Today, Simone sits down with Michele Steinwald, Guest Curator of The Kaatsbaan Annual Festival. They talk about the incredible scope of this multi-disciplinary festival in the heart of the Hudson Valley. It begins August 30th at 4pm at Black Box Theater, Studio Complex, 120 Broadway, Tivoli, NY. The festival goes through September 27th. All information can be found at kaatsbaan.org.

The contemporary line-up of artists features Neil Enggist’s poetic metal paintings, Freeda Electra Handelsman's unique and personal dance videos, Daisuke Kiyomiya’s elegant stonework, Heidi Lanino’s graceful wood sculptures, Ian McMahon’s geometric wall relief, Portia Munson’s dynamic organic banner, Aurora Robson’s magical found-plastic works, and Jennifer Zackin’s conceptual rope pieces.

About Kaatsbaan Cultural Park:

The mission of Kaatsbaan Cultural Park is to provide an extraordinary environment for cultural innovation and excellence by providing artists at any stage of their careers with creative residencies at state-of-the-art facilities, and presenting audiences and communities with annual festivals, educational programs, and seasonal events. As both an incubator for creativity and presenter for world-class artists in dance, theater, music, film, spoken and written word, and culinary and visual arts, Kaatsbaan provides artists with state-of-the-art dance studios, accommodations, an indoor theater, and outdoor stages. Sited on 153 Hudson River-adjacent acres, Kaatsbaan is free of urban facilities’ space and time constraints, allowing for exciting levels of artistic exploration, creative action, and achievement—just two hours north of New York City.

Simone Stevens is a Hudson Valley-based voice actor and musician who, at times, plays in the visual arts realm as well (she can be found at the farmers market some days happily selling her and her mom's ceramic art tiles). She is also an educator, working as a teaching artist with the Ancram Theatre and coaching voice-over and storytelling. She can be seen around the Hudson valley enjoying all the nature and the creative community that thrives here.

Outro Song (chosen by Michele): They Are in Love by David Byrne. 

Lori Goldston who is composing a brand new work for the festival previously collaborated with David Byrne on his song They Are In Love.