Make art with objects from Nature this Saturday at Dorsky Museum at SUNY-New Paltz
As part of the “Dear Mother Nature” exhibition at the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, artist Riva Weinstein presents “Lifeline,” a workshop open to all ages creating a link between Mother Nature and Humanity. Participants should bring found objects such as rocks, sticks, pinecones et cetera to create “spontaneous and ephemeral assemblages.” I love her philosophy, “The world is my studio,” which is where I think that children and youth tend to dwell anyway. I think that it sounds like a fantastic experience, and it’s right in New Paltz.
Meet in the gallery, where Weinstein will talk briefly about her work; then the workshop will take place outside at the circle in front of the Dorsky if weather permits. If not, it will relocate to the Smiley Arts Building, Room 118. “Lifeline” takes place on Saturday, September 29 at 3:30 p.m. The suggested donation for the museum is $5; and remember, parking is free on weekends at SUNY.
The Samuel Dorsky Museum is located at SUNY-New Paltz, 1 Hawk Drive in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 257-3844 or visit www.newpaltz.edu/museum. To learn more about the artist, visit https://rivaweinstein.com.
Kids’ Days this weekend at Prospect Hill Orchards in Milton
You know that line from the cute Guys and Dolls song, “I love you a bushel and a peck”? I learned that a bushel of apples translates to 46 pounds, and a peck is one-fourth of that. My plan is to play this song in the car on our way over to Prospect Hill Orchards this weekend for their Kids’ Days event, then have them try to lift a bushel and a peck’s worth of apples. See, kids? Look how much Mama loves you! If it turns out that they can lift it, I’ll have to bring in a barrel and a heap.
Not only can you pick your own bushels and pecks of apples (Judy Clarke told me that there are plenty of apples on the trees), but you can also get pears, pumpkins and winter squash. And there’s no fee for admission or activities. Kids can build scarecrows and do craft projects, including “Crafty Critters,” which are made from gourds with googly eyes, pipecleaners and other supplies. Participants can also get free tastes from the old-fashioned hand-cranked cider press and take a hayride.
Kids’ Days take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prospect Hill Orchards are located at 40 Clarke’s Lane in Milton, but parking for apple-picking is located at 73 Clarke’s Lane. For more information, call (845) 795-2383 or visit https://prospecthillorchards.com.
Beacon hosts One River, Many Streams Folk Festival this Sunday
This Sunday’s One River, Many Streams Folk Festival takes place in conjunction with the 35th annual Spirit of Beacon Day, which I think of as One Day, Many Activities. On Sunday, September 30, booths and festivities line the streets, with a parade at 1 p.m., and the Folk Festival from approximately 2 to 4 p.m. The Folk Festival will include hands-on craft stations and demonstrations of Ukrainian, Chinese, Japanese and South Asian arts. Ukrainian folk music and dance will be performed by the Korinya youth band, and Indian dance will be presented as well.
Halyna Shepko, mother of the Korinya band kids, shared her thoughts about the Festival with me: “Last time Korinya performed at One River, Many Streams one woman came up to them and said they sounded ‘tribal’. Our favorite part of this type of event is that it gives an opportunity for us to perform Ukrainian folk music amongst a program of diverse folk groups, and the more we learn about each others’ music and culture, we see how we are all connected and one. We are all related.” I’m hoping that Korinya plays “Tomu Kosa,” my new favorite Ukrainian song that they play.
The One River, Many Streams Folk Festival takes place at the corner of Main and Cedar Street in Beacon. The rain date is Sunday, October 7. For more information, call (845) 454-3222 or visit www.artsmidhudson.org. To learn more about Korinya, visit www.facebook.com/korinya.band.
Author Joanne Michaels speaks at Beacon Institute Gallery this Sunday
After the Festival, go up Main Street to the Beacon Institute Gallery for its Sunday author series featuring Joanne Michaels. Michaels is the author of many books, including Let’s Take the Kids! and Hudson River Towns. I always appreciate hearing about family-friendly spots to visit locally, and Michaels’ books do such a great job of pointing out interesting places to go.
This event takes place on Sunday, September 30 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The Beacon Institute Gallery is located at 199 Main Street in Beacon. For more information, call (845) 838-1600 or visit www.bire.org. To learn more about the author, visit www.joannemichaels.com.
Erica Chase-Salerno lives, loves and laughs in New Paltz with her husband Mike and their two children: the inspirations behind hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
