Queensbury Summer Arts Scene
A Summer Full of Art and Music
This summer, the local arts scene in and around the town of Queensbury will come alive with celebrations of art, music, movies, and much more. Tour art exhibitions, enjoy theater shows, and listen to live music at entertaining events like concert series and music festivals. Read on for more details about all of the locally focused, arts-inspired things to do this summer.
The Hyde Collection
The Hyde Collection is a historic museum in Glens Falls, has housed art collections in its five gallery spaces for decades. The museum holds unique special events frequently, especially during the summer months. Highlights include a monthly art and yoga workshop, where participants practice yoga while surrounded by art, and open studio time, which allows visitors to create their own works of art inspired by pieces currently on exhibit. (For younger artists, children’s workshops are held weekly with both one-day and three-day workshop options available. Subjects include painting, drawing, sculpture, and more.) If you’re an avid reader, the Hyde Collection also offers monthly in-gallery book discussions, where participants read books inspired by current exhibitions. While all event times and dates vary, the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, with new Monday hours (10am-5pm) beginning on July 15th.
The Lake George Arts Project
The Lake George Arts Project is presenting art exhibitions throughout the summer in the Courthouse Gallery on Amherst Street. The current exhibition, which will run through mid-August, highlights three local artists, and features unexpected representations of landscapes. Additionally, the Arts Project hosts a summer concert series in Shepard Park, held every Wednesday evening, rain or shine. Musical acts vary from week to week, and have included a diverse range of genres from bluegrass and blues to jazz, Americana, and folk rock.
The Strand Theatre
The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls is also offering a full calendar of live musical performances this summer. The Strand is an intimate indoor venue that plays host to a wide array of musicians, with upcoming events including performances by bands playing tribute to Tom Petty, Pink Floyd, and Pearl Jam. Admission costs vary and can be found on the theater’s website. For aspiring musicians, the Strand also hosts a weekly open mic night. Performers can take the stage for a donation of $3, which goes back to the theater.
Glens Falls Entertainment and Music Festival
Glens Falls will also be host to a variety of musical acts this summer during Art in the Public Eye’s annual GEM Fest, taking place July 26th-27th. The Glens Falls Entertainment and Music Festival, now in its fourth year, is a free, all-ages event showcasing live music, art exhibits, and a juried film festival. Downtown Glen Street will be closed for the event, and there will be special events for kids and families in City Park. If movies are more your style, Art in the Public Eye will be holding free family movie screenings this summer in City Park. Outdoor Cinema showings take place every Friday evening at dusk, and the schedule is available on APE’s website.
Adirondack Theatre Festival
Another staple of the local summer arts scene is the Adirondack Theatre Festival, which has been entertaining visitors to the region with professional theater productions since 1995. ATF brings new and contemporary plays and musicals to the Charles R. Wood Theater in downtown Glens Falls for a nine-week season each year. Remaining shows include an award-winning drama called Sequence; Beau, a musical drama; and a concert reading of a new musical, Start Again. Tickets to shows are available both online and in person at the Wood Theater box office.
Whether you’re into movies, music, arts, or theater shows, exciting and entertaining events are occurring in the Queensbury area this season. Explore and experience local happenings this summer and find out why our region is such a hotspot for the arts!