Culturally Speaking
By Cornelia Seckel
ART TIMES online June 2010
Work has begun on the upcoming Woodstock Arts Fair that ART TIMES co-sponsors with The Woodstock Jewish Congregation. Applications are available at the WJC site: www.wjcshul.org. We expect the fair to be even better and have scheduled it again on the Sunday of Thanksgiving Weekend.
 Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center, Tivoli, NY |
The Flamenco Dance at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center was extraordinary. Carlota Santana, founder and Artistic Director of Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, has been called the “Keeper of the Flamenco” by Dance Magazine for her commitment to creating new works and training young dancers in Flamenco. The program with dancers Antonio Hidalgo, Estefania Ramirez, Leslie Roybal and Aitor Hernandez were exceptional — such fluidity, such rigidness. Musicians Calvin Hazen, Ricardo Anglada, Francisco Orozco and Juan Manuel Mora held us in rapture. I’ve made a short video that is available on this site. The filled house (sold out on the night before) could not get enough of the music and dance, as the history of flamenco was unfolded. The company had been in residence for 3 weeks and gave Master Classes as well as many school programs in the surrounding counties. Learn more at www.kaatsbaan.org
Photosensualis is a particularly unique gallery in our region quickly being known, not only as a gallery for fine art photographs by Michael Williams and Sally Russ, but also for their fine Photography Book Collection and Music Salons. I am calling it a salon as the space is very intimate & cozy. Early in the building’s history it was The SS Sea Horse, a favorite spot for locals and artists. On May 16th, 50 + people gathered to hear music by Bar Scott and her accompanist Peter Tomlinson. Bar (on piano and guitar) has a soft, yet strong, melodious, bluesy voice as she sang her own compositions as well as the songs of others. Peter (on piano and guitar) has been performing with many musicians in the region and is an adjunct artist in music at Vassar College. Many in the audience were long standing fans and the afternoon was just a delight. See the short video of the concert and more of Bar at www.barscott.com. Take a look at www.photosensualis.com and see the upcoming concerts and exhibitions.
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The National Arts Club and their Le Cocktail Français honored Philippe De Montebello for his excellence in presenting French Culture. He was the director of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC and part of that staff for 31 years. It is his voice that visitors who listen to the audio guide hear as they tour the exhibitions. There were well over 200 people in attendance and as I wandered around during the cocktail hour I met up with Dr. Ruth Westheimer, always a delight. After dinner speakers included Robert E. Harrist, Jr of Columbia University; Rosamond Berniew, lecturer at the Met and Armele Pradalier, Director of Visual Arts & Architecture for the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. Philippe De Montebello spoke about his new work as a teacher at the Institute of Fine Arts at NYU in NYC, his time at the Met, and his great appreciation of the honor given him by the Club.
Last month I wrote about YOHO Arts Open Studio and there is a video on this site.
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Fay Wood’s Clove Church Studio, Gallery & Gardens in Saugerties, NY will be the setting for quite a unique art event. 9 artists have been invited to exhibit their sculpture and paintings over a 9-day period. Each day a different artist will be featured with speakers, demonstrations and other events. For more information www.faywoodstudio.com
Art Along the Hudson (www.artalongthehudson.com) is now celebrating 7 years of cooperative advertising for arts councils and groups located along the Hudson River. The kick-off celebration was held at the Samuel Dorsky Museum at SUNY New Paltz and representatives of each of the cities spoke about what they have to offer. The event was very well attended and politicians as well as the arts organizations were represented along with many other artists and interested parties.
New videos include:
Yoho Studio Tour, Yonkers, NY
American Watercolor Society at the Salmagundi Club, NYC
Flamenco at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center, Tivoli, NY
Bar Scott in concert at Photosensualis Gallery, Woodstock, NY