Nacre offering virtual choreography lab
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Nacre Dance Group will host a six-week virtual choreography lab workshop for students and adults ages 14 and older.
The program is geared toward dancers who want to build their portfolios or who are preparing pieces of choreography for college. Students will learn movement tools used in creating choreography; they will also be provided with follow-up sessions with their instructor to finalize their choreography.
There is a $300 registration fee.
Nacre is also looking for student choreographers for its So, You Think You Can Choreograph? junior choreography showcase scheduled for Nov. 8 at Universal Preservation Hall.
The showcase is open to dance students ages 14 to 19, and entrants will work alongside professional choreographers to learn how to take a piece from the studio to the stage.
Students will present their works at UPH and receive feedback from a panel of judges.
Those interested should apply by Aug. 1 via nacredance.org. For information, call 518-817-3833 or email [email protected].
Troy Cultural Alliance slates two concerts
TROY — The Troy Cultural Alliance will present two free concerts this week by As Iz and the O-Tones.
As Iz will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall courtyard.
Based in Castleton/Schodack, the multi-instrumentalist has released several self-produced albums in the folk/rock Americana genre since 1989, including his most recent, “I Travels With The Wind,” which he released in 2019.
The O-Tones take the stage at Monument Square from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. The band is known for its mix of swing, blues and soul, which it’s been performing for the past two decades.
The concerts are part of Troy’s Summer Square program, which closes Broadway between 2nd and River Streets to cars to create an open-air plaza. It’s open to pedestrians seven days a week and accommodates dining and live entertainment.
For information on the upcoming concerts,visit troymusichall.org.
Tang garners $1.5M Illumination Fund grant
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Tang Teaching Museum has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund for the expansion of its community educational programming, as well as for its endowment.
Each year, the Tang’s educational programs reach more than 8,000 people of all ages through events such as Family Saturdays and workshops at schools, libraries and community centers across the Capital Region.
“The support from the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund is a testament to its commitment to both art and education, and a wonderful validation of the work we do with our many audiences,” said Ian Berry, the museum’s Dayton director. “This is such welcome news after being closed for months and as we plan for new ways to engage with our audiences. By endowing our museum educator position, the Illumination Fund ensures we will be able to deliver truly inspiring and transformative moments for our diverse communities.”
The Illumination Fund is a New York City-based foundation that supports innovative approaches across a range of issues, from making arts education more accessible to increasing access to healthy food.
For information, visit tang.skidmore.edu.
Virtual book launch set for Friday
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Tang Teaching Museum will host a virtual book launch at 4 p.m. Friday for “Liz Collins-Energy Field.”
Collins’ work explores the boundaries between performance, textiles and installation through vibrant works of color and texture. The book documents the artist’s two-year exhibition at the Tang, which transformed the museum’s mezzanine into a lounge and space for social gatherings.
The launch will be held via Zoom and will feature a discussion with book designer Beverly Joel, a performance by Mike Albo and other special guests.
To register for the event and for information, visit tang.skidmore.edu or email [email protected].
Preservation Foundation hosts Sunday tours
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation will host a sold-out Summer Sunday Stroll at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Titled “Those Who Left Their Mark on Saratoga,” the tour will be led by Gloria May and explore the Greenridge Cemetery, highlighting people whose stories are reflected in the buildings, monuments and markers around the city. The Foundation hopes to offer the Greenridge Cemetery tour again in the fall.
On Sunday, Aug. 2, Samantha Bosshart, the Foundation’s executive director, will lead a tour of the grand Queen Annes along North Broadway, many of which were built by prominent figures in the city’s history. The tour will kick off at 10:30 a.m. and run for 90 minutes.
Each tour is limited to 20 guests and each guest must wear a mask. Tickets are $15 for Foundation members and $20 for nonmembers.
For information, visit saratogapreservation.org.
Concert to benefit youth theater companies
TROY — More than 20 Capital Region theater alumni are slated to present an online virtual benefit concert at 8 p.m. Wednesday to raise money for local youth theater companies.
The concert will be held via Facebook Live and donations will be collected for Consortium Actors, Debuts Theater Co., Lights Up Productions, Playhouse Stage Company and SYFI. The donations will be split equally between the five companies.
The cast features alumni and high school seniors who performed with these local theater companies. They’ll sing songs they performed during their time in the Capital Region.
Many, like Maria Andreoli and Jack Rento, have gone on to study musical theater in college, and some have since graduated and are working as professional actors performing in national tours and on Broadway, including Dan Macke, Kelly Swint, Nicole Zelka and Jacob Shipley.
“When I decided to pursue performing as a career, my only goal was to make a name for myself as a performer so I could return to the Capital Region and give back to the companies and directors that shaped me into the person and performer I am today,” said Josh Romeo, one of the event’s organizers. “I have yet to do the first part, but there’s no better time to start doing the second part than now!”
To watch the concert or to donate, visit 518 Alumni Benefit Concert-Raising Money for Capital Region Youth Theater on Facebook.
Categories: Entertainment, Life and Arts
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How doe a community organization….( The Schenectady Theater for Children) go about getting an announcment placed in the Arts Section of the Daily Gazette? Is there a certain email address we should write to? Or do we send a hard copy to the attention of a reporter?
Thanks .
Sincerely, Dee Mulford
Board Member STC
I’ll have someone reach out to you. Mark Mahoney, Editorial Page Editor