The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts

Enjoy ‘A Slice of Artistic Heaven’ at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts

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There’s a slice of artistic heaven I knew very little about until I attended an Open House inside its stately, historic Rosen House to get acquainted with gorgeous Caramoor–and learned about their June and summer programming as well. I had a chance to hear and meet–and even snag a selfie–with Caramoor’s new genius executive director Ed Lewis, an accomplished musician himself, who explained why he is so passionate about this Katonah-based, Hudson Valley destination.

“Art has the power to change lives,” said Lewis.

I couldn’t agree more. As an artist and musician myself, I was dazzled to discover the diversity and caliber of musical performances and the beautiful venues Caramoor has to offer. 

Indeed, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is starting its summer strong! Offering something for everyone, Caramoor is excited to host live music events all summer! With talented performers like Yo-Yo Ma & The Knights, Las Cafeteras, Pedrito Martinez, and more, you might be hard pressed to say no to their fun and magic-filled events.

Rich in History 

Consider your own tour to completely appreciate the Rosen House–the breathtaking Mediterranean-style house was built between 1929 and 1939 by Walter Rosen. Perhaps enjoy an Afternoon Tea, hear a concert in the oh-so-plush Music Room or Spanish Courtyard, or attend a fundraising event.  

This year, Caramoor will be open to the public Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 5th to August 20th for picnicking, exploring, sound art installations or for a stroll on the grounds, all free of charge. You might have to come more than once, however, so you can experience a concert at Caramoor in its different locations starting with their biggest venue: the Venetian Theater, known for its antique Verona marble columns; it offers a tented outdoor venue so even if it rains the show still goes on! 

Angelique Kidjo returns to Caramoor’s Venetian Theater Stage August 6.
PHOTO BY Gabe Palacio

Caramoor’s Friends Field boasts a new permanent stage and is a casual family-oriented area where families can enjoy a Concert on the Lawn or maybe have a picnic or just enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The Spanish Courtyard is in the center of the Rosen House and offers a great place to watch performances like classical recitals, jazz, and American root artists. 

Enjoy a Concert on the Lawn on Caramoor’s Friends Field.
PHOTO BY Gabe Palacio

Last, but certainly not least, the Sunken Garden is a breathtaking area filled with beautiful flowers, butterflies, bumblebees and so much more! This summer, Caramoor is offering three Music & Meditation in the Garden programs on Saturday mornings July 9, 16 and August 6. 

So don’t resist the impulse to save a concert date, reserve tickets, or otherwise make plans to visit and enjoy Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts. Just in time for summer, Caramoor is truly the perfect place to attend solo, with friends, or with family. For more information and for concert tickets or to reserve a tour of the Rosen House, visit caramoor.org.

Special High Holy Days Invite to Caramoor from Temple Shaaray Tefila

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Temple Shaaray Tefila welcomes residents of the local community, joining us for the first time, to purchase tickets for High Holiday services at Caramoor. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the holiest days on the Jewish calendar, a time when Jews throughout the world pause to reflect on the year gone by and prepare spiritually for the one ahead.

 The Temple’s High Holy Day celebrations will take place at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, formerly the estate of Walter and Lucie Rosen. Caramoor provides a beautiful and spacious setting for services, including traditional services in the Venetian Theater, Family Services in its own dedicated tent, separate services for children and teens, and an Alternative Service for those seeking something a little bit more contemporary. Child care is available on site for parents who want their own meaningful adult worship experiences. Please click here for the High Holiday schedule: https://files.constantcontact.com/30c4ef08001/df565776-7894-4d9b-be4c-0028ea66ad35.pdf

Tickets and photo identification will be required for all adults for admittance.

 For High Holiday tickets please visit www.shaaraytefila.org. For additional information and inquiries, please contact Temple Shaaray Tefila at 914-666-3133. Located in Bedford Corners in Northern Westchester, Temple Shaaray Tefila is a Reform synagogue with a traditional spirit and has a thriving Early Childhood Center and K-12 Religious School. Temple Shaaray Tefila serves more than 650 families in Bedford, Mount Kisco, Katonah, Chappaqua, Somers, Armonk and surrounding communities.

Caramoor’s Summer Schedule Spans Musical Genres & Delights Audiences

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PHOTO BY GABE PALACIO

While Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in nearby Katonah needn’t be compared to anywhere else, some visitors do see favorable similarities between Caramoor and a certain other renowned site for music in the Berkshires. Does Tanglewood come to mind?

But music aficionados need not battle traffic to the Berkshires. Caramoor, located on an historic estate owned by Walter and Lucie Rosen, is one of northern Westchester’s great cultural treasures.

A look at the summer calendar–available at www.caramoor.org–reveals a tremendously wide selection of musical events.  From Mozart’s The Secret Gardener, which will be performed in Caramoor’s Sunken Garden, to American Songbook, classical and world music and even sound art installations, there’s a summer full of music planned from many eras and genres.

Music In Chappaqua
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Family-Friendly Fun

Caramoor’s schedule includes, as always, many events for families that are truly kid-friendly and a perfect introduction to music for little ones. One perennial favorite is Dancing At Dusk. “It’s a really lovely family program,” Barbara Prisament, who handles outreach for Caramoor, said of the program, now in its 10th year. “It’s from late afternoon to early evening and it’s very reasonably priced.” This summer, favorites from other years will be featured. Dancing At Dusk will be held on Wednesdays, June 27, July 18 and July 25 at 5 p.m., and includes music and dancing; tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under.

The Knights, an orchestral collective from Brooklyn, will perform a family concert at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 17. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. “That’s going to be great,” Prisament said. The group includes a “steel pan virtuoso.”

On July 1, Caramoor will host a free slate of activities, including, at 4 p.m., a performance of an outdoor percussion work called Inuksuit by prize-winning composer John Luther Adams. The work will include more than 60 percussionists, and promises to be interesting to all ages.

“It’s meant to be performed outside–it has been performed on a mountaintop, and on the border between the US and Mexico,” Prisament explained recently. “You can come and walk through the grounds and hear the sounds of the percussionists mixed with the sounds of nature.” Children can also take advantage of a special percussion activity at 2 p.m. that day.

The event is free with reservations.

July 14 brings another family concert, at 11 a.m.: Bridge to Broadway, a journey from the music of Mozart through today’s Broadway musicals that will include the work of Schubert and Cole Porter, Verdi and Irving Berlin. Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for children.

New Programming Director This Season

Adams is only one of 22 living composers whose work will be performed at Caramoor this summer under the new head of programming, Kathy Schuman, who is vice president, artistic programming and executive producer.

Schuman has said she intends to take advantage of the beautiful grounds at the 90-acre estate by featuring more “site-specific outdoor work” as well as more early music, world music and new music–as well as continuing to offer opera, jazz (in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center) and also sound art. “It’s her first season and we’re really excited about that,” Prisament said.

The new is well-balanced with the classics, though, and visitors can come for a performance of Handel’s Atalanta by the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra or hear Tchaikovsky performed by the Orchestra of Saint Luke’s.

This season also features an American Roots Music Festival on June 23 and a Jazz Festival on July 21, both of which feature multiple performances. “It’s such a pleasant place to be with ample free parking, and you can bring food for a picnic or order ahead from our caterer,” Prisament said. “It’s a lovely way to spend a summer day or evening.”