The Smithy in Cooperstown Will Be Bustling This Summer

The Smithy is thrilled to announce an exciting new slate of classes, concerts, and events that will be starting this week! As part of her mission for The Smithy, new executive director, Danielle Newell, has been hard at work to schedule a wide variety of programming so that, inevitably, there will be something for everyone.

For those who are musically inclined, there is a Summer Concert Series in the beautiful sculpture garden every Saturday at 7 pm. It kicks off July 10th with The Bassett Hounds, a popular acoustic group that covers the classics. Looking forward, Reggae Vision will be playing on July 17th. Subsequent weeks cover bluegrass, punk (Overmind), folk (Mary Doherty), and rock (Eric Erickson). Tickets are only $10 and include a free drink.

For movers and shakers, a fun new concept called a “Dance Party Class” is launching on Fridays from 5:30-7. A dance instructor will be on hand to teach a different style each week at this informal class. July 9th, experienced teacher, performer, and director of the dance troupe "Main Street Caravan" Maureen Broeking will teach Egyptian Fusion Belly Dance. Week two features swing dance and week three will be tango! Wonderful for all ages and stages to have fun, socialize, and learn something new. $5 to cover the instructor and refreshments.

Children and adults alike will love the weekly interactive puppet show, “The Time Traveler”, about a grouchy inventor determined to prove that Abner Doubleday did not invent baseball. Every Saturday at 2 pm, there will be a new adventure. Don’t miss it! $5 for kids and $3 for adults.

If you’re eager to learn a new craft or develop the skills you have, a whole host of workshops and classes is available. The ever popular Pottery Studio is running adult and children’s classes, as well as open studio. Glimmer Globe Acting Studio is holding acting for kids and teens, costume design (taught by the designer for Orpheus Theatre), and set design (taught by designers with Glimmerglass Opera). Photography also makes its debut with a workshop series in August. Fine arts are covered too: Oil painting with Mary Nolan, landscape drawing, figure drawing, and mold making with Ben Ayers.

Finally, every Sunday at 4 pm, a Writer’s Circle will convene, offering writers the opportunity to share, discuss, and develop their work. Late July and August will feature performances by The Catskill Poetry Theatre and their new work, “Crumbs From Under Love’s Table” (written/edited and directed by Susan Melchior).

The Smithy Gallery continues to flourish, this month featuring the work of ceramics artist Normandy Alden and painters Amy McKinnon and Susan Jones Kenyon. On July 29th, the next show opens with a gala reception at 5 pm and features the innovative work of Joshua Ray Stevens and ceramics artist Marcie Schwartzman, as well as the more classical paintings of Elizabeth Apgar Smith.

The Smithy aims to be a hub of activity and creativity for the community. They extend this invitation: Whatever your passion or inclination, whether student, spectator, or artist, please come collaborate! The Smithy is located at 55 Pioneer Street in Cooperstown, NY. For a complete schedule and details, see below, visit www.smithypioneer.org or email smithypioneer@gmail.com.