Arts and leisure digest

Arboretum to host plant sales Montgomery — The Friends of the Orange County Arboretum will host their annual fundraising plant sales at the Orange County Arboretum in the Kosuga Greenhouse on May 14 and May 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The May 14 “Plant and Shrub Sale” will also offer a large assortment of planting material to beautify the landscape. Customers will also have the added bonus of being able to “Design Your Own Planter.” Bring in a favorite pot or container and the talented volunteers will arrange and plant purchases at no extra charge. And the public shouldn’t pass up the May 21 “Greenhouse Blowout Sale” because it’s the last chance for plant bargains galore. The Orange County Arboretum is located in Thomas Bull Memorial Park and is most easily accessed from the Grove St. entrance off State Route 416, in Montgomery. For more information about special events and programs, donations, membership or volunteer opportunities at the Orange County Arboretum, visit www.orangecountyarboretum.org. Authors’ Circle to present David Grann on May 14 at Tuxedo Park Library Tuxedo Park — The Authors’ Circle at Tuxedo Park Library will present David Grann, author of “The Lost City of Z,” on Saturday, May 14, at 4 p.m. Grann is a longtime staff writer at The New Yorker. He has written about everything from New York City’s antiquated water tunnels to the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang, from the hunt for the giant squid to the mysterious death of the world’s greatest Sherlock Holmes expert. His stories have appeared in several Best American writing anthologies, and he has written for The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Wall St. Journal and The New Republic. Books will be available for purchase and autographs after the program. To register call the library at 351-2207. Sale of wildflowers and heirloom veggies set for nature museum on Saturday Cornwall — The Hudson Highlands Nature Museum will host a wildflower and heirloom vegetable sale on Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center There will be a large selection of native wildflowers that are beautiful and assist wildlife in many ways. Also for purchase will be heirloom vegetable seedlings which are a variety of garden delights that are not genetically engineered. Visitors will learn about composting with red worms and can take some home, and meet gardeners from the area, ask questions and get some gardening tips. The event includes two presentations: at 9:30 a.m., Hummingbirds in Your Garden and at 11 a.m., How to Get Started with Worm Composting. For more information visit www.hhnaturemuseum.org or call 534-5506, ext. 204. 'Cabaret’ auditions May 16 and 17 MONROE — Creative Theatre-Muddy Water Players will hold open auditions on May 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. for their upcoming production of the musical, “Cabaret”, at The Playhouse at Museum Village, Route 17M in Monroe. The production is under the direction of Terri Brockmann with Brian Flint as musical director. Performances will be from Sept. 16 to Oct. 2. A prepared vocal selection is needed. Bring sheet music to audition with piano accompanist. More information can be found on the company’s web site, www.ctmwp.org. Interested participants can call 294-9465 for more information. Trace your family’s military history on May 14 New Windsor — As part of New York Heritage Weekend, The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor will hold a workshop on Saturday May 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. to help people find the ways and means to research their family’s military history and then preserve those memories once they find the information. Michelle Phillips, paper conservator from NYSOPRHP Resource Center, will talk about how to care for the paper collection one may have at home. Christopher Zarr, education specialist for the National Archives, will help teach people how to find their ancestor’s records. and how to keep that information preserved for years to come. To learn more, call 561-1765. Hudson Valley Fair lowers admission price to $6 FISHKILL — The Hudson Valley Fair in Dutchess County has reduced its admission price to $6 and the fair will feature fireworks each Saturday night. Fireworks will be provided by Legion Fireworks of Wappingers Falls. The fair will feature more than 100 rides, games, free entertainment and attractions. Entertainment includes The Lance Gifford Magic and Illusion Show, the Great American Frontier Show featuring an award-winning horseback rider and the Wolves of the World Show. The Animals that Built America Show, a free petting zoo and the Old West Theatre’s vaudeville-show with dogs as the stars are also highlights of the fair. Rides and games will be provided by Wade Shows, the world’s largest traveling amusement company. The Hudson Valley Fair will be held on the weekends of May 13, 14 and 15 and May 20, 21 and 22, at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, on Route 9D, just north of I-84. Fair hours are Fridays 5 p.m. to midnight and Saturdays and Sundays 12 noon to midnight. Admission is $6 and buy-one-get-one free admission coupons are available at www.HudsonValleyFair.com. For a schedule of events, directions and information, call 631-920-2738. Chabad ritual mikvah tour and luncheon is May 15 MONSEY — Chabad’s Jewish Women’s Circle will host “The Secret of the Mystical Waters: Exploring the Timeless Tradition of the Mikvah,” on Sunday, May 15, ar noon at Mikvah of Rockland in Monsey in Rockland County. “The Mikvah is a pool of natural water designed specifically for immersion,” said Chana Burston, who directs the Jewish Women’s Circle and co-directs Chabad of Orange County. “The Mikvah is an age-old Jewish tradition which remains an integral part of contemporary Jewish life, and many Jewish women of all backgrounds are rediscovering the beauty of this tradition.” The tour will explore both the historical and cultural background of the Mikvah. Officials said this tradition has been a key to marital harmony throughout the ages. Tour will be followed by a luncheon at “Wok N Grill.” The tour of the Mikvah premises will begin at 12 noon, followed by the luncheon at 1:15 p.m. The tour is free and luncheon fee is $12. To learn more, call 782-2770 or visit www.ChabadOrange.com Learn about tea drinking traditions this Sunday Newburgh — The Historical Society of Newburgh is hosting local decorative arts historian Jennifer Carlquist, who will discuss tea-drinking traditions in 19th century America and related antiques in the society’s collection, on Sunday, May 15, at 3 p.m. at the Captain David Crawford House. Highlighted will be the society’s tea set and locally crafted silver. The event is free for members and $5 for non-members. No reservations are necessary. To learn more, call 561-2585. Jubilate hosts a concert on May 15 to celebrate its fifth season Warwick - Jubilate, the Hudson Valley’s youth choir, will hold its spring concert, “More Than I Can Be,” on Sunday, May 15, at 7 p.m. at Christ Church, 50 South St. in Warwick. This marks the end of the choir’s fifth concert season and is also a farewell to eight graduating high school seniors. A champagne reception will follow the performance. Tickets ($10 for adults, $5 for students) are available by calling 845-986-9964, and at the door. Jubilate members hail from Blooming Grove, Central Valley, Chester, Florida, Goshen, Hewitt, N.J., Highland Mills, Monroe, Pine Island, Sugar Loaf, Tuxedo Park and Warwick. Jubilate (pronounced yoo-bih-LAH-tey) is directed by David Crone with assistant director/accompanist Steven Wing, both teachers at Monroe-Woodbury. For more information visit the choir’s Web site JubilateWarwick.com. Hudson Opera to present 'Cavalleria Rusticana’ and 'Gianni Schicchi’ Middletown — The Hudson Opera Theatre will present Giovanni Verga’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Giacomo Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” on Sunday, May 15, Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22, at The United Presbyterian Church of Middletown. All performances are at 7 p.m. Casts for the two shows include soprano Victoria Tralongo, as Santuzza in “Cavalleria Rusticana,” and tenor Kevin Courtemanche as Turiddu, with Middletown baritone, Gustavo Morales, as Alfio. Kathryn Tate of Warwick sings Mamma Lucia and New York City Opera soprano, Charlotte Detrick, sings Lola. Detrick returns in “Gianni Schicchi” to portray Nella, one of the avaricious relatives along with Kevin Courtemanche and Gustavo Morales. They are joined by soprano Jeanai La Vita as Lauretta and young Middletown tenor, Justin Randolph, as Rinuccio. In a rare tour de force, artistic director, Ron De Fesi, will conduct “Cavalleria Rusticana” and then sing the title role in “Gianni Schicchi.” General admission is $30. Seniors, $27 and students, $20. Children under 13, free. For tickets and information call 661-0544 or visit www.hotopera.com. Benefit Habitat for Humanity talent and dinner show set for May 21 Washingtonville — The First Presbyterian Church of Washingtonville will host a talent show sponsored by “PresbyBuild” to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh on Saturday, May 21, at 7 p.m. at the church on 30 Goshen Ave. The evening will begin with a baked ziti dinner in the “Gypsy Café” (church dining hall) at 5:30 p.m. Music and comedy from around the region will be on hand to offer a variety of entertainment. Tickets for the dinner and show are $15 and $10 for children under 12. Show only tickets are $10 and $5 for children under 12. For further information, call Dave Mason at 562-0954 or 522-0807, Bill Standish at 496-3467 or 294-5878 or the church office at 496-3814. Sugar Loaf Spring Festival is May 21 and 22 Sugar Loaf — The Sugar Loaf Spring Festival will be held May 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature over 60 food and craft vendors, resident artisans and musicians. There will also be a petting zoo, pony rides and “personal trains.” Sponsored by the Sugar Loaf Chamber of Commerce, the schedule includes: Music: Bertoni’s Sculpture Garden Music Concert Saturday, May 21 Noon to 1:40 p.m. Evan Teatum and Lesley (acoustic rock) 2 to 3:40 p.m. Cynthia Summers (folk rock contemporary) 4to 6 p.m. Little Sparrow (bluegrass, roots, rock) Sunday, May 22, 2011 Noon to 1:40 p.m. Small Town Sheiks (acoustic roots/blues) 2 to 3:40 p.m. Michael Purcell Band (jazz fusion) 4 to 6 p.m. Mighty Girl (rock) To learn more, e-mail to: sugarloafnewyork@gmail.com or call 469-9181. 'Los Tres Balceneros’ return to Lycian Centre Sugar Loaf — The Air Pirates Radio Theater continues its 2011 season with “Los Tres Balceneros: I’d Rather Be Grateful Than Dead,” the third of its series of live radio plays at the Lycian Centre in Sugar Loaf on Saturday, May 21, at 8 p.m. The group performs live in front of an audience while broadcasting live on the radio. An ensemble of five actors portrays all the characters in each episode while the audience is asked to produce all the sound effects. A cue card girl lets the audiences know when it’s time to slam a door, make the footsteps and even shoot the guns during the shows. The pirates even perform the radio commercials live asking the audience to supply the necessary sounds. Prior to the performance all the necessary toys are made available to the audience and they are given a brief review of what they are to do. For information and to order tickets call 469-7563 or visit www.airpirateradio.com. Lag B’Omer celebration is May 22 MONROE — Monroe Temple Beth-El and Congregation Eitz Chaim will sponsor a Lag B’Omer celebration on Sunday, May 22 at 1 p.m. at the Round Lake Park Beach (off Cromwell Hill Road and Island View Parkway, Monroe). Lag B’Omer is celebrated as a “rite of spring” on the 18th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar, which happens to fall on May 22. The day’s activities will include a bonfire, Israeli dancing, Zumba, musical performances, sing-alongs, 50-50 raffle, and games. Officials said this is an all-inclusive day for the whole family. Monroe Shop Rite will be donating kosher marshmallows and potatoes for roasting. Kayaks and rowboats are welcome. Each family or person is responsible for their own picnic meal (parve or dairy) and a snack to share. Participants should bring their own chairs or blankets, sticks to roast marshmallows. To learn more, call 783-2495.