A highly selective preview of cultural events taking place this weekend in the greater Hudson, N.Y., region, including a free literary reading; a photo exhibition of Hudson’s garages and alleys; a Moroccan trance dub group; the circus comes to town; and a whole lot more.
photo by William Hellerman
HUDSON ALLEYS & GARAGES FEATURED in PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT at OPERA HOUSE
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – “No Parking: The Alleys and Garages of Hudson,” featuring works by three local photographers who find unconventional beauty beyond Hudson’s more well-trafficked main streets, will go on view at the Hudson Opera House on Saturday, January 14, with an artist’s reception from 5 to 7pm. Exploring the parallel realities that exist in the city, “No Parking” features photographs dating back nearly two decades from local artists Lisa Durfee (exhibition organize), William Hellermann, and Peter Spear. The exhibition will remain on view through February 19.
Bindlestiff’s Stephanie Monseu aka Philomena
BINDLESTIFF CIRKUS BRINGS MONTHLY WINTER CABARET to HELSINKI HUDSON
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Hudson’s own Bindlestiff Family Cirkus continues its wintertime tradition of hosting a monthly cabaret, featuring a variety of circus, theater, comedy and musical entertainers, at Club Helsinki Hudson with four shows, kicking off at 9pm on Friday, January 13; continuing on Saturday, February 18; and again on Saturday, March 11; plus a Sunday matinee show on March 12 geared to the entire family.
Each month this winter, Bindlestiff Cirkus will bring a new lineup, with acts including trapeze, contortion, acrobatic balance, sword swallowing, juggling, physical comedy, and oddball novelty turns. The Bindlestiff stage is one of the few arenas in the world where attendees may see internationally renowned street performers, featured acts from Cirque du Soleil and Ringling Brothers, and artists from “America’s Got Talent” next to local legends, live, on stage, and in the same show.
Tobias Carroll (photo Jason Rice)
SHEELA CLARY, TOBIAS CARROLL, and GABRIEL SQUAILIA to READ at SPOTTY DOG
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Writers Sheela Clary, Tobias Carroll, and Gabriel Squailia will read from their works at Spotty Dog Books & Ale on Saturday, January 14, at 7pm, as part of Volume, the free monthly reading and music series every second Saturday of the month. The readings – a showcase of emerging writers in Hudson – will be followed by book-signing and a set by DJ Stephen Bluhm.
Club D’Elf
CLUB D’ELF & JOHN MEDESKI BRING MOROCCAN TRANCE GROOVES to HELSINKI HUDSON
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Moroccan-dosed dub-jazz collective Club D’Elf, featuring superstar keyboardist John Medeski of Medeski Martin and Wood fame, return to Club Helsinki Hudson with their funky world-trance grooves on Saturday, January 14, at 9pm, to celebrate the long-awaited release of “Live at Club Helsinki,” an epic double album that showcases the band’s genre-leaping improvisational acumen, performing at one of its favorite venues for an ecstatic crowd.
The band’s association with Club Helsinki dates to 2001, when it first performed at the nightclub’s original Great Barrington, Mass., location. Since that time, the group has performed annually at the club in its current location in Hudson. A combination of superb sound, intimate environment, and an audience tuned into the band’s every nuance helped create one of those magical nights. “Live at Club Helsinki” captures the excitement of two complete continuous sets of no-holds-barred improvisations and classic D’Elf tunes.
Pussy Bow Blouse by Kate Hamilton
WOMEN ARTISTS FEATURED in MIXED-MEDIA SHOW at CARRIE HADDAD GALLERY
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Works by six female Hudson Valley artists working in a variety of media are featured in a new winter exhibition featuring a large-scale fabric installation and finely detailed drawings, painting, and collage at Carrie Haddad Gallery. Artists featured include Kate Hamilton, Andrea Moreau, Louise Laplante, Elizabeth Coyne, Laura Von Rosk, Allyson Levy, and Eileen Murphy. Their work offers unique commentary on the political, personal, and environmental observations of what it means to live in a global community today. The work remains on view through January 22.