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Hudson Valley Community College Cultural Affairs Announces Fall 2026 Events

Hudson Valley Community College’s Cultural Affairs Program offers a diverse lineup of performances, lectures and cultural programs during the fall 2026 semester, including a Lunchtime Concert Series featuring musicians performing music from around the world.

The semester’s programming also includes a Shakespearean theater production, lectures exploring history and cultural traditions, and events celebrating Día de los Muertos, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Asian heritage.

The fall Lunchtime Concert Series will feature a variety of musical styles and traditions. All concerts begin at noon in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center Auditorium and are free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to donate to the Viking Cupboard Food Pantry.

Three concerts in the series — Maria Z Ensemble on Oct. 1, Fiesta del Norte on Oct. 8 and Brazil Choro Trio on Oct. 15 — are part of Cultural Affairs’ celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The performances will showcase musical traditions from Spain, Mexico and Brazil.

Maria Z Ensemble – Thursday, Oct. 1
Nylon-string guitarist and composer Maria Zemantauski will perform with the Maria Z Ensemble, featuring Sten Isachsen on mandolin and guitar, Bob Buckley on bass and Brian Melick on percussion. The ensemble blends Spanish classical, flamenco and American fingerstyle influences.

Fiesta del Norte – Thursday, Oct. 8
Fiesta del Norte, an authentic mariachi ensemble, will perform traditional Mexican folk and popular music, including mariachi music from Jalisco, Norteñas from Chihuahua and Marimba music from Chiapas. The performance will include stories and cultural insights from director Dave Giardina and complements the college’s annual Día de los Muertos exhibit.

Brazil Choro Trio – Thursday, Oct. 15
The Brazil Choro Trio will bring Brazilian choro music to campus in a performance led by guitarist Stephen Guerra, who performs and teaches Brazilian choro throughout the United States and Brazil.
Scott Hopkins Trio – Thursday, Nov. 5
Banjo player and educator Scott Hopkins will perform with his trio, blending traditional bluegrass influences with contemporary interpretations. Hopkins has released two solo banjo projects and has collaborated with a range of acclaimed bluegrass musicians.

Jeanine Ouderkirk – Thursday, Nov. 19
Jazz vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jeanine Ouderkirk will perform a selection of jazz standards from the Great American Songbook and showcase the art of scat singing. Ouderkirk, a Saratoga Springs native, released her debut album, “Nightingale,” in 2025.
Other Fall Cultural Affairs Events

Día de los Muertos Altar Exhibit – Tuesday, Oct. 6-Friday, Oct. 30, Marvin Library
An annual Día de los Muertos altar exhibit will be on display in the Marvin Library Learning Commons Atrium. The exhibit features an ofrenda, a traditional altar honoring departed loved ones and ancestors. An opening event will be held Oct. 6 with refreshments and is free to attend.

Day of the Dead Discussion with Prof. Malú Benton – Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 1 p.m., Marvin Library Multipurpose Room
Professor Malú Benton will lead an interactive discussion about the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos. The free program will explore important aspects of the tradition and include Mexican food.

Indian Classical Music with Veena and Devesh Chandra – Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m., Maureen Stapleton Theatre
Award-winning mother-and-son duo Veena and Devesh Chandra will perform Indian classical music featuring sitar and tabla. Their performance combines rich melodies and rhythms rooted in improvisation, drawing from Indian classical and folk traditions. The event is free to attend.

NYSCA Artist & Apprentices: The Art of Eastern Heritage – Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m., Maureen Stapleton Theatre
Asian Arts New York and Hudson Valley Community College will present a multidisciplinary program featuring traditional Asian heritage arts. The event will include live demonstrations, performances, artist talks and audience engagement highlighting the relationship between master artists and apprentices. Featured traditions include Indian Bharatanatyam dance, Tai Chi fan, Chinese water sleeve dance and guqin music. The event is free to attend.

For additional information on Hudson Valley’s Cultural Affairs programming, visit www.hvcc.edu/culture or contact Cultural Affairs Coordinator Tom Torrisi at [email protected] or (518) 629-7170.