The legendary Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Winter Cabaret returns to Hudson. Celebrating 25 years, Bindlestiff’s NYC Winter Cabaret season has provided a stage for the world’s best in circus, sideshow, vaudeville, burlesque, and variety. In 2006 Bindlestiff brought this stage spectacle to Hudson, NY for its inaugural splash at Basilica Industria, and since then Club Helsinki has been our upstate home.

Each month this winter will bring a new lineup of Cirkus and variety arts stars, with acts like trapeze, contortion, acrobatic balance, sword swallowing, juggling, physical comedy, and oddball novelty turns. The Bindlestiff stage is one of the few arenas in the world where you may see internationally renowned street performers, featured acts from Cirque du Soleil and Ringling Brothers, and artists made known by America’s Got Talent and local legends, live, on stage, and in the same show. Live music is a defining feature of Bindlestiff’s Cabaret shows, with witty, original tunes by a variety of NYC’s best composers and accompanists. Bindlestiff’s unique style reflects deep roots in NYC’s underground club scene, nods to political street theater, and a steady respect for the traditions of American popular entertainment and illegitimate theater. Unlike Bindlestiff’s family fare, the nighttime Bindlestiff’s Winter Cabarets are for grown-ups only. A family show matinee will be offered on March 22.

In keeping with Bindlestiff’s clubby NYC roots, the audience is encouraged to dress for festival and be part of the glamour of the evening. Those in costume or circusy makeup can ask for a discounted ticket at the door. Perhaps you’ve got some top boots and a tailcoat in the closet? Or a corset and tutu you’ve been dying to wear? A cotton-candy-floss wig and sparkly eyelashes? Dig them out, put them on, and be part of the spectacle.

The New York Times said of the BFC Cabaret: “It’s old-fashioned variety entertainment of the sort Ed Sullivan so astutely scooped up, but with twists.”

Dewey Sessions: RUNA Celtic-American Roots Concert
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Doors open at 2:30pm, concert at 3:00pm
Dewey Hall 91 Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257

This is Runa’s 3rd concert at Dewey Hall (at least). This is an afternoon concert.

Celebrating its 10-Year Anniversary as a band, Celtic-American Roots music “super group”, RUNA continues to push the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music.

Seeking to preserve and continue a traditional culture in a modern age, RUNA creates the backbone of its signature roots sound from the musical and geographical diversity of its individually established band members. Their strive for excellence and creativity blazes a trail for the future of folk music, earning them the reputation as one of the most innovative Irish folk groups of this generation.

RUNA consists of vocalist and step-dancer, Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, Dublin-born guitarist, Fionán de Barra, Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion, Jake James of New York on the fiddle, and Caleb Edwards of Nashville on mandolin and vocals.

“Timeless and flawless…” – Jim Allford, PA Music Scene

The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Groupand Top Traditional Groupin the Irish Music Awardsand three Independent Music Awardsincluding Best LIVE Album, Best World/Traditional Song,and Best Bluegrass Song.

Their new album, “TEN: The Errant Night”, is already receiving international praise on both sides of the Atlantic! “This is RUNA’s most ambitious album yet and it is a stunner!” – Bill Margeson, LiveIreland

“One of the best and inventive folk bands of this modern era!” – London Celtic Punks

Doors open at 2:30pm, Concert at 3:00pm, Refreshments available. For more information contact deweysessionsmusic@gmail.com or Beth at 413 429 1176.

We invite you to enjoy dinner before the dance and get 15% off at the Stagecoach Tavern at Racebrook Lodge with coupon code #oldtonenative

Dewey Sessions concerts and dances at Dewey Hall are sponsored by Big Elm Brewery , Berkshire Mountain Bakery, and Racebrook Lodge.

Thursdays from Noon to 1
February 6 to March 12
Downtown Great Barrington at
ExtraSpecialTeas, 2 Elm St, Great Barrington, MA

Instagram is one of the fastest, most accessible, most affective, and most affordable marketing tools available today. Whether you are an artist, a business, a consultant, or want to have a fun time with your personal IG account, we would love to help you have an effective and engaging Instagram account.
Appropriate for artists, individuals, non-profit professionals, small business owners, and you!

Topics:
Why use IG
Set a goal for your business or project
Tell a good story
Hashtags
Followers and following
Take a good photo
IG stories
Linking with FB

and so much more . . .

Beth and Dawn create an empowering environment and a fun class where participants can explore creative social media marketing tools.

$35 a class or $180 if you prepay for all six classes.
To register or if you have questions contact:
dawn@professionalityconsulting.com or beth@silo-media.com or call 413 429 1176.

The Oakdale Plunge returns in 2020 with a special Leap Day Edition on Saturday, February 29 starting at noon at Oakdale Lake.

In 2019, Hudson’s second annual Plunge raised over $18,000 , evenly split between the Hudson Fire Department’s all volunteer Water Rescue and Dive Team and the Hudson Youth Department. 76 people braved Oakdale Lake’s icy water and thrilled an enthusiastic crowd of supporters. 12 Teams took the plunge, including representatives of our local Police Dept, Library and Hospital, along with colorfully costumed local characters.

This year’s goal is to raise $25,000 and once again support these two fundamental community organizations. The Dive Team will devote its share of the proceeds to the purchase of essential rescue equipment and maintaining their aging inventory of safety gear. The Youth Department’s share will go towards improving Oakdale Lake, a public facility for swimming, fishing and boating that is home to the city’s summer day camp, serving over 100 low income youth for 6 weeks every summer.

Make a splash and support your local heroes! Sign up as an individual or plunge as a team. Visit OakdalePlunge.com to register on-line or make a donation in support of another brave plunger.

Prizes are awarded for Top Fundraising and Best Costume.

Special thanks to the many areas business who provide vital underwriting for this popular event:

Avalanche Sponsors: Columbia Memorial Health and Metzwood Insurance.

Iceberg Sponsors: Bioforce USA, Hudson Business Coalition, The Maker, and Wagner Hodgson.

Icecube Sponsors: Carrie Haddad Gallery, Columbia County Tourism, deMarchin, Drop Forge & Tool, Finch Hudson, Foley & Cox, Oak Pizzeria, Peggy Polenberg Real Estate, Pro Printers, TK Home & Garden, and Wellnow Urgent Care

In this unstructured studio workshop, participants will have the opportunity to build on their indigo dyeing experience in the company of other Indigo enthusiasts and under the guidance of experienced natural dye instructor, Ali Smith of Salt Still. There will be a number of Indigo vats prepared, along with some Shibori supplies for all to share.

This studio afternoon can be enjoyed by anyone who has prior experience working with indigo and eager to work in a self-directed way. While the instructor will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice, this is not intended for anyone looking for first time instruction.

Class size limited to 8. Sign up through the “Learn More” link below!