August 1, 7–10 p.m. Some films just wouldn’t be the same without a strong soundtrack. On the first Tuesday of every month, WAMC’s performing arts studio, The Linda, shows a movie fueled by its music. Join them this month for a screening and preshow discussion of “Summer of Soul,” which documented the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. thelinda.org
Courtesy of Vaughan Williams Charitable Trust
Bard Music Festival — Annandale-on-Hudson
August 4–6, 10–13 Returning for its 33rd season, this summer’s Bard Music Festival is comprised of numerous programs and panels dedicated to exploring the life and work of British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. The celebration kicks off with an opening night social on August 4. fishercenter.bard.edu
Courtesy The Stissing Center
Anansi—the Trickster Spider — Pine Plains
August 5, 9 a.m. Bring the kids to The Stissing Center for a performance of a well-known West African folktale by the Grumbling Gryphon’s Traveling Children’s Theater. The show starts at 10 a.m. but get there an hour early for an interactive workshop full of singing and dancing. Admission is pay-what-you-can. thestissingcenter.org
Adobe Stock / David Martinez
Nordic News
Newburgh’s Stewart Airport is the first in the nation to offer nonstop flights to the Faroe Islands. From August to October, travelers can explore the volcanic archipelago in the North Atlantic (and indulge in its eponymous salmon) through Atlantic Airways. For more info, visit atlanticairways.com. -Francesca Furey
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Positive Jam Festival — Accord
August 5, 12 p.m. Coming to Arrowood Farms for the first time ever, the Positive Jam Festival presents a day full of music, local vendors, craft beer, and more. Six rock and indie performers, including The Hold Steady, Guided by Voices, and Laura Stevenson, are set to take the stage. positivejamfest.com
Big Lawn Music Festival — Poughkeepsie
August 5, 12–10 p.m. This annual outdoor DIY music fest brings 14 acts to the grounds of Plan Bee Farm Brewery. Local groups from both the Hudson Valley and New York City will be performing, indie, rock, rap, and more for a full day of diverse tunes. Tickets are $15 per person online or at the door. biglawnmusic.com/big-lawn-music-festival
Putnam County Wine & Food Fest — Brewster
August 5–6 Sip your way through a variety of wines, spirits, and ciders at this annual festival in Wells Park. In addition to the tastings, you can listen to live music, shop for fine crafts and pantry items, order from food vendors, and even play pickleball. Event is rain or shine. putnamcountywinefest.ticketleap.com
Saturday Car Show — Newburgh
August 12, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Calling all gearheads: head to the Ice Time Sports Arena for a full-day showcase of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. In addition to the display, this free-to-the-public event will feature food, music, and vendors. Awards will be given out to registered automotives at 3 p.m. midhudsonciviccenter.org
Blueberry Festival — Ellenville
August 12, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Celebrate the arrival of blueberry season at this free annual event hosted by the Ellenville-Wawarsing Chamber of Commerce. Vendors, food stands, and live music will take over Canal Street and Liberty Square. Stock up on pies, jams, and pints of berries while you’re there! ewcoc.com
August 12, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. The fourth annual Caribbean Carnival is bringing authentic food, live performances, arts and crafts, face painting, and much more to Cantine Field. Presented by Lake Katrine-based Seasoned Gives, the festival immerses visitors in Caribbean culture. The carnival parade steps off at 2 p.m. seasonedgives.org/events
HnH Comedy Presents: Laughs Along the Wallkill — Montgomery
August 17, 7:30 p.m. This intimate show held in City Winery’s sub-level “Boiler Room” features some of the best in regional comedy. NYC-based Michael Brigante—known for his jokes on topics like parenting, weight loss, and growing up in the city—will headline. Supporting acts include Gilbert Hernandez and Dayna Marie. citywinery.com/hudsonvalley
Deep in the Valley — Red Hook
August 19, 12:30 p.m. Returning for its second year, this festival curated by music blog “Raven Sings the Blues” will take over From the Ground Brewery for a day of sets from musicians like Ryley Walker, Sunwatchers, and Gold Dust. Also on the roster: American cuisine from Gracie’s Luncheonette’s food truck and a record fair. ravensingstheblues.com
German Alps Festival — East Durham
August 19–20 Whether you have western European roots or are a beer and brats fan, you won’t want to miss this two-day celebration of German heritage. Enjoy music, dancing, performances, food, and participate in a beer stein-holding contest on the grounds of the MJQ Irish Cultural & Sports Centre. germanalpsfest.com
Waterfront Wednesdays — Hudson
Wednesdays through August 23, 5 p.m. Join the Hudson Sloop Club and Hudson Arts Coalition for a free community event in the Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. Featured activities include music and dance performances and boat rides to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse; food vendors and more are set up throughout the park. hudsonsloopclub.org
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Photo by Megan Wilson
New York Renaissance Faire — Tuxedo
Opens August 26 On weekends through October 8, immerse yourself in a land of fantasy and medieval lore at the annual Ren Faire. Live entertainment includes a jousting match, aerial silk acrobatics, knife throwing, and human chess. Costumes encouraged! renfair.com/ny
State of the Arts
Over a dozen organizations will receive record funding from the New York State Council of the Arts including Troy Savings Bank Music Hall ($3.4M), Art Omi ($5M), Storm King Art Center ($7.5M), and Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival ($10M).
August 1, 7–10 p.m. Some films just wouldn’t be the same without a strong soundtrack. On the first Tuesday of every month, WAMC’s performing arts studio, The Linda, shows a movie fueled by its music. Join them this month for a screening and preshow discussion of “Summer of Soul,” which documented the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. thelinda.org
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="362"] Courtesy of Vaughan Williams Charitable Trust[/caption]
Bard Music Festival — Annandale-on-Hudson
August 4–6, 10–13 Returning for its 33rd season, this summer’s Bard Music Festival is comprised of numerous programs and panels dedicated to exploring the life and work of British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. The celebration kicks off with an opening night social on August 4. fishercenter.bard.edu
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="661"] Courtesy The Stissing Center[/caption]
Anansi—the Trickster Spider — Pine Plains
August 5, 9 a.m. Bring the kids to The Stissing Center for a performance of a well-known West African folktale by the Grumbling Gryphon’s Traveling Children’s Theater. The show starts at 10 a.m. but get there an hour early for an interactive workshop full of singing and dancing. Admission is pay-what-you-can. thestissingcenter.org
[caption id="attachment_77138" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Adobe Stock / David Martinez[/caption]
Nordic News
Newburgh’s Stewart Airport is the first in the nation to offer nonstop flights to the Faroe Islands. From August to October, travelers can explore the volcanic archipelago in the North Atlantic (and indulge in its eponymous salmon) through Atlantic Airways. For more info, visit atlanticairways.com. -Francesca Furey
Positive Jam Festival — Accord
August 5, 12 p.m. Coming to Arrowood Farms for the first time ever, the Positive Jam Festival presents a day full of music, local vendors, craft beer, and more. Six rock and indie performers, including The Hold Steady, Guided by Voices, and Laura Stevenson, are set to take the stage. positivejamfest.com
Big Lawn Music Festival — Poughkeepsie
August 5, 12–10 p.m. This annual outdoor DIY music fest brings 14 acts to the grounds of Plan Bee Farm Brewery. Local groups from both the Hudson Valley and New York City will be performing, indie, rock, rap, and more for a full day of diverse tunes. Tickets are $15 per person online or at the door. biglawnmusic.com/big-lawn-music-festival
Putnam County Wine & Food Fest — Brewster
August 5–6 Sip your way through a variety of wines, spirits, and ciders at this annual festival in Wells Park. In addition to the tastings, you can listen to live music, shop for fine crafts and pantry items, order from food vendors, and even play pickleball. Event is rain or shine. putnamcountywinefest.ticketleap.com
Saturday Car Show — Newburgh
August 12, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Calling all gearheads: head to the Ice Time Sports Arena for a full-day showcase of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. In addition to the display, this free-to-the-public event will feature food, music, and vendors. Awards will be given out to registered automotives at 3 p.m. midhudsonciviccenter.org
Blueberry Festival — Ellenville
August 12, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Celebrate the arrival of blueberry season at this free annual event hosted by the Ellenville-Wawarsing Chamber of Commerce. Vendors, food stands, and live music will take over Canal Street and Liberty Square. Stock up on pies, jams, and pints of berries while you’re there! ewcoc.com
Caribbean Carnival — Saugerties
August 12, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. The fourth annual Caribbean Carnival is bringing authentic food, live performances, arts and crafts, face painting, and much more to Cantine Field. Presented by Lake Katrine-based Seasoned Gives, the festival immerses visitors in Caribbean culture. The carnival parade steps off at 2 p.m. seasonedgives.org/events
HnH Comedy Presents: Laughs Along the Wallkill — Montgomery
August 17, 7:30 p.m. This intimate show held in City Winery’s sub-level “Boiler Room” features some of the best in regional comedy. NYC-based Michael Brigante—known for his jokes on topics like parenting, weight loss, and growing up in the city—will headline. Supporting acts include Gilbert Hernandez and Dayna Marie. citywinery.com/hudsonvalley
Deep in the Valley — Red Hook
August 19, 12:30 p.m. Returning for its second year, this festival curated by music blog “Raven Sings the Blues” will take over From the Ground Brewery for a day of sets from musicians like Ryley Walker, Sunwatchers, and Gold Dust. Also on the roster: American cuisine from Gracie’s Luncheonette’s food truck and a record fair. ravensingstheblues.com
German Alps Festival — East Durham
August 19–20 Whether you have western European roots or are a beer and brats fan, you won’t want to miss this two-day celebration of German heritage. Enjoy music, dancing, performances, food, and participate in a beer stein-holding contest on the grounds of the MJQ Irish Cultural & Sports Centre. germanalpsfest.com
Waterfront Wednesdays — Hudson
Wednesdays through August 23, 5 p.m. Join the Hudson Sloop Club and Hudson Arts Coalition for a free community event in the Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. Featured activities include music and dance performances and boat rides to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse; food vendors and more are set up throughout the park. hudsonsloopclub.org
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="659"] Photo by Megan Wilson[/caption]
New York Renaissance Faire — Tuxedo
Opens August 26 On weekends through October 8, immerse yourself in a land of fantasy and medieval lore at the annual Ren Faire. Live entertainment includes a jousting match, aerial silk acrobatics, knife throwing, and human chess. Costumes encouraged! renfair.com/ny
State of the Arts
Over a dozen organizations will receive record funding from the New York State Council of the Arts including Troy Savings Bank Music Hall ($3.4M), Art Omi ($5M), Storm King Art Center ($7.5M), and Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival ($10M).
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="380"] Photo by Bryan Zimmerman[/caption]
