A Huge Thank You!
The 20th Annual Festival of Books was a magnificent community event, graced with beautiful weather and crowds of enthusiastic readers of all ages. We tallied record sales for this cornerstone fundraiser and are so grateful for your enthusiastic support and participation.
We wish to thank those who donated and shopped, authors who spoke, attendees who listened and especially the scores of volunteers who sorted, hauled and shuttled books, and baked for, served and welcomed hundreds of guests over Labor Day Weekend.
A very special thank you to our generous sponsors who helped to “Get the Festival off the Ground”! We would also like to thank Joel Dyslin, Gabel Real Estate, Rob Lagonia and Peter Fitzpatrick for their help with providing parking and signage. We couldn’t do it without all of you and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It takes a village. See you next year!
Upcoming Events And Activities
Summer-Fall 2025 Newsletter Now Available
See what's coming up- art, kids programming, music & more, and revel in the summers' recent events. Read all about it! See the latest as well as past newsletters.
Art As Memoir: Regional Juried Show
September 27-October 26
Artists living in Columbia County and nearby counties in New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut submitted works based on a personal memory or memories. The subject could be people, places, objects, or events from one’s past, and work submitted could be in any artistic style (representational or abstract) or medium. The juried exhibit features 72 works by 48 artists in a range of media. Learn more.
Submission Deadline: October 2
All Write, Columbia Nonfiction Writers Conference is a four day intensive focused on the craft and the business of writing nonfiction. The conference is open to all levels of nonfiction writers, from beginners who are just starting to write flash nonfiction to more advanced writers with a memoir manuscript. Open to writers who are at least 18 years old. Just 20 writers will be accepted. Learn more.
Jen Chapin Trio
Saturday, October 4, 8:00pm
Jen Chapin, accompanied by bassist Stephan Crump and Jamie Fox on electric guitar, will debut a new cabaret-style performance of her urban folk songs entitled Anything Goes, and How Did We Get Here? The two-set show weaves historically-informed, jazz-inspired questions and answers about our current and rapidly-changing political moment around old and new selections from Jen’s critically-acclaimed urban folk catalog. Learn more.
Connected to the Ground:
Cultivating Balance and Strength
October 9-November 13
11:30am-12:30pm
Taught by Fran Snyder, this 6 class series uses Tai Chi movements and postures as practical tools for building leg strength and cultivating balance. A primary goal of the class is to experience everyday activities with a greater sense of being connected to the ground. Learn more.
Sunday, October 12, 3:00pm
The program will include Johann Sebastian Bach, Amy Beach, Cécile Chaminade, Alberto Ginastera and David Shenton. Polk’s albums have been deemed “best of the year” by the New York Times and Seattle Times, been nominated for a Grammy, and debuted at #1 on the Classical Billboard Chart. Learn more.
The Earth is Our Home
October 25, 10:00-11:00am
Singer, songwriter and recording artist John Farrell and his wife Ann Marie will lead a participatory session of songs about nature, animals and the planet Earth. Sign language and call-and-response songs will have audience members laughing while learning. Ages 3-7 with an adult companion. FREE! Learn more.
The Amy Ryan Band and The Dusty Wright Four
Saturday, November 1, 7:30pm
Two of our local favorites in one evening of music! The Amy Ryan Band will knock you out with their powerful blues repertoire. Dusty Wright and his trio will charm you with an eclectic set of Americana, folk, and country-rock with a touch of psychedelia. Learn more. 
From Mirette to Einstein
Sunday, November 2, 2:00pm
Children’s book author/illustrator Emily Arnold McCully and playwright Elizabeth Diggs will discuss McCully’s 60 year literary career: Her Caldecott Medal for Mirette on the High Wire, mission to tell stories with wit and flair about brave girls and extraordinary but overlooked women in science, the arts, politics and sports, and more. McCully's new picture book, The Eclipse of 1919: How Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity Changed Our World, is the suspenseful story of the most momentous scientific experiment ever conducted. Learn more.
For the Love of Me
Saturday, December 6, 7:00pm
Join us for a staged reading of this new work by Kate McLeod. It’s 1886 at Olana. Emilia is polishing, laundering and gathering healing herbs from the garden to ease ills of the Church family. Michael runs the barn and philosophizes with the horses. What finally brings these two Irish immigrants together? Determination. But not before multiple conflicts. In Hudson, it is Father Joseph who deems himself the one to save souls, particularly Emilia’s. Learn more.
Laura Anglade & The Ben Rosenblum Trio
Saturday, December 13, 7:30pm
Back by popular demand! The Toronto-based jazz vocalist, Laura Anglade with the Ben Rosenblum trio, has been charming audiences by bringing a fresh face to the vintage sound of classic jazz numbers in both French and English. Learn more. 
Announcing our 2025 Young Writers' Contest Winners!
Our judges have deliberated and have chosen this year's winners in both fiction and nonfiction categories. You can read the winning entries from these talented teens. Learn more.
Gee's Bend Quilt Show
July 12- August 3
Over 4 weeks we welcomed close to 3,000 visitors who came from far and wide, to view this exhibition representing joy, hard work, history and artistry. We thank everyone who passed through our doors, purchased the Quilters' wares, sponsors and donors and our scores of volunteers. Learn more.
It Was A Great Party!
Thanks to all who danced, dined, shopped and celebrated with us on a beautiful summer evening. Kudos to Larry Walker "What's Really Good" for the fantastic BBQ and to Silver Arrow Band for the dance tunes! Event photos.
Watch and Listen to PAST Programming
Dexter Palmer & Rishi Reddi
Discuss their works of historical fiction with Daphne Kalotay. Watch the video on our YouTube channel.
Peter Sis
Discusses his book Nicky and Vera- A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued, with Carl Atkins.
Watch the video.
Rick Rogers
Learn how to make Almas Pite, a delicious Hungarian apple pie.
In conversation with Madaline Sparks. Watch the interview.
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
Become a Member
We're dedicated to programs in a welcoming space for our Columbia County community and neighbors. Learn more.
Annual Appeal
Help to support our mission of Building Community Through the Arts, 50 years and going strong. Make your tax deductible gift today.
