Happy Birthday, Bardavon

The Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie, NY, familiarly known as the Bardavon, was saved from demolition in 1976 and has continued to grow as a varied and inventive performing arts space ever since. Along with the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, MA, and the Warner Theatre in Torrington, CT, it makes one part of a kind of triangle of restored halls that are offering innovative programming to the Tri-state public. While not quite as old as the Bardavon, the venerable singer Tony Bennett certainly has had as rich and interesting a career. The 86-year-old crooner, who made “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” his signature song (but is a native New Yorker) is still going strong and shows no signs of slowing down.  In fact, the 17-time Grammy winner and Kennedy Center honoree has said he will keep on performing as long as he can.  Bennett comes to the Bardavon this weekend for a gala performance to celebrate the theater’s 143rd birthday. Gala tickets are already sold out, but there is a waiting list. To place your name on the list, please contact the Bardavon box office at 845-473-4072. For more information, log on to www.bardavon.org. The following weekend, the Bardavon presents Hip Hop Theater featuring artists Yako 440, Mtume (Core-Rhythm), and Playback.  Tickets for Hip Hop Theater with Yako 440, Mtume, and Playback (NYC) and students from Poughkeepsie Middle School on Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m. are just $5. Purchase tickets at the Bardavon box office or through TicketMaster 800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com.

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