Weekend Happenings In and Around Kingston 12/18-12/20
Happy post-snowstorm Friday here in Kingston! We hope that everyone fared well with snow removal and that you’re ready to have some good times this weekend! There are plenty of festive and non-festive, virtual and in-person events occurring and we’ve selected a few highlights for you to browse below.
Kick off this third weekend of December with plenty of art, delicious food, and the overall feeling of joy from supporting local organizations and good causes. Friday, ‘Artwork Created During the Time of COVID’ is being exhibited at the Arts Society of Kingston (ASK) featuring works of nearly 50 artists! There are more holidays on the way, so help support local businesses and makers by purchasing seasonal presents and goodies here in Kingston. Friday evening Mai Tai, Nubian Butterfly, and Butterfly Drops are thrilled to present ‘Holiday Shopping Extravaganza’ at CCE in the New Energy Square Building in Midtown! Enjoy the ongoing performances of ‘A Christmas Carol’ presented by Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck each evening of the weekend. Some additional Friday evening activities include ‘Silver Factory Screen Tests’ à la Warhol live-streamed at Green Kill and the Colony Christmas Special virtual music celebration from Eric Squindo Presents for a ‘a most peculiar 2020 Woodstock Christmas!’
Saturday, you can swing by ASK and check out ‘Artwork Created During the Time of COVID’ in case you missed it. The ‘Holiday Market at Wired Gallery Outdoor Market’ in High Falls will offer ceramics, woodworking, jewelry, plenty of fine art and gallery exhibitions by local artists like Jane Bloodgood Abrams, Pablo Shine, Frank Palaia, John Perrella and many more! Get some holiday shopping done, enjoy beautiful art and help support local. The ‘Annual Hope Rocks Fundraiser’ is going virtual this year. The ‘Hope Rocks’ organization was started in response to addiction, drug overdoses, and mental health crises including suicide. This year’s event will be broadcasted live from Dreamland Studios in Woodstock NY with percussionist Jerry Marotta and Grammy Winner Mike Farris who will provide a good time for this good cause. ‘Wreath Making with Local Flora at OPUS 40’ is one way to take care of some of those holiday decorations while enjoying a complimentary cup of coffee or hot spiced cider! And, you can also pick up your gifts ordered from their ‘Virtual Holiday Fair.’ While you’re north of Kingston, a short ride to Bearsville will let you sample some of their local restaurants’ fare while enjoying a bonfire and holiday lights for their ‘Holiday Sampling.’ Back in Kingston, take part in Kingston’s first ‘Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night in Kingston (2020 Masked Edition).’ The event is a ‘moving boombox parade’ in Uptown Kingston with multiple speakers making one beautiful piece of music together. Saturday night you can help support the future of beloved local organization Center For Creative Education (CCE) with an ‘Intimate Tango Show’ in collaboration with Dojo Dance Company. All proceeds to benefit CCE’s scholarships for local youth and fabulous programming! Round out a jam-packed day with a ‘Love, Joy, and Hope!’ experience at the Christmas Drive-Through at the Woodcrest Bruderhof in Esopus and swing by ‘Santa’s Drive-Thru’ at the Esopus Firehouse.
On Sunday, enjoy an open air train ride with greetings from Santa on the ‘Catskill Christmas Express.’ And in case you missed it- just a short ride to Bearsville Center on Sunday will let you sample some of their local restaurants’ fare while enjoying a bonfire and holiday lights for their ‘Holiday Sampling.” Also, you can still catch the ‘Holiday Market at Wired Gallery Outdoor Market’ in High Falls complete with gifts for purchase from local makers including wares such as ceramics, woodworking, jewelry, along with plenty of fine art and gallery exhibitions for viewing. There’s still time to enjoy the ongoing performances of ‘A Christmas Carol’ presented by Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck.
For more details on these events and to discover others, journey over to KingstonHappenings.Org. Happy Weekend!
