Out and About

Blues at the Bardavon, a famous bell rings in Troy.

Potpourri in Potown

 

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Blues music, folk dance, and biting satire are all on the bill at the Bardavon Opera House this month. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Keb’ Mo’ (above) has roots in the Mississippi delta blues style; at press time, his Suitcase was one of the nominees for the “Best Contemporary Blues Album” Grammy (Mar. 17 at 8 p.m.). The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble is an exuberant 49-member group of dancers and musicians who perform in traditional costumes (Mar. 24 at 8 p.m.). And offbeat humorist David Sedaris, best known for SantaLand Diaries (an account of his experiences working as a green-tights-clad holiday elf at Macy’s), performs one of his satire-laced monologues and sticks around afterwards for a book signing (Mar. 31 at 8 p.m.). Call for ticket information.

35 Market St., Poughkeepsie

. 845-473-2072 or www.bardavon.org

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True or false

 

 

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If your idea of storytelling involves sitting around a campfire or using the words “once upon a time,” you’ll be in for a shock at The Liar Show. Four performers appear on stage and tell a different story about something that they’ve experienced. Funny, honest, and earnestly told, each recitation sounds legitimate — but one of them is not. After the show, audience members can question the tale-spinners in an effort to sniff out the fish story, then vote on which performer is the “liar” (winners get a T-shirt and a coupon for a future performance). Part literary reading, part stand-up comedy, the show has been staged at several New York City venues. Mar. 17 at 8 p.m. $25. Rosenthal JCC Theatre.

600 Bear Ridge Rd.

, Pleasantville. 914-764-4028.

 

On the fly

Improvisational comedy doesn’t get much better than Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the free-for-all TV series hosted by comedian Drew Carey. Two of the stars of the Emmy-nominated show, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, reprise their network roles on the stage at the Tarrytown Music Hall. Working with suggestions from the audience, the pair uses their quick wits to create original — and hilarious — vignettes (Mar. 24 at 8 p.m.). Other shows coming to the music hall this month include TV animal naturalist Jungle Jack Hanna (Mar. 10), E! Network comedienne Chelsea Handler (Mar. 17), and the Celtic band Solas (Mar. 14). Call for ticket information.

13 Main St.

, Tarrytown. 877-840-0457 or www.tarrytownmusichall.org

 

Playing around

 

 

Developed in the early part of the 20th century by the Ashcan School painters, the “American Scene” style refers to art that focuses on images of everyday life. From families cavorting on a beach to couples dancing at a nightclub, these works depict people at play. American Scenes: Leisure and Entertainment, the show now on view at the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum, features paintings, prints and drawings by more than 20 artists. Created during the 1920s through the 1940s, most of these works are part of the association’s permanent collection; taken together, they present an evocative portrait of life during an earlier, simpler time. Through June 3. Mon., Thurs., Sun. 12-5 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 12-6 p.m. 28 Tinker St., Woodstock. 845-679-2940 or www.woodstockart.org

 

Musical mastery

Classical music lovers will be heading to the Collar City when the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall hosts a top-flight concert. Virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell joins forces with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields in a performance of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Grammy-winner Bell (whose playing was an integral part of the popular film The Red Violin) and the Academy (a distinguished chamber ensemble that performs without a conductor) collaborate on the four concertos, which together form one of the world’s most popular classical works. Mar. 30 at 8 p.m. $74 & $85. 30

Second St.

, Troy. 518-273-0038 or www.troymusichall.org

 

Puppets with a purpose

 

 

Puppetry and politics converge when the Bread & Puppet Theater visits Hudson. The 44-year-old troupe — one of the country’s oldest nonprofit theatrical companies — made a splash with its larger-than-life puppets, which were common sights at Vietnam protest marches in New York City back in the ’70s. Their newest work, “The Everything is Fine Circus,” features blue horses and dancing bears, harmonic turkeys, Pinky the FEMA Elephant, and a distillation of today’s political issues (from the viewpoint of the members of the Rotten Idea Theater). This entertaining but edgy event takes place at Time and Space Limited. Mar. 9-11 and 16-18. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $12.50, $5 students.

434 Columbia St., Hudson

. 518-822-8448 or www.timeandspace.org

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