Upcoming events
Engage with community building events in the Hudson Valley! These include art exhibitions, concerts, city meetings, and talks hosted by artists, activists, and writers alike.
An Alternative Inauguration: Artists and Activists Celebrating in Beloved Community
Each year, at the end of January, people from across the country gather to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and all those who struggled for a vision of America rooted in compassion, love, justice and peace. This year, the MLK celebration falls on January 20th, a day that also marks the inauguration of Donald Trump as the president. King and Breaking Silence (KBS)—a project of the National Council of Elders—is choosing to honor Dr. King’s vision of our nation by gathering people online on his actual birthday, January 15th, to celebrate acts of creativity and peacemaking.
January 15
King and Breaking Silence (KBS)
Virtual Meeting
Movies for Grownups: ‘Selma’
“Selma” is the true story of courage and hope that changed the world forever. From acclaimed director Ava DuVernay, the movie "Selma” depicts the pivotal civil rights march that ended in violence and ultimately led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act. Golden Globe nominee David Oyelowo shines as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who rallied his followers on the historic march for voting rights from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery in the face of violent opposition.
January 15
AARP Movies for Grownups
Virtual Screening
MLK Meets Inauguration Day
On Monday, January 20, 2025, we will celebrate the birthday and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We will also witness the installation of America's 47th President. As we all wrestle with the intertwined futures of our nation and our world, there are waves of thoughts and feelings that wash over us. On Saturday, January 18th, we ask these questions: What would Dr. King say about where we are today? How does his legacy impact the choices we will be making going forward? How do we celebrate this important holiday when uncertainty chokes the air we breathe? Chris "Oledude" Owens has invited various performers, presenters, and artists to build community by sharing their voices with all of us. Saturday night will be an intense and uplifting experience for all, so please share it with us!
January 18
Judson Memorial Church, Assembly Hall
8 pm
239 Thompson St.
55th Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service
Guest speaker: Bishop Robert J. Bolton Jr., Pastor, One Accord Christian Church Newburgh, NY Rev. Sara Streeter McRae, Program Coordinator • Deacon Dinesa Hansen Johnson, Choir Director • Rev. James Tarrence Motley Epps, Music Minister • Apostle Debra E. Gause, Vice President • Dr. Jesse Voyd Bottoms, Jr., President
January 19
Beulah Baptist Church
4 pm
92 Catharine St., Poughkeepsie NY
Soul to Soul 2025
Soul to Soul is inspired by the historic partnership between the African-American and Jewish communities during the Civil Rights Era of the 1950s and 60s, as embodied by the deep friendship between Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and the young Freedom Riders and activists who selflessly risked their own safety and freedom in service to safety and freedom for all. The moving and uplifting selection of songs include Yiddish and English songs written and performed by Jewish and African-American artists as an expression of their lament and protest against racism and anti-semitism as well as songs of hope for a better future.
January 19
National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene & Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
7 pm
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, 30 W. 68 St., New York City 10023
Race Unity Circle—the notion of “Conscientious Citizenship”
The Race Unity Circle invites you to an engaging and spirited reflection on the notion of "Conscientious Citizenship" through the lens of Dr. King's writings. This month's meeting will be held via Zoom.
January 20
Race Unity Circle
4-6 pm
Virtual Meeting
MLK Service Week: United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region
Individuals and families Dutchess and Orange Counties are invited to participate in MLK Service Week, including opportunities to help organize essential goods donations at United Way's Donation Room on Market Street in Poughkeepsie and prep food items for cooks at The Lunch Box (the Dutchess Outreach community meal service). A Hygiene Drive will collect items such as toothpaste, mouthwash, soap, deodorant, etc., for individuals and families in Dutchess and Orange Counties who cannot afford to purchase them. The annual MLK Equity Challenge will offer daily podcasts, articles, and videos for reflection on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Week of January 20-31
United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region
Catharine Street Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast
Marist College showcases the diverse fashion of Africa. The exhibit is one of the many projects from Guzangs, the global and interactive platform celebrating African art and fashion. “Alternative Realities” includes 45 pieces of garments, accessories, textiles, sculpture, and jewelry from 14 acclaimed designers from across Africa. The work gives the Marist community an opportunity to interact with African art through the lens of fashion.
January 24
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
40 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie NY
City of Poughkeepsie Meetings
City of Poughkeepsie Common Council Meeting Jan 21, 6:30 pm
City of Poughkeepsie Planning Board Jan 28, 6 pm
Dutchess Community College Scholarships Applications open Jan 1st, due Feb 18th
In Concert: Souls United Choir
Souls United of the Hudson Valley, founded in 2010, is an interfaith gospel choir composed of members from the Mid-Hudson Region. Their repertoire consists mostly of music from Christian, Baha’i and other faith traditions, as reflected by the choir’s membership. No Registration required!
February 1
Lateef Islam Auditorium at the Family Partnership Center
2:30-4:30 pm
29 N. Hamilton St., Poughkeepsie NY
Graphic Novel Book Club
Wake; The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts, by Rebecca Hall. An historical and imaginative tour-de-force, WAKE brings to light for the first time the existence of enslaved black women warriors, whose stories can be traced by carefully scrutinizing historical records; and where the historical record goes silent, WAKE reconstructs the likely past of two female rebels, Adono and Alele, on the slave ship The Unity.
February 13
7 pm
Virtual Meeting
In Concert: Beacon Jazz Club
Formed in May of 2018, the Beacon Jazz Lab plays a variety of jazz and pop jazz tunes. Rich Dambra on saxophone, Hank Greenblatt on bass, Rich Gugumuck on electric guitar, Bev Poyerd on keyboards, and Gary Torres on drums. No Registration required!
February 15
Lateef Islam Auditorium at the Family Partnership Center
2:30 pm
29 N. Hamilton St., Poughkeepsie NY
Madam C. J. Walker: The First Black Female Millionaire
Born in 19th century rural Louisiana to former slaves, Sarah Breedlove rose to become the first female, African-American, self-made millionaire in the United States. Presented by Rick Feingold, of Bergen County Community College.
February 18
7-8 pm
Virtual Meeting
Books & Brews Book Club
A Little Devil in America by Hanif Abdurraqib. With sharp insight, humor, and heart, Abdurraqib examines how Black performance happens in specific moments in time and space — from midcentury Paris to the moon, then back down again to a cramped living room in Columbus, Ohio.
February 19
Juan Murphy’s Pub
7-8 pm
796 Main St., Poughkeepsie NY
Learning to Be More Than Your Skin Color: A Historic Perspective on African-American and Caribbean-American Jews
A brief historic perspective on the African-American Black Jews and the Jews of Color from the Caribbean and Latin America in the US in the early 1900s. Presented by Mordekai Gordon, former President & Spiritual Leader of Mount Horeb Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation in Bronx, NY. Snow date: Tuesday, February 25. In partnership with Celebrating the African Spirit. There will be an accompanying exhibit of historical documents relating to persons discussed in this presentation in our Rotunda Gallery throughout February.
February 11
Adriance Memorial Library, Charwat Room (Ground Floor)
7-8 pm
93 Market St., Poughkeepsie NY
Survival Is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde Talk
Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs will discuss her new book, Survival Is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde. A Time Must-Read Book of the Year. A Publishers Weekly Top Ten Book of the Year. A bold, innovative biography that offers a new understanding of the life, work, and enduring impact of Audre Lorde. In Survival Is a Promise, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, the first researcher to explore the full depths of Lorde’s manuscript archives, illuminates the eternal life of Lorde. Her life and work become more than a sound bite; they become a cosmic force, teaching us the grand contingency of life together on Earth.
This event is open to the public.
February 19
Vassar College, Taylor Hall 102
5:30-7 pm
10 Main Campus Dr., Poughkeepsie NY
Douglass Day 2025 Transcribe-a-thon
On Feb. 14, history enthusiasts and the public can celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Frederick Douglass by joining a virtual transcribe-a-thon of rare books and manuscripts on African American history on Douglass Day. In 2024, Library of Congress volunteers shattered records by completing 16,000 transcription actions on Douglass Day.
Hosted by the Library’s By the People program, this virtual event celebrates Douglass’ chosen birthday and a day of service to Black history. This year’s theme, “You Make History,” emphasizes how everyone can contribute to safeguarding stories of the past for future generations.
February 14
Library of Congress
Virtual Meeting
6th Annual Black Artivist Experience and Vendor Fair
Community ARTIVISTS are artists who use their art to uplift, motivate and inspire personal and social change. The Black Experience will bring to light the diverse experiences of the black community expressed through song, poetry, dance, imagery, music, arts, crafts, clothing and more. The performances will be impactful, informative and inspirational and the vendors will be creative & talented.
This event is open to the public.
February 22
Center for Creative Education
3-7 pm
16 Cedar St., Kingston NY