‘American Beauty,’ Now 50 Years Old, Keeps on Truckin’ at the Bardavon

‘American Beauty,’ Now 50 Years Old, Keeps on Truckin’ at the Bardavon
The Bardavon Theater in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., is celebrating the 50th anniversary (and what a long strange trip …) of the Grateful Dead’s “American Beauty” album with a virtual concert on Nov. 1. 

It’s the 50th anniversary of an iconic Grateful Dead album, and the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., is celebrating with a free online show on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. featuring covers of songs from the album and the general Dead song list. 

One of the highlights of the show will be Jefferson Airplane’s Jorma Kaukonen performing “Operator,” with John Hurlbut. Kaukonen went on to have a long and fruitful solo career after leaving the Airplane.

The show will also include the lovely “Box of Rain,” written by Dead founding bass player Phil Lesh, with Robert Hunter. It’s one of the few recordings of Lesh singing.  Nicki Bluhm and Amy Helm will cover the song for the Nov. 1 show.

Members of Moonalice and Doobie Decibel System will cover “Attics of My Life.” 

Other covers will include Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO) performing “Friend of the Devil;” Mihali performing, “Sugar Magnolia;” Yonder Mountain String Band performing “Candyman;” Marco Benevento performing, “Ripple;”The Harmonellas performing “Brokedown Palace;” Railroad Earth performing, “Till the Morning Comes;” and Donna the Buffalo performing, “Truckin’.”  

As a bonus,  from “Workingman’s Dead,” The Weight Band will cover “New Speedway Boogie.”

The 50th anniversary celebration was curated by Bardavon Production Manager Stephen LaMarca; the show has commentary by Bardavon Executive Director Chris Silva.

A portion of all donations from this and other concerts in the Bardavon streaming series Bardavon Presents @ You Tube will benefit People’s Place in Kingston, N.Y., and  Dutchess Outreach in Poughkeepsie.

Coming up next on  Bardavon Presents @You Tube is the 50th anniversary of “Loaded” by the Velvet Underground on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. with special guest artists.

Don’t be sad that your favorite albums are celebrating their half century; be glad that you grew up with so much great music!

Find the Bardavon’s “American Beauty” tribute on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. and see other shows, too,  at www.youtube.com/channel/UCfYyXGTdmF4O55Duc4sgaSw. 

Latest News

Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete.It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
North East town records brought into the digital age

Chris Virtuoso reorganized parcel records in the North East Town Hall basement by parcel number during the process of scanning and digitizing the documents.

Photo by Grace DeMarco

MILLERTON — Within the walls of the two-story Victorian housing the North East Town Hall lies a room-full of town records dating back to the late 19th century. Stored in labeled cardboard boxes and protected by dehumidifiers, the records are in the process of being dated, organized, and scanned into categorized online programs.

As the Town Hall works to relocate to 5603 Route 22 at the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, the consolidation and digitalization of records, as well as the disposal of those unneeded, is a time-sensitive project. Marcy Wheatley, the Deputy Town Clerk, emphasized their current heavy focus on organizing and scanning. “Now, when we move, we can get rid of a lot,” Wheatley stated.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Fire Department Carnival returns

The Thorne Building on Franklin Avenue in the village of Millbrook.

Archive photo

MILLBROOK — Summer fun is just around the corner, thanks to the fire department and the return of the Fire Department Carnival scheduled to open on Wednesday, July 9, and continue through Saturday, July 12, on the Thorne Building grounds on Franklin Avenue.

Opening night activities will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9. The Carnival will open each night at 7 p.m., remaining open until 11 p.m.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cellists to perform 
at Smithfield Church

The Smithfield Valley Church on Smithfield Road in Amenia.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — As an alternative to three tenors, The Smithfield Church invites music fans to a concert that will feature three cellists in a program called “Three Cello Fellows” to be held on Sunday, July 13, at 3 p.m.

Part of the Bang Family Concert series, three acclaimed New York City orchestral/chamber musicians will play a varied program of all-cello works by Luigi Boccherini, David Popper’s Requiem for three cellos, Bela Bartok duos and selections from the cello suites by J.S. Bach.

Keep ReadingShow less