The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

sunrise day camp

How this ROCK PALACE is Helping Local Organizations in Need

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The legendary Capitol Theatre has opened its doors to some of the world’s biggest rock stars, comedians, and performers. The iconic venue also hosts a number of diverse special events, from wedding proposals to symposiums and benefits.

Off the heels of “The Cap Cares” volunteer rewards program, the theater continues to go above and beyond to help and bring awareness to local charities, and organizations. 

The Capitol Theatre will be hosting the following special events in the coming months:

March 4 – The Cap is hosting a benefit for Pathways, before the Marcus King show. Pathways is a private, non-profit agency that provides services for adults who suffer from severe and prolonged mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression.

March 10 – 914Cares will be having their annual Westchester Poverty Symposium. The Westchester Poverty Symposium is an event where community members, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, policymakers, funders, and others join to share innovative ideas about community-driven partnerships. 914Cares is a local organization working to ensure the people of Westchester are cared for by collaborating, supporting and providing resources to local organizations, educating the community about poverty and encouraging actionable generosity.

April 28 – Will be the ninth annual Rock the River Concert to benefit Sunrise Day Camp-Pearl. Honoring Allison & Larry Fehrenbaker and featuring Back to the 80’s Show with everyone’s favorite cover band Jessie’s Girl. Sunrise Day Camp brings the simple pleasures of childhood back to children struggling with cancer, changing months of loneliness and isolation into summers filled with sunshine, laughter and happiness.

ABOUT THE CAPITOL THEATRE 

Designed by celebrated architect Thomas Lamb in 1926 and listed in The National Register of Historic Places, The Capitol Theatre is located 30 miles from NYC. The 2,000-capacity theater, known as “the original rock palace,” showcased legends such as Traffic, The Grateful Dead, Black Sabbath, Chuck Berry, David Bowie, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, and The Rolling Stones. Jerry Garcia called it one of his two favorite venues in the USA. In 2012, the theatre underwent a major renovation under the guidance of music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro. Since then, it has hosted major performers including Bob Dylan, Phil Lesh, Ringo Starr, Joan Baez, Skrillex, Bonnie Raitt, Snoop Dogg, Kacey Musgraves, The Strokes, Tom Petty, Cyndi Lauper, and Willie Nelson, as well as comedians like Kevin Hart and Amy Schumer. The New York Times raves: “A rock theater that looks and sounds as good as the Capitol is something to celebrate.” The Capitol’s inner-sanctum bar and music club, Garcia’s, was named for Jerry Garcia in partnership with his family. A venue of its own, Garcia’s showcases local artists and nationally touring acts across the musical spectrum.

 

Wyclef Jean to Headline Benefit for Sunrise Day Camp – Pearl River at The Capitol Theatre

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Port Chester, NY— Nationally-acclaimed hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean will perform an intimate show to benefit Sunrise Day Camp – Pearl River at The Capitol Theatre on Thursday, April 19.

For over two decades, Wyclef has paved his own musical landscape both as a critically-acclaimed solo performer and member of the legendary hip-hop trio, the Fugees. Since putting out the landmark Fugees album, The Score, in 1996, Jean has won three Grammy Awards and has sold over nine million albums in his solo career alone.

In 2017, Wyclef put out his first record of original music in 8 years, Carnival III: The Rise and Fall of a Refugee, which was praised by the likes of XXL Magazine and named one of the “25 Most Anticipated Albums” of the fall by Billboard. Additionally, Wyclef released a new mixtape entitled Inspired By…, which paid tribute to music that inspired him including Drake, A$AP Ferg, and Carlos Santana.

Wyclef’s show on April 19 will not only be one of the few times you can see him in such an intimate setting, you’ll also be giving back to the community and making a positive influence in the lives of children.

Sunrise Day Camps are the world’s only full-summer day camps for children with cancer and their siblings. Sunrise Day Camp – Pearl River is a proud member of the Sunrise Association, whose mission is to bring back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings world-wide, through the creation of Sunrise Day Camps, Year-Round Programs and In-Hospital Recreational Activities, all offered free of charge.

Tickets start at $43 advance and can be purchased by calling Ticketfly at (877) 987-6487, ordering online at www.thecapitoltheatre.com, or visiting The Capitol Theatre Box Office at 149 Westchester Avenue, Port Chester, New York, Monday through Thursday from 2:00PM-6:00PM or Friday and Saturday from 12:00PM-6:00PM.

Only balcony and loge tickets are available to the public. The orchestra section is reserved for a private event. Please contact Lizzie Mancini at lizzie.mancini@sunriseassociation.org or (516) 634 – 4191 if you are interested in purchasing orchestra level tickets to their event.

About The Capitol Theatre:

Designed by celebrated architect Thomas Lamb in 1926 and listed in The National Register of Historic Places, the Capitol is located 30 miles from NYC, accessible by I-95 and only one block from the Port Chester Metro North train station. The 2,000-capacity theater, known as “the original rock palace,’ showcased rock legends such as Black Sabbath, Chuck Berry, David Bowie, Derek and the Dominos, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, and The Rolling Stones. Jerry Garcia once called it his favorite venue, claiming “See, there’s only two theaters, man… that are set up pretty groovy all around for music and for smooth stage changes, good lighting and all that – the Fillmore and The Capitol Theatre. And those are the only two in the whole country.”

In 2012, the Capitol Theatre underwent a transformative renovation under the guidance of entrepreneur Peter Shapiro (Brooklyn Bowl, Lockn’ Festival, the “Fare Thee Well” Grateful Dead 50th Anniversary stadium shows, music magazine Relix, FANS). Since then, The Capitol has hosted many of music’s most prominent performers including Bob Dylan, Phil Lesh, Ringo Starr, Ryan Adams, Skrillex, Snoop Dogg, The Strokes, Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, and many more. The Capitol has also welcomed comedians like Kevin Hart and Amy Schumer. The New York Times raves: “A rock theater that looks and sounds as good as the Capitol is something to celebrate.” Billboard agrees: “The lavishly decorated theater — filled with mirrors, chandeliers and painstakingly restored detail — looks absolutely stunning, and sounds even better.”

https://www.instagram.com/capitoltheatre/

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“I Did it!” A Look Back at the 2015 Sunrise Day Camp Walk

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Excitement, Empowerment, and Raising Much Needed Funds

By Zarah Kavarana

A little girl clings on to her mother’s hand as the two cross the finish line at the third annual Sunrise Day Camp fundraising walk-a-thon, SunriseWALKS. “I did it!,” she beams, one by one high-fiving camp counselors and event helpers. In her excitement, the blue bandana tied over her tiny bald head nearly knocks off.

Over 120 participants arrived at the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds in Pearl River early on Sunday, June 14 for the walk, showing their support for Sunrise and its children. Nearly $110,000 was raised at the event.

Sunrise Day Camp is the only day camp in the world for children with cancer and their siblings. It functions just like any other camp, making traditional activities like arts and crafts, swimming and sports available to campers in a safe setting where they can meet children their own age who have endured similar struggles.

Children ages 3 1/2 to 16 years are invited to attend – completely free of charge. Sunrise is able to absorb a $6,000 fee per camper by hosting multiple fundraising events, like SunriseWALKS throughout the year.

“I think that it’s really important to understand that cancer bankrupts families,” said Sunrise Camp Director and Associate Executive Director of the Rosenthal JCC, Sandy Haft. “It crushes them not only emotionally, but economically.”

With every dollar raised, Sunrise is able to ease some financial burden for families of children with cancer and simultaneously create some normalcy in their lives.

The camp runs for 7 1/2 weeks, but each child’s schedule is flexible based on their personal medical needs. Sunrise staff is always understanding about campers  missing a day if they don’t feel well or have doctor’s visits scheduled.

Two nurses are on site every day, ready to care for campers appropriately, and a team of friendly counselors facilitate activities to make the experience enjoyable.

Terence Hughes, a former councilor and rising junior at Dartmouth College returned for Sunday’s event. He hopes to someday become a doctor and discussed how the Sunrise experience has been equally beneficial for him as it has for campers.

“I learned that treatment extends far beyond the hospital,” said Terence. “What we’re doing here emotionally is just as valid as different types of bio medicine and medical procedures.”

Campers come to the Pearl River campgrounds from near and far with the help of a free bus service. Sunrise families are throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, Southern Connecticut, Northern New Jersey, as well as Westchester, Rockland and Orange counties.

This summer, 198 children have registered for camp.

Sunday’s event kicked off with a delicious breakfast catered by Bristal Assisted Living to energize participants before they embarked on a one-mile walk around the campgrounds. Carnival style games and bouncy houses welcomed back walkers. There was free popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream for all to enjoy, while a DJ kept the crowd dancing.

Mother of three Sunrise campers, Lakaya Sewer, was chosen to be the speaker for the event. She lost her job soon after her oldest son, 15-year-old Ky-mani was diagnosed with brain cancer two years ago. Since then he has undergone surgery, but surgeons determined that his tumor was better off left in because of its position, afraid that taking it out might bring on other issues.

Ky-mani is taking life day by day. His mother says that Sunrise has become an important part of his life, having met many friends and received the support of camp leaders. She noted that Sunrise has not failed to let her down either.

“For me, being pushed into the cancer world was really hard because you no longer feel like you’re living a normal life,” said Sewer. “Sunrise is a big, giant family with people who understand my story. It gives me peace that I’m not alone in this.”

Michele Anastasia also attended the event with her two Sunrise sons, four-year-old Giancarlo and eight-year-old Santino, who was diagnosed with Leukemia in early 2014. After a year of endless hospital visits, he is accepting treatments well and progressing nicely.

Just four days before camp started last year, Anastasia’s home burned down and the family lost everything. Sunrise was quick to step up, providing them with t-shirts and taking care of the kids’ lunches and snacks on camp days.

“After last year, everything’s a piece of cake,” said Anastasia. “But it’s comforting to come here and know that everyone has a story of their own. Sunrise has been there and will be there for all of us.”

Ellie Aronowitz, Executive Director of the Rosenthal JCC of Northern Westchester, said that Sunrise is not just a community, but a family.

“This is indeed a family of people who care,” she said. “It’s a place of belonging and inclusiveness. I think we become a part of families, children’s’, parents’ lives as they become enmeshed in our hearts forever. Once you become a part of Sunrise Day Camp, you become a lifer.”

Sunrise Day Camp is a joint program of the Friedberg JCC and the Rosenthal JCC, beneficiary agencies of the UJA-Federation of New York.

It is a part of the Sunrise Association, which works bring the joys of childhood to children with cancer. The camp has three other locations–one on Long Island and two in Israel. The Pearl River location is the newest location.

The Sunrise Association also offers Sunrise on Wheels, an in-hospital program that works with nine New York and New Jersey metropolitan hospitals to make stays more enjoyable for children.

“The work we do here is not a labor of love,” said Haft. “It’s truly love.”

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