American Tonalism: New Works by Patrick Milbourn and Lee Anne Morgan at the M Gallery in Catskill
Painter Patrick Milbourn and photographer Lee Anne Morgan bring forth their newest expressions of the American landscape. It’s a he-sees, she-sees exploration—one captures with a paint brush while the other caresses with a camera.

The styles are complementary. Muted colors harmonize hazy fields, dreamy pastures, and soft lit paths. The journey is subtle and the imagery narrative. One yearns to be there, enjoying the serenity as tonal nuances define the moment.

Patrick Milbourn is a Master Pastellist and an award-winning artist whose work has been recognized by the Pastel Society of America, the National Academy of Art, the Salmagundi Club and the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Letters. His works are in private collections in Europe, Asia and the U.S. Patrick has recently been inducted into Who’s Who in American Art.

Lee Anne Morgan experiments with various techniques in photography and painting, sometimes merging the two, but most often retaining the purity of each medium. She has created a unique technique—a “painterly” style using cameras, lenses, and natural lighting with simple-to-complex subjects … all brought into her “dry darkroom” for final work and printing. She’s exhibited in solo and group exhibits, and her work resides at the Samuel Dorsky Museum at SUNY/New Paltz, as well as in private collections.

American Tonalism will run through February 15, 2011. M Gallery is located at 350 Main Street in Catskill, New York. M Gallery is open on the weekends from 12 pm to 5 pm, by appointment or by chance. An open house and reception will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011 from 3 pm to 8 pm. For more information, call 518 943 2189.

Saugerties Pro Musica Presents a Folk Concert with Mark Rust
Saugerties Pro Musica is proud to celebrate its musical diversity by presenting a Folk concert by Mark Rust on Sunday, February 13, at 3 pm at the Saugerties United Methodist Church, on the corner of Washington Avenue and Post Street.

Mark Rust is a professional musician who performs a fun collection of original songs & stories about common experiences we’ve all shared while growing up in a family, as well as some traditional American “roots” music and songs. Mark’s performance showcases an impressive array of instruments including guitar, banjo, fiddle, piano, and mountain dulcimer, as well as some beautifully hypnotic pieces for hammered dulcimer.

Mark Rust has also been involved in many theatrical productions. He joined the National Touring Company of the Broadway hit Pump Boys & Dinettes, starring in the lead role while playing a variety of instruments. Mark was commissioned to compose original music and lyrics for a production of the ancient comedy The Rope by Plautus. Mark was also selected to perform several shows in New York City to promote the release of the film A Prairie Home Companion.

In addition, a West Point Instrumental Ensemble will perform a FREE Concert on Sunday, February 20, at 3 pm.

Admission is $12 for adults, seniors $10. Students are always FREE. For more information please call 845 246 5021 or visit www.saugertiespromusica.org.

Taj Mahal and his Band Perform at UPAC
Composer and multi-instrumentalist Taj Mahal will perform at UPAC in Kingston on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 7 pm at UPAC in Kingston. Taj Mahal is a two-time Grammy Award winner and one of the most influential American blues and roots artists of the past half-century. He has made no Faustian deals in his long and distinguished career, but stands at an important crossroads nonetheless. Mahal’s never-ending exploration of the complex origins and underpinnings of American music has forged a four-decade career. He continues to gather and distill countless musical traditions from a range of geographical and cultural sources: the Mississippi Delta, the Appalachian backwoods, the African continent, the Hawaiian islands, Europe, the Caribbean and so much more. Taj Mahal does not just stand at the crossroads. He is the crossroads.

Tickets are priced at $56 Gold Circle, $41 Adult, and $36 Member. Purchase your tickets in person at the Bardavon Box Office, 35 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, 845 473 2072 or in person at the UPAC Box Office, 601 Broadway Kingston, 845 339 6088 or online at TicketMaster: 800 745 3000. Please note that Bardavon Member benefits are not available through TicketMaster. For more information, visit www.bardavon.org.

Romance in Art and Music: A Multi-Media Exhibit and Concert in Kingston
Cornell St. Studios, in collaboration with classical guitarist and composer David Temple, present a Valentines Day Inspired Art and Music Party on Saturday, February 12 from 6 to 10 pm.

David Temple has performed throughout the country as a soloist, accompanist and ensemble player. He is dedicated to presenting guitar performances that are full of color and variety. Concerts have included the Festival of Arts at Mohonk, the Classical Music series in Ocala, Florida, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and the Tower Music Series in Poughkeepsie. He has given recitals at the University of the Arts and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

And now, just in time for Valentines Day, David will be sharing the perfect playlist of Romantic classical music at Cornell St. Studios.

In addition to David’s concert, the main gallery will display an assortment of love themed works including oil paintings, drawings, ceramics, photographs, handmade jewelry, hair accessories and purses by very talented artists of the Hudson Valley area. Exhibiting artists include Mike Modugno, Carolyn Hester, Monica Noll Donnely, Iris York, Jen Jeglinski, Gretchen Kelly, Polly M. Law, Laura Smedman, Sheila Blair, Cheyenne Rossler, Rita Schwab, Emily Thing, Nadine Lewis, Mavis Harris, Lydia Hall, Holly McCabe, Ed McCarthy, Christina Gardner, Marilynn Rowley, Renee Samuels, Frances Raia, Sheryl Anderson, Victor Santiago, Don Matthews, Dina Pearlman, Phyllis McCabe, Shoshona Snow, Cristina Sass, Marilyn Perez, Carli Bruno, Tanya Monique, Deanna Yildiz, Anita Foley, Ariel, Lindsey Morano, Stephen Ladin and Fiona Abrams.

David Temple’s concert begins at 7:30 pm. A $10 admission includes food, art, music, and a great way to spend Valentines Day weekend! Cornell St. Studios is located at 168 Cornell St. in Kingston. For more information, call 845 331 0191 or e-mail rdarmstadt514@gmail.com.

Christie Scheele and Robert Trondsen at the Mark Gruber Gallery in New Paltz
There are two shining stars in the constellation of Hudson Valley artists that can brilliantly bridge the world of traditional landscape with contemporary style—Christie Scheele and Robert Trondsen. The exhibit, The Modern Landscape’—Christie Scheele and Robert Trondsen traverses the expanse, closing the gap to bring us a vision befitting our modern age. The show opened at the Mark Gruber Gallery on January 29 and will run through March 14, 2011.

Christie Scheele’s “Country Noir” style is unique. Her soothing rural scenes belie an unease lurking below. Influenced by J.M.W. Turner and Milton Avery, this discordance is no accident. She shows how our easy intrusion into nature suggests the mystery and dichotomy that is the American experience.

Robert Trondsen’s landscapes are luminous and expansive. Alternating clarity of vision with atmospheric rendering, his backlit images of the Hudson Valley modulate his love for romantic landscape with contemporary focus, cadence and color. He creates a tonal, ethereal world.

The Mark Gruber Gallery is located in the New Paltz Plaza, New Paltz, NY. Gallery hours are Monday from 11 am to 5:30 pm; Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 5:30 pm; Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday by appointment. For more information, please contact Mark Gruber at 845 255 1241.

“Musical Snuff Box,” Presented by the Academy of Dance and Creative Arts
The Academy of Dance and Creative Arts (ADACA) is planning their second dance performance of the season. It is scheduled to take place at the Doctorow Center for the Arts (map), Main Street, Hunter on Saturday, March 12 at 7 pm and Sunday, March 13 at 2 pm.

“Musical Snuff Box” will feature a one act ballet by Konstantin Dournev, break-dance, gypsy dance and other contemporary dance pieces. Performers include both children and adult students from the ballet school in Hunter as well as guest artists from New York City and New Jersey. The performance includes professional costuming, scenery and lights.

ADACA’s Christmas spectacular was a great success and the school plans a number of additional performances throughout the year. Tickets are $5 for children ages 12 and under, $10 for students, $15 for seniors (ages 62 and up) and $20 for adults. For reservations phone 518 263 4246 or e-mail ADACA at mail@adacadance.com.

At The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck is offering several performances this month. The Center is located at 661 Route 308 in Rhinebeck, NY. Tickets may be purchased through the Box Office at 845 876 3080, or online at www.centerforperformingarts.org.

Magus
February 4-6, 2011
Friday and Saturday Shows: 8:00 pm
Sunday Matinees: 3:00 pm
Carey Harrison, son of the late Sir Rex Harrison, one of the greatest stage and screen actors of the 20th century, brings his new play, Magus, to the Center. Carey Harrison is himself an acclaimed actor, director and playwright whose plays have been seen in over 30 countries and broadcast in the U.S. on Masterpiece Theatre. Magus celebrates the power of magic and brings together the young William Shakespeare, Franz Kafka and Miguel de Cervantes in the dreams of one man, the famous Elizabethan mathematician and sorcerer, Sir John Dee, played by the author. A Woodstock Players/CENTERstage co-production directed by Carey Harrison.

Cats
February 12-13, 18-20, 25-27
Friday and Saturday Shows: 8:00 pm
Sunday Matinees: 3:00 pm
Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Cats is a must see! This second-longest running show in Broadway history gained phenomenal international acclaim and features the now classic song, “Memory.” A first-run in this area, Cats offers a uniquely entertaining theatre experience for the entire family!

A CENTERstage Production directed and choreographed by Laurie Sepe-Marder (Jesus Christ Superstar, My Fair Lady).

Solas An Lae
March 4-6
Friday and Saturday Shows: 8:00 pm
Sunday Matinees: 3:00 pm
Returning to The CENTER for three intimate performances, Deirdre Lowry and Patrick Brown present their acclaimed American Irish Dance Company, Solas An Lae in “Astral Weeks: The Celtic Soul of Van Morrison.” Astral Weeks is a spiritually-inspired stream-of-consciousness work employing a score of Irish folk, blues, jazz, R&B and classical music, set to dance by Lowry and Brown in a artistic multi media interpretation of Morrison’s legendary career and landmark work.

Celtic Heels Irish Dance
March 5
Saturday Show: 11:00 am
Joan McGrenaghan and her performing troupe have delighted audiences for over two decades! Enjoy Jigs, Reels and Hornpipes choreographed to energetic, hand-clapping, toe-tapping instrumentals.

Paula Poundstone Brings Her Comedic Brilliance to the Bardavon!
A Benefit for the Friends of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District
The Bardavon in Poughkeepsie is proud to present comedian Paula Poundstone in concert on Friday, February 4 at 8 pm.

It is impossible to attend a Paula Poundstone performance without marveling at her ability to interact spontaneously with audience members in conversations bound to garner riotous laughter. Armed with nothing but a stool, a microphone, and a can of Diet Pepsi, Paula’s ability to create humor on the spot has become the stuff of legend. Little wonder people leave Paula’s shows debating whether the random people she talked to were “plants”—which, of course they never are—and complaining that their cheeks hurt from laughter.

Paula continues as the National Spokesperson for the Association of Library Trustees Advocates Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a national network of enthusiastic library supporters. ALTAFF believes in the importance of libraries as the social and intellectual centers of communities and campuses. Paula is supporting libraries on a local level by partnering with promoters and local Friends organization in cities where she performs. In most markets the local Friends group receives tickets for use in fundraising or promotion as well as a portion of the book and CD sales after her performance where she makes herself available for signings. Says Paula, “It’s funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing, bespectacled women. The truth is libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy, and community. Librarians have stood up to the Patriot Act, sat down with noisy toddlers, and reached out to illiterate adults. Libraries can never be shushed. If you haven’t been to your library lately, you’re over-due.” Paula is pleased to partner with ALTAFF supporters of the Friends of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District who will sell Paula’s book for which they will receive a percentage of the proceeds, and participate in other fund-raising activities. Paula will make herself available for a book signing after the performance. The Friends of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District address is at 93 Market Street Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. For more information call 845 485 3445 ext. 3351.

Paula’s razor-sharp wit makes her a perfect fit as a regular panelist on NPR’s popular weekly news quiz show, “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me.” (2008 winner of the prestigious Peabody Award for broadcasting excellence) Her first book, There’s Nothing in This Book That I Meant to Say, (with foreword by Mary Tyler Moore) is out in paperback and also is now available on audio. Paula is hard at work on her second tome. Paula’s commentaries have been heard on NPR’s “Morning Edition” and her blogs appear in the Huffington Post and 23/6, as well as the NPR Opinion Page. Paula was the first woman to perform at the White House Correspondents’ Association Annual Dinner and the first woman to win a cable ACE for Best Standup Comedy Performance. Paula has also won an Emmy and an Ace Award for Best Program Interviewer. TV appearances include several standup comedy specials (HBO and Bravo), her own show on HBO and ABC, and all the major talk shows. In 2010 Paula was invited to serve as judge in the humor category of this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The awards are the largest, longest-running recognition and scholarship program for teenage artists and writers. Paula has been recognized as one of Comedy Central’s 100 Greatest Stand Ups of All Time. She released her first comedy CD, I Heart Jokes: Paula Tells Them In Maine, which is a full hour of hilarious comedy recorded live at the sensational Stone Mountain Arts Center—because as Paula says, “It’s very hard to do it any other way.”

Tickets for the Friday, February 4, 8 pm Bardavon performance of Paula Poundstone are available at the Bardavon Box Office (35 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, 845 473 2072), at the Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) Box Office, (602 Broadway, Kingston, 845 339 6088), and through Ticketmaster (800 745 3000, www.ticketmaster.com). Tickets are $36 Adult, $31 Bardavon Members. For further information, please log on to www.bardavon.org.