Arts and entertainment: gazing into the future

Wow, what a year! The months have flown by—and like many of you, I still yearn for that serious nap. “No rest for the wicked,” my oft-quoted mother would say, so I’ll meditate a bit more this year, breathe in and breathe out as I continue to explore and discover the many hidden gems that constitute the world of arts and entertainment in the Catskills.

I revel in the abundance of events, exhibits and theatrical experiences that 2009 has offered us all, while tingling with excitement over what awaits just around the corner. While my crystal ball is “in the shop,” I feel safe in predicting that many surprises are in store as we peruse these pages throughout 2010 in search of art, theatre, poetry, music, literature and good old fashioned fun. I will continue to attend, participate and party with my neighbors and friends, all the while looking forward to new adventures that (in my humble opinion) will thrill and inspire as I strive to amuse—hopefully informing along the way.

Momentarily on hiatus, the Liberty Free Theatre in Liberty, NY ( www.libertyfreetheatre.org ) promises to enthrall in the new year, and I have no doubt (crystal ball notwithstanding) that there will be many theatrical experiences to remember by this time next year.

Speaking of theatre, the new schedule is already in place for one of my favorite haunts, the Forestburgh Playhouse in Forestburgh, NY ( www.fbplayhouse.com ). Visit its website for a complete listing of upcoming shows and make your reservations early. They offer great package deals and I can’t wait to take my seat.

The Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop ( www.scdw.net ) is busy finalizing its 2010 schedule—if it’s not already done—and is bound to have some interesting performances. Comedies, musicals and drama wait in the wings, and I look forward to the curtain rising in the company’s newly renovated theatre.

Never one to rest on past laurels, I have no doubt that the North American Cultural Laboratory in Highland Lake, NY ( www.nacl.org ) will be “busting a move” as it continues to inspire theatregoers with its own personal brand of unique entertainment. Can’t wait to see what it has up its theatrical sleeve.

I think Shakespeare had something different in mind when he posed the question “Wherefore art thou…?” but here in the Delaware River Valley art is everywhere. Abundance and diversity spring to mind as I ponder what treasures will unfold as we attend the many openings and exhibits in the upcoming year.

The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance in Narrowsburg, NY ( www.artsalliancesite.org ) never disappoints during the course of a year as they continue to showcase the many artists and craftspeople that inhabit our world, creating an endless array of painting, pottery, sculpture, jewelry and photography.

Not to be outdone, I feel quite sure that the River Gallery - The Art Of Living ( www.rivergalleryny.com ) also in Narrowsburg will continue to host splendid artists from around the corner and around the globe.

Naturally, the Catskill Arts Society in Livingston Manor, NY ( www.catskillartssociety.org ) will leave no stone unturned as it continues to reveal undiscovered talent with its unique contribution to the art world. If the past year is any example, there are plenty of ultra-cool events to come.

Criss-crossing the countryside, I will undoubtedly be visiting the Old Stone House Gallery ( www.oldstonehouse.catskill-life.com ) in Hasbrouck, NY to see what it has in store during the coming year. A gallery “By the people for the people,” the Old Stone House is a treasure trove of local talent and always a pleasure to visit. On the other side of the county, Callicoon Fine Arts ( www.callicoonfinearts.com ) in Callicoon, NY will surely continue to “push the envelope” as it presents avant garde, expressionistic modern art exhibits throughout the coming months.

There are also concert venues, nightclubs and opera companies (along with many I haven’t the room to mention) here in our own bucolic backyard. Too many to list here in one fell swoop, I encourage everyone to explore on their own and implore those in the know to share with me the who, what, when and where that I should be following as the year progresses. Even though the list of events is constantly growing, I will not rest (wicked or otherwise) until I have uncovered them all. Have no fear (or be afraid, very afraid), Jonathan Fox (and his humble opinion) are here to stay.

Visit workingwithoutanet.blogspot.com or email jonathanfox@riverreporter.com .

- Jonathan Fox