Live music, art, literary events, food, comedy, dance. They’re all coming back, and we’re happy to tell you all about it. Right here, every week.
Caseen Gaines Author Talk | June 9
Author Caseen Gaines (2017’s The Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History, 2015’s We Don't Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy) will be joined online by Oblong Books co-owner Suzanna Hermans to discuss he newest book, Footnotes: The Black Artists Who Rewrote the Rules of the Great White Way. The book tells the story of “Shuffle Along,” the popular 1921 musical by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake that launched the careers of Josephine Baker, Paul Robeson, Adelaide Hall, and other legendary Black American stars. The discussion will take place on June 9 at 7pm and is presented free at Oblong’s website in partnership with the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. Signed copies of Footnotes can also be purchased via the website.
“Today Show” Hosts Boost Hudson Literacy Fund | June 10
On June 10 at 6:30pm, Al Roker and Jenna Bush Hager of the “The Today Show” will host a virtual fundraiser for the Hudson Literacy Fund. During the event, the pair will share personal anecdotes and stories about reading and writing, and authors, teachers, and Hudson City School District students will make special presentations. The stated mission of the Hudson Literacy Fund is to bolster Hudson City School District kids’ reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills and to boost their self-confidence with the goal of helping them become successful as adults. Tickets for the benefit event are $100 (tickets for teachers are $50).
Comedian and actor Guy Torry is set to make the laughs happen when he visits Nyack Levity Live in West Nyack for five shows: June 10 (8pm), June 11 (7:30pm and 9:45pm), June 12 (7:30pm and 9:45pm). Torry, the younger brother of actor Joe Torry, has appeared in such films as American History X, Dead and Deader, Life, Trippin’, Funny Money, and Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood. His TV resume includes work on “Good News,” “Moesha,” “The Strip,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and Comedy Central. Tickets are $40-$280.
The inaugural Friday Food Truck Festival comes to Freer Park in Port Ewen on June 11 from 5pm to 8pm. In addition to food from various local mobile vendors, the event will include live music by area acoustic acts and singer-songwriters. The goal of the effort, say the organizers, is to make the festival a regular event and add arts programing to underutilized parks in the town of Esopus. Freer Park is located on the banks of the Hudson River and features a pavilion to be used in case of inclement weather. For further information, email Steven Lewis at lewisstephene@gmail.
Hudson Valley String Quartet at Unison Arts | June 11
The Hudson Valley String Quartet will deliver “Czech This Out!,” a concert of well-known and rare works by Czech composers at Unison Arts in New Paltz on June 11 at 7pm. The outdoor program includes Bedrich Smetana’s Quartet No. 1; “From My Life,” his musical autobiography; Antonin Dvorak’s String Quartet No. 12; and Hans Krasa’s Theme and Variations for string quartet, which features flavors of jazz and the second Viennese School. Audience members should bring their own seating. Tickets are $25 (Unison members are $20).
The numerous art galleries in Hudson have joined together to launch the ongoing, citywide Hudson Gallery Crawl. Beginning on June 12 and taking place every second Saturday of the month, the town’s galleries will show new works by local and nonlocal artists and business on and off the main artery of Warren Street will stay open late for the occasion. The latter includes Hudson’s famously diverse array of shops offering antiques, apparel, jewelry, books, lifestyle and gift items, and more, with many hosting special sales during the event. Also participating will be many of the city’s acclaimed restaurants and entertainment venues. Outside of the shops, visitors will find pop-up galleries, markets, buskers, concerts, food trucks, and community-activated art programing.
After weathering more than a year of being closed, the Bridge Street Theatre in Catskill will return to staging live performances on with shows by the Catskill Belly Dance Project on June 12 at 2pm and 7pm. “This show is dedicated to all of the dancers, creators, and people who both lost and found themselves during the isolation of the pandemic,” says the troupe’s statement. “Our mission is to create space to reconnect and to share the power of empathy and community. As a viewer, you will experience the process and the emotions of creation in a time where we need art and each other more than ever.” Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Seating is limited due to COVID concerns.
Ultraam: DJ Dance Party at Tech City | June 12
Hudson Valley space/improv rock band ULTRAAM will perform under the stars and outdoors at the Lot at Blueprint AKA Tech City in Kingston as part of a recently announced June 12 event that begins at 5pm that day. Also on the bill are DJ sets by local spinners Drew Piraino and Nick Rothlein, while Rough Draft will be providing the food and beverages. ULTRAAM includes members of Mercury Rev and other musical projects. The event is free though advance registration is required through Eventbrite.
