The Beat

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House was named the 2020 WNY Arts Organization of the Year in the 7th annual Arts Services Initiative of WNY (ASI) Spark Awards competition. The awards are presented annually by the ASI to honor outstanding artists and cultural organizations in five counties of western NY, and were presented in a virtual ceremony which live streamed on YouTube Monday, Nov. 16.

The Opera House was recognized for “enhancing the cultural landscape of Chautauqua County since its grand reopening in November 1994 and creating a niche for itself as a year-round presenter of varied and quality entertainment amidst a thriving arts community.”…

Co-presented by Museum of the Moving Image and Polish Cultural Institute New York

Docs Against Gravity NYC runs exclusively online December 9–16, 2020

New York, New York (November 19, 2020) — Few national cinemas have authored and challenged definitions of nonfiction film more persistently than Polish cinema. From Marcel Łoziński and Krzysztof Kieślowski to Anna Zamecka and Michał Marczak, the legacy of Polish nonfiction is long and consistently dynamic, led by both observational and narrative impulses, anthropological rigor and hybridized transgression. Founded nearly two decades ago, Millennium Docs Against Gravity (MDAG) has developed into the largest documentary film festival in Poland, and thus, thanks to the volume and consistently high quality of Polish nonfiction, one of the most important documentary festivals in the world. From December 9 through 16, Museum of the Moving Image and the Polish Cultural Institute New York will co-present five recent highlights from the MDAG Festival in the series Docs Against Gravity NYC. The films will be viewable exclusively online and available to audiences throughout the United States.

The company’s first contemporary American play, directed by MIP’s Founding Artistic Director Lucie Tiberghien

Streams live December 12 at 2pm EST (preview) & 7pm EST (opening), Replays available until January 4

PRESS INVITATION/COVERAGE REQUEST: Sat 12/12 at 7pm EST

Brooklyn, NY – Molière in the Park, co-presenting with the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), and in partnership with the Prospect Park Alliance, LeFrak Center at Lakeside, will present a live stream of Christina Anderson’s Pen/Man/Ship, directed by Molière in the Park’s Founding Artistic Director Lucie Tiberghien.

Irvington, NY — When COVID-19 became a household name, Irvington Theater worked quickly to provide free, online programming to keep their audience members connected. And because it was so successful this summer, one such offering is back: the Arts Incubator offers a glimpse into the creative process by showcasing works-in-progress from artists across mediums. Serving as a companion to #IrvingtonAnywhere, the theater’s all-virtual season of ticketed events, this month’s Arts Incubator offerings premiere Thursdays November 5, 12, and 19 on Irvington Theater’s YouTube channel and will be available to stream on demand for free. 

Double features pair Prince's Purple Rain with Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense, Powell & Pressburger’s The Red Shoes with Pablo Larrain’s Ema, a psychedelic Light Show with Koyaanisqatsi, David Lynch’s Lost Highway with new release Black Bear, and more

New York, N.Y. — In November, the Queens Drive-In—a partnership between Museum of the Moving Image, Rooftop Films, and New York Hall of Science—will present a series of music movies, eclectic double features, new nonfiction films, and free community screenings.

Tonawanda, N.Y. – Entrepreneurs John Pirrone and Scott DeMott, owners of Rustic Buffalo Artisan Market, have opened a new brick and mortar location 6610 Shawnee Road, North Tonawanda, NY 14120 with their Grand Opening Weekend set for Saturday November 14^th from 9am to 9pm and Sunday November 15^th from 9am to 9pm.

Rustic Buffalo Artisan Market have converted a Mid 1800’s Barn into a 3700 Square foot shopping experience for all to enjoy.  They have added numerous enhancements to give it that Farmhouse charm to include second floor retail space as well as re-exposing the barn’s hayloft.

Serving Sullivan County and Neighboring Communities, Students, and Educators

Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods, the nonprofit cultural center located at the site of the 1969 Woodstock festival, is proud to continue making art accessible to all. In an effort to meet the needs of learners in a time of social distancing and hybrid schooling models, the Center’s E3: Engage. Experience. Explore. program is now being offered to classrooms, homes, and/or learning pods, delivering high-caliber performances through a virtual platform for the 2020-2021 school year.

New exhibition celebrates radical communities created by the Shakers and the late gallerist Hudson 

Work by influential artists such as Jim Isermann, G.B. Jones, Roy McMakin, Richard Rezac, Kay Rosen, and Nancy Shaver to be exhibited alongside objects from the Shaker Museum Permanent Collection 

Saratoga Springs, NY (October 28, 2020) – The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces Energy in All Directions, an exhibition that brings rarely seen works and new acquisitions from the Tang Teaching Museum collection in dialogue with objects from the Shaker Museum’s extensive holdings to celebrate the life and legacy of artist and gallerist Hudson (1950–2014). …

New health and safety measures in place, including timed ticketing and online auctions, to bring the holidays back to the museum 

Rochester, N.Y. — The George Eastman Museum plans to bring its annual Sweet Creations gingerbread display back for 2020. The exquisite show of more than 40 cleverly designed and deliciously decorated gingerbread creations­ will open to the public on November 6 and will remain on view through December 13. The museum is making a few changes to its holiday traditions this year to ensure the health and safety of its guests, including timed ticketing, extended hours, and a virtual silent auction.