Saugerties’ exciting multi-arts and cultural center, The Local, is following up its highly acclaimed first year with another remarkable series of live events starting in September. With 16 shows previewed, and more to come, The Local is continuing its mission of bringing a diverse lineup of world-class artists from around the globe and around the corner to perform in an intimate setting.
The Local is a new venue for arts, culture, and community in Saugerties, NY, founded by 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.
Besides its own world-class series of music and dance events, the ADA-accessible space is available to rent for parties, concerts, pop-ups, gallery exhibits, and more. The Local is located in the heart of the Village of Saugerties at 16 John St., behind the Saugerties Reformed Church on Main Street.
In The Local’s first year, more than 50 acclaimed acts performed, dozens of shows sold out and a fundraiser to help purchase a new stage and make necessary upgrades raised more than $35,000.
This upcoming season will see an eclectic range of performances—and many Hudson Valley NY
debuts—including Brazilian singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Bia Ferreira (Sept. 25); Habibi
Festival Hudson Valley with Arabic Trance Jazz (Oct. 3); and the ambient country sounds of SUSS
(Nov. 1), described as “Brian Eno meets Ennio Morricone.” Psychedelic Furs guitarist Knox Chandler
will be a special guest of Doom Jazz duo Bobby Previte and Jamie Saft (Nov. 2), and the riveting
20-piece NYC Ska Orchestra brings their uplifting big-band sound (Nov. 9).
Plus, this season will bring additional collaborations with renowned Brooklyn venue Barbès Brooklyn,
more dance parties with Turntables on the Hudson (their April 2024 dance party at The Local with DJ
Nickodemus was a wild success), and a continuation of the popular Consider This speaker series
featuring experts discussing topics relevant to our communities.
The entire season kicks off Friday, Sept. 20, with a thrilling performance by acclaimed eight-piece band
Sidy Samb’s Afroflamenco, direct from Spain.
“We’re grateful for the support The Local has received so far, and our next season will continue to bring
more music, dancing, culture, inspiration, and collaboration to the area,” said co-founder Isabel
Soffer.
“We’re starting the second fall season with a wide array of events that we hope will encourage curiosity
and cross-cultural understanding,” said co-founder Danny Melnick.
Ticket sales will begin on Sunday, July 21. For tickets and more information, visit The Local’s website here. See below for the current full fall lineup.
The Local’s Fall 2024 Preview September-December
Fri., Sept. 20, 8pm – Sidy Samb’s Afroflamenco Band leader Sidy Samb is a highly acclaimed
Senegalese musician based in Spain who connects flamenco to its African roots.
Sat., Sept. 21, 8pm – Toombs Dixon Dance Party: Return of the Rock ‘n Twist Parade!
This supergroup celebrates the origins of rock ’n roll with tributes to the sounds of Chuck Berry, Fats
Domino, Carl Perkins, The Everly Brothers, and more.
Sun., Sept. 22, 6pm – Opera: Chant du Équinoxes by Gilbert-Michel Rolle and Katya Grineva A
US premiere! Highly acclaimed tenor Rolle and renowned pianist Grineva perform Rolle’s newest
composition, Chant du Équinoxes (Song of the Equinoxes), on the day of the Autumn Equinox.
Wed., Sept. 25, 7pm – Sounds of Brazil: Bia Ferreira This singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and
queer and women’s rights activist harnesses Brazilian rhythms and styles with funky beats, hip-hop,
reggae, and soulful ballads.
Fri., Sept. 27, 8pm – Yemen Blues Drawing from the great traditions of Jewish and Arabic culture,
each note sings with a love for common humanity coexisting in both the past and present, at once
timeless and modern.
Sun., Sept. 29, 5pm – Afro-Cuban Music and Dance A workshop and performance featuring
members of the legendary Los Muñequitos de Matanzas—one of the most critically acclaimed rumba
groups of all time.
Thurs., Oct. 3, 7pm – Habibi Festival Hudson Valley: Tarek Yamani and Yacine Boulares
Award-winning artists blend Lebanese and Tunisian traditions to create a unique Arabic trance with the
harmonic and melodic flexibility of jazz.
Sat., Oct. 5, 8pm – Marilyn Crispell & Harvey Sorgen Duo Woodstock-resident Crispell has
performed and recorded extensively with well-known players on the US and international jazz scenes.
She’ll be joined by long-time collaborator percussionist Sorgen, celebrating their new album.
Sun., Oct. 20, 2pm – Transylvanian Dance Romanian pianist Lucian Ban and US violist Mat Maneri
find fresh inspiration as they follow the trail of Béla Bartók, revisiting the Transylvanian folk music that
spurred the imagination of the great Hungarian composer.
Fri., Nov. 1, 8pm – Ambient Country: SUSS Cowpunk pioneer Bob Holmes, w/ Jonathan Gregg and
Pat Irwin, combine roots music with elements of electronic and shoegaze for a sound described as an
imagined collaboration between Brian Eno and Ennio Morricone.
Sat., Nov. 2, 8pm – Doom Jazz: Bobby Previte & Jamie Saft with Knox Chandler A vast landscape
of cascading sound diving deeply into the abyss, marrying the intricate web of jazz and the visceral heft
of rock. W/S/G guitarist Knox Chandler (Psychedelic Furs, Lou Reed, REM).
Sat., Nov. 9, 8pm – NYC Ska Orchestra This 20-piece big band performs originals and arrangements
of Jamaican ska, mento, rock steady, and reggae from the 1950s-60s. They’ve recorded and/or
performed with Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Skatalites, Toots & The Maytals, and more.
Sun., Nov. 10, 5pm – Gospel: Mount Olive Men’s Chorus / Innervisions One of the area’s
preeminent gospel ensembles, performing in gospel quartet style—the same tradition that gave rise to
Mavis Staples, Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, and Lou Rawls. Innervisions is led by Rev. Thomas V.
House, a prominent member of the legendary Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes from TX.
Fri., Dec. 6, 8pm – La Banda Chuska Reimagining the vintage sounds of Peruvian and Colombian
cumbia and surf music with the psychedelic flavors of 1970s chicha and ’80s club rock, through the lens
of a NYC home and diverse backgrounds. Crazy fun dance party vibes! (A collab w/ Barbès Brooklyn.)
Sat., Dec. 7, 8pm – The Harpweaver: Maeve Gilchrist Scottish-born harper, composer and producer
Gilchrist’s innovative approach to her instrument stretches its harmonic limits and improvisational
possibilities. She’s performed with Yo-Yo Ma, Esperanza Spalding, Arooj Aftaab, and many others.
Sat., Dec. 14, 8pm – Matt Wilson Christmas Tree-O Matt Wilson is one of the most in-demand
musicians in jazz, and Christmas Tree-O is a joyous project celebrating the holiday season.
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