Pop Up Beer Garden at Opalka Returns in September
ALBANY — After a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic, Opalka Gallery announced the return of its popular Pop-Up Beer Garden, launched in 2019. This year, there will be three fun-filled Friday nights in September kicking off on the 10th. Each week will feature two musical guests, two breweries, and local food trucks. Inside the gallery, the 2021 Mohawk Hudson Regional Exhibition will be on view. To extend the reach of the event, this year Opalka Gallery has partnered with the Russell Sage College Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the Alliance for the Creative Economy (ACE).
ACE representative and Beer Garden event planner, Corey Aldrich from 2440 Design Studio, booked the vendors and musicians for the events. Says Aldrich, “After a long year lacking in live music, it was a privilege to be asked to book shows for these live events. The acts we chose span from a solo singer/songwriter to rockabilly to art-forward musical performance and DJ’s. The goal was to create a fun, energetic environment that is welcoming to all who attend and encourages visitors to come and see the awesome exhibition on view in the gallery!”
On September 17, in addition to the Beer Garden, the Reception & Awards Ceremony for the 2021 Mohawk Hudson Regional will be held, with awards announced outside around 6pm. This evening is being promoted in collaboration with ACE.
The three-week series will end on Sept. 24th with Fiesta Fantástica: A Collaboration of Opalka Gallery and the Russell Sage College Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI). Barbara Cockfield, the college’s Director of DEI, notes, “The 2021 Hispanic Heritage Month observance theme is ‘Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope.’ It was important for us to ensure we reflected the spirit of the theme in all our planning as well as to celebrate the many contributions of the Hispanic community in the United States. The DEI Task Force is excited about the upcoming celebration with the entire RSC community.”
SEPT. 10, 2021 Beer Garden + 2021 Mohawk Hudson Regional Viewing
- Breweries: Fort Orange Brewing and Frog Alley Brewing
- Food: Greek on the Run Food Truck
- Musical Guests: Belle Skinner and Graham Tichy
SEPT. 17, 2021 Beer Garden + 2021 Mohawk Hudson Regional Reception & Awards Ceremony and Viewing
- Promotional Partner: Alliance for the Creative Economy (ACE)
- Breweries: Rare Form and Nine Pin Cider Works
- Food: Muddaddy Flats Quesadillary
- Musical Guests: Machine Revival and Dust Bowl Faeries
SEPT. 21, 2021 Beer Garden: Fiesta Fantástica + 2021 Mohawk Hudson Regional Viewing
- A Collaboration of the Opalka Gallery and the RSC Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Brewery: Druthers
- Food: La Capital Tacos
- Musical Guests: DJ AyO and DJ RVMBA
Come have dinner and drink, catch some great live music, and see fabulous regional art!
The event is free and open to the public, with a $10 suggested donation at the door.
Some seating will be provided but visitors are encouraged to BYOC (chair!). All ages are welcome. Must be 21 to purchase beer.
COVID PROTOCOLS
The Beer Garden is outdoors. Guests are encouraged to wear masks when they cannot maintain proper social distancing. During the Beer Garden, the gallery will be open with limited capacity. Indoor visitors will be required to show proof of vaccination and asked to sign up for a 30-minute time slot to view the 2021 Mohawk Hudson Regional exhibition. Visitors may register for an exhibition viewing time in advance at exhibition: https://secure.touchnet.net/C20368_ustores/web/store_cat.jsp?STOREID=2&CATID=4
Opalka Gallery’s 2021-2022 season is sponsored by Russell Sage College, Albany Public Library, Cohoes Savings Foundation, Price Chopper/Market 32, Rosenblum Better Spaces, Pepsi, WEXT Exit 97.7/106.1, Bokland Custom Visuals,and Discover Albany. Opalka Gallery enjoys ongoing sustaining support from Chet and Karen Opalka.
Comments are closed.