The performing arts simply shine in Cooperstown

The Glimmerglass Festival is the best-known Cooperstown performing arts venue. This internationally-acclaimed summer music theater is dedicated "to produce new, little-known, and familiar operas."

The company's Alice Busch Opera Theater is located along the shores of Otsego Lake, which James Fenimore Cooper dubbed "Glimmerglass." Unusual sliding walls allow the audience to enjoy the fresh air and views of the surrounding countryside. Repertory presentations include matinees and evening performances (607-547-2255).

The Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival features a variety of concerts including soloists, jazz, woodwind, and more (cooperstownmusicfest.org). Musicals are the mainstay of Orpheus Theater, which presents its shows at various venues in Oneonta, NY. The big Oneonta performing arts story is the development of the Foothills Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-arts and education center.

The Cooperstown Concert Series and Oneonta Concert Association draw big names to our area during the off-season, so if you're planning on being here during the late fall, winter, early spring, be sure to find out what they've got planned.

The Susquehanna Contra Dancers offer programs - including learning the art of contra dancing- all year.

A complete arts calendar can be viewed at www.uccca.org.