“When the waves close over me, I dive down to fish for pearls.”
– Masha Kaleko
Brush off your Shakespeare
“All the world’s a stage,” wrote Shakespeare. Do you happen to know any young performers who consider life to be their stage? Take a look at the New Genesis Productions non-profit youth theater class lineup!
“Musical Theatre Revue: Telling America’s Story through Musical Theatre” takes place on Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m., February 4 through April 8, for ages 8 to 12 for $300 at Mountain View Studio at 20 Mountainview Avenue in Woodstock.
“Improv Comedy” is offered on Saturdays from 3 to 5 p.m., February 4 through March 25, for ages 12 to 15 for $200 at Mountain View Studio, 20 Mountainview Avenue in Woodstock.
“Beginning Shakespeare: ‘Will Power’ Acting Class” is scheduled for Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m., February 5 through April 19, for ages 7 to 10 for $300 at Legion Hall on Mountain Road in Shokan.
“Master Class Shakespeare: Intermediate Level” is slated for a series of Sunday afternoons from February 5 through May 28, for ages 11 to 14 for $500 at Legion Hall on Mountain Road in Shokan and at the Byrdcliffe Theater at 380 Upper Byrdcliffe Road in Woodstock.
“Master Class Shakespeare: Advanced Level” happens on certain Sunday afternoons from February 12 through May 21, for ages 15 to 19 for $500 at Legion Hall, on Mountain Road in Shokan, and at the Byrdcliffe Theater at 380 Upper Byrdcliffe Road in Woodstock.
Don’t have a teen or tween interested in drama? No problem; we can all play the role of audience members and simply come to the shows! New Genesis Productions was co-founded by artistic director Lesley Ann Sawhill and producing director Ron Aja. For more information, to register, to donate or for scholarship information, call (845) 657-5867, e-mail newgenesis23@hvc.rr.com or visit www.newgenesisproductions.org.
Moccasin Workshop in Pine Hill
Lao Tzu may have said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, but he never mentioned the footwear. What if you could treat your tootsies to something you made yourself? How about the Big Indian Native American Cultural Center’s Moccasin Workshop, taking place on Saturday, February 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pine Hill Community Center? Participants will create a pair of moccasins crafted from elkskin and deerskin lacing, at a cost of $30. Registration and payment are due by Thursday, February 9.
The Pine Hill Community Center is located at 287 Main Street in Pine Hill. For more information or to register, call (845) 254-4238 or (845) 254-5469, or visit the Big Indian Native American Center group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/1525017161154340.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27
Share post-Inaugural strategies with Playback Theatre
How are you and your family experiencing the new president and other changes in our lineup of elected government officials? An evening with Hudson River Playback Theatre might be just the thing to help adjust to the shifts of 2017! On Friday, January 27 at 8 p.m., be a part of “Now What? Navigating a Changed World” in the Mountain Laurel Waldorf School Community Room. I adore Playback, and the combination of audience stories with deft interpretation by the Playback actors always feels therapeutic and enriching to me. Whether you bring your tweens and teens along or you come solo, this looks to be a very special evening. Admission is by donation. Mountain Laurel Waldorf School is located at 16 South Chestnut Street in New Paltz. For more information, email info@hudsonriverplayback.org or visit http://hudsonriverplayback.org.
Alice through the Looking Glass this weekend in Kingston
When you hear, “What’s the matter?” do you ever think to yourself, “The Hatter’s the matter!”? Or perhaps you could use a refresher for pondering possibility? Then you will want to catch this weekend’s performance of Alice through the Looking Glass on Friday and Saturday, January 27 and 28 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, January 29 at 3 p.m. at the Seven21 Media Center. Presented by the Hudson Valley Sudbury School Theater Co-op, this staging features live music, shadow puppetry, dance and more! Tickets cost $10 and are available through this link: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2753114.
The Seven21 Media Center is located at 721 Broadway in Kingston. For tickets or more information, call (845) 679-1002 or visit http://sudburyschool.com/content/through-looking-glass.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28
Pirate School & Pirate Party at New Paltz High
Summon your inner swashbuckler, but instead of hitting the deck, point your ship to New Paltz High School this Saturday, January 28 for a Pirate Party in the cafeteria at 1 p.m. and a hilarious Pirate School show at 3 p.m. This interactive show incorporates slapstick, magic and puppetry, and is an enjoyable romp for all ages (our family loved it so much last time that we’re going again). And remember to encourage your crew to dress up like pirates! Tickets for this amphitheater fundraiser cost $12 for adults, $8 for kids.
New Paltz High School is located at 130 South Putt Corners Road in New Paltz. For tickets or more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/618737281669394. To learn more about the performer, visit http://mypirateschool.com.
Meet musical instruments from around the world at Kingston Library
Super Saturdays at Kingston Library mean educational fun for the whole family! This Saturday, expose your mini-musicians to instruments from around the world. Has it been a while since you’ve heard a Brazilian berimbau? Don’t know about the African donso ngoni? Come to “Musical Instruments from around the World” with Thomas Workman this Saturday, January 28 at 10:30 a.m. Geared toward school-aged children, this Soundfest program is free and open to the public.
The Kingston Library is located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-0507, extension 7, or visit www.kingstonlibrary.org.
Rhythms of Black History with Jeff Haynes in Poughkeepsie
According to Grammy Award-winning percussionist and producer Jeff Haynes, “One of the many things I’ve learned from Pete [Seeger] is that folk is not just one style of music, but is in every culture and genre of music. We are all part of the folk process.” Hear more from this incredible musician in The Rhythms of Black History with Jeff Haynes, taking place this Saturday, January 28 at 3 p.m. at the Poughkeepsie Public Library District Auditorium. In honor of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, guests will enjoy stories and original music by Haynes, a rhythmic journey celebrating the rich culture and heritage of black Americans. This performance is free and open to the public, and no registration is required.
The Poughkeepsie Public Library District Auditorium is located at 105 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 485-3445 or visit http://poklib.org/the-rhythms-of-black-history-with-jeff-haynes. To learn more about the performer, visit www.jeffhaynesmusic.com or www.peteseegerthestormking.com/site/jeff-haynes.
FDR Library free program highlights Women in Tech
Have you seen the hit movie Hidden Figures, about the critical contributions of three NASA mathematicians in the early 1960s to get US astronauts into space for the first time? Did you know that those three individuals were women of color? I hope everyone reading these words sees that movie! Wish I’d learned this history before adulthood, that’s for sure. I’ll be back to take my kids this week.
And here’s a perfect event to tie together with the movie: “A Day of Women in Tech,” happening this Saturday, January 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Home’s Henry A. Wallace Center. The event includes speakers, discussions about a variety of tech topics and how first lady Eleanor Roosevelt used technology in her role. Admission is free, a light lunch is included and registration is required.
The FDR Library is located at 4079 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park. For more information or to register, call event organizers Sabrina Schutzsmith, co-founder of Hudson Valley Tech Meetup and Digital Empire, at (914) 629-1405, or Shauna Keating, co-organizer, Hudson Valley Tech Meetup, at (201) 669-1525; or visit www.meetup.com/hvtech or https://fdrlibrary.org/events-calendar.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29
HV YA Society hosts author Ellen Hopkins in Rhinebeck
Do you have Young Adult literature buffs at home? Have you heard about Oblong Books & Music’s Hudson Valley YA Society? The new year kicks off with an event featuring New York Times #1 best-selling author Ellen Hopkins and her newest release, The You I’ve Never Known, this Sunday, January 29 at 4 p.m. The book’s story is told through the voices of Ariel and Maya, using both prose and poetry; and readers are saying that they relate to the characters and their circumstances in a very real, gritty way. Geared for ages 14 and up, this YA event is free and open to the public, but reservations are appreciated.
Oblong Books & Music is located at 6422 Montgomery Street in Rhinebeck. For reservations, more information or additional YA events, call (845) 876-0500 or visit www.oblongbooks.com/event/hudson-valley-ya-society-ellen-hopkins?mc_cid=144a16c238&mc_eid=e4fa236c8a. To learn more about the author, visit http://ellenhopkins.com/youngadult.
Young Performers Showcase at Helsinki Hudson
Does your young resident musician need a place to share some tunes? Check out the Community Music Space Winter Performance: Young Performers Showcase event taking place this Sunday, January 29 at Helsinki Hudson. The doors open at 5 p.m., the music begins at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $10 per person. All ages are welcome, accompanied by a parent, guardian or another adult. Sign up to perform, or just come listen; your family is sure to be inspired!
Club Helsinki is located at 406 Columbia Street in Hudson. For tickets or more information, call (518) 828-4800 or visit http://helsinkihudson.com/schedule.html#170129.
MONDAY, JANUARY 30
Celebrate FDR’s birthday in the Rose Garden
So much swirl happening around presidents lately! Here’s an event for families interested in honoring our area’s local boy, president Franklin D. Roosevelt! On Monday, January 30 at 3 p.m., head over to the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site for a Rose Garden Ceremony commemorating FDR’s birthday! Wreaths will be presented, West Point will bring an Honor Guard and a Color Guard, and yes, there will even be birthday cake afterwards in the Henry A. Wallace Center. The FDR Birthday Rose Garden Ceremony is free and open to the public.
The FDR National Historic Site is located at 4079 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park. For more information, call (845) 229-6225 or visit www.nps.gov/hofr/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?event=B705A586-155D-451F-6704809B008E8A63.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31
Hudson Valley Horrors Boot Camp in Hyde Park
“What I love best about roller derby is the sense of community and the supportive environment. I fell head over heels in love with derby the first time I saw a bout, in 2007; I was absolutely entranced. It took me almost ten years before I worked up the gumption to play, and now I wish I’d started immediately back then. It’s an incredible sport.” So, after reading this enthusiastic testimonial by skater Poutine Riot, a/k/a Jane Demuth, 41, of New Paltz, are you ready to sign up? How about your kids? Because you and/or your child aged 9 to 17, any gender, can give it a try at the Hudson Valley Horrors Boot Camp this Tuesday, January 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Hyde Park Roller Magic. No skating experience is required, the cost is $15 and the boot camp includes an overview of the game, skating techniques and skills to help prepare participants for roller derby tryouts. Skate and gear rental is available as well.
Open enrollment for Frightmares Junior Roller Derby takes place on Thursday, February 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Roller Magic. Hyde Park Roller Magic is located at 4178 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park. For more information, to register or for future boot camp and open enrollment dates, as well as upcoming roller derby bouts, e-mail info@horrorsrollerderby.com or visit www.horrorsrollerderby.com/join-roller-derby/junior-league.
Youth Entrepreneurs event at Tymor Park
If you find yourself exclaiming to your kids, “What’s the big idea?!” then they might be the perfect candidates for the Youth Entrepreneurs program happening at Tymor Park. Beginning on Tuesday, January 31 and meeting monthly through Community Day on June 3, youth of all ages are invited to this six-week session to brainstorm big business ideas and make them become a reality, complete with a free vendor spot at Community Day to sell their goods or services. Each session takes place on the last Tuesday of the month from 6 to 7 p.m., and Community Day runs from 12 noon to 6 p.m. Youth Entrepreneurs costs $60 per participant.
Tymor Park is located at 8 Tymor Park Road in LaGrangeville. For more information or to register, call (845) 724-5691 or visit https://unionvaleny.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?programid=29826.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Chinese New Year art workshop at Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum
Chinese New Year takes place on January 28, so get ready to honor your ancestors and fill those red envelopes with some cash in celebration of the Year of the Rooster! And bring your young children to the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum on Wednesday, February 1 at 2:30 p.m. for “Making Masterpieces: Chinese New Year,” where kids will learn about the holiday and make a special art project. The cost is $5 for each child and free for adults, in addition to regular museum admission, which is $9 for anyone aged one year and up.
The Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum is located at 75 North Water Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 471-0589 or visit http://mhcm.org/event/making-masterpieces-chinese-new-year.
Erica Chase-Salerno is doing a five-year Kids’ Almanac anniversary happy dance! Thank you, Geddy Sveikauskas, Julie O’Connor and everyone at Ulster Publishing for the countless ways you teach me, support me and inspire me. Write Erica at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
