Hudson Valley Rib Fest, New Paltz, Fri-Sun, 8/16-18: check times: 60 rib masters compete for the NY State BBQ Championship while you sample ribs and sides from BBQ to Mexican and Jamaican. There’s live entertainment from up and coming country stars Colby Oakley, Jordan Stoner, Nikki Briar, Williams Honor and Laila Mach and more. Plus a cooking demonstration tent. (Ulster County Fairgrounds, 249 Libertyville Rd., New Paltz: www.hudsonvalleyribfest.org)
Much Ado About Nothing, Hudson Valley Shakespeare, Boscobel, Fri, 8/16: Scandal abounds in Shakespeare’s hilarious, biting comedy about lies, courtship, and the chaos created in pursuit of true love. The famous bantering lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, trade barbs while matching wits (and hearts) in this celebrated romantic romp. (1601 Route NY-9D, Garrison; www.hvsf.org)
Rob Thomas, Capitol Theatre, Chip Tooth Tour, Fri, 8/16: 8pm: After selling out his August 2 show at the Cap in a nano-second, Rob Thomas, the former Matchbox Twenty frontman, adds another show just two weeks later to support his new album “Chip Tooth.” Thomas had three Top 10 hits with Matchbox Twenty including the No. 1, “Bent”. He added another top 10 hit as a solo artist with “Lonely No More”, and won three Grammy-Awards for his collaboration with Santana on “Smooth”, his third chart-topper. (149 Westchester Ave, Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)
