Cool art, reasonable prices

If your best friend's boudoir needs a shot of style, consider giving her a print from a cutting edge illustrator or designer.

This weekend's "Limited Run" show at the new Open Space gallery in Beacon features wallet-friendly prints and zines from more than 25 artists.

I love this "Star Girl" print from graphic artist Wing Ngan.

Best friend's gift solved. I might also do some shopping for myself.

Don't you just love Prince?

Sorry for the lame reference to a certain 1990 film.

If you didn't get your fill at the "Purple Rain" screenings at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck, you're going to love this one:

The Colony Cafe in Woodstock is hosting a Prince dance party Saturday at 9 p.m.

DJ Delirious, aka Sharon Nichols, invites you to "come worship at the Prince shrine, watch some 'Purple Rain' and dance! All Prince, All Night."

Admission is just 5 bucks.

Go crazy.

Bardavon screens 'Sound of Music' tonight

Movie musicals are among the three terminally unhip guilty pleasures to which I succumb.

The other two are trips to Disney World — I'm going in December — and "Neil Diamond - The Greatest Hits (1966-1992)."

"The Sound of Music," one of the greatest movie musicals of all time, will be screened tonight at 8 at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, 35 Market St., Poughkeepsie.

Tickets are $5.

For more information, click here.

If you are willing to share your unhip guilty pleasures — anonymously is fine — please comment below.

Shop for handmade this weekend, Part 3

Stacie Flint's flower oil paintings are part of "Made in the Hudson Valley 2007," an exhibition of high-end crafts and fine art at the Pritzker Gallery @ Casa del Arte.

The opening reception takes place Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the gallery, 257 South Riverside Road in Highland.

Featured artists are Jose Acosta, Judi Boruta, Felicia Flanagan, Stacie Flint, Ana Laura Gonzalez, Nanci Hawkins, Susanah Lor, Susan Minier, Franc Palaia, Claudia Pflueger, Karin Ruoff, Micky Shorr and Marlene Wiedenbaum.

Shop for handmade this weekend, Part 2

The December Group Show opens Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kingston Museum of Contemporary Arts, a friendly, progressive gallery on Abeel Street in Kingston.

KMOCA concentrates on outsider art and work with a strong social commentary.

The following artists are featured: Cindy Hoose (creatures and small paintings), Heather Gabriel (pottery), Jacinta Bunnell (handmade journals, small paintings), Jennifer Maharry (paintings), Jenny Fowler (3D snowflakes and silhouette portraits), Lea Bozman (encaustic pieces), Marlene Bloomer (postcards), Morgan Haude (pottery and jewelry), Oliver Piperato (photography), Sadie Brathwaite (paintings), Sue Foss (paintings and collage), Trevor Bittinger (photos and illustrations) and Warren Schmahl (cardboard sculpture window display).

Saturday's opening party features music by Fergie & Bob.

Refreshments include homemade cookies and hot-mulled wine. Cozy.

The group show gives you the opportunity to get original presents and support the arts instead of the box stores.

KMOCA's normal hours are Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

(Courtesy photo of Warren Schmahl's colorful cardboard creations)

Shop for handmade this weekend, Part 1

Don't do malls? Me neither (except for the occasional trip to Target).

When it comes to the holidays, I want to give gifts that are handmade by my neighbors, not mass-produced in a sketchy factory a world away.

But I don't want to give crafts that are too precious.

For me, this weekend's Tivoli United Craft + Art marketplace is the answer.

It has an independent spirit — many of the Tivoli-based artisans have Etsy.com Web sites — and the works for sale have style.

Check it out.

My Thanksgiving Eve party pick

It's arguably one of the biggest nights to party of the year: Thanksgiving Eve.

If you have no plans yet, may I suggest heading to Tivoli for Santa Fe's party with DJ Mr. Chips? He will serve up hip-hop, electro funk, mash-ups and dance classics.

The party starts at 10 p.m. No cover. (which leaves dinero for margaritas)

If you know of any other good Thanksgiving Eve parties, please comment. Gracias.

Vassar party celebrates hip-hop

Vassar College is hosting a party tonight as part of its celebration of Hip Hop History Month.

The Four Pillars Concert/Party, which begins at 10 p.m. at the Villard Room in the College Center, features emcee Tu Phace.

Breakdancing, graffiti art, djing and emceeing will all be celebrated.

Earlier today at 4 p.m. in Room 300 of Rockefeller Hall, a panel of experts will discuss "Under the Turntable: Examining Violence, Misogyny & Homophobia in Hip Hop."

The events are free and open to the public.

Check it.

Warhol legend Billy Name to exhibit here

Poughkeepsie native and resident Billy Name, the "fotographer" for Andy Warhol's Factory, will exhibit 1968 color photographs at Albert Shahinian Fine Art in Poughkeepsie.

Name will appear at an opening reception for his exhibition, which he is co-headlining with Pleasant Valley painter Margaret Crenson, Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the gallery, 198 Main St.

(1968 photo of Andy Warhol by Billy Name)

Also on Saturday, Cabaret Voltaire Art Center will open "Transience" and "Re-words," multi-media installations with video, sound, photo and text by Sukran Aziz, Karen Dolmanisth, Kirtland Synder, Matthew Slaats and Fuat Yalin.

The opening takes place Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Dada-inspired art center, 358 Main St.

I think it's high time you all took a second look at the art coming out of Po-town. See you Saturday.

Cheap old — and new — clothes

Out with the old ...

My colleague, Sarah Bradshaw, wrote a great story about the ins-and-outs of donating used clothing to local thrift shops and charities.

In the meantime, readers like me got some new ideas for places to shop for vintage threads like The Barn thrift shop in Pleasant Valley (pictured).

Check out Sarah's story here.

(Poughkeepsie Journal photo by Karl Rabe)

... and in with the new

I just got word that Steve & Barry's is opening a new location Thursday in the Kingston Plaza in Kingston.

The store, which touts itself as selling "high quality clothing for the entire family at astonishing low prices," features Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten line.

Beacon wine shop talks turkey Saturday

Artisan Wine Shop, one of my favorite wine stores in the Hudson Valley, will be hosting a Thanksgiving-themed tasting this Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m.

From the Web site:

"As we said last year, the Thanksgiving meal has its own set of challenges. While in some homes, turkey takes center stage, it’s really all the sides that should be the focus of your wine choice. Stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy all duke it out for attention, creating a melée of divergent flavors. Our approach is to focus on wines that offer balance, meaning wines that possess moderate amounts of acid, fruit, tannin and so on, with no one component overshadowing the others.

This Saturday, we’re focusing on U.S. wines, taking you on a tour of a few key American growing regions. Join us as we welcome Peter Zitz from acclaimed distributor Michael Skurnik Wines as he guides us through these prime holiday selections. We will also be making roast turkey and a savory sausage and fennel stuffing to give you a preview of how these wines will liven up your holiday table."

Here are the wines that will be poured: Gruet Rosé Brut Méthode Champenoise NV, Tablas Creek Vineyard Côtes de Tablas Blanc Paso Robles 2005 – Organically Grown, A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir Oregon 2006, Teira Zinfandel Sonoma County 2005, Nelms Road Cabernet Sauvignon Washington State 2006.

All will be on sale at Saturday's tasting.

Bearsville Theater hosts hip-hop party

Clubhouse presents "The Backyard," a party with Woodstock-based DJs Lady Verse, G-Pace and Magic Juan at the Bearsville Theater on Friday.

Doors open at 10 p.m. and admission is $5.

Freaky puppet show in Kingston warehouse

Masked performers, puppeteers and video and soundscape designers will present "Quaque Nocte," an active dreamscape world, at a warehouse space in Kingston's midtown neighborhood.

Performances are this Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m., Nov. 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 17 at 5 p.m.

There is a $10 suggested donation at the door, 82 Prince St., Kingston.

Oh, and I don't advise bringing the kids to this one.

DJ Paul Nice to spin in Beacon Saturday

Paul Nice, the Poughkeepsie-based DJ/producer who has worked with Mark Ronson, the Beastie Boys and Amy Winehouse, will rock the decks at Saturday's Next Step party at the Piggy Bank Restaurant in Beacon.

The party, presented by the new Open Space gallery, begins at 10 p.m., right after the Second Saturday art opening receptions in the city.

It takes place at the Piggy Bank, 448 Main St., and costs 5 bucks.

Celebren El Dia de Los Muertos hoy

Many of the mid-Hudson Valley's Mexican restaurants and bodega kitchens have decorated elaborate altars and feature special menus for the culmination of El Dia de Los Muertos.

For upscale Mexican, try Mexican Radio in Hudson, Santa Fe in Tivoli, La Puerta Azul in Millbroook or Armadillo in Kingston.

For more casual fare, head to La Cabanita or Mole Mole in Poughkeepsie, Tacocina Groceries and Mexican Food in Wappingers, La Mexicana Mexican Grocery in Red Hook, or El Danzante in Kingston.

Speaking of Day of the Dead the Elting Library in New Paltz is hosting a talk about the festival today at 5 p.m.

(Poughkeepsie Journal archive photo of La Puerta Azul by A. J. Soto)

New Yorker artist gets love from Vassar

The work of Saul Steinberg, who is best known for his New Yorker covers, will be exhibited starting Friday at Vassar College's Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center on the Poughkeepsie campus.

"Saul Steinberg: Illuminations" is a retrospective of more than 100 works.

Read my preview of the show here.

It's a must-see. And it's free. (Which means I will have cash to spend on cocktails at The Artist's Palate restaurant after I hit Friday's opening.)

("I Do, I Have, I Am," 1971, The Saul Steinberg Foundation, New York.)

Get your scare on at Beacon's Muddy Cup

I just got an e-mail from the Beacon Arts Community Association.

They are hosting a costume party fund-raiser at the Muddy Cup on Friday.

Tickets are $10 and include music, food and non-alcoholic beverages. BYOB.

The Muddy Cup is at 129 Main St. in Beacon.

More details to (hopefully) come.

If you feel like dancing and/or rocking out ...

I've got some Halloween-themed parties for you this weekend:

Friday

The Down in the Valley crew is hosting a Halloween Spooktacular at the reopened Coast in Tivoli.

DJ Mr Chips will be spinning "on the bubbling cauldron of beats." Costumes are mandatory.

Party starts at 10 p.m. and costs $5.

Kingston's Muddy Cup hosts Clubhouse's HallowGroove, described as a "night of debauchery" with DJ Lemar Soulflower (phat, dark beats) and DJ Lady Verse (hip-hop grooves).

Beer will be provided courtesy of Keegan Ales.

Cost is $10 with costume, $15 without.

Doors open at 9 p.m.

Saturday

Speaking of Keegan Ales, the Kingston brewery is hosting its own Halloween costume party Saturday night.

The bands White Knuckle Rodeo, Love Panther and Johnny Thursday And The Friday Nights are scheduled to play.

Also Saturday, the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock is throwing a Halloween bash with S'OVA, a two-man funk band with guitar and turntables; The Passage Project, a mix of jazz, funk, rock and electronica; and Funk Mafia, a five-piece funk band.

DJs Flaniman and Magic Juan will keep the costumed party-goers dancing.

Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20.

For you fans of rockabilly, The Greyhounds are playing a free 9 p.m. show at Hoe Bowl Mardi-Bob bowling alley, 45 Taft Ave. in Poughkeepsie.

Dress code is "Dress to kill."

If you know of any other adult-oriented Halloween happenings, please share and post below.

'Purple Rain' named best soundtrack ever

Could the timing be more perfect?

Just two days before the sing-along screening of "Purple Rain" at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck, Reuters reports that the editors of Vanity Fair have named the soundtrack of Prince's cult film the best ever.

All hail the Purple One.

4 1/2 stars for Elephant

I took a deep breath after hearing the Poughkeepsie Journal's restaurant critic, Daniel Mochon, had reviewed Kingston's Elephant, my favorite place to sip and nosh.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Mochon knows his stuff and expects a lot from mid-Hudson Valley chefs and restauranteurs.

From his past reviews, I can conclude that bad service is his biggest bugaboo.

I am happy to report that he loved Elephant co-owner Maya Karrol's approach: "Her service was very attentive and thoughtful, with a professional poise and sense of timing that comes from years of dining room experience. With all of the small dishes, table busing becomes even more critical and Karrol did a great job keeping clutter to a minimum."

Read the full, glowing, review here.

Phew.

Now I can continue to eat there in peace.

(Poughkeepsie Journal photo by A.J. Soto)

Should I be The Kid or Apollonia?

Upstate Films in Rhinebeck is hosting three screenings of "Purple Rain," Prince's legendary film with the Oscar-winning soundtrack, next week: Oct. 26 at 11:30 p.m., Oct. 27 at at 11:30 p.m. and Oct. 28 (time TBD).

Audiences are strongly encouraged to dress in costume for the Friday night screening, during which dancing and singing along to "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy" a la "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" will be welcome.

Prizes will be awarded for the best "Purple Rain"-themed costume, best Prince look-alike and the most creative costume overall.

All costumes are welcome, related to the film or to the 1980s in general, or not....

Cost is $6.

Wow.

Time to redecorate

Ah, our post-collegiate efforts to furnish that first house or apartment.

I know I've assembled a hodgepodge of hand-me-downs, thrift-store finds and Ikea purchases that admittedly make no design sense whatsoever.

At the same time, I have no interest in shopping at those big box furniture stores that supply the region's McMansions.

Could Suite Designs on Route 9D in Fishkill be the answer?

The store features products from artisan partners encouraged to use environmentally friendly processes and sustainable natural resources.

They include rosewood furniture from India, contemporary and traditional upholstered furniture from Canada and Mexico, silk pillows from Thailand, crewel rugs and pashminas from Kashmir, handcolored cotton bags from Colombia and stone, ceramic and woven treasures from four continents.

All goods are fairly traded, according to co-owner Jacklyn Faust, who attended Parsons School of Design.

Suite Designs also features fine art by Carol Pepper-Cooper, George Erikson, Stacie Flint, Adam Manley, Joshua Morris, Lara Rodrian, Linda Saland, Elayne Seaman and David Wiseltier.

Check out the store and meet some of the artists, designers and vendors this Saturday. The fall celebration will feature tastings of local wines and custom-blended teas as well as savory snacks.

Gone to the movies

Hey everyone. I'm going to spend the rest of the week posting on Peace, Love and Movies, a Woodstock Film Festival blog I'm sharing with Poughkeepsie Journal music writer John Barry and videographer Chrissie Williams (Odd Couple).

Expect lots of photos, movies reviews, interviews with filmmakers and some behind-the-scenes anecdotes.

Vassar College film professor Mia Mask has agreed to review a couple of movies for us and we will be meeting up with The Filmonista.

If you are heading to any of this year's venues in Woodstock, Rhinebeck, Rosendale or Hunter, please post comments about your experiences. We want to know EVERYTHING.

See you at the movies.

(Photos from last year's festival are by me. Yes, that's Matt Dillon. Yes, I got to meet him. Yes, I almost died.)

Talk about exiled hipsters ...

Trish Strombeck (a Hudson Valley native and one of my best friends) and her husband, Christoph Mayer, are featured in the City section of today's New York Times.

Here's the description of the story from the Times' Web site: "A small but growing number of hip young things have begun staring in the face of Staten Island’s lack of coolness and embracing it."

The online version of the story also includes mp3s of Trish and Christoph's irreverent, "anti-folk" songs about life in New York City's forgotten borough.

Learn more about this duo on their Web site.

I'm so proud.

(Photo courtesy Christoph Mayer)

R.I.P. Mole Mole -- Mt. Carmel

Just found out that Mole Mole's darling Mount Carmel location in Poughkeepsie has closed. Fans can still get their fix from the 805 Main St. location (no delivery) or try the new Mole Mole (yes delivery) opposite Marist College.

The phone number for the new location is 845-471-4255.

I recommend the enchiladas negras.

Peek at my weekend plans

This weekend I'm celebrating my birthday AND my wedding anniversary (my actual anniversary, Oct. 13, takes place during the Woodstock Film Festival.)

Tonight the festivities begin at Le Canard Enchaine in Kingston. But my husband and I won't be eating from the restaurant's French menu. We will be sampling the once-a-month fixed price Moroccan dinner, complete with Middle Eastern dance featuring belly dancing. I can't wait.

Saturday morning is a whirlwind:
An early breakfast at Sweet Sue's -- the best pancakes ever -- in Phoenicia, off Route 28. I'm sure we'll have to wait a while for a table.

Then we continue on Route 28 to Belleayre Ski Center to check out its fall festival and ride the lift with the other fall foliage gawkers.

Then its back to Kingston for a ride down the Hudson on the Rip Van Winkle.

Then dinner at the new Global Palate on Route 9W in West Park. I have had a wonderful brunch there. I'm really excited about dinner.

And last but not least, drinks at Elephant.

Phew!

Cheap eats update, Black Swan in Tivoli

A couple of Fridays ago I was jonesing for a great burger. Based on the recommendation of one of you lovely readers, my man and I headed to the Black Swan Pub in Tivoli.

When we arrived we saw a bunch of professor types enjoying large bowls of stew and platters of seafood and rice while helping the bartender out with the NY Times crossword.

We headed to the back kitchen and were greeted by Edwin.

"Can I order a burger and fries?" I asked.

Edwin looked at me with sad, disappointed eyes. "I don't do hamburgers and fries. Americans eat too much greasy, fried food," he said.

Instead he offered up to us the evening's two choices: venison stew or tilapia served with brown rice pilaf and homemade guacamole.

"How much for the tilapia?" I asked.

"Let me see, for you, $7.50," he said.

A pint later, Edwin delivered the gorgeous plate of food to the table. It was very fresh tasting and full of flavor.

He tells us he likes to do healthful Latin American-inspired fare instead of the standard pub chow.

He's in the kitchen Wednesdays through Saturdays. Bring cash.

The Black Swan is at 66 Broadway in Tivoli. Call 845-757-3777.

(Poughkeepsie Journal archive photo by Karl Rabe)

Drawing while intoxicated

Here's something you don't see every day. The Museum of Drunken Art's "vast holdings of drunken art" is coming to Beacon this weekend.

The collection, which ranges from drawings made on napkins, found paper and cardboard to more elaborate three-dimensional sculptural displays, will be exhibited at beacon artist union, 161 Main St.

Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m., and by appointment. The show opens this Saturday and will be on view through Oct. 7.

The Brooklyn-based MODA collection includes work by: Enoch Emory, Ben Shambaugh, Tom Smrtic, Donald O'Finn, Katie Welty, Sam Crees, Nate Walker, PFC Timothy Miller, Justin Kase, Fred Mc Fate, Peter Teraberry, Some Professor from Pratt, Clayton Vogel-dreck, Shane Caffrey from the collection of Clay Vogel, Paula Bollers, Timothy Harrod, Damien Leibold, Alex Bell, Greg Henderson, Chris Beams, Anthony R. Toe, Ross, Maurice Lester, Rust Post, Scott Harder, Gregg Samosa, Bon Scott, N. E. Vretta, J. Otto and Fred Thompson.

In addition, one wall in the gallery will be left empty for donations of drunken art made by Beacon-area residents.

Try the dumplings

As promised, I returned to Twisted Soul in Poughkeepsie Thursday to sample the food. I ordered the crab/corn/lemongrass dumplings.

The sous chef/counter help person, who was preparing a homemade waffle batter, asked me if I was staying -- yes, I was -- but he still ended up serving the dish in a to-go container. Maybe they don't do dishes there?

Anyway, the homemade dumplings were melt-in-your-mouth delicate and the fillings were very tasty. The dumplings were garnished with carrots, bean sprouts and scallions and served with two sauces. I preferred the sweet chili sauce to the spicy Sriracha sauce. My only complaint: because they were so delicate the dumplings disappeared in a flash. I wanted more for my $5.95.

At 1 p.m. Thursday, I was the only customer in Twisted Soul, which is a bit of a schlep from the Poughkeepsie Journal offices. While I was there, a young man came in and asked the sous chef if they sold beef patties. "No, but we have empanadas," he offered.

I asked the chef what he was doing with the waffle batter. He said the waffles would be served with a pork shoulder that had been braised for 24 hours in an apple compote. He was taking this interesting version of chicken and waffles to the Arlington Farmers Market. Apparently, Twisted Soul has a booth there every Thursday. Lucky Vassar kids.

Go see 'Sunshine'

I caught a screening of "Sunshine" tonight (Wednesday) at Upstate Films.

I could hardly breathe through most of the sci-fi drama, directed by Danny Boyle ("Trainspotting, "28 Days Later.")

If I had to describe it I would say it's a cross between Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Event Horizon" (1998).

"Sunshine's" last screening is 6:10 p.m. Thursday at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck. I predict this will be a big hit on Netflix. Be able to say you saw it on the big screen.

Cheap eats update: Twisted Soul

I'm really excited about Twisted Soul, a 2-month-old eatery on the 400 block of Poughkeepsie's Main Street.

I just popped in today to pick up a menu. The place feels sleek, yet comfortable. And they have bubble tea! I will try it out later this week and report back.

Here's some of the highlights of the menu:

Dumpling Concept
Dumplings
6 pcs -- $5.95
Pork -- Cured Sausage -- Ginger, Beef -- Green Onion -- Garlic, Crab -- Corn -- Lemongrass, Tofu -- Moong Bean -- Sesame

Chef's Special Dumplings
6 pcs -- $6.45

Sauces
Sweet Chile Sauce or Sriracha Sauce

Rice Bowl Concept
$5.95
Jasmine Rice
Sauces
Thai Sweet and Sour, Thai Red Curry, Malaysian Curried Coconut, Hoisin-Peanut

Proteins $2
Grilled Chicken, Shrimp, Flavored Tofu

Empanada Concept
Authentic Argentinian Empanada
$1.75, 3 for $5, 12 for $18

Beef
Corn -- Goat Cheese, Chicken, Sweet Potato and Caramelized Onion and Portobello Mushroom

Chimichurri Sauce

Noodle Concept
$5.95
Udon Noodles
Sauces
Thai Sweet and Sour, Thai Red Curry, Malaysian Curried Coconut, Hoisin-Peanut

Proteins $2
Grilled Chicken, Shrimp, Flavored Tofu

Drink Concept
Bubble Tea
$2.75
Bubble Green Tea, Bubble Peach Green Tea, Bubble Lychee Green Tea, Bubble Milk -- Green Tea, Bubble Hibiscus Tea, Bubble Milk Hibiscus Tea

Smoothies
$3.50
Honeydew, Passion-Fruit, Coffee, Pineapple, Taro, Strawberry, Coconut

Fresh Fruit Smoothies
$3.50
Seasonal Fruits

Chef's Smoothies Infusion
$3.75

Twisted Smoothies
$4
Avocado-Banana-Mango, Carrot-Mango-Ginger, Tofu-Banana-Orange, Tofu-Mango-Orange

Twisted Soul is located at 442 Main St. Hours are Monday-Saturday, noon-8 p.m.

A peek at my weekend plans

It's going to be a jam-packed weekend for me.

Friday night I'll have a quick bite and glass of wine at Elephant (left, photo by A.J. Soto) in Kingston before heading to the Sarah Perrotta (right) show at the Bearsville Theater.




Saturday, I'll start with coffee at the Mudd Puddle in the Water Street Market in New Paltz then join other Hudson River Valley Ramble participants at Lake Minnewaska.

Then it's back to New Paltz for supper at the Village Tearoom.

I'll end the evening in Poughkeepsie's Waryas Park, where Suzanne Vega is playing for free.

I hope she sings my favorite "Left of Center" from the "Pretty in Pink" soundtrack. Does anyone else know/love that song but me?

Gallery screens provocative 9/11 film

The Kingston Museum of Contemporary Arts will present a free screening of Jarek Kupsc's "The Reflecting Pool" tonight at 8.

Here is the synopsis of this fiction story based on "confirmed" research: "An investigation of the 9/11 events by a Russian-American journalist and a father of a 9/11 victim implicates the US government in the attacks."

I will let you decide what you think of this film. KMOCA is doing what it does best: sparking debate.

Seating is limited. Arrive early.

As promised, details on Upstate late nights

This weekend, Upstate Films in Rhinebeck stays open for the late-night crowd.

"Paprika," a 2006 anime from director Satoshi Kon and based on the novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui, launches the series. Late-night screenings are this Friday and Saturday at 11:30 p.m.

The $7.50 regular admission is reduced for college students: $6 with valid ID. Be on the lookout for coupons for free popcorn at area colleges and local businesses.

Here is the rest of the current 11:30 p.m. screenings:

"Sunshine," Sept. 14 and 15.

"Exiled," Sept. 14 and 15.

"The Ten," Sept. 28 and 29.

I am most looking forward to "Purple Rain" with costume contest, Oct. 26 and 27.

Also, for all you hipster parents out there, Upstate has brought back its "Bring Your Own Baby" series. Now you can watch the latest David Cronenberg film without having to worry about your crying infant annoying the rest of the audience.

Long weekend means it's time to dance

The Clubhouse party is back at Bearsville Theater in Woodstock tonight at 9.

Those who arrive before 10 p.m. are rewarded with $5 admission. After 10, the price rises to 10 bucks.

Guest DJ Adam Warped, in a rare East Coast appearance, spins his signature smooth blend of obscure "forward thinking grooves."

The Bearsville Theater is located at 291 Tinker St.

Go dance.

Beacon store appeals to crafty gals

Feel Design, a young women-owned store in Beacon, features clothes and home decor made by other young, crafty women from the mid-Hudson Valley and the rest of the country.

Those looking for an unusual wedding or baby shower gift that isn't mass-produced in China might want to stop by.

I recently bought this vase (left) for a friend's bridal shower.






Wouldn't these pillows (right) make a cute addition to a nursery?

We hear ...

... that Upstate Films in Rhinebeck will host late-night screenings of cult/classic films on Friday and Saturday nights in September.

The screenings are part of the independent moviehouse's effort to draw in younger audiences, particularly college students.

More to come ...

(Poughkeepsie Journal photo by Karl Rabe)

Beacon's Homespun hosts movie night

The lovely and tasty Homespun Foods in Beacon is hosting dinner and a movie tonight at 7:30 in the back garden.

The featured movie, "Like Water for Chocolate," will be complemented by Mexican food.

Cost is $20 and includes a short video of animated shadow puppets.

Homespun is currently BYOW. A beer and wine license is coming.

Join me for Sunday's Slavic Soul Party

Look for me Sunday at the free closing night party of the Spiegeltent at Bard College. Slavic Soul Party will play the tent at 8:30 p.m.

These New York City-based musicians mix brass band music from diverse immigrant backgrounds with American jazz and soul.

As a Slavic who thinks she's got soul, I can't resist.

Don't miss 'Stardust'

I went to see this witty delight of a fantasy film last weekend. I left feeling the same way I did when I first saw "The Princess Bride" at the Rosendale Theatre in 1987.

And I predict "Stardust" is going to suffer the same fate: tanking at the box office and later becoming a cult hit.

Don't wait for Netflix. See it on the big screen.

"Stardust" is playing this weekend at Destinta 12 in New Windsor, Regal Cinemas Fishkill 10, Regal Cinemas Hudson Valley Mall in Kingston and Showtime Cinemas in Newburgh.

Jazz-infused opera probes secrets, mystery

Carl Hancock Rux uncovers the story of Angelo Soliman, an African in 18th-century Vienna and friend of Mozart, in "The Blackamoor Angel" opera. The jazz-infused work is being performed in the Spiegeltent at Bard College.

Final performances are Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Rux, who participated in a post-show talk last week, probes Soliman's involvement in Mozart's final operas, his mysterious death and the reason for the heinous postmortem display of his body in the imperial Naturalienkabinett.

(Poughkeepsie Journal photos by Lee Ferris)

To purchase $25 tickets, call 845-758-7900 or the box office Web site.

Woodstock welcomes graffiti art pioneers

On Sunday I checked out a really cool exhibition at Varga Gallery in Woodstock.

The show features works on canvas and paper by graffiti artists LSD-Om, KR.One, Flint..., TEAM (art pictured), Zephyr, Whisper and Revolt.

Most of these guys were writing on New York City subway trains in the 1970s and '80s.

The gallery is located at 130 Tinker St., next to Tinker Street Cinema.

Read my interview with KR.One in the upcoming issue of Enjoy!

(Photo of TEAM's "Plaster Joint" artwork contributed by Christina Varga)

Ulster County art lovers get free day at Dia

Residents of Ulster County get free admission to Dia:Beacon this Saturday, part of the contemporary art museum's Community Free Days. That's a $10 savings!

Bring a driver's license or other government-issued ID for free entry.

Afterward, head up Main Street for Windows on Main and other Second Saturday art openings.

See you out in Beacon Saturday!

Where do you sushi?

My weekends are spent gathering ingredients at the farmers' market and Fleisher's meats for elaborate home-cooked dinners. I enjoy cooking ... when I have lots of time.

But during the week I'm all about the joys of take-out.

Every Tuesday as I'm leaving the Poughkeepsie Journal offices, I make a call to my neighborhood sushi joint, Kyoto. My usual: spicy tuna rolls.

I also have had memorable meals at Hokkaido in New Paltz (super fresh, but expect to wait a while), Edo Sushi in Hyde Park and Osaka in Rhinebeck.

So where do you go when you need your sushi fix? Any places you steer clear away from?

How very civilized

The lovely Village TeaRoom in New Paltz is offering tea leaf readings by Tara O'Sullivan.

The readings, which begin Aug. 18, take place every first and third Saturday of the month from 3 to 6 p.m.

A portion of the proceeds from the readings, which cost $15, benefit a home for displaced boys in New Paltz.

For more information, call 845-255-3434.

(Poughkeepsie Journal photo by Darryl Bautista)

DIY comedy comes to Kingston

Punk rock comic Justin "JT" Habersaat returns to Kingston tonight for an underground comedy show at the Muddy Cup.

Habersaat has performed at Stand Up NYC, Laughing Wolf, Truly Twisted Comedy Festival and helped found the improv group, 5 Drunken Immortals. He also appeared on Comedy Central's "Upright Citizens Brigade" as well as Troma Film's "Toxic Avenger 4" opposite porn legend Ron Jeremy.

The former host of Indie Flux on WDST (100.1 FM), Habersaat in 2005 moved from the Hudson Valley to Austin, where he publishes the punk zine, Altercation.

Tonight's special guests include Chris Cubas and Jess Cohen.

Admission to the 8 p.m. show is 5 bucks.

(Photo courtesy Justin Habersaat)

Shout out to DJ Gaza

So my baby sister got married this weekend. The reception was at the new Grandview in Poughkeepsie. I was a little wary of it being a factory-style wedding, but I have to say it was absolutely flawless. Food was great, service was impeccable and all my sister's guests had a really great time.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was DJ Gaza, a turntablist from Brooklyn who made the wedding feel more like a dance club than a cheesy affair. He stayed away from too much MCing, letting the bride and groom be in the spotlight.

DJ Gaza, aka Gary Hoffmann, spun Blondie, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, A-ha (a request from the ring bearer), Outkast and Deee Lite, to name a few.

He even played some polkas, a nod to all the partying Polish-Americans in attendance.

Most of all he was really kind, checking in with my sister and her husband to make sure they were happy and keeping them informed.

Book him.

(Photo of Michael and Michelle Brenes by family friend Lou Miressi)

Art in the office

Artist/curator Christopher Albert of Beacon has injected contemporary artwork into a general accounting, auditing and tax consulting practice in Poughkeepsie.

The public is invited to view his efforts tonight at Bailey Browne CPA & Associates, 80 Washington St. in Poughkeepsie.

The reception takes place between 5 and 7 p.m.

In the photo above, Peter Acheson's work was placed among the plaques and awards Deborah Bailey Browne has hanging above her desk.

Other participating artists include Simon Draper, Alexis Elton, Marnie Hillsley and Matthew S. Kinney

Chris e-mailed me the following: "I'm interested in seeing how the visitors will respond to the artwork, as it is predominantly a very non art audience. Each time I've done this with Deborah Bailey Browne, I've tried to demonstrate the variety of work being done in contemporary art, and with each installation, I've wanted to (take) a step further into the real(m) of the unexpected in terms of the office environment.

Here, I've placed some work in a traditional manner, but I've also used the work in a spare, non-frontal way in some instances."

(Photo by artist Chris Albert)

McMansions as kaleidoscope

"Earthscapes," which opens Saturday at the Kingston Museum of Contemporary Arts, is an exhibition of landscape photography made through the open door of a Cessna 206.

Artist Paul Joffe captures the strangely beautiful patterns of tract houses and cul-de-sacs. He also documents cloud formations.

KMOCA, 103 Abeel St. in Kingston, is open Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. or by appointment.

The reception is this Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Bard show is psychedelic, melancholy

Psychedelic, dramatic, melancholy, beautiful: "The Elliott Smith Project," which plays Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Spiegeltent is many things. Uplifting isn't one of them.

The theatrical song cycle based on the singer/songwriter's posthumously released album, "From a Basement on the Hill," features two vocalists who utilize small cabaret tables and the stage of the round tent. The three musicians, who play guitar, ukulele, violin, bass and piano, are stationed in different booths that run the perimeter.

All the while a video artist moves through the audience (also seated at cabaret tables on the teak dance floor) and the performers, projecting the images she captures onto a screen.

"The Elliott Smith Project" will make you feel uneasy. It will disturb you. It will haunt you.

Tickets are $25.

Check out my story, which includes interviews with director Daniel Fish, in the upcoming issue of Enjoy!

(Bard College photo by Joanne Savio)

Start building your soapbox

From bearings and brakes to steering linkages, a workshop this Saturday will prepare you to enter one of the coolest events of the Hudson Valley summer: the 13th annual Artists' Soapbox Derby in Kingston, which takes place Aug. 19.

Saturday is the first of four informational public workshops on the design and construction of soapbox cars. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cornell Shops Building, 110 East Strand.

Other workshops take place Aug. 4, 11 and 18.

Now you have no excuse.

(Photo by Poughkeepsie Journal staffer Kathy McLaughlin)