If you’ve spent any time in or around Ellicottville over this past winter, you may have heard the name Michael Israel in casual conversation and wondered, who is this man? The truth is that his bio could easily span many pages. The depth of experiences and accomplishments that Mr. Israel has accrued over the years is both vast and amazingly unique. And on August 2, 2014 you have the opportunity to take part in the phenomenon that is Michael Israel, but you have to act quickly because tickets to his show, The Art Of Rescue,are going fast!
Check out Israel’s website, michaelisrael.com and under his Bio section you will see links for (1) Artist, (2) Entertainer, (3) Speaker, (4) Humanitarian, and (5) Martial Artist. If you had to sum Mr. Israel up in one sentence, that would be a good starting point. However it would not begin to scratch the surface of his character and outlook on life.
The Art Of Rescuewill not be Israel’s first performance in this area. He did a benefit show for Hospice at Bemus Point in 2013, where one of the winning bidders for a painting of Israel’s was Ellicottville’s own Peter Kreinheder, owner of the Ellicottville Brewing Co. That show got Kreinheder thinking about how Israel’s talents could encourage support for an organization that plays a huge role in the winter Ellicottville lifestyle.
Fast-forward a few months and a handful of brainstorming sessions by Kreinheder, who had recruited the help of Mary Lyn Boberg and her husband Greg - HoliMont and Holiday Valley Ski Patrollers respectively, and the idea for The Art Of Rescuewas in place and quickly building momentum. For this show, Israel will be painting and then auctioning off five works of art.
For The Art Of Rescue, Kreinheder has set up a plan to bring Israel into Ellicottville to hold a performance at the Ellicottville Brewing Co. The proceeds from the artwork that Israel creates on the day of that performance will benefit both the HoliMont and Holiday Valley Ski Patrols.
“Our two patrols are part of the Eastern Division Ski Patrol,” said Mary Lyn Boberg. “We want to give some of the money to Eastern Divisions YAP program. YAP stands for Young Adult Program. To be in the YAP program you must be 15-years-old to 18-years-old. This program teaches young adults how to be a patroller, but more important, it teaches them responsibility. These young adults throughout the Eastern Division meet to compete in their first aide and tobogganing skills. This money will help support these young adults and hopefully give more of them an opportunity to attend the event each year. The remainder of the money will be split between the two patrols.”
According to Boberg, a ski patroller since 1975 and at HoliMont since 1993, HoliMont will be using the money to help build a new patrol facility. Holiday Valley will be using the money to purchase medical supplies, such as trauma equipment, splints, backboards, toboggans and bandages to service the 200,000 skier visits they get each year.
“Peter’s excitement to help the Ski Patrol was very contagious,” stated Boberg. “I spoke with Michael Israel and realized this would be a great opportunity for us (ski patrol), and a great opportunity to work with Peter and Michael Israel.”
The reason that this event is so important to the two ski patrol teams is that the National Ski Patrol is a not-for-profit organization and many of the ski patrollers are volunteers. To have such an exceptional opportunity to raise additional funds will go a long way to help the patrol teams, which in turn will help both HoliMont and Holiday Valley continue their efforts to efficiently treat and care for any injured skiers and snowboarders.
The Art Of Rescueopens its doors at 4:30pm on August 2 with cocktails and a tour of the Brewery. Attendees can enjoy appetizers, cocktails and entertainment by 2014 Chautauqua Idol winner, Michael Nugent, from 5:00-6:30pm. A lobster dinner will be served promptly at 6:30pm followed by a presentation of ski patrol stories and testimonials at 7:30pm. And then starting at 8:00pm Michael Israel will take the stage and perform until 10:00pm. After the show, there will be a party in the Brewery’s fantastic Beer Garden where Michael Nugent will perform a second set to close out the night. Tickets for this “social event of the summer” can be purchased at www.ellicottvillebrewing.com or by calling 716-699-2537.
ONE-ON-ONE WITH MICHAEL ISRAEL
DASH:How did you get hooked up with the Ellicottville Brewing Co. crew? Have you been to the Western New York area before?
MICHAEL:I did a benefit performance on the floating stage in Bemus Bay for Hospice, and Peter (Kreinheder) was one of the winning bidders for the art. Later he wanted to sponsor a similar benefit for the National Ski Patrol.
DASH:Your event, The Art of Rescue, is helping to raise funds for both the HoliMont and the Holiday Valley Ski Patrol teams. Skiing and snowboarding are a huge part of the culture in Ellicottville. You’re a very athletic guy. Do you ski/snowboard at all?
MICHAEL:I use to water ski and grew up on a houseboat in South Florida, but I’ve never snow skied. These days I’m careful what I do because I need all my body parts functioning to paint and have lots of people depending on it.
DASH:Your performance art certainly is unique. What influenced you to come up with this kind of show?
MICHAEL:I think I was dropped on the head as an infant and it just came naturally ... (chuckles)
DASH:How much more pressure do you feel to produce for a crowd as opposed to just painting in the solitude of a studio?
MICHAEL:I will do as many as seven 6-foot paintings in an hour show. But on commission I will procrastinate as long as I can. I had a Presidential painting to do that they didn’t need for about eight months so it didn’t get done until the day before it was needed … (chuckles)
DASH:Your events look like they are quite physically demanding on you. What sort of training do you do to be able to perform, and what should the Ellicottville audience expect to see from you in August?
MICHAEL:I work out with weights and karate six days a week to stay in shape to paint. Attendees can expect a show that will blow their minds. One they will remember for the rest of their lives … big fun too!
DASH:What do you most look forward to with your performances and how does the crowd interaction affect what you ultimately create?
MICHAEL:There is a synergy with the audience … I feed off of their energy!
