Hudson Valley’s Got a New Music Venue: Introducing “The Local”

Have you heard about The Local? If you haven’t, well, you’re in for a treat. Nestled in an 1800s Dutch chapel, lovingly restored to all its glory, this venue is about to be the spot for world-class beats this fall.

First things first, Hudson Valley Live is laying down the gauntlet with its upcoming concert series. And let’s just say, it’s packing some serious heat. From September 20 through December 17, expect 15 back-to-back performances that promise to take you on a trip—from the streets of Ghana to the vibes of Mexico, and even back home to our very own Saugerties.

This musical journey is orchestrated by Saugerties’ own dynamic duo, Isabel Soffer and Danny Melnick. Their collective passion for arts and music has culminated in the creation of The Local. And guess what? These two aren’t rookies. With a combined experience of over 60 years in the music biz, they’re looking to put Saugerties on the global music map.

So, what can you expect? Dive into the soulful sounds of the Wazumbians or sway to the blended beats of Troker. And for all you Leonard Cohen aficionados, Robert Burke Warren & Friends are bringing you a heartfelt tribute. Don’t miss the Silent Disco Dance Party—where the dance floor promises to be electric!

Here’s the full fall season lineup (doors open one hour prior to showtime):

• Wed., Sept. 20, 7 pm: Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp – A border-defying, big band mix-up performing jazz and kraut rock to West African funk with brass, strings, and powerful lyrics
• Wed., Sept. 27, 7 pm: Tablao Flamenco – Spanish flamenco with award-winning dancers, vocalists, and guitarists will transform the theater into an intimate nightclub like those found in Andalusia.
• Sat., Sept. 30, 8 pm: I’m Your Man: A Birthday Tribute to Leonard Cohen with Robert Burke Warren & Friends – Celebrate what would have been The Bard of Montreal’s 89th birthday.
• Sat., Oct. 7, 8 pm: The Wazumbians – High life music from Ghana, West Africa with deep rhythmic dance grooves.
• Wed., Oct. 11, 7 pm: Jazz with Orrin Evans Trio – Featuring Jazz pianist Orrin Evans, who nabbed the number one ranking of “Rising Star Pianist” in the DownBeat Critics Poll.
• Fri., Oct. 13, 8 pm: Trio Messiez w/ Dancers Mariela Franganillo and Guillermo Merlo – This acclaimed Argentinian Tango trio features renowned dancers to accompany their vibrant sound.
• Thurs., Oct. 19, 7 pm: Jazz with Julius Rodriguez – Multi-instrumentalist and composer Julius Rodriguez is a rising star at the intersection of jazz, soul, gospel, hip-hop, and blues.
• Sat., Oct. 28, 8 pm: Jazz: Allison Miller presents Rivers In Our Veins – Drummer/composer Allison Miller embraces the concept of flow and renewal through an immersive multimedia environmental song cycle.
• Sat., Nov. 4, 8 pm: Emel – This Woodstock-based, Tunisian-born singer-songwriter and producer layers honeyed vocals with guitars and electronica.
• Sun., Nov. 5, 5 pm: Jazz with Tim Berne/Hank Roberts/Aurora Neeland – New jazz work, Oceans And, has been deemed “profound, probing, intricate, raw, courageous, mysterious, and thoughtful” by critics.
• Fri., Nov. 10, 8 pm: The John Street Jam – This long-held Saugerties tradition features Hudson Valley-based musicians performing folk, blues, bluegrass, and country in-the-round.
• Sun., Nov. 12, 7 pm: Troker – This hot act from Guadalajara, Mexico fuses psych jazz with elements of rock, funk, ska, and traditional Mexican music.
• Sat., Dec. 2, 8 pm: Bach Cello Suites for Violin – Grammy award-winning violinist, composer, and producer Johnny Gandelsman performs his own take on this classic.
• Sat., Dec. 9, 8 pm: Silent Disco Dance Party – Grab headphones and dance alone or with friends for an incredibly fun experience with live DJs.
• Sun., Dec. 17, 2 pm: High Low Duo with Jack Petruzelli and Cameron Greider – Ravel and Bartok arranged for electric guitars. An additional artist will be announced soon.

Now, mark those calendars and check out the full lineup. And remember, your jazz fix on 10/11, 10/19, 10/28, and 11/5 is brought to you by the 23 Arts Initiative.

Want a sneak peek or to score some tickets? Click here. Hit up thelocalsaugerties@gmail.com or dial 917-292-6812.

A Little About The Local: Just off Main Street at 16 John St., The Local isn’t just a place for world-class performances. It’s an ADA-accessible, multi-use space oozing culture and community vibes. Perfect for weddings, pop-ups, or any shindig you’ve got in mind.

Meet The Curators: Isabel Soffer has been shaping the American global music scene for 30 years. Grammy nominations, world tours, festivals – she’s been there, done that. Danny Melnick, a jazz maestro, is globally known for producing iconic festivals and events. Newport Jazz Festival and the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival? Yep, that’s him.

So, Saugerties, gear up for a musical journey like no other. Let’s vibe together at The Local!