Events in Poughkeepsie today

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.

A lively Thursday trivia night returns to the Terrapin pavilion with Trivia Break with Andre. Seating opens before the quiz begins and the game starts promptly. The full pavilion menu will be available for food and drinks throughout the evening. Teams can include up to six players. Walk-ins may be accommodated when space allows, though reservations are recommended since seats tend to fill quickly.

Explore Staatsburgh’s historic grounds on a free guided walk that reveals how the estate’s landscape was crafted to showcase the owners’ luxury while concealing the early twentieth century technology and labor that kept everything running. The experience lasts about an hour and covers roughly a mile on mostly level paths with a few uphill stretches. Reservations are required in advance, and there is no cost to attend.

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.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 brings together a star-studded cast in high style with an empowering continuation of the story. According to Rotten Tomatoes, it refreshes the classic with fashionable flair and stands out as a highlight. Rated PG-13. Registration for this program is available.

Attendees can watch a dance class held in the gym at Millbrook Village Hall. For more information, consult the flyer or call (831) 512-8745.

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.

Clear out your closets to help Troop 3077 of Beekman. Sort through items you no longer need and take part in a simple effort that benefits the troop.

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.

Explore Staatsburg on a guided 90-minute walk that uncovers the village’s rich past and its ties to the nearby Staatsburgh estate. The route features historic buildings, out-of-the-way spots, and stories of once-thriving hotels, long-quiet factories, and memorials with medieval flair. The narrative highlights the enduring influence of Ruth and Ogden Mills outside the estate grounds. The tour sets off from St. Margaret’s Church, not from the Staatsburgh State Historic Site. Admission is free, and advance reservations are required.

Experience a traditional Chado, or Japanese Tea Ceremony, presented by the Mid-Hudson Japanese Community Association at Millbrook Library. Chado, meaning the way of tea, centers on a shared, heartwarming moment between host and guests over a bowl of matcha. MHJCA staff will demonstrate the roles of the tea host and two guests to show how tea is traditionally prepared and received. A narrator will guide the audience through each step and share the meanings and history behind the practice. Attendees will be individually served wagashi, a Japanese sweet that balances the bitterness of the tea, followed by matcha in a traditional bowl. For practical reasons the ceremony will follow the Ryurei style, with preparation and service at a table rather than on the floor. Children ages 10 and up may attend with a parent or guardian, and please note that green tea contains caffeine. Space is limited and registration is required, and each attendee must register separately.

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.

Put your skills to the test in a steel plate shooting event that emphasizes precision and speed, with divisions for both rifles and handguns. Entry is $20 for adults and $10 for youth. Approved handgun calibers include .22 rimfire, 9 mm, .38 Special, .40, and .45 ACP. Rifles are limited to .22 LR, and magnum loads are not permitted. Firearms must remain in a bag until you are at the firing line. Plan to bring 200 rounds of ammunition and at least three magazines, with five preferred. A New York State pistol permit is required, and all New York State laws apply. Breakfast will be available to purchase. For more information, contact Tom Sandstedt at 845.389.2881 or tsandstedt@gmail.com.

Now in its 32nd year, this outdoor market season takes place rain or shine. Vendor listings, a vendor map, and information about special events are available online. For the comfort of all guests, dogs and other pets are not permitted.

Take a 90-minute guided hike in Mills-Norrie State Park that reveals the stories behind the ruins tied to three historic estates. Hear how Staatsburgh began as a gentleman’s farm in the 1700s, then follow the 19th-century development of The Point and Stonehurst. The route covers about 1.5 miles on uneven terrain, so sturdy footwear is required. Reservations are required, and there is no cost to participate.

An award-winning buzzer-based game show trivia experience takes over Industrial Arts Brewing in Beacon, New York. Teams compete for prizes with free admission, and craft beers and cocktails are available. When the weather cooperates, the action moves to the patio.