The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Hudson Valley

Four Premier Regional Arts Organizations Join Together to Offer the HUDSON VALLEY SUMMER ARTS PASS

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The Jacob Burns Film Center, Historic Hudson Valley, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, and Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival have joined together to announce an exciting new initiative: the Hudson Valley Summer Arts Pass.

The Hudson Valley Summer Arts Pass is a discounted bundle of tickets to the season’s top events. With an abundance of offerings across the four partner organizations, the Pass helps consumers plan a vibrant and diversified season of arts and culture – all within a short drive! The Pass costs $148, but is valued at over $320, and a link to buy the Pass can be found on each of the participating organizations’ websites through June 20, 2022.

You can check it out HERE!.

Le Jardin du Roi 202205
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Offers include:

Jacob Burns Film Center, Pleasantville

You’ll receive four tickets (plus two coupons for free popcorn and soda) to any regular* screening. With a diverse slate of films carefully curated by our talented programming team, you’re sure to have an outstanding experience at our state-of-the-art theater. Stop by to get a taste of all we offer – from buzzworthy new releases and award-winning foreign films to eye-opening documentaries!

Your tickets and coupons will be mailed within 10 days of purchase. *Special events are not included in the offer. Promotion expires 8/31/22. Questions? Contact us at support@burnsfilmcenter.org or 914.773.7663, ext. 6.

Historic Hudson Valley, Sleepy Hollow Country

This summer, enjoy spectacular treasures of the Hudson Valley with two tickets for tours of three National Historic Landmarks. See Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, the charming riverside home of the Father of American Literature; gaze in wonder at stained glass windows by master artists Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall at Union Church of Pocantico Hills; and be transported to the 1750s during a tour of Philipsburg Manor.

Two tickets for each historic site tour can be reserved on hudsonvalley.org within 48 hours after purchase of the Hudson Valley Summer Arts Pass. Promotion expires 9/11/22. Not valid for tours of Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate, or any special events. Learn more at hudsonvalley.org. Questions? Contact us at info@hudsonvalley.org or by calling 914.366.6900.

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Katonah

Caramoor’s 2022 Summer Season is one of our most dynamic to date! Featuring top artists and ensembles spanning genres of classical, American roots, jazz, global, Broadway, and opera, Caramoor has something for everyone! Select two tickets to a concert of your choice (an $80+ value) and join us for world-class music in one of our open-air venues.

Your tickets will be emailed to you within one week of your performance. Some exclusions apply. Promotion expires 8/19/22, and is only valid for events in Caramoor’s summer season. Learn more at caramoor.org/upcoming-events/summer-caramoor-ticket-packages. Questions? Contact us at boxoffice@caramoor.org or by calling 914.232.1252.

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Garrison

HVSF is bringing you a summer of storytelling, the first in our first-ever permanent home. The 2022 season includes a reimagined Shakespearean classic, a thrilling and timely contemporary American play, and an intimate and thought-provoking solo piece. Select two tickets to a weekday performance of your choice and come revel in the joy and magic of live theater.

Your tickets will be emailed to you within one week of your performance. Some exclusions apply. Promotion expires 9/18/22. Learn more at https://hvshakespeare.org/tickets-events/discounts-offers/. Questions? Contact us at boxoffice@hvshakespeare.org or 845-265-9575.

In addition to helping audiences navigate the vast summer offerings, the four organizations joined together to play an active role in rebuilding the profile of the arts in the region.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, arts presenters experienced some of the steepest economic declines, and while the world retreated into social distancing, NEA data reported that the arts shrank at nearly twice the rate of the economy as a whole. Yet throughout this downturn, the power of the arts – including both its economic and humanitarian value – burned even brighter as audiences and presenters yearned to return to live events.

Caramoor President and CEO, Edward Lewis, III, comments: “Music has the unique ability of uniting people across geography, through history, and from all lived experiences. During tumultuous times, the arts have long been a mode of healing, coping, and overcoming adversity. At Caramoor, we recognize and embrace the unique responsibility we have as arts presenters, and with our fellow participants, we create a welcoming and safe cultural community.”

“Our audiences need the arts more than ever, and the Hudson Valley Summer Arts Pass provides the opportunity for visitors to experience the richness of the region’s offerings,” said Historic Hudson Valley’s Vice President of Communications & Commerce, Rob Schweitzer. “We’re thrilled to offer this pass and to partner with the region’s top cultural organizations to provide even more ways for people to get out and explore the area this season.”

“We’re all excited to collaborate with other arts and culture nonprofits to highlight the diverse, vibrant cultural offerings within the Hudson Valley,” said JBFC Executive Director Mary Jo Ziesel. “We hope to encourage people to get out and try something new this summer. This discounted pass is the perfect entrée to enjoy the arts nearby.”

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival Managing Director, Kate Liberman, comments: “HVSF is honored to be participating in this amazing program, which shows the impact of real collaboration among our regional arts institutions. Bringing our audiences together will be essential as the arts and culture sector recovers from the pandemic. As HVSF transitions to our new home this season, we cannot wait to celebrate our shared humanity by welcoming new friends under our theater tent.”

 

Hudson Valley Arts Pass News Courtesy of Caramoor Center for Music & the Arts

Sheep to Shawl: Philipsburg Manor Event in Sleepy Hollow POSTPONED

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EDITOR’S NOTE:  Please note that all of the Garden Conservancy Open Days have been canceled up through Mother’s Day at this point.

The Sleepy Hollow’s Philipsburg Manor for Sheep-to-Shawl event originally scheduled for April 18 and 19 had planned to include on-site activities include crafts for children, including a giant 20-foot diameter weaving project.  Fashionista visitors can check out Project Colonial Runway all while tapping their feet to a live bluegrass band.

Visitors to this event will be invited to follow the process of textile creation, from the sheep’s back to yarn, experiencing the entire process of turning wool into cloth, watching as sheep are shorn by hand, and taking a turn dyeing and weaving the finished product–all done just like it was over 300 years ago! Updates at hudsonvalley.org.

This is a view of the Sheep-to-Shawl event at Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. on April 23, 2017. (Photo by Tom Nycz)

 

10 Reasons Why Winter in Westchester Isn’t So Bad

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I have a sister who lives in LA. She’s a native New Yorker like me and she couldn’t be happier there. When we FaceTime on the phone she usually announces gleefully what the weather is there as she sees me all bundled up in my wool turtleneck sweater. “Well it’s 18 degrees here,” I reply. And then we discuss other things but without fail in every conversation, the weather comes up. I often wonder if I’d be happier on the West Coast and for now the answer is a resounding no. I like the change in seasons. There’s a certain beauty in a Hudson Valley winter (at least in the beginning before the umpteenth snow day). So here without further ado are ten reasons why winter in Westchester isn’t so bad.

1.Glistening snow – when that first snowfall happens before the snowplows come, it truly is a sight to see.

2.Building snowmen, making snow angels and snowball fights – if dressed appropriately, this is a lot of fun. I will admit that my kids have way more stamina for this than me. After a while I want to go back inside.

3.Baking – something about this weather makes me just love to bake. Especially on snow days.

4.Winter clothes – I know this may sound odd but I like my winter wardrobe so much more than my summer clothes. Wool, velvet, cashmere, shearling lined booties. Oh and I can’t forget pom pom hats.

5.Winter sports – I am one of those rare specimens who grew up in the Northeast and has never skied or tried snowboarding. But I have snowshoed (less chance of injury) and taking in the beauty of the season while outdoors is a special treat.

6.Holiday lights – I love it when folks deck their homes in holiday splendor. There are some pretty creative folks around here.

7.Snow days – The first few snow days I absolutely love. Now I realize this is a true luxury for me because I work from home and don’t have to worry about childcare or commuting in treacherous conditions but going back to sleep after the robocall and wearing PJs all day has its appeal.

8.The scent of winter – As a recreational runner with my dog, I’ll bundle myself up (and the dog too in his jacket) and run in weather as low as 25 degrees. It’s invigorating running outside, seeing my warm breath meet the cold air and taking in the scent of folks burning wood in their fireplaces. That’s New England personified to me.

9. Hot chocolate, hot toddies, hot soup – I like all of these. Need I say more?

10.Knowing that this too shall pass – This was my grandma’s favorite saying. The glistening snow, the icicles on the branches – they are all ephemeral. Spring is on its way before you know it.

Wishing you and your families a winter and holiday season filled with warmth and fun memories.

The Chappaqua Orchestra: “High Quality Musical Experience”

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Since 1959, the Chappaqua Orchestra has promoted live classical music in the Hudson Valley region by presenting a high-quality musical experience for diverse audiences through community outreach, educational and creative programming. The Chappaqua Orchestra is proud to note its:

  • Together in Music concert which features children from the Special Needs community performing along with the orchestra
  • Nationally recognized concerto competition, highlighted on The Violin Channel, as one of the premier competitions in the nation.
  • Grace Notes prison concert program, bringing music and cultural enrichment to NY prison populations.

The Chappaqua Orchestra brings high quality orchestral and chamber music performances that reach audiences of all types. chappaquaorchestra.org.

Courtesy of the Chappaqua Orchestra.

Chappaqua Orchestra on Community Day, Photo by Grace Bennett

Festivities Galore in Store at ‘Hudson Valley Fermented’

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The Pleasantville Rotary Club will be holding their wildly successful charity fundraiser, Hudson Valley Fermented, again this year. This tasting event of New York craft beverages and samplings from the best Hudson Valley restaurants will take place Saturday, March 16. The Rotary Club raises funds for local and international charities; last year alone, $30,000 was raised and hopes are high to top that this year. Major beneficiaries of Hudson Valley Fermented 2019 will include Team Fox for Parkinson’s Research, Pleasantville Fund for Learning, and Break the Hold (suicide prevention and mental wellness).

Hudson Valley Fermented will be held at Pace University’s Kessel Student Center in Pleasantville. This upbeat, festive event will feature over 30 cutting-edge breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, as well as delicious food offerings from over a dozen of the finest restaurants from the greater Hudson Valley region. In addition, there will be live music, dancing, raffles, auctions, and more.

For more info, visit hvfermented.com