The Black Dirt Storytelling Group has been running Tellabration events for ten years and invite you to join them this Saturday 21 November at 2 pm in the Florida Public Library and participate (that is, listen and/or tell your story).

Bring the gift of stories to your family this Thanksgiving -

Black Dirt Storytelling Group
Florida Public Library
4 Cohen Circle
Florida, NY

The sheer diversity of artists is impossible to list here, but includes painters and illustrators working on a vast range of subject matter – still lifes, Civil War portraits, animal and landscapes – jewlery artists and quilters, photographers and pottery/ceramics.

Check out some of the faces of local artists and their work, and thanks to Kenny and Jim for their work in sharing this.

Lindsay Nery

Debbie Gioello

Kevin Storms

The Orange County Arts Council presents Orange County Open Studio Weekend 2009, a county-wide event during which Orange County artists and craftspeople open their studios to the public for the sale and demonstration of their work. This event will be held on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 from 11am to 5pm

Over 40 artists and craftspeople are participating including Art In The Barn, Amity Arts Pottery, Beatrice Bloom Ceramics, Bertoni Gallery, Big Pig Designs, Boogiehouse, Cedarwood Center For the Arts, Daniel Mack Studio, Di Bello Gallery/ Frame Shop, Exposures Gallery, Fine Art Studios, Gallery Warwick, Gourd Art By Claudia, Holton – Smith Photos, J.Howard Fatta and Louis Fatta, Rahl Nadas Gallery and Potshop, Linton Designs, M.E Whitehill- Watercolors, Mary Cathryn Roth, Michael Tobin Fine Art, Orange County Ballet Theatre, Susan Miiller Fine Art, The Blue Rose Studio, Michael Piotrowski, RG Bruer, Roslyn Fasset Studio, Fine Art Studios, Strazza Fine Arts & Photography, and Wallkill River School.

A full, 17 page brochure is available for download here.  It gives a fantastic map broken down for each area making it easy to plan your driving between studios -

Artists confirmed include (not a complete list):

• Dorschi Rose Rollwager
• Bob Scully
• Jacquelyn Carter
• James LoRubbio
• Steve Blumenthal
• Mickie McMillan/Patricia Rose Prohach
• Gene Bove
• AJ Killian
• Janet Baskerville/Peg Herzig/Billie Robson
• Joe Baker
• Julie Saltzberg
• Ashley Bauer
• Jill Thurston
• William Kuhn
• Sonya Palumbo

The Pine Bush Chamber has released their official map and listing for the tour, available here.

At the Black Feather Retreat, experience the pastoral pleasure of clean fresh air, private meadows, woods, streams, springs, ponds, gardens, stone walls, old barns, country roads and the delightful company of others, like yourself, who enjoy art. We have planned a mix of many figure models for each program.

Rain or shine, you will have a wonderful days filled with art. A large tent will provide shade, there will be ample seating at chairs and tables or, if you prefer, you may spread a blanket on the lawn and picnic all day. If it rains we will hold our sessions in the large studio barn, a beautiful 18th century structure. Aside from the scheduled program of models, there will be live music, and amenities such as water, drinks, box picnic lunches, maps, toilet facilities, and a friendly staff to help you enjoy the day.

The BLACK FEATHER RETREAT
ARTISTS’ AND WRITERS’ COLONY
Box 588
Westbrookville, NY 12785

Saturday August 22, 2009
11-5

Filled with jazz, blues and big band swing, this concert sensation is held every Wednesday and Thursday in July and August at 6:30 to 8:30 pm on the Newburgh waterfront. This years’ schedule is exceptionally dynamic and diverse. It features Grammy award winners “The Reese Project” and acclaimed jazz artists Ali Jackson, drummer extraordinaire from Jazz at Lincoln Center. There will also be a new component to the series this year to help salute the Quadricenttenial celebration. The concerts are a “bring your own chair event.” They are free and open to the public. In the event of rain the concert will relocate to the City of Newburgh’s Activity Center at 401 Washington Street. For schedule changes and other details visit www.NewburghJazzSeries.com.. And without further ado the Newburgh Jazz Series 2009 performers are:

July 29 Judi Silvano’s All Women Band

July 30 Jazz Pioneers

Aug 5 Taeko

Aug 6 STRING OF PEARLS

Aug 12 Sweet Plantain String Quartet

Aug 13 Swingin’ Jive Patrol

Aug 19 Neil Alexander with Nail

Aug 20 Matt Jordan’ Big Band

Aug 26 The Rodriguez Brothers

Aug 27 Ali Jackson

All shows begin at 6.30 pm and are located on Liberty St on the Newburgh Waterfront.

As always the Newburgh Jazz Series offers a blend of musical styles and embraces the total jazz and big band experience. With more than 36 concert hours of musical performances the Newburgh Jazz Series 2009 will deliver a full-range of concert experiences in a relaxing intimate setting, making it the best hot spot of the Hudson Valley.

Some highlighted works at the show -

Performances throughout the Festival include music, puppetry, theater and a lot of fun.  Check out their schedule and performers by going here.

As some of the many ways the city has been exploring its use, they are holding a fantastic art installation and exhibit on the island all summer.  19 international artists have descended on the island, bringing installation, performance, video, and multimedia work to the historic buildings and common areas of the island.  And best of all – it’s all entirely free.  From the ferry trip that departs from the tip of Manhattan to the walks and exhibits around the island, it’s all for your pleasure.

There is also an audiotape of music by rock ledgend Patti Smith and her daughter Jesse available to accompany you as you explore the installations.

If there was ever a reason to take a weekend drive into the city, hop a ferry through the harbor and spend the day under the sun (yes, we do expect the rain to actually stop this summer!), this is it.

NYT review “Island as Inspiration and Canvas”

ArtForum’s Review “Ferrytale”

Creative Time – the Curators and Organizers of Plot 09, and the official web site can be located here.

The Warwick Music Series Presents its Independence Day Concert at Railroad Green
with Latin Salsa performers Luisito Rosario & Orchestra
SATURDAY, July 4th 7:30PM-10:pm
– 4 July is also Luisto’s birthday so make sure to give him a great birthday cheer – Feliz cumpleaños!

Mountainville NY

Storm King Art Center is keeping an active weekend, and while no fireworks or other events for the 4th, they are open on Monday 6 July for the extended weekend.  What a better way to spend a Monday then seeing the wavefield and walking the fields and house at Storm King.

Stony Point (Rockland County) NY

Stone Point Battlefield is on a fantastic bluff over the Hudson River.  While they’re skipping the fireworks display (although I assume it’s possible to see fireworks in the distance from there), they are doing a fun reading of the Declaration of Indepence followed by 18th Century singing by the fire with Linda Russell. Activities begin at 7.30 (gates at 7 pm) – 44 Battlefield Rd., accessed from Park Rd. off Route 9W in Stony Point NY.  

Linda began her professional career by performing as a balladeer at Federal Hall National Memorial. For 16 years, Linda brought the 18th century vividly to life for countless visitors to the site of George Washington’s inauguration on Wall Street. She has recorded numerous albums in the genre and plays a wide variety of peroid instruments.  Truly a talent and a fantastic way to celebrate the birth of our nation.

New Paltz (Ulster County) NY

Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams performs at the Ulster County Fairgrounds.  Opening is the very talented Professor Louie and the Crowmatix.  Gates open at 5pm. Circus Arts @ 5:00, Puppet Show @ 6:00, live music from Professor Louie & the Crowmatics and Gandalf Murphy @ 6:45. Julia Cohen will sing the National Anthem accompanied by her brother Jonny and dad Jeff just before the fireworks begin around 9:30. Gandalf Murphy will perform a 2nd set immediately following the fireworks.  Ulster County Fairgrounds, Libertyville Road, New Paltz. Donations at the gate.

Cold Spring (Putnam County) NY

Cold Spring River Festival’s inaugural event includes over 75 artists, antique dealers, crafts, and jewlery showasing themselves on the bank of the Hudson River in the hamlet of Cold Spring.  Sunday, 5 July 9a – 5p.