The Beat

Howes Cave, NY— The Iroquois Indian Museum today announced that it has been awarded a $8000 grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) for FY2020 with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. NYSCA grants support the transformative impact of the performing, literary, visual and media arts in New York State. The Iroquois Indian Museum is one of 462 arts organizations across New York State receiving a total of $8,383,993 million in grants through NYSCA’s Round II FY2020 funding to support arts programs that drive New York State’s economic growth and community health.

Cooperstown, NY (November 1, 2019) – Glimmerglass Film Days will offer five days of independent films, events, art, and filmmaker talks, November 7-11 in Cooperstown. “Adaptations” is the theme of the seventh annual film festival, which will be held in multiple locations, including the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Fenimore Art Museum, and the Otesaga Hotel.  A record number of 37 films will be shown. 

“This year’s Film Days is a stimulating mix of feature narratives and documentaries, plus works that combine reality with fiction,” explains Film Days curator Margaret (Peggy) Parsons, who is also the director of the film program at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. …

Utica, N.Y. – Author Kathleen “Chip” Twellman Haley will discuss and sign copies of her newest book, Rome Through Our History, Volume II on Saturday, November 16, 2019 starting at 1:00 PM at the Oneida County History Center in Utica. The event is free and open to all. She’ll talk about the people and places in Rome, plus share stories from the surrounding towns. The pilot who landed the first B-52 bomber at Griffiss Air Force Base, the Underground Railroad, and the old Oneida County Home in Rome are just a few of the stories that will be told.

Utica, N.Y. – Four counties in the Central New York Region have partnered together to launch the CNY Cheese Trail. The trail includes eight locations between the counties of Herkimer, Madison, Otsego and Oneida. In conjunction with the launch, each trail stop is hosting Fall Open House events on Saturday, Oct. 12. Visitors will have the opportunity to visit each cheesemaker and those who complete the trail will receive an insulated tote bag.

Scots-Irish Immigration and Defense of the New York Frontier, 1740 to 1778

Scheduled for Saturday, October 27 at 1:00 pm

Utica, N.Y. – Join independent historian Terry McMaster to explore settlement and development along colonial New York’s western frontier.  This presentation is enhanced with maps and illustrations from 18th century sources demonstrating the migration and settlement of culturally and ethnically diverse peoples including Scots-Irish settlers in frontier villages such as Cherry Valley, Unadilla and Onaquaga and early 18th century Native American settlements. This program takes place in the History Center's main gallery on Saturday, October 27, 2018 starting at 1:00 PM.

Terry McMaster is an independent historian whose research focuses on the American Revolution in the Mohawk Valley and on the settlement patterns, family connections, and border warfare along colonial New York’s western frontier in the 18^th century.  He has presented his research at Fort Plain Museum’s “American Revolution in the Mohawk Valley” conference, Hyde Hall,  and m…

Cooperstown, N.Y. – Violinist Joseph Lin will lead the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival Chamber Ensemble in a performance of four of Bach’s Brandenburg concertos at 7:30pm on Sunday, August 26 at the Otesaga Resort Hotel ballroom.

Mr. Lin, the former first violinist of the Juilliard String Quartet and a musician known for his passionate music-making and dazzling virtuosic skill, delighted Cooperstown audiences with his Vivaldi/Piazzolla Four Seasons performance last season.

World War I Centennial: Oneida County & New York in The Great War 

Downtown at its Best 

Utica, N.Y. – Two new exhibits open at the Oneida County History Center on August 9, 2018.  Read below for a description of each. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, August 9 from 5:00-7:00 pm.  Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.  

World War I Centennial: Oneida County and New York in the Great War commemorates the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into the first World War by focusing on the American experience and local history of the war. …

Cooperstown, N.Y. – You can sing in the shower and whistle while you work, but can you perform an opera while baking a cake?

Mezzo-soprano Samantha Malk will attempt that feat when she performs Leo Hoiby’s Bon Appétit!, a one-woman opera based on Julia Child’s beloved cooking show, at the Otesaga Resort Hotel on Monday August 20 at 7:30pm. While accompanied by woodwind quintet and piano, Ms. Malk will whip up a cake – using real ingredients – right in front of the audience’s eyes.

As Visitors Stream into Cooperstown During Hall of Fame Weekend, State's Support Ensures Long-Term Future for Doubleday Field   

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the Village of Cooperstown has been awarded a grant of up to $3 million to support rehabilitation efforts and upgrades that will modernize and preserve the historic Doubleday Field. The nearly $6 million project will ensure Doubleday Field's long-term future as a staple of the local economy and the game of baseball. Additionally, the project aligns with the tourism and downtown revitalization strategies identified by the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council, which recommended New York State's support through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative.

Utica, N.Y. – Join the Oneida County History Center for our second annual historical selfie scavenger hunt. Explore Mohawk Valley history through this interactive, county-wide scavenger hunt.  Grab your camera to learn about the people, places, and events that shaped your community.  Clue sheets will be available at the history center or on our website www.oneidacountyhistory.org starting August 1st.  This program is free and open to all ages.

Choose an Oneida County or Utica-based hunt and follow your clue sheet to historical sites, buildings, and markers around the greater Mohawk Valley.  Take a selfie at each location on either a camera or smartphone after learning about the location's history.  Post your photos and tag the history center on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to share your adventure. …