Ulster County has a magical blend of interesting, creative people, world-class venues, bars, breweries and restaurants, art galleries, movie houses, theaters and other recreation spots. In April, you’ll find it all coming alive like the landscape around us, and a few dozen events stand out above the rest, whether by novelty, underratedness or simple mass appeal. This is your spring mix…
Music
Tubby’s (Kingston) – Don’t worry if you slept on the several sold-out shows this month, there’s still many options including Daniel Villarreal on Wed., April 8. He’s a Chicago drummer / percussionist / composer that exists where Latin American folk collides with psychedelic funk, soul and jazz. If you’re looking for something more locally-grown, Lara Hope Band brings professional-grade rockabilly stylings alongside the very danceable El Arsis, also from the Hudson Valley, on Sat., April 25.
Tempo (Kingston) – Tempo continues to awe local audiences with an incredibly unique mix of musical events, including a Threshold by Candlelight offering. By literal candlelight, the non-denominational Mid-Hudson Valley Threshold Choir will sing in a ceremony of sorts to “collectively tend grief and receive comfort for song” on Sun., April 19.
Colony (Woodstock) – Somehow between all the cover bands, Americana acts, national names, burlesque nights, reggae shows and dance parties, Colony has time to embrace a punk night, platforming longtime local heart-on-sleeve pop punk legends Nightmares for a Week on Thu., April 16. They’ll play a bill with ska-punk group Stacked Like Pancakes and local riot grrl act Mona Freaka.
The Local (Saugerties) – Palestinian-American musician Simon Shaheen brings a master class in Arabic sonic traditions on Fri., April 24, with a set built around the oud, an ancient stringed instrument.
High Falls Cafe (High Falls) – As a Hudson Valley singer with classical training and experience in blues, R&B, and jazz, Nancy Donnelly is known for a warm, flexible style that has taken her to venues including Birdland and the Blue Note, as well as major jazz festivals. Her group plays April 16.
Green Kill (Kingston) – Venture Lift brings its hazy, space-rock sound to Green Kill on April 12 for an intimate release show tied to songwriter Stanton Warren-Jones’ new album, Chamber of Dreams.
Levon Helm Studios (Woodstock) – Chris Smither brings his longtime blend of folk and blues to Woodstock for an intimate show. The veteran singer-songwriter is touring behind All About the Bones, his recent album of spare, reflective songs.
Snug Harbor (New Paltz) – This dive can be a rowdy dive for punk and jam bands, so it’s fun to see things take a more sophisticated but no less passionate turn with Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul. The Buffalo-based saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist is driven by catchy melodies, steady pocket rhythms, and plenty of room for experimentation.
Pearl Moon (Woodstock) – Brian Mitchell brings his band for a dinner show built on blues, rock, and New Orleans-style R&B on April 18. A five-time Grammy winner, he has played with artists including Levon Helm, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Little Feat, and Dolly Parton.
Olive Free Library (West Shokan) – Square dancing has deep roots in participatory folk tradition, and this Square Dance Hootinanny plays to that spirit, inviting first-timers and seasoned dancers alike to join the floor and support the library on April 11.
Art
The Lace Mill (Kingston) – Aperire: A Spring Art Show has its opening reception also on April 4, and celebrates all things blooming and blossoming. Various resident and community artists will contribute to this group show.
The Sketchbook Gallery (Saugerties) – Trash Chic! is a group exhibition at The Sketchbook Gallery that brings together artists using discarded and overlooked materials to question ideas of value, beauty, and permanence. Presented in conjunction with Matter Out of Place at Jane St. Art, the show asks viewers to see “trash” as raw material for something striking and new. Opening reception is April 4.
Arts Society of Kingston (Kingston) – Take a quick tour through landscape, abstraction, sculpture, and mixed media, with works spanning multiple galleries by Lynn Margileth, O’Neil Edwards, Eileen Power, Ted Dixon and Wayne Montecalvo alongside a juried group exhibition of more than 20 regional artists. Opening reception is April 4 – maybe you can hit all of the above in one ambitious art adventure!
Comedy
Assembly (Kingston) – New York-based, Midwest-influenced comedian, actor, and writer Chloe Radcliffe, whose credits include The Tonight Show, Comedy Central, and Steven Soderbergh’s Command Z, will split sides on Sat., April 11.
Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild (Woodstock) – Aaron Foster leans into edgy, dark humor, personal stories and the uneasy comedy of midlife. He’s a former HGTV host and longtime artist who returned to stand-up in recent years, and he stops by our neck of the woods on April 15.
Blue Duck Brewing Co. (Kingston) – This up-and-coming comedy slate is headlined by comedian and podcaster Shawn Barnes, who hails from further upstate. He’ll be joined by Dave Bailey, Michael “Salty” Saltz and Holly Viggiano.
Laugh it Up Comedy Club (Poughkeepsie) – Rich Vos performs his blunt, veteran stand-up that has made him a regular on Comedy Central, popular comedy podcasts, and roast-writing gigs. The Jersey comic is also known for My Wife Hates Me, his long-running show with comedian Bonnie McFarlane.
Stage & Screen
UPAC (Kingston) – Ballet is a medium that naturally takes you to a different dimension, and doubly so at UPAC from Fri., April 24 through Sun., April 26, as Alice in Wonderland takes the stage, presented by Catskill Ballet Theatre. There are also tickets left for a touring production of Meat Loaf tribute Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical, fresh off its run at London’s West End.
Denizen Theatre (New Paltz) – A screening of No One Cares About Crazy People presents Gail Freedman’s documentary on severe mental illness alongside a filmmaker Q&A on April 26. Narrated by Bob Odenkirk with music by Jeff Tweedy, the film is geared toward caregivers, advocates and anyone interested in mental health policy and lived experience.
Upstate Films: Orpheum Theatre (Saugerties) – Locally made short BUY IT! screens April 4, followed by a discussion with writer-director-actor Sharon Breslau, cast and crew. The 15-minute film follows wealthy Brooklynites scouting a Catskills retirement parcel who instead find a hostile neighbor, political tension and an encounter that turns in an unexpected direction.
Join the family! 
