This weekend in the Catskills and surrounding area: a Mozart concert, art opening receptions, a comedy performance, and a centerpiece design workshop are among my top choices.

Hudson Valley Philharmonic

Hudson Valley Philharmonic will perform an all-Mozart program this Saturday, March 28 at 8 p.m. at the Bardavon Theater in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County. The program, conducted by Leif Bjaland, includes Mozart’s Symphony No. 35, and Piano Concerto No. 23, among other masterpieces. The Bardavon Theater is located in a historic building designed in 1869, the oldest continuous theater in New York State. Mark Twain and other luminaries performed on its stage. In 1977 the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been the home of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic since the 1970s. The Hudson Valley Philharmonic was founded in 1932, and performs numerous concerts throughout the area. For more information about this concert, go to http://www.bardavon.org/event_info.php?id=734&venue=bardavon.

Longyear Gallery

Longyear Gallery in Margaretville, Delaware County, is hosting an opening reception Springing Forward, this Saturday, March 28 at 3 p.m. Springing Forward is a group show featuring about two dozen artists affiliated with the gallery. Works in all media – oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, mixed media, collage, ceramics, and photography – will be on display. Participating artists include Margaret Leveson, Helene Manzo, Ann Lee Fuller, Ellen Wong, Elaine Mayes, and others. For more information, visit http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Spring-Forward–group-show.html?soid=1102247844716&aid=qVA4TgOMKA8.

The Open Eye Theater

Still in Margaretville, The Open Eye Theater is hosting a comedy performance Make ‘Em Laugh Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. Make ‘Em Laugh, a fundraiser for the theater, will put in the spotlight some of the best known local actors and friends like John Bernhardt and Jill Ribich. For more information about this performance, visit http://www.theopeneyetheater.org/current-season.html.

Albany Institute of History and Art

Albany Institute of History and Art is hosting an opening reception Walter Launt Palmer: Painting the Moment Saturday, March 28, an exhibit that will remain on view through August 16. Palmer was born in Albany in 1854. He was influenced by the Hudson River School of Painting, and at one point shared a studio with Frederic Church. The Albany Institute of History and Art holds one of the largest collections of Palmer’s oils and watercolors. The exhibit Painting the Moment is a broad overview of his work, and includes paintings from his travels to Europe, building interiors in Albany, and winter scenes. For more information about this exhibit, visit http://www.albanyinstitute.org/walter-launt-palmer-painting-the-moment.html.

Olana

Olana mansion in Hudson, Columbia County, is hosting a workshop Spring Tablescapes this Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Author and artist Marlene Marshall will walk with the participants on the estate’s grounds, and look for fungi, flora and other forest vegetation that could be used to design aesthetic table centerpieces. Pre-registration is recommended. Olana was the home of Frederic Edwin Church, a leading exponent of the Hudson River School of Painting. For more information, visit http://www.olana.org/calendar/spring-tablescapes/?doing_wp_cron=1427377069.9718999862670898437500.

Have a gorgeous Catskills weekend!