The Overlook publishes photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur.
Culture
Culture is a space for reporting on creative, historical, and personal stories that shape the artistic character of our region
Posted inArts & Music
Shandaken
The Hills Come Alive: Mountain Jam Returns to a New Home
Twenty years ago this month, a beloved Catskills music tradition kicked off with the debut of Mountain Jam at Hunter Mountain. After a pandemic-driven hiatus and shifting industry tides, the outdoor festival returns June 20–22—this time at Belleayre Mountain in Highmount. Sixteen acts will take the stage over three days, headlined by three distinct but […]
Posted inCulture
Woodstock
Woodstock Pride Celebrates Visibility and Belonging
The flowing fabrics of dancers dressed as butterflies, drag queens, and local businesses, along with bands playing “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan, filled the streets on Sunday, June 8, for Woodstock’s Pride Parade—a festive march from Comeau Drive to Colony. “It’s not common in Pride parties that there’s so many families. That is very […]
Posted inPhoto Essays
Saugerties
Spring in Saugerties
The Strawberry Moon rises over Opus 40 in Saugerties, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 11. This full moon, named by Algonquin tribes for the short harvest season of wild strawberries, reached peak illumination on Wednesday morning. The Overlook publishes photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur.
Posted inArts & Music
Saugerties
Rock Academy Students Take the Stage for Scholarship Fundraiser
The Woodstock Playhouse buzzed with energy Saturday, May 31, as more than 100 student musicians took the stage for Rock Academy’s “Best of Season” performance, a year-end showcase and fundraiser for the school’s scholarship program. About 30% of Rock Academy students receive financial aid, according to co-founder Jason Bowman, who runs the school with his […]
Posted inCulture
Overlook
Pride Takes Root. Tree by Tree.
At high noon on a Wednesday, the Village Green in Woodstock looked like a knitting circle had exploded in technicolor. Spools of pink, orange, electric blue and lime green acrylic yarn weavings spilled from bags, while volunteers crouched at the base of maple and oak trees along Tinker Street, wrapped the trees with vibrant swatches […]
Posted inBooks
Hurley
A Life in Search of Wholeness: Gail Straub’s Memoir Bridges Worlds, Inner and Outer
Gail Straub stands in the meditation room of her A-frame home perched above the Ashokan Reservoir in West Hurley, as she does most mornings. Soft light filters through forested round windows, revealing the green expanse of the southern bowl of the Catskills. It’s a meticulously curated retreat for Straub and her husband, the social change […]
Posted inArt
A Moment in Woodstock
The door was propped open. A small dog with an exaggerated overbite greeted me with a hesitant sniff last Friday at Tengu Yama Studio on Rock City Road. I stepped into a room filled with hand-painted Japanese-style tattoo sketches, soft chatter, and the steady hum of a tattoo machine. Jay Rios, sleeves rolled and focused, […]
Posted inArt
Tremper Reimagines the Arts in Phoenicia
Tremper, a multifaceted event space formerly known as Mount Tremper Arts, launched its inaugural season of programming on May 27 with an avant-garde concert. The evening featured flutist Adriana Tampasis, who opened with a nontraditional, inventive performance. She was followed by MAW, a trio composed of upright bassist Frank Meadows, electric guitarist Jessica Ackerley and […]
Posted inBody, Mind, Spirit
Good Season: Ranger Dave on June’s Quiet Bloom
The light in the woods has changed abruptly. Last week, the trees and shrubs still wore their bright, light-green spring coats, a sign of the nitrogen-rich land suffused with life. Now, with heat and rain—voilà!—the forest is shrouded in the cool, dark green of summer. The canopy has filled in, mysteries hidden beneath mother nature’s […]
Posted inCulture
Sue Zann Debuts Retrospective Exhibition at Small Talk
On Friday, May 23, from 4 to 9 p.m., local artist Sue Zann will hold an opening reception for her show “Anything Goes—A Retrospective” at Small Talk, an intimate cocktail bar located at 1 Tinker Street. The exhibition takes place in a small pop-up gallery above the bar, a space provided by Small Talk owner […]
Posted inPhoto Essays
Spring in Woodstock
The Overlook publishes photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur.
Posted inArt
Where Stone Remembers: Brunel Park Reimagined
The 19th-century French immigrant portrait photographer Emile Brunel churned clumps of concrete in preparation for his Indigenous-inspired sculptures, influenced by his time traveling through the western states. After immigrating to the United States in 1904 in search of frontier adventure, Brunel supported himself as a nomadic artist and later a commercial photographer, documenting the lives […]
Posted inArt
New Exhibit at WAAM Captures the Beauty of Uncertainty
The Woodstock Artists Association & Museum (WAAM) held an opening reception on May 9 for its new exhibit, “FOCUS: In Flux,” a juried show curated by Kathy Greenwood. The event drew a couple of hundred visitors who flowed in and out throughout the evening. The exhibit will remain on view through June 22 in the […]
Posted inCulture
The Bear Carver
For Hoppy Quick, sculpting black bears isn’t art—it’s a way of life, shaped over 10,000 carvings and nearly five decades.
Posted inCulture
Woodstock
Unbroken Chain: Grahame Lesh Helps Bring the Dead Ahead
At Bearsville Theater, the guitarist led the Terrapin Family Band through a night of memory, improvisation, and tribute—honoring the Grateful Dead’s legacy while charting his own path forward.
Posted inCulture, Food
In Shokan, a Food Truck Blends Lebanese and Mexican Flavors
Fast & Fusion, a mobile kitchen run by a couple from two different cultures, brings vegan al pastor, rotating menus, and a touch of home to the Catskills.
Posted inArt, Culture
Celebrating 100 years of Artist Sam Spanier
A month of events honors the life, art, and legacy of Sam Spanier, co-founder of Matagiri and friend to artists from Baldwin to Giacome.
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
Marilyn Crispell to Perform Rare Local Concert at Olive Library
The acclaimed jazz pianist returns to the stage for Piano Plus on May 10.
Posted inArt, Culture
The Many Lives of Cris Gamet
A painter and farrier balances solitude and strength, wielding brush and hammer to shape a life on her own terms.
Posted inCulture, Photo Essays
Spring on Ohayo Mountain
The Overlook publishes photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur.
Posted inArts & Music
Woodstock
Freewheelin’ Through American Culture
April 30 event will raise funds for the Levon Helm Memorial Scholarship and feature a book talk with three authors and a live performance by former members of the Levon Helm Band.
Posted inCulture
Woodstock
A Tibetan Pho Shop Expands with Vietnamese Roots
Just steps from Bearsville Theater, flavorful Tibetan momos, Vietnamese pho, and comforting teas bring the flavors of Buddhism to Woodstock.
Posted inArt
Saugerties
Portraits and Poetry
With life-sized cardboard portraits displayed across storefronts, artist Joanne Pagano Weber honors the neighbors who define her adopted hometown.
Posted inCulture
Woodstock
Spring in Woodstock
The Overlook publishes photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur.
Posted inCulture
On the Street
A short, intimate profile series that aims to capture the diverse stories and experiences of everyday people through candid conversations and personal reflections.
Posted inArt, Culture
Finding Stillness Through Figure Drawing
In a quiet studio at the Woodstock School of Art, artists confront the challenge of capturing the human form—and discover a sense of community and calm.
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
Juilliard Young Artists to Perform Free Concert in Woodstock
Violinists Tse-Chen Su and Leyu Ho to play works by Bach, Vivaldi, and more at St. Gregory’s on April 13.
Posted inBooks, Culture
Author Adam Snyder to Discuss “Kingston 76” at Book Event
An event will take place Sunday, April 13, at 12:30 p.m. at Mountain View Studio, featuring a conversation between author and musician Adam Snyder and journalist Peter Aaron. Snyder’s debut novel “Kingston 76” is set in working-class Kingston, New York, in 1976. While 12-year-old Timothy Miller’s mother and her new partner host a women’s support […]
Posted inCulture
Saugerties
Spring in Saugerties
The Overlook publishes photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur.
Posted inCulture
On the Street
A short, intimate profile series that aims to capture the diverse stories and experiences of everyday people through candid conversations and personal reflections.
Posted inCulture, Essays & Profiles
Time Under the Overlook
An essay by local poet Guy Reed, reflecting on life at the foot of Overlook Mountain.
Posted inCulture, Photo Essays
Spring on the Overlook
Kelly Sinclair often brings her camera when walking in nature, but Overlook Mountain is a special inspiration. “I take images that move me,” Sinclair said. “It’s not exactly planned or rational. I photograph as I go. But I hope to convey the journey up the mountain and the features that move me; the trail itself, […]
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
A Celebration of Sound and Freedom
The Creative Improvisers Orchestra gathers in Kingston to honor the late Karl Berger at 90.
Posted inCulture
On the Street
A short, intimate profile series that aims to capture the diverse stories and experiences of everyday people through candid conversations and personal reflections.
Posted inCulture
Weaving Ulster Together
The first annual Fiber and Cider Tour brought hundreds to farms and wool shops across Ulster County, spotlighting shepherds, artisans, and the connective threads of community.
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
Star Composer Brings Top Talent to Olive Library’s Piano Series
George Tsontakis, a Shokan resident and internationally acclaimed classical composer, is best known for works performed by major orchestras around the world. A professor and composer-in-residence at Bard College, Tsontakis has won two of the most prestigious awards in contemporary music: the Ives Living Award and the Grawemeyer Award. He has also served as composer-in-residence […]
Posted inCulture, Television
How a Quiet Diner in the Catskills Became a Star of “Severance”
As “Severance” ends its second season Friday, the real-life diner behind “Pip’s” continues serving coffee, comfort, and community.
Posted inCulture
Woodstock
Mina Kim Expands the Vision of the Woodstock Symphony
Talking with Mina Kim, music director of the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra, I had one question in mind. How had she led the orchestra to such precision and clarity in the finale of Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony earlier this season? I was hoping for a glimpse into a conductor’s secret technique, but her answer was more straightforward. […]
Posted inCulture, Photo Essays
Goodbye Winter. Hello Spring.
Each week, The Overlook publishes photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur. Send photos and inquires to info@theoverlooknews.com.
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
Lúnasa Brings Innovative Irish Traditional Music to Saugerties Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day
Twenty-eight years on, Lúnasa is still pushing the boundaries of Irish music. The acclaimed band—founded in 1997 when Trevor Hutchinson, Donogh Hennessy, Sharon Shannon, and Seán Smyth were invited to tour Australia—has since played more than 3,000 shows across 36 countries, including stops at Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl, and Glastonbury Festival. Named after the […]
Posted inBooks, Culture
Martha Frankel Is Hosting a Dinner Party of Sorts for Books—And She Wants You to Come
Once told she’d never be a writer, Martha Frankel turned rejection into reinvention. From celebrity profiles to poker addiction to the beloved Woodstock Bookfest, her story is one of second acts, community, and above all, books.
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
Budding Artists Shine at Jane St. Art Center’s Sketchbook Gallery
From collage and photography to pencil sketches and paintings, the Sketchbook Gallery at Jane St. Art Center is showcasing the work of 40 young artists from Ulster County. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the gallery has partnered with the Ulster County Boys and Girls Club to nurture the creativity, confidence, and artistic expression among local youth. […]
Posted inCulture, Photo Essays
Winter in Saugerties
Each week, The Overlook will publish photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur. Send photos and inquires to info@theoverlooknews.com
Posted inBooks, Culture
The Body Is a Doorway: Sophie Strand’s Radical Reframing of Illness
In her new memoir, the Woodstock writer challenges conventional narratives about healing and finds wisdom in sharing ideas.
Posted inCulture, Essays & Profiles
The Observer’s Notebook: Michael Schulman on the Oscars
New Woodstock homeowner and New Yorker staff writer Michael Schulman heads to the Oscars on March 2, chronicling Hollywood’s biggest night with a reporter’s eye.
Posted inCulture, Essays & Profiles
On Living and Dying
Jim Hanson, longtime Woodstock fire police captain, reflects on a life of gratitude, service, and not taking things too seriously.
Posted inBooks, Culture
Lisa Phillips on Teen Love, Heartbreak, and the Conversations Parents Should Have
The author and SUNY New Paltz professor discusses her new book “First Love,” which guides parents and teens through relationships, breakups, and communication.
Posted inCulture, Photo Essays
Winter above the Ashokan Reservoir
Each week, The Overlook publishes photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur. Send photos and inquires to info@theoverlooknews.com.
Posted inCulture
Saugerties
From Vacant Space to Vibrant Hub: How The Local is Revitalizing Saugerties
Sangjaru, a funk-rock band from South Korea, played to a sold out crowd at The Local in Saugerties on Sunday evening. Just 24 hours earlier, locals and visitors moved to an unlikely mix of klezmer, hip-hop, and square dance beats. The driving force behind these electric nights, drawing global talent and diverse crowds to the […]
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
Juilliard Young Artists to Take the Stage in Woodstock
A two-decade partnership between St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church and The Juilliard School brings world-class young musicians to an intimate Woodstock stage.
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
Theater Festival in Hunter Brings Romance and Mystery
The Maude Adams Theater Hub (MATH) is staging its annual “V Season” festival at the Doctorow Center for the Arts in Hunter, featuring three plays over five days.
Posted inArts & Music, Community, Culture
The Genetic Methodist: Garth Hudson (1937-2025)
Bittersweet, it is. It almost seems a little too poetically fitting that this local writer’s first piece for the first issue of a new Woodstock-based publication, would be a remembrance of Garth Hudson, the last living member of the town’s most famous musical ensemble and one of its most beloved community figures. But here we […]
Posted inCulture, Photo Essays
Winter in Woodstock
Each week, The Overlook will publish photography from our region, capturing moments of people and nature as they occur.
Posted inArts & Music, Culture
The Room Peter Shapiro Couldn’t Leave Behind
A legendary venue, a visionary promoter, and a long-awaited revival—now with a state-of-the-art recording setup linking Bearsville Theater to Utopia Studios, fulfilling a decades-old vision.