Newburgh Arts Scene

A lifeless storefront in the city of Newburgh, NY will be transformed from an empty shell to an energized colorful environment in Judy Thomas’ upcoming sculptural installation ‘MATRIX:RENEWAL’.  Thomas, who was awarded a 2015 Individual Artist Commission grant from Arts Mid-Hudson to realize this project, is excited for this opportunity.  “The challenge is to engage the community to create something fun as well as thought provoking,” Thomas explains.

The social and cultural environment of the community is an important aspect of Thomas’ approach to her art.  ‘Matrix:Renewal’ will take place at 87 Ann Street, which was donated to Thomas for the duration of the project.  The building has seen many businesses over its lifespan, most recently a store for handmade fair trade goods.  Thomas will give consideration to the architecture of the space, the history of the space and its future also. She hopes to send a message that this is a safe and creative drug-free zone.

One component of the June 2015 installation will be dozens of colorful balls made from recycled plastic shopping bags, that Thomas fondly calls ‘Troubles’, named after the ‘Tribbles’ of Star Trek fame. She has invited youth from The Boys and Girls Club of Newburgh to help in the creation of the ‘Troubles’ and other parts of the installation. Donations of old newspapers and plastic shopping bags will be the materials used to create ’Trouble balls’. These balls will become part of the installation and will be given away at the end of the project as souvenirs.

The ‘Troubles’ will be brought outside during the 2015 Newburgh Illuminated Festival on June 20th. By placing art in a public setting, Thomas will be sharing her art making process with a community that has limited access to arts programming. Thousand of attendees are expected to fill the downtown area for the Festival.

The creative and interactive process of making MATRIX:RENEWAL will be documented by filmmaker Alysia Mazzella. A Kickstarter campaign is being planned to fund the film.

Judy Thomas’ work has been featured in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Time Out New York, The Detroit News, Huffington Post and the Mid-Hudson Times. Thomas’ recent piece ‘Expansion’ was included in the Hudson Valley Artists 2014 exhibition Worlds of Wonder at the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art.

Learn about Judy Thomas and view more work on her website, archives and facebook page.

Queen of the Hudson Music Series is back this Friday. They now have a Facebook fanpage and a website to keep you updated on all their events. They are now planning 2 a month at their beautiful new venue at the Atlas Warehouse. Suggested donation is $20. Event details below.

Join us for an intimate program of violin and piano works.

Mozart violin and piano Sonata in e minor
Brahms Sonata for violin and piano no.1 in G major
Poulenc sonata for violin and piano
Bartok Second Rhapsody for violin and piano

Tobias Steymans and Victoria Schwartzman have played together for over 15 years developing a sound and performance quality that is a treasure to the live stage.

Tobias Steymans is based in Munich, Germany, where he is Principal Concert Master of The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Tobias is also concert master of the Zurich Opera. He performs regularly around the world as soloist and in ensemble.

Based in New York City, Victoria Schwartzman performs regularly as a soloist and in chamber ensemble. Also active in the world of opera and art song Victoria has been vocal coach at Boston Lyric Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, and continues to teach master classes in vocal works and Russian vocal repertoire.

This is an exciting new live music event coming to the Lobby at the Ritz Theater.

M.A.K.U SoundSystem is an immigrant band based in New York City, with roots in Colombia. Their distinctive sound is enriched with a variety of musical backgrounds brought to the table by each of its members. Although not inherently discernible there are hints of Colombian Folklore, Psychedelic-rock and Caribbean grooves. M.A.K.U is as much about the music as it is about a way of life.

Tickets may be purchased on here; by calling the box office ticket line at (845) 784-1199 or by visiting the box office, which opens at 7 p.m. the evening of the performance, at 109 Broadway.

All tickets purchased on-line are $20; tickets purchased via phone or at the box office are $20, $15 for City of Newburgh residents and $10 for students.