The center of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area is the river itself. It is indeed a treasure. But for a long time the river and its wildlife and environs were not respected and pollutants from various sources were pushing it to ruination. One man is synonymous with the environmental movement to save this treasured river… Pete Seeger.
His 100th birthday would have been May 3. However, at SUNY Orange, the celebration is starting early. On Saturday, February 23, the Vanaver Caravan is coming to perform the company’s latest show, Turn, Turn, Turn! Celebrating Pete Seeger in Music and Dance.
The venue is the intimate setting of the Great Room in Kaplan Hall which offers dynamic views of the Hudson River through its huge wall of glass windows.
The 7 p.m. performance will include wonderfully talented musicians and dancers singing and dancing, a trademark of the Vanavers. Pete’s beloved timeless songs, that hold his enduring message, from children’s tunes to activist anthems will inspire and enrapture the atmosphere. A variety of dance styles from clogging to swing and Zulu gumboot dancing will keep the show “a-movin” with the live music of banjo, guitar, mandolin, ukulele, fiddle, percussion, and keyboard. Historical photos and recordings will round out the presentation.
Livia Vanaver is designing the performance site-specific taking into consideration the view of the Hudson and the flexibility of the space. “It would be wonderful to bring the community together. And the audience will be invited to interact with the cast in singing and dancing as well.”
Admission is $10 adults; $5 senior citizens, faculty, staff, alumni; students are admitted free at the door. Box office opens at 6 p.m. the evening of the performance or buy online anytime at sunyorange.edu/arts_comm/ticketing.shtml plus a $ 2.50 online service charge for each ticket.
The Vanaver Caravan is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts Dance Program. Partial funding for this performance is provided by the Evelyn and John Morrison Fund.
Kaplan Hall is located at the corner of Grand & First Streets on the Newburgh campus of SUNY Orange. Free, secure parking is available in the parking garage entered at 73 First St.