I’m often puzzled as to how I will be able to string multiple events together into one cohesive column, and there are times when I fail miserably. I never pick and choose destinations in order to fit into a common theme, but rather “go with the flow” and hope that inspiration strikes somewhere along the line. The world of arts and leisure here in the Upper Delaware River region is always ripe with diversity, and yet more often than not, I find that patterns emerge in the least likely of places.

Take this week, for instance. Noting that I was scheduled to attend a fundraiser on Friday in Narrowsburg, NY (www.theheronrestaurant.com) benefitting the Catskill Dance Company, (CDC) and that it was to be a costumed affair celebrating the Roaring Twenties, it did not occur to me that I would find a parallel line drawn to baseball great Bernie Williams and his All Star Band, slated to appear in the Event Gallery at Bethel Woods—but there you have it… synchronicity pops up wherever I go.

The CDC is new on the scene. Founded in the last year by artistic directors Isabel Braverman and Corinna Grunn, the CDC (www.catskilldancecompany.org) has a mission: “To cultivate, sponsor and nurture an appreciation of dance within the community and to bring novel and innovative dance performance to the Catskills, while creating educational dance programs for children and adults.” If its party last week was any indication, “novel” and “innovative” are words that these ladies (IMHO) understand very well. The fundraiser, dubbed “Speakeasy,” was based on the Jazz Age: bootleg whiskey, smoky rooms filled with gangsters, gun molls, cigarette girls, secret passwords and all that jazz. The colorful crowd that showed up to support the cause were all decked out (even the dog and I got in on the act) in jazzy attire, which elevated the party atmosphere, and as the musicians played, flappers flirted with danger as they sidled up to questionable looking customers, selling raffle tickets, while keeping an eye on the door. Of course, it was all in good fun and the place was mobbed. The website promises that the work will be “performed in a variety of venues, including traditional theatre spaces as well as outdoor and site-specific performance,” and their speakeasy was a performance of sorts itself. I’ve made a note to keep an eye on these two. If their fundraiser was any indication, we’re in for a wild ride.

Even though the ensuing deluge the next night kept me away from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (www.bethelwoodscenter.org), I was determined to catch legendary New York Yankee centerfielder Bernie Williams the following day, having recently discovered that Williams had a second career as a musician. While making a reservation for myself and the pup, I read that the four-time World Series Champion (and five-time All Star) had “been playing flamenco guitar since the age of eight after his merchant-marine father gifted him with a guitar returning home from Spain,” and that “the sound of the guitar would often be heard emanating from the clubhouse or during team flights.”

“Who knew?” I rasped at the dog, as I donned my slicker and galoshes. “Everybody but you,” she barked back at me, and as I entered the Event Gallery, I had to admit that the dog was correct. The sold-out crowd taking their seats proved her right, as baseball fans and Latin Jazz aficionados took their seats. Unbeknownst to me, Williams had a few albums under his belt, the first being “The Journey Within,” featuring fusions of jazz, rock and the tropical rhythms of Williams’ heritage. It was met with strong critical praise, reaching #3 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. His second album, “Moving Forward,” released in 2009, featured guest appearances by heavy hitters Bruce Springsteen, Jon Secada, Dave Koz and an all-star cast of renowned studio musicians, and the album was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Album that same year.

Backed up by musicians on piano, guitar, percussion and horn, Williams addressed the audience. “I’m so honored to be playing here,” he said in-between romantic jazz interludes sprinkled with beautiful vocals courtesy of percussionist Eren Cannatta, “and would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge each and every one of these talented guys.” Bethel Woods volunteer Lisa Reiss was in the back of the house, swaying and smiling, and when asked if she was a baseball fan or connoisseur of jazz, she responded by saying that she had seen the band “more than 10 times.” Now in her second year volunteering, Reiss travels from Connecticut (where one of the band members is her neighbor) each weekend to assist and it was “a happy coincidence” that they were playing at Bethel Woods. Yes, a theme emerged once again and the combination of flappers, passwords and all that jazz was not lost on me this time around. I wonder what kind of entertaining fireworks lie ahead?