SCHENECTADY — Since their inception in 2015, the Empire State Youth Orchestra’s (ESYO) CHIME program has been working with the Schenectady City School District (SCSD) to create meaningful change for young musicians within the area. In 2023, with support from SCSD, CHIME will be doubling their program membership to more than 140 students. “CHIME simply would not be possible without our partnership with the Schenectady City School District,” says Executive Director Becky Calos. “The school district’s advocacy for the arts and their unwavering commitment to equity and access is truly remarkable ..read more

SCHENECTADY – Schenectady Light Opera Company (SLOC) is bringing back their youth program by putting on a production of David Henry Hwang’s “Tarzan: The Stage Musical.” Performances begin Friday, Nov. 3 and run through the 12th. This is the first student production since 2019, as the program was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Every fall, prior to the pandemic, SLOC had hosted local high school students from grades 9-12, at no tuition, to perform as cast members for their youth show. This year, director Stephen Foust invited 16 students from high schools in Burnt Hills, Guilderland ..read more

SCHENECTADY – Hayward Derrick “Doc” Horton and DJ Hollyw8D are teaming up to bring “The Motown and More Experience” to Proctors. The concert, to be held Sunday, Oct. 22, is a fundraiser for DJ Hollyw8D’s non-profit organization, More Music Less Violence, and will also serve as a platform to debut Horton’s solo single “Reality.” More Music Less Violence, according to its website, focuses on creating a new era of musicians through non-violent expressions. The initiative helps to create a curated lineup of musicians to perform in front of an audience in a safe zone while building a community in ..read more

SCHENECTADY – Get ready to attend some festivals in the City of Schenectady. The 47th Annual Greek Festival, 18th Annual Little Italy StreetFest, and the Stockade Villagers’ Outdoor Art Show will make their return to the electric city. The Greek Festival, happening on Sept. 8 & 9 (11 a.m.-11 p.m.) and Sept. 10 (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) will feature delicious homemade Greek food, pastries, live music by Prometheus, folk dancing by St. George Hellenic Dancers, and much more. The Little Italy StreetFest, held Sept. 9 (12-8:30 p.m.) and Sept. 10 (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.) will have great food from restaurants ..read more

SCHENECTADY— The Fifth Annual Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards were jamming on Sunday, April 30 at Proctor’s Theater. Oh yeah, winners were also announced. Affectionately called the The Eddies Music Awards, the show celebrates professionals working in all aspects of the Capital District music scene. Musical performances were performed by Annie In The Water, Sydney Worthley (full band), A Band Called ERIE ft. Sydney Worthley, Heard, Jim Gaudet and the Railyard Boys, and Victory Soul Orchestra. Greg Aidala, emcee of the show, also performed alongside cousin and drummer, Mark Klein of B ..read more

SCHENECTADY — The Schenectady Foundation announced the launch of the Schenectady County Food Council on Aug. 10. The goal of the multi-organization, collaborative initiative is to bring together varied sectors, organizations and residents with different experiences to discuss how food insecurity is an issue in the county. Kristi Milligan, director of grants and community programs for The Schenectady Foundation, described the process as “digging down and figuring out where the system broke down and how to fix it from the very core, instead of just providing emergency food services to people ..read more

SCHENECTADY — World-renowned fiddler Eileen Ivers will take to the Music Haven stage Sunday, Aug. 6, with a free performance. Ivers is a founding member of Cherish the Ladies and the original fiddler for Riverdance. The New York Times has called Ivers “The Jimi Hendrix of the fiddle,” and her riveting performances express her personal artistry and storytelling through precise arrangements and pacing. Music Haven Producing Artistic Director Mona Golub described Ivers as “an international fan favorite.” Grammy-awarded and Emmy-nominated, Ivers’ musical talents have also led her to work with Sti ..read more

SCHENECTADY — Albany Barn is thrilled to introduce its newest venture: The Artistry Studios of Albany Barn Inc. Located on Eastern Avenue in Schenectady & built in 1892, what was once a convent is now a beautifully renovated artist space consisting of 21 work-only studios and several common gathering spaces. With huge windows, tons of natural light, and refinished hardwood floors, the spaces within The Artistry Studios are perfect for creatives that are looking for private work studios to grow their craft into their career. Applications to use the new studios are currently being accepted ..read more

SCHENECTADY — On May 17 – 21, Union College Theater and Dance Department presents SWEAT by Lynn Nottage at the Yulman Theater in Schenectady. Directed by Jean-Remy Monnay of the Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate NY, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Sweat explores the intricacies of race, class, gender, ethnicity, and labor relations. “I was excited to audition, and I’m thrilled to help bring these stories to life,” said theater and English major Maggie Kelley ’24, playing the role of Tracey in Sweat. “This play is a beautiful window into the lives of these people who Nottage wrote to be so incre ..read more

SCHENECTADY — The Empire State Youth Orchestra’s CHIME program’s unique initiative called Amplify Our Voice (AOV) posed a question to its students: how can conversations about kindness and violence translate into music? On Friday, May 19, at 5:30 p.m. in the Schenectady High School Auditorium, CHIME students will perform the year’s world premiere performance, “Stop Violence, Show Kindness”, for the All-CHIME Spring Concert. The performance will be held again at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on June 4 for the Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists. “This is a yearlong creativ ..read more