What To Do: December 2015
December Events: Take a break from the holidays with these “secular” music, performing arts and family happenings in & around town.
Theatre, Dance & Comedy
Edgar Klezmer: Songs from My Grandmother’s FBI Files – Emelin Theatre: This musical documentary from Eve Sicular is based on the real FOIA files she obtained detailing the FBI’s surveillance of her grandmother, Dr. Adele Sicular, a pianist, psychiatrist and activist, during the McCarthy era. There’s a song (from klezmer to boogie woogie) about each twist and turn in the DOJ’s bizarre investigation. Sat, 12/5: 8pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Ln., Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)
The Gift of The Magi – Schoolhouse Theatre: Adapted from the O. Henry Christmas love story, this new adaptation by Bram Lewis is set against a back drop of the immigrant streets of New York with all the wonder of the three wise men who gave us the first gifts of Christmas. Starring Carey Van Driest and Timothy Carter who both appeared in The International at the Peter Jay Sharpe Theater on 42 Street and Schoolhouse Theater alum Len Gochman. Thurs-Sat: 12/10-19: 8pm & Sun: 12/12-20: 3pm. (Schoolhouse Theatre, 3 Owens Rd., Croton Falls: www.schoolhousetheater.org)
Bo Burnham – Capitol Theatre: The youngest person to ever record a half-hour Comedy Central special (at the age of 18) Bo Burnham has released two hour-long specials since then: Words, Words, Words in 2010 and what in 2013 that has received over 8 million views on YouTube alone. Bo recently created and starred in the MTV series Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous and wrote a book of poetry, EGGHEAD that became a New York Times Bestseller. He’s currently performing all over North America on his new Make Happy Tour. Fri, 12/11: 7 & 9:30pm. (Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Ave., Port Chester; www.thecapitoltheatre.com)
Music
Blood Sweat and Tears featuring Bo Bice: Bo Bice fronts the 3-time Grammy Award Winning jazz-rock ensemble Blood Sweat and Tears who are best know for their hits “Spinning Wheel”, “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know”, “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy”, “God Bless the Child”, “I Can’t Quit Her”, “Smiling Phases”, “Sometimes in Winter” (we could go on) when they return to the Playhouse! Wed, 12/2: 8pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT: www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)
Hot Tuna – Acoustic – Ridgefield Playhouse: Jorma and Jack make it back to The Ridgefield Playhouse for an acoustic set of their classic San Francisco Renaissance blues, folk and Americana repertoire. Saw them at Caramoor in ’14 – and they’re (no exaggeration) better than ever. Fri, 12/4: 8pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT: www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)
The Frank Sinatra Centennial Celebration with John Pizzarelli: A celebration of “Ol’ Blue Eyes” 100th birthday. The Chairman of the Board’s biggest hits are brought to swinging life by celebrated vocalist and guitarist John Pizzarelli, who once got to open for Frank on one of his final tours. Fri, 12/4: 8pm. (Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org)
Sarah McLachlan – Capitol Theatre: An eight-time Juno Award winner and a three-time Grammy Award winner, McLachlan’s landmark fifth album, the 10x-platinum Surfacing, contained two Grammy Award-winning tracks, “Building a Mystery” and “Last Dance.” Sat, 12/5: 8pm. (Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Ave., Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)
Ray Chen, violin – Performing Arts Center Purchase: The 26 year old Ray Chen has been described on National Public Radio as “the finest current violinist you don’t yet know, but soon will” and has repeatedly been compared to the great Maxim Vengerov. Vengerov himself praised Chen. “Ray has proven himself to be a pure musician with great qualities such as a beautiful youthful tone, vitality, and lightness.” Chen was first-prize winner of the 2008 Yehudi Menuhin Violin Competition and the 2009 Queen Elisabeth Music Competition. (Sun, 12/6: 3pm. (Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)
Local! Music From Copland House – American Mavericks: Guest artist Tim Fain joins Music From Copland house in a program of works about music, featuring Lou Harrison’s Grand Duo, country fiddler and composer Mark O’Connor’s Poets and Prophets (inspired by Johnny Cash), and selected piano pieces by Henry Cowell. Sun, 12/6: 3pm. (Copland House at Merestead, 455 Byram Lake Road, Mt. Kisco; www.coplandhouse.org)
Andrea Bocelli: Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli is the top-selling recording artist in the history of classical music. You can see him live at Madison Square Garden on Wed, 12/9: 7:30pm. (Madison Square Garden, 4 Penn Plaza, NYC; www.thegarden.com)
Lez Zeppelin: All Girls – All Zeppelin – Emelin Theatre: The New York City-based band has gained worldwide critical acclaim for the musicianship, passion and gender-bending audacity they bring to the music of Led Zeppelin. In 2007, Lez Zeppelin became the first tribute band to play the Bonnaroo Festival. Fri, 12/11: 8pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Ln., Mamaroneck, www.emelin.org)
The Marshall Tucker Band – Tarrytown Music Hall: With hit singles like “Heard It In a Love Song,” “Fire On The Mountain,” “Can’t You See,” and “Take The Highway,” The Marshall Tucker Band has earned seven gold and three platinum albums. During the 90’s, the MTB scored four hit singles on Billboard’s country chart and one on Billboard’s gospel chart. Fri, 12/11; 8PM. (Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)
That’s Life – Frank Sinatra’s 100 Birthday Celebration with Doug Ferony: Doug Ferony and his 17 piece orchestra play the Chairman of the Board’s songbook including “Come Fly With Me”, “That’s Life”, “New York New York”, “My Way”, “Summer Wind”, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, “The Way You Look Tonight”, and more. Fri, 12/11: 7pm. (Paramount Hudson Valley, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill: www.paramounthudsonvalley.com)
Chris Botti – Paramount Hudson Valley: Since the release of his 2004 critically acclaimed album When I Fall In Love, Botti has become the largest selling American instrumental artist. He has released four #1 jazz albums. His album Impressions won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental album in 2013. Sat, 12/12: 8pm. (Paramount Hudson Valley, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill: www.paramounthudsonvalley.com)
Punch Brothers – Capitol Theatre: The acoustic quintet featuring mandolinist Chris Thile, guitarist, Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny and violinist Gabe Witcher take bluegrass to its next evolutionary stage. Their latest album, the T Bone Burnett-produced, The Phosphorescent Blues, was released in January 2015 on Nonesuch Records. Sat, 12/12: 8pm. (Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Ave., Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)
Squeeze Acoustic: For the first time in the US in almost 20 years, Squeeze’s Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook head out on the road as a duo with ‘The At Odds Couple” tour that will see them present their songs and story in a unique way. Including: “Hourglass”, “Tempted”, “Black Coffee in Bed”, “Pulling Mussels from a Shell”, and “853-5937”. Sun, 12/13: 7pm. (Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)
Winter Pops/Rhapsody In Blue – Westchester Philharmonic: Tony Award-winner Ted Sperling conducts vocalist Ashley Brown in an evening of American songbook and holiday classics. Ms. Brown originated the Broadway role of Mary Poppins. Then Sperling conducts the Westchester Philharmonic and Juilliard piano prodigy Joe Mohan in a performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Plus, an after-Party with the stars. Sun, 12/20: 3pm. (Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd, Purchase; www.westchesterphil.org)
New Riders of the Purple Sage: NRPS recently teamed up with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter to write a new generation of songs for their album, Where I come From. You’ll hear those plus their hits like “Panama Red”, “Glendale Train”, “I Don’t Know You” and “Louisiana Lady”. Sun, 12/27: 8pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue: In 2010 this funk/rock/jazz/hip-hop band released their debut album, the Grammy®-nominated Backatown, followed by For True in 2011, which topped Billboard magazine’s Contemporary Jazz Chart for 12 weeks. Trombone Shorty has appeared on Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Conan. In 2012, he performed at the White House with B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck and Booker T. Jones. At this year’s Grammy Awards, he performed alongside Madonna, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and Mary Lambert. Wed-Thurs, 12/30-31: 8pm. (Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Ave., Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)
Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band: The original band and lead singers from the Broadway Musical perform the rock hits from the metal bands of the 80s by such artists as Bon Jovi, Foreigner, Journey, White Snake, Joan Jett, Styxx, Pat Benatar, REO Speedwagon, Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot and more. Thurs, 12/31: 8pm. (Paramount Hudson Valley, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill: www.paramounthudsonvalley.com)
White Plains New Year’s Eve Spectacular: It’s Times Square in White Plains with music, a ball drop and confetti and a fireworks show at midnight. The music starts at 10pm with a J and live music from Larger than Life’s “Ultimate Boyband Tribute” with songs from The Jackson 5, The Beatles, The Temptations, The Four Seasons, Backstreet Boys, Nsynch and more. Heineken USA provides free rides to residential destinations within Westchester County from their Safe Rides transportation stand on the corner of E. Post Road and Mamaroneck Avenue between 11 pm – 3 am. Wed, 12/31: 10-12:30pm. (Main St. between Court St. and Renaissance Square; www.wpbid.com)
Sponsored! Tramps Like Us – MTK Tavern: Rock in the new year with Bruce Springsteen tribute band, Tramps Like Us, featuring frontman Mark Salore – a Chappaqua resident. Sirius Radio’s E Street Radio called Tramps Like Us the best of all the Springsteen tribute bands. So did Music and Musicians magazine and Mike Appel, a former Springsteen producer and manager. They have appeared on Fox 5’s Good Day NY and at Super Bowl XLIII’s Media Day. Thurs, 12/31: 9pm. (MK Tavern, 30 E. Main St., Mt. Kisco; www.mtktavern.com)
New Year’s Almost Dead – Joe Russo’s Almost Dead: JRAD plays some of the most complex songs from The Grateful Dead’s repertoire with a rawness and energy that is reminiscent of the Dead from the “Live Dead” era. And that can’t be bad. They are so highly regarded that Dead bassist Phil Lesh sat in with them for two shows this past winter. Get it? They’re so good they’re Almost (the) Dead. Fri-Sat, 1/1-2: 8pm. (Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Ave., Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)
What To Do: With the Kids
A BILLION BRICKS 3: LEGO® Galactic Travels – Stamford Museum: It’s the 15th anniversary of LEGO Star Wars®! See the completely re-designed LEGO galactic landscape and enjoy an up-close view of a universe made completely out of LEGO bricks. The new design encourages visitors of all ages to inspect the details and construction methods used to create an entire galaxy from a “Billion” bricks! See the exhibit now and sign up for the interactive family workshops in January and make your own galactic LEGO universe. Mon-Sat, 11/23-2/6/16: 9am-5pm, Sun, 11/25-2/7/16: 11am-5pm. (Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford; www.stamfordmuseum.org)
Westchester Knicks – County Center: The Westchester Knicks featuring the newly acquired Jimmer Fredette and former Michigan State star Travis Trice play six home games at the Westchester County Center in December including Wed, 12/2: 11am, Thurs, 12/10: 7pm, Sat, 12/12: 1pm, Mon, 12/21: 7pm & Wed, 12/23: 7pm. (Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)
Cinderella Ballet – Stamford Palace The Breaking Ground Dance Center brings the story of Cinderella, her evil stepsisters (the original mean girls), the Fairy Godmother and the handsome prince to life in this ballet set to music from Sergei Prokofiev. Sat, 12/5: 1 & 4:30pm. (Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org)
The Lightning Thief – Ridgefield Playhouse: The story of Percy Jackson from Rick Riordan’s 2005 fantasy adventure novel, based on Greek mythology, comes to the stage from TheatreWorks USA. Sun, 12/6: 1 & 4pm. (80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)
Tarzan – The Musical – WPPAC: The king of the apes swings onto the stage in this musical adaptation of the Disney film based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Tarzan of the Apes. Featuring a book by Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang and music from Phil Collins including the Academy Award-winning “You’ll Be in My Heart” and hits “Son of Man” and “Two Worlds”. 17 shows from Fri-Sun, 12/18-1/10/16. (White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Place, 3rd Floor, White Plains; www.wppac.org)
Local! Ice Skating at The Harvey School: In cooperation with The Harvey School, Jim Whiting and his staff at Bedford Recreation offers two hours of public skating for all ages at The Harvey School ice rink on the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas. There will be a DJ spinning fave tunes and requests. Admission is just $5 and you must provide your own skates and no hockey playing. Mon, 12/26: 12:45-2:45pm. For more info call Bedford Recreation at 914.666.7004 or check you Fall Brochure. (The Harvey School, 260 Jay St., Katonah; www.bedfordny.gov)
Pop-Pop-Popcorn – The Emelin Theatre: “Pop-Pop-Popcorn!” is the latest fun-filled hour from The Paper Bag Players with new work classic sketches sure to entertain ages 2 and up. The title number, “Pop-Pop-Popcorn!” gets the audience up and dancing, singing and popping, like one big jumbo-sized popcorn. Sat-Sun, 12/26-7: 11am & 1pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Ln., Mamaroneck, www.emelin.org)
Slam Dunk Tournament – Westchester County Center: See some of the area’s best high school basketball match-ups during the 17th annual Westchester County Slam Dunk Tournament. The tournament will showcase 24 of the best boys’ and girls’ high school basketball teams in the area including Middletown, Stepinac, Harborfields, Biship Loughlin, Fox Lane and Fordham Prep. Sat-Tues, 12/26-29: check times. (Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)
The Harlem Globetrotters – The County Center: The Harlem Globetrotters, the world’s most winning franchise in any sport, celebrate their 90th Anniversary World Tour at the County Center on New year’s Eve. Thurs, 12/31: 11am & 4pm. (Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)
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