Of all the holidays I dislike, I hate New Year's Eve the most. As most of my friends refer to it, Amateur Night is a forced, often insincere celebration about something we really don't care about.

I prefer something like the event held for the second year in New York City's Time Square. It's called "Good Riddance Day." People line up to throw things or symbols of things into shredders or compactors and, by so doing, purge themselves of things that annoyed them in the past year.

On the top of my list would be a picture of our still president.

Second would be election campaigns that take longer than the length of term of office being sought.

Pictures of politicians who do bad things and are not punished because they've "suffered enough."

Ticketmaster charges that add at least 20% to the cost of a ticket.

Names of charities who every time I send a check immediately call asking for more money.

Arts organizations who quote a small positive phrase from a negative review.

Wait staffs who are so attentive during the meal and forget you when you're ready to pay the bill.

Vegetarians who seem to enjoy salads more than I do my steak.

PG ratings for violent films.

Product placement.

What's happening to commercial television.

Critics who hate being criticized.

Early this year, in order to save a few bucks, my wife and I cancelled our home garbage pickup. The thought was since she was retired and I have a flexible schedule, taking our own garbage to the dump would no longer be inconvenient.

After several months, we rethought the idea. Having the overflow garbage fill two containers on the weeks we neglected to go to the dump made us reevaluate the decision. Between the annual dump fee, the cost of fuel back and forth, plus the time and the inconvenience, it was not really saving us anything. We returned to our weekly pick-up by an outside organization.

I know my garbage isn't exactly arts related - but garbage is garbage and it does clarify my opinion on the state's proposal to merge NYSTI and the Egg. It's garbage hidden by the claims of false economy.

In case you haven't heard, the proposed state budget proposes joining the Egg and NYSTI in order to save $300,000. I remember the mess this created in the 70s when the Cuomo regime tried the same thing. At the time, NYSTI (then ESIPA) was based at the Egg and the idea of forming a two-headed monster seemed to make sense - at least on paper. However, for many reasons, one of which was incompatible missions, after much off-stage drama, the concept failed.

The failure was Troy's gain as Patricia Snyder moved the youth theater to Russell Sage College. To be clear, while the company was at the Egg, I had problems with some of the choices the company made. One of those issues was the company was seemingly enamoured by large productions filled with special effects. Its producing model seemed to be Broadway which was not my ideal for theater oriented to youth.

That all changed in Troy. I still do not approve of every choice the company makes, but I heartily believe the organization serves it mission well and if this year is a model, it does it exceptionally well. "12 Angry Jurors," "Of Mice and Men" and a Kabuki -styled "Sleeping Beauty" brought intelligent, well-acted theater to the youth (and adults) of our community. Adding to the value of the onstage work, NYSTI has developed an invaluable relationship with Russell Sage College that benifits the students and the public.

If this merger takes place, the state saves $300,000. But the deal demands the post of producing-director be eliminated. The assumption is that one person will book all the shows at the Egg and be the producer of the work performed at NYSTI.

It won't and can't happen. Such an organization will demand a staff that will burn up that $300,000 before you know it.

Budget cuts are needed and NYSTI acknowledges the fact. They appear willing to travel the dual path of reducing expenses and fundraising to accomplish that $300,000 savings. It appears a much more rational solution to the issue.

There are many problems with the proposal. The most obvious is - it won't work and it won't save money. What it will do is reduce the effectiveness of NYSTI.

In other words it's garbage.

If you care about youth theater in Troy, write a letter to the governor and your local state representatives. There is time to stop this from happening, but it will take grass-roots support. Do write or call someone who can help. It really is important.

We're all getting a little desperate waiting for that perfect gift to reveal itself. I can tell you, based on my personal history, it's not going to happen by itself. As humbling as it might seem - it's time to settle.

But if you're smart, you'll settle easy. Nothing is easier or smarter than a gift certificate to an upcoming show. If your recipient enjoys theater there is plenty to like coming to Capital Repertory Theater in Albany or at Cohoes Music Hall. If the choice is musical concerts of either the pop or classical variety, go to the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. The Egg is good for both music and dance, while Proctors in Schenectady offers something for anyone's taste.

If you're looking for a gift certificate for a younger person, check out Revolution Hall in Troy or the Palace Theater in Albany. And don't neglect the upcoming schedule for EMPAC on the RPI campus - they have some cool events scheduled.

If you want something that appears more personal - most entertainment venues have gift shops where you can get, at the very least, a logo T-shirt. The Arts Center on River Street has a gift shop with unique ideas. Calendars might seem generic, but a trip to Albany Institute of History and Art, especially during their current Impressionist exhibit, will give you a great choice of beautiful items from their expanded gift shop. The Clark Museum and the Williams College Museum in Williamstown have great gift shops. The shop at Mass MoCA in North Adams is sure to get you a conversation piece.

One of my favorite gift shops, especially for kids, is at the State Museum at Albany. They prove educational gifts can be fun. The same is true for the Children's Museum in Troy. The Rensselaer County Historical Society is also a good spot to locate a treasured gift.

However, hands-down, the best arts-related gifts can be found in the Proctors Arcade in Schenectady. It's like a mini-shopping mall with several shops, all operated by Proctors, offering unique and fairly priced gifts for the entire family. I still treasure one of my first purchases there - a tree ornament made from the original Proctors curtain.

So don't worry there's still time to get something special. And, trust me, a gift about the arts says you thought of something special. Who has to know it was last-minute?

Another storm. Just what the stores and entertainment venues don't need this last weekend before Christmas. But here it is. As bad as it is for everyone, heavy snow is a terrible problem for entertainment organizations. Shoppers have the rest of the weekend and three days next week to catch up on buying gifts. If theaters, concerts, etc. have to cancel a performance they have only Saturday and Sunday to rescue lost business.

However, if you are inclined to put a little merriment in your life this weekend, there certainly is plenty available to fill the bill. Here's a listing of a few holiday-oriented shows that will offer some fun for every member of the family.

Mountain Snow and Mistletoe is at Troy Saving Bank Music Hall Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. This is a warm, relaxed old-fashioned Christmas show with some story-telling, some pickin' and singin' and a whole lot of love. 273-0038

"Nuncrackers" is in its final weekend at Cohoes Music Hall with performances Friday and Saturday evenings, and Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The Little Sisters of Hoboken might be very familiar, but they are always a hoot and their version of the "Nutcracker" is guaranteed to make you smile. 237-5858

Over in the Berkshires, "A Christmas Carol" is still playing at the intimate Unicorn Theater of Berkshire Theatre Festival. If ever a show could get you into the Christmas spirit it is this one about Scrooge's visit by the three Spirits of Christmas. 413-298-5576

If you want to share a warm story with your kids "A Little House Christmas" at Home Made Theatre in Saratoga Springs is a good one. Based on the "Little House" series (books and television) this play supports the values of family and sharing. It's fun for youngsters and a good experience for the entire family. 587-4427

If you haven't seen one yet, there is still a real "Nutcracker" ballet available for two shows on Sunday at the Egg in Albany. Sweet dreams and Sugar Plum Fairies are not a bad way to prepare for December 25. 473-1845

And, finally - it may not be holiday oriented, but the Disney on Ice "100 Years of Magic" at the TU Center in Albany through Sunday is one sure way of getting smiles on the faces of kids and adults. 1-800-30-EVENT

It might take some effort to gather the family together this busy weekend - but sharing an entertainment experience has to have more value than just buying one more gift. Give the kids a memory - take them to live entertainment.

The storm is over. I had sixty hours without heat or electric and for 72 hours I was without cable, phone or internet service. I never realized how much I take a warm house for granted or how dependent I've become on the internet.

I understand shopping malls, restaurants and hotels did extra business because of the storm, but entertainment venues were crushed. Thursday and Friday were horrid and some shows did all right on Saturday and Sunday, but not enough to make up for some crushing cancellations.

At times, the customer is upset with entertainment venues because there are no refunds for weather related cancellations. Most organizations offer tickets for another performance - but no cash refunds. That's because most professional organizations have contracts with performers and touring shows that state if the talent arrives - the fees must be paid. Therfore, the show must go on. With an organization like Capital Rep or Cohoes Music Hall, the performers are in town for a run and all they have to do is walk to the theater.

This is a tough time for arts organizations to lose business because January is usually a very slow month as people usually try to save a few bucks to make up for hoilday splurging. In tough economic times, arts are usually the first areas to be cut, so the loss of a holiday windfall can be disasterous.

There is still a lot of holiday fun to be had at local venues - so be sure to check out Insight on Thursday for some great ideas. You will have a good time and at the same time be helping some worthy organizations.

Talk about feast or famine. When it comes to entertainment December is a period of feast while in January we might be scavenging for something to do. But while there is plenty - let's feast.

A problem with having so much available is deciding what to see or do. For example, this weekend I have a commitment to review the New York State Theatre Institute's Kabuki version of "Sleeping Beauty" on Sunday at Russell Sage College and on Saturday evening I will be going to "Nuncrackers" at Cohoes Music Hall.

That leaves Friday night with so many choices. "A Christmas Carol" opens at Schenectady Civic Theater and I would love to take the grandbrats to "Seussical the Musical" at Schenectady Light Opera over the weekend. My dark sense of humor tells me "Eight Reindeer Monologues" will be a lot of fun at the Arts Center in Saratoga Springs.

Since I'm already committed to two theater productions this weekend, some musical entertainment might be a better choice. I've seen the Trans-Siberian Orchestra several times and I always enjoy Christmas sentiments put to a glitzy rock format. But they are the TU Center Sunday and I'm at NYSTI's "Sleeping Beauty" that day The same conflict holds true with the Albany Symphony Orchestra's "Magic of Christmas" which is at the Palace Theatre on Saturday and Sunday.

That leaves the choices for tonight between the Boston Pops Espianade Orchestra with Keith
Lockhart conducting at Proctors Theatre or "A Christmas Carol" at Schenectady Civic Theatre.

Sometimes having tough choices can be a lot of fun. And in this case, I can't make a bad choice.

Welcome to the Arts Whisperer, a new blog we hope will offer a fresh way of helping you keep up with art and entertainment happenings around the Capital District.

It's informal, giving me an opportunity to share a more personal look at area theater, art, restaurants and maybe even movies, DVDs and television. No limits. Because blogging is also interactive, it will give you a chance to offer feedback in the form of insights, suggestions and (dare I say it?) criticism. I hope that as time goes by this will be an instrument of learning as well as fun for all of us.

Perhaps some personal background is in order. It's been about 20 years since I started writing reviews and features for the Record. For nearly ten years before that I did the same for the now defunct Knickerbocker News of Albany.

While writing for newspapers, I also toiled in the "real world" of entertainment. I was the Marketing Director for Proctors Theatre, Schenectady and later became Executive Director of the Palace Theatre in Albany.During my 14 years at the Palace, we offered a lot of pop music ranging from Billy Joel to Phish.

We also co-produced a number of theatrical productions. My favorites - "Grandma Moses" with Cloris Leachman and a couple of "Christmas Carols" with Wilford Brimley and later John Astin. Recently, I produced another "Christmas Carol." The stars of that prodcution were Barry Williams of "The Brady Bunch" and Jeff Conaway of "Taxi" and "Grease." (To see some behind the scenes of that experience see Jeff on Celebrity Rehab on television cable VH-1.)

In my "spare" time, I directed local theater productions and served on several not-for-profit boards. Currently, I am on the of Caffe Lena board in Saratoga Springs and am president of the Pearl Street Rug and Counselling Center in Albany.

There we have day 1 of The Arts Whisperer. I hope my experience helps you find some enjoyable things to do in this wonderful community in which we live.

Welcome to the Arts Whisperer, a new blog we hope will offer a fresh way of helping you keep up with art and entertainment happenings around the Capital District.

It's informal, giving me an opportunity to share a more personal look at area theater, art, restaurants and maybe even movies, DVDs and television. No limits. Because blogging is also interactive, it will give you a chance to offer feedback in the form of insights, suggestions and (dare I say it?) criticism. I hope that as time goes by this will be an instrument of learning as well as fun for all of us.


Perhaps some personal background is in order. It's been about 20 years since I started writing reviews and features for the Record. For nearly ten years before that I did the same for the now defunct Knickerbocker News of Albany.


While writing for newspapers, I also toiled in the "real world" of entertainment. I was the Marketing Director for Proctors Theatre, Schenectady and later became Executive Director of the Palace Theatre in Albany.


During my 14 years at the Palace, we offered a lot of pop music ranging from Billy Joel to Phish. We also co-produced a number of theatrical productions. My favorites - "Grandma Moses" with Cloris Leachman and a couple of "Christmas Carols" with Wilford Brimley and later John Astin. Recently, I produced another "Christmas Carol." The stars of that prodcution were Barry Williams of "The Brady Bunch" and Jeff Conaway of "Taxi" and "Grease." (To see some behind the scenes of that experience see Jeff on Celebrity Rehab on television cable VH-1.) In my "spare" time, I directed local theater productions and served on several not-for-profit boards. Currently, I am on the of Caffe Lena board in Saratoga Springs and am president of the Pearl Street Rug and Counselling Center in Albany.

I hope my experience helps you find some enjoyable things to do in this wonderful community in which we live.