Busy Upcoming Mountaindale Weekend

This weekend in Mountaindale is going to be exceptionally busy with a wide variety of things to do from Friday straight through to Sunday and beyond.  The Valentine's Day weekend romantic activities in Mountaindale begin on Friday night with a very special 4 Course Feast of Love Menu, created especially by Chef Robert of Uccelli Restaurant.  These special delectable dishes will only be prepared on Friday,

Romantic Tango - Harold & Betty Fried

Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday nights, and will include Chicken & Shrimp Alfredo, Paella Catalana, Chicken Gruyere, Shrimp Saag and Steak Pizzaiolla. Live entertainment will be provided during dinner by songstress, Marilyn Kennedy.  Reservations are encouraged by calling 845-434-4447.

Romance will be in the air as you stroll down the block to 62 Main Street in Mountaindale on Friday night for a  Valentine Lesson in American Tango and other romantic dances with the return of the wonderful dance instructors, Betty & Harold Fried. They will give the first lesson at 7PM, have Open Dancing from 7:45 to 10PM, and include an additional lesson sometime during the evening. Their class in Mountaindale last month was very enjoyable. They brought great music, but I honestly thought that the best part was seeing all the wonderful dancers, who just love a great party that allows them to dance in a nice room.  I observed some who were quite experienced, some not as much; some who brought a partner, and some who enjoyed the experience of dancing with a brand new partner. This dance workshop is hosted by Janet Gula of Radiant Yoga of Mountaindale. The event fee is $12/person or $20/couple and includes tea and a dessert tasting in the Sweets for the Sweet Valentine's Dessert Competition. You may RSVP by calling Janet at 845-866-7822.

Double Primary by Michael McKee

Should you happen to miss a visit to Uccelli Restaurant on Friday, you are also welcome on Saturday. From 2 until 4PM, there will be a wine & cheese reception for local artist, Michael McKee of Moydan Art. The display that he is exhibiting in the Uccelli dining room is based on "Intuition, Mathematically Composed." Michael's style is unique and this particular show of his work includes his realism, abstracts and color balanced geometric designs. After the reception, the Feast of Love menu will be available for dinner.

Another very special event will be taking place on Sunday at Upstate Karate of Mountaindale. After the usual schedule of classes, there will be the monthly Testing for eligible students - Adults & Red Belt Evaluations will take place at 12:15PM, and Children's Testing will begin at 1:30PM. However, what makes this day unique is the special event that begins at 3:30PM. Master Instructor Alexandra Lalieu will be hosting a Dan Promotion Ceremony for a hardworking, dedicated student who is only 8 years old, but has achieved her Midnight Blue Belt, which will be presented to her that day. This traditional ceremony will be conducted in the Korean Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan style. Her family, friends and fellow students will be there to wish her well as she continues her martial arts studies.

New Michael McKee Art Exhibit in Uccelli Restaurant

Vi Carpio Photo of Murals

Michael McKee and his wife, Martha, have supported the growth of the arts in Mountaindale since they day they moved in. Technically, even earlier if you count the Visioning Workshop they attended in 2004. Martha joined the Board of the Mountaindale Community Development Project and volunteered countless hours in our Mountaindale Art Center. She helped coordinate a very successful exhibit by her talented sister, Esther Vanderpot, as well as the wonderful exhibit of Michael's work that so many have enjoyed in our Main Street gallery for an extra long time.

Several years ago, we had an extra ambitious Sullivan Renaissance Project that included creating the Mountaindale Meditation Labyrinth and five 8'x8' full color Murals. Michael painted all five of them singlehandedly every afternoon for several weeks. Thanks to his hard work, along with all of the other many volunteers on the Labyrinth, we were very pleased to have won that summer. If you have not yet seen the Murals, they are part of the Sandburg Creek RiverWalk behind the former Mountaindale School. Just follow the path through the Art Garden at 105 Main Street, next door to Upstate Karate.


Moydan's Chair

Starting Friday, you will be able to see a very different collection of Michael McKee's paintings. His work will be on display in the Uccelli Restaurant Dining Room. There will be an announcement of the official Artist's Reception by Chef Robert, but anyone is welcome to have an early preview if you stop in tomorrow night for the Taste of Spain menu, including Tappas & Paella, or even if you just stop in to pick up a gourmet pizza. There will be a price list for the art if you would like to own any of the pieces. Here is an excerpt from Michael's personal Artist's Statement on this new show:

 "Each artist’s own individual memories, preferences, and physical capabilities combine into a unique perspective which shapes his or her style. My goal is to create unique images that are aesthetically pleasing and in harmony. I hope to convey to viewers my outlook on the human experience and invite them to see how it compares with their own"

Although Uccelli Restaurant will seem very different without the beautiful photographs by Lou Jawitz, I am looking forward to stopping in to see the new show and have a delicious meal with the new atmosphere a different artist will create. If you are an artist who would like to display your work in Uccelli Restaurant later this year, please contact Chef Robert at 845-434-4447.

Hot Salsa in Mountaindale

Betty & Harold Fried

Janet Gula of Radiant Yoga has come up with a wonderful way for us to heat up this Saturday night. She is hosting a terrific event with that dynamic dancing duo, Harold & Betty Fried. These professional dance instructors will be teaching the basics of Salsa dance as well as offering more advanced steps for those already familiar with this very popular style of Latin Dance. The lesson will begin at 7PM at 62 Main Street in Mountaindale. There will be plenty of time to practice what you've learned during the Open Dancing from 7:45 to 10PM. I understand that there will be a second lesson sometime during the open dance. You may come with a partner or come on your own and make a new friend. The cost is only $12/person or $20/couple and includes tea and dessert refreshments.

For a delicious meal beforehand, please visit Chef Robert at Uccelli Restaurant just around the corner at 4 Post Hill Road in Mountaindale. Please visit this blog again for information on the new art that is about to be hung in the Dining Room tomorrow by one of Mountaindale's favorite local artists, Michael McKee.

In case we get hit by some of the snow that is predicted for Saturday, we have a snow date for this Hot Salsa Dance Event on Sunday, January 22nd from 2 to 5PM. If in doubt, you may verify with Janet by calling 845-866-7822 or email her at RadiantYoga.NY@gmail.com or visit this site for an event update. To see just how exciting Salsa Dance can be, please click here for an excellent performance by Rafael Barros and Carine Morais, who also performed at the World Salsa Open in Brazil.