Proprietors Gala Picnic Is Inspired by Everything Hudson
The annual gala was a tribute to the illustrator Hudson Talbott — and to the Hudson River itself.
Opera director Jay Lesenger, Geoff Howell, Mary Ellen Gallagher and Frank Cuthbert, who wrote the music for the musical pageant "River of Dreams."
It was duly noted that there could be no more appropriate setting for Hudson Hall’s reopening than Midwood, the historic estate overlooking the river owned by philanthropist Joan Davidson, who graciously hosted Hudson Hall’s Proprietor's Gala on Saturday, June 26. Hudson Hall’s annual bash, this year in picnic form, was a tribute to its newest exhibition, “Hudson Talbott: River of Dreams,” the first retrospective of the works of the beloved children’s book author and illustrator. It also provided a sneak preview of the musical pageant, “River of Dreams,” written for children to perform by Frank Cuthbert. It is a production that celebrates the Hudson River as a source of inspiration and a means of livelihood to all who have lived along its shores. Talbott was in attendance, as were Cuthbert and Jay Lesenger, an opera director who oversaw the production when it was mounted last year in Catskill, New York, and which Hudson Hall will present next year. After welcoming remarks, a group of Harmony Project Hudson students performed two songs from the musical. Then guests collected their picnic baskets catered by Swoon Kitchenbar and enjoyed dinner and the magnificent Hudson River view. The Proprietors Gala Picnic was a fundraiser for Hudson Hall’s free community programs and a celebration of the contributions of its valued supporters. All of the guests received a signed copy of Talbott’s book, River of Dreams: The Story of the Hudson River.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
