“Artwork has the power to challenge our perception of the world and music has the power to challenge our emotions,” said Adam Hart of Hastings. “Combining the two can create a narrative that can help you on your journey.”
Hart was talking as the producer of the 10-concert series “Live at the Upstream,” which premiered Sept. 24 and marked the return of live music to the artist-run cooperative gallery for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
The next performance will take place on Oct. 15, featuring electronic music composed for that evening by Steven Brent and Jon Hatch. The accompanying exhibitions will showcase the work of Phyllis Famiglietti of Boston and Nancy Nikkal of New Rochelle. Scheduled concerts through 2022 include jazz with guitarist Charlie Rhyner & Friends on Nov. 19, and jazz bassist John Lang and his trio performing “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on Dec. 17. The 2023 schedule will be announced at a later date. Brent and Lang are both Hastings residents; Hatch hails from Dobbs Ferry and Rhyner lives in Yonkers.
All performances start at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15 in advance; $20, cash only, at the door. Capacity is limited to 75.
RiverArts is co-presenting the series. Hart is also the producer of the annual RiverArts Music Tour and the song leader at Woodlands Community Temple in White Plains. He teaches guitar and vocals.
“Upstream Gallery is a major contributor to the vibrant Rivertowns arts community,” member artist Susan Richman said. “Pre-pandemic, the ‘Live at the Upstream’ concert series was a vital part of village life. It’s great to be able to offer our concert series again, especially in collaboration with RiverArts and Adam Hart. Something special happens when you combine visual artwork with the art of music.”
Hart was contacted by Richman and Mitch Goldberg, on behalf of Upstream, about producing the concert series. “Then it all came together when RiverArts joined as a co-presenter who could handle the email blasts, social media, and administration aspects in publicizing the event — plus raise the funding so the musicians could be paid,” Hart said.
“I’ve had a personal connection to Upstream since my family moved to the Rivertowns from Long Island in 1990,” he continued. “My father, Allen Hart, was an artist and a member of Upstream. After his death, my mother and I held a retrospective of his work there in 2014.”
Hart wanted the Upstream concert series to have a “unique concept” in which perceptions would be challenged. The musicians could compose their own scores.
“For this event, I’ve created an audio setup that takes the physical space into account,” Brent wrote to the Enterprise. “Depending on where you’re standing, or sitting, you may hear more or less of certain elements — so everyone will have a slightly different experience. The music itself draws from a desire to capture certain nostalgic or dreamy feelings without exploiting any obvious references to anything in particular. Sometimes the sounds will be soft and pleasant, sometimes harsh and annoying… sometimes both at the same time.”
Hatch emphasized that it was a pleasure, as a musician who lives in the area, to compose for the event.
“What a perfect venue for modular synthesizers,” he wrote in an email. “Since this performance will be in an art gallery and alongside an installation by two very talented artists, my main goal is to do right by the art. My second goal for the evening is for the audience to feel something as a result of the performance. Or better yet, to feel multiple ‘somethings’… what I mean by that is, as a listener my perceptions of the art around me may change throughout the night.
“For example, if I chose a piece of art to focus on throughout the night and the performance starts off with a relaxing vibe, that piece may reinforce the relaxing feeling I’m getting from the music,” Hatch continued. “As the night progresses, the music may change. There may be more aggression in the music. As a result, my perception of that same piece of art I started focusing on at the beginning of the performance may change as well. Maybe for better, maybe for worse… I guess we will see. Either way it will be a fun experiment that brings the audience into the performance, whether they realize it or not. I can’t wait.”
Josh Suniewick, RiverArts’ executive director, spoke of the organization’s relationship with Upstream and with Hart.
“Adam got the ball rolling and ‘Live at the Upstream’ helps RiverArts deliver on its mission to create community through the arts,” Suniewick said.
Upstream Gallery is at 8 Main Street in Hastings. For tickets, visit riverarts.org/event/live-at-the-upstream-oct/.
