As we head deeper into August, savor these sensationally sizzling summer activities.
Hudson Valley Jazz Festival Returns | August 11-15
Summer music’s glorious return also includes that of the long-running Hudson Valley Jazz Festival to participating venues in and around Orange County from August 11 through August 15. “While we’ve presented some of the more nationally recognized names, the purpose of our series is to highlight local jazz musicians deserving wider recognition,” explain the festival’s tireless organizers. “There are excellent jazz musicians working each week throughout the valley and beyond.” With an emphasis this year on parks and other outdoor performance spaces, the 2021 roster, which was still being booked at the time of this writing, features a Bill Evans tribute, the Eric Person Quartet, the Skye Jazz Ensemble, the Big Band Sound, Cloudburst, Ciampa-Levin-Siegel, and more. See website for times, locations, ticket prices.
Tanya Tucker Takes It to Albany | August 13
One of country music’s original child stars, Tanya Tucker was a mere 13 years old in 1972 when she had her first and biggest hit, “Delta Dawn” (a year later, Helen Reddy’s cover would take the same song to the number one slot on the US pop charts). Fitting, then, that the Texas firecracker, whose other hits include “What’s Your Mama’s Name?,” “Blood Red and Goin’ Down,” and “Lizzie and the Rainman,” should call upon two of her youthful heirs, Brandi Carlisle and Shooter Jennings, to coproduce her newest album, While I’m Livin’. Tucker cracks the Egg in Albany on August 13 at 8pm with Walker County opening. Tickets are $39.50-$74.50.
Colin Jost Jokes It Up in West Nyack | August 13-14
Comedian and “Saturday Night Live” cast member and head writer Colin Jost will pay a rare visit to the Hudson Valley for four special performances at Nyack Levity Live in West Nyack on August 13 (7:30pm and 9:45pm) and August 14 (7pm and 9:30pm). Jost, who began his career as a humor writer, serving as president of the Harvard Lampoon while attending Harvard University. Jost’s memoir, A Very Punchable Face, was published by Random House last month to great acclaim. A New York Times bestseller, it’s described as a series of essays told with a healthy dose of self-deprecation. Tickets are $35-$45.
Short Film Festival Lights Up Big Indian | August 13
On August 13 at 7pm, Asbury Shorts USA, New York City’s longest-running short film exhibition and touring show, will present an evening of globally honored short films at Urban Cowboy Lodge in Big Indian. Described as a fast-paced and eclectic screening of short films in the comedy, drama, and animation genres, the festival will feature “Best of Show” winners, Oscar nominees, and international honorees on the beautiful grounds of this magnificent location in the Catskill Mountains. Recommended for ages 16 and up. Food and drink will be available for purchase before and during the show. Bring a blanket or beach chair to enjoy the evening. Tickets are $20.
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Visits Opus 40 | August 14
The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus continues to delight audiences at the Stockade Saturday Cabaret series at Opus 40 in Saugerties. On August 14 at 4pm, accompanied by outdoor dining from Papa’s Best Batch and drinks from Stockade Tavern, the troupe will present performances that consist of a quirky, colorful cornucopia of clowns, acrobats, musicians, magicians, and cabaret, vaudeville, and sideshow artists. Founded in 1995 by performers Keith Nelson and Stephanie Monseu, the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus has been dazzling attendees in New York for over 25 years. Prepare to be delighted. General admission tickets are $20.
Shakespeare Celebration at Shadowland Stages | August 14-September 5
Shadowland Stages in Ellenville will reopen August 14 through September 5 with a staging of the hilarious farce “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).” This production will mark Shadowland’s first productions since closing for the pandemic. Full of improvisation, raunchy humor, and a healthy disregard for the fourth wall, “The Complete Works” is wickedly funny in its attempt to speed-run through every play that Shakespeare authored, including obscurities like “Timon of Athens.” Proof of full Covid-19 vaccination with an FDA or WHO-authorized vaccine will be required for entry. See website for ticket prices and schedule.
“Subliminal Horizons” in Germantown | through August 15
Curated by Alvin Hall, “Subliminal Horizons” is a lively two-part exhibition split between the Alexander Grey Associates galleries Germantown and Manhattan. This exhibit is described as an open-ended survey of Black, indigenous, brown, and Asian artists living and working in the Hudson Valley. Hall, an award-winning TV and radio broadcaster, best-selling author, journalist, art aficionado, and collector, makes his curatorial debut with this conscious presentation, which brings together the work of 20 intergenerational artists working in a range of creative media and provides a kaleidoscopic peek into the region’s cultural life. See website for gallery hours.
Funk of the Gunks Weekend at Angry Orchard | August 14-15
On August 14 and 15 from noon to 4pm, Angry Orchard cider house in Walden will present, a weekend-long celebration of live music and the release of Angry Orchard’s new craft cider, Funk of the Gunks. Performing live on both days will be the Bunker Boys and Cold Flavor Repair, and Funk of the Gunks cider will be available on draft and in four-packs to go along with specialty a food menu and more. Admission is free and at present seating is indoors and outdoors (see website for updated COVID guidelines).
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