Greetings Art Lovers

Greetings Art Lovers:

Here in the Mid-Hudson region, the morning begins with a snowstorm – look out at the beautiful white, notice the quietness for just a few moments before beginning your day. And before you think we are beginning weather reporting, I mention the visual of the snow and its accompanying sensory experience because this is what we all experience with the arts. While this is a small moment of beauty in our lives, artists spend their life work creating artworks that go out into the public to be shared, whether it is a literary reading, performance, concert, or an arts educational moment. The arts have an important place in our lives and many have contacted us fearful that the arts might be cut from federal spending. While we have no control over this, we do know that you, dear reader, are someone who appreciates what arts and culture bring to our community, and that you will continue to engage with us, join as members, and volunteer. Reaching back into history, I’ll share with you one of my favorite quotes from former President John F. Kennedy: “The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of a nation, is very close to the center of a nation’s purpose…and is a test of the quality of a nation’s civilization.” Let’s continue this legacy of building our national purpose with the arts.

The weekend is quickly approaching and Friday you can hear the Hudson Valley Jazz Ensemble at The Dautaj, 36 Oakland Avenue, Warwick. 8:00-10:00 p.m.

It’s Second Saturday in Beacon! You can wander along Main Street and see a variety of openings, including the opening at RiverWinds Gallery of Fantasy Worlds (5:00-8:00 p.m.) and Earth, Water, and Wood at the Bannerman Island Gallery (4:00-6:00 p.m.) The Howland Cultural Center has the annual African American Artists of the Hudson Valley exhibit up – here is a link to my recent article about the exhibit- stop in and enjoy the work.

Saturday at The Falcon in Marlboro, there is an opening reception for Three Painters/Tres Pintores/

三位画家, featuring Charles Geiger, Xuewu Zheng, and Nestor Madalengoitia: 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Saturday in Poughkeepsie you can celebrate Valentine’s Day a little early with the Valentine’s Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting at Cunneen-Hackett. 2:00-4:00 p.m., $15 solo or $25 per couple.

Sunday afternoon, following ten sold out shows in New York City, SUNY Ulster hosts a 650 | Where Writers Read session showcasing regional writers and the spoken word. One dozen pre-selected writers, from first timers to recognized authors, read for five minutes on the theme of “What We Wore.” This will be a riveting afternoon of storytelling at its finest. 2:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. $12 per person. Students are free. Reservations are required: www.read650.com. For more information, call Edward McCann at (914) 799-1997.

Save the date:

February 18: INKLINGS: Raising the Bar (Napkin) Workshop

Have an artful week!

Linda

______________

Linda Marston-Reid

Executive Director

LMR@artsmidhudson.org

#artsmidhudson

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE 2017 ULSTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S ARTS AWARDS! CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE.

events

SULLY

Tom Hanks stars in this thrilling portrait of heroic airline pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, re-enacting his incredible successful emergency landing of an Airbus A320 full of passengers on the Hudson River.

West Shokan

Thursday, February 9

6:00 p.m.

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WHERE WE ARE

Where We Are: An Evening of Words and Song, is a night of poetry and music at Green Kill. The featured performers are Bruce Weber, Joanne Pagano Weber, Karen Whitman and Rick Pantell, songwriter and musician Mark Brown, fiction writer, Ira Sher and the poet and playwright, Victoria Sullivan. Enjoy an evening of performances of all different styles and genres.

Kingston

Saturday, February 11

7:00 p.m.

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DJANGO REINHARDT AND THE FRENCH SALON

The rhythms of early jazz and the musical influences of French Impressionism collide in guitarist and composer Django Reinhardt’s Hot Jazz melodies. This innovative evening of music, featuring Alphonso Horne (trumpet) and Candice Hoyes (vocals) will examine the trans-Atlantic interplay between American and French jazz scenes through the music of Reinhardt, who rose to fame in France, then the United States.

Annandale-on-Hudson

Saturday, February 11

7:30 p.m.

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THE EROTICA SHOW

This unique exploration of works tempts and tantalizes, with an opening night reception and fundraiser. This progressive show will feature both visual and performing arts designed to entice and intrigue, in the spirit of imagination, fun and frolic.

Tivoli

Saturday, February 11

7:00 p.m.

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REGGIE HARRIS PERFORMS

A well-traveled performer, lecturer and cultural ambassador, Reggie Harris has earned wide acclaim and respect from peers and audiences alike throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and around the world. He is known for songs of joy, hope and freedom as he combines spirituals and roots music, historic inspiration, and moving original songs, often in the themes of unity and social justice.

Rock Tavern

Saturday, February 11

7:30 p.m.

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PEACE CONCERT

Listeners will have an opportunity to hear local professional storytellers and talented amateurs share traditional and original tales. This year’s tellers include Kusum Gupta, Rabbi Paul Golomb, Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi, Jonathan Heiles, Muriel Horowitz, Karen Pillsworth and Ron Sopyla.

Poughkeepsie

Sunday, February 12

2:00 p.m.