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Michael C. Clarke Leaves an
Established Law Career to Promote
Irish American Heritage
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I met Michael C. Clarke, Executive Director at the Irish American Heritage Museum recently at an event and was bowled over by not only his enthusiasm but his career story and how he came to be where he is today. Having decided to leave corporate real estate several years ago to pursue a career in arts and culture myself, I am always fascinated to find those kindred souls who take the plunge. But I guess for Michael, it is no surprise he ended up where he is...he has music in his soul. Side note, ask him about a recent trip to Ireland where he helped deliver over 60 lambs on his brothers farm, it's a good one but to long for this piece!
"I started playing Irish music when I was six years old and loved it. I was raised in a household of two Irish immigrants and had been very involved with Irish culture and history growing up. I paid for college in law school, not by student loans, but by being a full-time musician playing music in New York City in the 1980s." Michael C. Clarke : Executive Director - Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany New York in t
Corey Aldrich : Senior ACE Contributor
Image: Author
| | Upstate's Cold Brew Works on Expanding Their 'Eye Opening' Mission | | |
Local bean roaster Upstate's Cold Brew in Troy New York is on the rise, expanding their distribution and product offerings. A combination of community building, creativity and a drive for a well balanced, eye popping brew are the driving factors behind this dynamic duo's move to supply your morning routine with a bump of flavorful exuberance and maybe a whole lot more.
"We start with organically-grown, sustainably-traded beans roasted right here in the Capital Region. In the early days we soaked coarse grounds for 14–24 hours and triple-filtered every batch. Today we scale that same philosophy with a chilled, closed-loop system that extracts in a fraction of the time while locking in a richer, smoother, profile and extending shelf life. The result is a velvety concentrate that’s “eye-opening” strong, yet incredibly smooth and flavorful!" Kahlid Miller : Co-Owner and Brewmaster - Upstate's Cold Brew
Corey Aldrich : Senior ACE Contributor
Photo: Provided
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FREE TICKETS to The EGG :
Ravi Coltrane Plays Alice Coltrane
wsg/Brandee Younger
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As part of the double header ticket promo this month we are partnering with the The EGG to make available a block of tickets to TRANSLINEAR LIGHT – The Music of Alice Coltrane featuring Ravi Coltrane with Special Guest Brandee Younger, part of 'The EGG Presents' series. Availability is first come first serve and limited so jump on this ASAP if your interested. There is a two tickets per person limit.
What: TRANSLINEAR LIGHT - The Music of Alice Coltrane featuring Ravi Coltrane
When: Saturday, June 07 at 8:00 PM
Location: The EGG | Empire State Plaza | Albany, NY
Order the FREE tickets by using offer code: ACECOLTRANE at checkout. Click on box below.
Critically acclaimed saxophonist and composer Ravi Coltrane — the second son of jazz legends Alice and John Coltrane — joins forces with renowned trailblazing harpist Brandee Younger for a special performance honoring Translinear Light - The Music of Alice Coltrane.
RAVI COLTRANE is a critically acclaimed Grammy nominated saxophonist, bandleader, and composer. In the course of a twenty plus year career, Mr. Coltrane has worked as a sideman to many, and recorded noteworthy albums for himself and others.
BRANDEE YOUNGER is revolutionizing the harps’ role in modern music. Over the past fifteen years, she has worked relentlessly to stretch boundaries and limitations for harpists. In 2022, she made history by becoming the first Black woman to be nominated for a Grammy® Award for Best Instrumental Composition. That same year, she was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award and later, the winner of the 2024 NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Jazz Album for her latest album Brand New Life.
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FREE TICKETS to SPAC :
BOGO Lawn Offer for the
2025 Saratoga Jazz Festival!
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As part of the double header ticket promo this month we are partnering with SPAC to make available a block of Buy One Get One Free tickets to the 2025 Saratoga Jazz Festival! Availability is first come first serve and limited so jump on this ASAP if your interested. This is good for LAWN SEATS ONLY and has a four tickets per customer, per day limit.
What: 2025 Saratoga Jazz Festival
When: Saturday the 28 and Sunday the 29 of June
Location: SPAC | 108 Avenue of the Pines | Saratoga Springs, NY
Click on box below. Scroll down on link page and select preferred day. Select the LAWN SEATS option and get the BOGO FREE tickets by using offer code: ACEJAZZ at checkout.
Kick off summer with good times and great vibes at one of America’s most prestigious jazz festivals – featuring two days, two stages and 22 electrifying artists including Gary Clark Jr., Trombone Shorty, Cory Wong, Lettuce, Cassandra Wilson and Gregory Porter. Bring in your own picnic, lawn chairs and blankets or enjoy local food trucks, craft beer, a fine arts and crafts fair, family fun, and more!
| | INSIDE ACE! | CREATING A NEW PATH | | |
Two great stories and some updates this month. Really loving the interview of ED Michael C Clarke at the Irish American Heritage Museum. I am a big proponent of taking valuable left brain business / corporate skills and using them to contribute to the arts and cultural community. It brings a new dimension to the field. As for the second, my interview with Kahlid Miller of Upstate's Cold Brew is from a more entrepreneurial perspective. I love what he and Jamel are doing not just with a product but how they are leveraging that into a community focus as part of some of the overall family of the Collectiveffort universe.
More news from Albany and the ongoing rebuilding of the First Friday franchise with the new promotional / organization leadership initiative from Erin Harke and Metroland Now. This will be a force multiplier including not just a media based program but also seed funding to pay performers. The approach supports ecosystem and is critical for these types of initiatives to thrive. Though FF is and will hopefully always be an egalitarian and decentralized model, its great to have some folks helping to connect the dots and keeping the ball rolling. Big shout out to Michelle Dinsmore and the Overit Media contributions as well as the team at The 518 Newsletter and Leanne Ricchiuti for keeping the focus up!
Finally, love me some FREE show tickets. Big thanks to The EGG and SPAC for helping our creative community get our good vibrations on point as we enter the all to short summer season in Upstate New York.
As always, if you have any cool creative job listings, open calls, industry news or grant funding opportunities, drop me a line and get them included in our next issue. Speaking of jobs...the listings feel short lately. Is this real or just me?
Corey Aldrich
ACE! : Executive Director
E: hello@upstateace.org | W: upstatecreative.org | SOCIALS: @upstatecreative
| | PRESS UPDATE : METROLAND NOW TAKES ON FIRST FRIDAY ALBANY PROMOTIONAL LEAD | | |
Here are a couple images from last weeks press event formally announcing the First Friday integration with Metroland Now as it's promotional lead, a new milestone to the developing program. A handful of tried and true arts and culture supporters seen above where on hand including Chet Opalka, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Corey Aldrich of ACE!, Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill of Cap Rep Theater and Michael Clarke of the Irish American Heritage Museum (Don't mind the awkward faces, we were giggling!) and of course Erin Harkes, Editor of the Metroland. Additionally Senator Pat Fahey's Office, Discover Albany and the BID where on hand...so much solidarity! Big thanks to Michelle Dinsmore and Branden Kennedy for putting the event together and for making the tech team at Overit Media available. Also, big thanks to Channel 10, Spectrum News and the Times Union for showing up to help get the word out! You can read Katherine Kiessling's coverage here.
"With Metroland at the helm, we’re scaling up this city and creative economy: more partnerships, more neighborhoods, more voices! This isn’t just about art for art’s sake. It’s about purposefully connecting business, culture, and community—because that’s how cities (and humans) thrive." - Michelle Dinsmore : Partner at Overit Media
| Post event chats with Chet Opalka, John Curtin of Albany Distilling and Branden Kennedy of Overit Media. | | REGIONAL & BEYOND : NEWS / OPPORTUNITY | | Capital Region Job Opportunities | | |
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Darrow School (New Lebanon) : Assistant Dean of Students, Music Director
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KIPP Capital Region Public Schools (Albany) : [2025-2026] Specials/Electives Lead Teacher - Middle (Visual Arts), [2025-2026] AP Literature Lead Teacher - High School
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Emma Willard (Troy) : Music Instructor - Voice, Director of Gift Planning
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SUNY (Albany) : Tenure Track Digital Art and Animation / Asst Professor, Art Model (Part Time)
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RPI (Troy) : Media, Arts and Social Science Researchers, Media, Arts, and Social Sciences Researchers (2024-25), Director, Engagement Events, Marketing Operations Manager, Senior Carpenter
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Skidmore College (Saratoga) : Art Model
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ACE : Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy
For inquiries, hot tips or requests: hello@upstateace.org
web: upstatecreative.org
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