A mini-destination for culture in NNY

LOWVILLE — As the Black River Valley Concert series prepares to open its fifth season Saturday night, organizers have found it's become more than an annual cure for cabin fever.

"We've created a little mini-destination for culture in the north country," said Lisa J. Becker, executive director of the Lewis County Historical Society, which sponsors the series as a fundraiser.

Maybe that realization hit during the 2007 season when a man from Virginia called Ms. Becker to ask about Sue Foley.

Ms. Foley is an expert Canadian guitarist and songwriter who has won numerous Juno Awards, the Canadian equivalents to Grammy Awards. She is also a producer and prolific recording artist. Her 2007 visit to Lowville was a rare trip to America for that year.

"He asked, 'Is it true that Sue Foley is going to be in this place called Lowville?'" Ms. Becker said. The man drove up for the concert.

Ms. Foley is one of two acts returning this year for the series.

The historical society has gathered diverse lineups for the series to attract people from the Syracuse, Utica, and Ithaca areas as well as Canada, Ms. Becker said.

"It's a little escape," Ms. Becker said. "The fact that people are coming here to see these performances is very cool."

She said the series can also provide an entertainment alternative for visitors taking advantage of the area's outdoor opportunities.

"People get off their skis and snowmobiles and ask, 'What are we going to do tonight? Let's go to the concert series,'" she said.

The idea for the series was sparked when the historical society moved into its present location in 2002 when it bought the former Masonic Temple, 7552 S. State St.

The society had hosted summer concerts at various locations around Lewis County, but now had a large, empty space in the former Masonic Temple that could hold about 150 people.

"We never had a home of our own," Ms. Becker said. "We'd always been a tenant."

Ms. Becker and board members Chris Miller and Adam Atkinson brainstormed ideas for the space and thought of a concert series for the winter.

"In the winter, people are in hibernation mode," Ms. Becker said. "I didn't know if any of us thought at that time that it would continue for five years."

Ten concerts were held in the inaugural year of the series in 2004. There will be 13 concerts this year.

Besides Ms. Foley, the other returning act is Tanglefoot, Feb. 28, expected to be a sellout. Tanglefoot, an award-winning Canadian folk band, also performed last year in Sackets Harbor and at the Lowville Cream Cheese Festival.

A key to the success of the series is the season ticket holders, Ms. Becker said.

"They give us an infusion of bucks at the beginning of the series," she said.

Ms. Becker also linked the corporate sponsorship program, created in the second year of the series, to its success.

WHAT: Black River Valley Concert Series

WHEN/WHERE: Begins Saturday at the Lewis County Historical Society, 7552 S. State St., Lowville. All concerts in the series begin at 8 p.m. and are held in the society's "blue room," which is set up cabaret style with tables. Snacks and drinks are available.

Prices for concerts vary. Saturday's concert features the Toughcats, with a cost of $15 advance and $18 at the door.

Advance tickets are available at the society's office and at Café Z on 7594 S. State St., Lowville. Season tickets for the 13 shows are available for $150.

MORE INFO: Lewis County Historical Society, 376-8957.