WNBZ Community Calendar

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — The 2012 summer skating continues this weekend, Aug. 10-11, with Friday’s Freaky Friday and the Saturday Night Ice Show at the Olympic Center, in Lake Placid, N.Y.  Friday’s Freaky Friday event begins at 4:30 p.m., while the Saturday night’s show is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.  Both events will be held in the center’s 1932 Rink Jack Shea Arena. 

 Ashley Cain (Coppell, Texas), the 2012 U.S. junior national championship silver medalist, is Saturday night’s featured skater. 

 Joining Cain will be skaters participating in the 80^th annual summer skating program. The skaters will perform their individual and group numbers during this entertaining event. Admission to the show is $10 for adults, $8 for juniors and seniors. Children six and under may enter for free.

 The ever-popular Freaky Friday show will also feature skaters from the summer skating program, who create their own unique routines for this event. The skaters abandon their regular routines in favor of creativity, humor and amusement.  The routines are judged on entertainment value.  Admission is free.

 To learn more about the Lake Placidsummer skating program, log on to www.lakeplacidskating.com. For more information on ORDA’s Olympic venues and events, visit www.whitefacelakeplacid.com.

Final 2012 Concert features violin and horn soloists

“On The Orient Express” is the last concert of the Lake Placid Sinfonietta’s 2012 season.  The concert will be held at theLake PlacidCenterfor the Arts on Sunday, August 12 at7:30 PM.   The concert’s program will include a flamboyant solo by ConcertmasterDaniel Szasz(Porembescu’s “Balada”) and a double Horn Concerto by Telemann featuring Sinfonietta member David Pandolfi and his son Adam Pandolfi, both on horn.     Tickets are available through the LPCA box office, 518.523.2512, all seating is reserved.  There is no charge for students 18 and under (as available.)

Concertmaster Daniel Szaszi

The Lake Placid Sinfonietta is also using this concert as an opportunity to give back to the community. In the spring, many orchestras collect donations for local food pantries through a program called Orchestras Feeding America.  In keeping with that initiative, and in recognition of how difficult summers can be for families without enough resources to buy groceries, a food drive is being held at this concert.  Non-perishable food items brought to the August 12 concert will be collected and given to   volunteers who will deliver the food collected to the Ecumenical Charity Program’s Food Pantry.

Concertmaster Daniel Szaszis featured in this concert in “Balada” by the composer  Ciprian Porumbescu, which he arranged himself for violin and orchestra, and in Franz Lehar’s “Hungarian Fantasy” with the orchestra. Mr. Szasz enjoys a world wide reputation as a soloist and is the founder of a spring music festival inRomania.  The “suite in F Mojor for Two Horns” will feature longtime Sinfonietta principal horn David Pandolfi with his son Adam Pandolfi, also on horn.  Both david Pandolfi andDaniel Szaszare members of the Alabama Symphony where they hold the positions of Principal Horn and Concertmaster, respectively.

Other selections on the program include Johan Strauss, Jr.’s “Vienna Blood Waltz” and Gustav Holst’s “Brook Green Suite.  The evening will end with the traditional “Finale” from Haydn’s “Farewell Symphony” which features the musicians leaving the stage one at a time, extinguishing a candle as they go until the stage is empty.

For more complete information on the orchestra, the musicians, and programs please visit the Lake Placid Sinfonietta’s website at www.LakePlacidSinfonietta.org  of call the Lake Placid Sinfonietta office at 518-523-2051.

Adam Pandolfi

SaranacLake’s 3rd Thursday Art Walks will continue this Thursday. The Village of Saranac Lake will again host the talents of regional and local artists of various genres from 5:00 to 7:30pm.

Beginning a self-guided tour through Downtown and a couple of outer-lying venues, visitors can go to any participating venue, get a schedule and map, see and experience at their own pace established artists’ work and emerging talents from all over the North Country. There will be more than 30 venues this time marked with festive balloons.

This event will extend from Pendragon Theatre on Brandy Brook Rd., off of River St., to the Saranac Laboratory Museum on Church St. and then on Main St. between River and Church Streets, up Broadway to BluSeed Studios on Cedar St. and then on Bloomingdale Ave. between Broadway and Depot St. at the new Adirondack Carousel.

At Pendragon Theatre, visitors can enjoy the works of photographer, Burdette Parks, and next learn about “The Story of Saranac Lake” in the John Black Room at theSaranacLaboratoryMuseumonChurch St.  The Adirondack Artists’ Guild will be showing Marylou Reid’s new clay work, “Totems and Vessels,” as well as works of other members. The Cantwell Room in the Saranac Lake Free Library will host the “Summer Show” of the Paint and Palette Association with a “Meet the Artist” reception that evening. Visitors to the NorthWinds Fine Arts Gallery on Broadway will see its members’ works plus “Cutting Corners,” the current show of local artist, Heidi Gutersloh. Up onCedar St., BluSeed Studios will showcase Jack LaDuke’s new photography, “Sun and Shadow,” and visitors can enjoy a  “Meet the Artist” reception there from 6-8pm.

Please note that fine arts photographer, Mark Kurtz, now has his studio upstairs in The Annex, above the Adirondack Artists’ Guild, along with the drawing and sculpting studios of Maria DiAngelo and Matt Paul.

Art Walk visitors will also be able to enjoy many types of music Thursday evening throughoutDowntownSaranacLake. Soulful singer-songwriter, Theresa Hartford will grace the Berkeley Green stage while several other musicians entertain visitors along the sidewalks, including the sax quartet, “Adirondack Saxes,” indie-folk group, “The Lemmon Drops,”Potsdampianist, Matt Bullwinkel, folk singer, Michael Shepard, the trio, “Dust Bunnies,” and accordionist, Hannah Huber. At The Waterhole’s “Party on the Patio,” Rusty Dovos will perform starting at 6pm.

In addition, various other artists contributing to this event include 6 members of the Lake Placid Poets’ Guild; woodcarvers, Rachel Lamb and Mark Paul; artist, Charlene Deleel and young friends; string instrument builder, Charlie Marshall; rug hooking demo by Judy O’Toole; artist, Cal Rice; children’s photographer, Kristin Parker; wildlife photographer, Craig Dickey; photographer, Shaun Durant; crafter, Sarah Humphreys and 2^nd-grade photographer, Cade Corris.

SaranacLake’s 3rd Thursday Art Walks 2012 also has a Facebook presence so please find us and Like the page to get more information.

Summer skating continues in the 1932 rink this weekend..,

Lindsay Davis and Mark Ladwig make up one of the most promising pairs heading into this year’s season.. They’ll headline The Saturday Night Ice show.  The two have been skating together since May and before that, Davis claimed the 2010 U.S. junior bronze medal and Ladwig is a 2010 Olympian, a two-time U.S. pairs silver medalist and a 2012 U.S. pairs bronze medalist. Admission to the Saturday Night Ice show is $10 for adults, $8 for juniors and seniors. Show time at the 1932 rink is 7:30..  Friday’s show is free and opens at 4:30pm..

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To learn more about the Lake Placidsummer skating program, log on to www.lakeplacidskating.com.

For more information on ORDA’s Olympic venues and events, visit www.whitefacelakeplacid.com

Summer skating continues in the 1932 rink this weekend..,

Lindsay Davis and Mark Ladwig make up one of the most promising pairs heading into this year’s season.. They’ll headline The Saturday Night Ice show.  The two have been skating together since May and before that, Davis claimed the 2010 U.S. junior bronze medal and Ladwig is a 2010 Olympian, a two-time U.S. pairs silver medalist and a 2012 U.S. pairs bronze medalist. Admission to the Saturday Night Ice show is $10 for adults, $8 for juniors and seniors. Show time at the 1932 rink is 7:30..  Friday’s show is free and opens at 4:30pm..

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To learn more about the Lake Placidsummer skating program, log on to www.lakeplacidskating.com.

For more information on ORDA’s Olympic venues and events, visit www.whitefacelakeplacid.com

Annual Christmas Retreat – Guggenheim Lodge

Guggenheim Lodge will hold it’s annual Christmas Retreat August 24th through the 26th. A Mass of Healing will be at 3pm Saturday, with Fr. Anthony Gramlich officiating – All are welcome.

Towne Meeting to Perform at Will Rogers

    On Saturday, August 25 at 7:30 p.m., Towne Meeting will perform a blend of vocals and acoustic sounds at Saranac Village at Will Rogers.  Primarily considered a folk group, they will perform a variety of genres from acoustic rock to country.

Their group consists of family and life long friends, many of whom have sung and played music together off and on for many years including Dennis Hulbert, Justin VanCour and three Saranac Lake natives and graduates, Miles Moody, Rich Sutphen and Gary VanCour.  All members provide vocals and guitar performances among other instruments.

Towne Meeting has performed around Northern New York and Vermont for the past three years.  They have produced three CDs titled Stillwater, A Christmas World and Looking Back.  They are currently planning to record a fourth album.

there is a $5 suggested donation.  Refreshments will be served.  For more information, please contact Debbie Kanze at (518) 891-7117.

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The Lake Placid Center for the Arts invites you to a One-Night-Only Concert featuring Martin Sexton on Saturday, August 25 at 8pm. Billboard calls Sexton, “The real thing, people, a star with potential to permanently affect the musical landscape and keep us entertained for years to come.” This performance is a Benefit Concert for Dewey Mountain  – a historic Adirondack recreation center which yields not only community but Olympiads of the past and future, and the evening  will include a live auction.

Tickets are $30 general admission or $60 VIP  Package which includes sound check party, meet and greet with Martin, refreshments,  and preferred seating.  Purchase your seats today by calling 523-2512.

American soul man Martin Sexton is best known for his incendiary live performances. There is perhaps no better way to experience Sexton’s live concert energy than via one of his solo shows.

The New York Times noted that Sexton “jumps beyond standard fare on the strength of his voice, a blue-eyed soul man’s supple instrument . . . his unpretentious heartiness helps him focus on every soul singer’s goal: to amplify the sound of an ordinary heart.” And Rolling Stone adds, “His outstanding taste in songwriting as well as a soul marinated voice that can easily be compared to the likes of a young Steve Winwood or Van Morrison.”

About Martin’s latest album:

MARTIN SEXTON – Fall Like Rain

Martin Sexton’s brand-new EP, finds this artist again asking relevant questions and challenging the status quo. Entertaining us all the while, he continues to call for unity in “One Voice Together” and adds: “In a world of warfare, peace is bad for business . . .” A timely cover of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” reminds us it’s time to “stop, hey, what’s that sound, everybody look what’s going down.” On this record, the artist subtly and seamlessly blends infectious tunes with a powerful message.

His “soul-marinated voice” (Rolling Stone) shimmers on the soaring falsetto on the title track: “I wanna feel, I wanna fall like rain, without the shelter, so I can see which way the wind is blowin’ today.”

Why an EP? Sexton says, “These songs are relevant today and I didn’t want to wait to release a full-length album. And in a down economy, we’re getting new music to people for the price of a soy latte.”

A native of Syracuse, N.Y., and the tenth of 12 children, Martin Sexton grew up in the ’80s. Uninterested in the music of the day, he fueled his dreams with the timeless sounds of classic rock ’n’ roll. As he discovered the dusty old vinyl left in the basement by one his big brothers, his musical fire was lit. Sexton eventually migrated to Boston, where he began to build a following singing on the streets of Harvard Square, gradually working his way through the scene. His 1992 collection of self-produced demo recordings, In the Journey, was recorded on an old 8-track in a friend’s attic. He managed to sell 20,000 copies out of his guitar case.

From 1996 to 2002 Sexton released Black Sheep, The American, Wonder Bar and Live Wide Open. The activity and worldwide touring behind these records laid the foundation for the career he enjoys today with an uncommonly loyal fan base; he sells out venues from New York’s Nokia Theatre to L.A.’s House of Blues, and tours regularly across Canada and Europe.

Happily and fiercely independent, Martin Sexton launched his own label, KTR, in 2002. Since then he has infiltrated many musical worlds, performing at concerts ranging from pop (collaborating with John Mayer) to the Jam scene to classic rock (collaborating with Peter Frampton); from the Newport Folk Fest to Bonnaroo to New Orleans Jazz Fest to a performance at Carnegie Hall.

Regardless of his reputation as a musician’s musician, Sexton can’t keep Hollywood away. His songs can be heard in many feature films and television including NBC’s Scrubs, Parenthood and Showtime’s hit series Brotherhood.

Stage, film and television aside, when Sexton isn’t touring he often mixes entertainment with his sense of social responsibility, performing at benefits for Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang camp, the Children’s Tumor Foundation, Japan earthquake/tsunami relief (The John Lennon Tribute), and Hurricane Irene relief efforts in Vermont, to name some.

In 2007 Sexton began his most successful years to date with the release of his studio offering Seeds. The album debuted at #6 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart, and the Los Angeles Times said, “Call him a soul shouter, a road poet, a folkie or a rocker and you wouldn’t be wrong.”

The live CD/DVD set Solo, which includes a DVD of his performance at Denver’s Mile High Festival, followed in 2008.

In 2010 the album Sugarcoating found this one-of-a-kind-troubadour doing what he does best: locating larger truths. After hearing it, NBC anchor Brian Williams sought Martin out to sit down for an interview backstage at New York’s Beacon Theatre. It’s now featured on MSNBC’s BriTunes.

The accolades continue. Billboard called Sexton’s version of “Working Class Hero” for the Lennon tribute/benefit in 2010 “chill-inspiring.” Released this November as part of The 30th Annual John Lennon Tribute album, the track is available on iTunes.

The New York Times noted that this artist “jumps beyond standard fare on the strength of his voice, a blue-eyed soul man’s supple instrument,” adding, “his unpretentious heartiness helps him focus on every soul singer’s goal: to amplify the sound of the ordinary heart.”

Billboard called Sexton “The real thing, people, a star with potential to permanently affect the musical landscape and keep us entertained for years to come.”

About Sexton:

Sexton got his start playing on the streets and subways of Boston in the 1990s. Today he sells out venues nationwide—world-class rooms like the Nokia Theater in New York City and House of Blues Los Angeles. With his song “Diner” included on a recent episode of “Scrubs,” the single “Happy” from Seeds reaching #1 on the AAA charts and the second single “Wild Angels” being included in a USA Today “Playlist” upon the album’s release, the accolades continue. Sexton has earned the respect of fellow artists, people like John Mayer, who calls him “the best live performer I’ve ever seen.”

Don’t miss Martin Sexton live at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts on Saturday, August 25 at 8pm. Tickets can be reserved by calling the LPCA Box Office at 518-523-2512. For more information on these and other upcoming events, visit online at www.LakePlacidArts.org.  More information on Sexton can be found at www.martinsexton.com

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is the movie and it will begin in the Berkley green at 8:30pm..

Labor Day Weekend in Saranac Lake – On Sunday at Union Depot – Hobo Fest – Part of the Adirondack Sustainable Communities..  Food provided by Eat N Meet.

Simon Stephens’ adaptation offers a richly theatrical exploration of the touching and bleakly humorous, award-winning novel by Mark Haddon.

15year-old Christopher stands beside Mrs. Shears’ dead dog. It has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in a book he is writing to solve the mystery. He has an extraordinary brain, exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life.  He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and he distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.

If ever there was a perfect theatrical marriage of performance and effect, this is it.’  – The Times

For more information visit www.LakePlacidArts.org

The 2012 Kiwanis Teddy Bear Picnic will take place at Hillcrest Park in Lake Placid marking the official kick off of the 2012 Kiwanis Radio Week on ROCK105 & WNBZ. The theme of this year’s picnic is “Friendship Matters.” Grand Marshal is Mary Michelfelder from the Lake Placid Elementary School.

Teddy Bear Picnic Schedule & Details: Registration takes place from 11:30am-12:00noon.  The annual parade will take place at  noon. Following the parade there will be crafts, a picnic, a “bear store” and much more. Children are encouraged to bring their bear and dress them in costume as there will prizes for best costume.

About Kiwanis Radio Week: The 9th Annual Kiwanis Radio Week runs from September 16 – 22, 2012 on ROCK105 & WNBZ.  Throughout the week the Mountain Communication stations will donate airtime to the many sponsors and supporters who have generously helped the Lake Placid Kiwanis Group continue their mission of: “Changing the world one child at a time.” They do this through their many great programs including the Annual Teddy Bear Picnic, Kamp Kiwanis, scholarship programs and much more. Throughout the week listen to ROCK105 & WNBZ as Kiwanis Members and their supporters discuss who they are and what they do for the community. For more info on the Lake Placid Kiwanis Club visit: www.LakePlacidKiwanis.org.

21^st Annual Oktoberfest Celebrates Foliage Season at Whiteface

Bavarian Food, Drink, Live Music and More at Fall Festival

 WILMINGTON, N.Y. – The 21^st annual Whiteface Oktoberfest, in Wilmington, N.Y., is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29-30.  During the two-day festival, the Olympic mountain dusts off its lederhosen, fires up the oompah band and enjoys a tall mug of German beer.  But it’s more than that… it’s fun for the entire family with activities including original vendors, arts and crafts, children’s amusement rides including the popular hayride and inflatables, Bavarian food, drink and entertainment.

Of course the Whiteface Oktoberfest offers great traditional German music from Die Schlauberger, performing under the entertainment tent outside the base lodge each day and Ed Schenk on the accordion.  The Cloudspin Lounge will also feature music from Schachtelgebirger Musikanten (Scha-Musi) and performing at their forth Oktoberfest will be Spitze and The Alpen Trio.

AsAmerica’s #1 German band die Schlauberger is a powerhouse of musical expertise.  From the moment they step on stage until they have wrung the final note from their last song, die Schlauberger has the audience up and dancing to their powerful renditions of German favorites and other crowd pleasing tunes.

Spitze will also get the audience involved with their amazing alpine show which features cowbells, the alpine xylophone, and the alphorn and of course – yodeling, while the Alpen Trio will greet Cloudsplitter Gondola passengers at the summit of Little Whiteface with the alphorns (weather permitting).

Finally, Whiteface also welcomes back Schachtelgebirger Musikanten for the eighth year to our Oktoberfest. The lively duo will be performing in the Cloudspin Lounge on Saturday and on Sunday.

Other entertainment to be found during the festival include the Alpenland Taenzer, nominated and accepted as members of the “Gauverband Nordamerica,” a nationally and internationally known organization promoting German Heritage throughout the United States and Canada, and “Kindergruppe,” comprised of 8-10 couples ages 3-19. Older members of the Kindergruppe also dance in the adult group.

Guests can also drive the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway and enjoy spectacular 360-panaromic views of the region, spanning hundreds of square miles of wild land reaching out toVermontandCanadafrom the top of the state’s fifth highest peak.

Oktoberfest will be held Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A complimentary shuttle service will be provided both days. Departure from the Olympic Center Box Office inLake Placidtakes place at        11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.  Departure from Whiteface toLake Placidtakes place at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. (Sunday only), and 6 p.m. (Saturday only).   FromWilmingtonpick-ups are at noon both days with the return shuttle leaving Whiteface at 5 p.m.

Admission is $15 for adults, $9 for juniors and seniors and gondola rides are $13. For more information about ORDA’s 21^st annual Oktoberfest, log on to http://www.whiteface.com/summer/events/octoberfest.php.  For more information about all of the events being held at ORDA’s Olympic venues, log on to www.whitefacelakeplacid.com.

LIFE FLIGHT’S PUMPKINFEST SATURDAY 9/29 10 am at Adirondack Airport, Lake Clear

A day of family fun is planned for Saturday, September 29 beginning at 10 am at the Adirondack Airport in Lake Clear, NY. North Country Life Flight, the area’s air rescue medical team, will hold it annual PumpkinFest as part of the Adirondack Regional Airport’s open house celebration.

PumpkinFest will feature games,  face painting, hair painting, pumpkin decorating, Hoo Dee Doo the Clown, music by Mr. DJ, hay rides, a hay maze, bake sale, a silent auction,  and the ever popular Cake Walk, featuring cakes from many of the region’s finest chefs and eateries. New this year SMOKEY’s BBQ 911. Visitors can see The New York State Police Life Flight Helicopter, static airplane displays, take part in the Adirondack Regional Airport’s Open House, NYS Seat Belt Convincer. PumpkinFest is an important fund-raiser for North Country Life Flight, this year marking 23 years of helping to save lives in the North Country.

The Adirondack Regional Airport is located off NY Route 186W. From Saranac Lake head west on 86, turn left on route 186W at Donnelly’s Corners for approximately 2 miles. Watch for signs for the Adirondack Airport on your right.

Saturday, October 20 — The Stray Birds

Check out a recent Video http://youtube.com

Birds of a feather flock together, and that is how The Stray Birds hope to soar.

Having each spent time flying solo in the music world, the members of the Americana roots trio came together through the mutual love of their craft, and a desire to create a unique sound full of three-part harmonies.

“We sort of found each other in the right time and place,” says fiddle player Maya de Vitry.

The Stray Birds will make their way to Frederick on Friday for a show at Café Nola that will feature music off their soon-to-be released debut album.

The trio grew up a few miles apart in Lancaster County, Pa., where de Vitry played in the high school orchestra with bassist Charlie Muench. Flashing forward to 2010, Muench met fiddle player Oliver Craven in a short-lived bluegrass band, and introduced him to de Vitry, who had just returned from France, where she had been making a living as a street performer.

While busking with her violin across the United States, Canada and Europe, de Vitry had begun to write her own songs, but things didn’t fall into place until she met Craven, who encouraged her songwriting.

“We have similar values as far as music goes,” says de Vitry, 21. “We love harmony singing, and that’s one thing I think sets the band apart, is the attention we put on arranging the songs to really fit the songs.”

Both multi-instrumentalists, Craven and de Vitry took the lead on The Stray Birds’ 2010 EP “Borderland,” on which Muench was featured on just three tracks, because he was still working on his music education degree at West Chester University. After graduating, Muench decided to put teaching on hold and play with the group full time.

“I decided I wanted to play music out of college. This was not only an awesome opportunity, but I consider it more of an honor playing with these guys and their awesome original music,” says Muench, 23.

Muench has played upright bass in a variety of different styles, including jazz, big band and Latin music, but found that he really resonated with the sound of The Stray Birds.

“I think it’s the acoustic sound that really draws me in,” he says. “It’s sort of a social gathering. Everyone has their instrument in a circle and there is no electronics, there is just the wood and the strings.”

Muench thinks The Stray Birds’ strength lies in the organic craftsmanship of their songs, starting with the raw material that either de Vitry or Craven brings to the table.

“We hear the song and it’s a one-time thing,” he says. “We just go at it and attack the song and try to come up with interesting bass lines and how the bass fits with whatever those guys are playing. … We just try things and sculpt the arrangement out of the marble, so to say.”

Craven, who grew up playing in a family band with his parents, previously played with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Adrienne Young and Virginia-based American band The Steel Wheels. After years spent touring and recording with other groups, Craven was ready to leave his own mark on the music world and has enjoyed being able to craft The Stray Birds’ sound.

“We like to be able to be as subtle as we can with our sound,” says Craven, 26. “It spans from the subtle and intimate to being something that’s upbeat and makes you want to clap your hands and sing along.”

He believes the band sets itself apart with how well its members communicate with each other both during the creative process and while on stage.

“We don’t want to get too big, we’re not trying to headline Bonnaroo; we want to just keep playing our music for people,” he says. “As long as people are watching and listening … that’s how we like it.”

by Cody Calamaio