While Weather Lasts, Enjoy Troy’s Night Out

Troy Night Out is attempting to reach out to the needier members of the community while bringing the community as a whole together this month.

Held Friday September 26th, 2008 between 5-9pm, Troy Night Out describes itself on its website (troynightout.org) as a “monthly arts and cultural event.” Metroland and Times Union have declared it the Capital District’s “best local arts scene.”

This month, Troy Night Out is hosting a food drive to benefit local food pantries. Participants are encouraged to bring canned goods, non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, toiletries and other house hold items. Karen Schlesinger, who co-chairs Troy Night Out with Elizabeth Young, told the Hudsonian that they’re doing it because “there has been a lot of need that we’ve learned about in our community.” Donations can be dropped off at numerous places, a list of which may be found on Troy Night Out’s website.

“Troy Night Out is very exciting, as you can see [by] all the people here, it’s really growing and I think it’s wonderful to see that people really appreciate the arts. It really validates what we as artists are trying to do,” said Mary Pat Waker, a sculptor, in an interview with Times Union Arts Cam.

Troy Night Out is presented by RPI and has many other sponsors, including the Arts Center of the Capital Region, the city of Troy, id29, Lotus screen-printing and more. It’s hosted on the last Friday of every month and its hours are loosely from five to nine.

When Troy Night Out was originally conceived about a year and a half ago, it was with the intent of not only helping out local businesses, artists, and musicians by coordinating their efforts to attract more people but also to benefit the Troy community.

Instead of just being your average “art walk”, TNO was intended to be something that would have exhibits that appeal to a wide audience instead of just those who want to view art galleries.

On its website, TNO separates activities into four categories: look (representing the art galleries), touch (shopping), taste (restaurants) and hear (live music). Schlesinger described it as a “free-flowing event” and said that there is “not much of a structure with the hours.”

Troy Night Out is focused on providing entertainment for the participants in a way that is as safe and convenient as possible. It provides a trolley service for guests free of charge and free parking is available at numerous locations, including parking garages. Troy Night Out also collaborates with the Troy Police Department and police officers frequently patrol the area.