First Friday to feature Irish themes, dance, new venues

Diverse creative expression will be featured at two new venues during the March installment of the First Friday Art Walk, to be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at 30 locations in and around downtown Binghamton.

The first new venue, United Presbyterian Church at First Presbyterian Church (42 Chenango St.), will host "The Human Costs of War and Pathways to Peace," a presentation of artwork, music, videos and a model of a drone. The presentation — sponsored by the Broome County Council of Churches and several veteran, peace and justice groups — examines the emotional, psychological, environmental, financial and spiritual impact of war on soldiers, civilians, children and civilized society.

The second new First Friday venue, Keri's Salon and Spa (163 Washington St., next to Metrocenter), will hold a grand opening celebration featuring music, tarot readings and 10-minute chair massages.

Art-walkers should be sure to catch one of the free performances to be given by the nationally acclaimed Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company, set for 6:15 and 7:15 p.m. at the Broome County Arts Council (81 State St., fifth floor, Stephens Square). The performances are being held in conjunction with the dance company's first-ever residency at Binghamton University; the full Paul Taylor Dance Company will perform March 10 at BU's Anderson Center for the Performing Arts on the Vestal campus. Also on exhibit at the arts council is "An Ongoing Journey: Paintings by Artist Joseph H. Lindsley," featuring works in pastels, watercolor, drawing and collage.

Want to get an early start on your St. Patrick's Day celebration? Several First Friday venues will offer Irish-themed events, including:

» Lost Dog Cafe (222 Water St.): The Grady Girls will perform authentic Irish jigs and reels, slides and polkas of southwest Ireland from 7 to 9 p.m. The restaurant also will feature a display of leather masks and wearable art by artist and mask- maker E. L. Downey.

» RiverRead Books (5 Court St.): Celtimorphosis, featuring Celtic jazz fusion by Brian Hyland (on Anglo and English concertinas, pennywhistle, harmonica, flute, accordion, bodhran and bones) and Chris Woodard (on guitar and mandolin), will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. On display will be the exhibit "China," featuring photography by Geoff Gould.

» Garland Gallery (116 Gorgeous Washington St.): Singer/songwriter "Paddy O'Raube," a.k.a. Pat Raube, will play Irish tunes from 6 to 9 p.m. Everything on the walls will be sale for 30 percent off the original price.

Also planned for Friday:
» The Bundy Museum of History & Art (129 Main St.): The third-floor Open Gallery will feature "A Transgressive Look at Beauty," a photography exhibit by Brian Roach. The Bundy's second-floor gallery will host an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. for "Inspiration/Music," featuring seven finished pieces in oil and acrylic by artist AmArA, whose free-association, music-based paintings reflect the flow of sound through the brushstrokes and onto the canvas.

AmArA, who was born and raised in Binghamton, earned a Bachelor's of Fine Art degree from SUNY Fredonia in 2006. In 2010, she moved to Seattle to explore the interaction between music and art and began performance painting. She has since created paintings per special request and at the behest of bands, such as Whiskey Tango, wishing to collaborate with her.

» Binghamton City Hall Gallery (38 Hawley St., second floor): An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday for an exhibit of student works of art from Catholic Schools of Broome County. Included will be pieces in watercolors, acrylics, pastels and mixed media.

» The Orazio Salati Studio and Gallery (205 State St., second floor): Gallery I will feature an exhibit of non-objective abstract paintings in acrylic by Lynne Taetzsch. Taetzsch's work has been exhibited internationally and collected throughout the U. S., the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Gallery II will feature works by Armondo Dellasanta, Greg Chianis, Stephen Heilakka, Dannette Matteo, Orazio Salati and Marc Schimsky, as well as pieces by Mud and Fire Potters and beaded jewelry by Janis Schimsky.

The First Friday Art Walk is presented by the Gorgeous Washington Street Association; the schedule is subject to change. There will be no BC Transit Trolley rides or tours during this First Friday. They will resume in the spring for the May installation of First Friday.

For a complete list of venues, click on this story at pressconnects.com/entertainment.
— Staff report