ALBANY, N.Y. — On Saturday, August 17, 2019, the Palace Performing Arts Center (in cooperation with Price Chopper / Market32, MVP Health Care, Hot 99.1FM and local neighborhood associations) hosted the 2nd annual Palace Theatre Community Block Party. The weather was beautiful for the duration of the event, allowing all of the festivities to go on outside of the theatre.
The 2nd Community Block Party was a rousing success, with 1,500 neighbors, friends and community members coming out for an afternoon of fun, games, and community engagement. The Palace gave out well over 1,000 free hot dogs, cooked by Interim Executive Director Billy Piskutz and volunteers from 518 SNUG (Should Never Use Guns). Fidelis Care gave out backpacks filled with school supplies for the local children, and multiple food trucks came out, with cuisine ranging from burritos from Bomber's Burrito Bar, to Kona ice from Capital District Kona Ice, all the way to BBQ from Capital Q Smokehouse.
Children and adults alike were invited to engage in festivities from face painting, balloon art, a crayon wall and a bounce house as well as live music from the Ill Funk Ensemble. DJs from Hot 99.1 played music indoors, where neighbors could get their hot dogs and school supplies. The Palace Theatre info table gave out tickets to the last two Summer in the City movies and
As a 501c3 non-profit arts organization the Palace Performing Arts Center is incredibly grateful all of the community partners, businesses, staff and volunteers who helped make this 2nd year in a row so special. Without the help of the surrounding community and Price Chopper / Market 32, MVP and Hot 99.1 FM, the event would not have been such a success. Community partners such as Young Futures Inc., 518 SNUG, the YWCA Of The Greater Capital Region and the Albany City School District were all present to show their support of the area we call home.
By acting as a community center for the citizens of Downtown Albany and through expansive and diverse programming and events, the Palace is continuing in their mission to serve as a shining beacon from Clinton Avenue to North Pearl Street and beyond into the entirety of the Capital Region. Events such as the Community Block Party are critical to upholding the mission of the Palace Theatre.