Summer at the Social Center - From the Director

laurie0485
Jul 14
3 min read

Updated: Aug 4

IT'S LAWN CONCERT TIME again at the Elizabethtown Social Center! Since 2015, our FREE lawn concerts have become an annual tradition in Elizabethtown on Tuesdays in July. The concerts are a great way to enjoy a night out with the kids - there's a playground they can escape to if they get restless. Special performances for kids start at 6p followed by bands for grown-ups at 7p. (See below for the line up or check out all our events here)

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Since 1939, we have been a central part of E'town's community. There's our well-loved and well-attended free afterschool Teen Rec program for Boquet Valley teens, our arts & cultural events - plus we host or sponsor many community interest groups.

We are building on the momentum started by former Executive Director, Arin Burdo, resulting in a near doubling of attendance. We are bringing a wider variety of arts and movement classes, fun one-off events, concerts, summer outdoor movies... We'll be purchasing a van by fall - so look for more trips to musical theater, group sporting adventures for both kids and adults (whitewater rafting!), nights out in Burlington...

SO... THINK OF US WHEN YOU WANT TO GET OUT, MEET PEOPLE & ENJOY THE ARTS without breaking the bank. It's easy to forget how great it is to be part of a "village" - to see old friends and make new ones.

YOUTH PROGRAMMING! We are especially excited to be bringing more programming for kids, thanks to grants from the J.M. McDonald Foundation, the Essex Community Arts Foundation and our very own local Aubuchon hardware and Champlain National Bank.

One example of youth programming happened on a cozy, rainy Saturday, where about 20 kids made beautiful mobiles, painted rocks and cooked a full lunch. Parents got to relax and chat with each other, while the kids made and served the lunch. Have you ever been served lunch by a proud 4 year old? Or watched a kind 8 year old teach a shy young child to make pie? It will certainly give you renewed faith in the younger generations.

DONATE HERE to help us keep up our goal of bringing people together around arts, culture and recreation - and of course keeping our Teen Rec program flourishing. Although we are fortunate to be able to run partially from the earnings from our endowment, 40% of our funding comes from outside sources like grants and personal donations. Thank you!

Donate to the Social Center

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE! Perhaps you'd like to offer a class or activity through the Center. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Executive Director Laurie House, Arts and Outreach Coordinator Emily Rascoe or Community & Teen Rec Coordinator Steve Walsh at 518 873-6408. Or email news@elizabethtownsocialcenter.org

Hope to see you at the Center!

Laurie

AND NOW FOR THE LAWN CONCERT SCHEDULE!

Tuesday July 15

6p Seagle Festival Children’s Opera “Monkey & Francine in the City of Tigers”

7p Adirondack Jazz Ensemble

Tuesday July 22

6p Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate (singing with interactive moments)

7p Giovanina Bucci (blues, roots and folk)

Tuesday July 29

6p Swing Dance Lessons taught by Chad and Gwen Vogel followed by…

7p A community swing dance to live music by Piotr Barcz Trio with Ralph Lane. Come dance or just listen.