Tompkins Corners
Special Events
Films, Talks, Education and more!

The Peekskill Riots
 Episode Three: Up on the Hillside, Down in the Hollow
FRI., NOV. 15th, 7:30 pm

On August 27th, 1949, a Paul Robeson concert was violently attacked outside Peekskill, NY. The concert was for the benefit of the Civil Rights Congress and advertised to the Jewish and Black working-class, summer residents in the Hudson Valley. The Peekskill Evening Star and local veteran's groups - harboring disdain towards Robeson and the summer residents - organized a protest parade to stop the concert from taking place.

What transpired was a horrific riot, in which innocent men, women, and children hoping to attend Paul Robeson's concert were attacked. Rocks, bottles, and other projectiles were thrown, while cars were turned over with passengers inside. All of this occurred under the wicked light of a burning cross, as years of bubbling hatred in Peekskill, NY finally burst.
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As we navigate complex social issues and seek inspiration, Lead Belly's unwavering spirit and enduring legacy remind us of the power of resilience, unity, and the ability of music to bring people together.

Lead Belly
 The Man Who Invented Rock & Roll
FRI., SEPT. 20th, 7:30 pm

House of Lead Belly presents the official authorized full-length documentary "Lead Belly: The Man Who Invented Rock & Roll," which explores the extraordinary journey of music icon Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter.

This awe-inspiring documentary pays homage to the remarkable career, perseverance, and lasting impact of the musical genius. Through intimate interviews with Lead Belly's niece, Tiny Robinson, and a star-studded lineup including Pete Seeger, Harry Belafonte, Arlo Guthrie, Odetta, Joan Baez, Tom Jones, Paul McCartney, and Alan Lomax, this masterful documentary unfolds the life of an iconic artist.

From the depths of playing in Jim Crow nightclubs to his tumultuous time on notorious prison farms, Lead Belly's indomitable spirit shines through every triumph and tribulation. The film echoes his relentless pursuit of self-determination and his unwavering love for music, ultimately leading him to international stages such as Carnegie Hall, and captivating audiences across Europe.

Directed by Curt Hahn, the documentary showcases the profound influence this phenomenal artist had on some of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. From Bob Dylan to B.B. King, Nirvana to countless others, Lead Belly's raw talent paved the way for future generations. His music transcends boundaries and continues to resonate with audiences across all genres and borders.
Q&A with Jon Scott Bennett will follow. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door. 

The Peekskill Riots: Episode Two
The "Friendly Town" by the River
Fri., June 19th, 7:00 pm

Tompkins Corners will present “The Peekskill Riots: Episode Two.”  To understand Peekskill during the Riots, we must first understand the forgotten past of the “Friendly Town” by the River. Produced by Putnam Valley Documentarian Jon Scott Bennett, this is the second episode of a five-part docuseries. 

The Peekskill Riots were not an isolated case of violence in the Hudson Valley. They are part of a long history of racism and antisemitism in the Peekskill area. The influence of the Ku Klux Klan on Peekskill in the early 20th century shaped the region for decades, striking terror into the hearts of African Americans, Catholics, and Jewish people. At its peak, their rallies in the heart of Peekskill had an attendance reaching 25,000. 

Yet Peekskill was also home to a progressive movement of summer colonies scattered throughout the region. Their presence was considered a threat to Peekskill's conservative culture. These tensions would only worsen as the political climate in America turned against progressive ideologies and their adherents, such as Paul Robeson. 

Jon Scott Bennett Productions is dedicated to creating films that explore complex topics, events, and individuals while entertaining the audience from beginning to end. By covering topics not commonly discussed, they hope to provide unique insight into the stories they feel deserve to be told.
Q&A with Jon Scott Bennett will follow. Tickets are $10 and may also be purchased at the door. Refreshments will be served.

Peekskill Riots
Documentary Film
Sunday, April 28th, 11:00 am

On August 27th and September 4th, 1949, violence broke out at two concerts held outside Peekskill, NY, headlined by black singer, actor, and activist Paul Robeson. Citizens of Peekskill, galvanized by racist and anti-Semitic sentiments and disdain for Robeson’s left-wing views and campaign for civil rights, started two riots that resulted in hundreds of injuries, made national news, and unofficially marked the beginning of the McCarthy era, which would nearly erase Robeson from the public consciousness. Who was he? What did he do? What did he stand for? These questions must be answered in order to understand what brought him to Peekskill.

​Produced by Putnam Valley Documentarian Jon Scott Bennett, this first episode of a five-part docu-series serves not only as an introduction to the story of the concerts but also introduces the headlining performer, Paul Robeson, the first and last casualty of The Peekskill Riots.

Jon Scott Bennett Productions is dedicated to creating films that explore complex topics, events, and individuals while entertaining the audience from beginning to end. By covering topics not commonly discussed, they hope to provide unique insight into the stories they feel deserve to be told.
John toured with his own band, The New Lost City Ramblers, and became a mentor and bandmate of the Down Hill Strugglers. He played with them at every Brooklyn and Washington Square Folk Festival, as well as at the Library of Congress, the Kennedy Center, the Newport Folk Festival and more.  Tickets are $10. Students are always free.

Different Johns
Documentary about John Cohen
Friday, December 8th, 7:30 pm $20

Celebrating the life and legacy of John Cohen (1932-2019)

Tompkins Corners will presents Different Johns, a feature-length documentary by Robert Carr that explores the life of John Cohen - musician, photographer, filmmaker, anthropologist, and one of TCCC’s founding members.

"The film is filled with amazing images and haunting songs, and more crucially, it puts its finger on what was unique about John Cohen. I'm exhilarated." Mick Gold - Documentary filmmaker

During the heyday of New York’s Greenwich Village, John was part of the Beat Generation, photographing and rubbing shoulders with such luminaries as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and Robert Frank. He was friends with Woody Guthrie and photographed a young Bob Dylan. John made documentaries about authentic American folk music, bringing attention to the poverty of the inhabitants of the Appalachian Mountains that inspired much of their music.

He traveled to the Andes in 1956, writing his master’s thesis on Peruvian weaving customs, and began his lifelong involvement documenting indigenous Andean communities. What he witnessed in the world around him, he shared freely with compassion and sensitivity.
The talk will focus on Legal Guide for the Visual Artist, The Secret Life of Money, A Floating Life, and On Wine-Dark Seas: A Novel of Odysseus and His Fatherless Son Telemachus.  Prior to the event, Tad’s books will be available at the Putnam Valley Library. They will also be offered at half price during the talk. Questions from the audience will be welcomed.
Interviewing Tad will be James Shearwood. He has been an actor, playwright, director, and professor and is currently the Director of Theatre Programs at Arts on the Lake.


Art, Money, Fiction
A Conversation with Tad Crawford
Friday, November 3rd, 7:30 pm $10

Tompkins Corners Cultural Center will present Tad Crawford, who will speak about business/legal issues for artists and writers, money myths and misconceptions, and his novels, A Floating Life and On Wine-Dark Seas. Praised for “his refreshing style which brings surprise and fun back into fiction” (New York Journal of Books), Tad will discuss the unusual diversity of his writing (practical advice, mythology, fiction), his inspirations, and his creative process. Interviewing Tad will be James Shearwood. He has been an actor, playwright, director, and professor and is currently the Director of Theatre Programs at Arts on the Lake. 

At a time when many artists and writers are experiencing grave career uncertainty, Tad’s Legal Guide for the Visual Artist, now updated and in its sixth edition, provides a comprehensive guide which addresses a myriad of new and complex issues. The “go-to” book for working artists and writers since 1977, it grew out of Tad’s experience teaching at the School of Visual Arts and serving as General Counsel for the Graphic Artists Guild, where he was active in advocating for artists’ rights. 
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Tad’s publishing company, Allworth Press, is a leading publisher of books on business for creators, personal finance, and entrepreneurship. As an author, lawyer (Columbia Law School), and publisher, Tad brings a deep and broad understanding not only of the creative process that brings a work to life but also the practical knowledge required to carry a completed work through to publication and successful marketing.

All proceeds will benefit Tompkins Corners.

Songs, Stories & Art - Lessons from Strangers
A Multimedia Show by John John Brown
Saturday, September 23rd, 7:30 pm $20

Tompkins Corners will present Songs, Stories, & Art - Lessons from Strangers, a multimedia show by John John Brown. This original project weaves together storytelling songs with the visual arts creating “an imaginative musical performance woven into a unique visual experience.”- Gallery 25.
This show is the result of a four-year collaborative effort between Brown and an Indonesian artist named Sapri. Despite living across the globe and relying on Google Translate to communicate pages of detailed notes, Sapri created more than 200 vibrant drawings that help portray Brown’s storytelling songs. Bringing these giant comics and iconic photographs to the stage, Brown takes the listener inside the lives of fourteen unique characters while strumming his guitar and singing beside a projected graphic story, revealing the idea that all people, strangers alike, have a story we can learn from. 

The protagonists come from all walks of life, from an aging Vietnam Vet to a trumpet-playing orphan, a married couple debating evolution, to a young man with mental illness wandering the aisles of Walmart. “So well written that every song could be a short story, a treat for lovers of narrative-driven tales.” - Americana UK https://johnjohnbrown.com/songs-stories-ar
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 Tompkins Corners will present The Man Without a World, a modern-day silent film accompanied by an original live score by world-famous Klezmer fiddler Alicia Svigals and silent film music legend and pianist Donald Sosin.

Set in a typical shtetl (village) in Poland, The Man Without A World is credited to the legendary (and imaginary) 1920's Soviet director, Nevgeny Antinov, but the film is anything but old. In fact, Antinov himself is the creation of contemporary filmmaker Eleanor Antin, a world-renowned artist, author, and performer.

The Man Without A World
Cine Concert with Alicia Svigals and Donald Sosin
Saturday, August 19th, 7:30 pm $20

"I want my audience to experience this world as if from the inside—but at the same time—with a sense of the distance they have traveled to get there." - Eleanor Antin

Alicia Svigals, violinist/composer and a founder of the Grammy-winning Klezmatics, is the world's foremost klezmer fiddler. Alicia almost singlehandedly revived the tradition of klezmer fiddling, which had been on the brink of extinction until she recorded her debut album Fidl in the 1990s. In May 2023, Svigals was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by the Jewish Theological Seminary  for "extraordinary contributions to the arts and Jewish life."

Donald Sosin has performed his silent film music at Lincoln Center, MoMA, the Kennedy Center, the New York Jewish Film Festival, and major film festivals in the US and abroad, including the Denver Silent Film Festival where he was recognized with a lifetime achievement award. Other Jewish music includes a short children's opera, A Parakeet Named Dreidel, Yiddish folk song arrangements, and Three Psalms, which the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra premiered in 2009.

"Songs of Slavery and Emancipation"
Film by Mat Callahan with Q&A to follow
Friday, June 23rd, 7:30 pm $10

he Documentary Film, Songs of Slavery and Emancipation, tells of the discovery of a long-lost revolutionary slave song and the odyssey that led to its recording. Following will be a talk by the Director that expands on the film's material and a question-and-answer period.

A collection of songs composed and sung by slaves either preparing or commemorating revolt, Songs of Slavery and Emancipation also includes songs of the abolitionist movement dedicated to the eradication of the slave system. Many of the abolitionist songs were composed by fugitive slaves or free black people and were widely disseminated in the Northern States between the American Revolution and the Civil War.

Meeting the musicians and educators who joined the effort to bring these songs to life is vividly recalled in this stirring documentary. More than fifty musicians from many parts of the country are shown as they rehearse and perform songs that have not been heard for more than one hundred years. The result is a musical and historical document available for the first time to the general public.

"Mat Callahan's Songs of Slavery and Emancipation restores to view a wonderful trove of verses that give us access to the voices and lived experience of enslaved African Americans and their abolitionist supporters. It is an invaluable historical and musical resource." - James G. Basker, Richard Gilder Professor of Literary History at Barnard College, Columbia University.

"What's Your Story"
True, life-changing stories of journeys
Saturday, May 20th, 7:30 pm

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"What’s Your Story?” First presented at Tompkins Corners in 2018, we are pleased to bring you a new evening of true stories, told live, without notes, by individuals from different walks of life.

Everyone has a story that is at the core of who they are. Sharing them, we share ourselves. This show’s theme is Journey. You can expect some exciting, life-changing travel adventures and moving personal journeys that take you along on the storyteller’s transformation from one place in life to a new one.

Storytelling, one of our oldest art forms, is enjoying a revival in formats such as “The Moth” and “This American Life.” “What’s Your Story?” brings this riveting spoken word art form to Tompkins Corners.

Be advised that some of the stories may be on adult themes. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased in advance or at the door.

Alexander Harris, Nature Photographer
Documenting the World Around Him
Sunday, March 12th, 11:00 am Free

The Roaring Brook Lake Garden Club, in collaboration with Tompkins Corners, invites you to a presentation by Alex Harris. 

​Alex is a professional saxophonist, mentalist, magician and photographer living in New York’s Hudson Valley. He works on all these disciplines in his home studio; that is, when the work doesn’t take him to royal palaces, world-renowned jazz clubs, or the hippest spots for magic and mentalism in New York City, his native London, and beyond — as it often does.

As a photographer and videographer, his interests lie in documenting the world around him, be it the streets of Manhattan, the edge of the Hudson River, or his wife, daughter, baby son, dog and chickens.

Alex will share and discuss images and experiences from his work as a nature photographer, both in his backyard and beyond.

This event is free, with donations gratefully accepted.
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Join Jim Dale
Stories and Q&A
Saturday, December 3rd, 4:00 pm

Actor, singer, director, author, lyricist, comedian, narrator, and raconteur, Jim was the youngest professional comedian on the British Music Hall stage at seventeen. He became a successful pop singer under Sir George Martin's wing, and at Sir Laurence Olivier's request, he joined the British National Theatre as a leading man in seven productions. Lord Olivier called Jim “God’s gift to Shakespeare’s comedies.”

On and Off-Broadway, Jim has over 16 credits, including the title role in Barnum with Glenn Close, for which he won both the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Actor in a Musical. For Jim’s one-man show, “Just Jim Dale,” he won both the NY Drama Desk Award and the NY Outer Critics Award for “Outstanding Solo Performance.”
Jim's last musical on Broadway was as Mister Peachum in Brecht and Weill's, The Threepenny Opera, for which he was honored with a Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Richard Seff Award, Drama League Award, and a Tony Award Nomination. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II honored Jim with the MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire, in 2003, and the American Theatre Critics Assoc. inducted Jim into the American Theatre Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement in 2010.
As a narrator, he recorded all seven books in the Harry Potter series creating over 200 individual speaking character voices, winning him two Guinness World Records, two Grammy Awards, seven Grammy Nominations, four Narrator of the Year Awards, and a record ten Audie Awards.
Jim also has 30 films to his credit, including Disney’s Pete’s Dragon, and won an Academy Award nomination as a lyricist for writing the title song to the film, Georgy Girl.
This film will be shown at the Putnam Valley Library
​30 Oscawana Lake Rd, Putnam Valley, NY

The Pound Ridge Massacre
Documentary Film
Sunday, August 21st, 11:00 am
Shown at the Putnam Valley Library

Jon Scott Bennett, a student filmmaker pursuing a B.A. in History, will present his fascinating documentary,  The Pound Ridge Massacre.

​In 1644, a combined force of Dutch and English colonists attacked a Native American village in present day Westchester, NY. It was one of the deadliest attacks on the indigenous people on the Atlantic Coast. This is the story of that event, the colony of New Netherland (later New York), and the "River Tribes" of the Hudson River Valley.
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This film is being shown by the Putnam Valley Library in partnership with Tompkins Corners.

The Leatherman:
An American Vagabond
Sunday, July 17th, 11:00 am

Jon Scott Bennett, a student filmmaker pursuing a B.A. in History, will present his extraordinary documentary, The Leatherman, An American Vagabond. 
 
This film chronicles the journey and life of a man dressed in leather clothes who traveled through Connecticut and New York year after year from 1857 to 1889, returning to each town about every 35 days. Join us for coffee, bagels, and this fascinating film!

This film is being shown by Tompkins Corners in partnership with the Putnam Valley Library.

FILMS - FREE!
"Fifty Miles from Time Square"
and
"A Tribute to Life on the Lake"

Friday, June 17th, 3 - 6:30pm

In honor of “Celebrate Putnam” and Putnam County’s 210th Anniversary, Tompkins Corners will partner with the Putnam Valley Historical Society to present two short films. 

A new 18-minute documentary, “A Tribute to Life on the Lake,” has been created by the PV Historical Society. Using historic postcards donated to the Historian’s Collection by David and Kathryn Bisbee, this film will feature some amazing Lake Oscawana images and is narrated by Dan Ricci, Town Historian.

Following will be John Cohen’s documentary film, “Fifty Miles from Times Square,” which takes us back to what Tompkins Corners, Putnam Valley and Putnam County looked like 50 years ago.
Watch an excerpt of "Fifty Miles from Times Square" HERE.

Farmers Market Opens
Friday, June 17th, 3:00 - 6:30pm

Putnam Valley Residents Coalition will be presenting the 17th annual Farmers Market at Tompkins Corners Cultural Center on Fridays from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm, starting on June 17th and ending on August 26th.

  • Homestead Farm - Fruit, Produce, and plants
  • Mirthas's Pink Pastries - Cookies, Pastries,  Empanadas, and Coffee
  • ​Mozz4U - Sandwiches, fresh mozzarella and other cheeses
  • Noel's cold brewed coffee
  • Carina's Third Bean - Homemade, all natural, multi- flavored chocolate bars
  • Dell's homemade sorbets by the cup. Flavors change weekly
  • Johanna's Jewelry -   Silver jewelry with semi-precious stones.
  • Kate Hoekstra - Art work printed on handmade bags and accessories, note cards

Hudson Valley Gives
Support your favorite Cultural Center!
Wednesday, May 14th
24-hour online day of giving in the Hudson Valley!

Could you help us raise $2,000 in one day?

May 18th is a 24-hour online day of giving in the Hudson Valley.  HV Gives asks us to imagine that if all 2 million people of the Hudson Valley gave $5 to their favorite cause, 10 million dollars would go to our community organizations.

This summer, we will begin the work of restoring our 190-year-old Carriage Shed. While figuring out how to present concerts outdoors during the pandemic, we found that the shed provided a protected and intimate, yet open, performance space. As our mission includes preserving our church and shed, the only buildings in Putnam Valley recorded on the State and National Register of Historic Places, we will  begin working on our 190-year-old Carriage Shed this summer.

Each gift made during this campaign will go towards this project. You will not only be contributing to Tompkins Corners, but to the preservation of Putnam County history!

Giving starts now and will end at 11:59 PM on May 18, so make sure to get your gift in on time!
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We thank you in advance for your generosity.

"Becoming Geppetto"
Award-winning Documentary film.  Q&A with Director Dale Lindquist
Saturday, May 7th

Director Dale Lindquist will present his award-winning documentary, Becoming Geppetto. This film chronicles the amazing journey of master guitar builder Bruce Petros and his son, Matt.  The film is frequently and delightfully punctuated by wonderful musical performances on these ornate, resonant Petros guitars. Q&A with the Director will follow. 

Surrounded by farmland in a small town in northern Wisconsin, father and son luthier duo, Bruce and Matt Petros make world-renowned acoustic guitars. These guitars have been played around the world by music giants Like Paul Simon, and this documentary showcases the quiet lives that create some of the most skillfully hand-crafted instruments available. The film received both the Jury’s Choice Award and the Audience Choice Award at the Green Bay Film Festival and was an official selection of the Wisconsin Film Festival. 

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the door or in advance at www.eventbrite.com/e/313896070597. All proceeds will benefit Tompkins Corners Cultural Center.

Tompkins Corners joins Sustainable Putnam
The Meadowing Project
In Part I of this project: Operation Mugwort, volunteers at Tompkins Corners Cultural Center dig out mugwort plants that choke out and kill native plants.  Once the land is cleared of this invasive species, a beautiful meadow of native wildflowers will be planted.  Follow us HERE!

Photo by Gerry Katzban