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PUSH Physical Theatre: Dracula!

Sally is pleased to once again publicize the amazing PUSH Physical Theatre, this time with its return to Geva Theatre Center's Nextstage with the world premiere of Dracula for 16 performances October 23 - November 8.  See a very cool preview at http://www.youtube.com/pushtheatre.  Co-founders and directors Darren and Heather Stevenson will also receive the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester's Performing Artist of the Year Award at the Council's Annual Arts Awards luncheon on November 19, 2009.

10/19/09 -  PUSH Brings Dracula to Life This Weekend

No Child

Following PUSH into Geva's Nextstage as the last in the Fall Fest series is No Child..., an award-winning, one-woman show by NYC writer and performer, Nilaja Sun.  Ad-Hoc Productions, led by ArtPeace founder/director Kristen Rapp and Rochester Wolf Trap at Nazareth Director Jack Langerak, is a consortium of education and arts organizations that is determined to get this play seen!  An entertaining but hard look at what the No Child Left Behind Act has wrought, No Child...stars Rochester poet, actress and teaching artist Reenah Golden playing all 16 characters.

10/19/09 -  Award-Winning No Child...Debuts at Geva

Bottega Ventura
Christine and Paul Knoblauch are not only wonderful Rochester artists, but Christine especially has a talent for bringing other artists together and bringing out the best in each of them.  She's hired Sally to help promote her newest show called Bottega ("studio") Ventura ("venture," but also a play on her family name, Ventura) and book of the same name.  She has gathered 30 local artists from all genres and levels of distinction for one of her jam-packed, don't-miss, eye-popping openings on Friday, September 11, with additional exhibition hours the following day only.   
A Boy Scout troop is a little off Sally's usual artsy path, but Troop 19 or Tay House came through another client's recommendation and she's very honored to be helping this wonderful group bring attention to its 90th anniversary.   This nurturing troop has some unique philosophies and a 78-year-old cabin tucked away in Cobbs Hill Park right behind School #1...who knew?  They've plan to show it all off Saturday, September 12 from 11 am to 2 pm. 

08/12/09 - Rochester's Tay House Celebrates 90 Years

Plagued, A Love Story

Being chosen for full production in the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) is like getting your film into Sundance, and that's just what Rochester's Casey Filiaci and Vynnie Meli have done with Plagued, A Love Story.  Casey, an old friend from Backseat Sally days (he was co-songwriter and music director for the Atlantic Records rock band), contacted Sally for help in getting a buzz going and to create interest in making tax-deductible donations.  Plagued is an incredible family musical that revisits Cinderella and Prince Charming 20 year later..."Happily Ever After is an Awful Long Time!" 

07/14/09 - Local Writers score big with Cinderella story

Rochester Children’s Theatre

Sally has been RCT’s PR & Marketing Director since 2005, and her work is vital to keeping the small organization with a big reputation going and growing.  It’s a non-stop job that encompasses every aspect of PR, from creating programs, newsletters and e-mail blasts to setting up publicity photos and contacting media.  This non-profit but professional company of adult actors, led by its founding Producing Artistic Director Deborah Haber, has been providing high-quality, literature-based theatre to families for 18 years.  Click on the link above to see the current season.

 

08/13/09 - RCT Back in Arts Center for 2009-10 Season

Balloon Manor

2009's Balloon Manor:  A Dark & Stormy Night at the Sibley Building October 14-18 has been canceled due to lack of sponsorship funds.  Read D&C article.

07/28/09 -  Plans for 2009 Balloon Manor Deflate!

Larry Moss

Sally became intrigued with this self-proclaimed “airigamist” while still a reporter for R News, and became his publicist in 2006.  A world-renowned balloon artist, Larry attracted even more acclaim after Sally's efforts earned him an international AP story, multiple CNN Headline appearances, a PBS feature, an appearance on the Martha Stewart Show and national network TV news coverage.  Larry is always up to something incredible.

Rochester Indie Fest

Rochester music icon Ned Corman was a major catalyst in the creation of the Rochester International Jazz Festival.  In 2008, he and entrepreneur and music lover, George Daddis, and music producer and manager, Steven Gates started the first Rochester Independent Music Festival.  The three Rochester natives felt that Sally would be the perfect match to publicize the first RiF, which took place on Friday, Oct. 4, 2008 at the Water Street Music Hall.  One night will be three in 2009 (Oct. 1, 2 & 3, and Sally has been asked to act as publicist once again.

ArtWalk Tile

Owners Donna and Joe Ventura have created Rochester's most creative tile showroom imaginable --.ever-changing and always inspiring.  They've also attracted some very high-profile national clients and projects, and have hired Sally to get the word out locally.  Don't miss ArtWalk Tile's free open house called "Explore the Possibilites" on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (28 Atlantic Avenue, 14607).  Browse the "gallery," enjoy refreshments and hear lead designer Bruce MacWhorter talk about "Beyond-the-Box Backsplashes." 

07/20/09 - ArtWalk Tile a success on two levels

MuCCC Multi-Use Community Cultural Center

When retired ARTWalk founder Doug Rice decided to launch his latest project called MuCCC, he contacted Sally.  MuCCC (pronounced "muck") – may not sound like a dream come true, but what it stands for certainly is:  Multi-Use Community Cultural Center.   MuCCC will provide community groups with a turn-key, handicapped-accessible performing space with the flexibility (due to a moveable stage) to seat audiences up to 175.  The 4,000-square-foot space will include a lobby, concessions area, lounge, balcony, offices, seating (recycled pews), updated restrooms, a dressing room and its own parking lot (across the street), as well as built-in lighting and sound systems.  It opens Saturday, March 14 after a press conference and VIP preview event on Friday the 13th.    

 

02/23/09 - Historic Church Answers Arts Groups' Prayers

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, A Musical Play

Producer Lori Bajorek contacted Sally just four months before a one-night-only performance of her Broadway-bound musical at Eastman Theatre on October 21st, 2008.   Sally was key in creating a buzz about the show, written by Rochester's own Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda Jacobs, that that would fill the 3,000-seat house.  Starting with coordinating the kick-off press conference at Max of Eastman Place, Sally worked tirelessly to create media opportunities at every turn, bringing website and photography support to the table as well.  Lori is now working to secure the rest of the funding needed to realize the show's targeted Broadway opening in the Spring 2010.

250 South

Architects Mark Pandolf and Chris Lopez of PLAN Architectural Studio, PC first hired Sally in 2007 to publicize their plans to renovate an empty building at 250 South Avenue into an artistic multi-use space.  When it was time to promote the rental of the stunning loft apartments and office spaces in 2008, they again hired Sally, who created significant media attention leading up to and including the official ribbon-cutting with Mayor Duffy on December 3, 2008. 

06/16/09 - Boutique Firm Wins Big  at Design Awards

Rochester International Jazz Festival

RIJF 2005 was Sally's very first PR client, thanks to Jean Dalmath of Dalmath Associates – the festival’s PR & marketing maven. Jean has re-hired Sally every year since to help her with the overwhelming amount of media requests that come in during the fest.  Being a jazz fan, Sally loves the front-row seat.

Larijames Salon & Spa

Owner Larry Alati has a much-deserved reputation as both a talented hair stylist (the only Paul Mitchell Master Associate in NYS) and a generous human being.  Sally helps to promote his Make-over Mondays, every dime of which goes to Camp Good Days' Women's Oncology Programs. 

Cherry Crush

Post Central Entertainment hired Sally at various times in 2005, ‘06 and ‘07 to handle publicity for this feature film, which was shot and produced entirely in Rochester. The “teen film noir” stars some big names, and is making money with national and international DVD sales.  Not only did Sally handle local PR during its production, world premiere and distribution, but she also made a brief cameo in the film as a TV news reporter.

Prime Time Funk

Sally helps out  this incredibly talented band whenever she can, especially since its drummer and co-leader, Dave Cohen, is her husband of almost 35 years.  The ten-piece horn band’s debut CD was co-produced by RPO Principal Pops Conductor and Grammy Award-winner Jeff Tyzik.   The guys are currently recording a follow-up CD.

Connie Deming

As a former singer/songwriter, Sally tends to be very picky about the genre and says that Connie is the real deal.  She asked Sally to help promote her book, called The Thing That Heals You:  Gifts from a Wondrous Autistic Son and her CD, Flights of Fancy, in September of 2007.   Sally created a booksigning/concert event at Writers & Books, which was a successful tie-in to Connie's WXXI Onstage broadcast. 

Gallery at RE/MAX Gold

Sadly, the Gallery at RE/MAX Gold closed in March of 2008.  Sally suggested to broker Joseph Rinaudo (now with RE/MAX Plus) that he create a gallery in his beautiful 4,000-square-foot space in the Neighborhood of the Arts for publicity purposes.  It worked like a charm, and was also much appreciated by the artists who were featured during its one-and-a-half years:  Chas Davis, Ron and Kurt Ketchum, Chris Lyon and David Cowles, and Mark Groaning.  

Nazareth College Arts Center

Sally filled in as Nazareth College Arts Center’s PR & Marketing Director during the fall and winter of 2006, promoting six shows while the College searched for a permanent director.

 

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

The RPO hired Sally to promote its 2006 Symphony Showhouse in Fairport, NY, which coordinated with its first-ever Symphony on the Erie.  The floating concert featured the RPO performing aboard a canal barge during Fairport’s Canal Days.  In addition, Canadian artist Eric Waugh created a “live” painting of the orchestra – a unique event for which Sally was able to drum up wonderful local attention as well as coverage on CNN Headline News.

Eastman School of Music

For approximately seven months during 2005-2006, Sally was the Eastman School of Music’s Interim PR Director.  Working closely with ESM’s national publicist, Amy Blum (who is now PR Director for the RPO), the duo was able to attract unprecedented local, national and international press coverage for the School’s historic installation of an Italian Baroque organ in the Memorial Art Gallery.