January Ten Things

Ten Things to Do in Columbia County in January

Sharpen Your Skis

Are you ready for some winter fun? Catamount Ski Area offers skiing and snowboarding of all ages. They have many different events throughout the winter. For more information about Catamount Ski Area call (518) 325-3200 or visit their website at www.catamountski.com.

Listen to Music

Come and listen toTao Seeger & George Kilby, Jr. at Helsinki Hudson on Saturday, January 8 at 9:00 pm. With an all-star revue that re-defines Folk, Blues and Jam Band Music. Seeger and Kilby will be joined on the stage with some of their longtime friends from Railroad Earth. Their aim is not only to break some musical rules with mischief and smarts, but to expand the sometimes unrelenting definitions of blues and folk music. For more information about Helsinki Hudson call (518) 828-4800 or visit their website at www.helsinkihudson.com.

Attend an Auction
Stair Galleries will hold an Asian and Ethnographic Auction including Oceanic, Tribal, African, Ancient and Archaistic items. Auction will be held on Saturday, January 15 at 11:00 am. For more information about the auction or Stair Galleries call (518) 751-1000 or visit their website at www.stairgalleries.com.

Cross Country Ski in Copake
Copake Country Club is offering cross country skiing. Grab your hat, grab your mittens, the new 2011 model Alpina cross country ski packages (skis, boots, poles & bindings) are ready to rent at the pro shop. You can check them out on your next visit. Trails will be groomed in varying lengths and will be well marked. Everyday rates are $25 to rent skis and equipment and just $10 when you bring your own skis (or snowshoes). Check in at the Pro Shop. For more information call (518) 325-4338.

Listen to a Reading

Hudson Opera House offers "Here Comes Another Lesson" by Stephen O'Connor on Saturday, January 15 at 2:00 pm. Stephen O'Connor is the author of the short story collections Here Comes Another Lesson (just out from Free Press) and Rescue. He also has many nonfiction books and his fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Threepenny Review, The Quarterly and many other places. For more information about the Hudson Opera House call (518) 822-1438 or visit their website at www.hudsonoperahouse.org.

Go Ice Skating
Hudson Park in Greenport is offering ice skating beginning this weekend. Hours are Monday thru Thursday; 7:00 am to 3:00 pm and Friday thru Sunday; 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Ice rink open depending on weather conditions, please call ahead to check ice rink conditions at (518) 851-2228 or become a fan of Hudson Park Restaurants for updates on their fan page.

Plan to be Dazzled
Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc. plan to dazzle you with their Winter Cirkus Cabaret at Helsinki Hudson on Friday, January 21 at 8:30 pm. This will be a Tour Stop on Bindlestiff's Empire State Vaudeville Circut. Featureing world class Cirkus, variety, physical comedy, sideshow and novelty entertainmetn, plus live musical accompaniment. Advance tickets are $15 and $20 the day of the show. $5 discount to clowns in makeup at the door only. For more information about Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts, Inc at (877) 246-3537 or visit their website at www.bindlestiff.org.

Learn More About Fine Art
For all you photo bugs, Columbia County Council on the Arts is offering a Fine Arts Workshop on taking your digital photography into the next realm. There are three sessions beginning on Saturday, January 29th. You can sign up for one session or all three. To learn more about these workshops, call Columbia County Council on the Arts at (518) 671-6213 or visit their website at www.artscolumbia.org.

Go Snowshoeing

It's becoming harder and harder to predict when the frozen white stuff will be in great supply. To take advantage of the sporadic snowfall in Columbia County, Columbia Land Conservance has created snowshoe hikes that are arranged for when we have adequate snow and good weather conditions. They have setup an email alert system to schedule these snowshoe treks. CLC has a limited number of snowshoes to lend and beginners are welcome. For more information about CLC and to register fro the email list, call (518) 392-5252 or visit their website at www.clctrust.org.

See a Show
The Ghent Playhouse will feature "The Fantasticks" directed by Matt MacArevey beginning January 28 thru February 13. "Try to Remember" a time when this romantically charming musical wasn't enchanting the world. Over the past 50 year Tom Jones' and Harvey Schmidt's words and music have become a part of our lives. Come and rekindle those happy memories of young love. Shows will be Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $15.00, $12.00 for Friends. For more information about The Ghent Playhouse call (518) 392-6264 or visit their website at www.ghentplayhouse.org.

Above are just some of the great things to do in January in Columbia County. To add an event or activity to our February list, please send an email to akneller@columbiachamber-ny.com.