The Beat

Schenectady, NY – A new public history project focused on Schenectady’s African American history will preserve primary sources and enable future generations to engage with the community’s historical records. Primary sources are the keys to understanding history, and access to those materials helps communities to connect to their past. The African American Historical Records Project, a collaboration coordinated by the Schenectady County Historical Society, will create a catalog of historical records created by the African American community in Schenectady.

Nick Cave, Kay Rosen, Cary Smith, Endia Beal, Forrest Gander among featured speakers

Saratoga Springs, NY (February 18, 2021) — The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College invites the public to a stellar series of online talks, including the fourth annual Winter/Miller Lecture with acclaimed artist Nick Cave, who will be in conversation with the 2020-21 Eleanor Linder Winter ’43 Intern Nathan Bloom ’21.

President Abraham Lincoln’s Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recording Included in Exhibit

The New York State Museum and the New York State Writers Institute have partnered to bring the First Step to Freedom exhibit to the University at Albany campus in honor of Black History Month, State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. The historically remarkable exhibit includes a display of the only surviving version of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation in President Abraham Lincoln’s handwriting. The First Step to Freedom also includes the only known audio recording of a speech written and delivered by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in New York City in September 1962 for the Proclamation’s centennial. The exhibit opened, appropriately, on President’s Day and will be open to UAlbany students, faculty and staff through March 15.

Online artmaking events meet every other Saturday from February 27 to May 8

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (February 15, 2021) — The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces its spring online, family-centered art-making events series, Tang at Home Studio, which meets every other Saturday from February 27 to May 8.

Tang at Home Studio gives kids and their families the chance to explore their creativity, make new things, and share their artwork with peers. Each online session starts at 11 a.m. and includes a guided exploration of an artwork, information about the artist, and a hands-on art project led by Sunny Ra, The Laurie M. Tisch Educator for K-12 and Community Programs, with assistance from Skidmore College student interns.

New book brings campus conversations on urgent issues to new audiences

Whiteness, migration, mass incarceration, feminism, and monuments among topics addressed by artists, scholars, and activists

Saratoga Springs, NY (January 19, 2021) — The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces a new publication on the most urgent issues of the day. Culture as Catalyst is a collection of compelling dialogues and new writings by artists, scholars, activists, and influential thinkers who present new perspectives that disrupt the status quo by encouraging a “getting comfortable with discomfort” attitude to work through big ideas to drive change.

Experienced Tourism Professional, Todd Garofano, to Lead Effort Promoting Schenectady County

Schenectady, NY (January 7, 2021) -- The Discover Schenectady Board of Directors announced today that Todd Garofano will serve as the new Executive Director of Schenectady County’s tourism promotion agency.

A life-long Capital Region resident, Garofano brings nearly 25 years of hospitality and tourism experience to Discover Schenectady. Mr. Garofano has worked in senior sales and marketing roles at Amtrak and Carlson Hotels Worldwide before serving for 8 years as President of Discover Saratoga. Among his achievements, Garofano received the 2018 Industry Leader Award by Meeting Professionals International – Northeast New York.

Albany, NY – The 2020 Pine Bush Perspectives juried photo exhibit is currently on display along the outdoor StoryWalk® path behind the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany. “A StoryWalk® is usually a children's book that is deconstructed and the pages are laminated. The pages of the book are then posted along a trail so that people read the story as they are walking along the trail,” explained Jackie Citriniti, Lead Educator and show designer. “We’re using it a little differently this winter”, she continued. “Previous Pine Bush Perspectives exhibits have been inside the Discovery Center, but due to limited hours and capacity we decided to move the exhibit outside and online.”…

Lift tickets are on sale now at westmountain.com

New programming including freestyle development program and mogul course on go-go; expanded terrain park on banister. safe operations & reduced indoor capacity

Queensbury, NY--- West Mountain is ready to kick off its 2020-21 season, opening this weekend, Saturday, December 19 for skiing and riding! West Mountain has been blowing a lot of snow to prepare for opening. The snow tubing park will open on December 26.

“We are looking forward to welcoming our guests this winter to enjoy the outdoors”, said Sara Montgomery, General Manager of West Mountain. “With so many families at home doing virtual learning this year, getting on the mountain and getting exercise will be a much-needed activity and escape!”…

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. — Gainesway Farm’s three-time North American champion sire Tapit will be the featured stallion for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s Foal Patrol Season 4, which will debut online at www.foalpatrol.com on Dec. 29. One of the most influential and breed-shaping stallions of the past half-century, Tapit has sired 27 grade 1 winners, 31 yearlings to bring $1 million or more at auction, and earners of more than $162 million on the racetrack. He stands at historic Gainesway in Lexington, Ky., for a 2021 fee of $185,000.

Albany, NY – The public is invited to a free online event being held by the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. During this time of social distancing, Discover the Night is a virtual opportunity to experience nighttime in the globally-rare Albany Pine Bush.

The public is invited to visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/discover-the-night now until December 31, 2020 to enjoy preserve staff and special guest videos featuring local wildlife, storytelling, night hiking and more! People can also play interactive games, download fun activities and nature craft instructions. The site includes something for all ages.