Author: Ava Goodemote

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore’s Tang Museum hosted a poetry reading last Sunday that featured thirteen poets responding to artwork included in the exhibition “All These Growing Things.” The timing of the readings could not have been better, coinciding with National Poetry Month.

The event was a wonderful showcase of talents.

Each poet was received with a warm welcome from the audience as they expressed their emotions through their words. Regardless of how each poet interpreted their chosen piece of art, their words conveyed their opinions beautifully, and it was clear how much pride each poet held for their writing. A few specific poets stood out with their word choice and skill interpreting their chosen artwork.

Krista Rivera, an assistant professor of English at SUNY Adirondack, responded to a work by an unrecorded Tibetan artist. Her language was advanced and highly descriptive, eliciting emotions that aligned perfectly with the art.

Another talent was Saratoga’s former poet laureate Joseph Bruchac, who was responding to a tapestry created by Annie Taipanak in the late 1990s. His passion for the history behind the artwork was reflected in the execution of his poem. When giving the context for the tapestry, he said, “What are often seen as primitive images are often very sophisticated. What we think of as people who are without civilization means we are not really civilized ourselves.”

The night was full of creative works being read aloud for the first time. After the event ended, many audience members lingered behind to hold discussions with the poets, bringing the community together through a shared love for writing and art. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore’s Arthur Zankel Music Center was alive this Friday with the enchanting music of pianist HaeSun Paik. The musician could be seen fully immersed in her music, with her entire body swaying as the notes floated throughout the music hall. 

The crowd was a blend of all ages, and they could be seen watching her performance intently. Paik made her tempo changes sound effortless as the tunes shifted from a calm and relaxing melody to a faster paced, more aggressive sound. Each tempo evoked a new emotion, and it was easy to get lost in the music.

It was clear that Paik was in her element, and her passion for the art form shone with the creativity and effort she put into her program. She started with Beethoven and transitioned into a well-known Korean tune, with the sounds changing to symbolize the changing seasons. This was followed by a folk-like Hungarian melody, and the concert was concluded with a work that tied back into Beethoven, creating a full circle loop.

Paik used her program as a showcase for her range as a pianist and her understanding and creativity in the field. The crowd was supportive and received her work with a standing ovation to finish off the night.

Paik can be found on multiple streaming platforms, including Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Music.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Last Friday evening, Skidmore’s Arthur Zankel Music Center was transported to another world as Ellie Ushakov performed her senior recital. The atmosphere for the night was warm and inviting, a beautiful reflection of the performance Ushakov gave. 

Her performance was a combination of solo and group songs, ranging from well-known works to some of her own compositions and songs. Her skill on the guitar produced soft and relaxing sounds that the crowd enjoyed immensely, followed closely by a duet she performed with her teacher, John Kirk, on the mandolin.

Kirk could be seen nodding and swaying along as he played, looking at Ushakov proudly as the crowd erupted into cheers at the closing of their duet. Ushakov was engaging and funny, capturing the crowd’s attention. 

Ushakov’s songwriting was highlighted when she performed multiple original works. Her lyricism was creative and entertaining, with many of her lyrics eliciting a few laughs from the crowd. One of her songs required the crowd to sing the refrain with her.

Ushakov asked musicians from the crowd to join her on stage for her encore, which was an Irish song that transported the audience into an old tavern with an uplifting and jovial tune. 

The night was a wonderful illustration of her range. The music hall was transformed into a brand-new place with each song. The audience was not shy to show their appreciation of her talent as they cheered and hollered between tunes. Her effect on the crowd was evident as she received a standing ovation at the closing of her last song.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Monday night, Caffè Lena was aglow with the soft, inviting lights of center stage that helped set the scene for a night full of local talent.

There was a low hum of conversation amongst the dozens of audience members as artists tuned their instruments. The wooden tables that inhabited the cafe were peppered with refreshments and snacks as provided by Caffè Lena.

The music was a mix of acoustic and folk, with each song different from the last. Many artists chose to play original tunes, while others opted for classic covers that had the audience singing and nodding along. Artists of all ages took the stage, and the crowd was not shy to show their support after each performance.

Among the highlights were the Dust Bowl Faeries, who traveled from the Catskills to showcase some of their unique and upbeat original tunes. (The Dust Bowl Faeries will return to Caffè Lena for a show on March 6.) 

Each musician managed to pull the audience into their music, but younger artists such as Cole Davidson and Henry Phalen were particularly successful in this task. Both performed original works that can be found on Spotify and other streaming platforms.