For eight weeks each summer—nestled in the quiet, scenic landscape of Bard College’s gorgeous Hudson River campus—a flashy European spectacle comes to the Valley. This month, the annually anticipated Spiegeltent returns for its ninth consecutive season. The “tent of mirrors” boasts an outrageous summer lineup of live music, theater, dance, cabaret, circus, and fine dining.
This year the Spiegeltent welcomes the wildly entertaining Justin Vivian Bond as its new host and emcee for the summer. Bond has previously played at the tent as host of Weimar New York—an annual favorite that marks its fifth Spiegeltent anniversary this year—and has been praised by the New Yorker as “the greatest cabaret artist of this generation.”
Audiences can expect the return of other popular acts, including the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, international sensation Meow Meow, and maverick singer-songwriter Amanda Palmer. The tent also welcomes five new acts to its stage, among them New York City singer-comedian Joey Aris and the teen-star-turned-jazz-singer Molly Ringwald.
This summer’s program also promises Late Night Local, offering live performances from local Hudson Valley musicians; Midsummer Dancing, including instruction and performances in salsa, tango, and swing; one weekend of Kinder Spiegel with the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus; and After Hours With Justin and Friends, a chance to dance to some of the best DJs in the business.
In addition to its impressive lineup of events, the Spiegeltent offers a delicious menu of locally sourced seasonal fare as well as a full bar. Dining is available from June 27, with performances starting July 3. Tickets can be booked on the web or at the Richard B. Fisher Center box office, (845) 758-7900. See a full calendar of events here.
