Author Event: Bonnie Chalkin
Join us for a special evening with author and artist Bonnie Chalkin, as she reads from and shares the inspiration behind her memoir, Roam With Me
Following the conversation, Bonnie will be available to sign copies of Roam With Me.
Juneteenth Celebration: Hidden Messages from The UnderGround Railroad
Come celebrate Juneteenth at The Common Good with Sisters in Support, with generous support from Shadowlands Stages.
Hidden Messages is a powerful and educational live presentation that explores the secret codes embedded in quilts used along the Underground Railroad. Blending storytelling with the soulful sounds of old spirituals, the show reveals how enslaved people used fabric patterns and songs to communicate escape routes and survival strategies. This performance brings history to life celebrating the resilience, creativity, and courage of those who sought freedom
Free for all
@ The Common Good, 119 Canal St, Ellenville, NY
Live Music: Ezra Gale & Ben Ratliff
Come check out Ezra Gale (Sexfresh, Molly Tigre, Funkmobile, The Ear Goggle) and Ben Ratliff, longtime collaborators & current bandmates in Bourbon Sprawl, as they showcase their solo works.
Free for all. Donations encouraged.
Children's Music Workshop
“If you can walk, you can dance. If you can talk, you can sing.” — Zimbabwean Proverb
Join us for a fun and inspiring interactive workshop. Sonic Institute brings instruments and songs for kids of all ages to connect with music as a universal human activity.
$8-15 suggested donation
“Music has been shown to activate some of the broadest and most diverse networks of the brain.” — Harvard Health
Music-making develops creativity, imagination, focus and coordination. Learning an instrument and practicing music enhances these capacities. Music provides a means of nonverbal communication, providing an outlet for connecting with and expressing emotion. As a safe and healthy activity, it helps deemphasize obsessive thinking and compulsive behavior. Shared music-making and dance can promote meaningful relationships and connections within and across social groups, leading to an improved quality of life, shared values and sense of belonging.
Trivia Returns w. Jason McMahon
Not only does Jason McMahon host the best poetry nights, he’s now putting your random knowledge to the test…
Join us for Trivia Night — where the questions are sharp, the competition’s friendly, and the drinks are cold.
Bring a team or come solo, show off those weird facts you’ve been saving, and see if you’ve got what it takes to take the crown (or at least a free round or book!)
Author Event: Aatish Taseer
Join us for a special book release event: A Return to Self: Excursions in Exile, by Aatish Taseer
AATISH TASEER is the author of the memoir Stranger to History: A Son’s Journey Through Islamic Lands and the acclaimed novels The Way Things Were, a finalist for the 2016 Jan Michalski Prize, The Temple-Goers, short-listed for the Costa First Novel Award, and Noon; and the memoir and travelog The Twice-Born. He is also the translator of a volume of Saadat Hasan Manto’s short stories from Urdu, Manto: Selected Stories. His books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. He is a Writer at Large for T: The New York Times Style Magazine. Born in England and raised in New Delhi, educated in the US and previously a journalist in the UK, he now lives in New York.
Play Reading: Bubba Weiler's "Well, I'll Let You Go"
Join us for our first ever play reading!
A salon-type gathering, local actors will be reading actor Bubba Weiler's wonderful, unpublished, new play, "Well, I'll Let You Go." Free to the public.
Stacks & Tracks: Live Music w. The Embellishments
Come hang out, browse our stacks, grab a bite or a drink while enjoying The Embelishments, playing an afternoon set of familiar, feel-good jams!
Donations encouraged
Ellenville Teacher Appreciation Party
We’re throwing a Teacher Appreciation Party for the amazing educators of Ellenville —because we know how important and how demanding your work is, and we want to say thank you. 💛
Join us for an evening of books, drinks, and well-earned celebration. Swing by for:
🎧 A free audiobook credit (courtesy of Libro FM)
📚 A Penguin Random House book (while supplies last) and🍷 Two free drinks (both courtesy of KSB Build)…
And to discuss how The Common Good can support the work of you, your colleagues and your students next year — but mostly, we hope you’ll kick up your feet and celebrate the end of another school year. 🎉
📅 June 11th, 5:30-6:30pm
📍 The Common Good, Ellenville
Ellenville school teachers only, with ID or other proof.
This event is made possible through the generous support of @ksb.build who wish to extend a true thank you to all the teachers.
Benefit Concert for Isabella Neville
Come show support and help rally the community around Isabella and her family.
We’ve got some great artists lending their talents to this great cause🎗️
Playful Hearts: Children's Reading and Acting Workshop
Join local author Sophia Taylor ( @sgtaylorwrites ) & teaching artist Lucia Brizzi ( @luciabrizzi ) to read and act out “What Cats Dream About.” Expect a magical hour of theatrical, imaginative play! Ages 4-8
$8- $15 Suggested Donation
Book Release & Author Visit: Andrea Bartz
Join us as we welcome New York Times bestselling author, Andrea Bartz, to The Common Good to celebrate the release of her new thriller, The Last Ferry Out. Bartz is journalist and author of Reese’s Book Club pick We Were Never Here, The Spare Room, The Lost Night, and The Herd.
Come out for an unforgettable evening as Bartz and special guests share hair-raising vacation tales. TCG will be offering Last Ferry Out-specific cocktails, as well as book/drink deals! See below for more info.
The Last Ferry will be available for purchase, and Bartz will be available to sign copies.
TCG is excited to offer our guests a discounted book/drink ticket for this event. This ticket can be redeemed at the event for a hardcover copy of The Last Ferry Out as well as the LFO-themed special cocktail of the evening, “The Isla Colel.”
Secure your discounted copy/drink HERE
Live Music: Constant Smiles, Nora Knight, Hannah SParrow
Over the last half decade, the music collective Constant Smiles has produced a prolific output of acclaimed music, culminating in their latest record Kenneth Anger, masterfully brought to life by engineer Jonathan Schenke (Parquet Courts, Liars, Dougie Pool). The group is known most recently for their much-praised debut album for Sacred Bones records, Paragons, an emotionally resonant offering of indie folk masterpieces that all confront the internal ways we process our struggles with intimacies, addiction and humanity - produced by Ben Greenberg.
Constant Smiles, led by Ben Jones, began in 2009 on his home of Martha’s Vineyard, inspired by the music scene centered around the island’s now defunct community record store, Aboveground Records. They made their live debut as a noise duo opening for Ralph White (Bad Livers) and, working in series, began churning out homemade releases influenced by friends, art film icons, and fellow musicians.
In the time since, Constant Smiles have amassed a discography a couple dozen releases deep, containing contributions from more than 50 members of its extended family. Along the way, the group has shared stages with Molly Nilsson, Black Marble, Oneida, Editrix, Frank Hurricane, Olden Yolk, and Purple Pilgrims; their shows are endlessly unique experiences for which Jones has a tendency of writing whole set’s worth of new material
“The Evolution of Ecological Consciousness,” Film Screening and Discussion
Permaculture designer Andrew Faust gives us an inspiring and heady narrative about the evolution of all life and human consciousness on Mother Earth — outlining a new paradigm and direction for education that promotes greater ecological literacy.
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Author Event: Jennifer Kabat
We are thrilled to host author, Jennifer Kabat in support of her newly published work, “Nightshining: A Memoir In Four Floods.”
Kabat was a finalist for the Notting Hill Editions’ essay prize and has been published in BOMB and The Best American Essays. The author of The “Eighth Moon,” her writing has also appeared in Frieze, Harper’s, McSweeney’s, and The Believer. She’s received an Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant for her criticism and teaches at the School of Visual Arts and the New School.
An apprentice herbalist, she lives in rural Upstate New York and serves on her volunteer fire department.
Jennifer Kabat will be in conversation with author, Danny Goodman. Books will be available for purchase, with a signing to follow.
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Good Work: A Series, with Nikki Volpicelli
Join writers in all genres as they read from works in progress. Signs up are first come first serve, with 7-10 minutes per reader. Guests and readers are encouraged to stick around after the event to shop, have a drink, and discuss work.
Sign up in person or online
*If signups fill up, we’ll add you to the top of the list next month
Hip Hop Showcase
Come on out to TCG’s first Hip Hop Showcase, hosted by Reggie St. Louis.
Kids Story Time w. Helen
Join us for story time with Helen Tennenbaum!
Ideal for bookworms between 3 and 7. Grown-ups monitoring of their little ones is highly encouraged :)
"Borscht Belt Reborn: Art, History and the Ellenville Legacy!"
We are proud to host guests following the Ellenville Historical Marker dedication ceremony for themed cocktails and an engaging discussion on Ellenville’s Borscht Belt history. Photographers Isaac Jeffreys and Marisa Scheinfeld will be in the house for Borscht Belt Reborn: Art, History, and the Ellenville Legacy (5-6:30), and will be followed by a book and print sale.
Mend & Stitch Circle (and clothing swap!)
Share and learn mending techniques, like patching and sewing, to give your clothes a longer life with simple, creative repairs.
Bring your craft projects—knitting, crocheting, embroidery, or anything else—and enjoy creating with others.
Open to everyone, no matter your experience or skill level.
This meeting will also include a clothing swap!
Live Music: Amanda Jerry
We are delighted to welcome back singer/songwriter Amanda Jerry to The Common Good.
“As a composer, [she’s] written scores and songs for short films, dance films, and theatrical productions. As a performer, [she] plays intimate singer/songwriter sets stacked with inventive covers and heartfelt originals.”
Workshop: Your Next Chapter, w. Jonathan Drapkin
Part I of a 4-Part Discovery Series:
In a time where we search for a life worth living, learn how to balance meaningful work, time with your family, volunteer activities and personal growth. Together we can plan for a happier life.
$20 per session or $50 for series
Space is limited - RSVP by emailing matthew@thecommongoodny.com & jddrapkin@gmail.com
(Payment accepted at the door)
Jonathan Drapkin, Founder and President of Drapkin Strategies and a 2023 Harvard University ALI Fellow. He is an
experienced leader, professional speaker, and accomplished strategic planner, who is thoroughly enjoying
his "Next Chapter"
Music/Book Event: Adam Snyder
We are thrilled to welcome musician and author, Adam Snyder, to the TCG stage.
Snyder will be in conversation with fellow musician and writer, Robert Burke Warren, will read excerpts from his coming-of-age novel Kingston 76, and will perform live as well.
A not-to-be-missed event!
Adam Snyder is from Kingston, NY and currently lives nearby in Woodstock with his wife, artist Jennifer MaHarry, and their son and pets. He's at work on a new album, among other things.
Adam's last album, "This Town Will Get Its Due," was inspired by life in Kingston, which dates back to the 1600s. Songs from "This Town" have been featured on XM satellite, NPR, and over 100 other radio stations across the US and Europe.
Adam's first album was released in 2001. "Across The Pond" came out on David Gray's HTI label. Its debut single "Two Moons" was a BBC favorite and hit the top 40 in the UK.
Adam was a member of Mercury Rev from 1995 through 2000. He helped write and record 1998's "Deserter's Songs" which earned international recognition and two gold records.
Other bands Adam has played or recorded with include: The Waterboys, New Order, Mark Mulcahy, Superflu, Signal Faible, and The Red Cars. He's also played with numerous other recording artists with producer Malcolm Burn, and is currently in a new band, Elephant Rex.
Over the course of his career, Adam has performed in 100s of cities and 30 countries. Adam has written for magazines including Interview, 7 Days, and Mojo. Currently he writes for HV1, Upstate Diary. He is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, and his novel "Kingston 76" is out now on Wheelie Press.
Sing in me, O Muse: Open Mic Poetry
Calling all lovers of poetry, readers and writers alike - come read your favorite poem, original or not.
Turn Your Fandom Into a Writing Career
Join us as we welcome Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, Saul Austerlitz, Thea Glassman and Kirthana Ramisetti, the authors and co-founders of Ministry of Pop Culture. They will offer insights into how they turned their love of pop culture into careers, including how they come up with story ideas, behind-the-scenes stories of working as entertainment journalists and the writing process for their respective books.
Jennifer Keishin Armstrong is the author of nine books, including the New York Times bestseller Seinfeldia, When Women Invented Television, So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls (And Why We’re Still So Obsessed with It), and the forthcoming Parks and Rec. She also writes and curates the Peabody Awards newsletter Peabody Finds.
Saul Austerlitz is the author of six books, includingKind of a Big Deal: How Anchorman Stayed Classy and Became the Most Iconic Comedy of the Twenty-First Century, which was selected byNew Yorkmagazine as the best comedy book of 2023, andGeneration Friends: An Inside Look at the Show That Defined a Television Era.
Thea Glassman is the author of the book Freaks, Gleeks and Dawson's Creek, a behind-the-scenes deep dive into the making of seven groundbreaking teen television shows. Her forthcoming book, Who's That Girl: The Definitive History of New Girl, will be released by Macmillan in 2026.
Kirthana Ramisetti is the author of novels that reflect her love of pop culture: Dava Shastri's Last Day, a Good Morning America Book Club selection optioned by Max, Advika and the Hollywood Wives and The Other Lata, selected as one of PEOPLE's Best Books of April 2025.
Non-Fiction Book Club Meetup
Come early, grab a drink, make friends, talk about great books! And hang around after for our very special event with the Ministry of Pop Culture.
Trivia night, w. Quizmaster Andre Nacmanie
Trivia returns to The Common Good, led by Andre Nachmanie of Trivia Break. Come by for thoughtfully curated thematic question, brain busters, mystery photos, music rounds, and more!
Play for prizes, or for pride — just make sure to bring you best!
Workshop: Your Next Chapter, w. Jonathan Drapkin
Part I of a 4-Part Discovery Series:
In a time where we search for a life worth living, learn how to balance meaningful work, time with your family, volunteer activities and personal growth. Together we can plan for a happier life.
$20 per session or $50 for series
Space is limited - RSVP by emailing matthew@thecommongoodny.com & jddrapkin@gmail.com
(Payment accepted at the door)
Jonathan Drapkin, Founder and President of Drapkin Strategies and a 2023 Harvard University ALI Fellow. He is an
experienced leader, professional speaker, and accomplished strategic planner, who is thoroughly enjoying
his "Next Chapter"
Live Music: Kate Prascher
We are proud to welcome Kate Prascher to the TCG stage. No Depression magazine praised Prascher as a
“remarkable newcomer” who “has already mastered the art of juggling opposites, telling stories of messy situations with captivating grace…and evokes the emotional immediacy of early country music without resorting to fusty mimicry.” It is sure to be an intimate and memorable evening.
Tips strongly encouraged
Prascher grew up in Shelby County, Tennessee and now makes her home in the Hudson Valley of New York. She played piano and sang as a child and began playing roots music after she moved to New York. The seeds set sown down in the Delta blossomed in the mountains of her chosen home.
A seasoned performer, Prascher has played the Knitting Factory (New York), Colony (Woodstock), Jalopy Theatre (Brooklyn), LEAF Festival (Black Mountain), Club Passim (Boston) and the Ossipee Music Festival (Maine). Her debut album, Shake the Dust, features Bobby Hawk (Taylor Swift), Bennett Sullivan (Bright Star) and Nate Sabat (Mile Twelve). Her voice has been described as having an “intangible vintage feel.”
Fiction Book Club Meetup
Come early, grab a drink, make friends, chat about great books!
See you at 6!
Workshop: Your Next Chapter, w. Jonathan Drapkin
Part I of a 4-Part Discovery Series:
In a time where we search for a life worth living, learn how to balance meaningful work, time with your family, volunteer activities and personal growth. Together we can plan for a happier life.
$20 per session or $50 for series
Space is limited - RSVP by emailing matthew@thecommongoodny.com & jddrapkin@gmail.com
(Payment accepted at the door)
Jonathan Drapkin, Founder and President of Drapkin Strategies and a 2023 Harvard University ALI Fellow. He is an
experienced leader, professional speaker, and accomplished strategic planner, who is thoroughly enjoying
his "Next Chapter"
Card Making Workshop
Ever want to design and craft your own professional greeting cards?! This is the workshop for you!
Join Kathryn Grodin, who has been teaching the craft for over 20 years.
Email katgstamps@gmail.com to reserve a space.
Cost is $12, to be paid day of.
Letras Latinas - Concert/workshop w. Mario Rincon
Musician/educator Mario Rincon brings his unique blend of diverse folk music styles from around Latin America and invites you all to sing along! Learn the lyrics to classic Cuban, Colombian and Argentine tunes and discuss their cultural significance.
$15-20 suggested donation
Conversations with Your Countywide Officials Sponsored by NAACP-Ellenville
NAACP-Ellenville invites you to an evening of conversation with your countywide elected officials--County Executive Jen Metzger, County Comptroller March Gallagher, Sheriff Juan Figueroa, District Attorney Manny Nneji and County Clerk Taylor Bruck.
This is a chance to learn about your county government and ask the tough questions. Find out what these elected officials do and how they affect your everyday lives. Come with your questions and ideas and hang out with the people you put into office. Free to the public. Drinks and light fare for purchase.