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Troy Library : Resisting False Narratives to Build Community Bridges

May 2, 2024 By Corey Aldrich

Laurie Dreyer : Branch Manager & Outreach Coordinator at Troy Public Library | Image: Provided

Please state your name, educational and/or experiential background and what your current title and job description is.

My name is Laurie Dreyer and I am the Branch Manager and Outreach Coordinator for the Troy Public Library. I graduated with a Masters in Library Science and Information from UAlbany back in 2016. But I’ve been working in libraries for a lot longer than that – I first started at a public archive in 2010 where I learned about historical records and archives and I fell in love with the old-timey, paper-based information and keeping it preserved. Then I started working at the check out desk in the Library part of the public library and I learned how much better it was to be able to pass that information along to folks who had a need for it. I became an ‘information distribution coordinator’ and here I am 14 years later, loving every minute of it.

After working the last few months to get our Lansingburgh Branch Library reopened after a flood in December, I spend much of my day looking at calendars and plotting ideas for crafts and programs, buying books, and brainstorming what local organizations and businesses we can work with. The whole idea is to get the word out that the Library isn’t just books, we have loads of events, services and resources that are available to everyone.

Troy Public Library in Troy, New York | Image: Plusbo Mwacher via Pintrest

Can you tell us a bit about the history of the Troy library? Architecturally it’s so steampunk, always thinking about Jules Vernes ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea‘ when I am in the stacks…

Mary Hart had the Main library built back in 1897, when books were rare and expensive and needed protection. But the Troy Public Library was started as an organization in 1799, nearly a hundred years before the Hart Building existed and was nomadic, moving between locations like Librarian’s personal residences for many decades. The Lansingburgh Academy building wasn’t even around at that point, having been initially built in 1821 and used as the Lansingburgh Academy for many years until the Library took over the building in 1997. I’m so glad that we have been able to maintain these two important historical buildings while still innovating with the modern city that Troy is becoming. You can read the whole history of the Library, its beginnings and its buildings on our website HERE.

Mabs Enchanted City Shoot for Electric City Couture at the Troy Public Library | Image: Sarah Pezdek

As a young man, the library where I was growing up had an important impact on me. Can you share your thoughts on the current role of libraries in our communities and why they are so important?

As we see an increase in divisive politics and sketchy news stories, public Libraries are more important than ever. The importance of having a place where we know that the facts have been checked by professionals and each item added has gone through multiple rounds of consideration cannot be overstated. In a world of manufactured outrage, it is vital that each community have at least one source of consistency and accuracy. We strive to be that for our community. We have books and they aren’t going away – despite what some folks think – but we also have digital resources like ebooks, streaming audiobooks, music, movies, and TV shows. We have databases that are geared toward kids, toward those who wish to check financial markets, for people researching art, people working on mechanical repairs, and so much more.

If you come into the Library’s buildings, you will find that we have free wifi and computers for folks to use and you can access even more databases, like Ancestry.com, inside the Library. Looking for a job? We have software that you can use that will create a fully formatted resume and cover letter for you. We also lend passes to local museums, have snowshoes on loan for the winter, and blood pressure monitors to keep track of your health. We regularly partner with other local organizations like Capital Roots, The Troy Senior Center, The Sanctuary for Independent Media and so many more to host programs and events and to help promote the services that each of them offers. I really like to think of us as a community connector – we find the information or entity and we tell everybody how to contact them!

Family Friendly Programming at the Troy Public Library | Image: Provided

Embroidery Class at the Troy Public Library in Troy, New York | Image: Provided

I see a lot of interesting kids programming listed on the website. Can you share any best practices on how to get kids engaged into the library world of things?

We have a really active children’s department which is always doing something super fun. A few highlights are our Monday Family Game nights and our upcoming Summer Reading events. For Game Nights, we have a huge selection of family board games at the Main Library, so you can really choose anything you want to play. It’s a great way to test out games that you and your family might be interested in playing or owning. For Summer Reading, we are going to have raptors and reptiles in the library, we are going to be hosting the very fun Whalemobile and Big Truck Day.

Research has shown that kids are excited about reading already, so it’s really up to parents and us librarians to make sure kids understand what they can get at the library. We have tried to make it easy for kids of all ages to get a library card with our MyCard program where kids between 5-17 can come into the library and get a card without an ID or any of the address verification stuff that we make adults give us. I think it is super important for kids to know that we librarians are never going to judge them on what they read, so they can come in and get whatever books they want to read. If they want to sit in the Library and read, that’s fine. We also have a therapy dog, Greta, who comes in on Saturdays and kids can read to her.

Programming Examples at the Troy Public Library in Troy, New York | Image: Provided

Can you tell us a bit about funding sources for a program like yours? Some granularity in this answer would be appreciated and super informative to our audience.

As our Director likes to say, “public is in the name so that means there are no secrets”. As far as bureaucratic entities go, our funding structure is pretty uncomplicated. We are a special district library, which means that the state of NY established the City of Troy as a ‘district’ for the Library back in 2010. So now, we have a budget election every September and we publish a detailed proposed budget so that the people of Troy can make an informed decision.

We do end up using a good deal of our budget toward building upkeep and maintenance, which is what happens when you have two historic buildings that are open to the public. We have an active Friends of the Library group who help us fund specific projects and events, though they rarely can help with capital projects. We are always looking for people willing to bequeath us funding or, as recently happened, to offer a matching grant. As a historically underfunded organization, the Library certainly does what it can with the budget we have. We have been lucky that folks in our administration and on our Board of Trustees are talented grant writers who have really been instrumental in keeping our buildings open.

Author Photo Op with Mayor Madden and Congressman Paul Tonko | Image: Provided

What are some of the current challenges you are facing?

Right now, we are looking for funds to get the Lansingburgh Branch’s Children’s Room back up and running since our insurance claim has been twice denied by the insurance company. We all find this situation pretty disheartening, as our children’s
room was very popular and allowed families to come to the library and sit and read with their children. It was a wonderful meeting place for things like our story hour and other kids programs. And now we have kids coming into the Library who want to be able to play and read and feel comfortable in a space where their parents don’t have to pay to simply sit and spend time with their kiddos.

It has been a difficult few months without that space.

Up and Coming Programs at the Troy Public Library for May 2024 | Image: Provided

Finally, open question…anything you would like to plug coming up that folks should know about? Don’t be bashful…

We are working on a lot of fun stuff for this summer – Teen Video Gaming, Big Truck Day, Quilt Making kits for adults – and Summer Reading. It is free and open to everyone AND you can win fun prizes just for reading!

What we really want to do is to hear from our community about what we are doing well and where we can improve. We have launched a community survey that is going to be up until July 15. Anyone can fill it out, even if you do not live in the City of Troy. It takes about 5 minutes to complete online: HERE. This survey is a HUGE help to us since it helps us prioritize our services and see what more our community needs from us. We hope you’ll consider filling it out.

If nothing else, though, let me just encourage you to stop by the Library and say ‘HI!’ We love having visitors and you don’t even have to buy anything!

Kinderhook Memorial Library : Finding New Ways to Deliver on It’s Mission

May 2, 2024 By Corey Aldrich

Please state your name, educational and/or experiential background and what your current title and job description is.

My name is Matt Pavloff, and I am the current Director of the Kinderhook Memorial Library. I started in Kinderhook as a clerk in 2012 while I was working on my online Master’s through UBuffalo. Eventually I was promoted to Teen Services Librarian, and was given the opportunity to step into the Director’s position in 2022.

Kinderhook Memorial Library | Architect and Art Historian: Mantle Fielding | Image: Provided

The physical space is a beautiful architectural artifact. Can you tell us a bit about the history of the building?

The Kinderhook Free Library was formed in 1928, and the building was constructed in 1933. It was dedicated in memory of George Davie by his daughter Caroline Davie Lloyd, and designed by renowned Architect and Art Historian Mantle Fielding. The footprint of the library remained relatively unchanged until 2016 with the addition of our quiet reading room, the first stage of our capital campaign. After raising $2.4 million from donors and grants, the full building was completed in 2018. We worked with our architect, Butler, Rowland, Mays and contractor Jim Romanchuk to design a building that could accommodate modern needs and expectations with the historic charm that the Village of Kinderhook is known for. The result is a modern building that still fits in perfectly with the historic buildings that surround it.

Fall 2017 Groundbreaking for a 3000 sqft Reading Room Addition | Image: David Lee

Specifically, since the 2018 renovation, there is a commitment to sustainability in the program. Can you explain what this looks like, why you feel this is important and how that influences your programming and operating considerations?

Even before the renovation, our board and staff recognized that a functional library needs to be forward thinking and resilient to change. They began taking steps to make sure that the library could continue to grow and remain relevant by ensuring that the library was accessible and welcoming to anyone and everyone who walked through the doors. Libraries are for everyone, and we recognize our responsibility to our patrons and neighbors.

Sustainability takes a number of forms. While environmental stewardship is a big part of being sustainable, it’s not the only facet. Our commitment to a sustainable library includes providing a collection and services that reach all members of our community equitably, regardless of income, race, gender, political affiliation, or any other factor. Sustainability also includes our fiscal responsibilities. As a public entity, we want to be sure that taxpayers feel confident in supporting us, and that involves making smart choices with funding. This will ensure that we are as prepared for whatever life may throw at us as we can be, and that we will always be here to serve our patrons.

Flower Arranging Class at Kinderhook Memorial Library | Image: Provided

STEAM Based Programming : Young Makers Learning How to Use a 3D Printer | Image: Provided

Can you share your thoughts on the current role of libraries in our communities and why they are so important, especially in our rural communities?

It seems that there are fewer and fewer places in the world for people to simply exist. The library provides that space—a gathering area for people to simply be without any expectation. It’s a place to meet with friends and associates, catch up with neighbors, go after school, or find some peace and quiet. Where else can someone go to just hang out for hours at a time, all year round? I feel a clean and safe public space is one of the best things that libraries can offer.

In addition to that: libraries are a vast resource of free information and entertainment. Libraries have adapted to changing technologies by providing free internet access and WiFi, DVDs, video game rentals, and more in addition to our managed collection of print books and magazines. Many libraries offer a “Library of Things” that allow patrons to check out unique items: we have nature explorer backpacks, cake pans, and a car code scanner to name a few; other libraries loan out telescopes, fishing poles, gardening tools…it’s fascinating to see what people are borrowing!

All of this is in response to community needs. People want a social hub. They want the opportunity to try new things and learn. And we are always here to listen to feedback and ideas.

Kinderhook Memorial Library Program Flyers | Image: Provided

Can you tell us a bit about funding sources for a program like yours? Some granularity in this answer would be appreciated and super informative to our audience.

Most of our funding is through local taxes. In fact, every couple of years we go to the voters and request an increase in funding, and without fail we’ve had the increase approved. Not only does this help us increase and diversify our programs, but it’s one of the best measures of public support. We also have a wonderful and active Friends of the Library that supports us throughout the year. Many of our services are directly supported through them, such as our Kanopy streaming service, our New York Times and BookPage subscriptions, and our eBook collection through Libby and Hoopla. Circulation of these eResources has increased dramatically in the past 4 years and without support from the Friends, we wouldn’t be able to provide half of what we do.

Our Board has begun leading a few fundraisers as well, and we are thrilled at how successful one of our annual programs, Art Studio Tour has been—not only as a fundraiser, but as a fun experience for our community!

The Art of Telling Stories through Minecraft with Author Nick Eliopulos | Image: Provided

What are your long-term plans as regarding the programmatic mission and the physical space of the library? Any interesting collaborations on deck?

We are very excited to be working on a new tutoring initiative at the Library. This is still being planned, but we are hoping to launch a tutoring service for children at the library—free of charge to families, and with professional, well compensated tutors. We’re also currently exploring collaborations and partnerships to try to take our programs out of our building and into the community to reach those who might not be able to travel to us.

KML Art Studio Tours | Jordan Taylor Hill | Images: Provided

Finally, open question…anything you would like to plug coming up that folks should know about? Don’t be bashful…

Well, we like to think that all of our programs are interesting, but we do have some big, unique ones coming up. First and foremost, this is our second year hosting an Art Studio Tour, and I know that there is a lot of excitement that’s built up from last year’s. This is a self-guided tour that grants access to the studios of local artists, giving participants a behind-the-scenes look at the varying processes of this talented group. We are also hosting a VIP Cocktail Party in Stuyvesant on Saturday, May 5^th, where you can mix and mingle with the artists and enjoy some light fare and drinks. Tickets can be purchased at kmlarttour.com or at the door on May 5 from 1-5pm and Sunday from 11am-3pm.

We’re also hosting a Festival of the Unknown on May 25^th from 11am-2pm, which will bring vendors and lecturers from across the state to discuss and share all things paranormal! On June 15^th in honor of Juneteenth, we’re hosting renowned musician Jordan Taylor Hill at the Kinderhook Farmer’s Market for a hands-on demonstration of West African drumming and dance, and on Saturday, June 29^th we’ll be hosting our fourth annual Drag Queen Story Hour at 2:30pm.

PINT SIZED and NO FUN: A Tale of 3 Cities with Entrepreneur August Rosa

April 2, 2024 By Corey Aldrich

Having been to several shows at August Rosa‘s most recent venue, (including Hand Habits, Tiawan based Mong Tong, the Algonquin Pow Wow Medicine Singers with Yonatan Gat, and then there was that cool ass DAEDELUS show) it always impresses me the incredible variety of all types of music that can be experienced there. I was aware of his Albany and Saratoga PINT SIZED craft beer based locations and have tippled a drink or two in Albany specifically. What really excites me though, is the visceral music programming and developing community based around NO FUN.

August Rosa : Pre-Show Load In at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

Please state your name, professional and educational background. Also, can you elaborate a bit on the three locations that you are currently operating?

Why hello Corey Aldrich. My name is August Rosa I am Owner and Operator of Pint Sized in downtown Saratoga Springs on Broadway and Albany on Lark Street. Most of my time is spent at No Fun in Troy nowadays my third location. I was briefly involved in a wine bar called Post on Lark Street as well with some of my best friends that I used to be in a band with (Aficionado). It is going to be 10 years of being an entrepreneur on July 4th 2024! Prior to diving into business ownership I did marketing for MASS MoCA and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District. I had really great bosses at both of those jobs that were patient with me as a creative… but incredibly lazy and objectively bad employee. No joke…having run businesses now for close to 10 years and understanding the full scope of how things work from the ground up, I believe I would kick ass at any job as long as it wasn’t boring. I went to the College of Saint Rose (RIP) with a major in Communications and a minor in Music Industry for undergrad and then got my MBA at SUNY Albany. I also was welcomed into the band Sun Natives on bass guitar by TJ and Brandon which is a nice outlet that is a purely creative outlet much needed void of any business interference.

August Rosa Plays Bass with the Sun Natives at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

Pint Sized Storefront in Saratoga Springs, New York | Image: Provided

Can you talk a bit about the difference between NO FUN in Troy and the PINT SIZED locations Albany and Saratoga?

The focus at NO FUN is what happens on the stage and not what is in the coolers. Pint Sized are craft beer centric bars that at any time have over 100 different options to choose from. Prior to opening NO FUN I would often throw events that were not conducive to the spaces. They are called Pint Sized for a reason. Our Saratoga location might be 400 square feet of usable space for patrons. We one time had an 11 person band there. It was ridiculous, extremely fun and packed out… but truly ridiculous. We still do events like karaoke and trivia at the Pint Sized locations but have shifted our live music attention to No Fun where we have a great sound system and the space to throw very sick shows.

A Place to Bury Strangers Live at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

Can you share a bit about what your motivation was to open and what your current vision is for NO FUN?

I was constantly finding myself having to go to a big music festival to knock out a ton of bands I wanted to see or travel to the major metros for the type of music I am interested in. I like the weird stuff and felt there was a void in the area for that stuff. The only thing filling that in my opinion was the programming Super Dark Collective brings to Desperate Annie’s (Saratoga) as well as basement shows. I wanted to create a space that was slightly bigger (not too big!) that everyone would feel comfortable going to so I could bring some bigger bands in the area and not have to travel for the stuff that I like the most. I believe No Fun is the absolute perfect size for the type of stuff we like to present. Feels good with 50 heads and feels really good as it approaches 200 heads.

WITCH (*Zambia*) Live at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

My favorite places to play / see shows are more DIY in nature… be it a basement or an art space. I wanted No Fun to not have a shred of corporate feel and vibe like you were at a show at your friends house while at the same time functioning professionally as a legitimate licensed business. Places I drew inspiration for the project include Death By Audio, Glasslands Gallery, 285 Kent… there were a million places like this in NYC that absolutely ruled, Valentines of course is a big inspiration (What’s up Howard?!) and the many house show spaces that have popped up throughout the region the past 20 years I have lived here. One of my favorite shows I played in the area was a vacant apartment that still had power and an unlocked door. We legit just brought a shitty PA system into the place, plugged in and packed the house. This was back when Facebook worked and was cool and an event listing could drum up 100 plus folks in an hour or two.

Algonquin Pow Wow Medicine Singers with Yonatan Gat Live at No Fun in Troy, New York
Image: Patrick Dodson

Having been to several shows there (including Hand Habits, Tiawan based Mong Tong, the Algonquin Pow Wow Medicine Singers with Yonatan Gat, and then there was that cool ass DAEDELUS show) it always impresses me the incredible variety of all types of music that one can experience there. How do you manage to keep such a strong schedule and number of bands coming through?

It honestly happened faster than I thought. In the beginning I was bugging agents and bands all the time and not getting responses. Over time we proved ourselves and have developed some really great relationships that align exactly with the type of stuff I like to book – psych rock, post punk, world music… typically weirder and oftentimes louder stuff. I have brought in some acts that I have listened to forever and legit look up to like A Place To Bury Strangers, Ted Leo, No Age, Delicate Steve, Dan Deacon!!! (Chk Chk Chk), Gilla Band and our good friend Meg Duffy with Hand Habits to name a few. Some of the most rewarding acts were global in nature including Imarhan (Algeria), Medicine Singers (Algonquin Pow Wow), Acid Mothers Temple (Japan), WITCH (Zambia) and Mong Tong (Taiwan) which just happened.

Gutting a Body of Water Live at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

No Fun in Troy, New York Concert Posters | Image: Provided

Our programming is very kinetic and we are on track to do over 250 shows close to if not over 1000 bands this year! It is not a solo effort by any means and wouldn’t be possible without working with some of the area’s most innovative curators / presenters. There is a really solid group of folks who present at the space including Super Dark Collective (Shane Sanchez is our Booking Manager), Hey Greasy, Byrdhouse Records, Bee Side Cassettes, Albany Hardcore…There are a bunch more and bands who bring their release shows and ideas to us but these are some of the more regular presenters.

The economics and logistics of running a business can be intense, especially a live music venue open multiple days per week. Can you share a bit about your day to day and how you’re keeping the bands and rent paid?

It truly sucks! Please buy tickets in advance. Not just at No Fun but to any place you go to see shows. I cannot stress how helpful it is. It gives agents strong ticket counts so they have confidence in spaces and bring more sick shows to the area. It also helps us to prepare properly for crowd size. And…you also save a few bucks!!!

A big goal of mine is to keep my mental health in check with this thing. I am not going to lie, this project is not easy and projects like this can end at any time. There are definitely moments where I want to stop doing it. All that being said, it is in a very strong place right now and financially viable. I am always focused on keeping momentum going to keep the bills paid up. Unfortunately it comes at the cost of not being able to shut it off. I really am going to have to figure that out sooner than later.

Hand Habits Live at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

Anything you have coming up you would like to share with our audience to keep them in the loop? Long term plans etc?

There are honestly too many to list. Just go to nofuntroy.eventbrite.com and pick something at random. All of the shows are great and deserve a crowd. I highlight the vibe of each show in the descriptions in just a few words. The whole purpose of the project is to have folks engage with new experiences. I see a lot of folks that go to the same show over and over again which is frustrating. I really do notice the folks that take the effort to get out of their comfort zone and that is the most fulfilling element of the project in my opinion. Those folks know who they are and I cannot thank them enough as they are the driving force that keeps me interested in doing it.

Upcoming 2024 Shows at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Provided

I would prefer having twenty people see something new and unexpected that they will remember their whole life over a sold out event with people who just go to the same exact shows all the time. Also it would be cool if people over the age of 30 stopped acting like they are in retirement mode. I pretty much stop engaging with individuals once they say they are too old to do stuff. I don’t care to be around folks with that mentality. It’s depressing and I see too much of it. All of my ads at this point target 21-30. Please take advantage of your life while you are still here.

K that’s enough of my bullish!t. Go to shows!!!

Gilla Band Live at No Fun in Troy, New York | Image: Patrick Dodson

Write This Way : A Conversation w/ SONG CITY’s Scott Womer

April 2, 2024 By Corey Aldrich

About two years ago, I started seeing and hearing about something called Song City. The branding was tight, it felt like something important was happening. Eventually, I realized that it was in fact a local phenom. These shows, upstairs at the RUCK have a very organic feel. Played in a round, musicians all interacting with and feeding off one another – the vibe is very intimate. I caught up with Scott Womer to find out more about the overall program mission and direction and to get a peek under the covers to see what makes this series tick.

Song City *Founder and Director*, Scott Wormer | Image: Kiki Vassilakis (*with edits*)

Please state your name, what you do and any relevant background info.

My name is Scott Womer, Songwriter and the Founder / Director of Song City in Troy New York. During the day, I work as a Litho Technician at Global Foundries in Malta. On the education front, I hold a BA from Gordon College.

Song City w/ Caitlin Barker at the RUCK in Troy, New York 01.10.23 | Image: Kiki Vassilakis

I know you’re a musician yourself. What motivated you to put together the SONG CITY series. What is your mission and goals for the program?

In 1995, I moved from Albany to Nashville, in hopes of getting more music opportunities. It’s a humbling experience to move from a small music scene to one of the premier music cities of the world, where there are thousands of people doing what you do, and doing it much better. Having seen that happen multiple times, I decided to alter my goals. Over the next 5 years, I had tremendous experiences working at a record label, doing session work, learning to write, forming a band, and recording an EP.

The greatest thing I learned in Nashville was the power of a song. Beyond techniques, abilities, and trends, the song is what changes lives. Much of this lesson happened at a venue called The Bluebird Cafe. A staple in Nashville, the Bluebird featured weekly showcases, featuring 4 local songwriters, mostly known for their writing of songs by all our favorite country stars. This is also the venue where artists such as Taylor Swift and Keith Urban were discovered. The weakness of the Bluebird at that point in their history, was that they were a single-genre showcase. Not only does that lack in variety, more importantly, it conditions the audience to think that this is the only style of songwriting. At the time, I had no idea how that observation would affect my future.

Song City w/ Amani O at the RUCK in Troy, New York 6-13-23 | Image: Kiki Vassilakis

Years later, when I moved back to Troy NY, and was so energized by the talent and variety of the local music scene, I felt compelled to do whatever I could to help it grow. After writing and recording a project under the name Fenton Hardy during Covid, I realized how important it is to be part of an artistic city. Community is at the heart of every effective movement. So, I took what I had experienced at the Bluebird, and expanded it to include all genres. Some of our greatest writers are hip hop artists, jazz artists, alternative and avant-garde artists, and they deserve a place at the table. This not only creates respect for all styles of songwriting, but expands the audience’s experience and musical taste.

Song City at the Ruck in Troy, New York | Image: Kiki Vissilakis

Our home at The Ruck is integral to the success of Song City. One day, Dave Gardell, owner of my neighborhood bar, The Ruck, contacted me about bringing music back to their venue. They were interested in concerts and an open mic, and asked me to run those events. What I didn’t know was that there is a second and third floor to the Ruck that was beautiful and fairly unused. I instantly realized this was the room I was looking for.

Beyond the Song City showcase, we also host a monthly songwriting community called The Open Floor which began simply as a monthly open mic. We have a “Song Challenge” at each month’s Open Floor that has become the major draw for each of these evenings. On the first day of each month, I post a phrase. The writers then have the rest of the month to write a song using that phrase, and perform it at The Open Floor, on the fourth Tuesday of each month. It is in no way a competition for us. It’s purely a motivational tool to keep us consistently writing. The second half of each Open Floor is a time for everyone that wrote for the challenge to play their song for each other. It’s amazing to see how many ways a phrase can be used. I often write a song myself for the challenge, and it’s significantly improved my songwriting.

Song City at the RUCK in Troy, New York | Image: Kiki Vassilakis

As a producer, I can attest to the challenge of producing music shows where folks get paid and there’s a little change left at the end of the night. How have you structured the business side to pull all that off?

Most local artists can not afford management. And because of this, they deal with being double-booked, underpaid, cancelled last minute, and under-publicized. They deserve to be taken care of. Because of this, going into Season 2, I raised the ticket price by 50%, so that I could raise their pay by the same percentage. Additionally, We also where able to help support the program via grant funding we secured through The Arts Center of the Capital Region. The events are highly publicized, given a generous bar tab, a comp ticket, and one of the nicest green rooms in the 518. We also hire the best music photographer in the capital district, Kiki Vassilakis, to shoot each showcase, of which the artists are given all of these photos to use for their own use. As much as I would love to make my living serving the local music community, we currently are at a place where we can pay all involved, artists, audio engineer, and photographer.

Song City at the RUCK in Troy, New York 09.12.23 | Image: Kiki Vassilakis

I believe you were the recipient of the NYSCA Re-grant program through the Arts Center of the Capital Region. Can you share a little but about why you feel like programs such as this are important to the sustainability of our creative community?

The days of musicians making money through their recorded music are over. As much as music streaming has increased the general public’s ability to have access to more music than anytime in history, it has also stripped away the musicians’ ability to make a living off their recorded music. Spotify currently pays artists approximately $0.003 per stream on average. That means for every 1000 plays on Spotify, an artist will make approximately $4.00. And from 2024 onwards, artists will also need to hit a minimum number of listeners to make their track eligible for royalty payments. Therefore, if artists are truly going to make money through their art, they need to be performing shows often and being paid well. They also need to be selling merch and physical copies of their music. So there is a greater need than ever for the public to support the local artists, beyond streaming their music.

Song City’s Ink Retreat 2023 at YMCA’s Silver Bay | Image: Kiki Vassilakis

The final piece of the current Song City universe is a yearly songwriting retreat called Ink. Last year, we were honored to be awarded a $5000 Community Arts Grant through the NYSCA and The Art Center of the Capital Region which helped fund the program. Many songwriters applied and 10 were chosen, to spend 3 nights at a lodge on Lake George, part of the YMCA Silver Bay property. Like Song City, we encouraged writers of all genres to apply, R & B, indie-pop, alt-rock, folk, hip hop etc. The days were a combination of individual writing, collaborations, daily walks, amazing food, and nightly gatherings around the fireplace sharing our songs. We read and discussed Rick Rubin’s brilliant book “The Creative Act” and used some of his techniques to change how we normally write. We also had a small demo studio and engineer in-house to capture the new songs. And ultimately concluded with a showcase here in Troy, featuring the songs written on the retreat, as well as a live recording and film of that show.

Anything you have coming up you would like to share with our audience to keep them in the loop? Long term plans etc?

The next few months are busy at Song City. We have 3 showcases left in Season 2, with the next one happening on Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30pm, hosted by The Ruck in Troy. This month we are featuring jazz saxophonist Awan Rashad, TJ Foster, frontman for the local rock band E.R.I.E., alt-pop artist, John Glenn from LiketheAstronaut, and contemporary folk songwriter Kate McDonnell. The Open Floor songwriting community continues to meet every 4th Tuesday. We are beginning to plan 2024’s Ink Retreat, and we are getting ready to release a special recording of the showcase we did this last year, featuring live performances of the artists and songs written on 2023’s retreat!

Watch for all of this on songcitytroy.com and Instagram at @songcitytroy. If you would like more information, would like to be involved, or would be interested in supporting Song City, you can reach me directly at songcitytroy (@) gmail.com.

Taliesin Thomas is Mixin’ It Up : International Gravitas Blends with a Passion for Upstate

February 29, 2024 By Corey Aldrich

I first met Taliesin Thomas at one of my side projects, ARTS BAR, a pop up cocktail bar at the Arts Center in Troy. She was rolling with Ali Herrmann, a Troy based mixed media artist that night. TT is larger than life and unforgettable. Since that fateful meet we have spent many late nights discussing esoteric philosophies of arts and culture, and the value proposition of Upstate NY. You may recognize her as an occasional guest writer here at ACE! When she recently scored a gig with Hyperallergic to cover the Hudson Valley art scene, I knew it was time to give her a formal introduction.

Taliesin Thomas in Front of a Mural at the Troy Art Block in Troy, NY | Image: Taliesin Thomas

Please state your name, title, what you do for a living in the creative world.

My name is Taliesin Thomas and my current professional roles are both local-focused and global-centric. Since 2007, I am the Founding Director of AW Asia and the Collections Manager for Art Issue Editions—two private art collections based in New York. The AW Asia collection is comprised of contemporary Chinese art and photography, including rare artworks by many of China’s leading figures such as Ai Weiwei, Zhang Xiaogang, and Zeng Fanzhi (among others). The Art Issue Editions collection is composed of primarily Western contemporary artists, including Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kenny Scharf, KAWS, and Daniel Arsham among other celebrated figures. We work behind the scenes to loan the artworks in these collections to major museums worldwide in addition to doing special curatorial projects, collaborations, and publications with Princeton University Press and other prominent publishers. One of our most important recent projects, for example, is a partnership with the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington DC to present a comprehensive retrospective of contemporary Chinese photography that is also a promised gift. Since moving upstate, I have become immersed in the dynamic creative scene in the region, and I now oversee Artist Initiatives at The Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy in addition to teaching and regular arts writing.

Installation View of the Exhibition ‘A Window Suddenly Opens: Contemporary Photography in China’
Hirshhorn Museum in Washington DC, November 4, 2022 to January 7, 2024 | IMAGE: Taliesin Thomas

Thomas with *Art Critic* Jerry Saltz at the Frieze Art Fair in NYC, May 2022 | Image: Taliesin Thomas

How did you end up moving into this career? Were you always interested in art?

I have been involved in the pursuit of art since the earliest time of my life. During my nearly 30-year career I have worked in various professional capacities including the artist studio, museum, commercial gallery, artist residency, and art foundation setting. I studied advanced art in high school and that inspired me to do my undergraduate degree in fine arts at Bennington College. Over time, my practice and inclinations shifted, and I became more interested in the theoretical and philosophical dimensions of art. The vast literature on aesthetics is a great source of stimulation, and I call myself an artist-maker turned artist-philosopher. This path propelled me to do my graduate work at Columbia University which led to a Ph.D. in Art Theory and Philosophy with the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts.

Ai WeiWei ‘In Search of Humanity’ Exhibition at the Kunsthal Rotterdam, The Netherlands
September 30, 2023 – March 3, 2024 | Image: Kunsthal Rotterdam)

What’s a typical day look like for you work wise?

I often refer to my work life as a ‘grab-bag’ experience—every day brings something exciting across my desk! On any given day I interface with a range of colleagues in various sectors of the international art industry, including ongoing dialogues with artists, curators, museums, galleries, organizations, auction houses, art storage facilities, and shipping companies as well as special areas of research and writing as it relates to our projects. From my desk in Troy, I oversee the movement of artworks from our collection to get them around the globe to be enjoyed by others while simultaneously engaging with the local and regional arts scene in the most meaningful ways—I feel constant gratitude for this professional connectivity.

Taliesin Thomas with Artist Ai Weiwei During the Opening of the Ai Weiwei ‘In Search of Humanity’ Exhibition Kunsthal Rotterdam in The Netherlands, September 30, 2023 – March 3, 2024 | Image: Kunsthal Rotterdam

What caused you to decide to move to the Capital Region, it seems like you were in a pretty amazing scene down in the city…

I appreciate this question—the existential intensity of the pandemic revealed an irreversible perspective on the ‘quality of life’ concept, and that propelled me out of the urban hustle. I lived in Brooklyn for 19 years and built up my professional standing before relocating to the Hudson Valley. Working for a passionate globe-trotting art collector is a unique position, and that is how I was able to bring our independent office to Troy. I embrace the whole of New York—the city, Upstate, and the entire Empire region—as a magnificently inter-connected arts eco-system. I big-red-heart New York!

Installation View of the ‘Critical Forum Artist Exhibition’ at The Arts Center, January 8 to February 24, 2024 IMAGE: Taliesin Thomas

You mentioned that you started working more locally as well, specifically that Arts Center of the Capital Region. Can you tell us more about your program there?

The Arts Center in Troy is home to a robust arts program of year-round classes and exhibitions. As the Director of Artist Initiatives, I oversee two distinct programs: Artist Training and Critical Forum. The Artist Training program hosts the ‘Secret Sauce‘ series and we are organizing another terrific line-up of speakers for this coming fall. The ‘Critical Forum‘ program is an intensive professional development opportunity for emerging and mid-career artists. A maximum of twelve participants are chosen for this program through an open-call application process. The application cycle for this year’s Critical Forum cohort will be open from March 1 to April 1—heads-up artists: Apply! The cohort meets monthly over a six-month period at The Arts Center for group critiques that also include invited arts professionals from the region.

Taliesin Thomas with the Critical Forum Cohort on a Visit to Governor’s Island in NYC, July 2023
IMAGE: Taliesin Thomas

Taliesin Thomas with Keith Haring Artworks from the Art Issue Editions Collection on Loan to The Broad in
Los Angeles, CA ‘Keith Haring Art is for Everybody,’ May 27 – October 8, 2023 | IMAGE: Taliesin Thomas

Finally, you recently picked up a great gig, tell us about Hyperallergic! Also, any other things up your sleeve we should know about?

Since moving to the Hudson Valley, I have been a regular arts reviewer for Chronogram. This has allowed me to network with many incredible colleagues and organizations and is my continued aim to promote artists and exhibitions in our region. My interview with artist Jeffrey Gibson (based in Hudson) for Chronogram was very meaningful as a few months ago it was announced that he will represent the United States at the 60th Venice Biennale this year. I was recently approached by Hyperallergic to establish a Hudson Valley arts preview column, and that has been an outstanding fit thus far! It is a continued joy to align the flourishing creative scene in upstate New York and to be an active contributor in the Troy arts community and beyond.