Photo courtesy of Jacob Burns Film Center
A Masterpiece Restored
Christ Stopped at Eboli is adapted from a 1945 memoir by the Italian author Carlo Levi, telling of his banishment in southern Italy for anti-fascist activities. Though Gagliano appears decrepit and desolate, Levi finds incredible humanity in everyone he meets. This 220-minute cut is being screened in the U.S. for the first time as a whole, after having been slashed down to a meager two hours during its original theatrical run.
July 23–24, Jacob Burns Film Center, Pleasantville, 914.773.7663, www.burnsfilmcenter.org
Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Dutchess County
Competition on the Hudson
Inspired by Chinese history, the Dutchess Dragon Boat Race & Festival features a number of competitive events, all to raise money for Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County. Participants can register a single paddle or even a whole team, and can raise money as a sponsored team.
July 20, Hudson River Rowing Association Dock, Poughkeepsie, www.dutchessdragonboat.org
Photo courtesy of Ehud Asherie
All Around the World
Pianist Ehud Asherie leads some of modern jazz’s best musicians in Stride and Choros: from New York to Brazil, performing pieces by Fats Waller, Ernesto Nazareth, and others who highlighted the titular piano stylings.
July 5, PS21, Chatham, 518.392.6121, www.ps21chatham.org
Photo by Stacie Castella Lynch
The Joys of Flight
An annual favorite, the Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival brings all things airborne to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, from a fleet of colorful balloons to antique fliers, helicopters, and more. In addition to vendors and carnival games, those who plan ahead can reserve sun-up and sundown balloon rides for up to $275 per person.
July 12-14, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, www.dcrcoc.org/balloonfesthv
photo courtesy of Hudson River Museum
Lives and Stories
The astounding Through Our Eyes: Milestones and Memories of African Americans in Yonkers uses objects, photographs, and plentiful research to tell the stories of many individuals who made Yonkers their home, as well as the many conflicts they fought to maintain their place, and to thrive, there. Most of these objects have never been displayed in a museum setting, making this a truly one-of-a-kind exhibition.
Through Nov 3, Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, 914.963.4550, www.hrm.org
photo by Charlie Wrzesniewski
Punks and Poets
Scranton punks The Menzingers have found increasing empathy in their Springsteen-influenced punk. Their 2017 album, After the Party, focuses on people who feel they’ve stayed in one place for far too long, whether in a relationship, job, or scene that they may have outgrown. This might sound like a bummer, but remember: their best songs rip.
July 21, Colony Woodstock, Woodstock, 845.679.7625, www.colonywoodstock.com
Photo by Stewart Dean
That Old-Time Sound
Northern Week celebrates the legacy of Northern Europe in North America. Come out for New England, Québécois, English, and Scandi music and dance instruction, as well as workshops for fiddle, nickelharpa, accordion, and more. Adult tuition is $855.
July 14-20, Ashokan Center, Olivebridge, 845.657.8333, www.ashokancenter.org
Photo by Dale Haussner
Pre-Eminent Picker
Cindy Cashdollar & The Syncopators is hands-down the greatest lap-steel and dobro player in the world, her lightning-fast licks singing with emotion no matter the speed. Her playing has been heard on records by Levon Helm, Paul Butterfield, and Ryan Adams.
July 15, The Falcon Underground, Marlboro, 845.236.7970, www.liveatthefalcon.com
Big Screen Blues
SummerScape’s theatrical performance, Acquanetta, is a fusion of opera, film, and traditional theater, with music by Michael Gordon and a libretto by Deborah Artman. It features a number of solos and monologues by characters who express their longings, and find themselves interpreted, via the film medium.
July 11-21, The Fisher Center at Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, 845.758.7900, www.fishercenter.bard.edu
