The Local in Saugerties Brings Top Acts to the Hudson Valley for A Second Season

The Local, a multi-arts center for culture and community, opened its doors a year ago and has steadily brought an impressive array of exceptional and diverse programs from around the world and around the corner to its historic space with a focus on artists and traditions that do not often make it up to the region.

The venue, located in the Village of Saugerties, has brought some of the world’s major stars Upstate. Past performers include Ukrainian super group DakhaBrakha, virtuoso Persian classical artist Kayhan Kalhor, and Tunisian-American Emel. But The Local has also garnered a reputation for bringing those hot up-and-coming acts that you’re about to start hearing everywhere, like Emily King, Orrin Evens, Julius Rodriguez, and Nora Brown. In addition, acclaimed artists from the region have taken the stage, like Tracy Bonham, Lenny Kaye, Simi Stone, Robert Burke Warren, Johnny Gandelsman, Cindy Cashdollar, and Toombs Dixon.

“The Local started as a concept to bring extraordinary music of all genres and styles to the area that otherwise wouldn’t make their way to the Hudson Valley, and the idea just took off,” says co-founder Danny Melnick.

He and co-founder and longtime friend Isabel Soffer have each devoted more than 30 years to producing festivals, concerts, conferences, recordings, and curated arts experiences. “Since we’ve opened, the feedback from both the community and from artists has been overwhelmingly positive,” he continues. “It’s heartwarming to connect to others who believe in the power of music to bring people together.”

The venue officially opened its first season in September 2023, and in its exciting first year, it saw more than 50 acclaimed acts, with dozens of sold-out shows. Plus, because the fledgling venue was so newly renovated that it didn’t even have a proper stage by the time it opened, Melnick and Soffer ran a hugely successful crowd-funding campaign that brought in more than $35,000. They were able to obtain a stage, new lighting, and audio equipment and make necessary maintenance and building upgrades to the historic space, as The Local is sited at a former 1870s Dutch chapel.

The breadth of artists has been astounding, and in many cases, the co-founders have been able to bring artists who would otherwise be performing in much bigger venues. Audiences are treated to unique music and dance opportunities to see both well-known artists alongside exciting musical discoveries in such an intimate and good-sounding room. From jazz, Americana, rock, folk, and blues to global traditions like Spanish flamenco, Argentine tango, Afropop, South American cumbia, Mexican psychedelic-jazz, and music from Tunisia and Palestine, The Local has brought new musical discoveries to the region and audiences have realized they can trust what they see at the venue.

“From the start, we put a lot of intention and heart into shaping the space to create a warm, comfortable, and welcoming environment with high-quality acoustics that can accommodate such diverse traditions while still respecting the rich history of the space,” explains Soffer. “Danny and I were blown away by the reception and support we received from such a large swatch of the music and dance lovers in the region. There was a real need for a multicultural and multidisciplinary cultural center like this in the region. We feel so lucky to have found such a one-of-a-kind space that was open to having music fill its vaulted room; it’s got incredibly warm acoustics, gorgeous stained-glass windows, and plenty of room for seating—or dancing.”

“Danny and I were blown away by the reception and support we received from such a large swatch of the music and dance lovers in the region. There was a real need for a multicultural and multidisciplinary cultural center like this in the region.” – Isabel Soffer

THE SECOND SEASON AT THE LOCAL

The Local’s second season began on September 20, 2024, with a music and dance performance by acclaimed eight-piece band Sidy Samb’s Afroflamenco, a group from Spain that connects flamenco to Africa. Shows continue throughout the fall with unique acts like Habibi Festival Hudson Valley with Arabic Trance Jazz (October 3) and the ambient country sounds of SUSS (November 1), described as “Brian Eno meets Ennio Morricone.” Psychedelic Furs guitarist Knox Chandler will be a special guest of Doom Jazz duo Bobby Previte and Jamie Saft (November 2) and the riveting NYC Ska Orchestra brings the uplifting sounds of Golden-era Jamaican music (November 9).

Plus, this season brings the continuation of the popular “Consider This” speaker series featuring experts, including psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel (Date TBA) and a talk on the hotly discussed topic of fertility (October 29).

Tickets can be purchased in advance at TheLocalSaugerties.com or at the door on the event day. Due to the venue’s intimate setting, several shows are estimated to sell out in advance.

The Local’s remaining second-season events through December include:

OCTOBER 2024 LINEUP

Afro-futurist Pop: Lollise – Fri Oct 18th @8pm | Get Tickets

Afro-futurist layers of kinetic, danceable percussion and gentle waves of ambient noise (a Barbès Brooklyn x The Local collab).

Transylvanian Dance – Sun Oct 20th @5pm | Get Tickets

Romanian pianist Lucian Ban and U.S. violist Mat Maneri find fresh inspiration as they follow Béla Bartók’s trail, revisiting the Transylvanian folk music that spurred the great Hungarian composer’s imagination.

Consider This: Fertility Facts and Myth – Tues Oct 29th @7pm | Get Tickets

Dr. Sae H. Sohn will discuss what factors affect fertility, how to evaluate fertility, and fertility treatment options.

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NOVEMBER 2024 LINEUP

Ambient Country: SUSS – Fri Nov 1st @8pm | Get Tickets

Cowpunk pioneer Bob Holmes, with Jonathan Gregg and Pat Irwin, combined roots music with elements of electronic and shoegaze for a sound described as an imagined collaboration between Brian Eno and Ennio Morricone.

Doom Jazz: Bobby Previte & Jamie Saft with Knox Chandler – Sat Nov 2nd @8pm | Get Tickets

A vast landscape of cascading sound diving deeply into the abyss, marrying the intricate web of jazz and the visceral heft of rock. With guest guitarist Knox Chandler (Psychedelic Furs, Lou Reed, REM).

The Golden Eras of Jamaican Music – NYC Ska Orchestra – Sat Nov 9th @8pm | Get Tickets

This 20-piece band performs originals and arrangements of Jamaican ska, mento, rock steady, and reggae from the 1950s-60s. They’ve recorded and/or performed with Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Skatalites, Toots & The Maytals, and more.

Gospel: Inner Visions – Sun  Nov 10th @5pm | Get Tickets

One of the area’s preeminent gospel ensembles sings in the gospel-quartet style, the same musical tradition that gave rise to legendary singers such as Mavis Staples, Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, and Lou Rawls.

Flamenco & Spanish and Latin American Songs: Alba Carmona – Thurs Nov 14th @5pm | Get Tickets

Direct from Spain! An exquisite voice in today’s Spanish music scene performs a collection of songs from lullabies to prayers and from farewells to hope.

Steve Kroon’s Latin Dance Party (and pre-show dance lesson) – Fri Nov 15th @8pm | Get Tickets

Dance the night away with the Spanish Harlem born, legendary Latin percussionist, composer, and arranger Steven Kroon and his band. Steve played with Luther Vandross from 1981-2001 and has appeared on seven platinum albums. Learn to salsa at 7 with Dojo Dance Company.

Turntables on the Hudson Dance Party – Sat Nov 16th @8pm | Get Tickets

A live D.J. dance party with psychedelic visuals by B.A. Miale.

Wake Up Call: David Weiss Sextet – Thurs Nov 21st @7pm | Get Tickets

Acclaimed trumpet player, composer, and arranger David Weiss celebrates his new release Auteur with his all-star jazz band featuring Myron Walden, alto sax; Victor Gould, piano; Eric Wheeler, bass;  Joe Dyson, drums, and TBA tenor saxophone.

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DECEMBER 2024 LINEUP

Cumbia and Psychedelic Surf: La Banda Chuska – Fri Dec 6th @8pm | Get Tickets

Reimagining the vintage sounds of Peruvian and Colombian cumbia and surf music with the psychedelic flavors of 1970s chicha and ’80s club rock through the lens of a NYC home and diverse backgrounds. Dance party!

The Harpweaver: Maeve Gilchrist – Sat Dec 7th @8pm | Get Tickets

Scottish-born harper, composer and producer Gilchrist’s innovative approach to her instrument stretches its harmonic limits and improvisational possibilities. She’s performed with Yo-Yo Ma, Esperanza Spalding, Arooj Aftaab, and many others.

Matt Wilson Christmas Tree-O – Sat Dec 14th @8pm | Get Tickets

Drummer Matt Wilson is one of the most in-demand jazz musicians. Christmas Tree-O, which features Jeff Lederer on reeds and Paul Sikivie on bass, is a joyous project celebrating the holiday season.

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THE LOCAL: A center for music, arts, culture, community
16 John Street, Saugerties NY

Rent the space- Get the Details
NEW! Free Residency opportunities in the HV in December and January

Photos Courtesy of THE LOCAL @thelocalsaugerties | Eric Delmar | Neil Segal

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