Mother's Day Concert and Brunch Featuring Stringwynde

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will host a concert and brunch in honor of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 5, 11:30-1 p.m., in their Grand Gallery at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville. Tickets are $35 and available at pncreativeartscenter.org or by calling 518-661-9932.

The brunch menu will include quiche, stuffed French toast, bacon, sausage, potatoes, salad greens, refreshments and desserts. The concert features Stringwynde, a duo comprised of flautist Melanie Chirignan and harpist Darhon Rees-Rohrbacher.

Stringwynde, formed in 2017, hails from the southern Saratoga region. Chirignan and Rees-Rohrbacher each hold graduate degrees in music and regularly perform in a variety of genres. As individual performers, their appearances have included solo recitals, chamber ensembles, symphonies and private events. They are also versatile educators who have both taught music privately and in classrooms at area public and private schools.

Rees-Rohrbacher holds a doctoral degree in vocal performance and literature. Initially trained as a classical vocalist and pianist, she begin studying the harp after moving to Upstate New York and has since pursued a multi-faceted career as a harpist, arranger, singer and conductor. Her musical skills have taken her from formal, orchestral concerts to intimate chamber performances wearing historical costumes. She is a well-known composer whose harp arrangements are sold internationally, and she has published many articles in harp journals.

Chirignan has a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance and Music Education from SUNY Fredonia and a master’s in Flute performance from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford. Originally from Hauppauge, NY, Chirignon has collaborated with many performers and ensembles, including the New York Chamber Players Orchestra, the Chelsea Symphony and the Hartt Independent Chamber Orchestra. She has also worked closely with many other composers to premiere new works by a variety of artists, several of which are available on iTunes and Amazon.

Polar Express Celebration returns to Nigra Arts Center!

On Saturday, December 8, the Polar Express Celebration will return to the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts for its fourth consecutive year. This family fun event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center’s facility, 2736 State Highway 30 in Gloversville. Children are encouraged to wear pajamas!

This North Pole-themed event will include crafts, games, live entertainment, raffles and all kinds of family fun inspired by the classic tale “The Polar Express.” There will also be food for sale and opportunities for pictures with Santa Claus.

In addition, the event will host Sensory Santa from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sensory Santa is ideal for any child who may be overwhelmed by large crowds, bright lights and loud music. Children will meet with Sensory Santa alone in a quiet setting, where they will receive individualized attention. Sensory Santa’s suit will be extra soft for a comforting experience, and there will be no nearby distractions such as elves, colorful decorations or blinking lights.

Admission is $5 per person to benefit the Nigra Arts Center or a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots. Children age 1 and under are admitted free. For more information, please visit www.pncreativeartscenter.org or call (518) 661-9932.

The Greatest NIGHT OUT Coming to Nigra Arts Center!

The Lexington Foundation’s annual Night Out will take place at the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts on Thursday, September 20, at 6 p.m. The arts center is located at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville.

The theme of this year’s fundraiser gala is The Greatest Night Out, inspired by the hit movie musical The Greatest Showman. The party will feature live music from Flame and Our Secret Love Society, food and cocktails from Union Hall Inn Restaurant, roaming performers, raffle and silent auction items, and plenty of circus-themed surprises.

At the event, Lexington will be honoring businesses and individuals who have helped make Lexington what it is today. Century Linens of Gloversville will be recognized as the Employer of the Year for their partnership with Lexington. Century Linens has a strong record of hiring individuals with disabilities to be employees at their business. Assemblyman Marc Butler will be acknowledged for over 20 years of supporting Lexington and the men and women it supports. The Assemblyman retires at the end of 2018. Jack and Shirley Scott, owners of WENT Radio will be thanked for supporting Lexington from the day they bought the station in 1986. Jack and Shirley have been strong advocates for Lexington and individuals with developmental disabilities. The life and contributions of the late Brian Hanaburgh will be honored at the event. Brian served as Chair of the Transitions and Nigra Art Center Advisory Board and for over 20 years he served on the Lexington Foundation Board. Anita Hanaburgh and family members will be on hand to accept the tribute to Brian.

Proceeds from this special event benefit the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, a community arts center open to the public that hosts rotating art exhibitions, concerts, fun family events, theater performances, day camps for children, and classes in music, dance, fine arts, yoga, cooking and more.

The Greatest Night Out will also celebrate the achievements of the students in the Transitions program and raise funds for its Elmore Scholarship Fund. Transitions is a post-secondary program that provides training in skills young adults with autism and other learning differences need to live independently and follow their college and career dreams. Its evidence-based curriculum covers social skills, health and wellness, independent living, self-management, and self-advocacy and leadership. Transitions offers weekend Mini Camps, weeklong specialty camps, summer programs, year-long programs and a Certificate of Completion in Career and Life Studies in collaboration with Fulton-Montgomery Community College.

“This is a great opportunity to gather and support Transitions and the Nigra Arts Center, two of Lexington’s newest programs,” said Shaloni Winston, Transitions founder and executive director of The Arc Lexington. “It is also a wonderful way for us to honor and thank those who have been so supportive of Lexington over the years. They have helped us become who we are and supported us to build programs such as the Nigra Arts Center which benefits the entire community and Transitions where we are helping to change the lives of young adults with learning differences throughout the northeast, and we are excited to welcome the public to share in our students’ success. We hope you will support our work by attending the Greatest Night Out and contributing to our scholarship fund.”

Individual tickets for the Night Out are $100. Young professionals under the age of 40 can purchase tickets for $75. Tables for 10 and several sponsorship levels are also available. For more information, visit http://thearclexingtonfoundation.org/2018-night-out.

Polar Express Celebration Returns to Nigra Arts Center

On Saturday, December 9, the Polar Express Celebration will return to the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts for the third consecutive year. The event, sponsored by Fidelis Care, will take place from 12-3 p.m. at the center, located at 2736 State Highway 30 in Gloversville.

Admission is $5 per person to benefit the Nigra Arts Center or a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots.

The popular gathering will feature hot chocolate (free with admission), crafts, a holiday basket raffle, entertainment and all kinds of family fun inspired by the classic tale “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg. Concessions will be available and so will Santa Claus, who will make an appearance for photographs.

In addition, the event will feature Sensory Santa, who will be available from 12-2 p.m. Sensory Santa is ideal for children with special needs who may want to meet Santa in a quieter setting without being overwhelmed by large crowds, bright lights and loud music. Sensory Santa’s suit will be extra soft for a comforting sensory experience and there will be no nearby distractions such as elves, colorful decorations or blinking lights.