‘A Bright Future: Envisioning 2021’

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Narrowsburg Union seeks submissions for its first exhibition of the year “A Bright Future: Envisioning 2021,” a curated show featuring paintings, photographs and works on paper that are bold, loud and bursting with color.

This exhibition is inspired by pop art, graphic design, the avant-garde and all things neon,  abstract and fantastic. The goal is to present art that is both a response to and respite from the dark, grey days of the past year.

Opening Saturday, January 23, 2021, “A Bright Future” will feature the work of up to six artists, so submissions should include images from a cohesive body of work. Projects can be new, in progress, or completed, just show us your best selection and clearly explain the work and how it fits the themes of the exhibition. Artists should submit 10 to 15 (72 dpi images) of their work by email to curator@narrowsburgunion.com along with an artist statement that includes the artist’s name, contact information (phone number, email and physical address), the title of the work or project, medium, dimensions and year created.

Artists selected to show in the exhibition should be prepared to deliver and pick up work on assigned dates. Work that is framed and ready to hang is preferred.

This is an open call, and artists can submit at any time through Monday, January 11, 2021.

For more information, email curator@narrowsburgunion.com or call 845/252-3100.

‘Get Ready to Renaissance!’

ONLINE — Sullivan Renaissance will host the G2R Virtual Winter Symposium, Get Ready to Renaissance!, on Wednesday, January 13 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. This symposium will present information on grants for community beautification, business assistance, neighborhood revitalization, municipal partnerships and volunteer opportunities.

This is the kick-off event of the 2021 grant season for anyone looking to apply for project funding. Grant applications are available online. The forum will open at 5:30 p.m. for networking, and the program will begin at 6.

Sullivan Renaissance Program Managers will speak about how their grants and programs can enhance public spaces and help to make businesses more welcoming.

The evening also will feature an open forum for chat beginning at 5:30 PM and throughout the evening’s programming, as well as questions and answers with grant program managers. The event is free, but registration is required. A log-in link that can be accessed by smartphone, phone, tablet, or computer will be sent prior to the event date.

For more information and to register, visit www.SullivanRenaissance.org or call the Sullivan Renaissance office at 845/295-2445. 

River Reporter columnist Kim Simons to compete on Food Network—again

ONLINE — On December 22, 2019, regional artist Kim M. Simons and her team The Bah Hum Bakers were crowned champions on Food Network’s “Holiday Wars,” and the year that followed, 2020, was supposed to be a busy one.

Simons was selected to make the centerpiece for the National Capital Area Cake Show in Virginia, set for March 2020. She was going to do demonstrations at The SoFlo Cake Show in Miami, FL in April. And she was going to attend an International Cake Expo in London, England, in November. In addition, she had published a cookbook of gluten-free recipes (“Get All Cook-y With Kim”), booked a slew of classes, workshops and personal appearances, and began writing a monthly column (Kim’s Kitchen) for River Reporter.

With everything shut down, Simons threw herself into other projects; she even judged the Gingerbread House Contest at last month’s Dickens on the Delaware event.

And then, Food Network called asking if Simons be interested in another competition, with strict protocols in place to combat COVID-19.

“Cakealikes” debuted on the streaming service Discovery+ on January 4.

Hosted by Chef Tregaye Fraser, cake sculptor Natalie Sideserf, and comedian Kalen Allen, “Cakealikes” challenges teams to create look-alike, life-sized cakes of famous people. The winning duo splits $10,000.

Simons and her teammate, Blāque Shelton, will appear on the second episode (“Lady Gaga”), which streams Sunday, January 17 at 10:30 p.m. and Monday, January 18 at 1:30 a.m.

To read Simon’s columns and make your own creations with her step-by-step tutorials, visit www.riverreporter.com/kims-kitchen.

Joe Jencks performs for River Vibes

ONLINE — On Sunday, January 10 at 7 p.m., join River Vibes Concerts for an evening with Joe Jencks, who has graced the stage at The Cooperage as a solo artist, and with Brother Sun, of which he was a founding member.

This show is free, but donations are encouraged. A portion of the donations will benefit The Cooperage Project.

Joe Jencks is a 22-year veteran of the international folk circuit, an award-winning songwriter and a celebrated vocalist based in the Chicago region. He is known for his performances of musical beauty, social consciousness and spiritual exploration. Joe delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove and grit.

For more information, visit www.joejencks.com.

‘Chi Ayurveda Lounge’

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Chi Hive is launching a Chi Ayurveda Lounge, a space designed to allow participants to explore self-healing techniques, Chi Bodywork treatments and opportunities to co-create your diet and lifestyle goals.

Ayurveda is an ancient healing practice that is more than 5,000 years old that heals through diet, lifestyle, herbs and conscious communication.

The initial 60-minute consultation costs $70, the follow-up 60-minute session costs $45 and 30 minutes of Chi Bodywork costs $35.

For more information, visit www.thechihive.com or email info@thechihive.com.