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Culturally Speaking
By Cornelia Seckel
ART TIMES online July 2013
 Madeleine Segall-Marx speaking about her work at the opening of the Singing Bowl |
This video is an overview of the opening reception that launched the exhibition and book release for "The Singing Bowl; voices of the enemy."
Madeleine Segall-Marx took her interest in history and began exploring some of the more recent conflicts that have plagued our world. She defined the "enemy" as someone who lives in an area of armed conflict. And then she set about trying to meet individuals whose lives have been affected, to get their stories. Her belief is, if you listen to the enemy's story, he or she would no longer be an enemy.
 The cast of Dance Patrelle: Gilbert & Sullivan- the Ballet performed June 15 & 16 at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center in Tivoli, NY |
Dance Patrelle: Gilbert & Sullivan the Ballet was fabulous. Excellent dancers, musicians, colorful sets and costumes enhanced by familiar music. The ballet is a front and back story of the producers of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado and H.M.S. Pinafore and the production of these Operettas with all the intrigued between actors and producers. It was a lot of fun and I'm so pleased that Dance Patrelle is the resident ballet company of Kaatsbaan International Dance Center in Tivoli, NY.
Click here for a video overview
 (L to R )Jenne Currie, Raymond J. Steiner, Elaine Jaffe and Cornelia Seckel at Café Mezzaluna Bistro & Gallery |
Raymond J. Steiner's exhibition of oil paintings at Café Mezzaluna Bistro & Gallery in Saugerties, NY. Show runs June 15-July 30, 2013
Click here for video
 Janet Dickinson (Mrs. Wilkinson), Noah Parets (Billy), Samantha Blaire Cutler (Debbie) and the cast of “Billy Elliot the Musical.” Photo by Amy Boyle |
Billy Elliot at Proctors, Schenectady, NY. This fabulous show played just under a week before the road tour moved on. Proctors is a beautifully renovated theatre with 2600 seats — one can easily believe they are in Manhattan in one of the elegant old theaters. What began as a vaudeville theatre in the early 20th century is now the Capital Region’s destination for major Broadway shows, cutting-edge film festivals, exciting special events, and everything in between. Built in 1926 by F. F. Proctor, the “Dean of Vaudeville,” In 1930, Proctors hosted the first public demonstration of television with the help of General Electric. However, the arrival of this exciting invention and the onset of the Great Depression led to the decline of the theatre, and Proctors was closed for decades. After changing hands multiple times and almost being torn down in the 1970s, a group of concerned citizens known as the Arts Center & Theatre of Schenectady (ACT), worked tirelessly to repair and restore Proctors and re-open in 1979 for a trial season. Over the past decade, Proctors has expanded and made numerous renovations.
Billy Elliot, the musical had a much stronger message — the need to express one's gift than I felt was present in the movie. A beautifuly done, finely crafted production. I won't hesitate to visit Proctors again. Scenectady is just a bit further than Albany.
Anything Goes, will run July 9-14 at Proctors followed by Zoppé Italian Family Circus July 18 ~ 21 and Cirque Éloize - Cirkopolis August 7 ~ 24. For more about Proctors www.proctors.org
 Libertad deBoisblanc at Renaissance Art & Collectibles. Currently the gallery in Catskill, NY features small group shows of gallery artists. In early September there will be a 2nd gallery with salon style hanging of gallery artists which are from the USA, Argentina, Russia and other countries. |
I was delighted to meet Libertad at her gallery. She has a large collection of International artists and represents work in many different styles. The opening of the 2nd gallery in Catskill, NYwill be an excellent additon to this already popular artist/ gallery city. Learn more at www.renaissanceartandcollectibles.com
 Mountain Melody Gallery, one of the 8 “pop-up” art galleries in Palenville, NY on June 22 & 23. |
Palenville, NY (www.PalenvilleNY.com) held their 1st annual Hidden Gallery Walk and Paint Out on June 22 & 23. 8 “pop-up” art galleries in unusual locations showed a variety of art work around this historic hamlet. Locations include two scenic barns, a former dancehall, the local library, fire hall and others. It was a successful event with several hundred people visiting.
Artists signed up for a "paint out and work was sold at the end of the day.
 Frank Bartow in his Belvoir Gallery, Millbrook, NY |
Just over a year ago Frank Bartow opened up Belvoir Gallery (www.belvoirgallery.com). He had his own Sprting Art Collection and has combined that with work that he is showing from artists from New York and Connecticut. Frank is howing a wide variety of painting styles “something for everyone”, he said. There are 2 large gallery spaces. In the front room he was featuring Marlene Weidenbaum's pastels (in photo to left) that are gorgeous. When I see her landscapes and seascapes I can feel the cool mountain breeze and smell the ocean. Another familiar artist that he is showing is Claudia Gorman. He photographs intriguing.
The Town of Marbletown, Marbletown Historic Preservation Commission, and Stone Ridge Public Library have joined forces to present Marbletown Founders' Day Celebration , an event that marks the 310th anniversary of the birth of Marbletown. As part of the celebration, there was a tent at the Inn at Stone Ridge for 2 days. The art show was organized by Wired Gallery of High Falls, NY, (www.thewiredgallery.com) owned and run by Sevan Melikyan director of the gallery who says that over the past year that the gallery has been in High Falls he has “worked with over 60 artists and sold works for over $10,000. This gallery is not only for good-looking shows but also about bringing business to artists. Also, I value education and art appreciation and have started a lecture series. I value community and have invited local Rondout Valley students to show.” A percentage of sales from the exhibit at the Founders' Day Celebration will benefit the Stone Ridge Library. 25 artists were represented and I later learned from participating artist Bruce Bundock that over 50 works were sold over the 2 days of the sale.