Simple Gifts Performs

Partnerships are roots that nourish a flowering society. Alone we can do but in a partnership we do double, triple or more.

Simple Gifts is a partnership of 2 women, a dozen stringed instruments made to pluck, strum, hammer or bow, a bellows and some recorders that take a simple breath and pull it into a vibrant rainbow of sound. Simple Gifts, Karen Hirshon and Linda Littleton, gave their music to enthusiastic reception at the David A. Howe Library with funding from one of its partners, the Allegany Arts Association.

One element of the concert was the open sharing of information about the instruments and the music which included tunes from Irish, American, Klezmer, Gypsy, Balkan and Indian roots. There was even a lesson in how to play the smallest and most easily acquired instrument – the soup spoons.

Hirshon and Littleton have been partners in music for 13 years. They said that when people get along and make good music, it’s hard to quit. They form an “alternate universe” and it feels, and sounds, like home.

After the program, Aydrianna Weimer said, “The concert was great. I especially liked that they knew different tunes and styles and they smiled a lot.”

Aydrianna, a 4^th grader in Wellsville who plays recorder and intends to play flute soon, claimed the Shruti box as her favorite instrument. The Shruti is an Indian instrument that consists of reeds powered by a foot operated bellows. Hirshon said that the instrument is designed to be used during meditation but that it sounds great when it accompanies a flute and that’s how she first heard it.

Simple Gifts was the first program in Appalachia Rediscovered – a 2 month project funded in part by another Library partner, the Allegany County Area Foundation. Programs include academic lectures, concerts, films, classes, art exhibits and other events to address social, political, economical, environmental and cultural issues that have formed and continue to transform this thirteen-state region.

The full list of programs is at www. DavidaHoweLibrary.org (click on Appalachia Rediscovered on the left.) but here’s a partial list -

Allegany River Indian Dancers, Thurs, Oct 28, 7pm

Family Concert with Dave Ruch: Songs, Strings Spoons and More Fun with Appalachian Music
Sat, Sept 25, 10:30am

Creek Bend Band, Bluegrass, Thurs Nov 4, 7pm

Still Singing: The John C. Campbell Folk School, Betsy And Charley Orlando, Tues, Sept 28, 7pm

Leonard M. Adkins, Wildflowers of the Appalachian Trail, Thurs, Oct 21, 1:30pm

Music in Alfred in July

The Alfred Village Band has played marches and more in Alfred, NY on Wednesdays in July for nearly 60 years but this year they are giving Sousa and friends a year off. Mike Shoales, director of the band, generally hosts rehearsals in Andover School’s band room but this year the room is being stretched into the larger size he has needed for years. The renovations in Andover brought the band to the decision to put the music folders in storage and be tacit for the summer.

Linda Staiger, band member and MC, couldn’t bear having music free Wednesdays so she went into the community and organized a sing along, get lost in the words, toe tappin’ program from Rock to Folk to step back in time.

All concerts sponsored by the Alfred Village Band will be at 7:15 pm. Bring a chair and a friend to join us on the green on Main Street.

July 1 - The Vagabonds are a blues and rock band that has been playing in the Alfred area for the past five years. All graduates of Alfred Almond Central School the group includes Steve Kovalcik, John Diggins, Brian Butts, Pat Gaughan and Avery Maracek.

July 8 - Anton Flint – If you were lucky enough to attend the Allegany Players production of Jesus Christ Super Star you know that Anton is more than worth an evening of your time.


July 15- Rick Whitwood (photo above) - Whitwood is a lyricist deserving of an national and timeless audience. Consistently winning awards with songs arranged in partnership with George Cretekos, Rick and his guitar have voices that will stay in your mind.

July 22 – The Camelot Choraleers, based in Belmont and directed by Greg Shelley, is known for harmonic blends, varied programs and a bit of patriotic flair.

July 29 – Three of the members of The Vagabonds, Pat Gaughan, Avery Maracek and John Diggins, regrouped a few months ago to play jazz standards, fusion, and rock.

In the event of rain the programs will be held in the Union University Church Center.


Always free. Always fun. Put us on your calendar.

Valentine's Day - Love in Any Language

VALENTINE’S DAY with food, wine and song - will update with menu items as they are finalized


A romantic evening of food, wine and song await you on the perfect day – February 14. Alfred University’s Chamber Singers will put love on stage for you on Valentine’s Day. Listen, eat and drink in tender love songs while supporting some of AU’s finest vocalists.

The Allegany Arts Association is working in tandem with the Alfred University Chamber Singers to present this special evening. It will start at 7 p.m. with a cash bar serving wine, beer and soft drinks on the second floor of Howell Hall. Take your reserved seats at 7:45 and the Chamber Singers will deliver an array of hors d’oeuvres to your table to enjoy as the Chamber Singers croon their way through many languages. Before the finale, there will be sumptuous desserts with tea and coffee.

In addition to singing as a group, Chamber Singers will accept special requests and sing a song just for your special someone. Chamber Singers have quite the sense of humor so there’s no predicting just what will happen. Fluttering eyelashes? A song sung on bended knee? You may see a tie twirled here or a hand kissed there. While love is free, songs require a $5 donation.

The Chamber Singers perform under the direction of Dr. Luanne Crosby and the group is raising funds for a 2010 international concert tour and the fundraising of the Allegany Arts Association leads to free art workshops for children throughout Allegany County. But, the real goal is warm entertainment and fine food in the intimate and romantic Howell Hall on Valentine’s Day.

Seating will be limited to 80 so romantics and music lovers should purchase tickets early ($35/couple, $20 single/ $125 table of 8). For tickets in Wellsville go to Fisher’s Pharmacy or call Joanne Allen (585-593-5705). In Alfred stop by the Gallery or call Sandy Greiff (607-587-8372). (Sandy will have tickets in the Powell Campus Center on Thursdays prior to Bergren Forum presentations - 11:30 till 1 on January 29, Feb 5 and 12.)

Tickets must be prepaid. You may mail your check to Sandy at 10 Hill Street in Alfred, NY 14802 or pay directly through PayPal at AlleganyArts@hotmail.com. If using PayPal please specify that you are purchasing tickets for Love In Any Language and tell us the name to use for your reservation.

Check here again for updated notes on hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

The Allegany Arts Association is a not for profit dedicated to supporting the arts in Allegany County. It is not part of the Wellsville Creative Arts Center, not associated with the Allegany Artisans and not a branch of the Wellsville Art Association. The Allegany Arts Association was long represented by our dearly missed Willie Allen. Please see our blog for membership information.




Extra facts:
Susan B. Howell Hall is the lovely brick building with tall columns near the bell tower.

You may order tickets through PayPal at AlleganyArts@hotmail.com. If using PayPal please specify that you are purchasing tickets for Love In Any Language and tell us the name under which you would like your reservation saved.

hors d’oeuvres - a partial list
Sushi
Spinach balls
Humus and pita bread
guacamole
Deviled eggs
Cheeses
Crackers



Desserts planned are the following
Chocolate Chess Pie
Vegan Chocolate Chili Cake with Chocolate Ganache
Strawberry Meringue Hearts
Rum Cake
Sugar Free and other pies from Terry-Friday-Is-Pie-Day
and more still in the planning.

Tea and Coffee will also be served.

To continue your evening at home - the Allegany Arts Association has 10 bottles of wine donated by (check back later for this information ) to be raffled. Wine raffle tickets will be 1 for $1, 3 for $2 or 10 for $5. There will be ten winners - more if we are able to procure more wine.

The Allegany Arts Association is not for profit dedicated to supporting the arts in Allegany County. It is NOT a part of the Wellsville Creative Arts Center, Not part of the Allegany Artisans NOT a branch of the Wellsville Art Association. The Allegany Arts Association was long represented by our dearly missed Willie Allen. Please see side bar for membership information.

Snow Emergency on 2-14-2009 is a possibility so we expect to have Sunday, 2-15-2009 as our snow date. We will amend this notice as soon as possible. Thank you.

Neil Jacobs performs for the Allegany Arts Association

April 25
David A Howe Public Library
Auditorium
Neil Jacobs in Concert

"For more than 25 years, Jacobs has circumnavigated the globe performing his exotic hybrid of gypsy jazz, flamenco, and Eastern European Folk on solo 12-string guitar" - Guitar Player Magazine

Neil Jacobs is truly a masterful performer on the 12 string guitar. With his own captivating style of playing that the St. Louis Riverfront Times describes as "mesmerizing" and the Austin Chronicle describes as "the rockin'est since early Leo Kottke". Neil covers the world vibe with music diverse as Gypsy, World, Balkan Folk, Jazz, Classical and Modern Fingerstyle, while transforming his 12-string guitar into his own personal orchestra. Neil draws inspiration from his world travels and experiences, and shares his fascinating stories with his audience.

"Jacobs has the ability to make his 12-string sound like 24 strings being played by three people" Malcolm X Abram, Akron Beacon Journal

"Imagine Russian cowboy music. Imagine flamenco joined with Balkan dances. Imagine one guy doing all that while sounding like a whole orchestra. That's what 12-string guitar virtuoso, Neil Jacobs, offered"
The Cleveland Sun Messenger

Visit www.neiljacobs.com for audio clips, photos and more of this extraordinary performer and be sure to watch his performance in April - a fund raiser for the Summer Arts Festival.

Harmonica Class with Rich Shear

2008 was the second year of popular harmonica lessons taught by Rich Shear. By day he's a mild mannered shoe store proprietor but in the evening Rich can wail on his harmonica with Steel Door.

Steel Door is the creation of left-handed guitarist Dwight Allen. Singing with the group are Dwight's wife Gail and daughter Lyndsey. Chris Dahill, Tom Kailbourn, Scott Grantier and sometimes Cort and Dan Dunham are also in the group. Rich not only spices the music with harmonica but also belts out mean Mick Jagger vocals.

Here are some photos of Rich in his newest-persona as harmonica teacher where he kept to the basics. He feels sure some of the kids will be hooked on the mouth harp and always play - just like him.

The Allegany Arts Association would like to publicly thank Rick Whitwood at the Music Alley for graciously hosting lessons in his store, gratis.

Photos by board member, Eleanor Cott.