-
Things to Do
-
Plan
-
About
Immerse yourself in the fine arts this summer in Dutchess County! Art exhibits, concerts, dance performances, theater productions – they're all happening right here in Dutchess. Here are a few highlights in what is lining up to be an unforgettable summer:
Weekends through June 19 at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, Tivoli
In continuing its mission to provide a home for artists of all types, Kaatsbaan presents its Summer Festival, which runs over three consecutive weekends and showcases ballet, modern dance, live jazz, experimental performance art and more! On June 11-12, Kaatsbaan presents “Rising Stars,” an exciting program featuring today's most promising up-and-coming talent from ABT JKO School, The Juilliard School and New York City Ballet's the School of American Ballet, joined by the acclaimed Neave Trio. The following weekend, Taylor Mac and friends pay homage to queer icons of the past and present with a work-in-progress concert. Kaatsbaan commemorates Juneteenth with a day of music, dance and poetry which includes a performance by saxophonist Tyrone Birkett and his ensemble Emancipation. For a complete schedule of events and to purchase tickets, click here.
RELATED CONTENT: Click here and check out our Arts and Culture listings page to plan even more memorable experiences.
Saturday, June 11, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Poughkeepsie
Join students from the New York Academy of Ballet and the Poughkeepsie City Ballet in celebrating the life of NYAB founding director Susan Olson Santoro with their production of "Waltz of the Flowers: A Celebration of Life." To purchase tickets, click here.
Sunday, June 12, 4 p.m. at The Stissing Center, Pine Plains
Brilliant young pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen performs the works of Bach, Beethoven and Chopin, along with a sampling of the often-underrepresented compositions of Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel. To purchase tickets, click here.
Saturday, June 18, 1 p.m. at the Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield, Hyde Park
The Garden String Quartet provides the musical accompaniment to Beatrix Farrand’s 150th birthday celebration, and the 110th anniversary of her garden at Bellefield! Arrive early, bring a sack lunch and enjoy the garden in full spring peak bloom before the concert at 1 p.m. For more details, click here.
June 23-Aug. 14 at the Fisher Center, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson
The action heats up this summer at the Bard College Fisher Center with eight weeks of productions in theater (Moliere’s “Dom Juan”), dance (“Song of Songs”) and opera (“The Silent Woman”). Stop in at the Spiegeltent on the weekends for live performances, dancing and drinks. There are plenty of places to eat on and around the Bard College campus. For more information, including a schedule of events and details about discounted ticket packages and charter transportation options from New York City, click here.
Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Wethersfield Estate and Gardens, Amenia
See the works produced by the artists of the Hudson River Fellowship at Wethersfield. Witness classical realism for the 21st century as presented by some of today's most promising young painters. To make a reservation, click here.
June 26-July 31 at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie
The number of theater productions that have been squeezed into one season at Vassar is simply amazing! Musicals include “Luna and the Starbodies” and “Shakespeare: Unplugged.” Plays include “Tell Them I'm Still Young” and “Sweet Chariot.” The Training Company presents several free productions, including Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” Perhaps one of this summer’s projects will be the next Broadway hit! In fact, the Tony Award-winning musical “Hamilton” began as a Powerhouse Theater workshop. For a full schedule of events and to purchase tickets, click here.
July 9-Aug. 7 at Vassar and Marist Colleges, Poughkeepsie
Be a part of New York Stage and Film’s 39th season of development and discovery, which will feature more than 25 performances at Vassar and Marist! Plays include “The World is Not Silent.” Musicals include “The Return of the Young Boy.” Play readings include “My Brother is Better at Love Than Me” and “Modern Gentleman”. For a complete list of productions and to buy tickets, click here.
Sundays through July 10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at ‘T’ Space Gallery, Rhinebeck
See the first solo exhibition in the Hudson Valley by the Valley's own Suzan Frecon! Her show consists of three modestly sized paintings and a massive two-panel work. 'T' Space is open Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m., or by appointment. For information on all the artists and exhibits at 'T' Space, click here.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 22-24 at various locations
Plan your trip to Dutchess County during Upstate Art Weekend (July 22-24), an annual celebration featuring over 145 destinations and artists from across the Hudson Valley. Explore the dozens of unique galleries, installations and museums in the county, including Dia Beacon, 'T' Space, the Wassaic Project and more. For a full list of Dutchess destinations to visit during the event, click here.
Saturday, July 30, 8 p.m. at the Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, Poughkeepsie
Elysium Furnace Works kicks off its 2022 season with a solo recital by renowned double bassist Michael Bisio. Bisio, who hails from the Hudson Valley, is regarded as one of the most imaginative performers on the double bass and has 85 recordings to his credit. To purchase tickets, click here.
Aug. 5-14 at the Fisher Center, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson
Celebrate and explore the life and works of Sergei Rachmaninoff through a series of themed concerts, lectures and panel discussions. Examine such themes as composition during the Cold War, virtuoso pianists and their public and America’s continuing love affair with Rachmaninoff’s music. For a schedule of events and to purchase tickets, click here.
Select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the Falls Theatre, Wappingers Falls
The County Players present Karen Zacharias' comedy about feuding neighbors, "Native Gardens," in which an impending barbecue and a disagreement over a fence line soon spiral into an all-out border dispute! Directed by Christine Crawfis. To purchase tickets, click here.
Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 17, 12-5 p.m. at Maxon Mills, Wassaic
The Wassaic Project celebrates its biggest summer season yet, featuring a 46-artist summer exhibition throughout Maxon Mills titled "A Tournament of Lies," along with town-wide block parties, art camps for kids, artist-led workshops for adults and monthly open studio sessions with the artists-in-residence. "A Tournament of Lies" harnesses the infinite energy of the life imitates art imitates life imitates art dynamo. For more information, click here.
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Dia Beacon
See new exhibits featuring works by sculptor Melvin Edwards, painter Jo Baer and sculptor Larry Bell, among others. And don’t forget: Hudson Valley residents receive free admission to Dia Beacon on the last Sunday of every month. To make reservations, click here.
RELATED CONTENT: Enjoy live music all summer long! Click here to see our Outdoor Summer Concerts Spotlight.
Covid-19 Information 
Our top priority is the safety, health, and wellbeing of our community, its residents and visitors.
Information for visitors & residents Information & Resources
