A fine art auction, and an open studio tour in Woodstock, opera at the Festival of the Arts in Kingston, a children’s pastiche opera at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, as well as the 40^th anniversary of Fairview Library in Margaretville offer plenty of entertainment opportunities for art, book and music lovers this weekend in the Catskills.

Woodstock Artists Association and Museum, located on Tinker Street, will have its 12^th Annual Fine Art Auction next Sunday, August 31 at 1 pm. This Friday, August 22 from 6 to 8 pm there will be an Auction Preview Party, when bidders will have access to printed catalogues. Meanwhile, an online auction catalogue can be seen here. Art from private collections and historic estates will be available for sale. For more information go to http://waamblog.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/12th-annual-woodstock-fine-art-auction-labor-day-august-31-1-pm-sharp/      

Still in Woodstock, there will be an open studio tour this weekend at the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild. Friday, August 22 at 5:30 pm seven visual artists, two ceramicists, five writers and one composer will share their work with the public. The event will take place at the Villetta Inn on Upper Byrdcliffe Way. The tour will continue Saturday, August 23 from 4 to 9 pm with an open studio tour featuring three artists – the tour will be followed by an elegant private dinner. For more information go to http://www.woodstockguild.org/event-calendar/

In Kingston, the Festival of the Arts kicks off tonight at 7:30 pm with “A Night at the Opera” presented by Opera Theater of Kingston. “The Other Mozart” featuring music by Nannerl Mozart – Mozart’s talented but less known sister – will be performed Friday , August 22 at 8 pm, Saturday, August 23 at 3 pm, and Sunday, August 24 at 6 pm. Kingston Festival of the Arts will run through August 31. For more information about events, visit http://kingstonfestival.org/

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts presents this Saturday, August 23 at 11 am a youth pastiche opera called “Rumpelstiltskin.” “Rumpelstiltskin” is a 40-minute production with music based on traditional Opera and Operetta standards. It is produced for children, grades 2 – 10. For more information, go to http://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/events/detail/rumpelstiltskin

Fairview Public Library in Margaretville will celebrate its 40^th anniversary this Saturday, August 23 at 1 pm with an Ice Cream social event that will include storytelling, Native American music, balloon sculptures, and many more. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fairview-Public-Library/107061099352597

This looks like yet another busy weekend for arts in the Catskills.