On the cusp of autumn, the Hudson Valley really sings... when the breeze, the sunlight and the leaves all become crisp like the first bite into a freshly picked apple. This week's Talk of the Town features music, beauty and joyful journeys – all things for which our area is famous. We offer insider leaf-peeping tips, too!

So get yourself outside and appreciate our great September weather, creativity and wonderful community with our Editors' Picks for your Upstate Weekend Plans. It's going to be a great one!

28-year-old Dylan Doyle has been a prodigious part of the Hudson Valley music scene for years. He first toured at age 15, he's the youngest person to be enshrined in the New York Blues Hall of Fame, and he cut his debut album at the age of 19 at the late great Tony Falco’s legendary Falcon nightclub in Marlboro. Read on to hear about his music, his love of cooking, poetry – and, of course, his stylish tracksuits!

Road trip! Start planning your ideal fall adventure now. Book your hotel, restaurant and map out a plan. We take you on a journey of the best leaf peeping experiences season where you can walk, run, hike and bike surrounded by the breathtaking colors of fall in the Valley.

From Off-Broadway to the barnyard, by way of the sea, Victoria Balentine has lived many lives. Presently, it's one of goats, gratitude and green living, grounded in the rhythms of the regenerative Hudson Valley farm she shares with her husband. Whether she's teaching Yoga With Goats or tending her solar and fire-powered home, Victoria embodies a life of conscious purpose. For her, “sailing into stillness” is more than a phrase; it’s an intentional way of being, a practiced calm and cool responsiveness in the midst of change.

This month, Becky Collins of Catskill Wagyu & Hilltop Farm shares her heartfelt reflections on the inherent beauty of everyday farm life and the challenges that can come with watching that beauty evolve. "What we’ve seen lately is disconcerting. It looks to us as if our beautiful place – our valley home – is also thought to be beautiful by many others, which you’d think would be a good thing. However, these 'others' are transplants to our hometown, and they seem to think they know better than we natives somehow"...click below to read more!

It's been 35 years since James Cox and his wife, artist Mary Anna Goetz, first opened the doors to their gallery in the historic Colony of the Arts. In 1990, Cox, Mary Anna and their two children, Nathan and Julianna, moved from their home in Brooklyn Heights to Woodstock. After fourteen years as the director of the venerable Grand Central Art Galleries in NYC, James was ready to open his own showrooms. “We have never looked back,” Cox remarked.

Presented by Jasmine Jordaan, Associate Broker at Halter Associates Realty, this extraordinary 35-acre estate offers the perfect blend of privacy, natural beauty and architectural pedigree. Originally designed by renowned architect David Minch, this property is a striking, one-of-a-kind residence surrounded by panoramic mountain views, endless skies and the soothing sounds of a native trout stream.

This weekend, the Hudson Valley is alive with laughter, fun, music, art, food, comedy and more from the Monoprint Auction to the Meadowlark Fest. There's something for everyone, all across the Valley!

Click here for the complete list of Upstate Weekend Plans for Sept 12-14.

Stone Ridge NY  |  Sat Sept 12-Sun Sept 14  |  Times Vary
Support our farmers through the joy of music with the Meadowlark Festival. Check out this magical weekend of music, food, art + community.

Woodstock NY  |  Sat Sept 13  |  2pm-4pm
Stop by the Woodstock School of Art for good vibes, gorgeous scenery and the chance to take home a unique piece of art. The bidding starts at 2pm and ends around 3:30pm, but the event runs until 4pm. Attendance is free, refreshments will be served, and proceeds go toward supporting the school and its historic campus.

Tannersville NY  |  Sat Sept 13  |  7pm
An evening celebrating songwriting across folk, blues, soul and jazz, The Music Oasis presents co-founders Greg Dayton and Marlon Saunders, and special guests Professor Louie, Miss Marie and Anson Jones. Also featured are performances from workshop students.

Kingston NY  |  Sat Sept 13  |  7pm
Prepare to be entertained by the legendary Coco Peru's unique storytelling, quirky anecdotes and sharp-witted humor. The fearless drag performer and comedy icon, known for her hilarious YouTube videos, appearances on shows like Will & Grace and memorable stage performances, graces the historic walls of the Old Dutch Church in Kingston.

Poughkeepsie NY  |  Sat Sept 13 |  8pm
Known for HBO’s The Great Depresh, MAX’s Born on 3rd Base and his memoir MISFITS, Gary Gulman has spent 25+ years shaping smart, hilarious and witty humor, with his comedy tour selling out theaters nationwide.

Saugerties NY  |  Sun Sept 14 |  10am-1pm
Taught by author, professional mycologist and certified forager Chris Baker, this workshop provides wild mushroom novices with a safe and immersive introduction to fungi. The half-day class includes a brief lecture, a forest foray to collect mushrooms, and a hands-on introduction to mushroom identification.

Mount Tremper NY  |  Sun Sept 14 |  5pm
Step into the whimsical world of Wes Anderson for a one-of-a-kind evening inspired by The Grand Budapest Hotel. Set against the scenic backdrop of the Catskill Mountains, this immersive event combines cinematic charm with a deliciously curated multi-course dining experience. Brought to you by Upstate Films and Foxfire Mountain House.

DO NOT MISS this incredible 2025 lineup of performers and speakers from around the world and around the corner, starting September 19th at The Local.

Located at 16 John Street in Saugerties, the Local educates, entertains, inspires and nourishes the soul through transcendent music, dance, performing arts, conversations and Hudson Valley workshops. A community hub and venue for outstanding cultural programs, The Local is committed to cultivating and sustaining a vibrant local arts scene.

Season passes are available!

“And suddenly, you just know it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” – Meister Eckhart