Past Happenings

Robert Hill Band
Sunday, March 19 / 2:00- 4:00 pm
This award-winning songwriter and slide guitarist has performed around the NY City area for the past 25 years. His latest CD “Revelation” is a contemporary take on a traditional genre - Gospel Blues.
roberthillband.com

“Hill's aggressive slide playing over a rough-and-ready backing track makes us want to slam down some moonshine and start a ballroom blitz. It's intense and relentless, and Hill's slide tone is fat, edgy and fabulous." — Guitar Player magazine.

“Versatile guitarist who uses layering, tone, texture and good taste to keep the listener riveted. Good singer, mean slide player- here's to more efforts like this from Hill.” — Blues Access Magazine

HVBS Presents: Chris Bergson and Ellis Hooks

Sunday, February 19 / 2:00- 4:00 pm
$15 HVBS Members / $20 Non-Members

An afternoon of music with Chris Bergson an internationally acclaimed guitarist, singer, and songwriter, along with soul, blues, and gospel singer Ellis Hooks. In 2013, Bergson began performing and writing songs with acclaimed soul singer Ellis Hooks. Bergson and Hooks met in 2004 when they were sharing a bill at NYC’s Joe’s Pub. Their collaboration over the next decade would find them selling out shows at top NYC venues like Jazz Standard and City Winery and headlining festivals in Europe including France’s oldest Blues festival, the Cahors Blues Festival.

Sunday, February 19 / 2:00- 4:00 pm
$15 HVBS Members / $20 Non-Members

The Vagina Monologues - Feb. 10, 11, 17, & 18 at 7pm
The Vagina Monologues is an episodic play written in 1996 by Eve Ensler which explores consensual and non-consensual experiences through the eyes of different women with various ages, races, sexualities, and more.

Cost: $25
Run Time: 90 minutes
Where: Southeast Old Town Hall Theater
When: February 10th, 11th, 17th, & 18th at 7pm
Directed by: Mitch Horn
Cast: Elizabeth Cronin, Dawn Vanessa Brown, Kathy Files DiBiasi, Jenny Lambert, Jill Paxton, and Michelle Hodge.

HVBS Presents: Singer/Songwriter Elly Wininger - Dec. 11th, 2022 at 2pm
Join us for an up close and personal concert by Elly Wininger, the Hudson Valley Blues Society Local Challenge Solo/Duo Winner. Elly will be representing the Hudson Valley in January 2023 at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.

“Before I could read or write, I was transported by my parents' 78s: Vera Hall's "Black Woman;" Blind Willie Johnson's "Dark Was the Night" and Lead Belly, who I used to try to sing like, much to my kindergarten teacher's dismay. I had no idea what or who I was listening to, but it stirred something in my soul that has been swirling ever since."

Harkening back to her start in Greenwich Village, festival promoter Kurt Henry called Elly a "folk-blues legend." And indeed- she played the very first set on opening night at CBGB, and was offered a recording contract with Red Robin Records at age 16. "I saw an ad in the Village Voice that said 'Wanted: Blues Singers,' so I grabbed my guitar and took the subway to the Bronx. After wandering around the projects, I finally found the right door. I went in and played for a while- I think it was "Rock Me Baby" and "Key to the Highway." The woman auditioning me yelled for her partner to come into the room. 'Listen to this' she said, nodding at me, in my braces and pointy glasses. I was as surprised as they were when she handed me a contract."

In 2014, Elly was inducted into the NY Blues Hall of Fame. So please spread the word...because you might meet the next solo/duo IBC winner!
HVBS is dedicated to helping our competitors with fundraising to help cover their travel expenses. The suggested donation at the door is $15 per person.

HVBS Presents: Jaxx Cafe - December 3rd, 2022 at 7pm
Join us for an up close and spirited concert by JAXX CAFE, the Hudson Valley Blues Society Local Challenge - winning Band.

Jaxx Cafe will be representing the Hudson Valley, of New York State, in January 2023 at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. Front man Jack Bernice is a 2012 NY Blues Hall of Fame inductee.

HVBS is dedicated to helping our competitors with fundraising to help cover their travel expenses. The suggested donation at the door is $15 per person. Please spread the word...we guarantee you will be wiggling in your seat or up dancing to the music and vibes of this band.
Refreshments and snacks will be available.

SPRINGING FORWARD - AN EVENING OF MODERN DANCE - June 18, 2022

Putnam County Dance Project, sponsored by Town of Southeast Cultural Arts Coalition, brings a program of uplifting dances, including dances from the revolutionary “mother” of modern dance, Isadora Duncan. Leading Duncan dancers who have performed around the world and studied the work extensively will show repertory that has been handed down from generation to generation, recreated from archival research and danced to the music of Chopin, Corelli and Schubert among others. Three performers steeped in the technique (Marie Carstens, MaryBeth Hraniotis and Faith Kimberling) will share their expertise at the 7 pm show on June 18th in Brewster, NY.

GOLDEN GIRLS GONE WILD: INTERACTIVE MURDER MYSTERY - June 17, 2022

Murder Mystery Manhattan, www.murdermysterymanhattan.com, has been a passion and creative project for Keith Dougherty for over 30 years. Taking the interactive murder mystery genre to the next level, Dougherty, who also writes and directs all the shows, keeps abreast of what is trending and classic, puts his own spin on it, and presents laugh-out-loud, interactive murder mysteries that spoof and celebrate some of your favorite television shows and film.

Blessed with some loyal followers for over 20 years, Murder Mystery Manhattan has been seen all over the tri-state area including upstate New York, Rhode Island, Westchester, New Jersey, Staten Island, Brewster and for such clients as Citibank, Spectrum Cable, Don’t Tell Mama, Doubletree Inns, The Falkirk Estate and Country Club, Oheka Castle, The Milleridge Inn, The Villa Roma Resort, Clove Creek Dinner Theater, and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouses.

Edison Arevalo's "What Lies Beneath" Art Exhibit - June 3, 2022

Fascinated by illustrations from old encyclopedias, lithographs of Animalia, and especially botanicals, Edison Arevalo gathered wild plants and flowers, making illustrations. His attention was drawn to the root systems, some tangled and messy, others simple, which we never see or appreciate in any plant. That is how the series got the name "What Lies Beneath" Aravelo shot over 100 plates for this work, primarily Ambrotypes "glass plates" and some tintypes "metal plates."

Born in Cuenca Ecuador, and moved to the US at age 20, Edison Arevalo was fascinated by analog photography. He started with 35mm, moved to medium format; & ultimately started working with large format cameras. Digital photography was replacing traditional photography. Some favorite films and photo papers were no longer being made, and he looked into 19th-century photographic processes and making photographic film. Aravelo found images made with the wet plate collodion technique, which instantly caught his attention. It took years to read, learn and understand the collodion process and to build the necessary equipment and chemicals to work with this process.

Love Letters- October 8, 2021

LOVE LETTERS by A.R. Gurney is the tender story of the shared nostalgia, missed opportunities, and deep closeness of two life-long friends. The play is comprised of letters exchanged over a lifetime between two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share confidences. Poignant, romantic, and frequently funny, It’s the life journey of two soul mates – enacted through words both written and unsaid – who share the greatest gift of all: the gift of love.
Directed by: Pia Haas
Starring: Jill Paxton and Larry Reina

SHAKESPEARE RATTLE AND ROLL - July 10, 2021

The Cultural Arts Coalition is excited to have brought theatre back this past summer with a rousing original production of Shakespearean monologues, sonnets, scenes, jokes and famous expressions all mixed with the rebellious music of the 1950’s. A nod to the literary movement of the Beatnik Generation. Imagine, if you will, young Helena from A Midsummer Night’s Dream declaring her love for a rejecting Demetrius with a humorous monologue that is followed by a song asking “why do fools fall in love?”

Triton Brass- June 26, 2021

This popular brass quintet performed patriotic American music and classical standards. What a blast it was!

Check them out on Spotify, Apple Music, and more!

STAMFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA STRING QUARTET - June 11, 2021

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to the Electrozone Park Gazebo for an evening with the Stamford Symphony Orchestra String Quartet.

Works by W. A. Mozart, Giacomo Puccini, Florence Price, Jenifer Higdon, William Grant Still, and a set of lively Scandinavian folk tunes arranged by the Danish String Quartet.

Starring: Robert Zubrycki and Lisa Tipton, violins; Adria Benjamin, viola; Eliot Bailen, cello.

Austin James: Improve Your Financial Health - May 10, 2021

This program is for anyone who needs a little extra help with budgeting and reducing debt. With a different topic each week, this 3-week program was designed to give you the tools you need!

Topics include budgeting 101, income, saving, fixed expenses, debt snowball, debt settlement, bankruptcy, and how to build credit. Under the guidance of Financial Educator, Austin James, our participants learn how to set themselves up for success. As Austin said, “These classes are for just about anyone feeling the pressure financial pressure to survive.”

1/3 of Sophie- May 8, 2021

Local band, 1/3 of Sophie brings you funky, spacy, groovy covers of popular and not-so-popular songs!
1/3 of Sophie is: Brian Sanyshyn, trumpet and keyboard; Seamus Carey, drums; Rob Davies, bass; Matt Vanacoro, keyboard; and Jess Vanacoro, vocals.

Their first EP, The Audacity, is available on Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Spotify!

Book Reading and Meet the Author, Heather Ostman- April 13, 2021

Brewster resident and author, Heather Ostman, reviews her book The Second Chance Home for Girls. This interwoven three voice narrative is a story of friendship, freedom, grief, and loss. This beguiling, slyly subversive tale puts a spiritual mystery at the heart of gritty truths.

Heather spoke with the audience on what inspired the book and what her process was like.
Check it out!

Concert For Peace, JAN 2021
Click here to watch!

Colabria- April 3-25, 2020

Two artists' opposing styles and techniques come together to create pure magic. Colabria is a duo art show by artists Mike Grandetti and Valentina Manuele. Their artwork both solo and collaborative pieces creates visual emotions of two lovers navigating life together as one battles mental illness. Live music will accompany the exhibit.

Mike Grandetti is from Carmel, NY. He graduated college with a degree in Commercial Arts and is currently a Graphic Designer for Excel Printing during the day and a musician at night for The Chrissy MacCullagh Band. Constantly creating throughout his day to day life. Mike is an abstract artist, seeing life in a way not many others can. His artwork comes from his passion for music and it's almost as if he converts musical notes into paint.

Valentina Manuele is also from Carmel, NY. She is a self taught artist, home health aide and mother. Valentina has been creating art since childhood. She uses saturated colors and heavy texture in most of her work. Her inspiration comes from her own battles with mental illness over the past decade and how beauty can be found in the darkest of places.

Totally Awesome 80's- Aug. 1, 2020

The Cultural Arts Coalition is proud to present our 3rd series of online theatrical performances. We know how desperately our community misses the arts with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, so please join us as we pay virtual tribute to the music of the 1980’s with, “The Totally Awesome Virtual 80’s Music Show!”
Starring: Matt & Jess Vanacoro, Christine DiBuono, Beth Brandon, Anthony Malchar, Miguel Acevedo, Erik Brillon, Janina Rosa, Alyssa DiTota, Adam Barth, Ted Schwartz & 1/3 of Sophie Band.

Love/Sick Virtual Reading- July 11, 2020

A darker cousin to the play Almost, Maine, John Cariani’s LOVE/SICK is a collection of nine slightly twisted and completely hilarious short plays. Set on a Friday night in an alternate suburban reality, this 80-minute romp explores the pain and the joy that comes with being in love. Full of imperfect lovers and dreamers, LOVE/SICK is an unromantic comedy for the romantic in everyone.

Directed by: Pia Haas
Starring: Matt & Jess Vanacoro, Stephanie Schleicher & Daniel Basiletti, Christine & Keith DiBuono, Brandi Gestri & Lou Simmons, Miguel Acevedo & Robin Aleman, and Michael Sabatino & Robert Voorheis.

Broadway For The Soul Virtual Cabaret- June 20, 2020

Many of our best vocalists will each be performing a Broadway song from their homes.

Starring: Carly Spaeth-Walsh, Jessica Bulzacchelli, Christine Gavin, Bret Fox, Lou Simmons, Brandi Gestri, Matt & Jessica Vanacoro, Ted Schwartz, Keith & Christine DiBuono, David & Irene Sweet, Daniel Basiletti, Rod Cumming, Jill Paxton, and Jessica Schwartz.

Six Characters In Search of an Author - Feb. 2, 2020

A piece about incomplete professional work, Six Characters in Search of an Author brings characters to life, and on a stage, where actual actors are baffled as to how these characters even came to exist. Pirandello presents a dramatic satire about his own unfinished work, making us question if the work we’ve abandoned could actually have been the masterpiece we never produced. As the characters unfold their story to the actors on the stage, the audience gets a small taste of the struggles of an artist’s life, such as the difficulty of completing what you started. While the characters presented may never have actually come to fruition, Pirandello wants everyone to realize that their own works can indeed come to life, just like the characters on stage.
Richard Chad Frey, a passionate director, and actor with 12 years of experience has assembled a quintessential “Six Characters” crew. These quintessential 6, guided by Richard, deliver a live theatre performance that leaves the audience doey eyed, in a reflective state of awe, looking inwards at the thoughts/feelings/work - they’d left behind.

Jill Ortiz: A New Approach to Health and Fitness - Jan. 18, 2020

Jill Ortiz is a persistent, goal driven go-getter, with a huge heart for her clients, family and friends. As a virtual fitness and nutritional coach, group fitness instructor and personal trainer, her clients describe her as an inspirational leader. Jill hosted an unforgettable and inspirational seminar for our participants who are ready to change their lives!

Holiday Favorites Cabaret - Dec. 20-21, 2019

An evening of holiday songs, readings, and scenes, featuring some amazing local talent!
Directed by: Jessica Benedict Vanacoro and Matt Vanacoro
Starring: Brandi Danielle, Lou Simmons, Erik Brillón, Katherine Speller, Samantha Paige, Gabriel Montanaro, Megan Blake, Irene Jonas Sweet, David J. Sweet, Ted Schwartz, Lindsay Canavan, Kiahna Melella, Gina Melella, Katie Lynn, Steve Cliffie, Andrew Malcolm, Amanda Booth, and Christine Bexley.

Writers Workshop with Gail Carson Levine - Nov 17, 2019

A Creative Writing Workshop with Gail Carson Levine

Workshop means our participants were invited to write, using prompts that Gail provideed, to jumpstart their stories. Writers shared their work, and the group discussed, after going over critiquing protocols. A Q&A followed, about topics in writing, such as character, plot, setting, and conflict.

Host: Gail Carson Levine is an American author of young adult books. Her first novel, Ella Enchanted, received a Newbery Honor in 1998 and has been made into a film. Themes of Levine's books include magic and magical creatures, love and marriage, and strong female leads. Most of her novels end with some type of romantic relationship, often marriage. Common messages from her books include the importance of kindness, selflessness, self-confidence and courage in the face of danger.

All in the Timing- Nov 8-10, 2019

The show begins with a SURE THING. Two people meet in a cafe and find their way through a conversational minefield as an offstage bell interrupts their false starts, gaffes, and faux pas on the way to falling in love. From that point on we are whisked away through 6 One Act Plays that dazzle us with displays of hysterical verbal pyrotechnics.

This critically acclaimed, award-winning evening of comedies combines wit, intellect, satire and just plain fun. A hilarious sextet whether played together or separately. "Like sketches for some hilarious, celestially conceived revue. The writing is not only very funny, it has density of thought and precision of poetry…ALL IN THE TIMING is by a master of fun. David Ives spins hilarity out of words." —The New York Times. “Theatre that aerobicizes the brain and tickles the heart. Ives is a mordant comic who has put the 'play' back in playwright…A wondrous wordmaster." —Time Magazine. “An original turn of mind is to be saluted in our tired theatre…A playwright with ideas, his own ideas, in his head is relatively rare. Such a one is David Ives." —New York Magazine.

VoiceScapes Audio Theater- Oct 5, 2019

VoiceScapes Audio Theater Presents an Evening of Comedy and Drama

Get ready to laugh out loud and be transported through our collection of very funny comedies and interesting dramas. Our short plays are original and contemporary, using the acting skills of our talented company.

Featuring the award-winning book narrator and actor, Barbara Rosenblat!

Beginner Photography Class - Sept 29 & Oct 20, 2019

This beginners class is designed for people who want to know how to use their camera. In this class you will learn basic photography skills and techniques, including manual settings, understanding the relationship between light and shadow, metering and composition. The goal is to give you confidence when using your DSLR.

The class will be taught by Jessy Dunn, a professional photographer with a bachelor's degree from The School of Visual Arts in photography. She has taught at Fashion Institute of Technology in the continuing education program and assisted in teaching both bachelor's and master's classes. Jessy has over 15 years experience in photography.

Parallel Lives- Sept 21, 2019

THE STORY: In the opening scene, two Supreme Beings plan the beginning of the world with the relish of two slightly sadistic suburban wives decorating a living room... From this moment, the audience is whisked through the outrageous universe of Kathy and Mo, where actresses play men and women struggling through the common rituals of modern life: teenagers on a date, sisters at their grandmother's funeral, a man and a woman together in a country-western bar. With boundless humor, PARALLEL LIVES reexamines the ongoing quest to find parity and love in a contest handicapped by capricious gods—or in this case, goddesses.
"…a romp with a feminist sensibility; it's a humor for a post-Lily Tomlin generation…Above all, PARALLEL LIVES is a smart, provocative show." -Variety
Directed by: Christine DiTota & Pia Haas
Starring: Irene Howard, Chris Jamison Matthews, Christine DiTota, Amanda Bevacqua
Natalia Feehonix Eve, Stephanie Schleicher, Brittany Carrasco, Jill Paxton, Michelle Moriarty
Nancy Prekpelaj, Margaret Carey

Rhythms of Life Documentary Experience - Sept 14, 2019

Rhythms of Life explores the questions, how does drumming make you feel and how does rhythm affect us. The film features inspiration from internationally recognized drum circle leaders, music therapists, professional musicians and lots of people who love to drum. With an emphasis on the wellness aspects of music, there are drummers talking about their healing journeys, playing with cancer, Parkinson's, depression and other challenges. The aesthetic is unique - a musically fueled documentary with lots of high energy drumming and inspiration from those who practice in a wide variety of ways. It will appeal to those who love to drum and those who are curious about the community music making movement that is sweeping the planet. Shot over the course of three years throughout the US and Senegal, West Africa, this film experience will make you want to grab a drum and play!

Comedy Night - Out Here with Frankie Becerra - June 28, 2019

'Out Here With Frankie Becerra' is a comedy show hosted by Brewster’s own Frankie Becerra, where he brings out some of his favorite comics for a great night of comedy. In a world that can use more laughter, come join us to relax and have some fun. Refreshments will be served.

Lineup: Frankie Becerra (host), James Crowley, Renee Stanko, Jonathan Bar Ness, Marcus Givan

Over the River and Through the Woods- June 8, 9, 13, & 14, 2019

A 1998 Off-Broadway hit comedy written by Teaneck, NJ-born playwright and lyricist Joe DiPietro Over the River and Through the Woods played at the John Houseman Theatre for 800 performances over two years.

Nick is a single, Italian-American guy from New Jersey. His parents retired and moved to Florida. That doesn’t mean his family isn’t still in Jersey. In fact, he sees both sets of his grandparents every Sunday for dinner. This is routine until he has to tell them that he’s been offered a dream job. The job he’s been waiting for—marketing executive—would take him away from his beloved, but annoying, grandparents. He tells them. The news doesn’t sit so well. Thus begins a series of schemes to keep Nick around. How could he betray his family’s love to move to Seattle, for a job, wonder his grandparents? Well, Frank, Aida, Nunzio and Emma do their level best, and that includes bringing to dinner the lovely—and single—Caitlin O’Hare as bait…we won’t give the ending away here....
Directed by: Joy Arzaga
Produced by: Christine DiTota
Starring: Jack & Donna Gestri, Jay & Irene Howard, Emily Staudt, Anthony Malchar

Book Making Classes - June 7, 2019

On Friday June 7th at 7pm at The Studio Around the Corner
Join our visiting book-artists Chris and Alice to make your unique book, using a traditional book-binding method known as Japanese stab binding. You'll decorate your cover and then bind the book using a needle and special book-binding threads, but no sewing skills are required! With our step-by-step instruction, you'll leave with a 6"x9" book which can be used for writing, drawing or painting inside.

The I'm Not Crying, You're Crying Cabaret - May 10-11, 2019

Come and join us for a cabaret performance with all the feels. Songs of joy and sadness, power and passion, love and loss, sung by amazingly talented people from around the area. You will be treated to some of the most beautiful and exciting music across the genres. With songs from Broadway, Pop, Americana, and more.
Directed by: Matt and Jess Vanacoro
Performers include: Erik Brillón, Aja Broderson, Craig Castrovinci, Rachel Corn, Natasha Edwards, Brandi Gestri, Jack Gestri, Anthony Malchar, Martin Posner, Martina P. Rossi, Ted Schwartz, Lou Simmons, Carly Spaeth-Walsh, Katherine Speller, Samantha Steere, David J. Sweet, Jessica Vanacoro, Matt Vanacoro, and Nelva Zambrano.

Poetry Out Loud - May 4th, 2019

Poetry Out Loud - Saturday May 4th, 7pm - 10pm.
A reading of two narrative poems written to rise off the page by Tony Howarth

Thrownaway and Pilloried
stories of a pick-up artist
and a girl who runs away from Jamestown
struggling to find their way
in a hostile world
Featuring: Wayne Miller, drummer; Ann Gulian, actress

Earth Day with Earth Puppets- April 27, 2019

Earth Puppets is a fun community experience bringing awareness to the environment!
Two delightful original tales about global warming and bees. A lost polar bear finds himself in the Great Swamp in Putnam County and is saved by frogs and fish. Bees are threatened by the destruction of their flowers. But are saved by their friends.

Rebecca Rabinowitz, a Patterson resident, artist and theater person is the creative force behind the performance. Rebecca’s inspiration for the puppets and performance was the need to express concerns about the environment. Global warming and insecticides threaten all living creatures and the careful balance in our environment. The goal is to communicate these concerns in a format that is fun, positive; theater and puppets!

4-H Lego Mindstorms - March 16-May 11, 2019

Create Your Own Lego Robotics
In this hands–on, enrichment program, children will be learning the basics of programming through LEGO Mindstorms which is a programmable robotics construction set that gives you the power to build, program and command your own Lego robots. Children will work in teams to design, build, program and enjoy their very own robots.

Sponsored by the The Kathryn W. Davis Global Community Scholarship Fund at Westchester Community College

This program is FREE and open to any Putnam County Youth, Ages 10-12 Years Old

Limited to 12 Youth on a first come, first serve basis
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED:
http://putnam.cce.cornell.edu/events

Kid's Bedroom Sign Making Class - April 16, 2019

Drop your child(ren) off and we will show them step-by-step in creating their very own personalized sign for their bedrooms!

Tickets are $30/child and include all materials, step-by-step instruction, and a light snack!
This event is for children ages 9+ but younger children can attend if a parent/guardian stays to help them out a little bit!

Please be sure to have your child dress in clothing you don't mind them getting a little paint on. We do provide smocks but it's hard to be so careful when you're having fun!

m | f designs is an art party and event business run by two friends and fellow art lovers, Maureen and Frannie. Specializing in unique and fun projects, they hold exciting public arts and crafts events monthly and host private parties at homes and businesses. They are also available for any custom piece requests.

Serving Tray Craft Fundraiser - April 12, 2019

We will guide you step-by-step in creating your very own beautiful personalized serving tray!
These make for a great piece to add to your home decor or to give as a gift!

All proceeds from this event will go towards the restoration of the Old Town Hall Theater.

Each ticket is $40 and includes all materials and instruction. Get your tickets HERE!
This event is BYOB so bring whatever you'd like!

Sound Bath Meditation Workshop - March 2, 16, & 30, 2019

The sound bath is an experience where high vibration and percussive instruments such as gongs and Tibetan bowls are played in an intentional way to guide you into a state of deep relaxation. During the bath you may experience a calming of your active mind, expanded states of awareness, creative breakthroughs or simply a deep sense of calm. The bath is best received in a passive manner where recipients are encouraged to lie on the floor; eyes closed and simply let the sounds resonate through their body.

We are a diverse group of dynamic musicians and sound healers who perform our baths with the intention to create community and a sanctuary from the demands of modern life.

Please bring a yoga mat, pillows and blanket for maximum comfort while lying on the floor. We will have a few chairs available for those that are not be able to lie comfortably on the floor.

Art from the Heart - Jan 12-Feb 23, 2019

The Studio Around the Corner and students from Westchester Community College’s Kathryn W. Davis Global Community Program Scholars are partnering to create a program to promote self-expression through multimedia art.
The Art Ambassadors created “Art from the Heart” hoping to reach a diverse group of people who live in the town of Brewster and who normally do not have access to artistic resources. The focus of the “Art from the Heart” program is on the inherent therapeutic value of the process of creating art. While the final product is valued, it is in the creative process where self-expression and meaning lies. Although making art to most appears as another form of recreation, the Art Ambassadors realize it can be very meaningful and want to share this gift with others.
The Art Ambassadors will conduct a free series of six bilingual (English and Spanish) art classes for members of the Brewster community.

Love, Loss, And What I Wore- Feb 23, 2019

Staged reading of Love, Loss, and What I Wore, a play written by Nora and Delia Ephron based on a book by Ilene Beckerman. Over the course of a series of monologues and short scenes, twelve local actresses will tell you stories about how the clothes you wear are firmly linked to the experiences you have and your memories of them. The audience will laugh and cry as they hear about moments in these women’s lives.

Cast: Amanda J. Bevacqua, Beth Brandon, Brittany Carrasco, Beth Higgins Cornell, Brandi D. Gestri, Chris Jamison, Jill Paxton, Stephanie Schleicher, Jessica Vanacoro, and Dori Venezia.
Director: Christine DiTota

Ogre Enchanted: Author and Book Signing - Feb 3, 2019

Please join us for a very special author talk and signing of Gail Carson Levine's Ogre Enchanted.

This is a free event, but you must RSVP. Books will be available for purchase!

About the book:
Set in the world of the Newbery Honor-winning Ella Enchanted, this tale by beloved author Gail Carson Levine stars a clever heroine who is determined to defy expectations—and outwit a fairy’s curse.

Plot: Evie is happiest when she is healing people, diagnosing symptoms and prescribing medications, with the help of her devoted friend (and test subject) Wormy. So when Wormy unexpectedly proposes to her, she kindly turns him down; she has far too much to do to be marrying anyone. And besides, she simply isn’t in love with him. But a certain meddling fairy named Lucinda has been listening in, and she doesn’t approve of Evie’s rejection. Suddenly, Evie finds herself transformed from a girl into a hideous, hungry ogre! Stuck in this new and confusing form, Evie now has only sixty-two days to accept another proposal—or else be stuck as an ogre forever.

About the author:
Gail Carson Levine's first book for children, Ella Enchanted, was a Newbery Honor Book. Levine's other books include Ever, a New York Times bestseller; Fairest, a Best Book of the Year for Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal, and a New York Times bestseller; Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; The Wish; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; A Tale of Two Castles; and the six Princess Tales books. She is also the author of the nonfiction books Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly and Writer to Writer: From Think to Ink, as well as the picture books Betsy Who Cried Wolf and Betsy Red Hoodie.

Improv Your Business - Jan 22, 2019

Improvisational theater is working its way into business schools and boardrooms. Improvisation is about communicating, collaborating and adapting. We will use theater games, similar to the TV show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” to learn how to work with others to build strong relationships, sharpen problem-solving skills and increase self confidence.

Instructor, Margaret Carey is a local director and performer, as well as the owner of 5 HamletHub Editions in NY & CT. This free workshop is offered by the Master Networks NY and Western CT. Space is limited and registration is strongly suggested. To register for the event visit www.tinyurl.com/MNjan2219. For more information, contact MargaretC@HamletHub.com or visit www.masternetworksnyct.com.

About Master Networks, Inc.
Master Networks is a cutting-edge training, development and referral network. Chapters meet weekly for pragmatic, hands-on training that can be applied to members’ businesses. Members also agree to refer business to one another every week. For more information, visit www.masternetworksnyct.com

Musicians Stand for Peace- Jan 1, 2019

The Cultural Arts Coalition’s annual New Year’s Day, Concert for Peace

Robert Zubrycki, violinist, and Director of Concerts Around the Corner, led the ensemble of strings: Laura Bald, violin; Adria Benjamin, viola; and Eliot Bailen, cello. The musicians are members of Broadway Orchestras, the Stamford Symphony Orchestra, the American Symphony Orchestra and many of the region’s top ensembles, performing regularly at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

The theme of resilience was woven throughout, featuring works by Vivaldi, the Danish String Quartet, Cole Porter, Gershwin and selections from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s,The Sound of Music. Poems by Whittier, Henley, and Norton were read by community members and Cultural Arts Coalition volunteers, Phyllis Polonkay, Alyson Denny, and Peter Budd.

Comedy Night Fundraiser - Dec 7, 2018

Enjoy a great night of comedy while helping raise funds for The Old Town Hall Theater Restoration! Brewster comedians Tom Briscoe & PJ Walsh will provide the funny!

Tickets are $35 and include a buffet dinner and the show! Doors open at 7pm, show at 8pm. Leave the kids at home for this 18+ adult show with a Cash Bar, Raffles, and 50/50 drawing.

Whether he is in a church, theater, arena or war zone, PJ Walsh is known as one of the hardest working comedians behind the microphone, and for good reason. His boundless energy and the strength of his physical comedy have carried him around the globe, performing in over 40 countries, from the Winter Olympic Games to 25 trips overseas entertaining U.S. troops in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. PJ’s years touring with the stars of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour found him appearing on celebrated stages including Radio City Music Hall, Universal Amphitheater and the Ryman Auditorium. Currently PJ is sought after for many private events while also headlining national comedy clubs like The Funny Bones and Improvs.

Tom Briscoe can be found performing at premiere comedy clubs, resorts and corporate events nationwide or on some of the best stages in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and on Cruise Ships worldwide. He hilariously shares false starts in other careers, foreign travel mishaps, empty nesting, and futile attempts at living healthy just to keep his wife and two grown daughters off his back. He has great crowd work plus disparate bits with topics like “Bishops Playing Chess” “Pig People Eating Pork Chops” “Jail Food Around The World” & “Getting Fired From THAT Job”. He has been critically acclaimed, is one of the busiest, funniest comedians working today and can work in front of any kind of audience.

Wine Glass Painting Party - Nov. 17, 2018

Join the fun! Paint Night brings out the artist in everyone. Our teaching artist, Danielle Barberi, returns to the Studio Around the Corner to provide step-by-step instructions to complete your own painting but this time on a Wine Glass!

All of the equipment is included: 2 wine glasses per person, brushes, and paint. A great relaxing & creative night out! BYOB and Bring a friend.

Help Jingle Bell Run Team "Joint Efforts" and participate in our raffle for great prizes from local businesses.

Lorraine Calebrese of One Hope Wine will be holding a wine tasting. You can contact Lorraine via email at lraine1@comcast.net or call 845.629.6404.
When: Saturday, November 17 at 7 PM
Where: Studio Around The Corner, 67 Main St, Suite 101, Brewster, NY
Cost: $30
RSVP: toscac.booktix.com
More info: www.facebook.com/TeamJointEfforts

Rachel & Keve, Music From Our Travels - Nov. 18, 2018

Friends since the age of 10, Rachel Handman (violin) and Keve Wilson (oboe) grew up dreaming of performing on Broadway someday. Spending every Saturday studying at Manhattan School of Music as teenagers, they would skip music theory and practice Irish jigs and reels instead. Having realized that dream, they recently wrapped up a seven-month run performing in the orchestra for the 2018 Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. Other Broadway shows they have played include Something Rotten!, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Dr. Zhivago. From Hyde Park, New York, Rachel and Keve have developed a concert showcasing their interest in music from around the world. Rachel spent a year playing violin in Bolivia while Keve toured Germany, and they enjoy coming together to create and share new tunes they can play without sheet music.

They continue to transcend genres with unique and creative repertoire, and weave personal tales from their life-long friendship throughout their concerts.

The program included works by: Astor Piazzolla, J.S. Bach, Cenovia Cummins, YAZ and traditional music from countries including Venezuela and Ireland.

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change- Nov. 3-4, 2018

This hilarious musical journey, the second longest running Off-Broadway show, will take you through all stages of romance and relationships and will have audience members laughing, crying, and crying with laughter. The play's tagline says it all: "Everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit."

Under the direction of Christine DiTota and musical direction of Michael Roth, Joy Argaza, Daniel Basiletti, Brandi D. Gestri, Jack Gestri, Stephanie Schleicher, Lou Simmons, Jessica Vanacoro, Matt Vanacoro, and Beth Zucker will bring attendees along as they navigate their way through dating, weddings, long car rides with the family, breakups, and growing old. Performances will be at The Studio Around the Corner!

AN EVENING OF FOLK & MODERN DANCE AND PRE PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS-

The Putnam County Dance Project presents local, NY and regional dance artists Marie Carstens, Carlos, Fittante, Michelle Flores, MaryBeth Hraniotis, Erin Hunter Jennings, Faith Kimberling and Rina Rinkewich will present dance works. This will be an evening rich in diversity showcasing traditional, folk and modern dances including Balinese, Israeli, Mexican and Sanish dance as well as early and contemporary Modern dance.

Join us before the performances for FREE pre-performance workshops that introduces Israeli Folk Dance with Rina Rinkewich at 4 p.m. and Balinese Dance with Carlos Fittante at 5 p.m. then stay for the show at 7 p.m. Please register separately for the workshops after purchasing a ticket for the performance.

Saturday, July 28th at 7:30PM at SPACE on Ryder Farm, grounds open at 6:30
An outdoor performance from the Cultural Arts Coalition’s Concerts Around the Corner ensemble and special guests, highlighting folk music traditions in both contemporary and classical music. Come early for a farm tour, and picnic baskets are welcome.

Sunday, July 8th at 5:00PM at the Studio Around the Corner
A celebration of Old Town Hall, chamber music for piano and strings. Amy Campanaro, director of the Southeast Museum, will highlight the History of Old Town Hall, and the events held in this Landmark building throughout the years. The Piano Quintet by Louise Dumont Farrenc will be featured, as will the theme and variation movement of Fanz Schubert’s Trout Quintet. Jennifer Tao, piano; Robert Zubrycki, violin; Adria Benjamin, viola; Katherine Cherbas, cello and Roger Wagner, bass.

Improvisatory Minds-
aug. 24, 2018

Improvisatory Minds presents: Ed Neumeister, David Finck, John Arrucci and Ron Oswanski performing original compositions by Ed Neumeister, Michael Patterson, Bevan Manson and Dennis Drewith and featuring guest composers John Arrucci and David Finck.

SHARING SPACE ~ FOLK MUSIC TRADITIONS FROM AMERICA AND EUROPE- july 28, 2018

Join SPACE on Ryder Farm for an outdoor performance from the Cultural Arts Coalition’s Concerts Around the Corner ensemble and special guests, Uncommon Ground. The performance will highlight folk music traditions from both America and Europe. The concert will include both classical and contemporary music, performed on the Ryder Farm bowling green.

Robert Zubrycki and Rachel Handman, violin; Adria Benjamin, viola and Katherine Cherbas, cello, will perform folk music inspired classical works by Antonin Dvorak, Bela Bartok, Florence Price and the Danish String Quartet. Robert and Rachel are currently performing in the hit Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. These musicians also perform in many distinguished ensembles, including the American Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, New York City Chamber Orchestra, Stamford Symphony Orchestra, American Ballet Theater and Broadway orchestras.

Meet “Uncommon Ground”, a band that makes its musical home in the space in, around and between the great American roots styles of bluegrass, blues, jazz, and old-time music. Regarded by peers, fans and critics alike as some of the Hudson Valley’s finest acoustic musicians, violinist Rachel Handman, guitarist Mike Kobetitsch, mandolinist Wayne Fugate and double-bassist Phil Helm make up “Uncommon Ground”. The band has been performing together for years now and it shows ... they play together with spirit and synergy that simply must be heard to be believed. On Uncommon Ground’s musical landscape, virtually any type of music is fair game: from the Beatles to Bartok to Bill Monroe, with excursions into Latin, Jazz and Celtic and even Swedish music, this is a band that has something to offer every member of the listening audience. It’s all delivered in performances that are as warm and inviting as they are polished, never less than musically captivating, and always in a way that directly involves the audience in the thrill of musical discovery.

Now in its 5th year, Sharing SPACE is a performance series hosted by SPACE on Ryder Farm that invites the community to historic Ryder Farm for performances from neighboring Putnam County arts organizations and SPACE resident artists. Founded in 2011 by Emily Simoness and Susan Goodwillie, SPACE creates an environment singular in its ability to invigorate artists and innovators and their work, and contributes to the sustainability and resourceful preservation of one of the oldest organic family farms on the East Coast. Through its fully-subsidized residency programs, spanning playwriting to filmmaking to social justice, SPACE has hosted over 1,200 residents since its founding, and has developed a reputation as an incubator for some of our culture’s most exciting and relevant creators. SPACE counts among its alumni Academy Award winners, Tony Award nominees and winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, Guggenheim fellows, Obie Award winners and MacArthur “Genius” Award recipients.

Celebrating Old Town Hall-
july 8, 2018

A celebration of Old Town Hall, chamber music for piano and strings. Amy Campanaro, director of the Southeast Museum, will highlight the History of Old Town Hall, and the events held in this Landmark building throughout the years.

The Piano Quintet no. 1 in A minor by Louise Dumont Farrenc will be featured, as will the theme and variation movement of Fanz Schubert’s Trout Quintet. The program will include works by Johann Sebastian Bach and the popular Italian composer, Gioachino Rossini. Jennifer Tao, piano; Robert Zubrycki, violin; Adria Benjamin, viola; Katherine Cherbas, cello and Roger Wagner, bass.

Jeanne Louise Dumont Farrenc (1804-1875) was female trailblazer, being born into a bohemian family who was open to the idea of women developing their artistic gifts. She studied piano and, unusually for a woman, composition. In 1842, she was named the first woman Professor of Piano at the Paris Conservatoire. Despite this extraordinary honor, she was paid less than her male colleagues, much to her disgust. After the premiere of her nonet, she demanded that her pay be raised to be equal to that of her male colleagues’, and eventually she succeeded. Throughout the course of her professional life she wrote for both large and small ensembles, and her work was praised by none other than Robert Schumann. Her output is of extremely high quality, yet her music never became popular. Concerts Around the Corner continues in its mission of presenting women composers by performing Farrenc’s lovely first Piano Quartet.

The musicians also perform in many distinguished ensembles, including the American Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, New York City Chamber Orchestra, Stamford Symphony Orchestra, American Ballet Theater and Broadway orchestras from Cats to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel.

World Dance Class present by WHCC Arts Program - May 13 & 20, June 10 & 17, 2018

World Heritage Cultural Center proudly is walking the path in being the Cultural Institution rich in Cultural History, Knowledge and History. Our Arts Program is rooted in tradition and committed to preserving Cultural Heritage & Knowledge.

Our Teachers are luminaries devoted to their diverse expertise which lends breadth and depth to our program offerings, providing unique opportunities for students, mentorship and support.

Our studies at World Heritage Cultural Center teaches the way of the Culture, to understand it, to respect and love it, and promotes the arts as agents of social change in the world.

For May we are continuing with the Bollywood classes, 2 hour classes in Bollywood Dance on May 13, May 20, June 10 and June 17th. At the end of this workshop, the dancers will showcase what they have learned in a performance to the public at Studio Around The Corner.

We have Summer workshops in Acting, Bollywood Dance, Classical Indian dance, Belly Dance and creative writing. If you would like us to create a workshop for you in any Culture, please have 5 friends and we you will have your own private workshop for any occasion or simply learning something new. Email us at info@mywhcc.org for more details.
With all the events we do across the US, we have great opportunities for interns! Email us at info@mywhcc.org for opportunities that are open.
For more information on classes, please contact info@mywhcc.org or call 845.282.3479

Where: Studio Around The Corner, 67 Main St, Suite 101, Brewster, NY
RSVP: Call (845) 282-3479, or email info@mywhcc.org

"Seed To Supper" Free Program - April 23 & 30, May 7 & 14, 2018

Free Seed to Supper Program Teaches Beginner Vegetable Gardening on a Budget!

Seed to Supper, a statewide initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension, is a comprehensive beginning vegetable gardening curriculum designed for adults gardening on a budget. The program was adopted from the Oregon Food Bank's Learning Gardens. These courses will be taught statewide at community sites to provide practical, low-cost techniques for building, planning, planting, maintaining and harvesting a successful vegetable garden. Whether you have a large yard or a porch for small containers, everyone can enjoy the satisfaction that comes from growing your own food. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County, in partnership with Studio Around the Corner, will be providing the program to residents of Brewster and the surrounding area. Hands-on classes will be taught by trained Master Gardener Volunteers and will be in English and Spanish.

Dance and Acting Class presented by WHCC Arts Program - April 8, 15, 22, & 29, 2018

Dance and Acting Class present by WHCC Arts Program
Bollywood Dance & Introduction to Acting I workshop

“No one speaks the language of Cultures better than World Heritage Cultural Center and nothing can capture the imagination more than telling great stories through the Arts.” Sattie Persaud – Founder of WHCC www.mywhcc.org

At World Heritage Cultural Center, our mission is to create a common ground where any culture in the world can come and celebrate their way of life through the arts and food; while making a positive impact through knowledge & charity.
WHCC is proud to present for the first time in Brewster NY a Bollywood Dance & Introduction to Acting I workshop for 4 Sundays in April 2018. This class is for beginners or experienced members. A unique way to get people to learn about a different culture through dance and get fired up for acting right after. Bollywood Dance is a beautiful blend of dances from around the World.
WHCC’s esteemed Board Members Anindita Nanda (Bollywood Dance) and Victor Cruz (Acting) will be teaching the classes in Brewster NY.
Anindita Nanda a danseuse par excellence is a rare combination of dancer, classical vocalist, choreographer, teacher & scholar. Anindita travels internationally and is a globally celebrated Master Artist in her field.
Victor Cruz is an American Actor, Comedian, Producer, Director, Writer and Teacher. Some Film and TV credits include HBO’s The Sopranos, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Annie, The Other Woman, The Humbling, Gotham, Blue Bloods, Law & Order, NBC’s The Blacklist and now filming The Good Cop coming to NetFlix.
For the past decade World Heritage Cultural Center (WHCC) has honored its mission with 226 Multicultural Concerts in NY, NJ, CT, PA, DC, CH, Dallas, Denver, Atlanta, SF, SD and LA. WHCC works with over 570 plus cultural groups across the United States, multiple foreign embassies and tourism boards and is among leaders breaking down barriers through the Arts. Throughout our journey, so far, WHCC has formed relationships with scholars and leaders in their fields in all different cultural Arts! Part of our mission is to create a multicultural academic of excellence in classes, workshops, courses of the Arts at our World Heritage Cultural Centers.

Drawing and Painting with Isabelle Favette - April 15, 22, & 29, May 6, 2018

An introductory class offering an exploration of a variety of techniques such as:
1. drawing with pencils and notions of perspective
2. applying perspective with a live model and the use of charcoal
3. color theory and mixing the three primary colors
4. attempts at painting in watercolors
5. Begin a canvas in acrylics
6. finish canvas in acrylics

Isabelle will provide all supplies for the first class only, and will give a small list to students for the future classes.

website: www.isabellefavette.com,
email: isabellef01@live.com
phone: 914-552-1238

Face Reading Workshop - April 20, 2018

The Town of Southeast Cultural Arts Coalition will be hosting the workshop Face Reading 101: The Basics of Reading Facial Features for Self-Discovery and Compassionate Interactions. Face reading—or physiognomy—is an ancient art and science that explores how facial features provide insight into someone’s character, personality, strengths, challenges, and even personal history. The appearance of one’s eyes, nose, mouth, ears, etc., broadcasts one’s outlook on life, communication and work style, and intimacy requirements, amongst many other things. The workshop will present a brief history of face reading, as well as the basic concepts behind its application. Each attendee will also receive a mini face reading during the workshop. The instructor is Elaine Gartner, certified face reader (CFR) and owner of Everyday Face Reading, LLC. She has studied and practiced both Eastern and Western approaches to face reading for over 15 years.

Instructor Showcase - March 18, 2018

The Music Cottage holds Instructor Showcase Fundraiser for Old Town Hall Theater

Instructors from Brewster’s Music Cottage will treat their students and the community to an Instructor Showcase on
Sunday, March 18th at 2:00 pm at
Studio Around the Corner 67 Main Street, Brewster, NY.
Performing Instructors:
•          Angeline Brown
•          Emily Frederick
•          Joshua Kinney
•          Joe Krzyzewski
•          George Krzyzewski
•          Daniel Rabinaw
•          Special Guests: Advanced Rock Intensive Students!

Paint Night- March 23, 2018

Join the fun
Paint Night brings out the artist in everyone. Our artist, Danielle Barberi, will provide step-by-step instructions to complete your own painting.

All of the equipment is including canvas, brushes, paint and easel.

A great relaxing & creative night out!
BYOB and Bring a friend.
Cost: $30
RSVP: Online, email info@culturalartsco.com or call (845) 363 - 8330
Please note: Our paint nights sell out quickly - so RSVP TODAY!

Successful Strategies for Reaching Your Target Audience - Feb. 26, 2018

Having a hard time spreading the word about your event, business or organization? Working on a shoestring budget? Confused about how to use social media outlets like Facebook and Instagram to tell your story?

Join Margaret Carey, Brewster HamletHub editor, for a workshop on how to reach your target audience. Margaret has worked with many community organization and businesses in our area and has developed successful strategies she will be sharing with you!

Topics to be covered include:

How to write a press release and what to include
How to find media outlet contacts
Why Facebook is the new “word of mouth” marketing and how to use it
When to use Instagram and why the right #Hashtags are so important
Knowing what your target audience wants and how to reach them

For more information call (845) 363 - 8330 or email info@culturalartsco.com or Brewster@HamletHub.com

ART BY PARC- Feb. 2-14, 2018

#ArtforParc presents a creative exhibition
at The Studio Around The Corner.

#ArtforParc is an art exhibit showcasing many works from individuals that receive support from the Arc of Putnam. This creative movement provides life-long learning, community service, and vocational opportunities through the creative arts for people with developmental disabilities of all ages in an environment of warmth, encouragement, and inclusion.

When a passerby walks into the Studio Around the Corner and happens to fall in love with
a hand-painted figure or a sketch before learning that it was made by someone with a developmental disability, that piece of art has the opportunity to broaden their perspective. In other words, allowing art and artists to do what they do best.

CPR Training Class- Jan. 21, 2018

Save Lives - Learn CPR
Two-year certification, Two-hour course
Learn adult, child and infant CPR and AED use, as well as how to relieve choking in an adult, child and infant. This hands-on course teaches CPR and AED skills and is appropriate for anyone with limited or no medical training who needs a course completion card in CPR to meet job or personal knowledge. For: Parents, teachers, babysitters, counselors, office workers, athletic trainers. Age 12 and older. $50. Taught by CPR Ed http://cpred.com/.

Queens and Kings Day Celebration- Jan. 6, 2018

Let's celebrate!
Saturday Jan 6, 5-8PM at 67 Main Street Brewster, NY 10509
Family activities: traditional snacks, music, Rosca de Reyes, Parranda, appearance of 3 kings, crafts and a gifts for registered child 0-12 year old. We are sharing our warmth with Puerto Rican families who are relocated in our area.

!Celebremos juntos!
Sabado Enero 6 Hora: 5-8PM
Direccion: 67 Main Street Brewster, NY 10509
Actividad Familia: aperitivos tradicionales, parranda, música, arte y creatividad y por supuesto la llegada de los Reyes Magos! Juntos compartiremos nuestro cariño con las familia Puertorriqueñas refugiadas en nuestra áreas. Hay regalo para los niños registrados entre las edades 0-12 años. Llamar y registrarse al TEl: 845-206-9825 o email at normapm5@gmail.com (dejar mensaje claro con nombre y edad de los niños) NIÑOS TIENEN QUE ESTAR PRESENTE PARA RECIBIR EL REGALO!

Concert For Peace- Jan. 1, 2018

Women Composers and Celebrating 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage

Start your new year at a peaceful gathering, with music, readings and camaraderie. This year’s concert will highlight women composers and celebrate the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote! Jennifer Tao, piano; Robert Zubrycki, violin; Sebu Sirinian, violin; Adria Benjamin, viola; and Anik Oulianine, cello. Poetry by Maya Angelou and more will be recited. Amy Campanaro, director of the Southeast Museum, has prepared a talk about women’s suffrage.

The program will feature Jeffrey Marano singing “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper; the Mel Bonis (Mélanie Hélène Bonis) Piano Quartet; works by Mary Rhoads, Jennifer Higdon, Cecile Chaminade, Lili Boulanger, Rebecca Clarke, and Woodworks, by the Danish String Quartet. To celebrate the New Year, a few Waltzes by Johann Strauss II and Auld lang syne.

Harry Potter Yule Ball - Dec. 30, 2017

Harry Potter Fans Invited to Yule Ball in Brewster
Attention Wizards, Witches and even Muggles! Harry Potter Fans of ALL AGES are invited to attend the "Yule Ball" at the Studio Around the Corner!

The Yule Ball is a formal dance, which is a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament as written in J.K. Rowling's 4th Harry Potter book, "The Goblet of Fire". After the overwhelming response to their "Day at Hogwarts" event this summer, the Cultural Arts Coalition is offering a magical event to ring in the New Year!
Both sessions will include activities such as wand making, divination (fortune telling), costume contest, photo booth and trivia. The evening session will also include a DJ, Dancing and an ultimate Trivia contest. Themed concessions will be available for purchase.

Attendees are invited to come in costume, formal attire or muggle-wear. We suggest purchasing tickets in advance since we anticipate that this event will sell out.

Community Connection: Free ESL Program - Sept. 13-Dec. 13, 2017

Free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for non-native speakers

• Lessons will include reading, writing and speaking for life skills
• Taught by an ESL professor • Free Text book included

Bring your children for a free program offered at the library that includes games, learning and fun activities.

Clases de Inglés gratuitas para cada persona que no habla el lenguaje

• Las lecciones incluye, escritura y conversación para su día cotidiano
• Enseñado por maestro certificado en Engles • Libro de texto incluido
Traiga sus niños quien participa en programa educacional en la biblioteca de Brewster

LGBT Social & Support Group - Sept. 29, Oct. 27, & Nov. 17, 2017

When: Fridays, September 29, October 27, November 17
Time: 8:00PM
Where: Studio Around The Corner, 67 Main St, Suite 101, Brewster, NY
Cost: FREE!
RSVP: info@CulturalArtsCo.com or 845-363-8330 or just show up!
Meet other local LGBT individuals to make connections and get to know each other on select Friday evenings at 8PM at the Cultural Arts Coalition's Studio Around the Corner at 67 Main Street in Brewster, NY. Light refreshments will be served.

Winter Concert: Under the Covers- Dec. 2, 2017

Under the Covers Winter Concert to Warm Up Brewster Village

Join the Cultural Arts Coalition "Under the Covers" as they present an entertaining concert of cover songs about winter weather, the holidays and love! NYC musicians and vocalists along with some of the best local talent present an eclectic mix of jazz, rock, soul, and traditional versions of holiday favorites, original songs and radio’s biggest hits for a unique holiday celebration!

The Choir Around the Corner will sing selections from musical theater, Harry Potter and Vulfpeck. The Choir includes Antonia Carey, Elizabeth Dimeo, Max Likens, Tim O'Hara, and Amelia Sasson.
Jazzy versions of wintery tunes will be performed by a duo of the NYC based Rafael Rosa (Guitar) and Benjamin Sutin (Violin).
Arin Maya Lawrence and Edson Sean (bka Write Angle) will present soulful renditions of favorite holiday and romance music along with a few originals.
The winners of our cover song competition, SUNY Purchase jazz student Martine Mauro and Brewster High School student Max Likens will also perform their songs!

Mary Ann McSweeny Quintet - Nov. 12, 2017

NYC Bass Player + Composer spearheading CD Release of 'Urban Fado'

The Cultural Arts Coalition presents, the Mary Ann McSweeney Quintet, Sunday, November 12th, 3:00pm, Studio Around the Corner, Brewster NY. We are pleased to announce the Avangrid Foundation on behalf of NYSEG, as the grand sponsor of this series. McSweeney, a prominent NYC jazz bass player, is excited to announce her upcoming performance in Brewster, NY at the Cultural Arts Coalition on November 12th, a performance timed to support the release of her "Urban Fado" CD.

Member of the Mary Ann McSweeney Quintet are:
Marc Mommas, Sax
Nana Simopolous, Bouzouki and Voice
Jason Ennis, Acoustic Guitar
Todd Isler, Percussion
Mary Ann McSweeney, Acoustic Bass

She has played with jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Joanne Brackeen, Lee Konitz, Gil Goldstein, and Bucky Pizzarelli. She has also played for renowned conductors, Leonard Bernstein, Lalo Schifrin, and John Williams. McSweeney has performed with Renee Rosness, Vic Juris, Ken Peplowski, Dennis Mackrel, Lewis Nash and Larry Goldings. Big Bands include the Maiden Voyage and Diva,and she has performed with her quintet at the Seixal Jazz Festival in Portugal and the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center. She has arranged for and recorded with Warner Brothers artist, Lea Delaria. McSweeney has toured Europe and performed with David Krakauer’s Klezmer Madness and five-time Tony award winning vocalist Audra McDonald. Her orchestrations can be heard on Chita Rivera’s CD entitled “Now I Swing” and her version of “Avenue Q Swings” is available on iTunes. McSweeney performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival with Claire Daly and the Baritone Monk Band, which was rated in the top ten on jazz radio in the USA.

Along with being a full-time professional bassist in New York City, McSweeney is on the faculty for the Middle School Jazz Academy at Lincoln Center and the New York Jazz Workshop. McSweeney has played more than 35 Broadway shows, including Tony award winning “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.”

This summer she performed in Greece and Berlin with her Urban Fado project. In her words: "My great great Grandparents are from Portugal, where this music originated in the 1800's; the sadness, the sigh of the voice, the story of fate told by the singer inspired me to compose music that is Fado, bringing new grooves and new chord structures to the Fado form; keeping the traditional form but leaving room for improvisation; sharing the cultural diversity it has to offer."
Find out more at: www.maryannmcsweeney.com

Art Exhibit Gala: Celebrate Our Veterans- Nov. 3-26, 2017

Art, Photography, Music and Written Works by local Veterans at Studio Around the Corner

The Cultural Arts Coalition in conjunction with Putnam County PFC Dwyer Vet 2 Vet Program proudly announces “Celebrate Our Veterans” a Gala highlighting the artistic talents of our local Veterans. The Gala will be presented during the month of November at the Studio Around the Corner located at 67 Main Street in Brewster, NY. The Opening Reception will be held on Friday, November 3, 2017 from 7 to 9 PM.
On display during the month will be artwork created by Veterans of Putnam County including paintings, photographs and sculpture. During the month there will be readings from poetry and other written works by our Veterans from their Writers workshop as well as from our book Hero's Highway. Music by local Veterans will also be performed.

Music of New York City, Next Generation- Oct. 15, 2017

Jessica Stein, trumpet; Sasha Ono, cello; and Daniel Colalillo, piano, will perform a program featuring works by composers who lived, worked, and influenced classical and popular culture in New York City. Dvorak, Mahler, Bernstein, Gershwin and Sasha’s father, the trumpet player and composer, Shunzo Ohno.

Trumpet player Jessica Stein enjoys a diverse and growing career as a soloist, orchestral player, chamber musician, and teacher. Recently, Jessica participated in The Aspen Music Festival and this fall she will begin her new position as Band Director at the Haldane Central School District. In addition to teaching, Jessica performs with regional orchestras and bands in the New York Metropolitan Area including the Yonkers Philharmonic, Norwalk Symphony, and Bronxville Pops and in dozens of pit orchestras for musical productions.

Cellist, Sasha Ono, performs regularly in the U.S. and internationally including venues such as Avery Fischer/David Geffen Hall, Soka University Performing Arts Center and Françoys Bernier Concert Hall. Recent performances include work with Grammy Award winning jazz musicians and for Mozart in the Jungle. As Chamber Orchestra Director at Brewster High School and Orchestra Director at CV Starr Intermediate School, she writes and directs curriculum based on building student leadership and creativity for over 100 students.

Daniel Colalillo is a New York based classical pianist. As a soloist, he is known for delivering strong commanding performances and unique interpretations with a depth of musical integrity. He has been lauded by The New York Times. Daniel has toured widely across the US and Canada, and has given recitals at venues including Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, Bargemusic, Nicholas Roerich Museum, Steinway Hall, and Princeton University. Daniel's debut album "Mostly Scriabin" was recently released; CDs and downloads are now available on cdbaby, iTunes, and Amazon.

Rags, Blues, and All That Jazz! Concert and Lecture- Oct. 8, 2017

Pianist, educator and author Dr. Peter Muir presents “Rags, Blues, and All That Jazz!” on October 8th at 3pm at the Studio Around the Corner 67 Main Street, Brewster, NY. Dr. Muir is an internationally recognized scholar of American vernacular music. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Muir is the author of “Long Lost Blues”, which explores the emergence of blues before 1920. He has given concerts in Great Britain, Europe, Hong Kong and Australia in addition to the United States.

The event is an exploration of the three styles of American music tracing their emergence, development and interrelationships between 1890-1930. The concert will combine virtuosity and musicality in equal measure and held together by a compelling narrative.

Art Exhibit: Organized Chaos - Oct. 6, 2017

The Cultural Arts Coalition will present an October art exhibit “Organized Chaos” works by Tattoo Artist, Needles at the Studio Around the Corner located at 67 Main Street in Brewster, NY.
NEEDLES has been tattooing in New York City over twenty years, working at studios like Huggy Bear’s, Fun City, Triple X Tattoo, Last Rites, and East Side Ink. He currently tattoos in NYC on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at Red Rocket Tattoo, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Speakeasy Tattoo in Peekskill, NY and Tuesdays at 8 Golden Falcons Tattoo in Brewster, NY. He can also be found at conventions around the world, as well as frequent guest spots at Against the Grain Tattoo in Melbourne, Florida, Twisted Heart Tattoo in Hollywood, Florida and Graf-X-Tattoo in Dessau, Germany. NEEDLES has a Communication Design degree from Pratt Institute and is also a freelance illustrator.

NEEDLES enjoys painting as well as tattooing and is available for commissioned artwork. He has been featured on MTV and VH1 at numerous times throughout his career. NEEDLES has won numerous awards for his tattooing, including best color, best black and grey, most unique, and most realistic, to name a few. He has also been awarded Best Star Wars Tattoo in STAR WARS INSIDER’s Best of the Year and had a spread in Bantha Tracks online, entitled “The Art of Darth Needles”. His tattoos and artwork have been featured in various galleries and magazine articles, as well as books.

Art Exhibit: Mythology & Mysterious Layers/Abstraction - Sept. 8 - Oct. 1, 2017

The Cultural Arts Coalition will present their September Art Exhibit with works by Joann Zwolski & Nicole Hughes at the Studio Around the Corner beginning September 8, 2017, at an opening reception from 7 to 9 PM.
The show, entitled “Mythology & Mysterious Layers/Abstraction” will be exhibited at the Studio throughout the months of September during gallery hours on Saturdays, 12 - 2 PM and during other events at the Studio.

Joann received her BFA from Pratt Institute and her MA from the College of New Rochelle. She has exhibited her artwork at several solo and group shows in the tri-state area and Delaware. She has taught art for over thirty years to students from kindergarten to high school at the Lakeland Central School District. Currently she teaches a drawing class to adults through Lakeland Continuing Education. Joann Zwolski works in a wide variety of mediums but in particular acrylics, and watercolor. Her work visually expresses a passion for color, line and texture. Her palette is full of brilliant hues from a wide spectrum. She combines both abstract and thematic elements in her work.

Nicole Hughes is a self-taught artist fueled by passion, an eye for beauty. Creating art as a place of refuge for her. It is a place that she calls her own, where she can rejuvenate, regroup and explore her self-being. Her artwork is a collection of colors, which blend and highlight each other. Inspiration work comes from the universe in front of her. Very often, her pieces will go through a few stages until she feel the strokes and style are pleasing to her eye. One could say that her art is a reflection of her soul. For more about Nicole, visit her website at www.nikitafineart.com

First Annual Brewster Music Festival- Sept. 30, 2017

Save the date for the 1st Annual Brewster Music Festival on September 30, 2017 from noon - 6PM. This FREE family-friendly event will be held at Wells Park at 98 Oak Street in Brewster.

Bands include Special Sauce, Fresh Paint, Soul Proprietors and more. Bring chairs and blankets and enjoy games and great local live music. Local food will be available.

The event is organized in part by Paul Toscano on behalf of the Cultural Arts Coalition currently working towards restoring the Old Town Hall Theater located on Main Street. We are pleased to announce the Avangrid Foundation on behalf of NYSEG, as the grand sponsor of this event.

Book Talk with Linda Dahl - Sept. 10, 2017

Join us on Sunday, September 10th at 3 PM for a book talk by author Linda Dahl. Linda Dahl will present a live reading and question and answer session for her new book, The Bad Dream Notebook: A Novel. A book signing will take place after the book talk and books will be available for purchase.

Linda is the award-winning author of seven previous books of both fiction and non-fiction. She writes about challenging personalities and difficult issues, reflecting her interests in the arts and addiction and recovery. She has two children and lots of animals and lives in an old farmhouse in upstate New York, where she serves with several organizations that work to educate young people about and help them recover from drug use dependency.

Stage Reading of Steel Magnolias - Sept. 9, 2017

A Staged Reading of Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling will be presented on Saturday, September 9th at 7:00 PM at the Cultural Arts Coalition's Studio Around the Corner at 67 Main Street in Brewster. The Avangrid Foundation on behalf of NYSEG, as the grand sponsor of this series.

The close-knit women who frequent Truvy’s Beauty Salon have lots of time to gossip, but it’s their unshakeable bonds that define them. Amid cuts, curls and free advice, these six glorious Southern belles share the joys and bear the sorrows of life together. With its mix of quick humor, quirky personalities and touching sentimentality, you’ll fall in love all over again with a story and characters that are “as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel.”

Cast: Diana DiMarco, Elizabeth DiMeo, Lori Franzese, Jenna Isabella, Diane Preston and Katrina Snyder
Directed by: Margaret Carey.

Art Exhibit: Mood and Light - June 20 - Aug. 26, 2017

The Cultural Arts Coalition will present paintings and photographic works by Barbara Youngman and Luki O’Connor at the Studio Around the Corner beginning June 30, 2017, at an opening reception from 7 to 9 PM.

A native New Yorker, Barbara Youngman has been creating works of art her entire life. Self-taught, she creates paintings in multiple mediums including acrylics, encaustic, fabric, mosaics, and other materials and especially enjoys the freedom that mixed media provides. She takes her inspiration from dark pensive moods. “I like to paint about pain, angst, wonder, and grief. I want the viewer to have an emotional connection, which perhaps reminds them of a personal life experience, but I do not paint for the other person,” says Youngman.

Luki O’Connor’s first camera was a Brownie, which she used to photograph everything in her path, including her many pets and siblings. She graduated to an instamatic camera — won by sending in a few thousand gum wrappers — and eventually to a 35 mm camera, for which she set up a darkroom and learned to process her black and white film to make her own prints. Her first job in NYC was shooting ads using 4x5 and 8x10 cameras. After some time as a photographer in the advertising field, she began to explore shooting in natural light, capturing pets, family friends, landscapes, seascapes, street scenes. It became her passion: “It was a great escape for me, taking off for an entire day with a ton of film, one or two cameras and nothing but time to shoot whatever I wanted.” Luki later went on to work as both a staff and freelance photographer, but she continues with her passion, and adding digital photography to her explorations.

Princess 101: Royalty Training - Aug. 12, 2017

What does it take to be a True Princess? Take Princess 101: Royalty Training

Do you have the qualities that make a TRUE princess? Being a princess is hard work! There is more to being a princess than big poofy dresses and sparkly crowns, although that is part is fun too!

Meet some of your favorite princesses and learn about the qualities that make them true princesses. Participate in crafts, play games, and sing along to some of your favorite songs! You can dress up as one of your favorite princesses for this fun event. Be prepared to sharpen your princess skills from the inside out.

Open Mic Night- Fridays, May-Aug. 2017

Free Open Mic Night at the Studio Around the Corner!

Write poetry? Play an instrument? Sing? Act? Just want to show off your stuff? Come to Studio Around the Corner’s Open Mic Night! This FREE event is open to performers and spectators 16 and older.

Bountiful Supper: Farm to Table Class- Aug. 3, 2017

Join us for a “Bountiful Summer Farm to Table” class. We will use fresh, local farm herbs and seasonal vegetables to make fresh dips and marinades to sample. Learn to make simple, fresh summer recipes including:

Dilly Greek Tzatziki Dipping Sauce
Tomato-Basil Bruschetta
Spicy Ginger, Mango, Cilantro, Lime dressing
Basil Pesto
Green Chimichurri Sauce/Marinade

Feel fee to bring some of your own harvest of garden veggies to slice and share for dipping and crudité! We will use some of the available harvest from the Studio’s garden as well! All registrants will receive a copy of the recipes.

Love and Loss, Romantic Music for Piano and Strings- JULY 9, 2017
The Cultural Arts Coalition presents: Love and Loss, Romantic Music for Piano and Strings.

Jennifer Tao, piano; Robert Zubrycki, violin; Adria Benjamin, viola; and Katherine Cherbas, cello, will perform Sergei Rachmaninov’s Trio élégiaque in G Minor, Johannes Brahms’ Quartet for Piano and Strings in C Minor, Rebecca Clarke’s Duo for viola and cello and Clara Schumann’s Romance for violin and piano.
In 1855 Johannes Brahms wrote the pianist Clara Schumann: "I can do nothing but think of you... What have you done to me? Can't you remove the spell you have cast over me?" Clara was 35, Brahms 21, She was a famous pianist and married to the composer Robert Schumann, and the pair had seven children. Explore this musical and romantic entanglement with us, as well as Serge Rachmaninov’s tribute to his friend and mentor, Tchaikovsky.
Pianist, Jennifer Tao, first appeared as a soloist with orchestra at age ten. A year later, she won critical acclaim for her performance as soloist with conductor Arthur Fiedler. She went on to win prizes in numerous distinguished competitions. Ms. Tao has performed in recital throughout America (in New York, her appearances include Carnegie/Weill Recital Hall, Merkin Hall, the New York Historical Society and the New School), and overseas (such venues as the Philharmonic Hall in Lublin, Poland, the Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw, Poland, the Liceo Music Conservatory in Barcelona, Spain, Phoenicia Hall in Malta, Magasinet Hall in Odense, Denmark and the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore). Ms. Tao has recorded for Centaur Records and Eroica Records and has taught piano at Princeton University since 1989.

Art Exhibit: Point in Time Works by Daisy Dodge - June 2-25, 2017

The Cultural Arts Coalition is thrilled to present Point in Time, works by Daisy Dodge, at Studio Around the Corner.
Daisy Dodge graduated from the Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio with a BFA in Advertising Design, with Illustration & Printmaking focus.
She loves to take common objects and present them in an uncommon way. Each piece starts with an idea, then it takes on a life of itself and morphs into something else. Relying on a combination of technical precision and happy accident, each piece forms its own personality through the process of its creation. This is true of both her collage pieces as well as her paintings. Daisy wants to draw people in and have them connect to her work.

In her paintings, Daisy starts with collaged papers, fabrics and textures, then layers acrylic paints and glazes to form a color-bursting background upon which the object is then applied. A single subject, an everyday object, is a consistent theme in Daisy’s paintings, allowing the viewer to have steady focus of the exaggerated detail in the object while getting swallowed up in the carnival of color exhibited in each piece.

In her collage work, she combines a collection of antique and modern-day baubles, trinkets and found objects in an assemblage that attracts the eye. Each piece is completely unique, and draws the viewer in for a closer look. People find themselves getting lost in the sparkle & splendor of every nook and cranny. Some of the items spark nostalgia in viewers, as they recall an earring their grandma wore, or an old refrigerator magnet from their childhood; discarded or left behind on their way to a landfill. These pieces give life to forgotten treasures.
Her work can be viewed at www.daisydodgeart.com.

LGBT Social & Support Group- June 26, 2017

Meet other local LGBT individuals to make connections and get to know each other on Monday, June 26 at 8 PM at the Cultural Arts Coalition's Studio Around the Corner at 67 Main Street in Brewster, NY. Light refreshments will be served.

A Day at Hogwarts: Celebrating 20 Magical Years of Harry Potter! - June 24, 2017

Attention Wizards, Witches and even Muggles! Harry Potter Fans of ALL AGES are welcome to attend "A Day at Hogwarts: Celebrating 20 Magical Years of Harry Potter!"

This celebration is in honor of the 20th anniversary of the release of "Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone." Please join us for festivities including House Sorting, Wand Making and Spells, History of Magic (trivia), Herbology, Divination and more!

A Day at Hogwarts will be held on Saturday, June 24 from 1-3PM at the Cultural Arts Coalition's Studio Around the Corner at 67 Main Street in Brewster, NY.

America the Beautiful - JUNE 17, 2017

The Cultural Arts Coalition presents: America the Beautiful, at SPACE on Ryder Farm, concert at 7:30PM, grounds open at 6:30PM.

An evening of music, celebrating our musical and cultural diversity, featuring Philip Anderson, tenor; Robert Zubrycki and Laura Bald, violins; Adria Benjamin, viola; Elliot Bailen, cello and Nathan Brewster, percussion. Works by William Grant Still, Charles Ives, Aaron Copland, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Scott Joplin, Astor Piazzolla, John Philip Sousa and more.

SPACE on Ryder Farm creates and environment singular in its ability to invigorate artists and innovators and their work, and contributes to the sustainability and resourceful preservation of on of the oldest family-run organic farms on the East Coast. Please join us on the lawn, bring a blanket or a lawn chair and a picnic! Light refreshments will be available.

Violinist, Robert Zubrycki, is currently Concertmaster for the New York City Chamber Orchestra, a member of the American Symphony Orchestra, the Stamford Symphony, principal violin and frequent soloist with the Amici New York Orchestra, and performs in the orchestra for the American Ballet Theater at Lincoln Center. He has recently performed as Concertmaster for the New York Choral Society at Carnegie Hall, Encores! at City Center, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and for Pope Francis at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. A veteran of dozens of Broadway shows, Bob performed in the orchestra for “She Loves Me” and previously performed in “A Gentleman's Guide To Love and Murder”, and he can be heard on the recent cast recordings of “She Loves Me”, “An American in Paris” and “Paint Your Wagon” (violin and mandolin). He has won an Emmy Award for his musical contribution to the documentary, “The Curse of the Bambino”. As the first violinist for the Queen’s Chamber Band and the Abaca String Band, Robert has recorded extensively and toured United States, including performances at the Chautauqua Institute and the White House.

Photo Credit: Laurie Rhodes

Mother/Daughter Tea - May 28, 2017

Join author Gail Carson Levine on Sunday, May 28 from 2-3:30PM for a Mother/Daughter Tea at the Studio Around the Corner 67 Main Street, Suite 101 in Brewster NY 10509.

Meet the author of Ella Enchanted, Gail Carson Levine, as she reads from her new book THE LOST KINGDOM OF BAMARRE. The book is THE LOST KINGDOM OF BAMARRE, is a fantasy for kids, age 8 to 14, a prequel to the fantasy THE TWO PRINCESSES OF BAMARRE. The new book is a reimagined telling of the fairy tale “Rapunzel” about a girl who is abducted from an oppressed Bamarre family into a noble Lakti one and is challenged by a fairy to save her people.

ART OF THE GOLDEN FALCON - May 5 - 28, 2017

The Cultural Arts Coalition is extremely excited to present Art Of The Golden Falcon, works by Erik Siuda, at Studio Around the Corner.
Although best known as one of the 3 finalists on Season 5 of Spike's hit TV show, tattoo competition, Ink Master, Erik Siuda is and always has been a painter and street artist.
As owner of 8 Golden Falcons Tattoo Company, Siuda has brought his extraordinary talent to 52 Main Street in Brewster Village.
Siuda studied illustration at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. While at SVA he embarked on his career as a premier tattoo artist by apprenticing at Triple X Tattoo, now known as Red Rocket Tattoo, in NYC.
He was also one of a select group of exceptional international street artists to participate in the now defunct 5Pointz Graffiti Museum in Long Island City, Queens.
In describing his work Siuda says, "My work is a look into the soul. Whether it be through my paintings, street art or tattooing, my work portrays happiness, love, frustration, anger, melancholy, and madness. Whatever inspires me at the time. It could be an interaction with a person, seeing a majestic creature, or the smallest thing."

Art Of The Golden Falcon exemplifies Erik Siuda's multi-artistic talents through this eclectic and mind-blowing collection of paintings, street art, and tattoo art.

Slow - March 31-April 29, 2017

"SLOW" is an exploration of long exposure photography and is comprised of works made over the last year or so. The show features exposures of anywhere from 1/2 second to over an hour in length. Justin grew up in the Adirondack region and has always had a strong connection to the land and the beauty of the world around us. Following college and starting a career in New England he returned to New York in 2009 and currently lives in Patterson. Mr. Goodhart explains, “After having been a casual photographer for many years it was the beauty of the Hudson Valley that served as inspiration for me to start taking photography more seriously.”

As patrons view the images in the show, they are encouraged to think about these three principles. Each photograph has the shutter length identified, so they can think about how using a slow shutter has helped to create them. To find out more about Justin P. Goodhart, visit www.justinpgoodhart.com.

Fun with Physics- May 6, 2017

Do you want to have Fun with Physics? Join Science at the Studio! Two separate sessions will be held for middle school and high school students. The FREE Science workshop will take place on Saturday, April 1st from 2:30-4:00PM for middle school students and 4:15–5:45PM for high school students.

Learn the practical implications of physics with a brief lecture and hands on activities. Let our expert, Gretchen Sancher, show you how you need physics principles in everyday life.

Smooth Transition From High School To College

When: Thursday, May 4 7-8PM
Where: Studio Around The Corner,
67 Main St, Suite 101, Brewster, NY
Cost: FREE!
RSVP: ONLINE, toscac2010@gmail.com or 845-363-8330

The difference between these educational environments can be startling, and for many students, their responsibilities for achieving success are unclear. For some students, this lack of clarity makes the transition from high school difficult and can often cause a college freshman to feel overwhelmed.

The Lost Polar Bear, A Tale for Earth Day- APRIL 22, 2017

Local artist and actor Rebecca Rabinowitz is the creative force behind this original production featuring large-scale puppets to tell the story of a polar bear whose life is upset by global warming.
A polar bear floats away from the North and finds himself in the Great Swamp. With the help of some local animals he finds his way home.
Based on similar works by Vermont’s “Bread and Puppet Theater”, Rebecca wanted to create a local event as part of the Earth Day Celebration that would draw attention to Global Warming!

“Longview School, Brewster Library, The Studio Around The Corner, and the 4H are all participating. The puppets are made from recycled materials, featuring a 5 ft long trout, and three larger than life frogs. Earth Day is the perfect day for this event!”

Come Grow with Us: Plant and Sip Night - April 21, 2017

To celebration the ground breaking of our new organic garden at the Studio Around the Corner, we invite adults and kids to join in a container planting demonstration.
At Plant and Sip Night, you will learn the basic instructions for planting an edible herb planter. Perfect for your kitchen window or your patio! Class will include container and 3 herb plants for adults and mini pot, plant, a garden fairy for kids.
Local florist, Heather Maguire will walk us through the tips we need to have a successful herb garden throughout the summer.

Chinese Dietary Therapy: Eat Right For The Season - April 3, 2017

Dr. Kenneth Hoffman, the Medical Director for SOPHIA Natural Health Center in Brookfield, CT, will explain the principles of Chinese Dietary Therapy, taking into account the energetic properties of foods that can transform your health. Find out how to nourish and rebuild your body during the spring months with nutrient dense foods.
There will be food tastings and recipes provided!

Forensics Class - April 1, 2017

Explore Forensic Science at the Studio

Wondering what it would be like to be a scientist? Join Science at the Studio! Two separate sessions will be held for middle school and high school students. The FREE Science workshop will take place on Saturday, April 1st!

The topic will be Forensic Science. A forensic scientist will highlight the various topics in the field including some actual cases that he has worked on. Participants will perform hands-on exercises.

Soul of Existence - March 3-26, 2017

Works by Jason Bellantoni & John Supple

Jason Bellantoni is a published photographer and painter. His love for the arts began at a very early age while watching his father in the darkroom create and develop his amazing photographs. Inspired by the artists at Atomic Apricot Studio, Bellantoni began painting in 2010 and has explored the process ever since. Although the majority of his work is abstract using acrylics, he is constantly looking for new mediums with which to express his unique style.

Photographer John Supple is presenting his works alongside Mr. Bellantoni. Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, John has always been interested in capturing the nuances of different subjects in a unique and inspiring way. As a kid, he would always take things apart just to see how something worked. To this day, John breaks down the “whole” to see its parts and is able to combine effects and subjects, telling stories that are both dramatic and multi-dimensional. He is currently focusing on a more surreal approach towards his work. “The mundane shall be transformed to a more dreamlike landscape.” His inspiration is shaped by imagination, dreams, and worldly events.

DNA & Synthetic Biology Class - March 4, 2017

Explore Science at the Studio including DNA Extraction Experiment
Wondering what it would be like to be a scientist? Join Science at the Studio! Two separate sessions will be held for middle school and high school students. The FREE Science workshop will take place on Saturday, March 4th. The topic will be DNA & Synthetic Biology. Attendees can expect to: learn about genetics, biology, synthetic biology; engage in hands-on activities and demonstrations including a model of an experiment; extract DNA from wheat germ seed or strawberries and participate in ethics forums.

Art Exhibit: Lens3s - January 13-February 26, 2017

Three artists join together to for a spectacular photography show entitled, “Lens3s."

Patricia Bolgosano, started out as a print technician in a commercial custom darkroom after obtaining a degree in photography from Chowan University. As technology advanced, so did her printing technique. She now works as a digital imaging specialist at Visual Impact, reproducing art using the Giclée method. When Adobe Photoshop was introduced, she immediately saw the value in such a creative tool and was inspired to learn. By watching tutorials and staying up way too late, she taught herself Photoshop 2.0. Photography has always been her passion. Her creative process starts when something catches her eye.

Pal Gyomai was born and raised in Hungary but relocated to the United States in 1983 and has been living in Putnam County since then. His interest in photography started around the age of 13 and has not stopped. He is a self-taught photographer working mostly in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. He also likes to engage in graphic design using Adobe Illustrator and some video editing with Adobe Premier Pro and Cyberlink PowerDirector. His subject matter covers a wide range, perhaps his favorite is what is mostly called street photography.

Since Lori Kemp was a child, photographs have always fascinated her, and later other types of art would captivate her as well. Interestingly, it was through staring at various old photos and paintings that propelled her into her other passion - researching history. Happily, in a full circle, it is through traveling and researching local history that many of her images are born. Having taken numerous art and design courses over the years, she found that digital photography is the easiest mode of self-expression --- the camera is portable and thus is her constant companion.

Celebrate President’s Day Weekend with A Staged Reading of "RFK" - Feb. 18, 2017

By late summer, 1964, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy was a deeply wounded man. Still in shock and consumed with grief and guilt over the assassination of his older brother, President John F. Kennedy, on November 22nd, 1963 in Dallas, Texas, he was at a crossroads. The 1964 presidential election was approaching and President Lyndon Johnson, who had been dangling the possibility of a vice-presidential role to RFK, finally called Kennedy over to the White House to tell him his decision. The result of that meeting and the subsequent direction for the next, and last, four years of Robert Kennedy's life are the focus of this play.

This reading will be performed by Jake Liam McGuire; actor, director, producer and member of the Board of Directors for the Town of Southeast Cultural Arts Coalition. www.Jakeliammcguire.com

How To Detox Your Body Naturally – January 30, 2017

We live in a toxic world. 70,000 chemicals are in use today, 95% are known to cause disease. Added to this fact, is a poor quality diet, sedentary lifestyles and excessive stress and sugar intake and there can be a breakdown in our natural detoxification systems.

Dr. Kenneth Hoffman, the Medical Director for SOPHIA Natural Health Center in Brookfield, CT, will explain how this can lead to a variety of health issues such as insomnia, fatigue, obesity, nutritional deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, cancer risk and more. Find out how you can detoxify your body naturally, optimize your health and lose weight!

Concert for Peace- JAN. 1, 2017

Start your new year at a peaceful gathering, with music, readings and camaraderie. Our program will feature the beautiful quintet for strings in g minor, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, performed by Robert Zubrycki, violin; Lori Miller Abbott, violin; Adria Benjamin, viola; Adam Kramer, viola and Anik Oulianine, cello. The program opens with Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah" with Jeffrey Marano. Nathan Brewster will perform "The cricket sang, And the sun set" by Blake Tyson for solo marimba. Jennifer Tao, piano, will join the ensemble, performing in trios by Max Bruch and Cecile Chaminade, and to celebrate the New Year, arrangements of “Tales from the Vienna Woods” by Johann Strauss II and Auld lang syne.

In addition to poetry by Demetrios Trifiatis and Emily Dickinson to be read, Amy Campanaro, director of the Southeast Museum has prepared a short essay about Jane Addams and the early 20th century peace movement.

QiGong For Health - Dec. 16, 2016

Traditional Chinese Exercises To Balance Body, Mind & Spirit

QiGong is an over 5,000 year old Chinese health method that combines slow graceful movements with mental concentration and breathing.
These postures and breathing exercises improve circulation, reduce stress, cultivate and balance chi or “life energy, and enhance the immune system! In this seminar, Dr. Kenneth Hoffman, DACM, Medical Director of SOPHIA Natural Health Center, will share simple exercises that you can practice every day to improve and balance your mental and physical health.

Next Generation- Nov. 20, 2016

Jessica Stein, Trumpet and Colleagues from SUNY Purchase

All of the musicians are graduates of, or current students at the Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase: Jessica Stein, trumpet; Naseer Ashraf, piano; Gustavo Briceño, violin; Allison Dubois, violin; Michela Christianson, viola; Sasha Ono, cello; Gabe Harris, bass. The program will include “The Hollow Men” by Vincent Persichetti, String Trio, Opus 9, number 1, by Ludwig van Beethoven, and the Septet in Eb Major by Camille Saint-Saëns. The musicians will talk about the historical context of these works.

Jessica Stein is an active trumpet player and teacher in the New York Metropolitan area. A multi-faceted musician, Jessica plays in genres that include chamber music, orchestra and musical theater. She has performed with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra and Yonkers Philharmonic. Most recently, Jessica attended the prestigious Aspen Music Festival in Aspen, Colorado. She spent eight weeks in Aspen performing in orchestras, a brass quintet, and being trained by some of the top trumpet players in the country. Jessica is an active pit musician, and she is frequently called to play musical theater productions in Putnam, Westchester, and the surrounding areas. She recently started a business that provides music for special events. Jessica holds her Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance and Music Education from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and her Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from SUNY Purchase. Her primary teachers include: Joe Burgstaller, Ed Hoffman, Phil Snedecor, and Ray Mase.

**Mark Slouka author of Nobody's Son - Nov. 19, 2016**

Reflective and urgent, deeply personal and surprisingly universal, Nobody’s Son is a rescue mission into the precincts of memory that admits everything into evidence – the dreams we own, the truths we hide, the lies we tell. By turns lyrical, incisive, humorous and tenacious, marked by chapters that read like moments suspended in amber and held up to the light, it teases apart a century’s worth of fact and fiction, courage and cowardice - all enfolded in the greater drama of history - in order to front a simple question: Is it ever possible to entirely lose a love that once was true?
Recalling works by W.G. Sebald and Geoffrey Wolff, Nobody’s Son is a remarkable memoir: a testament to the necessity of confronting our ghosts that somehow manages to affirm, in the face of personal and political tragedy, the saving grace of looking back at what once was, aiming for justice, but biased toward love.

L’image Trouvee - Nov. 4-26, 2016

Patrick J. Cicalo is a fine art photographer and independent curator specializing in the contemplative/street/abstract genres of photography. After studying communications and graphic arts in college he worked in the film production and advertising fields while honing his photographic eye on the side. In 2008, he started to devote more time to my photography and was accepted into and started exhibiting with The Ground Glass, a 40+ year old prestigious fine art photo group based in the Metro NY/Westchester County area. In 2013, Patrick founded Red Circle PhotoArts, a fine art photographers collective, with fellow photographers Steve Dreyer and Phil Haber.

Shakespeare's Twelfth Night- Nov. 11-13, 2016

A shipwreck lands a young girl, Viola, alone in an unfamiliar land, Illyria -- in the Hamptons! Presented by the Cultural Arts Coalition and under the direction of Antonia Carey, Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night will take place this November as they celebrate the beginning of the renovations of the Old Town Hall Theater.

In order to seek employment in the house of Duke Orsino, Viola disguises herself as a boy, who happens to be the spitting image of her presumed-dead brother. The Duke sends Viola to woo Olivia, a Countess, but Olivia falls in love with Viola (disguised as Cesario, and Viola secretly pines after the Duke. Alongside this complex love triangle Olivia's cousin, Sir Toby, along with his friend Andrew, and Olivia's gentlewoman, Maria, play a devious trick on the puritanical Malvoilo. And weaving through the madness is the witty fool Feste!

The cast of Twelfth Night comes from all over the Hudson Valley: Jenna Isabella as Viola, Julian Broughton as Duke Orsino, Jess Eminizer as Olivia, Morgana Kate Watson as Malvolio, Rebecca Rabinowitz as Feste, Allie Russo as Maria, Chelsea Blaney as Sir Toby, Diana DiMarco as Sebastian, Emma Burke-Covitz as Antonia, and Mario Riccoban as Sir Andrew Aguecheek.

Integrative Natural Medicine Class- Nov. 1, 2016

An Integrative Natural Medicine Approach For A Happier and Healthier Life

Kenneth Hoffman, the Medical Director for SOPHIA Natural Health Center located in Brookfield, CT, will present an Integrative Natural Medicine Approach to “Health and Stress” in Brewster, NY.

Stress affects people physically, mentally and emotionally. According to the American Institute of Stress, up to 90% of all health problems are related to stress. Most people are not aware that stress makes our body secrete certain hormones that over time can destroy our health. Learn about the symptoms of stress, how stress affects the body’s overall health, and what a person can do to relieve stress both at work and at home to feel better and enjoy life more.

The Fine Art of DeCluttering - Oct. 24, 2016

DeClutter By Deirdre will present this workshop on how to organizing and right-sizing your home. Deirdre Dolan Nesline, a declutter pro, will speak about getting rid of stuff and keeping it moving out of your home. The presentation will put a positive focus on what can be an overwhelming and emotional task.
Topics covered include:
·      Why do we hold on to items
·      How to recognize Clutter Blindness spots
·      How to sort
·      Ideas on how get rid of items you no longer need

‘THE UNSEEN SEEN’
Sept. 2-25, 2016

A self-taught photographer, Tom Kavana, says “Through a series of life changing events 9 years ago and a generous gift of a camera by my sister, I have come to see the world through a “new set of glasses “.

Tom has taken over 50,000 images in his collection. He says, “My subjects are almost always random people living life. They are images in which I have hoped to capture the emotion or in some instances the soul of a person.

Studio Around the Corner is honored to exhibit the fine work of this extraordinary photographer. To show support of the subject matter, the Studio will be collecting food for a local food pantry. Please help out those who are less fortunate.

Transient - Sept. 13, 2016

On Tuesday September 13th at 7PM, author Gail Carson Levine will be reading excerpts from her book “Transient”. Gail Carson Levine’s poems have appeared in The Louisville Review and The Sugar House Review, and one is forthcoming in The New York Quarterly. They’ve been anthologized in Bigger Than They Appear: Anthology of Very Short Poems; the second volume of The Cancer Poetry Project; and On the Dark Path, An Anthology of Fairy Tale Poetry. She has just completed her MFA in Poetry at New York University, and her debut collection, Transient, was recently released by Keystone College’s Nightshade Press. Levine is also a children’s book writer, best known for her novel, Ella Enchanted, which won a Newbery honor medal in 1998. Gail and her husband David and their Airedale Reggie live in Brewster, and she has for many years offered a free summer creative writing workshop for children at the museum above the Studio Around the Corner.

The 6 Dynamics of Health and Longevity - Sept. 6, 2016

What is your health plan? Are you confused about all the different health information out there? Would you like to take charge of your health?
In this lecture, Kenneth Hoffman, the Medical Director for SOPHIA Natural Health Center in Brookfield, CT, will share the ancient secrets that you can apply TODAY that will help you take action. You will learn tools to start resolving your health issues naturally, regain energy, lose weight, balance hormones, restore health and regain vitality.

Windows of My Soul - July 9 & Aug. 27-28, 2016

Rodriguez's work has been inspired by nature during her travels and doing volunteer work in Mayer, Arizona and on the Big Island of Hawaii. She has taught ink painting and jewelry workshops in New York and on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Jeanette Rodriguez received her Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her work has been exhibited in several galleries in New York and has won awards. Her work hangs on the walls in private collections. Presently, she resides in the Hudson Valley where she continues to exhibit, paint, teach and curate exhibitions.

Summer Theatre Camps & Musical Workshop Intensives

Spotlight Arts offers four different one-week camps!

Theatre Camps for ages 6-14:
July 18-22: Enchanted Tales
Aug 8-12: Broadway Bound

Musical Theatre Intensives for ages 10 - 18:
August 1-5: Fame Jr.
August 15-19: Mulan Jr.

Each week has a Thursday performance and a Friday Fun-day which is filled with improv, theatre games, crafts, singing and more.

Alternative Approaches
to Relieving Joint Disease-
JULY 20, 2016

Over 50 million Americans suffer with joint disease. Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. It can affect one joint or multiple joints. Two of the most common types are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The symptoms of arthritis usually develop over time, but they may also appear suddenly. Arthritis is most commonly seen in adults over the age of 65, but it can also develop in children, teens, and younger adults.

In this lecture, Kenneth Hoffman, the Medical Director for SOPHIA Natural Health Center, will explain what arthritis is, who is susceptible to arthritis, and what causes it. He will share an Integrative Natural Medicine Approach to relieving it as well as steps to help prevent joint disease and chronic pain - All without drugs that can cause harmful side effects!

Music and Immigration - Enrique Granados Centenary-
JULY 10, 2016

The Cultural Arts Coalition presents: Music and Immigration, Enrique Granados Centenary. The program will include several works by Granados, including his Quintet for Piano and Strings. Amy Campanaro, Director of the Southeast Museum, will present a talk on the waves of immigration to New York and the Putnam County area. Musical selections representative of those groups will be performed, including works by Giacomo Puccini, Vittorio Monti, Percy Grainger, Heitor Villa Lobos and Miguel Sandoval. The performers are: Jennifer Tao, piano; Robert Zubrycki, violin; Kristina Musser, violin; Adria Benjamin, viola; and Sarah Hewitt Roth, cello.

“Enrique (Enric) Granados (1867-1916) spent the final months of his life in New York. His visit to the United States included some of the most important artistic triumphs of his life: the World Premiere of his opera, GOYESCAS, at the Metropolitan Opera, solo and chamber music recitals with cellist Pau (Pablo) Casals, recordings for the Duo-Art Reproducing Piano, the premiere of his symphonic poem, DANTE, by the Chicago Symphony, and a recital at the White House. The coincidence of the Centenary of Granados’ death in 2016 and the 150th Anniversary of his birth in 2017 provides a unique opportunity to re-discover and re-evaluate the important contributions by Granados to the musical world and to highlight the ties between his native Catalunya and the city of New York.”

Russian Carnival Ensemble-
JUNE 25, 2016

Saturday, June 25 at 7:30PM: The Cultural Arts Coalition presents The World of the Italian mandolin and Russian domra. Back by popular demand, the Russian Trio – a virtuoso ensemble featuring Tamara Volskaya (mandolin, domra) Anatoliy Trofimov (bayan) and Leonid Bruk (contrabass balalaika) will be joined by Nataliya Vsevolodskaya (guitar, alto balalaika). The program is a journey through centuries and countries with two plucked instruments – the Italian mandolin and the Russian domra. Surviving throughout hard periods of history, these instruments have gained great popularity all over the world today. The musical selections will show the wide range of these instruments in performing music from the Baroque to modern periods. The program will also include original compositions and arrangements by members of the ensemble.

Tamara Volskaya is considered to be one of the leading contemporary performers on the domra. She is a Merited Artist of Russia and was a Professor at the Mussorgsky Ural State Conservatory of Yekaterinburg, Russia. Her flawless technical ability and expressive performances have stunned audiences around the world from Japan to Europe and America. Tamara regularly appears as a domra and mandolin soloist with orchestras across the US, the former USSR and Canada. Tamara’s achievements include a performance at Avery Fisher Hall at the “Mostly Mozart Festival” and as a soloist with the Seattle Chamber Orchestra performing two concertos for the mandolin by Vivaldi and by Pergolesi. She has had successful concert tours in Japan, Spain, Russia and Canada.

Better Get Hit In Your Soul-
JUNE 3, 2016

Ed Dabrowski is a house painter by trade, but defines himself as an artist as well. His admiration for Malcolm X, Jimi Hendrix, and William Shakespeare has played a major role in Ed’s artistic journey. His paintings are influenced by the subway graffiti of the 1970’s in New York City, as well as the handball courts along the West Side highway. Dabrowski's work is also inspired by the inmates at Greenhaven Prison where for the past 11 years he has volunteered in the Alternative to Violence project. Dabrowski's work hangs in private collections and has also been featured in the Studio's Artists In Residence space. His work can be found on Facebook under Ed Dabrowski Graffiti. This is Mr. Dabrowski's second solo exhibit at Studio Around the Corner.

SAT and ACT CLASSES-2016

We are local college professors who provide high quality test preparation with an appreciation for individual learning styles.
We are helping students in our area to work to their potential on the standardized test and application process for college.

We hold classes in both Math and English for the SAT six weeks before each test and Math, English and Science for the ACT 4 weeks before each test. Our class sizes are 5:1 student to teacher which allows us to work with each student individually.

Exercises from the East-
APRIL 1, MAY 6, & JUNE 3, 2016

Traditional exercise is intended to revitalize a person’s internal “life energy”, which is also referred to as chi.

The exercises are used to encourage flexibility and strength, rejuvenating a person’s muscles, ligaments, and joints. They will also improve circulation, reduce stress, cultivate and balance chi and enhance the immune system! When your chi flow is balanced, it affects your emotional, intellectual, spiritual and physical well-being!

Exercises are simple and gentle, there are no restrictions, anyone can do it!

Discarded Now Adored:
MAY 6-29, 2016

Marlana Filannino also believes it only takes one moment of divine inspiration to FIND something that’s been discarded, thrown out for trash, or even forgotten to see its layers of memories and create a way to bring it back to life. Marlana continuously brings to life her many creations, and continues to share them with the world. You can find her eccentric and beautiful creations at places like art openings, galleries, storefronts, cafe's and local flea markets. She hopes to inspire more individuals to use their imagination in capturing the beauty that is all around them, at their disposal, in the here and now. Each one of us has the ability to breathe life into something special using imagination and a touch of love.

Supercharge Your Health With Sprouts!- MAY 2, 2016

Sprouting is the process whereby seeds are germinated and eaten either raw or cooked. Seeds of many kinds, including grasses, grains and beans, are used for sprouting. Sprouts are very easy to grow, and have so many nutritional benefits. Sprouts contain a significant amount of protein and dietary fiber, as well as vitamin K, folate, pantothenic acid, niacin, thiamin, vitamin C, vitamin A, and riboflavin.

In this lecture, Bruce Roff, Senior Associate of SOPHIA Natural Health Center, will share the simple steps to sprouting, detail the health benefits, and offer samples of different varieties of sprouts to taste!

Dynamic Duo Art Show-
APRIL 1-MAY 1, 2016

The Studio Around The Corner is happy to announce the dual exhibit of works by both Andrea Stubbs and Michelle Peterson for the month of April.

Andrea Stubbs a self-taught artist began her career approximately 20 years ago. As a teenager she attended creative art camps on Martha’s Vineyard. Initially dabbling in wood burning, she burned designs in to various pieces furniture and objects. She moved to her latest ventures into furniture and wall art that have been inspired by music, nature, and life experience.

Michelle Petersen is also a self-taught artist whose career started as a child constructing dollhouses and sewing doll clothes. She learned pottery and metal enameling in summer camp and studied drawing and painting in oils in high school and college. She recently began working with encaustic wax painting providing mixed media works with interesting depth and texture.

Musical Theatre & Improvisation Theatre Classes - jAN. 19- APRIL 12, 2016

Have tons of fun while you work on your musical theatre skills in this weekly class! Students will work on different musical theatre repertoire including scenes, songs & dance numbers from a wide range of Broadway musicals.

Improvisational Theatre
These classes will teach the fundamentals of improvisation for the theatre through in-class exercises. This is a great way to hone acting skills, foster creativity and spontaneity, increase interpersonal skills, and just have FUN!

Junior Workshop: Alice in Wonderland -
FEB. 12-MAY 7, 2016

Join us for our NEW workshop program available for ages 6-12. This 12-week program meets once a week on Fridays from 4-6:30pm beginning February 12th and the end result is a full workshop production of the tale of “Alice in Wonderland!”
The last session of the 12 weeks is a full dress rehearsal and the performance date is Saturday, May 7th. Students experience a full production with costumes, lighting, sound & scenery.

Works BY Artist James Sparks-
MARCH 11-26, 2016

The Studio Around The Corner located in Brewster, NY, is happy to announce an exhibition of works by artist James B. Sparks. An accomplished artist and educated in the Fine Arts, Mr. Sparks earned both Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degrees and over time has served as an Adjunct Professor at the Connecticut Institute of Art, Bronx Community College, and presently the College of Mount Saint Vincent. Mr. Sparks’ paintings center on the theme of complexity and diversity as found in nature. He has many public collections and is “Artist In Residence” in a number of locations in the area.

Chinese Nutrition Philosophy -
MARCH 28, 2016

Chinese Nutrition Philosophy:
Eating Foods to Heal the Body

According to John Hopkins School of Medicine, if people keep gaining weight at the current rate,
fat will be norm by 2017, with 75 percent of U.S. adults overweight and 41 percent obese. Meanwhile, $190 billion in annual medical costs is due to obesity and poor diet. Eating according to Ancient Wisdom is a novel approach to staying healthy in our modern world.

In this lecture, Kenneth Hoffman, Medical Director of SOPHIA Natural Health Center, will share simple steps to eat foods that nourish and support health and longevity, and will give you immediately applicable information to improve your certain condition, lose weight and feel great! This event is the next in the Cultural Arts Coalition’s very popular Natural Health Series.

Writer Shouhua Qi Reads at February Saturday Scribes- MARCH 12, 2016

Prolific fiction writer and cultural essayist Shouhua Qi (pronounced “Chi”) will read at Saturday Scribes’ March 12th at The Studio Around the Corner, 67 Main Street, in Brewster. Open mic begins at 7 p.m. for those who wish to share work in progress or just enjoy an evening of words.

A prolific author of over a dozen books published in both the United States and China, Qi’s first novel, When the Purple Mountain Burns chronicles the 1937-38 Rape of Nanking in the author’s hometown. His adapted screenplay of the book has been optioned for production. Qi’s second novel Twin-Sun River examines an American Korean War POW’s predicaments in modern China. Staged readings of a screenplay based on the latter have been produced at New York’s National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and Shanghai Theater Academy.

Qi’s other publications include Red Guard Fantasies and other Stories, The Pearl Jacket, and Bridging the Pacific. He is Professor of English at Western Connecticut State University.

SlEEP LECTURE - FEB. 22, 2016

Sleep is something our bodies need to do; it is not an option. During sleep many of the body's major organs and regulatory systems continue to work actively, and the body produces more of certain hormones. Sleepiness due to chronic lack of adequate sleep is a big problem in the United States.

This lecture covers the three natural solutions to sleep problems: vitamins, exercise and physical treatment. There are treatable reasons for sleep problems and sleeping pills only mask the real cause.

In this free seminar, Bruce Roff, L.Ac., Senior Associate of SOPHIA Natural Health Center (Brookfield, CT) will discuss things you can do to improve the quality of your sleep!

Classical Theatre Workshop- FEB. 14, 15, & 16, 2016

Learn all about the techniques of performing Shakespeare and classical theatre and perform scenes from the classical playwrights' plays! A great experience for students who seek more advanced training and want to gain a better understanding for classical acting skills. Click here for more details.

The Healing Benefits of Tao Yin - Jan. 28, 2016

Tao Yin is a type of exercise and self-massage intended to revitalize a person's internal energy, which is also referred to as ch'i. The exercises are used to encourage flexibility and strength, rejuvenating a person's muscles, ligaments, and joints and help release blocked energy within a person's body.
In this free seminar, Bruce Roff, L.Ac., Senior Associate of SOPHIA Natural Health Center (Brookfield, CT) will demonstrate and teach beneficial Tao Yin exercises and self-massage techniques for participants to practice on themselves.

Spotlight Arts: Comedy Master Class
January 18, 2016

Join Spotlight Arts on January 18th for a 6-hour workshop to improve your comedic acting skills! Throughout the day, students will explore comedy through improvisation, sketch comedy writing, script analysis and character work. Students will start the day focusing on improvisational exercises and sharpening their storytelling skills. Combining comedic technique with character work, students will learn how to understand comedic intentions and write comedy through performance, using improv as a writing tool as the day evolves. Students will end the day performing full comedic scenes.

Saturday Scribes: Mystery Writer John Roche
January 9, 2016

Saturday Scribes will spotlight mystery writer John Roche on January 9th at The Studio Around the Corner, 67 Main Street, in Brewster, New York. The free gathering begins at 7 p.m. with an open mic, followed by the headliner. Those wishing to share their stories, poems, and songs are invited, as well as those simply looking for a fun night of wordplay.

John Roche is a seasoned New York City journalist. Born and raised in the Bronx, he has worked for The Record Review, The Bronx Times, Co-op City Times, and Newsday. With such a background, it’s no surprise that Roche’s first novel, Bronx Bound, focuses on a New York reporter. Sent to cover a murder, Matt Brady discovers he knows the deceased. As his sleuthing intensifies, the newsman’s life grows increasingly imperiled.

The Brewster Theater Company Presents, "Rope"
October 23-24 & 29-31, 2015

Ready for an extra thrill this Halloween season? The Brewster Theater Company is proud to wrap up its Fall 2015 season with Rope, directed by husband and wife team Chris and Megan Collins. The play, written by Patrick Hamilton, concerns two old friends who have murdered a former classmate as an expression of their supposed intellectual superiority. See what, (and who), unravels as their evening of mayhem unfolds!

Featuring (in order of appearance):
Gabriel Montanaro, Joe Maker, Ben Bisogno, Judy Brewster, Russell O'Leary, Rose Bisogno, Marygrace Orfanella, Patrick McGuinness, Rebecca Rabinowitz, and Philip Cook. Produced by Melinda Montanaro

The Spirit of it All-
SEPT. 18- OCT. 4, 2015

Sharon Nakazato lived in Japan where she studied Japanese Brush Calligraphy intensively with celebrated contemporary master Shinzan Kamijo. In recent years, Nakazato has revisited her western art background and is now exploring an expansive range of mixed media, some incorporating Asian calligraphy. Nakazato has exhibited widely from Tokyo to Colorado to Pennsylvania to New York, including one-woman shows in NYC, the Seattle area, Putnam County, and Ridgefield, CT.

Norma Pereira-Mora is an artist working in the Hudson Valley. Originally from Guatemala, she focuses on expressing the unique qualities of handmade crafts and to bringing cultural traditions and diversity into other's lives. Norma’s business, IXMUCANE'S ARTISAN, specializes in the creation of one of a kind wooden boxes, painted in a variety of styles suitable for men, women and children of all ages. A compassionate advocate and versatile communicator, Norma recently became the first recipient of the Hudson Valley Community Building Award.

Worry Doll Workshop for All Ages- OCT 10, 2015
Worry dolls (muñecas quitapenas), or trouble dolls, are very small and colorful dolls traditionally made in Guatemala and it's a tradition from Mayan's folk and culture . A person who cannot sleep due to worrying can express their worries to a doll and place it under their pillow before going to sleep.

Way of the Tea-
SEPT. 24, 2015
Using the art of tea to create an atmosphere of tranquility and peace.

The Town of Southeast Cultural Arts Coalition presents “Way of the Tea” – The Tea Culture of China on September 24th at 7pm at the Studio Around the Corner 67 Main Street Suite 101 in Brewster, NY.

An Evening of Broadway's Best- October 3, 2015

Susan King, vocalist, and Steven Wright, keys, will perform "An Evening of Broadway's Best"; music of best loved Broadway shows as well as famous jazz standards that have its roots in Broadway musicals. Songs of Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Frank Loesser, Leonard Bernstein, Lerner and Lowe, Carole King and more!

"The Susan King Duo" has performed at Danbury's First Night Celebrations, restaurants, wineries and multiple venues throughout the trip-state area. Their passion for performance and ability to engage the audience shines through. A highly entertaining and talented duo. Not to be missed!

Susankingentertainment.com

The Healing Power of Music-
aUG. 22, 2015

Abaca String Band, photo by Eduardo Patino

The evening begins with a screening of the Film, Andrew and Wendy, by Academy Award nominee, Josh Aronson. The 30-minute documentary film tells the story of a New York couple at a crisis point. Andrew Schulman, who is in a coma, is not responding to anything and his prognosis is frighteningly bleak. Wendy’s inspired idea to play Bach for him actually brings him back, a miraculous outcome even his doctors acknowledge. This remarkable love story analyzes the mysterious healing power of music as Andrew returns to the ICU to bring music to its desperately ill patients — not for entertainment, but for healing.

The Abaca String Band was founded by guitarist Andrew Schulman in 1991. This unique group, Andrew Schulman, 8-string Guitar; Tamara Volskaya, Mandolin; Robert Zubrycki, Violin; Julie Goodale, Viola; and Marc Schmied, Double Bass, began by performing events at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Abaca String Band frequently tours throughout the United States and has been presented in concert at Lincoln Center, The Newport Music Festival and the Troy Music Hall, among many others and have been featured artists on the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series. They have performed for many special events including Christmas performances at The White House and The Library of Congress. Their debut CD, "Live From Chautauqua", was broadcast nationwide by Public Radio International in 1998.

Image: ‘Restless Beauty’, oil mixed media on panel and wood by Lynda O'Connor

Reception and Meet the Artist: Saturday, August 1, 7PM – 9PM
Additional Studio Hours: 12 – 2PM on Sunday, August 2, Saturdays, August 8, 22, and 29

Experimenting with diverse materials O’Connor focuses on dichotomy: strength/vulnerability, past/present, ancient/new and raw/refined to create works that convey what is most significant in her inner and outer world. “Whether abstract or representational, what I aim for is emotional resonance: to connect with the viewer through my work.”

Art Exhibit:
ALL THE GHOSTS ARE IN THE TREES-
AUG 8-29, 2015

Multi-media artist Lynda O’Connor brings her brilliant and extraordinary talent to Studio Around the Corner in Brewster for the month of August. O’Connor studied Fine Arts at F.I.T. where she was awarded a scholarship, and continued her studies at SUNY Purchase, SUNY Potsdam, and the Silvermine School of Art.

Robert Zubrycki in Photo by Laurie Rhodes

Concert: Impressionist and Abstract Music and Art- july 12, 2015

Explore impressionist and abstract music and its connection to the parallel styles in visual arts. The performers are Robert Zubrycki, violin; Adria Benjamin, viola; Katherine Cherbas, cello; Jennifer Tao, piano; Nathan Brewster, percussion.

The program will open with two brief works, John Cage’s Old North, from Apartment House 1776 and Morton Feldman’s Durations IV. These men shared the compositional philosophy of “getting rid of the glue so that the sounds would be themselves.” Next on the program, Lou Harrison’s Varied Trio, while contemporary, is very melodic. The trio is scored for violin, piano and percussion, including vibraphone, drums, rice bowls and baking pans! The impressionists will be represented here by Claude Debussy’s Poissons d’or for solo piano, Maurice Ravel’s Pièce en Forme de Habanera for cello and piano and Gabriel Faure’s Quartet for Piano and Strings in G minor.

Collage, mixed media: Only A Rose

Exhibit: Ulterior Motifs by Joan Gillman Smith-
jun 26- july 12, 2015

Mixed Media Paintings, Collages, and Cutouts

Award winning painter and mixed media artist Joan Gillman Smith studied at Cooper Union in New York City. Drawing led to painting which led to collage, mixed media, monoprints, woodcuts and etchings.

ULTERIOR MOTIFS features innovative and stunning Matisse inspired cutouts, as well as works dominated by color, line, shape and pattern.

Exhibit: BEHOLD- may 29- jun 20, 2015

Award-winning photographer Chris Casaburi is best known for his engaging, dynamic portraits. Casaburi treats each subject with the same dignity whether it is a homeless person or a CEO. “I’m fascinated with people and the worlds they live in.”

BEHOLD will feature a selection of work chosen from his more than 20 years as a professional photographer, including photographs taken with his smart phone with extraordinary results.

In June he will be opening his Lake Carmel studio for private commissions. http://casaburi.com.

Book Talk WITH Linda Dahl- JUNE 16, 2015

The first book especially for parents to address the crucial issues and specific challenges of addiction treatment in young women. The go-to manual for parents seeking step-by-step direction to help their daughters find and maintain recovery from addiction. Get the straight-talk from a mom who’s been there, including the most up-to-date gender-specific research and guidance on what will and will not work for your daughter.

Linda Dahl is the author of six books, including Morning Glory (2012), chosen as a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. She has been featured in numerous radio and print interviews, including NPR programs, the BBC, and other international broadcasts. She writes about challenging personalities and difficult issues, reflecting her interests in the arts, addiction, and recovery.

Live Play:
De Novo-
may 9, 2015

Houses on the Moon Theater performs De Novo, a documentary play about the gripping true story of fourteen year old Edgar Chocoy and his legal struggle to be allowed to stay in the United States, crafted entirely from immigration court transcripts, interviews, and letters. The performance runs one hour, followed by a post show discussion with the creative team. Read More

Art: inside OUT- may 2, 3, 8, & 9, 2015

Photographs by James Thomas
Paintings by AnnMarie Funigiello

James Thomas is a self-taught photographer from Green Bay, Wisconsin. His photography is heavily influenced by the literature and film he has studied since moving to this area. In this collection of photographs, Thomas describes how fear can provoke a prison of routine that becomes inescapable. Death casts its shadow on those who are incapable of action or progressive thought; they live, but are not living.

Painter AnnMarie Funigiello earned a BFA from the School of Visual Arts and a Masters in Art Education from The College of New Rochelle. Since 1995, Funigiello has been teaching art at New Rochelle High School. The majority of AnnMarie's paintings depict how we respond to the unexpected experiences in our daily lives. Her other works are images of experiences that have left an impact on her life.

Children’s After School Program-
april 7, 14, 21, & 28, 2015

Bring your creative energy to class. We’ll make a different project each week and have fun painting and creating crafts. Try new mediums with every project. Inspirational music accompanies our classes. For 1st-5th graders. Come join us!

Saturday Scribes-
april 11, 2015

Eric LaRocca, a fast-rising voice in speculative fiction, will share his bold one-act play, Abscission, an edgy futuristic drama. LaRocca has long been fascinated by the quirky and macabre. His horror fiction has been featured in the anthology, Of Devils and Deviants, as well as various American and British journals of the fantastic, including Dark Moon Digest, Sanitarium, and The Horror Zine. Reviewers have compared LaRocca fiction to Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft, two horror grandmasters.

Double Trouble Duo- MARCH 28

The Town of Southeast Cultural Arts Coalition hosts the Double Trouble Duo in "Instrumental Alchemy - A Night of Musical Transformation from Past to Present, and Present to Past", on Saturday, March 28, 7:30 pm, at the Studio Around the Corner.

Bassoonists Tama Kott and Arnold Irchai will perform music composed in the 20th and 21st centuries that hearkens back to yesteryear; the expression of the present reflected in classic forms of the past. The program will include music by the modern Russian-born composer Vladimir Levit; the well-known Paris Conservatory composer Eugene Bozza; and the under-appreciated and talented French composer, Édouard Flament.

Art Exhibit: People, Places, and Things
MAR. 6-15, 2015

Photography by Bill Ragals
Paintings by Nora E. Roberto

Award winning ‘Street’ photographer Bill Ragals is inspired by the beauty of life and intrigued by the challenge of capturing the reality of the moment with unaltered real life images of people, places and things. Ragals’ photography has been exhibited extensively and garnered him a one-person exhibit at the National Arts Club in New York City.

Painter Nora E. Roberto earned a degree in art from the Escuela de Artes Rensel in her native Argentina as well as an Associate Degree in Fine Arts from Empire State College in New York. In addition to exhibiting her work in several states, one of Roberto’s pieces is in the permanent collection in a museum in Alcira, Argentina.

Fundraising Event:
Nail Art-
MAR. 29, 2015

A percentage of all proceeds will be donated to TOSCAC!

Jamberry Nails are the newest trend for awesome-looking nails every day! They are nail wraps that are applied with heat. You can mix solids, patterns, and colors to create your own style! They are completely affordable, easy to apply, and typically last about 2 weeks (longer for pedis). They won't damage your nails and look great on long or short length.

aRT eXHIBIT: VIEWFINDERS - Jan. - Feb. 2015

Photographs by Pal Gyomai
Paintings by Erica Hauser

Digital artist and photographer Pal Gyomai has resided in Putnam County for the past 31 years having moved from to the United States in 1983 from his native Hungary. A self-taught photographer, Gyomai expresses his artistic visions by combining ‘straight’ photography with the endless possibilities of Adobe Photoshop. His work has been exhibited extensively in local galleries.

Erica Hauser is a painter based in Newburgh, NY. She grew up in Brewster and graduated in 2002 with a BFA in Illustration from School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her vintage-hued paintings of ordinary objects and places, described as a sort of 'nostalgic Americana' and inspired in part by observation, sense-memories and photographs, have been exhibited regularly in the New York area and occasionally beyond.

FLOWER POWER - FEB. 6-15, 2015

The photography of Brian Alberghini

Studio Around the Corner is honored to exhibit the fine work of this extraordinary photographer.

Three Kings Day- jan. 6, 2015

The Community Connection and various sponsors in the Hudson Valley have teamed up to present a “Three Kings Day” celebration in Brewster, which will consist of a new twist on the traditional Latin American holiday festivities. This free family event.