Maria Zemantauski, a classical/flamenco guitarist who serves as the college’s Cultural Affairs Coordinator, is one of more than 175 musicians, ensembles, club owners, sound technicians, educators, journalists and photographers to be nominated for an inaugural Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Award.
Zemantauski, who also teaches Music In World Cultures offered online by the Department of Fine Arts, Theatre Arts and Digital Media, is nominated for International/World Music Artist of the Year. Taina Asili of La Banda Rebelde, Golfstrom, Jorge Gomez — Tiempo Libre Heard, and Alex Torres and his Latin Orchestra are vying for the same award.
More than 60 judges drawn from the region’s music industry will review material submitted by the nominees in 34 categories. The “Eddie” awards, presented by The Collaborative magazine and Capital Records Live!, will be announced on Sunday, April 14 at Proctors in Schenectady. The 6 p.m. ceremony will include inductions into the Eddies New York Music Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement and arts education/community impact, as well as People’s Choice awards for “artist of the year” and “concert of the year.”
The mission of the Cultural Affairs Program is to offer multicultural and diverse programs to the campus and community-at-large to complement the educational experience and to foster an appreciation for and enjoyment of the arts.
Since joining the college staff in 2004, Zemantauski has booked more than 300 performances and programs — featuring both local and national artists, including an annual theater residency with the Lenox, MA-based Shakespeare & Company that just celebrated its 10th year Feb. 18-22 with two, free performances. The Cultural Affairs Program often collaborates with the English Department to bring prominent authors to campus, such as Jamaica Kincaid who will be here on Friday, April 12 at 11 a.m. in the Maureen Stapleton Theatre.
Published: Wed, 27 Feb 2019 13:29:16 +0000 by d.gardner