Music
Feb 1: Umphrey’s McGee
The jam fan’s jam band, UM brings all the adventurousness you’d expect of Phish peers, along with the chops of a classic progressive rock group. Expect both the hits and tracks off 2018’s companion It’s Not Us, It’s You albums.
Palace Theatre, Albany, 518.465.4663, www.palacealbany.org
Feb 2: riverrun
Spyro Gyra pianist Jeremy Wall is joined by flutist John Ragusa for an evening of world fusion, jazz, and classical.
Rockland Center for the Arts, West Nyack, 845.358.0877, www.rocklandartcenter.org
Feb 8: The Bad Plus
This experimental jazz trio mines the basics (piano, bass, drums) for the vast potential contained therein. It is currently touring behind Never Stop II, the first album with new pianist Orrin Evans.
The Egg Center for the Performing Arts, Albany, 518.473.1845, www.theegg.org
Our Pick
|
Feb 14: Abba Dancing Dream Valentine’s Day Concert
What could be more romantic than a night of ESL hits from these Swedish popsmiths? New York City’s biggest ABBA tribute band plays a special concert just for the holidays, with costumes, choreography, and plenty of grooves.
Westchester Broadway Theatre, Elmsford, 914.592.2222, www.broadwaytheatre.com
Feb 16: Schubert’s Winterreise
A special performance of Franz Schubert’s most famous song cycle, with tenor Rufus Müller and Kayo Iwama on piano.
The Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, 845.758.7900, www.fishercenter.bard.edu
Feb 16: Threading Strands
The Newburgh Symphony’s first concert of 2019 focuses on the interplay between the simple and the complex, the organic and the academic, with selections including Arvo Pärt’s devastating “Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten.”
Aquinas Hall, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, 845.913.7157, www.newburghsymphony.org
Feb 17: Dropkick Murphys
Celtic punks, Boston’s boys, the heaviest band to include a tin whistler — all these appellations and more apply to the DMs, who will be stopping in Poughkeepsie as part of their 2019 St. Patrick’s Day tour.
Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, 845.454.5800, www.midhudsonciviccenter.org
Feb 22: Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt
These two master singer-songwriters come to Tarrytown with twangy voices, clever turns, and more than a few classics drawn from their deep and venerable catalogs. Expect more than a few tears in your beer.
Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, 914.631.3390, www.tarrytownmusichall.org
Feb 23: The Wailers
More than 35 years after the death of Bob Marley, the Wailers continue to probe the possibilities of reggae. Led by founding bassist Aston Barrett, this incarnation of the band includes several young and legacy musicians.
Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, 914.631.3390, www.tarrytownmusichall.org
Daryl’s House Club
|
Theater and Dance
From Feb 15: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time
Directed by Andy Weintraub, this Tony-winning Broadway smash focuses on the mystery of a dog’s death and the young autistic boy who means to solve it. Based on the best-selling novel by Mark Haddon.
Center for the Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck, 845.876.3080, www.centerforperformingarts.org
Feb 16: Cirque Zuma Zuma Acrobats
A blend of circus high-wire heroics and modern culture, these performers from sixteen African nations demonstrate tumbling, contortions, singers, acrobatics, and general gymnastics as part of an electrifying, and celebratory, evening.
Westchester Community College, Valhalla, 914.606.6262, www.sunywcc.edu
Feb 21: Black History Heroes, Soldiers, and Spies
This touring production, presented specially for Black History Month, tells the stories of the many black Americans who built this country, from abolitionists to explorers, inventors, and aviators. For all ages.
Center for the Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck, 845.876.3080, www.centerforperformingarts.org
Through Feb 24: Ain’t Misbehavin’
This lively dramatization of the life of swing legend Fats Waller won the 1978 Tony Award for Best Musical for its lively plot and deeply felt performances of Waller’s many ragtime and jazz standards. Starts January 31.
Westchester Broadway Theatre, Elmsford, 914.592.2222, www.broadwaytheatre.com
Our Pick
|
Art
Feb 2-24: Rachel Rickert Solo Show
This young artist focuses on intimate moments: of dressing and undressing, shower routines, laundry drying on a line. In so doing, she teases out patterns that operate, unnoticed, in life.
John Davis Gallery, Hudson, 518.828.5907, www.johndavisgallery.com
Through Feb 23: Jackie Battenfeld — One Fine Day
This solo show focuses on Battenfeld’s gorgeous arboreal paintings, reminiscent of traditional Japanese screen painting, as well as her more aggressive and abstract landscape watercolors.
Kenise Barnes Fine Art, Larchmont, 914.834.8077, www.kbfa.com
From Feb 17: Spirit of Being
A multi-disciplinary exhibition celebrating the spiritual in art. There will be an opening ceremony on February 24.
Rockland Center for the Arts, West Nyack, 845.358.0877, www.rocklandartcenter.org
Film
Feb 11: Waiting to Exhale
In this should-be romantic comedy classic, four very different African-American women work through relationships, careers, and their own deep friendships in ’90s Phoenix.
Palace Theatre, Albany, 518.465.4663, www.palacealbany.org
Feb 14: The Awful Truth
In perhaps the prototypical screwball comedy, Cary Grant and Irene Dunn play a divorced couple who simply can’t leave one in peace. Funny, biting, and with more than a hint of melancholy.
Jacob Burns Film Center, Pleasantville, 914.773.7663, www.burnsfilmcenter.org
Feb 25: The Big Sleep
Starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Howard Hawks’s film-noir classic follows Philip Marlowe down an increasingly treacherous path of debt, crime, and murder.
Palace Theatre, Albany, 518.465.4663, www.palacealbany.org
Town Crier Cafe
|
Family
Feb 2, 9, 16, 23: Saturday Morning Family Series
These 50-minute plays begin every Saturday morning at 11 a.m. and are for younger viewers and their parents. This month’s selections include The Dragon King, Pirate Song, Wizard of Oz, and Margaret Steele’s Amazing Magic Show.
Center for the Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck, 845.876.3080, www.centerforperformingarts.org
Feb 9: The Cat in the Hat Dr. Seuss’s classic tale brought to life with vivid costumes and colorful sets. For ages 5+.
Emelin Theatre, Mamaroneck, 914.698.0098, www.emelin.org
Feb 9: Liyana
Five orphaned African children construct a fairy tale from their dreams, only to take part in a grand and painful story when its heroine, the titular Liyana, comes to life. For ages 10+.
Jacob Burns Film Center, Pleasantville, 914.773.7663, www.burnsfilmcenter.org
Feb 10: Silence Searching for Words
As part of the ongoing “Shadows Searching for Light” exhibition, spoken word poet Marcus John will explore connections between written and painted expression for a younger audience. $10 per family.
Edward Hopper House, Nyack, 845.358.0774, www.edwardhopperhouse.org
Feb 18: The Iron Giant
Jon Favreau’s Cold War parable of militarism, paranoia, and the possibilities (and limits) of connection is a modern classic of animated film. Nothing is more likely to get both children and their parents bawling as they leave the theater.
Jacob Burns Film Center, Pleasantville, 914.773.7663, www.burnsfilmcenter.org
Feb 20: Family Fun Day — Frozen Sure, your kids have been singing these songs every day for the past five years, but seeing Disney’s take on the Hans Christian Andersen original takes on a whole new life in the theater. Kids under 12 get free popcorn.
Palace Theatre, Albany, 518.465.4663, www.palacealbany.org
Our Pick
|
Comedy
Feb 1-2: Michael Kosta
Though he started in professional tennis (rank: 864), Kosta has been a successful stand-up comedian for many years, touring the world, starring in a Comedy Central special, and hosting commentary shows on ESPN and E!
Nyack Levity Live, 845.353.5400, www.improv.com/nyack
Feb 2: Luis J. Gomez
New York City’s Gomez has made his mark through his XM radio show “The Countdown,” popular podcast network, and appearances on many storied radio and TV shows.
Laugh It Up! Comedy Club inside Mahoney’s Irish Pub, Poughkeepsie, 845.418.3989, www.laughitup.net
Feb 16: Jessica Kirson
Kirson’s wit and incisive character work have made her a hit on the Howard Stern show and YouTube, providing bitesize takedowns of many common irritants. She has extended her deconstructive eye to her own life through a role as herself on HBO’s Crashing.
Laugh It Up! Comedy Club inside Mahoney’s Irish Pub, Poughkeepsie, 845.418.3989, www.laughitup.net
Feb 22-24: Orny Adams
With three stand-up specials and six seasons of Teen Wolf under his belt, Adams knows how to weave between the topical and the personal with a neurotically observational persona. Nyack Levity Live, 4210 Palisades Center Dr, 845.353.5400, www.improv.com/nyack
Special Events
Feb 2: Imbolc Riverfire
Spanning the worlds of art, performance, and folklore, this unique celebration of midwinter life uses the Greek story of Demeter and Persephone as the springboard for an incendiary mixture of puppetry, dance, and contemporary art. Kids under 6 free.
Basilica Hudson, 110 S. Front St, Hudson, 518.822.1050, www.basilicahudson.org
Feb 9: Valentine’s Day Couple’s Feeding Time This special twist on the Aquarium’s typical animal feeding event is for adult couples only, giving unsqueamish romantics a chance to go behind the scenes and deliver rays, terrapins, and even big sharks their morning meal. $100 per couple.
Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk, 203.852.0700, www.maritimeaquarium.org
Feb 23-24: 26th Annual James Campbell Memorial Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show and Sale
Gem-heads, crystal fiends, and the otherwise geologically minded won’t want to miss this massive conclave of the Northeast’s best rock vendors, and all the wares they provide. Entry benefits the Museum’s mineral-acquisition fund.
New York State Museum, 518.474.5877, www.nysm.nysed.org
Our Pick
|
Workshops/Classes
Feb 2: Critical Community Lecture
A conversation between local community organizations and the communities they serve, informing local residents of the services available to them with a talk-back period for questions.
African Roots Library, Kingston, www.blackhistorymonthkingston.org
Feb 23: Art as Healing Discussion
This panel discussion will focus on how art can help those struggling with trauma, with a focus on the personal search for spiritual meaning and quiet, internal space, and its connections to PTSD treatment. Rockland Center for the Arts, West Nyack, 845.358.0877, www.rocklandartcenter.org
