EIGHTH STEP MOVING TO COHOES HALL
CHRIS STURGIS Staff writer
Cohoes The Eighth Step, a well-established Albany arts promoter that has
showcased politically oriented folk music for 33 years, is relocating to the
Cohoes Music Hall.
Eighth Step executive director Margie Rosenkranz said she will serve as executive artistic director of the music hall. Her salary will come from the arts organization, not the city. Her charge will be to fill the intimate and balconied hall with the songs and stories of folk artists.
Mayor John T. McDonald III said this effort to expand the performance schedule
in the 125-year-old former vaudeville house is intended to draw the acoustic
music lovers who patronize the Eighth Step from as far away as Canada and
western Massachusetts. The Eighth Step lost its home, the First Presbyterian
Church, 362 State St., Albany, in December when the church decided to use its
basement for its own programs. The Eighth Step refers to the number of steps
into that building.
``I'm very pleased and very excited about the potential of the music hall,'' McDonald said. ``It's a beautiful gem that adds to the beauty and allure of the city, and the potential will be maximized by Margie and the Eighth Step.''
The announcement fulfills a promise in February by McDonald to bring a nonprofit organization to book more entertainment at the music hall and revitalize downtown Cohoes. He's hoping the Eighth Step's established list of musicians and performers and their following will carry over to Cohoes, only a short drive north of Albany on Route 787.
The building at 58 Remsen St. is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rosenkranz promised at least one bill at the hall this year will include legendary folksinger Pete Seeger, 80.
The Eighth Step is bringing singer-songwriter Cathy Winter and performance artist Judy Trupin to perform at the music hall at 8 p.m. Sunday as part of the Hudson Mohawk Labor Celebration.
However, the Eighth Step is planning to make a big splash with its grand opening at the music hall in September, Rosenkranz said.
The group hopes to retain an Albany presence with occasional performances in the city. The last concert of this season will be held at Trinity United Methodist, 235 Lark St., on Saturday, May 6.
For More Information Contact:
Cohoes Caretakers, Inc.
P.O. Box 200 Cohoes, NY 12047
Tel: 518-235-4311
FAX: 518-235-3086
Email: b4cohoes@nycap.rr.com
