A Long Pose Figure Drawing will be held on June 13 10:00 AM to 1 PM, hosted by William Graziano, we hope you can make it. It is 25.00 to participate, bring your own art supplies, tables and chairs and coffee provided. Attendance has been increasingly consistent, and the class is appreciated by the artists who attend. Please contact William with any questions or to let him know you will be participating at Williamgraziano@gmail.com

HONORING A LIFE THROUGH POETRY
The Wilbur Family gathers to honor their late brother, The Honorable Richard “Dick” Wilbur. Celebrating a life, a voice, and a legacy that lives on through poetry. Featuring selections from Dick’s book of Poetry JUST BELOW THE SURFACE- Poems Uncovering the Puzzles of Life and Honoring the Joys of Family.
Followed by Open Mic. All are welcome!
Friday, June 12 6:30 PM till 8:30 PM, doors open at 6:00, come early, grab a coffee and get ready to begin at 6:30 PM.

Please join us for the last performance of the year. For the first hour we are featuring Bill Buttner, an acoustic singer/songwriter who has performed before at the Sanctuary, and received rave reviews for his unique, moving, story telling style. For the second hour we are bringing back Wendy Paige Paul, her amazing vocals filled the Sanctuary right to the corners during her performance at our Variety show. Hope that you can all make it.

A Long Pose Figure Drawing will be held on May 23, 10:00am to 1:00pm hosted by William Graziano, we hope you can make it. 25.00 to participate, bring your own art supplies, tables and chairs and coffee provided. Please contact William with any questions or to let him know you will be participating. williamgraziano@gmail.com

The Blend offers more than 300 years combined experience, with Ken Shaw and Mike Gulotta, who played for many years with the Traces, Richie Jackson, everyones favorite drummer, and John, Jim Reynolds, and Tim Leap, who have played together for many years, (back to high school). The Blend comes out of hibernation to bring you some country music, 60-70’s rock and even a few disco. I’m sure a good time will be had by all.

Back by popular demand, a Karaoke concert. hosted by our favorite Karaoke guy, Kenny Geer. Please come and let your inner star shine, and listen to others, for a great evening. Snacks provided.

Poetry Night at the Sanctuary, doors open at 6:00pm have a cup of coffee, grab a seat, reading starts at 6:30 PM, hosted by our amazing poet, Lois Adamson. Our Featured reader will be Ken Shaw, author of two books, beautifully descriptive of this area’s natural beauty, with insights into life included. Visit his website, Kenshawthepoet.com for more info. Hope to see you there.

Please join us for our first instrument swap here at the Sanctuary May 2, 10:00 AM till 4:00 PM. Trade or sell your instruments, or buy used gear from others. If you have a few things call for a table if you want, and try to give us an idea of what you might have so we can generate a central list. We would ask for a donation for instruments sold. Barry from Music for Humanity will be selling raffle tickets for a handcrafted guitar, drawing will be at the end of the year. Hope to see you there.

We feel very excited and fortunate to welcome The Far Trio to the Sanctuary. Hailing from Buffalo, having in met in college, Eamon, Drew and Ethan have formed a musical team that have performed around the Northeast for the past 5 years. They play unique arrangements of their own favorite artists, from John Lennon to the Allman Brothers, and also work together on their own material. They have recorded two albums, FAR Trio Volume 1, and “Ordinary Moments” Hope everyone can make it to welcome them for their first show with us.

The Sanctuary is excited to present a band called “The New Nowhere Men” who will play classic rock/dance music, and bring back some of your favorite tunes to listen to or dance to if the spirit hits you. They are close colleagues of One Swift Kick, and highly recommended by them. One Swift Kick has established their musical credibility here at the Sanctuary, by their performance here and their past accomplishments.
Please come and help us welcome The New Nowhere men to their first Performance at The
Sanctuary

William will be continuing his non-instructional Long Pose Figure drawing session on April 25 2026, from 10:00 AM till 1:00 PM. It is 25.00 to participate, bring your own art supplies, tables and chairs provided. Contact William- williamgraziano@gmail.com for further info or to let him know you will be participating. We would love to have you.

Please come and enjoy Nina & the Blender Brothers a multi-genre band known for their engaging, entertaining live performances, and their versatility. Although recognized for their ability to cover a very wide variety of genres really well, their wheelhouse, so to speak, falls into the major category of country rock, with “minors” in classic rock and current hits.
Nina deRoziere is a talented and versatile lead vocalist, skilled at delivering everything from powerhouse belters to soft and sweet ballads. She’s backed by an accomplished group of multi-instrumentalists. Aside from the classic guitar-bass-drums-setup, they also heavily utilize instruments such as sax, flute, and harmonica. This enables them to put their own signature on many familiar and recognizable songs. The band includes a young virtuoso lead guitarist, Liam Leary, capable of covering the original greats such as Hendrix and Jimmy Page, note for note.

A Night With Charlie

Come and experience the Genius of Charley Lang. He started playing piano a a young boy. winning contests of all kinds. He attended Berklee Music School, went on to record many albums, and I believe 1,000 + songs, some of which we all know and love. He is a multi-talented pianist, singer, songwriter, performer. We are truly honored to have him perform at our Sanctuary.

APRIL POETRY NIGHT – OPEN MIC

The Sanctuary for Art, Music & Spirituality
20 Highland Avenue, Otisville, NY

Join us Friday, April 10 | 6:00 – 8:30 PM

April is Open Mic Only. The evening belongs to all of us.

We invite first-time readers, seasoned poets, and young emerging voices to step into a warm, inspiring space to listen, share, and be part of a creative community.

• Open mic poetry
• Supportive, judgment-free atmosphere
• New voices always encouraged

Come listen. Come share. Come be inspired.
Join this amazing circle.

For more information:
Lois Adamson | 845-325-0460

Poetry Night at the Sanctuary takes place on the 2nd Friday of each month.

Back by popular demand, one of our first performers on the Sanctuary stage, The Aborline. Beautiful folk music, unique arrangements, and amazing harmonies and orchestration. Definitely a favorite group for all of us, a show you won’t want to miss. Please join us.

The Sanctuary is excited to bring back to our stage, One Swift Kick, a rock band that has an amazing song list, with classic rock from our era. One swift Kick plays venues all around the Hudson Valley and audiences are not disappointed and give rave revues. The songs will bring back memories for us all. Hope you can all make it and bring your dance shoes.

Folks, please join us for a night of poetry, friendship and community! ALL ARE WELCOME! We are pleased to announce that Wurtsboro resident and Sullivan County Native, GARY HOLMES, will be our featured reader. Gary is a playwright, songwriter, and poet, who is now pursuing these endeavors full-time, having retired from his business and legal professions. Gary is the creator and co-author of the musical TRAV’LIN, which premiered at the New York musical Theatre festival and has been produced regionally around the country in 2022. TRAV’LIN was named BEST MUSICAL in Orlando Fla. Currently Gary is pursing passionate projects which include a new musical, NIGHTCLUB MAMAS, a play, a book of short stories and his original poetry, which he shares at various area venues. We are very fortunate to have him at the Sanctuary. An open mic will follow. Doors open at 6:00 PM

The Sanctuary is bringing back the Variety Show on our stage. In the words of Ed Sullivan, “we have a really big show for you tonight.” That is the night of February 28. Jan and I have been attending performances at open mics and other venue’s asking folks to perform that we think you may enjoy. We will have some unique musical performances. It will be another adventure that we feel will be a big success. We hope to see you there.

We are very fortunate to have Wm. Graziano continue to host the very successful Long Pose Fiqure Drawing here at the Sanctuary. It is 25.00 to participate, bring your own art supplies, tables and chairs provided. Please contact William at william.graziano@gmail.com with any questions or to let him know you will be attending.

We are honored to present Alex Prizgintas, an amazing Cellists and historian. Alex will perform songs from the Sinatra era, songs we all know and love, that will be sure to bring back memories. Alex also intertwines the history of the era and of the songs performed. He is one of our favorite artists that have performed at the Sanctuary. Please join us.

Please join us for a night of poetry, presented by Lois, and amazing poet in her own write, joined by many other poets who will read original and favorite poems. The featured reader hasn’t beed decided as yet, but after they present, an open mic will take place from poets in our audience. Our poetry night has been a big success, gives us a time to escape the mundane and explore higher plains of thought in our lives. Hope to see you there.

The Sanctuary is honored to welcome back William Graziano, to our team for 2026. He has worked and volunteered in the world of Art for many years, and we feel very fortunate to have him. William will be hosting a non-instructional Long Pose Figure drawing session on Jan. 24, 2026, from 10:00 AM till 1:00 PM. It is 25.00 to participate, bring your own art supplies, tables and chairs provided. Contact William- williamgraziano@gmail.com for further info or to let him know you will be participating. We would love to have you.

The Otisville Sanctuary is proud to present a classical Trio, led by Mark Helias, an acclaimed bassist and composer, who has performed worldwide. He will be joined by two other classical musicians. We feel very fortunate to have this Trio perform at the Sanctuary and in our little town. Please join us.

The first Poetry Night of 2026 arrives just as the LIGHT is returning! About 12 more minutes of daylight since the Solstice. Please Join us.

Featured Reader:

JESS BOWE (aka Jess Ptak):
Another talented, local and upcoming poet with a voice very much of this moment. Let’s show up, listen closely, and give her a warm and full room.

Followed by Open Mic
Bring a poem or a few
Bring a friend or a few
Bring whatever has made it through the dark and is ready to speak.

Folks we are hosting a Holiday Concert, with our local talent, who have boldly volunteered to perform a spiritual song of the season, surrounded by candle-light. After the concert we will gather for fellowship with coffee and homemade deserts. We would love to have you all.

William Graziano will be hosting a non instructional, Long Pose Figure drawing session on December 13, 10 AM till 1 PM. It is 25.00 to participate, bring your own art supplies, tables and chairs provided. Contact William- williamgraziano@gmail.com for further info or to let him know you will be participating. We would love to have you.

On one of the Longest nights of the year, we gather to share warmth through words. Come share a favorite holiday memory, a beloved poem, something you have carried in your heart, or a seasonal creation of your own.
COME SHINE! YOU ARE PART OF THE LIGHT RETURNING! ALL ARE WELCOME.

The Sanctuary is proud to present New Tin Roof, an extraordinary trio composed of Michael and Anne Baglione acoustic guitar and vocals, and Jon Rupolo on stand up bass. They play Americana and traditional music, and have played venues around the Hudson Valley for many years. We feel fortunate to have them.

We are honored to have William Graziano return to the Sanctuary on Saturday the 22. William will provide a non instructional Long Pose Figure Drawing Session: $25 dollars to participate, bring your own art supplies, tables and chairs provided. Contact William @ william.graziano@gmail.com
We would love to have you.

Hosted by Kenny Geer, come let your inner rockstar emerge. No talent expected. Start practicing with your own group or solo.

Everyone can be a witness “The Sanctuary’s Got Talent”! American Idol part II

Hope to see you all there.

Sincerely,

Mick Jagger

Please join us for an evening of voice and verse at the Sanctuary. We are proud to have Walt Worden as our Featured Reader. Walter’s poems have appeared in numerous publications such as Home Planet News, Chronogram, Waymark and The first Literary Gazette, and have been featured on the Huffington Post and Jonathan Wolfman’s Passionate Justice/Lit-Snips podcast. He has published three collections of poetry, including his latest book, “Time and Every Season”. An open mic will follow, with light refreshments on the break. Doors open at 6:00PM.

We feel fortunate and blessed to welcome back to our Sanctuary, Joe Miedema and The Glory Bound Band. They feature Joe, Phil Yohe on guitar and Banjo, Mike Conklin on bass guitar and Becky, Joe’s daughter who adds a tremendous fiddle and harmonies. The play Christian music with a bluegrass flare, and country as well, and mix in a very important part, good old down to earth humor. Please join us for a splendid evening with this unique band.

The Sanctuary is excited to welcome One Swift Kick, a rock band that is known to ” rock your socks off” with classic rock from our era. One swift Kick plays venues all around the Hudson Valley and audiences are not disappointed and give rave revues to their selection and performances. Please join us for this concert, and bring your dance shoes.

We are honored to have William Graziano at the Sanctuary: William will provide a non instructional Long Pose Figure Drawing Session: $25 dollars to participate, bring your own art supplies, tables and chairs provided. Contact William @ william.graziano@gmail.com

The Sanctuary is proud to present, back for the second time by popular demand, Alex Prizgintas, a very talented Cellists, who will take us back to a time of peace and love, Woodstock, with hits from bands that performed there, and also some history of the era.
Please join us for an amazing concert.

Please join us for a night of voice and verse on October 3. Fall is a season of change, which usually inspires a change in mood and thought in all of us, as we take in the beautiful sights. It is a great season for poetry.
Ken Shaw will be our featured reader, John and Jan will fill in for Lois, and we hope all of you will help us carry the night with beautiful words and feelings of the season.

We are proud to present the inaugural exhibition of Hudson Valley Artists at the Sanctuary.

Art and music have a unique power to bring people together, and at the Sanctuary we harness this power to enhance the lives of all.

Reception: Friday, Sept. 26, 5PM till 7: PM
Exhibition open: Sat, Sept 27. 10 AM-4PM

Presenting The Blend, a band for all ages, with rock and roll, oldies, country and western and even a light sprinkling of Disco. The blend has over 300 years of combined musical talent.
Bass player extraordinaire with vocals, Ken Shaw, acoustic/electric guitar and vocals with superb harmonies, Tim Leap, lead vocals acoustic guitar, Jim Reynolds, virtuoso lead guitarist Mike Gulotto, on keyboards and vocals, John Wilbur, and on drums, everyones favorite drummer, Richie Jackson.
Our bass player, Ken Shaw, and lead player Mike Gulotta, have just celebrated 48 years of playing music together, having played in the Traces for many years.
The Sanctuary is one of our favorite places to play, only second to The Mount Hope Historical Society, where we’ve played for many years.
The Blend donates their performance to our non-profit, for which they have become known as “the house band” We hope you will all join us as your are the best dancers ever!

We are honored to have William Graziano at the Sanctuary: William will provide a non instructional Long Pose Figure Drawing Session: $25 dollars to participate, bring your own art supplies, tables and chairs provided. Contact William @ william.graziano@gmail.com

The Otisville Sanctuary: Return of Poetry night
Please join us as we open the doors once more and welcome the turning season with the power of Poetry.
Our Community gathers to reconnect- through voice, through presence, through the shared breath of the spoken word.
Let your Soul speak. Let your light shine. Let the circle hold you!
Welcome Back & Opening Read Lois and Walt Worden
Featured Reader- Ken Geer
Ken’s original poetry will move and inspire you.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Bring a Poem. Bring a Friend

The Otisville Sanctuary will be hosting a 3 hour non-instructional figure drawing session, the last of three that were scheduled, on Saturday June 14. Please come, bring your own drawing and painting supplies, an easel if you have one. Tables and chairs provided. Cost 25.00 per session. Reservations required. Please contact Bill Graziano, william.graziano@gmail.com

The Sanctuary is proud to welcome back Justus, a Singer Sax combination who will bring us back to the 60’s through the 80’s with the iconic hits of the era. This will be our final musical presentation for this year, until we return in September. They received critical acclaim from the crowd at their last performance here. we’re sure they will get you out dancing. Please join us, light refreshments, and coffee.

Please join us for another evening of shared expression, community, and friendship. As the world keeps turning, we need to stay grounded more than ever. In these times of drastic change and uncertainty, poetry helps us chronicle the moment– to reflect, renew, and hold space together.

Featured Reader: Barbara D. Hall
Award-winning poet, children’s author, and nature photographer, for more info visit www.ournaturematters.net

Please join us for our last Poetry night before summer break. Read your own creation or a favorite Literary work, or just come and listen, We would love to have you. If you would like to read, Please contact Lois at 845-325-0460. See you then.

We are proud to present Brad Scribner, very talented singer songwriter who will play an eclectic selection of music ranging from originals, old school blues, classic rock, and assorted covers. Brad has performed solo and with other musicians in Venues around this area for many years. Please help us welcome him to the Sanctuary for the first time. Free admission, donations appreciated, light refreshment served.

Travel back in time with Alex Prizgintas and learn some of the fascinating stories behind iconic hits such as Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir, The Kinks’ You Really Got Me, The Zombies’ Time of the Season, and more. The unique sound of Alex and his amplified cello will be featured at the Otisville Sanctuary on Friday, May 23rd at 6:30 PM Classically trained, he employs non-classical tools like distortion, delay, and the iconic “wah-wah” guitar pedals symbolic of 1960s Rock n’ Roll bands–all in conjunction with a looping station. Please join us, free admissions,donations appreciated, light refreshments served at the break.

Very excited to present two  bands traveling across the States,  Kiernan and anni xo. Kiernan pictured above, is  the project of Minneapolis-based musician, Laura Kiernan. Her first song  release  was Genie, 5-21, about Genie Chance radio producer in Anchorage in the Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964, which she recorded in her bedroom. It drew the attention of New York Times Daily producers, who featured it in their newsletter. After many voice memo’s the band Kiernan came together, They played their biggest show yet 12/23, opening for The Last Revel at a sold out Fine line.  After this the band got to work recording their first EP, Magnetic North-out June 10 2024. Laura’s Grandma and Grandpa were from Otisville, and she wrote a song “Otisville,” which can be heard on Spotify. as can others.

Traveling with them anni xo (they/them) a young queer musician hailing from Minnesota who found solace in music as a means to explore their identity and embrace the complexities of life. Anni’s music is a refreshing blend of alternative songwriting and folk stylings that expertly convey themes of love, loss, and the struggles of youth in a post-modern landscape. Onstage, anni xo is joined by a talented ensemble of musicians, including Maddie Thies (any pronouns) on bass, Riley Jacobson (he/him) on electric guitar, Aurelio Sandoval (he/him) on drums, and Hunter SinClair Hawthorne (he/him) on keys and production.

VIRGINIA PETZOLD TO FEATURE AT THE SANCTUARY MAY 2, 2025!

This month we are pleased to announce and welcome Virginia Petzold to The Sanctuary!

A chiropractor by day and a poet by heart, Virginia lives in Maybrook with 

her husband and their two dachshunds.  An avid birder and lifelong nature lover,

Virginia’s poetry is steeped in the rhythms of the natural world and the mysteries of the human spirit.

Her work has appeared in Art and Soul Reloaded by New York Times bestselling author Pam Grout, and she has won several poetry awards including The St. Francis of Assisi Award for nature poetry at the Annual Festival of the Arts in Haskell, New Jersey.

Virginia’s work is guided by her deep love of nature and its relationship to the largely untapped potential of the human spirit.  

Virginia’s lyrical voice reflects her love of rhythm, rhyme, and the quiet music found in everyday moments.

Join us for an evening of VOICE AND COMMUNITY!

ALL are welcome.  Bring a poem, bring a friend, bring your whole self!! 

The Sanctuary is proud to welcome Erick Erickson, an amazing acoustic guitarist and singer, with a very extensive playlist from which he will take some requests from the audience. Everyone who has seen him perform, has given us very high ratings. The event is free, coffee and light refreshments will be served. We hope you can make it.

Find your cowboy hats and boots because the Blend is going to turn their head toward the country side, although still may slide in a couple disco. This will be mid-week on Wednesday, to break up your week up for you. Hope you all can make it. See you then!

The Otisville Sanctuary will be hosting a 3 hour non instructional figure drawing session. Please come, bring your own drawing and painting supplies, an easel if you have one. Tables and chairs are provided.

Cost: 25.00 per session

Reservations required: Please contact Bill Graziano

william.graziano@gmail.com

Folks, April is National Poetry Month. Please join us for a night of voice and verse, hosted by Lois. Read your own creation or a favorite Literary work, or just come and listen, We would love to have you. If you would like to read, Please contact Lois at 845-325-0460. See you then.

.

Inspired by the recent movie, A Complete Unknown, We decided to have an Otisville Folk Festival here at the Sanctuary. Looking for performers to play a couple of Folk songs, old or new, and share a story or two. Please contact John at The Sanctuary, and we’ll give you more information.

The Oxford Station, popular band in our area, performs Folk Rock, Classic Country, and Americana, always changing there sound, keeping it interesting. Come and enjoy the tunes. March 22-6:30PM – 8:30PM

The Sanctuary is very proud to present, Noble Sauvage, A French band coming to our side of the Ocean for three appearances, one in N.Y.C.,one in Canada, and  one at   The Otisville Sanctuary. Noble Sauvage, is three member band, a Father and two daughters, that will provide an  musical experience that strips you with its crazy electric guitar and its rebellious lyrics and unique sound. Please join us.

Please Join us for our a night of voice and verse at the Sanctuary, March 7 , 6:30- 8:30 PM. Poetry Night is one of our most successful endeavors, created and nurtured by Lois and Phil Adamson. Come and read your own creations, or favorite poems, or just enjoy the poetry shared. Light beverages and snacks provided. Host: Lois Adamson

Hosted by Kenny Geer, come let your inner rockstar emerge. No talent expected. Start practicing with your own group or solo.

Everyone is welcome to witness the first: “The Sanctuary’s Got Talent”!

Introduction to Meditation & Gentle Yoga hosted by Kelly Swierski-Loiodice, author and certified Yoga instructor, Please bring your own yogo mats.

Hosted by Michele Spordane, a perfect mixture of easy listening and dance music.

Come alone or bring a friend!

We are excited to welcome local poet Margaret Fox as our featured poet. Margaret has published two volumes of poetry, “Running Alongside” and her latest “The Fox at Bobcat Pass”. Margaret will share selections from these works.

As always, we welcome ALL VOICES, whether you share you own poetry, read a favorite piece, or simply sit back and enjoy the evening.

To participate, please contact Lois at 845-325-0460 or loloadamson@gmail.com. Sign up in advance to read or come early and sign up at the door.

Returning to the Sanctuary by popular demand, The Arborline

We are honored to have this amazing trio, Kevin McComb, Paul Fattroso, and Mitch Sumner, back to the Sanctuary. They perform unique arrangements of folk, rock, pop, some originals, and also Irish tunes. Amazing vocals with beautiful harmonies. Please join us.

Please help us welcome this very talented duo to the Sanctuary, The will perform Rock, Country and originals in their unique style, and sound. Both performers have extensive experience in performing in our area for many years. Together they are amazing.

Please join us for a night of voice and verse. All are welcome to recite a creation of your own, or a favorite literary work.

Hosted by Kenny Shaw, will share the release of his new book.

.

Please join us for our open house

12-15-24, 11AM -2:00PM

The Sanctuary, 20 Highland Ave, Otisville

We’ll sing some carols and have hot chocolate and cookies, and exchange good tidings.

Bring in the Christmas Spirt Dancing and Prancing with Christmas tunes and Rock and Roll from the Blend

Wednesday December 4, 6:30 PM till 8:30PM

Join us for a very special Poetry Night!

Erick Erickson had to cancel for the 26th, We were fortunate enough to find the Christine Spero Duo to fill the bill, excellent mix of 60’s forward, including Joni Mitchell and many other classics.

Just Us will be performing your favorite 60s, 70s, and 80s hits!

All are welcome to share their original creations, or favorite literary work. To participate kindly contact Lois at 845-325-0460.

To the Music of the Blend, Coffee and baked goods available.

A Night of Verse and Voice at the Sanctuary

Saturday, June 8th 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Join us at the Historic Old Otisville Church located at 20 Highland Ave in Otisville.

All are welcome to share their original creations or favorite literary works.

To participate, kindly contact us!

We look forward to having you with us.

All are Welcome!

Donations are appreciated.

The Blend, our favorite rock band, two hours of the songs you love!

May 18, Saturday night, 6:30-8:30!

Two hours of friends, dancing and LAUGHING