February

Decidedly modern dance, outsider art comes in, and howling with Howie

Motion control
Anything but your run-of-the-mill modern dance troupe, Pilobolus has been thrilling audiences with gravity-defying choreography for nearly 40 years. No grand jetés for these dancers: Members of the company (which takes its name from a type of fungus) are renowned for combining strength, athleticism, and wit as they interweave their bodies into positions that make a mockery of the laws of physics. Watch them lift, crawl, flip, fly, and swing around the stage at the Performing Arts Center, Purchase College.
Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. Call for ticket information.
735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase. 914-251-6200 or www.artscenter.org

 

Angelic image: This and other works by self-taught “outsider” artists is on view at Vassar’s Loeb Art Center
"outsider" art exhibit at Vassar's Loeb Art Center

Looking in
More than 50 works of “outsider” art — created by self-taught artists who have little or no association with the conventional art world — make up Faith and Fantasy in Outsider Art from the Permanent Collection, the exhibit which opens this month at the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College. Although they hail from a wide range of geographic and cultural backgrounds — and work in a variety of media — the 39 featured artists created these paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media pieces within the past 20 years. The show delves into several of the themes common among outsider artists, including religious belief and narratives inspired by each individual’s idiosyncratic fantasies.
Feb. 13-Apr. 26. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. to 9 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m.
124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie. 845-437-5632 or http://fllac.vassar.edu

Betrayal and redemption
Jesus Christ Superstar, the first professionally staged collaboration between Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber, grabbed five Tony awards in 1972 (including a statuette shared by the dynamic duo for best original score). Written as a rock opera, the plot — based on Gospel accounts of Christ’s last days and his relationship with Judas Iscariot — is told from a 20th-century perspective. In this touring production, Ted Neeley stars as Jesus, the role he played in the 1973 movie version of the show.
Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. $38-$40.
Eisenhower Hall Theatre. U.S.M.A. campus, West Point. 845-938-4159 or www.ikehall.com

Howie MandelIt’s a deal: Howie Mandel does stand-up at UPAC in Kingston

Laugh out loud
Without question, Howie Mandel is a TV star. By turns a dramatic actor (St. Elsewhere), children’s cartoon creator (Bobby’s World), hidden camera comedian (Tonight Show with Jay Leno) and — of course — game show host (Deal or No Deal), it’s sometimes hard to turn on the tube without seeing Mandel’s shaved head and soul patch. And the comedian is just as ubiquitous on the stand-up circuit — he spends 200 nights a year on the road. Mandel brings his shtick to the Ulster Performing Arts Center stage on February 15 at 7 p.m.
$56-$70. 601 Broadway, Kingston. 845-339-6088 or www.upac.org
 

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Quadricentennial Events

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM
Light on New Netherland Through Feb. 8: The Dutch province of New Netherland, which once stretched across parts of five states, played a pivotal role in the development of colonial America. Using original Dutch documents — and historical images created by artist Len Tantillo — this exhibit explores the importance of farming and the fur trade; the establishment of government; religious practices; and interactions between the Dutch settlers and Native Americans between 1609 and 1664. Daily 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. u Empire State Plaza, Albany. 518-474-5877 or www.nysm.nysed.gov
 

HUDSON HIGHLANDS NATURE MUSEUM
Quadricentennial Speaker Series Feb. 3: In the second event in this history lecture series, Mount Saint Mary College Professor Glenn Reynolds relates the story of Henry Hudson, the first European to sail up the Hudson River in 1609. 7:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation.
Cornwall Presbyterian Church. 222 Hudson St., Cornwall-on-Hudson. 845-534-5506 or www.hhnaturemuseum.org
 

MID-HUDSON ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN CLUB
Quadricentennial Hikes & Paddles Series Feb. 3: In conjunction with the Quad celebration, this local outdoor group plans to host a number of hikes throughout the year that emphasize the history (and beautiful scenery) of the Hudson River. On tap this month: Roosevelt Estate Trails (Feb. 1), Garrison/Castle Rock/South Sugarloaf (Feb. 7), Locust Grove Historic Site (Feb. 8), and Explore Poughkeepsie History and Architecture (Feb. 14 & 28). Visit Web site for complete information, including times and leader contact numbers.
www.midhudsonadk.org

 

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