After two years of canceled shows, streamlined programming, and truncated seasons, culture is back in a big way in 2022. Powerhouse regional arts organizations like Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Bard Summerscape, and Maverick Concerts have scheduled full slates of events this summer, as have many other venues and festivals. There is an incredible pent-up demand to consume culture in person and to be in an audience with others for a shared experience. It’s going to be blockbuster summer. Here’s a snapshot of the bevy of world-class art, theater, music, and dance happening this year.
Solid Sound Festival | May 27-29
The Wilco-curated wonderfest wends its way back to Mass MoCA with still another stellar lineup of endlessly eclectic and entertaining attractions. Besides the host band and several of its members’ side projects, 2022’s Solid Sound will include performances by Sylvan Esso, Japanese Breakfast, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Terry Allen and the Panhandle Mystery Band, the Sun Ra Arksestra directed by Marshall Allen, Iceage, Hand Habits, Cut Worms, Mike Watt and the Missingmen, Angle Bat David, Sam Evian, John Hodgman’s Comedy Cabaret, and much more. See website for schedule and ticket prices. North Adams, Massachusetts.
Shadowland Stages | June 3-October 23
Ellenville’s main cultural attraction Shadowland Stages is a beautifully restored Art Deco gem of a theater, which is staging six shows this year, including the world premiere of “Safe Home” (July 15-August 7) by Tom Hanks and James Glossman, based on stories by Tom Hanks. Another premier will be Donna Hoke’s “The Crossword Play” (June 24-July 10), which follows a puzzle-maker on a journey to solve her love life. Other standouts of the season include “Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver” (August 12-September 11) and “The Life Span of a Fact,” a thorny drama about a dogged fact-checker and a writer who’s loose with the truth.
Kaatsbaan Summer Festival | June 4-19
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park in Tivoli recently announced its 2022 Summer Festival schedule. With four segments, the festival roster mirrors Kaatsbaan’s multidisciplinary programming. “Live Arts Global” (June 4-5) marks the world premiere of “Journey,” a dance performance featuring new works by acclaimed choreographers Danielle Agami, Jessica Castro, and Kristin Sudeikis, and evening concerts by musician Jess Woods. “Rising Stars” (June 11-12) presents upcoming dance talent from ABT JKO School, the Juilliard School, and the New York City Ballet’s the School of American Ballet, joined by chamber group the Neave Trio. Taylor Mac (June 18) and collaborators will offer a work-in-progress revue of new songs by the MacArthur “genius grant” recipient Mac and Matt Ray that pay homage to queer icons of the past and present. A Juneteenth community event (June 19) has music (saxophonist Tyrone Birkett), dance (choreographer Robert Rubama), and a poetry lineup co-curated by “multi-award-winning poet Patricia Smith.”
Caramoor | June 18-August 19
The gorgeous grounds of Caramoor in Kathonah again host a summer of high-powered performances across genres. The season opens with Yo-Yo Ma & The Knights (June 18) and continues for nine weeks. Highlights include the American Roots Music Festival, featuring Molly Tuttle & the Golden Highway (June 25); Kronos Quartet (July 8); Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens (July 16); Broadway’s Brian Stokes Mitchell (July 9); Rachael Price (Lake Street Dive) and Vilray (July 23); the world premiere of Michael Gordon’s experiential, site-specific “Field of Vision” for 40 percussionists (July 24); Shemekia Copeland (July 29); Angelique Kidjo (August 6); and the jazz of the Matthew Whitaker Quintet (August 19).
Bard SummerScape | June 23-August 14
Since its inception, the annual Bard SummerScape festival has presented stellar revivals of important but neglected operas in addition to innovative theater and dance performances. This year’s immersion in “Rachmaninov and His World” features “The Silent Woman” (July 22-31), the only true comic opera by Rachmaninov’s close contemporary Richard Strauss. Composer David Lang and choreographer Pam Tanowitz’s “Song of Songs,” a collaborative dance-theater performance, will be premiered (July 1-3). Director Ashley Tata puts a gender twist on Moliere’s “Don Juan” (June 23-July 17). And after a two-year absence, the Spiegeltent returns with performances by Suzanne Bartsch, Nona Bartsch, and a celebration of Black roots music.
Maverick Concerts | July 2-Septemeber 11
Maverick Concerts is the oldest, continuous summer chamber music festival in the country, celebrating over a century of world-class music in the woods outside Woodstock. After no performances in 2020 and a limited season in 2021, Maverick is back with a full slate of concerts at its open-air theater. The season kicks off on July 2 with percussion ensemble NEXUS’s 50th birthday bash with special guest Paul Winter. Woodstock’s own Simi Stone brings her contemporary rock on July 16. Folk legend Happy Traum performs with Cindy Cashdollar and friends on July 23. The celebrated Miro Quartet plays a program of Ravel, Glass, and Haydn on July 31. Jazz pianist Bill Charlap brings his trio on September 3.
HV Shakespeare Festival | July 7-September 18
This summer marks HVSF’s the first year at its new location, just down the road from its old digs at Boscobel in Garrison. Don’t worry, the shows will still be staged under a massive, open-air tent. Three plays will be presented in repertory. “Romeo and Juliet” opens the season on July 11 with director Gaye Taylor Upchurch offering an age-blind production (read: middle-aged actors) of star-crossed love. Anne Washburn’s “Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play,” is up next, examining how the pop culture of one era might evolve into the mythology of another. Rounding out the season is Madeline Sayet’s deep, personal solo piece “Where We Belong,” about the intersection of Shakespeare and colonialism.
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This article appears in Spring/Summer 2022.
