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Artful Alchemy to Showcase Local Artists

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Artful Alchemy to Showcase Local Artists
Anima Spectra, a local-women owned business that offers event planning, handcrafted art, & wellness services is partnering with Eden’s Rose Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to inciting change, inspiring hope, and empowering sustainability in the Capital Region to host Artful Alchemy. Artful Alchemy is an immersive showcase of local artists based in the Capital Region and will take place Friday, August 30th at Empire Underground from 6:00pm till 10:45pm. This nearly five hour event aims to empower local small businesses, provide exposure to upcoming artists, while bringing the community together in a mindful and immersive setting.
During Artful Alchemy, patrons can expect to conjure their creative essence, while supporting local artists and small businesses in an inclusive atmosphere. The event will start at 6:00pm offering immersive art exhibits, items for sale by local businesses, artisans, interactive
games, activities, and performances by flow art performers, live painters, Live DJs & Musicians! This is a ticketed event. Attendees must be 18+ with valid I.D; and will enjoy appetizers, & elixir bar with mocktail options!

Anima Spectra & Eden’s Rose Foundation extends their gratitude to Empire Underground for graciously offering their venue, and event sponsor LunoSol for outfitting the event space with vibrant decor, projection mapping, and professional lighting. Anima Spectra founder Kendra Cole (She/Her) adds that, “The Immersive Art Community is lacking an outlet here in Albany, NY. An event of this caliber can only be found in places like New York City, or other art capitals out of state.” Kendra, a supporter of local LGBTQ+, BIPOC communities, and her partners aim to encourage inclusivity, empower local artists, small businesses, and raise awareness of harm reduction resources, support mindfulness, and dissembody the perceived pressures to indulge in substances in social settings.

If you’d like to learn more about Artful Alchemy, please search “Artful Alchemy” on Facebook or Instagram. Tickets are tiered starting at $15 on Ticketmaster; to $30 the day of the event.

– Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/300060DEFDEC3312
– Facebook Event Page: https://facebook.com/events/s/artful-alchemy/1545612743000981/
– Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/_artfulalchemy?igsh=MW9teWZpZ3NxanZteQ==

Clown at Your Door – The Weird Side of the Internet

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Clown at Your Door – The Weird Side of the Internet

Clown at your Door – The Weird Side of the Internet – by Liam Sweeny.

One of the things you have constantly on your mind as a fiction writer is whether or not the wild idea you have in your head, that blockbuster idea, is going to show up in the news midway through your first draft, making it obsolete. One of the cool things about crime fiction, however, is that most crimes have been done before, so it’s all about how you tell him.

And then there’s Francis Bui.

Francis Bui, a.k.a. “The Amazing Franko.” Professioinal clown, down, down on his luck. Decides to take the hard road, and by that I do mean the “hard” road. Lists himself in the classifieds under “escort services.” Offers a little joy for $100 an hour, no condoms needed. Only his client is, guess who? That’s right, a cop. He gets to the motel and gets popped, and not in a good way.

He said he never did it before but times were tough. And his nose grew three times redder, I bet. Hard to figure a newbie is going to advertise “no condoms.” Not that a newbie would or wouldn’t care, but I’m guessing that bonus would be a third- or fourth time out thing, at least.

I wrote a story called “Seltzer and Blow,” that got published in a clown crime anthology called “Greasepaint and .45s” and not only story in there was a clown hooker. Clowns and hookers? Sure. But no clown hookers.

“The Amazing Franko.” Man that is some big shoes to fill in the bedroom (bah-dum-tiss.) He could’ve just said “I’ll get you wet” in the ad and it would’ve been a double entendre and he could’ve skated. Sad.

I think the only real question on our minds is this: did the Amazing Franko show up to the Carbondale hotel done up in his pro gear? Was he about to get greasepaint all over the sheets? Would he have been nose on or nose off? No kink shaming; is there even a kink for clown hookers?

 

 

 

More from Liam Sweeny…

Singin Guru – An Xperience Column

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Singin Guru – An Xperience Column

Singin Guru – An Xperience Column – by Jeff and Crystal Moore.

Dear Singin’ Guru,

I’m a vocalist in a cover band that’s just getting started. Our guitarist wants every song to “sound just like the record.” I know we want to be faithful to the original, but some of the songs are too high for me. I asked if we could lower the song, but the guitarist said it’s “cheating” to change the key. I need some ammunition to go back and argue with him. Can you help?

Sincerely,

Am I a Cheater?

 

Dear Mr. Cheater,

Performing a song in a key other than the original is NOT cheating. Changing keys can be essential, especially if your band is adjusting to a different vocalist or needs to accommodate a singer’s voice on any given day. Any touring band will tell you that they may drop or raise a song by up to three steps depending on the condition of the singer’s voice.

Songs are often written in specific keys to suit the instrumentalists or vocalists performing them. Some guitarists might sweat bullets playing in G#, but feel right at home in the key of G. Keyboardists may prefer playing in C rather than wrestling with Eb. It’s all about comfort and sound quality. Think about it—when Johnny Cash covered Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” he shifted the key. Was Cash cheating? Absolutely not! He made the song work for his voice so he could give the best performance.

It’s also about the instrumentalist’s skill level. Is your guitarist able to transpose the chords (in other words, change all the chords in a song to a higher or lower key)? Is their chord vocabulary big enough? Does the guitarist have some basic knowledge of music theory so they can transpose? That may be one of his issues.

Mr. Cheater, you can also expand your range. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t sing in a different key, but everyone can benefit from a wider vocal range. Similarly, all guitarists who struggle with transposition can learn enough music theory to help them change keys. Acquiring these skills are all part of musical growth. Keep on singin’, Mr. Cheater, and hold your ground on this one (just don’t get kicked out of the band!).

Yours Truly,

The Singin’ Guru

 

Dear Singin’ Guru,

My sister heard me practicing my karaoke song and said I sounded like Fran Drescher from the Nanny. While I welcome constructive criticism, I wanted to punch her out (but I didn’t ….). What can I do?

Signed,

The Nanny Singer

 

Dear Nanny,

First of all, congratulations on your impulse control!

This nasal quality occurs when too much sound is resonating in the nasal cavity, but this isn’t all good or bad. The goal is to balance nasal tones with resonance to get the best sound. The problem is an inability to reduce heavy nasal tones.

First things first: try the pinch test. Pinch your nostrils closed and sing a note. Keep holding the note and then release the pinch. How different do they sound? If they sound a lot different, you’re probably singing with too much nasal resonance.

Next, you’ve got to increase your body awareness. What does it feel like when you sing with too much resonance in your nasal cavity? If you know what it feels like when you’re singing nasally and when you aren’t, you can then start to control it. Try this: sing a verse and a chorus of a song and try to sound as nasally as possible. Channel that inner Nanny! Then sing it as you normally would. How different is the sound? What do you feel when you sing nasally and when you don’t? If you can identify the feeling that comes with reducing nasal tones, you can build on that. Focus on reproducing that feeling with other songs.

Other suggestions: breathe from your belly (also called diaghragmatic breathing). Fill your lungs from top to bottom and tighten that core like you were Bruce Lee. Keep your tongue relaxed and lying on the floor of your mouth. If the back of your tongue is lifted, it can block the sound from reaching your oral cavity, which increases nasality. Open your mouth wider when singing. This will naturally force more air out of your mouth rather than through your nasal passages.

It takes time to reduce this nasal sound, so be patient. And tell your sister to keep her pie hole shut!

Most Sincerely,

The Singin’ Guru

 

Contact Peak Music if you are a guitarist who wants to learn how to change keys on the fly, a vocalist who wants to expand their range and decrease nasal tones, or a musician who wants to take their playing to the next level. Peak Music’s ultimate goal is to help you become the musician you always wanted to be! Book a free consultation at www.PeakMusicStudios.com.

 

 

 

More from Jeff and Crystal Moore….

Pat Travers / The Joe Mele Project @ Powers Park, 7/27/2024

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Pat Travers / The Joe Mele Project @ Powers Park, 7/27/2024

Free summer concerts don’t get much better than the on that happened this Saturday at Power Park.

Photography by Timothy Reidy.

 

 

More from Timothy Reidy …

 

Bryan McPherson / Danny Quane / Xavier Morris @ Twisted Fiddler, 7/27/2024

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Bryan McPherson / Danny Quane / Xavier Morris @ Twisted Fiddler, 7/27/2024

Boston native Bryan McPherson wowed them at Twisted Fiddler Saturday night, supported by Xavier Morris and Danny Quane. A great night.

Photography by Timothy Reidy.

 

 

More from Timothy Reidy …

 

Summer Square Series – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

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Summer Square Series – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

TROY, NEW YORK:     The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall’s free Summer Square series presented by New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and Bacchus Wood-Fired returns this Saturday, August 3rd with Joe Finn Duo!  A summer favorite, the free outdoor concert series will be held Saturday evenings at 6pm through August.  Located in the Music Hall courtyard on 2nd Street, the series will be showcasing some of the area’s top talents. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy some summer fun!

Full season lineup:

Saturday, August 3rd: Joe Finn Duo
Jazz guitarist Joe Finn was surrounded by music from the very first. By age ten he was playing his first guitar and giving lessons to kids in the neighborhood. After high school he got a Bachelor’s Degree in Music at Plattsburgh State and had the good fortune to play and study with Roy Burns, James Spaulding, Jim Miller, Billy Hawkins and Kirk Nurock. After college he spent ten years traveling the United States and Canada playing the guitar in a wide variety of situations. Finn has now settled in upstate New York where he concentrates on local performances and teaching.

Saturday, August 10th Julia Alsarraf
Julia Alsarraf is a singer and multi-instrumentalist based in Troy, NY whose songwriting ranges from contemporary folk to indie pop/rock. Her music has been described as deep, soulful, and vulnerable.

Saturday, August 17th: Rhynhart-Hellwitz Duo
The Rhynhart-Hellwitz Duo is relatively recent collaboration of long-time Albany residents Charlie Rhynhart on dobro guitar, harmonica, and vocals;  Fred Hellwitz on electric guitar.  Our music is a conglomeration of blues tunes, jazz standards, original songs, and the occasion folk or “pop” tune, often incorporating an “unconventional approach” to conventional genres.

Saturday, August 24th: Zan Strumfeld
Zan Strumfeld of The Winter Folk is an Americana musician performing anthems for the revivalists, lullabies for the lonely, and ballads for the hopeful. The Winter Folk blend an upbeat, rootsy spirit with a melodic longing and vulnerability in their storytelling.

Saturday, August 31st: Dust Bowl Faeries
Dust Bowl Faeries perform a faerie-tale fusion of dark cabaret and gothic polka music, infused with a dose of witchcraft and a dusting of woodland magic. Celebrating their ten year anniversary in 2024, the accordion driven freak-folk ensemble hails from the New York Hudson Valley and draws inspiration from sinister circus songs, murder ballads and Eastern European folk music. Singing saw, piano accordion, electric bass, percussion and acoustic guitar combine to create the Dust Bowl Faeries otherworldly sound. Dust Bowl Faeries was founded by Ryder Cooley (faerie queen) and her taxidermy spirit animal, Hazel the Ram.  Ryder and Hazel are joined by Jon B. Woodin (rocket faerie), Jude Roberts (hobbit faerie) for this special trio performance at Summer Square.

*Check our website and social media for updates in case of inclement weather.  If the event is canceled due to weather, it will not be rescheduled.

Thanks to our sponsors:

New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)

Bacchus Wood- Fired

To find out more information about the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and our upcoming programs visit: www.troymusichall.org.

 

The Park Theater – Adirondack American Music Series

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The Park Theater – Adirondack American Music Series

The Park Theater Foundation announces their inaugural Adirondack Americana music series live at The Hub in Brant Lake, NY throughout September and October 2024.

Adirondack Americana at The Hub:

In partnership with The Hub, The Park Theater Foundation is proud to present a brand new music series, Adirondack Americana, live at The Hub in Brant Lake, NY throughout September and October 2024.

Expanding on their annual Summer Series Concerts at the Crandall Park Bandshell, this is a FREE music series that will serve to enhance the accessibility of the arts within the local communities. These live musical performances will begin at 4pm, and feature a mix of local and nationally acclaimed artists.

“We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our free music series by introducing Adirondack Americana. The success of our Summer Series Concerts at the Crandall Park Bandshell is beyond anything I could have imagined. Over the last four years, we have welcomed a wide variety of acts to our area and helped to create a family-friendly environment where folks from near and far can enjoy quality entertainment for free! I am looking forward to extending the spirit of our Summer Series Concerts to our neighbors in Brant Lake this fall, and work alongside our friend and supporter, Drew Cappabianca. The expansion of the series allows us to take our programming to the northern parts of Warren County and provide an additional outlet for the performing arts in our region. Make your plans for Adirondack Americana – we can’t wait to see you in the fall!”

2024 Adirondack Americana Lineup:

Saturday, 09/14 – Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band (Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band challenge the traditional relationship of a songwriter and his band, with a fluidly rotating cast of top-notch players and a flair for experimentation that combine for a unique and mesmerizing live performance. “Americana Artist of the Year” – 2023 & 2024 Thomas Edison Capital Region Music Awards)

Saturday, 09/28 – Joseph Terrell & Blue Cactus (Most widely known by music fans as a member of the indie-americana band Mipso, Terrell is well-accustomed to pushing the boundaries of traditional genres into new musical territory. Blue Cactus make ‘Dream Country:’ a blend of grit, glitz, groove, and twang that evokes a celestial soundscape of mid-century heartbreak and harkens comparisons eclectic and iconic as Bobbie Gentry, Fleetwood Mac, and David Bowie. “A subtle but beautiful elegance… If you’ve ever wondered where country and Americana music is going, look no further. Blue Cactus is painting pictures of limitless possibility.” – NO DEPRESSION)

Saturday, 10/12 – Little Saints (Based in Saratoga Springs, NY, Little Saints craft a style they call their own somewhere between americana, indie-folk, and modern soul. “Spearheaded by songwriter Natalie Santini – her powerfully sultry voice alone would make anything sound soulful – [Little Saints has established themselves as] a force to be reckoned with.” – Lucas Garrett, Nippertown)

 

Further Information:

Venue: The Hub (27 Market Street, Brant Lake, NY 12185)

The Park Theater Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Glens Falls community by providing a venue for quality and affordable entertainment and educational opportunities in the performing arts.

Funding provided by the Warren County ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Committee for the expansion of the Summer Series Concerts from 2023 through 2026.

For the full performance listing and more information, visit <www.parktheatergf.com> or phone the box office at 518-792-1150.

Triskele @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 7/27/2024

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Triskele @ Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 7/27/2024

This week’s Summer Square Concert Series featured Triskele outside the Music Hall.

Photography by Timothy Reidy.

 

 

More from Timothy Reidy …

“The Woodstock ’99 Anniversary Cover Show” @ No Fun, 7/27/2024

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“The Woodstock ’99 Anniversary Cover Show” @ No Fun, 7/27/2024

The folks at No Fun partied like it was 1999, including tribute versions of Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Green Day, and others.

Photography by Timothy Reidy.

 

 

More from Timothy Reidy …

 

 

Caffe Lena’s Picks of August 2024

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Caffe Lena’s Picks of August 2024

Caffè Lena’s Top Picks for August 2024
A RAINBOW OF AMERICANA AND INDIE FOLK
518 MUSICIANS SUPPORTING EACH OTHER
WOMEN JAZZ GREATS
A FOLK HERITAGE PERFORMER
THIS GLORIOUS EARTH
All events are at Caffè Lena unless otherwise noted
NEWCOMER OF THE MONTH
Rainbow Girls
Genre: Americana/Indie-Folk
Date: Wednesday August 14, 7 p.m.
What: Their sound is a big and boisterous mix of alt-country and Americana, with a bit of ethereal folk thrown in. (Think the Avett Brothers, but all female.)
Sample song: You Must Not Feel the Way I Do
Quote: “A gang of sweet angels punching you in the heart.”
– For Folks Sake
Tickets & Info

COMMUNITY STAGE: JAM SESSIONS, 518 MUSICIANS & WORKSHOPS
Monday Open Mic
Date: Monday August 5, 12, 19, & 26,  7 p.m.
More Info There is no cost, but a $3 – $5 donation is requested.
What: During the past three decades, Lena’s open mic has been recognized with “Best of” awards from Metroland Magazine, The Alt Weekly, The Saratogian Reader’s Poll, and Saratoga’s Fab Five.

MUST SEE
Judith Owen & Her Gentlemen Callers
Genre: Jazz
Date: Saturday August 31, 8 p.m.
What: Join British-born singer Judith Owen and her New Orleans sextet for an electric evening featuring music from her latest release, Judith Owen Comes Alive. Celebrating the music of the female singers, pianists, and band leaders who inspired her as a young woman. Meet the trailblazing, but often forgotten, “Unapologetic” Jazz and Blues ladies of the ‘40s & ‘50s, such as Nellie Lutcher, Julia Lee, and Blossom Dearie, who were singing about sex and enjoying it at a time when women were “supposed” to be singing about romance. Then enjoy Owen’s fabulous, full-tilt interpretations of the powerhouse women who followed, such as Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone.

This hi-octane performance is a throwback with a fresh feel, complete with a look, sound, and style that speaks of these groundbreaking and hugely entertaining women.
Sample song: Trouble in Mind
Press quote: “A bomb of energy, she is magnificent, powerful, inescapable.” – Toutelacutlure.com
Tickets & Info

LIKELY TO SELL OUT
Folk Heritage Series: Al Stewart
Genre: Folk/Blues
Date: Two dates – Tuesday August 27 at 7 p.m. and Wednesday August 28 at 7 p.m.
What: Al Stewart came to stardom as part of the British folk revival of the sixties and seventies. 19 studio albums, top 20 radio chart-toppers and two Platinum records later, he still tours the world year and year out sharing laughter, history lessons and brilliant artistry.
Sample song: Year of the Cat
Press quote: “This venerable singer-songwriter is still doing what he does best, and clearly his best is as good as ever.” – Miami Herald
Tuesday Tickets & Info: August 27
Wednesday Tickets & Info: August 28

PICK OF THE MONTH
This Glorious Earth: Paul Winter with Chuck Lamb
Genre: Jazz/Classical
Date: Two dates – Friday August 23 at 8 p.m. and Saturday August 24 at 8 p.m.
What: This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Known for his profound performances Solstice performances at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan, this will be his first time playing in a club setting since he was a young man just embarking on a career that has brought him seven Grammy Awards. The saxophonist, composer and bandleader founded Living Music as the recording context for his ensemble, the Paul Winter Consort, and his community of colleagues, which includes some of the world’s finest jazz, world, and classical musicians, along with notable voices from the great symphony of wildlife. This weekend, Winter will share his wide-ranging experiences in the musical traditions and natural environments of the Earth.

Winter will be joined by resident Jazz at Caffè Lena Series steward, composer, pianist and jazz master Chuck Lamb.  Lamb, who has been a member of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet since 2002, is not only an exciting and emotive pianist in his own right, but also a prolific composer of jazz, fusion, classical and world music.
Sample song: Sun Singer
Quote: “No one in the music world has been more ambitious or creative in exploring the ways musicians can create soundscapes in dialogue with the surrounding world. And he has been doing it for decades, all over the globe, from Siberia to the Grand Canyon. His website notes that Winter has “traveled on rafts, dog sleds, mules, kayaks, tug-boats and Land Rovers” to engage in this lifelong project of musical outreach.” – Ted Gioia, The Honest Broker
Tickets & Info: Friday August 23
Tickets & Info: Saturday August 24

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