Cultural Dance Expressions at DCC
On Saturday, February 23 from 4 to 6 p.m., the Cultural Dance Expressions performance at Dutchess County Community College will amaze, inspire and delight you and your family. You’ll see classic and modern dances in a wide range of styles, such as African, Caribbean, liturgical, modern, ballet, tap, hip-hop and more. This event is free and open to the public of all ages, and I suggest arriving early to get seats for this one.
Dutchess County Community College is located at 53 Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 431-8049 or visit www.sunydutchess.edu.
Dance and Food Drive in Kingston
In her book Maps to Ecstasy, Gabrielle Roth mentions, “In many shamanic societies, if you came to a shaman or medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited or depressed, they would ask you one of four questions: ‘When did you stop dancing?’ ‘When did you stop singing?’ ‘When did you stop being enchanted by stories?’ When did you stop finding comfort in the sweet territory of silence?’”
Here’s an antidote to the first question: This Saturday, February 23 from 7 to 10 p.m., join the Hudson Valley LGBTQ annual Valentine’s Dance and Food Drive, “Sharing the Love.” All ages are welcome to this festive event with great music and dancing. Receive free admission with a donation of food or dry goods to support local food banks Angel Food East, Dutchess Outreach and the Queens Galley.
The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center is located at 300 Wall Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-5300 or visit https://lgbtqcenter.org.
Red Hook Fire Company hosts “Winter Shorts” film screening
This Saturday, February 23 at 6 p.m., the Red Hook Film Festival presents “Winter Shorts,” a series of short independent films. Winter Shorts is produced and sponsored by the Robert George Design Group, which intends to make this an annual February winter event. I am especially interested in the student submissions from Bard College and Red Hook High School that will be featured.
Advance tickets cost $5 for students, $8 for adults; tickets purchased at the door cost $8 for students, $10 for adults. The Red Hook Film Festival takes place at the Red Hook Fire Company, located at 42 Firehouse Lane in Red Hook. For more information, e-mail woodstockbob@aol.com or visit www.rhcanadmin.com.
Rock for a Reason at Rhinebeck’s Liberty Lounge
I’m excited about this weekend’s second annual Rock for a Reason event, because not only are talented teen musicians performing, but most of them are also members of the Youth Advisory Council for the very organization for which they are raising funds and awareness: the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. This Saturday, February 23 from 6 to 8:30 p.m., bring your families to hear celebrated guitarist Connor Kennedy, Corinne and Maddie Olson with Zoe Ettinger, Erica Enriquez and Finnegan Shanahan with David Britton, and enjoy a fabulous evening of wonderful music while supporting a terrific cause.
Admission costs $5 for students, $10 for adults. Rock for a Reason takes place at Liberty Lounge, located at 6417 Montgomery Street in Rhinebeck. For more information, call (845) 454-0595 or visit www.preventchildabusedutchess.org.
Join the family! 
