Theatre, art, dance, music & more continue at Artpark this fall

While its robust summer season has concluded, Artpark & Company is anything but silent this fall. A number of planned artistic residencies and public events and activities include:

‘N’MoTion’ by MO CHASE’

Sept. 13-18; theatrical residency for a play in development 

Free staged reading open to the public at 3 p.m. Sept. 18, Artpark Gallery

Artpark & Company stated, “ ‘N’MoTion,’ Mo Chase’s groundbreaking poetic memoir, was originally written to face his own personal truth – to release memories and emotions he had long tried to repress through an addiction to methamphetamine. Mo’s writings shine the light of truth on his current road to recovery, as he searches to find love, happiness and self-acceptance. His memoir has been met with acclaim and approval from many others struggling with their own personal addiction and fears. Now, he has joined together with a committed artistic team to bring his truth to the stage where it may be shared with a wider public.

“At Artpark, Mo has partnered with director Roger Danforth and dramaturg Deena Kaye, and a company of committed actors, to bring his poetic diary to life – through spoken word, music, movement and dance. The hope is that this theatrical event will motivate others to begin a personal journey to their own truth as others have inspired Mo, and that true healing can begin.

Local cast includes Sydnie Perkins, Britini D’Angelo, Jake Hayes and Aaron Heron, with New York City cast Logan Pitts, Kristin KP Sgarro and Julian Wild.

‘Artpark Bridges’ with Tiffany Mills Company and composer/vocalist Muriel Louveau

Sept. 19-23, Dance & Voice Workshop & Film project (not open to the public)

The press release continued, “New York City-based choreographer Tiffany Mills and Paris-based composer/vocalist Muriel Louveau join forces in a weeklong residency to foster educational outreach and creative exploration. This international residency will include in-person movement classes taught by the Tiffany Mills Company, plus voice classes taught remotely by Louveau.

“The ‘Artpark Bridges’ community will benefit from these improvisation classes, which will open the body and voice to breath and creation. Louveau’s extreme vocal registers and neoclassical influences, and Mills’ raw and unhinged movement create a kinetically charged world, which the participants will inhabit.

“While at Artpark, the artists will also develop a short dance/film featuring choreography by Mills, original composition by Louveau, and performance by Tiffany Mills Company dancers. This site-specific work will draw inspiration from Mary Shelley's life and writing during ‘the year without a summer’ (1816). Shelley responded to climatic catastrophes in her life and writings. Now, in 2022, Mills and Louveau recognize that we are also faced with climate change catastrophes, and will capitalize on the unique environment around the park and Niagara Gorge, as they collaborate with Artpark to capture voice and movement inspired by sky, falls, and uneven terrain.”

‘Sound Moves Me’

10 a.m. to noon Sept. 27 and Oct. 4; Artpark's Lower Park (South Fourth Street entrance)

Free and open to the public, but preregistration requested; Contact Cynthia at [email protected]

Artpark & Company said, “This series presents an accessible introduction to experimental music through interactive participation. Discover how to use nonspecialized sound sources (bodies, objects, simple audio technologies) and scores/instructions to enrich skills in listening, sound-making, improvisation and coordination, while catalyzing creativity.

“Experimental music initiative Null Point (featuring artists Megan Kyle and Colin Tucker) joins ‘Artpark Bridges’ for this special collaboration with program director Cynthia Pegado.

“ ‘Sound Moves Me’ is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant 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 Arts Services Inc. Also supported in part by Charles D. and Mary A. Bauer Foundation.

‘En Plein Air’

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8; Artpark lower park (South Fourth Street entrance)

Artpark presents “En Plein Air,” an event organized in collaboration with Niagara Arts and Cultural Center (NACC) and Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University. Join artists from the “Niagara Painters Group” and others working on site at Artpark for an afternoon of outdoor painting during peak fall foliage season.

The press release said, “Since the 19th century, artists including the Impressionists have sought to paint the light and nature. The invention of transportable tubes for paint and more light-weight easels made it possible for artists to paint ‘en plein air’ – French for ‘in the open air.’

“Bring your own art supplies and get creative in our beautiful New York state park setting. Sample local fall food and beverage tastings. Try your luck at a special raffle. Explore Artpark. And more. This is a free, non-ticketed event. Everyone is welcome.”

‘Art in the Park’

While at Artpark, visit Artpark’s art installations, including the newly renovated “Bower” by Ellen Driscoll and Joyce Hwang. “Bower” is a series of interrelated architectural fragments designed to promote awareness and interest in local bird species, as well as draw attention to the perils of bird-strike window collisions.

‘Artpark Sonic Trails’

Daily from dawn until dusk through Dec. 1; free mobile app featuring original music experiences to be enjoyed on Artpark trails

Artpark's “Sonic Trails” continues through Dec. 1 to “provide a sensory experience to accompany the visual spectacle of the Artpark trails and Niagara Gorge during the fall.

“Four original ‘Artpark Sonic Trails’ experiences featuring original works by The Holladay Brothers, Rhiannon Giddens & Yo-Yo Ma, Kronos Quartet, and Indigenous voices and musicians are available on the free mobile ‘Sonic Trails’ app, designed by The Holladay Brothers and curated and co-produced by Sozo Creative.”

Click here for more information.

‘Preparing and Celebrating Mother Earth and Harvest Moon’

1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22; Artpark Native American Peace Garden (South Fourth Street entrance; admission is free

Artpark & Company said, “Join us in celebrating the harvest moon and the falling leaves at Artpark's Native American Peace Garden, where guests can participate in cultural activities, songs, dances, harvest food and opportunity to shop at over 20 authentic Native American artisans vendor booths.

“As we celebrate and give thanks for the harvest, this is also a time when creation makes offerings to Mother Earth in her preparation for the winter months of rest. Come in the circle with gratitude, love and respect to our Mother, the Earth, and join us in offering her traditional Indigenous songs, dances, teachings, storytelling and planting in honoring our plant world. All ages are welcome – and please bring your gardening tools should you wish to partake in getting your ‘hands in the soil,’ work the garden, and help to tuck Mother Earth in to receive her winter blanket of snow.”

The Office of New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation also has a series of guided walks on several dates in September and October. Visit the Artpark website for details.

The 2022 Artpark Season is supported by: M&T Bank; Cullen Foundation; Labatt Blue Light; Bud Light; Southern Tier Brewing; Try-it Distributing; National Endowment for the Arts; Parks & Trails New York; Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo; New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; New York Stage Council on the Arts; FACE Foundation; Mid Atlantic Arts; Sonwil; and Northtown Automotive Companies.

Visit artpark.net for a current calendar of events.