23ARTS INITIATIVE

23ARTS INITIATIVE

WHAT WE DO

23Arts Initiative is dedicated to supporting artists in the creation and the public performances of new work.

Our focus is to support and nurture artists primarily in jazz, classical music and dance through grants and commissions and to help realize performance opportunities across the US and in Europe.

Leveraging on our production experience and developed networks, our commissions have enjoyed performances in the US at The Fisher Center at Bard College, The Kings’s Theater Brooklyn, the New York Botanical Gardens and Internationally at the New Generation Festival in Florence Italy, the Grange Festival in Hampshire, UK and Nevill Holt Festival in Leicestershire, UK.

PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT

A Beggar’s Ballet

A Beggar's Ballet is collage of dance, music, song and spoken word performed by 6 Dancers, 2 Singers and a Narrator. Currently in the development stage, we plan to stage in 2027/2028. Inspired by an early 18th century Hogarthian world of wit and irreverence and drawing upon the script and libretto of John Gay's satirical ballad opera, A Beggar's Ballet focuses upon the love triangle binding Polly, Macheath and Lucy. It is grounded in universal and enduring themes: the love of an innocent to a rogue, overbearing and controlling parents, infidelity, the frame up, the reversal - all leading, as entertainment demands, to a happy ending. We will draw upon John Gay's airs but also other musical sources to create an eclectic and virtuosic score to dance to - full of fun and culminating in a joyous, unashamed romp.

The script and libretto will draw upon John Gay's book for The Beggar's Opera but also his other works; the work of his Georgian literary contemporaries (including Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, William Congreve and John Arbuthnot) and occasionally the work of his theatrical forebears, including Shakespeare and Marlowe.

Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue

September 19th & 20th at the Dr. Phillips Center - Steinmetz Hall, Orlando FL Celebrate the beginning of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s 26/27 Season with an Opening Night unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Featuring not one, but three extraordinary pianists, this concert blends classical masterworks, jazz-inspired brilliance, and theatrical elements into one concert.

https://orlandophil.org/event/opening-night-gershwins-rhapsody-in-blue/

  • The mission of 23Arts Initiative Inc is to enable exceptional performing artists to create work of lasting artistic significance through commissioning, development, recording and production.

  • Founded by Piers & Lucy Playfair in 2012. What started as a week long jazz residency in the village of Tannersville, evolved into a major regional arts festival, across the Hudson Valley and beyond. Initially we focused on presenting jazz, operating as the Catskill Jazz Factory and we evolved into a multi arts program the 23Arts Initiative and presented and produced 100s of shows, community outreach and educational programs. Check out our Archives for a full history of our Catskill Jazz Factory and 23Arts journeys.

  • We believe in keeping things simple, smart, and human. Every project starts with listening and ends with something we're proud to share.

  • From startups to seasoned brands, we partner with people who care about doing things right—and doing them well.

  • Item description

  • Item description

  • Item description

PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT

PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT

23Arts is a New York State registered 501c3 Non for Profit Organization based in the Hudson Valley, NY.

Check out our Archives for a history of our presenting activities from 2014-2021.

For info on our Jazz program go to www.catskilljazzfactory.org.