Out & About in the Valley this February

Jazz artists embrace French musical roots at Bard. Plus, Stone Ridge serves chili for charity, and Bear Country comes to life in Mamaroneck.

Jazz’s French Reflections

Explore the roots of early jazz, the musical influences of French Impressionism, and a fusion of the two in the virtuosic music of Paris “hot club jazz” creator Django Reinhardt. Trumpeter Alphonso Horne, vocalist Candice Hoyes, and their ensemble examine the links between French mélodie, jazz, and cabaret in Django Reinhardt and the French Salon. Satie, Debussy, and Poulenc meet Ellington, Porter and beyond. Alphonso Horne is a two-time Grammy-nominated trumpeter, and Candice Hoyes is an internationally acclaimed classical and jazz recording vocalist. This is a first in a series entitled, “French Connection,” featuring three unique concerts by emerging jazz artists examining the interplay between the American and French jazz scenes.

Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. $25-50; $100 for a gala benefit ticket, which includes a pre-performance reception. The Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College, LUMA Theater, 60 Manor Ave, Annandale-on-Hudson 845.758.7900; www.fishercenter.bard.edu


Winter Wolf Magic

Visit wolves during their favorite time of year with Winter Wolves! Learn about the mythology, biology and ecology of wolf families and discover why this season is such a magical time for packs. The conservation center teaches about wolves, their relationship to the environment, and our role in protecting their future.

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Feb. 4, 5, 11, 12, 19, 25, 26, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Adults $15, Children $12. Must pre-register online. Wolf Conservation Center, South Salem. 914.763.2373; www.nywolf.org


Family Matters

Adapted from the classic children’s book series by Stan and Jan Berenstain, The Berenstain Bears Live!, a delightful musical, brings everyone’s favorite bear family to life in a thrilling and fun theatrical experience (officially approved by the authors themselves)! As always, Bear Country is not without its complications but thankfully, we can always depend on Mama Bear and her loving patience to help set things right. In the end, it becomes clear to each of the Berenstain Bears that what truly matters is family. Ages 4+. 

Feb. 11, 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. $15. Emelin Theatre for the Performing Arts, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck, 914.698.0098; www.emelin.org


Pure Pigments

Alberto Murillo’s works are stunning. His surfaces exude the certitude of a seasoned technician who worships craft and its refined distillation. Influenced by the vibrant culture of his native Spain and the rich palette of Latin America, Murillo has spent a lifetime in exploration of artistic expression. His works, as displayed in this New Works exhibit, are analogous of the Post Painterly Abstractionists —The Color Field Painters of the 50’s, i.e. Stills, Louis, and Noland. He, as they, employs rich polymers, cured in acrylic resin, poured directly on panel and manipulated like skins, into amorphous, sumptuous shapes. The immersion of highly saturated color and interlocking forms, combined with the direct action-oriented method of pouring, layering, blocking, and sandblasting, offers a visceral feast and thoroughly engaging experience. 

Murillo is known for his non-objective color field paintings and iconic images of Chanel perfume bottles, Coca-Cola bottles and LV handbags. His multiple explorations and subsequent series reflect a reverence for Pop Art, as well as mid-century architectural design. Murillo’s work may be found in prestigious corporate and private collections, including Givenchy Family Collection, Coca-Cola Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Wells Fargo.

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Feb. 4 – 26, Canfin Gallery, 39 Main St, Tarrytown, 914.332.4554; www.canfingallery.com


Chili for Charity

What better way to shake off the winter blues than with a hot bowl of chili?  The 20th Annual Chili Bowl Fiesta is hosted by the Women’s Studio Workshop. Enjoy live musical entertainment by In the Kitchen, raffle drawings, and the satisfaction of supporting local arts. More than 20 Hudson Valley restaurants and chefs donate 50+ gallons of chili, satisfying meat-lovers, vegans, and vegetarians alike. Nearly 1,000 handmade bowls, mugs, and tumblers are created throughout the year by staff, interns, resident artists, students, and local potters. Each vessel is one-of-a-kind, and widely varied in shape, size, color, surface design, and, of course, price point ($10-$100). Just purchase your favorite bowl and fill it with complimentary chili. Guests can also buy a paper bowl, and bottomless bellies can purchase additional servings.

Feb. 25, Early bird admission 2-4 p.m. $5; free admission from 4-6 p.m. SUNY Ulster, 491 Cottekill Rd., Stone Ridge; www.wsworkshop.org


Bluegrass Legend 

The group Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, an International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductee, has won seven consecutive IBMA Vocal Group of the Year awards, as well as multiple Grammy nominations. A constantly inventive musician and performer, and a longtime Emelin favorite,  Lawson was called a “mandolin virtuoso” with “perfectly silken harmony” by the New York Times. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver includes Josh Swift on dobro and vocals, Joe Dean on banjo, Dustin Pyrtle on guitar/vocals, Eli Johnston on bass/vocals, and Stephen Burwell on fiddle. 

Feb. 17, 8 p.m. $49/$42. Emelin Theatre for the Performing Arts, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck, 914.698.0098; www.emelin.org

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