“Art is connections, not elements.”
– Keiko Sono
Keiko Sono exhibit at SUNY-Ulster
When I think art gallery, I conjure up an image of framed paintings hanging still on a wall. But when I think artist Keiko Sono, I picture movement and fluid designs: Sono “uses natural materials, video and online media to create events and projects that focus on connections rather than elements.” Her thoughtful use of technology piques my interest and results in a style of art that I haven’t seen before, and I become transfixed and want more. Check out this exhibit with the kids. Who knows? They may get inspired to make their own creations at home.
Sono’s opening reception with a slide lecture takes place on Thursday, October 10 at 7 p.m. in the College Lounge in Vanderlyn Hall. The exhibition runs from October 10 through November 8 in the Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery at SUNY-Ulster on the Stone Ridge campus. The Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. SUNY-Ulster is located at 491 Cottekill Road. For more information, call (845) 687-5113 or visit www.sunyulster.edu. To learn more about the artist, visit https://keikosono.com.
MoonWalk on Hudson Valley Rail Trail in Highland
A few of my family’s favorite things during the Hudson Valley fall: crisp nighttime air; apple cider and donuts; and bonfires. You can have all that and more at this weekend’s annual MoonWalk on the Hudson Valley Rail Trail in Highland. On Friday, October 11 from 7 to 9 p.m., all are welcome on a 2.5-mile round-trip nighttime walk that includes a Living Ghost Tour: storytelling along the Rail Trail with the Highland High School Theater Club about the history of Lloyd.
Participants are encouraged to “Bring flashlights, but leave dogs, pets, bikes, scooters, rollerblades and skateboards at home.” Admission costs $5; children age 6 and under get in free. Registration will take place at the Hudson Valley Rail Trail Depot, located at 101 New Paltz Road in Highland. For more information, call (845) 691-2066 or visit https://hudsonvalleyrailtrail.net.
Observe the Moon Night at SUNY-New Paltz’s Smolen Observatory
“Fly me to the Moon,” croons Frank Sinatra in one of my favorite songs. “We all look at the same Moon,” goes the saying. And according to some sources, the cow even jumped over it. Now, how about taking a closer look at it? On Saturday, October 12, be a part of International Observe the Moon Night (OMN) by stopping by the Smolen Observatory at SUNY-New Paltz between 7 and 10 p.m. Use telescopes, and ask questions of the astronomers and Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association volunteers. This event is free and open to the public of all ages. In 2012, OMN was celebrated at 577 locations in 49 countries!
On a related note, Almanac Weekly’s own “Night Sky” columnist Bob Berman is part of the “SkyFest: Astronomy and the Arts” series, which kicks off on October 12 and runs through November 30. Learn more about this interesting array of activities, including two lectures by Berman, at www.bardavon.org. For more information about Smolen and directions, visit www.newpaltz.edu/observatory. To learn more about International Observe the Moon Night, visit https://observethemoonnight.org.
Children’s Day at Headless Horseman in Ulster Park
Sometimes kids want to be scared – just “not too scared.” On Saturday, October 12 from 12 noon to 3:30 p.m., Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses present “Children’s Day: A Tiny Taste of Terror.” Participants can do daytime hayrides and scary stories with a friendly storyteller. A walk through our corn maze, haunted gardens, country games, face-painting and entertainment make this the perfect outing for families with young children.
Admission on Children’s Day costs $11 per ticket, and the rain date is October 13. Headless Horseman is located at 778 Broadway/Route 9W in Ulster Park. For more information, call (845) 339-2666 or visit www.headlesshorseman.com.
Howe Caverns donates proceeds to domestic violence shelters this month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I’m impressed that Howe Caverns is helping out. On Saturday, October 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., partial proceeds from the Howe High Adventure ropes course, zipline, rock wall and air jumper will be donated to the cause. Sounds like fun to me!
Howe Caverns is located at 255 Discovery Drive in Howe’s Cave. For more information including pricing or other upcoming special events, call (518) 296-8900 or visit https://howecaverns.com.
Dinosaur Dig at Ellenville Library
In an early Dog on Fleas song, Shane Kirsch’s character tries to help Dean Jones’s character to understand the phrase, “You dig?” I’ll bet that those guys would really dig Dinosaur Dig, taking place at the Ellenville Library and Museum this Saturday, October 12 at 10:30 a.m. Paleontologists Mike and Roberta Straka will talk about their work as well as share time with “Mr. Nixon,” an eight-foot Triceratops skull discovered by their team in 1996.
Music, songs a show-and-tell with unique dinosaur bones, a puppet, the Dinosaur Game Show and a touch of magic will round out the program. A great program for all ages!
The Ellenville Library is located at 40 Center Street in Ellenville. For more information, call (845) 647-5530 or visit https://rondoutvalleyguide.com.