Terra Nova Arts

arts: photo opening reception

2007-06-05T08:20:00.000-04:00

Dear friend of photography,

The Photography Center of the Capital District is pleased to announce a new
exhibition of images by regional photographers.  The opening reception will be
Friday, June 8 from 5 to 9 P.M. at the PhotoCenter, 404 River Street, Troy, New
York.

This unusual exhibit, â€œ12 Ways to View a Figure,â€� displays images made by 12
photographers who participated in a workshop at the PhotoCenter conducted by
renowned international artist Elizabeth Opalenik.   The premise of this
collection of figure studies is to demonstrate that 12 photographers working
with the same group of models in the same settings can arrive at very different
interpretations and images.

A second reception will be held Friday, June 29 from 5 to 9 P.M. coinciding with
the last Friday of the month Troy Night Out festivities.

The exhibit will run through July 15.   PhotoCenter hours are Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday and Friday 5 to 9 PM, and Noon to 8 PM Saturdays, Noon to 6 PM Sundays.
Additional hours by appointment, please call 518-273-0100.

Referenced websites:
www.photocentertroy.org
www.troynightout.org
www.opalenik.com
www.poeticgrace.com 

If you no longer wish to receive occasional email announcements from the
PhotoCenter, please send us a reply.  We do not share your address with anyone.

Nick Argyros
Nick Reinert
518-273-0100

reading list

2007-06-05T08:13:00.001-04:00

Recommended reading (and recently read):
1. THE BIRTH HOUSE by Amie McKay
2. ALL THE SUNDAYS YET TO COME by Kathryn Bertine (classmate of my husband from Colgate '97)

Books to skip:
1. DREAM WHEN YOU'RE FEELING BLUE by Elizabeth Berg

Books on my summer reading list:
1. THE GUY NOT TAKEN: STORIES by Jennifer Weiner
2. ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MIRACLE by Barbara Kingsolver
3. THE LAST CHINESE CHEF by Nicole Mones
4. THE GRAVEDIGGER'S DAUGHTER by Joyce Carol Oates
5. FALLING MAN by Don DeLillo
6. LIFE'S A BEACH by Claire Cook

meditation: lent/easter

2007-04-04T15:26:00.000-04:00

What is Easter all about? What is Christianity all about? This is a good answer -- hearts being moved. Read more at this moving reflection on Easter:

http://www.esa-online.org/Article.asp?RecordKey=ACD427A8-37B1-48DE-953F-ACDB76493CAF

books: anne lamott's GRACE (Eventually)

2007-03-26T16:46:00.000-04:00

I love Anne Lamott like Anne Lamott loves Jesus: passionately, neurotically, perhaps even liberally.

For a great interview with Ms. Lamott, who writes for salon.com and wrote the best-selling "Traveling Mercies" and "Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith," click here and scroll down:

http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Eventually-Thoughts-Anne-Lamott/dp/1594489424/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-9737977-3688739?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174942146&sr=8-1

weekend what to do?

2007-03-22T17:43:00.000-04:00

Tonight: The V for Volatile Traveling Show, An evening of films by the Volatile Works collective
from Montréal (Canada) and a discussion with the filmmakers. 51 3rd Street, Troy, NY 12180
Thursday, March 22, 7:30 PM www.volatileworks.org

Friday-Saturday: Children's/maternity consignment sale at Albany Academy. Children will not be sold. Check out passitonsale.com

Saturday: Chocolate festival. Admission: $8 adults, $5 children. Get discounts and tickets at Price Chopper. http://www.albanycitizenscouncil.org/2007%20Chocolate%20Festival.htm

Next week/Tuesday: Lucinda Williams at The Egg. $34.50 http://www.theegg.org/events/248

st. pat's day: blessing of the bar, etc.

2007-03-13T14:45:00.000-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Kelly Brown
Brown’s Brewing Company
417 River Street
Troy, NY  12180
518.271.BEER
E-mail:  kelly@brownsbrewing.com


Brown’s Brewing Company, Links Past and Present with
“Bat Shea Red” -an Ale Brewed in honor of St. Patrick.


(Troy, NY, March 12, 2007) –  Brown’s Brewing Co. has brewed an exclusive  batch
of Irish Ale named for Jack Casey’s novel “The Trial of Bat Shea” to be “tapped”
on  St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17, 2007 at Brown’s Brewing Co. 417 River
Street location.

Brown’s Brewing Company’s head brewer Peter Martin describes the Irish Ale as,
“A well-balanced, medium bodied, red colored ale.”  In addition to Brown’s
regular menu a special Irish themed menu will be offered Thursday through
Sunday.

Troy based author Jack Casey will be at Brown’s Brewing from 4 to 6P.M.
,Saturday March 17th , for a book signing as well as entertaining patrons with
storytelling and song from the Taproom stage.

Troy’s Terra Nova Church pastor Ed Marcelle will provide a “Blessing of the Bar”
complete with bagpipe procession at 5:30P.M. , Saturday March 17th.  The much
anticipated annual event at Brown’s links both community and tradition.

The evening will be capped off by Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers party
band from 8-11P.M.   Admission is free.



-End-

arts: music/songwriting field trip

2007-03-12T10:23:00.000-04:00

On Thursday, March 15, the Songwriters Artist's Loft goes on a field
trip as we participate in The Daily Grind's Open Mic. Meet at the
Daily Grind (46 Third Street, Troy) at 8pm with your instrument and a
couple songs.

(S)
scott@terranovachurch.org

sports: of interest

2007-03-12T10:21:00.000-04:00

Random note: The Cricket World Cup will take place from March 13- April 13. This draws much attention in non-Western countries. Check http://cricketworldcup.indya.com/ for more coverage.

celebrate women's day

2007-03-05T13:17:00.001-05:00

The 8th of March International Women's Day Art Show

Contact: Boryana Rossa bori999@yahoo.com

Opening Party: Thursday, March 8th, 6-10 pm
Live Performances by C. Ryder Cooley, Sarah Paul &
Chris Skinner, and Evolution Revolution!
At 51 3rd Street, Troy, NY

Wednesday March 14th 2007
6-8 pm with an artist talk by Dara Greenwald

Friday March 16th 2007
7pm Screening and The Hole Body Performance by Boryana
Rossa

The 8th of March marks the international day of
celebration for women's rights. International
Women's Day has been celebrated on this date since
1917. This show highlights the work of over 20 local
women artists and their collaborators. This happening/
celebration/ party/ show includes drawing, video,
animation, performance, sculpture, bio-art,
photography, installations, music, and more. Artists
in the show include: Barbara Groves , Bettina
Escauriza, Boryana Rossa, Branda Miller, Cat Mazza, C.
Ryder Cooley, Caz McIntee, Daniela Kostova, Dara
Greenwald, Evolution Revolution, Julia Christensen,
Julia Reodica, Jung Yoon, Kathy High, Kyra Garrigue,
Lin Bell, Liz Blum, Nao Bustamante, Nina Baldwin,
Olivia Robinson, Seana Biondolillo, Sarah Paul & Chris
Skinner, and Zulma Aguiar.

More Info on International Women's Day
In 1911, as a result of the decision taken at
Copenhagen the previous year, International Women's
Day was marked for the first time (19 March) in
Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, where more
than one million women and men attended rallies. In
addition to the right to vote and to hold public
office, they demanded the right to work, to vocational
training and to an end to discrimination on the job.
Less than a week later, on 25 March, the tragic
Triangle Fire in New York City took the lives of more
than 140 working girls, most of them Italian and
Jewish immigrants. This event had a significant impact
on labour legislation in the United States, and the
working conditions leading up to the disaster were
invoked during subsequent observances of International
Women's Day.

In 1917, on the last Sunday of February, Russian women
began a strike for "bread and peace" in response to
the death over 2 million Russian soldiers in war.
Opposed by political leaders the women continued to
strike until four days later the Czar was forced to
abdicate and the provisional Government granted women
the right to vote. The date the women's strike
commenced was Sunday 23 February on the Julian
calendar then in use in Russia. This day on the
Gregorian calendar in use elsewhere was 8 March.

playwrights/actors: call for artists

2007-03-05T13:14:00.000-05:00

The Actual Theater Company

www.actualny.com

Our Mission:
To create a sustained Playwright's workshop to:
--Build Community, Diversity, and Inclusion by
--Creating dynamic, original theater that represents the stories of real people in a manner that a diverse audience will find compelling, challenging, and inspiring.
--mentoring young and emerging local writers, so that they may recognize and achieve their potential, with a particular emphasis on inspiring and nurturing their educational as well as professional ambitions and sense of civic responsibility.
--contributing to the vitality and vibrancy of the Capital region, by presenting a year-round season
featuring the work of our participants.

The Actual Theater Company offers opportunities for people interested in acting, directing, stage managing, writing, building sets, lights, sound, and costumes. We plan to fully involve the local arts community, local high schools, as well as undergrads, grad students, graduates and faculty from local colleges; as directors, designers, and actors.

Our goal is to give young, and untested playwrights the opportunity to follow their scripts through the production process and work closely with actors and directors on revisions. It gives actors the opportunity to work on the creation of new roles and technicians the chance to work as part of an ensemble; while giving audiences the opportunity to discover and support new talent.

Playwrights may submit two ONE-ACT plays for our spring/autumn 2007 season (30 seconds to 30 minutes in length) Keep in mind we are a small company taking the risk to produce new works; and cannot accommodate large casts or long lists of tech requirements.

WHAT KIND OF PLAYS ARE WE SEEKING?
-Works that are ambitious, fresh, playful, engaging, energizing, provocative, powerful and theatrical.
-Works that reveal unheard and vital perspectives.
-Authors with clear goals about their writing who are open to Actual Theater Company's development process

We do not shy away from strong language, violence, or mature themes. Nor do we require them, just tell us a good STORY.

Calling All Actors!!

We've been holding open auditions, for actors to perform the work of our participants during our spring and autumn 2007 season, at our headquarters located at: The Social Justice Center, 33 Central Ave. in Albany; but we still have room for a few more talented and committed actors of all ages, races, and genders to join our ensemble. For more info call: 518-253-3756 or click on the auditions link on our website

www.actualny.com

Troy Vacant Storefronts: Call for Artists

2007-03-03T20:06:00.000-05:00

Calling All Artists:

Help us transform Troy's vacant storefronts into art venues for Troy¹s next
Troy Night Out on Friday, March 30 from 5 9 PM!

We are looking for artists interested in showcasing their artwork, dance, or
performance art in vacant storefront spaces throughout downtown Troy. The
spaces are available as-is. Artists will be responsible (with the assistance
of the Storefront Artists Committee when necessary) in tidying up the space,
hanging and lighting the work, and returning the space to the condition it
was found in (or better) when the event is over.

If you are interested, please email troynightout@gmail.com with:
1. Your name and contact info
2. Type of artwork (photography, painting, sculpture, dance, video
installation, etc...)
3. Description of work or proposal of idea. Feel free to send a few good
quality jpgs or a website link.

More information on Troy Night Out can be found at
http://www.troynightout.org.

Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you think might be
interested.

--
Karen Schlesinger
Digital Artist's Space
27 2nd St
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 203-1096
www.digitalartistspace.com

random shout-outs

2007-02-28T17:38:00.000-05:00

dickstaub.com has good insight into matters of faith and pop culture, and he recently reviewed two very different but truth-questioning films, "amazing grace" (about british abolitionist william wilberforce) and "pan's labyrinth."

kim (cahill) bugler recently turned my world upside-down by giving me an extraordinary book called "the irresistible revolution" by shane claiborne. what would it really mean, he asks by telling tidbits of his life experiences from calcutta to willow creek to philly's ghetto, if we took seriously jesus' command to love? truly love?

what to do: tonight and onward

2007-02-28T17:24:00.000-05:00

Tonight/WEDNESDAY (2/28):

Book Reading & Discussion, reception afterward
7 p.m. at Bush Memorial Center, The Sage Colleges, Congress & First Streets, Troy

Christopher Ringwald, journalist and author of the new book "A Day Apart," will talk with Muslim and Jewish clerics about how they and Christians (he's Catholic) observe Sabbath. I'm reading his new book right now and find it helpful and challenging in understanding the practice and importance of Sabbath.

-OR-

Trivia night at Holmes & Watson, Broadway, Troy. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Play alone or on a team. Win free drinks and gift certificates.

Tomorrow/Thursday (3/1):

City Council Meeting
7 p.m. at City Hall, Monument Square, Troy

If you live in Troy, go to the city council meeting to talk about plans for the Congress/Ferry Street corridor (a major project)!

Saturday, 3/3

Kids' Expo
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Empire State Plaza, Albany

dance: frozen mommy

2007-02-09T13:31:00.000-05:00

EMPAC

“Frozen Mommy” by Tere O’Connor Dance

Come experience the dark humor and dancing tangents of “Frozen
Mommy”, a live performance work by the contemporary dance theater
company Tere O’Connor Dance.

Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10, 2007 @ 8 pm
WMHT Studio, Rensselaer Technology Park, Troy, NY

Devoid of theatrical spectacle or hidden narrative, five dancers
inhabit a bare stage. They deftly lead the viewer on an elliptical
journey, and throw together snippets, dances, words, and elements of
great disparity, all in close proximity. Imitating the magpie
strategies of thought and memory, the dancers' actions accumulate and
combine over the course of the work, creating a funny, disturbing and
strangely familiar vision.

Tickets:
- $15 general admission
- $5 students and seniors with ID
- FREE with RPI ID

Reservations recommended. Parking available at WMHT. A free shuttle
bus will be available from Rensselaer campus and is by reservation only.

Tere O'Connor Dance

Tere O’Connor Dance is a favorite of the New York downtown
contemporary dance scene, upending conventions and creating stage
works which are richly textured, perplexingly beautiful, often
steeped in biting, deadpan humor. Tere O’Connor has been making
dances since 1982 and has created over thirty works for his company.
The company has performed throughout the US and in Europe, South
America and Canada. “Frozen Mommy” premiered to critical acclaim at
The Kitchen in New York City in December 2004, and won a New York
Dance and Performance "Bessie" Award for Best Performance in 2005.

The running time for the piece is 60 minutes.

Cash only at the door. We regret we cannot yet accept checks or
credit cards.

RESERVATIONS, DIRECTIONS AND INFO: 518.276.3921 or http://
empac.rpi.edu/

arts: photo exhibit

2007-02-05T13:06:00.000-05:00

Afghanistan:Faces and Stories of Diaspora
Capital District Afghan Families
Photographs and Interviews By Connie Frisbee Houde

Thursday, February 15, 2007
5 pm-8pm
7 pm artist's talk and slide essay

Guilderland Public Library
2228 Western Avenue
Guilderland, New York 12084
518-456-2400

Exhibition Dates
January 30, 2007 - March 6, 2007

Connie Frisbee Houde
Global Village Photographer
lilyconnie@verizon.net
(518)465-0582
www.conniefrisbeehoude.com

arts: photos

2007-02-05T09:54:00.000-05:00

The Photography Center of the Capital District, located at 404 River Street in Troy, will celebrate its grand opening celebration from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 9 (ribbon-cutting at 3 p.m.).

The PhotoCenter will host a group of contemporary regional photographers for a month-long exhibition to coincide with the opening.

The public is welcome to browse the PhotoCenter services and facilities that include a gallery, retail shop, museum of the history of photography, shooting studio, computer labs with scanning and printing capabilities, and a librarywith over 3,000 books on all aspects of photography, and art and culture.

The purpose of the PhotoCenter is to offer to those interested in the photographic arts opportunities to develop skills and knowledge in all aspectsof photographic activity. The PhotoCenter is a membership-supported facility that offers almost everything photographic under one roof.

For updated information, please visit our website www.photocentertroy.org

Nick Argyros & Nick Reinert, Directors

how to succeed as an indie band (well, sort of)

2007-01-18T16:06:00.000-05:00

Did anyone listen to NPR yesterday and hear their intriguing story about The Dresden Dolls?

The Dresden Dolls, an indie band comprised of a pianist and drummer, has opened for Nine Inch Nails, toured extensively, signed with a decent record label and yet continues to pay themselves only $1,500 each month because that's all they can afford.

To better understand how to make it in the world of music -- well, perhaps, "making it" really means "getting by" -- go to:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6885355

visual arts: opening reception

2007-01-18T14:48:00.000-05:00

*****Opening Reception for Digital Art! ***** Please Join Us! ******

When: Friday, January 19th from 6 – 8 PM
Where: Digital Artist’s Space, 27 2nd St, Troy, NY 12180
More Info: karen@digitalartistspace.com or (518) 203-1096

Digital Art showcases the work of 15 artists exploring the various aspects of applying digital imaging technologies to their artwork.

Exhibition runs from January 19 – March 2, 2007.

life, by color

2007-01-04T13:44:00.000-05:00

tara bremer first pointed this out to me... how lovely and inviting if we arranged our lives, like these books, by color. which of your clutter would get lost among the colors?

http://students.washington.edu/aliss/silverfish/archive/mar2005/sloo_mar05.shtml

arts: photography

2006-12-28T09:19:00.000-05:00

Greenwich- The Gallery Upstairs@111 exhibition, "Landscapes: Photographs by Karen Schlesinger," runs January 11- February 17. Guests will get a chance to meet and talk with Schlesinger at the opening reception, which will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 11, 2007.

Gallery Hours: Thursday-Sunday 5:00 to closing (restaurant hours) and Wednesdays 7:30 to closing and other times by appointment, call The Gallery Upstairs@111 at 518-321-5505, E-Mail Maureen Kinsella: art@111mainstreet.net or visit www.111mainstreet.net <http://111mainstreet.net> for more information.

111 Main Street in the Village of Greenwich has two storefronts, on the right entrance side is the bar, and the left side is the dining room. The fine arts gallery is on the second floor, above the bar. Dinner seating is from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and reservations are suggested. For reservations call 518-692-8016.

--
Karen Schlesinger
Digital Artist's Space
Troy, NY
www.digitalartistspace.com
www.shadowboxstudios.com

music: phoebe henry

2006-12-26T21:59:00.000-05:00

Phoebe Henry
New Years Eve
6, 7 & 8pm at Coffee Traders on Broadway, Saratoga First Night
www.phoebehenry.com

arts: photography (open house)

2006-12-13T08:02:00.000-05:00

The Photography Center of the Capital Region is hosting an open house from 12 noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday December 17.

The PhotoCenter is located at 404 River Street in Troy (nearly across the street from Terra409).

----

Nicholas Reinert, Director
Nicholas Argyros, Founder

food, glorious food

2006-12-07T12:16:00.000-05:00

Join Troy's latest eating endeavor, a good supplement to the Troy Farmers' Market:

http://troyfoodcoop.com/

To join, e-mail: membership@troyfoodcoop.com

art & crafts at the food co-op

2006-12-07T12:13:00.000-05:00

Winter Art & Craft Show
Saturday, December 9
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Honest Weight Food Co-op
484 Central Ave., Albany
482-2667

arts: noise, film, digital art

2006-12-07T11:50:00.000-05:00

The Electronic Arts Department at RPI presents:

Exibitol
Sunday 10 December
4 to 9 PM
West Hall, RPI Campus
for more info http://arts.rpi.edu/

Featuring the work of Ethan Bach, Michael Bullock,
Alex Chechile, C. Ryder Cooley, Boryana Rossa, Jim
Finn, Dara Greenwald, Jung Yoon Lee, Wil Lindsay, Noah
Marchal, Jefferson Pitcher, J. Craig Tompkins,
charlesveasey, and vodstrup.

Feeling artless? Sail on down to West Hall on the RPI
campus on Sunday 10 December, from 4 to 9 PM for a
dose of EXIBITOL. Stroll through the former Troy
Hospital and take in brainwaves, miniature hospitals,
rooms that make their own noise, trapeze acts, feature
films about Maoist discourse in Peru, and much more.
Side effects may include edification, utopian /
dystopian visions, and epiphany.

Exibitol. Smile While You Art.® It just may change
your life.

Participants
Ethan Bach: Unmistakable Tenderness
Michael Bullock: Auditory Thresholds
Alex Chechile: Electroencephalogra

phic Bloodbath!!
C. Ryder Cooley: Residual Debris of the Singing Tree
Project
Boryana Rossa: About the Living and the Dead; The
Snowflake Movie
Jim Finn: La Trinchera Luminosa del Presidente Gonzalo
(The Shining Trench of Chairman Gonzalo)
Dara Greenwald: Terra Alert; The Samaras Project
Jung Yoon Lee: Pixelated Screen
Wil Lindsay: Timescape Series
Noah Marchal: Plantmech
Jefferson Pitcher: Excerpt from The Winter of the
Beard: A Documentary About The Small Things
J. Craig Tompkins: Sanitarium
charlesveasey: wandering thoughts of the endless earth
vodstrup: k?m'?-fläzh'

arts: fashion show tonight

2006-12-07T11:47:00.000-05:00

Just a friendly reminder that tonight (12/7) is our Annual Holiday Fashion
Show and Arts Extravaganza. We have quite an evening planned
for you.

Be the first to see my new designs for 2007 presented in a full runway
fashion show. Shop our once yearly boutique for some great cashmere finds.
Enjoy our Visual Art's lounge featuring a select group of local artists.
And, dance the night away with music provided by dj Back from Japan, Jesse
Stiles and special guests. This is an evening you shouldn't miss. Boutique
opens at 7:00pm. Fashion show to start 8:30pm. Call or email if you need any
more info. Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Kathleen Tesnakis
President/Designer, `e ko logic, Inc
518-274-0813 ph
ekologic.com

art opening: albany airport (tomorrow)

2006-12-06T15:56:00.000-05:00

AIRPORT TO HOST RECEPTION FOR NEW SITE-SPECIFIC PROJECT
CELEBRATING SHAKER HISTORY
Albany, NY (November 20, 2006) - - - The Albany International Airport will host a public
reception to premiere Watervliet, a multimedia, site specific installation by artist Pablo Helguera, on
Thursday December 7th at 7:00 p.m. on the third floor Observation Level.
Watervliet is presented in partnership with the Shaker Heritage Society, which was one of five
museums in New York State to receive a Sites Re-Seen grant from the New York State Council on the
Arts. The grant program funds unique collaborations between established artists and museums that are
working to interpret significant historic sites in a new way.
The Albany International Airport Art & Culture Program commissioned the site specific
installation, which will remain on exhibit for two years on the third floor of the terminal in the
Observation Area.
Watervliet was inspired by a Shaker map in the collection of the Albany Institute of History and
Art. Established in 1776, the first Shaker community, “Watervliet,” consisted of vast land holdings in the
area now known as the Town of Colonie. In 1926, the Shakers sold part of their land to Albany County
and helped clear the property for construction of what is now Albany International Airport. The map
remains a visibly important part of the work, linking geographic areas and Shaker landmarks to
photographs and a video that documents Shaker music, religion, history and the changes that have taken
place at the Watervliet site.
Pablo Helguera is a performance and multi-media artist who has exhibited at the Museum of
Modern Art, NY, the Royal College of Art, London, the Havana Biennial, and many other museums and
galleries around the world. His work as a museum educator has influenced his interests as an artist,
leading him to pursue works that concern issues of interpretation, dialogue, and the role of contemporary
culture in a global age.
Mr. Helgura’s most recent project, The School of Pan-American Unrest, involved his travel by
car from Alaska to Chile and included exhibits, discussions, and video at 40 locations, with the aim of
encouraging cultural exchange between communities throughout the Americas.
The reception is free and open to the public. Parking will be validated for guests. For additional
information, please contact Sharon Bates, Director of the Art & Culture Program, at 518 242-2243.

artist loft: photography

2006-12-06T15:50:00.000-05:00

The next artists' loft gathering is Monday, December 11 at 6 p.m. at Terra409, 409 River Street, Troy. For more info., e-mail: scott@terranovachurch.org

rocky's back

2006-12-01T12:22:00.000-05:00

Rocky's back. Is he still relevent? Should his character be obsolete? Not according to the following thoughtful commentary:

http://www.dickstaub.com/culturewatch.php?record_id=1081

world aids day

2006-11-30T21:28:00.000-05:00

Friday, December 1 is World AIDS Day.

My parents have been hosting Bishop Jeremiah Pallangyo of Naivasha, Kenya for the past month while he tours the Northeast, telling others of his story and his heart to love the orphans in his village who have lost relatives to HIV/AIDS.

But it's not just an African thing. There's the Damien Center in Troy and Albany; they provide respite and support for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. It's all around us, and it's still killing people.

Please go to http://www.avert.org/america.htm to learn more.

death by suburb

2006-11-30T21:24:00.000-05:00

Check out deathbysuburb.net and a discussion with David Goetz at:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/mp/2006/004/2.34.html

Tell me what you think!

call for entries

2006-11-29T16:30:00.000-05:00

Call For Entries

Digital Art

Digital Artist's Space in Troy, NY is looking for Digital Art for their
upcoming exhibition.

In this context, digital artwork is defined as work that has been digitized
either by scanning or by being photographed digitally, work that has been
created or opened in any image-editing software such as Photoshop, or work
that has been printed digitally. The digital image can be one component of a
multi-media piece.

€ Submitted artwork must have been completed within the last 2 years.
€ Submit a MAX of 5 images.
€ Size Restrictions: Due to our limited gallery space, artwork over 24 in.
wide x 60 in. tall cannot be considered.
€ Entry Fee: $10 (make checks payable to Digital Artist's Space)
€ Images must be submitted on a CD.  Include a SASE if you want your CD
returned.
€ Images must be in the JPEG (high quality) file format and saved at 8 in. x
10 in. at 300 dpi.

€ Deadline for Submissions: December 22, 2006
€ Notification: December 29, 2006
€ Chosen works must be delivered to the gallery READY TO HANG by January 10,
2007. Transportation and shipping costs are the responsibility of the
artist.
€ Exhibition Dates: January 19 - February 23, 2007.
€ Opening Reception: TBA.

Download an entry form at www.digitalartistspace.com.

Send entries to:
Digital Artist's Space
27 2nd Street
Troy, NY 12180

Questions?: info@digitalartistspace.com or 518.203.1096

About Us:
Digital Artist's Space is an artist-centered digital service bureau, created
by artists for artists. We have an inherent understanding of the art-making
process and are committed to working with you to help attain your vision.
With our state-of-the-art digital lab and our unparalleled experience in the
field of digital imaging we will work with you step by step, from the
inception of the idea to the final print. We provide high resolution
scanning, wide-format archival digital printing, artwork reproduction, and
digital imaging consulting such as Photoshop workshops and one-on-one
trainings.


--
Karen Schlesinger
Digital Artist's Space
27 2nd St
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 203-1096
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books: barbara brown taylor, steven king, elizabeth berg

2006-11-29T15:43:00.000-05:00

I have to confess that I cheated on this entry. I first got the idea to read Barbara Brown Taylor's memoir of faith "Leaving Church" after walking into Market Block Books (my favorite local bookstore, just a few blocks from where I live and work) one day and noticing its staff recommendation (kudos to Stanley, who writes of his other reading journeys at stanleyreads.blogspot.com). Too cheap at the time to buy the book, I checked it out from Troy Public Library (did you know you can request books from the Upper Hudson Library System? Do it! I get cookbooks, Pilates DVDs, children's books, and all the latest and greatest books requested all the time... and it's a fun surprise when I go to pick up all the books on hold, to enjoy for free!).

Barbara Brown Taylor is inspiring. She writes of her journey of faith that began with knowing God through creation and wanting to further investigate faith through seminary, becoming ordained as an Episcopal deacon, then shepherding a small flock in rural Georgia before leaving it behind to worship God in her garden and in her house in the country. She writes of the power of the cloth -- and how the collar she wore changed others' conversations with her, as it did with her relationship with God. Separated into two parts, "Losing" and "Finding," the book follows her journey of faith that ultimately leads her back to God by leaving the altar and her role in front of the church to sit quietly with God over a cup of coffee in her kitchen. It's a journey of finding God in the relationship, rather than the religion and Mother Church, and it's honest and beautiful.

When I finished reading "Leaving Church," I was compelled to write a letter to the author (I wonder if authors really read their fan mail, and I feel embarrassed confessing that I wrote such fan mail!) to add my amen.

That wasn't true, however, with "Lisey's Story," the latest novel by Steven King. It begins with the death of a well-published author and his widow's attempt to sort through his office, manuscripts and voices. That's right; voices. Voices that the late protagonist channeled in order to write, voices that haunted his office and began to lurk and drive his widow nuts. Entering that journey was not a healthy thing for me, a writer who believes in spiritual forces, darkness and light.

I couldn't read this book after the first few chapters. Despite critical acclaim, I failed to remember Steven King writes strange fiction, eerie fiction that I cannot handle. It spooks me out, and this book is no different. Although I did appreciate King's "On Writing," a non-fiction commentary on how he writes, I just can't read his fiction. I'm too sensitive, I suppose.

So I picked up Elizabeth Berg's "The Handmaid and The Carpenter," a short, easy read during the holidays. Berg takes poetic license -- and she knows it, at least -- when writing about Mary and Joseph, their family and the voices they hear, through angels and dreams, before the birth of Jesus. Surprisingly, it doesn't end with Jesus' birth, attended in this story by a young girl named Rebecca -- a new mother who comes to catch Jesus when Joseph is not able to locate the village midwife during the busy time of Caesar's census in Bethlehem and beyond. Rather, it culminates with Joseph's death... but falls flat at that. Perhaps Joseph really did question Mary, accusing her on his deathbed of sleeping with a Roman soldier. And perhaps Mary did speak more of the kingdom of God that is inside and around us, evident in God's creation and in the law Joseph and other Jews study all the time. But this attempt to humanize the story of the circumstances surrounding Mary and Joseph and the Christ-child's immaculate conception also makes it a bit too New Agey for me. It's a hard undertaking. I do empathize with Mary, I do want to believe that she was a free spirit who was unlike other women. But I also wonder if Mary was like Berg's Mary: questioning but always willing to obey her husband and telling him, even as he dies, that he's leaving behind a legacy of love. The details are wonderful -- the food being eaten, the languages spoken, the pallets they slept on with family -- but I wouldn't necessarily want to try to play with who Mary really was or wasn't. Nevertheless, I admire Berg for keeping Mary realistic in some respects; after all, Mary was just 13 years old when she was betrothed and spoken to by angels. It IS hard to imagine! So...

Go read Berg's "The Handmaid and the Carpenter" this Advent season, and tell me what you think. (I wonder how it will fare along with the film "The Nativity Story.") Send your thoughts and reviews to: artsblog@terranovachurch.org

run, walk, stroll

2006-11-28T20:34:00.000-05:00

I actually got up and ran this morning. Ran one whole mile. And I'm no athlete, nor am I a natural born runner. I'm the kind of person that takes all season to train to run 5k, then my husband will join me randomly one morning and whoop my butt when it comes down to it; not fair, I know. It happens because he used to run cross-country during his high school years.

I used to run when I wasn't playing soccer -- to stay in shape -- but I'd feign illness often to get out of running down the hallways (this was for indoor track season, when it was too cold or snowy to run outside and our coach would make us run up and down the school hallways, lined with ugly 70s striped carpeting; that alone would make you vomit!). Now that I'm an adult and can choose when to run and vomit, I will choose carefully.

So I ran this morning. I got up just before 7 a.m., wiggled into tight black spandex running pants (ugly, yes, but warm and necessary for these kind of morning runs), borrowed my husband's neck warmer, and laced up my New Balance sneakers not to walk around the house all day but to RUN!

I haven't run for at least a year. I think I ran once after Grace was born (she's 19 months old now) but gave up shortly after the jogging stroller's tire lost air and I lost interest. Let's face it; who really wants to run outside, when not a gym requirement? And when it's cold and windy, it's even harder to want to be healthy and exercise...

But there is a good reason to walk. It's called the Winter Walk for the Homeless, which is an annual walk to benefit Joseph's House & Shelter -- a non-profit dedicated to serving the homeless in Troy. This year's walk will be this Saturday morning, and I plan to be there. What gets me out of bed early to do this every year is not only the pancake breakfast, another fundraiser for this excellent non-profit, but the thought that I have shelter, food and support. Some people even in this wealthy country do not have such basic needs met, so I will participate in this fundraiser again to bring awareness and needed monies to sustain Joseph's House & Shelter, thereby helping the homeless in my city.

The following day is Sunday, December 3. Do you know what day that is? It's Troy's annual Victorian Stroll in which banks, music halls, restaurants, cafes, and other retail outlets open their doors, decorate their windows, serve cider and punch, hold sales, and host sales and entertainers to ring in the festive spirit of the holidays. Come stroll along from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and enjoy Troy!

great art faire

2006-11-19T15:31:00.000-05:00

The Great Art Faire!!! Call for Entries!!

The Great Art gang is looking for art to sell during the Troy Victorian Stroll, and we want

you to join us!
Accepting all media ( except large installations and film because we don't have the room).
We would love a response from you. To contact us, visit our website, or email us directly at:

<thegreatartswap@gmail.com>

If you have not seen our flyer yet, please check out our website:

http://www.thegreatart.org/

We are going to sell art ( with a low 10% commission), there will be a ring toss and pie
judging contest as well. We are also accepting any and all dessert pies to compete in our
contest, so if you make a great pie, or know someone who does, pleeaaassee bring it on
up to Troy on Dec. 3rd.

We are going to be open on Fri. Dec. 1st and Dec. 2nd for you to drop artwork off. The
stroll is from 11-5 on Dec. 3rd. For more details, please visit our website.

We would love to have you participate! Drop us a line.

to do this weekend

2006-11-16T15:42:00.000-05:00

Friday//Kismet Gallery Open House, 71 Fourth St., Troy. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring over 100 local artists.

Saturday// Shop the Troy Winter Farmers' Market, which has now moved to The Atrium for the winter season. Hours: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday//Worship at Terra Nova Church (www.terranovachurch.org) at 11 a.m. at Revolution Hall on River Street in Troy. Then, eat lunch at The Taproom at Brown's Brewery. Or, head over to The Illium Cafe at Second & State Streets for delicious Sunday brunch.

calling all photographers

2006-11-15T16:43:00.000-05:00

ATTENTION ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS!

Announcing the 4th Annual City photo contest. The theme of the contest this year is
"Celebrating Visions of Troy." Anyone with a great picture of Troy is invited
to submit a photo. Entries may submitted for any subject, person, place or thing.

Here are the basic rules:
There will be a division for students 17 and under, and another for adults
18 and over. A One Hundred dollar ($100) prize will be given to the first
place winner in each division; Fifty dollars ($50) for second places, and
Thirty dollars ($30) for third places. Prize sponsors of the contest include
TAP Inc. and Atrium Services, LLC.

A blind panel of judges will review the entries. (Judges will not know
identity of entrants). The public will help judge the contest during the
during the Victorian Stroll. Winners will be announced and photos
displayed at City Hall during the Victorian Stroll on December 3rd.
Entries may be either traditional photographs or digital prints, black &
white or color. Maximum size is 8x10 and slides cannot be accepted. All
entries become the property of the City of Troy.

Any pictures displaying an adult 18 or over shall list the names of all
participants. A signed release form shall accompany any pictures
displaying children under 18 from the parent or guardian of the child.

Please submit photographs with your name, address, phone number,
section, location depicted in picture, and title of your picture written on
the back to: City of Troy Photo Contest, c/o Rich Craig, Troy City Hall,
1 Monument Square, Troy NY 12180. All entries must be received by
3:00 pm Tuesday, November 28^th 2006.

Coming soon

2006-11-15T16:33:00.000-05:00

To do this week:

This week//November 14-16, 2006

Human Rights Watch International Film Festival
Location: The Sanctuary
www.thesanctuaryforindependentmedia.org

Time: 7:00 PM
Suggested Donation: $10, $5 students, seniors & low income

Human Rights Watch's International Film Festival features works that help to
put a human face on threats to individual freedom and dignity, and celebrate
the power of the human spirit and intellect to prevail. Film titles and
screenings dates can be found at http://www.arts.rpi.edu/.

iEAR Presents!, in collaboration with The Sanctuary for Independent Media
(www.thesanctuaryforindependentmedia.org), will present the Human Rights
Watch International Film Festival for three nights November 14, 15 and 16,
2006. Screenings will take place at 7:00 pm each night at The Sanctuary,
3361 Sixth Ave., Troy, NY (at 101st Street where Sixth Ave. turns into
Fifth). Suggested Donation: $10, $5 for students, seniors and low income.
FREE w/RPI ID. For more information visit www.arts.rpi.edu
or call (518) 276-4829.

Since its inception, Human Rights WatchÂ¹s International Film Festival has
embodied the power of film to make a difference. Courageous and committed
filmmakers produce impressive documentary and feature films, which stimulate
passionate conversations about human rights and inspire new generations of
human rights activists. Through the universal language of film, we connect
the experiences of survivors and activists with our own experiences--a
critical step in influencing public opinion and policy makers. A schedule of
events follows:

Wednesday: "Conversations On A Sunday Afternoon" (7 PM screening)

Composed of an artful blend of documentary and dramatic elements, Khalo
Matabane's "Conversations On A Sunday Afternoon" is a revolutionary film for
South Africa--breaking with the hard-hitting historical dramas the country
has turned out lately and charging right into the world of ideas. The
struggle for reconciliation is nudged aside to reveal a country coming to
terms with its new status as a promised land. What does a richer African
nation owe to its poorer neighbors? How does political crisis shape personal
identity? And is the war over now?

Thursday: "Men On The Edge: Fishermen's Diary" (7 PM screening)

A documentary by Israeli filmmakers Avner Faingulernt and Macabit Abramzon
set on an isolated and abandoned beach at the border between Gaza and Israel
where, against all odds, Israeli and Palestinian fishermen lived and fished
together from 1999 to 2003. The Palestinians were teaching the Israelis
ancient fishing techniques transmitted from one generation to the next and
the Israelis, by their presence, were enabling the Palestinians to continue
to fish in Israeli waters. The film intimately and beautifully documents
these four crucial years in the lives of this eclectic group of men from
warring cultures, who are brought together by their shared work and the
natural threats they face each day in the open sea. Ultimately it is not the
harshness of nature that is the greatest obstacle to their work, but the
pressures of politics and the fighting surrounding their enclave.

The Sanctuary For Independent Media is a community media arts center located
in an historic former church in Troy, NY. The Sanctuary hosts screening,
production and performance facilities, training in media production and a
meeting space for artists, activists and independent media makers of all
kinds. The Sanctuary is located at 3361 6th Avenue, three doors down from
101st Street in north Troy. Call (518) 272-2390, email
info@TheSanctuaryForIndependentMedia.org, or visit
www.TheSanctuaryForIndependentMedia.org for more information.

...back, with thoughts on film and silence

2006-11-15T16:20:00.000-05:00

...Back from a self-appointed maternity leave from this arts blog!

Last night, I went to see a neighborhood screening of the film "Silences" by Octavio Warnock-Graham of New York. Octavio is the son of Harriet Warnock-Graham and David Graham of Second Street in Troy. His film is about the silence surrounding his biracial identity. His mother wouldn't talk about the ethnicity of his birth father. After the film, I wanted to slap her in the face and ask, "Why? Why did you hide this from your son?" Alas, I do not believe in violence and did not do such a thing. Instead, I sat and digested the power of the film, the power of race, the power of the subject matter and the medium... I thanked my mother in silence for telling me the truth about my adoption and the truth of whom she knows me to be, for not withholding such vital information. And I thanked God for my new daughter, Satya. Her names means "truth."

I also meditated on the power of film to convey, inform and transform... and wondered if I'm in the wrong field. Does writing carry such clout, such brevity, such power, to evoke that what film does?

Finally, I concurred with the filmmaker's thoughts on silence -- that there is more power, sometimes, in what is NOT said and what is hidden, rather than what is told and brought to the light. Many times, Octavio had asked others why they never spoke of his race or identity. They always answered, "It didn't matter." Octavio posited, however, that it did matter -- that the elephant in the room should be spoken of, or else it will become an obvious something that DOES matter but no one dares talk of. Like the emperor with no clothes, he said.

So, why don't we talk about the obvious things we should talk about? I.e., why don't we tell people the truth more often and say "I love you" more often? Is it fear? Is it indifference? Please, tell me.

Oh, and check out Octavio's film trailer at: silencesfilm.com

arts hiatus

2006-08-22T16:43:00.000-04:00

i'm taking an early maternity leave from the arts blog.
be back in a month or so...
anyone want to write a book, travel, music, dance or arts review in the meantime?
send them to artsblog@terranovachurch.org

the musts

2006-08-15T14:29:00.000-04:00

There's must-see TV... and musts that we must follow, as a church, as Christ-followers, as individuals with dreams that we want to see accomplished.

This past Sunday, Ed posed a question, "What are some of your musts?" He wasn't pretending to know the answer, assuming that we all wake up and have morning devotions with "My Utmost for His Highest" or tune in to God one particular way. We don't all do that. Paul heard God very clearly, Ed said, and it wasn't the means that was important but the fact that Paul responded and was COMPELLED to go to where he must, where God moved him to go.

So what are your musts?

I couldn't help but think of Judy Blume's book "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret," a must-read for every pre-teen young woman coming of age who has thought the same as Margaret, lying on the floor, doing boob exercises and meditating "I must, I must, I must increase my bust," hoping that certain exercises would result in bigger breasts and an onset of adolescence.

Well, there was that must at that age... and there are musts at this age, too, an age where most of you, dear readers, I think are in your 20s, 30s and 40s (am I correct)? We're still trying to figure out the answer to the question, "What should I do when I grow up?"

I hope that one of your musts would be to spend some time with Christ, asking these important questions of Jesus. I confess, I'm not too good at doing that, especially if left to my own devices. I would rather approach God with others -- praying with my husband or friends. But I was challenged by Ed's sermon to reconsider the musts of my life.

I shouldn't think that laundry and household tasks come before an even greater must in my life: asking God my important questions and going over my dreams and passions with Christ, perhaps crying because I know they are far from reality, perhaps disappointed that I didn't do all that I wanted to do before I reach this age, perhaps apprehensive about what is next in life.

But please, fellow pilgrims, come with me on this journey and let's commit to be the church and make this a must: to be people who spend time knowing and loving God and wanting to know and love each other, even more than the to-lists we drum up every day...

coming attractions

2006-08-09T08:11:00.000-04:00

this weekend and beyond:

-philadelphia orchestra at spac, saratoga springs, friday, august 11, http://www.spac.org

-caribbean festival, sat., august 12, central park, schenectady. 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., music, food, arts and more....

-consignment sale (for children's and maternity goods), august 9-12 (1/2 price day is sat., aug. 12), at albany academy fieldhouse, albany. http://passitonsale.com/

-evening of music and dance, sunday, august 13, at riverfront park, troy. ellen sinopoli dance company, percussionist brian melick, flamenco guitarist maria zemantauski, latin jazz pianist david gleason, american roots fiddler george wilson and bassist mike dimin, free!

-altamont fair, august 15-20, http://www.altamontfair.com/

weekend to-do

2006-08-04T07:09:00.000-04:00

1. Thank God for relief from the excruciating heat!

2. Swap art at tonight's great art swap, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., in Troy. See thegreatartswap.com for rules and details.

3. Take the family to the Cohoes/Waterford Elks Lodge Bazaar in Cohoes. Rides, food and entertainment. Friday and Saturday night, 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Fireworks Saturday night. 45 N. Mohawk St. Cohoes. Call 235-3222 for more info.

4. Shop for junk at the flea market, featuring over 100 vendors, Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Powers Park, Third Ave. & 111th Street, North Troy. Call 421-5222 for more info.

5. See Soul Asylum at 9 p.m. Saturday night at Revolution Hall, Troy. $22, advance; $25, day of show.

books:: sue monk kidd, "the secret life of bees"

2006-08-04T06:50:00.000-04:00

Sue Monk Kidd's best-selling "The Secret Life of Bees" was one of those books that surprised publishers when it started selling like hotcakes... due to word of mouth. It never made a name of itself until it was published in paperback form; by then, friends had recommended friends to pick up this Southern gem.

"The Secret Life of Bees" is an endearing read set in South Carolina, just after Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Lily is a white child who, at the age of four, may have accidentally killed her mother with a gun; she's still not sure who picked up the gun and fired the fatal shot. She runs away from her abusive father, leaving behind her road-side job selling peaches and her dear teacher, who told her she has a chance to become an English professor. Instead, she helps her family's housekeeper, Rosaleen, escape from jail and the negro-colored wing of the hospital after Rosaleen gets beat up on her way to register to vote. They end up in Tiburon, South Carolina, following Lily's premonition and determination to find answers to her mother's mysterious death and trinkets Lily holds sacred. There, they meet the bee-keeping sisters named after different days of the month -- May, June and August -- and their lives become inextricably linked and forever changed.

The book steps out of history and paints portraits of people -- black and white, young and old, powerful (lawyers) and powerless ("colored" folk) -- in a volatile time of desegregation. Each chapter also cleverly follows a quotation at the beginning of each chapter, the quotation a reflection of the ways of bees and, perhaps, the ways of humankind.

There are some memorable revelations about bees and people (i.e., "The whole problem with people is...they know what matters, but they don't choose it.") and some provocative philosophies about womanhood and spirituality (i.e., "Our Lady is not some magical being out there somewhere, like a fairy godmother. She's something inside of you... You have to find a mother inside yourself. We all do.").

My one complaint is that while engaging, the book needs a better editor to make the dialogue flow better and the writing more fluid. There are some moments in which the dialogue or writing stalls, and unnecessarily so.

books:: philip roth, "everyman"

2006-07-27T07:25:00.000-04:00

Who is everyman? Did Roth choose the title of his latest book, or did a smart editor dub the book's title?

In this case, our "everyman" is the Jewish son of a jewelry salesman in Elizabeth, NJ who is thrice divorced; chided by his first wife and their two sons; constantly forgiven by his daughter, Nancy, from his second marriage; and jealous of his brother's perfect health. He is a man guided by sexual instinct, an advertising director who retires to the Jersey Shore, a father sorry for leaving but offering no apology as his sons were too young and angry to understand then and now too old and angry. Just as every other man and woman must come to terms with their relationships, family dynamics, health and well-being, this "everyman" wrestles to understand his fate and those of his parents before him: that we must all die and our bodies fall apart. Old age is a massacre, he says.

books:: garrison keillor, "love me"

2006-07-27T07:11:00.000-04:00

Garrison Keillor is from Minnesota. You can read it in his writing, in his language, in his wit. His Lake Wobegone days of writing have proven successful and laughable, making us laugh at ourselves and at the Minnesotans. And now, we can laugh some more.

In "Love Me," which was published nearly three years ago (I only got around to reading it now), we meet Larry Wyler. He marries Iris, a devout Democrat whose mission is to save and work for the elderly, even if it means letting them store their grocery carts of random crap in her garage. His mission: literary fame, as defined by writing for the esteemed New Yorker magazine. When he finally writes a best-selling book, he moves to Central Park West -- without his wife, who would rather hold on to her season hockey tickets and live in the ghetto of St. Paul, down the hill from where the rich she so despises live.

Wyler goes to work at his dream magazine, rubs shoulders with John Updike, J.D. Salinger and other literary greats, develops writer's block, has a string of affairs, and ends up as Mr. Blue, giving advice to forlorn Minnesotans in a regular column. In the end, he returns to Iris, only to discover she has given up her activist cause for the elderly to become a massage therapist.

Weekend update

2006-07-27T06:58:00.000-04:00

Tina Fey, I am not. She is actually leaving Saturday Night Live, folks... And now, the fake news. Well, actually, it's real. What to do this weekend in the Capital Region:

1. Friday, July 28 at 9 p.m., Doors, 8 p.m. Paranoid Social Club, with special guest Sucka Brown, at Revolution Hall, Troy. Pre-sale $10, day of show: $13. revolutionhall.com

2. Saturday, July 29 at 8 p.m. The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, run by Troy resident Ellen Sinopoli, will share the evening with artists from the Ajkun Ballet Theatre Company of New York City in the Bruno Theatre at The Arts Center for the Capital Region, 265 River Street, Troy. Free!

3. Sunday, July 30 at 1 p.m. Sharon Bates, director of the Albany International Airport art gallery and local artist (her recent work was selected to become part of the permanent collection at Albany Institute of History and Art), will give a walking tour of the Chesterwood Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition. She served as the guest curator for the exhibition. The site, about 45 minutes away from Albany in the Berkshires, is the former home and studio of Daniel Chester French, a 19th century figurative sculptor commissioned to produce the Lincoln Memorial. For more info., contact 413-298-3579. $10 admission.

to do this weekend...

2006-07-19T17:04:00.000-04:00

Weekend (Thur-Sat)/performing arts:
Confetti Stage Short Play Festival at WAMC Linda Norris Auditorium, 339 Central Ave., Albany. $10/night or $25/all three nights. See www.wamcarts.org for more info.

Friday afternoon/massage:
Grand opening of Essential Indulgences (massage practice), Lesley A. Kavanaugh, LMT, 295 Eighth St., Troy. 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free sample massages, vegan body care products to sample and purchase at special discount, vegetarian hors d'oeuvres and desserts provided by Flavour Cafe of Troy's Little Italy.
Well, it all seems nice but there IS a suggested donation price of $10.

Friday/fun:
Schenectady County SummerFest, 4:30-9:30 p.m., downtown Schenectady on State Street and the Jay Street Pedestrian Mall. Music, puppets, steel drums, sand sculpture, fireworks finale!

Friday night/arts:
Grand opening of The Red Gallery, 29 Second St., Troy. 5 p.m. -?

Saturday night/music (cans):
Bang-on-a-Can All-Stars at Mass MOCA, Hunter Center, North Adams, Mass. $22.

Saturday night/more music (classical):
Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood. (888) 266-1200

Saturday night/dance:
New York City Ballet gala at SPAC. $47-$250. 7:30 p.m. 587-3330 or www.spac.org

Sunday night/rock:
Pat Travers Band at Revolution Hall, doors 8 p.m., show 9 p.m.

weekend scene

2006-07-11T15:26:00.000-04:00

Visual arts/show: Receptions for Fence Show and other exhibits at The Arts Center, River Street, Troy Friday night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Family fun/kids: GE Kids Day at the Empire State Plaza, Albany. Food, entertainment, rides and puppets. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Junk/fun/benefit: Flea market and Southern BBQ at Central Park, Schenectady. Proceeds benefit Girls Inc. of the Capital Region. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Performing arts/music: Hundred Monkey Theory plays at A Perfect Blend, 376 Delaware Ave., Delmar this Saturday evening at 8 p.m.

books:: anne rice, anne tyler

2006-07-11T08:52:00.000-04:00

This week, I'm reviewing books by two Annes; one is a good book, the other I couldn't finish. One was informative and enlightening, the other left me quite pissed.

Let's start with Anne Tyler's "Digging to America," story about two families that adopt Koreans. That's how the story opens... and that's all I could muster to read, just a few chapters.

But first, a side and personal note: I'm adopted. Reading and talking about adoption is always a thrilling experience for me. I could debate everyone about the pros and cons of adoption, warn you about being too yuppy-ish and overprotective, chastise parents and families on both sides for thinking only of themselves and not of the other parents -- adopted or birth -- involved. I had a good adoption experience. When I think about being adopted into the kingdom of God, I think how beautiful that is -- and I can say that from personal experience, that I know my parents chose and searched for me. I'm not sure every adopted kid can say the same, however.

Getting back to Anne Tyler's book at hand, though... Her characters are so ridiculously annoying, it was hard for me to keep reading. I felt frustrated over matters of culture and identity that are left hanging and looking more like a trendy thing than a genuine matter of love and respect. The intriguing family is the one from whose viewpoint the story is told: an Iranian-American grandmother who carries an American passport but still feels like she's a guest in America. I wanted to know her story more than the story of her daughter's Korean adopted kid. She has more interesting things to say, is more culturally aware of herself, is more believeable and likeable. The other characters say trendy New York City-things, only they live in Baltimore, and treat adoption as another fad they're learning how to deal with. Adoption is not a fad, people. It is not something you do because the Hampton crowd is getting a five-carat, princess-shaped diamond by Fred Segel, the latest Manolo Blahnik shoes and a kid from Korea. I despise the way adoption is (not) respected by the characters who are waiting to meet their new child from Korea and giving each other advice like "try soy milk, because Asians aren't good with dairy" even when one of the Korean babies is drinking her cow's milk just fine, thank you.

Rarely do I put fiction books down without having read them cover to cover. I should do it more often, but instead I think I, as a writer, owe it to others writers to respect their work and labor long enough to give them a thorough opportunity to bring their stories alive. I regret finishing Sue Miller's book, "While You Were Gone," for the same reason that I am proud NOT to have finished Anne Tyler's book. The characters were annoying. Sue Miller's protagonist was a selfish young woman, trying to figure out herself, but without any thought or depth. I kept wanting to believe she'd get over herself, so I read that book until the end... and wanted to throw up after I closed the covers. As a rule, I try NOT to read any Oprah Winfrey "Book of the Month" picks, as Sue Miller let me down on that one.

When I was a college student, I worked for a literary agency. My boss, a wise woman, liked to compare books to eggs. If they stink from the beginning, she said, no need to eat them whole. I should listen to her advice more often and forsake reading books that I have a hard time sniffing from the beginning. And so, I DID put that book down and properly returned Anne Tyler to other fanatic prospective parents who tiptoe around answering questions, read all the books about adoption, oversensitize their kids to anything, and do all the politically correct "culture camps" for their adopted kids but check their brains at the door. Please remember: adoption is not merely a business or a dream for the parents, it's about the kids.

On to Anne Rice, whose book "Christ the Lord" I highly recommend. This is a book that teaches you something. If you like languages, which I do, stay tuned to who uses what language when speaking to whom, in what context and among which people groups. There will be times when the rabbis ask questions in Greek (in Alexandria, Eqypt); Jesus and his family speak Aramaic, the common language; and when they slide into other learned languages in the temple or at school. If you're looking to know who Jesus really is, this book reveals this: Christ is the Christ of the Gospels, and yet he was a human-boy, too.

Told from the perspective of Jesus as a child, on his journey from Alexandria home to Bethlehem and Judea, the reader will uncover a Jesus who is alive. A Jesus who is human. A Jesus who is a child and struggles to understand why his brother, James, is only annoyed by him. A Jesus who has visions that strike fear and awe, especially a particular dream of a burning temple and a beautiful, eerie angel-like creature who starts shouting and seems, in the end, more like Satan, demanding that Jesus identifies himself. A Jesus who thrills at reading the scrolls, uncovering his past history, ask questions of his uncle Cleopas, father and mother about that night in Bethlehem.

What really happened? Anne Rice's author's notes, found at the back of the book, reveal her own encounter with the Christ of the gospels, a Christ she forsake but later returned to in search of who Jesus really was and an eagerness to return to the communion table. Like her other novels of interviews, she spent countless hours reading scholarly accounts, doing research and asking everyone who Jesus really was. Was he a gay liberal who had an affair with Mary Magdalene and fathered a secret child? In the end, she discovered Christ was the Christ of the gospels, just as she had been taught to believe but never fully trusted. This book could be her thesis, then, of that Christ she discovered: someone who grew up, just like us, sometimes wanting to be alone, sometimes wanting to be in the temple to watch sacrifices and ask more questions of the rabbis, sometimes wanting only to be close to his mother, sometimes waking with hot flashes and bad dreams. And yet, this Christ was not just a human. He was the Messiah, too. He had an intimate connection with God that is discovered and fleshed out so beautifully and realistically, so humanely.

As a new, young mother, I appreciated "Christ, the Lord" most for its portrayal of Mary. It made me see her in new, refreshing ways. I could resonate with her; understand her concern for her child; see how crazy she looked to others when an angel came to visit her and she came screaming about it later that night; how awestruck she must have been to have learned, rich men come visiting her that night in Bethlehem, bearing gifts for this child; how worried she must have been for James and Jesus and their brotherly relationship -- would they ever *get* each other?

Keep in mind, though: Anne Rice's work, though based on historical research, is still fiction. So whether he actually could heal others or bring them from the dead as a child, before being baptized and the coming of the Holy Spirit to others, is still a good question to ask when reading.

If you're looking for overrated characters that put on a show and fall flat looking quite silly, read Anne Tyler's "Digging to America." If you prefer to read something that you can identity with, and yet learn so much more from, consider Anne Rice's "Christ, the Lord."

One end note: Anne Rice, when interviewed by the religion journalist Cathleen Falsani, said Johnny Depp would be a perfect Jesus, should another movie be made about Christ. Depp would bring depth and ethereal mystery to his character, I think and quite agree. What do you think?

weekend: things to do

2006-07-07T11:25:00.000-04:00

Random things to do this weekend:

1. Like folk music? Think Indigo Girls, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie (and his daughter, Sarah).
Check out Troy's own Folk Festival Saturday from noon to 5:30-ish on River Street. (No, none of the artists listed above will be there.)

2. March for peace (there's always someone holding a peace sign near the Uncle Sam monument in Troy on Saturdays around noon). Better yet, pray for shalom. True shalom, in which it's not just about peace but also about community, God's kingdom-building, jubilee, no more debt or slavery (yes, there is still slavery today. join a non-profit like International Justice Mission to learn more), and a balancing of wealth.

3. See the ValleyCats play (baseball) at The Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy. Fireworks after the show EVERY Friday night, I hear, and tickets start at $5.

4. Go to a drive-in. I forget: When does "Superman Returns" open? In the meantime, there are more movies to be seen. If, like me, your car radio doesn't work, check out fine films at Spectrum Theatre on Delaware Ave. in Albany.

5. Blues Festival today and tomorrow in Albany at the Empire State Plaza. Good music, and I'd be looking for some blooming onions or fried dough. What's a festival without those munchies?

6. Run in a sprinkler at Prospect Park or Frear Park in Troy, swim in the pool at Central Park in Schenectady, walk your dog in Washington Park in Albany.

7. Eat! Buy in-season produce, fruit, pure milk and even organic or pasture-raised meat from local farmers at the farmers' market (every Saturday at the Troy Marina from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

8. If you're into Yo-Yo Ma rather than other sorts of stringed music, check out the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood (click on bso.org for a full summer schedule). Bring wine and dine in the park.

9. Stroll Broadway in Saratoga before the racing season begins (or, has it already?)... Jog along the Avenue of the Pines, then stay the night and have Sunday brunch at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga State Park.

10. See art (and be seen) at the UAG opening reception tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Upstate Artists Guild is on Lark Street in Albany.

11. Write a book review, travel review, movie review, art review, etc. and send it my way: artsblog@terranovachurch.org

gigs:: hmt

2006-06-29T16:21:00.000-04:00

Hundred Monkey Theory (HMT), featuring Terra Nova's own Patty and Scott Womer, Rachael and Dennis Gardner, Steve Mooradian and Dave Bremer, plays at 4:30 p.m. this Saturday at The Great Escape as part of the region's Glory Day festivities.

In Scott's words, "Come out, enjoy the park, listen to some good music, buy really expensive
hot dogs, and support your best friends, HMT."

fiction:: elizabeth berg book reviews

2006-06-28T09:37:00.000-04:00

Last week, I read not one but two books by Elizabeth Berg, my latest favorite author. (This fall, she is coming out with a fictional account of the young Mary and Joseph called "The Handmaid and the Carpenter." Look for it November 7, 2006.)

"The Year of Pleasures" paints a genuinely felt account of the anguish found after a woman loses her husband to cancer: how she sees the world, finds traces of her late husband around the house, weeps silently for no good reason, and learns to move on, if that is even possible. What I loved about this book was not only the story itself but also Berg's writing style. She is so candid, so honest, so up-close about the character's feeling and sense of self: walking in certain neighborhoods is painful, having awkward moments when the protagonists's friends ask her how she's doing and she erupts into tears but doesn't want to cry and apologizes for doing so. This is honest grief; there is no romanticizing here. And because of that truth in storytelling, you believe every word and cry with the main character, hoping that something good will happen. And it doesn't necessarily.

What bothers me so -- or compels me to want to be this book's heroine, just for a moment -- is this: how she has found herself to be so alone, a changed woman not only from her husband's death but also her life as a married woman, then a widow. She realizes she has not held on to her friends -- she doesn't know whom to call when she starts feeling the need to reach out to someone to start talking again -- because she and her husband had become everything to each other. While I admire that they are lovers and best friends, spending all their time together while also having their own careers (he was a child psychiatrist and she a children's book author) and passions (he wasn't a fan of her musical preferences), I am sorry that she has lost touch with her girlfriends from college. But again, that is the beauty of this book and of life: to be able to try again, to have another opportunity to move forward. It starts when the protagonist calls directory assistance to find her long-lost girlfriends.

Okay, I'm giving away too much of this book; suffice to say, I appreciate literature that, while taking creative license, also tells the truth in a believeable way.

That's what Berg does again with "Open House," another story about a woman who has lost her husband. This time, it's not death. He has left her. And she wants him back, no matter how much they have lost ground or fallen apart. She hopes all the time that he will come back and tell her he made a mistake, he's moving back in, he will gladly come back and love her and raise their 11-year-old son together.

And the surprise is this: he does say such things. He dumps his little rebound girlfriend and asks to come home to his wife. It's all we have been waiting for... and the protagonist, too. However, she doesn't take him back. Why not? Because she wants him to appreciate her -- not what she DOES for him, the routine she gives to his life, but who she truly is, the birthmarks only she has, the uniqueness of who she is -- and he seems to miss that point. He wants her back to give him a sense of stability and grounding again, and he can't bring himself to find any words affirming what it is that he misses about her CHARACTER.

It's the most gutting climax, because we, the readers, have been waiting for redemption and beauty to take place, or perhaps that is what we crave as Jesus-followers: for things to be made right and new and good again. But the reality is this: it's not always like that. Love between a man and woman, though created to reflect the union between Jesus and his church -- unconditional, patient, kind, forgiving -- is not always like that. And it's disturbing. But it's realistic. This is Elizabeth Berg: life is not always what you hope for, but then again, it might be surprisingly better somehow because it reminds you of who are you and the compromises you refuse to make about yourself.

shabbat

2006-06-28T09:23:00.000-04:00

Last week, I went on vacation. It was truly a vacation. No to-do lists. No phone calls or e-mail messages to return. No responsibilities. Not even sight-seeing. I was more interested in complete shabbat.

What can I learn from taking three hour-naps each day, rising early to watch my daughter chase seagulls by the ocean, and reading books on the balcony, by the pool, or on the beach? I'm tempted to want to stay there and never come home.

But what I did learn is this: I was reminded of a sermon given by Tim Keller, my pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC when I was a student at NYU. He reminded his listeners that Sabbath is a command. That means we're to take it as seriously as being faithful to our partners, honoring our parents, loving our neighbors. If we don't, we sin.

Keller wasn't saying "this is sin, otherwise" to laud it over the workaholics among us (myself included). Rather, he was reminding us about the point of rest, Sabbath, shabbat: to encounter God and be reminded of who we are in Christ. When we get that -- when we get that who we are is NOT equal to how we perform, how we dress, where we work, or how put-together we are, but rather, that we are children of God -- we are ready, then, to face the rest of the week with that truth in tow.

So, then, here I sit on a Wednesday morning. My office space around my desk is a mess, papers are everywhere, my blackboard list has remained the same for the past day "Deposit checks. Call Amy, Dave and Mea. Look for Sheila's book." I'm hungry, tired and pre-occupied with the to-do lists in my head. I want to say, when my husband comes home, "I did this and that. Here's dinner. Look, a clean sofa cover, for once! Look, I mopped the floor, too!" And while I'm sure he'd appreciate those little touches of domesticity, I'm sure he -- and God, too -- would appreciate it more if I remembered who I am and stopped trying to earn my merit or sense of self.

(Reader's note: This blog entry originally appeared at Erika's personal blog: erikabai.livejournal.com)

what some terra creatives are up to this week...

2006-06-27T08:40:00.000-04:00

Phoebe Henry, solo vocalist and Terra-ist, is busy recording her third CD this week. She's down in NYC to do so.

Thursday evening, stop by the University Art Museum at UAlbany to view the:
2006 Artists of the Mohawk-Hudson Region
Juror: Lilly Wei, independent curator and critic

University Art Museum
University at Albany
State University of New York

June 29 through August 5
Artists’ Reception:
Thursday, June 29, 5:00 – 8:00PM
University Art Museum
Fine Arts Building

Sharon Bates, Troy artist and friend/neighbor to the Groffs, will be among those whose work will be displayed. Hers consists of six sculptural forms titled Cluster.

Sunday, July 2, marks the beginning of a photography exhibit by Terra's own Nancy Noble. (The coffeehouse closes at 2 p.m. Sundays.) Her work will be displayed at Samuel's Coffeehouse,258 Alplaus Ave, in Alphaus through the month of July.

After church Sunday afternoon, consider stopping by Troy's River Street for a Lebanese Mahrajan Festival put on by Albaraki Restaurant. Not only will there be delicious Lebanese food, but come enjoy the sights and sounds of belly dancers (maybe you can try it, too!) and other entertainment.

Next Tuesday is the Fourth of July. Which traditions do you observe? BBQ? Fireworks at the Empire State Plaza in Albany? If your answer is the latter, you'll groove this year to The Temptations...

new photography center

2006-06-27T08:22:00.000-04:00

At Troy's recent River Street Festival one Saturday afternoon, I noticed a new exhibition of photographs... and an announcement about the opportunity to become a charter member of the Photography Center of the Capital District, a new venture sprung by recent state retiree, Nicholas Argyros. I met him the following week at Ekologic's "Boutique for a Week" opening at Pi Naturals in Troy.

He has a wonderful vision for this center, the primary purpose of which is to "offer to those interested in the photographic arts opportunities to develop skills and knowledge in all aspects of photographic activity." He's hoping to do that by providing facilities that include a library, equipment such as film recorders, film scanners, printers, projectors, computer workstations and even film processing equipment. He hopes also to provide workshops, tutorials, exhibitions and even a salon night in which peers critique each other's work.

The center is set to open in the fall of 2006 at 404 River Street (right across the street from Revolution Hall in the former nut/cheese building) in Troy.

To become a charter member for $35, which means you'll get invited to special events and be able to renew membership at low rates, contact Nicholas himself at 518-273-0100 or pccd404@att.net.

hundred monkey theory

2006-06-14T11:59:00.000-04:00

Hundred Monkey Theory [electric band] @ Samuel’s Coffeehouse, Clifton Park, NY

Friday, June 23 at 7pm

phoebe henry, live

2006-06-13T11:45:00.000-04:00

Sixteen-year-old singer/songwriter Phoebe Henry will be performing at Black Sheep Coffee House (Good Shepherd Lutheran, Albany Shaker Rd Loudonville) at 7pm Saturday June 24. Phoebe's original acoustic sound blends the influence of Jewel, Jennifer Knapp and Fiona Apple. Phoebe's big break as the opening act before the Paul McCartney concert last fall captured the attention of local media and fans. $5.00 donation; refreshments available.

www.phoebehenry.com

contact info: Ruth Henry 434-2704

what to expect

2006-06-13T08:28:00.000-04:00

Today, my friend and fellow writer Lyrysa Smith (former writer for the Times Union) will read from her work on WAMC. Tune in at 10:45 a.m.

This weekend, check out Troy's Riverfront Arts Festival on Saturday.

Join The Arts Center this week and display some of your work at their annual Fence Show, which begins this weekend and continues later with a selected jurors' show. If you'd rather sit on the fence than display your work, you can volunteer this week to help hang art at the center. If you know how to use a power tool -- or want to learn, this is for you (Gina, the gallery director, will be grateful).

recycled clothes

2006-06-08T12:08:00.002-04:00

Boutique for a Week - `
e ko logic @ Pi Naturals, Inc., 2217 Fifth Ave, Troy, for one week only.
Opening June 23rd from 3:30 - 9:30 pm.
`e ko logic designer Kathleen Tesnakis will be showcasing her Summer 2006 collection, handmade from recycled cotton shirts (tees, dress and polo). All made right here in Troy, NY and all one-of-a-kind. Lots of new experimental items made especially for this event.
Doors open at 3:30 pm. Be selfish and come early to get first dibs on truly unique clothing and accessories. You can always invite your friends to come later, after you've amassed your bounty. Music and munchies to follow later in the evening.
> > Feel free to donate your pre-loved 100% cotton tees, dress shirts and/or polo's at the drop off bin located in Shake Shake Mama's, 258 Broadway, Troy ( http://shakeshakemamas.com/) by June 20th. (If you haven't been yet to Shake Shake Mama's, its a great place for a healthy lunch or fresh fruit smoothie.)
View Julie Rose, Troy Pilates instructor and Erika Groff's next-door neighbor, modeling the summer line at: http://www.ekologic.com/ or visit Pi Naturals, Inc at http://www.pinaturalsinc.com to see this beautiful floral shop.
> > Email any questions to info@ekologic.com or ty@pinaturalsinc.com.
Of course, please feel free to forward this email to all your friends.
We look forward to seeing you at the opening event Friday, June 23rd.

uncle sam

2006-06-05T21:36:00.000-04:00

Troy, Home of Uncle Sam. And there's always a reason to throw a parade here.

This coming weekend, check out the city's annual Flag Day Parade on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Uncle Sam Memorial Foundation will be there.

the new york times magazine

2006-06-05T21:17:00.000-04:00

My favorite magazine in the world is none other than a weekly one in every Sunday New York Times newspaper, tucked away... The New York Times.

Did you read this week's issue? If not, go to: www.nytimes.com/magazine

This week, I enjoyed the skeptical look at what it means when Wal-Mart (aka "The Evil Empire") puts on a yuppy face and starts selling organic food. What does it mean to you?

when religion and economics mix

2006-06-03T21:22:00.000-04:00

Just read this in today's Times Union, about a local church that's assisting "family-class" cars in buying gas on one specific Saturday at one specific place...

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=488238&category=SARATOGA&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=6/3/2006

Of course, this church is showing Jesus' love in a practical way, especially in light of high gas rates.

It's an act of kindness, not out of environmental concern. If that were their case, they would be boycotting amendments that allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, for example; encouraging congregants to buy hybrid cars, commute to work, or ride bicycles instead of cars; and reminding parishioners to buy EnergySmart appliances or signing up for wind power or solar energy (my husband and I use Green Mountain Energy Company as our energy supplier, which means we pay more but our energy is from wind and hydro fuel sources).

If you're serious about your commitment to care for creation and be a better steward of energy sources, for example, become a member of the Evangelical Environmental Network, and you'll get their quarterly magazine, Creation Care, edited and published by Jim Ball (I met him a few years ago when I went to the national Religion Communicators Conference in Indianapolis; he has teamed up with unlikely alliances -- a Jewish liberal, for example, to lobby and inform the public and the church about the need to be better environmentalists).

But back to the Saratoga church wanting to help people pay for gas. That's another issue entirely (sorry for the tangent), and I admire their desire to want to help people in a practical way. Kudos to their vision.

Now, who's going to help the truly poor -- the widows and the orphans -- as James 1:27 invokes us to do?

and so?

2006-06-01T13:28:00.000-04:00

Random things to do this weekend:

1. Go to the drive-in. While they are extinct in other regions, the Capital Region has at least four drive-ins that I know about: Jericho in Selkirk, Hollywood in Averill Park, Malta in Malta, and Hathaway in Hoosick. Last weekend, X-Men 3 was playing. (If you have seen it, can you write a review for me? If so, send it to: artsblog@terranovachurch.org)

2. Go take a hike or swim... at Grafton State Park, for example.

3. Go to the farmers' market in Troy. (Okay, I know this is yet another shameless plug for the market, but how can you pass up fresh tomatoes, greens, onions, garlic and even some homemade curry and freshly baked bread?) It's on Saturday at the Troy Marina from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

4. Pay your rent. It's the first of the month today (Thursday) so don't forget to pay the bills!

What else? You tell me...

anyone out there?

2006-05-18T19:42:00.000-04:00

I'm just curious. Does any one read this? If so, please comment and tell me what you think. Thanks.

the scene (this coming weekend)

2006-05-18T19:15:00.000-04:00

Things to do this weekend:

1. ALL WEEKEND: Gilded Pony Performance Festival
A few of my neighbors, Julie Rose (dancer and Pilates instructor) and Emily Dalton-Smith, are involved in performing and coordinating this performance festival, with two venues: the Arts Center in Troy and a church in Valley Falls. Helene Lesterlin of RPI's EMPAC is one of the curators. Last time she produced an event, everyone from Troy went to see dancers hanging from the rafters of the soon-to-be home of EMPAC at RPI and cooed about it for days...
Go to gildedpony.org for more information.

2. FRIDAY: Michael Eck at Caffe Lena, Saratoga, 7 p.m.
Michael Eck is a good guy. He writes reviews for the Times Union on occasion and does rock, pop, folk, country, and jazz himself on others. He describes himself (on his website, michaeleck.com) as "Woody Guthrie wired on black coffee." Who wouldn't like that?

3. SATURDAY: Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This is the third weekend the market is outside in its spring/summer venue, the Troy Marina (right between River Street Cafe and The Hedley Building on River Street, just north of Revolution Hall). Why shop the farmers' market? You know where your food is coming from. You can ask the vendors all sorts of questions (like, "How many gallons of milk can a goat produce on any given day?"), pet the rooster that perches atop Our Farm's sign, support fair trade for farmers, and know that most of the vendors don't use any sort of pesticides or funky chemicals on the food you're eating. There are no steroids involved.
Things I recommend buying (that I buy for my daughter and husband): whole milk from Gumaer Farms Dairy in Stuyvesant Falls, summer cheddar cheese from Adirondack Cheese, tomatoes from the best tomato vendor ever yet whose name escapes me (they grow hydroponic tomatoes all year in a greenhouse, and their tomatoes taste like a slice of juicy heaven!), pottery (a good wedding gift, I've been told) from Saratoga Pottery, greeting cards designed by Kristine Dominichini's Green Studio in Troy, and all sorts of hot, ready-to-eat curry concoctions from Greenwich's Thunder Mountain Curry.

coming this weekend

2006-05-12T11:21:00.000-04:00

What to do this weekend (5/12-14):

This weekend/FUN
Tulip Festival in Albany
The best part -- the Pinksterfest -- is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Don't worry if it rains. Vendors might be more willing to sell you items at cheaper prices, simply to get rid of products. (I know this from experience)

This weekend/FILM
Berkshire International Film Festival
www.biffma.com

Saturday/MUSIC
Hamell on Trial
8 p.m., $15
WAMC Linda Norris Auditorium, Albany.
-He opened once for Ani diFranco when she played at Proctor's in Schenectady and sang about the weirdness of bringing kids on first dates. This is his CD release party.

Saturday/COMEDY
Chicago City Limits
8 p.m., $16 ($10 students)
UAlbany, Main Theatre
The New York Times calls them "the perfect masters of improvisation" so try to stump them with cues like "blueberry people" and see if they can come up with a good skit...

Saturday/DANCE
80s Night
10 p.m., $5
Fuze Box, Albany
C'mon; I know you're dying to dance to Bon Jovi and The Go-Gos. It's IN you.

Sunday/REMINDER
Don't forget: It's mothers' day on Sunday. Maybe your mom has been eyeing a particular magazine, pretty body lotion or perhaps she's just itching to get out or have a night/day off from the kids. Let her! Surprise her by saying "Mom/sweetheart, why don't you just go shopping today? Here's $100. I'll stay home and watch the kids." (Hint to my husband)

call for submissions

2006-05-12T11:18:00.000-04:00

Anyone see Mission Impossible III yet? Read a great book? (I'm curious if anyone else read Anne Rice's "Christ the Lord" yet, since I don't want to write all the reviews!)
I welcome reviews. Send to: artsblog@terranovachurch.org. Submissions may be edited for clarity or content.

what to do this coming weekend

2006-05-03T10:22:00.000-04:00

FOOD/FRIDAY at 7:30 p.m.
Cinco de Mayo at Carmen's Cafe, First Street, Troy
$15 per person. RSVP to Carmen at gcarm8@aol.com, 272-3011

FOOD, ARTS, COMMUNITY/SATURDAY
Troy Farmers' Market moves to its outdoors venue, Troy's Marina near Revolution Hall.
This is a sure sign of spring and warmer months to come!
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
troymarket.org

COMEDY/SATURDAY at 8 p.m.
Laugh for a good cause.
Comedy Relief at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Second Street, Troy.
Benefit for Joseph's House and Shelter of Ferry Street, Troy.
Tickets: $20-$35; students $15-$25
For more info., call 273-0038.

DANCE/SATURDAY at 8 p.m.
15th Anniversary Celebration of Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company.
The Egg, Empire State Plaza, Albany.
This concert features the premiere of a new collaboration between Sinopoli, composer Hilary Tann and Sculptor Martin Olstad along with a retrospective of ESDC repertory.
Cocktails at 6 p.m.
Box office: 473-1845
Cocktail reservations: 408-1341.

ARTS/SUNDAY at 2 p.m.
Jason Martinez: New Work: Where the Rainbow Never Ends
Opening reception at Visions Gallery, 40 No. Main St., Albany

pray

2006-05-01T16:52:00.000-04:00

National Day of Prayer is this Thursday.

Join people at Troy's Monument Square, Albany's Capitol steps, or Schenectady's City Hall at noon to pray together... for the US, for our local communities, for our brothers and sisters around the world.

terra nova road trip (youth)

2006-04-27T17:21:00.000-04:00

Calling any Terra Nova youth (ages 1 to 100):

Join a road trip as Terra Nova Church's own Phoebe Henry sings at Holy Grounds Coffee Lounge on Friday, June 2 in Allendale, NJ. Caravan leaves Friday at 4 p.m. from Grace Fellowship Church and will return at midnight that evening. $10/seat.

Reserve your spot by e-mailing: henryr@nycap.rr.com

Go to phoebehenry.com for more info.

what to do this weekend

2006-04-27T17:07:00.000-04:00

ARTS/Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.:
Arts reception for BLINK at Fulton Street Gallery in Troy. (See you there!)

FILM/Friday at 7:30 p.m.:
See "Hotel Rwanda" at the beautiful Palace Theatre on Clinton Avenue in Albany.
$5. A portion of the proceeds go to RwandAlbany, the University at Albany´s School of Social Welfare Rwandan Relief Effort.

MUSIC/Friday at 8 p.m.:
Hear/See Nestor Torres, Puerto Rican flutist, play at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

MUSIC/Saturday at 9:30 p.m.:
Hair of the Dog plays at Parting Glass in Saratoga. $12.

Got listings? E-mail them to: artsblog@terranovachurch.org

terra speaks to its generation

2006-04-13T12:23:00.000-04:00

Nevermind the other media outlets. What do you read in the Capital Region? Metroland, of course... and so, today, you would read about Terra Nova Church in this week's edition:

http://metroland.net/features.html

Chet Hardin, copy editor at The Saratogian and Troy resident/homeowner, wrote a poignant piece about Terra, its pastors, and the stories that are still being written in our lives as we figure out how to do church for Generation X. Please pick it up and read it today.

the crucifixion, a visual reminder in the community

2006-04-13T09:17:00.000-04:00

I wrote a story for today's Times Union about tomorrow's Good Friday walk of the cross in downtown Troy:

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=471228&category=RENSSELAER&BCCode=LOCAL&newsdate=4/13/2006

reading list

2006-04-12T20:50:00.000-04:00

Recommended reading, past and present:

-"The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One" by Margaret Lobenstein
Think you have ADD? Maybe, instead, you're a Renaissance soul who can't figure out what to do because you have too many ideas and passions... This book, written by a life coach, can help you think through and validate who you are.

-"Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt" by Anne Rice
The author, made famous for making vampires famous, recently returned to her Catholic roots and wrote this historical novel about Jesus Christ.

-"The God Factor: Inside the Spiritual Lives of Public People" by Cathleen Falsani
Cathleen Falsani writes about faith and pop culture for the Chicago Sun-Times. In this book, she talks with some famous folks -- from Hugh Hefner to Anne Rice to Bono to Jonathan Safran Foer (one of my favorite authors of the moment) -- about their views on morality, faith, religion, and being good. Ps-Anne Rice thinks Johnny Depp would make a good Jesus Christ in the movies.

-"Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer
If you think this is just another book about 9/11, you're wrong. It's a story about a boy and his search for a missing counterpart to a key he finds after losing his father on 9/11. But it's more than that. Foer breaks the rules of writing in his style and the format of this book... but he also writes things only a fiction writer can pull off; he writes with amazing creativity and ingenuity that's not only original but compelling, too.

-"Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog" by John Grogan
This story is about a dog. A labrador retriever and his owners, two newspaper journalists who live in touristy Florida, move to a hillside in Pennsylvania and try to have kids in between. But it's Marley, of course, who steals the show and who will, ultimately, break your heart while making you laugh out loud. Only dog lovers -- and who isn't? -- will love this book.

-"Bad Cat: 244 Not-So-Pretty Kitties and Cats Gone Bad" by Jim Edgar
To be fair to the cat lovers, here's something for you. My family discovered this book when my father was in the hospital, fighting for his life after a surgery gone bad. When my sister brought the book into the hospital room, our room of sadness and grey days turned into those of laughter and hilarity. We couldn't stop laughing, and Dad had to stop reading the book so that his stitches wouldn't burst. Literally. Flip through this book when you need a good laugh.

interesting links

2006-04-12T20:45:00.000-04:00

First of all, I have to tell everyone that Troy is an up and coming city for the arts. Here's proof. The New York Times featured Troy last Friday as a day trip destination, hailing Troy's historic architecture as the finest antiques that can't be bought. Click here to read the story:

http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/04/07/travel/escapes/07trip.html

Secondly, and I know this is random, please read the following op-ed on the sexual revolution and how Hugh Hefner snuck pornography into American culture as a norm. Tell me what you think:

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/editorial/outlook/3780509

prelude

2006-04-12T20:33:00.000-04:00

We creative types (that would be all of us, eh?) at Terra Nova Church in Troy, NY wanted to have a forum -- well, I guess it will start out as non-interactive as I just blab on about interesting books, music, dance and other arts I have read, heard, or seen recently; be they reviews or links from other zines or sites, or perhaps you might want to post something yourself (that's fine with me, too; send submissions to me at: artsblog@terranovachurch.org so I can take a look and edit). The music, the art, the books need not be devised as "Christian," because that is not what this is about. Instead, this is about we as Christians trying to look at the arts in a critical way, in a way that would God would be pleased with -- I mean, God is THE creator. Arts can be a means to worship God... and it should be.

There will be more to come. Stay tuned, ladies and gentlemen...