Schenectady Today — In and Around the Capital Region
Photographs by Malcolm Kogut
Filmed at Open Stage Media, Proctors, Schenectady
© Copyright 2016, Ann Parillo. All rights reserved.
Segment One

Iroquois Traditions – Stephanie Marie Fox, Storyteller and Dance
Iroquois Traditions
Guest: Stephanie Marie Fox, Storyteller and Dance
Stephanie’s Specialties Include:
- Iroquois Cultural Programs Iroquois Social Dancing Stories From The Longhouse
- Learn To Speak Mohawk Sit and Dance for Elders
- Partner Dancing to Ballroom, Latin, and Swing Dance Music
- Haudenosaunee (Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy) Cultural Programs *Haudenosaunee programs are presented in regalia, traditional clothing now worn only for ceremonial purposes and special occasions. Iroquois Social Dancing
• Learn about the Iroquois through traditional songs, social dances, and stories appropriate for all ages. • Dancing plays a large part in the creation story and is used to give thanks, uplift spirits, and welcome visitors. • Dances such as the Alligator Dance, Robin Dance, and Rabbit Dance are fun for the whole family!
Foxy Trot Dance uses music, movement & meaningful connections to optimize community, group, and individual wellness through stories and dance.
Organization: Foxy Trot Dance LLC
Contact Information: [email protected]
Facebook: Yes “Foxy Trot Dance”
Website: www.FoxyTrotDance.com
Segment Two

Michael Eck, Publicist ONCE
Tony Award Winner Once – at Proctors
Michael Eck, Publicist ONCE
ONCE tells the story of an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, their unexpected friendship and collaboration evolves into a powerful but complicated romance, heightened by the raw emotion of the songs they create together.
Brought to the stage by an award-winning team of visionary artists and featuring an ensemble cast of gifted actor/musicians, ONCE is a musical celebration of life and love: thrilling in its originality, daring in its honesty… and unforgettable in every way.
ONCE, winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and winner of the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and was also named Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics’ Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Awards, ran for more than 1,100 performances on Broadway with acclaimed international productions from London and Melbourne to Japan and South Korea.
Event: Once – Proctors Broadway Tour
Location of event: Proctors 432 State St. Sch’dy
Date/Time: May 10-15 event
Cost: $20 to $80
Contact Information: Box Office 518-346-6204
Facebook: Yes
Website: www.Proctors.org
Segment Three

Haydn’s The Seasons by Octavo Singers – Curtis Funk, Artistic Director The Octavos’ Annual Spring Concert
Haydn’s The Seasons by Octavo Singers
Curtis Funk, Artistic Director The Octavos’ Annual Spring Concert
This featured piece is Haydn’s last big work and is considered to be one of his crowning achievements even though it’s not performed as frequently as some of his others.
Organization: Octavo Singers
Event: Haydn’s The Seasons (Oratorio)
Location of event: First Reformed Church in the Schenectady Stockade
Date/Time: Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 pm
Cost: General Adm. $25; Seniors $20 and Students $15.
Contact Information: website
Facebook: Yes “Octavo Singers”
Website: www.OctavoSingers.org
Segment Four

Wedding Secrets! – Joe Starzyk, Playwright/Actor; Aileem Penn, Actor and Suzanne Baker, Actor
Wedding Secrets!
Joe Starzyk, Playwright/Actor; Aileem Penn, Actor and Suzanne Baker, Actor
Wedding Secrets is an hysterical farce and the winner of the 2012 Mclaren Comedy Playwriting Award. It is the story of a young couple (Bill and Susan) who meet, have a whirlwind romance, fall in love, and secretly marry. As they go to meet their respective families, they try to break the news slowly by announcing that they are engaged. When the families gather we learn that the couple aren’t the only ones with secrets. In the end love tries to conquer all, but first it must encounter an Irish Revolutionary, Bing Crosby, the Phantom of the Opera, impotence, and lots of ties.
Their Mission is: To provide minority actors, directors, stage crew greater opportunities in the theater. The mission includes bringing theater into the lives of people who have not before experienced live theater.
Organization: — Soul Rebel Performance Troupe
Event: Wedding Secrets!
Location: Meader Little Theater on the Russell Sage Campus
Date/Time: May 20-29 — Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday 2:00 pm
Contact Information: 833-2621
Facebook: Yes “Soul Rebel Performance Troupe”
Website: www.SoulRebelPerformanceTroupe.org
Segment Five

Classic Theater Guild’s School for Scandal – Jonathan Riven, Director; Erica Johnson “Lady Teazle” and Cameron Duwe “Joseph Surface”
Classic Theater Guild’s School for Scandal
Jonathan Riven, Director; Erica Johnson “Lady Teazle” and Cameron Duwe “Joseph Surface”
Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s classic, The School for Scandal will be presented in staged reading format by Classic Theater Guild beginning on Friday, May 13th, 2016.
Originally produced in London in 1777, this classic comedy of manners highlights the imagined role of gossip and “reputation” in the social circles of “fashionable London” at a time when societal structure was changing. Part satire, part social commentary, and pure comedy, this brilliant piece of theatrical wit is as relevant today as it was when in first appeared in the 1700s. A classic produced the world over, The School for Scandal stages some of the most hilarious dialogue ever written and has endured as a widely successful play.
This five-act play has an approximate running time of 2 ½ hours, and is suitable for all ages though it may be of most interest to teens and adults.
In staged reading format, the Classic Theater Guild will present a true-to-original production with simple sets and costumes, and actors with scripts in hand. Directed by theater veteran Jonathan Riven,
The School for Scandal will run at Classic Theater Guild at 137 State Street, Schenectady, on Friday, May 13th; Saturday, May 14th; and Sunday, May 15th; and again on Friday, May 20th; Saturday, May 21st; and Sunday, May 22nd. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30pm. Sunday performances are at 2:00pm.
Organization: Classic Theater Guild
Event: School for Scandal
Location: Classic Theatre Guild Offices, 137 State Street, Schenectady, NY
Date/Time: May 13-22 — Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14 at 7.30 pm; Sunday, May 15 at 2 pm. Also Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21 at 7.30 pm; Sunday, May 22 at 2pm.
Cost: $11
Contact Info: For additional information please call Jonathan Riven at 518-210-5288.
Segment Five

Comedy Night at Quest – Judy Atchinson, Founder
Comedy Night at Quest
Judy Atchinson, Founder
Plans are underway for a monthly comedy night led by Joe Green.
Judy is also looking for volunteers, mentors and new Board Members.
Contact her for more information through their website.
Organization: Quest of Schenectady
Event: Comedy Night at Quest
Location: 826 State St. Sch’dy
Website: www.SchenectadyQuest.org