Arts and leisure digest

'Race to Nowhere’ screens at Downing Film Center Newburgh — The hard-hitting education documentary, “Race to Nowhere,” will be screened at the Downing Film Center, on the Newburgh Waterfront, through Monday, Feb. 28. In the film, a concerned mother, Vicki Abeles, turned filmmaker, aims her camera at the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded schools and children’s lives, creating unhealthy, disengaged, unprepared and stressed-out youth. Scheduled show times are Saturday, Feb. 26, at noon and Monday, Feb. 28 at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. General admission is $8.50. Seating is limited so reservations are accepted. Call 561-3686 and leave a message. For more information visit www.downingfilmcenter.com. Shabbat-Across-America at Temple Beth-El next Friday Monroe — Shabbat-Across-America takes place on Friday, March 4, and Temple Beth-El will open its doors to a diversity of Jews both affiliated and unaffiliated to experience a traditional Friday night observance. Along with hundreds of synagogues across the U.S. and Canada, Beth-El’s intent is to create a sense of unity for all Jews in its community, while taking a break from the rigors of every life. March 4 is also Shabbat Hallelu. Conducted on the first Friday of each month, it is designed to bring an upbeat, music-filled service to the congregation. Known for its spirited music and dancing in the aisles of the sanctuary, this joyful service is a special way to celebrate Shabbat-Across-America. Bring the entire family, along with a picnic-style dinner (dairy only) to commence the festivities at 6:30 p.m. in the Temple Social Hall. Beverages will be furnished. Shabbat services will commence at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. RSVP to 783-2626 by Monday, Feb. 28. Introduction to beekeeping MIDDLETOWN — The Southeastern Beekeepers Club is offering its second class as part of its an Introduction to Beekeeping Seminar on Friday, March 4, at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Middletown. Members of the Southeastern Beekeepers Club will be on hand to teach the class. To register for the class and for further information about the Southeastern Beekeepers Club, contact John Graham at 845-726-4231,or 845-551-6386,or e-mail Meade63@Hotmail.com. Annual St. Pat’s dinner is March 6 Monroe - The Sacred Heart Men’s Holy Name Society and the Monroe Knights of Columbus Council 2079 will host the 48th annual St. Patrick’s corn beef and cabbage dinner on Sunday, March 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Sacred Heart School gym in Monroe. There will one seating at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults; $5 for children 12 and under; and $35 for a family (two adults and two children), The price includes dinner, dessert, beverage and live entertainment featuring music by Jerry Sherman and Moondance as well as an appearance by AOH pipers and dancers. For information or advanced ticket sales, call Tom Flynn at 845-783-6656. New Shangai Circus plays the Lycian Centre on March 5 Sugar Loaf — The New Shanghai Circus will appear at the Lycian Centre for the Performing Arts in Sugar Loaf on Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m. Athletes defy gravity and execute feats as they stretch the limits of human ability in this show, bringing 2,000 years of Chinese circus traditions to the stage. Direct from China, this troupe has been wowing audiences for 16 years. The New York Times described the show as “feats of circus art that reach literally breathtaking heights of skill.” Tickets may be purchased by calling the Lycian Centre Box Office at 469-2287. Roots program focuses on traditions Florida — A new program, Chicken Soup for Your Jewish Soul, begins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Temple Beth Shalom in the Village of Florida. The first session offers a cooking demonstration on how to prepare a traditional Shabbat dinner. Afterward everyone will sit down together to share the meal. The public is welcome to attend. There is no fee but RSVP’s are requested so the congregation’s cooks and planners can prepare to have enough on hand. Call Temple Beth Shalom at 845-651-7817 to reserve a place. Future events for this series include a program called Shabbat 101, in which each aspect of the Sabbath service is discussed; and a special musical Shabbat service. Both are planned for later in the spring. The Chicken Soup series sets out to achieve several goals: to help younger families, many of whom are interfaith, understand and participate in Jewish traditions; to allow all Jews, regardless of their level of knowledge or involvement, to feel connected to their Jewish heritage, and to have fun. For more information, call the temple at 651-7817 or visit the Web site: www.tbsny.org. Free bus ride available to St. Patrick’s Day Parade in NYC Monroe - Flynn’s Funeral Home in Monroe is sponsoring a free bus ride to New York City on Thursday, March 17, to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. One bus will leave from the funeral home, located at 139 Stage Road in Monroe, at 8 a.m. The bus will leave New York City for the return trip at 4 p.m., with an expected arrival time of 6 p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Seating is limited, so call 783-1811 to reserve a place on the bus.