In The Grace Note

Stissing Center is pleased to continue its tradition of introducing audiences to new plays with a staged reading of Helpful Neighbors, a sharp, funny, and thought-provoking new work byplaywright Robert Lyons.

For decades, Lyons has been a leading force in New York's downtown theater scene as the artistic leader of the acclaimed New Ohio Theatre in Manhattan. Now a resident of Pine Plains and a valued member of Stissing Center’s Advisory Board, he brings his latest play to our community for a special evening of theater.

Helpful Neighbors centers on Gloria, who is getting on in years and could use a little assistance. Her longtime neighbor helps manage her finances, while a new neighbor lends a hand in the tomato garden. Before long, Gloria finds herself caught in a surprisingly cosmic struggle between good and evil—but determining who is who may not be so simple.

This special reading features a cast of local performers and community members: Grace Dietrich, Vaughn Fritts, Mary Jenkins, and Jamie Gerber.

Photo: Patrick Grego / The New Pine Plains Herald

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In The Grace Note

Stissing Center's Summer Children's Series launches with a free Children's Animation Workshop led by teachers from The Art Effect in Poughkeepsie. This pay-what-you-can event coincides with Pine Plains' Community Day celebration, offering young artists hands-on creative exploration. Explore the wild and wacky world of humanimation, which is stop-motion animation using only our bodies to create the illusion of movement! Capturing live-action footage in stop-motion animation format is a fun and freeing way to get creative without making a mess. Make yourself float in mid-air, experiment with silly movements, and create a fun and funky video to share and enjoy. All participants receive their animations by the workshop's end.

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In Banning Hall

Stissing Center's 2nd Annual Art Auction features exceptional pieces donated by collectors and celebrated artists from around the world and around the corner. This is your opportunity to acquire extraordinary art while directly supporting the arts in Pine Plains. All proceeds benefit Stissing Center's vital arts and cultural programming, ensuring creativity continues to thrive in our community. Bid on remarkable works and invest in Pine Plains' artistic future.

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In The Grace Note

Singer-songwriter Gail Ann Dorsey brings her powerful voice and soul-deep songs to The Grace Note on Juneteenth. Best known for her long collaboration with David Bowie, Dorsey offers a rare chance to experience a legendary artist up close, sharing music shaped by decades of brilliance, heart, and history.

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In Banning Hall

An evening of Gershwin comes to Stissing Center with celebrated pianist Sophia Zhou, celebrating music that feels both classic and fresh. From sweeping melodies to jazzy rhythms, Gershwin’s songs capture the spirit of America, brought to life here with warmth, elegance, and a deep love for storytelling at the piano by our former Director of Chamber Music, Sophia Zhou.

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In The Grace Note

Over her 25-year career, Susan Werner has earned acclaim as “one of the most innovative songwriters working today” (Chicago Tribune). A virtuoso of guitar, piano, and voice, her performances are one-woman master classes. Spanning folk, jazz, gospel, Latin, and musical theater, her wide-ranging songwriting showcases fearless creativity and dazzling musicianship.

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In Banning Hall

The Dances of Chihuahua invites children into an interactive workshop exploring the vibrant cultural dances of this dynamic Mexican region. Led by Karina Powers of Red Hook's Dance and Theater Arts Center, young participants will experience authentic movement while learning about Mexican culture and geography. Part of Stissing Center's Summer Children's Series, this engaging program combines physical activity with cultural education through dance.

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In Banning Hall

The documentary Bar None: Cannabis Redemption explores how outdated marijuana laws impact formerly incarcerated individuals. Though cannabis is now legal in much of the U.S., hundreds of thousands still carry past convictions—tens of thousands remain imprisoned. This documentary follows 13 people who've transformed their lives by entering the legal cannabis industry as advocates, business owners, and community leaders. It's about second chances, equity, and what justice truly means.

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In Banning Hall

The Maryland State Boychoir, Maryland’s “Official Goodwill Ambassadors,” brings its rich choral tradition to Stissing Center for a special free performance. Founded in 1987, the ensemble now includes 130 singers ages 7–20 from diverse backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to music, discipline, and growth. Join us for an inspiring evening of choral music, open to all.

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In The Grace Note

Join us for a night of stand-up comedy, where the intimacy of the room creates a uniquely close connection for laughter, giggles and guffaws. Headliner Carolyn Castiglia, who has appeared on Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, and more, is a regular on New York stages from Joe’s Pub to The Bell House. Her quick wit and lively, unpredictable style make for a dynamic set that feels right at home in a small space. She’s joined by MothSlam winner Bridget O’Neill, and local favorite Shawn Hollenbach. Hosted by Jenny Rubin. A hilarious night of comedy in Pine Plains!

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In Banning Hall

Arm of the Sea Theater presents Estuary Tales: The Life & Times of the Hudson River dives into the checkered history of “America’s River”. Giant sturgeon, eels and river otters play the stage, alongside steamboats, fishermen, immigrants, and citizen scientists. With whimsy and ingenuity, the show reveals the Hudson’s complex inner life and chronicles the long struggle to clean up the river.

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In Banning Hall

Bada Swing! is a lounge-jazz musical comedy that reunites two deeply questionable 1960s crooners, Bobby Bingus and Tommy Linguini, for one last comeback concert. A hit at Joe’s Pub and the New York Comedy Festival, the show mixes live music, oddball storytelling, and sharp humor into a strange, slightly unhinged celebration of ego, nostalgia, and showbiz past its prime.

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In The Grace Note

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Garrison Starr brings her powerful voice and finely crafted songs to The Grace Note. Known for blending pop sensibility with Americana edge, her music has appeared in shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Nashville. With a career spanning decades and a deeply engaging live presence, this is a chance to hear an accomplished artist up close in an intimate setting. “A Lucinda Williams for Gen X’ers.” -NPR

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In Banning Hall

Experience Beethoven’s music as it was meant to be heard, performed by Daniel Adam Maltz on a replica of the composer’s own Viennese fortepiano. This early instrument offers a strikingly different sound from the modern piano. Hailed as “the foremost performer in the world of the fortepiano,” Maltz brings clarity, nuance, and insight to this rare and intimate concert.

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In Banning Hall

Theater Organist of the Year (2022) Zach Frame brings the magic of the theater pipe organ to young audiences in this lively, family-friendly program. Presented with the New York Theater Organ Society, this interactive introduction invites children to discover the sounds, history, and mechanics of this remarkable instrument through music, storytelling, and demonstration.

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In Banning Hall

Filmed on the ballfields of Pine Plains and directed by local native Lee Cipolla, Rally Caps stars Judd Hirsch, Amy Smart, and Carson Minnear. The film follows a young boy named Jordy as he overcomes a serious injury sustained during a youth baseball tryout and helps bring his camp team together for a championship. It’s an inspiring, family-friendly story about resilience, teamwork, and finding your way back.

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In The Grace Note

Kazemde George returns to Stissing Center, this time in the intimate setting of The Grace Note. A Brooklyn-based jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator, he plays the full spectrum of musical styles blossoming from the African Diaspora, including Afro-Cuban, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian, and African-American traditions. His performances combine rich improvisation, rhythmic vitality, and soulful expression, creating an unforgettable experience for jazz lovers and new audiences alike.

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In Banning Hall

Jorge Glem and Sam Reider, Latin GRAMMY nominees, are a dynamic duo blending Venezuelan and American musical traditions. Glem, the GRAMMY-nominated Cuatro player of Venezuelan musical ensemble C4 Trio, and Reider, the acclaimed accordionist and composer, met in New York in 2016. With performances including Lincoln Center and NPR Tiny Desk, their collaboration celebrates cultural exchange. Their debut album, Brooklyn-Cumaná (2022), earned a 2023 Latin GRAMMY nomination.

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In The Grace Note

Will Lawrence is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Millerton. His fifth studio album, Rooftops in the Centerfold (September, 2025), showcases his reflective, melodic style. Beyond his solo work, Lawrence is known as the drummer for The Felice Brothers and has performed with John Early and the Lemon Squares, among others. Stissing Center is proud to welcome him back—this time to The Grace Note.

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In Banning Hall

Part of Stissing Center’s Summer Children’s Series, The Myth of Persephone offers children a chance not just to watch the show—but to be in it! The morning begins with a workshop and rehearsal at 10:00am, where young participants will learn songs, movements, and the role of the Greek chorus. Then, at 11:00am, they’ll join Grumbling Gryphon’s lively presentation of this classic myth. Through masks, music, and storytelling, children help rescue Persephone while discovering the ancient story behind the changing seasons - a celebration of creativity, environmental awareness, and the joy of performance.

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In Banning Hall

Opera Uncorked is a lively evening of wine and music. Expect drama, romance, and a curated wine list from Italy, France, Germany, and the U.S. Sip and swirl your way through an unforgettable evening of opera and wine. Each musical selection is paired with wine chosen to enhance the mood, flavor, and drama of the music. It will be a night of bold voices and beautiful pours. Presented in partnership with Fulton and Forbes Wine and Spirits in Ancram, this event invites you to experience opera in a whole new way!

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In The Grace Note

Spencer LaJoye brings their intimate, captivating songwriting to The Grace Note for an evening of music that is as heartfelt as it is quietly disarming. With crystalline vocals, acoustic guitar, and looped layers, they create a sound that feels both expansive and close at hand. Wry, thoughtful, and deeply human, LaJoye invites listeners into a shared space where humor, vulnerability, and connection unfold in real time.

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In The Grace Note

Join us for Open Mic Night at The Grace Note, a welcoming evening for music, spoken word, comedy, and every kind of self-expression. Artists of all ages and experience levels are invited to share. Come perform, listen, and cheer on friends and neighbors as creativity, courage, and community meet on one stage together here tonight.

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In Banning Hall

Part of our Summer Children’s Series, Monster Intelligence follows Melvin, a young monster eager to earn his license to scream. With help from his friend Red the Rat, he sets off on a lively quest to learn and grow. Filled with colorful characters and original songs spanning rock, jazz, pop, and Broadway, this family-friendly musical celebrates different ways of learning and encourages kids to discover their own “monster intelligence.”

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In Banning Hall

An Evening with Windborne showcases the group’s striking vocal harmonies and globally inspired repertoire. Known for music rooted in social justice traditions, Windborne weaves together songs of struggle, resilience, and hope with selections from cultures around the world. Their close, powerful singing creates an immersive experience—at once intimate and far-reaching—inviting listeners to connect through voices that carry both history and a shared sense of purpose.

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In The Grace Note

Christopher Hoffman brings a wide-ranging creative practice to The Grace Note, blending cello, composition, and improvisation into a singular live experience. Drawing from his solo work (REX) and collaborations across jazz, experimental music, and film—including with Henry Threadgill, Yoko Ono, and Martin Scorsese—Hoffman creates performances that feel both cinematic and immediate. His playing moves fluidly between structure and spontaneity, inviting listeners into a richly textured, deeply expressive sound world.

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In Banning Hall

Experience Frankenstein (starring Boris Karloff) like never before, with the world premiere of a chamber ensemble score by composer Michael Shapiro, performed live by the Argus String Quartet with pianist Steven Beck—called “vivacious” by The New Yorker. Shapiro’s haunting score reimagines the bond between creator and creature, blending dark, Herrmann-esque tension with moments of unexpected tenderness, revealing the monster not as horror, but as a soul in search of connection. The evening begins with a Q&A with our special guest, Boris Karloff's daughter, Sara.

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In The Grace Note

Seven comic pieces ranging in length from one minute to 20 minutes. A Young Man comes out to his Father—12 different ways. A beleaguered daughter brushes up her euthanasia skills, just in case. A mismatched dance team prepares for a nationally televised talent competition. Two high school girls discover the perfect diet—vampirism! And a nefarious alien plans to take over the world through Starbucks and Facebook threatens the planet! These, and several other short plays, shine a spotlight on the darker side of comedy.

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In The Grace Note

House of Hamill delivers a high-energy blend of original folk, Celtic influences, and tight three-part harmonies. Known for captivating festival audiences across the U.S., the Pennsylvania-based trio pairs inventive songwriting with virtuosic playing and an engaging stage presence. Their latest album, Wildfire, showcases lyrical depth and irresistible hooks, while their viral violin-driven arrangements have reached millions. From driving jigs to rich ballads, House of Hamill creates a performance that is both lively and memorable.

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In The Grace Note

The Limeliters bring their signature vocal sound and spirited performance style to The Grace Note. Formed in 1959 at the height of the folk revival, the group remains a lively presence with a current lineup featuring Andy Corwin, Steve Brooks, and C. Daniel Boling. Blending rich harmonies, humor, and timeless songs, The Limeliters continue to connect with audiences in an intimate setting perfectly suited to their enduring appeal.

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