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.