Woodstock has more hidden gems than a jewel thief: The Big Deep swimming hole, Magic Meadow at the foot of Overlook, Thorn Preserve, Woodstock Artists Cemetery, the historic Byrdcliffe Theatre, Levon Helm Studios and the Opus 40 sculpture park in neighboring Saugerties, to name a few.
And then there’s Maverick Concert Hall. Nestled in the woods, the historic, rustic and elegant structure stands as a testament to Woodstock’s legendary artistic vision and community spirit.
Established in 1916 by Hervey White, a writer and social reformer who had previously co-founded the Byrdcliffe arts colony, the hall was constructed by volunteers using heavy timber and wide planks, resulting in a barn-like structure with a distinctive gambrel roof. Its design, featuring diagonal windows and an open-air layout, allows natural light and forest atmospherics to permeate the space. Incredible acoustics create the perfect environment for truly world-class musicians to sound their best. The venue hosts the longest-running summer chamber music festival in the United States, boasts top jazz talent, and continues to expand its programming to include genres ranging from folk to experimental music. Their “Maverick Family Saturdays” initiative gives performers a chance to pass on a tradition of distinguished musicianship to new generations.
Maverick Concerts operates as a nonprofit, relying on grants, donations, and ticket sales to continue to attract world-class talent to their summer concert series. Those efforts were set back earlier this year when a $35,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts that was approved in December 2024 was rescinded by the Trump Administration this May. The reason given was that Maverick’s mission “does not align” with government priorities.
Luckily, the team at Maverick are true champions of culture, and are used to navigating such challenges. The show must go on.
Their 2025 concert season begins this Saturday, June 7 with a free Open House event running noon to 5pm. It’s the perfect introduction to the venue if you’ve never visited. Mingle with Maverick patrons while enjoying cocktails from Stockade Tavern, food from Upstate Bowls and free ice cream from Stewart’s white it lasts. Of course, there will be live music: The Onteora High School Chamber Music Orchestra and the Bennett Jazz Band will showcase their skills, and Brian Mitchell & Friends will perform their genre-blending mix of gutbucket blues, funky New Orleans-style R&B, Latin rhythms and experimental grooves. Acoustic 4-piece Blue Stone Quarry will also be on hand, supplying sweet harmonies and rustic charm.
This summer’s Chamber Music Festival delivers a formidable lineup of string quartets, trios, and soloists from across the classical spectrum. The season launches June 29 with Trio Céleste joined by vocalist/composer Gilda Lyons. They’ll be followed by a stellar roster including the Manhattan Chamber Players with clarinetist Mariam Adam (July 6), the Miró Quartet (July 13), Pacifica Quartet (July 20), Horszowski Trio with tenor Daniel McGrew (July 27), and Wendy Sutter and Blair McMillen in a cello-piano duo (August 3). Other highlights include violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen with pianist Natalie Zhu (August 10), the Callisto Quartet and bassoonist Peter Kolkay (August 17), and the return of the Dalí Quartet for two appearances: a family concert on August 30 and a postlude performance with pianist Mayumi Tsuchida the following day. The season closes with Borromeo String Quartet and Michael Stephen Brown (September 7), and the Cassatt String Quartet with pianist Magdalena Baczewska (September 14).
One of the season’s most anticipated events is the August 23 appearance of the Maverick Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Maverick’s music director Alexander Platt, joined by piano luminary Simone Dinnerstein and the Caroga Arts Ensemble.
Jazz takes center stage with a trio of Saturday night sets from heavyweight performers. Fred Hersch Trio (July 26), Bill Charlap Trio (August 30), and Olli Soikkeli Trio (September 6) each bring a distinct style—Hersch’s lyrical touch, Charlap’s elegant swing, and Soikkeli’s Django-inspired virtuosity.
The Saturday night lineup crosses genres, generations, and expectations. On June 28, a powerhouse trio—Cindy Cashdollar, Joan Osborne, and Rachael Yamagata—launches the series. Tickets were nearly sold out at the time of this writing. Pianist Connie Han follows with her hard-driving jazz trio on July 5. On July 12, folk favorite Elizabeth Mitchell presents Joan in Concert, a tribute to composer Peter Schickele. Pianist Adam Tendler takes the stage for a solo recital on July 19, while August brings a blend of Americana and world music with The Restless Age (August 2), Joel Harrison and Free Country (August 9), and a rare collaboration between bansuri master Steve Gorn, sitarist Kashal Das, and tabla virtuoso Samir Chatterjee (August 16).
Saturday mornings belong to families at Maverick. The series opens June 28 with Trio Céleste in a special kid-friendly program, followed by jazz pianist Connie Han (July 5), healing sounds from Peter Blum (July 12), storytelling with Jason Vance (July 26), and a toy piano adventure with Margaret Leng Tan (August 2). Don’t miss Peter and the Wolf on August 9, a perennial favorite, or the return of composer Gilda Lyons with Kyle Grimm (August 16). The Dalí Quartet gets playful with young audiences on August 30.
For tickets and more information, visit maverickconcerts.org, and don’t sleep on visiting one of Woodstock’s most brilliant hidden gems.
Join the family! 
