Classical Youth Chamber Music Festival
2025-07-03 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Rome Art and Community Center, 308 West Bloomfield St., Rome, NY, 13440, United States
CYCMF is a FREE summer music program for band and orchestra students entering grades 8 through 12 in the fall of 2025 (recent high school graduates are also welcome!).
String players will meet from 5:30-7:30pm and Woodwind and Brass players will meet from 6:30-8:30 indoors and outdoors at the beautiful Rome Art & Community Center. Students will work in small chamber groups with the professional musicians and teachers of Alliance Classical Players toward a final concert for the community.
Although CYCMF is FREE to attend, STUDENTS MUST REGISTER BY JUNE 6, 2025. A link to the festival’s Google Registration Form is as follows: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSckf41X78m…/viewform…
Please contact ACP with any questions you may have!This project is made possible with grants from the Syracuse Sounds of Music Association and M&T Bank, and in-kind support from The Rome Art and Community Center.

Geller Scholarship Concerts Presents: A PREformance by the Blackwood Clarinet Quartet
2025-07-07 18:30 - 20:30
Geller Scholarship Concerts Presents: A PREformance by the Blackwood Clarinet Quartet
📅 Monday, July, 7 | 6:30 PM
📍 Rome Art and Community Center | Part of the Monday Night Music Series
Join us for an evening of exceptional chamber music as the Blackwood Clarinet Quartet takes the stage for the second Geller Scholarship “PREformance” of the year. This special concert features four accomplished clarinetists — Jeff Geller, Lisa Bellino, Kay Sutka, and Joe Mariany — whose collective experience spans elite conservatories, global performances, military bands, and symphony orchestras.
This event honors the legacy of Herb Geller, whose influence lives on through the talents of his son Jeff and through the Herb Geller Memorial Scholarships, which support graduating seniors from VVS and RFA pursuing music degrees.
Admission is free – voluntary donations will be gratefully accepted to benefit the Geller Scholarship Fund.

In Motion | Art Exhibit Opening Reception
2025-07-10 18:00 - 20:00
Artists of all media and experience levels have submitted work for In Motion Art Exhibit.

Whether expressed through brushstroke, composition, subject, or symbolism, movement is everywhere in art.

This exhibition encourages artists to interpret and reflect on motion in creative and imaginative ways.

Join us for an opening reception on Thursday, July 10th, with many artists in attendance.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE | Simple Essence: A Black-and-White Photography Exhibition
2025-07-11 08:00 - 17:00
Simple Essence: A Black-and-White Photography Exhibition

Explore the beauty of minimalism through the lens of monochrome photography. The Rome Art and Community Center (RACC) invites artists of all experience levels to participate in “Simple Essence,” a free, non-juried, salon-style exhibition dedicated exclusively to black-and-white photography.
This show celebrates the timeless elegance and raw emotion found in the absence of color, focusing on light, shadow, contrast, and form. Artists are encouraged to submit up to four pieces that capture the essence of their subjects through black-and-white imagery.
Submission Deadline: Friday, July 11, 2025
Exhibition Dates: August 7 – August 29
Opening Reception: Thursday, August 7 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Submission Email: executivedirector@romeart.org
Artwork must be submitted electronically by the deadline. All accepted work must be ready for hanging and delivered between July 28 and August 1.
Call (315) 336-1040 for more information. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your vision through the powerful simplicity of black and white.

Reyna & The Rustics and 11 Strings | Bluegrass
2025-07-14 18:00 - 20:00
Reyna & The Rustics and 11 Strings!
Join us for an evening of bluegrass music at the Rome Art and Community Center. This double bill concert features Reyna & The Rustics and 11 Strings, two upstate NY Bluegrass bands putting their own personal flair to bluegrass!
Reyna & The Rustics deliver a toe-tapping mix of original tunes, bluegrass, country, and blues with distinctive vocals, solid harmonies, a unique blend of instruments and down home flavor. The trio formed in 2021 with Reyna Stagnaro (tenor guitar, mandolin), John Crespi (guitar, harmonica), and Steve Skollar (mandolin). They have been performing regularly in Central New York with wide appeal. Friends for decades, their camaraderie and tight musicianship shines through with a signature mix of Reyna’s originals, unique covers, and instrumentals. Songs from hill and holler; entertainment and enjoyment guaranteed from this lively group!
11 Strings began as a college duo nearly two decades ago when husband and wife Cody and Shayla Witherell first started playing music together. Over the years, their passion for bluegrass grew, and they recently expanded their sound with the addition of Mike Cook on upright bass, officially making 11 Strings a trio. Though now technically 15 Strings, they’re keeping the original name! The band specializes in traditional bluegrass favorites that resonate with audiences of all ages, lead female singing, skilled instrumentation, and an infectious energy that keeps toes tapping. Drawing inspiration from bluegrass legends and their own musical journeys, 11 Strings brings a heartfelt, authentic approach to the genre.
The concert begins at 6:30 with Reyna & The Rustics, 11 Strings to follow.
Admission is free. Refreshments available for a donation.

A Celebration of Life Concert featuring Alliance Classical Players Quintet
2025-07-18 16:00 - 18:00
Join us at the RACC, Friday, July 18th, for a Celebration of Life Concert in memory of Georgeanna Howanietz.
This free admission concert is featuring the Alliance Classical Players Quintet.
Stop in anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 PM for music and light refreshments.

Adam Brooks in Concert
2025-07-21 18:00 - 19:30
Live at RACC: Adam Brooks
Join us for an unforgettable evening with Adam Brooks, an award-winning recording artist, performing songwriter, and accomplished guitarist. Known for his soulful blend of blues, folk, and rock, Adam performs a mix of original songs and covers by iconic artists such as the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, Kacey Musgraves, John Prine, and more.
With over 30 years of performance experience—from Ohio clubs to Nashville tours—Adam brings raw passion and infectious grooves to every stage. Whether performing solo with his acoustic guitar or rocking out with his full band, Adam’s shows are heartfelt, powerful, and always memorable.
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
$5 donation at the door.

Americana Paint & Sip
2025-07-22 18:00 - 20:00
Celebrate Honor America Days with the Rome Art and Community Center!
Join us for a patriotic-themed summer Paint and Sip, Tuesday, July 22nd, from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Enjoy a delightful evening of creativity, relaxation, and socializing, all while enjoying snacks and drinks.

Cost: $40 for RACC Members, $45 for Non-Members

Register Here

Andrea Grellman-Smith will be leading the class. With over a decade of experience teaching and designing paintings for classes like these, she makes it easy for anyone to create a beautiful work of art!

Biography
Andrea Grellman-Smith is a painter who has focused her art on landscapes, portraits of people, and pets, created in oil, acrylic, and watercolor. She is a graduate of SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art. After graduation, she worked as an instructor at Painting With A Twist, teaching people how to paint with acrylics. She also worked with Painting With A Twist Corporate as a design artist to create new art for all the franchises nationally. Recently relocated to the Rome, NY area, Andrea has set up her studio and is currently taking commissions and teaching privately.

Jazz Concert Series | COLLAGE JAZZ
2025-07-28 18:30 - 20:30
Jazz Concert and Jam 6:30 PM to 8:30PM fourth Monday of each month.
July 28 – Smooth
Highlights from great musicians of the smooth jazz era like Grover Washington, Jr., David Sanborn, Chuck Loeb, and more are featured on this concert. This project is made possible through the CNY Arts Grants for Regional Arts and Cultural Engagement regrant program administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.

Doors open and 6
Concert at 6:30

Free Admission (A suggested $5 donation at door to support the Rome Art and Community Center)
Beer and wine available for a donation.

Piano Thursdays | Alliance Classical Players
2025-07-31 19:00 - 20:30
Join us for a night of music featuring Alliance Classical Players and showcasing Sar Shalom-Strong.
Free Admission.
Beer and Wine are available for a donation.

These Thursday Piano concerts are supported by generous donations from the Syracuse Sounds of Music Association, Inc., The Sears Family Foundation, and The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.

Music, Stories, and Art - Anansi the Spider
2025-08-02 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for a morning of lively music, a narrated retelling of Anansi the Spider, a lively West African folktale, and a fun art project.
These mornings of art are open to the public and FREE!!
These fun summer morning events are designed for preschool to early elementary-age children and families.
Music will be performed by husband-and-wife duo Karl and Kristin Kelly Hahn.
Each concert starts at 10:00 am and will last thirty minutes and includes a narrated story with music. The concerts are followed by an art project at 10:30 am led by RACC’s instructors.

Maybe Sunday @ the RACC
2025-08-04 18:00 - 21:00
Join us at the RACC, Monday, August 4th @6:30 PM for Maybe Sunday!
Free Admission.
Beer and wine available for a donation.
Biography:
Maybe Sunday is a rock band out of Rome, New York. Formed in 2018, originally a quintet consisting of Bryan Honeywell (lead guitar/vocals), Bruce Flanders (guitar/vocals), Duane Womack (bass), Jim Grogan (drums) and Julie Grogan (keys/vocals). The band got to work writing songs, 4 of which would be included on the 2020 EP release…Above the Trees.
On the cusp of recording their follow up LP, Bruce unexpectedly had to leave the band. Shortly thereafter, Duane left as well. In August of 2023, Nick Mellace (bass/vocals) joined Maybe Sunday.
Maybe Sunday has been influenced by Classic Rock, Blues, Punk, Prog, Alt Rock and Psychedelic genres creating a rhythmic sway of melodies.
On the same day Maybe Sunday released their latest EP Tabula Rasa, they were awarded top prize for their performance at the Kirkland Arts Center local original music showcase.
The Tabula Rasa EP was also nominated for a SAMMY (Syracuse Area Music Award) for best Rock recording. With new music in the bank, expect more releases from Maybe Sunday in 2025.

Simple Essence | Art Exhibit Opening Reception
2025-08-07 18:00 - 20:00
Join us at the RACC for the “Simple Essence” Opening Reception!
Thursdays, August 7th | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
“Simple Essence” is a free, non-juried, salon-style exhibition dedicated exclusively to black-and-white photography.
This show celebrates the timeless elegance and raw emotion found in the absence of color, focusing on light, shadow, contrast, and form.
Exhibition Dates: August 7 – August 29

SUBMISSION DEADLINE | Mixed Up: A Group Exhibition Exploring Mixed-Media and Collage Artwork
2025-08-08 08:00 - 17:00
Mixed Up is a free, open-call, non-juried, salon-style group exhibition open to Mixed-Media and Collage artwork. Artists are encouraged to explore the reaches of mixed media and collage through the use of a variety of materials and subject matter.
Submit artwork to executivedirector@romeart.org by Friday, August 8th, 2025.
Due to a priority on diversity of artists, please limit artwork to 4 pieces.

Exhibition Dates
September 4 to September 26
Opening Reception
Thursday, September 4
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Artwork must be submitted electronically by the deadline. All accepted work must be ready for hanging and delivered between August 25 and August 29.
Please email executivedirector@romeart.org or call (315) 336-1040 with any questions.

Dinner & A Show with Opus Black Strings
2025-08-08 18:00 - 20:30
Join us for a fun evening of Music, Food, and Wine featuring Opus Black Strings on Friday, August 8th.

Dinner is catered by Delta Lake Inn at 6:00 pm, followed by a performance by Opus Black at 7:00 pm .
Dinner includes entrée, sides, salad, dessert, a glass of wine, and other included beverages.

Tickets: Dinner $45 for members and $50 for non-members
Performance-only tickets $20
BUY TICKETS HERE
Kris-Tech Wire Co. and The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties sponsor the Dinner and Show Series

The Summit Park Rangers with The Ingersolls | Bluegrass
2025-08-11 18:30 - 20:00
Join us at the RACC for The Summit Park Rangers with The Ingersolls!
Monday, August 11th at 6:30 PM
Free Admission.
Refreshments available for a donation.
Biography:
Summit Park Rangers –
Summit Park Rangers are a duo featuring Mark Zappavigna on Vocals, Guitar, and Dobro and Bill Fahy on Banjo, Mandolin, and Dobro. They bring together the sounds of Bluegrass, Classic Rock, and Americana.
The Ingersolls –
Jeff and Liz Ingersoll started making music together late in 2022 and have been exhilarating audiences throughout the east coast ever since. Though each of them have a unique set of varied influences, they find common ground in singer/songwriter, folk and American genres of music. The two wield a beautiful folk-grass sound. They have moments of harmonic beauty and fire through bluegrass standards while blending the accompaniment of fiddle and guitar. A foot-stomping good time with respect to traditional roots.

Piano Thursdays | Alliance Classical Players
2025-08-14 19:00 - 20:30
Join us for a night of music featuring Alliance Classical Players and showcasing Robbie Padilla.
Free Admission.
Beer and Wine are available for a donation.

These Thursday Piano concerts are supported by generous donations from the Syracuse Sounds of Music Association, Inc., The Sears Family Foundation, and The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.

Jess Novak | Performance & Songwriting Workshop
2025-08-18 18:30 - 20:30
Join us for a Songwriting Workshop and Performance with Jess Novak at the Rome Art and Community Center.

Workshop at 4:00 PM – sponsored by the Mohawk Valley Bluegrass Association.
$30 for MVBGA and RACC members, $40 for nonmembers.
Reserve your spot at mvbga2002@gmail.com, pay fee at https://paypal.me/mvbga.
Must pre-register to attend. Workshop limited to 12 attendees.

Concert at 6:30 PM – Admission is free. Refreshments available for a donation.
Biography: Jess Novak is a triple threat singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist. With a shredding electric fiddle, powerful vocals and captivating songs, Novak is a force in any formation: solo, duo or band. Having touched audiences across the country – from Burlington, VT to Key West, FL to San Diego, CA – Novak plays more than 150 shows every year and has released 13 original albums, and a book, to date.

Movie Night at the RACC
2025-08-19 19:30 - 21:30
Join us at the RACC, Tuesday, August 19th, for a free outdoor movie night brought to you by the City of Rome!
Movie starts at sundown.

Piano Thursdays | Alliance Classical Players
2025-08-21 19:00 - 20:30
Join us for a night of music featuring Alliance Classical Players and showcasing John Krause.
Free Admission.
Beer and Wine are available for a donation.

These Thursday Piano concerts are supported by generous donations from the Syracuse Sounds of Music Association, Inc., The Sears Family Foundation, and The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.

The Country Gentlemen Show at the RACC
2025-08-22 18:30 - 20:30
Join us for an evening of bluegrass with The Country Gentlemen Show!
Friday, August 22nd at 6:30 PM.
Outside on the RACC lawn. Weather pending.
Free Admission.

Biography:
Few names in the bluegrass world are as celebrated as The
Country Gentlemen. Their harmonious blend of traditional and
contemporary styles have made a lasting impact on the genre.
Today The Country Gentlemen Show, composed of talented
musicians, carries the legacy of honoring the original band’s
music and spirit.
This band is not just a cover band; they are a tribute in the
truest sense. They don’t merely replicate the songs; they breathe
new life into them. With members like Mike Phipps on vocals and
guitar, Lynwood Lunsford on banjo and vocals, Darren Beachley
on Resophonic Guitar and vocals, Wayne Lanham on Mandolin,
Fiddle and vocals and Eric Marshall on bass and vocals the band
brings a wealth of experience and passion to the stage.

Geller Scholarship Concerts Presents: A PREformance by Paris Hill
2025-08-24 15:00 - 16:30
Join us for a Geller Scholarship “PREformance” with Paris Hill.
Sunday, August 24th | 3:00 PM
This event honors the legacy of Herb Geller, whose influence lives on through the talents of his son Jeff and through the Herb Geller Memorial Scholarships, which support graduating seniors from VVS and RFA pursuing music degrees.
Admission is free – voluntary donations will be gratefully accepted to benefit the Geller Scholarship Fund.

Paris Hill Biography:
Trumpet – Brian Picente is the principal trumpet of the Paris Hill Brass Quintet. Brian is a former band director and runs a private music studio out of his home. As an active community musician, Brian can also be seen performing with La Banda Rossa, the Floyd Community Instrumental Ensemble, the New Hartford Citizens Band, and many other local performing groups.
Trumpet – Henryk Lotyczewski grew up in Palmyra. NY., earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia and a Master’s Music Education from Nazareth College. For the past 20 years Henryk has been an Instrumental Music Teacher at the Sauquoit Valley Central School District in Sauquoit, NY., where his responsibilities include instrumental and general music in grades 5-8, and the Sauquoit Jazz Band. As a trumpet and French horn player, Henryk plays in the Paris Hill Brass Quintet and plays in musical pit orchestras throughout the year. Henryk interests include baseball, outdoor activities, and spending time with his wife, Jessica and dog, Carl in Sauquoit.
French Horn – Robert Verkuyl – Originally trained in classical performance in Los Angeles, hornist Robert Verkuyl has developed a versatile repertoire that spans orchestral and chamber literature, in classical as well as pop genres. Bob has extensive symphonic experience, with such esteemed conductors as Michael Tilson Thomas and Maurice Abravanel. He also played in the main showrooms of casinos in Reno and Lake Tahoe, supporting headliners Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Sammy Davis Jr., Rosemary Clooney and many others. His wind ensemble experience includes the Columbia Brass Band, performing 19th-century military and park music in the gold rush country of Northern California. In addition to his performance career, Bob enjoys his opportunities to teach and coach brass ensembles. A founding member of the Paris Hill Brass Quintet, Bob has enjoyed playing in a brass quintet everywhere he’s landed.
Trombone – Richard China is the Band Director and Middle School Drama Club Director at Clinton Central School District in Oneida County, where he has taught for the past 10 years. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Education from The College of Saint Rose. An active trombonist, he performs in local pit orchestras, concert bands, and marching bands. He’s also involved with Rome Community Theatre and the Rome Capitol Theatre as both a musician and actor.
Tuba – Dana Jerrard’s first instrument was trombone, but for the past 30 years he has performed as a Dixieland tuba player for groups such as The Clef Dwellers, North Country Preservation Jazz Band and the Gutbucket Five. As a trombonist, he has played a wide range of musical styles, from the horn band sound of Soul Injection, to the big band sound of the Stage Music Big Band, the classical repertoire of the Utica Symphony, and musical pit orchestras for area shows and touring productions.

Jazz Concert Series | COLLAGE JAZZ
2025-08-25 18:30 - 20:30
Jazz Concert and Jam 6:30 PM to 8:30PM forth Monday of each month.
August 25 – Reflections
Collage will present two great sets of favorites tunes from throughout the summer. A special guest or two may also appear! Join us in the gardens at Rome Art and Community Center for a jazzy send off to summer 2025.

Doors open and 6
Concert at 6:30

Free Admission (A suggested $5 donation at door to support the Rome Art and Community Center)
Beer and wine available for a donation.

Welcoming Fall Paint & Sip
2025-08-26 18:00 - 20:00
Fall is right around the corner!
Join us for a Sip and Paint event on Tuesday, August 26, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
We will be creating a welcome fall painting to decorate your home or give as a gift!
Get into the mood with a bit of fun, wine, and painting! Join us for a delightful evening of creativity, relaxation, and socializing, all while enjoying snacks and drinks.
$40 for RACC Members, $45 for non-members.
Register Here

Andrea Grellman-Smith will be leading the class. With over a decade of experience teaching and designing paintings for classes like these, she makes it easy for anyone to create a beautiful work of art!

Biography
Andrea Grellman-Smith is a painter who has focused her art on landscapes, portraits of people, and pets, created in oil, acrylic, and watercolor. She is a graduate of SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art. After graduation, she worked as an instructor at Painting With A Twist, teaching people how to paint with acrylics. She also worked with Painting With A Twist Corporate as a design artist to create new art for all the franchises nationally. Recently relocated to the Rome, NY area, Andrea has set up her studio and is currently taking commissions and teaching privately.

An Opera Recital Featuring Mariah Taylor
2025-08-31 17:00 - 18:00
Join us at the RACC for a voice recital by soprano Mariah Taylor, including a variety of selections including those of Italian, French, German and American composers.
Free Admission. Donations accepted to benefit the artist.
Biography:
Ms. Taylor graduated this past May with a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo, where she majored in math and music. She is a Rome native and member of the RFA class of 2021. Mariah Taylor recently returned from a five-week intensive opera program in Villefranche De Rouergue, France, where she sang and acted in the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet, and performed in local recitals and concerts. She noted, “my experience in France solidified my love for opera music and my intent to pursue music professionally. I’m so excited to continue this journey and especially to share my upcoming performance, as I plan the next steps in my singing career!”

Mixed Up | Art Exhibit Opening Reception
2025-09-04 18:00 - 20:00
Join us at the RACC for the “Mixed Up” Opening Reception!
Thursday, September 4th | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
“Mixed Up” is a free, open-call, non-juried, salon-style group exhibition open to Mixed-Media and Collage artwork. Artists are encouraged to explore the reaches of mixed media and collage through the use of a variety of materials and subject matter.
Exhibition Dates: September 4 – September 26

Women and War - A DramaSphere Theatrical Production - | 2 Performances
2025-09-05 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-09-06 14:00 - 16:00
DramaSphere Theatrical Production of Staged Reading Women and War at the RACC.
Written by Jack Hilton Cunningham. Directed by Suzanne Murdock Rodio.
Friday, September 5 @ 7:00 PM | Saturday, September 6 @ 2:00 PM
$10 Admission | $5 w/Military ID
Purchase Tickets Here

Music, Stories, and Art – It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
2025-09-06 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for a morning of lively music, a narrated retelling of It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, a holiday classic, and a fun art project.
These mornings of art are open to the public and FREE!!
These fun summer morning events are designed for preschool to early elementary-age children and families.
Music will be performed by the Jewel Wind Trio: Jan Bookhout, oboe; Colleen O’Neil, clarinet; and Judy Marchione, bassoon.
Each concert starts at 10:00 am and will last thirty minutes and includes a narrated story with music. The concerts are followed by an art project at 10:30 am led by RACC’s instructors.

Pocket Change @ the RACC
2025-09-08 18:30 - 20:30
Join us at the RACC for Pocket Change!
Monday, September 8th at 6:30 PM
$5 Donation at the Door.
Refreshments available for a donation.
Biography:
Pocket Change is a bluegrass, blues, folk, americana and roots music band from Central NY.
