Events and Evening Programs

Open Spinning Night

Whether you’re an experienced spinner or a beginner looking for some hints and tips, bring your wheel every 3^rd Wednesday from March through October and be prepared to enjoy an evening of open spinning with other fiber enthusiasts. Open Spinning Nights are March 20, April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18, and October 16. If you do not have your own wheel, call the school ahead of time to check on wheel availability.

• March – October, 3rd Wednesday of each month
• 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Admission – Free, but donations are welcome

Open Forge Night – Al Cameron & Friends

Al Cameron and his blacksmith friends will fire up our forges to both demonstrate the art of blacksmithing and encourage others to try their hand at the anvil as you heat, bend, and create for the first time. This might be just the thing to prompt you to take one of the many blacksmithing classes offered at AFS. Open Forge Nights are May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, and October 9. Donations go towards the materials and expenses and are appreciated.

• May – October, 2^nd Wednesday of each month
• 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Admission – Free, but donations are welcome

Hearts for the Arts Fundraiser Dinner and Silent Auction

• March 21, 2013 – Thursday
• 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Location – Mollie’s Mason Jar Restaurant
• Admission - $28 members/$33 non-members

AFS works to preserve the Adirondack arts, crafts and culture through its diversity of classes and special programs offered each year. Your reservation will help us to uphold the rich heritage for which this area is known. The 4th annual Hearts for the Arts dinner will benefit all AFS programs.

Adirondack Folk School Festival

The Folk School Festival begins with the celebration of the arts, crafts and culture of the Adirondacks. It will highlight regional artisans and AFS instructors demonstrating their traditional crafts. Some will sell their crafts throughout the day. There will be demonstrations of weaving and spinning, gourd decorating, fly fishing, tinsmithing, blacksmithing, wood carving and more.

Come and bring your family to the Folk School Festival where their hands, heart and mind will be inspired to keep the arts, crafts and customs of the Adirondacks alive.

If you’re already a member, please start your party by attending our annual membership meeting at 10 a.m.

• July 13, 2013 –Saturday
• 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
• Admission and refreshments are free

A Night of Percussion with Brian Melick

Brian Melick is a drummer and multi-hand percussionist who, in addition to his career as a musician, teaches workshops and masterclasses throughout the Northeast and Canada. Brian will share music and knowledge during this evening presentation including the evolution of percussion. During the enjoyable evening, Brian will call your attention to the rhythm and sounds that are created naturally in the world around us. Be sure to sign up for his Intro to the World of Percussion workshops held at AFS earlier that day for an even deeper appreciation!

• July 6, 2013 – Saturday
• 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• Admission – Free, but donations are welcome

Hiking the High Peaks

Locals Steve Mackey and “Jungle Jim” Mosher finished hiking the 46 Adirondack High Peaks in 1996, gaining their classification as Winter 46’ers. The duo still hikes frequently and leads volunteer hikes for the Glens Falls – Saratoga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. During this evening presentation, Steve and Jim will share the beauty and majesty of the High Peaks, accessible to everyone and right in your own backyard. They will also give you a little taste of what to carry, what to wear, and where to get more information. Steve and Jim’s stories will be sure to get you a little revved up and ready to hit the trail!

• July 13, 2013 – Saturday
• 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Admission – Free, but donations are welcome

Native American History and Culture

Join David Cornelius for a presentation and discussion on Native Americans in the Adirondacks. David, a longtime scholar of the subject, will discuss local Indian history, agriculture, housing, clothing, and history. He will also share the story of his own local ancestry.

• July 20, 2013 – Saturday
• 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Admission – Free, but donations are welcome

Raptor Fest – A Presentation of Live Birds of Prey – Richele Ford

Richele is one of the most passionate presenters and brings an amazing collection of her live birds of prey for all to see. Living in Coeymans Hollow with her husband, Geoff, who is also a falconer, she really enjoys sharing her birds with people who love being able to see them close up and gain a better understanding of their role in the environment. Come and see the difference between the hawks, owls, and falcons. Richele’s knowledge and enthusiasm for these beautiful birds is contagious.

• July 27, 2013 – Saturday
• 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Admission – Free, but donations are welcome

“The Adirondacks and Beyond”

Join Tom Rosecrans for an evening presentation on rock climbing throughout the Adirondacks and other parts of the world. Tom is a retired social studies teacher, owner of RockSport Indoor Climbing Gym, mountain guide, and Adventure Sports Instructor at SUNY Adirondack who likes to travel and climb with his wife Sue. His recent trips include Spain, Andorra, Nepal, and Tibet, with the possibility of Morocco and East Africa in the spring of 2013.

• August 3, 2013 – Saturday
• 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Admission – Free, but donations are welcome

“Blacksmithing – it’s fun and anyone can do it!” – Mark Aspery

Mark is a certified journeyman smith with the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, (a UK guild started in London in 1324). His training as a smith started in the United Kingdom in 1976, working for a small fabrication and engineering firm. One of our nation’s most skilled smiths, Mark will not only share his insights into the world of blacksmithing, but also demonstrate his skills as he shares with you why blacksmithing is something anyone can do and is so much fun!

• August 10, 2013 – Saturday
• 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Admission – Free, but donations are welcome

Blacksmithing: Finial Finesse with Michael McCarthy

• August 13, 2013 – Tuesday
• 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Admission – Free, but donations are welcome

Blacksmithing: Striking While the Iron’s Hot with Michael McCarthy

• August 15, 2013 – Thursday
• 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Admission – Free, but donations are welcome

Blacksmithing: Shaping Hot Iron with Lucian Avery

• August 16, 2013 – Friday
• 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Admission – Free, but donations are welcome

Reuben Smith and the Historic Sound Inter Club Sail Boat Restorations

Reuben Smith of Tumblehome Boatshop in Warrensburg, NY, will present a slideshow and talk about the restoration a matched pair of 1926 racing sailboats called the Sound Inter Club that are historic to Long Island Sound and Lake George. Along with woodworking and finishing done in the boatshop, the restoration required the participation of dozens of artisans from the local community but also throughout New England, from providing custom reproductions of the bronze hardware to providing custom parts for a modern electric motor for auxiliary power. The boats, and the process of the restorations, have become a touchstone for an extended community of sailors and boat historians from Lake George to coastal New England and Long Island Sound. The two-year project truly exemplifies the “it takes a village” proverb.

• August 17, 2013 – Saturday
• 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Admission – Free, but donations are welcome

Night Hike

Shellie Kovaleski will show participants of all ages that there truly is nothing to fear in the great outdoors after dark. Join Shellie just before dusk as she treks into the woods behind AFS. As Shellie tells the story of the origin of night you won’t even notice the growing darkness and you’ll fully realize how calming and serene the woods at night can be.

• August 31, 2013 – Saturday
• Hike begins at dusk
• Admission – Free, but donations are welcome

Bountiful Bowl Benefit IV

The Bountiful Bowl Benefit is our way of lending a hand in our community as we serve up delicious food served in hand-thrown bowls. Now in its fourth year, the Bountiful Bowl Benefit supports the Maxfield Community Food Pantry in Lake Luzerne through the generous donation of over 200 one-of-a-kind hand-thrown bowls that are then filled with soup, salads, and chili.  Join us for oven-baked breads made in our wood-fired bake oven. There will be craft demonstrations and music.

• September 1, 2013 – Sunday
• 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• $20 member / $25 non-member

Gifting the Adirondacks Holiday Fair

The Adirondack Folk School will be filled with instructors selling their Adirondack wares and some will be demonstrating their craft. Friday evening we invite you to stop in, see what is going on, do a little shopping, and have a light snack. On Saturday join us for a wonderful day of demonstrations, shopping, and snacking! Saturday we will also raffle off a number of items made by our skilled artisans. New and current members: come in and get a locally-made gift.

For the following two weeks the gift shop hours will be extended on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Come, check it out and find that special gift for someone on your list. Hours will be posted on the website and at the school.

• Friday, December 6, 2013 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
• Saturday, December 7, 2013 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm