Central Park Dance will return to The Capitol Theatre with their annual production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker on Sunday, December 11th at 12:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. With more than 100 students from the school, professional dancers and young dancers from the surrounding communities, audiences will have two chances to enjoy this timeless tale.
In celebrating a legacy that has spanned across more than four decades, Central Park Dance has made its mark on the Westchester dance community. As a producer of original ballets, they invite their all levels to participate. Dancers of all ages will make up their large ensemble of performers, spanning from the littlest mouse to the blizzard of snowflakes.
This year, the production will welcome back American Ballet Theatre soloist Luciana Paris to dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, along with her Cavalier Jose Sebastian, who is currently a member of American Ballet Theatre’s corps de ballet as well as the director of ABT’s Incubator program.
“In our more than 40 years in Westchester, we have watched several generations of students dance through our doors,” explains Maria Bai and Mario La Strada, founder and directors of Central Park Dance Studio.
“We have made it our mission to offer students a well-rounded dance education that includes not only time in the studio, but opportunities to interact with and perform for our community. We are overwhelmed by the support we have received around our sold-out productions over the last 6 years, and we are so lucky to be able to expand the opportunity to more students and more families each year.”
One of the longest running and most respected dance studios in Westchester for 40 years, Central Park Dance offers classic and progressive styles of dance and fitness for both adults and children. Central Park Dance is also home to the Signature and Remixx performance companies as well as the Ballet Academy, which provides the aspiring dancer with pre-professional training, performance opportunities and mentorships.
The Nutcracker performances will take place on Sunday, December 11th at 12:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $45, $35 and $25 and are available by clicking the link here.
On Thursday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m., Sara Bareilles will play a full-length benefit concert at The Capitol Theatre in support of Pace Women’s Justice Center. The Raising the Bar Benefit Concert with Bareilles marks PWJC’s 30th year of protecting thousands of women and children.
Pace Women’s Justice Center is a nonprofit legal center located at Pace University. The self-funded center provides legal services to over 3,500 victims and survivors of domestic abuse. PWJC offers services, community partnerships, education, and awareness.
A Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, Bareilles recently finished an engagement of “Into The Woods” on Broadway. Known in music for her powerful lyrics and piano-based pop sound, Bareilles has also had an impressive career as a singer, actress, and author.
It is thrilling to have Sara Bareilles collaborate on our benefit concert to raise awareness for victims of domestic violence … at a time when the rights of so many are being challenged, it is imperative to continue our work, protecting the rights of women and victims of abuse.
Cindy Kanusher, Executive Director for PWJC
The Raising the Bar Benefit Concert honors PWJC’s commitment to increasing access to justice and providing free legal services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The monies raised from the event at The Capitol Theatre will allow the PWJC to continue helping those who need it.
During the concert, the center will also honor Pam Kaufman, President and CEO of International Markets, Global Consumer Products & Experiences at Paramount Global with their Making a Difference Award. PWJC gives the award each October to an individual who dedicates support to the PWJC mission and its clients.
For more information about the benefit concert, and for tickets, visit The Capitol Theatre’s website, here.
Vermont-based jam band Twiddle announced a fall tour, with a lineup of artists including Of Good Nature, Dogs In A Pile, and Neighbor. There are multiple dates in Port Chester at the Capitol Theatre.
The band includes Mihali Savoulidis [vocals, guitar], Ryan Dempsey [keys, organ, synth], Brook Jordan [drums], and Zdenek Gubb [bass]. They have 18 years of touring under their belt and are celebrating their fifth full-length album Every Last Leaf on this tour.
The Twiddle tour features 23 shows in 19 cities, with two shows in Port Chester, with one show being their annual Frendsgiving celebration on Nov. 25 with support from Dogs In A Pile. The next day, they will have another show at the Capitol Theatre with support from Neighbor.
Billy Strings completed a four night run of sold out shows at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester over February 3rd to 6th. This was the second year celebrating a telepathic experiment conducted by The Grateful Dead 51 years ago.
Billy Strings Capitol Theatre Night 4 by Em Walis
Fans were asked to send images with their minds to selected celebrity participants while they sat at home for the duration of the concert, but without viewing it. After each show, Billy, Royal Masat (bass), Billy Failing (banjo), and Jarrod Walker (mandolin) interviewed participants via video call.
Song selections throughout the weekend ranged from bluegrass standards to hot tracks off the latest album Renewal. Grateful Dead favorites were peppered in for good measure.
Spiritual Dance Party
The Capitol Theatre has been a coveted venue for artists throughout the decades. A sense of importance could be felt. Perhaps a supernatural energy vibrated by those attuned to such mysteries. Security carried themselves with pride, as if they had answered a higher calling to protect the spirits as they arrived to dance.
Attendees young and old accumulated mass as the general admission section filled the room. Stories were passed about the first show, or the most recent. The conclusion was always that the best show was the most recent attended.
Left to Right: Jarrod Walker, Royal Masat, Billy Strings, Billy Failing by Em Walis
Going To Church
A man seeing Billy play for the first time questioned “is this Billy guy really as good as my buddy says he is?” A seasoned fan insisted Billy was about to take the new guy to church.
Not far into “Pyramid Country,” the new guy propped an arm on his buddy’s shoulder and signaled satisfaction towards the seasoned fan. “Ole Slew-Foot” played soon after. A big hug was given to the new guy’s buddy, promptly followed by a Slew-Foot sized hug with the seasoned fan. Comments were made about the playing being unreal as well as the superior mixing by Sound Engineer Andy Lytle. Suddenly, the new guy vanished, and was replaced with a glowing, dancing, euphoric human. This believer was free of ego and self doubt. Replaced in his soul was a cup filled with gratitude and joy.
Transformation
Little did this believer know that the experience was about to enter a next level of intensity: “Wargasm.’ With help from Lighting Designer Roger Gant, the anthemic powerhouse sound converged with light to take form in a way one might only read about in a fantasy novel series.
Shapes and colors woven harmoniously together with perfectly timed layers created a supernatural depth and texture.
Experiencing Billy Strings by Em Walis
Alive
At last, the theater walls which have seen so much, were given a voice to share stories of dancing bears and grinding gears. The visceral journey shattered any preconceived notion about what music should feel like.
As “Wargasm” built up in intensity,once again, the believer evolved. Transformation occurred during Billy’s guitar solo when the believer’s dancing slowed, eyes widened, palms with outstretched fingers rested over his temples and jaw slowly dropped. That is how a new disciple to the church of Billy was born.
Experimental
It was very clear why people traveled from 48 states. Those sequined jacket gals glistened like the snowflakes of Colorado from which they hailed. Tie dye armies converged, their uniforms unique by region like a family’s plaid and crest. All gathered and communicated as one stomping, singing, boisterous ball of life.
The people, all so different, blended together beautifully in a way that mimicked the pairing of projections on the walls and ceilings with the futuristic lights. Like the individuals in attendance, the music and the lights were on a journey all reflecting one another. Supernatural energy was conjured.
Life after experiencing a Billy Strings show by Em Walis
Clairvoyance
Lights paused, showing bright white lights in perfect timing with the return to the hook of the song. Spirits of the past materialized and could be seen all over the theatre.
Through the haze, there was a young woman glowing in white overalls perched in the balcony. She danced with one specific person down on the GA floor who emanated sonic maternal energy. It appeared as if they had known each other for decades.
Teleportation
The great mother appeared on the balcony beside the woman in white. As if to acknowledge all the spiritual boogie happening that weekend, and to continue the dream-like reality of the Deja-Tu Experiment, Billy showed up in the balcony next to the great mother and her friend in white. Billy performed an epic solo duel with mandolinist Jarrod Walker who played from the opposite side.
Each and every attendee experienced at least one form of Deja Vu over the cold February weekend. One attendee recalled feeling like they were back to mom’s couch with the tape player and the big headphones where “China Doll” tapes were listened to over and over. Another noticed the variety of swagger bassist Royal Masat carried with ease. That person was immediately taken back to a fond memory of that Rolling Stones show 30 years ago. As the deep pink lights blanketed the audience during “In the Morning Light,” a young couple were together reminded of when they met and realized life was about to change for the better.
Terrestrial
Waking up on Monday morning, all in attendance faithfully checked instagram for last night’s photos while sipping their morning coffee. Receiving the grounding signal from Photographer Jesse Faatz provided closure and peace for all that had been experienced. Colorful imagery depicted emotions and encapsulated memories. These photos confirmed that the past few days were more than just the feeling of Deja Vu.
Transmutation
Billy Strings and The Capitol Theatre together created a healing fountain for people to connect, dance with spirits and feel alive again.
Setlist February 3: You Don’t Know My Mind (Bluegrass Allstars), Pyramid Country, Ole Slew-Foot (Johnny Horton), Cold on the Shoulder (Gordon Lightfoot), West Dakota Rose (Chris Henry), Love & Regret, Wargasm, Along the Road (Dan Fogelberg), Streamline Cannonball (Roy Acuff), Ground Speed (Earl Scruggs), John Hardy (Traditional), Bronzeback, Secrets, Slipstream (Bela Fleck), Red Rocking Chair (Traditional), Pretty Daughter (Danny Barnes), Love Like Me, Away From the Mire, Long Forgotten Dream, Dire Wolf (Grateful Dead), Come Down the Mountain Katie Daly (traditional)
Encore February 3: If You Hair’s Too Long (There’s Sin in Your Heart)
Setlist February 4: Know It All, How Mountain Girls Can Love (The Stanley Brothers), Tipper (Tony Rice), Run Down (Jeff Austin), There Is A Time (The Dillards), Dust in a Baggie, Dealing Despair, Living Like an Animal, Me and My Uncle (John Phillips), Heartbeat of America, John Deere Tractor (Larry Sparks), On the Line, Freeborn Man (Keith Allison), Thunder (Robert Hunter), My Love Comes Rolling Down (The Doc Watson Family), Ernest T. Grass (The Dillards), Air Mail Special (Jim and Jesse), Show Me the Door, Oh Babe, It Ain’t No Lie (Elizabeth Cotten), Rosa Lee McFall (Charlie Monroe), Turmoil & Tinfoil
Encore February 4: Roll On Buddy Roll On (Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys)
Setlist February 5: Red Daisy, Thirst Mutilator, A Good Woman’s Love (Bill Monroe), A Robin Built A Nest on Daddy’s Grave (The Stanley Brothers), While I’m Waiting Here, Home of the Red Fox (Bill Emerson), Little Maggie (Traditional), China Doll (Grateful Dead), I’m Still Here (John Hartford), Last Train to Clarksville (The Monkees), Everything’s the Same, Doin’ My Time (Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs), Running, Ice Bridges, In the Morning Light, Meet Me at the Creek, Shady Grove (Traditional), Deal (Jerry Garcia)
Encore February 5: Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down (Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs)
Setlist February 6: Fire on My Tongue, Must Be Seven, Hellbender, Fire Line, Reuben’s Train (traditional), End of the Rainbow (Frank Wakefield), Running the Route, Home, Highway Hypnosis, Taking Water, The Likes of Me (Jerry Reed), All Fall Down (John Hartford), Tennessee (Jimmy Martin), Nothing’s Working, Doin’ Things Right, Peggy-O (Traditional), Hide & Seek
Pink Talking Fish are at last returning to The Capitol Theatre for another special show. After having to forget about any potential themed show plans in 2020 and 2021, the band is eager to get back to their tradition of putting on a unique performance at The Cap.
This year, Pink Talking Fish fans are gearing up for what Eric Gould (bassist) says is going to be a “multimedia voyage to outer space.” Dogs In a Pile will be kicking things off on the rescheduled date of Saturday, June 11, before Pink Talking Fish play the crowd through a visual journey to the cosmos.
Pink Talking Fish, Cohoes Music Hall, 10.22.2021
Planetarium is going to be unlike any other themed show that Pink Talking Fish has done in the past. The night won’t revolve around any specific album from Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, or Phish, but will instead focus on providing an abstract concert going experience.
If you have seen Pink Talking Fish play before, then you know just how hard their music rocks. The details of this Planetarium show remain a mystery though, just as the band intends. Pink Talking Fish fans are in for what Eric Gould knows will be a unique surprise.
@pinktalkingfish on Instagram
You can grab your tickets online here, and be sure to keep your eyes out for brand new merch at this show! Doors open at 6:30pm and the Planetarium show begins at 8:00pm. Pink Talking Fish will be traveling the country after the Planetarium show, and you can check out their tour dates here!
