“Sometimes I am a pirate, and sometimes I’m scared by pirates.”
– Samantha, age 3, Wappingers Falls
THURSDAY, JULY 27
Powerhouse presents The Secret Life of Bees
I realize many of you know this already, but it took Hamilton: An American Musical for me to “get” it: Apparently, the annual Powerhouse season at Vassar College is very well-known for “working” productions on their way to Broadway and beyond. So, I think we should get ahead of the fandom, and all attend every production!
2017 Powerhouse season performances of The Secret Life of Bees, based on the book by Sue Monk Kidd, take place in the Vogelstein Center for Drama & Film on Thursday and Friday, July 27 and 28 at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 29 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 30 at 2 p.m. Single tickets cost $30, or you can purchase a subscription at varying rates.
The Powerhouse Theater at Vassar College is located at 124 Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For tickets (hurry if you’re interested – the Sunday matinée was just added due to continued sell-out) or more information, call (845) 437-5907 or visit http://powerhouse.vassar.edu.
On a Midsummer’s Night at Rosendale Theatre
I don’t know what Shakespeare was thinking with this line from Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream: “How now, spirit! Whither wander you?” Isn’t it supposed to be “How now, brown cow?”
Anyway, if there’s one thing the Hudson Valley does well, it’s to put a twist on old favorites. Take, for example, Debbie Lan’s musical On a Midsummer’s Night, taking place at the Rosendale Theatre on Friday, July 28 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 29 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $20 at the door, $15 in advance. Just maybe, show composer Debbie Lan and Sarah Urech, who plays an awesome Puck for this show, will sign your program for you! Tell them I say “Hi!”
The Rosendale Theatre is located at 408 Main Street in Rosendale. For tickets or more information, visit www.rosendaletheatre.org/2017/06/30/on-a-midsummers-night-pop-opera.
FRIDAY, JULY 28
Rebecca Martin & Larry Grenadier play Kingston’s Stockade Guitars for Family
If you like great live music, you probably already know about the Stockade Music Series, featuring Rebecca Martin (voice) and Larry Grenadier (bass). Now, throw in free and kid-friendly, and you’ve got the perfect ingredients for a family outing. Rebecca and Larry perform this Friday, July 28 from 8 to 10 p.m. at Stockade Guitars. There’s no cover charge, but donations are welcomed to support Family of Woodstock’s Washbourne House domestic violence shelter and services.
Stockade Guitars is located at 41 North Front Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-8600 or visit www.facebook.com/stockadeguitars, http://rebeccamartin.com and www.larreccamusic.com/larry-grenadier. To learn more about the charitable organization supported by this musical evening or to donate directly, visit www.familyofwoodstockinc.org/domestic-violence-services/washbourne-house.
SATURDAY, JULY 29
History talks at Kingston’s African Roots Center
Here’s one not to be missed! “An Evening of Real History with Three Enlightened Elders” is exactly what I need – and maybe you’re looking for an event like this, too. This Saturday, July 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Library at the A. J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center, we hear from Pierre Leroy on “Haitian Revolution,” Dr. A. J. Williams-Myers on “Nat Turner Slave Rebellion” and Dr. Airy Dixon on “Seminole Wars.” The evening is moderated by Paul Bermanzohn, MD, and Juma Sultan opens up the evening with African drums. There will be refreshments as well!
This event is free and open to the public of all ages. The African Roots Center is located at 43 Gill Street in Kingston. For more information, call (914) 388-3092 or visit www.facebook.com/africanrootskingston.
“Butterflies in My Backyard” at Poughkeepsie’s Boardman Library
How do you all find caterpillar eggs? I have never found any, so I order them. Or we can simply go to “Butterflies in My Backyard,” taking place at the Boardman Road Branch Library this Saturday, July 29 from 2:30 to 4 p.m., hosted by Victor DeMasi, a lepidopterist. (It probably means to adopt a butterfly.) Anyway, this event is free and open to the public, and we’ll get lots of visuals and information.
The Boardman Road Branch Library is located at 141 Boardman Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 485-3445 or visit http://poklib.org/about-us/locations-hours/boardman.
Learn “What Fish Eat” in Phoenicia
How much fun does this sound? “Outdoor Classroom: What Fish Eat” – I’ve got my net in my hand already! You and your budding scientists can join in this Saturday, July 29 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. You’ll meet up at the Phoenicia Library, but you’ll head out together to Stony Clove Creek. This program is free and open to the public.
The Phoenicia Library is located at 48 Main Street in Phoenicia. For more information or to register, call (845) 688-7811 or visit http://phoenicialibrary.org or www.facebook.com/phoenicia.library.
Hispanic Heritage Festival at Plattekill’s Felten Park
Warm up those pesky joints and get ready for some serious hip-swinging, salsa-eating and delicious comida (food), because the Plattekill Hispanic Heritage Festival is happening this Saturday, July 29 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at Thomas Felten Community Park. We’re talking festive live music, delicious food, crafts, children’s activities and more! And admission is free! Thomas Felten Community Park is located at 11 Patura Road in Modena. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/1880876655487557.
Family Bike Ride & Safety Rodeo in LaGrange
Let’s get our families some mobility! Ride a bike! Here’s a great place to start: This Saturday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gold’s Gym in LaGrange, you and your budding Megan Guarnier or Lance Armstrong can participate in some “wheel” fun at the Family Bike Ride & Safety Rodeo. The event has free admission and is open to all ages, and registration is required. From 10 to 11 a.m., you can get your bike fitted and adjusted and your helmet customized to fit better; after that, there’s a family-friendly trivia contest and a bike ride along the rail trail.
Gold’s Gym is located at 258 Titusville Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information or to register, visit www.dcrcoc.org/events/details/family-bike-ride-safety-rodeo-10475832.
Date Night at Phoenicia’s Woodland Playhouse
Say you don’t live in Kingston or New Paltz or Poughkeepsie, where “date night” dropoffs tend to be established. Well, Phoenicia, now it’s your turn! This Saturday, July 29 from 5 to 7:30 p.m., the Woodland Playhouse announces Saturday Night Date Night. Ages 1 to 12 get a slice of pizza and a drink (so you don’t even have to feed them!) and play games, create art and have fun! The cost is $20 per child, and registration is required.
The Woodland Playhouse is located at 128 High Street in Phoenicia. For more information, call (845) 688-3320 or visit www.woodlandplayhouse.com.
Beauty & the Beast live in Rhinebeck
If your family is breathless over Beauty and the Beast, just think how exciting it will be for them to see a live performance! Right here: You don’t even have to travel to New York City! This Saturday, July 29, Beauty and the Beast will be staged at 11 a.m. at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. Tickets cost $7 for children and adults. That is not a typo; we’re talking $7 for live B&B tickets. Call now!
The Center for Performing Arts is located at 661 Route 308 in Rhinebeck. For tickets or more information, call (845) 876-3080 or visit www.centerforperformingarts.org/saturday-morning-family-series/item/beauty-and-the-beast.
SUNDAY, JULY 30
Dorsky Museum hosts family art workshop with Matthew Friday
How lucky are we to live here?? Here’s one awesome example: Family Day with artist Matthew Friday takes place this Sunday, July 30 at the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, which is located at SUNY-New Paltz. Friday is showing work in the current exhibit, “Undercurrents; The River as Metaphor – Hudson Valley Artists 2017.” Kids will view work, they’ll do hands-on activities and you will feel good about all of that “cultcha” getting through! Family Day costs $5 per child under 18 for materials and is free for adults; registration is required.
SUNY-New Paltz is located at 1 Hawk Drive in New Paltz. To register or for more information, visit www.newpaltz.edu/museum/programs/familydays.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2
Mindful play workshop in New Paltz
Calling all 7-to-10-year-olds who value play and fun, but could use a little mindfulness during play: This program was made for you! “Play, Mindfulness and All-Out Fun!” takes place this Wednesday, August 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Wellness Embodied. I mean, how can anyone resist this tempting title? The cost is $40 per child/adult pair. Here’s the frosting on the cake: activities include New Games, Active Games and Active Fun Theater Games, sprinkling in reflection, sharing and delicious moments of mindfulness.
Wellness Embodied is located at 126 Main Street in New Paltz. For more information or to register, call (845) 532-6064 or visit http://wellnessembodiedcenter.com/play%2c-mindfulness-and-all-out-fun!.html.
Pond & Blueberry Adventure at Minnewaska
Well, this week, it seems that we’ve hit the Minnewaska State Park Preserve jackpot with its variety of youth offerings for an assortment of ages. On Wednesday, August 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., kids ages 6 to 10 years can “ku-plink, ku-plank, ku-plunk” to their hearts’ content as they participate in the “Junior Naturalists at Minnewaska: Pond and Blueberry Adventure.” After looking for animals in and around the pond, it’s time to turn those hands and tongues blue! (And maybe someone could please whisper to me where these legendary blueberry bushes are up there?)
Thursday, August 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., ages 8 to 12 will enjoy “Junior Naturalists at Minnewaska: Orienteering Scavenger Hunt, making for some fun practice with new map and compass skills learned that day! Also on August 3, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., it’s “Babes in the Woods” for the youngest set, in rugged strollers or a carrier. I made lifelong friends on these “Babes” hikes, then led them, and I highly, highly recommend checking it out.
All of these programs are free, included in the admission price of entering Minnewaska, which costs $10 per vehicle, and registration is required. For more information or to register, call (845) 255-0752 or visit https://parks.ny.gov/events/event-results.aspx?pk=127.
Erica Chase-Salerno is in the sunset of her life. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
