Moons over Martinis

The summer solstice is Sunday. The weather is goddamned gorgeous in the Hudson Valley right now. Pride, Juneteenth, Knicks win, ripe strawberries, Father’s Day, FIFA and the longest days possible to soak it all in. I want you to put down your phone and enjoy every moment of this luxury.

In lieu of the usual essay from me, I simply want to inform you that it is also National Martini Day is Friday. While the Universe briefly smiles upon us, why not get extra luxurious and enjoy an icy martini under the sultry, setting sun?

Here are a few recommendations, since you so kindly asked:

Darlings: #1 for martini and fries, aka girl dinner
Shorties Go for Martini Mondays and a hot dog, aka the Tini & Weenie
Chleo The winter martini Tuesday was a banger and I’ve heard the bartenders entertain with some wild “martini” orders
Blu Pointe Great view, chaotic vibe
One With Land Probably Ulster County's must underrated restaurant, IMO

If I missed your favorite, add it to the list here.

FATHERS’ DAY WHISKEY PICKS

You don’t have to love whiskey to be a dad, or a dad-like figure. But it helps. We have a New York whiskey for every type of dad.

If you want a full breakdown of the what, why and how to choose New York whiskeys for yourself or others, check out the full guide below!

The Beginner Dad
Bourbon & Rye between 80-90 proof like: New Scotland Spirits Helderberg Bourbon
Soft and approachable bourbon and easy to sip.

The Cocktail Dad
Rye between 90-100 proof like:Hamilton Double Barrel Rye
Spicy and full of flavor. Perfect to stand out in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned

Scotch Sipper Dad
Single Malt 86 proof and up like: Tenmile Export Cask
Dense traditional single malt made in the heart of the Hudson Valley with a taste that can make a Macallan lover purr!

Adventurer Dad
High proof serious whiskey - 110 proof and up like: Jaywalk Single Barrel Rye
The rye in this is single varietal, with a lot of flavor and a long lingering finish. Proof will vary barrel to barrel

Cask Finish Dad
Aged in a finishing cask (rry, Port, Maple Syrup, Honey, Red Wine, etc) like: Fort Hamilton Ice Cider Cask Rye
Spicy NY rye tempered by an incredibly rare ice cider cask. Limited production and great with a cigar.

Smoky Dad
Peated Single Malt like: Hillrock Single Malt
Peated with Speyside Peat, if dad loves the smoky style of Laphroig or Ardbeg, this is the NY whiskey he’s gonna love. Also great with a cigar.

THURSDAY, June 18

OutHudson Pride Kickoff: Girls, Gays & Theys at Half Moon in Hudson — OutHudson takes over Half Moon for a night of dancing and drag with DJ Rick Ricki and special guest RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 star Lana Jarae. $15 cover, chosen family mandatory.

FRIDAY, June 19

Sound Temple at Vernacular Design in Kingston — Interior designer Clifton of @cliftondavidstudio pops up for a free sound experience inspired by his creative world — gospel, jazz, soul, funk, hip-hop, and rock. Pop in and drift out anytime, 2–6pm.

Harambee Juneteenth Celebration + Freedom Walk in Kingston — Harambee Kingston's 8th annual Juneteenth Celebration starts with a Freedom Walk from Franklin St to the Pine Street African Burial Ground, followed by a ceremony unveiling a new memorial monument. Ancestral remains returning from SUNY New Paltz. Wear white.

Future Sound of Nature Festival 2026 at Future Sound of Nature Grounds in Red Hook — A regenerative electronic music festival celebrating the Summer Solstice — three days of dancing, live sets, foraging, land art, yoga, and family camping. New venue in Red Hook. The Hudson Valley's answer to what a festival can actually be.

FIREWATER! by The No Ring Circus at Hudson Brewing Company in Hudson — The No Ring Circus brings their iconic queer sideshow spectacular to Hudson Pride — expect sideshow debauchery, high-caliber burlesque, and circus acts from a queer-owned troupe that has sold out this show six times running.

Freedom Day Ball in Newburgh — A Juneteenth celebration of ballroom culture and Black queer freedom — honoring the lineage, the art form, and the movement.

Junteeth Backyard BBQ in Kerhonkson - The Flying Goose and Mill & Main use the power of their shared creekside backyard to party for Rise Up Kingston.

Saturday, June 20

Phoenicia Flea: Pride Month Queer Market at Unicorn Bar in Kingston — 15+ vendors by and for the queer and FLINTA community, plus music and drink specials.

OutHudson Pride Parade & Festival in Hudson — The 16th annual parade steps off at 2pm from 7th Street Park, winds down Warren Street, ends at Promenade Hill for a festival. Theme: Charlie & the Disco Factory.

Newburgh Pride March in Newburgh — Gather at the Ann Street parking lot at 11AM and march to Safe Harbors Green — Pride is protest, resistance, care, and community in motion. Free coffee from Joe Coffee, ends at Pride on the Green at noon.

Spiral House Park Summer Solstice Carnival in Saugerties — Live music, juggling, a Solstice Parade, and a full afternoon of art and revelry on 45 acres between Woodstock and Saugerties.

Good Neighbor Art Show "Dream Come True" — Opening Reception at The DRAW in Kingston — Good Neighbor's first anniversary art show opens with a 5–8pm reception at The DRAW in Midtown Kingston. The exhibition runs June 20–July 11.

Wild Arc Farm 10-Year Anniversary Party in Pine Bush — Wild Arc Farm celebrates 10 years with pizza by Promises Kept, the inaugural Wild Arc Sound System providing tunes, and all friends and neighbors welcome. My mom went to high school in Pine Bush in the 70’s and still can’t believe there’s an natural wine maker here now.

Newburgh Pride Official Afterparty at The Ellis in Newburgh — When Pride on the Green ends, the night keeps going at The Ellis — massive energy, heavy bass, disco lights, and high-energy sets by Ame Arcana + Flared Bass. Still my favorite DJ name to date.

Uncle's Thai Food Pop-Up at Enoki Catskills in Saugerties — @unclesthaifood cooks in the Catskills — green curry chicken, satay skewers, cucumber sambal. First come first served, noon.

Long Light: Live Music at Art Omi in Ghent — Art Omi's summer concert series brings live music to their 120-acre sculpture park. Extended hours until 8pm, free.

Sunday, June 21

Black Country New Road + Horsegirl at Storm King in New Windsor — The British experimental rock collective plays one of the world's most spectacular outdoor venues with Horsegirl opening. Storm King is truly one of the best places to spend an evening outside. Fireflies are nearly guaranteed!

Summer Solstice Dinner with Westerly Canteen at Foxtrot Farm in Stanfordville — Long-table dinner in the fields — cocktail hour in the garden, 4-course feast grilled field-side, wines by Christy Frank. 5:30–8:30pm.

Summer Solstice at Klocke Estate in Claverack — Brandy tours and tastings, complimentary farm walks, a flower bar for bouquet building, live music, and food from Oyster Party and Slowfires on 160 acres of vineyards and orchards. The longest day deserves the best view. 12–4pm.

Catskill Summer Solstice Celebration in Catskill — Main Street Catskill takes over for the longest day of the year — live music, outdoor dance party, flower crown market, mahjong matinee, indigo dyeing pop-up. 4–8pm and then some.

Rose Hill Farm Summer Solstice Gathering in Red Hook — Toast the father figures of your world at Rose Hill Farm with Branch Water Farm spirits. Open all day 10–6, special hosting 2–5pm.

Monday, June 22

Shattered Wine Fair at Hotel Kinsley in Kingston — Sam Hewitt's SHATTERED brings naturally farmed wines from Central and Eastern Europe to Restaurant Kinsley — two sessions (noon–2pm and 2–4pm). $33.85.

Foraging Workshop at Mountain Top Arboretum in Tannersville — A guided foraging workshop at this stunning high-elevation arboretum — identify and responsibly harvest wild edibles in the Catskills. Remember: Every mushroom is edible once!

Tuesday, June 23

ConnectHV June Meetup at BEAHIVE Beacon in Beacon — ConnectHV brings their monthly meetup for Hudson Valley creatives to BEAHIVE — an explicitly non-networking event for designers, photographers, entrepreneurs, and the curious. 6–9pm.

Wednesday, June 24

Screening of TRANsition + Q&A with Stella Rose at Upstate Midtown in Kingston — Good Neighbor Kingston screens TRANsition with a Q&A featuring Stella Rose. Free. 5:15pm.

Cultivating Community in the New Music Business at Rewind Kingston — Artist/booking agent Xondra and community organizer James of DIY Kingston host a meet-and-greet for local musicians and industry folks. $5 suggested donation, 5:30–6:30pm.

Amy doesn't share the newsletter with me ahead of time but my guess is that this week's issue focuses heavily on the weird little corner of Dutchess county between Rhinebeck and Red Hook. 

Allow me to add to that!  This weekend is the second annual Future Sound of Nature music festival.  You may know Eli Goldstein from his work as one half of Soul Clap.  Humor me, I know you probably don't.  But if you went out in Williamsburg in the early 2000s you probably danced to one of his sets.   More than a decade ago, Eli realized that the carbon emissions from all the flights he was taking to gigs were becoming a problem, and channeled his energy into only taking gigs at home (the subway at the time.)  Thus DJ's for Climate Action was born. 

This weekend's solstice festival is the logical extension of that effort, now that Eli & Co are upstate.  The DJ lineup is a who's who of people who make good beep boop sounds up in the HV.  Many of them have been featured on this newsletter before, as have a bunch of the folks on the creekside ambient lineup.  Beyond that there is no shortage of woo woo stuff to do between sets.

This is so up my alley that my alley hurts.   Come dance.   

Find the longest happy hour on the longest day and stay until the sun finally gives up.