January Hudson Valley Events: Comedy, Theater, Film, and More

January Events: Birth, Brains, and Blackout Farce

Orgasmic Birth
January 14 at Upstate Midtown in Kingston
Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret isn’t your typical maternal documentary. Filmmaker Debra Pascali-Bonaro invites audiences into 11 intimate birth stories that challenge how we think about labor and delivery, showing how childbirth can be emotional, powerful, and even blissful rather than solely painful or clinical. Interwoven with commentary from midwives, obstetricians, and childbirth experts, the film reframes birth as a natural, deeply human process shaped by support, trust, and connection. Expect candid moments, personal triumphs, and a nuanced exploration of how culture, medicine, and belief influence one of life’s most profound experiences. 5:15pm.

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Nerd Nite Hudson Valley
January 9 at the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon
Be there and be square at the next Nerd Nite Hudson Valley,where three presenters turn trivia into delight.At the upcoming January 9 edition, Dr. Hannah Brooks shares gut-wrenching surgical tales, Trace Dominguez (PBS’s “Star Gazers”) proposes invading New Jersey with squirrels (yes, you read that right), and artist-taxidermist Mike Price explores the beauty of going skin deep. It’s like a TED Talk with beer: smart, quirky, and genuinely entertaining. A wonderfully oddball addition to the regional cultural scene. 7:30pm.

“Black Comedy”
January 23-25 and 30-February 1 at the Ghent Playhouse

The Ghent Playhouse kicks off the new year with “Black Comedy,” Peter Shaffer’s deliciously inverted farce, directed by Ed Dignum, who returns after last season’s crowd-pleasing “lend Me a Tenor.” Set in swinging-’60s London, the play follows an aspiring young sculptor whose plan to impress a future father-in-law and an art-world bigwig collapses during a sudden blackout. Shaffer’s inspired gimmick flips stage logic on its head: when the lights are on, the characters are blind; when they’re off, they can see. The result is a riot of physical comedy, slapstick timing, and beautifully choreographed chaos. Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm.

## January Comedy highlights in the Hudson Valley

Isabel Hagen
January 10 at Assembly in Kingston
Kick off the new year with something that’s equal parts clever and unexpected: Isabel Hagen. She isn’t your typical stand-up-Hagen’s a Juilliard-trained violist turned nationally touring comedian, twice featured on “the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and spotlighted as a “New Face of Comedy” at Just for Laughs in Montreal. Her sets fuse sharp observational humor with wry musical insight, the kind of smart, surprising comedy that makes you laugh and think.This show’s a perfect way to warm up winter with brains and belly laughs in Kingston. local comedians Jess Edelman and jill mary open. 8pm.

Psychic Stand-up with Karen Rontkowski
January 23 at City Winery Hudson Valley in Montgomery
Comedy and clairvoyance collide in a show unlike anything you’ve seen on stage. Karen Rontowski brings 35 years of stand-up experience and 25 years as a tarot reader to the mic, blending sharp, seasoned comedy with live tarot readings that tease fate and tickle funny bones alike. After a solid set of original material,she taps into the energy of the room with crowd readings that turn personal curiosities into communal laughter. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, expect surprises, sharp humor, and a night where the future looks downright funny.

Squalid Gold
January 24 at Assembly in Kingston
You might think an amateur showcase can’t deliver belly laughs-then you haven’t seen Squalid Gold. This stand-up comedy showcase spotlights Kingston’s freshest voices straight from Lauren Kincheloe’s Squalid Gold Comedy School,a local incubator where aspiring humorists sharpen their voice and timing before a live audience. What starts as nervous energy quickly morphs into sharp observations, wild riffs, and genuine comic payoff that had this c

short List: January 17-18

1950s Space Invasion Double Feature
January 17 at the Rosendale Theater

For anyone who’s ever wondered what flying saucers, monolith monsters, and mysterious interstellar scientists looked like through 1950s eyes, the Rosendale Theater has your perfect January night out. On Saturday, January 17 at 7 p.m., settle in for a 1950s space invasion double feature with this Island Earth (1955) and The Monolith Monsters (1957), two epoch-defining sci-fi thrillers on the big screen with big theater sound.Writer Tony Albarella kicks things off with fun backstories, trivia, and behind-the-scenes photos that add fresh context to these vintage classics. Costumes are encouraged, so come ready to channel your inner alien invader. 7pm.

Michael Blaustein
January 18 at the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie

Shake off the post-holiday haze with a night of sharp wit and bracing laughs when Michael Blaustein brings “The Taste Me Tour” to the Bardavon. Blaustein is one of stand-up’s fastest-rising stars, his viral clips boasting hundreds of millions of views and a sold-out touring track record that reads like a comedy riff.

Fugazi on Film: A Celebration of DIY Punk

We Are Fugazi from Washington, DC
January 30 at the Bearsville Theater

Born from the Washington, DC post-hardcore scene, Fugazi blended DIY ethics, political engagement, and fiercely inventive music to redefine underground rock in the late ’80s and ’90s-and their reputation endures two decades after their last live show. The film stitches together rare fan footage, archival clips, and raw live moments that capture the band’s intensity and impact. It’s not just a documentary; it’s a fan-powered celebration.

!Fugazi performing at the Opera House in Toronto in 1991, from We Are fugazi from Washington, DC, screening on January 30 at the Bearsville Theater. Photo by Shawn Scallen

MODfest 2026 at Vassar College Explores “discovering Uncertainty”

MODfest, Vassar College’s annual festival of modern and contemporary art, music, dance, performance, and thought-provoking ideas, returns in January 2026 with the theme “discovering Uncertainty.” The festival will examine how 20th-century scientific advancements and artistic expression challenged established understandings of reality,knowledge,and perception. All events are free and open to the public, offering a dynamic and accessible experience for attendees.

A Festival Rooted in Intellectual Exploration

MODfest consistently provides a platform for innovative artistic expression and critical discourse. This year’s theme, “Discovering Uncertainty,” is particularly relevant in a world grappling with rapid change and evolving perspectives.The festival aims to showcase how artists respond to periods of instability and re-evaluation, mirroring the shifts experienced in scientific thought during the 20th century. The festival’s focus on uncertainty acknowledges the inherent complexities of both artistic creation and scientific inquiry.

Festival Highlights

The 2026 MODfest boasts a diverse program, including:

* Live Score for Metropolis: A newly commissioned musical score will accompany a screening of Fritz Lang’s iconic 1927 science fiction film, Metropolis. This pairing explores the anxieties and utopian visions of the early 20th century, themes central to the festival’s overarching concept.
* Vito acconci Exhibition: An exhibition dedicated to the work of Vito Acconci,a pivotal figure in conceptual and performance art. Vito Acconci is known for his radical explorations of the body, space, and identity, frequently enough challenging conventional artistic boundaries.
* “computing Venus” Opera: The festival will feature a performance of “Computing Venus,” an opera centered on the life and work of Maria mitchell. maria Mitchell was a pioneering 19th-century astronomer and Vassar College professor who made meaningful contributions to the field. The opera highlights her groundbreaking achievements and the challenges she faced as a woman in science.

Beyond these highlights, MODfest will also include concerts, lectures, and experimental sound works, creating a multi-faceted experience for attendees.

Vassar College and the Arts

Vassar College has a long and distinguished history of supporting the arts. The college’s commitment to fostering creativity and intellectual curiosity makes it an ideal venue for a festival like MODfest. The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center,located on the vassar campus,is a renowned art museum that further enriches the college’s artistic landscape. Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center

Key Takeaways

* Theme: MODfest 2026 centers on “Discovering Uncertainty,” exploring the intersection of art and science in challenging established norms.
* Accessibility: All MODfest events are free and open to the public.
* Diverse Programming: The festival features a wide range of artistic disciplines,including film,visual art,music,and opera.
* Past Context: MODfest highlights the contributions of significant figures like Maria Mitchell and Vito Acconci.

MODfest 2026 promises to be a stimulating and thought-provoking event, offering a unique opportunity to engage with contemporary art and ideas.By exploring the theme of uncertainty, the festival encourages audiences to question assumptions and embrace new perspectives in a rapidly changing world.