The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

concert

Orchestra 914 presents a Flute, Clarinet and Cello Trio Concert on October 17

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Pleasantville, NY  (Sept. 18)  Orchestra 914 is pleased to present a Flute, Clarinet and Cello Trio Concert on Sunday, October 17 at  3 pm at St John’s Episcopal Church, 8 Sunnyside Avenue in Pleasantville, NY.  The Trio features Rebecca Quigley on flute, Jarrett Hoffman on clarinet and Zachary May on cello for an afternoon of mixed wind and string trios. Works will include Francois Devienne’s “Trio in Bb,”  “Seclusive Song” by Swedish Cellist Svante Henryson (b. 1963), and Emily Horton’s “Trio” (2019). The program will conclude with Australian composer Harry Sdraulig’s “Serenade” (2019), and a complete performance of American composer Brian Raphael Nabors’ (b. 1991) work “Seven Dances for Flute, Clarinet & Cello. Composer and pianist Brian Nabors’ Seven Dances is a complex piece consisting of seven contrasting miniatures representing various styles of dance and music,including tango, foxtrot and hip-hop.

Brian Raphael Nabors is a composer whose emotionally enriching music presents exciting narratives through its vibrant themes and colorful harmonic language. With an eclectic musical palate and crafty compositional technique, Nabors’ music draws from combinations of Jazz Funk, R&B, and Gospel with a modern flair for contemporary classical music. Nabors grew up in the South, and much of his music deals with new reflections on life, nature and the human condition.  This includes how music plays a role in shaping the perception of a society, and how it can be used as a tool to inspire conversations about prejudice, racism and bigotry.  Nabors earned both a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degree in Composition at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM), and prior to graduate studies he earned a Bachelor of Music Theory & Composition degree from the School of the Arts at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. 

Orchestra 914, formerly The Chappaqua Orchestra, seeks to expand the classical music experience for diverse audiences in the Hudson Valley through creative, educational, and community programming with the highest level of artistic integrity.  In 1958, Boris Koutzen created The Chappaqua Orchestra in an effort to bring high quality classical music to Northern Westchester. Over the years, TCO has had many incarnations, from a mix of professions and amateurs, to what is now a fully professional orchestra.  Orchestra 914 is now officially based in Pleasantville, NY, and has recently appointed Russell Ger as its new Musical Director, as part of its goal to widen its geographic scope and to bring an inclusive and unexpected array of live classical music to audiences throughout Westchester, helping to build a community of music lovers of all ages and backgrounds.  Cynthia Peterson, a professional  pianist and performer , and long- time resident of the Hudson Valley currently serves as the Artistic Director of the Orchestra 914 Chamber Music Series.

Suggested donation is $30 at the door (accept cash, check, paypal).  Audience members attending Orchestra 914 concerts will be required to show proof of vaccination and wear a face covering indoors in accordance with current CDC guidelines.

 

CANTORS COAST TO COAST Presents Songs of Sustenance

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A Virtual Benefit Concert to Fight Hunger from the Worsening COVID Crisis will be held Sunday, January 31, 2021 • 18 Shevat 5781

Cantor Elizabeth Sternlieb, Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester

Inspired by Jewish values and ideals, and spurred by the worsening COVID crisis, TBE’s Cantor Elizabeth Sternlieb is collaborating with an exciting cast of fellow cantors and notable Jewish singer-songwriters across the country to present a virtual benefit concert on Sunday, January 31. Don’t miss this historic event as leading voices representing all five branches of Judaism perform together to fight hunger! Ticket link: www.bethelnw.org/concert

Hosted by Cantor Elizabeth Sternlieb, Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester, Chappaqua, NY

Honoring Cantor Meir Finkelstein, Congregation Beth Yeshurun, Houston, TX

Featuring
Rabbi Joe Black, Temple Emanuel, Denver, CO
Cantor Magda Fishman, B’nai Torah Congregation, Boca Raton, FL
Cantor Chayim Frenkel, Kehilat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation, Los Angeles, CA
Cantor Netanel Hershtik, Hampton Synagogue, Westhampton Beach, NY
Cantor Robin Joseph, Temple Beth Shalom, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY
Lisa Jane Lipkin, Singer, Composer, Producer
Beth Schafer, Spiritual Leader, URJ and Cantorial Chair, Temple Sinai, Atlanta, GA
Hazzan Basya Schechter, Music Director, Romemu, New York, NY
Cantor Rosalie Will, Director of Worship and Music, URJ

Admission to the concert will be by ticket only, and funds raised will benefit MAZON, the national advocacy organization working to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the US and Israel. The program will feature original music composed by the cantors and singer-songwriters. General admission is $18.00. Premium admission, including “backstage pass” to a special roundtable with the cast following the concert is $180. www.bethelnw.org/concert

 

 

 

 

‘Halloweekend’ Event at the Irvington Theater Promises a Livestream of Spooky Surprises

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It started on Halloween six years ago…

That’s when Dou­glas Mc­Clure, John Mal­one, and a few of their friends dressed up as the Ra­mones and per­formed on North Dutcher Street where they live. Since then, the ritual has joyfully multiplied into a treasured Irv­ing­ton tra­di­tion: community bands providing their neighbors with a rock and roll soundtrack (and the accompanying light show) while trick-or-treaters and their families crowd the Village side streets to sing and dance along.

“We’ve got ar­chi­tects, psy­chol­o­gists, vet­eri­nar­i­ans, teach­ers, and tech­nol­ogy pro­fes­sion­als,” said McClure of the musicians who comprise each act. “It runs the gamut.”

Half Halloween concert finale at Irvington Theater on April 26, 2019, featuring local bands Wild Thyme, Lennon + Friends, Evil Eckar with special guest the Dirty Irv Horns, and the North Dutcher All Stars.
“The Cure” performing on North Dutcher Street, Halloween 2018. 
The audience was captivated by “Tom Tom Club” and “Talking Heads” at Irvington Theater’s Half Halloween Concert.
“Devo” (fronted by Doug McClure) at Irvington Theater’s Half Halloween Concert.
Downtown Irvington, just before Halloween’s musical magic begins.

The Halloween Bands (as they’ve been collectively dubbed) don’t let their moniker dictate their performance schedule; last spring, they came together for “Half Halloween,” a spectacular concert fundraiser on the Irvington Theater stage that thoroughly enchanted audience members of all ages. For the first time, four beloved bands were all in one place: Lennon + Friends, Wild Thyme, Evil Eckar, and the North Dutcher All-Stars. Local resident Rich Lobel made a wildly entertaining Master of Ceremonies, and the whole evening was replete with uncanny impersonations, impromptu aisle dancing, spooky surprises, and a karaoke contest that brought down the house. The Village of Irvington was abuzz for weeks, basking in the afterglow of such palpable community spiritedness and intergenerational celebration.

“Ever since that magical night, people always ask us if we made a movie of the show,” said participating musician Miyuki Furtado, who also serves on the Irvington Theater Commission. “Folks who missed it were so disappointed, and anyone who was there wishes they could see it again.”

That wish is about to come true. For the first time ever, Irvington Theater will stream this legendary concert for a one-night-only Halloweekend event – from their stoops to our stage, and now directly to you! Costumes, candy, and household watch parties are strongly encouraged.

Furtado says it’s the perfect time to revisit such a cathartic, live event: “Especially now, with so much uncertainty in the air, that night takes us back to a feeling not so long ago… when we could all gather together and share an incredible, creative community bond that made everyone on the stage and in the audience feel so welcomed, close, and inspired.”

This world premiere concert film will stream at 7:30pm on Friday, October 30. Purchase your ticket ($12 per household) to receive the viewing link and password at irvingtontheater.com/irvingtonanywhere. 

Irvington Theater is home to a diverse range of innovative programming that entertains, enlightens, and inspires, establishing itself over its 118-year history as the cultural heart of the Rivertowns. The theater continues its tradition with unprecedented reach with “Irvington Anywhere,” their entirely virtual fall season of short films, lively concerts, and classic celebrations. Irvington Anywhere is made possible thanks to the generous support of Eric Bernstein of Compass, Dobbs Ferry.

 

PHOTOS BY Paula Romanow Etzel

The Hudson Valley Electric Jazz Band at ChappPac on Saturday, December 7

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The Hudson Valley Electric Jazz Band is a jazz pop and fusion instrumental and vocal group covering artists such as George Benson, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Chaka Kahn, Stevie Wonder, John Scofield, Michael Brecker and many more.  The band’s music has accessible, strong melodies, both as instrumentals and vocal tunes with a feature of at least one of the soloists showing their virtuosity at some point during each piece. We will show that we have tight arrangements with an expressive moody side as well.

“We want to make sure that there are at least a few songs that the audience is familiar with so we mix in some Motown and R&B vocal numbers so the audience isn’t just listening to a group of performers playing complicated riffs and soloing all night long,” said Jeff Weiner, the band’s drummer who is also helping produce the event.

The Hudson Valley Electric Jazz Band will perform LIVE on Saturday, December 7th from 8 pm to 9:30, at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center.

General seating, first come first serve.

Two sets. Each set is 60 minutes in length. 15 minute intermission.

For tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/83000373351

New courtesy of the Hudson Valley Electric Jazz Band; to learn more, visit www.hvejb.com

 

Erev Yom HaShoah Concert

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On Wednesday night, May 1, 7 p.m., Temple Shaaray Tefila is sponsoring a unique Erev Yom HaShoah concert with musicians from the Boston Symphony. Mark Ludwig, Executive Director of the Terezin Music Foundation, will be narrating a multi-media presentation with music and archival video of the composers of Terezin and an examination of life/survival/death in the so-called Model Ghetto. Free attendance.

shaaraytefila.org