All phone numbers are in area code 518 unless otherwise indicated.  All addresses are in Hudson unless otherwise indicated.

Thursday, March 2 

Staley B. Keith Social Justice Center Fourth Anniversary Fundraiser – Featuring the Truthworker Theatre Company from Brooklyn, NY and spoken word by Hudson native, Anneice Cousin – Honoring the Drive Time Traffic Team (Slay Diddy, The Grand, and Big Vern) and Community Leader Annette Perry Miller – Information at 965-3372 or by e-mail to [email protected]  – 6 to 10 pm, with cocktails from 6 to 7 pm, and program at 7 pm – Club Helsinki, 405 Columbia Street

The Hudson-Chatham Outfit plays jazz at Or Gallery & Tavern every Thursday – Information at 917-873-4503 – 7 pm to 9:30 pm – Or Gallery and Tavern, 35 South Third Street

Thursday-Sunday, March 2-5

TSL Films:

In the Steps of Trisha Brown – Choreographer Trisha Brown revolutionized the world of contemporary dance.  Her work, with costumes by Robert Rauschenberg, moves to Paris to be performed by a new generation of dancers – In English and French with English subtitles

Behemoth – Documentarian Zhao Liang offers intoxicating and terrifying images of the ravages wrought by his country’s coal and iron industries on both the land and its people.  In Chinese with English subtitles

Bird on a Wire – This long-lost documentary, never released theatrically until now, captures Leonard Cohen during his 1972 “Bird On a Wire” tour.

I Am Not Your Negro – In 1979, James Baldwin planned to write a personal account of the lives and successive assassinations of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Now, in this Oscar-nominated documentary, filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book that James Baldwin never finished – The result is a radical, up-to-the-minute examination of race in America, using Baldwin’s original words and a flood of rich archival material.

Mr. Gaga – Ohad Naharin is regarded as one of the most important choreographers in the world. This spirited and insightful documentary introduces a man with great artistic integrity and an extraordinary vision… – In Hebrew and English with English subtitles

Deconstructing Sgt. Pepper – The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is one of the most influential albums of our time.  Rolling Stone describes it as “an unsurpassed adventure in concept, sound, songwriting, cover art, and studio technology by the greatest rock & roll group of all time.”  – In this film, Beatles expert Scott Freiman looks at the album from multiple angles, exploring the history behind the music.

Information and schedule at 822-8448 or www.timeandspace.org – Time & Space Ltd., 434 Columbia Street

Friday, March 3

Rhiannon Giddens & Dirk Powell – Rhiannon Giddens is best known as the lead singer, violinist, banjo player, and cofounder of the Grammy Award-winning country, blues and old-time music band Carolina Chocolate Drops.  With four Grammy Awards to his credit, Dirk Powell is considered one of the world’s leading experts on traditional Appalachian fiddle and banjo styles.  Together, the duo forges a unique blend of American music drawing on a multiplicity of traditions….Their musical range touches on all of what makes American music the resonant force that it is, including fearless original songs written with the conviction to open and heal the wounds of racism and other forms of prejudice that continue to haunt us…. Information at 828-4800 or helsinkihudson.com – 9 pm – Club Helsinki, 405 Columbia Street

Friday-Thursday, March 3-9

Films this week at Crandell Theatre in Chatham – Moonlight, awarded this year’s Oscars for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay; Lion, nominated for six Oscars; and I Am Not Your Negro, starring Samuel L. Jackson, speaking the words of James Baldwin  – Schedule and trailers at [email protected] or call 392-3331 – Crandell Theatre, 48 Main Street, Chatham

Saturday, March 4

The Winter Hudson Farmers’ Market is going strong – Greens such as arugula, spinach, lettuce mix, and Asian greens are available, and so are breads, eggs, meats and cheeses, prepared savories and sweets, quiches, pies, tarts, nuts, fair trade coffee, soups and stocks – Big blossoming branches are available, as are tulips, daffodils and ranunculus – It’s spring (almost)! – 10 am to 1 pm – 601 Union Street, at the southern end of Sixth Street

The Metropolitan Opera, live in HD, presents its new production of Dvorak’s Rusalka– Information and reservations at 822-8448 – 12:55 pm – Time & Space Limited, 434 Columbia Street

A reception for the Fat Bike Project – In collaboration with Zach Feuer and Velo Domestique Bicycle Shop in Chatham, local artists Jason Middlebrook and Kianja Strobert have collaborated to custom-paint the frames on Fat Bikes for Art Omi.  Fat Bikes have larger tires and a sturdy frame making them uniquely able to ride through snow and rough, wet terrain.  This reception features the custom-painted Fat Bikes and makes them available to visitors to explore the grounds at Omi during any season.  Ron of Velo Domestique Bicycle Shop will lead a ride through The Fields during the event.  Visitors can test out the new bikes on a marked 10 minute ride, or bring their own bikes for a spin around the park.  Meet the artists, share refreshments and learn more about Fat Bikes – Information at artomi.org – Free and open to the public – 1 to 3 pm – Benenson Visitors Center, Omi International Arts Center, 1405 County Route 22, Ghent

Spencertown Academy Arts Center presents Helping the Hudson Valley: Where Are We Headed? – This community discussion will explore the current economic state of the region and those bent on improving it for all.  The panel includes Sarah Sterling, County Supervisor for Hudson’s First Ward and a board member of the Columbia Economic Development Corporation, and of the Columbia County Industrial Development Agency; Peter Taylor, new president of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation; and Pierce Sioussat, CEO and founder of Bioforce USA, a Ghent-based sales and marketing company.  The panel is moderated by David Black, award-winning journalist, novelist, screenwriter, and producer, and a senior fellow at the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism at Brandeis University. – Part of the Conversations with Neighbors series – Information and tickets at spencertownacademy.org or 392-3693 – 3 pm – Spencertown Academy Arts Center, 790 Route 203

The Living Library – The Hudson Area Library and Drop Forge & Tool are collaborating on a practical program called “Living Library,” during which participants can meet with experts in various fields. For example, you can learn how to conserve old family photographs and documents, research local family history, make herbal tea and discover its benefits, sew a button on to pretty much anything, find and download useful apps for your phone or device, properly care for and display the American flag, and more!  The library is a place to find information through books, lectures, and online sources. At this event participants can learn practical information and skills directly from members of our Hudson community. Experts on hand will include Jonathan Simons, real estate photographer, web page designer, photo retoucher and restorer; Lauren Giambrone, community herbalist, medicine maker and educator; Jeff Rigby, a library, museum and archive conservationist and bookbinder; Tod Wohlfarth, graphic designer; Lisa Durfee, vintage clothier, photographer and mudlark; John Craig, local history researcher; Perfect Ten teens, crafters of cool things; and Dan Shaughnessy, member of Elks Lodge #787.  The event is free and open to the public and will take place throughout the library, all of which is wheelchair accessible.  For information on Drop Forge & Tool, the library’s partner for this program, go to dropforgeandtool.com – For questions about this event, call 828-1792 x 101 – 3 to 5 pm – Hudson Area library, 51 North Fifth Street, corner of State Street

Exhibition Opening – Ubbe and Sacco: Drawings & Sculptures by Guest Artist Sean Sullivan – Also exhibiting gallery artists – On view through March 26 – Information at 822-0510 or www.510warrenstreetgallery.com  – 3 to 6 pm – 510 Warren Street Gallery, 510 Warren Street

House Rules Café Open House – House Rules Café is a board game café—a welcoming place with a library of board games available for in-house play.  The layout of the café will feature a nook reserved specifically for children, and a collection of games that appeals to all age groups, including young adults.  It is a family-friendly alternative to the usual nightlife. The menu will consist of traditional American fare, focusing on comfort foods – Guests at the Open House will have the opportunity to taste some of the featured menu items and to taste wines from the wine list.  – Select games will be set up for play.  The Open House provides an opportunity for visitors to see what has been done to the space and what is left to be done – Stations will be set up to allow visitors to pledge their support through a Kickstarter campaign that will help fund the renovation – Information on the Café’s facebook page or call 828-5938 – Open House at 4 pm – House Rules Café, 757 Columbia Street (at the corner of 8th Street)

Mother Ann’s Birthday celebration at the Shaker Bar – A celebration of the 281^st birthday of Shaker founder Mother Ann Lee (February 29, 1736 – September 8, 1784), and the beginning of Women’s History Month, marked every year in March.  Starting with Mother Ann Lee, influential Shaker women will be highlighted through images on the bar’s walls, and guests will learn about the Shaker Museum’s 2017 season exploring Shaker women and women’s activism in recognition of the 100^th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New York State.  Museum members will receive one free complimentary drink if they show their membership card. – Information at https://shakerml.org – 5 to 7 pm – Shaker Bar, 119 Warren Street

Exhibition Opening – Emerging Artists 2017 – This annual exhibition features works by twenty-six artists from three countries, exhibiting sculpture, painting, photography, collage, drawing, and graphics in abstract, realist, surreal, and political forms – Information at [email protected] or 828-2343 – 5 to 7 pm – The Limner Gallery, 123 Warren Street

Footings and Pigeons – Footings is a new project from Eric Gagne, Elisabeth Fuchsia, and Dustin Ashley Cote – Visit https://footings.bandcamp.com/ — Pigeons is Wednesday Knudsen, Clark Griffin, Pat Gubler, and Rob Smith, formerly from The Bronx, but now based in Austerlitz, NY –  Information at 828-1562 or http://thehalfmoonhudson.com/events/ – 8 pm – The Half Moon, 48 South Front Street

Botanica with DJ Ephraim Asili – Vinyl Healing & Good Vibes – Information at 828-1562 or http://thehalfmoonhudson.com/events/ – 9 pm – The Half Moon, 48 South Front Street

Sunday, March 5

Brunch for Habitat – Columbia County Habitat for Humanity presents Elaine Khosrova, author of Butter: A Rich History – Guests will have an opportunity to win door prizes, including an autographed copy of Ms. Khosrova’s book, and samples of specialty butters from Bimi’s, a family-owned cheese shop  in Chatham.  Information and reservations, which are strongly recommended, at 828-0892 – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm – Blue Plate, 1 Kinderhook Street, Chatham

The National Theatre of London presents its production of Saint Joan, George Bernard Shaw’s classic play – Information and reservations at 822-8448 – 1 pm – Time & Space Limited, 434 Columbia Street

Bridges of Peace & Hope concert and celebration – Performers include Will Brown, Jeff Neumann, Tim Belmore, Anne Marie & John Farrell, and Kofi Donkor, performing folk, country, blues, original songs, sing-alongs, world music, and African drumming led by Kofi Donkor – News of new Bridges of Peace connections being made around the world will be shared with the audience – Free admission; donations appreciated – Information at 845-216-1939 – 2 pm – Hillsdale United Methodist Church, corner of Routes 22 & 23, Hillsdale

Classics on Hudson, in association with the Hudson Opera House, presents the string quartet ETHEL in a family concert featuring excerpts from their original work, Circus: The Lives Behind the Big Top, commissioned by the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.  For this special one-performance-only concert, ETHEL will delight children and their families as they evoke the spirit of the individuals who brought fantasy, excitement and mystery to the three rings. – Students 13 and under are admitted free-of-charge – Information and reservations at 822-1438 or visit hudsonoperahouse.org – 3 pm – Hudson Opera House, 327 Warren Street

The Fabulous Versatones – Doing their best to make America great again! – This five-man swing band plays for dancing and general fooling around – Information at 828-1562 or http://thehalfmoonhudson.com/events/ – Music & dancing from 7 to 9ish pm – The Half Moon, 48 South Front Street

Next Tuesday, March 7

Helsinki Open Mic – Try out new material on the big Helsinki stage – Hosted by Cameron Melville and Ryder Cooley – Information at 828-4800 or helsinkihudson.com – Sign-up begins at 6:30 pm – Performance from 7 to 10 pm – Club Helsinki, 405 Columbia Street

For more information on Columbia County events, visit www.columbiacountytourism.org

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