CLASS: Balkan Folkdancing and More
Learn dances in a variety of styles and rhythms to beautiful music from many cultures. Some of the countries represented are Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Albania, Armenia, Israel, and Greece. No partner necessary, comfortable clothing. Folk dancing is an enjoyable way to exercise our bodies and brains. It is stress reducing, cardiovascular and a protection against dementia.
Tuesdays!
Dates: Tuesdays, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
Admission: Come join our circle! $12 a class.
Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available in front of entrance. Ramp leading to entrance. Main hall is on the ground floor. Bathrooms are handicapped accessible. Entrance doors are not automatic. Please call 845-255-2512 if assistance is needed.
Parking: Available in front of the Community Center.
Website: http://www.townofnewpaltzny.gov/rec
CLASS: Line Dancing Class
Fun • Friendly • All Levels Welcome
"Join us for lively line dancing, great music, and fun with friends!"
We have two classes currently. Tuesdays are with Becky, and Fridays are with Gail.
Tuesdays and Fridays!
Dates: Tuesdays, 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM. Fridays, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.
Admission: Free
Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available in front of entrance. Ramp leading to entrance. Main hall is on the ground floor. Bathrooms are handicapped accessible. Entrance doors are not automatic. Please call 845-255-2512 if assistance is needed.
Parking: Available in front of the Community Center.
Website: http://www.townofnewpaltzny.gov/rec
EVENT: Planetarium Show
"Astronomy Nights" are held on the first and third Thursday of each month that the university is in session. Astronomy Night activities are appropriate for ages 10 and up. The program begins with an indoor public planetarium show at the John R. Kirk Planetarium. Tickets are REQUIRED for the planetarium show. There is a suggested ticket price of $5 per seat (you can enter any payment amount of your choice). A second show will be offered if the first show reaches capacity. After the planetarium show, Smolen Observatory will be open for telescope viewing only if the sky is clear (tickets are not required at the Observatory). Call the Observatory at 845-257-1110 to hear a message indicating if the public viewing has been canceled due to cloudy weather/staff availability. Visitors can participate in either the planetarium show, observatory telescope viewing, or both.
Astronomy Night telescope viewing begins shortly after sunset and therefore the start time changes according to the seasons.
Admission: Tickets for Astronomy Night Planetarium shows become available one week prior to each show (on Thursday at 12:00 PM).
Parking: All visitors who park on the SUNY New Paltz campus must display a valid Visitor/Day Parking Permit on the vehicle's dashboard or hanging from the rear view mirror, Monday - Friday between 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Park & Pay machines are located in the entrance of the Rt. 32 Lot, West entrance located on Hawk drive, off Rt. 208 and Elting Lot adjacent to Parker Theater. A Visitor/Day Permit is valid for the date of purchase only.
Weather: Smolen Observatory will be open for telescope viewing only if the sky is clear. Call the Observatory at 845-257-1110 to hear a message indicating if the public viewing has been canceled due to cloudy weather/staff availability.
For more information and directions see our websites at http://www.newpaltz.edu/planetarium/ and http://www.newpaltz.edu/observatory/
CLASS: Salsa Class with Nina and Akash
Social salsa dance can be a great tool in learning how to play, communicate, connect with other humans.
Dancing causes us to be in the moment and is an excellent way to relieve stress and anxiety. It is also a great exercise for our brains and bodies.
The aim of this class is to have fun while learning at our own individual pace. This class will be a practice in bringing awareness to our bodies while also building connections and a community with like minded people.
Learn salsa dance basics without pressure to lead or follow! No partner needed.
Well-behaved kids can join in or play board games in the hall.
Fridays!
Dates: Fridays from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Admission: Classes are by donation.
Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available in front of entrance. Ramp leading to entrance. Main hall is on the ground floor. Bathrooms are handicapped accessible. Entrance doors are not automatic. Please call 845-255-2512 if assistance is needed.
Parking: Available in front of the Community Center.
For more information, go to www.newpaltzdance.com.
Website: http://www.townofnewpaltzny.gov/rec
CLASS: West African Drumming and Dance
Dive into the culture of West Africa every Sunday afternoon at the Community Center!
Assane Badji Sylla and Momadouba Camara, both originally from Guinea, teach drumming and dance, a practice they say “is healing to the mind and body. When you embrace these activities, it will fill your mind, body, and heart with freedom and blessings.”
Sylla has been playing drums since he was four. He went on to perform with his uncle on the djembe, dundun, kenkeni, and sangban drums, as well as the 21-key balafon, a type of xylophone made with gourds. He also traveled the world as the Director of the Senegalese-based Ballet Bougarabou. Camara is a Grandmaster of the djembe, but also plays many other African drums and instruments. Together they have taught and performed throughout the Hudson Valley for over two decades.
Sundays!
Dates: Sundays, 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
Admissions: $15 per class ($25 for both). $10 for students. No one turned away.
Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available in front of entrance. Ramp leading to entrance. Main hall is on the ground floor. Bathrooms are handicapped accessible. Entrance doors are not automatic. Please call 845-255-2512 if assistance is needed.
Parking: Available in front of the Community Center.
For more information, see their Facebook page.
Website: http://www.townofnewpaltzny.gov/rec
HV Drum Circle Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/503042968229708
CLASS: Beginning Capoeira Angola
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that uses self-defense disguised as a dance. It blends elements of martial arts, dance, music, and culture. Capoeira was developed in Brazil by enslaved Africans during colonial times as a form of physical, spiritual, and cultural resistance against oppression.
Our class goal is centered on mindfulness, positive energy, and community building. Through playfulness, flow, and dancelike movements, capoeira will develop care, connection, and confidence.
Sundays!*
Dates: Sundays, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, *except the 3rd Sunday.
Admission: FREE or $5 suggested donation. No prior experience needed. Just a willingness to learn and have fun. Classes are designed for adults. Well-behaved minors may participate alongside a participating parent or guardian.
Accessibility: Please wear comfortable pants (no shorts) and a t-shirt that allows you to move comfortably. Barefoot or smooth-soled shoes are recommended. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. Handicapped parking is available in front of entrance. Ramp leading to entrance. Main hall is on the ground floor. Bathrooms are handicapped accessible. Entrance doors are not automatic. Please call 845-255-2512 if assistance is needed.
Parking: Available in front of the Community Center.
Website: http://www.townofnewpaltzny.gov/rec
New Paltz Capoeira Instagram: @new.paltz.capoeira
EVENT: American History Storytime
Join Elting Memorial Library for a special storytime full of the history of the United States of America!
2026 is the United State's 250th anniversary, so let's learn together how this nation came to be, and learn some about the history of our local land, the native people, and what it means to be a country.
Registration is preferred and guarantees your spot at this program.
EVENT: Juneteenth Storytime
Celebrate Juneteenth with Elting Memorial Library! Learn about this important emancipation celebration, celebrate Black American history, and create a fun craft together!
Registration is preferred and guarantees your spot at this program.
EVENT: Native American History Storytime
Join us to learn about our local tribal history here in New Paltz! The United States may be turning 250 this year, but people have been living on this land long before we were called that - and they have an important history to learn!
Hear some great stories from local tribes, see some artifacts, and make a fun craft!
Admissions: Free, registration is preferred and guarantees your spot at this program.
Accessibility: The library is handicap accessible, featureing a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking.
Parking: The library parking lot is located on the corner of North Front Street and Church Street. Library visitors are welcome to park for free in our lot for as long as they are at the library.
EVENT: Sparkle and Shine, Bringing Local to Light
Local at Heart is an organization that fundraises to support food pantries in Ulster County. We are hosting this event, Sparkle and Shine, Bringing Local to Light for the 250th birthday of the USA by bringing back the July 4th fireworks celebration at the Ulster County Fairgrounds. We hope to raise enough funds to cover the costs of the event and to continue our mission as many food pantries are in great need. We have worked with Family of New Paltz, Helping Hands in Gardiner, Rondout Valley Food Pantry, Rosendale Food Pantry, Plattekill Food Pantry, SUNY New Paltz, The Methodist Church Senior Food Program, The Backpack Program with NPSCD which is now run by New Paltz Rotary. We have recently added the Family of Ellenville Food Pantry which is in dire need. You can see some of our work over the last 10 years on our website: www.localatheart.org
We welcome all the food pantries and the Regional Food Bank to have a table at our event, free of charge, to promote what they do and are planning a non perishable food drive with a"stuff the truck" collection.
This is a family fun oriented event. $5 admission, kids under 10 FREE,
Music, Food, Interactive Kids Center, car show, civics and history, craft projects in the youth building.