Schenectady Today -- In and Around the Capital Region
Filmed January 12, 2016 (Show #915)

Photographs by Malcolm Kogut-- Website by Gregg Millett

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Segment on Schenectady Today In & Around the Capital Region with Guest: Angelicia Morris, Executive Director. The purpose of the forum is to discuss Human Rights issues which are important to the communities of color in the Capital Region especially within Schenectady County. The issues to be discussed are those that we believe would be discussed and acted upon by Dr. King Jr. if he were alive today, these include: poverty, education, employment, the criminal justice system and the role of the Black Church in today's Civil Rights movement. The forum will be moderated by the Schenectady County Human Rights Commission. There will be an opportunity for questions and discussion with panelists which will include representatives from the community, faith based organization and clergy, non for profit/community engagement and criminal justice services. The Schenectady County Human Rights Commission's mission, in accordance with legislative mandate, is to raise awareness about relevant issues within our community. Then, our official MLK Celebration Service will take place on Sunday, January 17 at 2:30 pm at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church at 1068 Park Ave in Schenectady. The keynote speaker for the service will be Hon. Carolyn McLaughlin, President of the City of Albany Common Council. Please see the attached flyer above. We encourage your attendance. Organization: Schenectady County Human Rights Commission Events: 1. MLK, Jr. Coalition 2016 Forum -- Location of event: Schenectady County Community College, Lally Room in Elston Hall. Date/Time: Thurs. Jan 14 from 6-8 pm 2. MLK, Jr. Official Celebration – Location of Event: Mt. Olivet Baptist church at 1068 Park Ave, Sch'dy. Date/Time: Sun. Jan 17 at 2:30 pm – Keynote speaker: Carolyn McLaughlin, President of the Common Council of Albany. Cost: no charge Website: www.SchenectadyCounty.com
To watch this segment CLICK HERE.

Naked Influence at theREP! – Segment on Schenectady Today In & Around the Capital Region with Guests: Maggie Mancinelli Cahill, Artistic Director and Robert Newman "Dennis" and Yvonne Perry "Angie". A dancer's past. A woman's future. The seductive and lucrative world of strip clubs sets the stage for this spellbinding tale about a charismatic exotic dancer who finds herself engulfed in a doomed relationship with a congressman. She wants to leave the club life behind for a fresh start, but is she powerful enough to untangle herself from her former life? The favorite of last year's NEXT ACT! New Play Summit 3, NAKED INFLUENCE showcases author Suzanne Bradbeer's signature intelligence in examining contemporary stories ripped from the headlines. Notice: *contains adult subject matter Both of these actors were also on daytime television (Robert Newman was on Guiding Light for many years as Josh Lewis). The play is a World Premiere, and the winner of our Next Act! New Play Summit 3. The playwright, Suzanne Bradbeer, had another new play produced at theREP in 2014, THE GOD GAME. Organization: theREP – Capital Repertory Theatre Event: "Naked Influence" Location of event: South Pearl St. in Albany Date/Time: Jan. 22 – Feb. 14 -- Tues., Wed., Thurs. at 7:30 pm; Fri. and Sat. at 8 pm. Sat. at 3:00 pm; Sun. at 2:00 pm; Weds., 2/3 at 2:00 pm Cost: Tickets range from $20 - $50 Contact Information: 518-445-SHOW (7469) Facebook: Yes "CapitalRep" Guests: www.robertnewman.com and www.yvonneperry.com Website: www.Capitalrep.org

Music – Americana – With Michael Eck! – Segment on Schenectady Today In & Around the Capital Region with Guest: Michael Eck – Musician, Lost Radio Rounders/ Ramblin Jug Stompers'. Michael is part of two groups. The Lost Radio Rounders is an Acoustic Duo (music from the Civil War to Civil Rights). Albany's Lost Radio Rounders are upstate New York's premiere Acoustic Americana duo, performing classic songs, ballads and singalongs from the Civil War to the Civil Rights era. Tom Lindsay and Michael Eck have been lauded for their work keeping the legacy of American folk music alive, with the Daily Gazette's Michael Hochanadel calling them, "versatile and deep;" Times Union music blogger Andrew Gregory dubbing them, "absolute professionals with huge talent;" and Nippertown correspondent Cheryl Jenks stating, "Their knowledge, love and passion for old-time American music is evident in every part of their performance." In addition to concerts drawing from a repetoire of nearly 400 songs, the duo currently offers a dozen themed programs covering many aspects of America's rich musical history. Each is a well-researched, entertaining and informative survey, packed with history about the songs, the sources and the intriguing acoustic instruments played by Lindsay and Eck. The Ramblin Jug Stompers', a "Funky American String Band", will be celebrating their Tenth Anniversary at McGeary's this month on MLK Day. Ramblin Jug Stompers play 78 rpm music for the 21st century: they are the premier jug band of New York's Capital Region! Their ever-growing set list includes selections from Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Jimmy Cliff, The Carter Family, Jesse Fuller, Grandpa Jones, Uncle Dave Macon, Flatt & Scruggs, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Jimmy Reed, Hank Williams, and more. Website: www.LostRadioRounders.com and www.JugStompers.com

Award Winning Local Playwright – Joe Starzyk – Segment on Schenectady Today In & Around the Capital Region with Guest: Joe Starzyk – Playwright. Mr.Starzyk is an award winning playwright. This fall, his play, "Bless Me Father" was performed in London and was one of the sinners of the British Theater Challenge. This short play (approx. 12 minutes) has impact. Joe is from Troy. Two of his plays "Bless Me Father" and "The Golden Years" were featured in the Gemco Players Theater's Take Ten Festival is held in Emerald, Australia. Both plays have been published. He has "Blind Date" performed in One-Acts at Sand Lake Center for the Arts (see last week's TV show for details), the Hubbard Hall Winter Festival (Cambridge), Arc Dinner Theater (Troy). Play Notes: When Irish Eyes are Flirting was awarded a TANYS award for meritorious writing from the New York State Theater Assoc.; After a reading in March, West Coast Players has optioned Wedding Secrets for a 3 week run in Sept-Oct.; Another Day in Paradise was voted 2nd audience favorite at the Theater Southwest Readers Theater.; Wedding Secrets has been named the winner of the McLaren Memorial Playwriting Contest. It will be produced by the Midland Community Theater on May 10 - June 1, in Midland, TX.; Vatican 3G was nominated for a 2012 Perry Award.; Instant Harmony was named 2nd audience favorite in Clearwater, FL and audience favorite in Edmonds, WA.; Instant Harmony was named audience and judges favorite in Paw Paw, MI; When Irish Eyes are Flirting was voted judges favorite at the Napa Valley Play House. From his website: You can find many of my titles and descriptions of said plays, on the website. All plays are the sole property of Joe Starzyk and are copyright protected. Therefore they cannot be produced, copied, reproduced or altered without the express written consent of the author. Who, by the way, is a most engaging fellow! Facebook: Yes "Joe Starzyk" Website: www.JoeStarzykPlaywright.com and to watch "Bless Me Father" click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqhw56j57tk

Tax Season is here! – Segment on Schenectady Today In & Around the Capital Region with Guests: Melinda Burns, Co-Chair and Tracy Randle, CA$H Coalition Director. Melinda Burns is with the Wildwood Programs and Tracy Randle is with the United Way of the Greater Capital Region. Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope (CA$H) Coalition of the Greater Capital Region is: - Dedicated to assisting individuals and families to increase their financial self-reliance - CA$H partners and stakeholders provide support and access to: • Community resources • Free tax preparation • Financial education and • Asset building activities and strategies Check the website page for locations and times of tax preparation. Organization: CA$H** Coalition/United Way of the Greater Capital Region ** Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope (CA$H) Event: VITA Free Tax Preparation Location of event: All over the Capital Region Cost: Free Contact Information: 456-2200 Facebook: Yes Website: www.CashGreaterCapitalRegion.org


Women of Achievement Celebration – Segment on Schenectady Today In & Around the Capital Region with Guests: Rowie Taylor, Executive Director and Jo-Anne Rafalik, Development/ Communications Director and Shannon Kelly, Board of Directors The Women of Achievement Award is presented to at least five outstanding women who have demonstrated unusual achievement and distinction in career and/or community work and have made a difference in the elimination of discrimination on the basis of race, gender or creed. These nominees have overcome or helped to eliminate any racial, societal or professional barriers while serving as role models through the leadership qualities they exhibit. This is a competitive award. A selection committee is composed of members of the Academy of Women of Achievement judges the nominees. Organization: YWCA of Northeastern NY Event: Women of Achievement Celebration Location of event: Glen Sanders mansion, Scotia Date/Time: Thursday, March 31 at 5:30 pm Cost: TBA Contact Information: 518-374-3394 Facebook: Yes Website: www.YWCA-NortheasternNY.org