Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery Double Header Saturday June 29 - Echoes Of The Sun King Baroque Chamber Music At 3 PM And Opening Reception For The Road Ahead Exhibition Celebrating Works Of Gen-Z Artists At 6 PM

The Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery 

invites you to a double header of art and music Saturday June 29. According to RIVAA Gallery:

Double Header at RIVAA Gallery

TOMORROW: Saturday, June 29th

3:00PM: Baroque Chamber Music

6:00PM:The Road Ahead Exhibition Opening Reception

ECHOES OF THE SUN KING | Baroque Chamber Music TOMORROW: Saturday, June 29 at 3:00PM

From the grandeur of Versailles to the intimate chambers of Köthen, experience how Louis XIV's patronage projected French culture across Europe, shaping the musical landscape for generations to come. Join us for an afternoon of Baroque splendor as we uncover the enduring legacy of the Ancien Régime through the music of François Couperin, Jacques-Martin Hotteterre, J.S. Bach, and others.

David Ross, baroque flute

Arnie Tanimoto, viola da gamba Tami Morse, harpsichord

Entry to this event is complimentary. There is a recommended donation of $25 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Your donations support both our programs and the musicians.

THE ROAD AHEAD | Opening Reception TOMORROW: Saturday, June 29 at 6:00PM

The Road Ahead is an exhilarating group exhibition, celebrating the best works of Gen-Z artists. RIVAA has invited young creators to submit their most compelling pieces, offering a platform for their raw thoughts and feelings. Curated by Elena Jordan, Amazia Thompson, and Tiko El Outa, the exhibition showcases a vibrant collage of diverse works selected by an international panel of jurors. Join us at RIVAA Gallery to experience the bold and innovative visions of tomorrow's artists firsthand!

The exhibition runs from June 27 - July 14, 2024 at RIVAA Gallery, 527 Main Street, Roosevelt Island 10044. All are welcome, and entry is free.

SUPPORT RIVAA - DONATE NOW, BE A CHAMPION OF THE ARTS

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Watch Video Of The Fire Is Still Burning, An Evening Of Songs And Stories By Roosevelt Island Resident Matt Katz At Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance To Benefit Their Scholarship Fund - MST&DA Teen Theatre Performing Hello Dolly June 14-16

Last Friday May 31, Roosevelt Island resident Matt Katz performed An Evening Of Songs and Stories

at the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance Howe Theatre (MST&DA)

to benefit the MST&DA scholarship fund. (Video courtesy of Roosevelt Island photographer Nicholas Guan).

According to MST&DA:

The Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance has offered music, theatre and dance training along with performance opportunities for all ages for over 35 years in the Roosevelt Island community. Our Mission - MSTDA nourishes creativity by providing high quality music, theatrical and dance training as well as performing opportunities to everyone in our diverse community. We offer every person, child or adult, the opportunity to participate in the arts without discrimination due to race, color, national origin, sex including gender and orientation, cultural background, socio-economic status, age, ability, or disability. With a robust scholarship program no one is turned away for financial reasons.

An Evening Of Songs With Matt Katz raised $480 for the MST&DA scholarship fund.

Nice job Matt.

Here's more info on MST&DA upcoming shows, classes and more including the Teen Theatre's performance of

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Hello Dolly on June 14, 15 & 16.

The Fire Is Still Burning, An Evening Of Songs And Stories By Matt Katz Friday May 31 At Roosevelt Island's Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance - Get Your Tickets Now To Benefit MST&DA Scholarship Fund

The Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (MST&DA) is presenting:

The Fire Is Still Burning: An Evening Of Songs And Stories 

by Roosevelt Island resident Matt Katz on Friday May 31 at the Howe Theatre (548 Main Street)

According to MST&DA:

Matt loves a good song: folk, rock, blues, you name it. Some are by poets, like Paul Simon or Cat Stevens, who know how to make a point or paint an image. Some are by satirists, like Tom Lehrer, who know how to skewer the self-important. And some are just there for the beauty of it. All the songs tell a story and Matt will be with us to deliver that story. Come join Matt for an evening of music, stories, and celebration.

Special guest appearance by Sherie Helstien.

The Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance has offered music, theatre and dance training along with performance opportunities for all ages for over 35 years in the Roosevelt Island community. Our Mission - MSTDA nourishes creativity by providing high quality music, theatrical and dance training as well as performing opportunities to everyone in our diverse community. We offer every person, child or adult, the opportunity to participate in the arts without discrimination due to race, color, national origin, sex including gender and orientation, cultural background, socio-economic status, age, ability, or disability. With a robust scholarship program no one is turned away for financial reasons.

Tickets are $10, children $5 (benefitting the MSTDA Scholarship Fund). 

Click here

to purchase tickets.

Bring Your Instruments And Vocal Chords To Roosevelt Island Beatles Jam Session Sunday May 19 At RIVAA Gallery - Yeah Yeah Yeah, Twist And Shout

The Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery (527 Main Street) is hosting their second Beatles Jam Session Sunday May 19.

According to RIVAA Gallery: 

RIVAA Gallery Presents: Beatles Jam Session

Tomorrow: Sunday, May 19 from 3:00 - 6:00PM

Are you feeling nostalgic? Perhaps you have a sudden urge to sing some Beatles songs together with friends and neighbors? Whether you grew up with the Beatles or have only recently been introduced to their music, join us at RIVAA Gallery on May 19, 2024 from 3-6 PM for our second Beatles Jam Session. If you play a musical instrument, bring it with you. All contributions to the music are welcome. Play, sing or listen – the choice is yours. Whatever you do, have a good time.

Admission is complimentary. As always, any donation is very much appreciated.

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Here's a bit from the first RIVAA Gallery Beatles Jam session last February 25.

Have fun.

You're Invited To Sunday Afternoon Double Header At Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery Tomorrow - An Afternoon Of Baroque Chamber Music And Free Improvisation Followed By International Illustration Exhibition & Art Fair Opening Reception

According to the Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery: 

Double Header at RIVAA Gallery

Sunday, March 10th

3:00 PM Chamber Music & Improvisation

4:30 PM Silent Planet Opening Reception

RIVAA Gallery presents a new chamber music series, the only one of its kind offered to audiences in New York City with a specific focus on Baroque, Classical and Romantic chamber repertoire played on 18th and 19th century period instruments. The series is directed by Roosevelt Island resident Yiheng Yang, faculty at The Juilliard School of Music and leading historical keyboard player. Yang’s vision is for world-class music-making and creative collaboration between top historical performance artists, bringing the best of classical music to the Island.

The next concert “Baroque Chamber Music and Free Improvisation,” is on Sunday, March 10th at 3pm. It features sonatas and trios by JS Bach and Handel, interspersed with improvisations by flugelhorn and cornetto player Matt Lambiase, in dialogue with Dongmyung Ahn, Baroque violin, Max Zeugner, bass, and Yiheng Yang, harpsichord. Entry is complimentary, and the suggested donation is $25, $10 for students and seniors, to support the performing artists and RIVAA so we can continue to bring you these events and programs.

Stay for the opening reception of "Silent Planet”, an International Illustration Exhibition and Art Fair, which is on display from March 8 - 14. On Sunday, March 10th, the opening reception will begin at 4:30pm immediately following the concert.

Located at 527 Main Street on Roosevelt Island, RIVAA Gallery features art by local, national and international artists bringing diverse and exciting exhibitions to the community and greater New York City area.

SUPPORT RIRA

Enjoy a few minutes from the January 7 RIVAA Gallery Sunday Afternoon of Chamber Music.

More info on RIVAA Gallery at their website and Instagram Page.

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Watch A Few Minutes Of A Marvelous Sunday Afternoon Chamber Music Concert At Roosevelt Island's RIVAA Gallery This Afternoon

RIVAA Gallery hosted a marvelous Sunday Afternoon of Chamber Music today for a packed house of Roosevelt Island residents and friends.

Enjoy a few minutes of the concert.

As reported yesterday: 

 Join us on Sunday, January 7th at 3pm at RIVAA Gallery for an afternoon of chamber music

Yiheng Yang, internationally recognized fortepianist and faculty at The Juilliard School, is a Roosevelt Island resident. She presents a delightful afternoon of classical chamber music with leading period instrument colleagues, and plays on her Mozart fortepiano, which is a copy of an Anton Walter piano that Mozart owned.

The program ranges from an undiscovered Trio by Kozeluch, to one of Mozart’s chamber music masterpieces, his G minor Piano Quartet, to a rousing arrangement of Mozart’s F major Piano Concerto K. 459 for string ensemble plus fortepiano. 

Come experience this magical and joyous music in the intimate and artistic setting of RIVAA Gallery, and start 2024 in style.

SUPPORT RIVAA

You're Invited To A Roosevelt Island Afternoon Of Chamber Music At Gallery RIVAA Sunday January 7 - Come Experience Magical And Joyous Music In The Intimate And Artistic Setting Of RIVAA Gallery, Start 2024 In Style

According to the Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery:

Join us on Sunday, January 7th at 3pm at RIVAA Gallery for an afternoon of chamber music

Yiheng Yang, internationally recognized fortepianist and faculty at The Juilliard School, is a Roosevelt Island resident. She presents a delightful afternoon of classical chamber music with leading period instrument colleagues, and plays on her Mozart fortepiano, which is a copy of an Anton Walter piano that Mozart owned.

The program ranges from an undiscovered Trio by Kozeluch, to one of Mozart’s chamber music masterpieces, his G minor Piano Quartet, to a rousing arrangement of Mozart’s F major Piano Concerto K. 459 for string ensemble plus fortepiano. 

Come experience this magical and joyous music in the intimate and artistic setting of RIVAA Gallery, and start 2024 in style.

SUPPORT RIVAA

RIVAA Gallery

527 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York, NY 10044

(212) 308-6630

info@rivaagallery.org

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 6 pm - 9 pm

Thursday: 11 am - 5 pm

Friday: 6 pm - 9 pm

Saturday: 11 am - 5 pm

Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm

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Pieternel Took A Tram To Roosevelt Island With A Broken Heart And Came Back With A Beautiful Song - Watch The Video And Let The River Decide

On a beautiful afternoon last week, I was taking the Ferry back to Roosevelt Island. As I was watching the water on the East River pass by, I thought of the song Roosevelt Island by Dutch artist Pieternel.. Although the song is about coming to Roosevelt Island on the Tram, the ferry was a fitting substitute for me.

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According to Pieternel's lnstagram page

When I lived in NYC I was trying to let go of my broken heart. One day I visited Roosevelt Island, the aerial tram was such a nice ride: flying in the air, underneath me busy NYC traffic, the swirling East River and then this tiny island. That only would be a reason to go there! Something about water makes me relaxed and grounded. When I walked towards the end of the island I thought it would be really nice if you could just let go of your worries, send them left and right of you, like the river splits left and right when it meets an island. And then the island itself would be the carefree zone. All you have to do is just walk all the way to the end, take a seat and see how the river comes back together. 

Sometimes things don’t come back together. But I learned, letting go of the thought of it getting back together, is better. It opens up possibilities, gives you unexpected joy and the choice of change. “Let the river decide” This is an important lesson for me and therefore I named my album Roosevelt Island. Thank you for reading and your interest to know the story behind the song.

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And here's a live version of Roosevelt Island by Pieternel. 

Enjoy.

Watch Video Showing RIVAA Gallery "The Sound Of Jazz Guitar"Jam Session And Fascinating History Lesson Too - You Can Help Continue The Jazz Tradition At RIVAA Gallery

Roosevelt Island's RIVAA Gallery presented "The Sound of the Jazz Guitar" jam session organized by local musician Susheel Kurien last Saturday afternoon March 18.

Before the jam session began musician Andrew Baird gave the audience a brief history of the Jazz Guitar.

According to Mr Baird: 

What happened is jazz, along with a lot of musicians and people were moving North during the Great Migration from New Orleans to Chicago. ... a blues musician from New Orleans named Lonnie Johnson moved up to Chicago and started hearing the sounds of jazz and the bands started getting bigger and louder.

Another musician who was actually from Pennsylvania named Eddie Lane who was an Italian-American came over to Chicago and started hearing bands and playing and they formed a Duo. They were actually the first group to popularize jazz guitar with two guitars together on a recording and that was from 1928.... 

... Charlie Christian, and if you've never heard that name I would say go check him out and listen to him. He's one of the most important figures in jazz for a lot of reasons but primarily being he was the first lead guitar player in a Jazz Ensemble big band setting to be featured as a soloist...

After the jazz guitar history lesson, the duo of Susheel Kurien and Andrew Baird gave a wonderful performance. Here's a sample.

Susheel Kurien adds:

Following the guitar duo, the program continued with a range of jazz standards that were representative of different genres of jazz...and with the addition of the bass player Bruno Razafindrakoto,and Jeff Brown on drums

RIVAA Gallery has been a focal presence for jazz on Roosevelt Island for over 10 years . What began as a residents voluntary effort has become a much appreciated and looked forward to series of events at the Gallery. 

Any residents or friends of Roosevelt Island who would like to help with ensuring that the RIVAA Gallery can continue to share America's original and classical music with the community will be welcomed. 

Most importantly, the gallery seeks sponsors who might wish to host 1 or more jazz events and keep this tradition alive. 

Please contact gallery president Sandra Gavelyte at s.gavelyte@rivaagallery.org with your thoughts on how you might help keep bringing jazz to Roosevelt Island. 

Stay tune for future Jazz events at RIVAA Gallery.

Here's more on jazz guitarist Charlie Christian.

Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery Hosting American Primative Guitar & Otherworldly Folk Banjo Style Musicians Performing Friday March 17, Also,The Sound Of The Jazz Guitar Saturday March 18 - You're Invited To Both

Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery reports:

Join us at RIVAA Gallery on Friday, March 17, 2023 at 7:30 PM for String Together 2. 

This musical performance, presented by Island House Recordings, features Liam Grant & Ethan WL playing primitive guitar as well as composer, vocalist and multi- instrumentalist, Ben “Baby” Copperhead. Mingle with your neighbors and friends and hear some great, new music.

Tim McManus of Island House Recordings adds:

My first show on Roosevelt Island!! Thanks to Rivaa Gallery for hosting what I hope will be many more shows.

Plenty of room and just bring $10 bucks for the musicians. Thank you!

And more form RIVAA Gallery:

Have you missed the Jazz Salon sessions at RIVAA gallery lately? If the answer is YES then you will be happy to welcome Jazz Salon founder, Susheel Kurien back to RIVAA Gallery. 

He will accompany guitarist Andrew Baird for“The Sound of the Jazz Guitar” which takes place on Saturday March 18, 2023 from 3-5 PM. 

Where: RIVAA Gallery, 527 Main St. Roosevelt Island 

Suggested donation: $10.

Eiizabeth P. W.'s "The Company You Keep" Album Release Party At The Sanctuary On Roosevelt Island Today - Take A Listen And Enjoy

Roosevelt Island's The Sanctuary Event Space/Cafe hosted an afternoon of live music and celebration today for the "Company You Keep" album release by singer and songwriter Elizabeth P.W.

Take a listen and enjoy.

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The Sanctuary on Roosevelt Island is a wonderful venue to host your party, wedding, corporate event, fundraiser or Album Release. 

UPDATE 9 PM - A resident adds: 

This is amazing. So glad to see this happening on the island. We need more. Much more.

Agreed.

Happy Saturday Night - Enjoy Video Of Stomp Society Swing Band Performing I Want You To Be My Baby By Louis Prima At The Roosevelt Island Sanctuary Events/Cafe Space

The Stomp Society Swing Band:

... is a high-energy, electrifying NYC-based swing band that specializes in the 1920s–1950s dance music which was known as the "Swing Era." They are a 5 to 6-piece mini big band that will captivate your attention with their amazing charismatic players! They are a throwback to the best decades where the showmanship of big bands focused on the players, each being an important solo voice. They are a showstopper!...

They recently performed at The Roosevelt Island Sancturay Events Space/Cafe.

Enjoy the Stomp Society playing I Want You To Be My Baby by Louis Prima at The Sanctuary.

Roosevelt Island Concerts Presents Showcase Of Music Composed By Women Wednesday August 24 At Good Shepherd Community Center - You're Invited

According to Roosevelt Island Concerts:

Wednesday, August 24th, 2022, 7:30 p.m.

Good Shepherd Center

Roosevelt Island Concerts Presents:

MUSIC BY WOMEN

Join us for a showcase of music composed by women this Wednesday, August 24th at Good Shepherd Center at 7:30 pm.

Fanny Mendelssohn, older sister of Felix Mendelssohn by four years, was forbidden to publish the music she wrote by her father and her brother; only after she died did Felix have her trio, Op. 11, published, in 1847. That same year, Clara Schumann, wife of Robert Schumann, published a trio of her own, Op. 17 in G-Minor.

Come hear these two trios, a Romance by Amy Beach, and songs by both Fanny and Clara transcribed and performed by outstanding RI residents Max Zeugner (bass) and Yiheng Yang (piano), as well as longtime friend Jean Schneider (piano) and RIC directors Ralph Allen (violin) and Iris Jortner (cello).

Amy Beach: Romance

Fanny Mendelssohn: Trio in D Minor, Op. 11

Fanny Mendelssohn: Selections from Lieder, Op. 9

Clara Schumann: Selections from Lieder, Op. 12

Clara Schumann: Trio in G Minor, Op.17

Our special thanks to Musicians Emergency Fund for their generous support of this concert.

PROOF OF VACCINATION IS NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR ATTENDANCE.

Though we do kindly ask that you continue to wear a mask at our concerts.

Your generous contribution keeps the series affordable:

Suggested donation: $20

Students & seniors: $10

For directions and information about the series, visit riconcerts.org.

More info on Roosevelt Island Concerts available at their website

and here's Roosevelt Island Concerts 

presentation of Schubert:Symphony No.5 in August 2021 at the Good Shepherd Chapel.

"It's Nice To Be On The Island" - A Concert Film By Duo Extempore Explores The History And Stories Of Roosevelt Island With Specially Curated Improvisation, Watch And Enjoy

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According to artist NicoleBrancoto's website:

Duo Extempore interprets history, art, and space through music, exploring the very spaces in which they perform with specially curated improvisations. Through this unique storytelling process, the space itself becomes the score for impromptu pieces, bringing stories of the past into the present-day imagination.

 it's nice to be on the island is a concert film by Duo Extempore, exploring the stories of Roosevelt Island in New York City's East River with specially curated improvisation. 

Evan Jagels and Nicole Brancato are bold and sensitive improvisers, forging heartfelt connections with their audiences through their visceral collaborative energy. As sought-after artists with impressive versatility, their extensive credits include Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Banff Centre of the Arts, NPR, the Blue Note in Germany, and the UniJazz Festival in the Czech Republic....

Learn more about Duo Extempore and Nicole Brancato.