Vibrant summer culture in Tupper Lake
Do you consider yourself an art aficionado? Do you enjoy being immersed in local culture? And when it comes to all things art and culture, do you love to be involved in the community? If you answered yes to any (or all) of these questions, then congratulations, you’re in luck! Tupper Lake is home to a vibrant summer arts scene and offers weekly events to quench your thirst for art and culture. Oh, and did we mention that you can experience most of what Tupper Lake’s culture has to offer for free this summer? Beautiful venues, incredible art, and interesting events all make the summer in Tupper Lake something you need to see and hear for yourself!
1. Summer Sunset Series
Seriously, is there a better way to spend a summer evening than listening to live music? Every Monday and Wednesday, Tupper Lake Arts will offer live music at Flanders Park for free! Flanders Park is a beautiful venue located right on the scenic shore of Tupper Lake. If you were to describe a sunset as breathtaking at Flanders Park, it may be an understatement. Performances start at various times (usually 7:00 p.m.) and end at 8:45 p.m. (9:00 p.m. on July 4th) so you’re sure to catch one of those aforementioned sunsets. In the case of rain, all performances will be moved to the Tupper Lake Middle/High School Auditorium.
The Sunset Series will offer an eclectic mix of genres, ranging anywhere from reggae, rock, country, jazz, blues and everything in between. The atmosphere is laid back and all age groups and live music fans should feel right at home. Some seating is available on site but bringing something to sit on is recommended if you don’t feel like standing during the performance. Feel free to bring a blanket or folding chair so you can watch the show in comfort. Conveniently, Flanders park is centrally located in downtown Tupper Lake and is a stone’s throw from numerous dining and snack options. If a locally brewed drink is what you crave, then head on over to the famous Raquette River Brewing, and bonus, you can even grab yourself some food from their various on-site food trucks before you enjoy the show!
2. Little Loggers Kids Shows
Don’t forget to bring the kids to Flanders Park too! Every Friday, various acts will perform kid-friendly music, magic shows, plays, and much more. Some shows will even offer interactive elements and give the kids a chance to join in on the fun. Flanders park isn’t far from fast food, like McDonalds, and snack options just up the hill, like ice cream from Stewart’s, that the kids will love and help put the cherry on top (pun intended) of a perfect day for your little ones. Shows will begin at 11:00 a.m. and last until 12:30 p.m. and just like the Sunset Series, if the weather gets rough then performances will also be moved to the Tupper Lake Middle/High School Auditorium. The Little Loggers shows are sure to be a hit with the whole family!
3. Classes at the Tupper Lake Arts Center
Sure, you can appreciate art from afar but maybe you want to get involved and become the artist yourself. The Tupper Lake Arts Center offers classes for anyone interested in honing their artistic skills. Adult classes, children’s classes, and dance classes are all offered at the Arts Center. Classes for both children and adults include sculpting, drawing, painting, basket-making, and more! Whether you want to be the next great Adirondack artist, or just someone who enjoys creating art casually, you can find a class at the Tupper Lake Arts Center that works for you. You're sure to have a blast in any class.
4. Art showcases
Calling all aficionados, critics, and casual art lovers alike! This summer, the Tupper Lake Arts Center will offer showcases each month highlighting the best that the Adirondack region has to offer. All gallery shows are free, open to the public, and located at the Tupper Lake Arts Center.
It’s true, Adirondack art has an aesthetic that can’t be found elsewhere. The combination of mountains, rivers, lakes, history, and untouched natural land inspires art that’s truly specific to the Adirondack region. Simply put, there just isn't any other place quite like the Adirondacks, and consequently, the art is unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else. It’s truly Adirondack unique. Legendary local artists have brought their take on Adirondack life to life, and now, they get the chance to bring their work to you! Exhibits you can expect to see range anywhere from sculptures and paintings to photography and more!
5. Tupper Arts Center
Tupper Lake’s cultural hub is now freshly renovated and ready as ever to showcase the best art the Adirondacks has to offer. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Wednesday-Sunday browse through the two levels of gallery and shop to find a uniquely Adirondack gift or keepsake from a handful of local artists.
The mission of the Arts Center is to nurture the arts, artists, and community life. It's worth noting, it's important to remember to support your local artists. Your encouragement goes a long way in connecting the community and it goes without saying that supporting local art is vital to cultivating an inclusive sense of community. If not for our local artists these shows, galleries, and events wouldn’t exist. Whether we're conscious of it or not, local art plays a huge role in the vitality of a community. The free music you hear, that makes a Friday night (or Monday and Wednesday in Tupper Lake) so enjoyable, is the product of hard work by a local artist. A mural that makes your downtown much more attractive, again, is the result of hard work from your local artists. The list goes on, and the support you give comes back to benefit you in the form of improving the community that you live in!
See and hear it for yourself!
Tupper Lake is a great place to be in the summer, and thanks to our local artists and arts center, it's also a vibrant place to be. With live shows on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and art shows, classes, and galleries you're sure to find something that satisfies your need to be creative or appreciate the local culture. There's plenty of places to stay, plenty of other things to do, and plenty of places to grab a drink so you can round out your Tupper Lake experience. This summer, experience truly authentic Adirondack culture in beautiful Tupper Lake. You won't regret it!
