A highly selective preview of cultural events taking place this weekend in the greater Hudson, N.Y. region, including a concert of French-American electro-swing music; a new dance festival; an art exhibition; a literary reading; a festival celebrating J.S. Bach; a meeting of two heavyweight creative minds; and a whole lot more.
Ginkgoa
GINKGOA BRINGS ELECTRO-DANCE RHYTHMS to HELSINKI HUDSON
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Ginkgoa brings is unique blend of vintage Paris chic and New York City cool to Club Helsinki Hudson on Friday, August 12, at 9pm. With Nicolle Rochelle (American singer, author, and dancer) and Antoine Chatenet (French composer and producer) at the core of the group, Ginkgoa composes French songs with an American vibe, and American songs with a French touch, where time periods would cross and inspirations would collide: catchy melody from pop music, to the swing of old New York, with a mix of electro-dance floor beats. They only have one idea in mind: to make generations of people dance, sway, and sing along to melodies that stay in your head.
For an instant dose of the group’s catchy, melodic dance music that spans generations within a few bars and boasts Nicolle’s incredibly infectious vocals and alluring personality, check out this live performance of the group’s “Don’t Give a Damn.” And then watch them perform one of their signature tunes, “Queen of Swing,” from last month’s Montreal International Jazz Festival.
Riot Dance, ‘Views of the Fleeting World’ (photo Basil Childers)
RIOULT, CHASE BROCK, HEGINBOTHAM, and PARSONS in CHATHAM DANCE FESTIVAL at PS21
(CHATHAM, N.Y.) – The Chase Brock Experience, Dance Heginbotham, and Parsons Dance are featured artists in the third annual Chatham Dance Festival, a month-long celebration of American dance at PS21’s 100-acre outdoor venue. The festival, which kicks off with performances by RIOULT Dance on Friday and Saturday, August 12 and 13 at 8pm, includes evening dance performances, afternoon children’s programs, dance workshops and discussions.
Annie DeWitt (photo Jerome Jakubiec)
ANNIE DEWITT, W.B. BELCHER, CHANEL DUBOFSKY to READ at SPOTTY DOG
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Authors Annie DeWitt, W.B. Belcher, and Chanel Dubofsky will read from their works at Spotty Dog Books & Ale on Saturday, August 13, at 7pm, as part of Volume, the free monthly reading and music series every second Saturday of the month. The readings will be followed by booksinging and a set by DJ Shannekia McIntosh.
High Peaks Festival Orchestra
MUSIC FROM HIGH PEAKS to PLAY BACH, MILHAUD at BRIDGE STREET THEATRE
(CATSKILL, N.Y.) – Music from High Peaks, featuring soloists with the Catskill High Peaks Festival Chamber Orchestra, will perform works by Bach, Milhaud, Halvorsen and others at the Bridge Street Theatre on Friday, August 12, at 7pm. Soloists include Bayla Keyes and Peter Zazofsky, violin; Michael Strauss, viola; Yehuda Hanani, Tom Landschoot and Sae Rom Kwon, cello; Michael Chertock and Mikael Darmanie, piano; and Baroque specialist Paul Dwyer. The event is part of the Catskill High Peaks Festival.
‘Too Much for Title,’ Erik Schoonebeek
NEW WORKS by ERIK SCHOONEBEEK and CHRISTIAN MAYCHACK at JEFF BAILEY GALLERY
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – New works by Erik Schoonebeek and Christian Maychack go on view at Jeff Bailey Gallery with an opening reception on Saturday, August 13, 6-8pm. The works will remain on view through Sunday, September 11.
Erik Schoonebeek: Tender Trap is an exhibition of new paintings. Schoonbeek is a scavenger. Book covers, found paper, re-purposed paintings and thrift store finds serve as supports for his paintings. Christian Maychack characterizes his work as operating on two tracks: the physical space of sculpture and the pictorial space of painting. Materials function as structure or support or provide for illusionistic space. The combinations of these approaches and materials allow for shifts in perception, both physically and cognitively.
‘The Haircut,’ Gregory Crewdson (2014)
GREGORY CREWDSON in CONVERSATION with RICK MOODY at MAHAIWE
(GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.) – Photographer Gregory Crewdson will discuss the making of his most recent body of work, Cathedral of the Pines, in conversation with author Rick Moody at the Mahaiwe on Monday, August 15 at 7pm. The evening will include the first-ever projected slideshow presentation of Cathedral of the Pines in its entirety, set to Yo La Tengo’s “Night Falls on Hoboken,” remixed specially for this event by Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer Drew Brown.