Photo by Adobe Stock | Seventyfour
Want to catch a concert or see a play in the region? These Best of Hudson Valley spots offer all the entertainment you need locally.
INDOOR MUSIC VENUE
Bearsville Theater
Known for Albert Grossman’s (AKA “The Baron of Bearsville”) iconic rock ‘n’ roll record label, this theater’s deep musical history shines. Bearsville has given a stage to trailblazers for decades — Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and Peter, Paul and Mary to name a few. It continues to be a platform for up-and-coming musicians, surrounded by funky decor and mementos that celebrate the site’s legacy.
Woodstock; bearsvilletheater.com
NEW GALLERY SPACE
ArtPort Kingston
Though the new kids on the block, ArtPort Kingston is bringing expert takes on culture and contemporary art to the historic Cornell Steamboat building along the Rondout Creek in Kingston. The space is colorful and interactive, promising performances, exhibits, and workshops that will change the way you think about connecting with art. A family-friendly platform, there are rainbow sculptures and eye-catching paintings galore.
Kingston; artportkingston.com
SMALL-SCALE, THEMED EVENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC
Revel 32
When the pandemic turned in-person events upside-down, Revel 32 in Poughkeepsie pivoted. To foster connections in the Hudson Valley and help people celebrate safely, the mixed-use performance venue hosted socially distant dinners (an evening with Chef David Burke, anyone?), concerts, and events that sold out week after week. Happily, the spot is back to capacity for festivals, weddings, and more.
Poughkeepsie; revel32.com
READERS’ PICKS
Art Classes for Adults
Zhane’s Palette Studio
Poughkeepsie
zhanespalettestudio.com
Arts Center
Garner Arts Center
Garnerville
garnerartscenter.org
Arts Center
Garner Arts Center
Garnerville
garnerartscenter.org
Children’s Dance School
Betty Jean’s Dance Studio
Wappingers Falls
bjdsdance.com
Children’s Music Program
New Windsor Music Academy
New Windsor
newwindsormusicacademy.com
Comic Book Store
Megabrain Comics
Rhinebeck
megabraincomics.com
Dance Classes (Adults)
Queen City Dance
Poughkeepsie
queencitydance.com
Drive-In Theater
Greenville Drive-In
Greenville
drivein32.com
Educational Programs
Two by Two Zoo
Pleasant Valley
twobytwozoo.com
Educational Programs for Adults
Dutchess BOCES
Poughkeepsie
dcboces.org
Historic Site
Franklin D. Roosevelt National
Historic Site
Hyde Park
Historical Society
Wappingers Historical Society
Wappingers Falls
wappingershistoricalsociety.org
Independent Bookstore (East of the Hudson River)
Oblong Books & Music
Rhinebeck
oblongbooks.com
Independent Bookstore (West of the Hudson River)
The Barking Goose Bookstore Bar & Café
Newburgh
barkinggoosebookbar.com
Indoor Music Venue
Bardavon
Poughkeepsie
bardavon.org
Library
Grinnell Library
Wappingers Falls
grinnell-library.org
Live Music Joint (East of Hudson River)
Daryl’s Restaurant & Live Music Club
Pawling
darylshouseclub.com
Live Music Joint (West of Hudson River)
The Falcon
Marlboro
liveatthefalcon.com
Martial Arts School
Fighting Spirit Martial Arts & Fitness
Gardiner
fskmartialartsandfitness.com
Movie Theater (Independent)
Upstate Films
Rhinebeck
upstatefilms.org
Related: The Hudson Valley’s Best Home & Garden Businesses in 2021
Museum
Dia:Beacon
Beacon
diaart.org
Music Classes for Adults
New Windsor Music Academy
New Windsor
newwindsormusicacademy.com
Outdoor Music Venue
The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck
centerforperformingarts.org
Portrait Photographer
Krys DeRosa Photography
Newburgh
krysderosa.com
Record Store
Darkside Records
Poughkeepsie or Kingston
darksiderecords.com
Theater (Community)
County Players at the Falls Theatre
Wappingers Falls
countyplayers.org
Theater (Professional)
Bardavon
Poughkeepsie
bardavon.org
Virtual Events
The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck
centerforperformingarts.org
