We’re pleased to share this artist’s profile of Berta Rojas. written by East Branch Friends of the Arts’s president Matt Dunne.

Ms. Rojas is performing this Saturday, at the Keene Valley Congregational Church at 7:30 pm (see ADK A& E #123 HERE for the details).

Thank you to Matt for sharing this and don’t miss the video clips—or the performance!

Berta Rojas, Guitarrista extraordinaria!

When a 7 year old girl in Asuncion, Paraguay named Berta Rojas first picked up a guitar and began to play, nobody could have imagined she would one day become a world famous musician and one of her country’s most beloved musical artists. But that’s exactly what happened. Berta would go on to perform in many prestigious concert venues including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, record Grammy nominated CDs, be named as one of the most influential women in Hispanic culture, and be awarded the title Illustrious Ambassador of Musical Arts by her native Paraguay.

Berta seamlessly blends Latin and Classical music, infusing everything she plays with her outstanding warmth, virtuosity, and a remarkable ability to connect with audiences. This is what separates her from many other musicians; audiences are immediately drawn into her playing on an emotional level and the result is a memorable shared experience. Latina Magazine once wrote “In the hands of Berta Rojas, the classical guitar truly becomes the world’s instrument—a means of bridging wide cultural divides via the uncommon clarity and inherent loveliness of her music.”

Listen and watch HERE and HERE.

East Branch Friends of the Arts is delighted to present Berta Rojas in concert on September 17 at 7:30 PM in the acoustically great Keene Valley Congregational Church, in Keene Valley. For more information, please visit HERE.

Made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts.

JOHN BROWN LIVES! – Blues at Timbuctoo – Sunday, September 18, 2022

If you only attend one music event post-Labor Day, make certain that it is Blues at Timbuctoo (BT2), sponsored by John Brown Lives! This enjoyable day of Blues music takes place on Sunday, September 18th at the John Brown Farm in Lake Placid, supported this for several years by ECAC’s CAP program. In this evocative setting, BT2 is a musical celebration of the Blues and its power to connect us to one another and to the history, faith and hope that inspired it.

This delightful day-long celebration brings outstanding national, international and local Blues, Jazz and acoustic Blues performers together in a free “concert and conversation” with audiences of all ages and walks of life at one of the nation’s most significant human rights destinations to cultivate Dr. King’s vision of “the beloved community.” Musicians perform at the entrance to JBL!’s “Dreaming of Timbuctoo” Exhibition at the Farm while audiences settle in on the grassy slope in lawn chairs or on picnic blankets.

BT2 is free and open to people of all ages.

More information HERE.

The Bookstore Plus Celebrates International Dot Day

Thursday, September 15, 2022, from 9 am – 6 pm

International Dot Day is a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration.

It began when teacher, Terry Shay, introduced his classroom to Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot on September 15, 2009.

The Dot is the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to “make her mark.” What begins with a small dot on a piece of paper becomes a breakthrough in confidence and courage, igniting a journey of self-discovery and sharing, which has gone on to inspire countless children and adults around the globe.

Each year on International Dot Day – with the help of people just like you – the inspiration continues. What started as a story in the pages of a book is transforming teaching and learning around the world as people of all ages re-discover the power and potential of creativity in all they do.

Stop by The Bookstore Plus on September 15, 2022 to “MAKE YOUR MARK” on our storefront window! A variety of window markers will be available to help get the creative juices flowing. Let’s show the creativity the community of Lake Placid has.

Copies of The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds are available to purchase at the store or HERE.

The Bookstore Plus, 2491 Main Street, Lake Placid

Episode 4 Of Wild Tales Premieres Thursday At 7 pm

In the fourth installment of our behind-the-scenes docuseries following The Wild Center Animal Care staff, we see the special care and training that happens every day with our Animal Care team and the birds of prey that call The Wild Center home. Then, we get updates on a potential otter pregnancy.

More info, including how to watch, HERE.

20th Anniversary Exhibition

Through 9/30/22

BluSeed is celebrating 20 years! While this exhibit was not able to reach every artist who has exhibited here in the past 20 years, everyone in the show has had work included at one time or another. There will be a closing reception, plus several events throughout September, in addition to a month-long fund-raising event. There is not charge for any of the events, but donations are requested.

Come visit the studios and find out what classes are scheduled, take a look at all the great items now available in the Blu Store – an art thrift shop featuring gently used donated art supplies, in addition to enjoying the exhibit. Check HERE for the full schedule of events.

BluSeed Studios, 24 Cedar St., Saranac Lake

U.S. International Figure Skating Classic

The U.S. International Figure Skating Classic comes to the 1980 Rink, Herb Brooks Arena in the Olympic Center this week September 13 – September 16. This major international competition will feature all four figure skating disciplines – Women, Men, Pairs, and Ice Dance. Twenty-one U.S. skaters will compete on home ice for a spot on the podium, along with skaters from all across the Globe. Tickets are available now online and also at the door on event days.

More information and schedule are HERE.

Herb Brooks Arena, 2634 Main St; Lake Placid