Old Friends and New
American Film History is the latest musical project of local legend Frank McGinnis, combining heart-on-sleeve anthems with the riffy emotionalism of ’70s and ’80s rock. They will be supporting Merge Records act The Love Language in a lineup that reunites the core trio of McGinnis’ much-revered pop-rock trio Frankie and His Fingers. Sure to be a thrill for local scenesters.
Mar 9, BSP, 323 Wall St., Kingston, 845.481.5158, www.bspkingston.com
Photo courtesy of Troy Music Hall
New World Music
The Americas, Land of Many Cultures presents a special program by Puerto Rico’s Camerata Coral, a vocal group dedicated to exploring the treasure trove of musical legacies in the Western Hemisphere. Conductor Amarilis Pagán Vila conducts works from North and South America as well as the Caribbean.
Mar 3, Troy Music Hall, 518.273.0038, www.troymusichall.org
Photo courtesy of Kenise Barnes Fine Art
Bold and Beautiful
The Canadian artist Janna Watson works in stark, colorful abstractions, juxtaposing muted backgrounds with bright, metamorphosing patterns that seem to tumble across the field. Having exhibited internationally, this will be her first-ever solo exhibition in the Hudson Valley.
From Mar 1, Kenise Barnes Fine Art, Larchmont, 914.834.8077, www.kbfa.com
Shakespeare in Retrograde
Contemplate great art and the passage of time at The Dresser, Ronald Harwood’s melancholy tale of a great Shakespearian actor in the twilight of his career. As WWII rages, Sir is attended by his long-time Dresser, who has given up his own career to care entirely for his employer. As part of the Center’s annual Sam Scripps Shakespeare Festival.
Mar 15-24, Center for the Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck, 845.876.3080, www.centerforperformingarts.org
Photo courtesy of Bardavon
How the West Was Lost
An absolute classic of New Hollywood, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is an alternately tragic and romantic western that swept the 1970 Academy Awards. The film follows Paul Newman and Robert Redford as the titular leaders of an outlaw gang in the waning days of the American West, pursuing dreams of freedom to the end of their days, which is, itself, the end of an era.
Mar 29, Bardavon, Poughkeepsie, 845.473.2072, www.bardavon.org
Photo by John Peden
Jazzin’ It Up
As part of The Egg’s American Roots & Branches Series, Pat Metheny — who was recently inducted into the Downbeat Hall of Fame as its youngest member — will perform his new ‘Side Eye” project, featuring pianist James Francies and drummer Nate Smith. Metheny’s shredding chops and just-south-of-Van-Halen emphasis on effects has made him a crossover hit. The jazz guitarist’s undeniable credentials have earned him 20 Grammys in 12 different categories.
Mar 30, The Egg, Albany, 518.473.1845, www.theegg.org
Ain’t No Dark
Come celebrate one of the all-time great songwriters and raise money for a good cause at If I Needed You — a Tribute to Townes Van Zandt. Locals like Laura Stevenson and Eric Squindo are joined by musicians from Brooklyn to perform songs you know, but don’t know, like “Pancho & Lefty” and “Rex’s Blues” to raise money for Catskill’s And-Hof Animals sanctuary.
Mar 7, Colony Woodstock, Woodstock, 845.679.7625; www.colonywoodstock.com
Photo courtesy of Westchester Broadway Theatre
High-Stepping Through History
Get ready for some serious step at Rhythm of the Dance. This super-sized Irish dance program crams in sets, live musicians, and many of the world’s top steppers, all the while telling the story of Celtic culture and civilization. Expect an epic-scale show worthy of heroes like Cuchulain.
Mar 11-13 Westchester Broadway Theatre, Elmsford, 914.592.2222, www.broadwaytheatre.com
Hibernian Hymns
If you grew up in an Irish household, then you’ve heard the Adult Contemporary-inspired styling of Cherish the Ladies, who blend traditional Irish music with soothing harmonies and a distinct perspective on the canon. Irish or not, come celebrate 30-plus years of music, plus a late St. Patrick’s Day at the Towne Crier.
Mar 29, Towne Crier Café, Beacon, 845.855.1300, www.townecrier.com
