albany Pro Musica. Tickets for mere mortals start at $58, by the way.
By comparison, the top price for next Wednesday’s Fleetwood Mac show (also at Times Union Center): $122 (plus fees, etc., etc.).
Some of the most expensive tickets this summer, though, are in the special VIP packages for the Sept. 5 Maroon 5 show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. What does a VIP get? In addition to prime seating in the first 10 rows, the ticket-buyer gets goodies (such as a gift bag and T-shirt) and, on the upper end, a pre-show reception. Top ticket price? $500.
Summertime, however, is also when a spate of free shows fill public parks across the greater Capital Region. So here, for the budget-conscious rocker, are some recommendations of the best in music you can experience for the low, low price of free.
Southside Johnny
& The Asbury Jukes
If Bruce Springsteen is the conscience and Bon Jovi the look, then Southside Johnny is the heart of Jersey Shore music. The lesser known of the three, Neptune, N.J., native John Lyon is considered the grandfather of the New Jersey sound. Jon Bon Jovi has said that Southside is his reason for singing. Songs like “I Don’t Want To Go Home,” “Fever” “Hearts of Stone” and “Talk To Me” helped define the scene, and though the soulful horn-driven sound was eclipsed by his more famous brethren, it still has a sense of romance and mystery that is always a joy to hear. The Troy River Street Festival headliner performs after festivities start at 10:45 a.m. with funky Jacamo, reunited Troy rockers Emerald City and one-man band Rich Ortiz, while the local stage holds chanteuse Erin Harkes, blues duo Holly & Evan and intriguing songstress Molly Durin. 4 p.m. SaturdayJune 15, River Street Festival, River Street from Fulton to Congress Street, Troy, http:.//www.downtowntroy.org
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By Tim Kane
This season’s major museum exhibitions take a decidedly American bent. New revelations about Georgia O’Keeffe’s deep connections to Lake George are at the Hyde Collection in Glens Falls. A recalibration of Winslow Homer and an interesting late period for George Innes fill the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Mass.
Meanwhile, Thomas Cole, Asher Durand and Albert Bierstadt highlight the Festival of American Romantics at the Fenimore Museum in Cooperstown, while other Hudson River School artists are featured at the Albany Institute of History & Art. James McNeill Whistler’s fertile period in Venice is explored at the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie.
But if you’re on a tight budget, interested in experiencing art outside of museums or focused on contemporary art, there’s a wealth of free exhibits dotting the region all summer. The array of talent is impressive. Here’s a sampler:
2013 Annual Summer Exhibition at Art Omi
It’s hard to beat this lineup. Nathan Carter draws inspiration from decaying technological devices, pirated communications systems, rogue nation states and rolling blackouts. Known for her hand-blown glass terrariums, Paula Hayes interprets the Columbia County farmland with a series of planters. Always over-the-top, Erwin Wurm presents a typically acerbic portrait made with cast aluminum and enamel. Tom Doyle contributes five large-scale works cast in bronze from wood, while Allan McCollum revisits his “Perfect Vehicles” series from the ’80s. Opening reception: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday; exhibition runs through October. Art Omi, 1405 Route 22, Ghent. Sculpture park is open every day during daylight hours. Visitor center and gallery 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 392-4747; http://www.artomi.org (more…)
“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” is slated for release on Friday, Dec. 13, but Warner Bros. has just released these publicity stills today. Enjoy
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The plays mentioned in this chart and a link to each theater company:
Classic musicals
“On the Town” @ Barrington Stage Company, June 12-July 13, http://barringtonstageco.org/
“Singing in the Rain” @ Mac-Haydn, July 4-21, http://www.machaydntheatre.org/
“Oklahoma” @ Colonial Theater, July 6-20, http://www.berkshiretheatregroup.org/on-our-stages/theatre.html
“Camelot” @ Glimmerglass Festival, July 13-August 23, starring operatic baritone Nathan Gunn!, http://glimmerglass.org/
“Les Miserables” @ Mac-Haydn, July 25-August 4, http://www.machaydntheatre.org/
“Gypsy” @ Mac-Haydn, August 22-September 1, http://www.machaydntheatre.org/ (more…)
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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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.
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.
