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Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · 18d

(personally a big fan of the "buy one of every sandwich at Cardona's and take a bite of each" suggestion)

Tell us: What would you order for your Capital Region last meal?

Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · 18d

The TU is asking the big questions because, apparently, The #Rapture is upon us: www.timesunion.com/food/article...

If you could choose your last meal on Earth from a Capital Region restaurant, what would you choose?

Arts Center of Capital Region declines $50K NEA grant over DEI rules

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Reposted by Katherine Kiessling

Casey Seiler @caseyseiler.bsky.social · 28d

The Arts Center of the Capital Region, concerned that a $50K federal grant to support a public art project in South Troy would come with anti-DEI-and-what-have-you strings attached, told the NEA to keep its money. @katkiessl.bsky.social reports.

The Arts Center of the Capital Region turned down a $50,000 federal grant from the NEA over fears of censorship and anti-DEI requirements.

Will Kempe's Players embrace the basics of the Bard

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Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Aug 20

What doth it mean to be an original practices traveling Shakespeare troupe in the year of Our Lord 2025? For Will Kempe's Players, it's embracing the basics of the Bard to best connect with audiences (and maybe a laugh-out-loud needle drop or two courtesy of some merry minstrels).

shorturl.at/Rg25o

The touring Shakespeare troupe prioritizes historic, Elizabethan practices to create theater magic for audiences across the Capital Region.

Albany Zine Club, local artists fueling next era of zines

Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Aug 20

I was fascinated by how zines' aesthetics and themes transcended time. Things I read in the state library's massive archive could easily be in zine libraries today.

And as a physical media girly, the insights on how zines are a rebellion against the social media era were *chef's kiss*

Times Union @timesunion.com · Aug 18

With the new Albany Zine Club, 518 Zine Fest and DIY publications lining local indie bookshelves and makers market tables, zines are having a moment.

With the new Albany Zine Club, 518 Zine Fest and DIY publications lining local indie bookshelves and makers market tables, zines are having a moment.

bit.ly

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Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Jul 28

I also spent a rainy morning at Richard Wang's home studio learning firsthand how meditative - and challenging - mastering a single calligraphy stroke can be. (also didn't make it into the story, but his tea game is on another level)

shorturl.at/hGYvk

Master calligrapher from Niskayuna teaches healing through ink

Richard Wang’s new youth workshop series “Ink for Healing” will teach mental well-being skills through the art of Chinese calligraphy.

Photos: Fuzzy faces take Albany at furry convention

Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Jul 28

(also one of our fab staff photographers Lori Van Buren went to the convention and snagged some great shots shorturl.at/92Ivz)

Eufuria 2025: Solarpunk continues at the Albany Capital Center in Albany through Sunday

Eufuria convention in Albany to celebrate furry fandom

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Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Jul 28

First, organizers and attendees of @eufuria.org were so gracious in sharing their stories from within the furry fandom and the artistry behind their fursonas. I wish infinite word count existed because there were so many amazing personal tales that simply didn't fit.

shorturl.at/DXpOV

Nearly three decades after Anthrocon’s departure, Eufuria revived a furry convention for a growing fandom.

Clifton Park native debuts new musical with Playhouse Stage

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Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Jul 28

I'm kinda the worst at remembering to use social media, but I've worked on a couple of fun and fulfilling stories lately, so here's a little roundup.

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Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Jun 12

And in more local theater news: Playhouse Stage is launching a new works program this weekend with a folk musical co-created and composed by Clifton Park's own Maria Isabella Andreoli and her longtime creative partner EmmaLee Kidwell.

Times Union @timesunion.com · Jun 11

Clifton Park native Maria Isabella Andreoli first stepped onstage with Playhouse Stage Company in 2011. It was an all-youth production of “Annie." Fast forward 14 years, and Andreoli is returning to Playhouse Stage for the debut of a brand-new musical. (📝 @katkiessl.bsky.social‬ )

“The Waiting” an original folk musical by Clifton Park native Maria Andreoli and EmmaLee Kidwell, is part of the theater’s new Playhouse Premieres program.

Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Jun 12

(ok maybe not a zillion, but if cloning existed, it would have been possible to see 30 different productions most weekends in April)

Capital Region Theatre Festival debuts with 4 days of events

Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Jun 12

The Capital Region is a hidden theater paradise, thanks to roughly a zillion historic and brand-new companies.

To spotlight this, Patrick White created the Capital Region Theatre Fest (aka CRFT). Four days of workshops and performances kick off tonight.

www.timesunion.com/festivals/ar...

Stretching from Capital Repertory to Fort Salem Theater, the diverse range of workshops, panels and performances champions the local theater scene.

Revolutionary War gunboat, found at Ground Zero, docks at the State Museum

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Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · May 28

Spent a day with some self-professed "boat nerds" and maybe became one myself?

Fifteen years ago, crews working on One World Trade Center unearthed a Revolutionary War gunboat. Now, it's being reassembled IRL at the New York State Museum.

www.timesunion.com/art/article/...

Almost 15 years after its discovery during the construction of One World Trade Center, the gunboat is being reassembled at the New York State Museum.

Residents at Shaker Pointe retirement community debut in new theater program

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Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · May 7

Amidst all the federal arts and culture cuts that just keep coming, this was a ray of joy. Everyone should have the opportunity to try art just because they want to. I love that Shaker Pointe and resident Dick Holmes are making that happen. Creativity and community have no age limit.

Times Union @timesunion.com · May 7

John Pattison’s reason for auditioning for “The Importance of Being Earnest” was simple. “I figured it was time I did some theater,” he said. “I’m 94. I have to try it before it’s too late.” (📝 @katkiessl.bsky.social )

Shaker Pointe launched a new theater program created by resident and former high school teacher Dick Holmes and staffer Sarah Sheppeck.

Creative Corners: Live Nation and SPAC, explained

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Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Apr 17

This month's Creative Corners column takes on Live Nation, its 25-year relationship with SPAC and how the good and the baggage of that partnership are tightly woven with one of the biggest and most controversial mergers in live entertainment history.

www.timesunion.com/music/articl...

For 25 years, Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Live Nation have partnered — for better and for worse — on the amphitheater’s popular music series.

Albany Pro Musica concert connects Matthew Shepard to today

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Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Mar 9

Even after reporting on this, I made the rookie mistake of not bringing tissues to today's concert.

Times Union @timesunion.com · Mar 2

Nearly three decades after his murder, what does it mean to consider Matthew Shepard? It is a question posed by Albany Pro Musica with its upcoming performance of Craig Hella Johnson’s oratorio “Considering Matthew Shepard” on March 9 at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. (📝 @katkiessl.bsky.social )

"Considering Matthew Shepard" arrives at a time when anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is at a high and the community is grieving the death of Sam Nordquist.

a field of bloom and hum - Tang Teaching Museum

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Reposted by Katherine Kiessling

Eric Schmeltzer @ericschmeltzer.com · Feb 4

Here is the pre-RFK vaccination schedule for your kids. Please download it before he is confirmed and changes/deletes it.

Give it to your pediatrician and say this is the schedule you want your kids on.

Making this my pinned post.

90 3.5K 5.5K

Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Feb 13

The exhibit runs through July 20 at the Tang Teaching Museum. Def recommend checking it (and the many events surrounding it). More details: tang.skidmore.edu/exhibitions/...

At a time when the rights of members of the queer community are under threat (the American Civil Liberties Union tracked 533 anti-LGBTQ bills in the US in 2024, for example), the Tang will present a t...

tang.skidmore.edu

Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Feb 13

“Community is such a big part of how art is made and why it gets made.” -- Edie Fake

Two floors + over 150 queer artists = the biggest Tang exhibit to date. So many things stuck with me from Edie Fake's convo with Tang Director Ian Berry, most of which I managed to fit in here:

shorturl.at/1PDCj

Tang's biggest exhibition puts queer art, community in focus

The Tang Teaching Museum's "a field of bloom and hum" features over 150 artists across two floors, including a new commission by Edie Fake.

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Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Feb 10

New Orleans, I'm so sorry for your telephone poles. #gobirds

Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Feb 10

like this game is not about you my dude

a woman in a black dress says it - it - the f - it - flam - flames

Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Feb 10

me whenever brady is speaking

ALT: a woman in a black dress says it - it - the f - it - flam - flames

media.tenor.com

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Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Feb 10

The CGI seal Seal might be my new paralysis demon.

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Katherine Kiessling @katkiessl.bsky.social · Jan 16

If you have time over the next two days to see "Parade" at Proctors, go. The chilling modern-day parallels are impossible to ignore is this beautifully staged and performed production, which officially launched its national tour last night.
www.timesunion.com/theater/arti...

Review: 'Parade' an urgent musical tragedy at Proctors

The musical, which is based on the 1913 trial, two year imprisonment and eventual lynching of Leo Frank, serves poignant modern-day parallels.