Live music in Poughkeepsie, NY

Ukulele players gather at the Boardman Road Branch Library for a relaxed strumalong where songs are played together and the music is shown on a large screen. Everyone is welcome, from first-time strummers to experienced musicians. Following strong participation in earlier sessions, this community favorite returns for its fourth year.

Explore improvisation in a collaborative jazz ensemble at Beacon Music Factory. This workshop welcomes musicians of any instrument at the beginner and intermediate levels and focuses on blues, swing, bebop, jazz fusion, and timeless standards in a live group setting. Each session blends learning repertoire with practical guidance on soloing approaches and foundational music theory, encouraging you to put new skills into action right away. Participants should be comfortable on their instrument and able to read simple lead sheets similar to those found in The Real Book. Led by instructor Nicholas Salomone, the program runs for 10 weeks. Tuition is $325.

The Hudson Valley’s longest running karaoke continues at The Golden Rail Ale House. Singers from seasoned regulars to first timers can step up to the mic and be the focus of the night. The setting includes food, drinks, and beer to round out the experience.

Sunset paddleboard yoga on the river is set to the beats of the Beacon Drum Circle, blending mindful movement with live percussion. After the class, participants take part in the drum circle and dancing alongside the community. The experience highlights mindfulness, music, connection, and joy.

Barton Orchards hosts a live music series with an evening of performances, crisp cider, and fresh bites that set a relaxed tone for the weekend. The farm opens earlier in the day, so visitors can explore the orchard and enjoy something to eat before the music begins.

Teens on Stage brings Carrie: The Musical to life, a stage adaptation of Stephen King’s novel set in contemporary Chamberlain, Maine. The creative team features book writer Lawrence D. Cohen, composer Michael Gore, and lyricist Dean Pitchford, with Gore and Pitchford both recognized as Academy Award winners. At the center is Carrie White, a high school outsider who longs to belong. Hounded by classmates and tightly controlled at home by her devout mother, she discovers a potent telekinetic ability that erupts when the pressure becomes unbearable. The production is directed by Lynne Czajka, with musical direction by TJ Swetz, choreography by Cedric James, and stage management by Kim Bowles. Tickets are $19. The show contains mature themes, including domestic violence, bullying, religious fanaticism, teen sexuality, animal cruelty, and murder. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

Vocalist and host Brian "BSKi" Collazo leads an ensemble honoring Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life. Rob Reich on guitar and vocals, Patrick Firth on keys, Gabriel Otero on bass, Otoniel Vargas on drums, Vivian Sessoms and Freedom Bremner on vocals, and Charlie Lagond on sax interpret selections from the 1976 release that won Grammy awards, including favorites such as Sir Duke, I Wish, and Isn't She Lovely.

Gratefully Yours brings a Hudson Valley take on the Grateful Dead songbook, built around fan-submitted dream set lists and a lineup of seasoned jam musicians. Founded in 2012 by Alex Mazur, a founding member and keyboardist of The Deadbeats, a long-running Grateful Dead cover band, the group blends deep experience with an ear for musical conversation. The core band features Rob Schiff on rhythm guitar and vocals, Jude DeFalco on drums, and Steve Chun on bass, with special guest Steve Bernstein of Dead to the Core on lead guitar. Known for fearless improvisation and high-energy interplay, they deliver a Grateful Dead inspired experience where no two performances are alike. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. All sales are final. Dinner reservations require one entree per person. Show-only ticket holders are admitted 15 minutes before showtime. The advance price ends one hour before doors.

At Barton Orchards in Poughquag, NY, the lineup includes live music, family-friendly entertainment, magic shows, pig races, a petting zoo, a fun park, and a variety of food options. Guests can sip the orchard’s own craft hard cider at any of the three bars and pick up meals or snacks at three concession locations. Each festival offers different experiences, with farm fun for all ages.

A statewide ska collaboration brings Ben Basile, The Doomstompers, Girth Control, and The Abruptors to Kaal Rock Park for a free, all-ages show that blends modern ska, rocksteady, ska-punk, and reggae. Hudson Valley bassist, educator, and composer Ben Basile headlines with an all-star band, drawing on a career that spans performances across six continents, work with Boston’s Big D and The Kids Table, and founding The Poughkeepsie Jazz Project. His debut solo album, Benergy, arrived on Sleep Walk Sounds, an imprint of Wiretap Records, and his set weaves ska, reggae, and jazz. Queens outfit The Doomstompers deliver punk-infused rocksteady with an organ-led five-piece lineup, channeling 60s Jamaican influences alongside touchstones like Bad Brains, The Beastie Boys, and MF Doom. Their debut, Take A Beat, is on Bad Time Records. From Albany, Girth Control packs catchy ska-punk singalongs full of hooks, humor, and heart. Formed by members of upstate favorites Public Access and The Slaughterhouse Chorus, the trio stays true to a mission of keeping things tight, honest, and fun. Buffalo’s The Abruptors round out the bill with a lively mix of ska, reggae, and rocksteady on Asian Man Records. They are promoting Everything You Know Is Wrong, a release that tackles themes of mental health, navigating crises, and conversations that matter.

Enjoy an evening of line dancing with K&C Line Dancing at Barton Orchards. The Sound Garden hosts an event open to all levels, from beginners to seasoned dancers. Arrive early to visit the full bar and concession. Admission is $10 at the door. Gather a few friends and make memories at the farm.