happenings

Finger Lakes Opera Announces Live Summer Programming

by Elizabeth Long, Executive Director, Finger Lakes Opera

Each summer is special as the creative team works its magic to bring the mainstage and young artists together for a collective experience unique to audience members. Having that taken away last year was stifling, which is why the board and staff were deeply committed to bringing live opera back to the Finger Lakes Region. The programs scheduled at Center Stage Amphitheater will be a perfect opportunity to welcome back Finger Lakes Opera’s (FLO) loyal and dedicated patrons, as well as introduce new audiences to opera in a festive, yet relaxed environment – all while adhering to CDC/NYS guidelines to keep people safe.

Summer Scenes: July 21, 7 PM, Lincoln Hill Farms - the summer season opens in a new location, nestled under the stars at the fabulous Lincoln Hill Farms location.

Three Little Pigs: July 25, 4 PM, Maxion Stage - located in downtown Canandaigua, this program delivers fun for the whole family.

Opera HITS!: July 31, 7:30 PM, Center Stage

Amphitheater - FLO’s next three performances will be held in Perinton (1350 Turk Hill

Road).

The Barber of Seville: August 6 and 7, 7:30 PM, Center Stage Amphitheater - considered the most beloved comic opera of all time, this Rossini classic tells the story of Count Almaviva’s uproarious antics in pursuit of the beautiful Rosina.

These programs, and especially the light-heartedness of “The Barber of Seville,” will be a welcome relief for our community as it opens up after the challenges and sacrifices experienced during this pandemic.”

Stephanie Havey, who makes her debut with FLO as the company stage director, says,

“This production of Barber of

Seville will be a celebration of returning to live performance. Set in the outdoor amphitheater in Perinton, we will create a street fair atmosphere on a playful, theatrical playground full of surprises!”

Taylor Raven will sing the part of Rosina in the “Barber of Seville.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit fingerlakesopera.org.

JULY

Through September 8... Downtown Auburn Saturday Market This community event is held every Saturday morning June 20 through September 5 (except July 4) in the heart of the city. Local vendors include makers, artisans, food producers, farmers and food trucks. Parking is free in the adjacent downtown parking garage. 315-258-9820 facebook.com/saturdaymarketauburnny

Through September 7, 2021... FLX KODACHROME: National Geographic Photographer Nathan Benn This exhibit at the Rockwell Museum in Corning features the work of Nathan Benn who photographed the Finger Lakes over the course of a year for National Geographic Magazine in 1975. Benn focused his lens on the heritage and industry of the region, capturing sweeping aerial landscapes of the Finger Lakes and surrounding small towns, as well as portraits of assembly line workers, glassblowers, winery pickers, auctioneers, parade spectators, scout troops and racing enthusiasts of the 70s. 111 Cedar St., Corning, NY 14830 607-937-5386 rockwellmuseum.org

July 1...Exploring Italy and Tuscany at New York Kitchen 6 to 8 p.m. In this class we will take a trip to the Tuscany region to discover the mouthwatering dishes that it has to offer. While enjoying your meal at the end of class you will also receive a Tuscan wine to be paired with your food! Menu is Pollo alla Diavola with Roasted Potatoes and a Tuscan Custard Tart or Ricotta Gnocchi (Gnudi) with Sage Butter Sauce and Panzanella Salad 800 South Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424 nykitchen.com

Through July 8...Current Exhibit: Spotlight at the West End Gallery 2 to 5 p.m. The Spotlight Exhibit features new artwork by the very talented Alan and Rosemary Bennett, Trish Coonrod, Sean Witucki and Wynn Yarrow. Please visit the gallery or view the exhibit online to celebrate these exceptional artists and their new collections of artwork. Please call in advance to schedule a private appointment. 12 West Market Street, Corning, NY 14830 607-936-2011 westendgallery.net

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Sailplane Event to be Held in July

The International Vintage Sailplane Meet (IVSM ) at Harris Hill in Elmira will be held on July 10-17. The historic Harris Hill Gliderport is considered the “Soaring Capital of America.”

The first International Vintage Sailplane Meet was in 1995 and since then has been held every 3-4 years. IVSM has the look and flavor of the European Vintage Glider Rallies. Each day during the week will feature soaring events such as take-offs and landings.

IVSM 2021 is sponsored by the National Soaring Museum (NSM), Vintage Sailplane Association (VSA) and the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation (HHSC). The HHSC is an active soaring club, offering sailplane rides, instruction and a strong junior pilot program at Harris Hill. They generously share their facilities with the IVSM participants by providing aerotows and line operations.

The VSA is an international group of sailplane owners and enthusiasts that organizes sailplane meets around the USA. The knowledge base and publications of the VSA are crucial to keeping our vintage sailplanes flying. The National Soaring Museum is a world-class museum of soaring history. It features a vast exhibit area, an astounding collection, and presents the evolution of soaring from the Wright Brothers to the modern gliders. For those interested in soaring and soaring history, this is must-attend event.

For more information visit soaringmuseum.org.

July 10...Landscape Painting Workshops with Brian Keeler Full day workshops at the North Star Art Gallery, 743 Snyder Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. Come expand your horizons for painting the landscape from nature (or your own references) at the lovely grounds of the gallery. Brian will share his extensive experience creating award-winning landscapes along with all the essential fundamentals of realistic painting. Each session will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an optional evening session. northstarartgallery.com 607-323-7684

July 29-August 1...Live performances of Rossini’s comic opera “La Cenerentola” (“Cinderella”) Featuring mezzo soprano Sarah Nordin as Cinderella, basso Valerian Ruminski as her nasty stepfather, tenor Esteban Zuniga as Prince Charming, baritone Brian Keith Johnson as the prince’s alter-ego, bass Tyler Putnam as the philosopher and tutor of the prince, soprano Michelle Seipel and mezzo Emily Hughes as Cinderella’s obnoxious stepsisters. Enjoy 80 minutes with no intermission in the outstanding acoustics of Geneva’s Smith Opera House. genevalightopera.com

AUGUST

August 15...Geneva Half Marathon & Relay The GHM event, presented by Red Jacket Orchard, will start at 8 a.m. along the shores of Seneca Lake. This is a USA Track and Field Certified Event and sold out in 2019. Runners will be able to choose between either the half marathon or can partner up with another runner to split the 13.1-mile distance. Proceeds will benefit both the Geneva Boys & Girls Clubs and Geneva Family YMCA. GHM donated over $11,000 dollars in 2019. This year the after race event will be at Brewery Ardennes in the Town of Geneva. The new Finger Lakes brewery sits on Mile 5 of the GHM race course. genevahalfmarathon.com

This Year’s Top Fish

by Amy DeLucia

2021 marked the 57th Annual National Lake Trout Derby on Seneca Lake. The May event gets anglers amped up as they gear up to put rods in the water and (hopefully) utter the words, “Fish on!” Many derby participants had a fishing pole in their hand before they could walk. The first winner, recorded in 1965, was Grant Pealer of Penn Yan. He caught a 13-pound, 12-ounce lake trout. This year’s winner, Rick Willower, caught a 13-pound, 13-ounce landlocked salmon. The story of Rick’s catch “is almost unbelievable,” he says. The fish hit one of the lines on the plainer boards, but then the board broke off the boat! Rick circled around to retrieve it thinking the fish was lost, and then began reeling in the line from the broken plainer board by hand. The fish broke the water twice and then the line snapped – but not before Rick’s brother Scott had it netted. Lucky, right?

Rick has been fishing the derby since 2004 with his father, Jerry, and brother, Scott. He continues the tradition with his two sons Luke and Jake. They all know that any moment luck can change, and the fish that hits your line could be the winner. Fishing is a pastime that can become a tradition shared with children and grandchildren like Rick’s family does. The Finger Lakes Region is rich in fishing opportunities, and the

National Lake Trout Derby showcases that richness. Hopefully it will be part of the history of the region for years to come. To see the results of this year’s derby and for more information, visit laketroutderby.org.