Drawing: American Music Festival + Peck's Arcade

empac_concert_hall.jpg

The beautiful concert hall at EMPAC hosts some of the festival performances.

Drawing's closed! Winner's been emailed!

The Albany Symphony's American Music Festival returns May 31-June 4 in Troy. We have a pair of festival passes and we're giving them away.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE: The winner of the drawing will also get a $50 gift card to Peck's Arcade.

To enter the drawing, please answer this question in the comments:

This year's festival has a "Water Music" theme. So... What's you're favorite Capital Region body of water? Why?

It could be a lake, a river, a stream, a puddle that shows up after rain, a backyard pool, whatever. We'll draw one winner at random -- that person will get the pair of festival passes and the Peck's gift certificate.

One of the things that distinguishes the Albany Symphony is its efforts to highlight the work of American composers. And the American Music Festival is a prominent example of that dedication. Blurbage for the festival, the theme of which this year is inspired by the Erie Canal:

+ Five days of concerts, recitals, interactive experiences, special events, and artistic happenings across Troy including performances by the renowned Albany Symphony and their raucous, progressive Dogs of Desire ensemble.
+ More than 30 new and recent works by 24 American composers, including 14 stunning world premieres.
+ Experiencing Troy as a unique cultural destination through performances at the legendary Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, the Tiffany glass adorned St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and the state-of-the-art Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC.)
+ Exploring the intimate relationship between music, technology, humankind's deep dependence on water, and Troy's rich heritage as a canal community.

Festival passes are $99 and available online.

And, of course, you know Peck's Arcade on Broadway in downtown Troy. It's one of the best restaurants in the Capital Region.

Important: All comments must be submitted by noon on Thursday, May 25, 2017 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 5 pm on Thursday and must respond by 5 pm that Friday.

Comments

The waterfalls in Thacher Park!

Buckingham Pond. A truly moving and inspiring place to drink malt liquor when you're 17 years old.

Grafton is definitely my favorite beach/lake to go to in the summer in the capital region!!

The stream near the house where I grew up. Looking at it now, it's rather small, but as a kid it was a raging river that provided endless hours of entertainment in the summer.

A little north but I really enjoy Moreau Lake! It's really peaceful for kayaking and awesome to snowshoe in the winter.

The Hudson! Especially on a Dutch Apple Cruise!

The Mohawk River alongside the trails of Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve in Clifton Park. Peaceful and beautiful.

I love the little waterfalls at Albany Rural Cemetery. So beautiful and peaceful.

Am I allowed to say the Hudson River? Though it's not the *cleanest* body of water, it is a remarkable body of water and the Capital Region wouldn't be here without it. And it makes the path in the Corning Preserve a lovely stroll!

The Poestenkill as it goes through Eagle Mills. It's got wildlife, a great waterfall as Route 2 crosses over, and some sweet swimming holes perfect for a hot summer day.

Definitely the fountain in Washington Park! Great for the dog to cool off in during the summer.

The Lincoln Park Pool!

I like the Normanskill. On the new rail trail there are awesome rapids, and farther upstream there are some nice spots in Tawasentha Park.

Great Sacandaga Lake, because it reminds me of the Finger Lakes region where I grew up but is only a stone's throw away now.

Cohoes water falls, Thatcher park water fall & the Hudson by the corning preserve!

Buckingham Lake because its walking distance from the house and an awesome neighborhood amenity.

Those Grafton Lakes -- all five of them.

The Hudson. This is a river that shaped this history of the region. It's the tie that binds us to NYC, the Adirondacks and to each other. This is the river that so captivated a generation of artists that their work led directly to the birth of the environmental movement and the creation of our National Parks system. The Hudson the region's greatest asset.

The horseshoe across from Peebles Island.

Shaver Pond at Grafton Lakes State Park. The park can be super busy in the summer but Shaver Pond is usually an oasis of peace and quiet.

The Hudson, specifically surrounding Peebles Island. I love running around there. In one word: sublime.

Washington Park Lake because it's available to everyone regardless of weather they own a car or not. It does not discriminate.

Aside from some of the waterfalls or swimming areas on hikes, the times I spend in a friends pool are so fun! Great company and sunshine.

The lake in Washington Park. A serene oasis in the city.

I know it's not natural water, but the Empire State Plaza pools are stunning.

The Hudson! I travel downstate fairly often on the Amtrak, and it follows the river for the entire route. You can see mountains shrouded in mist behind the river and tiny islands out front, birds and wildlife, and people boating and fishing. It's a wonderful portrait that feels quite timeless.

Round Lake. Friendly, welcoming, and next to the best little village in the world.

Peter's Kill in the New Paltz area... today. But gosh, in a world with so many amazing swim holes I am having a really hard time deciding.

PS: Now that I have a small kid, Grafton is really king.

Lake George is the best!

This question is patently unfair to wild-trout anglers. I mean, I could easily lie and give you my #2 (Mohawk) and why (if you've ever walked the shale flats that's more than enough reason right there), but that would be cheating, and there's no way you're getting #1. So I'll just say it starts around 1,600' and ends around 0' amsl, transitioning along the way through every stream character imaginable, from mountain plunge pools to urban canal. Need I say more? Too bad.

Definitely the Hudson River - it always makes me imagine Henry Hudson sailing it all those years ago....

My pool! Nothing more serene than sitting in the screened pavilion at the edge of our woods and watching the sunlight on the water.

My parents' pool! Even though I'm an adult who has moved out on my own, I still enjoy a day by their pool while my dad grills.

The Might Hudson River. The Clearwater's work over decades has vastly improved the river's health and our health. As others have written - The Hudson has played a dramatic role in NY State's history and its beauty is unsurpassed.

The Red Mill Creek which winds its way through the woods behind my house, with the Albany Sky line peeking through the trees.

Victoria pool, obvs

The beautiful Mohawk River, especially from Riverside Park in the Stockade.

My favorite is the Bozenkill at the Christman sanctuary in Duanesburg. There is a 30 foot waterfall, that kind of flows down steps rather than straight down vertically. Sometimes it's a river, sometimes it's a trickle. The stone formations are really the best.

Indian Pond at U Albany. Right in the middle of campus, but virtually deserted.

I have three favorites, mainly due to childhood memories: Buckingham Pond (fun for fishing, walking and skating), Washington Park lake (I loved taking the paddleboats around it and fishing and walking) and finally five mile waterworks on Fuller road (another good one for boating and fishing).

Cohoes Falls especially after a large storm, or snow melt when it is really showing it's stuff!!!

Gotta say the Hudson, one of the most important rivers in the U.S. And now with less PCBs!

The Hudson River - it's a great measure of the changing seasons, my favorite walking trail is next to the river, and we love enjoying the River at Dinosaur BBQs deck!

Tivoli Lake because it is 7 minutes away by bike. I have been there dozens of times without seeing anyone. Are the goats there yet?

The falls on Bozenkill in the Christman Sanctuary. Beautiful in all seasons.

Tomhannock Reservoir for the fishing

Buckingham Pond - a little oasis of respite in our busy city

The fountain in Bleecker Park -- the oldest one in the city!

Wintergreen Park in Canajoharie. We're​about to make our annual start of summer pilgrimage! An absolutely gorgeous hike and swim place.

The Hoosick. There's a little known river club called Brown's to Brown's. To join, you must kayak or canoe every (navigable) section of the Hoosick and the Hudson rivers from Brown's Brewery in Hoosick Falls to Brown's in Troy. Yes it has been done. Talk lately is to extend it to the Bright Ideas brewery at Mass Moca in North Adams, and one day make it Bright's to Browns.

The beautiful and historic Hudson River. I love to picture the vibrant waterway it once was -- trade, travel, fishing, native nations living beside it.

I have to say the mighty Hudson as well, even if it doesn't appear so mighty in this region. Albany wouldn't have grown here without it, and it is so important in the history of NYC and the entire Hudson Valley. Go Hudson!

Buckingham Pond! A thriving tiny little pond in the middle of the city

There are many, but especially loved the Aqua Duck tours on the Hudson River; wish they had not left Albany!

The Normanskill! My current 'home.'

The Mohawk River by Peebles Island. I watch it all year via my walking commute, and I love watching its height and the character of the river change.

Lake George

I don't know the name of the creek/river, but I've been riding my bike on the new Slingerlands to Albany bike path and you pass by a great river with waterfalls that just roars. Awesome.

Backyard ponds after a heavy rain ... ephemeral ...

Lake at Washington Park. Within walking distance of my home, and a relaxing part of a walk through the park.

The mohawk river with the bike path!

Crooked Lake - its close to town and the water quality is not impaired.

Grafton Lake!

The pond at the Crossings - my daughter loves the ducks and fish!

I have to say the Hudson River.
I love her downstate or upstate.
I love admiring her in Riverside Park.
I love riding along her on the the Amtrak.
I love trying to catch a glimpse of the bald eagles near Cold Spring on the train.
I love getting upclose and personal to her in the Adirondacks.
I even love driving alongside her on Route 28 en route to other beautiful bodies of water in the ADK.

The Hudson along Troy's Waterfront Park

I love Warner Lake out in East Berne! It's just the right size for paddling around on our kayaks.

The bike/rollerblade path along the Mohawk

The small pond at Mill Road Golf course. The other day I saw a mother duck and her babies. So cute!

Cohoes Falls. It's a natural wonder

The Poestenkill, along Rt 2 and especially Barberville Falls. Such a great stream.

The falls as Christman sanctuary are great, particularly when you have them to yourself

The Great Sacandaga Lake. I call it the poor man's Lake George. Its much less crowded,than Lake George, and its wider so I find it more fun to sail there. Very scenic and some nice "dock and dine" opportunities.

The hudson, bc its my backyard :)

I'd have to say Cohoes Falls. It's such an underappreciated historically important site.

Shaver Pond

The Vlomankill where it runs through five rivers.

Empire State Plaza fountain because its got a calming feeling.

Wave pool at Six Flags Great Escape
Best fun around in the summer!

I love Lake George- It's a very nostalgic place for me plus I was married on Lake George.

Sacandaga Lake. Spent many a great weekend afternoons out there.

On a large scale- the Hudson. Going down to the river has been a routine of mine since I moved to Troy but I'm still always amazed at how massive it gets as you head downstate.

On a smaller scale, there's a depression in the backyard that fills with water after a decent period of rain and sticks around for a day or so. The city finches and brown birds go BANANAS splashing around in it once the rain stops. It never ceases to make me smile.

Dunham Reservoir

Cohoes Falls - a thing of beauty.

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