Around Town with Amy Modesti

10/25/2025

RENSSELAERVILLE, NY - “They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re all together ooky, The Addams Family.” Friday, October 17 was the opening of R’ville Stage Creations latest production of “The Addams Family”, at Conkling Hall. As a millennial, I grew up watching the cartoons and the 1964 sitcom of “The Addams Family” on television. I never realized it was made into a musical until my boyfriend & I went to see it last Friday! The musical is funny and fantastic, and fun for all ages! R’ville Stage Creations began their second week of showings for the musical Friday, Oct. 24 and it will continue TONIGHT, Saturday, Oct. 25 (7:00pm). Please note that the Sunday, October 26 show is SOLD OUT!! To learn more about “The Addams Family” and R’ville Stage Creations, head over to Around Town With Amy Modesti on SubStack to read the review of the play!! Please consider becoming a paid subscriber or a free subscriber to Around Town With Amy Modesti to support this local media outlet and to keep up with what’s happening in the Capital Region and beyond!! Thank you so much! (📸: All photos taken by Amy L. Modesti using her Canon Rebel SL1 & Apple IPhone 13 Pro, Friday, Oct. 17,2025) , , .ndtownwithamymodesti , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

10/20/2025

https://open.substack.com/pub/aroundtownwithamymodesti/p/looking-for-something-fun-to-do-october?r=2u0jzr&utm_medium=ios

Happy October everyone!! We’re well underway into the month, a time for apple picking, viewing autumn leaves, and attending Halloween parties!

Here at Around Town With Amy Modesti, we have what you need to know about what’s happening in the arts, music, theater, and film!

Be sure to check out this month’s event listings to help you plan out your day(s), even well into early November!!

Do you have an event that I missed that needs to be added?! Do you have an event that needs coverage?! Please send me a DM for more information on how I can help you with your needs.

Thank you so much!! Have a great night!

-Amy (10/20/25)

Around Town With Amy Modesti's Event Listings for October 2025 and early November 2025.

10/20/2025

October is well underway and with the month comes the apple picking, watching spooky movies, and Halloween parties! Here at Around Town With Amy Modesti, we have everything that you need to know about what’s happening in the Capital Region and beyond for art, music, theater, and film. Coming up for community theater events include Peter Samelson’s “Devils ‘N Details” at Bridge Street Theatre, Asbury Short Film Concert at Proctor’s, and Classic Theatre Guild’s production of “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors”. For those looking to view a neat pop-up exhibit, a replica of the Seneca Chief boat is sailing down the Hudson River and will be stopping in Hudson,NY Monday, Oct. 20. To learn more about these events and happenings, head over to Around Town With Amy Modesti on SubStack! Be sure to become a paid or free subscriber on SubStack to support your local, independent news outlets, including Around Town With Amy Modesti! Thank you so much! (📸: Photo of the Seneca Chief taken by Amy L. Modesti , 10/17/25) , , , , , , , , , , , ,

10/16/2025

Albany County artists Natalie Boburka and Leslie Yolen recently exhibited their paintings and mixed media art together in their joint exhibition show, “Primal Elements”, at The Gugg Gallery, located at Hilltown Commons. From Sept. 11 through Oct. 5, visitors travelled to Rensselaerville to view the exhibit and even took part in a sound bath session taught by Borburka. For several years, Boburka and Yolen wanted to have an exhibit together and this year, they were able to make that happen. To read more about the “Primal Elements” exhibition, and learn more about the art of these excellent artists, head over to Around Town With Amy Modesti on SubStack. Don’t forget to like and follow Around Town With Amy Modesti on Facebook, Instagram and Threads to keep up on the news. Become a free or paid subscriber on SubStack to support local, independent news media! Thank you so much to Natalie and Leslie for taking the time to chat with me last month about the exhibit in this neat space! (📸: Photos taken by Amy L. Modesti of Around Town With Amy Modesti) , , , , , , .commons, , , , , , , , ,

10/15/2025

https://open.substack.com/pub/aroundtownwithamymodesti/p/review-primal-elements-at-hilltown?r=2u0jzr&utm_medium=ios

Albany County artists Natalie Boburka and Leslie Yolen teamed up to exhibit their paintings and mixed media work together in the duo exhibition, “Primal Elements”, at The Gugg Gallery, located at Hilltown Commons in Rensselaerville, NY.

From Sept. 11 - Oct. 5, visitors travelled to the gallery to view the exhibit and also, take part in a song bath activity, put on by Natalie Boburka.

For several years, Boburka and Yolen wanted to exhibit their work together in a duo exhibition and this year, the ladies were able to make it happen!

To learn more about “Primal Elements” and learn about these talented artists, please head over to Around Town With Amy Modesti via the Substack app and website.

Please consider becoming a paid subscriber or a free subscriber to Around Town With Amy Modesti on SubStack to support local, independent news media and to keep up with what’s happening in the scene.

Thank you so much for your support & readership!!

📸 & ✒️: Review and photos taken by Amy L. Modesti.

Albany County artists, Natalie Boburka and Leslie Yolen, reflect on their artwork and connection in their duo exhibition.

10/10/2025

Happy 2nd anniversary to Around Town With Amy Modesti on Facebook!!

Thank you so much to all of the Around Town friends, family, and followers for your continuing support of supporting and reading local, independent news on this site!! I could never have made it without you all!!

A special shout out to both Nancy McGrath and Patrick White for being paid subscribers to Around Town With Amy Modesti on SubStack!! I truly appreciate your readership and support and thank you for helping the site to reach new heights!!

Cheers and love to everyone! Thank you for everything! 🙏🤗🎉

-Amy (10/10/2025)

10/07/2025

Saturday, Oct. 4, Around Town With Amy Modesti attended the "Books & Brunch" private event held at Lake Bound Bookstore in Averill Park, NY.

The new store, co-owned by Amanda and Chris Goyer, will open October 10. The co-owners also run and own Sand Lake Merchant as well.

Capital Region #518 creators and influencers were able to enjoy the morning with brunch and get a tour of the new store. The store also includes a podcast area, a section for new vinyl records, brand-new books & a children's section, a conference room for meetings and conference room, and an upstairs seating area that can be used as a workspace.

It was a nice time had by everyone at the store. It was nice to finally meet and network with the other area influencers and the co-owners of Feeling Called.

Several weeks ago, I interviewed Amanda and Chris about their store and soon, the article will be featured in Around Town With Amy Modesti and Renss Lens. I was happy to see their store filled with merchandise and seating areas upon my second time in their store. I'm happy for the co-owners on these new endeavors and I can't wait to see how it goes for them.

Thank you again Gina and Lauren for getting all of us together for "Books & Brunch" and thank you again Amanda and Chris for hosting it at your venue!

Photo Credits: Feeling Called

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10/02/2025

Since 1876, C.W. Whalen & Sons has remained the go-to place to rent an indoor tent and all-party essentials for any occasion or event in the Capital Region. From weddings, memorials, graduation ceremonies, and holiday gatherings, the five-generation family business continues to serve the City of Troy, NY and its communities by bringing people together under unique circumstances for 149 years.

The business, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026, was nominated and inducted into the New York State Historic Business Registry. A ceremony was held Monday, September 29,2025 at the Troy business. Speakers include Senator Jake Ashby, Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault, Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, Assemblymember John McDonald, and Vice President of C.W.Whalen & Sons, Connor Whalen.

Congratulations to the Whalen family on 149 years of business and for being inducted into the registry!! Keep on doing amazing work for the next 150 years!!

🎥: Video taken by Amy L. Modesti using her Apple IPhone 13 Pro. Monday, September 29,2025. ©️Amy L. Modesti,2025.

09/25/2025

https://open.substack.com/pub/aroundtownwithamymodesti/p/review-deep-blue-sound-at-streamer?r=2u0jzr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Abe Koogler's 2023 play, "Deep Blue Sound", made its Capital Region premiere at Steamer No. 10 Theatre in Albany, NY. The Harbinger Theatre production, directed by Chris Foster, opened to the public Friday, Sept. 12.

"Deep Blue Sound" focuses on the lives of nine Puget Sound residents who team up together to search for the orca whales that had migrated away from the island, but yet, each character is going through their own triumphs and struggles.

"Deep Blue Sound" was excellent all around; from the lighting and sound effects, the minimalistic stage setup, and all nine actors acting out perfectly as the main islanders who take the time to look after one another and continue on with the search for whales and self-discovery.

To read more about "Deep Blue Sound" please head over to Around Town With Amy Modesti on Substack!

Be sure to become a free subscriber or a PAID subscriber of Around Town With Amy Modesti to support your local independent news media and to keep up on your news!

Thank you again to Harbinger Theatre co-founders, Chris Foster and Patrick White for allowing me to see and review "Deep Blue Sound", and for becoming a paid subscriber to Around Town With Amy Modesti!! Your support is appreciated!

-Review by Amy Modesti
-All press photos by Andrew Elder of Best Frame Forward

Harbinger Theatre’s 17th Capital Region premiere of the play a transitional, seasonal hit.

09/24/2025

ALBANY, NY - Abe Koogler’s “Deep Blue Sound” made its Capital Region premiere at Steamer No. 10 Theatre in Albany, NY, Friday, Sept. 12. The 2023 play, directed by Harbinger Theatre’s co-founder co-founder Chris Foster, allowed the audience a deep glimpse into the lives of nine Puget Sound residents who spent their time searching for orca whales that migrated away from the island while also diving deep into their own triumphs and struggles behind the scenes. The play not only had excellent sound and lighting effects, the entire cast of “Deep Blue Sound” took on the challenge, and succeeded, of becoming true islanders and neighbors looking out for each other while taking on life’s challenges head on. It was an excellent play to watch on opening day! Thank you again to Harbinger co-founders Chris Foster and Patrick White for inviting Around Town With Amy Modesti to view and review the play! Read more about “Deep Blue Sound” on the Around Town With Amy Modesti SubStack page now! Become a PAID or free subscriber of Around Town With Amy Modesti to support local independent news media and to keep up with your local news. Thank you so much! (📸: Press photo by Andrew Elder of Best Frame Forward, and phone photos taken by Amy L. Modesti) , , .10.theatre , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

09/23/2025

https://open.substack.com/pub/aroundtownwithamymodesti/p/review-romeo-and-juliet-at-shakespeare?r=2u0jzr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

From July 18 through Aug. 10, Shakespeare and Company held its first outdoor theater performance of the 2025 theater season with William Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" at the Arthur S. Waldstein Amphitheatre in Lenox, MA.

This particular production focused on two female leads for the roles of Romeo (played by Caitlin Rose) and Juliet (Ashley McCauley Moore). These ladies and the rest of the cast and crew were excellent.

Beginning Oct. 10, Caitlin Rose will perform in Noel Coward's production of "Design for a Living" at Imago Theatre in Portland, Oregon.

To learn more about "Romeo & Juliet" and Caitlin Rose, head over to Around Town With Amy Modesti on Substack to read the story. You can also read about the play on InPlay Capital Region as well.

-Review by Amy Modesti
-Photos taken by Nile Scott Studios

Caitlin Rose reflects on their experience portraying Romeo in the Lenox production