January 2009 - NEWSLETTER 

 

 

From the editor: I am always very proud to drive down Main Street and see the place where Jack Kerouac and Stanley Twardowicz once caroused, to hear Ruthann Turekian’s Wagner arias float from the doors of Saint Paul’s on a Friday night, to be swept into a crowd of laughing children during a Tuesday on Main Street music event, or to stop and witness a plein air painter on the dock. Northport is a very special and unique community on Long Island, and the arts are a major part of its charm and renown. The Northport Arts Coalition, a volunteer not for profit organization dedicated to promoting Northport as a vibrant hub for the arts and humanities, was formed in 1998 with ten members and in ten years has grown to four hundred members. In the light of our country’s ongoing economic strife, NAC membership is in danger of a sharp decline as the public makes hard choices about ways to limit discretionary spending. The NYSCA budget will experience debilitating cuts during the course of the impending recession. NAC encourages members to come together to advocate for the NY State arts budget. Plan to visit Albany on January 13^th to persuade our legislators not to cut $7 million from the current budget. See www.NYSARTS.org for information. NAC also strongly urges our readers to renew their memberships. Please continue to be in touch about your events and ideas. NAC events are free, and we are fortunate to bring many wonderful artistic programs to the community with our member’s generous support. NAC depends on membership as the major source for performer’s stipends, publicity, office supplies, printing and promotional material, accounting fees, mailings, and liability insurance. Our NAC Arts NEWS is an excellent free publicity resource for community artists with over 1,200 monthly readers. Please peruse this newsletter, attend the events listed, and remember to scroll down to the last page and print out (on recycled paper, of course,) our Arts at a Glance Calendar, for a monthly reminder of all the great artistic events happening in Northport this month. Member or no, you are always welcome to join us! Please bring your friends and neighbors to our next NAC Wednesday event on January 14^th, featuring one piano, the two beautiful women pictured above, and four hands. Please renew your membership and help us to generate new ones. NAC is as strong as its membership! Best wishes for an arts filled New Year!

 

Christine Darch

 

NAC Wednesday: January 14^th , 2008 at 7pm , The Northport Arts Coalition in cooperation with the Northport /East Northport Library presents: FOUR HANDS ~ ONE PIANO! Featuring classical pianists: Christine Dore  and Melissa Lanfrit-Hait. The program will encompass three eras of music: Romantic, Impressionistic & 20th century (Fantasie in F minor, Opus 103D.940 by Franz Schubert, Petit Suite by Claude Debussy, Suite from the Cloud Forest by Eric Ewazen). All are welcome to join us for a wonderful evening of classical music. Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Ave., Northport. Free Admission. For additional information call (631) 261-6930

 

NAC presents artist Celeste Mauro at Northport Tasting Room and Wine Cellar, 70 Main Street, Northport, NY (631-261-0642). All are invited to attend the opening reception on Sunday, January 4^th, 2-5 pm. The show will run through February 19^th.  The works on view are a combination of watercolor and collage.Celeste writes "Had I not been a watercolorist Icould not have appreciated the freedom that collage offers. Had I not added collage to my watercolors, my work would not be so exciting. Opposites do attract…and some times…they work beautifully together." Artists interested in the opportunity to exhibit please email kate@katekellyart.com for an application.

 

Do-ing  Music presents Francisco Roldán, Classical Guitarist Friday, January 23^rd , 7:30 p.m. Do-ing Music is proud to present classical guitarist Francisco Roldán in a transcontinental musical tour of Spain, Brazil, and Argentina which will even include some Spanish-inspired American blues. This fantastic Latin music is warmand festive, and heats up the blood as no other musiccan—perfect for a cold January night. Mr. Roldán hasperformed throughout the United States including Merkin Concert Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Metropolitan Museum ofArt, and the Smithsonian Library. This concert is a collaborativeeffort of the Northport-East Northport Library, The Northport Arts Coalition, and The New York State Council on the Arts. Refreshments will be served following the performance. Free tickets are available January 3 at both library buildings.

The Northport Reader's Theater will be meeting on Monday, January 12^th, 7:30 at St Paul's United Methodist Church, 270 Main St, Northport. We will be reading the play "Happy Saturdays" by Steve Strangio, a story about a group of restaurant servers dealing with their insane job and screwed-up relationships. The playwright will lead a discussion after the reading. Casting:  The director will also be attending. This play is set to be produced in April and there are still openings in the cast. It calls for several characters, male and female, in the 20-40 age range. If you are interested in auditioning for this play, come to the reading.All are welcome to read or to listen. To sign up to read or for further information contact Jo Ann Katz 631-261-5089 or JoAnnKatz@gmail.com. The next meeting of the Northport Reader's Theater will be on Monday, February 9^th.

Northport Arts Coalition presents Poets in Port, on January 30^th, 2008 featuring Andrea Rowen at Café Portofino 249 Main St (on North side of Main Street, across from the Post Office) in the village of Northport. Open mike for all poets and musicians who wish to participate. Information, contact stevenschmidt@optonline.net.

MUSIC

Ridotto presents “A New Year’s Concert” featuring the Blau Quartet: set in Vienna with Schubert’s joyous Quartet in D major, the late romantic Quartett Satz by Anton Webern, and famous waltzes by Johann Strauss including the The Kaiser Waltz, The Blue Danube and the Donner und Blitz Polka. Boccherini’s mysterious Quintet “Il Ritirata de Madrid” opens the program. Sunday January 4^th, 2009 at 4 pm. in Old First Church, on Rt. 25A in Huntington. Ticket prices are $20, $18 (seniors), $15 (members), $10 (students). Group price (10 or more), $12. For reservations or more information, call 631- 385 - 0373 or email Ridotto@optonline.net    *This concert replaces the originally planned Vinca Quartet whose appearance has been moved to the next Season.

 

An interview with NAC Composer-violinist Matthew Pierce is featured in the current issue of the Huntington Arts Council Arts Cultural News. www.matthewpierce.com

Do-ing  Music presents Francisco Roldán, Classical Guitarist Friday, January 23^rd , 7:30 p.m. Do-ing Music is proud to present classical guitarist Francisco Roldán in a transcontinental musical tour of Spain, Brazil, and Argentina which will even include some Spanish-inspired American blues. This fantastic Latin music is warmand festive, and heats up the blood as no other musiccan—perfect for a cold January night. Mr. Roldán hasperformed throughout the United States including Merkin Concert Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Metropolitan Museum ofArt, and the Smithsonian Library. This concert is a collaborativeeffort of the Northport-East Northport Library, The Northport Arts Coalition, and The New York State Council on the Arts. Refreshments will be served following the performance. Free tickets are available January 3 at both library buildings.

The Music & Ministry Committee of the First Presbyterian Church, 330 Main Street, Northport, will begin their 7th season of the Noontime Recital Series on Wednesday, January 28^th from 12:15-12:45.  As we celebrate the International Year of the Organ, the first guest artist will be Mr. Carl Gscheidle. Take a break from your busy day and let the beautiful music of thier magnificent pipe organ refresh your soul. A free-will offering will be received.

Vocal coaching at the Posey School: Daniel Ragone, famed NYC vocal coach, is offering lessons for singers at all levels at 57 Main Street in Northport. Explore your vocal possibilities with one of the experts in the field. Build repertoire, refine diction, record demos, prepare for NYSSMA, learn roles, plan recital programs. For information: (631)473-0127or email: pjvoce@aol.com

Cheryl Wheeler, an early pioneer of the singer-songwriter genre, performs original ballads and humorous songs at the Last Licks Café on Saturday, January 24^th.  Wheeler’s repertoire includes poetic ballads in the traditional folk-style as well as her own original satirical and topical songs. The Last Licks Café is located at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 109 Brown’s Rd, Huntington, New York. Showtime is 8:30 p.m.; with an open mic at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25; $23 seniors and students.  Phone: 631-427-9547. Website: www.lastlickscafe.org.Advance tickets: www.Brownpapertickets.com.

POETRY

Northport Arts Coalition presents Poets in Port, on January 30^th, 2008 featuring Andrea Rowen at Café Portofino 249 Main St (on North side of Main Street, across from the Post Office) in the village of Northport. Open mike for all poets and musicians who wish to participate. Information, contact stevenschmidt@optonline.net.

           

VISUAL ARTS

John Ellsworth's photo, "Aspire," is on the cover of the winter 2009 Canvas magazine. "Aspire" is a sycamore tree in mid-winter. Go to www.canvasli.com for info on "Canvas: Sustainable living, arts & culture on Long Island." Go to www.johnellsworth.com for info on John Ellsworth.

Jane McGraw-Teubner won the Art Spirit Foundation Silver Medal Award at the Members Show and the Martin Hannon Award at the Thumb Box Show, both at the Salmagundi Art Club in New York City.

 

Lynda Lehmann will be showing her recent abstract acrylic paintings at Harborfields Library in Greenlawn, from February 1 - 28, 2009. "Metrimorphic III," if you're in the area, stop in to see Lynda's colorful new work, which combines biomorphic and geometric elements:

 

James Twomey III (fine art photography) and Victoria Twomey (digital imaginings) will display their work at a joint exhibition at the Harborfields Library titled "A Marriage of Two Perspectives" during the month of November. James' work can be seen at the Northport Historical Society's "Northport Creates!" exhibition through Jan 18th, 2009. In addition, both James and Victoria have ongoing work on display at Portofino Cafe in Northport and the Twomey Gallery in Huntington. Please call 631-754-1009 or go to www.twomeygallery.com for more information.

Rodee Hansen is featured at a solo exhibit at the Northport Library Gallery through January. Art talk/reception is Thursday, January 8^th at 7:30PM in the gallery. Library hours: 9 to 9 Monday – Friday, 9 to 5 Saturday and 1 to 5 Sunday.

Anthony Davis has recently been elected an artist member of Salmagundi Club as well as The American Society of Marine Artists. He will be performing a demo of a seascape on Saturday, February 7^th at 1pm. All are invited and admission is free. Salmagundi Club 47 5th Avenue New York, N.Y., 10003 (212) 255-7740 www.salmagundi.org

Artists sought for "A Brilliant Disguise," the sixth annual juried portrait show which will be at the Huntington Art Council's Main Street Petite Gallery February 6^th  through April 6^th , 2009. Any medium, including but not limited to, acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel, drawings, mixed media and collage (no photographs). Deadline: January 23^rd, 2009.

 

Public Art Initiative Request for Proposals (RFP), Sculpture Installations in Heckscher Park: The Town of Huntington requests submission of proposals for installation of existing sculptural work in Heckscher Park. While open to any U.S. artist, strong preference will be given to artists of the region. Approximately 5 projects are expected to be selected for installation & receipt of $1,000 honorarium each for works on loan for a period of at least 12 months. RFP can be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Division at purchasing@town.huntington.ny.us or fax, 631-351-2833. Deadline is January 30th.

Usher in the New Year with the first annual There’s No Place Like Northport 2009 Calendar while supplies last!  NAC happenings, theater openings and other local events are featured each month along with national holidays, making this calendar a must-have for anyone who has fallen under the spell of our picturesque village.  Calendars are for sale at Jones Drug Store, Tim's Shipwreck Diner, the Jewelry Collection. Harbor Trading, Artisan House, the Northport Historical Society, the Coster Monger and at Opera Night. Or NPTCalendar@aol.com.

THEATER

Township Theater Group, Long Island’s longest continuously operating theatre, presents its 56th season’s winter musical, Man of La Mancha. January 10, 11, 16,-18^th , 2009 at the Dix Hills Center for the Performing Arts at Five Towns College, Dix Hills. 8:00PM Friday/Saturday, 2:00PM Sunday. Tickets $22 ($2 discount students/seniors) at door. Or buy on-line www.TheaterMania.com (631) 421-9832 for info.

The Engeman Theater at Northport will present The Foreigner from January 22 - February 22^nd, 2009. Tickets are now on sale, $50, may be purchased by calling (631) 261-2900, by visiting www.engemantheater.com , or at the Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street, Northport.

The Northport Reader's Theater will be meeting on Monday, January 12^th, 7:30 at St Paul's United Methodist Church, 270 Main St, Northport. We will be reading the play "Happy Saturdays" by Steve Strangio, a story about a group of restaurant servers dealing with their insane job and screwed-up relationships. The playwright will lead a discussion after the reading. Casting:  The director will also be attending. This play is set to be produced in April and there are still openings in the cast. It calls for several characters, male and female, in the 20-40 age range. If you are interested in auditioning for this play, come to the reading.All are welcome to read or to listen. To sign up to read or for further information contact Jo Ann Katz 631-261-5089 or JoAnnKatz@gmail.com.

The next meeting of the Northport Reader's Theater will be on Monday, February 9^th.

DANCE

 

NAC Board member and ballet costume designer Christine Darch will design seven premiere ballets this spring including Othello for Dwight Rhoden with North Carolina Dance Theater, The Little Prince for Julia Adam with the Diablo Ballet, works for James Kudelka with the Oregon Ballet Theater, Amy Siewert with the Colorado Ballet, and Christopher Fleming with the Huntington Ballet. www.christinedarch.com.

 

NAC MEMBER NEWS

 

Congratulation to Lauren Paige, our executive director, for being honored as the Volunteer of the Year in Northport! Her dedication to NAC and to promoting the arts in our community is boundless and we are very blessed to have her! Thank you Lauren, for all the great work you do, and for your infectious enthusiasm for the arts.

 

Save the Date: Arts Day in Albany February 3^rd Arts Day in Albany includes performances and exhibits by artists from all over the state, legislative visits, and a lunchtime rally with key policymakers and arts advocates in order to communicate the importance of the arts as an economic engine and the anchor of New York's cultural identity.

 

A call to Entertainers Actors-Dancers-Musicians-Writers of Poetry & Plays Visual and Techno Artists-Sculptors-Puppeteers Creatives of any type: The First Long Island Fringe Festival seeks to present a diverse, talented and unified artistic showcase. The hub of the festival will be the world class stage at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts and will include 15 varied spaces on the C. W. Post campus. The Fringe Festival heralds the lead into the Tilles seasonal performance schedule. Promotion and marketing will be professionally supported. The performance dates are: September 25-27, 2009. Applications are due by January 30, 2009. For an application go to www.debbydoll.com

or www.freewebs.com/longislandfringefestival .Email fringe@debbydoll.com or call 516-931-6849.

 

Huntington Arts Council has announced an exciting new talent search for the "Best of Long Island." Amateurs or professionals, comedians, musicians, singer-songwriters, poets, magicians--anyone who thinks they have talent! Deadline is February 16, 2009. The winning act will receive $500,and a gig at the 44th Annual Huntington Summer Arts Festival: Saturday, March 28, 2009! The best talent show ever, with a special surprise guest host, at the Cresthollow Country Club in Woodbury. www.huntingtonarts.org

 

Email updates needed! NAC asks all members to please keep us informed if you have had an email or physical address change. Please send your new information to nacnewsletter@gmail.com.

 

Please submit your arts related announcements for next month’s newsletter to nacnewsletter@gmail.com by the 26^th of January. Announcements should be clear of excessive formatting, and limited to six lines, 100 words. Photos in jpeg format may be included when appropriate. Photographs which include children must indicate parent’s permission granted. Please note that in order to post information, NAC requires current membership. Please renew your membership prior to submitting your announcement to be included in the upcoming newsletter. Thank you for reading the NAC Arts NEWS!

 

Christine Darch, Editor

 

The Northport Arts Coalition thanks our present and past supporters:

NAC MEMBERS

Northport Fire Department

Northport Chamber of Commerce

Northport Parks Department

Northport/East Northport Public Library

Northport Village Hall

Huntington Arts Council

Suffolk County Legislature, Jon Cooper

Assemblyman Andrew Raia

Chase Manhattan Bank

Scherer and Sons Aquatic Gardens

Eclipse Signs

Times of Northport

 

 

 

NAC BOARD

Lauren Paige, Executive Director

Pat Bond, Director

Charlotte Koons, Outreach Specialist

Terry Lister, Public Relations

Marsha Bartley, Treasurer

Christine Darch, Assistant E.D.; Editor, NAC Arts News

 

ADVISORY BOARD

Laura DeSalvo, Membership Advisor

Craig Fligstein, Grant consultant

Kate Kelly, Visual Art Advisor

Mary Ellen Moll, Library Liaison

Daniel Paige, Community Liaison

George Rehn, C.P.A.