Around Town with Amy Modesti

06/11/2026

https://aroundtownwithamymodesti.substack.com/p/its-ladies-day-at-the-horse-track

TROY, N.Y. - Now that the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is over, horse racing enthusiasts can go to the James Meader Little Theatre at Russell Sage College to watch Amanda Whittington’s 2005 play, “Ladies’ Day”.

“Ladies’ Day” focuses on the love and friendship of four friends and co-workers, Jan, Linda, Pearl, and Shelley as they head to Ladies Day at the races. While they have an unforgettable day, secrets are spilled and friendships are tested to their limits.

The play will feature Tara Huhn, Kitt LaPaix, Robin Leary, Ashley Schuliger, and Tobias Martin.

A free preview will occur TONIGHT, 6/11 at 7:30pm. Opening day will be held Friday, June 12 (7:30pm) and the play will run through June 19.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door or on Harbinger’s website.

Read more about “Ladies’ Day” on Around Town With Amy Modesti today!

Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to Around Town With Amy Modesti on SubStack to keep up on the latest news and support locally, independently-owned news media.

Thank you to Harbinger Theatre for having Around Town write the preview!

✒️: Article Preview by Amy Modesti

🎨: Poster Art by Marc Christopher

📸: Press photos by Andrew Elder of Best Frame Forward

Harbinger Theatre continues its fifth season with the Capital Region debut of Amanda Whittington’s Ladies’ Day, beginning June 12.

06/11/2026

TROY, N.Y. - With the 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival over, horse racing enthusiasts can head to the James Meader Little Theatre to watch Harbinger Theatre’s 20th Capital Region premiere of Amanda Whittington’s 2005 play, “Ladies’ Day”.

“Ladies’ Day” focuses on the love and friendship of four co-workers, Jan, Linda, Pearl, & Shelley as they head to Ladies Day at the horse races. While they have a fun time, secrets are spilled & friendships are tested to their limits. This play stars Tad’s Huhn, Kitt LaPaix, Robin Leary, Ashley Schuliger, and Tobias Martin.

“Ladies’ Day” will hold a free preview TONIGHT, June 11, beginning at 7:30pm, and it will officially open Friday, June 12 at 7:30pm. The play will run through June 19. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door or on Harbinger’s website. The James Meader Little Theatre is located at 65 1st Street, Troy, NY 12180.

Read more about “Ladies’ Day” on Around Town With Amy Modesti. Become a free or paid subscriber on SubStack to support Around Town with Amy Modesti and keep up on what’s happening in the scene.

🎨: Poster artwork by Marc Christopher. 📸: Press photo taken by Andrew Elder of Best Frame Forward Andrew Elder. ✒️: Preview Article written by Amy Modesti Amy Modesti

, , , , , Harbinger Theatre , Russell Sage College ,

05/24/2026

https://open.substack.com/pub/aroundtownwithamymodesti/p/theres-a-starman-waiting-in-the-sky?r=2u0jzr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

"There's a Starman waiting in the sky. He'd like to come and meet us, but he thinks he'd blow our minds."

Hudson Valley-based filmmaker and Academy Award-Nominated Director Robert Stone made an appearance at The Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) at RPI in Troy, NY Wednesday, April 29, 2026, to present a free screening of his 2025 documentary film, Starman.

Audience members were treated to a one-on-one Q & A session with Stone and RPI's Dean of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, William Gibbons.

Starman centers around the 50-year career of legendary NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Chief Engineer for Planetary Exploration, science fiction writer, and futurist, Bert "Gentry" Lee. Currently 84-years-old, Lee remains one of the prominent figures who represented NASA and its scientific achievements during the 20th Century.

Starman can be watched and rented on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. More information about the film and the event at EMPAC can be read directly on the Around Town with Amy Modesti SubStack website.

Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to Around Town With Amy Modesti on SubStack to support independently owned news media and to see what's happening in the area.

Thank you so much to Lauren Quan of APCO Worldwide for reaching out to me to cover this interesting event! Thank you also to Dana Bodine, William Gibbons, and Joanie Quinones from RPI for their kindness, hospitality, support, and assistance with Starman.

Thank you Robert Stone for coming to the Capital Region to discuss your documentary and for screening it at EMPAC!!

📷: All Press Photos taken by Amy L. Modesti
✏️: Article Written by Amy L. Modesti of Around Town with Amy Modesti

Academy Award-Nominated Filmmaker and Director, Robert Stone, held Q & A session at EMPAC to showcase and discuss his 2025 documentary, Starman.

05/22/2026

TROY, N.Y. - “There’s a Starman waiting in the sky. He’s like to come and meet us, but he thinks he’d blow our minds.” Hudson Valley-based filmmaker and Academy Award-Nominated Director Robert Stone was at The Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on Wednesday, April 29, to present a free screening of his 2025 documentary film, Starman. Members of the audience were treated to a one-on-one Q & A session with Stone and RPI’s Dean of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, William Gibbons. Starman centers around the 50-year career of legendary NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Chief Engineer for Planetary exploration, science fiction writer, and futurist, Bert “Gentry” Lee. At 84-years-old, Lee is one of the remaining prominent figures who represented NASA and its scientific impacts during the 20th Century. Starman can be watched and rented on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. More information about the film and the presentation at EMPAC can be read directly on the Around Town With Amy Modesti SubStack page. Thank you so much to Robert Stone for coming to Troy to talk about the film! Thank you so much to APCO Worldwide, as well as the staff at RPI & EMPAC for their kindness, hospitality, support, and opportunity to cover this interesting event! (📸: All press photos taken by Amy L. Modesti of ALM Fine Art & Photography and Around Town With Amy Modesti, 4/29/26) , , , , , .ndtownwithamymodesti , , , ,

05/22/2026

Additional photographs taken during the free screening of Robert Stone’s 2025 documentary film, “Starman”, held at EMPAC, RPI, in Troy, NY, Wednesday, April 29,2026.

📸: Photos taken by Amy L. Modesti of Around Town With Amy Modesti. ©️ Amy L. Modesti, 2026 (Photos taken with Apple IPhone 13 Pro)

05/22/2026

05/04/2026

Tuesday, April 14,2026, I photographed The Vegetable Project’s weekly event, “Garden Club”, at the Stephen and Harriet Meyers Middle School for the Albany-based organization.

Every Tuesday afternoon from 3-4pm, middle school students from the middle school work alongside volunteers and members of the Vegetable Project to grow their own food and produce at their school garden. Garden Club is ran by The Vegetable Project founder, Bill Stoneman.

Learn more about The Vegetable Project and how you can support them by going to https://www.vegetableproject.org .

📸: Photos taken by Amy L. Modesti/Around Town With Amy Modesti (using Apple IPhone 13 Pro). ©️ Amy L. Modesti,2026.

05/03/2026

https://aroundtownwithamymodesti.substack.com/p/preview-101-lessons-from-the-dugout

Yesterday, Saturday, May 2, I had the honor of meeting sports reporter, author, and college professor, Ken Davidoff, at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany, NY as part of his author talk and book tour for his debut book, “101 Lessons From The Dugout: What Baseball and Softball Can Teach Us About The Game of Life”.

Joining him yesterday at the author talk was Doug Gladstone.

Ken posed for selfies and signed purchased copies of the book. All of the “101 Lessons” books were sold out!!

If you missed Ken yesterday at The Book House, he will be going to the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, VT Saturday, May 16, at 6:00pm for another author talk.

To learn more about Ken & his debut book, please go to Around Town With Amy Modesti to read the story on SubStack, and view the additional book tour dates.

Consider becoming a paid or free subscriber to Around Town With Amy Modesti on SubStack to keep up on what’s happening and to view unique content.

Thank you again Ken and Doug for this opportunity to preview the book and author talk!!

✏️: Story by Amy L. Modesti

Major League Baseball Columnist, Sports Reporter, and Author Ken Davidoff to hold book conversation and Meet and Greet at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza May 2.