WNBZ Community Calendar

The event will happen at the North Country Community College Pool in Saranac Lake, NY

For the benefit of local youth centers and to eradicate polio. The goal during the event is to set the Guiness Book of World Records for the most number of people swimming 100 meters non stop. Over 20 countries will be participating.

The effort will raise money from sponsors donating money to swimmers, individual team prices and team competitions are available. Students will receive community service credits for this effort. The Saranac Lake Rotary Foundation will distribute the funds and provide each donor of $25 or more with a tax receipt letter.

More information is available by contacting Bob Hanna -

This is a free all day concert at the Adirondack Carousel with more than a dozen acts, Donations of food and money will be accepted.

Whiteface Mtn. Masonic Lodge #789, in conjunction with the CVPH North Country Regional Blood Center, will be conducting a Blood Drive on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 from 3:00-6:00 pm. The site will be the Adult Center at 135 Broadway in Saranac Lake.

Blood shortage is critical at this time of year throughout the region. Blood donations are an easy and affordable way to contribute to the relief of the sick, the injured, and those affected by natural disasters.

You may donate if you are generally healthy, not currently sick, have a cold sore or other viral infections, have not donated for at least 8 weeks, weigh at least 110 pounds and are over 18 years of age. Drink plenty of liquids and eat a hearty meal at least four hours before donating. Also drink lots of water or liquids immediately after donating.

The Lake Placid Center for the Arts will be hosting tumbling classes beginning April 11^th for 8 weeks in the Annex studio at the Arts Center. Registration is now being accepted.

During the weekly sessions, youngsters two years to twelve years of age will be introduced to tumbling and basic gymnastic skills. The goal of the program is to develop strength, flexibility and coordination while simultaneously building self-confidence. The classes will be instructed by Donna Walsh, Mary Heaverly and Debbie Neill. Classes will be held on Thursdays for eight weeks: April 11, 18, 25 & May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30.

Classes will be offered in the following groups: Tots A ages 2 to 3 ½ (must be accompanied by an adult) will meet from 1-1:45pm with a course fee of $70. (please note: Tots B will be filled first, Tots A will only run if Tots B is full). Tots B for ages 2 to 3 ½ will meet from 1:45-2:30pm with a course fee of $70. Kinder Gym is for children 3 ½ to 5 years of age from 2:45-3:45pm with a course fee of $80. Wiggle and Roll is geared for children 5 to 8 years of age and will meet from 4-5pm with a course fee of $80. Flips is presented for ages 8 to 12 years from 5 -6pm with a course fee of $80.

For additional information contact instructors Donna Walsh at 891-5909 or Mary Heverly at 891-2973. To register contact the Lake Placid Center for the Arts at 523-2512.

Lake Placid Center for the Arts presents an Encore HD Screening of a new comedy that recently premiered at London’s National Theatre. Join us on Friday, April 12 at 7:30pm for People. Tickets are $16 adults, $14 LPCA Members and $10 students 18 and under. For reservations or more information contact the LPCA Box Office at 523-2512 or visit online at LakePlacidArts.org.

Award-winning writer Alan Bennett is reunited with director Nicholas Hytner and Olivier Award-winning actress Frances de la Tour, with whom he worked on The History Boys and The Habit of Art.

People spoil things; there are so many of them and the last thing one wants is them traipsing through one’s house. But with the park a mess and a bath on the billiard table, what is one to do? Dorothy (Frances de la Tour) wonders if an attic sale could be a solution.

Alan Bennett is one of Britain’s most celebrated playwrights, and the much anticipated People is the sixth of his plays to have its premiere at the National Theatre. Following its original run at the National Theatre, The History Boys transferred to Broadway, winning the Tony Award for Best Play in 2006, and toured internationally before being turned into a film, again directed by Nicholas Hytner and with a cast including Frances de la Tour.

Bennett and Hytner also collaborated on the award-winning play and film The Madness of King George and their last stage production, The Habit of Art, was broadcast as part of National Theatre Live in 2010.

The SUNY Plattsburgh Department of Music presents its annual ChoralFest Concert 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 19, in the E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium in Hawkins Hall.

 Directed by Jo Ellen Miano, the College Chorale and Cardinal Singers will combine to perform Haydn’s “Te Deum” with chamber orchestra. In addition, they will perform two a cappella works that feature student soloists.

 One of those works, “Where the Sun Will Never Go Down,” is a medley of spirituals originally written for the renowned professional a cappella group, Chanticleer. It will feature student soloists Gabriella Battistiol, soprano; John Thomas, tenor; and Eli MacNeil, bass.

 The combined chorus will also perform “What a Wonderful World,” featuring soloists Elizabeth Baldwin, soprano, and Jason Levesque, baritone.

 Also at the concert, the College Chorale will present Emma Lou Diemer’s “Three Madrigals,” which set texts of William Shakespeare. This three-movement work features student accompanist Ryan Mahony.

 In addition, the Cardinal Singers will perform Cantata No. 4 “Christ lag in Todesbanden” by J. S Bach, with string ensemble. In contrast to this extended Baroque work, the group will also perform Leonard Bernstein’s “The Lark,” a three-movement a cappella work that was originally composed as incidental music for the Jean Anouilh play as adapted by Lillian Hellman on the life of Joan of Arc.

 Tickets are $8 general admission; $5 seniors, students, SUNY faculty and staff; and $2 SUNY Plattsburgh students and can be purchased in advance at the Angell College Center or at the door.

The LPCA is proud to welcome multi-award winners, Burlington Taiko to the stage on Friday, April 19 at 8pm for an exciting evening of Thunderous drums, explosive movement, and colorful pageantry! Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, and $12 for children 12 and under. Seats are selling fast, reserve your spot today by calling 523-2512 or purchase online at LakePlacidArts.org.

With the power of an elemental force of nature, men and women play with the passion of complete abandon, fully committing their bodies and spirits to the beautiful, precise choreography and powerful, surging rhythms expressed in the ancient Japanese tradition of taiko (or “big drum”). Join Burlington Taiko and be mesmerized by the powerful, spellbinding, and propulsive sounds of the taiko.

Since 1987, Burlington Taiko has been mesmerizing audiences with the powerful, spellbinding & propulsive sounds of the taiko. Inspired by traditional Japanese drumming, performers use the power and beauty of taiko to transcend cultural barriers and foster greater understanding of the Japanese American culture. The group has been honored three times by the International Taiko community having been selected as a feature performer at the 2008 40th International Taiko Festival in San Francisco, the 1999 North American Taiko Conference in Los Angeles, and the 1998 30th International Taiko Festival in San Francisco.

Taiko—Japanese for “big drum”- is a relatively modern revival of ancient Japanese drumming traditions. The drums originally developed in India, where they were used in religious ceremony to represent the voice of the Buddha. Moving across China and Korea with the spread of Buddhism, taiko arrived in Japan around 500 AD.

Taiko quickly became part of Japanese culture; spiritual healers played taiko to dispel evil spirits and drive insects from the rice fields; Samurai employed taiko to instill fear in the enemy and courage in themselves; villagers used taiko to in their prayers for rain and in thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. Over time, many areas developed unique choreography and rhythms celebrating festivals or recreations of historic events.

In modern times, taiko has emerged as a performing art. Groups such as Osuwa Daiko led by Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi and Sukeroku Taiko of Tokyo pioneered the way in the 70′s and 80′s collecting local festival rhythms and transforming them into stage performance pieces.

“A Scottish Ceilidh” at

Saranac Village at Will Rogers

On Saturday, April 20th at 7:00 p.m. the St. Andrew’s Society of the Adirondacks (SASA) will present “A Scottish Ceilidh (Party)” at Saranac Village at Will Rogers featuring music by Steve Borst, desserts, refreshments and a raffle.

The St. Andrew’s Society of the Adirondacks is a service organization dedicated to the perpetuation of Scottish history and culture.  Those of Scottish descent are welcome to join the society to learn more about their ancestry and to celebrate their heritage.

This program is open to the public and a donation of $5 is requested. For more information, please contact Debbie Kanze at (518) 891-7117 or call (518) 891-2165.

The Lake Placid Center for the Arts presents The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Live in HD presentation of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. Join us on Sunday, April 21 for an Encore Screening at 2pm. Tickets are $16, $14 LPCA Members and $10 students 18 and under. For reservations or more information contact the LPCA Box Office at 523-2512 or visit online at LakePlacidArts.org.

Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring received its U.S. premieres in both staged and concert versions in Philadelphia, under Stokowski’s direction. Now, in a first-of-its-kind partnership with Philadelphia Live Arts, The Philadelphia Orchestra collaborates with the New York-based Ridge Theater Company to present a 21st- century treatment of The Rite of Spring with dancers, video projection, and theatrical lighting. Philadelphia also gave the first American performances of Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G, which will be performed by star soloist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.

The program opens with a modern-day Philadelphia first, the world premiere of a brand new composition by Oliver Knussen, co-commissioned by The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony.

The Philadelphia Orchestra – A Brief History

Renowned for its distinctive sound, desired for its keen ability to capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences, and admired for an unrivaled legacy of “firsts” in music-making, The Philadelphia Orchestra remains one of the preeminent orchestras in the world. While wholly committed to the exploration of classical music and repertoire, the Orchestra also continues to develop compelling programs that resonate with contemporary audiences. The Philadelphia Orchestra is focused on inspiring the future while transforming its rich tradition of achievement, and seeks to not simply sustain the highest level of artistic quality, but to challenge—and exceed—that level by creating powerful musical experiences for audiences at home and around the world.

The Philadelphia Orchestra has long pushed the boundaries of convention in the classical music realm. Signature to such a reputation are world and/or American premieres of such important works as Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 (“Symphony of a Thousand”), Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, Schoenberg’s Gurrelieder, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances. As part of its commitment to bringing classical music to audiences where they are listening, the Orchestra was the first to create an online store for purchasing music. To further expand such distribution, the Orchestra formed a new partnership with Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA), making its live recordings available on popular digital music services such as iTunes and Amazon, among others. The Orchestra has also joined with Specticast in pioneering simulcasts of Orchestra concerts into theaters, schools, and performing arts centers.

Artistic Leadership

Demonstrating a deep and abiding commitment to the highest levels of artistic excellence, The Philadelphia Orchestra has cultivated an extraordinary history of artistic leaders in its 112 seasons, including music directors Fritz Scheel, Carl Pohlig, Leopold Stokowski, Eugene Ormandy, Riccardo Muti, Wolfgang Sawallisch, and Christoph Eschenbach, and Charles Dutoit, who served as chief conductor from 2008 to 2012. Under such extraordinary guidance, The Philadelphia Orchestra has served as an unwavering standard of excellence in the world of classical music—and it continues to do so today.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin joins this small yet illustrious group in the 2012-13 season, serving as the eighth music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra. An integral member of the Orchestra’s leadership team since 2010 when he assumed the title of music director designate, Nézet-Séguin also serves as music director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic, principal guest conductor of the London Philharmonic, and artistic director and principal conductor of Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain. He brings a wealth of talent and vision that extends beyond symphonic music and into the vivid world of opera and choral music. Nézet-Séguin possesses a distinctive gift for reaching audiences, and arrives well-prepared to share his unmatched versatility and depth with Philadelphia and the world.

 Adam Falkner, Jon Sands and Samantha Thornhill, the trio that makes up the famous “Poets in Unexpected Places” troupe, all three astounding talents will be on stage at the Pendragon Theatre at 7pm. This event is free and open to the public.

Adam Falkner is an award-winning New York City-based poet, performer, essayist and fulltime pubic high school teacher. He is a seasoned veteran of the National Poetry Slam scene with substantial formal training in voice, piano and performance art. Jon Sands’ first full collection of poems, The New Clean, was released in 2011 from Write Bloody Publishing. He is Director of Poetry Education at the Positive Health Project (a syringe exchange center in Midtown Manhattan), an adjunct with the City University of New York, as well as a Youth Mentor with Urban Word-NYC. He reads and facilitates workshops extensively, both nationally and internationally. Samantha Thornhill is an international poet. She travels the globe performing her poetry to audiences of all stripes and walks of life, regularly performing at universities, schools, and festival stages from Budapest to Brooklyn

Expect to love each and everyone one of these three poets. Expect an evening that you will not forget. Expect to suddenly realize that you love poetry. Expect poets in unexpected places.

This event is free and open to the public. This event is funded by NCCC student activity fees and by Poets & Writers with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts.

The Adirondack Center for Writing is an independent non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting literature and providing educational opportunities and support to both aspiring and established writers in the Adirondack region. We provide workshops, conferences, and readings throughout the year in locations all around the Adirondack Park. ACW is based at Paul Smith’s College and is supported by a strong membership and public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

This event is part of DAFFEST 2013 – at St Bernard’s Church 2pm Sunday

Kim and Reggie Harris in Concert

Songs of Peace and Freedom

Monday May 6, 2013, 7:30 pm

Tickets $10.00 Adults , Students $5.00, Available at ­­­­­­­­­Saranac Village at Will Rogers

78 Will Rogers Dr.  Saranac Lake, NY 12983  (518) 304-5032

Sponsored by: sponsored by the Ecumenical Council of Saranac Lake and Inspired Dreamers of “The Dream”.

Proceeds benefit The Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund and Poster Contest

Saranac Lake will ring with the joyful sounds of Kim and Reggie Harris on May 6^th starting at 7:30 at Saranac Village at Will Rogers. Consummate musicians and storytellers, Kim and Reggie Harris combine a strong folk and gospel legacy with a solid background in classical, rock, jazz and pop music. Creative curiosity, years of road and stage experience and interactions with performers such as Pete Seeger, Ysaye Barnwell, Jay Leno, Tom Paxton, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Harry Belafonte and others, has led them to produce music that entertains and inspires.

Audiences at venues such as The Kennedy Center, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Smithsonian Institute, Reunion Arena in TX, the Psalm Festival in Graz, Austria, as well as a myriad of theatre arts centers, festivals, universities and schools, have given this inspiring duo standing ovations for their vibrant performances.

With numerous recordings on the Appleseed Recordings and the Folk Era labels they are also featured on a number of compilations, films and educational projects worldwide.

As a result of materials developed in their work with the Kennedy Center, Kim and Reggie have earned wide acclaimed for their contributions to the resources and knowledge base – in historical and educational circles – on the Underground Railroad and the modern civil rights movement.

Kim and Reggie Harris are dynamic and superbly talented traditional folk performers, whose captivating stage presence and unique harmonies has earned the respect and love of audiences throughout the US, Canada and Europe for over 30 years. They are unique in their ability to entertain audiences of any age and background as they blend their talents as singers, songwriters, educators, interpreters of history and cultural advocates.

This is an all ages show. Advance tickets are available from dreamers of the dream members and from Ampersound Music in Saranac Lake.

Kim and Reggie’s  Partners in Education Program “Dream Alive” will be presented at the Saranac Lake School on Tuesday May 7^th. The stories of people such as Harriet Tubman and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. have become a familiar part of the study of American History. The works of many other significant African-Americans from every walk of live and field of endeavor are not as well known. Dream Alive!, a multi-media presentation, will bring to light the heroes and sheroes: artists, educators, inventors, explorers, scientists, poets and other important contributors to the life and culture of America and the world. Kim and Reggie Harris have been affiliated with the John F Kennedy Center’s Partners in Education program for over two decades, offering multimedia performances for students and community, and in-depth workshops for educators at all grade levels. Touring, writing, researching and recording together for over 30 years, Kim and Reggie have amassed an amazing repertoire of African American music, blending spirituals and freedom songs, the old and the new.