In Our Backyard
Riverspace Arts Center a New Presence in Community
There’s a phoenix rising in Nyack. Shaking off the dust of the now defunct Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center, Riverspace is a community-based performing arts center with a coherent strategy for the present, and ambitious plans for the future. The arts center is a joint effort between concerned citizens, and Friends of the Nyacks to ensure that high quality theater, music, film and dance have a presence in Rockland County. With one full-time employee (Managing Director, Dara Falco), a volunteer board of working professionals in the arts, a few techies, and a lot of smarts, Riverspace is tapping into an audience hungry for local live performance and quality entertainment.
“We want to benefit the entire county,” says Falco, when asked to sum up Riverspace’s mission. “Our goal is to make sure that we have something for everyone.” With that in mind, Artistic Directors Elliott Forrest and Darrell Larson have asked local professionals to curate for Riverspace. This means Matthew Seig of Rivertown Films presents the Wednesday Night at the Movies series, an intriguing mix of independent, foreign and studio films found nowhere else in the county. Jeffrey Friedberg, leader of the award-winning Bossy Frog Band, chooses family programming for the popular Milk and Cookies Playhouse on Saturday mornings. Manhattan School of Music faculty member, Richard Sussman, and jazz trombonist and composer, Matt Haviland, select local and nationally known jazz artists for intimate jam sessions in Riverspace’s 70-seat Café. Andy Krikun oversees a variety of musical events and collaborates with Joe D’Urso on a monthly songwriters series while Melanie Rock plans the SoundBites musical offerings, and Jenny Pirc designs programs for young musicians.
This array of talent and expertise means that just about anything presented at Riverspace is going to be good. And events are kept refreshingly affordable, ranging from $9 to $25, with some events free. Equally impressive, however, is Riverspace’s commitment to its diverse community. Programming is tailored to fit the wide range of ages, interests and tastes in Rockland County, and Riverspace co-produces some events with other local non-profits. Free tickets are provided to Rockland Family Shelter, and the local Head Start program. Rockland Arc, a local chapter of the national organization for disabled adults, gets in on the act with members volunteering to post flyers for upcoming events, and bake cookies for the Milk and Cookies Playhouse. This is grass roots activism at its best.
Riverspace currently leases the 585-seat space (a former movie theater) previously used by the Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center, but is working toward purchasing the site along with some neighboring properties. At a public meeting on March 3rd, the Board began an open dialogue with the community regarding future expansion. Based on feedback from that meeting, more specific plans will be presented in June. “We want to hear what people want before we proceed,” says Falco, demonstrating the wisdom and sensitivity underpinning Riverspace’s endeavors.
A thriving arts center smack in the middle of downtown Nyack is an extraordinary thing, and it’s happening – right here in our backyard. Check out their comprehensive website for upcoming events, as well as for volunteer opportunities.
Riverspace
119 Main Street
Nyack, NY 10960
(845) 348-1880
www.riverspace.org