Schenectady Today — In and Around the Capital Region
Photographs by Malcolm Kogut
The Aquarium at ViaPort Rotterdam is Coming!!! – Segment on Schenectady Today with Guest: David Gross
David Gross, Director
Director Via Aquarium celebrates aquatic biodiversity through exhibit experiences and public programs designed to connect people with the world of water. We hope that the aquarium will be completed in June, but these things are complicated to build. We have a lot still to do. Here is what is currently planned, but subject to change due to availability of species.
The aquarium will continue to add new species over the coming years. 38 Exhibits; 78,000 total gallons of water, 50,000 gallons of saltwater. Freshwater: Trout, Lake Malawi, Asian Rivers (Chao Phraya River), Hudson/Mohawk River, Amazon River. Piranha, Electric eel. Marine: Fiji Pacific Coral Reef, North Atlantic, California Kelp Forest, Sea of Cortez, Caribbean Coral Reef, Australia Great Barrier Reef. Seahorses, Clownfish, Eels, Lionfish, Jawfish. Live Corals, Octopus, Cuttlefish. Deep Water; Flashlight Fish, Pineconefish, Anglerfish, Nautilus. There are three touch tanks; stingrays, koi, and invertebrates like horseshoe crabs, whelks, sea stars and club urchins. There are 2 tunnel tanks that are 23′ long x 21′ wide with a 5′ diameter half cylinder overhead.We plan to have some cool interactive tech exhibits too.
From the Albany Business Journal: The aquarium will be significantly smaller than the National Aquarium in Baltimore or the New England Aquarium in Boston, but comparable to Merlin Sea Life Aquariums that are being built around the country by a British firm.
Gross grew up in Chicago and has had a long career in the marine sciences. He was part of the team that opened the National Aquarium in 1981, served as corporate curator for the Rainforest Cafe chain, and was curator at The Wild Center when it opened in Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks in 2006. “I like the challenge of opening new aquariums,” he said. “At the moment I know of only two active projects. This one, and OdySea in Arizona. Opportunities to open aquariums don’t come up very often.”
Organization: Via Aquarium
Event: Grand Opening
Location of event: ViaPort Rotterdam Mall at 93 W. Campbell Rd, Schenectady 12306
Date/Time: TBA — July
Cost: Adult (age 18 – 64) – $16; Youth (age 4 – 17) – $10; Senior (age 65+) – $14; and Annual Pass: Single $40, Dual $70, Family $100
Contact Information: [email protected]
Facebook: Yes. “Via Aquarium”
Website: www.ViaPortRotterdam.com
Electric City Couture: Shattered: Repose – Segment on Schenectady Today with Guests: Corey Aldrich, Organizer; Christopher Mastroianni.
The Last Gentleman Company and Claudia Crisan, Designer.
This year’s event will consist of (2) full runway shows and support events. Each show will have a distinct theme that is part of an overall story that will play out over two days.
The first will be Saturday Night, April 16th at 7:30. The theme will be ‘SHATTERED’ and will feature nation VJ V Owen Bush of Glowing Pictures, who will be providing visual interludes between designers along with the a vibrant musical program curated by show Music Director, Nate da Great. The set will be focused on creating more of a hard edged look that will morph into an organic set for the following day.
The second show ‘Repose’ will be on Sunday Afternoon, April 17th at 3:00. It will be a matinee show and will feature a hanging gardens of Babylon theme. Each show will provide an opportunity for retail sales at our POP UP! Shop.
The mission of the Couture is to create a sustainable, fabulous scene that raises awareness for the art of fashion and fashion related support industries, specifically regionally produced design and services that can help stimulate regional economic development through the fashion based creative economy.
Event: Electric City Couture
Location of event: Saratoga
Date/Time: Apr 15-17
Cost: See website
Website: www.ElectricCityCouture.com
Help a Horse Days! – Segment on Schenectady Today with Guests Nanci Beyerl and Susan Kayne
Nanci Beyerl, Founder & Executive Director Peaceful Acres and Susan Kayne, Creative Equine Advocate & Founder of Real Horse Rescues Peaceful Acres Horses
Peaceful Acres and Real Horse Rescues Peaceful Acres Horses are proud to be hosting 4 days of Horsing Around events as part of The ASPCA’s Help A Horse Day education, awareness and advocacy for at-risk and rescued horses, April 23rd-26th.
We hope you will join us at PAH to learn more about the organization, meet our amazing rescues and also enjoy some very special programs.
Saturday April 23rd: Match-Making Clinic – open to 12 people interested in adopting a PAH horse or pony. Successful horse ownership and having years of wonderful times with your horse, begins with The Perfect Match-Making. This clinic is offered by Susan Kayne (Producer of Real Horse Rescues). This is an interactive, hands on, halters on clinic open to only 12 participants. Saturday afternoon – evening join us at the Sanctuary for tours and meet our wonderful rescues. PAH is hosting a reception and friend- raiser, so please come and enjoy some wonderful refreshments, entertainment and meet some new friends, both on two and four legs.
Sunday April 24th: Horsing Around Open House Day at PAH – PAH will offer interactive tours with the rescues to our guest who wish to meet our amazing rescues, learn more about PAH and learn a bit more about Equine Rescue and Restoration. Tours are offered on the hour 11:00-2:00 Sunday April 24th.
Monday and Tuesday the rescues welcome guest for what we have named Horse Hugs Field-trips. Local organizations who serve youth, families, veterans, Seniors or anyone who needs and deserves a Horse Hug are invited to register for a 2 hour field – trip that will include time with the horses and a picnic lunch at the sanctuary (BYOL). Only 8 field-trips are available, 4 each day, so please register early. (This is a sponsored event, charitable contributions are needed so PAH can offer this fun field-trip to our neighboring schools and organizations for free!)
Susan Kayne’s mission: TO share the joy and enrichment that horses bring to the human experience. I accomplish this through media outreach in Real Horse Rescues (ABC-WTEN) and hand-on ‘Engagement Clinics’. On April 23rd, I will be working with 12 prospective equine adopters at PEACEFUL ACRES HORSES in a hands-on workshop. Long-term successful adoptions begin with a full understanding of the time, energy, and money horses require! I believe anyone can learn to understand the language of horses – IF they are taught how to listen. The clinic will start at 10 am and continue until ?
Organizations: Peaceful Acres and Real Horse Rescues
Event: Help a Horse Day Campaign at Peaceful Acres and Engagement Clinics
Location of event: Peaceful Acres Horses 3740 Rynex Corners Rd. Pattersonville, NY 12137
Date/Time: Apr 23-26
Contact Information: see website
Cost: prices vary – see website
Facebook: Yes. “Help-A-Horse-Day-at- Peaceful-Acres-Horses”
Website: www.SusanKayne.com & www.peacefulacreshorses.com
Freihofer’s Training – Run for Women! – Segment on Schenectady Today with: Guest: Patrick Lynskey, Coach for Training Challenge
Patrick Lynskey, Coach for Training Challenge
The Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K will launch its 6th annual Freihofer’s Training Challenge on Monday, March 21. The goal of the 10-week program is help participants at all running levels (novice, intermediate and advanced) get ready for the 38th Freihofer’s Run for Women on Saturday, June 4 in downtown Albany.
The Training Challenge, which attracted 400 women last year ranging in age from 14-72, follows an enhanced version of the Couch to 5K Running Plan and also includes intermediate and advanced running levels, as well as a sport walking option for those seeking a different approach to reaching the finish line.
Participants can sign up for the Training Challenge through 4/3
Organization: Freihofer’s Run For Women –Training
Event: Freihofer’s Training Challenge
Location of event: Various
Date/Time: Various Cost: $45
Contact Information: see website
Facebook: Yes “Freihofer’s Training Challenge”
Website: http://www.freihofersrun.com/ftc.htm and www.freihofersrun.com
Big Band Gala – A fundraiser! – Segment on Schenectady Today with Guests: Joan Fuess, VP Sand Lake Historical Society
Joan Fuess, VP Sand Lake Historical Society
The Big Band Gala is an opportunity to enjoy a Saturday evening of the nostalgia reminiscent of the historic Big Band Days at the Crooked Lake with wonderful period music by the Georgie Wonders Orchestra and delicious homemade desserts by the Old Daley at Crooked Lake.
Join us for a fun evening out to enjoy the music and visit with friends and neighbors all for a great cause supporting the USO in honor of their 75th Anniversary and the Sand Lake Historical Society.
After a very successful event featuring TR Roosevelt last April, we are returning to Crooked Lake.
Organization: Sand Lake Historical Society
Event: Big Band Gala at Crooked Lake
Location of event: The Old Daley on Crooked Lake
Date/Time: Sat. April 9 from 7-11 pm
Cost: $40 pp – Cash Bar
Contact Information: For information, call Dee Erickson at 674-5143
Website: www.SandLakeHistory.org
The Lion King Returns! – Segment on Schenectady Today with Guest: Michael Eck, Proctors Publicist From the website: Giraffes strut.
Michael Eck, Proctors Publicist From the website: Giraffes strut.
Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before.
And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney’s THE LION KING, making its triumphant return to Proctors!
More than 75 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular – one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, THE LION KING brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals.
THE LION KING also features the extraordinary work of Tony Award®-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. There is simply nothing else like THE LION KING.
Organization: Proctors
Event: The Lion King – Broadway Tour
Location of event: Proctors – 432 State St. Schenectady
Date/Time: Runs through April 17
Cost: Varies $20 – $170 (from website – subject to change)
Contact Information: see website
Facebook: Yes
Website: www.Proctors.org
