Best Summer Events July 2018

admin Posted OnJune 14, 2018

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Best Summer Events July 2018: Fireworks, sailing, Shakespeare, Andy Warhol, cool jazz, foodie fun, free summer music and Anything Goes!

Public Sails on the Schooner Soundwaters – Fri-Sun, 6/30 – 8/5: check times: Board the 80’ Tall Schooner Soundwaters, the ship that Pete Seeger made famous, for a two-hour afternoon journey on the Long Island Sound. The Schooner Soundwaters, seats 40 and sails from Boccuzzi Park in Stamford. Sunset sails are also offered on Friday and Saturday nights and Fireworks Sails on Wed, 7/4 & Sat, 7/7. (Bocuzzi Park at Southfield, 166 Southfield Ave., Stamford CT; www.soundwaters.org)

Best Summer Events July 2018

Brand-New & Terrific: Alex Katz in the 1950s, Neuberger Museum – Wed – Sun, 7/1-10/14: This exhibit organized by Colby College presents 60 works from Alex Katz, whose brightly colored, flat, recognizable, figurative works of everyday scenes of middle class life was a response to the Abstract Expressionism that dominated the art scene in the 1950s. By reintroducing and reinterpreting the figure, Katz opened the door for the subsequent Pop Art movement. (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase College; www.neuberger.org)

The Taming of the Shrew,Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Boscobel – Thurs, 6/7 – Fri, 8/24: check dates & times: With its breathtaking views of the Hudson River, Boscobel provides a world-class setting for summer Shakespeare and picnicking. Here their a critically acclaimed troupe, takes on William Shakespeare’s comedy about the shrewish Kate, her sister Bianca and Petruchio the gold-digger. Bianca would be an easy match for Petruchio but Dad, the wealthiest man in Padua has ordained that Kate must marry first! Good luck Petruchio.(Boscobel, 1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison; www.hvsf.org)

ALL AGES! The Heart of Robin Hood, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Boscobel – Fri, 6/8 – Sat, 8/25: check dates & times: HVSF takes on David Farr’s reimagined adaptation of Robin Hood, commissioned in 2011 by The Royal Shakespeare Company. In Farr’s telling, Maid Marion bands with Robin Hood to escape an impending marriage to Prince John and his evil plan to betray the king. Only to discover a roguish band of hoods whose pilfering of the wealth never quite makes it to the poor. Marion has some work to do on the heart of Robin before she can save the kingdom. (Boscobel, 1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison; www.hvsf.org)

Richard II, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Boscobel – Sat, 6/9 – Sun, 8/26: check dates & times: Here Artistic Director Davis McCallum assembles a huge cast of HVSF’s finest for their first ever production of Shakespeare’s historic drama of the absolute ruler Richard and how he splits his kingdom in two by banishing his cousins Henry Bolingbroke. (Boscobel, 1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison; www.hvsf.org)

Independence Day Fireworks

Fireworks! Pride of the Hudson – Sat, 6/30: 8pm: View the Fourth of July fireworks on the Hudson River on the Pride of the Hudson fireworks cruise. POH offers a spacious sundeck and a climate controlled main salon and food and refreshments at their cash bar. The cruise leaves from Blu Pointe Landing in Newburgh. The POH July 4, Fireworks Cruise of the West Point fireworks display is sold out as of June 14, FYI. (Blu Pointe Landing, Front St., Newburgh; www.prideofthehudson.com)

Open to all! Pound Ridge Recreation 5K Road Race, Kids Race & Fireworks – Sat, 6/30: 9am: Run over rolling hills and through the streets of Pound Ridge from the Pound Ridge Elementary School to Town Park. Register online or on race day beginning at 8am. Children’s races begin immediately after the 5K. Fireworks from 6-10pm. Open to non-residents. (Pound Ridge Elementary School, 7 Pound Ridge Rd., Pound Ridge; www.townofpoundridge.com)

Fireworks! Kensico Music Fest & Fireworks: Tues, 7/3: 5-10pm: Pre-concert entertainment begins at 6 pm followed by a concert of “patriotic music” at 8pm. A fireworks display in front of the dam follows at 9:15 pm. Admission and parking are free. Carpooling is suggested. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. (Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla; www.westchestergov.com)

Fireworks! Playland  Park – Tues-Wed, 7/3-4: 9:30pm: Fireworks displays, computer-fired and choreographed to a musical soundtrack. (100 Playland Parkway, Rye; www.ryeplayland.org)

Pops, Patriots & Fireworks, Caramoor Venetian Theatre – Wed, 7/4: 8pm: Celebrate July 4th the Caramoor way as the Westchester Symphonic Winds and two stellar alumni from Caramoor’s Schwab Vocal Rising Stars perform America The Beautiful, Stars & Stripes Forever, Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Overture, selections from West Side Story, The Music Man and, of course, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture followed by fireworks. One of our favorite events of the year. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Fireworks! Walkway Over the Hudson – Wed, 7/4: 7-10pm: Grab a rail on the Walkway Over the Hudson, a 19th century railroad bridge transformed into the world’s longest linear park, for their Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular. Reserve a pre-fireworks table at Crave Restaurant & Lounge, Poughkeepsie’s finest or at one of the Culinary Institute of America’s eateries just five miles away. (61 Parker Ave., Poughkeepsie; www.walkway.org)

Fireworks Sail on the Schooner Soundwaters – Wed, 7/4 & Sat, 7/7: 7pm: Pack a dinner and a chilled summer quaff and watch the sun set and the fireworks over the Long Island Sound on this special fireworks sail on the Schooner Soundwaters from Bocuzzi Park in Stamford. Limited supplies so order tickets now! Sat, 7/2 & Mon, 7/4: 7-10:30pm. (166 Southfield Ave., Stamford, CT; www.soundwaters.org)

Fireworks! Jones Beach or Fireworks Cruise on the Laura Lee – Wed, 7/4: 9:30pm: Join 100,000 other patriotic Americans on the beach at jones Beach’s Central Mall for this 30 minute “Grucci style” fireworks display, simulcast to patriotic songs from WALK 97.5 FM. Arrive by 6pm to avoid traffic and get a parking space. Or take a cruise on the Laura Lee Red or Laura Lee Blue leaving Captree State Park at 6:30 & 7pm. (3500 Ocean Parkway, Babylon; www.jonesbeach.com)

No Options Band, Katonah Memorial Park – Thurs, 7/5: 7-8:30pm: Classic rockers play the songbook from Billy Joel to AC/DC at the poolside field.

Anything Goes, Westchester Broadway Theatre – Thurs, 7/5- Sun, 9/9: Anything Goes,winner of three 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival is considered one of the greatest Tap Dancing musicals of all time. There’s romance and laughter in this story about a nightclub singer, a stowaway and Public Enemy No. 13 on a transatlantic luxury liner. With an incomparable musical score from Cole Porter featuring timeless classics such as “It’s De-Lovely”, “I Get a Kick Out of You”, “You’re the Top”, “Friendship”, and “All Through The Night”. (One Broadway Plaza, Elmsford; www.broadwaytheatre.com)

Lasdon’s Music in the Park, Dan Zlotnick – Fri, 7/6: –9pm: He’s a former Somers HS baseball star and he caught Aaron Judge’s rookie record 50th home run at Yankee Stadium. (Gave it to the Judge for free!) He recently opened for Marc Cohn at the Paramount Hudson Valley with his repertoire of original acoustic songs inspired by the blues and classic rock. What a guy! (2610 NY 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Way Cool Event! Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival, Fri-Sun, 7/6-8: check times: Watch the flight of the hot-air balloons take off over Barton Orchards in Poughquag – just 50 minutes from downtown Armonk. Or take a tethered balloon (or helicopter) ride yourself. There’s music, games, hayrides, tube slides, a haunted house, a corn maze, good eats and pick your own grapes and berries, corn and stone fruit and fireworks on Friday & Saturday night. (Barton Orchards, 63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag; http://www.balloonfesthv.com)

Local! White Wedding 80’s Tribute, Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce Summer Concerts – Wed, 7/11: 7pm: White Wedding performs an expansive list of 80’s from The Eurythmics to Bruce Springsteen including their signature Billy Idol, Madonna, Stevie Nicks and Culture Club medleys. (Recreation Field, Chappaqua: 200 S. Greeley Ave. Chappaqua-millwoodchamber)

A Taste of Westchester, Horse & Hound Inn, A Night in New Orlean, S. Salem – Thurs, 7/12: 6pm: With Live Bluegrass in the courtyard from Chip Andrus! Chef Clinton Bartow prepares an amuse bouche jalapeño popper and delivers a “how to” on crab cakes with remoulade sauce; “real deal” Caesar salad, and fried oyster po’boy with Old Bay aioli and spicy firecracker stuffed bacon-wrapped stuffed shrimp over creamy grits. Plus crème brûlée and powdered sugar dusted beignets. To register call: 914.606.6830 x1. For more info: A Taste of Westchester. (94 Spring Street, South Salem; www.thehorseandhoundinn.com)

The Jon Bates Band, Bedford Hills Memorial park – Thurs, 7/12: 7-8:30pm: Seven-piece dance band performs Big Band, Motown, Classic Rock, Whitney, Pink, Lady Gaga and more at the Sammarco Soccer Field.

Free! Shakespeare on the Green, Hamlet,Sterling Farms, Stamford , CT – Fri-Sun, 7/13-15 & 20-22: 7:30pm: Stamford’s professional theatre company, Curtain Call’s Shakespeare productions are performed on a scaled-down version of the Globe Theatre stage nestled among the pine trees of the Sterling Farms Complex in Stamford. The park opens 90 minutes before the performance for picnicking. Beverages and desserts are available on site. (Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Ave., Stamford; www.curtaincallinc.com)

Lasdon’s Music in the Park, Gerard Carelli – Fri, 7/13: 7 – 9pm: A local mainstay who regularly performs at Lasdon Park and the Kensico Park Independence Day Fireworks, Carelli has recorded with the Grammy-nominated One O’clock Lab Band, toured with Ray Charles, and for The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. As a trombonist, he has performed with Rosemay Clooney and Mel Torme. (2610 NY 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Bernstein’s Broadway, Caramoor Venitian Theatre – Sat, 7/14: 8pm: Broadway stars Mikaela Bennett (The Golden Apple), Alysha Umphress (On the Town), Bryce Pinkham (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), and Ben Davis (Violet) celebrate Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday! Tony Award winner Ted Sperling hosts this evening of songs from West Side Story, Candide, Wonderful Town, Peter Pan, On the Town and more. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Local! 3D Rhythm of Life, Summer Concerts at Wampus Brook Park – Sat, 7/14: 8pm: Armonk’s Small Town Theatre Company brings bi-lingual music to Armonk with 3D Rhythm of Life’s tropical mix of funky salsa and caribbean soul with a New York attitude. (28 Maple Ave., Armonk; www.smalltowntheatrecompany.com)

Pleasantville Music Festival – Sat, 7/14: 12-9pm: Eighteen bands on three stages equals nine hours of music. Festival headliners include The Psychedelic Furs, the UK post-punk band best known for their hits “Love My Way” and “Pretty in Pink”; The Lone Bellow, a Brooklyn-based Americana band whose eponymous debut album in 2013 charted on four separate Billboard Charts and appeared on 10 Best Of year-end lists, and Robert Randolph and The Family Band. Randolph, a pedal steel mater was named to Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time list and regularly performs at The Capitol Theatre. The rest of the lineup features a mix of singer/songwriters, indie-rock, twangy country, and R&B and includes a turn from John Hall sand Fly Amero from Orleans (“Still the One” and “Dance With Me”.) Free parking and shuttle bus at Pace University. (Parkway Field, Pleasantville; www.pleasantvillemusicfestival.com)

Local! Wine & Watermelon, Katonah Museum of Art – Sat, 7/14: 6-8pm: Hump night in the KMA sculpture garden with local garage bands and complimentary wine and watermelon. Garden seating or pack a blanket for Dog Bone’s original tunes and acoustic rock covers. (134 Jay St. (Rt. 22) Katonah; www.kma.org)

Local! Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce Summer Concerts – Wed, 7/18: 7pm: The CMCC presents Chappaqua’s own, Tramps Like Us featuring Chappy-res Mark Salore. Hailed by Spin Mangazine as the country’s best Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band, Tramps has performed over 2000 concerts and was featured on Fox News for Bruce’s 65th birthday.. (Recreation Field, Chappaqua: 200 S. Greeley Ave. Chappaqua-millwoodchamber)

Chappaqua Sidewalk Sale, Thurs- Sat, 7/19-21: Over 40 Chappaqua merchants will offer discounts from 10-90%, raffles and other premiums at this 3-day shop-till-u-drop extravaganza. Desires By Mikolay will give away a pair of it’s best-selling summer earring to the first 100 customers who spend $100 or more and will raffle off a pair of handcrafted $1000 earrings. Other participating stores include Family Britches, Great Stuff, Petticoat Lane, Eye Gallery, The King’s Scribe, and Squires. With music, kid’s activities and promotions from local restaurants. For more info call 914.522.5854 or email info@desiresbymikolay.com.

Local! Classic Car Show, Downtown Armonk – Thurs, 7/19: 5-9pm: The Armonk Chamber of Commerce’s Third Thursdays celebration in downtown Armonk features a Classic Car Parade down Main Street to St. Stephen’s Church where they will be on display. There will be music and activities at Armonk Square and raffles discounts and special promotions throughout town. www.armonkchamberofcommerce.com

Lasdon’s Music in the Park, Back to the Garden 1969 – Fri, 7/20: 7 – 9pm: Back to the Garden 1969 returns to Lasdon with their tribute to the artists who made Woodstock great including Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Joe Cocker, Sly And The Family Stone, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Richie Havens and many more. (2610 NY 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Local! Open Days Garden Conservancy, Mt. Kisco – Sat, 7/21: 10am-4pm: This two-acre property designed by the esteemed architect Lillian Greneker has meandering woodchip trails, two streams, seven small bridges, and two “secret” gardens. It includes a natural fern garden and other beautiful perennial gardens, that contain Astilbe, roses, statuary, a kitchen stone garden, and other whimsical features. The home, on this undulating property, is enchanting. (375 Crow Hill Rd., Mt. Kisoc: www.gardenconservancy.org)

Jazz Festival, Diane Reeves, Caramoor Venetian Garden & multiple locations – Sat, 7/21: All Day: A full day of jazz, curated by Jazz at Lincoln Center. Five-time Grammy-winner Diane Reeves headlines at the evening performance. Nine acts perform at multiple locations during the day including Patrick Bartley’s salute to Cannonball Adderley and Shenel Johns and Vuyo Sotashe who perform the music of Miriam Makeba and Nina Simone. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Editor’s Choice? Andy Warhol: Subject and Seriality, Neuberger Museum, Pens Sun, 7/22, runs Wed – Sun through 12/23: This new exhibit, organized by The Neuberger Museum, examines Warhol’s method of repeating images of his subjects in various and multiple ways – concurrently and across time, and in diverse media. Included are the artist’s prints, photographs, and multiples, created between the 1960s and 1980s, that come from the Neuberger Museum of Art’s own collection and those of four other Hudson Valley museums, and various galleries and foundations.

A Taste of Westchester, Peter Pratt’s Inn, Hawaiian Luau– Tues, 7/24: 6pm: Luau on the Patio at this historic site that was General Washington’s command post! Watch Jon Pratt and Executive Chef March Walker prepare Lomi-lomi, salmon salad (tomato, Maui onions, cucumber and raw salted salmon); Huli-Huli chicken (pineapple juice, soy sauce, ginger and garlic with long rice); Poke (raw fish and Asian seasonings); whole suckling pig in the La Caja China, and cole slaw and macaroni salad. Plus coconut sorbet made in his special machine. To register call: 914.606.6830 x1. For more info: A Taste of Westchester. (673, Croton Heights Rd., Yorktown Heights; www.prattsinn.com)

A Grammy-winner in Chappaqua! Rebecca Haviland & Whiskey Heart, Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce Summer Concerts – Wed, 7/25: 7pm: The CMCC presents it’s first Grammy-winner with vocalist Rebecca Haviland and her band Whiskey Heart. This rising American roots artist, who toured with Martin Sexton last year has performed at The Ridgefield Playhouse and Tarrytown and will be performing in Nashville this summer. (Recreation Field, Chappaqua: 200 S. Greeley Ave. Chappaqua-millwoodchamber)

Blonde Ambition, Katonah Memorial Park – Thurs, 7/26: 7-8:30pm: This popular band of local musicians from Katonah and Goldens Bridge to Cortland Manor has performed their repertoire of dance rock, pop and Motown at the Katonah Museum of Art, The Armonk House and beyond.

Lasdon’s Music in the Park, Chamomile and Whiskey – Fri, 7/27: 7 – 9pm: C&W kicks it with an upfront classic country beat, and infuses each tune with a streak of progressive, orchestral rock while hailing to Americana traditions with their rootsy instrumental choices and subject matter. (2610 NY 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Local! Charlie Lagond, Summer Concerts at Wampus Brook Park – Sat, 7/28: 8pm: Charlie Lagond has performed around the world for 35 years with artists including Chet Baker, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Chuck Mangione, The Jackson Five, The Temptations, Natalie Cole, and Kid Creole & the Coconuts, with whom he has performed at several presidential inaugural balls and at a Command Performance by request of Princess Diana. (28 Maple Ave., Armonk; www.smalltowntheatrecompany.com)

Editor’s Choice! A Taste of Westchester, MP Taverna, Irvington – Sat, 7/28: 2pm: Enjoy a Greek feast from Michelin star chef Michael Psilakis who has appeared on Food Network’s Iron Chef America. Chef Michael or his house chef will teach three recipes from his new cookbook: crudité and pita chips with Mediterranean salsa; sautéed chicken thighs in sweet and sour salsa; and pasta with sausage and peppers. To register call: 914.606.6830 x1. For more info: A Taste of Westchester. (1 Bridge Street, Irvington: www.michaelpsilakis.com)

Spirit of the Sound Lighthouse Cruise Central – Sat, 7/28, 8/11 & 9/8: The Norwalk Aquarium’s Spirit of the Sound catamaran’s Lighthouse’s Cruises visits century old beacons from Sands Point to New Haven Ct. The Central Sound cruise takes in five lighthouses on it’s 5 hour tour. The Western Sound cruise visits 7 historic lighthouses on it’s seven hour tour. Check times. (10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT; www.maritimeaquarium.org)

The Wife, Cocktails, Screening & Q&A with Glenn Close, Bedford Playhouse – Mon, 7/30: There’s beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres before and a discussion with legendary actress Glenn Close and a Q&A with the star moderated by John Farr after the screening of Ms. Close’s new film, The Wife. In The Wife, which garnered a 100% Critics Rating on Rotten tomatoes, Ms. Close portrays a woman at the breaking point after a 40 year marriage of compromise, sacrifice and turning the other cheek to the infidelities of her Nobel Prize for Literature-winning husband played by Jonathan Pryce. (633 Old Post Rd., Bedford: www.bedfordplayhouse.org)

What To Do Bucket List

If this list of 25 (mostly) local events doesn’t light you up, then check out our Bucket List for more stuff to do- carefully curated for townies, foodies, culture-vultures, nature lovers and weekend warriors. You will find river-view dining, a museum on steroids, a house-tour on steroids, a hike and art adventure, Westchester’s best park, the new Glass House Conservatory at Lasdon Park – Westchester’s first new attraction constructed on a county park in years and more. What to know where you can get donuts like these? Click here.

All Summer Long

Pride of the Hudson River Cruise, Newburg – Through 10/28: 1 & 4pm: See the majestic beauty of the Hudson River on this 2-hour narrated river adventure from Newburgh to West Point taking in the sights of Washington’s Headquarters, World’s End, Mt. Beacon, Bannerman Island, Constitution Island, Breakneck Mountain, and the town of Cold Spring. (Blu Pointe Landing, 100 Front St., Newburgh; www.prideofthehudson.com)

Sheffield Island Lighthouse Cruises, Norwalk Harbor – Through 9/28: 11am, 2 & 3:30pm: Board the 45-foot C.J. Toth catamaran for a cruise to Sheffield Island on the Long Island Sound for a lighthouse tour, a hike through Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge and a picnic and beach front activities. Sails run on weekends & holidays in June and September and daily in July & August. (Norwalk Seaport Association Dock, 4 North Water St., Norwalk, Ct.; www.seaport.org)

Yoga with Alexander Calder at Storm King Art Center – Thurs, 7/14- 10/6: 10:15am: Relax outdoors with a Yoga class before you check out the sculptures of Alexander Calder, Louise Nevelson, Henry Moore, Mark Di Suvero, and many more at the 500 acre sculpture garden at Storm King. A top pick on WTD’s Bucket List you can read more about Day Tripping: Storm King Art Center here. (1 Museum Rd., New Windsor; www.stormking.org)

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Ride, Daily 6/17-8/27, Weekends 9/1-10/22: Take a 2 ½ hour narrated train and riverboat ride through what the Nature Conservancy calls “one of the last great places on earth,” the Connecticut River Valley. The train passes farms, waterfalls, and wetland habitats with blue heron and egrets. The riverboat cruise on the Connecticut River passes the historic Gillette Castle, Goodspeed Opera House and Haddam Swing Bridge. Check out their special Dinner Train, Riverboat Lunch and Sunset Excursions. (1 Railroad Ave., Essex, CT; www.essexsteamtrain.com)

Lyndhurst Mansion Tours, Tarrytown – Thurs-Mon, 5/4-9/24: 10am-4pm: Take a one-hour guided tour of the historic Lyndhurst mansion overlooking the Hudson River. The Gothic Revival mansion has been used as a movie set for six major motion pictures including House of Dark Shadows (1970), Reversal of Fortune (1990), Cradle Will Rock (1999) and Winter’s Tale (2013). It was built in 1938 by William Paulding, a former NYC Mayor, and purchased by Union Pacific Railroad tycoon Jay Gould in 1880 as a summer home. (635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org