The Falcon
1391 Route 9W, Marlboro
The Falcon is Tony Falco’s labor of love, a thriving jazz-and-more club that grew entirely out of the owner’s love of serious jazz and his many connections in that world. Heavies on the order of Brad Mehldau and Dave Liebman play here regularly, and the roster is filled out by a handpicked assortment of local notables, established names and up-and-comers, mostly from the New York City jazz, blues, funk, world and roots music scenes. This by-donation-only listening space and restaurant is one of the Valley’s greatest musical treasures, and certainly it’s most unlikely. For more information, visit www.liveatthefalcon.com.
‘Cue
136 Partition Street, Saugerties
Cue in Saugerties is proof positive that it’s the commitment to music, not the physical space, that makes a venue. The authentic barbecue joint is a seasonal venue: On summer nights they roll a PA system out on to the gravel of the patio bar and some of the region’s best singer/songwriters play to the often-unsuspecting diners. For more information, call (845) 246-4283 or visit www.cueshack.com.
Colony Café
22 Rock City Road, Woodstock
Woodstock’s Colony Café is one of those rare venues worth going to just to see and hang out in the physical space. Events take place in the intimate setting of a ballroom built in 1929, featuring the original bar and 360-degree chestnut balcony. National acts stop in frequently (including British new-folk sensation Laura Marling recently, and the likes of Jonathan Richman this coming June). The Woodstock scene does not want for its own major talents, of course, and these fill out the calendar. For more information, call (845) 679-8639 or visit www.colonycafewoodstock.com.
Keegan Ales
20 St. James Street, Kingston
Kingston’s own happening microbrewery is also a well-established music venue that offers mostly good tunes to drink by: original rock and blues, funk and roots and occasional visits from some Woodstock-scene luminaries like Pete Levin or his famous bass-playing brutha. It’s a raucous, generous, peanut-strewn scene with some good beer. Call (845) 331-2739 or visit www.keeganales.com.
