Beacon Bits - Get Jazzy

A Concert of Jazz Standards

performed by

When:       October 13, 2018 

                      4:30 PM

Where:        Saint Andrew’s 

                Episcopal Church

17 South Avenue 

Beacon, NY 12508

Reception to follow

St. Andrew’s is a member of BeaconArts

Come, September!

September Trio 

Sara Heaton – Voice 

Yalin Chi - Piano 

Sam Ross – Clarinet

Come join us for a well-crafted Second Saturday concert with selections  from Handel, Strauss, Debussy, Schubert, Verdi, Sondheim, Bassi and Villalobos  on September 8, 2018 at 4pm in the sanctuary of  St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 15 South Ave, Beacon NY. Reception to follow.

Sara Heaton – Voice  

American soprano Sara Heaton, praised for her “gleaming lyricism” by Opera News Online and her “sweet, pure soprano” by the Chicago Tribune, enjoys a rich career on the opera and concert stage. She has performed with The Metropolitan Opera, The Santa Fe Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Opera Boston, Boston Baroque, Odyssey Opera, American Opera Projects, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Boston Midsummer Opera, Opera in the Heights, the Xalapa Orchestra, The Greater Bridgeport Symphony, The Santa Fe Symphony, Symphony by the Sea, North Country Chamber Players, and Walden Chamber Players, among others. Sara is currently a member of The Metropolitan Opera Chorus.Sara made her Metropolitan Opera solo debut in the lauded 2018 production of Cendrillon as a Spirit and Servant. 

Yalin Chi – Piano  

Originally from Beijing, China, Yalin Chi made her début with the Central Opera Orchestra before moving to the United States to study at Interlochen Arts Academy. Yalin has performed at venues including Alice Tully Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Kumho Art Hall in Seoul, Korea, and ZhongShan Music Hall in Beijing China. As an orchestral musician, Yalin regularly performs with Albany Symphony, New Jersey Festival Orchestra, and has held the principal keyboard position at the Hudson Valley Philharmonic since 2014. Yalin studied with Seymour Lipkin and Jerome Lowenthal at the Juilliard School where she earned both undergraduate and Masters of Music degrees, and continued studies with Peter Frankl at Yale School of Music before joining the West Point Band in 2008. 

Sam Ross – Clarinet  

Clarinetist Sam Ross is an active chamber and orchestral musician in the greater New York Area. Sam joined the West Point Band in September of 2012 as their E-flat clarinetist. He performs with the Academy Wind Quintet which is also part of the band. Originally from Russellville, Arkansas, Sam earned his Bachelor of Music in clarinet performance from the University of Arkansas, where he studied with Nophachai Cholthitchanta, and his Master of Music from the University of North Texas, where he studied with John Scott and Daryl Coad. While at North Texas, Sam performed with and recorded multiple CDs with the North Texas Wind Symphony. Following his master’s program, he began studies with Greg Raden, principal clarinetist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. In 2011, Sam won third prize in the International Clarinet Association Young Artist Competition in Northridge, California. 

Beacon Bits - Knitting Away

I have not been blogging because I've been too busy knitting since my last post about Loopy Mango. I went to the Eleanor Roosevelt Knit-In, an annual event in Hyde Park, in early May and was thrilled to learn about the knitting habits of Eleanor, who always had a project in her hands when Franklin read.

And then I went to a knitting retreat on Block Island sponsored by North Light Fibers with workshops provided by Thea Coleman and Bristol lvy; a truly magical weekend.

But now it is time for the annual World Wide Knit In Public day and we are happy to be hosting another event at St. Andrew's Church in Beacon where our own knitting community can gather and learn how knitting can be a truly subversive event and one in which community can be built together, one stitch at a time!

Join us for the World Wide Knit in Public Day

"Knit Us As One"

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 15 South Avenue, Beacon, NY

Saturday June 9, 2018 from 2pm-6pm

This is the 3rd year "Knit Us As One" has been a registered participant in the WWKIP event (www.wwkipday.com/knit-us-one/). This year's theme will focus on charity knitting, knitting in literature, and the chance to make a small project using materials/instructions provided to 'yarn bomb' the local gathering of 'resist' protest located near Beacon's Visitor's, which is down the street from the church. A special appearance by "St. Andie", the knitting patron made by participants in 2016, will inspire attendees to knit and crochet with community members. 

The event will occur rain or shine. There are chairs, but you can bring your own for outdoor seating, if you prefer. Bring any drinks or food you may require. Some beverages and light snack will be available. Bring personal projects, yarn, needles.

Guest speaker, Dr. Cecilia Macheski, who was the keynote speaker at the

Eleanor Roosevelt Knit-In this year, will present details about knitting in literature, suitable for avid knitters or book club members. She will knit with the group and informally address attendees at various times throughout the event.

Beacon Bits - Knitters Can Be Loopy

Knitters are becoming more plentiful and omnipresent. And it is always great to see a new perspective on an old craft. It was great to finally get into the new local store, Loopy Mango: Made for Making, with its own very special twist on merino yarn. Designed and manufactured by the owners of the store, they have a unique angle on a market that is always welcoming to working with fibers that lend themselves to projects that are distinct, durable and eye-catching.

My visit was short but long enough to take in the various hues and weights of the yarn. I will be returning to get my hands on some of the yarn to make yet another baby blanket once I know the gender of the baby with a summer delivery date. And I will certainly keep a look out for the class schedule on their website. I would definitely predict the store will be a fixture on Main Street for years to come despite yarns stores in the Hudson Valley coming and going (e.g., Out of the Loop in Hopewell Junction is slated to close; one in Cold Spring planning to open when a building renovation takes place after years of a hiatus since the popular Knittingsmith closed about 8 years ago.) The yarns offered at Loopy Mango are not competitive with those offered at Beetle and Fred (e.g., Brooklyn Tweed) on the other side of Main Street. It's nice to know Beacon is big enough for two stores with great yarns for local knitters!

Food for thought: As a maker (long before we called ourselves that) and a community participant, it makes me happy to announce that the "Knit Us As One" group will meet again for the third year as a registered participant in the World Wide Knit in Public Day, to be held on Saturday, June 9th from 2pm-6pm at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. This year's theme will be 'yarn bombing' and we may plan a visit to the group that gathers on the corner of Main Street and Route 9D every Saturday afternoon to have some fun as we knit an item or two to 'resist'. Plan on joining us. You will be able to find information on the WWKIP website. 

Beacon Bits - Raising Funds and Lifting Up the Community

In the last two months, I attended two fundraisers in Beacon to add to the multiple events I have attended in the past seven years, including dinners and dances for the Beacon Sloop Club and its refurbished Woodie Guthrie, auctions for Common Ground Farm and its green initiatives, a folk rally and beer tasting for the restoration of the Beacon Theater before it was relegated to become apartments, and the Howland Public Library friend-raiser. What marked the last two events was the size of the crowd of attendees and the spirit of those present to support the cause and meet and greet neighbors and friends, old and new. 

In December, More Good led the way with an organized gala at the Hudson Valley Brewery to raise money to provide wells for water through generosity.org for those who cannot take it for granted. Founder and owner Jason Schuler is a dedicated social entrepreneur who has the right formula for growing his business in an enlightened manner and his good karma is paying off in so many ways. It was a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season!

In January, Beacon Arts supported a Roaring 20's event at the Dennings Point Distillery to raise money for Beacon Open Studios. Who knew that the local distilleries would garner attention from those who may not turn out to have a glass of beer or bourbon drink, but still know how to raise a glass and have a dance or two with friends or family. Charleston or not, it was a great evening event that was staged to the nines for the historical theme with fitting garb and costumes, excellent music, and special drinks in a speak-easy ambience. It was a treat to join in and help  to create the scene!

Food for thought: Raising funds for nonprofits will become more necessary as funding for the arts and the environment are reduced by spending cuts and philanthropic slow downs. It is also an essential way for building community awareness and support for the local issues that may also have global impact. If every organization in Beacon that represents the interests of artists, musicians, foodies, and conservationists could sponsor one fundraiser per year, the calendar year would be filled with weekly events to choose from as we move through the seasons. It's another way to put Beacon on the map with unique style and it is a wonderful way to keep connecting newcomers to old-timers in order to continue to build a grateful, altruistic and sharing community.

Support the Dutchess Junction Fire Station's annual dinner on Saturday, Feburary 17th, 4-8pm
located at 75 Slocum Road on Route 9D, Beacon NY!!

Beacon Bits - Stop Walking in Circles -- Choose the Labyrinth

SOUND/PEACE

Seeking Harmony in Dissonant Times

An immersive sonic experience accompanied by the changing light of the setting sun.

Featuring a Labyrinth for walking meditation.

Sound/Peace (Seeking Harmony in Dissonant Times) will take place at 4:00 on Saturday, February 10 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Beacon, New York.

This performance features a combination of electronic and acoustic instruments and aims to create a serene, contemplative atmosphere for deep listening where one can decompress and relax. This event also features a 36 Foot canvas labyrinth where audience members can explore a walking meditation. Pillows and mats are welcome and encouraged.

The performance will take place over approximately two hours as the sun sets. The space will be illuminated by natural light and the performance will end as darkness falls. 

Musicians:

Craig Chin: Guitar and Loops

Andy Rinehart: Accordion and Piano

Location:

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

15 South Ave

Beacon, NY 12508

Performance Time:

4:00PM 

Saturday, February 10, 2018

A simple reception with refreshments to follow.

Food for thought: Walking the labyrinth is a deepening and soulful experience, which can only be enhanced with the soundscape and errant music created by Craig Chin and Andy Rinehart. Craig Chin graced the church during  the initial walking meditation using the labyrinth last year. Join the community in this unique and spiritual practice and come into the sanctuary to pray, meditate, reflect, hope, keep the faith, and otherwise hold up thoughts of finding peace in these challenging times. It is intended for those who find themselves needing to travel with others who want to stay the course and walk the path of justice, freedom and peace.