Out & About

Art in a new (old) place, space flight lands in Yonkers, and a tone-deaf soprano brings down the house

Spaced Out

From the first Mercury launch to the most recent shuttle voyage, space travel has held a special place in our collective imagination. Space Is The Place, a wide-ranging exhibit currently at the Hudson River Museum, showcases paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, and video pieces by an international lineup of 16 contemporary artists. The works explore a variety of themes, from the heroic masculinity of astronauts in the 1960s to the effects of zero-gravity on the human form. Wed.-Sun. 12-5 p.m., Fri. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 7. $5, $3 seniors & children 5-16. 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers. 914-963-4550 or www.hrm.org

Sour Notes

Glorious, the comedy by Peter Quilter which opens this month at the Shadowland Theatre, recreates the musical life and times of Florence Foster Jenkins. An American socialite and wannabe soprano in the 1940s, Jenkins was dubbed “the first lady of the sliding scale” for her comically awful singing. Undeterred by her inability to hold a note, she used her inheritance to stage solo performances of operatic standards with her accompanist (who is said to have made faces behind her back to elicit laughter from the audience). Nonetheless, Jenkins’ tuneless concerts became extremely popular — she even played to a packed house at Carnegie Hall. The play runs from Aug. 15-Sept. 7. Call for times and ticket information. 157 Canal St., Ellenville. 845-647-5511 or www.shadowlandtheatre.org

History Lives Here

The folks at New Paltz’s Historic Huguenot Street have a busy August planned. Visitors can get their hands dirty on Archaeology Day (Aug. 2), sip drinks and take a Moonlight Walk on the 16th, and tour the newly reopened Jean House on the 30th. The organization also has opened the doors to two “new” properties, Locust Lawn and the adjacent Terwilliger House. Locust Lawn is a gentleman’s farm that dates from the time of Thomas Jefferson; the 18th-century Terwilliger house is a stone structure built in traditional Dutch style. Located on Route 32 just south of the village, both buildings are open weekends through October. Call for times and ticket information. 845-255-1660 or www.huguenotstreet.org

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Finger-lickin’ Good

If traipsing through art exhibits and historic properties leaves you feeling a little peckish, we’ve got one word for you: RibFest. Yes, the Hudson Valley RibFest returns for its fourth year, offering barbecue favorites guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye of the most seasoned (yes, that’s a pun) grilling gourmand. Watch as amateur chefs vie for prizes during grilling contests, learn BBQ tricks at cooking demos, and frolic with the kids while playing country games. There’s live music, a sponsors’ tent — and did we mention the food? Aug. 15-17. Fri. 5-10 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $5, under 12 free. Ulster County Fairgrounds. Libertyville Rd., New Paltz. 845-306-4381 or www.hudsonvalleyribfest.org

Horsing Around

Equine enthusiasts (and all others) make their way to Dutchess County this month for the Millbrook Horse Trials. This four-day meet attracts Olympic-caliber horses and riders who compete in three separate events. Teams strive for harmonious and precise movement during dressage; negotiate ditches, banks, and stone walls in cross-country; and show off their technical-jump skills in stadium jumping. Proceeds from the weekend benefit the Dutchess Land Conservancy, a nonprofit that has helped preserve over 25,000 acres in the county. Aug. 7-10. Free admission; visit Web site for exact schedule. Coole Park Farm. Bangall-Amenia Rd., Millbrook. 845-677-3002 or www.millbrookhorsetrials.com

Kid’s Korner

Fly a virtual spaceship, live like a Colonial kid, and learn what calls the Hudson River home

By Elizabeth Stein

CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS IN RHINEBECK Magic of Derrin Berger Aug. 9: Magician Berger delights young and old with his unique mix of magic and comedy, leaving viewers simultaneously shrieking with laughter and gazing in awe at what they see. Willy Wonka Aug. 23 & 30: Kids on Stage Performance Group brings to life Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir. This musical adaptation features songs from the classic film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. All shows at 11 a.m. $8, $6 children. u 661 Rte. 308, Rhinebeck. 845-876-3080 or www.centerforperformingarts.org

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ALBANY INSTITUTE OF HISTORY & ART Storytelling and Art-making Wednesdays throughout Aug.: This series of programs aims to help preschoolers explore art in a creative setting. Aug. 6: Children read The Icky Sticky Frog and use simple construction techniques to mold a frog on a lily pad. Aug. 13: As children read Cat’s Colors, they learn about different animals and choose their favorite cuddly creature to paint. Aug. 20: Using pipe cleaners to construct forms made from lines, the little ones get hands-on with the book When a Line Bends… A Shape Begins. Aug. 27: Parents and children experiment with paint and create bubble paintings as described in the book Art. 10-11 a.m. $10, children free. Registration required. u125 Washington Ave., Albany. 518-463-4478, ext. 435 or www.albanyinstitute.org

LOWER HUDSON VALLEY CHALLENGER CENTER Rendezvous with a Comet Aug. 17: Reserve your seat on the flight deck! Come learn about comets, the mysterious space objects which are among the oldest, most primitive bodies in our solar system. Like real astronauts, crewmembers attend a briefing session and then select tasks to perform on the mission — Navigation, Medical, Communication, and Life Support. Small teams of space adventurers conduct research, perform scientific experiments, and deploy a probe. Tasks are detailed enough to feel challenging, but simple enough for kids to do. Ages nine and up. 2 p.m. $20. uRte. 59, Airmont. 845-357-3416 or www.lhvcc.com

HISTORIC HUGUENOT STREET Colonial Overnight Aug. 11-12, 24-25: Live like a Colonial kid for a night. Cook dinner over an open fire, create Colonial crafts, play Colonial games, and get the chance to tour the houses at night (many of which are said to be haunted). The evening ends with a camp-in on the floor of DuBois Fort, a 300-year-old building. Bring a sleeping bag, pajamas, and toothbrush. For ages eight-14. $35. Registration required. Wednesday Drop-in Activities Throughout the month: Participate in an historic craft activity and a related cooking project: Native American corn husk doll and johnny cake snack; Colonial woven mats and hobnob cookies; African mankala game and fruit salad snack; clothespin doll and Victorian tea party; 1950s paper airplane and homemade soda pop. 9:30 a.m. $10. u18 Broadhead Ave., New Paltz. 845-255-1660 or www.huguenotstreet.org

HUDSON VALLEY NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL Aug. 2-3: Hosted by the Redhawk Indian Arts Council, this event features more than 1,000 Native American artists, performers, and educators from across North and South America. Come celebrate this ancient culture with the finest in Native American singing, dancing, drumming, flute playing, and enchanting artwork. Sample authentic cuisine; purchase paintings, carvings, pottery, beadwork, jewelry, and leatherwork; learn about traditional dances; and watch a special performance by the Aztec Fire Dancers of Mexico City. 1 p.m. $10, $6 children, under six free. $6 parking fee. u Anthony Wayne Recreation Area, Harriman State Park. 718-686-9297 or www.redhawkcouncil.org

MID-HUDSON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Seining the Hudson River Aug. 9: Watch as trained professionals enter the Hudson River with a 30-foot net. See what fish and other organisms they find, learn to identify Hudson River fish, then help return them to the river. 1 p.m. $2 plus admission. Late Night! Starlab Planetarium Adventure Aug. 16: Kids are invited to a real planetarium for a look at the nighttime sky. 6 p.m. $2. u 75 N. Water St., Poughkeepsie. 845-471-0589, ext. 14 or www.mhcm.org

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CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS IN RHINEBECK Alice in Wonderland Aug. 16: This timeless tale by Lewis Carroll depicts a young girl whose boredom takes her on an adventure of imagination, creating a whirling wonderland of characters. Watch as ordinary everyday things become extraordinary during this special interactive theater performance. All shows at 11 a.m. $8, $6 children. u 661 Rte. 308, Rhinebeck. 845-876-3080 or www.centerforperformingarts.org

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