MALONE — The thought of music in an art gallery usually conjures up visions of soft piano music, or maybe a harp being played quietly in a corner as patrons peruse the paintings and sculptures on display.
The distinctly different sound is something Hart hopes to bring frequently to his relocated space –– along with poetry readings and other performances more often found in a cafe than an art gallery.
The floors of Hart’s new space have a unique mosaic pattern, and the back wall that separates his studio from the front gallery is made of stone. The walls are painted an earthy shade of green, and the entire space captures a coffee-house atmosphere. This is the setting where Hart hopes to fill a need in Malone.
Hart remembered back to a time when he first came to Malone and there were cafes where local musicians played. He remembered the Cripple Creek, the Snowy Owl and the Z bar, where local talent was showcased. “It is time to bring that back,” he said.
One of Hart’s inspirations for the performance space is one of his tripToe bandmates, 19-year-old Israel Cox. Cox “has got a good sound and I want to nurture people like Israel,” Hart said.
The second performance in what Hart hopes to become a regular series comes Saturday, when the Saranac Lake-based band the Dust Bunnies will perform. Hart says that the band features three women that are incredible –– performing “a country blues sound, steeped in folk Celtic swing jazz” on ukulele, mandolin, violin and guitar. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and admission is $10.
Other performances scheduled so far include poetry by Michael Tucker along with a photography exhibit by Barry Lobdell on June 26 and a concert by tripToe and the Lou Dacques Band at the opening of an Akwesasne Artists Exhibit on Sept. 19.
Hart also hopes to do open mics, where a group of people sign up and wait their turn to do a series of songs to get experience. “People are bursting with energy,” Hart said. They should be able to have a chance to express themselves he said.
Hays hopes that the performance series will be a success. He feels that in a town like Malone, one person can really make a difference. He states that “Malone is a resource for raw material that has not been excavated or mined yet.”
Pouring Light Studios can be reached at 481-5150.