Friday, January 31: Worse things can happen to a motion picture than to become permanently associated with an annual holiday. Such was the fate of the charming 1993 romantic comedy Groundhog Day, the tale of a curmudgeon’s expiation, reform and rebirth.
Friday-Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Saturday features music from the Mammals, David Amram, Jay & Molly, Jeffrey Lewis, Gustafer Yellowgold, Ginny’s Kitchen, Mikhail Horowitz & Gilles Malkine as well as nature hikes, blacksmithing, kids’ activities, square dancing and a late-night Vinyl Meltdown.
Saturday, Feb. 1: You don’t need any experience as a potter to participate in one of the three one-hour guided sessions.
Saturday, Feb. 15: At the Sankofa event, attendees can participate in the making of a strip-weave community quilt or learn the secrets of traditional basketmaking from three generations of Gullah Geechee women. Another workshop will teach natural dyeing of upcycled fabrics using local plants and West African techniques. Community loom-weaving will go on all day.
Jan. 31-Feb. 6: For most of us, even fairly serious cinephiles, the toughest categories tend to be short films, which don’t get wide distribution. But as always, Upstate Films is there to help fill in the gaps in your Academy Award nominee familiarity.
Gaiman will soon be back, resuming his teaching responsibilities at Bard, and the Conversations are back on. Jemisin’s work is lauded by her peers at least as much for its elegant writing and powerful worldbuilding as for its thought-provoking treatment of politically and sociologically relevant issues such as genocide and climate change.
Saturday, Feb. 1: With a new band in tow, and some formidable special guests, the Nathans are prepared to unveil Mach Two with full fanfare.
Saturday, Feb. 1: The award-winning Woodstock-based chorus will present a program titled Frets, Keys & Pipes.
Monday, Feb. 3: In Yellow Earth, the site of Three Nations reservations on the banks of the Missouri River in North Dakota, Sayles introduces us to Harleigh Killdeer, chairman of the Tribal Business Council. “An activist in his way, a product of the Casino Era,” Killdeer, who is contracted by oil firm Case and Crosby, spearheads the new Three Nations Petroleum Company.
The stellar and melodic indie rock band called The Jennifer Shop is one of the most incredible new musical acts in the area. Helmed by introspective singer and instrumentalist Jack Manley along with a cast of cohorts, the group really blew me away recently when I saw them share a bill with Globelamp. The songs just swirled with life and enthusiasm, reminding listeners of heartfelt moments or the excitement of tackling new frontiers. This up-and-coming band is appearing at BSP on 1/24 alongside popular act JK Vanderbilt.