Category Archives: Featured News
2018 Section 3 On-Site Training & Match-Up Invitation
The AVillage VOICE – New Issue Available
Free Performance at The Egg Complements Harlem Hellfighters Exhibition
OGS ANNOUNCES FREE MULTIMEDIA EVENT ‘THE BANDLEADER WHO CHANGED AMERICA’ ON OCTOBER 4
Free Performance at The Egg Complements Harlem Hellfighters Exhibition
New York State Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn M. Destito today announced a special event, titled The Bandleader Who Changed America: A Musical Journey Through the Life of James Reese Europe presented by JDog Junk Removal & Hauling. This free presentation in The Egg’s Swyer Theatre on October 4 at 6:30 p.m. is presented in conjunction with the exhibition, Their Glory Can Never Fade: The Legacy of The Harlem Hellfighters, on view in the Vietnam Gallery of the Robert Abrams Building for Law and Justice through February 2019.
“OGS is excited to bring together scholars and musicians from across the state to present a unique program that complements our Harlem Hellfighters exhibition and highlights New York’s history and culture,” said Commissioner Destito. “This event will appeal to all audiences and will combine history, music, and entertainment for a special evening experience in The Egg.”
“We’re proud to celebrate diversity and equality in the U.S. Armed Forces, which is exactly what this program and exhibition represent,” said R.J. Gagnon, vice president of marketing and sales at JDog Junk Removal & Hauling Capital Region. “Through this event, we hope to educate the community about the history of New York legends and honor the memory and legacy of this diverse group of veterans.”
Through the use of photos, film, and live music, this multimedia presentation will focus on the life and music of James Reese Europe (1880-1919), an extraordinary individual who was not only instrumental in the success of the Harlem Hellfighters, an African-American military regiment from New York that was dispatched to fight for France in World War I, but had a major influence in the development of jazz, swing, and contemporary dance music.
Featuring special guests Michael Dinwiddie, associate professor at New York University’s Gallatin School and William Meckley, founder and music director of the Empire Jazz Orchestra, this special evening will also include a musical demonstration and performance by jazz pianist and composer David Gleason, highlighting the history of early jazz music and Europe’s profound impact as a bandleader.
Classically trained, Europe honed his skills as a conductor for numerous touring shows produced by African Americans and featuring all-black casts at the beginning of the 20th
century. In 1912, he curated and conducted the first concert at Carnegie Hall to feature works by African-American composers and performed by the 125-member National Negro Symphony Orchestra.
As a bandleader, Europe’s Hell Fighters Band created an international craze for syncopated ragtime music that would eventually change popular music. As an individual, he crossed the color bar, defied racial stereotypes, and emerged as a one of the early figures in the push for social equality and inclusion. Eubie Blake, American composer and lyricist, referred to James Reese Europe as the “Martin Luther King of Music.”
The exhibition, Their Glory Can Never Fade: The Legacy of The Harlem Hellfighters can be viewed in the Vietnam Gallery of the Robert Abrams Building for Law and Justice weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. On October 4, the gallery will remain open until 6 p.m. to give guests an opportunity to see the exhibition before the special event.
Doors to The Egg will open at 6 p.m., and refreshments will be available for sale in the Hart Theatre Lobby. For additional information about this special event and the exhibition, visit our website at www.empirestateplaza.org and follow @NYSCapitolVisit on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About the Presenters
William Meckley, Ph.D. is the conductor and trombonist who (until his recent retirement) served as Dean of the School of Music at Schenectady County Community College (SCCC). Meckley is founder and music director of the Empire Jazz Orchestra, a professional jazz repertory ensemble that performed and recorded significant music from throughout the history of jazz, ranging from Jelly Roll Morton to Gil Evans and beyond. In 2016 Meckley received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.
Michael D. Dinwiddie, BA, MFA, is an associate professor of dramatic writing at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University. His teaching interests encompass cultural studies, ragtime music, dramatic writing, African American history and filmmaking. At the Gallatin School, Michael teaches a course entitled “James Reese Europe and American Music.” Professor Dinwiddie currently serves as chairman of the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts and in 2018 was named as one of 10 fellows inducted into the into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre, one of America’s educational and theater community’s highest honors.
David Gleason is a music educator, pianist and composer living in New York’s Capital Region. As a jazz and Latin pianist, he has performed with ensembles such as RumbaNaMa, The Boston Latin Band, The Either/Orchestra, Bopitude, The Big Soul Ensemble, and The Empire Jazz Orchestra. Gleason studied music education and jazz studies at the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, New York. He has taught at the John Sayles School of Fine Arts, SCCC, and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. David Gleason is also the author of Alfred Publishing’s “The Total Blues Keyboardist.”
The Bandleader who Changed America: A Musical Journey Through the Life of James Reese Europe is presented with the support of sponsor JDog Junk Removal & Hauling, which proudly supports programs highlighting our veterans and individuals who served this country.
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Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Information
The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) is a voluntary program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). RAD seeks to preserve public housing by providing Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) with access to more stable funding to make needed improvements to properties. Public housing units across the country need more than $26 billion in repairs. HUD refers to these repair costs as capital needs. Congress has not provided enough funding for PHAs to keep up with capital needs. As a result, PHAs have had to make tough choices between things like repairing roofs and replacing plumbing—or worse, demolishing public housing. RAD provides PHAs a way to rehabilitate, or repair, units without depending on additional money from Congress.
ANNUAL HACKER CONFERENCE RETURNING TO ALBANY CAPITAL CENTER
In an effort to connect and invigorate the community, the second annual ANYCON Hacking & Cyber Security Conference is bringing a generous schedule of speakers, talks, events, and challenges to the Albany Capital Center August 24 – 25. The conference is designed to be accessible to all levels of information security experience, as Albany and the surrounding upstate New York/Northeast region is home to an incredible community of hackers and InfoSec enthusiasts, including both hobbyists and professionals. Read more.
UNLEASH YOUR DOG (AND HIS ARTISTIC GENIUS)
Is your pup a regular Salvador Doggy? Maybe more of a Norman Ruff-well? Join us at the Olde English Downtown Dog Park (located inside Wallenberg Park) for “paw-painting” with the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society on Saturday, August 25, from 11 AM – 2 PM! For a $5 suggested donation, we’ll provide you with safe, washable paints and a canvas for your dog to customize with their own unique paw prints. All proceeds will benefit the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. Who knows? Your Mastiff’s masterpiece could wind up in the Museum of Modern Bark! Read more.
FREE BLOCK PARTY THIS SATURDAY
The Palace Performing Arts Center is pleased to announce the 1st Annual Palace Theatre Community Block Party taking place on Saturday, August 18! From 12 PM – 4 PM, the area surrounding the Palace Theatre will be filled with music, family-friendly activities, vendors, food trucks, and more! This event is free and open to the public. Bring the entire family for an afternoon of fun! Children who attend the block party will receive a book-bag and school supplies provided by the United Way of Northeastern New York (while supplies last). Read more.
ONLY 2 MORE WEEKS OF FREE OUTDOOR MOVIES!
Thanks to a couple nights of rain, Bites Camera Action is extended by two weeks! The series is almost over, but we’re going out with a bang: See the 2017 action flick Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle on Monday, August 20, and the 2014 Marvel hit Guardians of the Galaxy on Monday, August 27. The fun starts in front of the Times Union Center at 6:30 PM each night! The featured movie will begin at 7:30 PM on the TUC’s 15′ x 70′ display screens. Read more.
College Parkside Pharmacy Is Here For You!
COLLEGE PARKSIDE PHARMACY
Capital South Campus Center
20 Warren Street, Albany, NY 12202
Phone: (518) 694-8522
E-Mail: CPP@ACPHS.EDU
Facebook: @COLLEGEPARKSIDEPHARMACY
HOURS:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
9 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday, Thursday
9 AM – 7 PM
Pharmacy Manager Gus Barranca has more than 30 years of experience as a community pharmacist, pharmacy district manager, and independent pharmacy owner.
College Parkside Pharmacy accepts all major insurance plans including:
- CDPHP
- MVP Health Care
- Fidelis Care
- United Healthcare
- Wellcare
College Parkside Pharmacy is owned and operated by Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, a recognized leader in pharmacy for more than 135 years.
Capital Region Crime Stoppers Access Information
Capital Region Crime Stoppers is the tool they police want you to use. By calling, using the mobile app or the website, people can make anonymous reports about activities that concern them. The more calls and complaints about specific problems the better, because that is how the Albany Police will make decisions on where to deploy the new mobile force. Here’s how:
- Call Capital Region Crime Stoppers at 1-833-ALB-TIPS
- Go to capitalregioncrimestoppers.com and make a report there.
- Download the free “P3 Tips” app on your smart phone or tablet.
HUD awards $153,000 to end veteran homelessness
HUD awards $153,000 to end veteran homelessness
By Jackson Wang | June 11, 2018
ALBANY, N.Y. — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is awarding several local cities thousands of dollars to try and end veteran homelessness.
HUD announced Monday that $153,000 will be provided to five public housing authorities: Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Glens Falls and Plattsburgh.
The money is made available through the “Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program.” It provides homeless veterans with case management and housing assistant to get them into permanent homes.
“What we can do and what we’ve done here is to create systems and invest resources that make veteran homelessness brief, rare and nonrecurring,” said Lisa Pugliese of HUD. “That is the goal that HUD VASH supports and the bi-partisan group of leaders that’s gathered here to celebrate.”
HUD says the money will provide permanent homes for 28 veterans.
To view the original article please visit Spectrum News.
Summer Information Session – Albany County Land Bank Corporation
AHA Seeking to Sponsor 10 Girls for ‘Girls Take Charge’!!
Albany Guardian Society Institute Summer 2018 Catalog
We are pleased to inform you that the Albany Guardian Society Institute Summer 2018 Catalog is now available for review. Our Institute offers a series of educational programs that provide the opportunity to learn more about aging-related topics. Albany Guardian Society is offering a Summer schedule of classes in the following categories:
• Technology
• Health
• Caregiving
• Legal
Detailed information on each of the programs being offered is available in our Catalog. There is no charge to attend our Institute programs, however, registration is required. Please click on the following link to view our Summer 2018 Catalog.
Event Update: Juneteenth 2018
Please join the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region for the 14th annual Juneteenth celebration!
This year’s celebration will be held on the grounds of the Cultural Center at 135 South Pearl Street, Albany.
Please bring your family and friends for a day of arts, culture, and fun!
17th Annual Cooks for Kids
17th Annual Cooks For Kids – Where Cooks Meet Books
Local Chefs prepare and serve their favorite recipes to benefit Two Together
Dr. Loretta Long is an African American actress, singer, writer, educator, media personality, life coach and was best known as nurse Susan Robinson on the Sesame Street television program. She had played that role since the show debuted in 1969. Long in addition to having starred on Sesame Street, is a consultant, author and public speaker on issues of multiculturalism and education. In her book (From Paw Paw to Sesame Street: My Journey) she tells her story and at the same time documents how her portrayal of Susan on Sesame Street impacted the viewing audience for 46 years.
Two Together is a free after-school and summer reading and writing program that has been operating a high need community in the South End of Albany, New York since 1997. Its purpose is to strengthen children’s social, cultural and intellectual growth through improved language and literacy skills in a safe environment that fosters a life-long love and enthusiasm for learning.