This weekend: the old Fleischmann estate (now known as Spillian) is hosting a Masquerade Ball (masquerade balls were a popular past time in the 15^th century Europe); Longyear Gallery in Margaretville is hosting Frank Manzo’s “Inside Out and Other Images of the City” photo exhibit, Bearsville Theater in Woodstock is hosting a rock and blues concert with New Orleans musician Tommy Malone and his band, Woodstock Framing Gallery in Woodstock is presenting an Artist Talk with Heather Hutchison and Mark Thomas Kanter, and the Pickle Festival in Rosendale is kicking off its 17^th edition (the pickling tradition goes back thousands of years).

Spillian / Fleischmann Estate

Spillian, a retreat center located at the old Fleischmann mansion on Todd Mountain Road in Fleischmanns, is hosting a Masquerade Ball this Saturday, November 22 at 7 pm; the event will benefit the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice, which will celebrate its sixth anniversary in August 2015. The Masquerade Ball will feature performances by soprano Maria Todaro, tenor Louis Otey, and pianist Justin Kolb, the founders of the festival. Also, Blues Maneuver, a local band, will perform dance music. Formal dress and masks are encouraged. Bals masqués, or masquerades, were popular in Europe during the Renaissance. For more information about this event, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/377489129082514/?ref=22.

Longyear Gallery

Longyear Gallery in Margaretville is hosting an opening reception this Saturday, November 22 at 3 pm: “Inside Out and Other Images of the City,” featuring the work of photographer Frank Manzo. The show includes over 50 new photographs, depicting the use of reflections to create multiple images in different planes. “In many reflective surfaces, the variation in the plane of the surface further breaks up the reflected image, creating an abstract composition akin to cubist paintings,” says Manzo. “Inside Out and Other Images of the City” will be on view through December 13. For more information, visit http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Frank-Manzo-photographs.html?soid=1102247844716&aid=7r7W3xJYRQE.

Bearsville Theater

Bearsville Theater in Woodstock is hosting a concert this Friday, November 21 at 8 pm, featuring New Orleans artist Tommy Malone and his band. Malone performs Americana rock music – his career as a guitarist, singer and songwriter spans over three decades. For more information, go to http://www.bearsvilletheater.com/events-calendar/tommy-malone-of-the-subdudes-band-fr112114.

Woodstock Framing Gallery

Woodstock Framing Gallery, located on Mill Hill Road, is hosting an Artist Talk this Friday, November 21 at 6 pm featuring Heather Hutchison and Mark Thomas Kanter, both multi-media artists whose works are on display at the gallery through November 30. For more information about this show, visit http://wfggallery.com/50-50.html.   

The Pickle Festival

The Pickle Festival in Rosendale will celebrate its 17^th anniversary this Sunday, November 23 from 10 am to 5 pm at the Rosendale Community Center. A variety of delicacies, honoring this long tradition, popular among many cultures across millennia, will be available for tasting – some pickles are more common than others. There will be contests, live music, and much more. A Japanese formal tea ceremony will be performed throughout the day. For more information, visit http://www.ulstercountyalive.com/landing/17th-annual-rosendale-international-pickle-festival