Coronavirus: No performances, but music community is stirring

Though performances are still on hold during the coronavirus pandemic, the Hudson Valley’s live music community is beginning to stir.

Venues that double as restaurants are opening in Ulster and Dutchess counties. Daryl’s House in Pawling opened last week for outdoor restaurant service and The Falcon in Marlboro will begin to do the same on Friday.

Neither are offering live music as venues remained closed. Dutchess County remains in Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan and Gov. Andrew Cuomo has designated Phase 4 for the arts and entertainment to reopen.

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But even without any live music to offer, Falcon owner Tony Falco is glad to be gearing up for Friday. That’s when The Falcon will be offering a limited menu in its outdoor beer garden.

"At least I get to see the Falcon friends and family," Falco said. "We move one step closer to getting back to business as usual."

The Falcon and Daryl's House — operated by former Dutchess County resident Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates — are among the region's music venues forced to close three months ago, as the pandemic tightened its grip. The Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie remains closed. And the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, which was on the cusp of opening under a new owner when the pandemic struck, is also dark. 

But as Cuomo relaxes restrictions, the Falcon will be open Fridays from 4 to 9 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 9 p.m.

Daryl's House is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 3 to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Also, Daryl's House continues to offer its curbside and Essentials offerings during the same hours. 

Elsewhere in Dutchess, Grand Cru Beer & Cheese Market in Rhinebeck is also welcoming customers to its beer garden, which is open from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 2 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. 

And venue operators throughout the region are waiting on the day they can once again present live music. 

"I'm anxiously waiting," Falco said. "I've got bands all waiting. They're chomping at the bit."

John W. Barry: jobarry@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4822, Twitter: @JohnBarryPoJo