Saturday, April 29: There are scholars who contend that late-18th-century German poet Friedrich Schiller’s original version of “Ode to Joy” was titled “Ode to Freedom,” but that he subsequently toned down its potential political implications. The rebellious spirit of the work was reinforced in Ludwig von Beethoven’s 1824 musical setting in his Symphony no. 9 in D minor, op. 125, and people around the world have since embraced it as an expression of defiance, solidarity and survival as well as pure exultation.

Saturday & Sunday, April 29-30: There is an old Zen proverb that you may have heard: “You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes every day, unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour.” I like to imagine that the organizers of Basilica’s famous 24-Hour Drone Festival feel similarly about the agency of drone-based music: Those with the least patience for it are those who need it the most.

Friday, April 28: As a young band, B4tB simply smoked the clubs of New Paltz and environs. Most people who caught them by accident would thenceforward catch them on purpose.

Sunday, April 30: Although Gifford grew up in Hudson and was directly influenced by Cole, very few of Gifford’s paintings – including those of iconic viewsheds in the Catskills – ended up in art collections within the immediate region. So it’s a rare treat indeed when an exhibition is brought together for display hereabouts.

Saturday, April 29: Jazz bassist, producer, composer, electronic music pioneer: Malcolm Cecil has quietly had about as varied and storied a music career as one could quietly have. He won a Grammy for engineering on Stevie Wonder’s greatest record, Innervisions. His innovative duo Tonto’s Expanding Head Band made what is widely considered to be essential early electronic music, and was, in a bizarre turn, recently referenced on TBS’ popular show People of Earth.

Saturday, April 29: Born Jamar Rolando McNaughton, Jamaican musician Chronixx has emerged as a leading figure in the next generation of Jamaican recording artists.

Saturday, April 29: Foreigner has long been an arena-rock staple. Foreigner may also be the band most often cited when people try to explain what punk rock was a reaction to.

Saturday, April 22: Celebrate Record Store Day with the legendary progressive metal band in Poughkeepsie.

Friday, April 21: Hear the 13-year-old pianist who has already turned the jazz world on its ear.