A highly selective preview of cultural events taking place this weekend in the greater Hudson, N.Y., region, including a roots-rock trio; a couple of ‘Messiah’ sing-along concerts; a gallery show by a half-dozen women artists, a celebration of butter with the author of a new book about the spread; and a whole lot more.
Ballroom Thieves
BALLROOM THIEVES BRINGS ROOTS-ROCK to HELSINKI HUDSON
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Roots-rock trio Ballroom Thieves brings a batch of new songs from its just-released album, “Deadeye,” to Club Helsinki Hudson on Saturday, December 17, at 9pm. Ballroom Thieves plays a captivating mélange of acoustic styles, blending folk conventions with modern hymnals, classical textures, and Delta blues grit with rich harmonies. They describe themselves as “a rock band disguised as a folk band,” and indeed they occasionally go electric in a way that reminds a listener of White Stripes or Tarbox Ramblers.
Mary Elizabeth O’Neill
GWEN GOULD to CONDUCT HANDEL’S ‘MESSIAH’
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Gwen Gould will conduct Handel’s “Messiah” for Classics on Hudson at Christ Church Episcopal (431 Union St.) on Saturday December 17 at 4pm. Gould will conduct a string quartet and a quartet of vocal soloists from the Bard Graduate Vocal Arts Program. Audience members are encouraged to sing along to this holiday classic. Scores will be provided.
Christine Howlett
HANDEL’S ‘MESSIAH’ at THE BARDAVON
(POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.) – The Hudson Valley Philharmonic will perform Handel’s “Messiah” under the baton of guest conductor Christine Howlett at the Bardavon on Saturday, December 17 at 2pm. Guest vocalists from Cappella Festiva will join the HVP to perform George Frideric Handel’s most popular choral work, for a total of 100 instrumentalists and singers on the Bardavon stage. Audience members will be invited to sing along. A pre-concert talk with Maestro Howlett and members of the orchestra will take place one hour before the concert for all ticket-holders.
LOCAL AUTHOR’S ‘BUTTER’ BOOK GETS SPREAD at TALBOTT & ARDING
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Award-winning food writer Elaine Khosrova will appear at Talbott & Arding Cheese & Provisions on Saturday, December 17, at 2pm, to celebrate the publication of her new book, “Butter: A Rich History” (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill). Books will be available for purchase and signing.
After traveling across three continents to stalk the modern story of butter, award-winning food writer and former pastry chef Elaine Khosrova has served up a story as rich, textured, and culturally relevant as butter itself.
‘Man Music’ by Louise LaPlante
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.