Backstage Studio Productions, Kingston:

Backstage Studio Productions, located in Uptown Kingston, was originally built as an 1800’s Vaudeville theater.  The block-long BSP complex includes a dance studio, a youth theater, classroom, lecture and rehearsal hall and a mini-theater. Plans are in the works to construct a 3,000-person theater, called Stage of the Arts.  Every Thursday is Open Mic Night and local artists are routinely scheduled on weekends.

Contact info: Backstage Studio Productions, 323 Wall Street, Kingston, NY 12401; (845) 338-8700; http://www.bspinfo.net

Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Poughkeepsie:

In operation since 1869, the Bardavon Opera House is the “oldest continuously operating theater in New York State” and among the oldest in the nation. The Bardavon was originally a movie palace and became a performing arts and cinema venue in 1976. Some of the Woodstock artists who have performed on the Bardavon stage include: Levon Helm, Hot Tuna, Pat Metheny, Todd Rundgren and Cassandra Wilson, just to mention a few.

Contact info: Bardavon, 35 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601; (845) 473-5288; http://www.bardavon.org

Bearsville Theater, Bearsville:

This 18,000-square-foot theater opened in 1989 and is located in the Bearsville compound – a complex designed and financed by former recording industry giant Albert Grossman, the man behind The Band, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Todd Rundgren and Peter, Paul and Mary. The theater is owned by The Bear Café owners. In the past, Orleans recorded a double-live CD, “Orleans Live,” in 1990, and the Tony Levin Band's CD “Double Espresso” was recorded live at Bearsville Theater. On July 3, 1999, the theater played host to Levon Helm and the Classic Blues Band. Helm, along with a few of his friends – fellow Band member Garth Hudson; Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, of Steely Dan fame; Jimmy Vivino, from “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”; and Phoebe Snow – gave a memorable 2-hour show. The theater also has served as a place to mourn.  On Dec. 15, 1999, several hundred people – friends, family and fans – gathered at the theater for a public memorial service for The Band’s Rick Danko. Over 400 people packed the theater on Jan. 9, 2005 to pay respect to author/historian Alf Evers.  And on Aug. 28, 2005, a memorial service was held for John Herald, onetime lead vocalist/guitarist of Greenbriar Boys.

Contact info: Bearsville Studios, P.O. Box 135, Bearsville, NY 12409; (845) 679-8900; http://www.bearsvilletheater.com

Black Swan Pub and Restaurant, Tivoli: 

The Black Swan is an Irish pub, featuring an array of music – mostly an acoustic blend of jazz, bluegrass and rock.  Black Swan is a popular hangout with Bard College students and weekenders.

Contact info: The Black Swan, 66 Broadway, Tivoli, NY 12583; (845) 757-3777

The Byrdcliffe Theater and Barn, Woodstock:

The Byrdcliffe Theater and Barn is part of the Byrdcliffe Arts Colony, which opened in 1903 and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It is run by the Woodstock Guild, dedicated to the conversation of the arts. Some of the more notable visitors to the arts colony include: Bob Dylan, who moved to the area following a motorcycle accident in 1966; The Band, who actually lived in Byrdcliffe while composing with Dylan; actor Chevy Chase, whose parents were artists; and actress Joanne Woodward, who acted and directed at Byrdcliffe. Many others – too numerous to name – have blessed the colony with their presence.

Contact info: The Woodstock Guild, 34 Tinker Street, Woodstock, NY 12498; (845) 679-2079; http://www.woodstockguild.org

The Chance, Poughkeepsie:

This legendary Dutchess Theater opened in 1912 as a vaudeville theater and picture house and, after going through numerous name changes and ownerships, closed from 1945 to 1970. The building reopened in 1970 as Frivolous Sal’s Last Chance Saloon. The name was later shortened to The Last Chance, then finally The Chance. Some of the big name bands playing at The Chance over the years include: AC/DC, Sheryl Crow, The Goo Goo Dolls, Bon Jovi, The Ramones, Hot Tuna, Todd Rundgren and Utopia, Stevie Ray Vaughn and many, many more. The Police played there in 1978 as virtually unknowns to an audience of three – actually four, if you count the bartender.

Contact info: The Chance Theater, 6 Crannell St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (845) 471-1966; http://www.thechancecomplex.com

The Colony Café, Woodstock:

In addition to live performances from local and national bands, The Colony Café offers instructional dance classes. With the original 1929 espresso bar intact and large wood-burning fireplace, the striking Colony features a comfy, funky setting in a unique, turn-of-the-century historic hotel.  This hotel was built in 1927 and served as a stopover for guests who would then make the journey up Rock City Road to Overlook Mountain. The Colony closed for many years, but re-opened in 2000 and is one of the main venues for live music in Woodstock.  It’s just a few steps from the Woodstock Music Shop.

Contact info: The Colony Café, 22 Rock City Road, Woodstock, NY 12498; (845) 679-5342; http://colonycafe.com

Crest Bar (Woodstock Lodge), Woodstock:

The Woodstock Lodge was built in the early 1900s and hosts Marion’s Country Kitchen and the Crest Bar. The bar features a wood-burning fireplace, pool table and jukebox.  Weekly entertainment includes live music, open mic night and karaoke.

Contact info: Marion’s Country Kitchen, 20 Country Club Lane, Woodstock NY 12498; (845) 679-3213; http://www.marionscountrykitchen.com/entertainment.htm

Firebird Grill & Lounge, Rhinebeck:

The Firebird features a bar-food menu with specialized martinis, beers and exotic drinks. DJs are on hand every Friday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. and live bands perform on Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.  Thursday is Karaoke night.  Open from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. Wednesday-Monday; closed on Tuesday.

Contact info: Firebird Grill & Lounge, 6423 Montgomery St., Rhinebeck, NY  12572; (845) 876-8686; http://www.myspace.com/firebirdlounge

The Hickory BBQ and Smokehouse, Kingston:

The Smokehouse offers a variety of live music every Friday and Saturday night. The Smokehouse, opened in 2002 by brothers Mark and Stephen Slutzky, also features “Open Mic Blues Jam.”

 

Contact info: Hickory BBQ and Smokehouse, 743 Route 28, Kingston, NY 12401; (845) 338-2424; http://www.hickoryrestaurant.com

Hurley Mountain Inn, Hurley:

The Inn is a family owned/operated restaurant, night club and sports bar, providing food and drink, coverage of major sporting events and live music. Most noteworthy fact about the Inn: Dustin Hoffman performed his award-winning role from “Tootsie” at the Hurley Mountain Inn.

Contact info: Hurley Mountain Inn, Old Route 209, Hurley, NY 12443; (845) 331-1780; http://www.hurleymountaininn.com

The Joyous Lake (a.k.a., The Lake), Woodstock:

The Lake has served as Woodstock’s hottest music spot: The Band performed with blues harmonica master Paul Butterfield in June 1983; Tony Levin, Chris Botti, Bill Bruford and David Torn rehearsed for their upcoming “Upper Extremities” in December 1998; NRBQ performed for a Memorial Day celebration in 1999; and Phish is known to stop by for an unscheduled session. The Lake reopened in late 2004 after a year-plus of renovation, which included a new sound system, an elaborate art display and a custom wood bar.  But it closed again early 2006 and was put up for sale.  The Lake was purchased in 2007 and converted into a retail store, Not Fade Away, silencing Woodstock's most legendary live music venue.    

The Loft, Poughkeepsie:

The Loft opened in October of 2002 as the final completion of The Chance Entertainment Complex. The club offers Ultimate College Night every Thursday, live bands every Friday and Ladies Night every Saturday. In addition to live music, DJs spin popular hits and lounge music is available.

Contact info: The Loft, 6 Crannell St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (845) 471-1966; http://www.thechancecomplex.com

Maverick Concert Hall, Woodstock:

Maverick’s “Music in the Woods” concert series returns every June with a full summer lineup.  A veritable Woodstock tradition, these concerts started the summer of 1916 and were held every Sunday afternoon. The program was developed and financed by Hervey White, a Woodstock farm owner and music director. The hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and attracts international and national performers each year.

Contact info: Maverick Concert Hall, P.O. Box 9, Woodstock, NY 12498; (845) 679-8217;      www.maverickconcerts.org/index.html

New World Home Cooking, Saugerties:

New World offers a unique variety of live music every Friday and is located just over 3 miles east of downtown Woodstock. A few of the bands who regularly appear include the Five Points Band, PEACHjAM, Crawdaddy, Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers, Lovewhip, Los Taino and Mambo Kikongo.

Contact info: New World Home Cooking Company, 1411 Route 212, Saugerties, NY 12477; (845) 246-0900; http://www.newworldhomecooking.com

The Tinker Street Café (formerly Espresso and now deceased), Woodstock:

The building that once housed Café Espresso – and later named The Tinker Street Café -- is now home to The Center for Photography at Woodstock. Legendary artists were known to frequent Café Espresso, including Bob Dylan, who spent so much time at the café that the owners gave Dylan his own room on the second floor. Dylan composed two influential albums in the 1960's here: “Another Side of Bob Dylan" and "Bringing It All Back Home.” As The Tinker Street Café, performances were heard by the Dave Matthews Band, who, on a fall Wednesday night in October, 1995, played a set of 13 songs from their “Crash” album, four of which debuted that night: “Proudest Monkey,” "Too Much,” “#41” and “So Much to Say.” In February of 1995, Jewel played a 14-song, 50-miunute set at the café.

Towne Crier Café, Pawling:

Opened 1972 in Beekmanville, the Towne Crier Café moved to its current location on Route 22 in Pawling in 1988, where it has remained one of the oldest, currently-operated venues of its type. This classic café-style venue offers a genre of music. Many legendary greats have graced the Towne Crier with memorable performances, although the small stage has been known to discourage big-name entertainers like The Rolling Stones, who decided the stage wasn’t large enough for them to perform a warm-up show for their Steel Wheels tour in 1989. Amy Fradon and Leslie Ritter, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Levon Helm, Hot Tuna, Tony Levin, Jerry Marotta, Pat Metheny and Orleans are some of the Woodstock locals who have performed at the Towne Crier.

Contact info: Towne Crier Cafe, 130 Route 22, Pawling, NY 12564; (845) 855-1300; http://www.townecrier.com

Ulster Performing Arts Center, Kingston:

This 1,500-seat historic performance venue opened on June 9, 1927, as the Broadway Theater. The theater underwent major renovations in the 1950s and, after being added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1979, was renamed the Ulster Performing Arts Center. It is considered the largest Broadway-style theater between New York City and Albany.

Contact info: Ulster Performing Arts Center, 601 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401; (845) 339-6088; http://www.upac.org

Woodstock Playhouse, Woodstock:

At the intersection of Route 375 and Route 212, the Woodstock Playhouse serves as the entrance – the gateway – to Woodstock. However, the current venue is not the original Woodstock Playhouse. Speculation surrounds the demise of the original theater, which was built in the 1930s. It’s widely believed that the torching of the historical building in 1988 was done so by an arsonist -- some believe the owner – who vowed the theater would remain intact, then made other plans to construct a much larger commercial building in its place. Upon hearing plans for demolition, Woodstock residents became angry and offered to buy the property. The owner raised the price well beyond the town’s budget range, and after years of failed negotiations, the property was torched and burned to the ground within a few hours.

Contact info: Woodstock Playhouse, P.O. Box 1326, Routes 212 & 375, Woodstock, NY 12498; (845) 679-4101; http://www.woodstockplayhouse.org