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ARt
BEAT
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Will
Waldron
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Condolences
to the friends, family and admirers of Albany watercolorist
Rafael Joseph Gonzalez, who died on March 23 at the
age of 55. A Puerto Rican native, Gonzales relocated to New
York in his youth, then studied drawing before turning his
eye to biology. After getting his bachelor’s in biology from
the College of Saint Rose, he taught the subject in area schools
until Parkinson’s Disease derailed his career. After nearly
two decades of struggling with the disease, Gonzalez returned
to art in 1999, and found that creating watercolors was therapeutic.
In December of last year, Gonzalez told Metroland:
“I paint because the biggest thrill is when someone comes
into the gallery, I put a smile on people’s faces. God truly
has given me more than I have lost.” A memorial service was
scheduled for early today (Thursday), but those wishing to
pay their respects can also view Gonzalez’ watercolors at
the Samuel E Gallery, located at 127 Jay St. in Schenectady,
where the artwork will be on display until May 4. . . . Area
singer-songwriter Liv Cummins is preparing to launch
a novel new performance series, called Saturday Night Liv—with
the last word pronounced “leave,” just like the singer’s first
name. Cummins says that the first show in the series will
happen on May 18 at the Pleshakov Music Center, located at
544 Warren St. in Hudson, and that the future of the series
will depend on how well it’s received. But before any determination
of where the series will go can occur, Cummins has to gather
her own version of the Not Ready for Prime Time Players, because
she says she wants the show to feature “actors, singers, comedians,
novelty acts” and more. Toward that end, the series’ enterprising
producer-director-host will hold auditions this Saturday (April
6) at the Pleshakov Music Center, beginning at noon. For more
information, call 329-5484. . . . The Lower Adirondack
Regional Arts Council recently added a new display area
to its network of spaces where members can showcase their
wares. The new area is in the Mary McClellan Hospital in the
Skilled Nursing Facility in Cambridge, and Cambridge on
Canvas, an oil painting by Saratoga Springs artist Stu
Eichel, will be on display there through April 22. For
more information, call LARAC at 798-1144. . . . The lineup
for the third annual Lake Placid Film Forum, which
takes place from June 5 to June 9, is quickly taking shape,
and it appears the event’s organizers may even outdo the first
two festivals. The schedule is loaded with seminars and master
classes led by luminaries from Hollywood and independent film,
and seminars will tackle such timely subjects as how filmmakers
can remain independent in an increasingly corporatized world.
Some highlights include appearances by cult-fave director
Kevin Smith, who will appear on a panel about comic books
and also lead a discussion about the evolution of his notorious
movie Chasing Amy; a discussion of special effects
led by legendary stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen; an
acting class led by John Turturro; and a discussion of how
other countries regard American films, featuring Indian-born
director Mira Nair and critic-turned-filmmaker Paul Schrader,
among others. For more information, check out www.lakeplacidfilmforum.com.
. . . Send Art Beat items to phanson@metroland.net or call
463-2500, ext. 144.
—Peter
Hanson
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