Local group spreading the arts

COLUMBIA COUNTY — Thinking about heading down to the city for a night of laughs, music and entertainment? What you’re looking for might actually be right in your ‘own backyard’.

“You always hear about groups doing things where they have brought in people from New York City,†remarked Sandy McKnight. “But there are a lot of good performers and entertainers around here. We draw from that pool of talent, and part of our mission is to give local talent a showcase.â€

McKnight is one of the three founders of the Columbia Arts Team (CAT). The group has been providing “theater, music and comedy that knocks your socks off†for the last four years, according to McKnight.

Two years before that, in 2002, co-founders (and husband and wife) McKnight and Liv Cummins began producing a variety show entitled “Saturday Night LIV,†hosted by Cummins. As the show, which featured a variety of local actors, musicians and performers, began to take off, word of its success spread to local singer Christina Dellea of Hillsdale, who was then producing a coffeehouse concert series in Copake.

“We said, ‘How can we create a performing arts entity in the area?’†Dellea remembered. “We wanted to be able to work with the community and feature all local artists and original new work.â€

CAT shows are held at a variety of locations, and the material changes for each show. This season, six different events are being held. “Saturday Night LIV†is still going strong (and in its eighth season), as well as several other events, including “Upstate Idol,†a music competition that showcases local musical talent and their original songs, and the CAT Kids Holiday Spectacular & Youth Theater Workshops, where children ages 8 to 12 gather in Copake between Christmas and New Year’s for free workshop classes to create, practice and perform their own musical. Along the way, they learn the ins and outs of acting and singing. At the end of the workshop, they perform in front of their friends, family and members of the community.

CAT is a not-for-profit organization. As part of its mission statement, “CAT’s programs are accessible and affordable to all, regardless of income.â€

“We’ve really seen a need for people to have an outlet for self-expression,†said McKnight when asked what the most important part of the program was for him. “Especially kids, they don’t really have this in the schools. It’s exciting to see them get involved because the schools emphasize sports, but not other kinds of activities.â€

“The kids learn the craft and they learn self-esteem as well,†echoed Dellea. “They learn to be on stage, they learn how to work with each other.â€

All CAT performances are appropriate for all ages. While the cost for adult tickets helps keep the program running and pays for the youth workshops, all children are admitted free to any CAT show.

“We want to build this to become something that is self-sustaining,†said McKnight. “One of the goals I personally have is to receive enough grants and contributions to do it full time. Hudson is in desperate need of a facility that can handle the kind of shows we do. I would like to see us eventually open a facility there.â€

Next up on the CAT schedule is a SongFeasts show featuring Sandy McKnight & The Godsends and Christina Dellea with Sammy Brown, along with a meal prepared by CAT’s gourmet chef. That show will be held Friday, March 27, at 260 Warren St. in Hudson.

More information on CAT, along with a full 2009 schedule, can be accessed on the Web site, columbiaartsteam.org, or by phone at 1-800-816-4802.