Sebastien has posted a few video clips from the performances at EMPAC this past weekend. After watching them, it's maybe a little easier to get a sense of how the performances spaces are being/could be used. Here's a clip from the studio space with the 360 degree screen:
RPI cut the ribbon on EMPAC today. And you know what? It's pretty cool. There's nothing else like it in the Capital Region. Heck, there's probably nothing else like it in the world right now. You should definitely check it out.
The City of Albany could be moving toward a "pay as you throw" arrangement for garbage collection -- that is, people would be charged by the bag for their trash. (Trash pickup is currently not a separate charge for residents.) The proposal is part of the city's draft plan to the state DEC for its dump, which will be full by next year if it's not expanded. [TU]
The Rensselaer County District Attorney's office is watching almost half of its budget disappear as grants it's relied on run out. The $1 million in grants fund the salaries of five ADAs and four investigators. [Troy Record]
The science section of today's NYT has a preview of EMPAC (it looks like Dennis Overbye toured it this past summer) and, yes, the phrase "technological pleasure dome for the mind and senses" really does appear in it. Here's another clip:
Within its walls, the designers say, scientists can immerse themselves in data and fly through a breaking wave or inspect the kinks in a DNA molecule, artists can participate in virtual concerts with colleagues in different parts of the world or send spectators on trips through imaginary landscapes, and architects can ponder their creations from the inside before a single brick or two-by-four has been put in place.
It opens for business on Oct. 3 with a three-week gala of performances including classical music, virtual reality rides, symposiums and celebrations. Some scientists dream of eventually using the new center to create a version of the "Star Trek" holodeck where humans can interact with life-size "synthetic creatures" who live only in a computer. Others plan to teach surgery by doing virtual procedures or taking doctors on tours through models of actual hearts and circulatory systems.
A holodeck? Everyone knows the holodeck episodes were the worst.
Seriously, we are excited about EMPAC. We've heard from multiple people that it's going be very cool. It opens October 3.
So there was that story the other day about how Troy wants to charge RPI a "safety fee" of $100 per student per semester. The city says it spends a bunch of money on services for the school and it's looking to recoup some of the expenses. OK, this sounds like a discussion that reasonable people can have.
But then toward the end of the TU story, there was this:
The discussions about a public safety fee come as EMPAC is nearing its October opening and RPI must obtain a certificate of occupancy to use the arts center.
"RPI is noted for saying we're having a grand opening and inviting everyone before they have a CO," [Deputy Mayor Dan] Crawley said. "If the invitations go out for October and their place is not completed, they're not going to get a CO."
And that sounded a lot like, what's the word... oh, right: a shakedown. But, no, that couldn't be right. The City of Troy wouldn't hold the opening of EMPAC ransom over this safety fee, would it? This is a municipality and an institution with 180 years of shared history. That would just be... tacky.
Ever wish you had a smart, savvy friend with the inside line on what's happening around the Capital Region? You know, the kind of stuff that makes your life just a little bit better? Yeah, we do, too. That's why we created All Over Albany. Find out more.
So, news of the coming onslaught of phone books got us wondering what exactly happened to Albany's effort to keep them off our doorsteps. City... (more)
The Hold Steady, high priests in the Church of Latter Day Boss, are playing Valentine's March 31. Advance tickets are now on sale. They're $17... (more)
The folks that print the telephone directories are throwing the book(s) at us again. If you haven't seen one of the many Capital Region telephone... (more)
On the latest episode of Top Senator: David Paterson refrains from getting his gut involved, Maureen Dowd says "thank God," and candidates answer questions about... (more)
Recent Comments
Their economy can't survive on Jeagerbomb purchases alone. They need to up the import of hair gel, tanning beds, and striped shirts. But wait, think of all the out of state tuition SUNY Albany would then make!
A few snippets of overheard conversation from Friday's opening.
... said Katherine about All hail the great State of Long Island