What To Do: Events: April 2016

What To Do: Events: April 2016 … a ridiculously comprehensive list of events for Armonk, Bedford & Chappaqua townies, culture-vultures, foodies and locavores for April and May. Lectures, movies, flowers and plants, galas, antiques, crafts and the Westchester Jewish Film Festival.

April

Westchester Jewish Film Festival – Jacob Burns:JBFC screens 34 documentaries and narratives from Israel and around the world. Some highlights: Opening Night: Presenting Princess Shaw: Directed by JBFC artist-in-residence and coproduced by JBFC founder Steve Apkon, Princess Shaw is a Cinderella story of an Israeli remix artist and a New Orleans singer who create original works by sampling bits from amateur YouTube postings. Wed, 3/30: 7pm, Sat, 4/2: 2:30pm & Thurs, 4/7: 1pm; What Our Fathers Did: A Nazi Legacy: A 2015 film about two high-ranking Nazi war criminals and their sons who held diametrically opposed views of their fathers. Thurs, 3/31: 4:30pm, Sat, 4/9: 12pm & Tues, 4/12: 5:30pm; In Search of Israeli Cuisine: Master chef and storyteller Michael Solomonov presents a mouthwatering portrait of the Israeli people through their food: Thurs, 3/31: 2:30pm & Sun, 4/17: 7:15pm; Mr. Kaplan: Writer/director Alvaro Brechner, the Uruguayan Woody Allen, follows a holocaust survivor who seeks to expose a German café owner as a Nazi in this wry comedy nominated for Best Foreign Film in 2015: Sat, 4/2: 6:30pm, Tues, 4/5: 2pm & Fri, 4/15: 3:30pm; Everything is Copy: Filmmaker Jacob Bernstein’s portrait of his mother, Nora Ephron: Sun, 4/3: 5:15pm & Mon, 4/11: 3pm; JeruZalem: The Audience Award winner at the 2015 Jerusalem Film Festival is a Spring Break/Dawn of the Dead mash up set in the Holy; Land. Sat, 4/9: 9pm & Fri, 4/15: 10pm. Baba Joon: The 2015 Israel Academy Award winner for Best Film chronicles the conflict between father and son in an Iranian-Israeli family in the 1980s. Sat, 4/9: 7pm & Tues, 4/12: 7:30pm. See full festival schedule here.

Four by Elaine May – Jacob Burns: Part of JBFC’s Westchester Jewish Film Festival, some of these screenings feature special guest presenters who will hold Q&As after the movie. Ishtar: Special guest Elaine May screen her “misunderstood” film Ishtar starring Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman, that Pauline Kael has called a “masterwork”. Thurs, 3/31: 7pm; The Heartbreak Kid: Charles Grodin screens Elaine May’s 1972 hit: Tues, 4/5: 7pm; Mikey and Nicky: Two small-town Jewish mobsters are on the run in Elaine May’s “welcome corrective to The Godfather.” Thurs, 4/14: 7:15pm. A New Leaf: The Village Voice called Elaine May’s 1972 directorial debut, starring Walter Matthau “nearly a masterpiece”. Elaine May received a Golden Globe Best Actress nom for the film. Wed, 4/20: 7:30pm. (JBFC, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

New York Botanical Garden, The Orchid Show: NYBG’s annual orchid exhibition in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is one of the most popular of their annual events. This six-week exhibition comes well-programmed with special events and performances including live music, poetry walks, and Orchid Evenings where you can sip your way through the conservatory – cocktail in hand- while you take in one of the world’s most extensive, beautiful and meticulously curated exhibitions of orchids. Tues-Sun, 10am-6pm. Opens Sat, 2/27 and runs through Sun, 4/17. (New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx; www.nybg.org)

Spirit of the Sound Seal Spotting and Birding Cruises: Take a cruise on the Long Island Sound in the Norwalk Aquarium’s Research Catamaran, Spirit of the Sound to catch a glimpse of seals resting on rocks at low tide near the Norwalk Islands. Binoculars are provided for birders to see visiting buffleheads, mergansers, Brant geese and long tailed ducks. Spirit of the Sound offers a climate-controlled cabin for these 2-½ hour cruises. Sun, 4/3: 1pm. (10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT; www.maritimeaquarium.org)

Bedford Spring Antiques Show for St. Matthews Church – Harvey School: The Bedford Spring Antiques Show at The Harvey School is the primary fundraising event for St. Matthews each year. It features a Champagne Preview Party and Dinner. Preview party: Fri, 4/1: 6pm. Show: Sat, 4/2: 10am-5pm & Sun, 4/3: 11am-5pm. (260 Jay St., Katonah; www.stmatthewsbedford.org)

Friday Night Movies with Professor Valerie Franco at NCPL: Maltese Falcon: In his directorial debut, John Huston nails Dashiell Hammett’s detective classic with the help of Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, George Raft, Sidney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre. A perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Fri, 4/1: 7pm. Citizen Kane: Named the greatest movie of all time in the American Film Institute’s 100 Years … 100 Movies list, Citizen Kane was Orson Welles’ first feature film. It was nominated for 9 Academy Awards but only won one for BestScreenplay. Fri, 4/8: 7pm. Rounders: Matt Damon, Edward Norton and John Malkovich star in this 1998 film about high stakes gambling and the Russian Mafia in Brooklyn. Fri, 4/15: 7pm. Un Boss in Salotto: This top 2014 comedy about a southern Italian gangster who serves his house arrest in his sister’s northern Italian living room was Italy’s top grossing film in 2014. Fri, 4/22: 7pm. Eat Drink Man Woman:Ang Lee’s follow up to The Wedding Banquet takes another look at ethnic, sexual and culinary conflicts in a Chinese family. Fri, 4/29: 7pm. (North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Rd. East, Armonk, www.northcastlelibrary.org)

Pleasantville Farmer’s Market: Returns from its winter location at the Pleasantville Middle School for its regular Saturday run from April 2 through November 19. See our Farmer’s Market Guide for more information. Sat, 4/2-11/19: 8:30am-1pm. ((Memorial Plaza off Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org)

An Evening with Stephen Schwartz – Ridgefield Playhouse: Oscar/Grammy/Tony-winner, and composer of Godspell, Wicked and Pippin, Stephen Schwartz in a one-on-one interview. Sat, 4/2: 8pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Saddle Up Saturdays with Jonathan Demme – Jacob Burns: Film director Jonathan Demme revisits some of his all-time favorite Westerns in the screening rooms of JBFC each Saturday at noon through June 11. The lineup: The Shooting & Ride in the Whirlwind: Two from director Monte Hellman starring Jack Nicholson: Sat, 4/2: 12pm. Escape from Fort Bravo: William Holden teams up with prisoners in a Union army prison camp to combat a run-in with Mescalero Native Americans: Sat, 4/9; 12pm. Rosewood, the story of a 1920s lynch mob from director John Singleton with Ving Rhames: Sat, 4/16: 12pm. Tears of the Black Tiger: A Thai western in a story of revenge and gang warfare: Sat, 4/23: 12pm and Westward The Women: Robert Taylor leads 100 marriageable women from Chicago to California through a perilous desert: Sat, 4/30: 12 pm. (JBFC, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

A Taste of Westchester – Via Vanti!, Briarcliff Manor, Bull & Barrel Brewery, Clock Tower Grill, Stone Manor, 121 Restaurant: The Westchester Community College of Continuing Education’s A Taste of Westchester cooking classes offers demonstrations and tastings with top chefs at local restaurants. The April lineup includes Via Vanti! in Mt. Kisco on Tues, 4/5, Bull & Barrel Brewery in Brewster on Wed, 4/6, The Briarcliff Manor on Wed, 4/13, The Clock Tower Grill on Wed, 4/20, The Stone Manor Steakhouse in Hawthorne on Thurs, 4/21, and 121 Restaurant in North Salem on Mon, 4/25. For the complete menu at each of these events and information and links on hot to register check out our A Taste Of Westchester Guide right here.

Armonk Adult Basketball ­ North Castle Community Center: Informal pickup games at the North Castle Community Center Gym every Monday and Thursday night from 4/4 through 6/23: 7:30-9:30pm. (10 Clove Rd. N. White Plains) Register with North Castle Recreation.

Art Series with Professor Valerie Franco at NCPL: LIU Professor Valerie Franco’s series of art history presentations are held on Wednesdays at 7pm the North Castle Public Library: In her spring schedule Professor Franco compares various artists interpretations of major mythological and biblical characters from Renaissance to Contemporary Art. A look at how des Sarto, Warhol and other artists recycled their most famous compositions. 3/30: 7pm. Judith Beheading Holofernes: 4/6: 7pm. Apollo Pursuing Daphne: 4/13: 7pm. Perseus Slaying Medusa: 4/20: 7pm, Bacchus, Aurora & Ariadne: 4/27: 7pm. Adam & Eve: 5/11: 7pm. (North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Rd. East, Armonk, www.northcastlelibrary.org)

ArtsWestchester’s Arts Award Luncheon: ArtsWeschester presents their annual awards for Artist, Arts Patron, Arts Organization, Educator and Community Group. The party begins at 11:30am with a reception followed by luncheon and awards at noon. Fri, 4/8: 11:30am. (DoubleTree Hotel, 455 S Broadway, Tarrytown; www.artswestchester.org)

6th Annual Run for the Hills: Meet at the Bedford Hills Metro North Train Station for the Bedford Hills Neighborhood Association’s 5K Run for the Hills. Sat, 4/9: 8:30 am. (48 Depot Plaza, Bedford Hills; www.bhna10507.com)

Menus in the Movies – Chappaqua Library: Spinning Plates is a documentary about three extraordinary restaurants: a cutting-edge restaurant named the seventh-best in the world whose chef battles a life-threatening obstacle to pursue his passion; a 150-year-old family restaurant still standing only because of the unbreakable bond with its community; and a fledgling Mexican restaurant whose owners are risking everything just to survive and provide for their young daughter. This film received an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Fri, 4/15: 7pm. (Chappaqua Library, 195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.chappaqualibrary.org)

Bedford Arbor Day Celebration: Town Supervisor Chris Burdick, the Town Board, Bedford Tree Advisory Board chairman Michael Serio and members of the Tree Advisory Board invite Town residents to join in celebrating Arbor Day with a tree planting ceremony. Sat, 4/16: 9am. Site TBA on the Town website and in press releases. (www.bedfordny.gov)

Lyndhurst Family Fun Day: View amazing LEGO sculptures in the mansion created by area children and see pieces made by adult LEGO artists in the Carriage House. The event includes a 350 square foot LEGO moving train display, a scavenger hunt and a LEGO play space. Sat-Sun, 4/16-17: (Lyndhurst, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org)

Master Florist Daniel Meyer – Lasdon Park: Master Floral Designer, Daniel Meyer returns to Lasdon to show how you can bring a modern twist to your arrangements. Learn the basics principles of sculptural floral design that will be sure to enhance all of your future arrangements. Light refreshments and dessert will be prepared and served by Vincent Nicolosi of Just Because Sunday after the presentation along with an opportunity to meet and chat with Mr. Meyer. Sun, 4/17: 12:30-3pm. (2610 Rt. 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Men’s Open Basketball – Crittenden School: Pick up games for adults 18 and over at the Crittenden School. Tues, 4/19-5/17: 8-10pm. For adults 35 and older: Thurs, 4/21, 28, 5/5, 12 & 19: 8-10pm. (10 MacDonald Ave., Armonk)

Lyndhurst Mansion Tours: One-hour guided historic tours of the Lyndhurst mansion begin on April 22 and run through September 22. The Gothic Revival mansion overlooking the Hudson River in Tarrytown 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. Tours are held Fri-Sun: 4/22-9/22: 10am-4pm and Mon, 12-4pm. (Lyndhurst, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org)

New! Spirit of the Sound Lighthouse Cruises: The Norwalk Aquarium’s Spirit of the Sound hybrid-electric catamaran introduces two new Long Island Sound Lighthouse Cruises this year. Their 4 ½ hour Central Long Island Sound cruise visits five lighthouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places including Peck Ledge, Greens Ledge, Sheffield Island, Penfield Reef and Stratford Shoal lighthouses in Norwalk Fairfield. The cruises depart at 10am on Sat, 3/5, 4/2 and 5/7. Their Western Long Island cruise will make passes at Greens Ledge, Sheffield Island, Stamford Harbor, Great Captain Island, Execution Rocks, Stepping Stones, Sands Point and Eaton Neck. These 6-hour cruises depart at 9am on Sat, 3/26, 4/23 & 5/28. (10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT; www.maritimeaquarium.org)

New York Botanical Garden Daffodil Celebration and Wine Weekend: The eagerly anticipated bloom of 150,000 daffodil bulbs, alongside the historic daffodil display at Daffodil Hill, provides a stunning backdrop for this oenophile’s weekend. New York State vintners offer a flight of local wines while experts on winemaking and viticulture host demonstrations and discussions of their crafts. (Sat-Sun, 4/23-4: 12-5pm. (New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx; www.nybg.org)

Leatherman’s Loop: This 10k trail race has been held each spring at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation since 1987. The course is “well within the capabilities of almost anyone curiously self-motivated – whether or not you’re just a weekend warrior or a dyed-in-the-wool mountain maniac. It’s got a mind all its own, with a foot-boggling array of barriers strategically placed so as to impede forward progress of the swift and sure-footed kind.” Sun, 4/24: 9am. (Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Rt. 121, Cross River; www.leathermansloop.org)

Open Days Garden Conservancy – The Open Days Conservancy organizes public viewings of private gardens nationwide. Their extensive events in northern Westchester provide public access to a number of world class private gardens including the Rocky Hills Garden of Wiliiam and Henriette Suhr in Mt. Kisco, the White Garden in Lewisboro, the Garden of Phyllis Warden in Bedford Hills, the Garden of Jean and John Nonna in Pleasantville and the Dick Button Ice Pond Farm in North Salem. Many of these gardens have been featured in the Garden Conservancy’s book Outstanding American Gardens and feature rare species of annuals and perennials, boxwoods, conifers, Japanese maples, trees and water and stone elements. Sun, 4/24: 10am-3pm. Check for details for their spring events at www.gardenconservancy.org

New York Botanical Garden Antique Garden Furniture Fair: The country’s most renowned stage for authentic garden antiques and rarities. The Antique Garden Furniture features a collection of ornamental and decorative art, and furniture for the home and garden from more than 30 vendors at NYBG’s Conservatory Tent. Fri-Sun, 4/29-5/1: 10am-5pm. (New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx; www.nybg.org)

22nd Chappaqua School Foundation Spring Benefit:CSF’s 22nd annual Spring Benefit will be held at the Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor. The event offers cocktails, a buffet dinner and a raffle. Over the past 22 years CSF has raised over $2.25 million and funded over 200 grants and projects for Chappaqua schools including 3D printers, SMART Boards, e-Readers, Visual Arts and Fitness Center technology and more. Fri, 4/29: 7pm. (Trump National Golf club, Briarcliff Manor; www.chappaquaschoolfoundation.org)

Bedford Village Chowder & Marching Club Clean Up Weekend & Tag Sale: For over 30 year the C&M and volunteers gather to cleanup the roads around Bedford. Bedford residents can bring unwanted bulk items on Friday and Saturday to the Bedford Highway Yard on Crusher. Or you can arrange a pick-up for a tax-deductible donation to C&M. Many of these items are resold at C&M’s Tag Sale at Crusher Road at Rt. 22 & 172. Click here to schedule a pickup or contact Will and Debbie Gourd at 914.234.0039. Fri-Sat, 4/29-30: 8:30am-3pm. (www.chowderandmarching.org)

Spring Crafts at Lyndhurst: The Hudson Valley’s most popular craft show returns to Lyndhurst Mansion overlooking the Hudson River. The show includes one-of-a-kind and limited edition jewelry, fashion and accessories, furniture and home decor pieces, as well as functional and sculptural work in ceramics, glass, metal painting, photography, wood and mixed media. With a food court, interactive crafts activities, children’s activities like face painting, story telling, balloon animals, stilt walkers, music and the Lyndhurst sculpture garden. (Scarf from Nicole Deponte pictured right.)  Fri-Sun, 4/29-5/1: 10am-5pm – 6pm on Sat. (Lyndhurst, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org)

First Congregational Church of Chappaqua Barn Sale: The Church’s annual barn sale fundraiser offers quality consignment items from Chappaqua households and new merchandise from local merchants including clothes, furniture and more. The Church will be accepting donations for the Barn Sale from April 18-24 and items for Public Consignment from April 25-27. Check times. Barn sale: Fri, 4/29: 9am-8pm, Sat, 4/30: 9am-2pm & Sun, 5/1: 12-2pm. (210 Orchard Ridge Rd., Chappaqua; http://www.fcc-chappaqua.org)

Bedford Riding Lanes Association Spring Trail Cleanup and Family Picnic: Sat, 4/30: Check time. For information call (914) 234-BRLA. www.bedfordridinglanes.com)

17th Native Plant Sale, Westchester Community College: Thousands of beautiful and beneficial native plants wait your choosing at WCC’s Native Plant Center. The Native Plant Center promotes sustainable gardening through the use of plants that naturally grow in our region through educational conferences and events. Park in Visitor Lot #1. Sat, 4/30: 10am-1pm. (WCC, 75 Grasslands Rd., Valhalla; www.sunywcc.edu)

Katonah Spring Clean Up Day and Plant Sale: Meet in front of the Katonah library for the Katonah Village Improvement Society’s community clean up at Katonah Memorial Park. Disposable gloves, garbage bags, vests, route maps, refreshments and prizes for the kids are provided. Sat, 4/30: 9am-2pm. (Katonah Library, 26 Bedford Rd., Katonah; www.katonahvis.com)

Author Talk – Chappaqua Library: Austin Murnane, a 2002 graduate of Horace Greeley H.S. discusses his novel The War Storytellers. The book draws upon his experiences in Iraq, explaining how war stories originate and how they change in the telling. Austin is a Captain in the U.S.M.C.R., a law clerk for the U.S. District Judge, Southern District and Adj. Prof., Fordham Univ. School of Law. He served two tours of duty in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan. Sat, 4/30: 7pm. (Chappaqua Library, 195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.chappaqualibrary.org)

May

Kykuit Tours open May 2: This hilltop paradise, now a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation,
was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family, beginning with John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil. Guided tours include the main rooms of the six-story stone house; the terraced gardens with Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller’s collection of 20th-century sculptures from Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Louise Nevelson, and David Smith; the underground art galleries featuring a collection of Picasso tapestries; and the Coach Barn with its collections of classic automobiles and horse-drawn carriages. Scheduled tours: Thurs-Sun, plus Memorial Day and Labor Day, 5/2-9/30 and 11/1-13. Open daily except Tuesdays from 10/1-31. Check online for special tours and times. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow: www.hudsonvalley.org)

Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway: Sponsored by Con Edison and the Friends of Westchester County Parks, a six and a half mile stretch of the Bronx River Parkway is closed for the exclusive use of bicyclists, joggers, scooters and strollers. Park your car at the County Center lot for $5 and bike from there to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers. Round trip 13.1 miles. This year’s dates have yet to be announced by Friends of Westchester County Parks. They typically begin the first Sunday in May and run through the last Sunday in June and pick up again for the final three Sundays in September. Check Bicycle Sundays Facebook page for updates.

Hot ticket Alert! Author Talk: Ruth Reichl – North Castle Public Library: Chef Eric (Bubba) Gabrynowicz from Armonk’s Restaurant North will moderate a discussion with bestselling author, food critic, and judge on Bravo’sTop Chef Masters, Ruth Reichl. Ruth was the NYT’s food critic from 1993-1999 before she became the Editor ofGourmet magazine. She has received four James Beard Awards for restaurant criticism and journalism and is the best selling author of The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise. She will be signing her 2015 memoir/cookbook My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes That Saved My Life. Tickets go on sale April 4. Wed, 5/4: 7:30pm. (Whippoorwill Hall, 19 Whippoorwill Rd., East, Armonk; www.friendsncpl.org)

Shop for a cure for Lyme Disease at Breezemont Day Camp: The Global Lyme Alliance (GLA), the nation’s leading tick-borne disease organization dedicated to supporting Lyme and tick-borne disease research and education, will host its fourth annual Shop for a Cure on May 5 at Armonk’s Breezemont Day Camp. You can shop at over 15 vendors, such as Barrecoast, Beautycounter, Covet Closet, Eden Max Home, Funky Tykes, Meryl Roesch Sunglasses, So Sweet Jewels and Swag Boutique who will donate a portion of their proceeds to GLA, Plus, a raffle for a variety of prizes and gift certificates at local shops and restaurants. Thurs, 5/5: 10am-2pm. (Breezemont Day Camp, 62 Cox Ave., Armonk)

A Taste of Westchester – The Beehive, Decicco’s, Café of Love & Peter Pratt’s Inn: The Westchester Community College of Continuing Education’s A Taste of Westchester cooking classes offers demonstrations and tastings with top chefs at local restaurants. The May lineup includes The Beehive in Armonk on Wed, 5/4, Café of Love in Mt. Kisco on Mon, 5/9, Decicco’s Armonk on Tues 5/10 Peter Pratt’s Inn in Yorktown Heights on Wed, 5/18. For the complete menu at each of these events and information and links on hot to register check out our A Taste Of Westchester Guide.

Hope’s Door Gala: The Hope’s Door Gala is an evening of dinner and dancing at the Surf Club on the Sound in New Rochelle to benefit the Northern Westchester Shelter. This year’s event takes on a 70s theme and all are encouraged to pull out your bell bottoms, platform shoes, powder blue tux or flower power outfit for a night of disco. With live and silent auctions, dinner and dancing. This year’s event will honor Penny and Gerry Klingman of Bedford for their years of commitment to Hope’s Door. The shelter provides services and shelter to victims of domestic violence. Fri, 5/6: 6:30-11pm. (Surf Club on the Sound, 280 Davenport Ave., New Rochelle: www.hopesdoorny.org)

Mother’s Day Weekend Teatown Plant Sale: The Teatown Plant Sale ushers in the spring planting season with rare varieties of annuals, perennials, butterfly attractors, herbs, deer-resistant flowers, vegetables, hanging baskets and Mother’s Day gifts. Get on-site advice from Teatown staff and master gardeners. Fri-Sat, 5/6-7. (Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining; www.teatown.org)

Friday Night Movies with Professor Valerie Franco at NCPL: Swingers: This 1996 comedy looks at love and dating in Los Angeles through the eyes of 4 young hipsters in the entertainment industry. Responsible for launching the career of Vince Vaughn with stellar performances from Heather Graham & Ron Livingston. Fri, 5/6: 8pm. The Orange Thief: This indie-film, reminiscent of the deadpan style of director Jim Jarmusch, follows a young thief in Sicily who steals oranges until he is thrown in jail where his life takes an unexpected turn. Fri, 5/13: 8pm. (North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Rd. East, Armonk, www.northcastlelibrary.org)

Spirit of the Sound Study Cruise – The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk: The Norwalk Aquarium’s Spirit of the Sound 63 foot research vessel offers 2½-hour “study cruises” on the Long Island Sound. Marine Life Study Cruises are offered at 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays in May, June, September and October, and Wednesday through Sunday from July 1 through Labor Day. Spirit of the Sound runs silently and is North America’s first R.V. to run on hybrid-electric power. Built in Mamaroneck, the vessel doubles the aquarium’s cruise capacity and cuts diesel consumption by 75%. (10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT; www.maritimeaquarium.org)

Mother’s Day Weekend Garden Party at NYBG: The most spectacular spring landscape New York City has to offer is the setting for live music, games, garden tours, picnicking and other dining options. After a significant restoration and expansion, the historic Lilac Collection reopens, making room for more Garden spots to play and relax. Family activities include lawn games, face painting, giant chess, chalk drawing, watercolor painting and more. A family photographer will be on hand. Sat-Sun, 5/7-8: 10am-6pm. (New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx; www.nybg.org)

Lyndhurst Pre-Mother’s Day Plant Sale: Buy your Mother’s Day plants overlooking the Hudson at Lyndhurst Mansion. At the Garden Club of Irvington’s (GCI) Spring Plant Sale you can buy plants cultivated by GCI right on the grounds at the Lyndhurst propagating shed. Just like the Gould’s use to do it. Sat, 5/7: 10am-2pm. (Lyndhurst Mansion, 635 Broadway, Tarrytown;www.lyndhurst.org)

Chappaqua Farmer’s Market: Returns to the Chappaqua Train Station after spending the winter at the First Congregational Church. Sat, 5/7-10/29: 8:30am-1pm. See our Farmer’s Market Guide for more information. (Chappaqua Train Station ;www.chappaquafarmersmarket.org)

Saddle Up Saturdays with Jonathan Demme – Jacob Burns:Film director Jonathan Demme revisits some of his all-time favorite Westerns in the screening rooms of JBFC each Saturday at noon through June 11. The lineup: McCabe & Mrs. Miller: Robert Altman’s 1971 anti-western of love, death and capitalism with Warren Beatty and Julie Christy: Sat, 5/7: 12pm; Forty Guns:Sam Fuller’s story of doomed love and sudden death in Arizona with Barbara Stanwyck: Sat, 5/14: 12pm; Once Upon a Time in the West:Sergio Leone’s 1968 masterpiece, with Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards and Charles Bronson has been hailed as one of the greatest films of all time: Sat, 5/21: 12pm and Seven Men From Now: Randolph Scott devotes his life to hunting down seven men responsible for the death of his wife: Sat, 5/28: 12pm. (JBFC, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

Seminars on Art History – Katonah Museum of Art: Curators and art historians from KMA, the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College and the Museum of Modern Art present 60 minute lectures and Q&As on topics from late 19^th century to contemporary art on Thursdays in May and June. Including: Post-Impressionism, Modernism and Abstract Expressionism: 5/12; Photography: 5/19; Conceptual and Performance Art: 5/26; Pop Art: 6/2 & Contemporary Art: 6/9. (KMA, 134 Jay St., Rt. 22, Katonah; www.katonahmuseum.org)

Byram Hills Education Foundation 2016 Spring Gala: BHEF takes a new approach this year with a rocking gala at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. Tramps Like Us the renowned Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band from Chappaqua will headline the night’s festivities onstage. The evening will also include hors d’oeuvres and dinner stations, an open bar and an interactive online auction. Festive casual attire this year folks so put away that dinner dresses. Since its inception in 1994, the BHEF has awarded over 300 grants totaling more than $3.5 million. Fri, 5/13: 7-11pm. www.byramhillsfoundation.org)

2nd Annual Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run and Walk: The 3rd Annual Stayin’ Alive 5K Run and Fun Run for kids starts at Armonk’s Windmill Club and runs through Windmill’s woodsy community. Stayin’ Alive is a local charity that supports First Responders with equipment that their budgets don’t provide. In 2015, Stayin’ Alive granted over $36,000 to local First Responders including the Armonk, Banksville, North White Plains andThornwood Fire Departments as well as the North Castle Police Department. For more information, check online or email stayinalivecharity@gmail.com. Sat, 5/14: 8am. (The Windmill Club, 10 Maple Way, Armonk; www.stayinalive.org)

New Castle 10K Road Race and Fun Run: The 28th running of the New Castle 10K Road Race takes you on a challenging course from Town Hall through some of the most scenic landscapes in Chappaqua. Runners enjoy a police escort, water stations and a sag wagon for those of you who are off your game that day. Awards are offered in 8 age categories from under 14 to over 70. Check in between 6:45 and 8am for an 8:10am start. Or pre-register with the New Castle Recreation Department. The Kids Fun Run starts at 8:15am with refreshments and an awards ceremony in Town Hall following the race. Sun, 5/15: 8:10am. (Town Hall, 200 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.mynewcastle.org)

Country Children’s Center Golf Outing: The CCC’s golf outing will be held at the Centennial Golf Center in Carmel and features a round of golf, dinner, a silent auction, door prizes, raffles and a complimentary beverage cart. This event supports the Country Children’s Center in Katonah makes childcare available to work parents and those who cannot afford the service for children ages 6 weeks through middle school. Mon, 5/16: 11am. (Centennial Golf Center, 185 John Simpson Rd., Carmel; www.countrychildrenscenter.org)

Castles of New Castle – New Castle Historical Society House Tour:  The NCHS Castles of New Castle house tour showcases five homes in different architectural styles. We will update information on this year’s houses soon. All proceeds from the House Tour will benefit the New Castle Historical Society. Check back for more info. Thurs, 5/19: 10am-2pm. www.newcastlehs.org 

ArtsWestchester ArtsBash & Open Studios: An evening of food, fun and fabulous art. Highlighting the exhibition “SHE: Deconstructing Female Identity” in the main gallery, the party will feature female artists, female chefs, and the art of craft beer. Guests can enjoy creative tastings and thought-provoking art all under one roof by purchasing tickets to this special reception. Fri, 5/20: 6-9pm. (ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains; www.artsw.org/artsbash)

Annual Friends of Lasdon Park Plant & Garden Sale: The 25th annual Lasdon Park Plant Sale offers a selection of plants, shrubs, trees and garden items in a day long celebration that includes music and refreshments. Specialties include native plants, butterfly attracters, agro-forestry plants and trees to grow within wooded areas, berries and fruit plants, dwarf trees, herbs, vegetables, flowering plants and planters. Sat, 5/21: 9:30am-3: 30pm. (2610 Rt. 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

The Running Goddess 5K at Lasdon Park: The Running Goddess 5K race is a family event that helps support the Running Goddess Scholarship Fund that provides money to female high school graduates in Westchester and Putnam counties who are interested in pursuing a math, science or technology education. This scenic run begins on Lasdon Park’s open fields and continues across Lasdon’s blue, red and yellow trails passing the Arboretum pathway, Lasdon Fountain, the Lilac Path, the Asian Archway, Lasdon Lake Path and over a bridge. Sun, 5/22: 8am. Kids 1 miler: 9am. (2648 Alawalk Rd., Rt. 35, Katonah; www.therunninggoddess.com)

Armonk Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Golf Outing & Dinner: The Armonk Chamber of Commerce will honor the noted interior designer Susan Geffen at their 2016 Golf Outing at the Whippoorwill Club. Lunch is served at 11:30am followed by a 12:30pm shotgun start tee time. Cocktails and the award dinner begin at 5:30pm. A long-time volunteer at the North Castle Public Library, Susan served two terms as President of the North Castle Public Library and three terms on the North Castle Architectural Review Board. She still serves as a member of the library’s board and on the town’s Residential Projects Review Committee and Landmark Preservation Committee and is President of the Whippoorwill Association. Susan also helped design the interior of the new Whippoorwill Hall, co-founded the Armonk Players and has been known to frequent Armonk’s Colonial Crafts Day – in period costume. Armonk’s Frosty Day can be traced back to a holiday concert at Whippoorwill Hall that she co-produced. Mon, 5/23:11:30am-8pm. (Whippoorwill Club, 150 Whippoorwill Rd., Armonk; www.armonckchamberofcommerce.com)

Lime Rock Park Memorial Day Season Opener: After a three-year absence the SCAA Pirelli World Challenge returns to Lime Rock Park for their Memorial Day Season Opener. Four big races are scheduled for GTS, GT and GT Cup plus the park’s first-ever races of the all-new United States Formula 4 open-wheel single seat championship. On Sunday, the Royals Car Show draws 200-400 prime vehicles from rare sports cars to muscle cars from the 60s and 70s. Fri-Sun, 5/27-29: check schedule. (60 White Hollow Rd., Lakeville CT: www.limerock.com)

Hilltop Hanover Farm Memorial Day Farm Fest: A family day at Hilltop Hanover celebrating farming in Westchester. With plants for sale, a farm stand, vendors, kids events, tours, hiking, food, and more! Sat, 5/28: 10am-4pm. 1271 Hanover St., Yorktown Heights; www.hilltophanoverfarm.org)

Memorial Day Picnic – Bedford: The local American Legion Post 1575 will host a Memorial Day picnic at American Legion Hall next to the Katonah Museum of Art. All town residents are invited. Mon, 5/30: 11am-2pm. (American Legion Hall, 136 Jay St. Katonah; www.bedfordny.gov)

Bedford Memorial Day Pace, Luncheon and Tag Sale: Horse stuff tag sale: tack, blankets, riding clothes, framed prints. Sat, 5/23: 10am-3pm. BRLA Memorial Day Pace and Luncheon. Mon, 5/30: 7:30-11:30am. Steak and chicken BBQ: 11:30am-1: 30pm. (John Jay Homestead, 400 Jay St., Rt. 22, Katonah; www.bedfordridinglanes.com)

More stuff to do for spring

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