Schenectady

Proctors’ Theatre was bustling today with vendors and Schenectady seniors for the Schenectady County Harvest Festival. At the festival, the Schenectady County Legislature announced the winners of the 2025 Honorable Karen B. Johnson Schenectady County Older New Yorker of the Year awards.

Schenectady’s Planning Commission Board on Wednesday approved a controversial site plan for the construction of a Starbucks on Erie Boulevard, but neighborhood advocates are accusing the city’s mayor of tipping the scales.

Adonis Richards became the City of Schenectady’s first ever poet laureate after last week’s City Council meeting. The 31-year-old is the author of three poetry collections and a Program Coordinator at Union College’s Office of Intercultural Affairs. He will serve as poet laureate for two years. I spoke to Richards about his inspiration, origins and vision for the new role.

Following multiple setbacks, two Schenectady City Councilors kicked off their re-election campaigns Tuesday.

Schenectady’s Museum of Innovation and Science is launching a new series of planetarium shows called Rockin’ the Dome. The show will pay tribute to the monsters of rock who visited the Electric City more than five decades ago.

A Schenectady County nonprofit focused on stemming youth violence could benefit from money already allocated in the New York state budget. But, underscoring a larger issue with the Raise the Age funding model, the head of the organization wasn’t even aware the funding exists until recently.

Sometimes, artists experience a creative block. But Nathan Sawaya gets creative with blocks. His “The Art of the Brick” exhibit features dinosaurs, sculptures and re-creations of artwork all made of Legos. Before the exhibit opens at Schenectady’s Armory Thursday, I spoke with Sawaya about everything that inspires his work – from child hood memories to his life’s journey.

The Schenectady County Library is hoping to begin a new chapter as it begins developing a strategic plan. The library’s efforts come after a controversial decision last year left some patrons reading between the lines.

The Schenectady City Council has once again delayed a vote on opting in to New York's Good Cause Eviction law. Now, the council will form a task force to examine the city's housing needs.

From July 13 through August 29, Music Haven will offer ten varied and dazzling concerts; a celebrated local music festival; an annual, eagerly anticipated Blues BBQ; and a three-part film series exploring even more aspects of music. To tell us more, we welcome Producing Artistic Director Mona Golub.