Best Fall Events for Grown-ups

Best Fall Events for Grown-ups: Here’s 25 fall what to do’s if you want to feel grown-up. It’s all about dinner and dancing and On The Town, sailing, shopping, art, Macarthur’s Park, and Leonard Bernstein. 

Public Sails on the Schooner Soundwaters, Stamford, Afternoon sails, Sat-Sun, 9/8-16: 2pm, Sunset Sails, Fri-Sun, 9/7-30: Board the 80’ Tall Schooner Soundwaters, the ship that Pete Seeger made famous, for a two-hour afternoon or sunset journey on the Long Island Sound. The Schooner Soundwaters, seats 40 and sails from Boccuzzi Park in Stamford. Bring your dinner a favorite quaff. Check in 15 minutes before sail departure. (Bocuzzi Park at Southfield, 166 Southfield Ave., Stamford CT; www.soundwaters.org)

Kykuit Tours, Thurs-Sun, 8/31-9/30, Wed-Mon, 10/2-31 & Thurs-Sun, 11/2-12: Fall is the best time to visit this hilltop paradise, now a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Kykuit was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. Read our review of the guided tours of the six-story stone house; the terraced gardens with Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller’s collection of 20th-century sculptures; the underground art galleries featuring a collection of Picasso tapestries; and the Coach Barn’s classic automobiles and horse-drawn carriages. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow: www.hudsonvalley.org)

Local! Armonk’s Hudson Stage Company’s Annual Gala with Broadway star Tony Yazbeck, Sat, 9/8: 7pm: The Hudson Stage Company, resident at Armonk’s WCPL, celebrates it’s 20th anniversary with this special event at a private Armonk home. Expect cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and a sunset concert from Broadway star and Tony nominee Tony Yazbek (On The Town, Chicago). He will be joined by some of the finest Broadway divas, including Liz Callaway, (Miss Saigon),  Capathia Jenkins (Godspell), Judy Kuhn (Les Miserables) and Debbie Gravitate (Chicago). (34 Bayberry Rd., Armonk; www.hudsonstage.org)

Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Sat-Sun, 9/8-9: Sample wine and food from over 100 Hudson Valley vendors, wineries, craft beer, cider and spirits brewers and distillers.There’s a Gourmet Food Truck Corral, wine seminars, cooking demos, music and 50 crafts vendors. Take home some Hudson Valley gourmet specialty foods from goat cheese to cheesecake, maple syrup to olive oil and beef jerky too!  (6550 Spring Brook Ave, Rhinebeck;  www.hudsonvalleywinefest.com)

Local! The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days – Sun, 9/9: 10am-4pm: The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days offers admission (for just $7) to three local private gardens including the garden of Bernard Marquez and Tim Fish, recently featured in Garden Design magazine. The gardens feature stone outcroppings, conifer cultivars, broad leaf evergreens, annuals, perennials, a koi and orf pond and views of the Pound Ridgfe Reservation and Lake Kitchawan, (74 Hemlock Rd., s. Salem; www.gardenconservancy.org)

Local! Herb Fair, John Jay Homestead, Thurs, 9/13. 11am-2pm: The New York Unit of the Herb Society of America presents the 70th Annual Herb Fair. Admission is free; Pre-order the gourmet Lunch by Le Moulin along with the traditional lovage soup. Specialties include gourmet foods and baked goods, herbs and other plants, and specialty gift items. ((400 Route 22, Katonah; www.johnjayhomestead.org, or email herbsocietyny@gmail.com)

Taconic Opera 21st Anniversary Gala: Opera Falls in Love, CV Rich Mansion, Thurs, 9/13: 7pm: Dine on sumptuous cuisine and honor important supporters of the arts while being treated to a variety of highly dramatic and amusing arias, duets and ensembles from opera’s vast repertoire of love-related themes, both serious and silly. (305 Ridgeway, White Plains, 855-886-7372; www.taconicopera.org)

Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst – Fri-Sun, 9/14-16: 10am-5pm, 6pm on Sat: New York’s largest craft show, on the grounds of the Lyndhurst estate showcases 275 artists, designers and crafts people showcasing one-of-a-kind jewelry, fashion & accessories, furniture, home decor, and functional and sculptural work in ceramics, glass, metal, painting, photography, wood and mixed media. The event offers craft demos, gourmet foods, kids activities and Hudson River views. (635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown: www.lyndhurst.org)

Local! Jazz Age Lawn Party, featuring Michael Arenella’s Dreamland Jazz Orchestra, Benefit for the New Castle Historical Society, Sun, 9/16: 4pm: Michael Arenella’s Dreamland Orchestra is widely recognized for their performances at Jazz Age Lawn Parties on NYC’s Governor’s Island. Here they perform for the New Castle Historical Society’s Greeley House and it’s educational programs. Tickets are just $30-35. Pack a picnic or pre-order a picnic basket from The Chappaqua Station Cafe. www.newcastlehs.org 

Local! Bernstein Bash, Late Night with Leonard Bernstein, Copland House at Merestead, Fri, 9/21: 9pm: This journey into the life of the composer sold-out at Lincoln Center and in theaters across America. Hosted by his daughter Jamie Bernstein, this multi-media cabaret offers personal stories, and rare archival clips of the Maestro. Soprano Amy Burton and pianists John Musto and Michael Boriskin sample his most intimate works, and his favorite music, from Aaron Copland, Noel Coward and others. (455 Byram Lake Road Mt. Kisco: www.coplandhouse.org)

Beer and Brownies at KMA, Sat, 9/22: 6-8pm: The Hip Replacements perform at this final installment of KMA’s outdoor concert series. With kids’ art activities and food & drinks in the KMA garden including Penny Licks ice cream and Chez Lenard hot dogs. (134 Jay St., Katonah; www.katonahmuseum.org)

The American Gold Cup & Family Fun Fest, North Salem, Wed-Sun, 9/26-30: With a half million dollars in prize money, The American Gold Cup held is one of the most prestigious equestrian sporting events in the world of International Show Jumping. Held over five days at the lavish Old Salem Farm, it attracts the best competitors in the world. Sat & Sunday’s competitions offer the big prize $$’s and a Family Fun Fest with entertainers, pony rides, face painting, food trucks and more. (190 June Road, North Salem; www.theamericangoldcup.com)

Local! Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Sat-Sun: 9/29-30: 10am-5pm: Ranked one of the country’s top art shows by Sunshine Artist Magazine, the 57th annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show features 185 juried artists , including 38 new artists this year, in painting, photography, sculpture, pastels, printmaking, drawing, mixed media and wearable art. There’s a kid’s activity tent, food trucks, beer and wine from Luke’s Lobster, Captain Lawrence and Fortina. Sponsored by Friends of the North Castle Public Library, the show’s proceeds support the town’s libraries. (205 Business Park Dr., Armonk;  www.armonkoutdoorartshow.org)

October

Editor’s Choice! An Evening with Jimmy Webb, Performing Arts Center, Sat, 10/6: 8pm: Hailed by Rolling Stone as one of the top 50 songwriters of all time, 3X Grammy-winner Jimmy Webb’s cross-genre hits include Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” his Grammy-Winning “Up, Up and Away,” and  “MacArthur Park” – a hit with Richard Harris and Donna Summer. Nina Simone, Art Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt, Frank Sinatra and Kanye West also had hits with Webb songs.  (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Food Bank for Westchester’s An Evening in Good Taste To End Childhood Hunger, Thurs, 10/18: 6:30-9pm: Eat, drink and make a difference at the 28th annual benefit for the Food Bank of Westchester. The event features fine food and world class wines from 25 top chefs including Chef Peter Kelly of X2O. Plus whiskey and Scotch tastings, a Martini bar and MUCH CHOCOLATE! (1133 Westchester Ave., White Plains; www.foodbankforwestchester.org)

Local! Bedford Village Chowder & Marching Club Fall Dinner Dance, Bedford Hills, Fri, 10/19: It’s the event of the season for BVC&M. Enjoy dinner, dancing and cocktails with the people who have raised close to one million dollars since 1956 for local youth programs in arts and music, club and school sports, scouts, youth outreach, scholarships and community services. Details to come. www.bedfordchowderandmarching.org)

Local! Outrageous Ornament: Extreme Jewelry in the 21^st Century, Katonah Museum of Art, Sun, 10/21-Sun, /27, 2019: This new exhibit at KMA presents provocative work by internationally renowned artists that expand the boundaries, and our understanding, of personal adornment. Pictured here, Yellow Giraffe by Robert Baines, ca 2012, sterling silver, powdercoat, electroplate and paint. (134 Jay St., Rt. 22, Katonah; www.katonahmuseum.org)

Local! John Jay Founders Lecture, An Evening with Darren Walker, Sat, 10/26: 6:30pm: A non-profit luminary, Walker led the initiative to protect the Detroit Institute of Art during Detroit’s bankruptcy; helped rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and serves as co-Chair of the New York City Commission on City Art, Monuments, and Markers.  He has been included in Time Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, and OUT Magazine’s Power 50. (400 Route 22, Katonah; www.johnjayhomestead.org)

Velvet Caravan , Performing Arts Center, Fri, 10/27: 8pm: Back by popular demand, Velvet Caravan plays upbeat tunes from all over the world with virtuosity and a relentless sense of humor. Combining Gypsy, Honky-Tonk, Swing, and Latin, this band’s unorthodox, acoustic quintet of guitar, violin, standup bass, percussion, and keyboards will make you want to dance. And you’ll be able to, as this event will feature nightclub seating with dinner, drinks and, yes, a dance floor! 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

November

NW Dance Project, Performing Arts Center, Fri, 11/2: 8pm: PAC’s 2018-19 dance series kicks off with a performance from dancer and choreographer Sarah Slipper’s NW Dance Project who has premiered over 190 original contemporary dance works. Dance International Magazine called them “a laboratory, factory and repository for risk-taking new works from the next generation of choreographers from Europe and North America.” (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

CraftWestport – Sat-Sun, 11/3-4: 10am-5pm, 6pm on Sat: CraftWesport (from ArtRider, producers of Crafts at Lyndhurst) is the longest running indoor crafts festival in CT. It features 175 vendors displaying a variety of media: clay, glass, painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, furniture, metal jewelry, wearable art and specialty foods. (70 North Ave., Westport; www.artrider.com)

Local! Northern Westchester Hospital Annual Benefit, Sat, 11/3: 6:30pm: Enjoy cocktails, dinner & dancing at this annual fundraise.. This event will honor Community Honoree Ellen and Kamran Hakim and Nancy Karch and Physician Honorees Adina Keller, MD and Jeff Keller, MD. (333 N. Bedford Rd., Mt. Kisco; www.nwhconnect.org)

Fall Forest Weekend, New York Botanical Garden, Sat-Sun, 11/3-4 & 10-11: 11am-4pm: NYBG offers live raptor demonstrations, Shakespearean performance and guided tours of the Thain Family forest, the largest remaining tract of old-growth forest in New York City, during prime foliage season. You can even see the Forest from a different perspective with a scenic canoe trip down the Bronx River and spot birds that call this woodland home. Check back for updates. (2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx www.nybg.org)

WTD Fave Rave: New York Botanical Garden’s Train Show Bar Car Nights: Sat, 11/17, Fri-Sat, 11/23-12/29: 7-10:30pm: On these adult-only nights you can grab a drink for one of their seasonal bars, warm up around the fire pits, watch live ice-sculpting demos, listen to dueling pianos and roving a capella groups and take in the amazing train show with a dozen large scale model train sets zipping across a display of 175 NY landmarks, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center, and One World Trade Center made out of bark, leaves and other natural materials. (2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx; www.nybg.org)

Local! Chappaqua Craft & Gift Fair, Bell Middle School – Sat, 11/17: 10am-4pm: 33rd annual craft fair featuring over 85 vendors presenting handcrafted jewelry, designer clothing, handbags and accessories, original artwork, tableware, furniture, bath & beauty products, children’s gifts, floral designs, gourmet foods and more. This event produced by the Bell Middle School PTA benefits the Bell Middle School. (50 Senter St., Chappaqua; www.chappaquacraftfair.com)

Editor’s Choice! Will The Circle Be Unbroken, John McEuen of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Emelin Theatre; Sat, 11/17: 8pm: Founding member of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John McEuen and cast of virtuoso pickers perform his landmark platinum selling album, Will The Circle Be Unbroken, featuring the songs of Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Jimmy Martin, Earl Scruggs and Maybelle Carter. (153 Library Ln., Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

Local! 4th Annual Chappaqua Cares Empty Bowls, Crabtree’s Kittle House, Sun, 11/18: 5-8pm: This event from Chappaqua Cares is a benefit to help raise awareness and funds to combat hunger. Each year they auction off bowls created by local students and celebrities. In past year’s they have auctioned off hand-painted bowls from Hillary Clinton, Bette Midler, Warren Haynes of Govt Mule and others. (11 Kittle Rd, Chappaqua; www.chappaquacares.org)

December

Editors Choice! Ceclie McLorin Salvant and Sullivan Fortner, Caramoor, Sat, 12/1: 8pm: Jazz vocalist and Grammy-winner Cécile McLorin Salvant and pianist Sullivan Fortner return to Caramoor for this special Benefit Concert. NPR Music hailed this jazz voice/piano duo for their “distinct chemistry between two rising stars of their instruments: pianist Sullivan Fortner and singer Cécile McLorin Salvant.” — NPR Music (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah: www.caramoor.org)

More stuff to do here.

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