Broome Arts Mirror – Local Theatre Reviews
The Broome Arts Mirror is a group of volunteers affiliated with the Broome County Arts Council who write previews and reviews about local performances and arts shows. For inquiries, including having someone review your local production, please contact us at bamirror@broomearts.org.
Issue in the arts: Reaction after Kansas kills state arts funding
State funding for the arts has been declining here in NYS and across the country since before the 2008 financial meltdown. But Kansas governor Sam Brownback recently went all the way, using a line-item veto to kill all funding to Kansas' state-wide arts council. As NPR's Elizabeth Blair recently reported on [...]
Open Mike Night at Cyber Café offers opportunities for performers and listeners
Reviewed by Rebecca Sheriff I recently attended Open Mike Night at Cyber Café West in Binghamton. Open Mike occurs the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. (sign up to perform prior to 7:30). All sorts of performers are welcome: poets, musicians, comedians and the like. Guitars are even [...]
'Almost, Maine' completely splendid
Reviewed by Sarah Roche Last night (June 10), I attended the Chenango River Theatre’s (CRT) production of “Almost, Maine” as well as the actor talkback session held after the production. Driving to the location with my Google map in hand led me to believe that I was in for [...]
'Spelling Bee' spells 'good,' not 'great'
Reviewed by Nicholas Linnehan I was looking forward to the Cider Mill Playhouse's production of The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, and I was engaged in the atmosphere of the Endicott theater as soon as I arrived. last Saturday (June 4). After a great, high-energy opening number, the cast members proved [...]
Have you been 'art-full' this week?
My art-full efforts this past week included the latest "Pirates of the Caribbean" opus and the Downtown Singers concert on Saturday; how about you? What did you see/hear/view this past week? Please share your comments -- remember: to do so, you don't need to register with Wordpress.
Broadway Theatre League's 'Beauty & the Beast' a must see
Reviewed by Sarah Roche I attended the opening night performance of Disney’s "Beauty & the Beast" at The Forum in Binghamton. What a fun show! Although I had been a little nervous about seeing a musical that I had assumed would be geared towards children, I found the show to be [...]
Were you art-full this past week?
In between the picnics and the parades, the fireworks and the thunderstorms, did you find time for the arts this past week? If so, please share your experiences (favorable or not so much). Remember: You don't have to register with Wordpress to leave a comment.
Were the arts part of your week?
Please share your adventures in the arts. Remember: You no longer have to register with Wordpress to make a comment.
Swingle Singers bring snap, crackle, pop … and siss, boom, bah
The Swingle Singers, a London-based octet with French roots and an American creator, joined the Binghamton Philharmonic Saturday, May 14, in a program of popular and classical music. What I most remember the original Swingle Singers for is instrumental singing of classical music. Today’s ensemble brought back those memories. The group excelled in close harmonies, dissonances and syncopated rhythms.
Freeman exhibit offers unusual gallery experience
Submitted by Bill Gorman If you haven’t already seen the exhibit at the Cooperative Gallery this month — “Art, Money, Love: Jane Freeman 1871-1963 Paintings and Ephemera of a Working Artist” — don’t miss it! […]
Were you 'art-full' this past week?
Did you swing with the Swingle Singers? Get in touch with your inner folkie at the Cobblestone Crossing show? Support the musicians of tomorrow at the Binghamton Youth Sympphony's spring concert? Maybe you preferred gallery exhibits, children's theater, chamber music, movies or a good bar band. Or perhaps you were [...]
An appeal to parents and patrons
I’m wearing many hats as I write this editorial: Editor of BAMirror, arts patron and parent. On Tuesday, you will be voting on the budget for your local school district. This has been a rough year for school boards, trying to cut budgets yet maintain programs. Doubtless, some of [...]
Food for thought
Check out the May 8 article in The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer about Americans' relationship with opera. Visit The odd story of American opera fans.
Guitarist little-known treasure in the Binghamton area
Reviewed by Rebecca Sheriff I had the pleasure of seeing guitarist Jamie Willard Saturday, April 30, at the Blind Tiger Pub in Johnson City. Willard has performed with a variety of bands for more than 30 years in the area; however he is now focusing on his fingerpicked style solo [...]
Full performance week planned at BU
Submitted by Sarah Kuras Hello, readers! It has been a busy few weeks for me while the semester is wrapping up. I just wanted to quickly write about a few performances this week at Binghamton University that I hope you will attend. […]
