Art and Culture in Hudson Valley New York

I am from New York City and moved to the Hudson Valley region of NY one year ago and was disappointed with the coverage of the Art scene here. In fact, I didn't think there was a "scene". Unlike NYC, there were few newspapers like the Village Voice which, in the city, can be found on virtually every corner and even in many coffee shops. I wanted to know where to go in Hudson Valley. I was hungry for culture.

I longed for a Gallery opening, a theatrical production, or a bite of sushi that was not in a plastic container at ShopRite or Walmart. I was beside myself. I had not had a proper latte in a year and Starbucks does NOT count.

I scoured the net and after finding a few things of interest, I tested the waters. I went to a Poetry Reading hosted by the Hudson Valley Writer's Workshop in Sleepy Hollow thinking that I might be in for a special evening. As I drove to Sleepy Hollow, my mind became excited. I thought about the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe in the East Village and how inspiring and raw the poets were. When I arrived at the poetry reading I found a bunch of over fed and intellectually under nourished malcontents whose poetry was trite and, at times, overly academic.

I wanted something raw and powerful and I didn't want to go to the city each time I needed a "culture fix". That's when it occurred to me that there has to be others who feel the same way. Perhaps by going on a cultural outing each weekend to test the waters, I can write about it and review what I have seen so that other "culture addicts" will know where to go.

On Saturday and Sunday (July 25, 26) in Goshen there will be an outdoor production of Shakespeare's " The Taming of the Shrew" at 3pm at Salesian Park.

We will see...