Arts

Part Poetry, Part Lamentation, Part Concert

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Author, teacher, storyteller and spiritual activist, Stephen Jenkinsen is joining with
Canadian musician and songwriter, Gregory Hoskins and his band for a 35-city North
American Tour of ‘Nights of Grief and Mystery’.  The Ithaca presentation will be on  Thursday, November 1st 7pm-9:30pm at the Hangar Theatre. Juan Lube, one of the people coordinating the even joins us by phone.  

Photo credit: Orphan Wisdom

Arts

Rafael Grigorian Ballet Presents ‘The Nutcracker’

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The Rafael Grigorian Ballet Theatre presents Tchaikovsky’s famous story of Clara and her Christmas present, ‘The Nutcracker’.  Choreographer Rafael Grigorian joins us to talk about the logistics of doing a Saturday performance in the Clemens Center in Elmira, and then moving the whole production to Binghamton for a Sunday performance in the Forum. He also talks about the new studios in Elmira and Vestal. http://wskg.org/audio/nutcracker.mp3

Photo credit: Rafael Grigorian Ballet Theatre

Arts

Ithaca Ballet Presents a Double Bill for the Whole Family

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Ithaca Ballet presents ‘Snow White’ and ‘Haunted House’ in two performances in the State Theatre in Ithaca.  Choreographer Cindy Reid joins us to talk about the two short ballets.  ‘Snow White’ features music by Lavinia Reid and ‘Haunted House’ is to Modest Mussorgsky’s ‘A Night on Bald Mountain’. http://wskg.org/audio/snowwhite.mp3

 

Photo credit: Ithaca Ballet

Arts

SRO Vortex Presents ‘Gripped’

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Vortex, the dance wing of SRO Productions presents ‘Gripped’ on October 20, 21, and 22 in the Endicott Performing Arts Center on Washington Avenue in Endicott. Choreographer Anne Trebilcock talks about the collaboration that created this exploration of addiction and its effects on family and friends. http://wskg.org/audio/gripped.mp3

 

Photo credit: SRO Vortex

Arts

Ti-Ahwaga Players Present Jerry Herman's 'La Cage Aux Folles'

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Ti-Ahwaga Community Players present Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein’s musical ‘La Cage Aux Folles’. Director James Osborne and assistant director/choreographer Talia Saraceno talk about staging this comedy that calls for a large cast of dancers and singers. http://wskg.org/audio/cage.mp3

 

Photo credit: Talia Saraceno for Ti-Ahwaga Community Players

Arts

'Ascend' is a New Musical with a Biblical Story

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The Endicott Performing Arts Center is presenting the premiere of a new musical.  ‘Ascend’ starts out where ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ ends.  Playwright Lori Zabadal-Dayton talks about how “the play found her”, and about the process of dramatizing the story, writing the music, and saying good-bye to some of the songs and scenes during the rehearsal process.  Her daughter, Jennifer Dayton, who is one of the dancers in the show, tells why dance is so essential to the telling of the story. http://wskg.org/audio/ascend.mp3

 

Photo credit: Beyond the Stage Photography for Endicott Performing Arts Center

 

Arts

Choreographers Come Together to Celebrate

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Choreographer René Neville celebrates 50 years in dance with a party called Alt 50 in the Endicott Performing Arts Center on Washington Avenue in Endicott.  She brings together her choreographer friends for a program of poetry, music, art, and, of course, dance in a festive program. “ALT 50 is a collaborative performance of dance, music, poetry, and art celebrating movement and sound in an exploratory vein. It features the work of nine choreographers exploring the themes of Emergence, Gifts, Resonance, Heritage, Chronicles, Unity, Nexus, Fortitude, Vices, Permanence, and Fêtes as they relate to all artists within the context of an artistic life. These themes are danced by 23 dancers with 6 actors providing spoken word pieces between each dance. Original video art projections by René Neville and live music provided by Laurence Elder completes the collaboration between dance, music, poetry, and art.”

Arts

Ithaca Ballet Presents 'The Sleeping Beauty'

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The Ithaca Ballet presents its first production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s full-length ballet, ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ in two performances at the State Theatre of Ithaca.  Choreographer Cindy Reid tells us how they are performing this major work with just twenty dancers, and how the original choreography of Marius Petipa has been passed down from generation to generation. http://wskg.org/audio/sleeping.mp3

 

Photo credit: Ithaca Ballet

Arts

Ithaca Ballet Presents an Array of Short Ballets at the Hangar Theatre

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Ithaca Ballet, under the direction of Cindy Reid, presents an evening of cutting edge and innovative dance with works by Larry Brantley, Amy O’Brien, Tucker Davis, Kevin Olmstead. J. Locarro and Heather MacNeill, Lena Rose Polzonetti, M. Matteer and Anna Nolan Wheatley along with a wide variety of music.  Cindy Reid tells us what to expect. http://wskg.org/audio/0131ithacaballet.mp3

 

Photo credit: Johann Studier via Ithaca Ballet

Arts

Binghamton University Presents a Jazz 'Nutcracker'

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The Binghamton University Theatre Department is presenting a Jazz Nutcracker.  Music of Duke Ellington is part of the fun as the traditional story of the Nutcracker is updated to the 1950s.  Choreographer JoEllen Kuhlman and Matt Pedersen, who dances the title role, talk about the fun of transforming this classic story. http://wskg.org/audio/jazznutmix.mp3

Photo credit: Binghamton University Theatre Department

Arts

BU Theatre Presents 'Bells Are Ringing'

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The Binghamton University Theatre Department presents the 1950’s musical ‘Bells Are Ringing’. If you don’t know what an ‘answering service’ is, this musical will explain it with a great score with lyrics by Comden and Green and music by Jule Styne. Director Tommy Iafrate talks about this exuberant musical, and the chore of explaining a world without voice mail to his young cast. http://wskg.org/audio/bellsmix.mp3

 

Photo credit: PhotoAtelier via Skype

 

 

 

Arts

BU Theatre Presents ‘Bells Are Ringing’

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The Binghamton University Theatre Department presents the 1950’s musical ‘Bells Are Ringing’. If you don’t know what an ‘answering service’ is, this musical will explain it with a great score with lyrics by Comden and Green and music by Jule Styne. Director Tommy Iafrate talks about this exuberant musical, and the chore of explaining a world without voice mail to his young cast. http://wskg.org/audio/bellsmix.mp3

 

Photo credit: PhotoAtelier via Skype

 

 

 

Arts

Ithaca Ballet Presents ‘Peter and the Wolf’ and ‘Carnival of the Animals’

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The Ithaca Ballet presents a double-bill of ‘Peter and the Wolf’ and ‘Carnival of the Animals’ in Lavinia Reid’s choreography. Cindy Reid talks about how these two classics translate onto the stage, and hints at some of the funny aspects of having animals played by humans.  Performances are at the State Theatre of Ithaca. http://wskg.org/audio/peterwolfmix.mp3

 

Photo credit: Thomas Hawk via Skype

 

 

Arts

Ithaca Ballet Presents 'Peter and the Wolf' and 'Carnival of the Animals'

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The Ithaca Ballet presents a double-bill of ‘Peter and the Wolf’ and ‘Carnival of the Animals’ in Lavinia Reid’s choreography. Cindy Reid talks about how these two classics translate onto the stage, and hints at some of the funny aspects of having animals played by humans.  Performances are at the State Theatre of Ithaca. http://wskg.org/audio/peterwolfmix.mp3

 

Photo credit: Thomas Hawk via Skype

 

 

Arts

Vortex Presents ‘I’m in Here’

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The Endicott Performing Arts Center welcomes Vortex, the new dance wing of SRO Productions.  Choreographer Anne Trebilcock and SRO’s Pam Ondrusek talk about forming the new group, and the program, ‘I’m in Here: Women’s Journeys of Hope and Strength Told Through Dance and Song’.  This show will benefit Traci’s Hope, with all proceeds going directly to this organization to fight breast cancer. http://wskg.org/audio/srodancemix.mp3

 

Photo credit: Vortex

Arts

Vortex Presents 'I'm in Here'

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The Endicott Performing Arts Center welcomes Vortex, the new dance wing of SRO Productions.  Choreographer Anne Trebilcock and SRO’s Pam Ondrusek talk about forming the new group, and the program, ‘I’m in Here: Women’s Journeys of Hope and Strength Told Through Dance and Song’.  This show will benefit Traci’s Hope, with all proceeds going directly to this organization to fight breast cancer. http://wskg.org/audio/srodancemix.mp3

 

Photo credit: Vortex

Arts

Binghamton University Hosts the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company

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The Anderson Center on the Binghamton University campus presents the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, performing ‘Play and Play, An Evening of Music and Movement’.  He joins us to talk about his early dance experiences at what was then Harpur College, and with Binghamton’s American Dance Asylum. “Recognized as one of the most innovative forces in the modern dance world, Bill T. Jones returns to his alma mater for a Homecoming weekend performance by his dance company. While attending Binghamton University, Bill T. studied classical ballet and modern dance. Binghamton is also where he started his first dance company in 1973.” http://wskg.org/audio/jonesmix.mp3

 

Photo credit: Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company

Arts

Miss Angie's Music

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WSKG Arts is proud to partner with Ithaca College for a series of Arts & Culture Shorts. This segment profiles Ithaca resident Angie Beeler, who teaches children the joy of music thru her albums and classes. Miss Angie welcomes toddlers and their parents into her classroom/studio and leads them through sing-alongs and early teaching lessons. This segment was produced by students from the Roy H. Park School of Communications. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGpRzPzhfaA

Arts

Enter Into Faeryland At The New York Faerie Festival

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Each year, a stretch of land just north of Windsor becomes something more than just your typical New York wilderness. The gates of faerie open up, and humans and the fey mingle for a weekend, celebrating music and art and fairy wings. The New York Faerie Festival is celebrating 8 years this weekend. Co-founder Billy Bardo spoke with Crystal Sarakas about the festival. The New York Faerie Festival opens to the world of faerie Friday through Sunday this weekend.

Arts

RBO Takes the Let's Polka Stage!

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WSKG Arts is proud to present another episode of Let’s Polka! This week features a performance from one of Connecticut’s best and brightest polka bands, The Rich Bobinski Orchestra. This six-piece band is led by violinist June Ingram and she captivated the live studio audience at the WSKG Studios with her good natured charm and inspired play. June was joined on-stage by Jim Turek (trumpet), John Clark (clarinet/saxophone), Eddie Zavaski (accordion/vocals), Lorraine Jeski Moroch (bass guitar/vocals) and Eddie Biegaj (drums/vocals). Performances include “Home at Last”, “Polka Bells”, “The Fiddler’s Polka” and Let’s Polka is hosted by Bill Flynn.

Arts

Narcissus: An Ancient Roman Pantomime

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WSKG Arts is proud to present Narcissus: An Ancient Roman Pantomime! This program is the culmination of a tremendous partnership between arts organizations from all across the state of New York. Featuring an original score composed by Binghamton native Santino DeAngelo, performances by members of the Tri-Cities Opera and original choreography performed by pantomime dancer Doug Baum, Narcissus is a truly unique viewing experience. In addition to the three acts of performances, ‘Narcissus: An Ancient Roman Pantomime’ also features a behind the scenes look at the history of this long-forgotten art and how this complicated production came together. Sit back and return to the days of the Roman Coliseum with this special presentation from WSKG Arts!

Arts

Narcissus: An Ancient Roman Pantomime Premieres Tonight on WSKG

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WSKG Arts and composer Santino DeAngelo present Narcissus: An Ancient Roman Pantomime. This hour long program features original music written by DeAngelo, performances from the Tri-Cities Opera and a behind the scenes look at how this unique production came together. Take a sneak peek with this promo produced by WSKG Arts. https://youtu.be/B70KiRuMEzQ

Narcissus: An Ancient Roman Pantomime premieres on Thursday, May 19th at 8pm on WSKG-TV.

Arts

Stravinsky's ballet 'The Firebird' Lands in Ithaca

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The Ithaca Ballet is presenting Igor Stravinsky’s ballet ‘The Firebird’. It’s a well-known score, but the ballet is not performed often, because of the demanding role of Prince Ivan and the stage magic called for in the scenario.  Choreographer Lavinia Reid has solved the latter issue with the use of black light, and the leading man, Peter Doll, is looking forward to to his challenging role. http://wskg.org/audio/firebirdmix.mp3

 

Photo credit: Ithaca Ballet

Arts

Two Rarely Performed Works Require Dancing and Singing

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The Madrigal Choir of Binghamton and Dance Stories, the resident dance company of the Endicott Performing Arts Center join to present ‘Tanzen und Singen’. The program features two rarely performed works, the Choral Dances from Benjamin Britten’s opera ‘Gloriana’ and Gian-Carlo Menotti’s madrigal fable ‘The Unicorn, the Gorgon, and the Manticore’, as well as madrigals about dancing and dance performance by Dance Stories. http://wskg.org/audio/unicorn.mp3

 

Photo credit: Tomais Ashdene via Flickr

Arts

Ancient Roman pantomime finds a new voice

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Pantomime was hugely popular in ancient Rome, but virtually nothing is known about them, other than that they were entertainments performed by one dancer accompanied by chorus and vocal soloists. Composer Santino DeAngelo has researched this lost art and created his own short pantomime based on the myth of Narcissus.  Narcissus premieres on Thursday, January 21 at the Tri-Cities Opera Center as part of A Walk on the Wild Side.  The program also includes selections from recent operas sung by artists from Tri-Cities Opera.  WSKG will broadcast Narcissus this coming spring as a WSKG Arts Presents special. Composer Santino DeAngelo, dramaturg Marty Murray, and director Austin Tooley talk about reviving this lost art. http://wskg.org/audio/narcissus2016.mp3

 

Photo courtesy Santino DeAngelo

Arts

A choreographic cocktail party comes to Norwich

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Ballets with a Twist presents Cocktail Hour in Norwich. Artistic Director and choreographer Marilyn Klaus talks about this show of short dances, each inspired by a cocktail.  Some are humorous, some are thoughtful, and they have original music by composer Stephen Gaboury.  “Cocktail Hour, harks back to a time when entertainment was an engaging, vibrant social experience. Inspired by the likes of Busby Berkeley and Lucille Ball and infused with the exotic flavor of legendary Hollywood haunts Trader Vic’s and Coconut Grove, this pop-infused production brings timeless American spirits to life, launching the Mai Tai, Martini, Manhattan and more off the menu and onto the stage.” http://wskg.org/audio/ballettwistmix.mp3

 

Photo by Nico Malvaldi via Ballets with a Twist

Arts

The West Kortright Center celebrates 40 years with a fair

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The West Kortright Center has been a center for arts for forty years, bringing performances of all genres, as well as education.  Charlene Sugihara, a member of the board, describes the fair that will take place at the Center on Sunday, September 6th.  There’s also a members’ art show that begins on Friday. http://wskg.org/audio/westkcfairmix.mp3

Arts

Dancing With The Bhangra Stars

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WSKG Arts is proud to partner with students from the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College in a series of short features. This piece looks at Cornell University’s world-renowned Bhangra dance team. Founded in 1997, Cornell Bhangra’s goal is to promote awareness of Punjabi dance and culture in the community and across the nation. Bhangra is a folk dance originating in the state of Punjab in Northern India and Pakistan that celebrates the arrival of spring and everyday culture/life in Punjab. Over the past 18 years, Cornell Bhangra has grown to become among the most well-known bhangra teams in North America and the group has captured many national awards over the years.

Arts

The Cantata Singers of Elmira and Corning Community College present "Where Sacred Waters Divide"

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Conductor Will Wickham leads the Cantata Singers in Where Sacred Waters Divide. Corning Community College presents this  collaborative, original work of art, with performances on Sunday, March 8 at 3:00 p.m. and Thursday, March 12 at 12:15 p.m. in the Concert Hall (R004) in the Learning Center at the College’s Spencer Hill Campus. As part of the Year of Water, the College has commissioned a program of original music and poetry focusing on the theme of water in our southern Finger Lakes area. Created by CCC faculty, this program will be performed in partnership with CCC Performing Ensembles and the Cantata Singers. http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wskg/local-wskg-1038816.mp3

 

Photograph Courtesy Dougtone via Flickr

 

Arts

February 19, 2015 | Cassie and Maggie MacDonald; Endicott Performing Arts Center; mezzo Julia Grella O'Connel and Pej Reitz

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SUNY-Broome professors, mezzo Julia Grella O’Connell and pianist Pej Reitz perform songs about childhood. Nova Scotia natives Cassie and Maggie MacDonald perform at 6 on the Square. EPAC’s dance group, DANCE STORIES, presents “Shapes”. Entertainment Editor Chris Kocher tells us what else is coming up this weekend.

Arts

Binghamton University Theatre presents "A Chorus Line"

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Director Elizabeth Mozer and actress Zarina Latypova speak with WSKG’s Bill Snyder about the Binghamton University production of A Chorus Line. Mozer explains that casting a college production of show that demands acting and singing in addition to the required dancing is a challenging task, but that the students have met the challenge. http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wskg/local-wskg-1037232.mp3

 

Photograph courtesy of Binghamton University

Arts

Six Mile Creek

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Six Mile Creek  is one of the Ithaca’s closest vineyards, which makes it an excellent first stop on your way to the Finger Lakes region.  Its friendly staff and summer concert series are the perfect excuse to enjoy their vistas filled with pictures ponds and vines.  Bill Snyder spoke with owner Roger Battistella who insists that his venture was formed by chance, but not the wine.  

Arts

The Oneonta Concert Association present the Vanaver Caravan

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Livia Vanaver speaks with WSKG’s Bill Snyder about Turn, Turn, Turn: A Tribute to Pete Seeger, coming to the Goodrich Theatre on Saturday, September 20th at 7:30. They are a unique dance ensemble in that they perform in a wide variety of dance styles and travel with their own musicians. http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-1036358.mp3

Photograph provided