TUTTO ITALIANO AT THE WHITNEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS

I attended Opera Notte at the Whitney Center for the Arts on Sunday afternoon.  The room was filled with fellow Opera fans for an afternoon of Italian Arias.  Kara Delmer put together a wonderful show

along with Ron Ramsey on piano,  Courtney Clark on Violin, and Jessica Passetto, John Delmer, Joe Sicotte and Kara Delmer singing.

As the guests were seated and ordering from the Bistro Menu in preparation for the show I noticed John with an apron on, pouring wine and serving guests. knowing he usually sings I asked him if he was  singing today?  He replied "Not today".  I was amazed when he began singing "Bella Notte" as a waiter.

Ghazi Kazmi came out and introduced John Delmer after his performance, welcomed the audience and thanked them for being there and announced upcoming shows.  He then introduced Kara Delmer who spoke about the book "24 Italian Songs" leading into a performance of "Nel Cor piu Non Mi Sento" where she involved an audience member as she sang as she often does.

Tenor Joseph Sicotte then performed "Sebben Crudele" accompanied by Ron Ramsey on Piano and Courtney Clark on Violin after which he introduced guest singer Jessica Passetto who sang "Se Tu M'ami". It was really an enjoyable day for Italian speakers and non speakers alike.

The newest addition to the Whitney Center family ~ Courtney Clark from New Hampshire, played Verdi's  "Va Pensiero" on Violin accompanied by Ron Ramsey on Piano.  This piece of course wasn't vocal but Courtney made her instrument sing!

Jess Passetto followed by introducing four Mozart Arias.  She began with "Voi che Sapete" followed by Joe singing "Un Aura Amorosa".  John Delmer then came out and spoke about Don Giovanni, giving us background before entertaining us.

Singing to Elvira as Leporello, he exposes his masters numerous conquests.  As he sings he coyly  shows images from his tablet  of various women to the audience from Marilyn Monroe, to Paula Dean and Betty White to name a few, which got roars of laughter.

Jess and Kara followed with "Duet of Sull Aria" from Figaro. Accompanied by Courtney and Ron on violin and piano after which Kara introduced the next phase of the show which was a series of popular Neopolitan Songs.

Ron Ramsey delighted the audience with various renditions of songs from "The GodFather" from his seat at the Piano singing "Promise Me You'll Remember" and sharing little tidbits of information about the songs.

Kara and Joe followed Ron with a Duet from the movie "The Quest for Camelot" which was just spectacular!  John Delmer was very theatrical with his rendition of "That's Amore" once again engaging the audience before all of the members gathered to sing "Finiculi, Finicula".

What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon for Opera Fans old and new!

FUN FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK

My day was filled with the normal feelings I have been experiencing since Wednesday and then some ~ one of my readers wrote in comment that it sounded horrible.  That is true ~ but I failed to tell you that those were the good side effects ~ if they can be call so.

Despite how I felt, I was determined to fit everything in ~ opting to begin with my first ever Christmas Tree Lighting in Park Square, the various ArtWalk Exhibits, and the opening/after party at the Whitney Gallery.

My son was hungry so I had switch up my plans regarding the usual late dinner as is customary on ArtWalk Night.  I still had to take a shower, I got caught up in an old movie and needed to see the end before doing either.

He was going to his brothers so I could not bargain with him in regards to a late dinner anyway so I jumped in the shower and then we began dinner prep broiling a simple steak and nuking a couple of potatoes ~ quick and easy.

I began the broiler and he seasoned the meat ~ I thought he put the meat in the broiler after seasoning it, but when I was upstairs getting dressed he asked me if I wanted him to put it in ~ (he had already begun the potatoes for me) so he basically cooked dinner.  I was such a scatter brain!

When I headed out it was raining slightly which meant that I may have made the wrong choice in coats.  Although I had layers and a hat and gloves some coats I prefer not to get wet ~ and this was one of them!  I continued on hoping for and eventually receiving no rain or what did fall being insignificant.

I was excited about getting out of the house after the past couple of days.  I was not disappointed at the tree lighting ~ enjoying a free hot cocoa from Patricks Pub as is traditional from previous years.  After the countdown the tree was lit and Santa arrived on the Fire Truck.

That was my cue to leave and begin phase two ~ ArtWalk.

I headed off to the MarketPlace Cafe where Nancy Meissner had on exhibit a display of oils and acrylics which had an excellent use and blending of color adding a wonderful touch to her paintings.

I have seen Nancy's sketches in a previous ArtWalk a couple of months ago and was really impress with her work back then.  She is someone to keep an eye on ~ wonderful talent!

Both of her styles of work are well worth the viewing for sure!  Be sure to head to the MarketPlace and check them out.  The food is pretty good as well ~ the paintings will be up for the entire month of December ~ a nice addition to holiday shopping Downtown.

I saw my friend Cindy working so I stopped into the Amazing Pavilion to see when she was getting out of work ~ she is always fun and likes Art as well.  Just my luck ~ she was out in 15 minutes so we made plans to meet up when she was finished.

I checked out a couple of places ~ one was closed and the other had a flag but no Art ~ some days you get a hit and some you miss!  Never discouraged ~ I just headed up to the Crawford Square where there was a group showing at the Kinderhook Real Estate which had many interesting pieces.

I saw Brenda from Brenda & Co. Caterers and she said she had Art and Clam Chowder.  Two of my favorite things to be sure!  I have fond memories of tracking down the best Chowder between Western Mass to Rhode Island to Boston over the course of a summer.  I am happy to find a nice bowl of Chowder downtown.

Michelle Sylvesters layered pastel drawings of rusted and abandoned trucks and her comparison to the trucks with elderly people made me have to look her work over a second time.  ( I am backwards and have a habit of looking at displays in reverse and then read the artist statement ~ hence the second look.) Not something I plan to be sure but it occurs over and over again!

I remember when I first saw the works of Michael Rousseau I think I had to look at least 5 different times. The work was so beautiful and compelling to me.  Each time noticing something new or different.  Sometimes you can't get enough of a good thing.

The Onota Building has a wonderful Christmas Display which I noticed on Wednesday, but cannot get enough of!  Sure to put you in the Christmas Spirit it is a wonderful inclusion donated by the Allegrone family at 74 North Street.

The snowflake lights decorating North Street ~ with the double arch and the music made it almost perfect ~ if only the rain had been snow!  I am sure I will see that before they change the windows!

I stopped into Steven Valenti's Clothing for Men and saw a group showing entitled "Let it Snow" showcasing paintings and photography by Denise B. Chandler, Gerard Natale and Marion Grant.  Some wonderful works as can be expected to be found anywhere and always a delight to chat with Denise!

I ran into Cindy while I was enjoying a wonderful slice of Lemon Cake at Mary's Carrot Cake with Marguerite Bride at the Gallery 25.  I love Marguerite's work and company as well and it was nice chatting with her before the crowd trickled in.

We headed off to two stores so she could get her after work supplies before heading off to the Whitney Center for the Arts where "Whimsy" was on display.  17 illustrators, sculptors, painters and cartoonists from around the world working in a whimsical vein.

As we headed across Park Square to admire the still lit Christmas Tree the rain began to take on a icy and biting feel to it.  We carefully made our way to the gallery.  There were lights flashing outside for effect coming from the second floor.  We were trying to figure out what it was as we were making our way towards the gallery.  A nice touch.

It is always nice to go to the Whitney Gallery.  The are new but they have such a skill with picking appealing artists and works to show.  Today was no different.  I fell in love with the drawings and sculptures!  I loved the dolls ~ their expressions and costumes were amazing!

We chatted with some people and had a good time.  I was getting tired and my friend was getting hot so we headed out into the night after saying goodbye to a couple of people.  As always it was a wonderful time and I continue to look forward to many more good times there in the future!

It was finally snowing!!!!!  We walked out the door into these gigantic blocks falling from the sky!  It wasn't too cold which made it even nicer!!!  I love snow ~ hate cold but love snow.  My experience in the past was that snow was good ~ it was like insulation and made it warmer.

Nowadays I do not find that we get enough snow and with the addition of these mad strong and powerful winds it is a lose lose for me!!!  I would be a bear and hibernate all winter except First Friday ArtWalk if I could!!

I would miss seeing all of the wonderful works of art ~ last and not least Scott Taylor and his wonderful and colorful new works I got to see ~ along with the fresh paint he was laying on his easel.  I am a huge fan as you know of his work and it just keeps developing into a ever more appealing visual delight!

One of the benefits of my life ~ watching great artists get better!  I have a number of artists I have been enjoying and say Cudos!  I am enjoying this part of my journey to be sure!

It is late and I am totally wiped.  I hope it makes sense ~ every word has been a typo practically ~ hope I didn't miss too much.  Bear with me this trip will soon be over ~ tomorrow will be the taper to three pills.  Not expecting much different from today or yesterday for that matter but keep your fingers crossed for me.