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Gotta Have Arts

$86K State Grant Awarded to 2023 Phoenix Festival Signals Growing Focus on Tourism

January 12, 2023 by InsidePress

On the heels of a successful 2022 launch, the Phoenix Festival: Live Arts Hudson Valley has been awarded an $86,000 grant from Empire State Development’s Division of Tourism, through the state’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative. The grant from I LOVE NY’s Market New York program will support the Festival’s second annual program, set for fall of 2023. 

“The Phoenix Festival is a celebration of New York arts, culture and history, and brings world class programming to local communities,” said Craig Smith, Phoenix Festival Executive Director. “A key goal is to increase tourism — attracting visitors to Nyack and Rockland County as a destination for unique experiences in a magnificent Hudson Valley setting. The 2023 grant will support our continuing success in meeting that goal.” 

“New York State continues to demonstrate its support for local tourism events. We’re grateful to receive this award which will ensure the Festival’s continued success,” said Lucy Redzeposki, Rockland County’s Director of Economic Development and Tourism. “We invite everyone to explore, experience and enjoy everything that Rockland County has to offer.”

The 2022 Festival was created on the premise of attracting visitors and generating positive, measurable economic impacts, investing over $200,000 in the local economy. More than 80% of program production dollars went to local businesses for services such as sound engineering, scenery and set building, bus and limo services, housing and catering.   

Exceeding expectations for community support, local businesses responded in kind, contributing more than $30,000 in direct funding, with commitments to contribute again in 2023. In post-Festival interviews, participating businesses reported increases in patronage overall and increases in visitors from other communities, as well as an enthusiastic Festival “buzz” — enhancing the brand for Nyack and Rockland as a vibrant arts community.  

For the 2023 program, Smith and the Festival team plan to build on the 2022 experience with tourism as the cornerstone. Key to the proposition is converting firsttime visitors to returning guests, and to accomplish that, introducing newcomers to Nyack’s and Rockland’s outdoor recreation opportunities, one-of-a-kind shops, top flight dining, friendly pubs, live music and vibrant nightlife. Connections with local businesses and arts organizations will be key.  

The 2022 Festival program included over a dozen outdoor performances of three classic plays by Thornton Wilder, Oscar Wilde and Anton Chekov — presented by the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble over five weekends in September and October. Also featured were performances by Rockland’s Children’s Shakespeare Theatre company and events created and hosted by local non-profits ArtsRock, Rivertown Film, Edward Hopper House Museum and Study center, Rockland Poets, Nyack Library and the Historical Society of the Nyacks.  

Beyond the theatre performances, visitors enjoyed a concert of original art songs inspired by the work of renowned American painter Edward Hopper, and a multifaceted celebration of the career of actor and philanthropist Helen Hayes and husband playwright and screenwriter Charles MacArthur. The homes of Hopper and Hayes are located in the center of Nyack, and an audio/virtual reality walking tour of these sites was specially created for the 2022 Festival.

Tourism was key to the 2022 Festival’s success. In addition to funding from national institutions, substantial contributions from local agencies provided a solid foundation for the Festival launch. The 2022 festival delivered, with nearly 60% of tickets purchased by visitors from outside Rockland County. New York State theater-goers came from New York City, Westchester and Long Island. One New York visitor described it as “an E-Z Pass to outdoor theater heaven.”

Out-of-state visitors came from New Jersey, Arkansas, Minnesota and Pennsylvania, among other states. Notably, the 10,000+ unique visitors to the Festival website included a contingent from countries outside the U.S.

Bob Provost, President and CEO of the New York State Tourism Industry Association, said, “New York State is rich in American culture, history and natural beauty, and tourism is a catalyst for a broad spectrum of economic development in communities across the Empire State. Events like the Phoenix Festival support efforts to promote New York as a unique, world class destination for visitors from across the U.S. and abroad. Ultimately, the goal is for the residents and communities of New York to derive benefit from improved standard of living, quality of life, and pride of place.”

A big draw is the outdoor setting for theater performances at Marydell Faith and Life Center in Upper Nyack. Another critical factor is the creativity and quality of the productions. Founded in New York City in 2004, the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble is recognized worldwide as a producer of premier theater events. As one audience member remarked, “I’m blown away by the quality — New York City-level art right here in Nyack.” 

While continuing to perform in New York City, the Ensemble has clearly made a successful transition from the footlights of Broadway to the foot of Rockland’s Hook Mountain, and theater critics agree. 

“The Festival is a substantial tour de force” said Hi Drama critic W. Cataldi. “World class performances…You won’t regret a visit to this magical town [Nyack].”

Broadway Radio said, “Phoenix Theatre Festival is doing something wonderful.”

TheatreScene from NYC traveled to Nyack and rated the Festival’s production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance Being Earnest as one of the top ten productions of 2022.   

Programming for the 2023 Festival is underway, and will include live theater, dance and music, as well as connections with local businesses and special events hosted by local arts organizations. Details will be announced in February 2023. In addition to the grant from New York State, the 2023 Festival will be supported by Rockland County’s office of Economic Development and Tourism. 

“Taking a step into a completely new endeavor takes faith — not to mention the patience to wait out two years of a pandemic,” said Smith. “Building on the faith placed in us for the 2022 Festival, we’re looking forward to even more success in 2023, and to many years of collaboration that will bring continuing joy, growth and prosperity to New York State and our local communities.” 

About the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble.  

The Phoenix Festival: Live Arts Hudson Valley is hosted by the Phoenix Theater Ensemble, which prepares and performs the cornerstone Festival productions.  

Founded in 2004 in New York City, the Ensemble is dedicated to the performance of the classic theater canon, and to the development and nurturing of classically trained, highly skilled theater artists. The company makes its second home in Rockland County, where Ensemble members have created and performed both classics and original works since 2018. 

www.PhoenixTheatreEnsemble.org

 News Courtesy of the Phoenix Theater Ensemble

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts

Scarsdale Music Festival Gearing Up for a June 3rd Event: Sponsorships, Performers and Vendors Sought

December 19, 2022 by InsidePress

On Saturday, June 3, 2023, the Scarsdale Business Alliance (SBA) will host its 3rd Annual Scarsdale Music Festival, presented by Morgan Stanley. The event will take place rain or shine in Scarsdale Village.

The Scarsdale Music Festival (SMF) is an exceptional, family-friendly community event that will bring together people of all ages to celebrate their love of music, food and community.  

Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the 2023 Scarsdale Music Festival.  Please contact info@scarsdalebusinessalliance.com.

Apply to perform or become a food vendor at https://www.scarsdalemusicfestival.com/.

Bands from Scarsdale as well as from the greater Westchester County and New York metropolitan areas will perform throughout the day on one of two main stages. Acknowledging our community’s connection to the city and surrounding regions, we’ve begun an expanded regional talent search to welcome new sounds and new followers to our downtown area. 

Restaurants in the downtown area will open their doors, and a variety of food trucks and other food vendors will line the streets. The SBA has once again partnered with the Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) to make the Scarsdale Music Festival a zero-waste event.

The 2023 SMF will feature a ZACHYS wine-tasting experience in addition to craft beer and spirits tastings. Attendees 21+ can also purchase adult beverages by the glass.  

An expanded Family Fun Zone will feature balloon artists, face painters, arts and crafts, games, musical demonstrations, family activities and much more!

The 2023 SMF will be donating a portion of proceeds to the Center for Cancer Care at White Plains Hospital. Our donation will help fund their mission to provide third-party transportation for better access to appointments and provide specialized staff as “patient navigators” to assist in understanding the cancer treatment process.

 

News courtesy of the Scarsdale Music Festival

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts, Happenings Tagged With: Morgan Stanley, Scarsdale Music Festival, White Plains Hospital

CHOICES: A Rock Opera to Support the Wounded Warrior Project in Three Performances through Veteran’s Day Weekend

November 9, 2022 by InsidePress

Editor’s Note: A not so best kept secret is that there is something sizzlingly hot happening this weekend at the Chappaqua Performance Arts Center!

I was invited to catch the cast of Choices: A Rock Opera rehearsing for three upcoming shows–and showed up to witness a mere portion of their first full dress rehearsal last night. After just a few songs, it was hard not to feel swept away by the passion and life struggles shared in this fascinating story, performed all in song, from beginning to end. In all its complexity, it’s also simply a love story to embrace! The best news is you can still grab tickets and at the same time support the Wounded Warrior Project, a perfect way to support our Veterans. More below with showtime and ticket info from the producers of the show and the Wounded Warrior Project.  — Grace Bennett

Cast of Choices: A Rock Opera during a rehearsal at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. Inside Press Photo

Westchester, NY – November 4, 2022 – This Veterans Day weekend, November 11-13, 2022, a portion of ticket sales from the performances and all post-performance collections at Choices: A Rock Opera will be donated to support non-profit Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) programs and services for warriors, which include access to mental and physical health care, employment assistance, and education services.

Broadway’s MiG Ayesa (Burn the Floor, Rock of Ages) and Composer/Director John Krupa at Chappaqua Performing Arts Center plus cast and creatives for Choices: A Rock Opera hail from across Westchester and the surrounding tri-state area, including Chappaqua, Armonk, Yonkers, Mahopac, Peekskill, Yorktown, Scarsdale, Hawthorne, Pleasantville, Eastchester, Ossining, Dobbs Ferry, Rye, Greenwich and Long Island.

Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers – helping them achieve their highest ambition.

Choices: A Rock Opera is an electrifying new musical with an original Rock score by John Krupa about a driven but naïve lead singer of a 1980’s spandex-wearing, hairspray rock band. With lyrical melodies uniquely juxtaposed against heavy metal guitars and screaming synthesizers, Choices: A Rock Opera follows our lead singer on a universal journey through monumental roadblocks, dilemmas, and moral ambiguities. A mysterious man promises super-stardom; while friends, fans, and a captivating woman show him a vast world beyond his passionate focus that has garnered the band’s success, yet which has stunted his own personal evolution. Torn between a life of domestic bliss and a life of fame, can he make the true choice? An introspective, authentic depiction of the pulsating and electrifying ‘80s rock era, the story is the music in this modern coming of age musical for all audiences.

John Krupa directs a cast of 15 which includes Krupa and Ayesa as well as Nick Celio, Layla DaVias (“American Idol,” “Star Search”), Ronnie DiMaria, Annemarie Josephson, Christina Labrador (Count Zero Records), Joe Leo, and Dave O’Briskie, with Holly Block, Lielle Burk, Elana Cantor, Moriah Ritchie, Katie Weinstein, and Mia Williams.

The music and lyrics for Choices: A Rock Opera were written by John Krupa. Orchestrations by Artie Dillon, Mike Rosenman, Tommy Vinton and Grammy Award-winning producer William “Bill” Wittman (Kinky Boots, Cyndi Lauper), who are also members of band, which is rounded out by Hank DeCora, Jonathan Flaks, and Felix Guiffra. Together, they are an ensemble of professional musicians with over 150 years of combined experience working with the music industry’s top talent.

“With six new songs and an enhanced storyline, we are excited to continue to explore the characters and music in this new full production,” says Krupa. “Our talented cast of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater performers continue to bring this important story to life.”

Performances at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center are Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 13 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $40, plus a $2.50 service fee. For tickets and additional information, visit: choicesarockopera.com.

The runtime for Choices is approximately two hours, plus one 15-minute intermission.

Executive Producer: John Krupa; Managing Producer: Dawn Levy; Producers: Chris Grajewski, Layla DaVias, Tommy Vinton, Choices, A Rock Opera, LLC; Associate Producer: Mike Rosenman; Musical Director: Mike Rosenman; Choreographer: Holly Block; Lighting Designer: Zachary Dulny; Stage Manager and Assistant Director: Dani Masterson; Sound Designer: Chris Grajewski; Costume Designer: Dawn Levy; Hair Dresser: Karen Catalano; Assistant Stage Manager and Props Manager: Peggy Ringwood; Audio Engineer: Jessica Klee; Additional Publicity and Marketing: Jay Byrne and Annie Vinton; Press Representative: Paul Siebold/Off Off PR.

Choices: A Rock Opera was presented as a workshop production in April 2022.

 

 

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: Chappaqua Performng Arts Center, Choices: A Rock Opera, Love Story, Veteran's Day weekend, Veterans Day, Warriors, Wounded Warrior Project

Sara Bareilles Supporting the Pace Women’s Justice Center

October 10, 2022 by InsidePress

Last week on October 6, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles performed at the legendary Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY to commemorate three decades of Pace Women’s Justice Center (PWJC) protecting thousands of women and children.

The fundraising event’s title, Raising the Bar Benefit Concert, is a nod to PWJC’s commitment to increasing access to justice and providing free critical legal services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

PWJC also presented Pam Kaufman, President and CEO of International Markets, Global Consumer Products & Experiences at Paramount Global, with its Making a Difference Award. Legendary music icon Darryl “DMC” McDaniels from Run DMC presented Pam with the award.

Following her recent run as “The Baker’s Wife” in the hit revival of “Into the Woods” on Broadway, Sara Bareilles’ music & lyrics gave voice to the difficult journey from victim to survivor for PWJC’s clients.

More about the event here

Photos by Marc Millman

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: Darryl McDaniels, Pace Women's Justice Center, Pam Kaufman, Sara Bareilles, The Capitol Theater

Enjoying The Skin of Our Teeth, Living Well After

October 10, 2022 by Grace Bennett

Nyack, NY–Thornton Wilder’s fantastical tale arrives in the nick of time, yes, by The Skin of Our Teeth. If the wonderful, whimsical characters of The Skin of Our Teeth can survive calamities ranging from infidelity and parent/child strife to the, um, Ice Age (yes, the ICE AGE), then people, we’ve got ‘all this’ too. Under a brilliant blue sky–the bright sun kept autumn coolness at bay–so did sipping the complimentary hot apple cider, while watching the animated cast in this delightful and life affirming production at the lovely and lush Marydell Faith and Life Center. Seriously. Persevere, and don’t miss the next Live Arts in Nyack production, either, and discover Nyack before and after the productions. 

Life mirrored art strangely post show, too!  I returned to my car which was, heavens to Betsy, having trouble starting up. Had I left my lights on? A sense of panic kicked in, as I was meeting a new friend in town in FIVE minutes. I took a deep breath, and started it, though received blinking messages to check engine and brakes. But it was running, and no way I wasn’t going to town (with a mental note to self to take the car to the shop tomorrow!)  So, by the Skin of my Own Teeth, I drove to Main Street, for more life affirming reminders, via a stroll through the last hour of a colorful Nyack Street fair, and soon after, over a delicious dinner and drinks at one of Nyack’s hot spots, the Hudson House. – Grace Bennett

 

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: Live Arts in Nyack, Marydell, Nyack, phoenix theatre festival, The Skin of Our Teeth

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