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Holiday Festivals Abound in Beacon
The lighting of Main Street decorations and a Holiday Concert on November 23 kicked off the beginning of Beacon holiday season with happenings every weekend throughout December. Upcoming events include:
December 7 - Madam Brett Homestead, 50 Van Nydeck Avenue, A New Netherlands Christmas. Come celebrate at their Fourth Annual Wine and Cheese Party 6:30 - 8:30pm. For fees and reservations email or call Gonzo4851@aol.com
845) 896-4225-Day (845) 221- 9945-Eve.
December 8 is Second Saturday in Beacon with artist receptions and the galleries and shops stay open till 9pm.
- At the Howland Cultural Center The No Strings Marionette Company presents two performances: (1) at 1pm The Treasure Hunt; & (2) at 4pm Scrooge….A Christmas Carol. This 3rd year return engagement of No Strings is sponsored by the Howland Public Library and the Howland Cultural Center. Call 431-4998 for information and fees.
- Beacon Studios Open Studios, 1 - 5pm. 211 Fishkill Avenue. The former Beacon High School is now home to over 39 artists, creative professionals, educators and nonprofit organizations. Highlights of the afternoon will include Susan Osberg's Workwith Dancers performing in The Monk Project, Bo Gehring's sculpture installation in the Old Beacon High School gym. The dancers will perform improvised sets at 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, jamming to the Thelonious Monk and Philip Glass piano solos on which the sculptures are based. Also, throughout the afternoon, photographer Thomas Moore will be capturing the flavor of the season by photographing unique people and faces in a portrait studio. Joseph Fratesi and Thomas Wright are the talents behind Atlas Industries and creators of the as4 modular furniture system.
December 8 and 9 The Beacon Art Salon will be sponsoring Beacon's Winter Open Studios on Saturday and Sunday, from 1-5 pm. Artists from around Beacon will open their studios and home studios for the public to view and buy their artwork. Maps which include locations and artist info are available at various Main Street business and at www.giraffeandturtle.com.
The third weekend in December, the 15th and 16th, follow the Gingerbread Trail of beautifully decorated Gingerbread Houses that will be in various storefront windows. Judging will take place this weekend for the best in show. Shops, galleries and restaurants will stay open late Friday and Saturday for Candlelight Shopping on Main Street.
December 16 - Mount Gulian Holiday Candlelight Tours, 4pm to 7pm. Tour the home, beautifully decorated for the holidays and lit by candlelight. Enjoy holiday refreshments and entertainment. Adults $8; Seniors $6; Children $5; Members $5.
December 18 thru 20 - Mount Gulian Holiday Candlelight Tours, 1pm to 5pm with last tour given at 4pm. View the house decorated for the holidays. Adults: $5; Children $3; Members free.
December 21 and 22 will see another weekend of Candlelight Shopping. Shops, galleries, and restaurants will stay open late Friday and Saturday for last minute Christmas shoppers.
December 27 - Mount Gulian Children's Holiday Victorian Tea Noon to 2pm. Back by popular demand. Join them during school break for tea (or milk), tea sandwiches and dessert. Learn proper 19th century etiquette and how to make a sachet. All this takes place in the homestead beautifully decorated for the holidays. Adults $10; Children $8. Prepaid reservations by December 21.
Holiday shoppers looking for unique holiday gifts will find an array of shops on Main Street specializing in artist-made jewelry, hand-blown glass, antiques, hand-made hats, beautiful items for the home and much, much more. If you are shopping for an outdoor enthusiast, a curious child or even your favorite pet, Beacon has a shop to fill their stocking. Numerous galleries offer artwork from abstract to traditional in a wide price range so don't forget the art-lover in your life. Many of these stores feature the best by Hudson Valley artisans.
And when you get hungry, Beacon's restaurants offer a variety of cuisine including Italian, Mexican, Thai, Southern barbecue, and American. For a quick pick me up, there are coffee and gourmet shops long the way. Local hand-made chocolates make the perfect dessert or treat to leave out for Santa.
"It gives shoppers the opportunity to buy gifts they could never find at a mall," said Sara Pasti, president of BACA. "People can come to Beacon to do shop, gallery hop and end up making a day of it."
For more information, check out www.beaconarts.org. or call 845-546-6222
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