In Search of A Few Good Pens

I know some of you out there in the great city of Kingston are talented writers just waiting for a platform.

Do I have the perfect opportunity for you.

I am searching for three citizen’s who have an expertise in these areas:

1. Kingston’s History, past and present
2. Current Environmental Issues in Kingston
3. Socioeconomics In Kingston

I’m open to other topics, too.

I’d like to ask for a piece (around 200-300 words. Could be longer if the topic requires it) to be written and submitted every two weeks (approximately).

There’s nothing currently in the way of compensation to offer at the moment. What is certain is a fantastic monthly dinner to gather KingstonCitizens.org’s citizen journalists for a lively and rich discussion.

Let’s get the ball rolling.

Call me.

Rebecca Martin
845/750-7295

Get Your Soapbox On…

The raciest artistic event of the summer is scheduled for Sunday, August 23rd when the 15th Annual Artist’s Soap Box Derby careens inexorably down Kingston’s Broadway towards the Rondout Creek.

This eclectic event, a project of Donskoj & Company, the City of Kingston is offering over $2,000 in cash prizes for our first, second and third place finishes in the Adult, Youth and Family Group Divisions.

The Artist’s Soap Box Derby or Kinetic Sculpture Race starts at 1:00 PM in front of Donskoj & Company, 93 Broadway, Kingston N.Y. (corner of Spring and Broadway). If you wish to join the fun the rules are simple: You must have brakes and steering ability and your sculpture must not be dangerous to yourself or to spectators. There is a $25.00 entry fee for which you get an official Artists’ Soapbox Derby T-shirt.

Can’t build a soapbox, come on down to the Award Ceremony as part of the festivities where every spectator can become a participant. Wear the loudest shirt you own and enter the Loud Shirt Contest where you can win 50 big bucks.

For more information call 845-338-8473 or visit their WEBSITE

Jazz Legends Show In Force For Local Causes

If you haven’t yet heard, jazz legends Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette and Larry Grenadier are coming together to perform three nights at the Bearsville Theater right outside of Woodstock this weekend. All of the proceeds will be donated to several local causes that include Queens Galley and Family of Woodstock, Inc.

Tickets are still available. Click HERE to learn more or to get yours.

Below are the details from a recent press release:

BEARSVILLE, NY – Hudson Valley jazz fans will have three opportunities to attend an up-close and intimate performance by three renowned jazz legends; drummer/percussionist Jack DeJohnette, acoustic bassist Larry Grenadier and guitarist Pat Metheny. The trio is scheduled to perform on Friday, August 21st; Saturday, August 22nd and Sunday, August 23rd at the Bearsville Theater, Route 212, 291 Tinker Street, Bearsville NY. 12409. Proceeds will benefit Family of Woodstock, the Queens Galley and others.

DeJohnette is widely regarded as one of jazz music’s greatest drummers and is one of the most recorded drummers in music history – appearing on over 1,000 albums with most major figures in jazz history such as John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans and Miles Davis among many others. Grenadier is considered one of the most sought after bassists of his generation. He has performed and recorded with the likes of Pat Metheny, Brad Mehldau, John Scofield, Joe Henderson, Charles Lloyd, Joshua Redman, Brian Blade and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Metheny’s versatility is almost without peer on any instrument. Over the years, he has performed with artists as diverse as Steve Reich to Ornette Coleman to Herbie Hancock to Jim Hall to Milton Nascimento to David Bowie. With the release of his first album, Bright Size Life (1975), he reinvented the traditional “jazz guitar” sound for a new generation of players. Throughout his career, Pat Metheny has continued to re-define the genre by utilizing new technology and constantly working to evolve the improvisational and sonic potential of his instrument.

Tickets for these special performances can be purchased at the venue or online at www.bearsvilletheater.com .  Ticket prices are: $55, Golden Circle; $40, General Seating; and $25, standing room only.  The concert begins at 8:00pm with doors open at 7:00pm.  Concert goers are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for donation at the door.