Jonathan Newell prepares for an acoustic performance on the restored 1904 George Steck and Co. piano at Hudson River Music Hall.
By Pamela Fisher
Since hosting its first show in December 2010, the Hudson River Music Hall has grown exponentially. In a short period of the time, the nonprofit organization and concert venue has hosted a wide array of performers including local singers and songwriters to Grammy nominated musicians. The organization recently purchased the historic Bell Telephone Company Building, located at 10 Maple St. in downtown Hudson Falls. On the outside, the building stands without much fanfare; inside, however, the space boasts of works and events of a thriving arts community.
“This is community space,” said Jonathan Newell, musician, composer, and executive director of the Hudson River Music Hall. “We are supporting local artists of all musical genres and the music economy.”
In the concert hall (which can be rented by community members for private parties), a restored 1904 George Steck and Co. piano stands in front of a lit stage. The stage has already hosted a wide array of artists including acclaimed musicians from The Band, Van Morrison and The Rustic Overtones. The walls of the hall serve as gallery space, featuring paintings from local artists that are rotated every six to eight weeks. Adjacent to the hall is a large room being painted by volunteers that will serve as the venue’s Black Box Theatre to host film and theatrical productions of all kinds for all ages. Upstairs, a spacious studio, home of the Adirondack Repertory Dance Theater Annex, awaits dance students and yoga enthusiasts.
“We love when people say they can’t believe this is happening in Hudson Falls,” Newell said with a smile. He stated that the venue has also seen an influx of talented musicians and singers from New York City who enjoy the convenience of the train ride from Grand Central Station to nearby Fort Edward.
Newell, a Hudson Falls native, decided to bring the Hudson River Music Hall to the village because of the great spirit and potential that downtown offers. He acknowledged the area’s beautiful park systems, noting that the popular BeatlesFest, held Summer 2011 in the village’s Derby Park, was the most attended event for the music hall so far. Newell anticipates hosting more events throughout outdoor spaces in the region, as well as partnering with other nonprofit agencies to promote awareness and raise funds. Newell also spoke positively of other revitalization efforts in Hudson Falls such as the upcoming grant-funded construction of new sidewalks and streets, the development of new restaurant Gavel Grille in the Washington Country Court House building, and developer Peter Hoffman’s plans to restore buildings on Main and Maple Streets.
“We have beautiful, historical spaces,” said Newell, “And the community can really come together through the arts.”
In addition to recently purchasing the Bell Telephone Company Building for its home, the Hudson River Music Hall has further plans for a bright future. The organization is attempting to purchase the former Strand Theater, currently housing the Kingsbury town offices. The building features a 1920s-era theater with a 700-seat capacity. Newell, who is working with a group of artists in Hudson Falls, as well as members of the Duke Ellington Society from New York City, hopes to restore the theater space to a performing arts venue.
“I’m hoping for the purchase to be final by Fall,” Newell said.
In the meantime, Newell is keeping busy. In addition to regularly performing with his popular classic rock band, The Jonathan Newell Band, he commutes weekly to teach at Manhattan’s Diller-Quaile School of Music, and gives private guitar and piano lessons to students in their homes and at the music hall. With the help of many “unbelievable volunteers,” he continues to oversee preparations and planning for future music hall events. Upcoming performances include “An Old Fashioned Radio Show” performed by the Hudson River Shakespeare Company on June 9th, and a Led Zepplin tribute scheduled for June 23rd, among others. Open mike nights are held every Friday and continue to grow in popularity, while musical showcases are scheduled every eight weeks.
“These are great networking events,” explained Newell. “They create opportunity for musicians to be entrepreneurs.”
The Hudson River Music Hall is also planning for its grand opening and ribbon cutting to be held at 10 Maple St. on June 2nd from 2:00-11:00PM. The event is open to the public and will feature music all day as well as a barbeque from 3:00-6:00 PM.
For more information about events and activities at the Hudson River Music Hall, visit the organization’s website at www.HudsonRiverMusicHall.com. Events are also listed through the organization’s Facebook page.