The Local in Saugerties Plans to Revamp with New Stage

The Local, a new center for arts, culture, and community in Saugerties, has announced they plan to ramp up the venue with a new stage, enabling concert-goers to see the artists better and add to the audience experience.

Photo by Neil Segal.

Housed in a former Dutch chapel built in 1876, The Local is under the guidance of Isabel Soffer and Danny Melnick, co-founders of Hudson Valley Live. The two Saugerties-based music producers and performing arts professionals have each devoted more than 30 years to producing festivals, concerts, and curated arts experiences. Since opening its doors in September 2023, it has already welcomed more than 2,000 guests from throughout the region and beyond for Spanish flamenco, tango music and dance, West African Highlife, incredible jazz, and performances by noteworthy artists like Emel, Emily King, a tribute to Leonard Cohen, Sandy Bell, a Silent Disco with live DJs, and so much more.

They are kicking off their first fundraising campaign to purchase this highly needed stage with a $12,500 matching gift through their fiscal sponsor globalFEST. This means the donations received are tax deductible. The funds will be used to cover the stage, which will help audience members see the performers better, and also be used to cover programming, facilities maintenance, and other venue-related expenses until they become a not-for-profit and can raise money through grants and sponsorships.

Photo by Eric Delmar.

“As the only year-round music venue and cultural center in Saugerties, we are working hard to make The Local a stable, viable, fun, and accessible resource that encourages community, cultural diversity, creativity, discovery, and economic development in the Hudson Valley,” said the venue.

For every dollar people donate, it matches to two with the sponsors’ help. The campaign site has different tiers that people can donate to, with some including two tickets to an upcoming show, beer, wine or refreshments on the house, and shoutouts and additions to the venue’s Hall of Fame on their website.

For more information about The Local and to help their plans for a new stage, visit here.

The Local’s confirmed February-June 2024 season lineup:

Sat., Feb. 10, 8 pm – The Art of Arabic Maqam: Firas Zreik

Sat., Feb. 24, 8 pm – Saugerties Sessions: Cindy Cashdollar with Toombs Dixon

March

Sat., March 2, 8 pm – African-American Folk, Blues, & Dixieland Jazz: Blind Boy Paxton + Dennis Lichtman  

Tues., March 12, 7 pm – Irish Bluegrass: JigJam   

Fri., March 15, 7 pm – Psychedelic Chanson: Combo Daguerre  

Sat., March 16, 8 pm – Tracy Bonham’s Birthday Bash

Tues., March 19, 7 pm – Consider This: Astronomer Bill Berman 

April

Wed., April 10, 7 pm – Music and Dance from Veracruz, Mexico: Caña Dulce y Caña Brava 

Thurs., April 18, 7 pm – Jazz: Alexa Tarantino Quartet 

Sat., April 20, 8 pm – Old Time Music and Ballads: Nora Brown and Stephanie Coleman

Sun., April 21, 1 pm –  Family day! Dendê’s Brazilian Recycled Sounds 

Thurs., April 25, 7 pm – 17-year-old piano phenom Brandon Goldberg & His Trio

Fri., April 26, 7 pm – The Fantastical World of Hazmat Modine

May

Tues., May 7, 7 pm – Consider This: The Biology of Addiction

Sun., May 12, 7 pm – Music of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra: Simon’s Dream

Sat., May 18, 8 pm – Sharing in the Spirit Album Release Tour: Ana Egge

Sat., May 25, 8 pm – Sikh and Punjabi Songs: Sonny Singh Band 

June

Sat., June 8, 8 pm – Flamenco: Antonio Lizana and Chano Dominguez 

Sat., June 15, 8 pm – Persian Classical Music: Kayhan Kalhor 

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