Monika Alch and Elizabeth Bush join WRFA’s Anthony Merchant to discuss this years annual performances of The Nutcracker at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts

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The grants are part of nearly $45 million going toward over 1,200 arts organizations and 426 artists in New York State.

Chautauqua Institution is receiving $40,000 in funding as well as $10,000 toward the program, “Cerstin Johnson: The Trian of Millicent Owakhu,” and another $10,000 for the program, “Jimin Han: Mistaking Minari: Growing Up Korean American in Chautauqua County.”

The Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet will receive $40,000. Infinity Visual and Performing Arts has been granted $30,000. The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, which is the parent company of WRFA, is receiving $30,000. And the Roger Tory Peterson Institute will receive $25,000.

In 2021, NYSCA overhauled its funding strategies to allow greater access to art funding across the state and recommitted its support to artists. As a result, NYSCA increased its funding of artists by 400 percent and awarded grants to 83 percent of first-time applicants.

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts’ programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

The New York State Council on the Arts is distributing nearly $32 million in grants to 1,032 organizations. Statewide Community Regrants will promote local decision-making by art organizations.

Organizations receiving regrants in Chautauqua County include the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, who is WRFA’s parent company, receiving $10,000 to increase staff hours. The Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet will receive $10,000 to pay artists and $10,000 to increase staff hours. Infinity Visual and Performing Arts will receive $10,000 for marketing and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute will receive $10,000 to rehire staff.

NYSCA’s Round Three grants include Support for Organizations, Support for Artists, Special Opportunities, and Recovery Grants. All four categories of funding provide organizations and artists with dollars to boost their recovery process in response to the economic impact of the Pandemic.

Local recipients include the Fredonia Opera House receiving $59,500; the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts will receive $49,500 for theater operations and programming; the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet will receive $10,000; and Infinity Visual and Performing Arts also will receive $10,000.

NYSCA said more than 60% of their grantees have organizational budgets of $1 million or less.

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts is receiving $20,000, Fredonia Opera House $10,000; Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet will receive $10,000;, and the Western New York Chamber Orchestra also will receive $10,000.

At least 60 percent of each grant award will provide compensation for artistic and or creative professionals.

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FREDONIA – On Saturday, November 12, 1994, the 1891 Fredonia Opera House reopened its doors after more than nine years of restoration work with a grand re-opening variety show – Fredonia On Stage!

Nearly 25 years to the day later – on Sunday, November 10, 2019 – the Opera House celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a special show, Fredonia on Stage! – 25 Years Later.

“This celebratory event is a two-part commemoration,” notes Opera House Executive Director Rick Davis. “It STARTS with a matinee performance reminiscent of our grand re-opening!  Local and regional performers join us for a nod to the past 25 years, while representing all the entertainment that the Opera House has to offer today — from Bach to Broadway, Folk to Family, History to Humor, Drama to Dance and Rock to Ragtime!”

Featured performers include:

• The Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet representing live dance and Bolshoi Ballet Live;
• Julie Costantini, Jenn Davis and Katie Ryan representing live music and the Broadway On Screen Series;
• Fr. Sean Duggan, Brian Eckenrode and Brian Walnicki representing the Bach & Beyond Baroque Music Festival;
• Pianist Trevor Napoli representing live classical music;
• The Newton Street Irregulars 2.0 representing the Folk in Fredonia Music Series;
• Actress Christina Rausa representing live theatre and the National Theatre Live Series;
• In Jest’s Nels Ross representing family-focused entertainment;
• The band Big Tone representing live popular music and tribute shows;
• Along with this array of entertainment, there will be a few special announcements and acknowledgements.

The celebration ENDS with FanTableous Fete II, a reception/auction held at the Fredonia Beaver Club that will feature light hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and live music. Capping off the celebration will be the live auction of 10 handmade, artist-decorated, three-legged, fan-shaped corner tables during the reception.

Tickets for Fredonia On Stage! – 25 Years Later are $25. Tickets to FanTableous Fete II are $20. Both may be purchased in person at the Opera House Box Office or by phone at 716-679-1891, Tuesday through Friday, 1-5 p.m. Tickets also may be purchased online anytime at www.fredopera.org.

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JAMESTOWN – The Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet presents Dance Noir on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Willow Bay Theatre.

Dance Noir is a smaller scale performance featuring works inspired by the darkness of the late fall season including both classic variations and new contemporary works. A cash wine bar will be available before and during intermission.

CRYB executive director Elizabeth Bush and CYRB artistic director Monika Alch were guests on WRFA’s Arts on Fire program for Nov. 9 and provided details on the event, along with the upcoming Nutcracker performance on Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 15.

The program features advanced level dancers from the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet. Joining them are guest performers Megan Stefanik, a graduate of the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet’s pre-professional program and now a dance major at the Conservatory at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, and Sukanya Burman, who instructs modern dance at the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet. Burman, who will be performing a classical Indian dance, started her dance training in Bharatnatyam at the age of 3 in India and completed her advanced diploma from Kalamandalam Kolkata under the supervision of Guru Thankamani Kutty. The program will also include three modern works with choreography by Burman and Michael Cerwinski, a character dance to music from Carmen, and a Tarantella from Le Corsaire.

The evening is sponsored in part by Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Bag & String Wines and Brazil.

Tickets are $10 general admission and $20 for table seating.

Table seating is limited. A ash wine bar opens at 7:30 p.m. and the performance begins at 8:15 p.m. To reserve a seat, visit www.cryb.net or call the studio at 664-9766.

All this week Forte the Restaurant is participating in Negroni Week, a worldwide fundraiser to benefit a number of different charities. Negroni is a classic cocktail composed of three ingredients, all in equal parts: Campari, gin & sweet vermouth.

As an official participant, Forte will be donating $1 from each and every Negroni sold this week to the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet.

Negroni Week 2014 runs from Monday, June 2 through Sunday, June 8. Forte will be participating during its regular restaurant and bar hours today through Saturday.

Forte the Restaurant is located at 114 E. 3rd St. in Jamestown and can be reached by calling (716) 484-6063.

In addition to funding for individual artists and smaller arts projects through its Projects Pool Grants Program, the United Arts Appeal provides operating support for eight of the larger arts organizations in Chautauqua County: the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet, Community Music Project, 1891 Fredonia Opera House, Infinity Visual and Performing Arts, Jamestown Concert Association, Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, Reg Lenna Civic Center, and the Western New York Chamber Orchestra. 

Contributions can be made by check to the United Arts Appeal, 715 Falconer Street, Jamestown, NY  14701.

For all the benefits available to contributors to the United Arts Appeal, see “Support UAA” at www.UnitedArtsAppeal.org.