See a Show

Columbia Arts Team will perform The Big One!  On Friday & Saturday, April 1 & 2 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, April 3 at 2:00pm.  Original musical comedy written and directed by Liv Cummins and Sandy McKnight Big Break or Big Quake? Six L.A. songwriters finally have their chance for recognition, but the earth’s crust isn’t cooperating. Do they have the crust to hang in there? Complicating matters are relationships, friendships, producers, movie moguls, cops, recording engineers, and a cast of characters that can only exist in Los Angeles. The Big One, a new pop-rock musical comedy, explores that constant struggle of the creative artist trying to follow a dream while contending with the harsh realities of everyday life.  Columbia Greene Community College Arts Building, Route 23, Hudson, NY.  Admission is $7. Seniors/students $3.  For more information about Columbia Arts Team call (518) 828-4234 or visit their website at www.columbiaartsteam.org.

Attend an Auction

Stair Galleries will have an Exposition auction on Friday, April 1 at 6:00 pm.  English and Continental;  Furniture, Porcelain, Silver, Decorations, Carpets and Fine Art.  This wil include property from the collection of Albert Hadley and Albert Hadley, Inc.  which includes 40 pieces from the Albert Hadley collections. An icon of American Design, Mr. Hadley’s legendary red lacquered library for Brooke Astor and his robin’s egg blue living room in Manhattan displays his refined sense of color. Known for his elegant architectural details, clean lines and well edited interiors, he has left his mark on many of his clients, such as: Diane Sawyer and Mike Nichols; Babe Paley, Ann Getty, Annette and Oscar de la Renta, and Happy Rockefeller. He prized subtlety over glitz, which is reflected in these pieces he consigned.  For more information about the auction or Stair Galleries call (518) 751-1000 or visit their website at www.stairgalleries.com.

Listen to Music

On Friday, April 8 at 9:00 pm, Helsinki Hudson will have Ska and Crazy Sounds by Mother Fletcher.  Mother Fletcher takes the audience to the next level by layering on top notch percussion, free style beat box, trumpet, and an array of dubbed out crazy sounds. With lyrics that convey lost love, loneliness, regret and the hope of new beginnings, Mother Fletcher keeps it surprisingly upbeat and extremely danceable bringing their audiences to an insatiable frenzy and leaves them wanting more, more, more. For tickets or more information about Helsinki Hudson call (518) 828-4800 or visit their website at www.helsinkihudson.com.

Attend a Trails Conference

Columbia Land Conservancy will host the first countywide trail conference for Columbia County on April 2 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.  Town officials, volunteers, and residents interested in developing a trail in their own community will meet, discuss, and learn from experts in the field. Conference highlights include a keynote presentation by Jeff Olson of Alta Planning, an internationally known trail planning firm; a panel of speakers from established, successful trails in Ulster and Saratoga counties, and the Champlain Canal region; and an update of activity by Columbia County trail groups. Local and regional trail groups will be on-hand with displays, handouts and other information. Handouts and CD's of useful trail resources will be provided. The day will culminate with a visioning session for a countywide trail system and a discussion of next steps to support ongoing work.  This will take place at Columbia-Greene Community College.  For more information call (518) 392-5252 or visit their website at www.clctrust.org.

The Ghent Playhouse presents "The Heiress",  April 8th, 9th, 10th, 2011, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm, Sunday at 2:00 pm.  A gripping drama set in nineteenth century New York City about a shy young woman, her controlling father, her flighty aunt and the suitor who enters their lives.  Written by Ruth and Augustus Goetz and based on the Henry James novel, "Washington Square".  Directed by Tom Detwiler. Tickets are $15.00.  Friends tickets are $12.00.  For tickets or more information about The Ghent Playhouse call (518) 392-6264 or visit their website at www.ghentplayhouse.org.

Do You Enjoy Music?
On Saturday, April 9 at 4:00 p.m the Hudson Opera House offers "The Art of Song Deconstructed" - Angels and Demons.  A performance and discussion with Baritone Leroy Davis and Diamond Opera Theatre Artistic Director Mary Deyerle Hack. The performance is followed by a discussion to deconstruct the program, discovering why certain pieces were chosen and how the singer fits the songs to his or her voice. Followed by a reception and a chance to meet the artists.  For more information about the Hudson Opera House call (518) 822-1438 or visit their website at www.hudsonoperahouse.org.

Saturday & Sunday, April 16 & 17 from 12:00 - 5:00 pm - The Hudson-Chatham and Tousey Wineries present "Two-for-One, Twice the Fun!" Starting at either the Hudson-Chatham or Tousey Winery, you will receive a postcard when you pay for a full tasting. Take the postcard to the other winery, and your full tasting there is free! You will also get a stamp for your postcard, and the postcard is good for a free tasting at either winery for the person to whom you send the card. It's great fun and great savings at Columbia County's outstanding wineries. For more information about the wineries visit their website's at  www.hudson-chathamwinery.com or www.touseywinery.com.

Saturday, April 16, 1:00PM – 4:00PM, Registration begins at 12:30PM. Framing the Viewshed: The Transformative Power of Art and Landscape in the Hudson Valley at Columbia-Greene Community College: Saland Forum at the Professional Academic Center.  Featuring lectures by Linda S. Ferber, Vice-President & Senior Art Historian, New York Historical Society, Harvey K. Flad, Emeritus Professor of Geography, Vassar College, Laurie Olin, OLIN / Partner, RLA, FASLA, and moderated by David Schuyler, Arthur and Katherine Shadek Professor of the Humanities and Professor of American Studies, Franklin & Marshall College. Viewsheds are an intrinsic part of every nationally significant region.  America's first art and conservation movement had deep roots in the Hudson Valley, and this symposium, hosted by The Olana Partnership, will offer a fresh look at iconic Hudson Valley scenes through the lens of art history, environmental conservation, and landscape architecture.  Please join us as we span three centuries of thought and explore historic and contemporary perspectives on the famed "borrowed views" of the Hudson Valley.  $40 Members/$50 Non-members/$10 Students.  For more information about The Olana Partnership call (518) 828-0135 or visit their website at www.olana.org.