Festival of the Arts

Life’s most precious, poignant, and light-hearted moments are illuminated through the vision and craft of master puppeteer Joseph Cashore. His marionettes are engineering marvels and the quality of their movement is extraordinary.

In an era of disconnect, The Mammals work to re-connect thru their truth-telling lyrics, off-the-cuff storytelling, and euphoric instrumentals. The Washington Post described The Mammals as “gleefully aware that the sound barriers separating old-timey music, vintage pop, and contemporary folk are as permeable as cotton.”

Frank Vignola’s jaw dropping technique explains why The New York Times deemed him “one of the brightest stars of the guitar.” Joined by Vinny Raniolo on the guitar and Gary Mazzaroppi on the bass, Vignolas’ smokin’ combo demonstrates how the classics can be made new again through impeccable musicianship, timeless style, and effervescent wit.

This trio of award-winning virtuosos perform popular classical works from the Baroque to 20th century modern. Top off your summer evening with a touch of sublime.

Peter Malinverni, head of Jazz Studies at Purchase College, believes that music has the power to uplift and transform. Join us for a short talk and workshop before the concert. Come with your spirit ready to soar!

Sue and Cris are a well- known Broadway husband and wife team with 14 Broadway shows between them. She has conducted the orchestra for Cats. He is known to audiences for leading roles such as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. Both have performed in some of the most popular musicals of all time. Share an evening with one of Broadway’s super couples.

Klezmer great, Harold Seletsky, performed frequently at Mohonk with his acclaimed group, The West End Klezmorim and was a favorite of festival audiences. His daughter, Robin, and his longtime accompanist, master accordionist Peter Stan pay tribute with traditional and original klezmer offerings. Featuring vocalist Eva Salina, one of today’s leading interpreters of Balkan and Roma folk music.

Described as a mix between School of Rock and Monty Python, Story Pirates has a devoted family following world-wide making it the #1 Apple podcasts for kids. The company’s Mohonk debut celebrates creative writing from students across the U.S. in a big, hilarious sketch comedy musical. A Story Pirates workshop will be offered in conjunction with this program.

This Brooklyn-based rising singer/song-writer’s soulful sound infuses Jazz and R&B with emotional depth and a fresh edge. Raina invites us into her sonic world with harmonic nuance and lyrical ferocity accompanied by bass player Luke McCrosson and percussionist Zach Berns.

Poetic Thrust is a seven-piece band dedicated to bending the form and expression of contemporary music. PT’s Mohonk debut traces the evolution of hip hop and its direct relationship to jazz and R&B as an improvisation-based art form.

Storyteller, musician, poet, actor, and writer David Gonzalez is a one-of-a-kind artist. He is joined by prize-winning pianist Frederic Chiu in a one-of-a-kind program of music and poetry to engage those who seek musical adventure and delight.

This New York based all-female classical string quartet has performed at top concert venues throughout North America, Europe, and the Far East. Their program features virtuoso pianist Frederic Chiu in a romantic program, expertly curated and delivered.

This trio of three outstanding and versatile musicians have honed a vast and vivid repertoire encompassing Delta blues, Tin Pan Alley standards, New Orleans grooves, jazz gems, and incisive originals. Triple Play delivers an epic sojourn exploring the vast riches of distinctly American music with rare joy, virtuosity, and spirit.

Musician, composer, actor, director, and author, Guy Davis is at heart a consummate storyteller sharing his insight into the wide-ranging human experience through soul-stirring rhythm and blues. Guy’s influences are as broad as his travels—from Blind Willie McTell and Fats Waller, to Buddy Guy and Taj Mahal, from Zora Neale Hurston, Garrison Keillor, to his father Ossie and his grandmother Laura.

Married Broadway performers team up to present songs from the Great White Way, The Great American Songbook, as well as old Hollywood gems. The charismatic couple share favorites from shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton, Into the Woods, and more.

Veteran stage and screen actors Tony Carlin and Susan Knight combine the freshest material from the Broadway stage with beloved classics to create a deliciously witty and wise evening of theatre and music. A family theater workshop will be offered in conjunction with this program.

This dynamic group of women are dedicated to bringing toe tapping, heart pounding bluegrass and roots music to NYC and beyond. Their Mohonk debut program, “We Shall Overcome,” features songs about peace, strength, and unity.

Anybody who sees Nanny performing immediately feels that music for him is more than just a career. It’s clear in how he translates rhythms and notes into pure essence – taking audiences on a musically immersive trip well South of the border.

The ability to poke fun of the annoyances of daily life while touching hearts with tender portrayals of family life, along with jaw-dropping instrumentals, is what has fueled the long-standing connection between this four-time Grammy nominated duo and family audiences across America. “…the Lennon and McCartney of kids’ music” (National Public Radio)

The Pink Panther, Riding in Cars with Boys, Across the Universe, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Doctor Strange are just a few of the movies associated with Richard Baratta’s film producing career. Equally accomplished as a drummer, Baratta’s Mohonk debut features jazz, rock, and Latin takes on songs associated with many of our favorite movie scores. The trio is rounded out by Michael Goetz on bass and Bill O’Connell on keyboard.

There are so many moments and strands to savor in the course of an evening with Molly and Jay, icons of American folk music and storytelling. According to film producer Ken Burns, this beloved roots duo “play music from the heart which reminds us of the best in all of us.”

Three of San Francisco’s musical finest present an evening of light classics fusing art and craft with a laid-back California vibe.

Gretchen Koehler is an inductee of the New York State Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame. Daniel Kelly is an award-winning pianist, at home with jazz, classical, and everything in between. Together, this genre-busting duo re-visions Irish jigs, reels, and aires with a syncopated twist.

Be prepared to be dazzled as this New York Times crossword constructor, magician, and producer of ABC’s Deception, returns to the Mohonk parlor with brain busting puzzlers and sleight of hand.

Acclaimed altos Janis Siegel (The Manhattan Transfer) and Lauren Kinhan (New York Voices) host this jazz-infused vocal salon ranging from Great American Songbook standards to contemporary originals and vocalese. Featured guest artists include Emily Braden and Ella Marcus elegantly accompanied by Yaron Gershovsky on keyboard.

Sweet Megg and her wayfaring musicians seamlessly incorporate elements of New Orleans Swing, Harlem swing, Parisian cabaret, and gut bucket blues transporting you to a new world of their own making with echoes of bygone days.

Actor and musician David Lutken shares stories and songs capturing the wit, wisdom, and spirit of three of the most famous cultural, societal, and political debunkers in American history. Come for the history, stay for the rope tricks!

A dynamic variety of music, dance, historical photos, and recordings pay tribute to the life and legacy of Pete Seeger. Audiences leave humming Pete’s timeless songs (Wimoweh, Where Have all the Flowers Gone) moved by his enduring message and inspired to make our world a better place.

Lauren Fox and guests celebrate the music, stories, and the generation that came together on Max Yasgur’s Farm in upstate New York. This tribute concert, taking the perspective of many of Woodstock’s most iconic performers, takes you “back to the garden” of 50 years ago, to a place and time that made music and cultural history.

Born in Sao Paulo, hand percussionist Nêgah Santos has been performing professionally since her teens and credits her unique approach to a wide range of influences including Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Fusion, R&B, Jazz, Pop, and African music. You may recognize this rhythmic dynamo as part of Stay Human, the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert led by Jon Baptiste.