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Geneva, NY

Culture & Entertainment

Blending Arts and History

The Smith Opera House
Geneva’s cultural history dates back to the community’s earliest days, when nursery owner William Smith built The Smith Opera House. According to local historian Charlie Bauder, “Smith’s purpose was to have a community center,” and opera houses at that time played important roles in society. Bauder details that “it was the place for entertainment.” During its 100-plus-year history, The Smith Opera House has acted as an opera house, vaudeville venue, playhouse, movie theater, performing arts center and community cultural center. Its doors have opened to welcome such notable artists as Al Jolsen, John Philip Sousa, Itzhak Perlman, George M. Cohan, Isadora Duncan, Jay Leno, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Wynton Marsalis and Dave Matthews.

Bauder recalls that, by the 1970s, The Smith had been neglected and was almost lost to demolition until a group of locals raised money to save it. “In the last 10 years,” he adds, “it’s been totally remodeled inside and out. It’s really a regional attraction — not only for performances, but for tourism — to see a building in that great condition.”
Today, performances at The Smith Opera House may include productions by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and the Geneva Theater Guild. The Smith is also used for high school commencement ceremonies. For more information, visit www.thesmith.org or call (315) 781-LIVE or (866) 355-LIVE.

Geneva Arts Development Council
The Geneva Arts Development Council (GAD) was founded to promote the arts to residents and visitors of Geneva in order to benefit the entire community. Executive Director Mark Wenderlich strongly believes the arts contribute significantly to the overall well-being of a community.

“Consider a factory owner making a hard-nosed business decision about where to locate a factory,” Wenderlich explains. “If a region has an active, vibrant cultural life, then it will make it easier for that [business] owner to attract and keep employees in the region. Recruitment and retention costs go down and the bottom line goes up … this has a snowball effect. If more industry is attracted, then more people will need housing. If more people need housing, local construction and development will make more money. Banks will be loaning more for mortgages, car and personal loans, and the new people in the region will need to buy local products. Bottom-line businesses, like banks, support the arts for quality of life and good solid business reasons. Additionally, a strong cultural arts life — especially coupled with the natural beauty of the region and anchor attractions like the regional wine trails and sporting opportunities — will draw tourists into the region.”

In a little over three years since GAD was created, the organization has experienced considerable success. “[GAD’s] two previous Geneva Summer Arts Festivals drew ever-increasing numbers of visitors to the region, and we worked with Geneva Concerts to institute the Eastman in Geneva concert series, which brings world-class musicians to perform in Geneva,” says Wenderlich.

GAD is extremely proud of its role in Geneva, and rightly so. For more information, visit www.genevarts.com.
Geneva Free Library

The Geneva Free Library (GFL) is another cultural gem. In 2004, the library’s circulation was 141,853; over 100,000 visitors use the facility annually. According to Executive Director Scott Hughes, “The library is the commons for cultural development. It is the place for people of all walks of life to learn about the global community.”

GFL’s reach extends far beyond the boundaries of its four walls to touch the lives of those in Geneva and surrounding communities. Hughes explains, “Geneva Free Library is the central library for the Pioneer Library System. As the central library, GFL is a resource library to all 41 member libraries in Livingston, Ontario, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

“Outreach programs include partnering with Literacy Volunteers of Ontario County, Books for Babies born at Geneva General Hospital, computer classes offered at remote sites in both English and Spanish, rotating collections to all senior resident facilities in Geneva, and books with Meals-on-Wheels,” Hughes continues. “Our children’s programs include Toddletime, Preschool Story Hour, Ready! Set! Kindergarten! Puppet shows offered on-site and in the community, summer reading programs, and homework help.”

For more information, visit www.geneva.pls-net.org.

Festivals

Festivals add to Geneva’s artistic quality.
The annual Seneca Lake Whale Watch Festival in August is a summer music festival that attracts thousands to enjoy music, food, drinks, crafts and fireworks along the lakefront (www.senecalakewhalewatch.com).
Cruisin’ Night, held in July, is presented by Geneva Business Improvement District. This festival brings downtown to life with beautifully maintained and restored classic cars, along with festive music and refreshments.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges Arts Programs
Hobart and William Smith Colleges further contribute to Geneva’s cultural offerings. Hobart and William Smith Colleges’ commitment to community service is bolstered by HWS President Mark D. Gearan, who previously served as the Director of the Peace Corps as well as Assistant to the President, Director of Communications and Deputy Chief of Staff in the Clinton administration.

Throughout the academic year, President Gearan sponsors a President’s Forum lecture series that has brought notable guests to campus, ranging from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to legendary journalists Helen Thomas and Sam Donaldson, to political commentator George Stephanopoulos, to conservative activist Grover Norquist. Many of these speakers draw audience members from the surrounding cities of Rochester, Syracuse and Ithaca.