Make a music video, check out chalk art or be a summer-camper-for-a-day

“You’re indescribable. We writers spend our lives trying to conjure you from every angle. We get close enough to keep trying.”
– Lin-Manuel Miranda

Call for art

Wish you could free up some of that refrigerator-door space for at least a grocery list? Submit your kids’ art to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site’s “Postcards from the Trail” exhibition. They could even make some cash for their efforts!

To be included in the one-day pop-up exhibition during Community Day on Sunday, September 18, there are a few guidelines, including: One or two original artwork submissions are allowed per person with the entry form on or before September 3; art should be inspired and reflective of a vista from the Hudson Valley Art Trail, from among 22 sites along the river; and work must fit on a five-by-seven-inch to eight-by-ten-inch canvas or hardboard (a free 5×7 canvas panel is available at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site Visitors’ Center). There is no fee to enter; artworks by artists aged 18 and over will be offered for sale for $100; artworks by artists aged 17 and under will be offered for sale for $25; artists can donate the proceeds or keep 50 percent, or indicate “Not for Sale.”

The Thomas Cole National Historic Site is located at 281 Spring Street in Catskill. For more information including full guidelines, call (518) 943-7465, extension 108, e-mail Claire at cpohl@thomascole.org or visit https://thomascole.org/call-to-artists.

FRIDAY, JULY 22

Free nature walk at Esopus Meadows

Take a break from Pokémon Go and still enjoy exploring the riverside landscape with tools that don’t require batteries! Join Scenic Hudson’s “Seeing Nature with a New Perspective” this Friday, July 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Esopus Meadows Preserve. It’s free and open to youth from kindergarten through eighth grade and their parents, and also beautiful, since it’s right along the river. Maybe you’ll even spot an eagle!

The Esopus Meadows Preserve is located at 269 River Road in Ulster Park. For more information or to reserve your spot, call (845) 473-4440, extension 238, or visit https://scenichudson.org/events.

Hudson Valley Chalk Festival returns to New Paltz

Looking for some easy, free and family-friendly ways to take in some art this summer? The Hudson Valley Chalk Festival has got you covered! From Friday through Sunday, July 22 to 24, watch the parking lot of the Water Street Market come alive with larger-than-life three-dimensional designs, including a public chalking area and even a chalk car to draw on. The festival is free and features 22 professional street painters and 17 local artists, as well as live music, free face-painting, a raffle and more.

The Water Street Market is located at 10 Main Street in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 774-9705 or visit www.hudsonvalleychalkfestival.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 23

Maverick in Woodstock presents Kim & Reggie Harris

A mini-music festival is exactly what it’s like to attend a performance of renowned musicians and storytellers Kim and Reggie Harris. You and your crew will sing and clap along to whatever this inspired duo starts harmonizing, and probably learn a little something along the way from topics such as ecology and diversity to the Underground Railroad and a celebration of African-American history.

You can catch Kim and Reggie Harris this Saturday, July 23 at 11 a.m. at Maverick Concerts. Children under age 16 get in free; adults pay $5 for this interactive, family-friendly concert setting. Maverick Concerts take place at 120 Maverick Road in Woodstock. For more information, call (845) 679-8217 or visit https://maverickconcerts.org/ypc.html.
Dragon Boat Race in Poughkeepsie

Interested in a riverside festival with international flair? East meets West at the Dutchess Dragon Boat Race and Festival this Saturday, July 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hudson River Rowing Association’s Community Boathouse.

A dragon boat is kind of a souped-up 40-foot-long canoe, including a carved dragon head on the front and a wooden tail on the back, that holds up to 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steerer. While 24 teams compete on the short 200-meter course to be Dragon Boat Champion, the festival onshore includes calligraphy and hands-on demonstrations, dragon face- and arm-painting, hands-on crafts, Chinese brush-painting, puppetry and storytelling and live performances – and insanely good food from some of my favorite Poughkeepsie eateries.

The Hudson River Rowing Association Community Boathouse is located on Water Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information about the event as well as directions, call (845) 264-2005 or visit www.dutchessdragonboat.org.

Mid-Hudson Civic Center hosts Ultimate Comic Book Trade Show & Expo

Where can your kids dress up like their favorite cartoon character and strut their stuff in a cosplay contest, parade and dance party? Participate in a Minecraft crafting session or cartooning workshop? Meet artist Joe Sinnott, who has worked on the Fantastic Four, Thor, Ms. Marvel and Nick Fury, just to name a few? Or actor Kathy Najimy? Your family can do all of this and more at the Ultimate Comic Book Trade Show & Expo at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center this Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

With a star lineup for photos and autographs that includes Casper Van Dien, Kelly Hu, Enver Gjokaj, Noel MacNeal and yes, Kathy Najimy, as well as comic-creator notables, vendors and activities that run all day both days, your crew will have a blast! This year’s cosplay contest will be judged on quality, energy, pose and engagement (no weapons or gore). Two-day VIP passes cost $40 for adults, $20 for children ages 5 to 12; regular two-day passes cost $25 for adults, $10 for children; one-day passes cost $15 for adults, $7 for children; and children aged 4 and under are admitted free. Save on fees by buying your tickets directly from the box office at (845) 454-5800.

The Mid-Hudson Civic Center is located at 14 Civic Center Plaza in Poughkeepsie. For a complete schedule, luminary bios, cosplay preregistration form and guidelines, ticket information and more, call (845) 454-5800 or visit www.facebook.com/ultimatecomicbookhv.
Puppet People perform Jack and the Beanstalk at Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck

Fee-fi-fo-fum, don’t miss this play or you’ll be bummed! The Puppet People present Jack and the Beanstalk at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck this Saturday, July 23 at 11 a.m. One cow, three magic beans and one giant beanstalk, plus lots of audience participation, mean one happy family outing! 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/saturday-morning-family-series. To learn more about the performers, visit https://thepuppetpeople.org.
Crazy Race in Tannersville

Put your irresponsible college antics to good use by applying that creativity and experience to this year’s Tannersville Crazy Race and Festival this Saturday, July 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Main Street in Tannersville. Admission is free, and you can watch or even participate in this race where people ride anything from flowerpots to garbage cans. If it can steer, stop and run without a motor, you’re good to go! Vendors and live music round out the day. For more information, call (518) 858-9094 or visit www.tannersvilleny.org.

Red Hook Library hosts Akiko Kamigawara’s Ferdinand and the Violin

Could a kid-friendly musical encounter awaken your child’s inner Mozart? Classical violinist Akiko Kamigawara presents Ferdinand and the Violin, an interactive event geared for children ages 5 to 10 years, this Saturday, July 23 at 11 a.m. at the Red Hook Library. Kamigawara introduces families to the violin through special music, games and storytelling from the children’s classic The Story of Ferdinand, a gentle bull who prefers to sniff flowers over bullfighting. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited and reservations are required.

The Red Hook Library is located at 7444 South Broadway in Red Hook. For reservations or more information, call (845) 758-3241 or visit https://redhooklibrary.org. To learn more about the performer, visit https://akikokamigawara.com.
Art of Music Videos workshop at Hudson Area Library

Are you a teen who can’t stop thinking about Justin Timberlake’s new tune, “Can’t Stop the Feeling”? Wish you could make your own music video? Then call now and reserve your spot for “The Art of Music Videos”: Mobile Media Lab’s workshop this Saturday, July 23 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at the Hudson Area Library, presented by Spark Media. Participants ages 13 and up will choose a song and create a music video, incorporating animations, special effects and narrative storylines. And it’s free!

The Hudson Area Library is located at 51 North Fifth Street in Hudson. To register or for more information, call (845) 485-4480 or visit https://sparkmediaproject.org/programs/workshops.

SUNDAY, JULY 24

KidzBop Kids play Bethel Woods

If your kids insist on listening to “Cake by the Ocean,” “Work,” “My House” or “No” on an endless loop, but you’re uncomfortable with some of the lyrics, KidzBop Kids can help! Not only does their latest album, #32, include all of those tunes with tight beats and familiar melodies, but the words are also edited to be kid-friendly, without suggestive innuendo. And it’s KidzBop’s 15^th anniversary and they’re on a Life of the Party tour.

You and your crew can catch a performance this Sunday, July 24 at 2 p.m. at the Pavilion at Bethel Woods. Ticket prices range from $42 to $68.50 for VIP seating. Bethel Woods is located at 200 Hurd Road in Bethel. For tickets or more information, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www.bethelwoodscenter.org. To learn more about the performers, visit https://kidzbop.com.

Morning Blueberry Walk at Minnewaska

“Kerplink, kerplank, kerplunk”: Your fruit-picking experience doesn’t have to be limited to the story in Blueberries for Sal – you can be part of the local in-crowd who knows where these little round gems can be found in real life, right here! On Sunday, July 24 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Minnewaska State Park Preserve, join a Morning Blueberry Walk for Families. Bring a small bag and enjoy picking, and eating, your findings!

All ages are welcome; however, very young children may require a carrier for this 1.5-mile stroll through the old Minnewaska golf course and orchard. This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

The Minnewaska State Park Preserve is located at 5281 Route 44/55 in Kerhonkson. For more information or to register, call (845) 255-0752 or visit https://nysparks.com/events/event.aspx?e=127-16556.0.

TUESDAY, JULY 26

Vozdukh Project performs at Rosendale Theatre

Need a restorative reminder about how we are more alike than different? I feel some of my darkest corners illuminated and awakened after every Playback Theater performance I attend. Here’s one happening this Tuesday, July 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Rosendale Theatre, called Times of Change: From Russia to USA. Based on the question, “How can we be citizens of the world and support each other in these times of change?”, the Vozdukh Project of Physical Theatre performs stories shared by the audience, incorporating dance and musical improvisation, modern physical theatre and Playback Theater.

From the artists:

“We believe changes begin in your heart,

We believe we are all citizens of the world,

We believe ART can make change,

We believe our stories are quite similar,

We believe we can bring the strength to go through the changes by coming together and talk about it openly…”

Admission is free for this event. The Rosendale Theatre is located at 408 Main Street in Rosendale. For more information, call (845) 658-8989 or visit www.vozdukh.org/times-of-change.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27

90 Miles Off Broadway performs The Mysterious Pea at Reformed Church of New Paltz

Want a dose of next-level humor, riffing off some familiar fairy tales? You and your kids will get a kick out of The Mysterious Pea performed by 90 Miles Off Broadway at the Reformed Church of New Paltz’s social hall this Wednesday and Thursday, July 27 and 28 at 10 a.m. and Friday and Saturday, July 29 and 30 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This fantastical mash-up includes a princess who can’t sleep and a princess who can’t stay awake, along with Puss-in-Boots and even an ogre! Tickets cost $10 per person, and group rates are available.

The Reformed Church of New Paltz is located at 92 Huguenot Street in New Paltz. For tickets or more information, call (845) 255-8142 or visit www.90milesoffbroadway.com.
Woodstock Day School fundraiser is a day at summer camp

This Woodstock Day School’s “Greetings from Summer Adventure” fundraiser sounds so great. Any one of these performers could headline a successful event, but put them all together? Now, that’s real star power!

On Wednesday, July 27 from 3 to 7 p.m., join musicians Uncle Rock, Ratboy, Jr., Topsy Bonsai (Tracey Bonham) and comedian Julie Novak for campy singalongs, a cannonball contest, a retro camp photo booth, arts and crafts, a mermaid parade and delicious food. Tickets cost $10 per child, $20 per adult – and bring your swimsuit!

The Woodstock Day School is located at 1430 Glasco Turnpike in Saugerties. For more information, call (845) 246-3744, extension 0, or visit www.woodstockdayschool.org/pool-camp-benefit.

THURSDAY, JULY 28

Family Fishing Night at Long Dock in Beacon

You’ve heard about One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, but how about the fishing part itself? This Thursday, July 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Long Dock Park, join Scenic Hudson for Family Fishing Night. Your crew will learn about fish identification, fishing equipment and techniques, fisheries management, angling ethics and aquatic ecology – all while having fun and trying their luck! This program is free and geared for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. All supplies are provided, and no fishing license is required.

Long Dock Park is located at 8 Long Dock Road in Beacon. For more information or to reserve your spot, call (845) 473-4440, extension 238 or visit https://scenichudson.org/events.

Erica Chase-Salerno honors her one-year terminal Stage IV breast cancer-versary this week with gratitude to you for such loving care, thoughts and kindnesses along the way. Head On and Heart Strong! She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.