Better Radio Welcomes Back 'Tripi' for Live Pop-Up Concert May 18

Soulful rock singer, storyteller and guitarist Tony Tripi returns to Better Farm backed by his full band for a Better Radio Live Broadcast Series performance at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18 on the outdoor stage of the Art Barn.

Tripi, based out of Buffalo, was the first act in betterArts' Live Broadcast Series last August, playing with Andrew Daniels. This show will be Tripi's second-to-last stop on his spring tour. Those living locally who can't attend can listen in live on Better Radio, 88.5 FM.

Friday morning, May 19, Tripi will be offering a free “Live Music and Meditation” for anyone who would like to participate. Bring your yoga mats or blankets, pillows, water and your friends. Reconnect with yourself as the musicians help you work your way through the chakras, bringing healing and a sense of peace. Email info@betterfarm.org to sign up!

 Lodging is available—click here to make a reservation.

Suggested betterArts donation of $5 at the door to support future live broadcast series events. BYOB. Lights snacks and refreshments will be served. In the case of inclement weather, the show will be held inside the Art Barn.

BETTER FARM IS LOCATED AT 31060 COTTAGE HILL ROAD, REDWOOD, NY.

betterArts Presents: Live Radio Broadcast 'Christmas With The Paynter Singers' Dec. 15

betterArts' Live Radio Broadcast Series continues at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, with "The Paynter Singers Christmas Extravaganza," hosted by Better Radio show host Victor.

The singing group, which regularly performs locally  out of the Paynter Senior Center in Clayton, will perform Christmas carols in Better Farm's library for anyone who would like to come listen, enjoy homemade treats, hot cocoa, tea, and other refreshments.

The performance will also be recorded for podcast, and transmitted live over the Better Radio airwaves. Local residents unable to attend may tune in at 88.5 FM.

The performance is part of a monthly, live broadcast series put on by betterArts and shared in real time on Better Radio as a way to enrich the area's local music scene in an intimate setting throughout the year. The event is free and open to the public.

Call (315) 482-2536 or email info@betterarts.org with any questions. Better Farm is located at 31060 Cottage Hill Road in Redwood. To learn more about betterArts' radio project, click here.

Next Vino & Van Gogh Sip-n-Paint Class Slated For Sept. 17 At Better Farm

betterArts presents a nautically themed Vino & Van Gogh event from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 at Better Farm in Redwood.

This event offers an extension option for any artists who would like to bring their child or children along! Adults will paint the anchor (top image, left), while children attending will have the opportunity to paint an attachable painting of a red fox (complete with pirate hook!).

This class will be held outside (weather permitting -- otherwise in Art Barn) at Better Farm, 31060 Cottage Hill Road, Redwood, NY, 13679. For further information, email info@betterarts.org or call (315) 482-2536. $30/adults, $15/children younger than 16. Click here to register. Email info@betterarts.org with any questions.

betterArts Presents OUTDOOR Vino & Van Gogh Paint 'n' Sip Series In July And August

Continuing with the success of betterArts' winter and spring installments of guided Vino & Van Gogh paint 'n' sip series, the organization is offering two very special summer classes that will be held outside at Better Farm.

JULY 7, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Bring a picnic blanket or towel to our first-ever OUTDOORS paint 'n' sip event, held outside in paddocks where horses and alpacas roam! Enjoy a guided painting workshop from beginning to end, bottomless wine and finger foods. All materials provided! Cost: $30. Register here.

AUGUST 11, 6-8 p.m.

This event is open to parents as well as their children! As always, we will be offering bottomless beverages and endless finger foods to delight parents and children alike! This event will also be held outdoors at Better Farm. All supplies provided! Cost: $30 adults, $15 children under 16. Register here.

 

Spotlight On: Better Festival Featured Artist The Suitcase Junket

One-man band The Suitcase Junket will be a featured artist at this year's Better Festival Saturday, June 18, at Better Farm in Redwood.

The Suitcase Junket is Matt Lorenz, a Vermont-born musician, visual artist, and tinkerer. His artistic vision is one of salvaged and repurposed objects, throat-singing, and original music.

"I'm interested in the hidden voices that reside within things: the songs stuck inside instruments, the story behind the object, the mysterious weight of a word, the harmonic sequence that's in every note waiting to be broken as light through a prism."

Lorenz tours The Suitcase Junket nationally playing on festival stages and city street corners, in concert halls and dive bars, in living rooms and listening rooms. The sound isn't easy to pin into a genre, but The Suitcase Junket is often likened to Tom Waits, The Black Keys and Andrew Bird.

His instruments include a resurrected dumpster-diamond guitar, an old oversized suitcase, a hi-hat, a gas-can baby-shoe foot-drum, a cookpot-soupcan-tambourine foot-drum, a circular-saw-blade bell and a box of bones and silverware that operate much like a hi-hat. He pounds out rhythms with his feet and his twang-and-buzz guitar growls through a couple of old tube amps. On top of all this is the ethereal edge of his overtone throat-singing.

In support of Lorenz's unusual instrumentation, betterArts will host a free workshop during the afternoon of Better Festival helping people of all ages upcycle everyday objects to make instruments.

The Suitcase Junket will perform at Better Festival from 4:30-6 p.m. The band's latest album, Dying Star, was released in March and is available here. Also be sure to check out The Suitcase Junket On Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @suitcasejunket.

For more information about Better Festival and to Order tickets, click here.

betterArts Presents 'Vino & Van Gogh' Adult Painting Class April 14

betterArts presents the next installment in its adult paint 'n' sip series, "Vino & Van Gogh", from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at Better Farm.

This class will feature a Vincent Van Gogh theme playing on an image of a tree with swirls, texture and movement. Instructor Maria VanPelt (LaFargeville Central School) will guide students from start to completion using acrylics on canvas.

As always, all materials will be provided and students will be able to enjoy bottomless wine and finger foods.

Cost for this class is $30. To sign up, CLICK HERE.

This class will be held in the betterArts Art Barn at Better Farm, 31060 Cottage Hill Road, Redwood, NY, 13679. For further information, email info@betterarts.org or call (315) 482-2536.

betterArts Offers Adult Crafts Night March 24

Students will make four magnets and a collage on canvas at the March 24 class.

An extension of betterArts' popular Paint 'n' Sip series, an adult crafts night from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, March 24, will feature two projects, finger foods, bottomless wine, and great company.

Instructor Maria VanPelt (LaFargeville Central School) will guide students through the creation of four magnets (see above photo), as well as a Mod Podge canvas utilizing collage:

All funds raised through betterArts workshops go directly toward arts and cultural outreach in the North Country. Class size is limited to 20 students. Cost is $30.

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Email info@betterarts.org with any questions.

Backed By Popular Demand, betterArts 'Vino & Van Gogh' Workshops Become Monthly Series

After hosting two completely sold-out adult evening workshops, betterArts is turning its "Vino & Van Gogh" adult paint 'n' sip workshops into an ongoing monthy series.

In each class, students will be led step-by-step through the completion of a craft, painting, or other art form. As in other adult classes, finger foods and bottomless glasses of wine are made available for all attendees (non-alcoholic beverages also available!).

Upcoming Dates:

March 24, 7-9 p.m. Crafts 'n' Cocktails

An extension of betterArts' popular Paint 'n' Sip series, this workshop will feature a craft accompanied by bottomless wine and snacks. Specific crafts project to be determined! All funds raised through betterArts workshops go directly toward arts and cultural outreach in the North Country. Specific craft TBD, Instructor Maria VanPelt * CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

April 14, 7-9 p.m.: Vino & Van Gogh

A step-by-step painting class teaching technique, color and brush strokes... and featuring bottomless glasses of wine and snacks! Specific painting project TBD. All funds raised through betterArts workshops go directly toward supporting arts and cultural outreach in the North Country. Thank you for supporting this important cause! Instructor Maria VanPelt * CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

For a complete listing of upcoming events, click here.