September Newsletter

As an educator most of my life, this time of the year always brings to the surface so many emotions. I ran across this quote by Sara Baume in my readings and it struck a chord. With the many retired educators in our midst  I daresay it will for many of you too.

• “The old summer’s-end melancholy nips at my heels. There’s no school to go back to; no detail of my life will change come the onset of September; yet still, I feel the old trepidation.” -Sara Baume

Fortunately in my situation, that old trepidation continues in the form of LSCFTA! Now don’t get me wrong! Trepidation is not always a bad thing! In fact it has been my motivator for a long time. Planning on how to triumph over the challenges here at LSCFTA is what makes life so interesting and invigorating for me! So what challenges await us this year? Here are just a few.

Technically updating our theater with live and recorded video and audio capabilities is high on the list. We will be installing a state of the art six microphone performance system in the stage area as well as a 5G dark sensitive multi faceted video camera for recording, documenting or live feeding our various events and productions. This is a capability we have sorely been lacking to date.

We have already begun our second offering of JUICE BOX INTERNATIONAL ONE ACT FESTIVAL. We already have approximately 20 plays that have entered from around the world including so far New Zealand and The United Kingdom. With approximately 200 entries last year we are hopeful for even more this year to continue this highly successful event. In conjunction with this event is the announcement that Mary Ellen Humphrey and her highly successful writers groups plan on starting up a writers competition similar in format to the one act competition. More on that later from Mary Ellen.

The Innovation Studio continues to grow by leaps and bounds with classes and studio time being open to our members throughout the year. Jackie Phillips and facilitators have created opportunities for the general public to create and share digital and electronic masterpieces in sound, video, photographic and experimental avenues. New and exciting podcasts are a regular part of their offerings of late with a promise of so much more to come. Come join the movement. 

So stay tuned, there is more to come on our Brenda Eno Art Gallery headed up by Karin Cockram, our monthly movie nights, theatrical and musical presentations, new village murals, etc. etc. etc.

September looks pretty good, don’t you think?

JOIN US!

Rick Mascaro-Executive Director

 INNOVATION STUDIO NEWS: The September and October schedules are posted on our website:  www.lakeshorecenterforthearts.com. We are very busy and so pleased to report that the Hamels-McQuiston Oak Island visual podcast enjoyed 10,000 views of Episode 4 and the team just finished taping, editing and releasing Episode 5.

 AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL BY STEVE WENDELL: This production was a sold out musical showcasing great talent and all types of tech wizardry designed and developed using our in house talent and our Innovation Studio.

 BRENDA ENO ART GALLERY: The next show will open with a reception on October 6 at 7 PM, and will feature the artistry of Brenda Eno and Cristie Herbst. Complementing their work will be a show entitled “The Power of Women and the Sacred Feminine.” Prints of Brenda’s work will be on sale, proceeds benefitting LSCFTA’s mural project. Thank you, Don and Marion Eno. Come and join us. Openings always are fun. Tasty, too.

WRITERS’ GROUP: This activity has proven so popular that we’ve created a second group which meets Wednesday afternoons from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. The original group continues gathering 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday evenings. Both take place in the Lorna Penny Suite. The Writers Group is hosting an Open Mic event for local writers and musicians OCTOBER 1, 2023,  .

CEMETERY TOUR: This annual event will be the evenings of September 22 and 23. As in the past, you can reserve a seat on a horse drawn wagon or join a tour guide on foot. Patterson Library, Lake Shore Center for the Arts, Chautauqua County Historical Society, and Westfield Cemetery Association present Westfield Cemetery Tour Through History 2023. Come join us Friday September 22 or Saturday September 23 as local actors bring residents of Westfield “back to life.” Horse drawn carriage tours or walking tours are available. Refreshments will be provided, and port-a-potty will be available on site.
Horse Drawn Carriage Tours are $20 per person. Friday evening tours are at 6, 7, 8, and 9pm. Saturday evening tours are at 5, 6, 7, and 8pm. (Limited seating)
Walking Tours are $15 per adult and $5 per child. Friday evening tours are available at 6:30 & 7:30. Saturday evening tours are available at 5:30, 6:30, & 7:30pm.
For ticket assistance, please call Patterson Library during open hours (716) 326-2154. Tickets are on sale and there is more info available at https://givebutter.com/Westfield2023    pattersonlib.org or lakeshorecenterforthearts.com

JUICE BOX FESTIVAL 2024: The call for scripts has gone out and we’ve already received 20 for the 2024 competition. For those of you interested in submitting a work, please visit our website for more information.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING: LSCFTA’s Annual Members Meeting took place in the Bill Ross Recital Hall September 7 at 6:30 p.m., following the Thursday, Sept. 7 directors’ meeting. The past year was reviewed by Executive Director Rick Mascaro. Karin Cockram reviewed this past year’s Brenda Eno Art Gallery shows. Jackie Phillips shared the growth of Innovation Studio activities and usage in 2023. Kelly Mathews reported on the use of the facility, and Damian Dodd shared statistics re: how our website is being accessed and used.
Current Directors Sue Poster and Libby Sciarrino were elected to another 3 year term and Damian Dodd was approved as a new Director for a three year term. Current officers were approved to continue for another year: Tina Rausa, President; Sue Poster, VP; Joan Caruso, Secretary and Kelly Mathews, Treasurer.
With no new business, the Annual meeting was adjourned at 7:18 PM. Thanks to all of you who attended and made it possible for us to conduct business.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2023, LSCFTA will host a book launch for local author and artist Trenton Lutes.
This has been another long one, folks – but we’re a busy place! We thank all of our many supporters & friends for keeping us a priority.