Free kids arts program returns to Catskill in new space

CATSKILL―What's better for kids than a free concert and free food? Well, both, of course!

Farm to Fable, a free arts program bringing theater, music, food and yoga to Catskill kids, ages 5-12, begins its second season with a new location and two sessions: one in July and another in August.

The free concert a "fun-raiser" for kids and families on Sunday, June 7, beginning at 1 p.m. at Dutchman's Landing. On-site registration for Farm to Fable will be available there.

"This year, I'm so pleased to offer this program at Bridge Street Theatre which has the capacity to accommodate more children― as well as a stage for theater, as well as enough space for music and the practice of yoga," said Lex Grey, program director.

Grey, whose name probably sounds familiar, is the lead singer of Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers band, which performs locally, regionally and internationally. She is also a recent inductee into the New York Blues Hall of Fame.

"The program was created to address the needs of local children," Grey noted, adding it is intended as a continuation of the Greene County Council on the Art's (now CREATE) immensely popular Sprouts summer program, which she directed for several years.

"The idea for this program came one summer when we were playing a simple theater game at Sprouts," she explained. "We learned, through the game, that several of the young actors were hungry because they did not have ample access to food and were already coming to class at a disadvantage.”

"We want to feed our young performers and empower them to make healthy choices on and off the stage," she added.

Last summer's program was so popular that Grey realized she would need two sessions and more room.

Concert

The June 7 concert will feature award-winning family singer-songwriter Erin Lee Kelly and Friends, with stories, songs and special guests, performing on the Dutchman's Landing stage.

"Erin is a major singer-songwriter who has worked with youngsters for years," Grey said, noting that she produced Kelly's first album.

Kelly is artist-in-residence in inner-city schools in Harlem and the Bronx, teaching theater, songwriting and storytelling to at-risk youth.

Her recordings for children are recipients of the Children's Music Award, 2 ASCAP awards and the Family Choice Award.

"There will be tunes and tales and I'll be offering superhero yoga for youngsters," Grey said, adding she will also point out the health benefits of yoga during the event.

Grey is a 500-hour Kripalu-certified yoga instructor and also proprietor of Catskill Yoga Sanctuary, offering free community yoga weekly with all optional donations going to local food banks and charities.

Grey said she uses yoga-based programming to ground, inspire and empower both children and adults.

Farm to Fable programs

The five-day Farm to Fable program will launch Monday, July 20 to Friday, July 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bridge Street Theatre at 44 West Bridge Street.

The second five-day session will be held Monday, August 17 to Friday 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., also at Bridge Street Theatre.

Farm to Fable is funded completely by local organizations: Catskill Community Center, Create Council on the Arts, Cultivate Catskill, The Fortnightly Club of Catskill, Catskill Yoga Sanctuary, Price Chopper and Heart of Catskill Association.

For more information and links to register, find them on Facebook at Farm to Fable or email FarmtoFable@gmail.com.

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