15th annual Colorscape Chenango this weekend
NORWICH – The creative talents of countless musicians and artisans will paint downtown Norwich this Colorscape weekend with the hues of their diverse crafts, drawing thousands of spirited patrons to the free festival.
In what has grown to be a sensation of the arts over the last 15 years, the paths of East and West Park in the City of Norwich will be adorned with dozens of tents holding the visual delights of more than 93 juried artists Saturday and Sunday.
For their final year, the towering Greco-Roman columns of the Chenango County Courthouse will set the stage for the event as it steps bear the weight of the nine professional gospel and folk entertainers set to play throughout the weekend. A new, permanent pavilion-style stage is scheduled to be built in the opposing East Park by next year’s 16th annual event, dramatically altering its traditional layout.
Colorscape music coordinator for the last 11 years, Ken Millett, says he’s convinced this year’s festival will “break all our records, whatever they are.”
He’s not alone either. Colorscape’s Executive Director for the last 10 years, Peggy Finnegan, agrees.
“This year we have more juried artists in the show than we’ve ever had,” she said.
Finnegan added that eight of the juried artists were new and another 16 were participating in the show for only their second year.
Millet pointed to the fact that, for the first time since he’s became involved in the event, all the area’s hotels were already booked – another positive indication.
“Usually I can call the day or two before and there’s something somewhere, but not this year. Apparently a sagging economy is a great thing for a free festival,” he joked.
The two also noted the highest number of food vendors and non-profit groups vying for space at the event.
In the past, organizers have an estimated 15,000 people attended Colorscape and they hope for an even higher number this year.
Night Eagle Productions, Millet’s business, recruited musical performers to this year’s event that it had not been able to attract in past Colorscapes, including acclaimed headliner, The Horse Flies. The group has received raves from critics at The New York Times, Chicago Tribune and The New Yorker.
Another group new to the Colorscape scene this year is the Canadian duo sensation, Dala. Their music videos have aired on MTV, CMT and Bravo. “These girls sell five, ten thousands seats at a time in Canada and were secondary acts invited on main stage at the Newport Folk Festival, which is totally unheard of and the folk festival in the country,” said Millet.
As the rhythms fill the air, an array of artisans will have their works on display – including ceramics, digital media, drawings and pastels, fiber, glass, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, oil and acrylic paintings, photography, sculpture, watercolor paintings, wood and more.
Among these crafters is Golden Artist Colors, the professional-grade acrylic paint manufacturer based in the Town of New Berlin.
The company’s West Park tent (Art Zone 2) welcomes everyone 11 and up to enjoy a variety of free painting activities, ranging from its Marbleizing technique – which uses air brush colors – to regular painting. Enthusiasts can create their own works of art on fans, book covers and more.
“All activities are free. Everyone can just come in and pick one item they can paint,” said company spokeswoman Jodi O’Dell. All paint is provided by Golden, which offers visitors canvas aprons as well.
To quench one’s lyrical tastes, visit the 8th annual Poetry Slam contest at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Blarney Stone Pub on 26 South Broad St.
The shows kicks off with 1994 National Slam Poetry Champion and 1996 International Slam Poet Champion Gayle Danley, who has been featured on the HBO Russell Simmons’ poetry slam show and on CBS’s “60 Minutes.”
The show is put together by Norwich High School English teacher and poet Richard Bernstein, who heads the competitive student team that won at the Bright Hill Literary Center in Treadwell. It was the 10th year in a row that the Norwich team was awarded the top honor and Bernstein was proclaimed Poetry Coach of the Year at the event.
“We have 25 slam poets scheduled to compete, including teams from Binghamton University and the State University at Oneonta. Many others from all around the area are coming and the show is looking to be quite a competitive event,” said Bernstein. Among those returning are former Norwich high school poetry team members who now compete competitively at the college level.
The Poetry Slam will commence following an opening performance by Danley and poets will compete for $300 in cash prizes.
Before the slam begins, there will also be a live band at the at Blarney Stone beginning at about 6 p.m.
Children of all ages can find two interactive Art Zones at Colorscape, one for children under 10 and one for ages 10 and up.
The East Park Children’s Stage will offer a selection of interactive beats for both kids and adults with the pounding of African Drums by Djembe instructor and performer Elizabeth Orleski, both Saturday and Sunday.
There be a number of other performances at the stage, including a children’s talent show and a number of creative activities in tune with the Colorscape theme.
Other interactive programs will be included at the new Dance Stage in East Park this year, sponsored by the Amber Perkins School of the Arts in Norwich. Both teachers and students will grace the stage in a variety of planned performances and visitors will also be invited in to learn different dancing techniques from the entertainers throughout the weekend.
“We talk to people out of the area and when they see what were able to do with what we’ve got and that we’re able to keep it open, free of any admission, they can’t believe we pull it off every year,” said Millett.
He recalled a recent caller who wanted direction to Norwich from Long Island.
“That’s a four, five hour drive just to come to our little town. That says a lot,” he said. Millet also noted a number of other out of state patrons interested in visiting Colorscape after seeing the festival online at www.colorscape.org.
“We’re still going strong and for what we work with, it’ll hold its own against any other festival out there,” he said.
An army of about 200 volunteers and about 50 business along with additional volunteers from the local fire police make the event possible, said Finnegan.
A full schedule for the stage performances and additional information can be found on page 12 of today’s Evening Sun.
In what has grown to be a sensation of the arts over the last 15 years, the paths of East and West Park in the City of Norwich will be adorned with dozens of tents holding the visual delights of more than 93 juried artists Saturday and Sunday.
For their final year, the towering Greco-Roman columns of the Chenango County Courthouse will set the stage for the event as it steps bear the weight of the nine professional gospel and folk entertainers set to play throughout the weekend. A new, permanent pavilion-style stage is scheduled to be built in the opposing East Park by next year’s 16th annual event, dramatically altering its traditional layout.
Colorscape music coordinator for the last 11 years, Ken Millett, says he’s convinced this year’s festival will “break all our records, whatever they are.”
He’s not alone either. Colorscape’s Executive Director for the last 10 years, Peggy Finnegan, agrees.
“This year we have more juried artists in the show than we’ve ever had,” she said.
Finnegan added that eight of the juried artists were new and another 16 were participating in the show for only their second year.
Millet pointed to the fact that, for the first time since he’s became involved in the event, all the area’s hotels were already booked – another positive indication.
“Usually I can call the day or two before and there’s something somewhere, but not this year. Apparently a sagging economy is a great thing for a free festival,” he joked.
The two also noted the highest number of food vendors and non-profit groups vying for space at the event.
In the past, organizers have an estimated 15,000 people attended Colorscape and they hope for an even higher number this year.
Night Eagle Productions, Millet’s business, recruited musical performers to this year’s event that it had not been able to attract in past Colorscapes, including acclaimed headliner, The Horse Flies. The group has received raves from critics at The New York Times, Chicago Tribune and The New Yorker.
Another group new to the Colorscape scene this year is the Canadian duo sensation, Dala. Their music videos have aired on MTV, CMT and Bravo. “These girls sell five, ten thousands seats at a time in Canada and were secondary acts invited on main stage at the Newport Folk Festival, which is totally unheard of and the folk festival in the country,” said Millet.
As the rhythms fill the air, an array of artisans will have their works on display – including ceramics, digital media, drawings and pastels, fiber, glass, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, oil and acrylic paintings, photography, sculpture, watercolor paintings, wood and more.
Among these crafters is Golden Artist Colors, the professional-grade acrylic paint manufacturer based in the Town of New Berlin.
The company’s West Park tent (Art Zone 2) welcomes everyone 11 and up to enjoy a variety of free painting activities, ranging from its Marbleizing technique – which uses air brush colors – to regular painting. Enthusiasts can create their own works of art on fans, book covers and more.
“All activities are free. Everyone can just come in and pick one item they can paint,” said company spokeswoman Jodi O’Dell. All paint is provided by Golden, which offers visitors canvas aprons as well.
To quench one’s lyrical tastes, visit the 8th annual Poetry Slam contest at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Blarney Stone Pub on 26 South Broad St.
The shows kicks off with 1994 National Slam Poetry Champion and 1996 International Slam Poet Champion Gayle Danley, who has been featured on the HBO Russell Simmons’ poetry slam show and on CBS’s “60 Minutes.”
The show is put together by Norwich High School English teacher and poet Richard Bernstein, who heads the competitive student team that won at the Bright Hill Literary Center in Treadwell. It was the 10th year in a row that the Norwich team was awarded the top honor and Bernstein was proclaimed Poetry Coach of the Year at the event.
“We have 25 slam poets scheduled to compete, including teams from Binghamton University and the State University at Oneonta. Many others from all around the area are coming and the show is looking to be quite a competitive event,” said Bernstein. Among those returning are former Norwich high school poetry team members who now compete competitively at the college level.
The Poetry Slam will commence following an opening performance by Danley and poets will compete for $300 in cash prizes.
Before the slam begins, there will also be a live band at the at Blarney Stone beginning at about 6 p.m.
Children of all ages can find two interactive Art Zones at Colorscape, one for children under 10 and one for ages 10 and up.
The East Park Children’s Stage will offer a selection of interactive beats for both kids and adults with the pounding of African Drums by Djembe instructor and performer Elizabeth Orleski, both Saturday and Sunday.
There be a number of other performances at the stage, including a children’s talent show and a number of creative activities in tune with the Colorscape theme.
Other interactive programs will be included at the new Dance Stage in East Park this year, sponsored by the Amber Perkins School of the Arts in Norwich. Both teachers and students will grace the stage in a variety of planned performances and visitors will also be invited in to learn different dancing techniques from the entertainers throughout the weekend.
“We talk to people out of the area and when they see what were able to do with what we’ve got and that we’re able to keep it open, free of any admission, they can’t believe we pull it off every year,” said Millett.
He recalled a recent caller who wanted direction to Norwich from Long Island.
“That’s a four, five hour drive just to come to our little town. That says a lot,” he said. Millet also noted a number of other out of state patrons interested in visiting Colorscape after seeing the festival online at www.colorscape.org.
“We’re still going strong and for what we work with, it’ll hold its own against any other festival out there,” he said.
An army of about 200 volunteers and about 50 business along with additional volunteers from the local fire police make the event possible, said Finnegan.
A full schedule for the stage performances and additional information can be found on page 12 of today’s Evening Sun.
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