 |
| Come
along, sing a song: Pelham in the Music Mobile. |
Art
Beat
TIME
TO CELEBRATE It can’t really be 30 years, can it? It was only
. . . 5 years ago that I wrote a cover story on the 25th anniversary
of the Music Mobile. So, um, yeah: It has been 30 years
that singer-songwriter and educator Ruth Pelham has
been bringing song to the kids of the Capital Region. And
beyond: Let’s not forget her international journeys, including
ones to Sri Lanka both before and after the tsunami.
Tonight (Thursday, Feb. 7), the Music Mobile celebrates with
a “music-filled” event titled Across Generations . . . Across
Borders. It’s at the Emerson Community Hall of the First
Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany (405 Washington
Ave., Albany) from 6-8 PM. Pelham will be joined by jazz pianist
Lee Shaw and the ever-popular Ramblin Jug Stompers.
Tickets are $50, and go to support the Music Mobile.
Watching Pelham in action is a treat, and a learning experience.
Years before I wrote for Metroland (or the Times
Union or The Source), I did a ride-around with
Pelham through the South End, as part of a sort-of video-documentary
project that didn’t pan out. Grown-ups who remembered going
to her playground workshops would wave and come over to the
van. And when it was time for the workshop, it was amazing
to see Pelham relate to the kids, and how the kids responded,
making their own instruments and singing together. So, like
I said, the Music Mobile is an excellent cause—why not support
it? Call 462-8714 or e-mail musicmo@aol.com to reserve tickets
to tonight’s event.
TAKE THAT, HOLLYWOOD This is the definition of success. Indies
at the Madison, a program of locally made short films,
organized by Jeff Burns and playing at the Madison
Theatre all week, kicked the studios’ asses. As Burns
wrote in an e-mail, “the [Indies program] sold more than twice
as many tickets as its nearest competitor, Meet the Spartans.”
If you haven’t seen the 90-minute program yet, tonight’s the
last night, with screenings at 7:15 and 9:35 PM at the Madison
Theatre (1036 Madison Ave., Albany). Tickets are $6.
ANOTHER WORTHY CAUSE Looking for something to do Saturday
night (Feb. 9)? Have something fun and carnival-esque to wear?
Revolution Hall (425 River St., Troy) is hosting Fat
Saturday for the Arts, a party to benefit the Arts
Center of the Capital Region. There will be live music
provided by Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers;
vaudeville-style fun with belly dancers and jugglers; a silent
auction of works by local artists; the crowning of the king
and queen of Fat Saturday; and prizes for best decorated mask,
umbrella and costume. Greg Wynnyczuk will be the master
of ceremonies. Admission is $15. For more info, call the Arts
Center at 273-0552.
CALL FOR ENTRIES And while we’re on that side of the Hudson,
the City of Troy has put out a call for entries from
“artists and artisans” for this year’s River Street Fest,
which will be held June 14. Please send slides or digital
images by April 28 to Chet Hardin’s pal Jeff Buell,
Troy City Hall, Troy, NY 12180.
SHALL WE DANCE? It’s that time again. Next weekend, Feb. 15-17,
the Dance Flurry Festival returns to Saratoga Springs
for three days of swing, country and boogie dance workshops
and parties, plus the Lindy Hop, the Charleston and more.
Events will be held at the Saratoga Hotel, City
Center, Temple Sinai, Saratoga Music Hall,
the Parting Glass, Canfield Casino and the National
Museum of Dance. Music will be provided by the Doc
Scanlon Trio, Red Stick Ramblers with Tom Mitchell,
Teresa Broadwell Quartet, Lindy Hop Heaven,
the Saints of Swing and many more. Events are Friday,
Feb. 15 from 7:30 PM-2 AM; Saturday, Feb. 16 from 11:15 AM
to midnight; and Sunday, Feb. 17 from 11 AM to 5:30 PM. For
complete info, visit www.danceflurry.org.
—Shawn
Stone
sstone@metroland.net
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