Pirate School at Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
Before you see the new SpongeBob movie, perhaps you’d like to prepare your children with a bit of pirate training! On Saturday, February 21 at 11 a.m., the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck presents Pirate School: A Pirate’s Life for Me! geared for children ages 4 and up. My kids really enjoyed this high-energy, interactive show last year, and I learned a lot: For example, do you know where the Jolly Roger flag comes from?
Tickets cost $7 for children, $9 for adults and seniors. The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck is located at 661 Route 308 in Rhinebeck. For tickets or more information, call (845) 876-3080 or visit https://centerforperformingarts.org. To learn more about the production, visit www.mypirateschool.com.
World percussion workshop at Kingston Library
I love being able to tell you about live music events that both children and their parents will enjoy, but I always feel a thrill when it’s a Grammy-winner performing – and on top of all of that, it’s free! On Saturday, February 21 at 10:30 a.m., get to the Kingston Library for a spectacular Super Saturday with Grammy Award-winner Jeff Haynes and vocalist Timothy Hill for “Percussion from around the World.” Haynes plays musical instruments from Africa, Asia and more to lead the group on a journey of world music.
The Kingston Library is located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-0507 or visit www.kingstonlibrary.org. To learn more about the musicians, visit www.jeffhaynesmusic.com and https://timothyhillmusic.com.
Back-a-Yard Theatre & Cultural Dance Expressions at SUNY-Dutchess
Stories, folk songs, dub poetry and raving “riddims” are part of the TRANSART Back-a-Yard Theatre performance this Saturday, February 21 at 11 a.m. at Dutchess County Community College’s James and Betty Hall Theatre. Enjoyed by all ages, the music and dance share the vibrancy of African, African-American and Caribbean culture, and admission to the event is free. Then take a lunch break, or peek at the animals at the nearby SPCA, or hang out at Morgan Lake across from the college, and come back at 4 p.m. to see “An Evening of Cultural Dance Expressions” including African dance, ballet, hip hop, jazz, liturgical and modern dance.
Dutchess County Community College is located at 53 Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information about TRANSART Back-a-Yard, call (845) 431-8000 or visit https://sunydutchess.edu/studentlife/studentactivities/famfest.html. To learn more about the dance festival, as well as other upcoming events for Black History Month, call (845) 431-8017 or e-mail gail.upchurchmills@sunydutchess.edu.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Tibetan New Year Open House at Himalayan Cultural Center in Walden
I love Open House events because I get to visit places that I’m curious about, but normally just drive past – like the big red Tibetan and Himalayan Cultural Center, located at 12 Edmunds Lane in Walden. Now I can go in and check it out!
On Sunday, February 22 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tsechen Kunchab Ling welcomes the public to the Tibetan New Year Open House, complete with tea and traditional New Year cookies. See the Tibetan chuba costume display as well, and even try one on yourself.
For more information, call (301) 906-3378 or visit www.tsechenkunchabling.com.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Public Education forum at Miller Middle School in Lake Katrine
There’s a lot of talk about schools and public education, but it can be hard to find accurate and current information. Here’s an event that might help: On Monday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the M. Clifford Miller Middle School, you can attend “Ulster County Defends Public Education: A Public Forum for Parents, Teachers, Students and Community Members.” Speakers include Billy Easton from the Alliance for Quality Education; Dr. Paul Paladino, superintendent of the Kingston Central School District; and Bianca Tanis from New York State Allies for Public Education. The panel will discuss school funding, high-stakes testing and the effect of privatization of public education in our schools and communities, and will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Childcare is provided at this event.
Clifford Miller Middle School is located at 65 Fording Place Road in Lake Katrine. For more information, visit New York State Allies for Public Education at www.facebook.com.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Authors talk on Bannerman Castle & the Palisades Parks at Poughkeepsie High School
Since 1882, the Vassar Brothers Institute has remained devoted to the study of science, literature and art. On Wednesday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Poughkeepsie High School auditorium, learn about “Bannerman Castle and the Palisades Parks” with Wes and Barbara Gottlock, and how Storm King, Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks came into being. The doors open at 6:45 p.m. This program is open to the public: Admission costs $7, or annual membership for two people costs $35 per year.
Poughkeepsie High School is located at 70 Forbus Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 224-3153 or visit www.vassarbrothersinstitute.org.
Coming up
Organic Food workshop at CCEUC Education Center in Kingston
As food author Michael Pollan writes, “Daily, our eating turns nature into culture, transforming the body of the world into our bodies and minds.” So with the wide use of the term “organic” throughout the grocery store and farmers’ markets, what does it really mean? Register by Thursday, February 26 for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County (CCEUC)’s class, “What Is Organic Food? Fact and Fiction,” which takes place on Monday, March 2, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the CCEUC Education Center. The cost is $10.
The CCEUC Education Center is located at 232 Plaza Road (Hannaford Plaza) in Kingston. For more information or to register, call (845) 340-3990, extension 311, e-mail cad266@cornell.edu or visit www.cceulster.org.
UlsterWorks Summer Youth Employment Program now taking applications
What was your first job? I started out as a cashier at Bradlees in Mohawk Mall in Schenectady, and years later, I found myself on the other end of the employment spectrum when I became a supervisor to youth who were working their first job.
Ulster County’s Office of Employment and Training’s Summer Youth Employment Program is a terrific opportunity for low-income youth from ages 14 to 20 to work for five weeks this summer, from July 6 through August 7. Youth applications will be accepted until May 1.
For more information, including work applications or to apply to be a worksite, visit https://ulsterworks.com/summer-youth or call (845) 340-3170.
Erica Chase-Salerno does not know how she lived without boot dryers before this year; thanks, Mom & Dad! She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
