The Beat

Taste the Hudson Valley at its Freshest, Just 50 Miles from NYC

Orange County, N.Y. (Aug. 5, 2026) — As peak growing season arrives, Orange County, N.Y., enters its most flavorful time of year. Across the county's rolling farmland from the fertile black dirt fields to the orchards, farms, markets, restaurants, distilleries and breweries welcome visitors to experience harvest season the way it's meant to be enjoyed: fresh, local and straight from the fields.

Young readers will have the opportunity to meet multilingual authors, local illustrators, and artists, as they present new books, lead story times, activities, discussions, workshops, arts, crafts, games, and more. Celebrating the magic of literature, literacy, and art, along with the back-to-school season, free books and school supply giveaways will be available to all who register.

Lake George, N.Y. — Lakeside Restaurant & Lounge invites guests to celebrate the end of summer with its Pig Roast & BBQ Fest on Thursday, September 3, from 6:00–9:30 p.m. at the Carriage House at Fort William Henry overlooking beautiful Lake George.

The evening will feature a whole roasted pig carving station, smoked brisket, BBQ chicken, bratwurst, classic barbecue sides, live music, lawn games, specialty cocktails, and s'mores by the lake.

Glens Falls, N.Y. - The Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC) will pair the works of ceramic artist Dolores Thomson with her daughter Emily Thomson’s large-scale florals in Show VI: In the Wind, August 14th through September 16th. The opening reception takes place on Friday, August 14, 5-7pm; all are invited to meet these creative and accomplished artists and celebrate their work.

Thomas Edwards has created more than a thousand traditional Tibetan Buddhist paintings.

Syracuse, N.Y. - Acclaimed Tibetan thangka artist Thomas Edwards returns to Thekchen Choling Syracuse for a weekend workshop, Sept. 5-6. Open to adults with little or no artistic experience, the workshop explores thangka art as a spiritual practice. Thangkas are Tibetan Buddhist paintings that date back more than a thousand years.

Meets Olympians and Future Olympic Hopefuls and Highlights New York’s Olympic Future

Visit Showcases New York's Continued Leadership in World-Class Sport, Athlete Development and Year-Round Recreation

Governor Kathy Hochul today visited Lake Placid's Olympic venues where she met with Team USA athletes, national team members and the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls. The visit showcased how New York's Olympic venues support elite athlete training, international competition, community recreation and year-round tourism while highlighting the first major events of the Olympic Regional Development Authority's 2026-2027 season.

Five films on screen between August 5 and 8

Rochester, N.Y. (July 31, 2026) —Between August 5 and 8, the Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman Museum will present five films on screen as part of the Paul and Phil film series, all on rare 35mm. This year’s installment is part of an annual celebration of Philip Seymour Hoffman around his birthday, honoring one of Rochester’s shining stars. The acclaimed actor would have turned 59 on July 23.

Binghamton, NY.  – Broome County Arts Council (BCAC) is pleased to invite you to August First Friday Art Walk on August 7th, 2026, from 6-9 pm, with some locations having varying hours (details below). Most exhibitions are free and open to the public.

August 5 – 22, 2026

Twelve performances, artist talks, family activities, workshops and special events mark The Philadelphia Orchestra's milestone return to Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. —The Philadelphia Orchestra returns to Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, August 5, launching its 60th anniversary summer residency at SPAC. Running August 5–22, the celebrated residency features twelve performances, artist conversations, family activities, education programs, and special events honoring six decades of partnership with one of the world's great orchestras.