By Nancy Peckenham
Are you in the mood for a concert or, perhaps, a word popping poetry jam? Well, if so, you’re in luck this weekend in Newburgh where you will find unique performances in theater, music, film and the spoken word.
International opera singer Patrick Carfizzi will appear with Mary Kay Messenger and Newburgh students in this tribute concert at NFA.
On Friday night you can head over to Newburgh Free Academy for an evening of music for every taste in A Salute to Our Heroes: A Musical Tribute. You’ll hear cabaret, Broadway tunes, jazz, gospel, R&B, pop and contemporary music song by a variety of performers including international opera singer Patrick Carfizzi and vocalist Mary Kay Messenger. You’ll also have an opportunity to check out the artistic talents of Newburgh students, including a 60-voice chorus, essays and artwork.
The proceeds from the event will be donated to Castle Point VA Hospital, ArtsLEAF and Trestle Inc. Tickets are $20. Call (845) 565-0844 or visit www.trestle.org for more information.
Find out how your skills can be put to good use at the Habitat for Humanity Open House.
On Saturday morning you may want to visit the Washington Street headquarters of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh where they are holding an Open House to let people know how to be part of the re-building of Newburgh’s housing stock. Organizers say that there is plenty to do, from swinging a hammer to organizing donations to the ReStore or being a family advocate and encourage everyone to stop by at 125 Washington Street from 9 to 11 am.
Vinie Burrows will perform her one-woman show about the African-American experience.
On Saturday evening, you can catch a performance by award-winning actor, Vinie Burrows who will performs her one-woman show,“Walk Together Children” at Aquinas Hall at Mount Saint Mary College.
“Walk Together Children” uses poetry, prose and the songs of Black writers to tell the epic story of the raw survival of African-Americans from the auction block to present day struggles and triumphs in the United States. Her passionate, life-affirming production takes the stage at 6 pm. Burrows performance is part of a month-long series of events Keeping Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Dream Alive,” sponsored by the city of Newburgh Youth Bureau and partners. Tickets may be obtained with a suggested donation of $5 for adults and $3 for children and are available by calling Oliver Spearman at (845) 565-1213, ext. 7012 or by email at ospearman@cityofnewburgh-ny.gov.
Hear the music of legendary trumpeter Miles Davis performed by the USMA Jazz Knights.
Also on Saturday, the USMA Jazz Knights are cooking up a tribute to Miles Davis in a free concert at Eisenhower Hall at West Point. If you are a fan of the trumpet master and his great works, including pieces from his album Kind A Blue or My Funny Valentine, then you will enjoy the work of this jazz legend and pioneer as performed by the Jazz Knights. The concert starts at 7:30 pm. Free tickets may be downloaded here.
Following a screening of his short film, visit the Railroad Playhouse gallery to see the art of Bathelemy Atsin.
Put on your walking shoes to catch a series of well-timed cultural happenings that start at the Downing Film Center at 1 pm. That’s when you can see a benefit screening of a short film by Barthelemy Atsin, followed by a discussion with the artist. Everyone is invited to walk from the Downing up to the Railroad Playhouse on South Water Street to an opening of Atsin’s art exhibit in the gallery. Admission to the film screening is $20 and proceeds go to the Railroad Playhouse.
Bob McNeil performs with the spoken word, accompanied by King Aswad, at the Newburgh Free Library.
Save some energy for another brief walk to the Newburgh Free Library where spoken word artist Bob McNeil and his accompanist, King Aswad, will share poems and songs that celebrate Black History Month at a free program at 3 p.m. McNeil, who has been the editor of BLACFAX and is the author of two books, one an anthology of his poetry, will present original and classic works in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, Malcolm X, Betty Shabazz, Nelson Mandela and others.
Singer-songwriter King Aswad , who has toured with the musical Rent and appeared at the Nuyorican Poets Café, the Blue Note and the Apollo Theater, will accompany McNeil in the performance.
An open mic segment will follow — poets, rappers and singers are invited to perform their own word creations.
The celebration of the spoken word will end just in time for folks to get home to watch Music’s Biggest Night, the televised Grammy Awards, coming to you live at 8 pm.
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