May 2015 Downtown Happenings Newsletter Subtitle Month Year in this issue Business Development Member Events Getting Involved thanks to our sponsors         Greetings! Our busy season is starting and we couldn't be more excited! This month we will see new banners and beautiful flower baskets hanging, and all of the new changes to our annual events will be announced--so stay tuned for an exciting start to the summer. We hope to see you at our annual meeting onFriday, May 8 from 8 AM to 10 AM at The Arts Center to fill you in on what we accomplished last year, and some sneak peeks at what to expect in 2015.  Enjoy the sunshine and enjoy Troy!   Sincerely,  Erin & Danielle special events  Troy Night Out - Kids & Pets Night Out!  Friday, May 29th, 5:00-9:00PM Over 50 Different Locations throughout downtown Troy Click  Spring Mall-ternative Market Saturdays, March 28th-May 9th,  9:00AM-2:00PM River Street The Mall-ternative Market is back for Spring! We've got you covered on all your hand-made needs just in time for Easter & Mother's Day, and any other day. Every Saturday from March 28th - May 9th, the Mall-ternative market will be set up in conjunction with the Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market. Make sure you stop by and check out all the one-of-a -kind merchandise our crafters have to offer. Annual Meeting Friday May 8th, 8:00AM-10:00AM The Arts Center - Black Box Theater 265 River Street The 2015 Annual Meeting of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District (BID) will be held on Friday, May 8 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, at The Arts Center of the Capital Region's Black Box Theater, located at 265 River St., Troy. The Annual Meeting will consist of networking, updates on major Downtown projects and announcements of BID Board of Director voting results at the meeting's conclusion. Refreshments will be served. For Rent Event Tuesday, May 19th, 9:00-11:00AM BID Office, Monument Square 251 River Street This Downtown Troy district-wide commercial property open-house will be taking place Tuesday, May 19th, 2015, from 9am - 11am. Come tour around Downtown and see many office and storefront spaces, ready to be leased, or even for sale. Tours will be conducted during the Event, departing in front of the BID office at 251 River Street on Monument Square throughout the afternoon. BID volunteers will happily give you a tour, or provide you with materials and let you walk around on your own. Have a vacant space and want to include it on the tour? Don't miss this great opportunity to showcase your space! :: SAVE THE DATE ::  Downtown Troy BID 2015 Events Calendar Troy River Fest:: Saturday, June 20th Rockin' on the River :: Every Wednesday from June 10th to August 12th  Special date July 3rd Troy Pig Out :: Saturday July 11th 9th Annual Chowderfest :: Sunday, October 11th Thank you to our 2014 Event Sponsors:                                                  Call for Interns! Are you a college student interested in Special Events, Marketing, Graphic Design, or Community Development?  The BID might be the perfect place for you.  Gain valuable experience while celebrating Downtown.  If you are interested, please send us your resume at info@troybid.org  business development     The Downtown Troy BID is excited to welcome the  following new businesses to our District:    Vivian's Lounge 76 Congress Street Vivian's Lounge is the newest edition to downtown nightlife. The jazz-style lounge serves lite fare, hosts regular happy hours during the week, and even welcomes small bands to play live music, where dancing is highly encouraged. The name is to honor the owner's late wife, Vivian, who passed away after a five and a half year battle with breast cancer. Vivian's Lounge is open Monday - Saturday at 3:00PM.  Fauna & Frill Pet Salon 469 Fulton Street Fauna & Frill Pet Salon is downtown Troy's newest full-service pet salon. The owner has been working in the industry for about a decade. The shop offers everything from show cuts, hand-snipped styles, and even pet CPR classes for owners. The salon located at 469 Fulton Street and is open by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling 518-258-0226. Takk House 55 Third Street The former Knights of Columbus building has been renovated and rehabbed into a beautiful venue space called Takk House. At 2,800 square-feet, the venue holds two large ballrooms, bride and groom suites and food staging facilities. The space is available for wedding ceremonies and receptions, private parties, music gigs, film, photo shoots, art exhibits, dance showcases, fundraisers, corporate events, premiers, film screenings, community events, flea markets, product launches and anything else worth celebrating! member events Volunteer Opportunities Information Session Tuesday, May 5th, 12:00PM Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County 1915 Fifth Ave Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County (LVORC) is actively seeking volunteers. To find out more about tutoring and other ways to make a difference, join us for a one-hour Volunteer Opportunities Information Session. LVORC is looking for individual tutors to be paired with adult learners, as well as reading mentors for Everybody Wins! Power Lunch, a program where adults serve as positive reading role models for elementary school kids in Troy, Cohoes, Albany and East Greenbush. There is also a need for math tutors and for tutors to help with a financial literacy program at the YWCA. Game Night at The Ruck! Tuesday, May 5th, 6:00-10:00PM The Ruck 104 Third Street Please join us in another installment of GAME NIGHT held upstairs at The Ruck! This will reoccur the first Tuesday of every month, so come enjoy some beers and dinner, and test your skills against others in some of the following games: UNO, Cards Against Humanity, Connect 4, Jenga, Monopoly, Scrabble. Bring your own games if you'd like! We will have a server available to take food and drink orders upstairs so you don't lose focus on board game domination! Free to play, and open to the public, so grab your friends and come join us in what will be a super fun time!!! Cheers!!!     17th Annual Gala: Honoring the Women in our Lives Tuesday, May 5th, 5:30PM  Franklin Plaza Ballroom 4 Fourth Street To Life!'s annual spring Gala, "Honoring the Women in our Lives", is a warm, friendly evening with friends. This festive event will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2014 at the Franklin Plaza in Troy. A showcase of area restaurants and a silent auction provide a festive backdrop for recognition of those who help women and families in our area who have been affected by breast cancer. A brief formal program includes presentation of awards. All proceeds are used to fund To Life!'s extensive educational programs, support services and wellness programs held throughout the year. Click HERE for more info.   Rensselaer Region 115th Annual Dinner & Business Expo    Thursday, May 7th, 5:30PM Franklin Plaza Ballroom 4 Fourth Street Join the Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce for networking, lavish food stations, expo booths & a decadent dessert room. This year, let the networking continue at the After Hours hosted by the Franklin Plaza on their new Third Floor!  Share your experience with us on Twitter @renscochamber #Twist2015   With a 98% approval rating since 2010, this event has been coined, "networking in wonderland!" Don't miss out. For tickets, click HERE.    Troy 100 Forum Monday, May 11th, 5:00PM Bush Memorial Auditorium 45 Ferry Street Troy 100 Forum is a village square, a place where people come to share information and to network. Our common goal is the betterment of Troy. Forum Topic: Today's Challenge: Food, Shelter, and Health for All. We invite local businesses and groups to distribute information about your businesses and upcoming community events. We look forward to reconnecting with returning members and welcoming new members to the Forum! The Forum is a FREE event and is open to the public! Click HERE for more info. American Craft Beer Week The Ruck 104 Third Street Monday, May 11th, 7:00-9:00PM - Captain Lawrence Trivia Tuesday, May 12th, 7:00PM - Cider Fest Wednesday, May 13th, 7:00PM - Maine Beer Night Thursday, May 14th, 7:00PM - Greenport Harbor Brewing Night  Friday, May 15th, 12:00PM - The Return of Dogfish Head Night Whiskey for Women  Wednesday, May 20th, 6:00-10:00PM The Shop 135 Fourth Street Well, it's happening: vodka sales are down and whiskey sales are up. Why? Because women have freed themselves of socially engineered norms that tell them that as women they are only supposed to drink "lady-like" cocktails. I beg the question, what's not lady-like about whiskey? To celebrate women who drink whiskey, join us at The Shop the third Wednesday of the month for our Women for Whiskey events. We will be offering a special whiskey-based cocktail menu discounted for ladies only. Men, you are more than welcome to order from this menu, but ladies, this is your night. The Arts Center Events The Arts Center of the Capital Region 265 River Street Monday, May 18th, 7:00PM - Bookmarks Reading & Performance Series: Sonic Stasis Thursday, May 21st, 5:30PM  - The Gala 2015 Friday, May 29th, 6:00PM  - Tech Valley Game Space TNO Showcase Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Concerts Troy Savings Bank Music Hall 30 Second Street Saturday, May 2nd, 7:30PM - In Paradisum with the Capital District Youth Chorale and Orchestra Pro Musica. Park in the Uncle Sam Parking Garage and take a shuttle to the Music Hall.  Friday, May 8th, 8:00PM - Zuill Bailey: Virtuoso American Cellist joined by pianist Navah Perlman Saturday, May 30th, 7:30PM - Uday Bhawalker: Dhrupad Classical Vocalist   Music at Dinosaur BBQ Dinosaur Bar-B-Que 377 River Street Friday, May 1st, 9:00PM - Soul Provider Saturday, May 2nd, 9:30PM - Scotty Mac & The Gold Tops Thursday, May 7th, 9:00PM - Gordon St. wsg Monk Saturday, May 9th, 9:30PM - Blue Machine Friday, May 15th, 9:00PM - The Accents Saturday, May 16th, 9:30PM - Watchdog Friday, May 22nd, 9:00PM - Soul Sky with Joe Mele Saturday, May 23rd, 9:30PM - Fort Rooster Friday, May 29th, 9:00PM -The Chronicles Saturday, May 30th, 9:30PM - Groovestick member news One Kind Boutique Re-Branding! The lower River Street thrift boutique, formerly known as Swinehundt Designs, has re-branded itself! Now known as One Kind Boutique, the shop promotes an eco-friendly life style, while offering a wide variety of up-cycled and re-cycled merchandise, such as clothing, jewelry, accessories, artwork, handmade items and much more. Stop in to see what treasures you can find!   Community Massage New Location  & 2 Year Anniversar  y! Community Massage & Holistic Therapies has found a new home in downtown's Triangle Building, 270 River Street.  The massage studio also celebrated its 2 year anniversary during this past Troy Night Out. The goal of the business is to proved a comforting and inviting environment to re-balance and renew, focused on your health with compassion and skill. There are a variety of massage and holistic therapies offered by 5 different licensed massage therapists and a Reiki master. Stop in to wish them a happy anniversary! Looking to get BID support of your event? With the growing interest in our downtown, more and more of our members are starting their own events, and we couldn't be happier! If you are a BID member (property owner, business owner, resident, etc.) and you're looking to hold an event in our district, fill out THIS FORM. The application gives us an idea of what you would like to do, and lets you tell us your expectations of support. We're excited to work with you! getting involved   The BID is always looking for volunteer committee members in the following areas: Special Events (Meets the third Monday of the month, 5:30pm @ 60 2nd St.)  Business Development (Meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month, 9:00AM@ BID Office)  Marketing & Member Services (Meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month,9:00AM @ BID Office)  Public Services & Beautification (Meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month,5:30PM @ 255 River St, Judge Development)  Fund Development (Meets the first Thursday of every month, at noon at the Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce) Please contact Erin in the BID office at (518) 279-7997 or email info@troybid.org if you would like to join! There are no requirements - anyone is welcome. Committees meet once per month; they are a great way to help the community and meet new people who all love Troy.