Illuminating Art
In the visual arts, the depiction of light — emanating either from a natural or manmade source — has challenged painters, photographers, and other artists for centuries. Entitled Mastering Light: From the Natural to the Artificial, the spring exhibit at the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center shines the spotlight on 49 works spanning the 16th through the early 20th centuries. Each of the paintings, drawings, prints, and photographs on view illustrates how the artist used light as an attention-getting device, as an indicator of mood or emotion, or as a symbol of spirituality (among other applications). Curated by the staff at the art center, the exhibit includes items from the Loeb’s own collection as well as works on loan from MoMA, the Yale Library, and the Library of Congress. Apr. 11-June 29. Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m. • Vassar College campus. 124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie. 845-437-5632 or fllac.vassar.edu
In Step
Lovers of contemporary dance have two opportunities to see the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company in April. Proctors in Schenectady hosts Next Move, a festival of modern movement curated by Sinopoli and featuring her Capital Region troupe as well as two other dance companies (Apr. 5 at 5:30 p.m. $35, $15 students; 518-346-6204 or proctors.org). Later in the month, ESDC travels to the Performing Arts Center at the University at Albany for the premiere of “ChoreoPhysics,” a new work inspired by the scientific principles of physics (Apr. 25 at 7:30 p.m. $15, $10 students in advance, $20/$15 at the door; 518-442-3997 or albany.edu/pac). • 518-408-1341 or sinopolidances.org
Pass the popcorn
After being shuttered for about seven months due to financial woes, the Paramount Theater in Peekskill is up and running once again. Now known as the Paramount Hudson Valley, the beautifully renovated facility has gone back to its roots with an impressive lineup of Saturday movie matinees, three of which are screened this month. The stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations, filmed live at London’s Vaudeville Theatre in 2013, is first up (Apr. 6). Hello, Dolly! — starring Barbra Streisand as the inimitable matchmaker Dolly Levi — comes in on the 13th, followed by the 1956 Cecil B. DeMille epic, The Ten Commandments, on the 20th. 3 p.m. $8, $5 seniors & children. • 1008 Brown St., Peekskill. 914-739-0039 or paramounthudsonvalley.com
Aussie artistes
Crossover vocalists the Ten Tenors celebrate the Great White Way during their 2014 tour, which makes a stop at West Point’s Eisenhower Hall Theatre this month. The hard-working Australian ensemble — they play about 250 shows per year — croons both classical arias and well-known rock anthems first recorded by the likes of Queen and Meatloaf. But it’s the selection of Broadway favorites — from sentimental ballads to raucous show-stoppers — that are the highlight of this show. Apr. 27 at 3 p.m. Call or visit Web site for ticket information. • U.S.M.A. campus, West Point. 845-938-4159 or ikehall.com
Painterly pals
In 1844, renowned artist Thomas Cole invited an 18-year-old painter named Frederic Church to study with him at his home in Catskill. Over the course of the next two years, teacher and student became fast friends — and Church began to fully develop his unique style of landscape painting. Thomas Cole & Frederic Church: Master Mentor Master, this season’s exhibit at the Thomas Cole Historic Site, examines the relationship between these two titans of the Hudson River School. On view: landscapes painted by Church during his stay at Cedar Grove, including scenes of “Red Hill,” where Olana — his elaborate Moorish-style home — now stands. Apr. 30-Nov. 2. Wed.-Sun. 10 am.-4 p.m. $10, $9 seniors, under 12 free. • 218 Spring St., Catskill. 518-943-7465 or thomascole.org
