For Immediate Release

Contact: Mike Keller, 518-331-8827 (media only)

Bootlegger’s Pub Brings Live Comedy to Troy – Feb 11

“The Not Too Far From Home Comedy Tour” Serves Up Laughs, Locally

TROY, NY (Feb. 1, 2012) — On Saturday, Feb. 11 at 8 p.m., Bootlegger’s On Broadway will host “The Not Too Far From Home Comedy Tour,” featuring comedians Aaron David Ward, Dave Cooperman and Deric Harrington.

“It’s easy to catch a live comedy act in Boston or New York, but there aren’t many places for comedy around here,” said Nate Rock, co-owner of Bootlegger’s. “Sometimes people want a little more than the usual bar scene — they want to be entertained.”

Headlined by Aaron David Ward, “The Not Too Far From Home Comedy Tour” has been making stops at bars, cafes, colleges, and other venues throughout upstate New York and New England.

Ward’s style has been described as self-deprecating, socio-political, and culturally critical comedy that is both auto-biographical and worldly. He has appeared in several movies, including “What I See In the Dark” and “Aftermath,” and in a pilot for MTV and VH1 titled “The List.” But people in this area may be more familiar with the political commentary he supplies for “The Glenn Slingerland Situation,” a locally produced program broadcast on MY TV 4.

“He’s kind of like Lewis Black’s little brother,” Rock said of Ward. “The last time he played Bootlegger’s, he killed it.”

Opening act Dave “Coop” Cooperman has been described as a hybrid of Ray Romano and Jim Carrey. His brand of physical yet thought-provoking comedy is tied to his interracial marriage because he likes to talk about what it’s like to marry and be in love with a CAP (Chinese-American Princess). Coop’s goofy and physical approach to social satire distinguish him from other acts.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Bootlegger’s co-owner Mike Keller thinks a comedy show might just be the place to meet other singles still in search of a date. “They do say laughter is one of the best aphrodisiacs,” Keller said. “And you don’t even have to be the one cracking the jokes this Saturday.”

TICKETS

Tickets for “The Not Too Far From Home Comedy Tour” at Bootlegger’s on Broadway will be available at the door and will cost $10. The pub is located at 200 Broadway, in downtown Troy. Parking is available on the street and in the city-owned parking lot, located one block away on First Street. For information call 518-874-4475

PUBLICITY IMAGES

To download high resolution publicity images of “The Not Too Far From Home Comedy Tour,” visit:

http://www.duncancrary.com/clients/Bootleggers

FOR MORE ON THE COMEDIANS

Aaron David Ward
http://www.aarondavidward.com

Dave Cooperman
http://www.davecooperman.com

Deric Harington
http://www.funnyderic.com

ABOUT BOOTLEGGER’S ON BROADWAY

Established June 2011, Bootlegger’s on Broadway is owned by longtime friends Nate Rock, 31, of Coxsakie, and Mike Keller, 36, of Watervliet. The bar, restaurant and accompanying ballroom occupy the first floor of the historic Hendrick Hudson building, a former hotel overlooking Monument Square. The sprawling but cozy space has a touch of elegance — Milan chandeliers, African mahogany and Brazilian cherry floors — that Keller describes as “gourmet leftovers” from the previous business, Chef Larry Schepici’s upscale Tosca Grille.

For information, call 518-331-8827 (media only), or visit http://bootleggersonbroadway.com.

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For Immediate Release

Contact: Gregg Stacy, 518-698-8330

Festival of Manliness Pours Pints for Prostates

Brewer uses beer, cigars, wild game and football to promote men’s health — Jan. 22, 2012

TROY, N.Y. (Dec. 8, 2011) — An Upstate N.Y. brewery is fighting prostate cancer this winter with a festival devoted to all things manly.

“Let’s face it, men visit their bartender more often than their doctor,” said Gregg Stacy, vice president of Brown’s Brewing Co. of Troy, N.Y. “So we figured we might as well bring health awareness to the place where men already congregate: the pub.”

On Sunday, Jan. 22. at 4 p.m., Brown’s Brewing Company of Troy, N.Y. will host “The Festival of Manliness,” in its Revolution Hall. A portion of the proceeds from this gentlemanly event will benefit the “Pints for Prostates” campaign, a 501(c)3 organization that encourages men to get screened regularly for prostate cancer.

“One in six men will face prostate cancer sometime during their lives,” said Rick Lyke, prostate cancer survivor and founder of Pints for Prostates. Lyke is a former Capital Region resident, having lived in Clifton Park for nearly 10 years before moving to Charlotte, N.C. in 2005. “Prostate cancer is one of those cancers that if you detect it early enough and have proper treatment, it’s nearly 100 percent survivable. That’s why our message about getting tested is so critical.”

The Festival of Manliness will feature a wild game beer supper and hand rolled cigars while the NFC Championship plays on the Hall’s 16′x10′ screen. The event will conclude with a raffle drawing of manly prizes, including: membership to the Brown’s Mug Club, a bottle of single malt scotch, a gas grill, a Carhartt gift card, and an expenses paid seven-day trip for two to three breweries in Belgium.

“We realize guys and beer go together and we decided to use the universal language of beer to reach men,” said Lyke. “But we’re all about moderation when it concerns consumption, and actually there are a lot of studies out there that show that moderate consumption of beer is good for your health.”

ABOUT

Brown’s Brewing Co. handcrafts more than 22 different styles of ales and lagers including an award winning Oatmeal Stout and Whiskey Porter. Brown’s is located at 417 River Street in Troy, N.Y. For more information, visit http://brownsbrewing.com or call 518-273-BEER.

Pints for Prostates is a grassroots campaign that uses the universal language of beer to reach men with an important health message. Founded by prostate cancer survivor Rick Lyke in 2008, the campaign raises awareness among men about the need for regular health screenings. Pints for Prostates has registered as a 501(c)3 charity and 100 percent of all funds raised by the group go to fighting prostate cancer and assisting men with the disease. For information, visit: http://pintsforprostates.org

PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH RICK LYKE

To listen to a podcast interview between Gregg Stacy and Rick Lyke, about Pints for Prostates and The Festival of Manliness, click here:

PUBLICITY IMAGES

For high resolution publicity images for The Festival of Manliness, Brown’s Brewing Co., visit: http://www.duncancrary.com/clients/browns.html

For information or to schedule an interview, contact: Gregg Stacy at 518-698-8330

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Media coverage resulting from this press release:

Bite-Sized: Brown’s throwing ‘manly’ fest in January, Times Union, Dec. 14, 2011.

The Festival of Manliness, All Over Albany, Dec. 12, 2011.

Brown’s throwing ‘manly’ fest in January, Times Union -Table Hopping blogDec. 12, 2011.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Amy Williams 518-273-0552 ext 228

Jump N’ Jive “River Street Riot” to Benefit Arts Center, April 16

Featuring: The Tichy Boys, food by Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

TROY, N.Y. (03/28/2011) — This April 16 is “River Street Riot,” a night that promises to be one of the Capital Region’s biggest, most innovative rockabilly dance parties ever.

All proceeds will benefit The Arts Center of the Capital Region.

“Rockabilly itself is a blast,” said Amy Williams, Arts Center president. “Add to that a few muscle cars, a jive dance lesson, some temporary tattoos, and great food and drinks — why, it’s going to be a riot!”

This is a new event for The Arts Center. Festivities will begin at 7 p.m. on April 16 at The Arts Center, 265 River Street in downtown Troy.

The evening will feature live music by The Tichy Boys, consisting of John Tichy, a founding member of the legendary Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen, and his son Graham, a highly respected local musician, along with others. The food concession at the Riot will be provided by Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.

There will be photo ops with cutouts of 1950s icons Bettie Page, the bombshell pin-up queen, and James Dean, the ultimate bad boy. Prizes will be awarded for the best Page and Dean look-alikes. The evening also will feature a dance contest and a silent auction.

“We really want the crowd to have fun and let loose,” said Daria Mallin, party planning committee member. “So we picked a few not-so-prim-and-proper celebs for the look-alike contest.”

Mallin said she expects the evening — filled with music, art, fashion and fantastic energy — will be especially attractive to the local arts community, college students, music lovers, swing and jive dancers, art collectors, foodies and “retrophiles.”

“Our theme is great music, a trendy ‘look,’ cool cars, and hip styles of dance,” Mallin said. “We’re really aiming to transport party goers with a rockin’ evening of fun for a good cause.”

FAST FACTS:

Who: The Tichy Boys, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

What: River Street Riot

Where: The Arts Center of the Capital Region

When: Saturday, April 16, 2011, 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Why: To benefit local arts at The Arts Center

Cost: $15 advance/members; $20 at the door. To purchase tickets in advance, visit http://artscenteronline.org or call 518- 273-0552.

PUBLICITY IMAGES:

For a high resolution River Street Riot poster, visit: http://duncancrary.com/clients/ArtsCenter.html

For information, contact Amy Williams at 518-273-0552 ext 228.

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Family-Friendly Celtic Storytelling, Music & Dance Performance, March 5 & 6

Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company with Storyteller Bairbre McCarthy Present “Celtic Footprints” at The Arts Center of the Capital Region

TROY, NY (Feb. 28, 2011)—A performance of spoken word, music and dance this weekend at The Arts Center of the Capital Region will tell the story of the Celts.

In “Celtic Footprints,” Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company and seanchaí (storyteller) Bairbre McCarthy bring audiences on a fantastical journey that follows the historical migration of the Celtic peoples from Central Europe to Scotland, Wales & Ireland and then across the Atlantic to Appalachia.

Audiences of this family-friendly show will see and hear the myth of the Seal People, the Legend of the Swans, the Adventures of Jack (beyond the beanstalk), and more.

WHO: Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company & Storyteller Bairbre McCarthy

WHAT: Celtic Footprints

WHERE: The Arts Center of the Capital Region, 265 River Street, Troy, NY 12180

WHEN: Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m. & Sunday, March 6 at 1:30 p.m.

TICKETS: In-Advance: $12 / $10 Members / $8 Children | At the Door: $15 (518) 273-0552

PUBLICITY IMAGES

To download high resolution publicity photographs of Bairbre McCarthy and of the Ellen Sinopoli dancers, visit: http://duncancrary.com/clients/The_Arts_Center_of_The_Capital_Region.html

ABOUT THE STORYTELLER

Ireland’s Sunday Tribune describes County Clare native Bairbre McCarthy as a master storyteller. The Irish Prime Minister brought her latest book, “The Keeper of the Crock of Gold” to the White House on St. Patrick’s Day 2009 as a gift for the daughters of President Barack Obama. McCarthy now lives near Saratoga Springs, N.Y

Her website is: http://www.bairbremccarthy.com

ABOUT THE DANCERS

Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company (ESDC) presents the provocative and richly imagined choreography of Artistic Director Ellen Sinopoli. ESDC is the resident company of The Egg in Albany, N.Y. This year, Ellen Sinopoli and her dancers celebrate ESDC’s 20th Season. http://www.sinopolidances.org

ABOUT THE ARTS CENTER

Located in 5 adjoining 19th-century buildings in downtown Troy, The Arts Center of the Capital Region includes a fully-accessible 99-seat theater, four galleries and specially-designed studios for pottery, print-making, culinary arts, jewelry-making, woodworking, painting and drawing, stained glass, and dance. http://www.artscenteronline.org.

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For Immediate Release

Contact Jeff Gaines, 518-237-7353

TEDx Comes to Albany: Call For Speakers, Sponsors, Volunteers

Nov. 4 Event to Offer Mind-blowing Discussion

ALBANY (6/29/10)– TEDxAlbany, where x=independently organized TED event, will present a day of information, inspiration and entertainment in the Lewis A. Swyer Theatre of The Egg on Nov. 4, 2010.

The organizers of TEDxAlbany are currently seeking speakers, sponsors and volunteers. The theme is “Human Change.”

“TEDxAlbany is bringing the excitement of TED to New York’s Capital Region,” said Jeff Gaines, TEDxAlbany organizer. “If you still haven’t heard of TED, check out a few videos on the website and you’ll be hooked. There’s nothing more inspiring than experiencing the reckless sharing of good ideas by intelligent people.”

(more…)

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Kathleen Tesnakis,  518-274-0813

STYLISH ECO-FASHION DESIGNER SETS UP SHOP IN CHELSEA, NYC, DEC. 10-23
‘e ko logic makes ‘green’ apparel worn around the world

MANHATTAN (Nov. 30) –  ‘e ko logic, the designer of ‘green’ clothing worn around the world, will showcase its high-style, eco-friendly apparel at the Chelsea Market from Dec. 10 to Dec. 23, during the JINGLE holiday pop-up store.

“We were making fashionable ‘green’ clothing before ‘green’ was in fashion,” said designer Kathleen Tesnakis, who founded ‘e ko logic in 1996.

‘e ko logic is a husband-and-wife team, based in Troy, N.Y., that uses recycled cashmere and post-consumer fabric to create one-of-a-kind hats, scarves and sweaters for men and women. They also make cashmere dresses and skirts.

Every item made by ‘e ko logic is unique because of the way Tesnakis gathers and assembles her materials. After hunting down discarded cashmere sweaters and other fabric treasures, she dismantles each article of clothing while taking the time to recognize its individual character and beauty. Finally, she transforms the material by joining it with other pieces to give an old garment a new life and purpose.

“There’s a little magic and a lot of love in each piece we construct,” Tesnakis said. “We can’t request our palette. We use what we find.”

‘e ko logic clothing is sought-after by the environmentally conscious and fashion conscious alike, from New York to Japan. Even a few celebrities, like Lee Ranaldo, of the iconic rock band Sonic Youth, are sporting ‘e ko logic apparel.

Accessories by ‘e ko logic cost between $72 to $120, while clothing prices range from $242 to $570.

Most of ‘e ko logic’s wholesale business comes from New York City, which is why the company relocated from Portland, Ore. to upstate New York in 2002.  They are now housed in a century-old building that was originally used to recycle left-over textile scraps from the Troy shirt collar and cuff industry. To date, ‘e ko logic has recycled more than seven tons of post-consumer clothing.

New Yorkers can purchase ‘e ko logic clothing at Cog & Pearl in Brooklyn, and Arleen Bowman in Manhattan. Accessories by ‘e ko logic are available at the Museum of Art & Design in Manhattan.

This December, ‘e ko logic will join several independent designers who will be selling clothing, jewelry, stationery, and art made from recycled products during the Chelsea Market JINGLE holiday pop up  store.

Chelsea Market is located at 75 9th Avenue (Between 15th and 16th Streets). JINGLE’s grand opening is Dec. 10 at 4 p.m.  The event continues through Dec. 23. Hours are Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We like to think of the Jingle as Brigadoon in Manhattan. It’s a special place that only appears once per year, full of creative energy and talented artists,” Tesnakis said. “Most people don’t know where their clothing was manufactured. Buying directly from the designer is a meaningful way to shop for clothes.”

For information, visit: http://www.ekologic.com .

For images and an ‘e ko logic logo, visit: http://duncancrary.com/clients/ekologic.html

Contact Kathleen Tesnakis at 518-274-0813 or 518-867-1864 (mobile).

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For Immediate Release

Contact: Kathleen Tesnakis, 518-274-0813

‘E KO LOGIC TO HOST GREEN FASHION OPEN STUDIO IN TROY, DEC. 6
Troy Designer Was Making Green Fashion Before Green Was Fashionable

TROY, N.Y. (Nov. 24, 2009) — ‘e ko logic, the designer of high fashion recycled cashmere clothing, will host an open studio during Troy’s Victorian Stroll, this Dec. 6, from noon to 5 p.m.

“We love inviting people into our beautiful space in Troy so they can meet us and see how our clothing is made,” said Kathleen Tesnakis, ‘e ko logic founder and designer. “Most people don’t know where their clothing was manufactured. Buying directly from the designer is a meaningful way to shop for clothes.”

‘e ko logic is a husband-and-wife team that uses recycled cashmere and post-consumer fabric to create one-of-a-kind hats, scarves and sweaters for men and women. They also make cashmere dresses and skirts.

Every item made by ‘e ko logic is unique because of the way Tesnakis gathers her materials and assembles them. First, she hunts for discarded cashmere sweaters and other clothing treasures. Next, she dismantles each piece of clothing, taking time to recognize its character and individual beauty. Finally, she transforms the material by joining it with other pieces to give an old garment a new life and purpose.

“There is a little magic and a lot of love in each piece we construct,” Tesnakis said. “We can’t request our palette. We use what we find.”

‘e ko logic clothing is sold around the world, from New York to Japan, and is sought-after by the eco-conscious and fashion-conscious alike. Even a few celebrities are sporting the Made-in-Troy clothing. Lee Ranaldo, of the iconic rock band Sonic Youth, was recently photographed for the national music magazine “Blurt” wearing apparel by ‘e ko logic.

Not every piece of ‘e ko logic clothing makes it into the limelight, but many items continue to have adventures of their own. One ‘e ko logic hat traveled the world on the head of a monk, and two hats met while stationed in Antarctica. Just recently, Tesnakis  received a call from a woman who wanted to replace an ‘e ko logic hat that had been stolen off her husband’s head by an owl.

“Somewhere in Washington State there is an owl with a very comfortable cashmere nest,” Tesnakis said.  “I’m glad our clothing was recycled.”

At ‘e ko logic, recycling extends beyond the clothing. The century-old building where ‘e ko logic is headquartered, at 444 River Street, was originally used to recycle left-over textile scraps from the Troy collar and cuff industry, turning “batts” and “shoddys” into things like pillows.

“A hundred years later, we’re still doing the same thing in this building,” Tesnakis said. “We were making fashionable ‘green’ clothing before ‘green’ was in fashion. And we’re proud to be located in a city that was known for making clothes and reusing textiles.”

After the Victorian Stroll in Troy, ‘e ko logic will be selling a special line of apparel at the Chelsea Market JINGLE in Manhattan, from Dec. 10 to Dec. 23. But visitors at their Troy Open Studio will have a sneak preview and the chance to buy those items before their New York City debut.

‘e ko logic accessories cost from $72 to $120. Clothing ranges in price from $242 to $570. Credit cards are accepted at the studio and online.

“My motto for this year has been: be revolutionary, act intentionally,” Tesnakis said. “When people support creative businesses like ‘e ko logic, they are empowering themselves. Because we have the ability to enrich our community by making conscious choices about where we shop.”

For information, visit: http://www.ekologic.com . For high resolution publicity images, visit: http://duncancrary.com/clients/ekologic.html

Contact Kathleen Tesnakis at 518-274-0813.

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For Immediate Release

Contact Info: Jill Schwartz, 413-644-9994

CHELSEA MARKET GOES JINGLE AGAIN W/HOLIDAY POP-UP STORE, DEC. 10-23
Shopping extravaganza decks the halls of Chelsea Market with art & industry

MANHATTAN — (Nov. 23, 2009) — Chelsea Market will be serving more than fabulous food this holiday season. Beginning Dec. 10, and continuing until Dec. 23, the market will host “JINGLE” a Holiday pop-up store now in its third year.

JINGLE is a shopping extravaganza featuring a collective of independent designers, selling their wares directly, and various performance art and video designed to tickle the imagination.

Items at the JINGLE will include nostalgic, vintage groove jewelry and home accessories, green products recycled from cashmere and felted wool (both edgy and high style), candles, fine handmade contemporary porcelain, natural skincare, wall art constructed from recycled spice tins, fine stationery and curiosities, quirky and fun knitted wire sculpture, playful letters and words in metal, retro kitchen fashion, handcrafted leather goods, kitsch stocking stuffers, and a bounty of other beautifully designed products for body and home and for just about everyone and everything.

The shopping festival is a natural extension of the playful architecture that characterizes the retail level of Chelsea Market, and its visiting designers will pick up where the hall leaves off.

“Our edgy, yet arty take on gift giving promises to put excitement into your holiday shopping,” said festival creator Jill Schwartz. “This is the perfect setting for us as ‘Art Meets Industry’ in our store, and Chelsea Market’s unique spirit reinforces our vision.”

JINGLE’s grand opening is Dec. 10 at 4 p.m.  The event continues through Dec. 23. Hours are Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

About the vendors:

ELEMENTS/JILL SCHWARTZ: Tickle your fancy side with the preciousness of Jill Schwartz’s elements… Incredible vintage groove assemblage work expressed in artware jewelry, heirloom albums, picture frames, and more.

‘E KO LOGIC: Where “Green” meets Couture. Clothing and accessories hand constructed in New York by recycling post-consumer cashmere sweaters.

THE MACBETH COLLECTION: A home & accessories line that marries functional home storage and organization with high-design.

MOTEL DELUXE: Purveyors of fine stationery, journals, photo albums, and a wide variety of great gift items.

GAUGE: Cool and clean metal letters and words, precious one-of-a-kind metal snowflakes, and other unique metal products, all handmade in Brooklyn.

JILLERY BY JILL FAGIN: A line of jewelry, Judaica, and home accessories, handcrafted in New York City from recycled aluminum.

PRIMITIVE TWIG: Wall art figures from recycled material and vintage parts.

YEEHAW INDUSTRIES: Original products from fine woodblock prints to hand-printed letterpress stationery.

REBEL DESIGNS: Hip and chic jewelry and leather goods, offering style and sophistication to fashionistas all over the world.

MARY JAEGER: Designs sculpted and dyed, women’s and interior accessories focusing on hand-made details and a sensitive use of color, pattern and texture.

ELIZABETH GILLETT: Unique scarves, cozy sweaters and special evening cover-ups that are feminine and fun!

KITSCH*N GLAM: With a wink and a nod to ’50s design, Kitsch*n Glam’s colorful line of lifestyle products are fashionable, flirtatious accents to express personal style.

AUSTRALIAN SCENT: 100 percent natural, hypoallergenic skin care. Nothing compares.

AYALA JEWELRY: Ayala Naphtali’s jewelry incorporates sterling silver with recycled coconut shell and semiprecious stones. Her modern and elegant adornments are earthy and beautifully textured.

REINA MIA BRILL: Adorable Quirky Knitted wire sculptures.

KLEIN REID: Fine handmade porcelain.

BLUE Q: Kitsch objects and other awesome & artful curiosities.

PUTAMAYO WORLD MUSIC: CDS offering Afro pop, folk, Celtic, world beat artists, and holiday music for both children and adults.

AND MORE…

For links to the websites of JINGLE vendors, visit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jingle/207568156718

For information and images, contact Jill Schwartz at 646-872-0626.

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For Immediate Release

Contact: Catherine Hedgeman 518-708-6350

BEST-SELLING AUTHOR RICHARD FLORIDA COMES TO ALBANY, SEPT. 24

“Who’s Your City?” Co-Hosted by Center for Economic Growth & The Stakeholders
Presented by General Electric

ALBANY, N.Y. (9/14/09) — New York’s Capital Region is more talented, creative and hip than you may think.

But the area still has a lot of work to do if it wants to attract and retain more creative professionals.

That’s the message event organizers hope people will take away from a Sept. 24 presentation at the Palace Theatre by best-selling author Richard Florida, Ph.D.

“In the global battle for creative talent, we are going to see a strong emphasis, greater than ever before, on the importance of quality of place,” Florida said. “For Albany to compete effectively, the region will have to provide creative workers with a complete authentic community.”

THE CREATIVE CLASS

Florida’s upcoming talk in Albany will focus on the concepts in his latest book “Who’s Your City? — How the Creative Economy is Making the Place Where You Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life.”

This book is the most recent in a series examining what Florida calls the “Creative Class,” an emergent class of highly mobile intellectuals, artists and entrepreneurs.

This group of idea-creating professionals is highly courted by community leaders because, although it amounts to just 30 percent of the total workforce, the creative class controls more than 70 percent of the discretionary income in the nation.

But members of the creative class have the ability to choose where they want to live, according to Florida, and they choose to live in tolerant communities with a good job market, appealing aesthetics, cultural amenities, and a large pool of potential mates.

HOW DOES ALBANY RANK ON THE CREATIVITY INDEX?

According to Florida, the percentage of creative class professionals in the Albany workforce is higher than the national average for regions of its size.

About 32 percent of the Capital Region workforce (137,710 workers) can be described as creative class, while 15 percent of the Capital Region workforce (67,310 workers) can be described as the “Super-Creative Core,” which includes scientists, engineers, techies, innovators, and researchers, as well as artists, designers, writers and musicians.

This summer, Florida ranked Albany #20 in a national list of the “Best 25 Cities for Gen Y” (for singles ages 20-29).

In 2005, he identified Albany as a top mid-sized metro area in the country for “talent clusters” in the legal and media fields.

In his 2002 “Creativity Rankings,” Florida placed Albany at No. 2 (behind Albuquerque) among medium-sized cities in the U.S. The score is based on the number of creative workers, the presence of high tech industries and the level of diversity in the region.

More Albany Metro Area Place Rankings
(Among 266 U.S. Regions):

Singles (20-29) overall – 20th
Singles (20-29) best buy – 14th (when cost is figured in)

Professionals (29-44) overall – 27th
Professionals (29-44) best buy – 32nd

Families with children overall – 25th
Families with children best buy – 44th

Empty-nesters overall – 22nd
Empty-nesters best buy – 29th

Retirees overall – 25th
Retirees best buy – 31st

Source: Richard Florida, director of the Martin Prosperity Institute,
Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.

FUTURE FORWARD

The Stakeholders, Inc., and the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) are co-hosting Richard Florida’s presentation at the Palace as part of the “Future Forward” speaker series. General Electric is the major sponsor.

“We invited Richard Florida to our Capital City to start the discussion about how and why we should invest in a creative economy,” said Catherine Hedgeman, president and CEO of The Stakeholders. “The future of our region hinges on revitalization of our cities and on investment in a creative economy to ensure artists, entrepreneurs and social innovators can thrive.”

“Our region’s culture of innovation is predicated on the development and exchange of ideas,” said F. Michael Tucker, CEG’s president and CEO. “When you couple that with a spirited quality of life you get a location that is well suited for a dynamic, high tech economy.”

“GE is pleased to bring Richard Florida back to the region,” said Christine Horne, manager of Communications and Public Affairs, GE Energy. “We consider this a great opportunity to hear Florida’s ideas on the ‘creative class,’ commercial innovation, and regional development. His unique perspective on global trends and economics will help us understand, as a region, how to compete in the global marketplace.”

FOR INFORMATION:

For information about the Sept. 24 presentation by Richard Florida at the Palace Theatre, visit: http://www.yourcitycapregion.com.

For information about Richard Florida and a press kit, visit:
http://www.creativeclass.com/richard_florida/media.php

For information about the Center for Economic Growth, visit: http://www.ceg.org.

For information about The Stakeholders Foundation, Inc., visit: http://thestakeholders.org.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Catherine Hedgeman 518-708-6350
CEO@TheStakeholdersFoundation.org

GROUP TAPS ALBANY’S “CREATIVE CLASS” TO BRING RICHARD FLORIDA TO TOWN

The Stakeholders Hires Duncan Crary to Promote Best-Selling Author’s Talk at Palace, Sept. 24

ALBANY, NY (7-15-09)—A local nonprofit has engaged Albany’s “creative class” to promote an upcoming talk by global best-selling author Richard Florida.

On Sept. 24, at the Palace Theatre, Florida will speak about the concepts in his latest book, “Who’s Your City? – How the Creative Economy is Making the Place Where You Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life.” Florida’s earlier books explored the importance of the creative class, an emergent class of independent intellectuals, artists and entrepreneurs.

The presentation is co-hosted by The Stakeholders, Inc., and The Center for Economic Growth. General Electric is the presenting sponsor.

To promote the event, The Stakeholders, Inc., has hired independent creative consultant Duncan Crary, of Duncan Crary Communications.

“The Stakeholders is bringing Richard Florida to our Capital City to start the discussion about how and why the people of our region should invest in a creative economy,” said Catherine Hedgeman, president & CEO of The Stakeholders, Inc. “We’re proud to have hired Duncan to promote this event, because he is a member of our region’s growing creative class who has chosen to make this area his home.”

This February, Crary, 30, founded his own new media and creative consulting business in Troy. In May, he partnered with Dutch Apple Cruises to host a successful riverboat commute to work between Albany and Troy. A former newspaper reporter and magazine editor, Crary now hosts and produces “The KunstlerCast,” a weekly audio podcast featuring urban planning author James Howard Kunstler.

“Many young creative professionals like me are happily choosing to make the Capital Region our home,” Crary said. “Richard Florida’s talk will help the community-at-large to better understand the vital role that the creative class will play in our region’s new economy. I hope that it will also inspire young professionals to stake a claim in the places we have chosen to live, because these are our cities.”

The mission of The Stakeholders is to cultivate an informed and active creative class dedicated to building diverse and sustainable communities throughout New York’s Capital Region.

Though Crary is the first paid consultant on the team, more than a dozen creative class professionals are serving as volunteers for the Stakeholders to orchestrate the Richard Florida event. More than a dozen local businesses and organizations have signed on to sponsor the talk.

Richard Florida is director of the Martin Prosperity Institute and professor of Business and Creativity at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. His other books include “The Rise of the Creative Class,” “Cities and the Creative Class” and “The Flight of the Creative Class.”

For information about the Sept. 24 presentation by Richard Florida, visit: http://www.yourcitycapregion.com.

For information about The Center for Economic Growth, visit: http://www.ceg.org.

For information about The Stakeholders, visit: http://www.thestakeholdersfoundation.org and
http://www.thestakeholders.org.

For information about Duncan Crary Communications, visit: http://DuncanCrary.com.

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