Spiegeltent - Annandale-on-Hudson

Attended the jazz center's Vibes of Venezuela, Friday. There is ample parking near the entrance. Ushers to help you find your seat. Dress code is casual. There were short biographies about the musicians, history of Venezuela before the concert started, mentioning the crisis in Venezuela with requests to help financially. There is an elevator to the upper level, it's not a true balcony in the sense of an overhang above the main floor. Although, the staircase is a gentle climb to the second floor. There's a small concession stand there with soft drinks, wine, snacks, and sandwiches available. The concert had no intermission, it was only about an hour and a half long; no real need for one. I don't remember the individual names of the musicians. It was lively and entertaining; with musicians that have honed their craft. The Quatro (a type of guitar) the player was exceptional; there was no hissing from the strings unless he wanted the effect to enhance a particular song. I didn't think the band leader could get so many sounds from basically a wooden box. The guest trumpeter has the talent to play triple tongue. Something that takes a lot of practice. Overall, a very enjoyable evening. The only Con is the seats are folding chairs. Not very comfortable.

This review is about the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College There is a main Performance Center, a structure designed by architect Frank Gehry and the Spiegeltent, a large traveling tent that is there for 11 weeks this summer. This review is also about a performance in the tent by Irish singer/entertainer Camille O'Sullivan (July 8, 2016). The exterior of the Gehry concert hall is made of undulating brushed stainless steel (look at the photos) and it sits in the middle of a forest. The metal reflects the colors of the pastoral setting. The interior houses two theaters. Even before a note of music is played, your senses are flooded with beauty and tranquility. This may be the most perfect small performance venue I've ever been to. Adding to the pleasures of attending an event at the center are the low ticket prices, abundant parking and picnic facilities where you can dine al fresco in bucolic surroundings. On this night, we enjoyed dinner inside the temporary tent, where Camille O-Sullivan was performing, because heavy rains made it impossible to eat outdoors. Bard College let us bring our herring, kippered salmon (bought) earlier in the day At Russ Daughters) served with fresh bialys (From Kossars), along with assorted salads and beverages inside. A perfect way to begin an early summer evening. The tent itself is a piece of history and perhaps the most unique performance venue I've ever been in. It's constructed of wood and canvas and elaborately decorated with lights, mirrors and stained glass, This one was originally built in Belgium over a hundred years ago and travels around the world. Camille was wonderful, as always. We discovered her performing in London several years ago, and went to see her in Dublin and in NYC earlier this year. When we heard she was near our vacation home in the Hudson Valley, we got front row seats. My recommendation: Find the time to experience this unique setting for yourself. Leon Botstein, the longtime president of Bard, has made the school a musical wonderland.

The venue is spectacular and glittering. The food yuch. I think was made in the dorm dining hall last semester. Stick to appetizers. The chicken was truly awful. Service was good

Perfect summer festival location and venue. Beautiful grounds, ample parking, lots of pre-opera activity outside. The opera was affordable, beautiful and the playing and singing was of a high quality.

After stepping foot into the theater for the first time yesterday for a middle school choral and band concert(they were hosting for the first time(even though the high school has gone there for concerts over the last few years , I was astounded at the rich sound I received even as far back as I was(farthest row back in middle balcony . Without any microphones, the performance was as loud and crisp as if I was sitting in the front row beneath. I know I have something to look forward to over the next few years of performances, I know this concert was definitely a stepping stone milestone from the original performance location of the group. Maybe it was the height of the ceiling in the room, or that there was additional side balconies(but I was well satisfied with the experience .(I definitely felt as if I was sitting through an opera .