Hudson Opera House :: Event Calendar

May - June 2013 Events

What I Thought I Knew
Alice Eve Cohen
Saturday, May 18, 8pm
$16, $13 Advance $18, $15 Day of

What I Thought I Knew is a dark comedy, performed by one actress playing 40 roles. The play grapples with complex issues - including women's reproductive rights and our country's healthcare system - in a deeply personal and non-polemical way. A riveting odyssey through doubt, a broken medical system, and the complex terrain of motherhood and parenting, What I Thought I Knew is adapted from Cohen's acclaimed memoir - one of Oprah Magazine's "25 Best Books of Summer" and winner of Elle Lettres Grand Prix for Nonfiction. Written and performed by Alice Eve Cohen and directed by Elizabeth Margid.

Armen Donelian Trio
Saturday, June 15, 8pm
$12, $10 Advance $15, $12 Day of

An eclectic musician who has appeared internationally as a pianist, composer and bandleader since 1975, Armen Donelian has worked with jazz luminaries including Sonny Rollins, Mongo Santamaria and Chet Baker. Donelian's piano playing reveals a masterful command rooted in classical and jazz studies, clean articulation, a deft, swinging touch, access to a broad dynamic spectrum, a virtuosic harmonic vocabulary and a boundless source of creative ideas. At HOH, Donelian performs with David Clark on bass and George Schuller on drums.

The DownTown Ensemble
Saturday, June 22, 8pm
$12, $10 Advance $15, $12 Day of

The DownTown Ensemble returns to HOH with a program featuring works by poets George Quasha and Jackson Mac Low and performances by members of the DT Ensemble.

The Persephone Project
Thursday, Friday & Saturday, June 27, 28 & 29, 8pm

The DownTown Ensemble returns to HOH with a program featuring works by poets George Quasha and Jackson Mac Low and performances by members of the DT Ensemble.

8th Annual Hudson Valley Literary Festival Saturday, May 18, 11am - 4pm
Buy small press books for only $4 and literary magazines for only $2, and meet people who publish them at HOH. Presented by The Council of Literary Magazines and Presses, with Fence Books, Hudson Wine Merchants, & HOH. Free.

On the Waterfront & the Hollywood Blacklist
A lecture by
Rob Edelman
Friday, June 7, 7pm
This illustrated lecture will examine the climate in America that led to the House UnAmerican Activities Committee's (HUAC) ascent to power and will offer examples of the kinds of films that HUAC felt were subtle communist propaganda. On the Waterfront, directed by Elia Kazan and scripted by Budd Schulberg, is a classic American film, yet it also is an allegory of the Hollywood blacklist. Its content parallels (HUAC) practice of calling witnesses, asking to testify if they were Communist Party members, and expecting them to "name names" of other guilty parties. This program is part of the Speakers in the Humanities Project through the NY Council for the Humanities.

Save the Date!

Winter Walk
Saturday, December 7, 2013
5 - 8pm

HOH is seeking volunteers to assist effort both before and during this year's Winter Walk. Both professional and amateur performers and volunteers are needed. Contact us!

Save the Date
HOH Gala 2013
Saturday, September 28

To benefit the ongoing free programs and restoration of HOH. Takes place at the Basilica Hudson.

I AM: Coarc Exhibition
May 4 - June 2
Opening reception on Saturday, May 4, from 5 to 7 pm
I AM: Coarc is a collection of self-portrait photographs and paintings created by adults with disabilities in Homegrown Project Workshops led by Sasha Sicurella, directing founder of the I AM: International Foundation. Individuals from Coarc programs participated in storytelling, drawing and observation exercises that focused on personal identity.

Art Meets Art:
Perspectives On and Beyond Olana
June 8 – August 11
Curator Richard Roth invited contemporary artists to respond to Olana's art, architecture, landscape and views. Artists include Peter Aaron, Marina Abramovic, Edward Avedisian, Carolyn Marks Blackwood, R.O. Blechman, McWillie Chambers, Sasha Chermayeff, Lynn Davis (The Big View, photo above), DJ Spooky, David Franck, Tom Froese, Makoto Fujimura, Rodney Alan Greenblat, Phyllis Hjorth, Philip Howie, Chad Kleitsch, Melora Kuhn, Annie Leibovitz, Richard Minsky, John Morra, Bruno Pasquier-Desvignes, Ken Polinskie, Lucio Pozzi, Eric Rhein, Robert Rodriguez Jr., Stephanie Rose, Dan Rupe, Margaret Saliske, Barbara Slate, Ed Smith, Tim Slowinski, Sarah Sterling, Bill Sullivan, Earl Swanigan, Benjamin Swett, and Tony Thompson. Works will be at the Hudson Opera House and at the Coachman's House Gallery at Olana. Opening receptions are on Saturday, June 8, from 4 – 7pm at Olana, and 6 – 8pm at HOH.

Chess with Chris Chanin
Fri & Sat June 21 - 22, 10am - noon, K-2nd grade

Fri & Sat June 28 - 29, 10am - noon, 3-6th grade

Papercrafts
with Ken Polinskie
Tuesdays, 3 - 4:30pm April 9 - June 11
Led by papermaking artist Ken Polinskie. Students will create puppets, action figures, masks and more using recycled items as well as creating their own handmade paper along with sculptures using paper and other found objects. Will culminate in a mini-exhibition at the Hudson Opera House.For ages 8 - 11.

Theatre Project with Pamela Badila
The Tale of the Little Red Hen
Thursdays, 3 - 4:30pm April 11 - June 13
An afterschool theatre project taught by Pamela Badila, director of Diata Diata International Folkloric Theatre. Project culminates in a performance on the last session. Ages 6 - 8.

Creative Music & Movement
for Toddlers
Wednesdays, 10am, through June 5
Join local artist Abby Lappen for weekly fun for toddlers to explore creative arts including music and movement! Parent participation is encouraged. Ages 18 months and up. Free.

Hip Hop Dance
Wednesdays, 5:15 - 6:15pm, through May 1 & May 8
A hip hop dance workshop taught by Anthony Molina in collaboration with Operation Unite. An emerging artist, Anthony's credits in-clude 106 & Park, Bad Boys Comedy Show, he's taken 1st place at the Apollo Theater, Senior Hip Hop Arnold Classic and Wildout Wednesday on BET. He was a semi-finalist on So You Think You Can Dance, Clara and has performed with Vanaver Caravan and a seasoned choreographer and dancer of Energy Dance Company of Kingston. Open to ages 6 & up.

Hudson Community Book Group
Wednesdays, 6 - 7:30pm, through June
In collaboration with Hudson City School District. students and their parents participate in a facilitated conversation about literature. Free.

Kuumba African Dance & Drum
Saturdays, 11 am drum, 12 pm dance, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & April 6, 13, 20, & 27
Everybody Drum, everybody Dance! A community workshop in collaboration with Kuumba Dance & Drum and Operation Unite. Bring a drum or share one of ours. Adults, $5; youth are free. For more information call 518-828-3612.

The Art of Collage
with D. Jack Solomon
Saturdays, 10am - 12pm, May 11, 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15
$225/$195 members
Collage, as a fine art medium, has been of interest to many artists since early in the 20th century. The Art of Collage will approach this process through thematic subject-based projects along with investigating different materials and techniques. Drawing skills are not a prerequisite. All levels of artistic development will benefit from this experience.
First Day Materials: Sketchbook (12 X 9" suggested), HB Pencils, Eraser, Sharpie (fine point), Scissors, Xacto Knife - #11 blade, a small bottle of Elmers or Sobo glue *Additional materials will be requested later Registration deadline is May 8
e-mail today to register!

Intro to Western Papermaking, History and Beginner Techniques
with Ken Polinskie
Saturdays, 2 - 4 pm, October 12, 19, 26 & Nov. 2 $225, $195 members
Ken attended New York City's High School of Art and Design, and he took classes "as I saw fit" at the School of Visual Arts, the New School, and the Art Students League.

Life Drawing with Model
Sundays, 10am - 1pm, through May 19
Artists work independently in a disciplined environment; No instructor or specific method is followed. At left, from the Life Drawing session by Gretchen Kelly. $15 per session.

Kuumba Latin Fever
With Elena Mosley
Mondays, 6 - 7:30 pm, May 14 - June 25
A Latin dance fitness class for women with Elena Mosely of Kuumba Dance & Drum. $2 donation. Call 828-3612 for more info.

Kuumba African Dance & Drum
Saturdays, 11 am drum, 12 pm dance, May 14 - June 15
Everybody Drum, everybody Dance! A community workshop in collaboration with Kuumba Dance & Drum and Operation Unite. Bring a drum or share one of ours. Adults, $5; youth are free. For more information call 518-828-3612.

Drawing What You See
Fridays, 2 - 4 pm, June 7, 14, 21 & 28
$120 / $95 members
For those wishing to learn how to draw. Classes will include quick lessons and demonstrations of drawing techniques. Students will have the chance to practice these skills and complete several drawings, usually by the end of each 2-hour lesson. We will work from observations, starting with simple objects and moving to more complex still life arrangements and interior spaces. You will be thrilled by the progress documented in your sektchbook! Taught by Artist/Educator Julie Carino.