Twenty-five Hot Ticket Alerts for Spring

Posted OnMarch 8, 2019

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Twenty-five Hot Ticket Alerts for Spring: The best happenings for grown-ups in Armonk, Bedford, Chappaqua and all the major area venues…

March

New York Botanical Garden, The Orchid Show Singapore: Sat, 2/23-Sun, 4/28. The Orchid Show celebrates its 17th year at The New York Botanical Garden. This year’s show in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory will feature mesmerizing tropical orchids in displays that pay homage to Singapore’s achievements in orchid cultivation and conservation as well as garden design. On select nights, NYBG offers after-hours viewings of the exhibition featuring cocktails, dance, and music. Open Tues-Sun, 10am-6pm. (New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx; www.nybg.org)

Best Chappaqua! Blood on the Fields, ChappPac, Fri, 3/8: 7pm: Friends of the Chappaqua Library present a screening of Wynton Marsalis’s Pulitzer Prize winning oratorio on two slaves difficult journey to freedom. Baritone Gregory Porter, scat-singing legend Kenny Washington, and contralto Paula West join the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in this ground-breaking work. (480 Bedford Rd., Chappaqua; www.chapppac.org)

Kitschy! RHONY Star, Luann De Lesseps: Countess & Friends, Ridgefield Playhouse, Sat, 3/9: 8pm: Fresh off earning rave reviews for her performance at NYC’s Feinstein’s 54 Below, Luann De Lesseps, an original cast member of Bravo’s hit TV show The Real Housewives of New York, brings a night of cabaret to The Playhouse. Her global dance hits include “Money Can’t Buy You Class”, “Chic C’est La Vie” and “Girl Code.” (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Editor’s Choice! John Jay Homestead Lectures, No Property in Man, Princeton’s Sean Willentz, Thurs, 3/14: 6:30pm: Rather than presenting the Constitution as a cynical political bargain enshrining slavery in the new nation, Wilentz argues that it actually restricted slavery’s legitimacy, and kept alive the eventual possibility of antislavery politics at the national level. Wilentz is a Professor of American History at Princeton, the winner of the Bancroft and Pulitzer Prize (finalist), and historian-in-residence at Bob Dylan’s official website. (John Jay Homestead, 400 Jay St., Katonah; www.johnjayhomestead.org)

Crazy! Tape Face, Ridgefield Playhouse, Thurs, 3/14: 7pm: Sam Willis, a multi-award winning New Zealand prop comic, busker, clown and mime was a 2016 finalist on Season 11 of America’s Got Talent, Tape Face returns in a hilarious new show! Here he returns to our area with his new show. So what does he do exactly?Tape Face is a mime with noise, a stand-up comedian who doesn’t talk, who performs a drama with no acting. In 2016 he was awarded a International Achievement Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Madness! Lewis Black, The Joke’s On US Tour, Tarrytown Music Hall, Thurs, 3/14: 8pm: Grammy-winning comedian, Yale Drama School grad, Comedy Central Top 100 Stand-up of All Time, and self-proclaimed “Kind of Rant”, Lewis Black returns to Tarrytown with his new show. Black, whose angry rants about history, politics and religion often escalate into simulations of a mental breakdown, performs live on stage shows over 200 times a year. (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Editor’s Choice! Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Performing Arts Center, Sat, 3/16: 8pm: Aspen’s bold vision – top global choreographers, distinctive groundbreaking repertoire, and virtuoso dancers – has fostered a jewel of a dance company that reflects the pioneering spirit of the American West. Dedicated to curating new ballets, ASFB brings a European sensibility and an American spirit to the contemporary classical genre. (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Best for St. Patricks’ Day! Natalie Merchant and Lunasa, Tarrytown Music Hall, Sat, 3/16: 8pm: Natalie Merchant opens for Lunasa, who Folk Roots magazine called “the Irish music dream team”. Merchant will also perform six songs with Lunasa during their set. Merchant first collaborated with Lunasa on her album Leave Your Sleep in 2010. Lunasa has performed over 2000 shows in their 20 year career and have performed at Carnegie Hall and The Hollywood Bowl. (Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Big stuff for S. Salem! Channeling The Masters, Peter Serkin, The Sanctuary Series South Salem, Sun, 3/17: 4pm: “Peter Serkin is one of the handful of pianists who not only possess a cerebral understanding of the music of our time but the ability to communicate it with feeling. In his hands, even the most formidable works are fluid and expressive.“ – The New York Times Here Peter performs Mozart’s Piano Sonata in B-Flat Major, JS Bach’s Goldberg Variations and more. (S. Salem Presbyterian Church, 111 Spring St., S. Salem; www.thesanctuaryseries.org)

Best Bedford! Bedford Chamber Concerts, Vladimir Feltsman (piano), Wed, 3/20: 8pm: The world-renowned pianist and Bach devotee, Vladimir Feltsman performs Bach: Partita No. 1 and Chopin 4 Nocturnes & Ballade No. 3. Feltsman debuted with the Moscow Philharmonic in 1963 at age 11 and made his US debut in September 1987 in a concert for President Ronald Reagan and debuted at Carnegie Hall later that year. (St, Matthews Church, 382 Cantitoe St., Bedford; www.bedfordchamberconcerts.org)

Top Craft Quaff Alert! The Westchester County CenterBeer Fest, Sat, 3/23: 4-8pm: Sample over 200 craft beers from local and micro- breweries at the County Center’s annual spring craft beer fest.. With live music from the Grand Prize winners of MTV’s Ultimate Cover Band contest, The Zoo. (198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)

Smart! Dick Cavett Presents a Conversation with Blythe Danner, Ridgefield Playhouse, Sat, 3/23: 7:30pm: Emmy Award-winner, Dick Cavett interviews the Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress Blythe Danner. Danner is best known for her role as Dina Byrnes in Meet the Parents, and its sequels Meet the Fockers and Little Fockers. She has appeared in three Woody Allen films: Another Woman, Alice, and Husbands and Wives. Her celebrated television roles include “Huff”, “Will & Grace,” “We Were the Mulvaneys” and “Back When We Were Grownups.” She is the mother of actress Gwyneth Paltrow and director Jake Paltrow. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

We’re going! Portland Cello Project: Homage to Radiohead, Performing Arts Center, Sat, 3/23: 8pm: Portland’s premiere alt-classical group brings a huge, orchestral ensemble – including brass, percussion, and guest vocals by Patti King of The Shins – to perform a night in homage to Radiohead. The first set features unique renditions of classical Radiohead pieces. In the second set PCJ will perform Radiohead’s seminal OK Computer album in its entirety. (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

99 seats and a Jazz great: Houston Person, Schoolhouse Theatre, Sun, 3/24: 7pm: Tenor sax giant Houston Person’s annual performance at the Schoolhouse is one of the highlights of life in Croton Falls. Person, a Eubie Blake Jazz Award winner, is best known for his soul jazz though he has performed in the hard bop and swing genres. (3 Owens Rd., Croton Falls; www.schoolhousetheater.org)

Local! REBEL Baroque, A Rococo Extravaganza, Bedford Presbyterian Church, Sun, 3/24: 4pm: One of the most aired period instrument ensembles in America today, and our local fave, REBEL Baroque performs works by Edelmann, Schobert, C.P.E. Bach & J.C. Bach. (44 Village Green, Bedford, www.rebelbaroque.com)

Best of Armonk! Proof, Hudson Stage Company, Whippoorwill Hall Theatre, Fri-Sun, 3/29-4/7 & Fri-Sat, 4/12-13: Armonk’s Hudson Stage Co. presents Proof, David Auburn’s mind twister about an enigmatic young woman, Catherine, her manipulative sister, their brilliant father, and an unexpected suitor. They are all pieces of the puzzle in the search for the truth behind a mysterious mathematical proof. Originally produced on Broadway in 2000, the play won the Pulitzer Prize, the Tony Award for Best Play and the Drama Desk Award. (North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Rd. E., Armonk, www.hudsonstage.com)

Ginger and Jack’s boys! Music of Cream, Tarrytown Music Hall, Fri, 3/29: 8pm: In this 50th Anniversary Tour, Kofi Baker (Ginger’s son), Malcolm Bruce (Jack’s son) and Will Johns (Eric’s nephew) deliver a multi-media retrospective with personal stories and previously unseen footage of the English blues group Cream. And perform Cream classics “Sunshine of Your Love,” “Crossroads,” “Spoonful”, “White Room”. (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Hot Ticket Alerts for April

Amazing story! The Color of Light, Schoolhouse Theatre, Thurs-Sat, 4/3-27: 8pm & Sun, 4/7-28: 3pm: This new play about Henri Matisse, by Jesse Kornbluth, follows the relationship between Matisse and a young nursing student he hired while recuperating from intestinal cancer in the south of France in 1942. Five years later, now a nun, she asked Matisse to design a stained glass window to raise money to fix a hole in her chapel’s roof. Instead he designed and built her a new chapel, the Chapelle du Rosaire – his masterpiece. (3 Owens Rd., N. Salem; www.schoolhousetheatre.org)

Tap! Dance off the Grid, Tap, Lindy, Afro and Bharatanatyam Dance, Emelin Theatre, Sat, 4/6: 8pm: The Emelin’s acclaimed DOTG series returns with critically-acclaimed tap, jazz and Lindy Hop dancer and choreographer, and 2011 Bessie Award-winner Caleb Teicher. Some of his famous works feature tap dancing to a beat box and Bach’s Goldberg Variations and swing dancing to Ella Fitzgerald. Abby Z’s, choreographer-in-residence at Princeton University, work draws on African forms. And Malini Srinivasan, a visiting lecturer at Princeton University, will perform solo Bharatanatyam dance. (153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

English Cheese & Sparkling Wine Alert! Esterhaza to London, Music & Remembrances from Haydn’s Travel Dairies, Ars-Antiqua, Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Chappaqua, Sat, 4/6: 8pm: Mark Kramer and his period instrument ensemble perform two piano trios from Joseph Haydn, Scottish Songs for William Napier and Beethoven’s Variations on ‘God Save the King’ – just the kind of music in the private salon concerts he frequented on his trips to London. (191 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.ars-antiqua.org)

Cubano! Tiempo Libre, Performing Arts Center, Sun, 4/7: 3pm: Equally at home in concert halls, jazz clubs, festival stages, and dance venues, Tiempo Libre’s sophisticated tropical music makes them one of the hottest Latin bands on the scene today. Classically trained at Cuba’s premier conservatories, the members of this three-time Grammy-nominated band are celebrated for their timba music, an irresistible, dance-inducing mix of Latin jazz and Cuban son. (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Best for Easter! Bedford Chamber Concerts, Guitar & Surprise, Wed, 4/10: 8pm: Dr. Anthony Newman’s Bedford Chamber Concerts performs Newman’s new Easter Quintet, plus Haydn’s Surprise Symphony, and two compositions for guitar, Boccherini’s Fandango quintet and Vivaldi’s guitar concerto in D (St, Matthews Church, 382 Cantitoe St., Bedford; www.bedfordchamberconcerts.org)

Best Nosh Class! A Taste of Westchester, Peter Pratt’s Inn, Into The Forest, Wed, 4/10: 6-8pm. Chef March Walker and owner Jonathan Pratt go deep into the woods foraging for morels and ramps for this class. You will toast, courtesy of Jon, while he shows you how to prepare wild morels with breast of organic chicken. Jon will create a salad of shaved asparagus with lemon, pine nuts and Parmesan, showcasing the springtime treasure. For dessert there’s local blueberry ice cream made in Jon’s way-back machine. (673 Croton Heights Road, Yorktown Heights 914-962-4090; register here.)

Neurotic! David Sedaris, Palace Theatre Stamford, Thurs, 4/11: 7:30pm: Join best-selling author and NPR contributor, David Sedaris for an evening featuring all-new stories. David Sedaris returns to the road following the release of his most deeply personal and darkly hilarious collection, Calypso. Sedaris sets his formidable powers of observation toward middle age and mortality, that vertiginous moment when your own body betrays you and you realize that the story of your life is made up of more past than future. (61 Atlantic St., Stamford, CT; www.stamfordpalace.org)

And we’re sticking to it! Tommy James & The Shondells, Ridgefield Playhouse, Sat, 4/13: 8pm: Tommy James has been fronting rock bands since the age of 12. From the Bubble Gum sound to psychedelic rock, Tommy has had 2 No. 1 hits and 7 Top Ten hits including, “Crimson & Clover”, “Chrystal Blue Persuasion”, “Draggin The Line”, “I Think We’re Alone Now”, “Hanky Panky” and “Mony Mony”. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Cool! Roger McGuinn, Tarrytown Music Hall, Sat, 4/13: 8pm: Following his sold-out Sweetheart of the Rodeo 50th Anniversary Tour, Byrds frontman and psychedelic granny glasses super model Roger McGuinn returns to Tarrytown for a night of Byrds classics. Including, “Mr. Tambourine Man”, “So You Wanna Be a Rock and Roll Star”, “Eight Miles High”, “Chestnut Mare”, “Ballad of Easy Rider”, “Turn, Turn, Turn”, and so many more. (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Wha-a-a-a-a-t? Michael Feinstein Trio, Ridgefield Playhouse, Wed, 4/17: 8pm: Here’s a great get for The Ridgefield. The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook has earned five Grammy-noms. His Emmy nominated PBS-TV specials and his acclaimed NPR series and concerts have been broadcast round the globe. He has performed at iconic venues such as The White House, Buckingham Palace, Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

The future of dance! BODYTRAFFIC, Performing Arts Center, Thurs, 4/25: 8pm: Named “the company of the future” by The Joyce Theater Foundation, one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch,” and “Best of Culture” by the Los Angeles Times, the company is internationally recognized for its world class contemporary dance and distinctive choreographic voices. “BODYTRAFFIC displays sheer animal magnetism…” Irene Hsiao, San Francisco Weekly (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Le Freak! Nile Rodgers & Chic, Capitol Theatre, Thurs, 4/25: 8pm: A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and three-time Grammy-winner is known for his “chucking” guitar style and his disco-funk band Chic who had hits with “Le Freak”, “Good Times” and “Everybody Dance” to name a few. He co-wrote and produced “We Are Family” for Sister Sledge, “I’m Coming Out” for Diana Ross; and produced David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance”, Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” and hits for Duran Duran and INXS. (149 Westchester Ave, Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)

May Hot Ticket Alerts!

Big name! Jay Leno, Palace Theatre Stamford, Thursday, 5/2: 8pm: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno was the No 1 rated late night talk show for two decades. Known as the “hardest working man in show business”, Leno performs standup over 100 times a year and is the host of the CNBC show Jay Leno’s Garage. See him in Stamford (61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamfrod.org)

Only in Bedford! Gentleman’s Poker Night, Bedford’s Historical Hall, Thurs, 5/2: 7pm: Get your seat at the table for a night of Texas Hold’em, dinner & prizes to benefit the Bedford Historical Society’s educational programs. Nothing says Bedford like Texas Hold’em right? Professional dealers offer a refresher at 6:30pm, with games from 7- 11pm. Purchase tickets at www.bedfordhistoricalsociety.org)

Bergen County’s Finest! Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, Tarrytown Music Hall, Fri, 5/3: 8pm: First time I saw the Rascals, I was 11 and they were performing in my high school gymnasium. A year later they were bumping The Beatles off the charts with a string of No. 1 hits, “Good Lovin’”, “Groovin’” and “People Got To Be Free”. These Rock and Roll Hall of Famers from New Jersey followed up with high charting hits like “How Can I Be Sure”, “A Beautiful Morning”, “It’s Wonderful”, “I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore” and more. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Legend! Joan Baez Fare Thee Well Tour, Capitol Theatre, Fri, 5/3 & Sun, 5/5: 8pm: Joan Baez celebrates her new album, Whistle Down the Road, with this new tour. A folk icon, many songs that Joan Baez introduced in her early years found their way into the rock vernacular: “House Of the Rising Sun” (the Animals), “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You” (Led Zeppelin), “What Have They Done To the Rain” (The Searchers), and “Long Black Veil” (The Band). She is best known her performance of “Joe Hill”, at Woodstock, “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, and “Forever Young”. (149 Westchester Ave, Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)

Best of the Beatles Tributes! The Fab Faux, Fan Favorites and Beatles Solo Years, Capitol Theatre, Sat, 5/4: 8pm: Known as “The Beatles tribute band without the wigs”, The Fab Faux stick to the music. Founded by Will Lee, bassist for Late Show With David Letterman, and Jimmy Vivino, bandleader for Conan, The Fab Faux will bring horn sections, string orchestras and teams of background vocalists to perform studio versions of Beatles classics live. (149 Westchester Ave, Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)

Best Cabaret! Christine Ebersole, Caramoor, Fri, 5/4: 8:30pm: The Rosen House Music Room transforms into an intimate cabaret for this annual Benefit Concert. Two-time Tony Award-winning actress Christine Ebersole delivers a celebration of the American Songbook, and mingles with guests at the champagne reception in the Formal Dining Room after the show. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.com)

Try something different! The String Cheese Incident, Capitol Theatre, Sat-Mon, 5/25-27: 8pm: Jam band legends from Colorado, The String Cheese Incident celebrates its 25th anniversary with three nights at The Cap. Incorporating everything from an electric mandolin, violin, lap steel guitar to an accordion, the band delivers elements of bluegrass, rock, electronica, country, calypso, jazz, reggae and psychedelia, (149 Westchester Ave, Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)