A highly selective preview of cultural events taking place over the next two weekends in the greater Hudson, N.Y., region, including quirky indie-pop from Bob Schneider at Helsinki Hudson; a reading at Hudson Opera House; a new gallery in Chatham; klezmer in Spencertown; and an artisans market at Basilica Hudson.
BOB SCHNEIDER BRINGS INDIE POP to HELSINKI HUDSON
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Austin-based artist Bob Schneider brings his singular brand of indie-pop to Club Helsinki Hudson on Friday, May 6, at 8pm. Schneider stands out in Austin as not just another roots-music based artist, but as a kind of pop genius – a singer-songwriter who writes catchy, hook-laden melodies that connect the Beatles to soul music to New Wave to U2 to dream-pop to electronica. Think of him as Brian Wilson without the angst.
MICHAEL IVES & ASHLEY MAYNE to READ at OPERA HOUSE
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Poet and author Michael Ives and novelist Ashley Mayne will read from their works at Hudson Opera House on Sunday, May 8, at 3pm. Ives is an award-winning writer and musician living in the Hudson Valley. Mayne is the author of two recently published novels, “Tiger” and “Mankiller.” Admission is free. Michael Ives’s poetry and fiction have appeared in numerous magazines and journals in the United States and abroad, and he is a founding member and composer for the sound/text performance trio, F’loom. Ives is the author of “The External Combustion Engine” and “Wavetable” and teaches in the Written Arts Program at Bard College.
INAUGURAL SHOW at NORTH RIVER GALLERY SHOWCASES MODERNIST LANDSCAPES by TONY THOMPSON
(CHATHAM, N.Y.) – An expansive solo exhibition of modernist landscapes by Tony Thompson will inaugurate the North River Gallery’s new street level space on Main Street, marking the gallery’s new emphasis on contemporary landscape art. There will be an opening reception with the artist on Saturday, May 7, from 4 to 7pm. The work will remain on view through May 29.
KLEZMER QUARTET to PLAY SPENCERTOWN ACADEMY
(SPENCERTOWN, N.Y.) — Paul Green and Klezmer East will perform a mix of traditional and contemporary klezmer favorites at Spencertown Academy on Saturday, May 7, at 8pm. The concert will include Yiddish dance tunes and hits from the Yiddish theater. Led by clarinetist Paul Green, Klezmer East features Pete Sweeney (drums), Bruce Krasin (saxophone), and Alan Gold (piano/keyboards).
BASILICA FARM & FLEA SPRINGS FORTH
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Basilica Farm & Flea, an artisans and farmers market at Basilica Hudson produced in collaboration with Hudson River Exchange, inaugurates its first Spring Market on Saturday, May 7, from 10 to 6, and Sunday, May 8, from 11 to 5. This year’s inaugural event incorporates the annual spring Ramp Fest.