“The night walked down the sky
with the moon in her hand.”
– Frederic Lawrence Knowles
Spiritual springtime
During this season of Seders and Last Suppers, I highlight some family offerings for you happening this week! All are open to the public:
• A Living Last Supper takes place on Thursday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reformed Church at 70 Hooker Avenue in Poughkeepsie. Free-will offering. (845) 452-8110, info@poughkeepsiereformedchurch.com, www.poughkeepsiereformedchurch.com.
• Passover Family Seders are planned for two dates: Friday, March 30 from 8 to 10:30 p.m. (abridged version) and Saturday, March 31 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. (in-depth version), both at Chabad of New Paltz at 10 South Oakwood Terrace in New Paltz. Reservations are appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. (845) 255-8191, www.chabadofnewpaltz.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/116243.
• A Communal Seder is held at the Adat Chaim Messianic Synagogue on Saturday, March 31 from 3:15 to 10 p.m. at 71 Old Kings Highway in Lake Katrine. Reservations are required. (845) 340-4344, adatchaim@earthlink.net, http://adatchaim.net.
THURSDAY, MARCH 29
Bardavon hosts The Sassy Chef premiere
“You don’t have to be sassy,” says the guy in the movie trailer for The Sassy Chef, and it looks like a hilarious film. See the premiere during your night of fun at “An Evening of Discovery,” which takes place on Thursday, March 29 at the Bardavon 1969 Opera House. They’re pulling out all the stops: Walk the red carpet at 5:30 p.m., watch the movie premiere at 6 p.m. and waltz or whip and nae nae at the afterparty at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel at 7 p.m., including champagne, hors d’oeuvres and live music from the Dutchess Community College Jazz Combo. Hudson Valley Office Furniture president Steven Chickery will also be given the Catherine Seeberger Citizenship Award.
The Sassy Chef was created, performed and filmed by people supported by ARC of Dutchess County in collaboration with the Art Effect. “An Evening of Discovery” is intended to help all of us to discover new ways to Think Differently about people with disabilities, showcasing their capacities, strengths and talents. Tickets cost $65 for general admission, $60 for admission plus ARC of Dutchess membership, $45 for ARC of Dutchess members and are free for children under 12 years of age.
The Bardavon is located at 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. For tickets or more information, call (845) 635-8084, extension 100, e-mail eflavin@arcdutchess.org or visit https://bit.ly/2GhFMeY (where you can also watch the The Sassy Chef trailer).
TSL in Hudson hosts Bread & Puppet Theater
We cannot live by bread alone? [enter puppets] Problem solved! Bread and Puppet Theater presents two shows this week. On Thursday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Time & Space Limited (TSL), catch Cantastorias from the Possibilitarian Arsenal, a “raucous retrospective of Bread and Puppet’s work” over 50-plus years (canta-storia means “sung story” in Italian). Then come back on Friday, March 30 for The Basic Bye-Bye Show, which shows how our culture is saying bye-bye to Mother Earth due to harmful effects of the global economy on our planet. Before the Friday show, join the performers at 6:30 p.m. for dinner to benefit the Bread and Puppet Theater. A $35 ticket includes supper and admission to the show; the menu is fava bean stew, couscous salad and eggplant dip with pita chips. For each show on its own, tickets cost $15 for general admission, $12.50 for TSL members and $10 for students and children.
TSL is located at 434 Columbia Street in Hudson. For dinner reservations, tickets or more information, call (518) 822-8100, e-mail FYI@timeandspace.org or visit https://bit.ly/2GgZkjQ and https://bit.ly/2Gw0j2W. To learn more about the performers, visit http://breadandpuppet.org.
SATURDAY, MARCH 31
Feed the Birds workshop at Sam’s Point
Do you recall this lulling tune from Mary Poppins? “Feed the birds, tuppence a bag…” (Who knew that’s where Tupp-erware got its start, keeping those crumbs fresh for our feathered friends?) Give robins, swallows and chickadees a reason to rock in the treetops all day long by feeding the birds this very weekend! Come on out to Feed the Birds this Saturday, March 31 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Sam’s Point of the Minnewaska State Park Preserve. All ages are invited to make a pinecone feeder to take home and to learn about the birds that come to the Sam’s Point Visitor Center. This program is free and open to the public, but preregistration is required, and each vehicle pays a $10 park entry fee.
Sam’s Point is located at 400 Sam’s Point Road in Cragsmoor. For more information or to register, call (845) 647-7989 or visit https://on.ny.gov/2Ib94Nc.
Pajaki Chandelier workshop at Children’s Museum
Do you despise housework? Got any spiderwebs lurking in dark corners? What if I told you that these webs are considered good luck? Check off that cleaning task! Now you are ready for Pajaki Chandelier-making at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum this Saturday, March 31 at 1 p.m. Pajaki is Polish for spider, and chandelier means you “can handle” making this cool craft with your kids. In Polish tradition, they are meant to bring happiness. I feel happier already knowing that these colorful creations cover up my “lucky” arachnid abodes in my house! The cost for participating in Pajaki is $10 per child, plus museum admission, which is $9 for everyone ages 1 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 https://bit.ly/2Gjimpx.
Blue Moon Hike at Rhinebeck’s Burger Hill
Who sang “Blue Moon” the best: Billie Holiday? Frank Sinatra? Elvis? The Cowboy Junkies? Whatever your musical preferences, you can experience this celestial satellite yourself by joining the Winnakee Land Trust’s Blue Moon Hike this weekend.
What is a blue moon, anyway? It’s the name given to the somewhat-rare occurrence of two Full Moons appearing in the same calendar month. People have proposed a number of origins as to the name “blue” moon, but there’s no standard answer. Why not make up your own? However you think about it, just get out there and be with it.
The Blue Moon Hike takes place on Saturday, March 31 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Drayton Grant Park at Burger Hill, one of the highest points in Rhinebeck. The cost is $5 per person, and it’s free for children under 12. Burger Hill is located along Route 9G, south of Violet Hill Road, in Rhinebeck. For more information or to register, call (845) 876-4213 or visit https://bit.ly/2pI3g74 or https://bit.ly/2pHWRbS.
SUNDAY, APRIL 1
Student Art Exhibit opens at FDR site in Hyde Park
“As my artist’s statement explains,” shares comic character Calvin with his tiger buddy Hobbes, “my work is utterly incomprehensible and is therefore full of deep significance.” Interested in the thoughts and ideas of the next generation? Make plans to stop by the Student Art Exhibit, “Dream big, everywhere in the world…everywhere in your life.” On display at the Roosevelt Historic Site’s Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center from April 1 through May 31, from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, all of the artwork is created by students from around our region, focusing on FDR’s Four Freedoms: Freedom from Want, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion and Freedom from Fear.
Free and open to the public of all ages, this is a terrific opportunity to have conversations about your own family’s dreams and their perspectives on these freedoms. The FDR National Historic Site is located at 4097 Albany Post Road (Route 9) in Hyde Park. For more information, call (845) 229-5320 or visit https://bit.ly/2pIrAW2.
TUESDAY, APRIL 3
Self-Esteem & Calming Art Group at Kingston’s Old Dutch Church
Even when the dark comes
crashing through
When you need a friend to carry you
And when you’re broken on the ground
You will be found.
– from Dear Evan Hansen
Do you have tweens or teens who wish they were “found”? By that, I mean heard, seen or feel like part of a community. And what is their position on snacks? Family of Woodstock’s Adolescent Services introduces the “I’m Special” Self-Esteem & Calming Art Group. It’s free and open to youth ages 10 and up; participants meet on Tuesday, April 3 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the Old Dutch Church in Kingston. There will be snacks.
The Old Dutch Church is located at 272 Wall Street in Kingston. For more information or to reserve your spot, call (845) 331-7080, extensions 164 or 153, or visit www.familyofwoodstockinc.org.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4
Bard Campus Center hosts TMI Project’s Black Lives Matter
American author, journalist, comic-book writer and educator Ta-Nehisi Coates explains, “Racism is not merely a simplistic hatred. It is, more often, a broad sympathy toward some and broader skepticism toward others.” Want to get more real, specific and personal? Join the TMI Project’s Black Lives Matter this Wednesday, April 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bard College’s Multipurpose Room in the Campus Center. You will hear inspiring true stories and monologues about people of color surviving and thriving in the Hudson Valley. Afterwards, join the facilitated community conversation with the assembled panel and audience members.
Admission is free for students with valid student ID (enter code STUDENT) at checkout, and $20 for the general public. The Campus Center is located at 30 Campus Road in Annandale-on-Hudson. For tickets or more information, visit www.tmiproject.org/performances.
SunDAY, APRIL 8
Mischief, magic & mayhem at Pirate School in New Paltz
David Engel’s popular family show Pirate School comes to New Paltz High School on Sunday, April 8 from 1 to 2 p.m., sponsored by the Duzine/Lenape School PTA. Touring to theaters, family festivals and schools nationwide, Pirate School has captivated adventure-questing kids and entertained their parents with a winning combination of slapstick antics, adept magic, eye-popping puppetry, eccentric props and active and full-audience participation. During this riotous show, kids learn the finer points of mischief and become “good pirates,” cooperating and carousing together while getting the chance to live out their seafaring dreams.
Great for toddlers-through-tweens and their families, the show will delight mateys of all ages. Come in costume to take pictures at the selfie station, full of fun props. Tickets cost $10 and are available at the door or online at www.newpaltzamp.org.
This show will be a benefit for New Paltz Amphitheater Project, which has been working to finish construction on the outdoor performance and community space underway at the Lenape Elementary School in New Paltz. This 500-seat performance, education and gathering space will be open to the entire New Paltz Central School District community.
We’ve cycled one year since we had to give you back, Ana Dooley. You are so loved and missed. Mom Jackie Dooley’s blog is The Halfway Path, at https://bit.ly/2pJPbVE. Erica can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
