Marion Roach Smith : International Author Cultivates a Crop of Creative Success
Last month I received the most wonderful surprise in my email inbox. It opened saying, "Corey, many thanks for the vibrant newsletter bringing me up to date on ACE. Nicely done!" It continued, "If there is a place for my expertise through ACE, I'd be glad to share it." This was followed up by an offer to meet, which as you can imagine, I readily accepted!

Marion Roach Smith is the author of four books, including 'The Memoir Project' and 'A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text for Writing & Life.' A former staffer at The New York Times, she has been a commentator on NPR’s 'All Things Considered' and a talk show host on Sirius Satellite Radio. ACE! caught up with her to find out more about her foray into online teaching and why she is so passionate to share what she has learned with early career and established creatives alike.

"Here's the thing: E-learning is projected to be a $350 billion industry by 2025. I think creative people ought to be fully invested in that." Marion Roach Smith

Corey Aldrich : Senior ACE! Contributor

Image: Provided
Olivia Clemente :
Synergizing Community One Event at a Time
I met Olivia Clemente : Executive Director of the Troy BID in person earlier this year as I needed to coordinate with her for a series of events that I am producing in Franklin Alley in downtown Troy and wanted to coordinate with the BID. (ACE! will be a part, more on that in an upcoming issue) Personable and energized, I was excited about doing some joint promotion with her. Then came Troy's first annual TROY PRIDE event, a new programmatic initiative that Olivia spearheaded with downtown business owners. The streets were packed, so many folks from Albany and around the region! I realized I needed to get a better understanding of what makes this capable woman tick.

Corey Aldrich : Senior ACE! Contributor

Photo Credit: Corey Aldrich
Image: Olivia Clemente : Executive Director at the Troy BID
FREE Tickets to Opening Night
of the NYC Ballet at SPAC!
This month ACE! is super excited to partner up with SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) to giveaway FREE TICKETS to Opening Night of New York City Ballet on Tuesday, July 18. Availability is first come, first served. There is a two tickets per person limit. These will go fast people!

What: NYCB On and Off Stage
When: July 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Saratoga Performing Arts Center | 108 Avenue of the Pines | Saratoga Springs, NY

Order free amphitheater or lawn tickets by using offer code: ACE at checkout.

The opening night of New York City Ballet's 2023 summer residency will include a "behind the curtain" experience following the performance. Enjoy an exhilarating dance party in the Hall of Springs with members of New York City Ballet! The event will feature a live DJ, charcuterie and complimentary beer and wine, plus a cash bar for mixed drinks.

Hosted by Principal Dancers Tiler Peck and Adrian Danchig-Waring, “NYCB On and Off Stage” features a first look at the week’s ballets with excerpts from Swan Lake, Fancy Free, and Firebird in addition to new works Play Time, Love Letter (on shuffle), Copland Dance Episodes, and more. A compelling evening for newcomers and aficionados alike!

This program is made possible in part with generous support from Teresa Kennedy.
INSIDE ACE! | CREATING A NEW PATH
Great connection this month came in the form of a wonderfully unexpected coffee date with Marion Roach Smith. A successful author and memoirist, she has developed an internationally available teaching platform to help others re-create her success. Also, we decided to highlight a fellow event producer, Olivia Clemente, Executive Director of the Troy BID. New to the position this year, she is already making inroads into the live event post covid recovery. Finally, honored to be working with the mighty SPAC to make available a block of tickets to the opening night of the NYC Ballet summer residency 2023. If you have not been, I highly recommend you check this series out...so moving and beautiful!

Besides that, lots of great free shows, series and festivals going on during the summer months. I posted a couple of links in the news section below. Special thanks to those who have taken a moment to share appreciation for the newsletter articles and features, I really appreciate it! Until next time...make sure to get out and experience the natural wonders of our beautiful upstate while enjoying some of the countries best arts, culture and entertainment!

Corey Aldrich
ACE! : Executive Director

E: hello@upstateace.org | W: upstatecreative.org | SOCIALS: @upstatecreative
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