The Silver Lake Experience Returns to the Grounds of Asbury and SLI

After a highly successful inaugural event during the summer of 2015, the Silver Lake Experience returns August 10-13 as a collaborative effort between Asbury Retreat Center and the Silver Lake Institute. With over 80 workshops, presentations, demonstrations and activities over the course of the first three days, this "mini-Chautauqua" truly offers something for everyone.

New features for 2017 include continental breakfast and full lunch each day, a Chaplain of the Day and Daily Devotion, a social justice theme throughout the Experience, and a "bonus day" on Sunday which includes a nondenominational worship service followed by a hot dog fellowship and Full Swing Band concert--all at no additional cost.

Thursday offers another new and very special "rousing musical lunch." Shake on the Lake will present songs from a new musical play, A Tinker's Tale(c), written by Jeanne and Jim Morey with music by Earle Terwilliger, lyrics by Mr. Morey, produced by Josh Rice, directed by Chad Bradford, and music directed by Eric Kelly. While lunch is provided for all registrants, Thursdays musical theatre luncheon is limited to the first 110 people.

Tours are a perennial favorite at the Experience, and this year will offer five different varieties, although two already are at capacity. Other popular workshops have food themes: Dessert Demonstrations with Glen Iris Inn Chefs, Creative Cooking with staff from both East Hill Creamery and the Hole in the Wall Restaurant, and Mindful Bread Making with Chet Fery, the Breadman.

Perhaps the most highly anticipated part of the 2017 Silver Lake Experience, however, are the evening concerts.

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Quintet will be featured Thursday night, performing a concert of American Music that is sure to please listeners of all ages. From arrangements of Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" to transcriptions of Scott Joplin Rags, the quintet will showcase the diverse and exciting sounds of brass. Music by Glen Miller, Hoagy Carmichael, and Fats Waller, along with the songs of George M. Cohen, marches by John Philip Sousa and authentic Civil War brass band pieces will provide for an energetic program. The quintet will also perform music by John Cheetham and RPO trumpeter Wesley Nance. Complimentary desserts by the Glen Iris Inn will precede the concert.

Friday night features The Jen Chapin Trio, with Ms. Chapin on acoustic guitar, her husband Stephan Crump on acoustic bass, and Jamie Foxx on electric guitar. Here's what the New Yorker magazine had to say about the Trio: "With songs delivered in a style that ranges from tender fragility to unexpected steeliness, Chapin brings a jazzy edge to the folk form. Sometimes she explores a fleeting emotion, sometimes she weaves a solid narrative--not at all surprising from the daughter of Harry Chapin, a master musical storyteller." Ms. Chapin also is a workshop presenter on Friday.

The buzz around town about Saturday night's entertainment is everywhere! Titled "A Perry Revival: The Soundtrack of Our Lives," the concert reunites local musical legends Eric Kelly, Guy Macaluso, Bill Roberts and Dan Saunders, playing the songs that brought them together in the seventies through favorites from today.

"This single event has generated tremendous interest," according to Loren Penman, Marketing Chair for the Silver Lake Experience. "While we are delighted, we need people to understand that "A Perry Revival" is not a stand-alone concert. It is the culminating activity of all three days. We consciously scheduled a blockbuster show to attract registrants for--if not the entire Silver Lake Experience--at least Saturday's full day of opportunities. We truly want everyone to experience what we have to offer."

The high quality of the Silver Lake Experience is made possible through the generous sponsorship of many businesses, organizations and individuals, especially this year's Gold Sponsors which include: Artisan Villa, Arts Council for Wyoming County, Asbury Retreat Center, Bob Blauers/Remax, Charcoal Corral / Silver Lake Twin Drive-In Theater, Conolly Printing, Glen Iris Inn, Ed Hulme General Contracting, Perry Market Place, Schultz Associates Engineers and Land Surveyors, Silver Lake Institute, Silver Lake Marine, Sinclair Pharmacy, and Upper New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Registration is $45 per person/per day, and registrants may register for just one or all of the days. But hurry--space is limited! Go to: www.silverlakeexperience.org.