Registration is now open for Hudson Valley’s newest arts camp

THIS AUGUST, kids can keep physically active and creatively engaged by signing up for the brand-new STEPPING STONE STAGE summer day camp program, now open for registration at Newburgh’s historic Ritz Theater, 107 Broadway, Newburgh.

The fun and learning begins Monday, August 5 and runs Monday-Friday until August 23. During the three-week program, kids ages eight (8) through fourteen (14) will be engaged in activities ranging from theater games to practical instruction in puppetry, technical theater, stage combat and more, all culminating in the guided creation of an original piece of theater, written, staged and performed by the kids themselves for friends and family. The entire three-week camp is being offered for only $200 per child. Registration forms are available at the Safe Harbors of the Hudson security office, located at 111 Broadway, Newburgh. For more information or for digital copies of registration forms, please email or call (845) 475-4392.

STEPPING STONES STAGE is a joint collaboration of Safe Harbors of the Hudson, an established outreach organization in Newburgh and Hatmaker’s Attic Productions, Inc., a new Hudson Valley community theater company entering its second year of operation. This program is one of several collaborations this year between Hatmaker’s Attic Productions, Inc. and Safe Harbors of the Hudson Ritz Theater in pursuit of similar arts-based community outreach goals. Safe Harbors of the Hudson, which owns and operates the Ritz Theater, The Cornerstone Residence and Ann Street Gallery, is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming lives and building communities through housing and the arts. The Ritz Theater’s mission is to create a vibrant professional performing arts venue in the city of Newburgh that revitalizes the local economy, enriches the education of youth and enhances community pride.

Hatmaker’s Attic Productions is honored to be a part of Safe Harbors’ ongoing efforts to restore the historic Ritz Theater. Founded last year by brothers Edward and William Gibbons-Brown, Hatmaker’s Attic is committed to creating positive environments where anybody can find a home in Art.

Parents are encouraged to email for more information.

Since his creation by Morgan Taylor in 2005, Gustafer Yellowgold has become an international phenomenon, acclaimed by The New York Times, which described Gustafer as “A cross between Yellow Submarine and Dr. Seuss. Grade: A.” New York Magazine named Morgan Taylor “Best Kids’ Performer” in a recent “Best of New York” issue. “Mint Green Bee” from Gustafer Yellowgold’s Wide Wild World was a Grand Prize Winner in the Children’s Category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

Gustafer Yellowgold’s Show is a multi-media performance of live music, animated illustrations and storytelling. With its unique crossover appeal, the show has been the wild-card opening act for Wilco and The Polyphonic Spree. Gustafer has appeared off-Broadway in his own productions of Gustafer Yellowgold’s Mellow Sensation and Gustafer Yellowgold’s Infinity Sock. In addition to touring nationally to arts centers, childrens’ museums, theaters and music venues, Gustafer has ventured abroad for performances in the U.K and even Korea!

Morgan Taylor is married with two sons and lives in the Catskill Mountains. Morgan and his wife, singer/songwriter Rachel Loshak, founded Apple-Eye Productions for release of Gustafer Yellowgold projects.

What makes Rachel Loshak’s music and sound so special is her sophisticated bass-and-voice style. The combination of her influences from classical madrigals to alternative pop creates a surprisingly clear and accessible foundation for her fragile and personal lyrics. Onstage, Rachel captivates audiences.

The performance will be held in the lot adjacent to the Ritz Theater Lobby at 107 Broadway in Newburgh. This event is free and family friendly! Please consider making a donation to the help the Ritz Theater, Newburgh, Inc. reach its goal of raising $100,000 in the 100th year of theater at 107 Broadway and fully restoring the historic theater. We have raised $22,000 during the $100,000 challenge since February, 2013! For more information please call (845) 784-1199.

Performances:
Friday, July 19: 8:00 pm
Saturday, July 20: 8:00 pm
Sunday, July 21: 3:00 pm

Blockbuster courtroom drama produced as part of Ritz centennial year!

The thrilling Broadway hit drama that The New York Daily News called “enormously entertaining” will come to Newburgh with an all-local cast as part of the centennial year of performances in The Lobby of the historic Ritz Theater.

Adapted as an iconic movie, A FEW GOOD MEN is a sizzling courtroom drama about the trial of two Marines for complicity in the death of a fellow Marine at Guantanamo Bay. The Navy lawyer, a callow young man more interested in softball games than the case, expects a plea bargain and a cover-up of what really happened. But, prodded by a female member of his defense team, he risks everything in a valiant effort to defend his clients. As relevant now as the day it was written, A FEW GOOD MEN is a biting, perceptive examination of the military mentality, sexism, politics, law, morality and more. Playwright Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network and The Newsroom) crafts a masterpiece of finely-tuned, whip-smart dialogue in his trademark style, building steadily to a stunning conclusion.

This production is the second of several collaborations this year between Hatmaker’s Attic Productions, Inc. and Safe Harbors of the Hudson Ritz Theater in pursuit of similar arts-based community outreach goals. Safe Harbors of the Hudson, which owns and operates the Ritz Theater, The Cornerstone Residence and the Ann Street Gallery, is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming lives and building communities through housing and the arts. The Ritz Theater’s mission is to create a vibrant professional performing arts venue in the city of Newburgh that revitalizes the local economy, enriches the education of youth and enhances community pride.

Hatmaker’s Attic Productions is honored to be a part of Safe Harbors’ ongoing efforts to restore the historic Ritz Theater. Founded last year by brothers Edward and William Gibbons-Brown, Hatmaker’s Attic is committed to creating positive environments where anybody can find a home in Art. A FEW GOOD MEN will be the fourth production for this fledgling company.

A FEW GOOD MEN will play at The Lobby at the Ritz
107 Broadway, Newburgh, NY
Performances are July 19th at 8pm, July 20th 8pm, and July 21st at 3pm.
Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased in
advance at www.artful.ly/store/events/1333 or at the door.
Presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

The Ritz is please to present an intriguing fundraiser featuring a gallery with Deborah, an intuitive medium at 7 PM on Tuesday, June 4. The gallery will take place in the historic Green Room, 111 Broadway, Newburgh. Spirits of those who have passed on will connect with Deborah to communicate with people in the room. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness Deborah’s amazing abilities which will help connect you with a family member or friend you have lost.

Deborah discovered she has the ability to connect with people who have passed in August 2001. She has since provided readings for over 3000 people all over the country. Deborah is a frequent guest on radio, with regular appearances on 101.5 WPDH, 96.7 FOX in the lower Hudson Valley and B95.5 and FLY 92.3 in the Albany Area. She also operates The Center for Being, Knowing and Doing in the City of Newburgh, a spiritual education center that offers a broad array of workshops, yoga, energy healing, guided meditations and much more.

Deborah is not only a well known intuitive medium, but also a recognized spiritual educator as well. She finds the most rewarding part of her profession is teaching other that the conversations they have been having with the people they miss the most – have been REAL and are not a figment of their imagination. Her motto to all her clients is that they “are a better medium to the people they have lost, than she will ever be.” “Trust your signs, know that your deceased loved ones not only hear you, but also ANSWER you – ALL the time.”

Deborah was born in Brooklyn, NY and is now a mother of three (very active) young boys. She lives in Newburgh, NY with her children and extended family. You can learn more about Deborah and her center at www.beingknowingdoing.com.

The gallery will be held in the historic Green Room at 111 Broadway. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased by calling the Ritz Theater Box Office at (845) 784-1199. For your convenience we accept all major credit cards. Tickets may also be purchased through TicketWeb at (866) 468-7619, www.ticketweb.com. All tickets are general admission. Seating is limited. The night of the event, the Box Office opens for ticket sales at 6 pm, doors open at 6:30 pm and the gallery begins at 7 pm.

This is one of many events scheduled this year to help the Ritz Theater, Newburgh, Inc reach its goal of raising $100,000 in the 100th year of theater at 107 Broadway and will benefit the full restoration of the historic theater. We have raised $20,000 so far! For more information please call (845) 784-1199.

Thank you to Church Communities Foundation for their generous donation of $10,000 to the Ritz. We have now raised over $20,000 towards our goal of $100,000 this year! (pictured left to right: Lisa Silverstone, Pam LaLonde, Sue Najork, Tricia Haggerty Wenz from the Ritz Theater Capital Campaign Committee with Paul & Beatriz Button from the Church Communities Foundation)

The Ritz Theater is pleased to announce an exciting addition to their extended 2013 concert lineup. Sponsored by Dr. Hannah Brooks and Mid Hudson Medical Group, The Guggenheim Grotto will play, with opening band Still Saffire on May 11 at 8 pm in the Ritz Theater Lobby.

The Guggenheim Grotto, an alternative folk rock Irish duo featuring Kevin May (vocals, keyboard) and Mick Lynch (vocals, guitar, ukulele, stompboard), first charmed audiences on the Dublin songwriter circuit in 2004. Drawing bits of inspiration from such diverse sources as Leonard Cohen, Coldplay, and The Beatles, among others, TGG create their own unique sound, blending thoughtful, seasoned lyrics with gorgeous jazz-inflected alt-folk harmonies.

TGG’s debut album, Waltzing Alone, won immediate critical acclaim on its release in Ireland in 2005. Two years later, TGG released their sophomore album, Happy the Man as an iTunes exclusive and it quickly reached the No 1 spot. Appearances on national television and the 2010 release of The Universe is Laughing, soon followed, as did tours with talented performers including Ani DiFranco, They Might Be Giants and Ingrid Michaelson.

In 2011, TGG left Ireland and settled in Brooklyn, where they have been collaborating with talented artists of this musical generation. And, in the past few years touring Ireland and the States, they have cultivated such a loyal and supportive fan base, the songs chosen for their fourth album, This Time Round, were voted on by their fans!

Indie-rock band, Still Saffire is the coming together of two sets of teen sisters (Soreya and Annika, and Charlotte and Sonya) who have a knack for writing songs that are engaging and relevant, coupled with a sophistication and maturity that belies their youth. The band’s catchy, harmony-filled tunes have brought them to the stages of Lincoln Center (Out of Doors summer concert series), BAM, NYU, The Knitting Factory, Rutgers University, The Hit Factory, and many other great venues in the New York Tri-state area.

The concert will be held in the Ritz Theater Lobby at 107 Broadway in Newburgh. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased by calling the Ritz Theater Box Office at (845) 784-1199. For your convenience we accept all major credit cards. Tickets may also be purchased through TicketWeb at (866) 468-7619, www.ticketweb.com. All tickets are general admission and include a reception with the musicians immediately following the concert. Seating is limited. The Box Office opens at 7:00 pm and concerts begin at 8 pm (doors open at 7:30 pm).

A Guggenheim Grotto live show never disappoints, and is sure to offer up fresh spins on old favorites as well as bright new songs!

To purchase tickets on TicketWeb, please click on the link below:

Saturday, May 11, 2013 8:00 PM EDT / doors @ 07:30 PM
The Ritz Theater Presents The Guggenheim Grotto with Still Saffire
at Ritz Theater – Newburgh,NY
$25.00 Get Tickets >>

The Ritz Theater is pleased to announce an exciting new addition to their 2013 concert lineup in celebration of 100 Years of Theater. Folk singer/songwriter Eliza Gilkyson will perform on Friday, May 3 at 8 pm in the Ritz Theater Lobby.

Eliza Gilkyson is a politically minded, poetically gifted singer-songwriter, who has become one of the most respected musicians in folk and Americana music circles. The Grammy-nominated artist has appeared on NPR, Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage, etown, Sirius/XM, Air America Radio and has toured with Richard Thompson, Patty Griffin and Mary Chapin Carpenter.

To view an interview with Eliza and watch her video “Death in Arkansas,” please click here.

Eliza’s songs have been recorded and performed by such greats as Rosanne Cash, Tom Rush and Joan Baez, whose Grammy nominated CD covered Eliza’s songs “Requiem” and “Rose of Sharon.” Eliza has won 4 Austin Music awards, 4 Folk Alliance Music Awards and has been inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame, alongside such artists as Willy Nelson, Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett and Townes Van Zandt.

The concert will be held in the Ritz Theater Lobby at 107 Broadway in Newburgh. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased by calling the Ritz Theater Box Office at (845) 784-1199. For your convenience we accept all major credit cards. Tickets may also be purchased through TicketWeb at (866) 468-7619, www.ticketweb.com. All tickets are general admission and include a reception with the musicians immediately following the concert. Seating is limited. The Box Office opens at 7:00 pm and concerts begin at 8 pm (doors open at 7:30 pm).

For more information about the Ritz theater and its centennial celebrations please call (845) 784-1199 or

D’Agostino has been hailed as “a guitarist’s guitarist” by Acoustic Guitar magazine, and holds many top guitar awards, but the San Francisco Chronicle encapsulated the essential difference that distinguishes his music when it dubbed him “a poet.”

The Tom Humphrey Guitar Series serves to honor the memory of the legendary Hudson Valley-based luthier who passed away in 2008. The idea for the concerts came from Tom Humphrey just two months before his death. In a series of meetings with Chris Silva of the Bardavon and Tricia Haggerty Wenz of the Ritz Theater and Safe Harbors of the Hudson, Humphrey laid the ground work for a guitar series at the Ritz which in its first four seasons has presented performances by Odair Assad, Pete Seeger, Cindy Cashdollar, Bucky Pizzarelli, Mary Gauthier and many others. The Tom Humphrey Guitar Series at the Ritz is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

The concert will be held in the Ritz Theater Lobby at 107 Broadway in Newburgh. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling the Ritz Theater Box Office at (845) 784-1199, through TicketWeb at (866) 468-7619, or via our website at www.ritztheaternewburgh.org. All tickets are general admission and include a reception with the musicians immediately following the concert. Seating is limited. The Box Office opens at 7:00 pm and concerts begin at 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:30 pm).

For more information about the series and the historic Ritz Theater please call (845) 784-1199.

The Tom Humphrey Guitar Series at the Ritz is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Music & Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman

Directed by Edward Gibbons-Brown

March 22nd – 24th
Ritz Theater
107 Broadway, Newburgh, NY 12550
Presented through special arrangement with Musical Theater International.
Tickets: $25.00
Please visit https://www.artful.ly/store/events/827

Tony Award-winning musical produced as part of Ritz centennial year!

The hilarious and popular musical the New York Times called “effortlessly endearing” and the Los Angeles times called a “surprisingly poignant laugh-fest” will come to Newburgh with an all-local cast as part of the centennial year of performances in the historic Ritz Theater.

THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE is a tale of six young people in the throes of puberty and overachievers’ angst as they compete for the spelling championship of a lifetime, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves. Along the way they’ll learn that winning isn’t everything… and losing doesn’t make you a loser. The show’s Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning creative team has created the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes: a quirky yet charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time.

This production is the first of several planned collaborations this year between Hatmaker’s Attic Productions, Inc. and Safe Harbors of the Hudson Ritz Theater in pursuit of similar arts-based community outreach goals.

Safe Harbors of the Hudson, which owns and operates The Ritz Theater, The Cornerstone Residence, and the Ann Street Gallery, is a nonprofit committed to transforming lives and building communities through housing and the arts. The Ritz Theater’s mission is to create a vibrant professional performing arts venue in the city of Newburgh that revitalizes the local economy, enriches the education of youth, and enhances community pride. Hatmaker’s Attic Productions is honored to be a part of Safe Harbors of the Hudson Ritz Theater’s ongoing efforts to restore The Ritz. Founded last year by brothers Edward and William Gibbons-Brown, Hatmaker’s Attic is committed to creating positive environments where anybody can find a home in art. THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE will be the third production for this fledgling company.

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International, Inc.

Tickets will be $25. Please visit Please visit https://www.artful.ly/store/events/827 to reserve your seat. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Contact:
Edward Gibbons-Brown
Artistic Director
Hatmaker’s Attic Productions
(845) 475-4392

photo by Art Wachter (www.artwachter.com)

The Ritz Theater and Newburgh Veterinary Hospital, in association with the Bardavon, are pleased to present the next concert of the 2012-13 Tom Humphrey Guitar Series. On Saturday, March 9 at 8 PM, Frank Vignola and Bucky Pizzarelli Jr. will perform.

The Ritz is thrilled to welcome back the great Frank Vignola and the legendary Bucky Pizzarelli. They will be joined by rising star Vinny Raniolo, rounding out a concert featuring three generations of virtuoso jazz guitarists.

The last concert for the 2012-13 season at the Ritz will be:
Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 8 PM, Peppino D’Agostino.

The Tom Humphrey Guitar Series serves to honor the memory of the legendary Hudson Valley-based luthier who passed away in 2008. The idea for the concerts came from Tom Humphrey just two months before his death. In a series of meetings with Chris Silva of the Bardavon and Tricia Haggerty Wenz of the Ritz Theater and Safe Harbors of the Hudson, Humphrey laid the ground work for a guitar series at the Ritz which in its first four seasons has presented performances by Odair Assad, Pete Seeger, Cindy Cashdollar, Bucky Pizzarelli, Mary Gauthier and many others. The Tom Humphrey Guitar Series at the Ritz is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

The concert will be held in the Ritz Theater Lobby at 107 Broadway in Newburgh. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling the Ritz Theater Box Office at (845) 784-1199, through TicketWeb at (866) 468-7619, or via our website at www.ritztheaternewburgh.org. All tickets are general admission and include a reception with the musicians immediately following the concert. Seating is limited. The Box Office opens at 7:00 pm and concerts begin at 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:30 pm).

For more information about the series and the historic Ritz Theater please call (845) 784-1199.

The Tom Humphrey Guitar Series at the Ritz is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.