What To Do: Events August

What To Do: Events August: Here’s the best of August events for townies, culture-vultures, foodies and locavores in & around Armonk, Bedford & Chappapqua …

August

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival – Boscobel: With its breathtaking views of the Hudson River, Boscobel provides the perfect setting for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s summer season. For more than 25 years, the Festival has been the only resident Shakespeare Company in the Hudson Valley. This year they will present Shakespeare’s The Winter Tale, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (pictured here) and a family friendly version of The Tempest. Plus, The Arabian Nights adapted from The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, and their first solo show, An Iliad, starring Kurt Rodes. Through Tues, 9/1. (Boscobel, 1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison; www.boscobel.org)

HVSF – An Iliad: HVSF’s first solo show starring Kurt Rhoads as the ageless Poet opens for a limited engagement on July 30. In it Rhodes unleashes the fury of an ancient story the poet has told for centuries – creating heroes and battles on the earthen stage of Boscobel overlooking the Hudson and challenging the audience to contemplate both the heroism and horror of war. The New York Times called thiis OBIE Award-winning play “spellbinding…an age-old story that resonates with tragic meaning today.” Thurs, 7/30, Mon, 8/3, Sun, 8/9, Fri, 8/21 & Mon, 8/24. (Boscobel, 1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison; www.boscobel.org)

Cancelled! Bach to Gershwin: Clarinet & Piano – Chappaqua Library: The New York Times called Thomas Piercey “brilliant … playing with refinement and flair. Sat, 8/1: 3pm. (Chappaqua Library, 195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua)

Local! A Taste of Westchester – Crabtree’s Kittle House: The Westchester Community College of Continuing Education’s A Taste of Westchester offers cooking classes (and tastings) with top chefs at local restaurants. Executive Chef Jay Lippin will prepare a farm to table dinner featuring meat, cheese, and produce from local farms. He will discuss various cooking techniques and recipes utilizing seasonal ingredients at their peak. Host John Crabtree will select a wine to pair with the meal. To register call: 914.606.6830 x1. For more information: A Taste of Westchester. Wed, 8/5: 6-8pm. (Crabtree’s Kittle House, 11 Kittle Rd., Chappaqua; www.kittlehouse.com
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Caramoor@KMA – Members of The Harlem Chamber Players: This ethnically diverse collective of professional musicians bring high-caliber, affordable and accessible live classical music to people in the Harlem community and beyond. They not only bring live chamber music to underserved neighborhoods in the Harlem community, but also create opportunities for classically trained minority musicians. This performance features a string trio from the broader Harlem Chamber Players group. Wed, 8/5: 6:30pm.  (Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St, Rt. 22, Katonah; www.caramoor.com)

Local! Armonk’s First Thursdays: Kick off your Independence Day celebration in downtown Armonk. The Armonk Chamber of Commerce’s First Thursdayspresents art, music, in-store promotions, dining, wine tastings and more in downtown Armonk the first Thursday in June, July, August and September. You’ll find music in Armonk Square and Opus 465, special offers at Amore, Mariachi Mexico, Zero Otto Nove and other restaurants. Plus special activities, events and raffles at LOL Kids, LaGravinese Jewelers, Castle Cab, Framings, DeCiccos and more. Thurs, 8/6 & 9/3: 5-9pm.

Norm Hathaway Swing Band – Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden: Norm Hathaway plays it like it was at this annual dancing and music event at the Hammond Museum. His twelve-piece band plays all the favorite tunes from the 30s and 40s. Brush up on your waltz, lindy and rhumba. Fri, 8/7: 8-11pm. (Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden, 28 Deveau Rd., N. Salem: www.hammondmuseum.org)

Open Days Garden Conservancy – Pleasantville: The garden of Jean and John Nonna, a gem tucked away in Pleasantville, features a large and varied dwarf conifer garden, forty varieties of Japanese maple, a miniature, white, fern, and hosta garden as well as a chartreuse-and-purple room. Summer will show off the dahlias, varied zinnias and marigolds along with the other annuals. The natural rock formations and garden ornaments lend interest and beauty. Sat, 8/8: 10am-4pm. (28 Ashland Ave., Pleasantville: www.gardenconservancy.org)

A Night of Comedy Headliners: Husband and wife, Rich Vos and Bonnie McFarlane, best known from Opie and Anthony and NBC’s hit reality show Last Comic Standing, offer up their no-holds-barred perspective on relationships, divorce and parenthood. Jim Florentine, co-host of VH1 Classic’s hit heavy metal talk show series, That Metal Show, is best known for his work on Comedy Central’s show Crank Yankers. Sat, 8/8: 8pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Chappaqua Library: Mamadrama – The Jewish Mother in Cinema: Australian director Monique Schwarz takes a funny, penetrating look at how the loving and affectionate portrayals in early Yiddish and Hollywood silent movies developed into the Jewish Mother of modern Hollywood and, conversely, the more flesh and blood characterizations in contemporary Israeli cinema. Wed, 8/12: 7pm. (Chappaqua Public Library, 195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.chappaqualibrary.org)

Romeo and Juliet (In Old New Orleans): The Port Chester Council for the Arts and Lawn Chair Theatre bring William Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet to the parks of Westchester County. This week you can see it at the Westmoreland Sanctuary and Bedford Memorial Park.  Set in 1934, New Orleans, this newly adapted production of Shakespeare’s sweetest tragedy begins just before Mardi Gras and ends just after Ash Wednesday. The Montagues are a New Orleans crime family who made their money as bootleggers, while the Capulets are part of New Orleans political and legal establishment. The production boasts period costumes and scenery and a rich collection of Jazz and Blues music. Thurs, 8/13: 6pm. (Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Mt. Kisco:) Fri, 8/14: 6pm. (Bedford Memorial Park, Greenwick Rd., Bedford; www.westmorelandsanctuary.org)

Backwards in High Heels: The Ginger Musical – Westchester Broadway Theatre: This true-life story, follows Ginger Rogers from the vaudeville stage at the age of 15 through her ascension to Hollywood goddess. Backwards in High Heels is the story of a small-town girl from Texas who dazzled the world, playing everything from the girl next door to the modern woman with a mind of her own. It’s a candy box of show-stopping dance numbers, great songs and surprising revelations about the movie legend. Thurs-Sun, 8/13-9/20: check dates and times. (Westchester Broadway Theatre, One Broadway Plaza, Elmsford; www.broadwaytheatre.com)

Frank Caliendo: The Hollywood Reporter described him as “a combination of Robin Williams and Jim Carrey.” He is best know for his impressions of Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Robert DeNiro, (“You talking to me?”), Bill Clinton (“I feel your pain”), George W. Bush, (whatever), John Madden, David Letterman, Jay Leno and Jim Rome. He has appeared on The Tonight Show, The Late Show with David Letterman and the FOX NFL pregame show.Fri, 8/21: 8pm.  (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Local! Menus in The Movies – Chappaqua Library: Food author and film buff, Carol Durst presents a screening of Gianni Di Gregorio’s 2008 comedy, Mid August Lunch about how lazy Gianni gets the landlord and his demanding mother, who lives with him, off his back by agreeing to care for the landlord’s mother while he is out of town for a mid August holiday.Homemade desserts and discussion follow screening. Fri, 8/28: 7pm. (Chappaqua Library, 195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua)

48th annual Moonviewing Concert at Hammond Museum

48th Annual Moonviewing Concert, picnic and tea ceremony:  The annual Moonviewing Concert is a tradition that was begun by Natalie Hays Hammond in 1966. The Japanese Stroll Garden, lit by paper lanterns, is a magical setting for this ancient custom, which every August brings together people and traditions of the East and West. Traditional Japanese music will be played. Sat, 8/29: 6-10pm. (Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden, 28 Deveau Rd., N. Salem: www.hammondmuseum.org)

Eddie Izzard – The Force Majeure World Tour: Izzard’s surreal comedic musings have earned him some top awards from Time Out and the Perrier Panel. His four-week stand up run, Live at the Ambassadors received an Olivier Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement. He won the British Comedy Award for Top Stand-Up Comedian in 1993 and 1996, and his show Dress to Kill earned him a New York Drama Desk Award and two Emmys®. Mon, 8/31: 8pm. (Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Ave., Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)

September

Family friendly Shakespeare: The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival Presents The Tempest: This family friendly 90 minute version of The Tempest from HVSF’s young artists creates a circus like atmosphere to tell Shakespeare’s enchanting tale of a magical island full of monsters and fairies. Will Prospero take revenge on his royal enemies washed ashore by a storm … or will he conjure up a hanppy ending instead. Five performances at Boscobel on Mon-Tues, 8/17-18, Mon-Tues, 8/31-9/1: 7:30pm, A sixth performance will be held at Paramount Hudson Valley in Peekskill on Sun, 9/6: 3pm. (Boscobel, 1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison; www.boscobel.org)

Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival: Arts & Crafts show, harbor tour cruises, vessel tours, a Ferris wheel, a New England Seaport Village, Go Green environmental demonstrations, and a Kids Cove with circus and puppet shows, music, and arts & crafts (for the kids), an International Food Court with craft beer (for the adults), celebrity oyster slurping contests and … OYSTERS, OYSTERS, OYSTERS. With musical entertainment on Saturday night (last year the headliner JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS) and Family Day specials on Sunday including free admission, discount rides, kids’ specials at food courts and special entertainment. Yowza! How did we miss this all these years? Fri, 9/11: 6-11pm, Sat, 9/12: 11am-11pm, Sun, 9/13:11am-8pm. (Norwalk Veterans Park, 42 Seaview Ave., Norwalk: www.seaport.org)

Boscobel Big Band Concert & Sunset Picnic: Celebrate the last days of summer on Boscobel’s great lawn overlooking the Hudson River. Enjoy a picnic supper – purchase food on site or BYO – and listen/dance to the swinging sounds of the 20-piece Big Band Sound orchestra as they take on Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and more. Swing dance/jitterbug demonstrations by the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Sun, 9/13: 6-8pm. (1601 Route 9D, Bear Mountain Highway, Garrison; www.boscobel.org)

More Summer What To Dos here

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