Performing Arts

A Day ‘AroundAlbany’

September 13, 2022 By Jonah Michel

Albany is the capital of New York State, and contrary to popular belief – it does NOT suck! Whether or not you’ve explored this city, you gotta keep reading on as I give you exactly what you need to know to have a solid day bopping around town. My hope is to give everyone the opportunity to experience the city and decide for yourself…whether or not it sucks.

PARKING

Parking can be a problem no matter what city you’re in, so to make this the most enjoyable trip possible, you should park along the Albany Riverfront at the Corning Preserve (plus it’s FREE!) and walk the newly opened Skyway towards downtown and Clinton Square. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be doing plenty of walking today.

Capital Walls Tour | Photo: Jonah Michel

DOWNTOWN

Stacks on Broadway is open 7am – 3pm every day of the week, so drop by for a coffee and enjoy the big bright windows that flood the space with natural light. While you’re waiting for your order be sure to grab a map of the Capital Walls Murals – this will come in handy later. You can grab a croissant or bagel from Stacks too, but it is also worth the walk around the block to Coulson’s News & Deli – they’ve been slinging Sammy’s for over 100 years.

Now that you’re full and fueled, you can scope out about a dozen Capital Wall’s downtown public art installations and murals curated by Tony Iadicicco of Albany Albany Center Gallery on your way up State Streets towards the NYS Capitol Building. Consider dropping over to the new Williams Street Pedestrian Walkway which reactivated a neglected alleyway that is sandwiched between two parking garages next to the MVP Arena. It’s a little out of the way, but it features a bright and colorful mural with ample seating – pro tip: walk to the top of the adjacent parking garage for a brilliant view of both the Walkway and Downtown Albany.

Williams Street Pedestrian Walkway | Photo: Jonah Michel

You can book a tour of the Capitol Building HERE – they even do tours during spooky season so be sure to bring a change of pants – kidding!! The tour is a quick 90 minutes, leaving plenty of time to flow through the Plaza Concourse where you can check out a vast corridor filled with a mid century art collection curated by Governor Nelson Rockefeller – love him or hate him, he did have excellent taste in modern art.

A View from the Corning Tower Observation Deck | Photo: iloveny.com

BIG VIEWS

The Corning Tower Observation Deck is accessible directly through the concourse – but make sure you have quarters on you for the binoculars at the top that give you views as south as the Catskills! Also accessible from the concourse is the New York State Museum which is open Tuesday through Sunday 9:30am – 5:00pm for you to explore some of New York State’s most significant natural and cultural diversity, both past and present. Admission to the museum is free, so spend as much or as little time browsing as you wish. You can pop up to the Plaza after – and if it’s Wednesday they have Farmers Market and food trucks for you to enjoy.

Farmers Market at the Plaza | Photo: Jonah Michel

LARK STREET

From there, head up Madison Ave towards Lark Street for some lunch and maybe a little shopping, too. Lark Street is its own little village and is considered the heart of the city by many featuring brilliant 19th and 20th century architecture, vibrant nightlife, and a wide variety of good eats. Grab a souvenir from Lark Street Mercantile or Elissa Halloran Designs, new shoes from Season’s Skateshop. On the food front I would recommend Rain Modern Chinese, Soho Pizza, or my personal favorite, Herbie’s Burgers. Grab a drink from the newly reopened Lark Tavern, Savoy Taproom, LoFi, OH Bar, Susie’s, or my all-time favorite Dive Bar: Palais Royale (Best enjoyed 12am and beyond). There are also a couple of great venues to grab a show in the neighborhood – Lark Hall and the Fuze Box – make sure to check out their websites for the schedule.

WASHINGTON PARK

Now that you got a little retail therapy out of your system, it’s time to take a stroll through the park. But not just any park – Washington Park. Inspired by 19th century architect Frederick Law Omstead who designed New York’s Central Park, Washington Park was named one of the nation’s 100 most important parks by the American Association of Architects. The park features 80 acres of greenspace with monuments, gardens, a pond, a skatepark, basketball and tennis courts, an outdoor concert venue, a dog park, and playgrounds scattered throughout.

By now, you’re probably wiped – and you earned it! You can snag a CDPHP Cycle so you can just cruise back down to the riverfront and call it a day.

Although we’ve only scratched the surface, if you follow these suggestions you will certainly leave Albany with a better understanding and appreciation for one of the oldest cities in New York State. A day like this may leave you wanting more, so I might just have to pop back on here and map out your next trip to Albany. We can dig deeper, trust me. Although many call it ‘Smallbany’ I can assure you there is still so much more to discover.

Jonah Michel can be found creatively connecting in the City of Albany. Additionally, he focuses on ‘stuff worth talking about’ around the Capital Region and beyond as a core member and producer for the media outlet Two Buttons Deep.

IG: @aroundalbany | @twobuttonsdeep

5 Places You Don’t Know to See a Show

September 13, 2022 By Lily Buckley

The underground music scene is rapidly growing with hundreds of local musicians and only more to come. There is the quantity of bands and musicians and the quality of music. Upstate creatives have taken this as an opportunity to create underground live music venues. The scene brings together a bunch of people in random locations that all share something in common, a love for live music.

Personally, through going to shows I have met some really cool people that I would not know exist unless I knew of these underground venues. It also allows the musicians more opportunity to perform live and share their music with people like me and you. As such, I’m here to let you know of 5 Places You Don’t Know to See a Show.

The first three locations are right in the heart of College Town. They are the hottest underground spots, run by UAlbany college students.

CAESARS PALACE

The DIY basement venue, hosting a wide variety of music genres. Along with music they host local artists and vendors to display and sell their merchandise. If you’re looking for a true basement show vibe, this is where to go. They require you to DM them on Instagram for the address, be sure to check them out.

IG: @caesarspalacemusic

THE DOJO BEYOND SPACE AND TIME

This venue is truly so different, in the coolest ways possible. Typically an evening at The Dojo includes, the night starting out with comic acts, and music follows. In the meantime you can relax on their open roof patio or you may even find yourself getting a tattoo, the possibilities are beyond Space and Time. They require you to DM them on Instagram for the address, find them online.

IG: @thedojobeyond

THE RAT DEN

The most intimate of the venues as their shows are literally right in their living room. Truly a lifetime experience, to be invited to someone’s home to watch and listen to music in their living room….that’s special. They require you to DM them on Instagram for the address, be sure to check them out.

IG: @the.rat.den518

TOWN AND COUNTRY SKATEBOARDS

Located 110 Mohawk Ave, Scotia (NY), this skate shop has got it going on. They have skate apparel to shop, an indoor half pipe open for use AND LIVE MUSIC. That sounds like paradise. If you’re interested is seeing a show checkout their website or Instagram page.

WEB: townandcountryskate.com
IG: @townskate518

MAKEOUT REEF

A venue located in Clifton Park (NY). Personally, my favorite underground show I’ve seen was at this venue. It also led me to discover one of my favorite bands – Latchkey Kids. They’re a Philly / NJ based band that sing song’s “in broken English”, as they state on their Instagram page @latchkeykidsnj. This venue also requires a DM on Instagram for the address.

IG: @makeoutreef

THE WRAP

The underground scene is thriving. What is being curated amongst these venue’s and creative’s is unheard of and absolutely beautiful. I personally have been able to watch these venues unfold and grow, and it’s something special. Come check out some shows, and get involved because I can guarantee you that you don’t want to miss this.

Lily Buckley is an Upstate New York Artist / Event Producer. Find her out and about at all the places you need to know across the Capital Region.

IG: @visualilypleasing

This article is presented through a content collaboration with ACE and CapNY.
Visit us on Instagram at @upstatecreative and @gocapny

Building on Strength : A Conversation with Glens Falls Mayor Bill Collins

August 4, 2022 By Corey Aldrich

Glens Falls Mayor Bill Collins | Photo: Hartman Photography

From your perspective, why are Creative Economy components (artisan restaurants, arts and cultural institutions, performance space, etc) so important to a vibrant city scape?

Over the last decade, even during the height of the pandemic, we experienced people moving to the region. As the pandemic has shown us, the Creative Economy is a powerful, sustaining force — especially in a city like Glens Falls. For instance, it’s a long proud fact that Glens Falls is the smallest city in the country with its own paid symphony orchestra. New resident to our city are here working in arts, business, restaurants, music, medicine, banking, and other fields that supported and increased the diversity and talent of Glens Falls.

The Creative Economy shows up throughout — our new Glens Falls Arts District, the popularity of the library, the new murals being planned for three city properties, the new restaurants and the longtime venues. That attention — and that energy — feeds the economy in a way that is measured more by feeling than by economic development — our economy is thriving.

Glens Falls Arts District Signage | Photo: Provided

What is your philosophy and approach to building on those market segments?

The City is building a $4 million events space as part of the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) — a critical piece of our continued growth. It will help to support already successful creative economy events like the LARAC Festival and other large entertainment opportunities. In fact, our vision is to be able to use the space to extend these activities throughout downtown locations — tying in many newly renovated gems to host festivals and large scale community wide events.

Our economic development and community development teams have grants and loans to support great ideas that become popular businesses, galleries or restaurants, like the Park Theater. And let’s not forget the innovative Shirt Factory on Lawrence Street — a haven for artists of all stripes. I believe that if we can continue to build the capacity for creative folks to live, work and play in the city (Including increased broadband access) our creative economy will continue to grow. And our city will continue to be a magnet for these magnificent people.

The Restored Park Theater | Photo: Sydney K. Andrew Photography

How much money from the DRI funding is being dedicated to creative / community building components?

The entire DRI project will inject $10 million into the South Street / Elm Street area — but that is just the state money. The new commercial use and housing projects, as well as the renovation of the three existing historic buildings, will invest more than $26 million cumulatively.

How does that benefit the creative economy? The overall project includes the Market Center, as noted above, which will host our weekly Farmer’s Market, music festivals and other outdoor events. The Center is tied to a planned community Commercial Kitchen for food demonstrations and exhibitions. The two other historic buildings will have restaurant / commercial space on the ground floors, and for the first time in decades will have living quarters above.

Add in more than 80 new apartments, all the commercial / studio space and the concentration of arts, music, food and people … and we definitely expect that it will support the growth of our creative economy. In fact, the creative economy interests will be an important beneficiary of the entire project. Glens Falls will become a hub and attraction point for the lower Adirondacks because of it.

For more check out: Glens Falls: A Winning Team Sharing Secrets to Success

Clowning Around with CCIAC Executive Director Aaron Marquise

January 5, 2022 By Maureen Sager

Just when you thought you knew everything about the 518… did you know that we’re on the brink of becoming one of world’s great homes for Clowndom? Aaron Marquise has worked internationally as a performer and clown, and now he’s working to bring the world — and its clowns — to the Capital Region. Read on to hear what drives his amazing vision.

Where are you from?

I’m originally from Round Lake, Exit 11! I left to study play writing and musical theater in New York for a year and half. Then, I moved up to Montreal to study contemporary circus in Montreal for four years. After that, I had the amazing opportunity to work in Switzerland, France, Germany and other places, sharing my time between Europe and the United States. I’ve been back in the area for the past few years now.

What’s the name of your company, and what do you do?

The company is Contemporary Circus and Immersive Arts Center (CCIAC). We promote, produce and present contemporary circus. Our vision is to link this incredible art form with American audiences, who have such an interesting relationship with the term “circus.” We want to redevelop people’s relationship with circus.

CCIAC’s performance at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs, a week before lockdown, 2020

How and when did you know that circus – and starting this company — was what you wanted to do?

Growing up, I’d been to Ringling Brothers, and saw Cirque du Soleil in Florida, and thought, “Gosh, this is incredible, I wish I could do this.” But I never knew I could do this for a living, until I went to Montreal. We want to help audiences here experience the amazement and wow of the things that I saw at school, standing in the chapeteau (the French term for circus tent). I want to bring that to our area. We are completely unfamiliar with it.

Aaron’s favorite photo of himself in clown, taken during a performance of his solo show A.Lone, 2017

Is this what you imagined doing for a living, when you were a child?

I’m blessed because I’ve been in the performing arts almost my entire life. I always thought I’d be an actor on Broadway, and I always knew performing was what I’d do. Even as a kid on the playground, I was organizing productions of Peter Pan. So I always had that skill set and desire, but the thought of being in circus — well, that part is new.

Was it hard, as a creative person, to learn how to run a business?

The business part of this was not something I ever saw myself doing. Creative producing has always been in my blood – that part is easy. But payroll and budgeting and marketing and strategic planning is new for me.

I find it so exciting, and I think I understand the long term vision of what we’re trying to do and how we’re going to do it. I’m learning every day. I’m not afraid to say what I don’t understand something, and when I need help.

I heard someone say that show business has two parts to it – it’s the show, and it’s the business. Yes, we can be really good artists, but we have to pay our bills.

What’s your “unique selling proposition”? What is CCIAC doing that no one else is?

No one was focusing on awards for just circus shows, like we see for the Tony Awards or the Oscars. Covid allowed us to do this economically, because the show could be presented digitally. We celebrated work from all around the world, without having to travel.

Clown Aaron Marquise — From CCIAC’s “Behind the Curtain” event in 2021

As a new dad, how do you balance your work and family obligations?

It’s not easy. But I’m a disciplined person, which I learned in school. I love getting up at 4:15 and working out and getting all of my emails done before my son wakes up. That’s where I thrive as a person.

That being said, not every day is like that. There are times where we’re having friends over, drinking a glass of wine, and I’m not into waking up early.

How did the “It’s All Circus” number come about?

I love the opening numbers for award shows, they’re my favorite. So when we were planning the digital ceremony, we thought, “Let’s write a great opening about what circus can be. We wanted to define what it can be, but right now, in contemporary circus, it can be really anything or anywhere. And we wanted a fun way to be able to talk about that.

Feeling the Music Go Through You – A Conversation with Sophia Subbayya Vastek

January 4, 2022 By Corey Aldrich

Memory is so unforgiving sometimes. As such, I don’t quite remember the first time I met Sophia Subbayya Vastek but I do remember somehow beginning to follow her on Instagram and WOW! She would post the most amazing performance snippets and honestly, I fell in love with her work. Then I find out she is deeply integrated into the music scene in Troy (specifically the Troy Music Hall) and that was enough for me, I just had to know more! As the interview unfolded, I realized I had found a kindred soul. Much of what she said resonated with me regarding mind set, performance spaces and shared experiences. So, lets get to it!

Sophia Vastek — Photo by **Kiki Vassilikas**

Please let us know a bit about your practice. Are you a full time performer? Do you have any other creative gigs you do to pay the bills?

I’m a musician (pianist and composer), educator, and producer/event organizer. And, I am a full-time musician. My days are all music-focused.

I’m glad you asked about paying the bills. I encounter a lot of resistance about discussing how creatives organize their finances. Ugh, there’s so much shame and baggage built up in the creative economy…. especially about money, which is a topic that I’ve been working to unpack for myself for years.

Before the pandemic, performing was a bigger part of my income. During the pandemic, my teaching studio grew to be a very important part of my life. This actually became a wonderful and liberating thing for me. I love teaching. Because of having a larger teaching studio, I’m now able to perform when I want, when it’s meaningful, and right. I spent so many years agonizing about whether I was performing enough and in the right venues. Fuck it. I realized that there are so many other aspects to my musicianship that I hadn’t been nurturing. I went full-tilt into exploring composing during the pandemic.

Can you talk a little about your approach to your own compositions and playing?

Playing the piano doesn’t mean a thing to me unless it’s part of a shared experience. Music is a truly magical thing that effects people both physically and ephemerally. It’s sound waves literally hitting your body! How magical is that? When I create music that gives voice to my own feelings, it will in turn give voice to something in someone else. The Gift by Lewis Hyde had a huge influence on my creativity. Seeing what we do as a gift is life-changing. When we put something out into the world, it’s no longer ours – it belongs to others – and that’s a very empowering and humbling concept.

Many people don’t realize that it takes painstaking time, work and care to create music and spaces that feel “right.” I look at what I do as engineering experiences. Whether it’s my own music and performing, or presenting another performance, I’m thinking about what that experience is going to be like for both the listener and performer. Like, how the sound system is going to interact with the acoustics in the space and how it’s going to reach a listener’s ear. You can have the most amazing performer or the most amazing music but if the experience isn’t right, it will fall flat. There are many variables that help create magical experiences beyond just the music itself.

Can you talk a little about what brought you to Troy (Upstate) and where you were before that?

Before we got married, my husband Sam and I lived in New York City and then Baltimore for a while. We were involved with an artist residency program in the Capital Region and had been coming to the area for a few years. Sam also did a residency at EMPAC. We really fell in love with Troy and decided to move here, because we wanted a more stable home base where we could put down roots. We love it here!

I see that in addition to being a composer and performer that you produce events for venues with musicians as well. Can you tell us more about that…is that your 501c3 Organ Colossal?

I’ve run various music series’ in other cities, organized concerts, etc. It was a natural next step to put structure around what I’ve already been doing for a while. I founded ‘Organ Colossal’ with Sam. We produce and present concerts around town like the ‘Lift Series’ in collaboration with the Troy Music Hall. We’re a young organization, but we’ve got big plans for this coming year. We have the most amazing board of directors. There is a lot of thought and care that must go in to bringing people together and creating spaces that are equitable and caring. I can’t imagine doing this work without a team of people that bring different perspectives to the vision.

With the current state of affairs, live music which was coming back strong seems not be totally out of the woods with our ongoing health crisis. Do you have plans on how to deal with that to keep the flame alive?

I’m very optimistic. I don’t think keeping the flame alive is ever going to be the issue. It’s become clear that live music is as important as ever. I have to come back to music as a magic thing – what happens when people experience live music together is totally irreplaceable. Sound waves moving through bodies – your own body and the bodies next to you – create a bond of shared experience. We need these experiences to give voice to the deepest things that we feel that go unprocessed.

My next album that is coming out mid-2022. It’s different from everything else that I’ve put out. It’s scary! This music represents a side of my creativity that I haven’t been able to give voice to until recently. I never gave myself the space to slow down and explore it. The new album is soft, intimate, and enveloping. It’s my own music, recorded on my piano with the best audio engineer in the state, my husband (I’m not biased!). Doing it in my home gave me the freedom to be as vulnerable as possible.

Organ Colossal is in the planning stages of some exciting new projects. We’re committed to creating accessible spaces for music, so we’re moving in a direction that involves more public, open-call work. The next concert on the Lift Series is coming up on on Feb. 23 is Warp Trio (a fantastic genre-bending chamber ensemble). After that, power trio Super 400 (regional superheros!) is slated for March 23. Follow our Instagram page or sign up to my mailing list to keep up to date on future shows and programming.

IG: @sophiavastek
WEB: www.sophiavastek.com

IG: Organ Colossal: @organcolossal