From the vault
Founded in 1791, the Albany Institute of History and Art has more than 20,000 objects in its various collections (many of which must, by necessity, spend most of their time in storage). Great, Strange and Rarely Seen, the exhibit currently on view at the museum, allows a diverse sampling of these unique objects to finally see the light of day. Chinese lacquerwear, Japanese netsuke, and 18th-century British porcelain share space with women’s bonnets and folding fans, curious clocks, ’60s minidresses, and — our favorite — human hair jewelry (along with a host of other intriguing items). Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m. through Aug. 26. $10, $8 seniors & students, $6 children under 13. 125 Washington Ave., Albany. 518-463-4478 or www.albanyinstitute.org
…And fancy free
A singer/songwriter and guitarist, Kenny Loggins has been a fixture of the pop music scene since the early 1970s, when his collaboration with Buffalo Springfield alum Jim Messina led to seven LPs — two went platinum, the other five gold. After the duo parted ways in 1976, Loggins (right) went on to begin a successful solo career. His hits from popular ’80s films (“I’m Alright” from Caddyshack, “Danger Zone” from Top Gun, and especially “Footloose” from the selfsame pic) — earned him the sobriquet “King of the Movie Soundtrack.” Loggins cruises into the Paramount Center for the Arts on July 25 at 8 p.m. Call or visit Web site for ticket information. 1008 Brown St., Peekskill. 914-739-2333 or www.paramountcenter.org
Trifecta
Three events in one: The newly reorganized Opera Company of the Highlands joins forces with the Bannerman Castle Trust to offer the musical Show Boat outdoors on Bannerman Island this month. The motorized vessel Pollepel ferries participants to the site of Frank Bannerman’s hulking, Scottish-style castle; after taking a guided tour of the island, they’ll be treated to a concert version of the 1927 Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein III musical that gave us classic songs like “Ol’ Man River” and “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man.” July 7-8. $65. An encore performance takes place at Newburgh’s Ritz Theater on July 15 (3 p.m. $25). Call 845-831-6346 for exact schedule, tickets, and additional information.
Interior dialogue
Valley artists and interior designers show off their various talents at the ArtFull Living Show House in Cold Spring. Local designers have transformed the eight rooms of the house — located in the new Glassbury Court development — by incorporating artwork created by 30 area artists, who work with materials ranging from paint and fabric to wood, cement, and glass. Each room has a theme that honors a particular celebrity — Lady Gaga, actress Kyra Sedgwick, and Rockland County singer/songwriter Rupert Holmes among them. All of the artwork is for sale; organizers hope that these unique room settings will help visitors more easily visualize how individual works might look in their own homes. Fri.-Tues. 12-4 p.m. through Sept. 9. $10 suggested donation; children under 10 are not permitted in the house. 3370 Albany Post Rd. (Rte. 9), Cold Spring. 845-265-3618 or www.coldspringarts.com
Stagestruck
An Elizabethan comedy, a 20th-century thriller, and the world’s most famous love story comprise this season’s lineup at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. One of the Bard’s earliest comedies, Love’s Labour’s Lost involves a trio of lords and ladies who fall hilariously in and out of love with clockwork regularity. Based on the 1935 film, The 39 Steps follows an unwitting Canadian who gets swept up in a mysterious — and murderous — plot to divulge British military secrets. And the violent feud between the Montagues and the Capulets leads to true love and unspeakable tragedy in Romeo and Juliet. The three plays are performed in repertory through Sept. 2 on the scenic grounds of Boscobel House and Gardens. Call or visit Web site for complete schedule and ticket information. Rte. 9D, Garrison. 845-265-9575 or www.hvshakespeare.org