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Foxhall, the founder of the Children’s Theatre Company Peekskill chapter since 2006, came up with the idea for NECS in May. Located around the corner from the Paramount Theatre at 1016 Brown St. (lower level under mural), she has pulled together a variety of artistic programs all under one roof.
“I hope Peekskill really starts to get to know us this fall,” Foxhall said. “We’ve had a couple open houses the last two weeks to officially open our doors and we’ll be having a grand opening and benefit concert at the end of October.”
Foxhall is excited to have all of her student and artist contacts gravitate to one location. For the last seven years, the City of Peekskill had let her use the Community Center to hold classes and events. She also would have to scramble around looking to rent different spaces. Not anymore.
“Out of the Children’s Theatre Company branched smaller programs, including a choir program, leadership programs and music and art programs,” she said. “It occurred to me that I should get a space to pull all of my programs into one.”
NECS has several classes and events slated for the fall, including some that are already up and running. The variety of music and art classes are currently being offered to three different demographics: “Pre-K & Babies,” “Youth & Adults,” and “After School.” Though NECS is for profit LLC, it also has sponsorship from Fractured Atlas, a 501-3c sponsorship that allows the company to take donations.
“All of our programs are going to be inexpensive to begin with, but the more donations we receive, the more completely free events and classes we’ll be able to offer,” Foxhall said. “I want New Era to be a center for creativity, and offer things that won’t require pay.”
NECS will continue to introduce itself to its neighbors Friday night with a “Back to School Social Lomapalooza Girls Night” for $1 a person, where all are invited to bring their Rainbow Loom bracelet kits. A more formal grand opening introduction is slated for Oct. 26 when the NECS Benefit Concert will host Mike Longo’s 17-piece Big Band with vocalist Ira Hawkins at the Paramount Theatre. That event is $25 a person.
Foxhall is optimistic the concert will be the beginning of a fruitful relationship between NECS and the Paramount Theatre.
“I hope to collaborate quite often with Paramount,” she said. “I hope more artists drop by and check us out.”
Those interested in finding out more about NECS and all it has to offer can visit www.necspace.com or call 914-325-1053. They also can be found on Facebook.
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