Out & About

Bethel Woods hosts Cyndi and Ringo, Blondie comes to Kingston, and Thomas Cole’s oil sketches light up Catskill.

Out & About

 

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June

Two bottle blondes, films with an Italian accent, Thomas Cole at home

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By Polly Sparling

 

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Rock (and Russians)

 

This girl always has fun:Singer Cyndi Lauper comes to Bethel Woods as part of the True Colors Tour

 

It’s no longer 1969, and (sadly) the Summer of Love is long gone. But things are once again heating up at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Located on the site of the original Woodstock festival, the center presents four blockbuster concerts in June. The True Colors Tour (June 14) features five hours of music by old friends (Cyndi Lauper, the B-52s) and up-and-comers (The Cliks, Deborah Cox). Rock royalty arrives on the 21st when Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band — featuring Billy Squier and Edgar Winter — come to town. The New York Philharmonic plays works by (mostly) Russian composers on the 28th; classic rock returns with the double bill of legendary groups Chicago and the Doobie Brothers on the 29th. Call for exact schedule and ticket information. 200 Hurd Rd., Bethel (Sullivan County). 866-781-2922 or www.bethelwoodscenter.org

 

 

Homecoming

 

This summer, Cedar Grove — the Catskill home of Hudson River School artist Thomas Cole — hosts an exhibit of the painter’s rarely seen oil sketches. Some of the 20-plus canvases — which Cole produced either outdoors or in the studio — are studies for several of his best-known works (such as Falls of the Kaaterskill); all of the paintings offer a glimpse into Cole’s creative thought process. Oil sketches by contemporaries Frederic Church, Sanford Gifford, and Albert Bierstadt are also on display, as are the contents of Cole’s portable sketch box. Thurs.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through Oct. 26. $7, $5 seniors & students. 218 Spring St., Catskill. 518-943-7465, ext. 3 or www.thomascole.org

 

Artful antagonists

 

As has become their habit over the last few years, Ellenville’s Shadowland Theatre kicks off the summer season with an acclaimed play featuring A-list talent. Art, Yasmina Reza’s Tony-winning comedy, examines how three friends react when one of them purchases an expensive oil painting. Besides debating the aesthetics of the work (which consists of white lines drawn on a white canvas), the friends soon begin critiquing each others’ characters as well. Well-known thespian Judd Hirsch — who starred in the TV series Taxi and appeared in the films Ordinary People and Conversations with My Father — leads the cast. Thurs.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. through June 15. Call for ticket information.

157 Canal St.

, Ellenville. 845-647-5511 or www.shadowlandtheatre.org

 

 

Downtown diva

 

Most of us remember the 1970s as the disco decade. (Who can forget John Travolta “Stayin’ Alive” in Saturday Night Fever?) But punk and new wave music was also extremely popular during that era — and no band better characterized this anti-disco genre than Blondie. A staple of CBGB and other downtown Manhattan clubs, the group’s early video appearances on the fledgling MTV — not to mention vocalist Deborah Harry’s bleached-blonde hair and cool, streetwise style — helped propel them to stardom (as did hits like “Heart of Glass” and “Call Me”). Recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Blondie comes to the Valley this month for a rare performance. June 10 at 7:30 p.m. $40-$60. Ulster Performing Arts Center. 601 Broadway, Kingston. 845-339-6088 or www.upac.org

 

 

Kid’s Korner

 

Kick off summer with a dinosaur dig, a dragonfly quest, and a performance by Dog on Fleas 

 

By Elizabeth Stein

 

RHINEBECK CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS The Pirates of Penzance June 6-22: Children and adults alike will delight in Gilbert and Sullivan’s musical comedy, which follows the adventures of the most unsuccessful band of pirates ever. Watch them set sail with their brightest star, Frederic, who — on the day he is released from his pirate apprenticeship — learns that he must remain a pirate for much longer because he was born on leap year. Directed by Cindy Kubik, this production is full of silliness and carefree, toe-tappin’ tunes. Fri. & Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. $22, $20 seniors & children. u 661 Rte. 308, Rhinebeck. 845-876-3080 or www.centerforperformingarts.org

 

 

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM Portrait Days June 1: Families are invited to the museum to have their pictures taken for free in honor of Mother’s and Father’s Day. Settings and props are provided. 1-4 p.m. Begin to Knit June 14: Learn the basics of knitting: how to cast on, slip stitch, bind-off, and read patterns. Experienced knitter Panne Noipachana shares her skills using beginner-friendly instructions. Registration required by June 10. 1-3:30 p.m. $12. u

Madison Ave., Albany

. 518-473-7154 or www.nysm.nysed.gov

 

 

HUDSON HIGHLANDS NATURE MUSEUM Diggin’ Dinos June 1: Be a paleontologist for the day: excavate a life-size dinosaur skeleton in the museum’s dino pit and learn about fossils. For ages 5 and up. 10 a.m. $5. Registration required. Nature Strollers June 3: Naturalist guide Laurel Dodge leads a one-hour hike with tykes throughout the museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center. Be sure to bring even the littlest ones along — the trails are stroller-friendly. 10 a.m. $5 per family. Registration required. Dragonfly Day June 28: Discover dragonfly anatomy; their feeding habits and life cycle; and how to identify different species. Have tons of fun as you skip through the museum’s wetlands, netting and naming these winged critters. For children 5 and up. 10 a.m. $5. u

20 Kenridge Farm Dr., Cornwall

. 845-534-5506, ext. 204 or www.museumhudsonhighlands.org

 

UNISON ARTS & LEARNING CENTER Dog on Fleas June 7: Swing by for a frenzy of fun as Dog on Fleas jams away on bass, drums, trombone, guitar, and keyboard. The rockin’ group has been recording and performing their fearless tunes for children and adults for almost 10 years. 11 a.m. $10. Stories Everywhere with Jill Olesker June 14: Visit the center for a wonderful afternoon of storytelling and family-friendly fun. Listen to Olesker’s narratives as you stroll through Unison’s beautiful Sculpture Garden, which serves as the inspiration for her tales. Afterwards, create story-theater plays and sculptures using simple theater games and your imagination. Olesker has been entertaining families with her moveable feast of stories for the past 10 years. All ages welcome. 1 p.m. $10. u

68 Mountain Rest Rd.

, New Paltz. 845-255-1559 or www.unisonarts.org

 

 

 

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