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June 3, 2020Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek Goes Virtual for 2020
The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC) is partnering with the ElectriCity Arts & Entertainment District and other local organizations this month to present a special week of interactive virtual arts programming. Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek 2020 takes place Saturday, June 6 to Saturday, June 13 and aims to showcase the creative outlets that exist in our community every day, from live music and theater shows to craft projects and open studios.
Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek kicks off with the 26th annual Schenectady Kids Arts Festival, which will present four virtual art sessions over two days: Saturday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m. and Noon and Sunday, June 7 at Noon and 3:00 p.m. Sessions can be viewed on demand at openstagemedia.org, on Channel 1302 in Albany and Schenectady on Spectrum platforms, and on Channel 37 in Albany on Verizon Fios. The Kids Arts Festival is produced by the ElectriCity Arts & Entertainment District at Proctors.
Then, from Monday, June 8 to Saturday, June 13, the DSIC will turn over its Facebook Page to local artists and arts organizations each evening at 7:00 p.m. to present an eclectic series of original arts content:
• June 8, 7:00 p.m.*: CREATE Community Studios – Head outdoors for some relaxation and mindful meditation with Yoga Bliss on the Blvd. You’ll be introduced to the beautiful world of mandalas and will create an interactive, collaborative Nature Mandala.
• June 9, 7:00 p.m.*: Betsy Sandberg of Schenectady Kids Arts Festival – Head outside to create a Chalk Mandala. All you’ll need is a few pieces of chalk and a space to draw. You can always stay inside and create your mandala on a piece of paper.
• June 10, 7:00 p.m.: All Write Together + 2nd Wednesday Poetry Open Mic – Join us as these two Schenectady-based writing groups collaborate to host an open mic-style hour of poetry and inspiration.
• June 11, 7:00 p.m.: Keisha Stovall – Grab a piece of paper, a pencil and some crayons and learn how to create Portrait Drawings.
• June 12, 7:00 p.m.: Marion Morrison Leap – Mandala drawings can be done with any art supplies you may already have. Grab some markers, crayons, colored pencils or any other art tool and create a mandala.
• June 13, 7:00 p.m.: The Hamilton Hill Arts Center Artists present Steel Pan Instructor Janiya Minor and Multi Percussionist Jordan Hill – Together, they will perform folk, reggae and Disney songs. Grab your pots and pans, join in on the jam session, and enjoy the rich sounds of our artists’ unique and fun instruments.
* Subject to change based on weather forecasts
Additionally, the community can enter to win four complimentary tickets to see Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen at Proctors in July 2021 by participating in the Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek Scavenger Hunt. Decipher the 24 clues that lead to different statues, artworks, and buildings in Downtown Schenectady, then share those photos on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #YouWillBeFoundSchenectady and tag the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation. Those completing the most Scavenger Hunt clues will be entered into a random drawing to win the four tickets. All entries must be submitted by June 17 at 5:00 p.m.
Downtown Schenectady ArtsWeek 2020 is presented by the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation in partnership with the ElectriCity Arts & Entertainment District and CREATE Community Studios. This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York Legislature and administered by The Arts Center of the Capital Region.
