Upcoming events at the Paul Smith's College VIC

PAUL SMITHS, NY (07/29/2016)(readMedia)-- Thursday, Aug. 4 – Shakespeare in the Park

Join performers from The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts for an evening adaption of The Taming of the Shrew at 7 p.m. This free outdoor show is a brilliant 40-minute version of the Shakespeare comedy. This madcap story of imperfect love is told in the Elvis-meets-I-Love-Lucy setting of the 1950s! Bring your lawn chair (indoor facilities available in case of weather). Admission is free. Donations are accepted and benefit the VIC and Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts.

Saturday, Aug. 6; Tuesday, Aug. 16; Saturday, Aug. 27 – Mushroom Walk

Join mushroom expert Susan Hopkins at 10 a.m. as she searches for mushrooms and fungi. We will discuss and identify poisonous and edible species and point out some of medicinal value, too. Bring a lunch if you want to stay longer to use Hopkins' books and reference materials for further study. $20/person, $15 for Friends of the VIC.

Tuesday, Aug. 16 – Plein Air Painters: Paint at the VIC Day

Stop by the VIC today and observe up to 70 painters capturing the VIC's beauty through their unique works of art.

Wednesday, Aug. 17 – Wild Edible Walk

Take a walk with Pat Banker of Cornell Cooperative Extension Franklin County and learn to identify wild edibles. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Explore the history, culinary uses and historic medicinal uses of several plant species in the Adirondacks. $20/person, $15 for Friends of the VIC. Call 518-327-6241 to register.

Thursday, Aug. 18 – Tri-Lakes Young Professionals Evening Event

Join the VIC and the Tri-Lakes Young Professionals from 6 to 8 p.m. for a family-friendly event featuring s'mores by a cozy campfire! Go along with a VIC naturalist for an evening nature walk or stay indoors and explore our art exhibits. Free.

Thursday, Aug. 25 – Volunteer Thank You Dinner

Volunteers are invited to a special, end-of-summer recognition dinner. Please bring a friend or prospective volunteer along with you. Sign up for volunteer opportunities and organize training sessions. Dinner and dessert will be provided by the VIC staff. We will meet for hors d'oeuvres at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is at 6 p.m.

Thursdays and Saturdays – Morning Bird Walk

Join guides John and Pat Thaxton from 9 to 11 a.m. on a walk in search of summer birds that are setting up nesting territory, singing and showing off their mating displays. $20/session, $15 for Friends of the VIC. Free for Warblers. Call 518-327-6241 to register.

Wednesdays-Sundays – Guided Nature Walks

Join us on a guided walk at 1 p.m. and learn about nature in the Adirondack Park. Free for Friends of the VIC. $10 for nonmembers.

Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays – Interpretive Canoe Paddles

Explore the Adirondacks by canoe! These two-hour trips provide a chance to explore the varied aquatic habitats at the VIC. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Learn more about the plants and animals that make their home in Adirondack wetlands. Canoes, paddles and personal flotation devices are provided. $20/person, $15 for Friends of the VIC. Call 518-327-6241 to register.

Daily 11a.m to 4 p.m. through Sunday, Aug. 28 – Native Species Butterfly House

Stop by and check out butterflies and moths in all stages of development. View native butterflies up close and learn about the life stages and migratory patterns of these colorful insects. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Mondays and Wednesdays – Yoga on the Deck

Enjoy the relaxing, strength-building benefits of yoga in a serene outdoor setting. 9 to 10:15 a.m. Participate in sun salutations while actually reaching for the sun. Enjoy a stunning playlist courtesy of the birds and the breeze. Feel rooted while holding tree pose in the forest. Instructor Jackie Foster is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. This class is open to all abilities. Bring a mat and a large towel. Some mats and props will be available. $15 drop-in fee; five-class pass: $60; ten-class pass: $100.

Daily through Sunday Aug. 28 – Impasto Landscapes of the Adirondacks

View paintings by artist Jodie Maurer as well as Adirondack Plein Air Festival participants. Maurer's work is featured, and captures the beauty and movement of the land in gestural, thick oil paintings. Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

About Paul Smith's College

At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. We are the only four-year institution of higher education in the Adirondacks. Our programs – in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences – draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. For more information, visit paulsmiths.edu.