TEN REASONS TO LOVE THE CATSKILLS

By Simona David 1. AIR AND WATER QUALITY The Catskill Park, situated a hundred miles north-northwest of New York City, is known as America’s First Wilderness, because of its role in the environmental conservation movement. The New York State Legislature established the park in April 1904 to recognize and protect this magnificent mountainous area, which is part of the Appalachian plateau, and is dated back … Continue reading TEN REASONS TO LOVE THE CATSKILLS

Weekend in the Catskills – 8/5/2016

This weekend: The Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice celebrates its seventh season; Fisher Center at Bard College presents “The Symphonic and The Operatic” featuring works by Italian composers Giacomo Puccini and Giuseppe Martucci; And Arts Society of Kingston presents “Landscape Still Lives” art show by Richard Kirk Mills. Learn more at Upstater.com. Continue reading Weekend in the Catskills – 8/5/2016

Featured Artist: Baritone Jeffrey Tichenor

Baritone Jeffrey Tichenor was born in Kentucky. He studied opera performance at Murray State University, and after moving to New York City he continued his studies with Richard Barrett at Brooklyn Conservatory. Roles in his repertory include Masetto in Don Giovanni and Gugliemo in Cosi Fan Tutte both by Mozart, Harlequin in Ariadne auf Naxos by Strauss, and Albert in Werther by Jules Massenet. Tichenor … Continue reading Featured Artist: Baritone Jeffrey Tichenor

Weekend in the Catskills – 7/31/2015

This weekend in the Catskills: The Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice celebrates its sixth anniversary: composer Carlisle Floyd and mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade are among celebrities attending this year; Saratoga Race Course is in full swing (the National Museum of Racing, also in Saratoga, is open every day during the race season in July and August); Jan Harrison is showing at Bright Hill Literary … Continue reading Weekend in the Catskills – 7/31/2015

Weekend in the Catskills – 2/20/15

New York State Museum The New York State Museum in Albany is hosting its annual fundraiser New York in Bloom, an extremely popular floral show launched in 1992. New York in Bloom will display this year over a hundred floral arrangements from New York’s most exquisite florists and floral designers. Themed activities will be offered throughout the weekend, including demonstrations and children’s activities. The hours … Continue reading Weekend in the Catskills – 2/20/15

“Art in the Catskills” Is Four Month Old

Art in the Catskills, published earlier this year, is an inventory of cultural assets in the Catskills, and it essentially serves as a travel guide for art and history lovers. I wrote this book, because this is the kind of book I wish I was handed when I moved to the Catskills ten years ago. And, although some of the cultural projects that I discuss … Continue reading “Art in the Catskills” Is Four Month Old

Weekend in the Catskills – 11/21/14

This weekend: the old Fleischmann estate (now known as Spillian) is hosting a Masquerade Ball (masquerade balls were a popular past time in the 15th 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, … Continue reading Weekend in the Catskills – 11/21/14

Weekend in the Catskills – 8/1/14

Weekend in the Catskills – and, what a weekend! This evening at 8 pm the Bolshoi Ballet and Orchestra will perform Don Quixote at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs – for tickets and more information go to http://www.spac.org/events/2014/08/01/bolshoi-ballet-orchestra. The Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice kicked off its fifth season Wednesday night with flamenco and popular Spanish songs. The highlight of the season … Continue reading Weekend in the Catskills – 8/1/14