What To Do: Events May

Here’s 35 events in & around town in May for townies, foodies, culture-vultures and locavores. Not to mention cineastes, amateur chefs and shop till you droppers; marine biologists, neat freaks and do-gooders; runners, bikers, gardeners, and poker players; golfers, WWII buffs, horse lovers, the cognoscenti and BFFs of the Rockefellers,

May

Menus in the Movies in Chappaqua: Food author and film buff Carol Durst presents The Shape of Water, narrated by Susan Sarandon, that Interweaves the stories of Khady, Oraiza, Bilkusben, Dona Antonia, Gila who live in Senegal, Brazil, India, and Jerusalem. The women abandon female genital mutilation, tap for rubber to protect the rain forest, protect the biodiversity of the planet and oppose military occupations. Fri, 5/1: 7pm. (Chappaqua Library, 195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.chappaqualibrary.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, (like this necklace from Tami Rodrig) 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. Fri-Sun, May 1-3: (Lyndhurst, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org)

A Taste of Westchester: The Westchester Community College of Continuing Education’s, A Taste of Westchester offers cooking classes and tastings with top chefs at local restaurants. The May lineup includes The Cookery in Dobbs Ferry, Iron Horse Restaurant in Pleasantville, DeCicco & Sons in Armonk, The Melting Pot in White Plains and Peter Pratt’s Inn in Yorktown Heights. See here for more details.

Friday Night Movies with Professor Valerie Franco at NCPL: The Commitments: A young group of Dublin misfits set out to work their way out of the slums playing their version of soul music from the likes of Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett and others. Fri, 5/1: 8pm. The Great Beauty:  Paolo Sorrentino’s 2013 Valentine to the city of Rome, starring Toni Servillo as a one-time novelist who charms his way through the city’s lavish nightlife, received a 91% critic’s rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Fri, 5/8: 7pm. 42 Up: Michael Apted’s eight-part documentary of British school children revisited every seven years from the age of 7 picks up at age 42. (North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Rd. East, Armonk, www.northcastlelibrary.org)

Bedford Village Chowder & Marching Club Clean Up Weekend & Tag Sale: Each spring club volunteers come to your house on Clean Up Weekend to pick up unwanted items large and small in exchange for a cash donation to the club. The Chowder & Marching Club raises funds to support local youth programs and projects focusing on arts and music, club and school sports, scouts, athletics, youth outreach, scholarship and community service. Special treasures from the clean up are sold at their tag sale located at Crusher Road at Rt. 22 & 172. Click here to schedule a pickup or contact Will and Debbie Gourd at ChowderClub@aol.com. Fri-Sat, 5/1-2: 9am-3:30pm. (www.chowderandmarching.org)

The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk: The Norwalk Aquarium’s new 63 foot research vessel is North America’s first to run on hybrid-electric power. The vessel runs silently on electric power on these 2½-hour “study cruises” on the Long Island Sound. Built in Mamaroneck, the vessel doubles the aquarium’s cruise capacity and cuts diesel consumption by 75%. Marine Life Study Cruises are offered at 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays in May, June, September and October, and daily in July and August. Sat-Sat, 5/2-10/31. (10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT; www.maritimeaquarium.org)

Chappaqua Farmer’s Market: Returns to the Chappaqua Train Station after spending the winter at St. Mary’s Church. Sat, 5/16-10/25: 8:30am-1pm. See our Farmer’s Market Guide for more information. (Chappaqua Train Station; www.chappaquafarmersmarket.org)

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 artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Louise Nevelson, and David Smith; the underground art galleries with Governor Rockefeller’s 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. Open daily except Tuesdays, 10/1-31. Check online for special tours and times. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow: www.hudsonvalley.org)

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. Prizes for kids. Sat, 5/2: 9am-2pm. (Katonah Library, 26 Bedford Rd., Katonah; www.katonahvis.com)

Open Days Garden Conservancy in Mount Kisco: Private estate owners open their gardens to the public on the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. Visit Iroki, the fifty-eight acre rolling estate of Judy and Michael Steinhardt. This plant lovers delight features extensive collections of Japanese maples, conifers, cypripediums, camellias, dahlias, alpines, ferns, and rare woodland plants. Please note that due to rough terrain and unpaved paths, this garden is not handicapped accessible. Sat, 5/2: 10am-3pm. (At the request of the Garden Host,  please call the Garden Conservancy office weekdays at 1-888-842-2442 for directions to the garden; www.gardenconservancy.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. Sun, 5/3, 10, 17 & 31, 6/7, 14, 21 & 28, 9/13, 20 & 27. 10am-2pm.

Gentleman’s Poker Night in Bedford: You can go down in history by playing poker to benefit the Bedford Historical Society. Dinner, drinks and Texas Hold ‘Em refresher at 7pm. Tournament with professional dealers 8-11:30pm. “You got to know when to hold up, know when to fold up …” RSVP to 914.234.9751, info@bhsny.org. Thurs, 5/7: 7pm. (Historical Hall, 608 Old Post Rd., Bedford; www.bedfordhistoricalsociety.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 including clothes, furniture and more from local merchants. Fri, 5/1: 9am-8pm, Sat, 5/2: 9am-2pm. (210 Orchard Ridge Rd., Chappaqua; http://www.fcc-chappaqua.org)

Chappaqua Garden Club Mother’s Day Weekend Plant Sale: Shop for perennials, annuals, potted plants and gifts: Fri, 5/8: 8am-2pm, Sat, 5/9: 8am-12pm.  At the Chappaqua Train Station.

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, 5/8: 4-7pm & Sat, 5/9: 9am-2pm. (Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining; www.teatown.org)

Lyndhurst 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, 5/9: 10am-2pm. (Lyndhurst Mansion, 635 Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org)

Hammond Museum Fundraising Dinner: The Hammond Museum honors Art Gallery Owner and Japanese Art Expert Mr. Koichi Yanagi and Friends for their dedicated support to their 2014-15 fund raising drive. Special guests will entertain and speak on behalf of the museum to highlight its role in introducing Eastern Culture into the West. Sat, 5/9: 6-10pm. (Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden, 28 Deveau Road, North Salem: www.hammondmuseum.org)

Katonah Museum of Art Spring Gala: KMA’s annual black & white and bling benefit offers cocktails, dinner, dancing, an auction and shuttle bus service from The Harvey School parking lot. The event will honor Katonah resident Dyllan McGee, a two-time Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer of documentary films for HBO and PBS. Sat, 5/9: 6pm. (134 Jay St., Rt. 22, Katonah; www.katonahmuseum.org)

GREEN ACRES GARDEN CLUB PLANT SALE: Co-sponsored by North Castle Recreation. 
Sat, 5/9: 9am-2pm. For info call Nanette Yaroscak at 914.273.8768. Hergenhan Recreation Center, 40 Maple Avenue, Armonk; www.northcastleny.com)

Mother’s Day Garden Brunch at the Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden: The setting doesn’t get better than this. Enjoy a unique garden experience in the natural atmosphere of the Hammond Museum’s Japanese Stroll Garden. A world-class culinary expert serves a buffet meal. Sun, 5/10: 11am, 1 & 3pm. (Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden, 28 Deveau Road, North Salem: www.hammondmuseum.org)

Armonk Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Golf Outing & Dinner: The Armonk Chamber of Commerce will honor Sam Morell at their 2015 Golf Outing at the Whippoorwill Club. Shotgun start begins at 1pm followed by cocktails, dinner and a presentation at 5:30pm. Sam Morell is the founder of the Small Town Theatre Company that performs at the Hergenhan Center. The company also produces a summer music series at Wampus Brook Park. The golf outing is chaired by Jason Rosenzweig of Castle Cab. Tues, 5/12: 1pm, dinner at 5:30pm. (Whippoorwill Club, 150 Whippoorwill Rd., Armonk; www.armonckchamberofcommerce.com)

BYRAM HILLS PRESCHOOL ASSOCIATION HOME TOUR 2015! The Tour some spectacular Armonk homes in the Armonk, NY area with the BHPA, and sponsor Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Your ticket supports BHPA programs and includes transportation to each home on the tour, brunch at the meeting site, champagne and other beverages on some of Armonk’s most beautiful patios (weather permitting), a canvas gift bag, a brochure describing each of the homes on the tour, and related swag. Whether you are looking for architectural and design ideas, are curious about the inside of breathtaking houses you can only glimpse at in passing, or are simply a real estate buff, this event is for you. Purchase tickets online for $45 or show up with $50 (cash or check) to pay at the door. Wed, 5/13: 9am brunch, Home tour: 10am-2pm. Meet at: (Church of St. Patrick, 29 Cox Ave., Armonk; www.bhpa.info)

ArtsWestchester ArtsBash & Open Studios: An evening of food, fun and fabulous art. Join us for an exciting exhibition, taste signature dishes from some of Westchester’s top eateries and meet artists in open studios throughout the historic 9-floor building. Fri, 5/15: (ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains; www.artsw.org/artsbash)

Annual Friends of Lasdon Park Plant & Garden Sale: The 24th 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, 5/16: 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. Sun, 5/17: TBA. (2648 Alawalk Rd., Rt. 35, Katonah; www.therunninggoddess.com)

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, 5/17: 8:10am. (Town Hall, 200 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.mynewcastle.org)

Castles of New Castle – New Castle Historical Society House Tour: Georgia Frasch, NCHS’s House Tour Event Chair, says “Who doesn’t like looking at beautiful homes and gardens?” This year’s tour features five magnificent Chappaqua and Millwood homes that range in architectural style, decorative tastes and history. While she likes to keep details of the houses under lock and key she offered up these teasers. One home was nearly destroyed in a town-wide disaster in 1904 but managed to avoid complete devastation while another home “explores geometry through architecture” and will surely leave you feeling inspired. Plus, all house tour guests receive a 15% discount at area restaurants. Thurs, 5/21: 9:30am-2:30pm. www.newcastlehs.org 

Lime Rock Park Memorial Day Season Opener: Stock car racing at its best featuring the Trans Am Series and the Royals Car Show. On Friday and Saturday the Trans Am Series features big, bad and fast Mustangs, Camaros and Challengers in the return of the Pony Wars. 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, 5/22-4: check schedule. (60 White Hollow Rd., Lakeville CT: www.limerock.com)

Pleasantville Farmer’s Market: Returns from its winter location at the Pleasantville Middle School for its regular Saturday run from May 23 through November 21. See our Farmer’s Market Guide for more information. Sat, 5/23-11/21: 8:30am-1pm. ((Memorial Plaza off Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.pleasantvillefarmersmarket.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, 5/25: 11am-2pm. (American Legion Hall, 136 Jay St. Katonah; www.bedfordny.gov)

Hilltop Hanover Farm Memorial Day Farm Fest: A family day at Hilltop Hanover celebrating farming in Westchester. Learn about the farm’s Dutch Belted, chickens and goats. With plants for sale, a farm stand, vendors, kids events, tractor rides, tours, hiking, food, and a visit from a WHUD celebrity with a prize wheel. Mon 5/25: 10am-4pm. 1271 Hanover St., Yorktown Heights; www.hilltophanoverfarm.org)

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, 5/25: 7:30-11:30am. Steak and chicken BBQ: 11:30am-1:30pm. (John Jay Homestead, 400 Jay St., Rt. 22, Katonah; www.bedfordridinglanes.com)

Byram Hills Education Foundation 20th Spring Gala: Cocktails, dinner, dancing and a silent and online auction at the Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase. Since its inception in 1994, the BHEF has awarded over 300 grants totaling more than $3.4 million. Fri, 5/29: 7-11pm. www.byramhillsfoundation.org)

2nd Annual Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run and Walk: This event is organized by the newly formed non-profit Stayin’ Alive that raises funds for North Castle First Responders. It features a 5K run followed by a fun run for kids. The Stayin’ Alive 5k will be a run/walk around the Windmill Club and through the Windmill Neighborhood; The Fun Run will be 1 lap around Windmill Lake. Sat, 5/30: 8am. (The Windmill Club, 10 Maple Way, Armonk; www.stayinalive.org)

White Plains Outdoors Arts Festival: The 53rd Annual White Plains Outdoor Arts Festival is a juried arts festival of one-of-a-kind jewelry, crafts and artwork. This free, family event includes an exhibition of student art, food vendors, and a children’s art workshop. All proceeds from the event are used to provide scholarships to White Plains H.S. seniors pursuing a college degree in fine arts. Sat-Sun, 5/30-31: 10am-5pm.
 (Tibbits Park, 1 North Broadway, White Plains; www.whiteplainsoutdoorartsfestival.com)

Lasdon Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of VE and VJ Day: The Lasdon Park Arboretum and Veterans Memorial celebrates the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII with food, 1940s era music from the Gerard Corelli Orchestra, a military vehicle show in the Veterans Museum, authentic re-enactments and more. Sat, 5/30: 11am-8pm & Sun, 5/31: 11am-4pm. (Lasdon Park, 2610 Rt. 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Open Days Garden Conservancy in Bedford Hills: The seven acre garden of Phyllis Warden includes perennial borders, three water gardens, a formal vegetable garden, a wildflower garden, a fern garden, a marsh garden, a tree platform overlooking the marshlands, a woodland walk, a hidden garden, and a formal croquet court. Please park at the Rippowam Cisqua School and walk to 531 Bedford Center Rd., Bedford Hills. Sun, 5/31: 10am-4pm. www.gardenconservancy.org

MKCCC – Multi-Family Tag Sale & Community Day!:  Bring the whole family for a fun-filled day at Mount Kisco Child Care Center’s Multi-Family Tag Sale on Sunday, May 31 from 10am-3pm! Browse gently used and new items for sale while enjoying entertainment, food and music. There will be a Bounce House, face-painting and lots of other fun – FREE! – activities to keep the kids happy while you shop! Sun, 5/31: 10am-3pm.  Mount Kisco Child Care Center, 95 Radio Circle, Mt Kisco , 914-241-2135: www.mkccc.org)

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