Tim Green, attorney, author, commentator and former NFL football player, and Julie Abbott, former co-host of “Bridge Street” and local news anchor, will emcee the Skaneateles Arts Council’s sixth annual summer gala, “A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream,” July 25. The event, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Stella Maris Retreat and Renewal Center, features lakeside cocktails; a gourmet, French bistro-style dinner prepared by Chris Kuhns, executive chef of Phoebe’s Restaurant and the Sherwood Inn; and a concert by Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist/singer John Pizzarelli.

John Pizzarelli, lauded by the Los Angeles Times as “madly creative” and by The Toronto Star as “the genial genius of the guitar,” will perform July 25 at “A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream,” the Annual Gala of the Skaneateles Area Arts Council.

Festivities will be held lakeside at the Stella Maris Retreat and Renewal Center, a former Roosevelt mansion on Skaneateles Lake. The program will run from 6 to 10 p.m. and include cocktails; dining al fresco by Chris Kuhns, executive chef of Phoebe’s Restaurant and the Sherwood Inn; and an intimate concert by Pizzarelli.

Skaneateles residents Jean McGlynn and Fouad Dietz are co-chairs of the gala. Dr. Robert Kiltz, owner of CNY Healing Arts and CNY Fertility Centers, is the artist sponsor. Proceeds will support the Arts Council’s cultural events and community grants program.

The Artist
John Pizzarelli has established himself as a prime interpreter of the Great American Songbook, drawing from performers such as Nat “King” Cole (his hero), Frank Sinatra and Joao Gilberto and composers such as Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin, James Taylor, and Lennon and McCartney. In 2009 he received the prestigious Ella Fitzgerald Award from the Montreal International Jazz Festival.

Pizzarelli, who has recorded more than 20 albums since his first release in 1990, started playing the guitar at the age of 6, following in the tradition of his father, guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli. He often plays with his father and his wife, singer/actress Jessica Molaskey, in the John Pizzarelli Trio, a group that has been called “the First Family of Cool” by the San Francisco Chronicle and “the von Trapps on Martinis” by The New Yorker.

Pizzarelli’s early works, for RCA, include “Dear Mr. Cole” and “P.S. Mr. Cole,” as well as “After Hours” (a touching cycle of torch ballads), “Our Love Is Here to Stay” (a collection of classic swing and bold originals), “Let’s Share Christmas” and “John Pizzarelli Meets the Beatles.”

More recently, for Telarc International, he has recorded “Kisses in the Rain,” “Let There Be Love,” “The Rare Delight of You,” “Live at Birdland” (celebrating the 10th anniversary of the John Pizzarelli Trio), “Knowing You” (paying homage to the many talented musicians and songwriters he has met over the years) and “Dear Mr. Sinatra” (featuring the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra).

His 2008 album, the Grammy Award nominated “With a Song in My Heart,” celebrates the music of legendary composer Richard Rodgers. This past February, he released “Rockin’ in Rhythm,” a tribute to Duke Ellington.

A veteran radio personality, Pizzarelli is host, with his wife, of “Radio Deluxe With John Pizzarelli,” a nationally syndicated radio program that takes place in their “deluxe living room high atop Lexington Avenue” and features relaxed, off-the-cuff music and conversations.

Pizzarelli has performed on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Late Show With David Letterman,” “Live With Regis & Kelly,” “The CBS Early Show” and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

He also performs annually at New York City’s famed Café Carlyle with Jessica Molaskey and at Birdland with his jazz combo, while touring throughout the United States, Europe, South America and Japan.

The Venue
The mansion that is now Stella Maris Retreat and Renewal Center, a ministry sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, was originally owned by Frederick Roosevelt, who had it built in 1879. The Sisters of St. Francis purchased the property in 1952, and in 1954 it was blessed and dedicated as a retreat center by Bishop Walter A. Foery.

“Stella Maris” is Latin for “Star of the Sea.” The center is committed to the mission of leading all to a deeper knowledge and love of God, and to fostering spiritual growth, renewal and peace.

The Council
The Skaneateles Area Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) not-for profit organization, works to celebrate the visual and performing arts by creating an environment where cultural activity thrives in our community. The council presents cultural programming and issues grants to artists and arts organizations in the Skaneateles area.

This year’s grant recipients are the CNY Jazz Foundation; the John D. Barrow Art Gallery; the Khoros Performing Arts Company for Kids, Joanna Manring; Pamela Spear; the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center; Skaneateles Artisans; the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce; the Skaneateles Festival; Skaneateles Summer Theatre; and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets
Tickets are $250 for VIP seating, $125 for regular seating, and may be purchased by sending a check to the Skaneateles Area Arts Council, P.O. Box 422, Skaneateles, NY 13152. Advance purchase is required for all seating. For more information, go to http://www.skarts.org.

By Rachel Harms

The Skaneateles Area Arts Council is pleased to announce funding opportunities for interested individuals or groups that live or work within 15 miles of Skaneateles.  “Once again, the Arts Council is delighted to provide this important community support.  We have been impressed with the depth, quality and uniqueness of the projects and requests of the past two years,” said Barbara Delmonico, committee chair and Arts Council board member.  “Last year we were able to contribute a total of $5000 to nine deserving groups. Once again we hope to help a number of artists, musicians, performing arts groups and community organizations through this funding initiative.”

Applications must be received no later than April 15, 2010.  Winners will be notified by June 1, 2010.  The following categories will be considered:

SPONSORSHIP (advertising and/or support of local arts groups):  up to $1000.
STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY STIPENDS FOR INDIVIDUALS:  maximum request:  $500.
STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY STIPENDS FOR GROUPS:  maximum request: $500.
EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES (teachers, students, workshops, scholarships, etc.):  up to $1000.
COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMMING (workshops, events, murals, lectures, etc.):  up to $1000.

Lisa Ford, a filmmaker and professor at Tompkins Community College, is grateful for the financial assistance that the Arts Council provided for her recent film project. “Directing my short film, ‘The Teacher’, was a rewarding artistic experience that could not have happened without the Skaneateles Arts Council grant.  As a twenty-year resident of Skaneateles, I was delighted to have this support from my community!”

Carey Eidel, Managing Director of Auburn Public Theater, which received a grant to help launch the Auburn Community Choir, agrees.  “Thanks to the generous support of the Skaneateles Arts Council, we were able to launch the Auburn Community Choir, which attracted about 35 members of the community.  We believe this program truly fulfills the mission of Auburn Public Theater to provide space that is inclusive to all parts of our community and to make sure that participants and audiences alike enjoy a fulfilling, heartwarming experience.”

For an application form or further information, contact Barbara Delmonico, at bkdelmonico@hotmail.com  or 685-7427.

About SKARTS:
The mission of the Skaneateles Area Arts Council is to celebrate the visual and performing Arts by creating an environment where cultural activity thrives in our community.  The Arts Council is a tax exempt, non-profit 501C3 organization.

Contributed by Christine Briel  and Laura Briel (photography)

The 2009 Artist Studio Tour was an amazing event. Such a privilege to be able to step into the inner space of an artists working area and have them share with you there inspiration, history and passion in life. Many thanks to those whom participated and allowed my daughter, Laura, and I to video tape and photograph them in their space.

Below is a photo gallery of our last stop, Hetty Easter’s Studio, more work and information can be found at her website here.

Contributed by Christine Briel (video) and Laura Briel (photography)

The video below shows Rachel Harms’ work and studio during the 2009 Artist Studio Tour. Visit her website here to see more of her work. Click the more tab to watch the video.

Contributed by Christine Briel (video) and Laura Briel (photography)

The video below shows Steve Datz’s work and studio during the 2009 Artist Studio Tour. Click the more tab to watch the video.

Contributed by Christine Briel (video) and Laura Briel (photography)

The video below shows Dr. Rob Kiltz’s work and studio during the 2009 Artist Studio Tour. Visit his website here to read and see more about his art. Click the more tab to watch the video.

Contributed by Christine Briel

See in the Bridge Street TV clip below from this Tuesday, September 29th airing talk about the upcoming Artist Studio Tour this weekend. Several local artists talk about what to expect from the tour. The Sherwood Inn, besides selling tickets for the tour, is also offering a $12 lunch menu for all tour participants.  Clear here to view the menu. The Skaneateles Chamber is also selling tickets and has organized the shops to offer discounts and raffles to tour ticket holders.

Contributed by Sandi Mulconry / Group M Communications

This photo by Stacia Landsberg, of a barn in Skaneateles, will be on display in her studio during the Artist Studio Tour.

The Skaneateles Area Arts Council will present its second edition of “Fall in Love With Art,” a tour of artist studios in the Skaneateles area, Oct. 3 and 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour features 13 artists in 10 studio locations based in homes throughout Skaneateles; the work of five artists presented in the Strods Barn on Benson Road; and West Lake Conservators, a nationally known art restoration firm in Skaneateles Falls. Proceeds from the tour will support the Arts Council’s cultural events and community grants program.

Tickets are $20 (free, for those under 16) and can be purchased at the Sherwood Inn or the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information on the Artist Studio Tour or other Arts Council programs, call 315-685-2414.

Studios on the tour are those of:

• Phil Austin (glass blower), 4251 Jordan Road
• Paul Cowley (painter/designer), 9 Kane Ave.
• Steve Datz (sculptor) and Rachel Harms (painter), 3404 E. Lake Road
• Jill Doscher (printmaker) and Gary Trento (painter), 4458 State St.
• Hetty Easter (painter), 2949 W. Lake Road
• Len Fishman (sculptor), 2625 E. Lake Road
• Robert Kiltz (potter), 2435 E. Lake Road
• Stacia Landsberg (designer/photographer), 650 Crow Hill Road
• Ed Little (painter/sculptor) and Jill Little (painter/sculptor), 41 W. Lake St.
• Helen Woodmansee (painter), 1585 Willowdale Road  

Contributed by Dr. Rob Kiltz / RobertKiltz.com, Dr. Rob on Twitter, Dr. Rob on FaceBook

My blessing and special thanks to Judy Collins for the phenomenal concert she so perfectly performed  in Skaneateles, NY last night.

Stella Maris was the venue for the Skaneateles Area Arts Council’s 5th annual festival titled,  “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Judy thrilled the audience with her special and timeless singing voice, seemingly as vibrant and talented as ever. She also shared  loving and kind stories of growing up in the world of folk music. She and her husband Louis are special people and I thank them for their presence.

Love,

Dr. Rob

“Do what you love, and you will find the way to get it out to the world.”
~Judy Collins