The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Arts

Get Ready for the 56th Annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show!

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New This Year: More Activities, Food and Drink

“All as Fresh as the Art!”

Saturday & Sunday,
September 23 & September 24
10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Rain or Shine
205 Business Park Drive, Armonk

Borden

Ranked one of “The Top 50” Fine Art and Fine Craft Fairs in the US by Art Fair SourceBook and among the top “Fine Art and Design Shows” in the New York Metro Area by Sunshine Artist Magazine, the 56th annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show will continue its long tradition of showcasing fresh and diverse art. Over 185 juried artists from 29 states, Israel and Canada, will be featured, with 35 new artists added to the show this year.

A broad spectrum of art in every medium and price point will be on display, including painting, mixed mediums, printmaking/drawing/ pastels, sculpture, photography/digital art, wearable art, and fine crafts.

Free personal consultants, trained in fine art and home design, are available to assist visitors in selecting art that best fits their taste and decor.

Sigwarth

Family Activities Tent

All new, fun-filled, free activities under a Big-Top Tent!

Presented by:

First Five – Hands on projects, appropriate for children ages 1-5 with adult participation.

The Harvey School – Interactive programs, appropriate for children ages 5-12.

The Neuberger Museum of Art – A creative exploration and experimentation inspired by the works in the Neuberger Museum’s permanent collection. Fun for children of all ages.

Food, Craft Beer and Wine Diverse vendors with new additions!

Including Luke’s Lobster, Captain Lawrence Brewing and Market North.

Gold Sponsors: Equinox, Houlihan Lawrence, Northern Westchester Hospital, Rosen & Company, Inc., White Plains Hospital Medical & Wellness and Westchester Medical Center will entertain and inform.

The Art Show is sponsored by Friends of the North Castle Public Library, Inc., and net proceeds benefit the Town’s libraries in Armonk and North White Plains.

Spector
Bunnell
Green

Admission price: $12, $10 for seniors or with coupon, children under 18 free. There is ample free parking on site. Sorry, no dogs allowed. For further information, and discount coupons, visit: www.armonkoutdoorartshow.org, Facebook/armonkoutdoorartshow, Instagram @armonkoutdoorartshow

Nielsen
Pollock

Chappaqua Performing Arts Center: Ambitious Plans Shape Up for a New Westchester Destination

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Frank Shiner and fellow musicians at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center PHOTO BY Carolyn Simpson/Doublevision Photographers

By Grace Bennett

“We were so lucky to be able to save this theater,” Town Councilwoman Lisa Katz said, at the start of an animated conversation about the current uses and all the grand possibilities for the Town of New Castle’s Chappaqua Performing Arts Center (ChappPac), the stately white building previously known as the Wallace Auditorium on the old Readers Digest campus.

With its airy interior and 300-plus, plush red velvet seats, and ample outdoor parking, the ChappPac already serves as ‘home’ to the town’s beloved Chappaqua Orchestra, whose productions there have been ongoing. Most recently, the Chappaqua Orchestra performed a second Storybook Concert and a Concerto Winner’s Concert inside its doors. Early on, a simulcast from Hamilton drew 125 attendees.

ChappPac is also now officially an exciting new venue for upcoming theater productions led by John Fanelli, executive director of the Lighthouse Youth Theater that’s based in Armonk. Fanelli was brought in to begin bringing in compelling theater to inside the ChappPac. “He is highly energetic and has a lot of contacts,” said Katz. “We are allowing his organization to use the space for eight weeks.” Fanelli stated at a recent performance that he is open to feedback on the kinds of productions area residents would be most interested in.

The pursuit of a full range of performing arts offerings is just beginning, and support from the community has already proved robust. The excitement was palpable among audience members who packed the house to enjoy Chappaqua’s blues and soul singer Frank Shiner. It was a first ‘charity concert,’ with Shiner donating 100 percent of the revenue from the evening toward a variety of purchases and improvements to the Center. (See a ‘Gotta Have Arts’ profile about Shiner at theinsidepress.com). A Friends of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, headed by Michele Gregson and Tracy Stein, aims to raise $50,000 this summer toward programming efforts.

Steffi Nossen School of Dance
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“The building could well have been demolished,” Katz points out, “to make room for town homes at the upcoming Chappaqua Crossing on the old RD campus. Town officials ‘jumped,’ to save it, she explained, and for a pittance, the Town of New Castle became the Center’s official owner. A theater camp for kids with one-week sessions is planned on site for the summer too.

The possibilities are endless, Katz says. She listed possibilities ranging from major art exhibits and comedy nights to an A-List lecture series (such as at the 92nd Street Y) or, “who knows, maybe an a capella concert featuring high schools from around the county. My goal is to transform the Center into a pre-eminent destination for visual performing arts and music and art.”

The success of the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville inspired the members of a Town Arts and Culture committee, formed two years ago, Katz added. “We want to create here for performing arts what the Burns Center is for film in Pleasantville.”

At press time, a programming schedule was in the works, and a website for the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center is still in development.

Donations are welcome! Write to: The Friends of the Chappapaqua Performing Arts Center, P. O. Box 351, Chappapaqua, NY.

Grace Bennett, Publisher and Editor of The Inside Press, looks forward to watching ChappPac evolve.

Inside the ChappPac: the May Concerto Winners’ Concert (L-R): David Restivo, Chappaqua Orchestra Executive Director; Julian Langford, Cello: the George and Sheila Drapeau, 1st Prize winner, Senior Division; Dylan Wu, Cello: the Frank and Suzanne Shiner 1st Prize winner, Junior Division Georgia Lazaridou, Piano: the Rita Ross 2nd Prize winner, Senior Division; Sara Scanlon, Cello: The Carmen and Rafael 2nd Prize winner, Junior Division; and Radaslawa Jasik, Piano: The David and Natalia Restivo 3rd Prize winner, Senior Division. Not shown: William Tang, Piano: the Georgia and Ron Frasch 3rd Prize winner, Junior Division.
PHOTO BY LANA ROSENBLIT

Multi Faceted Katonah Arts Center “A Creative Force” in Westchester

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An upcoming show, Arbor Vitae: Tree of Life, the tree paintings of Susan Stillman, are on exhibit at the Anderson Chase Gallery from January 9 – February 3, 2017. The opening reception to meet the artist is scheduled for January 14, 2017 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Open House and Free Arts Day:  Sunday, January 15th, 1-3 p.m.

Goldens Bridge, NY— The Katonah Art Center has been a creative force in Northern Westchester for over 2o years. During that period, KAC has grown from a small painting and drawing studio to a large multi-arts center. 2016 was an especially transformative year, with a move to our dream space–a 1912 schoolhouse which once home to the Northern Westchester Center for the Arts. Our new building far surpasses any of our former locations in size, lighting and character. The well-lit, high ceilinged classrooms upstairs became our drawing and painting studios, computer art and 3D printing lab as well as our office space. The lower floor now houses our spacious pottery and sculpture studios, children’s studio and new specialty studio equipped for metal-smithing, fused glass and printmaking.

With the new space came a new gallery. The Anderson Chase Gallery is intended to serve as a source of inspiration and opportunity for not only our immediate KAC family, but also the wider Northern Westchester and NYC communities. So far, the gallery has greatly exceeded our expectations. Our upcoming show, Arbor Vitae: Tree of Life, the tree paintings of Susan Stillman, will be on exhibit at the Anderson Chase Gallery from January 9 – February 3, 2017. The opening reception to meet the artist is scheduled for January 14, 2017 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

KAC course offerings cater to all ages and diverse disciplines including painting, drawing, pottery, photography, fused glass, and metal-smithing, among others. Our staff are all professional artists. Our newest instructor, Christopher Zacharow,  has been a long-time instructor at The Cooper Union, Parsons School of Design and Pratt Institute. Other instructors include well known artists such as Wende Caporale, master portraitist, and Rae Smith, master pastel artist. Both have been featured in numerous magazines and have won many awards.

Also on staff is Tracy Burtz, a local artist whose works have been displayed in group and solo exhibitions throughout New York. Jock MacRae, one of our most popular teachers, has taught at KAC since it opened its doors. Jock’s paintings are part of many private and corporate collections throughout the US. KAC also hosts visiting artist workshops, most recently with re-known painter Mary Beth MacKenzie, whose works are in several museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC. This spring we are thrilled to welcome Charles Reid, one of the nation’s foremost watercolorists, who will be teaching a three-day watercolor workshop.

KAC has extensive teen class offerings, including drawing and painting, metal-smithing, pottery, and more. Our very popular portfolio development program has gained our students entrance into all of the top art colleges in the U.S. For students needing more of a guiding hand we also offer the service of Donna Ferreiro, our portfolio coach. Children who love art are thrilled to find a place filled with like-minded kids and staff.

KAC’s  expressive arts program for young children is completely process driven, encouraging creativity and imagination while developing hand eye coordination. Fine art training begins at age 6 and is focused on teaching a wide range of mediums and techniques while making sure children retain their own creative vision. Birthday parties are a long-time favorite at KAC. We have many party options for children teens and adults; each party is custom designed with our party coordinator.

We want to take this opportunity to thank our loyal customers for their continued support and for their participation in the vibrant community that is KAC. Our move, six minutes north of Katonah, did not deter our long-time students. You can check out KAC’s offerings at katonahartcenter.com. We invite you to come see our beautiful new home and meet some of our instructors at our Open House and Free Arts Day Sunday, January 15th, 1-3 p.m.

This information was made possible via a release from the Katonah Arts Center

Byram Hills Music Education Program Honored

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Byram Hills has been honored with the “Best Communities for Music Education” designation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Byram Hills is one of seven Westchester County school districts – and just 476 districts nationwide – to receive the prestigious designation from the NAMM Foundation. The district’s excellent music program spans all four district schools and includes instruction that builds as students grow. Students can begin studying one of 10 instruments in the fourth grade. By the time they reach the high school, students can participate in a variety of choral, band and orchestra groups and continue their music education with courses that range from introductory guitar to Advanced Placement Music Theory. Byram Hills students have been chosen for All-County, All-State and National Music Honor ensembles.

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“Although I am new in my position, it didn’t take long for me to see just how special our music program is at Byram Hills,” said Director of Fine Arts Deepak Marwah. “We have a dedicated music faculty of passionate educators, and the work they do in the classroom inspires high levels of musicianship and creativity in our students each day.”

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The Best Communities Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in their music program, including providing all students with access to music education. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Byram Hills provided NAMM with information about district funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community-music-making programs.

The NAMM Foundation, which began as the National Association of Music Merchants, is an international association representing the music products industry and championing the intrinsic value of music education.

The Show Must Go On!

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high school musical pic
Molly Perrine (left) and Violet Gautreau as Ryan and Sharpay Evans in Lighthouse Youth Theater’s “High School Musical.”

There’s no shortage of enriching and engaging cultural opportunities in and near New Castle. Here’s a taste of the available options the whole family can enjoy.

Arc Stages

Arc Stages in Pleasantville encompasses the Community Stage, the Educational Stage, and the Next Stage. The Community Stage presents contemporary and classic musicals and dramas. The Educational Stage (Little Village Playhouse) is a not-for-profit youth theatre program. The Next Stage is the professional theatre that endeavors to present new work, edgier, more avant-garde material.
arcstages.org

Armonk Players

armonk players
Time Stands Still, directed by Pia Haas

Community theatre group dedicated to “producing high quality theatre for the enjoyment and enrichment of its participants and the local population.” Produces two full productions annually
in addition to free play reading programs.
armonkplayers.org

Axial Theatre

An ensemble-based theatre organization in Pleasantville committed to a “vital educational experience for emerging artists. Programs for the public offered in acting and playwriting for youths, teens, and adults. Individuals who have taken part in programs may be invited to become members of the Ensemble.
axialtheatre.org
Jacob Burns Film Center

IMG_3634A nonprofit educational cultural institution in Pleasantville dedicated to presenting the best of independent, documentary, and world cinema. Houses a state-of-the-art theater complex, a 27,000-square-foot Media Arts Lab, and a residence for international filmmakers.
burnsfilmcenter.org

Small Town Theatre Company

Armonk based theater company launched by Sam Morell and Donna Garr in 2008 with the vision of producing high quality performing arts programs throughout the Westchester County, New York region. These include theatrical plays, summer concerts, staged play readings, variety showcases, as well as theatre and film festivals. smalltowntheatre.com

Westchester Jazz Orchestra (WJO)

The WJO aims to promote jazz, contribute to its evolution, and advance the appreciation and understanding of this American cultural treasure. The 16-piece orchestra, made up entirely of Westchester-based volunteer musicians, composers, and arrangers, performs an annual concert series, in addition to various other performances during the year.
westjazzorch.org

White Plains Performing Arts Center

Located in White Plains, WPPAC is a 410-seat state-of-the-art theatre presenting classical and contemporary theatre, as well as music and dance. Recently introduced a classic play reading series. Also offers professional training conservatory programs year-round for participants aged 10-25. wppac.com

Chappaqua Orchestra Association

orchestra Beautiful DayServing Northern Westchester since 1959. The orchestra, composed of both professional and professional level volunteer musicians, performs at various Chappaqua venues. Fosters the development of new artists and smaller chamber groups by showcasing their performances or by sponsoring smaller venues. chappaquaorchestra.org   New to Chappaqua! The Chappaqua Crossing Wallace Auditorium Since acquiring the entire property from Readers’ Digest at the end of 2004, Chappaqua Crossing has made its auditorium available for public events such as community theatre, orchestral performances, award ceremonies and the annual Fire Dept. Easter Egg Hunt. chappaquacrossing.com