Celebrate St James - Our Mission
Celebrate St. James Past-Present-Future is a non-profit cultural arts organization. Housed in the historic St. James Calderone Theatre, built in the early 1900s, its mission is to preserve and celebrate St. James' rich history and inspire an appreciation and knowledge of the arts in our community.
This iconic building—once believed to have hosted many stage performances before becoming a beloved movie theater--has now become the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, a vibrant home for creativity, history, and connection.
Your continued support helps us bring cultural arts experiences and programs to life for the local community, ensuring that St. James remains a place where the arts flourish and the past inspires the future.
This iconic building—once believed to have hosted many stage performances before becoming a beloved movie theater--has now become the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, a vibrant home for creativity, history, and connection.
Your continued support helps us bring cultural arts experiences and programs to life for the local community, ensuring that St. James remains a place where the arts flourish and the past inspires the future.
Be Part of the Magic: Support the Arts in St. James
Together, we're bringing the spirit of St. James to life—honoring the past, celebrating the present, and inspiring the future.
Celebrate Park Dedication
October 18, 2022
Park designed by: Bob Retnauer, RLA, ASLA, Principal, RDA Landscape Architecture, PC, Michael Morbillo, AIA, LEED AP, ENSPIRE Design Group, Natalie Weinstein, Allied ASID, IDS, Natalie Weinstein Design Associates.
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About UsFounded in 2017, Celebrate St. James was born as a non-profit cultural arts organization by Jack Ader, Arline Goldstein, and Natalie Weinstein to assist in a revitalization of the Lake Avenue District, which has suffered major deterioration over the past decade.
St. James has an auspicious history, but it has so much more. It has spirit and pride and a desire to look back while looking forward. It has young and growing families, valued seniors, those who have been here for generations, and those who have just chosen to live and work in our wonderful hamlet because of who we are and what we stand for. |
We are a living history community, and Celebrate St. James is committed to highlighting our past through events and programs that benefit the businesses, residents, and all who come to visit. Buildings still stand and are a reminder today of the blessings of small-town life and the importance of preserving its heritage. We were the "most happening" town in the early 20th century. Vaudeville lived alongside serious theater and the New York political scene came to St. James, as well. In past years, Celebrate St. James has created an historic calendar, written and produced a comedy musical called "99 Minutes from Broadway," held art walks, hosted fundraising galas with sold-out attendance, provided children's events, opened an historic movie museum, a living history series, and a classic movie series and provided monthly art gallery exhibits among other activities.
In November 2020, Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim and the Town Board joined Celebrate St. James in a groundbreaking ceremony commemorating the construction of Celebrate Park. The money raised by CSJ through engraved brick and the 2021 Keepsake Calendar sales, along with generous donations from the community, has built a park that will forever stand as a testament to what local government, community-minded organizations, and hometown residents can accomplish together.
In November 2020, Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim and the Town Board joined Celebrate St. James in a groundbreaking ceremony commemorating the construction of Celebrate Park. The money raised by CSJ through engraved brick and the 2021 Keepsake Calendar sales, along with generous donations from the community, has built a park that will forever stand as a testament to what local government, community-minded organizations, and hometown residents can accomplish together.
The organization continues to bring neighbors together in joyful and meaningful ways.
At the park, summers come alive with live music during the beloved Summer Concert Series, and the organization proudly champions the town’s business community through collaborative events and promotions.
Now with a permanent home at the Saint James Community Cultural Arts Center, Celebrate St. James is more than an organization—it’s a movement, a memory keeper, and a creative hub for generations past, present, and future.
Now with a permanent home at the Saint James Community Cultural Arts Center, Celebrate St. James is more than an organization—it’s a movement, a memory keeper, and a creative hub for generations past, present, and future.
9/11 Art Show |
Movie Museum |