Hudson Hall: Upstate New York’s Center for Art & Culture

Just two hours north of Manhattan by car or train lies the quaint, historic town of Hudson, New York. When I first visited Hudson it must have been around 2005, when I was on a music contract at the Bard Music Festival. One of my colleagues had bought a house in Hudson several years prior, and he had invited the other singers on this job to his home for a summer house party. Entering the town for the first time, I was immediately impressed by the historical architecture of the buildings, the old-fashioned town squares and the multitudes of antique stores and galleries along the length of Warren Street.

During a second visit I had more time to explore the main street and found myself staring up at the façade of a grand old building, The Hudson Opera House, built in 1855. At that time, the staff were willing to let visitors check out the upstairs of the hall, which was in terrible condition, having sat mostly abandoned for 30 years.  The moment I entered the great hall, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of the past. I was told of the many important figures who had once come here. It is said that Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, future Presidents of the United States, passed through Hudson. We also have records that Frederick Church, famous for his Hudson River School of Paintings, showed his works here, and the famed suffragette Susan B. Anthony visited twice, first to speak about abolishing slavery and later to speak about women’s suffrage.

After major preservation and renovation work was made possible through grants, long-term financing, and many private sponsors and foundations, Hudson Hall celebrated its official grand re-opening in 2017. The organization’s mission statement is “to inspire and promote the arts and to play a pivotal role in the cultural and economic advancement of the city and the region.” I can say with certainty that its staff are accomplishing this mission, as I have seen firsthand as a part-time resident of Hudson how much the town has changed in the last 15 years. In one year alone, Hudson Hall reached an audience of 50,000 and hired more than 400 various artists and local youth from the region. It has made a giant impact on the city for visitors and residents alike with their thoughtful and innovative programming which runs throughout the entire year.

Every season at Hudson Hall offers something new and exciting for the community. Right now you can see the work of painter Hans Frank, a German World War II refugee. When his work was discovered by art critic and author David Ebony, he knew that this was something unique that deserved to be presented. This October 4th to the 6th is the Hudson Jazz Festival and there are some amazing guests lined up to perform. Ekep Nkwelle will be performing some favorite songs by the late, great Ella Fitzgerald in addition to her own material.

For those who saw and enjoyed last year’s performances of Handel’s Rodelinda, this April and May the same director is presenting Giulio Cesare.  I am proud to say that I will even be playing a role in this dramatic and passionate opera! Hudson Hall is also a co-sponsor of the annual Hudson Winter Walk, which I will share details about in another article, as it is worthy of its own piece.