As you travel these gorgeous roads, notice the incredible combinations of chicory with Queen Ann’s lace or golden rod with purple loosestrife. Yes, they’re invasive, but ever so lovely. Even with allergies.
It is with much nostalgia and sadness that I must report the Catskill Game Farm is closing in a few weeks. After 73 years, I’ve been told this is their last season. www.CatskillGameFarm.com – 400 Game Farm Rd. Catskill, NY 12414 – 518-678-9595. Lots of animals, but the charm was the 1950’s time warp and innocence. I do hope the elephant finds a good home, as do the other critters who facilitated many superb photos and memories.
TriArts in Sharon wraps up The Will Rogers Follies on August 20th. www.triarts.net or 860-364-7469.
One more week of Little Miss Sunshine at Upstate and I hear it’s superb. Also, Leonard Cohen I’m Your Man starts Friday. www.upstatefilms.org, 876-2515.
Innisfree “ went there last week and oh my, those lotus are exquisite. I’ve been going to Innisfree since I was a child and still find something new and spectacular with every visit. www.innisfreegarden.com
Bard “ last of Summerscape “Franz Liszt & His World”. “Faith & Politics.” Panels, concerts, pre-concert talks, & special events. Highlights include Fri symposium: “Music in 19th-Century Culture”; Fri eve concert: “Liszt & National Aspirations;” Sat concerts: “The ˜Gypsies,’ The Hungarians, & the Exotic in Music,” “Between Two Schools: Liszt & the Chamber Music Tradition,” “Christ & Faust,” “Late Liszt: Spirituality & Experimentation,” “Liszt & Wagner.” www.fishercenter.bard.edu or 758-7900. As I think back about this summer, it will remembered as the summer of going up to Bard for superb music, plays, op eras, great ice cream and shortcake, tasty sangria, softshell crab sandwiches and magical nights at the SpiegelPalais with more incredible music, dancing and a truly marvelous experience.¨
Thursday, August 17:
The Fabulous Thunderbirds at the Ridgefield Playhouse. www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org
Great Hudson Valley Pedal “ mind the bicyclists!
The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck presents “Footloose”. Goes to 8/20. Talented teens and young adults from the Rhinebeck Unplugged Student Theater take the stage to present this musical based on the 1980s movie. Run completely by students. $18 adults; $16 children & seniors. 8pm, plus a 3pm Sunday matinee. 661 Route 308, Rhinebeck. 876-3080 or www.centerforperformingarts.org
Friday, August 18:
Great Hudson Valley Pedal “ Hyde Park to Highland Falls. 39 miles.
Tivoli Bays Canoe Trip at 8:30am. Reservations required. Tivoli. 758-7015
Last night for Scoop at Upstate. 876-2515.
Bard “ Liszt. 758-7900 to find out what’s not sold out.
Fundraiser for Brian Keeler with the Warhol Crowd performing. In Hopewell Junction. 6-9, brocker@optonline.net.
Saturday, August 19:
Millbrook Farmer’s Market celebrates Earth Day. 9 to 1. Lots of great fresh yummy food and ever so much more;including a demonstration of a solar oven (yep, that’s where you’ll find me “ please stop by if you’re at the market).
Great Hudson Valley Pedal “ Highland Falls to Nyack. Only 24 miles, but that means it’s Bear Mountain.
America is at the Ridgefield Playhouse. I presume they mean the “Horse With No Name” people. www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org
Silo Ridge in Amenia has the Big Kahunas performing. 845/373-7000 or www.siloridge.com.
Bard “ Liszt. 758-7900 to find out what’s not sold out.
Oblong Books & Music presents a celebration for the release of an art book edition of Anita M. Smith’s “Woodstock History and Hearsay.” The book, the town’s first official history when published in 1959 documents the run-up of events that culminated the iconic Woodstock Festival a decade later. 7:30pm. 6422 Montgomery St., Rhinebeck. Information Woodstock Arts at 679-8555 or www.oblongbooks.com
Upstate starts Leonard Cohen and I’m Your Man. Wow.
Millbrook Horse Trials II – To benefit Dutchess Land Conservancy. Bangall-America Rd., Millbrook. www.millbrookhorsetrials.com or 677-3002¨¨Bindelstiff Circus – Performance at the waterfront in Hudson. Free. Organized by Time & Space Ltd., 434 Columbia St., Hudson. For time: 518-822-8448 ¨¨Art Show & Sale at Olana. Original artwork by regional residents. 11am“4pm. $5 per vehicle. Olana State Historic Site, Greenport. 518-828-0135. Also on Sunday.
Sunday, August 20:
12th Annual Artists’ Soapbox Derby (Kinetic Sculpture Parade). 1pm. Corner of Spring Street and Broadway in the Rondout Section of Kingston. Awards ceremony in TR Gallo Park. For more info call Nancy Donskoj, 845-338-8473 or www.artistsoapboxderby.com
Great Hudson Valley Pedal “ Nyack to NYC. 30 miles.
www.nouveaucollectivetradeshows.com has an event at West Point. About an hour from Millbrook, this will be a neat way of meeting some local wineries, foods, sail on the Clearwater or the Commander or a Kayak. Should be fun and it’s all day.
This is the last day of Bard’s Summerscape and the SpiegelPalais returns to Belgium. It has been nothing short of spectacular and will be greatly missed. Hooray “ it’s coming back in 2007! 759-7900. www.bard.edu
IES offers a tour of Battery Park. 845/677-9643. $60, 10-2:30. www.ecostudies.org
Monday, August 21:
With all of the other fun activities throughout the week, this is a great night to stay home, grill something seasonably tasty and catch up laundry and all of that mundane stuff. Or go see a film at Upstate.
Tuesday, August 22:
The Dutchess County Fair starts, ends 8/27. If you’ve not gone in years, or never, it really is quite amazing with over 1600 goats, sheep, hogs, cows, horses, chickens, cattle & rabbits as well as vegetables, fruits, home crafts, baked goods, antiques, grains & flowers judged. Over 300 commercial & food exhibits, demos of spinning, weaving & dying, horse shoeing & forging, husband calling, hay bale throwing & more. Large midway with rides & games. Live Music & more. Free parking. 10am“10pm. Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck. 876-4001. And defi nitely leave time to wait on line for a 4H milkshake. www.dutchessfair.com 845/876-4001.
Wednesday, August 23:
Village of Millbrook ZBA Meeting at 8pm. Unofficially, agenda to include Taylor Oil tank, Rizzo, Molella shed (meaning the 2 1/2 story garage or is there another building proposed?), and review of definition of 2-family house.
Phil and some other great local musicians play at Seany B’s, Cathy tends the bar and it’s a fun night in Millbrook. 677-2282.
Stageworks presents “Dog Stories” about a man named Ira who has just lost his wife, and his dog, Sebastian, who has just been diagnosed with a life threatening illness. Ira and Sebastian set out on a cross country adventure to reach “the happiest place on earth” – America’s Disneyland – in a story that explores that life’s true meaning and the cavalcade of characters encountered along the way. Stageworks/Hudson, 41-A Cross Street, Hudson, 518-822-9667, or www.stageworkshudson.org. Thru 9/10.
Wine & Cheese party to raise funds for candidate Brian Keeler. 4-6, Salt Point. Email for more info sakozloff@vassar.edu. www.keeler2006.com.
And another one: Karaoke at the Rhinebeck Center for Performing Arts. Cash bar, snacks & lots of fun. 9pm $5. Rhinebeck. 876-3080¨
Thursday, August 24:
Children’s Media Project presents “System Failure: Violence, Abuse and Neglect in the California Youth Authority,” a documentary film on the juvenile justice systems across the US. Discussion too. 6pm. Mid-Hudson Library Systems Auditorium, 105 Market St., Poughkeepsie. 845-485-4480 or www.childrensmediaproject.org
Village of Millbrook Planning Board Meeting “ Bennett will be discussed.
Friday, August 25:
Half Nelson starts at Upstate.
“Almost Obscene”. Unpredictable & thought-provoking comic act w/WDST personality Joe Raiola. 2 shows on Fri & Sat: 8pm & 10pm. $18/$16. Ctr. for Perf. Arts., Rhinebeck. 876-3080. Also on Saturday.
Saturday, August 26:
Salt of the Valley Art show talk & closing reception for exhibit featuring five emerging Hudson Valley artists. 7pm, Basilica Industria, Front Street across from Amtrak Station in Hudson. 943-0289.¨
Sunday, August 27:
Poughkeepsie Party in Support of John Hall for Congress, 2:30-5:00pm in Poughkeepsie, NY. Fundraising party in support John Hall, with Master of Ceremonies Larry Plover (Founder, The Chance) and musical guests The Bear Cats, Larry Plover and candidate John Hall. To RSVP, and for directions, contact the Events Coordinator Sara Pasti at 845-831-0025 or sara@johnhallforcongress.com. Minimum Suggested Contribution: $50
“Peach Sundae” Fresh peach deserts & peach picking 1“5pm. Mead Orchards. 15 Scism Rd., off Rt. 9, 4 mi. north of Red Hook light. 758-5641. They also offer pick your own. Yummy.¨¨Rob Cannilo & Friends concert at the Center for Performing arts in Rhinebeck. ¨3pm. Rhinebeck. 876-3080.
Sharon “ Spoon River Anthology performance by Linda Gray Kelley. 860-364-5688 and benefits the Historic Sharon Burying Ground. 4pm, $10.
Merritt Books in Millbrook “ a reception for local artist Anita Fina Kiewra. The exhibit has been ongoing and ends 9/4. You may have seen her work at the Millbrook Library as well. Reception is 2-4. Call Merritt for hours 677-5857.