Unity Hall Press Release Archive


Cincinnati Creek
The Lomeo Brothers 7-9-2011
The White Hots 6-11-2011
Rusty Doves 5-6-2011
Mike Powell 4-9-2011
2010 Festival of Lights 12-12-2010
New York Amish 12-4-2010
North Country Stage At Unity Hall 3-17, 18,19-2011
Off The Wall 11-20-2010
The Cocktail Hour 9-17-2010
Puttin' On The Ritz 9-12-2010
Jeremy Wallace 7-17-2010
Leon Etienne 7-10-2010
Rusty Doves 5-21-2010
St. Patricks Kick-Off Party 2010
Festival of Lights 2009      
Barbershoppe Quartets 2009
 

Event: Moon Over Buffalo

Date/Time: Thur. Nov. 17, Fri. Nov. 18, Sat. Nov. 19 - 8pm

Admission: $15 / $18

The return of live theater to Unity Hall in Barneveld in March was welcomed by large audiences that enjoyed North Country Stage's excellent production of On Golden Pond.

The closing production of the inaugural season of North Country Stage at Unity Hall will be  performances of Ken Ludwig's Moon Over Buffalo on November 17, 18 & 19 (8pm).

Director Brian Ure has assembled a stellar cast for the Barneveld production of the play that opened on Broadway in 1995 with Carol Burnett, who won a Tony for her performance in the uproariously funny production. It will be performed on the Unity Hall Stage with a cast that includes Rayna Schneider, Allen Solomon, Sarah Beasley, Aaron Ure, Gordie Felt, Dave Fuerst, Laurie Marshall and Kim Wilder.

The plot is a story of an over the hill acting couple on tour in Buffalo in the 1950's with a repertory of two plays, Noel Coward's Private Lives and Cyrano de Bergerac.   They receive news that renowned film director Frank Capra is coming to catch their act and might offer them starring roles in his movie The Scarlet Pimpernel.

The remote possibility leads to sure-fire hilarity when mistaken identities and misunderstandings create a kind of mayhem fans of great comedy will love.

Tickets are available for $15 at Adirondack Cheese Company on Rt. 12 in Barneveld.   Night of show tickets will be $15 at the door for Unity Hall members and $18 for non-members.

A limited number of Director's Circle tickets are available for seats in the first two rows.  Director's Circle tickets are $20 for members and $22 for non-members.

Tickets may also be reserved by e-mailing   tickets@unityhall.com   or by phoning (315) 520-
8231, or by e-mailing your request to tickets@unityhall.com.

Information about this and other Unity Hall events is available online at unityhall.com, and Facebook/unityhallbarneveldny

Event: Puttin' On The Ritz

Date/Time: Friday, September 9, 7-9pm

Admission: $10 / $12


Puttin’ On the Ritz, the party that became a band, makes a rare concert appearance at the Hall on Friday September 9th,  from 7 to 9 pm.

Event: Cincinnati Creek

Date/Time: Friday, August 12, 8pm

Admission: $10 / $12

 

Unity Hall welcomes area favorites Cincinnati Creek to the stage of its historic theater in Barneveld for an evening of outstanding acoustic entertainment on Friday, August 12 at 8p.m.

Lori Thompson, Chris Pepe, and Gary Dygert performed with Stump Hollow. When Carl Stump and Suzanne Privet retired in 2008, Thompson, Pepe and Dygert decided to carry on their nearly two decade tradition of playing great bluegrass  music together by forming Cincinnati Creek.
 

The mix of bluegrass, original compositions and gospel Cincinnati Creek delivers in live performances quickly earned the group acceptance in the ranks of those who love bluegrass and other forms of acoustic music, and bookings at venues and festivals throughout the region.

Lori Thompson began playing mandolin in her family band at age 16.  She has been writing songs ever since.  She plays mandolin, guitar and sings both lead and harmony vocals for Cincinnati Creek.  Inspired by family, friends and area folklore, Thompson's songs give voice to local legends like  the notorious Loomis Gang (The Ghost of Wash Loomis). the Forestport Breaks (Where the Black River Flows) that bring characters and places to life in song.


Chris Pepe plays banjo and sings harmony on a few tunes too.  His outstanding picking and good humor are a great addition to the band.  Playing the banjo since 1992,  he and Lori have been performing together for 18 years.
 
Multi-instrumentalis Gary Dygert plays guitar, dobro, and mandolin in the Creek.  He also sings lead and harmony vocals. As the group’s official “musicologist,” Gary adds many traditional tunes to the group’s repertoire. Gary has performed in many other local bands over the years such as Midnight Flyer and Keeping it Country. 
 

Cathy Martin plays upright bass and sings harmony as well.  Although relatively new to bluegrass, Cathy has years of performing experience with both the Remsen Community Choir and the Steuben Players. 

The group's latest CD,  Lori Thompson and Cincinnati Creek-Doing As We Please, was released in August 2010 and is available through cdbaby.com and tallcottonmusic.com. 

This event is sponsored by the Unity Hall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at 315-520-8231

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Event: Lomeo Brothers Concert

Date/Time: Saturday, July 9 2011 / 8pm

Admission:

The Lomeo Brothers will perform both an acoustic and an electric set during their concert appearance in the historic theater at Unity Hall in Barneveld, New York on Saturday, July 9, 2011.

When just 10 and 12 years-old, Matt and Adam Lomeo were not just making music – they were making history.  The brothers received international attention when they performed at Woodstock ’99 festival, making them the youngest act Michael Lang had ever booked.

Lang, also the lead figure of the 1969 Woodstock festival, did not book the youngsters for novelty sake.  He added them to the lineup because he was blown away by their level of talent. So was the national audience that caught them on MTV that August.

Matt (harmonica and lead vocals and Adam (lead electric and slide guitar) have expanded their musical range and continue to win praise from audiences as well as other artists. The Lomeo Brothers have wowed crowds at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Q in Syracuse, the Chenango Blues Festival, Oswego’s Harbor Fest, the Mohawk Valley Blues Fest and the Finger Lakes Wine Fest, performed with national recording artists Sugar Blue, Little Charlie & the Nightcats, Ernie Williams, Blue Highway and shared the stage with Coco Montoya, John Mooney, The Iguanas and dozens of other acts.

The Lomeo Brothers released their debut CD, 21^st Century Blues, in 2000.  Education, live performing and other things kept them too busy to record a follow-up, but recent studio sessions impressed a national record label representative enough for him to say the duo has ‘huge potential’.

Adam graduated with high honors from William Paterson University in New Jersey, where he was the 2009 Recipient of the Outstanding Musician Award. Studying jazz guitar under Gene Bertoncini, Adam himself is now an instructor at his alma mater as well as the Christine Academy and has taught at MVCC. Matt is attending Hunter College in New York City.

Impressed audiences and critical acclaim has followed every Lomeo Brothers performance. 

The Rome Observer credited the Lomeos for “…stimulating overwhelming responses from blues lovers of all ages’ and called their talent “…nothing short of amazing."

The Rochester Free Times praised them for “a sound that surpasses their young years and surprises audiences of all kinds’, saying The Lomeos,  “…deliver the blues in an impressive manner.”

Tickets for the Lomeo Brothers performance at Unity Hall are $10 in advance and for Unity Hall Foundation members at the door, and $12 for non-members at the door.  Information about where to get advance sale tickets will be released in May.

This event is sponsored by the Unity Hall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at 315-520-8231

Event: White Hots Concert

Date/Time: Saturday, June 11, 8pm

Admission: $10 / $12 or @ table discount rates

Unity Hall in Barneveld swings with a cabaret night of live music featuring The White Hots on Saturday, June 11, 2011.  This outstanding group of players has earned a great following and critical acclaim for live performances that feature everything from gentle jazz influenced pieces to rollicking swing music.
 
Cabaret seating with room for dancing will make the night with The White Hots in the historic performing arts center in Barneveld a special occasion.  Food and wine will be available in the upstairs theater during the performance.  Tickets can be purchased individually, or by table at an additional discount. 
 
Members of a blues band a decade ago, Aleks Disljenkovic (guitar), Ted Mosher (bass)  and Tom Hanney (harmonica) decided to explore some different musical territory. Jazz guitarist Steve Greene attended their first gig and was so blown away by what he heard that he asked to join them.  The White Hots also attracted the attention of vocalist Tina Albright.  The Eastman graduate has comfortable command throughout the wide range of material and styles the White Hots cover.
 
Concert appearances and the group’s three CD’s have established the White Hots as one of the premier bands on the swing dance circuit.  Richard Newman, creative director of the Rochester Swing Dance Network calls the White Hots “…simply wonderful’, but notes, ‘…there’s nothing simple about them or their music, there’s cool stuff going on at every level.’  Jason Crane of WGMC-FM proclaims, ‘The White Hots are to the blues what the Modern Jazz Quartet was to Jazz; intelligent, open-minded and swinging.  These are four true musicians who know how to listen, how to play and how to have a great time doing both.’
 
Named for a spicy western New York specialty hot dog, the White Hots serve up great songs with a flare and style that is both tasty and satisfying.  Video clips can be viewed on the Unity Hall web site, www.unityhall.com.
 
General admission tickets will be $10 in advance at Adirondack Cheese Company on Rt. 12 in Barneveld starting May 20th. General admission tickets are $10 Unity Hall Foundation members and $12 for non members at the door. Tables for 2 ($18) and tables for 6 ($50) may be reserved in advance by e-mailing tickets@unityhall.com or by calling (315)-520-8231.  Please provide your name, table size desired and your contact information when submitting your reservation request. 
 
The White Hots  concert is sponsored by the Tent Gallery and the Unity Hall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com.

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Event: The Rusty Doves

Place: Unity Hall – 101 Vanderkemp Ave. Barneveld, NY

Date / Time: Friday, May 6, 2011 - 8pm

Admission: $10 / $12

The always enthralling Rusty Doves bring their unique and refreshing take on timeless tunes back to Unity Hall on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 8pm. Alyssa Stock  and Jerry Dee's interpretations of bluegrass, swing, pop and old-time jazz standards, as well as their own original material has made for consistently outstanding performances at the hall.  Covering a range of artists as diverse as Leonard Cohen, Fats Waller, Radiohead, The Animals and Metallica, the Doves both defy categorization and exceed expectations every time and every place they play. 

Alyssa Stock plays mandolin and handles the lead vocals.  Her extraordinary voice transitions smoothly, giving poignant, tender and powerful voice to the wide range of material she and Jerry Dee cover in a typical set. Dee, on upright bass, is equally versatile thanks to a musical background that includes classical training on the bass and time spent in reggae, funk, rock and jazz-fusion bands. Jerry's style has been described as playing the bass "like a dance partner- with agility, command and a steady rhythmic excitement that becomes contagious."

From bars to concert halls, the Doves command performances have won this duo a following that includes fans that love a diverse range of music but share an appreciation for the unique interpretations Alyssa and Jerry are able to bring to the music.  The ‘live’ acoustics of the upstairs theater make Unity Hall a great place to catch the Rusty Doves in concert.  Don’t miss the chance to catch two of the regions most talented and entertaining musicians live in a venue perfectly suited to their style.

Tickets are $10 if reserved in advance or for Unity Hall Foundation members.  Tickets at the door will be $10 for foundation members and $12 for non members.  Reservations and group discounts can be arranged by e-mailing tickets@unityhall.com.  Food and refreshments will be available.

This event is sponsored by the Unity Hall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at 315-520-8231

Event: Mike Powell Concert

Date/Time: Saturday, April 9, 8pm

Admission: $10 / $12

Mike Powell was just thirteen when he stumbled across a dusty black case in the attic of his Carthage, NY farm house while looking for an old lacrosse stick. Opening that case opened a new chapter in his life. In it, he discovered a beat-up guitar his Father had played years ago. Hardly discouraged that the instrument had only three rusted strings, the young Powell was enthralled. He posed with the guitar, pretending to be Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, even video taping himself lip synching to their records.

Unsure whether his parents would permit him to to play the antique instrument, Powell snuck the guitar in and out of the attic each night. Over time, he learned to craft bass lines with the three remaining strings on the  guitar, laying down the foundation over which he would lay his poetry.

Consumed with the art of songwriting. He was eventually discovered playing in the attic by his Mother and she agreed to get him new strings as long as he agreed to treat the guitar with respect.

More than a decade has passed, but Powell remains consumed by the emotions associated with the songwriting and performing process. In a recent interview, Powell describes the process of songwriting as "bregotanova." The term is based on a crazy dream a friend of Powell's described to him. The dream involved hearing music that was the most incredible thing that had ever hit his ear drums. Every beat of the drum was pure, every stroke of the guitar was crisp and emotive, and the lyrics were sung as if they were exiting the lungs of an angel.

The word BREGOTANOVA repeatedly flashed throughout the dream. Neither Powell or his friend knew the origin or the definition of the word, but it came represent a performance standard Powell tries to reach every time he records or performs live.

He explains it as the moment in music when you forget about everything.... "You lose touch with reality and you enter a dream world. You forget about your job, your family, you even forget you’re alive. Every hair on your body stands at attention as your mind, your heart, your soul, and your body become so stimulated that you become hypnotized in a sense. From the moment my pen hits the paper I feel like I am hypnotized."

Tickets for Mike Powell are $10 if reserved in advance.  They will be $10 for Unity Hall Foundation members and $12 for non-members at the door. To reserve tickets in advance, e-mail tickets@unityhall.com.  Please put 'Mike Powell tickets' in the subject line.

A look and listen gives you a good sense of how committed to his music Mike is and why his performances are ones people remember for a long, long time.

Tickets are $10 Unity Hall Foundation and $12 for non members at the door. Tickets can be reserved in advance by e-mailing tickets@unityhall.com or by calling (315)-520-8231.


This event is sponsored by the Unity Hall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at 315-520-8231

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2010 Festival of Lights Program

Date: December 12, 2010, 4:30 - 8p

Location: Unity Hall - 101 Vanderkemp Ave. Barneveld, NY

Admission: Free


Sunday, December 12, Barneveld will be a-glow with old holiday charm as village residents line their walkways and drives with luminaries.  A festive atmosphere will also be present inside Unity Hall, the community’s historic performing arts center, where the annual Festival of Lights program will take place.

The fun begins at 4:30 when Santa and storytellers greet children by the fireplace in the first floor parlor. Cookies and beverages will be served.

Holiday entertainment takes to the Unity Hall stage starting at 5:30.  Hosted by Bill Hinge,  our 2010 program includes music you can sing along to from Dan Evans & Pete Ruben,  members of the Poland Central School chorus and band, pianist Kaitlyn Leahy, the Canal Street Barbershoppe Quartet and other special guests. 

A Pot-Luck Dinner follows at 6:30.  Those attending the dinner are asked to bring their own place setting and a dish that can be shared with up to 6 people.

All events are free, and open to all.  Come for some, or come for all of them!

Luminaries will be distributed to Barneveld village homes during the week leading up to the event.  Each house will be provided with 6 candles, bags and the sand to anchor the bags.  Additional bags may be picked up at the Town of Trenton Municipal Center Wednesday, 12/8 – Friday 12/10 during regular hours of operation while supplies last.  Bags will also be available at Unity Hall on Sunday, 12/12 starting at 3pm.

Join friends and neighbors to celebrate the Holidays during this Unity Hall Open House.  The event is sponsored by the Unity Hall Foundation, the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Trenton and the Village of Barneveld.

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New York Amish

Date, Time: Saturday, Dec. 4, 2pm

Location:  Unity Hall, 101 Vanderkemp Ave. Barneveld

Admission: Free

In a world in which technology is increasingly pervasive and change that happens overnight can be obsolete by the time the sun comes up, the Amish remain steadfastly rooted in a way of life that has chanced little over remarkably long periods of time.  Horse and buggies, barn raisings, hand crafted goods, time-tested agrarian methods... all are emblematic of the Amish way of life.

Increasing numbers of these hard-working, deeply principled people have come to settle in our region.  We see them more and more regularly, but most of us know little about them and have only a vague understanding of Amish traditions, beliefs and lifestyles. 

In the interest of increasing the knowledge and understanding in our region about our Amish neighbors, the Barneveld Library, the Unity Hall Foundation and the Unitarian Church of Barneveld have arranged to have Dr. Karen M. Johnson-Weiner, a professor with considerable insights into the Amish way of life in our region as well as other areas of the country, come to present a free community event about the Amish.  The program will be presented Saturday, December 4th at 2 pm in Unity Hall.

Dr. Karen M. Johnson-Weiner, who chairs the Department of Anthropology at SUNY Potsdam, is an engaging and informative speaker with 25 years of experience, respectful study and ‘participant observation’ within Amish communities.

Her book New York Amish: Life in the Plain Communities of the Empire State provides insights into the Amish way of life that Philip Arnold of Syracuse University notes, '...allows the reader to appreciate the variation and complexity of these communities in a respectful way.' James Hurd of Bethel University credits the book as giving '...ample evidence of the time she spent in intimate relationship with the New York Amish, her love for them , and her desire to present these people to others.'

We look forward to welcoming Dr. Johnson-Weiner to Unity Hall, and hope you can join her for what we are certain will be a fascinating program.

The Unity Hall Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at
315-520-8231.

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Live Theatre Returns to Unity Hall

Date: November 4, 5, 6, 2010  Time: 8:00pm

Location:  Unity Hall, 101 Vanderkemp Ave. Barneveld

Admission: $12 / $15

The Unity Hall Foundation and Image House Productions are teaming to bring live theater back to the stage of Unity Hall in Barneveld, New York.

The inaugural season of North Country Stage performances opens Thursday, March 17, 2010 with the first of three performances of On Golden Pond.  The play will also be staged on Friday and Saturday evenings, March 18 & 19.  Curtain time for all performances is 8 p.m.

The resumption of live theater at the historic regional performing arts center fulfills a commitment the Unity Hall Foundation Board has been working on for some time according to Tom Starr, acting president of the organization.  “Plays and musicals have consistently ranked at or near the top of things our patrons want to see at Unity Hall.  We are very fortunate to have a director as accomplished as Brian Ure in our area – and are thrilled that he the opportunity to work with him.” 

A former director of the Theatre Program at Holland Patent High School, Ure has directed and acted in dozens of highly acclaimed stage productions, including several at Unity Hall.  He appreciates the atmosphere of the theater at Unity Hall, calling it “…a great playhouse for either acting on stage or in the round”, and notes, “As an actor in a small theatre like Unity hall, you feel the intimacy of the audience.  As a theatre goer, watching a production at Unity Hall is like living within the story.”

Mr. Ure also has an extensive background in movie production and photography.  He earned a degree in filmmaking from the New York Film Academy.  In addition to directing the drama program, he taught photography, television/film and theatre during a 34 year career at Holland Patent High School. Ure and his son, Aaron, operate Image House Productions, a full-service film and photography production company based in Barneveld.

Starr notes, “On Golden Pond is about the end of a long relationship, but also a fine production to mark the beginning of a renewed association between the Unity Hall Foundation and this fine director.”  He credits Unity Hall Foundation board member Doug Churcher, a veteran of a number of regional stage productions, for his efforts in bringing the partnership to fruition.

Tickets to On Golden Pond are $12 for Unity Hall Foundation members and $15 for non-members.  Tickets may be reserved in advance by e-mailing your request to: tickets@unityhall.com.

More information about this and other upcoming Unity Hall events is available at www.unityhall.com.

The Unity Hall Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at 315-520-8231.

UNITY HALL FOUNDATION  PO Box 393 ~ Barneveld, NY 13304 315-520-8231  www.unityhall.com  

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Event: Off The Wall

Date: Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010

Time: 7:30 pm

Location:  Unity Hall, 101 Vanderkemp Ave. Barneveld

Admission: $10 / $12
 

In 2003, after many years of informal jamming, playing and performing as friends and in several bands, Larry Fox and Charlie Ingersoll formed Off the Wall. The name comes from their
unique song selections and tight, “brother duo” style harmonies. Off the Wall performs a
combination of Bluegrass, Folk, Americana, and Country style Roots Music in an acoustic form
that showcase their strong vocals. The addition of John Burton  in 2007 has strengthened the group with a third-part harmony vocal and added depth and range to the group's instrumental sound. 

Off The Wall has been pleasing crowds and building a strong fan base with appearances at the area's premier bluegrass events, including the Fox Family Festival, the Mohawk Valley Bluegrass Festival, the Tug Hill Bluegrass Festival, Kellish Hill Farms, and at Bill
Knowlton’s WCNY Bluegrass Ramble Picnic. They have also earned acclaim for their performances at the Kirkland Art Center, the Syracuse Folkus Project, and at a number of other venues throughout the region.

Larry Fox has been playing and singing, either in bands or solo, for over 35 years. His range gives him an equal command on everything from tender ballads to driving bluegrass numbers. He prefers songs that tell stories about life and the good and hard times that we all face, as well as the history and challenges of this great country we live in. His interpretation of songs is what makes him one of the best singers around.

Charlie Ingersoll grew up in a large musical household where instruments were always close at hand.  In his 40 years of playing, he has developed strong, distinctive vocals and become a fine guitarist and dobro player.

John Burton is an accomplished musician whose banjo, guitar, mandolin and vocal talents have earned him the respect and admiration of musicians and fans alike during his nearly four decades playing in and around Central new York. John and his previous band, Lost Time, performed an outstanding set of music at Unity Hall a few years ago.

The combined talents of these musicians make an Off the Wall concert a feast for the ears for any fan of great acoustic music.  The live acoustics of the theater at Unity Hall are perfectly suited to this evening of outstanding Bluegrass, Folk, Americana, and Country style Roots Music Off The Wall serves-up.

Tickets for Off The Wall are $10 for Unity Hall Foundation members and $12 for non-members.  They will be available at the door the night of the performance, and can be reserved in advance by e-mail or by phone at 315-520-8231.

The Unity Hall Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at 315-520-8231.

UNITY HALL FOUNDATION                             315-520-8231 – info@unityhall.com
PO Box 393 Barneveld, NY 13304                       
www.unityhall.com

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Event: The Cocktail Hour

Date: Friday, September 17, 2010

Time: 7:00 pm

Location:  Unity Hall, 101 Vanderkemp Ave. Barneveld

Admission: $8 

Mountain Theatre and the Unity Hall Foundation invite you to Cocktail Hour

Mountain Theatre Company’s second reader’s theatre production of the summer, “The Cocktail Hour” by A.R. Gurney will be held Friday September 17^th, 2010, at 7pm at Unity Hall in Barneveld, NY.

 John, a playwright, (Stephen Wick) has been invited for dinner and cocktails at his rather stuffy well-to-do parent’s suburban Buffalo home. Bradley (Dr. Carrol Turner) and Anne (Joyce Turner) have hired a cook to prepare the evening meal so that Anne isn’t stuck in the kitchen while everyone else including their daughter Nina (Kelly Hamlin) is enjoying the banter that takes place during cocktail hour. Bradley and Anne were hoping that their children would bring their spouses and also were hoping their most beloved son, Jigger, would show up with his family as well.

However, John has arrived with something that he knows will upset his father. A play he wrote about his parents and siblings is being produced in the city. This play hits too close to home for Bradley and is way too loud for Anne. “Write a book,” she says, “books are quiet.” They don’t like the bluntness of modern plays with nudity and vulgarity. They remember the era of the Erlanger Theatre with the likes of The Lunts and Ina Claire.

Mishaps in the kitchen abound, extending cocktails past the hour and forcing the family to deal with hidden shackles of their past and to convert pained resignation into cautious but hopeful anticipation of the future. While the play within the play that John has written infuses more recriminations and revelations, it also leads to some hilarious discoveries.

Cast

Carrol Turner (Bradley)—This isn’t the first time Carrol Turner has appeared with Mountain Theatre, but almost. Sailing in at the last moment in Ruthless, this cameo appearance had all the earmarks of decent slapstick. Having survived that, he decided to participate in this play reading. Turner served 20 years as Pastor of four different American Baptist Churches in Massachusetts and 17 years as the Executive Minister in Rochester, NY, and continues to operate Turner Camps on Fourth Lake, a housekeeping cottage colony that has been in the family 97 years.

Joyce Turner (Ann) was delighted to be in Mountain Theatre Company’s production of The Odd Couple (female version) in 2005—“lots of fun with a delightful cast.” Singing  “I Hate Musicals” as a biting theatre critic in Ruthless. Led to singing roles in Broadway musicals in Chicago area productions while proof reading for a Chicago play publisher and completing Bachelor and Graduate degrees in history and political geography. She met Carrol Turner on a raft in Green Lake, Wisconsin.  Moving east, the couple has lived in Rochester and Old Forge, NY ever since.


J. Stephen Wick (John, Set Design and Painting) is happy to be in the Adirondacks work on this special event. Stephen acted as a playwright in the M.T.C.’s production, Deathtrap. Wick had comedic roles in other shows he designed, such as All in the Timing, The Odd Couple and managed set work for several other productions. Wick studied at The Columbus College of Art and Design and earned his B.A. in Interior Design at the Art Institute of Atlanta. He is also on the board of the Fulton Chain of Lakes Performing Arts Council.

Kelly Hamlin (Nina) is very pleased to perform reader’s theatre once again with Mountain Theatre Company. Last year she made her theatrical debut in Old Forge with Over the River and Through the Woods.  Kelly has been a full-time resident of Old Forge for the last four years and is very involved with community.  "Back in the day" Kelly was involved in Oratorical contests and was part of All-State and All-County choruses

Alan Saban (Director) received his BFA in Acting/Directing from Florida Atlantic University after attending Florida School of the Arts and the Denver Center Theatre Academy. A few of his directing credits include Anastasia, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, Deathtrap, The Odd Couple, Greater Tuna and for the Old Forge Library, To The Chicago Abyss, and last year’s Over the River and Through the Woods as well as numerous other plays. He began as a dancer as a semifinalist in Dance Fever.  His acting credits include West Side Story, All The Way Home, Fame, Dames at Sea, Suddenly Last Summer, Rain, and Equus.

The 2-hour play with intermission, directed by Alan Saban is not suitable for children under the age of 12.

Tickets are $8.
This Readers Theatre production is presented by Mountain Theatre Company in association with the Old Forge Library, the Barneveld Library, the Prospect Library and the Holland Patent Library.

The Unity Hall Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at 315-520-8231.

UNITY HALL FOUNDATION                             315-520-8231 – info@unityhall.com
PO Box 393 Barneveld, NY 13304                       
www.unityhall.com

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Event: Puttin’ On The Ritz

Date: Sunday, September 12, 2010

Time: 7:30pm

Location:  Unity Hall, 101 Vanderkemp Ave. Barneveld

Admission: $10 / $12


Puttin’ On The Ritz is like that favorite shirt in your closet – the one you reach for when you want one that is comfortable and works whether you are dressing up, down or somewhere in between.  Flashy and trendy shirts that used to hang around it have come and gone, but the one you always feel good in is still there.

As with fashion, a lot of musical styles have appeared and disappeared since Matt Mielnick put together Puttin’ On The Ritz 31 years ago.  All but a few songs the band performs were around long before the group got together.  Like the band, they are songs that have stood the test of time.  The Ritz repertoire covers Swing, Big Band, Blues, Pop Standards, Rock, Folk, Reggae, Calypso - and some songs that defy categorization.

The Ritz played out regularly for a number of years after being formed in 1979 by Mielnick and Phil Doty to play at a party at the Ritz Restaurant in Utica.  Packed reunion dates bear testament to the following and reputation the band earned from doing countless appearances throughout the region.  While the music is central to the attraction, the fun and enjoyment band members get from playing together and share with audiences also accounts for why the band has such an avid following.

Ten members strong, the Ritz lineup includes a standard rhythm section, a horn section, keyboards, dual percussionists, and several vocalists that take turns at the mic doing tunes from the wide range of styles the band covers.  In addition to Matt Mielnick (rhythm guitar and vocals) the current lineup includes Ann Carey (featured lead vocalist); Mark Sisti (lead guitar and vocals) and brother Alex Sisti (bass and vocals), both veterans of the Justice McBride Band, the King Cool Blues Band, and the Blarney Rebel Band; Joe Perry (keyboards); notable sax player Monk Rowe; Eddie Meelan (trumpet and vocals); Linda Krumme (clarinet), and outstanding drums and percussion players Darryl Mattison and Lenny Milano.

Tickets for Puttin' On The Ritz are $10 for Unity hall Foundation members and $12 for non-members.

The Unity Hall Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at 315-520-8231.

UNITY HALL FOUNDATION                             315-520-8231 – info@unityhall.com
PO Box 393 Barneveld, NY 13304                        
www.unityhall.com

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Event: Jeremy Wallace Concert

Date, Time: Saturday, July 17 8pm

Location:  Unity Hall, 101 Vanderkemp Ave. Barneveld

Admission: $12 Unity Hall Foundation,  Mohawk Valley Blues Society                                     
                        Members or in advance. $15 Non Members at the door

Jeremy Wallace has collected praise from people with credentials that lend extra weight to the glowing words they use to describe him.  Folk and blues legend Dave Van Ronk called Wallace ‘…one of the most arresting new talents I have heard’, saying, ‘When I hear him I get the feeling I got the first time I heard Bob Dylan and Arlo Guthrie.’  Paul Babin, manager of blues guitarist John Hammond, calls Wallace ‘…the real deal’ and proclaims that Jeremy represents ‘…Americana at its best’.

Wallace brings his three piece band to the Unity Hall stage in Barneveld on Saturday, July 17 for a riveting night of acoustic and electric blues and roots rock.  Opening the 8 o’clock concert will be special guest Brian Mulkerne, Chairman of the Mohawk Valley Blues Society and a fine musician in his own right.

The concert, sponsored by Adirondack Diner & Lanes, is a great opportunity to catch an artist whose song writing and style has inspired comparisons with Dylan, Tom Waits, Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett and Bruce Springsteen.  The Café Lena in Saratoga, a venue that has hosted so many of the world’s most acclaimed folk, blues and American performers over the last 50 years, counts Wallace as ‘…one of the most exciting additions to our roster in recent years’ and describes his songs and performances as, ‘… pure heaven for anyone serious about American roots music.’

Drawing from three albums filled with compelling tales of the lost and newly found hopes and dreams of real and fictional characters, a Jeremy Wallace concert makes for an evening of music that stays with you a long time.  So ‘old school’ that he writes his lyrics using an old typewriter, Jeremy Wallace creates songs as compelling as those written by the great blues musicians his friend and mentor Dave Van Ronk turned him on to.  Wallace sings them in a mature narrative voice that reflects his world and connects powerfully with ordinary people.

His dynamic debut, My Lucky Day, was an exploration of his influences - some folk, stripped down but powerful blues, a tinge of rock, and bit of country and. For his second full length album, She Used To Call Me Honey, Wallace pushed the boundaries, putting greater emphasis on the raw energy of his craft, producing a stunning album that both diverged from and complemented his previous material.

His latest CD, Suicide Suitcase, contains new originals and traditional songs that shine from the confidence in Wallace's voice and guitar and the solid backing provided by percussionist Tom Costagliola, and Matt Gruenberg, on standup bass.

More information about Jeremy Wallace is available online at www.jeremywallace.com and   www.myspace.com/jeremywallace/music .

Tickets are $12 in advance and at the door for members of the Unity Hall Foundation or the Mohawk Valley Blues Society.  Advance sale tickets are available at Adirondack Diner & Lanes on Rt. 12 in Mapledale, just south of Barneveld.  Tickets the night of the show will be $15 for non UHF or MVBS members.

The Unity Hall Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at 315-520-8231. Information about the Mohawk Valley Blues Society is available at www.mvbluessociety.com

Event: Leon Etienne

Date, Time: Saturday, July 10 1pm

Location:  Unity Hall, 101 Vanderkemp Ave. Barneveld

Admission: Free
 

Magician and illusionist Leon Etienne presents his family-friendly performance of magic at Unity Hall in Barneveld in a special matinee at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 10.  This audience engaging show produces miles of smiles, lots of laughter and plenty of amazement as this talented magician makes things appear and disappear with reality defying skill.

At the age of thirteen, Leon Etienne was struck by lightning while playing baseball.  Surviving that high voltage encounter was a feat for Etienne, who had begun to dabble in magic a year earlier.  While he had no interest in testing his ability to withstand another brush with lightning, Leon did continue to develop his now remarkable skills as a magician and illusionist.

More than a decade as a professional performer of magic has only increased Etienne’s love and passion for the art of magic.  He has traveled the globe, performing in entertainment hotspots across the U.S. and internationally in Ireland, Wales, Australia, and at the world-famous magic circle in London, England. His performances have earned Leon prestigious awards, including  Magician of the Year honors, and Stage Magic Champion from the Magicians' Alliance of Eastern States.

Constantly striving to learn new techniques and skills to apply to his own original magic effects, Etienne has spent time learning from the modern-day masters of magic, including Juan Tamariz and Derren Brown. Etienne became one of only 200 magicians worldwide invited to Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic, an annual convention where the world’s best up and coming illusionists  study and perform with master magicians.  Etienne has filled major theatres, earning rave reviews for the display of Vegas-style illusions and award winning sleight-of-hand.

‘Leon raises the audience to such a high that the excitement lasts even after the show! It is evident he has put a lot of time and energy into what he does. He's extremely professional and hands down the best magician I have ever seen -- and with three little boys, I have seen quite a few.’

This event is sponsored by the North Country Libraries of Barneveld, Prospect, Remsen and Holland Patent.  Unity Hall is operated and maintained as a center for the arts and community activities by the Unity Hall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at 315-520-8231

Event: The Rusty Doves

Place: Unity Hall – 101 Vanderkemp Ave. Barneveld, NY

Date / Time: Friday, May 21, 2010 - 8pm

Admission: $8 / $10

The Rusty Doves are hard to peg – and that’s a part of what makes them so special and enjoyable.  A Doves performance is a kaleidoscope of sound. Alyssa Stock  and Jerry Dee deliver unique interpretations of bluegrass, swing, pop and old-time jazz standards, as well as their own original material.  Few groups cover a range of artists as diverse as Leonard Cohen, Fats Waller, Radiohead, The Animals and Metallica.  The Doves not only do it, they do it with a style and flair that makes it work wonderfully.

Alyssa Stock plays mandolin and handles the lead vocals.  Her extraordinary voice transitions smoothly, giving poignant, tender and powerful voice to the wide range of material she and Jerry Dee cover in a typical set. Dee, on upright bass, is equally versatile thanks to a musical background that includes classical training on the bass and time spent in reggae, funk, rock and jazz-fusion bands. Jerry's style has been described as playing the bass "like a dance partner- with agility, command and a steady rhythmic excitement that becomes contagious."

Whether playing in a rowdy bar or a concert hall, the Doves always manage to draw a strong response from people of all ages and walks of life.   The ‘live’ acoustics of the upstairs theater make Unity Hall a great place to catch the Rusty Doves in concert.  Don’t miss the chance to catch two of the regions most talented and entertaining musicians live in a venue perfectly suited to their style.

Tickets are $8 if reserved in advance or for Unity Hall Foundation members.  Tickets at the door will be $8 for foundation members and $10 for non members.  Reservations and group discounts can be arranged by e-mailing tickets@unityhall.com.  Food and refreshments will be available.

This event is sponsored by the Unity Hall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at 315-520-8231

Event: St. Patrick’s Kick-Off Party

Place: Unity Hall 101 Vanderkemp Ave., Barneveld, NY          

Date: Saturday, March 6, 2010 Time: 8:00pm  

 Admission: $10 & $12

Unity Hall in Barneveld presents the antidote to Cabin Fever – the annual St. Patrick’s Kick-Off Party, Saturday, March 6 at 8pm in the theater of the historic performing arts center.

This Irish infused evening of music and dance brings together the talents of the Blarney Rebel Band and the lovely high-stepping lasses of the Butler-Sheehan Academy of Irish Dance, the longest continuously run Irish dance school in North America.

The Celtic repertoire of The Blarney Rebel Band gets audiences dancing, clapping and singing to rousing renditions of everything from traditional Irish tunes to rollicking pub songs, lively sea songs, moving ballads, stirring rebel songs and hand-clapping jigs and reels. Talented players and strong harmonies make the BRB a great live band!  Their most recent CD, Buy My Soul has sold all over the world, Stand With Me Boys, a song from it, recently placed No. 1 in the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast Best of 2009 Listener’s Poll. The BRB consists of Mark Sisti - banjo, mandolin, mandola, pennywhistle, concertina, accordion, flute, vocals; Al Sisti - bass guitar, vocals; Dan Sisti – guitar, vocals; Amanda Straney, fiddle, vocals; Jessica Voce - bodhran, tambourine, percussion.


Started in Dublin, Ireland, over 70 years ago by the ‘First Lady of Irish Dance’, Mae Butler, and introduced in North America as the Butler Academy in Syracuse some 40 years ago by her son, Patrick Butler, himself a champion dancer, the Butler School has trained countless dancers in traditional Irish dance.  Many have gone on to become instructors themselves.  In 2006, Patrick Butler joined forces with Pattie Sheehan, a former student who went on to participate in the World Championships in Ireland, to form the Butler-Sheehan Academy.  Patrick Butler passed away in 2007, but Ms. Sheehan proudly continues the Butler family tradition of training dancers in the Rome, New York studio. 

Dancers from age 4 – adult dance for exercise, the joy of it, or for those things as well as the chance to train to entertain in public or to test their talent against others.  Many Butler-Sheehan dancers have earned titles at dance competitions throughout the northeast.   

Tickets are $10 if reserved in advance or for Unity Hall Foundation members.  Tickets at the door will be $10 for foundation members and $12 for non members.  Reservations and group discounts can be arranged by e-mailing tickets@unityhall.com.  Food and refreshments will be available.

This event is sponsored by Turner Lumber of Barneveld in association with the Unity Hall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about this event, Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at 315-520-8231.

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Event: Evening of Song

Place: Unity Hall 101 Vandekemp Ave., Barneveld, NY          

Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009 Time: 7:30pm  

 Admission: $6 & $8

Before you ring in the New Year, sing out 2009 with an evening of timeless tunes performed by two great Barbershop Quartets, The Lost Horizons and the Barbershoppe Belles.  Both groups will perform rousing and fun filled sets of acapella songs at Unity Hall in Barneveld, NY on Saturday, December 12 at 7:30.

Enjoy an evening of song featuring classics from America’s great songbook, including some wonderful holiday songs.  Admission for this event is being rolled back to prices of yester-year, too.  Tickets are priced at just $6 for Unity Hall Foundation members and $8 for non-members.  They will be available at the door the night of the event.

The voices of the BARBershoppe Belles have entertained music lovers , including performances throughout the region, including performances at the New York State Fair in Syracuse and the immensely popular Remsen Barn Festival.  The first four letters in the group’s name are capitalized, as each represents the first letter in the name of one of the four talented women in the quartet – Bonnie Wigandt of Oriskany (lead), Arlene Costello of Holland Patent (baritone), Rose Hosp of Barneveld (bass) and Bev Hill from Van Buren (tenor).

The Lost Horizons Barberhop Quartet brings together four male members of the Barbershop Harmony Society that have earned acclaim for a repertoire that includes strong arrangements of everything from contemporary favorites to patriotic and gospel tunes – in addition traditional barbershop style staples.  Fred, Rusty, Doug and Phil also entertain regionally as members of the Mohawk valley New Horizons Barbershop Chorus.

This pre-holiday event will be presented in a venue perfectly suited for the wonderful harmonies of these two groups.  Unity Hall, built in 1896, features an upstairs theater with acoustic qualities that bring out the best in un-amplified voices.

This event is sponsored by the Unity Hall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain Unity Hall as a center for the arts and community activities in Barneveld, New York.  The Hall is available for public and private functions.  Information about Unity Hall and the Unity Hall Foundation is available at www.unityhall.com, or by phone at 315-520-8231.

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Event: Festival of Lights

Place: Unity Hall 101 Vandekemp Ave., Barneveld, NY          

Date: Sunday, December 13 2009 Time: 4:30-8:30  

 Admission: FREE

The historic village of Barneveld, New York is picturesque any night of the year.  One night in December of each year the lovely town, nestled in the foothills of the Adirondacks, becomes even more charming.  It is night of the Festival of Lights, the evening that luminaries are added to the creative holiday decorations in and around the homes throughout the village.

This year’s Festival of Lights takes place on Sunday, December 13. In addition to the village wide celebration of the season, Unity Hall will host an open house including several events.  The historic community meeting house at 101 Vandekemp Ave kicks things off with the arrival of Santa at 4:30.  Mr. Claus will welcome children with cookies, refreshments and stories.

At 5:30 the hall’s second floor theater is the setting for a program of holiday music, stories and songs.  Performers will include area favorites Dan Evans & Pete Ruben, Don & Bev Cantwell, and the Rusty Doves. Short Holiday stories will also be presented by special guests.