518-377-9430
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Salengo, Executive Director
518-377-9430 or jim@downtownschenectady.org
Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek Shines a Spotlight on Local Arts & Culture
New events join with longtime favorites to engage community members with the creative and performing arts
(SCHENECTADY, NY – June 2, 2022) – The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC) is once again joining with local partner organizations to build public awareness of and engagement in the wealth of arts & cultural activities in and around Downtown Schenectady. The 4th annual Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek takes place Saturday, June 4 to Saturday, June 11, 2022, and is highlighted by well-established and brand-new community arts events and activities.
“We are proud to showcase the incredible art and cultural institutions in Schenectady during Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek,” said Amy Sonder, DSIC promotions manager. “This year, dozens of art activities will take place live and in-person that highlight different artforms, including theater performances, visual arts, textiles, and more.” She added, “The DSIC is also excited to be spearheading a Community Mural Paint Day for a brand-new mural that will transform the east alleyway of the Jay Street Marketplace. We invite everyone in our community to come to Jay Street on Saturday, June 11 from Noon to 2:00 p.m. to leave their mark on Schenectady and help bring this artwork to life.”
A variety of signature events will take place during Schenectady ArtsWeek, including two art traditions that are both celebrating their 28th anniversaries. First, the Schenectady Kids Arts Festival kicks off ArtsWeek on Saturday, June 4, from Noon-4:00 p.m. Betsy Sandberg, volunteer committee chair, said, “This year’s Kids Arts Festival will offer the most extensive variety of artists and entertainment in our nearly 30-year history.”
Sandberg also chairs Jazz on Jay, which will open its 28th annual series at Noon on Thursday, June 9 with Colleen Pratt and Friends. The concert series will continue every Thursday through September 1 with a full slate of the best the region has to offer, representing tastes of classic jazz, post-bop, soul, and avant-garde, to name a few of the styles embraced by the historic series. Rain location for both events is inside Robb Alley at Proctors.
On Saturday, June 4, the Schenectady Pride Festival will celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month at Schenectady Gateway Plaza on Lower State Street from 2:30-6:00 p.m. The festival will feature live music and performances, a DJ, vendors, and the popular annual drag revue.
On Tuesday, June 7 at 9:45 a.m., Urban Co-Works invites the public to come together and celebrate the beginning of summer in Schenectady by creating the largest #JerusalemaChallenge dance in New York State. The #JerusalemaChallenge is a dance that has taken the internet world by storm. Those taking up the challenge perform a dance reel to the song Jerusalema, a gospel-influenced house song by South African producer Master KG and performed by singer-songwriter Nomcebo. The event will kick off at 9:45 a.m. in front of Schenectady City Hall and will then spread down Jay Street.
Heather Hutchison, executive director of CREATE Community Studios in Downtown Schenectady, said, “CREATE is always excited to highlight the importance of the arts in Schenectady. For us, we are fortunate to highlight two events during Schenectady ArtsWeek. Our annual ‘Pictures in Health’ art exhibit opens Friday, June 10, during which community members can create decorative tiles for the ALCO tunnel reopening project between Erie Blvd. and North Jay Street. The second is our partnership with the DSIC to realize a large-scale mural project by local artist Elona Mitchell-Strong on Saturday, June 11 from Noon-2:00 p.m.”
Other signature events throughout the week include Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, an international touring exhibition taking place daily at Schenectady Armory Studios NY; the Master Class Performing Arts production of “Hello, Dolly!” on Saturday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the Electric City Barn; and the Satur’Jay Festival on the Jay Street Marketplace with music from Running the River on Saturday, June 11 from Noon-3:00 p.m.
Dozens of additional arts and cultural activities – from live music and theater to art shows and lessons – are taking place throughout Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek. For a detailed listing, visit the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation’s Facebook page.
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