News items

Seeking artists for “Warwick  Revisited” exhibit 

WARWICK (August 11) - The Warwick Historical Society and the Warwick Art League are co-sponsoring the first annual  exhibition entitled “Warwick Revisited” to be held in the ballroom at Baird’s Tavern (circa 1766) located on Main Street in the village of Warwick from September 27th to October 26th with an opening reception to be held on Saturday, September 27 from 5 – 7pm.

We are seeking artists for this year’s show who have works in oil, watercolor, acrylic, drawing, and pastel mediums that reflect the theme: scenes of Warwick, past and present. As space is limited, only up to two works by each artist may be selected by the committee to exhibit. If you are interested in this opportunity to show your work please call Sarah E. McHugh – curator and coordinator of the exhibit, for a full prospectus and application at (845) 987- 8748 or send an email to sarah@mchughstudio.com

Historic Huguenot Street gives parents a break with August drop-ins

NEW PALTZ (July 28) - This August, Historic Huguenot Street is helping parents take a load off this summer.  Each Tuesday and Thursday morning, children are to the Street for historic crafts and a related “snack making” project.  These crafts will be themed around the European nations tied to the founding of New Paltz.

Tuesday in August, beginning August 5th, is designed for children ages 4 to 6.  Thursdays,  beginning August 7th, are 7 to 11 year-olds.  Each session is 9:30 to 11:30

“Here at Historic Huguenot Street, we want to help your child have an enjoyable summer while learning about the history of this area through fun activities at Huguenot Street,” says Jennifer Champ, Public Programs Coordinator.  Programs are held from 9:30 to 11:30.

Each program is $10 per child; $8 for HHS members.  This program is held in Deyo Hall on Broadhead Avenue between Huguenot and North Chestnut Streets in Downtown New Paltz.  For more information, contact Jennifer Champ at jenn@huguenotstreet.org or 255.1660.

What is known today as Historic Huguenot Street began in 1678 when twelve French-speaking Huguenots settled on the banks of the Wallkill River.  Today, steps from downtown New Paltz, HHS features seven stone houses dating to 1705 and a reconstructed 1717 stone church on park-like grounds and offers unique programming to the local community and visitors alike.  The story of these Huguenot families continues at Locust Lawn, which features a Jeffersonian mansion and the earlier Evert Terwilliger House.  For more information, visit www.huguenotstreet.org.

Tony Bennett, ageless and entertaining

(July 28) - "I've been singing for 60 years and Bob Hope gave me my new (stage) name of Tony Bennett," the great 81-year-old singer told the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts crowd of 8,000 on Saturday night July 19.

Tony's original birth name was Anthony Dominick Benedetto. 

And when he sang one of his favorite songs, "Because Of You" one could just feel  that although he will be 82 on August 3 that his voice is as strong and vibrant as ever.  The one and only Tony Bennett made his return to the Catskills something that all his fans will remember and the reason the great Sinatra called him "the best singer in the business."

The Singer's Singer was introduced to the Bethel Woods crowd as "Mr. Tony Bennett" and this classy entertainer made his on stage appearance dressed is a white jacket, dark pants and white shoes with his opening statement, "Thank you very much for coming by tonight."  While singing the lyrics "Nobody Loves Me," a lady in the crowd shouted out "I love you Tony" and the crowd got a big laugh out of this.

Tony remarked that he got a call from country singer Hank Williams after Bennett sang Williams country hit  "Cold Cold Heart" and with this being Bennett's first attempt at a country  song Williams joked to Tony saying, "what's the idea of ruining my song."

In his singing of the song "Just The Good Life" he jokingly said, "I'm dedicating this song to Governor Spitzer."

The 15-time Grammy Awards winner easily moved the hearts and souls of the Bethel Woods audience this night. His popularity has resulted in the sale of over 50 million records worldwide and it was easy to see why Tony was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.  One also cannot forget that Tony Bennett has also devoted a lot of time and energies to a variety of worthwhile humanitarian and charitable causes  and that he is also a very accomplished painter.

His accomplished style, great voice and a beautiful variety of his top hits gave everyone attending a great sense of being part of musical history.

(Reviewed by Edward Townsend)

Donna Summer rocks Bethel crowd

(July 28) - An energized and enthusiastic crowd did a lot of  rocking and dancing at the Donna Summer show on Friday, July 11 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. The Queen of Disco in the 70's brought her dance/pop/rock sound to Bethel where her loving fans continually interrupted her with applause and screams.

With a warm gentle summer evening and Donna's hybrid of American soul and European synthesizer-based music one just had to know they were going to be truly entertained.

Her six-piece band entered the Pavilion stage shortly after 8 p.m. dressed in attractive white suits and accompanied by three female backup singers....and we must also add three greatly talented dancers.  Add also five very large well-edited paneled background lighting and Donna's urging to "sing and dance along" with the lively music the audience proceeded to dance the night away.

Donna added interesting background information from time to time and pointed out to the Bethel Woods crowd that "I got nervous when I pulled into a cow pasture and I thank you for coming out." 

Her colorful attire throughout the evening changed every set and added to the beauty  that her voice brought to every song. Everyone got into the act with her singing of "On The Radio" and "Bad Girls."

As the Bethel Wood's crowd cheered her on she told them, "give it up."

(Reviewed by Edward Townsend)

McQuade students learn self-confidence through drumming, dance

NEW WINDSOR (July 28) - Energy was high and the enthusiasm overwhelming when the students of Ms. Judith Muldoon’s Percussion and Dance Ensemble class at McQuade Children’s Services’ Kaplan School spent a week studying with international performer and teacher of traditional music

More information on our Education Page.