By Germain Lussier
Times Herald-Record
Like a new car, 2009 took about a week to feel
broken in and comfortable. So today seems like the perfect time to take
this baby out and see what she can do.
Generally,
the holidays stall a lot of the local venues from hosting events as
everyone is celebrating, spending time with their families, eating and
reflecting on the past year. It's at about this time we can all start
looking forward to great stuff to do in the coming year.
Here,
we've highlighted two events per month of the already announced or
anticipated events coming to the Hudson Valley in 2009. Check out
www.recordonline.com/entertainment for our 2009 calendar, and keep
returning there for updates — there will be plenty.
All information is subject to change, and not all dates are official.
Since
October through December dates are still wildly undetermined, we chose
to exclude those months here. But you can check out what's available
now at www.recordonline.com/entertainment.
January
EagleFest,
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Jan. 17, Narrowsburg — Majestic, powerful,
beautiful. The eagle is definitely one of the most popular birds the
Earth has to offer and the perfect subject for a day full of events.
Live demonstrations with various birds of prey (not just eagles),
documentary films, art and interactive lectures comprise a day that's
fun for the whole family. Call 252-6509 or visit
www.dveaglealliance.org.
Modfest, Jan.
22-Feb. 13 at Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie — Vassar
is overflowing with the arts, and every year it hosts Modfest as a
release valve for all that artistic ingenuity. There are several weeks
of new art exhibits, film screenings, workshops, concerts, dance
recitals and more. Topping the whole thing off is a salute to and
exploration of composer Steve Reich, whom the New Yorker once called
"the most original musical thinker of our time." Call 437-7294 or visit
www.vassar.edu for a full calendar of events.
February
Larry the Cable Guy,
5 and 8 p.m. Feb. 7, Mid-Hudson Civic Center, 14 Civic Center Plaza,
Poughkeepsie — It's beyond cliche to use Larry the Cable Guy's
catchphrase in describing him. Still, "Get-R-Done" remains the most
succinct way to describe one of the most successful touring stand-up
comedians in the world. The blue-collar everyman is also a movie star,
TV star and iconic voice-over actor, but he can still bring witty
one-liners and Southern humor with the best of them. Tickets are
$43.75. Call 454-5800 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Chili Bowl Fiesta,
3 p.m. Feb. 28, Rosendale Recreation Center, Route 32, Rosendale — For
12 years, the Women's Studio Workshop has helped combine two things:
clay and chili. The WSW is at it once again with this event, where
members of the studio create hundreds of unique chili bowls. You buy
them, and then fill it as many times as you'd like with homemade chili
provided by local restaurants. Admission will be about $5. Call
658-9133 or visit www.wsworkshop.org.
March
National Acrobats of China,
7 p.m. March 2, Lycian Centre, Kings Highway, Sugar Loaf —
Death-defying stunts and luscious costumes are just a part of this
authentic national touring company that will stop in Sugar Loaf in
March. The acrobats will perform various acts of martial arts, all
types of jaw-dropping illusion and set it all to toe-tapping
traditional Chinese music. Tickets are $34, $25.50 for kids. Call
469-2287 or visit www.lyciancentre.com.
"Hairspray,"
2 p.m. March 29, Eisenhower Hall Theater, U.S. Military Academy, West
Point — "Good morning, Baltimore!" exclaims teenager Tracy Turnblad at
the beginning of this catchy, hilarious musical based on a film by John
Waters. Tracy is a little chubby, but that doesn't stop her from
becoming a teen dancing star and flipping 1960s Baltimore right on its
head. The original Broadway musical, on which this touring company is
based, won eight Tonys, including Best Musical, and was adapted into
another film starring John Travolta and Zac Efron. Ticket prices are to
be determined. Call 938-4159 or visit www.ikehall.com.
April
Gallagher,
8 p.m. April 17, the Chance Theater, 6 Crannell St. Poughkeepsie — No,
you haven't been transported back to the 1980s. The original Gallagher
— he of the smashing of watermelons and anything else he can get his
hands on — is coming to probably the only venue in the region equipped
for his brand of humor: the Chance. What most people might have
forgotten about the wacky comedian is Gallagher is more than a mallet.
He's got some biting commentary on today's society and hilarious ideas
on how to fix it. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Call
471-1966 or visit thechancetheater.com.
Larry Chance and the Earls,
April 25, Paramount Theatre, 17 South St., Middletown — Maybe they
don't have the clout of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, but Larry
Chance and the Earls share a similar classic doo-wop sound and have
plenty of huge hits. "Remember Them," "Life Is but a Dream" and "I
Believe" are three of the bigger ones, and the Hudson Valley regulars
put on a thoroughly entertaining performance. This performance, also
featuring the Shirelles, will benefit Middletown police and fire
departments. Ticket prices and event time are TBA. Call 346-4195 or
visit www.middletownparamount.com.
May
The Fab Faux,
8 p.m. May 16, Paramount Center for the Arts, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill
— Endorsements from David Letterman and Howard Stern might be old hat
for big-name comedians or actors, but a tribute band? The Fab Faux, who
have performed several times for the aforementioned hosts, are arguably
the best Beatles tribute band on the market. They can go track by track
through all the Beatle albums and, if you close your eyes, it sounds
just like "The Ed Sullivan Show" Feb. 9, 1964. Tickets are $45-$75.
Call 914-739-2333 or visit www.paramountcenter.org.
Mountain Jam V,
May 29-31 on Hunter Mountain, Hunter — For three days every summer,
hordes of music fans flock to Hunter Mountain for a nonstop musical
event presented by Warren Haynes and Radio Woodstock. Musicians from
all walks of life take the stages to jam with like-minded people, and
you'll never know who might show up at 2 or 3 a.m. The lineup hasn't
been announced yet, but if last year's is any indication (Gov't Mule,
Citizen Cope, Bob Weir & RatDog, Levon Helm and others), this fifth
annual might be extra special. Tickets go on sale Feb. 2. Visit
www.mountainjamfest.com.
June
Riverfest,
June 6, Donahue Park, Dock Hill Road, Cornwall-on-Hudson — With summer
approaching, what better time to enjoy the fruits of the Hudson River
and some delicious food and entertainment? Riverfest is an annual
gathering on the banks of the Hudson that combines everything that
makes warm-weather months special in the Hudson Valley. Good people,
good weather, beautiful scenery and plenty of things to eat and buy
help take your mind off the daily grind of life. Call 534-4200 or visit
www.river-fest.com.
DIGit 2009, June
12-July 4, Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, Alliance Gallery, 37 Main
St., Narrowsburg — Now entering its sixth year, DIGit is a unique
Hudson Valley event no matter how you pronounce it (both "dig it" and
"digit" are correct). It combines traditional art with new media for
several weeks during the summer, and attendees can see where art is
headed in the digital medium and what 1s and 0s are capable of with
art, film, photography and more. Call 252-7576 or visit
www.artsalliancesite.org.
July
Soyuzivka's Ukrainian Cultural Festival,
July 17-19, Soyuzivka Heritage Center, 216 Foordmoore Road, Kerhonkson
— This is as close as one can get to Ukraine while staying in America.
Touted as the "biggest and best festival" in the country, this
three-day event has it all. There will be stage shows, traditional
foods, eating contests, music, tons of vendors and more. Call 626-5641
or visit www.soyuzivka.com.
The Orange County Fair,
July 22-Aug. 2, Orange County Fairgrounds, 100 Carpenter Ave., Town of
Wallkill — Another year means another Orange County Fair, the only
place you can simultaneously support the 4-H, pet animals, eat a ton of
funnel cake and then possibly puke it out after going upside down on a
thrill ride. For 2009, the fair will be presented by the James E.
Strates Show, a family-run traveling carnival group that has classic
and new rides for all ages. Tickets go on sale in June. Call 343-4826
or visit www.orangecountyfair.com.
August
New York Renaissance Faire,
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 1-Sept. 20, 600 Route 17A, Tuxedo — Here ye, here
ye! Come one, come all to the most famous of all Hudson Valley events.
Only at ye olde Ren faire is one accepted ... nay ... praised for
dressing as a wench, gulping a gullet full of mead and devouring a
turkey leg. Also, thou shalt not forget the joust and more. Off with
your head if ye dare miss the Renaissance Faire! Tickets are $20, $10
children. Call 351-5171 or visit www.renfair.com.
Shandelee Music Festival,
Aug. 1-15, Festival Grounds, J. Young Road, Livingston Manor — Summers
in the Hudson Valley have no shortage of fantastic classical and
popular music festivals. While most of them have yet to report in with
their lineups, the Shandelee Music Festival's Summer Sunset Concert
Series has already lined up six concerts, including performances by
Julien Quentin, the Mike Fahie Quartet and cellist David Requiro, among
others. Tickets are $23, $21 seniors and students. Call 439-3277 or
visit www.shandelee.org.
September
Woodstock Film Festival,
Sept. 30-Oct. 4, Woodstock, Rosendale and Rhinebeck — Incredibly, 2009
marks the 10th year of the Woodstock Film Festival. Each year, festival
programmers bring in an incredibly vast slate of films that are
relatively obscure at the beginning of the festival and then, by the
end of the year, not so much. In 2008, they screened "Wendy and Lucy,"
"Let the Right One In," "Happy Go Lucky" and several other films just
being released and nominated for year-end awards. And that's just the
beginning of this signature event. Call 679-4265 or visit
www.woodstockfilmfestival.com.
Civil War Re-enactment,
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 5-6, Museum Village, 1010 Route 17M, Monroe —
Hundreds of men in traditional Union and Confederate garb line the
hills flanking Route 17M in Monroe. Cannons explode, men charge,
bayonets spear, many soldiers fall and in the end, the North is
victorious, slavery is abolished and the U.S. Civil War is over. This
annual event must be seen to be believed. Call 782-8248 or visit
www.museumvillage.org.