VOTE. Download an absentee ballot application or find a candidate to give you the form. www.dutchesselections.com/Absentee_Voting/index.html. However, as it is within a week of the election, your best bet to have your vote counted is to visit the Board of Elections up to Monday, November 2.
Frankenstein’s Fortress in Stanfordville. Friday and Saturday 6:30 to 9:30, Sunday 6:30 to 8:30. $14 for adults, $5 for kids under 10. www.frankensteinsfortress.com and really is amazing. This year, the Lion’s Club Café has treats for the tricksters. Look for the orange slips – that reduces admission by $1. Ends on Halloween.
One of the many things I have learned going door to door on this campaign is how many people are unemployed and truly struggling. Please, please let me know if you are hiring and I’ll spread the word.
I’m finding plenty of kittens on the campaign trail too. Six kittens need homes. Six adult cats are possibly looking for homes too. Please let me know if you are interested and I’ll put you in touch with the humans.
The Bardavon and UPAC are having food drives, partnering with Cee Cee’s Free Food Pantry in Poughkeepsie and Queens Galley in Kingston to help feed local families for the holidays.
From 10/30 – 11/19, the Bardavon will be accepting non-perishable food items on behalf of Cee Cee’s Free Food Pantry (337 Mansion Street, Poughkeepsie), a nonprofit agency providing food to the needy for more than thirteen years. Food items may be dropped off at the theater (35 Market Street, Poughkeepsie) at performances or during regular Box Office hours (11am – 5pm Tuesday through Friday). Donations for Cee Cee’s are also being accepted at First Congregational Church (269 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie).
From 10/30- 11/20, UPAC will be accepting non-perishable food items as well as paper and cleaning products (soap, detergent, toilet paper, etc.) on behalf of Queens Galley (254 Washington Avenue, Kingston), a nonprofit organization providing relief, awareness, education, and prevention of food insecurity for the community. Food items may be dropped off at the theater (601 Broadway, Kingston) at performances or during regular Box Office hours (11am – 5pm Wednesday through Friday).
Of course, we have food pantries closer to home too. Check with Father Doug Fisher at Grace Church.
Expect great bargains on quality items at the Grace Church Tag Sale. Friday Nov 6, and Sat. Nov. 7, 9 AM-4:30 PM, with a Bag Sale Sun. Nov 8, 11 AM-1 PM, upstairs in the Grace Church Parish Hall (3330 Franklin Ave., Millbrook). Please call Helen Ashton 845-266-4389 for more info. Continue your bargain hunting on the main floor of the Parish Hall with a children’s rummage sale and bake sale sponsored by Millbrook Community Preschool at Grace on Saturday, November 7, from 9 AM-4:30 PM. The children’s rummage sale will feature gently used children’s clothing (infant-teen), books, DVDs, games, train tables, doll furniture, and more.
Works by local artists Gabriella Kiss and Chris Lehrecke, Warner Gallery, Holbrook Arts Center, Millbrook School through October 30. Gallery hours Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8am to 1pm Sundays by appointment. Please contact Bill Hardy @ 845.677.8261 extension 132 or bhardy@millbrook.org.
1998 olds for sale; it has only had two owners. 138,000 miles/perfect motoring vehicle, probably never left the hudson valley except for a few trips to nyc. Contact bbsidesign@aol.com if interested.
Audition Notice for Falsettos. Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. Callbacks: Monday, November 2nd at 7 pm. The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, 661 Route 308, Rhinebeck. Needed: actors/singers/dancers – All Parts are Open, 3 men – 25-45 year old. 3 women 25-40 year old, 1 boy – 10-13 years old. Prepare: A contemporary song (bring sheet music in correct key). Wear shoes/clothes appropriate for dancing. Performance dates: Feb. 12 – Feb 21, Fridays through Sundays. No appointment necessary. Falsettos is directed and choreographed by Kevin Archambault for CenterStage Productions. For further information, contact Mr. Archambault at kevinarch2002@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, October 28:
If you missed the Botany of Desire at the Millerton Moviehouse Columbus Day weekend, as I did, watch it on PBS tonight.
Community Visioning Workshop at the Millbrook Firehouse, 7pm. The results of the MasterPlan Survey can be viewed at www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=QxI2yaBcr7aflUpws5IRrEpeJTCw6Lmfv3WtQAjL5PI_3d.
Thursday, October 29:
Palmer Gallery Exhibition. An exhibition in honor of the celebration of the Hudson River Quadricentennial. 5pm. On view through December 18. James W. Palmer III Gallery, College Center, Main Building, (845) 437-5370 or palmergallery.vassar.edu.
Late Night at the Lehman Loeb. 5:00 – 9:00pm. (845) 437-7745 or fllac.vassar.edu.
One more goody at Vassar: Samuel R. Delany, award-winning novelist, critic, and professor of creative writing at Temple University, will give a public reading and lecture about his forthcoming novel, Through the Valley of the Nest of Spiders. The program, free and open to the public, will begin at 7:00pm in the Villard Room on the second floor of the College Center in Vassar’s historic Main Building. There will be a question-and-answer session after the reading.
Open Mike Electric Night at Seany B’s. Stay up late on a school night and hear the tunes.
11th annual Williamstown Film Festival, October 29 – November 1, features films such as Peter Callahan’s Against the Current about a man who swims 150 miles in our own backyard–the Hudson River from Troy to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. www.williamstownfilmfest.com.
Friday, October 30:
The Future of Your Woods and Wildlife Workshop Comes to SUNY Ulster. Do you own wooded land in the Shawangunk Region? Would you like to get more from your land, or learn how to care for your land for future generations? Whether you own land for recreation or a place to get away from it all, to produce timber, or because you enjoy wildlife, this workshop will provide the information and tools needed to understand and deal with some of the issues facing woodland owners today. Woodland owners in the Shawangunk region in Orange and Ulster counties are encouraged to attend.
This workshop will take place at SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge. There is $15 registration fee. Laura Heady at 845-256-3061. Register online www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/pwt/bio/.
Tymor Park Safe Halloween Party for youths up to fifth grade. $3, 6 to 8pm. Wear your costume. An evening of food, music, games, scares, prizes and fun! And you don’t need to live in UV to participate.
Vassar, 8:00pm Music Faculty Recital. Richard Wilson, piano, with guest Joseph Genualdi, violin. Music of Mozart and Brahms. Skinner Hall of Music. 845-437-7294 or music.vassar.edu.
Symposium: John Cage at Bard College. The work of the influential American composer John Cage (1912–92) is alive at Bard College, where the John Cage Trust and its archives are housed. A concert of Cage’s chamber works will be performed by faculty and students of The Bard College Conservatory of Music. Free and open to the public. 7:30 p.m. Sosnoff Theater, Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. 845-758-7900 or www.fishercenter.bard.edu.
Bardavon shows Alfred Hitchcocks The Birds on the big screen. 7:30 show, but go early to hear the nifty old Wurlitzer Organ.
Pippin. This hip, tongue-in-cheek, anachronistic fairy tale captivated Broadway audiences and continues to appeal to the young at heart everywhere. The energetic pop-influenced score by three-time Oscar®-winning composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz (“Godspell,” “Children of Eden” and the animated films “Pocahontas,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “The Prince of Egypt”) bursts with one show-stopping number after another, from soaring ballads to infectious dance numbers. (845) 876-3080, www.centerforperformingarts.org. Oct. 30-Nov. 8. , 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck.
Vienna Boys Choir at Trinity Pawling. www.pawlingconcertseries.org, 845-855-5634. 8pm. Wow. “With 500 years of history, this famous choir has a regal presence and an angelic sound”.
Rocktober at Seany B’s in Millbrook with the Last Rights. 9 – 10 ish start. 677-2282.
Saturday, October 31 (AKA Halloween, Hallowe’en, All Hallows Eve):
This is the final day at the Millbrook Farmers’ Market and they are having a party. In the spirit of Scott’s favorite holiday, they have a full day of activities including: a pumpkin carving demonstration by local artists Sharyn Faranda and Jeffrey Carey, fifth grader, Mason Blanchette will read, “Festival of Bones,” Sharita will do introductory readings based on your astrology and numerology, and Burt Carey and the Lucyfurz will play scary songs. Scott will make a stone soup from vendor offerings for the community to enjoy. Please plan to stop by and celebrate a great year of local food and a supportive community.
Audubon Pollywogs program from 10-11am and learn about pumpkins! If you have a 3 or 4 year old child, or can borrow one … bring them by (in costume if you like!) for this fun program! Pre-registration is preferred. 10:00-11:00am. $10.00 per adult/child pair ($3.00 each additional child). We’ll have a short lesson, read a book, make a craft and even have a tasty snack! www.sharon.audubon.org, (860) 364-0520.
Trick or Treat at the Fountains in Millbrook. 6:30 to 7:30. Children from the Millbrook community are invited to trick or treat at the Fountains at Millbrook as well as take a tour of their Haunted House. Please meet in the Main Lobby at 6:30 to be taken around the building to the apartments of participating residents. Questions or directions? Call the Community Life office at (845) 905 – 8014.
Symposium: John Cage at Bard College. The Fisher Center hosts the second of two performances during this symposium weekend: Dance Music for Elfrid Ide (1940); Amores (1943); Credo In Us (1942); Chess Pieces (1944; arranged by Brian Nozny, 2008). Legendary Toronto-based percussion quintet Nexus will perform. Free and open to the public. 8:00 p.m. Sosnoff Theater, Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. 845-758-7900 or www.fishercenter.bard.edu.
Sunday, November 1: All Saints Day, End of Daylight Savings so Fall behind one hour.
WVKR, 91.3, not only will I be on the radio for an interview with Jay, but so will Nora Gutherie. Wow! She’s Woody’s daughter and when she found dozens of songs in the attic, she contacted Billy Bragg and Wilco to record them, Mermaid Avenue. Show is from 6am to 9am. I’m on at the end, but plan to listen to the whole show so I can hear Nora.
Vassar Music Faculty Recital. Anna Polonsky, piano. Music of Schumann, Brahms, Debussy, and Honegger. 3:00pm. Skinner Hall of Music. 845-437-7294 or music.vassar.edu.
Monday, November 2: All Souls Day, Day of the Dead. Also, Full Beaver Moon, though sometimes the Frosty Moon.
Bard Lecture Series: “Self and Society in the Liberal Arts: Dante’s Inferno.” Giuseppe Mazzotta, Yale University. Sosnoff Theater, Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. 4:30 pm. inside.bard.edu/firstyear/.
Union Vale Historical Society meets, 7:30, at the Fountains.
Tuesday, November 3:
GO VOTE! Polls open 6am to 9pm. Local elections are very important. Please go vote!
Bard Conservatory students in concert. Olin Hall, noon. 845-758-7196 or conservatory@bard.edu.
Vassar, Peter Andreas, director of the international studies program and associate professor of political science at Brown University, will examine the 1992–95 battle for Sarajevo. The lecture, free and open to the public, will be based upon the topic of Andreas’s recent book Blue Helmets and Black Markets: The Business of Survival in the Siege of Sarajevo and will begin at 5:00pm in Rockefeller Hall, Room 300. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.
Wednesday, November 4:
National Climate Seminar at Bard. “Copenhagen Prospects.” Andrew Revkin, New York Times. The National Climate Seminar is a biweekly, national phone conversation featuring top climate scientists, political leaders, and policy analysts. 3pm. www.bard.edu/cep/ncs/, cep@bard.edu, 845-758-7073.
An exhibit of Paintings by artist Staats Fasoldt at The Gardiner Library. The show will consist of watercolors and oils inspired by the Hudson Valley. Staats received a MFA in painting from SUNY New Paltz and has taught at The Woodstock School of Art for 25 years. http://ulster.net/~staats/index.html. Artists reception Sunday November 15th from 3-5pm. Through December 29.
Thursday, November 5:
Late Night at Vassar’s Lehman Loeb. 5 to 9pm.
“Emerson High” at the Cunneen-Hackett in Poughkeepsie. A new play exploring the complexities of human relationships and how we each arrive at our own version of what is moral. This is opening night and a pay what you can. The play runs to November 15. www.halfmoontheatre.org, 888-718-4253.