Polly's Picks

Senior Editor Polly Sparling lists her top picks in February 2010

Thru Feb. 28: The Center for Photography at Woodstock offers two intriguing exhibits this month. “Landscape Forever” is a group show of newly commissioned works by 10 local artists that explores the lands protected by the Woodstock Land Conservancy. In “Vanitas,” Justine Reyes displays her series of still-life photos that juxtapose beautiful objects with human skulls, burning candles, and other visual references to mortality. Both exhibits run Wed.-Sun. 12-5 p.m. • 59 Tinker St., Woodstock. 845-679-9957 or www.cpw.org

landscape forever
dancer

Feb. 12: Dancer and choreographer Bill T. Jones celebrates the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth with the East Coast premiere of Fondly Do We Hope… Fervently Do We Pray. This evening-length multidisciplinary work — which includes dancers from Jones’ company, as well as an actor and musical ensemble — challenges the audience to look past the accepted truths about our 16th president in order to see his lasting contributions to our society. 8 p.m. $42.50-$72.50. • The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College. 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase. 914-251-6200 or www.artscenter.org

20,000 leagues under the sea

Feb. 12-25: Worlds apart: Catch film versions of Russian author/playwright Anton Chekhov’s best-known works (including Uncle Vanya and The Seagull) during this month’s “Celebrating Chekhov” series. Feb. 6-7, 13-14: If you’re more in the mood for fantasy, take the kids to the Jules Verne science fiction classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Call for exact schedules and ticket information.
Jacob Burns Film Center. 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville. 914-747-5555 or www.burnsfilmcenter.org

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the little mermaid

The Kings Theatre Company at the Lycian Center has something for everyone this month. Feb. 6: Food Fight: A Musical Comedy for Waist Watchers lampoons women’s neurotic obsession with food and dieting through songs like “If I Were a Size 2” and “You Gotta Have Some Sugar” (8 p.m.). Feb. 21: The little ones will thrill to the American Family Theater one-hour musical version of The Little Mermaid (1 p.m.). Feb. 27: Music lovers of any age should enjoy Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience (8 p.m.) Call for ticket information. • Kings Highway, Sugar Loaf. 845-469-2287 or www.lyciancentre.com

garrison keillor

Feb. 4: It’s been 35 years since humorist/storyteller Garrison Keillor broadcast the first episode of A Prairie Home Companion, his weekly radio program that revolves around the fictitious Minnesota town of Lake Wobegone (and its quirky inhabitants). For the first time in the show’s long history, it will be aired live in high definition and beamed to a select group of local theaters. See (and hear) Keillor and company on the big screen at the Bardavon Opera House. 8 p.m. $22, $15 children. • 35 Market St., Poughkeepsie. 845-473-2072 or www.bardavon.org

maple sugar tour

Feb. 27-28: Need a sure sign that spring is just around the corner? Grab your boots and come out for the Maple Sugar Tour at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. This 45-minute guided walk through the forest teaches you how the sweet stuff is harvested from the trees and turned into maple syrup. Tours begin every half-hour from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. $10, $5 children. • At the museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center. Muser Dr., across from 174 Angola Rd., Cornwall. 845-534-5506, ext. 204 or www.hhnaturemuseum.org

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