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