Light and Sound
There’s nothing quite like the interactive MICRO exhibit created by two Kingston artists. Kiori Kawai and Aaron Sherwood are the masterminds behind the 10-foot by 14-foot by 10-foot structure that features 200 hanging spheres. Each globe — made of silicone, rubber, and acrylic — contains a speaker programmed to emit a unique sound when touched. In addition to the musical note, they light up with five different colors. As curious onlookers touch each ball, they are engulfed in a symphony of light and sound. The installation has visited four states across the country and even made its way to Australia. Aug 12-14; Fri-Sat, 6-10 pm; Sun, noon-10 pm. Free admission. TR Gallo Waterfront Park, Kingston; www.purringt.com
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Queen City Celebration
It’s that time of year again! Back by popular demand is the Upper Landing Park Community Day hosted by the Dyson Foundation and the Bardavon. A favorite with local families, the day features live entertainment and kids’ activities. Some of this year’s featured performers include the perennial, crowd-pleasing salsa band Sonado, as well as Mexican music and dance numbers from Jarana Beat. Not to be missed are singing storytellers Kim and Reggie Harris, as well as Arm of the Sea Puppet Theater, Paris the Hip-Hop Juggler, and the Percussion Orchestra of Kingston. Kids especially love the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, the Two By Two Petting Zoo, and Imagination Playground. Aug 6, 11 am-4 pm. Free admission. Upper Landing Park. 85 N. Water St., Poughkeepsie. 845-790-6310. www.upperlanding.org
City Slickers
Most people recall Slip’N Slides from their childhood, but what if the water game wasn’t limited to the backyard? Get ready for Slide the City, which rolls into Nyack this month. The enormous 1,000-foot inflatable water slide is rolled out on Main Street (between Midland Avenue and Franklin Street) and has three lanes of slides: one “tame” lane, suitable for kids; one wide enough for families to ride together; and one “power” lane, which offers a wild ride. Registration is required, as organizers are anticipating close to 5,000 participants. Aug 27, 9 am-6pm. Two rides: $18; $30 day of; unlimited slides in 3-hour period: $25; $45 day of; unlimited all-day slides: $69; $89 day of. Main St, Nyack; www.slidethecity.com
Fall in Love With Your Town
The ninth annual Copake Falls Day encourages visitors to explore the town and discover hidden gems right in their backyards. A 5K run within Taconic State Park kicks off the day, which features a new historical exhibit at the local museum, art lectures, a kids’ craft area, tours of hidden gardens (including that of renowned author and blogger Margaret Roach), and a classic-car show. Kids love meandering around a dairy farm, getting their faces painted, taking pony rides and learning how to herd and shear sheep. The festivities conclude with a barbecue and live campfire music. Proceeds benefit local Copake Falls organizations. Aug 20, 8 am-8 pm; $15. Historic Hamlet of Copake Falls, Rte 344, 518-966-2233; www.copakefallsday.org
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It’s Tops
Lodge 2016, one of the Catskills’ premier music weekends, will feature two full nights of live music. This year’s lineup includes Ultraam, Liv Carrow, Chris Forsyth, Cowboy Jim, Sauerkraut Seth, Nature Films, Spectre Folk, Koen Holtkamp, and more. There will also be radio workshops, art installations, and wares from local craftspeople. Proceeds benefit Wave Farm’s WGXC 90.7-FM. Aug 26-27, 8 pm, Fri; 7 pm, Sat; $20-$30. Riedlbauer’s Resort, 43 Ravine Dr, Round Top; www.wgxc.org
Local Vocals
Back for the seventh year in a row, the International Phoenecia Festival of the Voice brings top singers of all genres to Ulster County. Performing everything from opera to rock to jazz to show tunes, these performances — which are staged at various venues, all within walking distance of each other — showcase the wide range of the human voice. This year, some standout shows include Kiss Me, Kate, Otello, and Rock the Beatles (put on by the local Paul Green Rock Academy). Also not to be missed is the Latte and Lecture series, at which the driving forces behind each show discuss all that goes into staging a professional musical. Aug 4-7. Call or visit website for exact schedule and pricing. Main St, Phoenecia, 845-802-5266; www.phoeniciavoicefest.org
