Hartwick College Awarded Grants to Enhance Civic Engagement, Innovation Efforts

ONEONTA, NY (07/17/2023) Hartwick has received two grants totaling $10,000 from the Community Foundation of Otsego County to expand civic engagement and innovation at the College.

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity that brings together financial and human resources to address challenges and increase opportunity in Otsego County. Each year, the foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations in the Otsego community to support efforts to strengthen the community; the nonprofit sector; and assist those in need of support.

"We are very grateful to the Community Foundation for its support and commitment to innovation and social progress in our region," said Hartwick College President Darren Reisberg. "The Hartwick experience - for students, faculty, staff and the external communities with which we connect - is about both inquiry and impact. These grants support both, allowing us to be a catalyst for positive change on campus and in our community."

A $5,000 grant to Hartwick's Institute of Public Service will support three main civic engagement activities to strengthen connections between young people in Otsego County and local government. The grant will allow the institute to conduct a voter registration and education campaign aimed at college and high school students in Otsego County. The funding will also support two "get to know your candidates" events in October - one featuring Oneonta City Council candidates and the other, Otsego County candidates. The institute is also looking to use the funding to support an essay competition for area high school students focusing on civic engagement.

The College's Griffiths Center for Collaboration and Innovation (GCCI) is the recipient of the second grant. The $5,000 matching award will help fund the next steps in realizing a vision of Hartwick College's Stevens-German Library as an active student-centered and community engagement space. Along with the Student Success Center, which is also embedded in the library, the space will become a hub of innovation, creativity, and support.

"We are pleased to present these grants to Hartwick," said Jeff Katz, executive director of the Community Foundation. "The Community Foundation has been impressed by the new energy at Hartwick and its commitment to strengthening the community. Civic engagement and innovation are essential to the future of our region, and by supporting these programs at the College, the foundation is ensuring our community's ongoing strength and vibrancy. Helping Hartwick students develop the skills and knowledge they need to be leaders in the 21st century is important work and we are proud to partner with Hartwick."

About the Institute for Public Service:

The newly established Hartwick College Institute for Public is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, regional political institute dedicated to state and local government, civic engagement, and legal studies. The institute seeks to create synergy between local government officials in Otsego, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer Madison, Montgomery, Oneida and Schoharie Counties; develop pathways for students to meaningfully engage in democracy; and provide continued legal education for legal professionals, lawyers, and judges in the region. It hopes to inspire the next generation of public servants; create avenues for meaningful public service careers in state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and legal services; and serve as a hub of innovation and collaboration between communities to strengthen democracy.

About the Griffiths Center for Collaboration and Innovation (GCCI):

The Griffiths Center for Collaboration seeks to empower the next generation of social impact leaders by promoting cross-disciplinary innovation and entrepreneurship through high-impact community partnerships, innovation spaces and research opportunities. The center also facilitates dynamic career opportunities and connections with global partners that help define the student journey at Hartwick College

About Hartwick College:

Located in upstate New York, Hartwick College delivers a future-focused education through its distinctive FlightPath approach, which offers a distinctive blend of curricular, co-curricular, real-world and global experiences. With over 45 courses of study, four pre-professional programs, six cooperative programs, and certifications, Hartwick's personalized and flexible experience gives students everything they need to soar. For more information, visit www.Hartwick.edu.

View Online: http://hartwick.meritpages.com/news/Hartwick-College-Awarded-Grants-to-Enhance-Civic-Engagement-Innovation-Efforts/37126

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Valley Health Services Receives Community Foundation Grant to Enhance Food Service Amenities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                             July 18, 2023 Contact: Gabrielle Argo, Director of Public Relations Tel. (607) 431-5009 | gabrielle.argo@aofmh.org

Herkimer, N.Y. – Bassett Healthcare Network announced today that Valley Health Services (VHS) in Herkimer has received a grant from the Wesley and Marion Small Fund of The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties. The $7,500 grant will help fund the purchase of a Camduction Complete Heat System, which is designed to retain the temperature of foods being served bedside in a healthcare facility. The quality and safety of the meals are maintained by the unit.   “On behalf of our residents, we are very thankful for the meal-enhancing equipment we are able to acquire,” said Bryan Ehlinger, Administrator of VHS. “The Community Foundation’s Senior Grant Award supports the vision of Valley Health Services to promote an optimal quality of life for older adults.”    In the grant application, VHS stated that it “strives to provide quality, person-centered care promoting health and quality of life. Palatable meals are essential to the enjoyment and wellbeing of our residents. In a nursing home setting, the food service program is more than a way to provide nourishment, but a highlighted experience.”   Valley Health Services is a 160-bed long-term care and rehabilitation facility offering inpatient and outpatient services. VHS has been a major healthcare provider and vital community asset in Herkimer, New York since its founding in 1984. It is a corporately affiliated member of Bassett Healthcare Network.   As stated on its website: “The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties is a community-based social impact investor whose mission is to engage, invest, and lead—working toward a vision of community vibrancy with opportunity for all.” The site continues: “Community foundations across the country represent and support specific geographic areas by pooling donations, creating permanently endowed funds to address current and future community needs through nonprofit organizations’ work.”    More information about Valley Health Services is available here.

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Franklin Stage Company Presents Julian Fleisher and Band

Franklin Stage Company will present a return engagement of singer, bandleader and showman Julian Fleisher. The weekend, dubbed “Julian Fleisher and Band, Detours” offers three evenings of intimate song and storytelling. “Julian Fleisher is an FSC favorite, an artist we’re bringing back by popular demand!” said FSC Artistic director Patricia Buckley. “We’re thrilled to have him back.”  Julian Fleisher, dubbed a “Manhattan nightclub supernova” by the LA Times, is a singer, actor, and longtime associate of the Franklin Stage Company. He returns to Chapel Hall for an evening of songs gathered along the unexpected detours during a career that has ranged all over the musical map. Fleisher will be joined by musicians Drew Wutke on piano, Sean Murphy on bass, Dave Berger on drums and Pete Smith on guitar. The band weaves together original tunes, stories, and classics from the Great American Songbook.  Fleisher began as a singer, and his regular gigs at such stalwart New York venues as Joe’s Pub, Lincoln Center, BAM, Symphony Space, The 92nd St Y and The World Trade Center’s Winter Garden led him naturally to start writing his own songs and to collaborating with a host of partners both on and off the stage. Between concerts, the recording studio, the theater and his popular recent podcasts The Naked American Songbook and Julian Fleisher’s Guilty Pleasures, Fleisher has sung, written, gigged, produced or appeared with Molly Ringwald, Martha Plimpton, Issac Mizrahi, Jennifer Holiday, Lauren Graham, Ana Gasteyer, Rufus Wainwright, Mo Rocca, Bridget Everett, Paul Schaefer, Keith Carradine, Joshua Malina, David Rakoff and Sally Field, among others. Showtimes for Julian Fleisher and Band are Friday, July 28th and Saturday July 29th at 7:30pm, and Sunday, July 30th at 5:00pm. All shows take place at Chapel Hall, 25 Institute Street in Franklin, NY. Admission is free—suggested donation is $25 per person. FSC will not require masks, but will provide them to anyone who prefers to mask. Any updates to FSC Covid policy can be found on their website.  For reservations, visit www.franklinstagecompany.org or call 607-829-3700.  Programming at the Franklin Stage Company is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. Below: Julian Fleisher returns to the Franklin Stage Company July 28-30.

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The Landis Arboretum 2023 BIG Tree Search is now open!

For this BIG tree search Landis is looking for: 1. NYS's BIGGEST tree. We are looking for the biggest overall single stem tree in New York State regardless of species. 2. NYS's Champion trees. A New York State champion is the biggest single stem tree of its kind in NYS. To see a full list of the current NYS champions click here. These are the only tree species that we will be accepting for the species champion category. Remember, a champion apple tree will not be as big as a champion white oak will, but all are eligible as possible species champions! All winners will receive a CASH reward, Landis membership, and Landis swag! Questions? Visit our website here, or download information and an application here. Contact us or send us your application at bigtreesearch@landisarboretum.org. We can't wait to see what you find!

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ASF To Host Second WIM Mountain Bike Trip of the Season

WINDHAM, N.Y. – The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) will host its second Warriors in Motion® (WIM) mountain biking program next week from July 18-20.

Five U.S. Military veterans are scheduled to arrive at the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center on Tuesday afternoon to meet with ASF staff and volunteers, share a lunch and quickly go through the basics of mountain biking. Once everyone is ready and they’re gear is set up, the WIM team will depart for the Elm Ridge Wild Forest to test their skills on the warm-up loop trails. After riding, the warriors will then check into their hotels and get ready for dinner at ASF.

Wednesday’s ride depends on the trail conditions as well as the warriors’ performance on Tuesday. The group will either venture to the Round Top Mountain Bike Association trails and ride those paths all day or they will stay local and return to Elm Ridge to cruise down the other trails the popular East Windham spot has to offer. When the participants are through with riding for the day, they will again return to their hotels to relax and get cleaned up for another dinner at the ASF lodge.

The warriors and volunteers will spend Thursday morning riding in Tannersville at the Tannersville Bike Park. The WIM program visited this bike park last year and found that a time-trial run on the downhill trail “Thriller” was a fun and exciting way to wrap up a trip in the Catskills. The program will again ride these trails and end with the friendly competition. The crew will then hop on the ASF shuttle bus and return to the lodge for lunch and goodbyes.

The ASF’s Warriors in Motion program provides participating injured United States servicemen and women with a basic knowledge and practice of wellness and the importance of lifelong healthy living. All WIM programs are goal-oriented and empower the warrior to take charge of their own fitness and wellness.

Warriors in Motion is funded by donations that were generously given to the Adaptive Sports Foundation. Thanks to these donations, the Adaptive Sports Foundation will be able to provide equipment, water bottles, all meals, snacks, water, sports drinks, sunscreen, bug spray, ponchos (if necessary) and trail maps for this upcoming event.

If you’d like to donate to the Adaptive Sports Foundation’s Warriors in Motion program, or any of the other programs the ASF has to offer, visit www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org. 

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Landis Perennial Forest 5K

Saturday, Aug 12, 2023, 8:00 AM start

The Landis Forest 5K is a unique race through the fields and forests of Landis Arboretum. It has become a not-to-be-missed event for many runners in our region. There are awards for the winning runners, of course, but many people come to walk or run - just because! Please, no dogs on race day!

Location: Check in at the Meeting House as early as 7:00 AM

Registration: Priced by age. Registration is online only through RunSignUp.

Click here for information on registration fees and here to access RunSignUp registration for the race.

Questions? Contact David Roy at David.Roy@ScaryLegRunners.com. 

Online registration only.

This is a sanctioned Route 20 Road Challenge race.

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Franklin Stage Company Presents Julian Fleisher and Band

Franklin Stage Company will present a return engagement of singer, bandleader and showman Julian Fleisher. The weekend, dubbed “Julian Fleisher and Band, Detours” offers three evenings of intimate song and storytelling. “Julian Fleisher is an FSC favorite, an artist we’re bringing back by popular demand!” said FSC Artistic director Patricia Buckley. “We’re thrilled to have him back.”  Julian Fleisher, dubbed a “Manhattan nightclub supernova” by the LA Times, is a singer, actor, and longtime associate of the Franklin Stage Company. He returns to Chapel Hall for an evening of songs gathered along the unexpected detours during a career that has ranged all over the musical map. Fleisher will be joined by musicians Drew Wutke on piano, Sean Murphy on bass, Dave Berger on drums and Pete Smith on guitar. The band weaves together original tunes, stories, and classics from the Great American Songbook.  Fleisher began as a singer, and his regular gigs at such stalwart New York venues as Joe’s Pub, Lincoln Center, BAM, Symphony Space, The 92nd St Y and The World Trade Center’s Winter Garden led him naturally to start writing his own songs and to collaborating with a host of partners both on and off the stage. Between concerts, the recording studio, the theater and his popular recent podcasts The Naked American Songbook and Julian Fleisher’s Guilty Pleasures, Fleisher has sung, written, gigged, produced or appeared with Molly Ringwald, Martha Plimpton, Issac Mizrahi, Jennifer Holiday, Lauren Graham, Ana Gasteyer, Rufus Wainwright, Mo Rocca, Bridget Everett, Paul Schaefer, Keith Carradine, Joshua Malina, David Rakoff and Sally Field, among others. Showtimes for Julian Fleisher and Band are Friday, July 28th and Saturday July 29th at 7:30pm, and Sunday, July 30th at 5:00pm. All shows take place at Chapel Hall, 25 Institute Street in Franklin, NY. Admission is free—suggested donation is $25 per person. FSC will not require masks, but will provide them to anyone who prefers to mask. Any updates to FSC Covid policy can be found on their website.  For reservations, visit www.franklinstagecompany.org or call 607-829-3700.  Programming at the Franklin Stage Company is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. Below: Julian Fleisher returns to the Franklin Stage Company July 28-30.

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Celebrating 25 Years of Musical Excellence, Cooperstown Summer Musical Festival Unveils Spectacular Lineup

Extraordinary performances showcase collaborative spirit, artistic innovation and classical mastery

 

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (JULY 11, 2023) - The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival’s highly anticipated 25^th anniversary season opens on Tuesday, August 1^st at 7pm at the Otesaga Resort Hotel. The 2023 lineup of concerts will captivate Cooperstown audiences and beyond with world-class talent and unforgettable performances. ­

 

"We’re looking forward to sharing this special 25^th year with music lovers of all stripes, as we embark on a remarkable musical journey that showcases an exceptional array of artists from diverse genres," says Festival Founder and Artistic Director Linda Chesis. 

 

From jazz legends to classical ensembles, each performance embodies the spirit of collaboration, inviting audiences to experience the powerful synergy created when talented musicians join forces. The festival's commitment to artistic innovation is evident in performances that push boundaries, introducing audiences to new musical territories as well as to novel expressions of more traditional genres.

 

Taking place every Tuesday in August at various venues in Cooperstown, including The Otesaga Resort Hotel and The Farmers’ Museum, the festival has become synonymous with the fusion of musical excellence, collaborative spirit, artistic innovation, and the celebration of classical masters.

 

2023 Cooperstown Summer Music Festival Lineup

 

Harry Allen's All Star New York Saxophone Band

Tuesday, August 1 at 7pm at the Otesaga Resort Hotel

 

Jazz saxophone legend Harry Allen joins forces with Ken Peplowski and Grant Stewart on tenor saxophone, Gary Smulyan on baritone saxophone, James Chirillo on guitar, Mike Karn on bass and Aaron Kimmel on drums for an evening of small group jazz with a big band feel. 

 

Nuevo Tango: JP Jofre, bandoneon and Tommy Mesa, cello

Tuesday, August 8 at 7pm at the Otesaga Resort Hotel  

 

Argentinian bandoneon master JP Jofre joins highly-acclaimed Cuban-American cellist Tommy Mesa for a program exploring the fusion of classical music and tango. Performing beloved works by Astor Piazzolla alongside original works by the Grammy-nominated Jofre, the duo will show fans the future of tango in a unique musical experience. 

 

Caroga Arts Ensemble: A String Serenade

Tuesday, August 15 at 7pm at the Otesaga Resort Hotel

 

The hometown heroes of the Caroga Arts Ensemble return to CSMF for a summer string extravaganza, showcasing works spanning a variety of sounds and emotions from around the globe.

 

All-Bach

Tuesday, August 22 at 7pm at Christ Episcopal Church 

 

CSMF Artistic Director Linda Chesis combines forces with festival favorites Joseph Lin, violin, Michael Katz, cello and the inimitable Bradley Brookshire on harpsichord for a celebration of the pure beauty and undeniable genius of J. S. Bach. In addition to performing a selection of Bach’s instrumental sonatas -- masterful compositions that reveal new meaning with each encounter -- they will be joined by Glimmerglass Festival Young Artists Emilie Kealani, soprano, and Kyle Tingzon, countertenor, for performances of Bach’s beloved arias. 

 

Borromeo String Quartet with Linda Chesis, flute

Tuesday, August 29 at 7pm at The Farmers’ Museum 

 

Hailed by the Boston Globe as “simply the best,” the Borromeo String Quartet returns to CSMF to perform Beethoven’s op. 127 as well as works by Amy Beach and Elena Alberga.

 

TICKET INFORMATION:

Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students under 18. Tickets for all events must be purchased in advance either online from www.cooperstownmusicfest.org or over the phone by calling Purplepass Tickets at 800-316-8559 and selecting Option 1. Please note there is a $2 service fee per phone order.

 

ABOUT THE COOPERSTOWN SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL:

Founded in 1999 by flutist Linda Chesis, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival has been bringing world-class chamber music performances to the Cooperstown area for 25 years. The festival has featured performances by the American, Juilliard, St. Lawrence, Jupiter and Jasper String Quartets, Stefon Harris, Bill Charlap, Kurt Elling, Simone Dinnerstein, Mark O’Connor, John Pizzarelli, the Sonia Olla Flamenco Dance Company, and many more. Concerts are held in venues across Cooperstown, including the grand Otesaga Hotel, The Farmers’ Museum and Christ Church (the church of author James Fenimore Cooper).

 

The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

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Fighting Tiger Weekly Recap

The SUNY Cobleskill Athletic Department announced today that Kate Isaksen has been named the Fighting Tigers new volleyball coach for the 2023 season. Isaksen most recently served as the Interim Head Volleyball Coach at SUNY Brockport leading the Golden Eagles to a 20-8 overall record with an 8-1 record in conference in 2022.

The Fighting Tiger Athletic Department announced today that Megan Graff has been promoted to the position of Head Athletic Trainer. Graff had been serving as Cobleskill’s Assistant Athletic Trainer since 2020 under Matt Rote who has recently accepted a position at Waverly High School in Waverly, N.Y.

The Fighting Tiger baseball program helped organize in conjunction with the Valley Wolfpack the First Annual Wood Bat Tournament held in conjunction the Marathon For a Better Life at Fighting Tiger Field. The eight-team tournament was won by the North Colonie Bison with a donation of $620 raised in tee-shirt sales being donated to the Marathon For a Better Life.

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Homesteading & Natural Wellness Classes at Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community Saturdays with Stephanie Bandosik

Fonda, NY:  Beginning July 2023, all are welcome to attend homesteading, homemaking, and natural wellness classes on Saturdays with Stephanie Bandosik at Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community, 4934 State Highway 5, Fonda, NY 12068. Topics include meditation, reiki, upcycling, sewing, foraging, gardening, baking, refreshing summer drinks like fruit shrubs and switchel or “Haymaker’s Punch” and more. 

Meditation classes begin on July 15th and 22nd at 10 am for $15. 

Our “Christmas in July” class on Saturday, July 29th at 9:30 am features upcycling an Old Sweater into New Mittens. No sewing experience is necessary but registration is required. 

Do you have a favorite worn-out old sweater hidden in the back of your closet or bottom drawer that you can't wear OR bear to part with because of its exceptional warmth, beauty, or sentimental value? Learn to upcycle an old sweater into warm mittens in plenty of time to make personalized holiday gifts for your family and friends with this Christmas in July class. Some sewing experience is helpful but not required. Good beginner project for those new to sewing. Participants should bring an old sweater with sleeves and cuffs (wool is great but not necessary), and if possible, polar fleece or an old t-shirt for mitten lining, scissors, needle, thread, and sewing pins. We will have extra supplies to share!  The Cost is $25

Celebrating our 30th Anniversary, Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community was re-established in 1993 in traditional Mohawk homelands dating back as early as the 12th century.  Kanatsiohareke's mission is to promote the development of a community based on the traditions, philosophy, and governance of the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy), and to contribute to the preservation of the culture of people as a framework for a blend of traditional native concerns with the best of the emerging new earth-friendly, environmental ideologies that run parallel to these traditions.

Since 2020’s food and supply shortages, there has been a renewed interest in sustainability, homesteading, natural wellness, and learning skills like gardening, food preservation, home cooking, baking from scratch, seed saving, shopping small and local, and community involvement. We look forward to helping the Mohawk Valley community to grow our skills and network.

All are welcome to attend but registration is required by emailing 

UnityGardenHomestead@gmail.com to reserve your space. 

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Flame Rocks Cambodia

The Arc Lexington’s world-renowned band spreads message of inclusivity and acceptance through music during weeklong tour abroad

 

GLOVERSVILLE, NY – Flame’s dream to change the world through music took another step forward in June as the band toured Cambodia, performing for a wide audience and participating in workshops where they shared their story and encouraged acceptance and inclusion of all people, especially those with disabilities.

 

Flame was part of the Arts Envoy Phnom Penh “For the Love of Music” program, a cultural exchange program run through the United States Department of State to engage American artists and arts professionals with people around the world. The highlight of the event was performing at the U.S. Embassy’s Fourth of July celebration and being introduced by Patrick Murphy, the United States Ambassador to Cambodia. Publicity surrounding the band’s tour in Cambodia increased their fan base, and the band was met with a large crowd at a Welcome Home Reception held Friday, July 14, at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts.

 

“We couldn’t have been more proud of the band members and how they interacted with so any people throughout their time in Cambodia. They were wonderful representatives for the U.S., for Lexington and certainly for themselves as very talented musicians,” said Shaloni Winston, CEO of the Arc Lexington.  “They received rousing applause and delightful comments at every conversation. They truly are ambassadors, not only people with disabilities, but for America and for accepting people for who they are and for the talents each person holds.”

 

During the event, Flame shared their experience in Cambodia, which involved collaborative workshop sessions with students at AmCam Exchange in Phom Penh and Epic Arts’ Epic Encounters in the coastal town of Kampot. Epic Encounters focuses on expressing art through dance as a number of the students have disability challenges including hearing, loss of limbs and other developmental and intellectual disabilities.

 

Another highlight of the trip for the band was a sold-out performance at the Hard Rock Café in Phnom Penh. The concert followed the session with high school and college students as part of the AmCam Exchange program run by the U.S. Embassy.

 

Flame vocalist, Andrew Carpenter attributed his confidence, social success and the ability to manage a crazy schedule of full time work, friends, the band, and family to Transitions, a program of The Arc Lexington that prepares teens and young adults with autism and learning differences for colleges, career and life. Carpenter joined Transitions following high school and has gone on to earn his associate degree from SUNY Fulton Montgomery. He is currently a Transitions graduate student and works as a trainer in the HR program.

 

“In addition to performing several times while on the tour, the band was able to share their personal experiences growing up with disabilities, having dreams of being musicians and overcoming various obstacles to achieve their goals and create the band Flame,” said Maria Nestle, the band’s manager. “Often the band credited Lexington and Transitions for the supports these organizations have provided to allow them to form the band, support their practice and performance schedule and share their music.”

 

According to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Arts Envoy Program shares the best of the U.S. arts community with the world to foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration, to demonstrate shared values and aspirations, and to address foreign policy themes and objectives. Arts Envoy programs are arranged upon requests by the embassies and participants are selected by U.S. embassies through collaboration with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

 

The tour in Cambodia trip comes as Flame celebrates its 20-year anniversary as a band completely comprised of musicians who happen to have disabilities.

 

Flame formed in 2003 after singer Michelle King won a talent show hosted by The Arc Lexington. Following her win, King expressed interest in starting a band. Auditions were held and the band came together with King as lead singer, and the name “Flame,” representative of the Olympic torch, was offered by founding and current drummer, David La Grange. In December 2003, Flame performed at The Arc New York’s state conference and have been touring and recording ever since.

 

Today, Flame has seven albums to date, and performs more than 70 shows a year at a variety of venues including music festivals, civic events, community concert series, national and statewide conventions, community parties and more. Some of their more notable performances have included the Special Olympic World Winter Games in Boise Idaho; Athens, Greece; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio; Apollo Theater in New York City; Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts; and 19^th International Festival of Different Abilities in Carpi Italy.

 

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The Roxbury Arts Group Announces Headwaters Music + Arts Festival Tune In to Main Street

The Roxbury Arts Group Announces 

Headwaters Music + Arts Festival

Tune In to Main Street

July 28 from 8p – 12a

at Cowbella Farm

Saturday, July 29, 3 – 6p

at Main Street Stamford, NY

Headwaters Music + Arts Festival, Celebrates Music, Art, and Community in Stamford, New York

Stamford, NY - July 14, 2023 - The Roxbury Arts Group is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated Headwaters Music + Arts Festival. Expanded from the Porchfest of previous years, the Headwaters Music + Arts Festival is a delightful experience that invites festival-goers to revel in live musical performances on front stoops, immerse themselves in engaging art activities, and enjoy the company of like-minded individuals in a festive atmosphere. This unique celebration is open to all, with no admission fee required. This year’s event kicks off with a free Night Photography Workshop on Friday, July 28 and the main festival takes place on Saturday, July 29 from 3:00 to 6:00p along Stamford New York's enchanting Main Street. For complete details, visit roxburyartsgroup.org or call 607.326.7908.

Festivities will kick off with a special Night Photography Workshop for Beginners led by the acclaimed photographer Matt Hill on Friday, July 28 from 8p – 12a. Participants will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of night photography through a hands-on workshop that covers essential topics including stability, focusing, composing, exposure, and capturing star point photos. Weather permitting, participants will also discover the art of capturing stunning star trails. The workshop will commence with a twilight lecture held in the scenic surroundings of a Cowbella Farm field, providing an ideal setting for budding photographers to enhance their skills. This workshop is free, but space is limited and interested community members are required to pre-register. Complete details and registration information can be found at roxburyartsgroup.org/event/night-photography-for-beginners/.

On Saturday, July 29, Stamford’s Main Street will become a beacon of the arts when porches of homes and businesses are transformed into stages and Veterans Memorial Park becomes a canvas for free arts activities. This year’s event features 21 musical performances ranging from folk to rock, and classical to jazz. Acting on feedback from previous Porchfest events, the event has been extended for an additional hours and music performance start times are staggered between 3:00 - 6p, allowing festival-goers to see more bands! A list of bands and their performance locations can be found on the Roxbury Arts Group website, roxburyartsgroup.org. But be aware that changes can be made up to the day of the event. You’ll be able to find a map of band locations with descriptions at the Headwaters Arts Center, 66 Main Street in Stamford.  

A new addition to this year’s event is hands-on arts engagement opportunities. In addition to the Night Photography workshop, Matt Hill will also lead two Photowalks, one along the Stamford Rail Trail with a focus on Nature and one through the festival with a focus on Portraits. Photowalks are walking tours for photographers for varying abilities looking to find inspiration, hone their skills, learn new ideas, and experience different places through your camera's viewfinder. The Nature Photo Walk is from 1:30 – 3p and will start is Veterans Memorial Park. The Portrait Photo Walk, focusing on capturing unpredictable portraits that blend blurred motion and crisp features using flash and long shutter speeds, is from 4 – 5:30p and will also start in Veterans Memorial Park. Participation in the Photowalks are free – just bring a camera!

Community members are also invited to visit the Catskill Mountain Speak-Out House a modular sound booth that provides a private space amidst the festivities for folks to record their reflections about life in the Northern Catskills. Prompts will be provided to inspire and guide your storytelling journey. The collected recordings will be added to the Living Archive, a project of Roxbury Arts Group in collaboration with Delhi-based multimedia artist Christina Hunt Wood. 

Located outside the booth attendees will be able to find an activity table where kids and adults alike can color illustrations of and learn more about our neighbors in the local communities. In addition, guests are invited to create fascinating white-on-blue photographic prints, called cyanotypes, using flat objects on the sun-sensitive paper, expose the materials to the sun. All of these activities are free and located in Stamford’s Veterans Memorial Park, located at the intersection of Main Street and Railroad Avenue.

The Headwaters Music + Arts Festival promises to be an unforgettable experience for all attendees, with a diverse range of 21 musical performances, captivating art activities, and a strong sense of community. This event is free, open to all, and will take place rain or shine. For complete details, a schedule of performers and their locations, and more information about arts activities, visit roxburyartsgroup.org or call 607.326.7908.

The Headwaters Music + Arts Festival is sponsored by the Margaretville Telephone Company. The Roxbury Arts Group 2023 Season is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature, the A. Lindsay & Olive B. O'Connor Foundation, Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, the Tianaderrah Foundation, the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, Humanities NY, Loving Live, Inc, the Delaware National Bank of Delhi, numerous business sponsors and individual donors like you.

                  

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