Rufus Wainwright
May 8, 9. Although he has regional roots (born in Rhinebeck), it's been a while since singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright has performed around here. Which makes either of these dates at Tarrytown Music Hall (May 8) and the Mahawie Performing Arts Center (May 9) quite the hot ticket for long-waiting local fans—especially since his current tour is being billed as "The Best of Rufus Wainwright." The son of folk legends Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, the brother of singer Martha Wainwright, and, since February 2011, the biological father of Leonard Cohen's granddaughter, the 41-year-old artist has been called "the greatest songwriter on the planet" by Elton John. His distinctive mix of cabaret, confessional rock, opera, and Broadway theatrics will lend itself perfectly to these stately Gilded Age venues. Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown. 8pm. $38-$85. (914) 631-3390; Tarrytownmusichall.org. Mahawie Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington, Massachusetts. 7:30pm. $60-$85. (413) 528-0100; Mahaiwe.org.
