What is a music venue if not a church for music lovers? It’s a place where secular and pious people alike can find common ground through the universal language of music. I’m definitely not the most religious dude, but as someone who studied English I can appreciate the etymology of the word “religion”: re- (again) ligare (to tie/bind). The church is the place where humans go to retie themselves back to God or the gods or whatever they may believe in–similarly, the music venue is the place where people gather and regather again and again to continually rebind themselves to their community.

In 2023, founders Isabel Soffer and Danny Melnick restored and opened The Local, an 1870s Dutch chapel, which is now the place to go to see some of the most interesting live music in the Hudson Valley. What sets The Local apart from other venues in the area is the impressively wide array of genres they showcase. Their upcoming season will include nearly 30 events that will feature sounds from all over the globe. While “world music” is what is generally associated with The Local, that genre classification is so incredibly vague and encompasses so many subgenres that some specification is required to get a clearer picture. To name a few of the many, here are some examples of genres of the bands/artists that will be performing over the remaining months of 2026: Indian classical music, Italian neofolk, Afro funk, Ukranian folk, Tuvan throat songs, zydeco, jazz (some of the greatest living jazz musicians in the game), gospel, Americana, bluegrass, etc. Whether you want to hear something familiar and native to the Hudson Valley like indie rock or folk, or if you’re interested in discovering new sounds and experiencing other cultures, The Local has something for everyone. To see a full list of their upcoming shows, scroll to the end of this article or check out their website, or as always, refer to the monthly show calendars on the Upcoming Shows page.

To get a deeper understanding of the venue and its mission, here’s what the founders themselves have said:

“Every season we’re reminded that people are hungry for meaningful, shared experiences. The Local was created to bring extraordinary artists into an intimate setting where audiences can connect not only with the music but with the artists and one another. This season reflects our belief that great music has the power to expand perspectives, strengthen community, and help our region feel connected to the world around us.” -Isabel Soffer

“As we reflect on our third anniversary, our goal wasn’t simply to create a music venue. We wanted to build a place where artists could be heard with the attention they deserve, and where audiences could discover music they might never encounter otherwise. This fourth season continues our commitment to curiosity, excellence, and community.” – Danny Melnick

Conveniently located right in the heart of Downtown Saugerties, you can see artists who have sold out massive concert halls in a more personable, intimate setting with a max capacity of 125 people, complete with exceptional sound and lighting. Once you step foot inside, you’ll feel at home in the welcoming atmosphere. Depending on the vibe of the show and your preference, you can sit or stand. And the venue has a bar with beer, wine, sake, and N/A options, as well as pierogies and other light snacks.

The Local Waves series deserves an honorable mention. These free shows are produced and organized by Mike Amari of Chosen Family and WGXC/Wave Farm Radio (check out Mike’s blurb in “DIY Deliverance: Mining for Hope in the Seemingly Hopeless Music Industry”). Local Waves shows have featured some of my favorite Hudson Valley bands, such as Pocket Merchant and Ongoing, and will showcase some more heavy hitters this season: Nic Panken (10/14) and Brother Jax (11/11). Mike is good people–Chosen Family’s monthly show zines were the inspiration for me to create the monthly show calendars and keep carrying the torch in some capacity–so go out to his tastefully curated shows and support the cause!

I put together a playlist to get better acquainted with all the amazing artists who’ll be gracing the stage over these last four months of the year. As I was perusing through the music, these new-to-me bands/musicians immediately piqued my interest: Kaki King, Lucibela, Nick Corredor y Su Orquesta La Herencia, and Kaleta & Super Yamba Band. Give the playlist a listen and get out to the gigs!

Upcoming events at The Local:

• 9/19: Indian Classical Sitar: Abhik Mukherjee and Tejas Tope (tickets)
• 9/25: OFF Broadway: Ryan Shaw & Ray Angry (tickets)
• 9/26: The Blues: Alexis P. Suter Band (tickets)
• 9/27: Jazz Vocal Trailblazer: Thana Alexa (tickets)
• 10/2: Guitar Master: Kaki King (tickets)
• 10/3: Zydeco: Cedric Watson and Ethan Moody (tickets)
• 10/4: Jazz Trumpet Trailblazer: Adam O’Farrill’s ELEPHANT (tickets)
• 10/8: The Raul Midón Experience (tickets)
• 10/9: Forever Muscle Shoals: Chrissi Poland and Friends (tickets)
• 10/10: Odesa Urban Folk: Kommuna Lux from Ukraine (tickets)
• 10/14: Local Waves: Nic Panken (tickets)
• 10/15: The Voice of Cape Verde: Lucibela (tickets)
• 10/17: Seeds Under Nuclear Winter: An Earth Opera with Andes Manta and Mamalama (tickets)
• 10/21: Alt-Country Americana: Lawrence Rothman (tickets)
• 10/23: Bluegrass: East Nash Grass (tickets)
• 10/24: Tuvan Throat Songs: Alash Ensemble (tickets)
• 10/25: Ma Rainey’s Living Tradition of the Blues (tickets)
• 10/29: Latin Jazz & New Orleans Piano Trailblazer: Oscar Rossignoli Trio (tickets)
• 10/30: Brooklyn Rider: Chiaroscuro (tickets)
• 11/1: Jazz Saxophone Trailblazer: Rudresh Mahanthappa Hero Trio (tickets)
• 11/7: Salsa Party: Nick Corredor y Su Orquesta La Herencia (tickets)
• 11/11: Local Waves: Brother Jax (tickets)
• 11/13: Afro Funk: Kaleta & Super Yamba Band (tickets)
• 11/14: The Voice of Brazil: Bia Ferreira (tickets)
• 11/19: Folk & Americana: The Legendary Jim Kweskin & Samoa Wilson (tickets)
• 12/3: Songs from the Rat Pack to the Andrew Sisters: Duchess (tickets)
• 12/5: Songs from Southern Italy and Beyond: Maria Mazzotta (tickets)
• 12/6: An Evening with Public Radio’s Afropop Worldwide: Film, Music, Food (tickets)
• 12/9: Local Waves: TBA
• 12/18: Gospel Holiday: Damien Sneed (tickets)

To book at The Local, reach out to BookingTheLocal@gmail.com.

-Article written by James Kwapisz