New Paltz Gardiner Seniors enjoying a game day - in costume - at the Community Center.

Great article about Happenstancery Improv group! They meet every Thursday at 7pm at the Community Center, and it's free!

Read it here. 

*Happenstancery Improv* Join us Thursdays at 7pm at the New Paltz Community Center for open improv practices, welcoming adults of all experience levels (17+). Founded in 2020, our free community program fosters creativity, laughter, and connection. For schedule updates, follow us on social media: @happenstancery_improv. Email: Happenstancery@gmail.com

Group article about the group in Hudson Valley One. Read it here. 

Thursdays from 7:15 to 9:15pm. (Community Center)

Hasbrouck Park is located at the southwest corner of Tricor and Hasbrouck Avenues. It has two basketball courts, two pickleball courts, a gazebo, and a playground. Plans for a skatepark at the southeast section of the park are in the works.

To come.

Last Monday of every month from 6:30 to 9:00pm.

Come out and learn the Lindy Hoppers’ Shim Sham, culminating in a performance in the New Paltz Halloween Parade! But that's optional.

During the 1930’s in Harlem, the Shim Sham was performed in clubs as the finale number with all the performers joining together on stage. 

In the 80’s, Frankie Manning introduced a version of the Shim Sham to Lindy Hoppers. It is still danced today worldwide and, in the spirit of its rich history, there are always multitude of technical and basic variations danced at the same time.

This class will continue with that tradition and offer alternates as well as the basics. Additionally, the challenge will be to travel with these classic solo jazz steps. This is for everyone regardless of experience. You can learn for the first time, reinforce what you know, strengthen your movement with traveling steps, or learn a new variation to showcase your personal style. It’s up to you! Here is a take, and here another.

See flyer here.

Questions? Email recreation@townofnewpaltz.org.

$10 per class. Walk-ins welcome.

Thursdays from 6 to 7pm. Starts Sept. 18th through October 23rd. (Community Center)

Do you know how to play Mah Jongg?  If so, Mah Jongg players meet to play on Mondays 12:30-3:00pm. Mah Jongg is a fascinating, rummy-like game played with tiles rather than cards.  The game originated in China in the 19^th century, then popularized in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. The tiles depict Chinese characters rather than suits you would find in typical card games and players strategize to create a winning ‘hand’. 

Mah Jongg is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, with millions of dedicated players around the world and a variety of Internet and computer versions. Over time, after players become familiar with the elementary principles of the game, they develop patience in mastering the fine points and experience keen enjoyment invariably derived from the game.

Folks are welcome to participate once they have had experience playing the game, or observe these Monday sessions, however lessons cannot be given during or in between games on Mondays. The Lifetime Learning Institute, affiliated with the New Paltz University offers beginner classes in the fall. Beginners can read A Beginner’s Guide to American Mah Jongg and look at the National Mah Jongg League website.

Mondays from 12:30 to 3:30pm. (Community Center)

The Margaret Wade-Lewis Center's Community Library is now housed at the New Paltz Community Center while the Ann Oliver house is being restored. The Ann Oliver house is the future home of the MWL Center. Come peruse the collection which includes books on African-American art, culture, biography, and history. The book check-out form is on the top shelf.

Click here for the MWL Center's website.