THEATER
“Shear Madness” at Shadowland Stages [image-2] Playing now through August 18 on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturday, and Sundays at Shadowland Stages in Ellenville is playwright Paul Portner’s comedy “Shear Madness.” Directed by Brendan Burke, the hilarious whodunit takes place in a hairstyling salon where, “a murder is committed- and the audience gets to spot the clues, question the suspects, and solve the funniest mystery in the annals of crime. The outcome is never the same, so you just might want to see this show twice!” See website for performance times and tickets. https://shadowlandstages.org/
MUSIC
Hudson Valley Music Summit in Kingston [image-3] Any aspiring or working professional musicians out there? Running on August 9 at the Best Western Plus hotel in Kingston is the Hudson Valley Music Summit, a full day of panel discussions featuring 10 panels and 50 speakers; live performances; vendors; and a post-conference performance showcase at BSP Kingston. Speakers include Pete Shapiro, the owner of the Capitol Theatre in Portchester and Brooklyn Bowl; Dean Budnick, the editor of Relix magazine; original Alice Cooper band bassist Dennis Dunaway; singer-songwriter Michelle Shocked; Stefani Scamardo of Hardhead Management; and Liz Penta of Emcee Artist Management; Jeff Mercel of the O+ Festival; and others. www.HudsonValleyMusicSummit.com
FESTIVALS
Sunflower Festival in Poughquag
From August 10 through August 18, Barton Orchards in Poughquag is hosting its first-ever Sunflower Festival. Admission to the event allows attendees to take home handpicked sunflowers from the farm’s five acres of dedicated fields and enjoy lunch, dinner, dessert, wine, craft vendors, and live music in beautiful natural surroundings. Additionally, the orchard’s seasonal pick-your-own produce and fruit areas, petting zoo, and fun park will all be open during this family-and-dog-friendly event. https://www.facebook.com/bartonorchardspage/?eid=ARAVbKtgVzfPqb6zkiLChg_eHBqlzVtp4tKRpR0dDoD7MFycgAAMT7PhIsXQk4HirVwzd7Q7nf5gcNRz
MUSIC
Laurie Anderson at Mass MoCA Over the years, iconoclastic musician Laurie Anderson has been a consistent presence at North Adams, Massachusetts’s celebrated contemporary arts center, Mass MoCA. On August 10 at 8pm, she’ll present “Lou Reed Drones with Stewart Hurwood,” an immersive, drone-based sonic experience utilizing guitars that belonged to her late husband, Lou Reed. For the performance, Hurwood, Reed’s former guitar technician, will create an enveloping drone of harmonic feedback that shifts and changes, depending on the locations of the audience members. https://massmoca.org/
FESTIVALS
Riverside Crafts Fair in Garrison [image-4] Held at Garrison Art Center on August 17 and 18, the Riverside Crafts Fair is one of the most well-established, high-quality crafts fairs in the Hudson Valley. With majestic views from the banks of the Hudson River, the fair is an exquisite spot to shop for hand-made traditional and alternative crafts. The two-day event promises a selection of over 60 juried artists offering furniture, photography, jewelry, gourmet food, glass items, textiles, fine art, ceramics, wooden utensils, tableware, and more. Attendees from New York City or points north can take the train to the fair location, which is steps from the MTA Metro North Hudson Line. Free parking at the train station or at Garrison School and a free shuttle service also make it a popular event. https://www.garrisonartcenter.org/
