ArtEast’s Open Studio Tours
The largest art event in Eastern Dutchess is split into two weekends. The Northeast Dutchess tour is October 13 and 14, and the Southeast Dutchess tour is October 20 and 21. Artists in Dutchess County open their studios, workspaces, and gallery doors to the public. Visit the Pawling Trading Company and the Little Red Bakeshop on East Main for a preview featuring work by John Colantuono, Lori Adams, Doreen O’Connor, Gretchen Hoffman Abene, Kathleen Heidermann, Brian Saltern, Amy Brenner, and Victoria Hayes. Pawling’s Gallery on the Green will host an artist’s reception for Arlene Nadel’s “Keyhole” exhibit on October 22, 5-8pm.
Dutchessarteast.com
Wappingers Annual Festival of the Arts
The response to the age-old question “What did you learn in school today?” won’t be answered with “nothing” at Wappingers Central School District’s Annual Festival of the Arts. Each year in May, the school celebrates students’ artistic and musical talents in Mesier Park with hundreds of artwork exhibits by WCSD students (elementary through high school) and choral and instrumental musical performances throughout the day. The event also features student demonstrations and art-making activities.
Wappingersschools.org/Page/48
FroGS Annual Art Show
Friends of the Great Swamp (FroGS) is a community group devoted to the protection and preservation of the Great Swamp of Dutchess and Putnam Counties, one of the largest freshwater wetlands in New York State, covering 6,000 acres. FroGS hosts an annual art show to celebrate the beauty and importance of the Great Swamp and to teach about its environment and inhabitants. This year’s art show, “A Sense of Place,” will feature paintings, photography, and handcrafted items from local artisans based on the Great Swamp’s many environments, including marshes, wet meadows, and rocky hillsides. It will take place at Christ Church on Quaker Hill on October 20 and 21 and includes educational programs, children’s activities, Jim Eyring’s birds of prey, a slide show of the Great Swamp, and live music. Part of the proceeds goes to support the work of FroGS. Admission is free.
Frogs-ny.org
Pawling Concert Series
Trinity-Pawling School hosts the five-concert series every year, presenting classical, jazz, and ethnic music to the community. The series started in 1973 and is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Dutchess County Arts Council. Venues include All Saints’ Chapel, McGraw Pavilion, and the Gardiner Theater. The 39th season lineup includes The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble on October 19, Ellis Marsalis Quartet on November 16, Antioch Chamber Ensemble on December 14, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet on April 5, and So Percussion on April 26.
Pawlingconcertseries.org
East Fishkill’s Community Day
Recreation Fields in Hopewell Junction is the home base for East Fishkill’s Community Day, which celebrated its 17th year this September. A parade featuring local businesses and organizations begins the afternoon, live music continues throughout the day—which featured In the Pocket and K104 radio live this year—and fireworks close out the evening at dusk. Food, business, and recreation booths are set up at the field including displays for Master Kwon’s Martial Arts, Betty Jean’s dance studio, and youth basketball. Cheerleading, Girl Scout ceremonies, and a Wappingers Crew Club duck race as well as raffles, games, and activities for kids and adults round out the event.
Eastfishkillny.org
This article appears in October 2012.
