Rising up from the grounds of a historic Hudson Valley mansion is a Halloween display that transports you into a magical world. Your walk through the grounds is filled with the artistry of over 7000 carved pumpkins that have been curated into a fantasy of light and sound.
The ultimate fall experience in the Hudson Valley has returned. The Great Jack O Lantern Blaze kicks off the fall season and runs through November 16th. A great event for all ages.
Located on the grounds of an 18th-century estate on the banks of the Croton River in Westchester, Van Cortlandt Manor is perfect setting this popular event. Enter through an arched gate of lit and carved pumpkins along dark paths lit with. The mood has been set for an event like no other.
Artists have been at hard at work carving lanterns thousands of pumpkins and transforming this historic site into a magical Halloween world. Guests will marvel at the pumpkin lit tunnel, the bridges, and other features such as the giant spider web and the smoke bellowing dragon, all crafted with lit Jack O’ Lanterns.
Visitors will enjoy a dazzling display of, flowers, fish, Celtic designs, traditional jack O’ Lanterns, The Headless Horseman, ghosts, scarecrows, dinosaurs, and so much more.
The Ferris wheel, the carnival side show and the Day of The Dead have all returned and the carrousel is truly an inspiring spectacle. As you wind toward the end you come to the manor house itself which puts on a dazzling light display
New this year you can go over the rainbow with the massive new, WICKEDLY fun emerald-hued storybook pumpkin dreamscape
Stop by the Headless Horsemen Hideaway for spooky sips and haunting visits from the Horseman himself. Great photo ops!
Returning Favorites fall-themed sweets and snacks at the courtyard snack stand .And of course the Blaze gift shop to find exclusive souvenirs and local finds.
Stop by and see the Headless Horseman himself and enjoy a cocktail.
This is the perfect event to celebrate the fall season right in the Hudson Valley!
. Proceeds from your ticket purchase support the education and preservation efforts of Historic Hudson Valley.
Rent is a rock musical with music, lyrics, and book by Jonathan Larson. It is inspired by the 1896 opera La Boheme by Puccini. Rent tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in the East Village of New York city , in the days of before gentrification and when HIV/Aids was still raging.
The young artists live in a rundown loft in Alphabet City and are months behind on their rent. They band together to feed each other, stay warm and keep a roof over their head even when the electricity it turned off. A former friend who now owns the building with his wealthy wife wants to evict them. It is this pending eviction, the knowledge some of their friends are HIV positive, strengthen their bonds and their friendship to stay in the only home they have. The story and music is both emotional and moving and you cannot leave the production without being touched by this story.
Rent stars Jacob Heimer (B’way- Beautiful) as Roger, Joe Tolentino (Regional- Rent w/ director Adam Pascal) as Mark, Cedric Leiba JR. (Tour- Rent, Miss Saigon) as Angel, Darrick Penny (Regional- Rent w/ director Adam Pascal) as Tom, LaDonna Burns (Nat’l Tour- Rent, MTC- Ghost (CT Critics Circle Award Winner)) as Joanne, Olivia Fenton (Ivoryton- Hank Williams: Lost Highway, MTC- Moon Over Buffalo) as Maureen, Gabriela Gomez (Disney Cruise- Aladdin) as Mimi, Matt Mancuso (Valley Shakespeare- As You Like It, MTC- Ghost) as Benny, and Ensemble cast includes Sadie Seelert (B’way- Mary Poppins), Leeanna Rubin (Nat’l Tour- Annie), Carlos Pérez (SToNC- The Little Mermaid), Charles Romano (Legacy- Sweeney Todd). Rent is directed & choreographed by Chris McNiff with music direction by David Wolfson. The production team also includes stage management by Theresa Stark, fight & intimacy direction by Dan O’Driscoll, scenic design by Marty Marchitto, lighting design by Scott Borowka, prop design by Claudia Ruck, costume design by Diane Vanderkroef, and sound design by Jon Damast. Ticket prices range from $45-$60 plus fees and can be purchased online.
The Parmount Hudson Valley is a fantastic restored theater and a fantastic venue here in Westchester County. There is always a variety of fantastic entertainment for everyone. Here are some of the great shows coming soon to this iconic theater
The Sixties Show – Saturday September 27th. The Paramount Hudson Valley invites you to experience the ultimate 1960s musical re-creation concert and multi-media spectacle. Get ready to be transported back to the 1960s! This award-winning, cross-generational extravaganza is more than just a concert—it’s a dazzling Broadway-style production that transports you straight to the heart of the iconic 1960s. With note-for-note re-creations of the greatest hits, B-sides, and deep album cuts, all performed live, The Sixties Show brings the era’s sound to life.
Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Jukebox – Saturday October 4th Tony-winning Broadway legend, Emmy-winning TV star, renowned for creating timeless characters in movies such as The Princess Bride, Yentl, and Dick Tracy — Mandy Patinkin presents his new show, Mandy Patinkin in Concert: JUKEBOX.
With Adam Ben-David on piano, JUKEBOX features Mandy’s own hand-picked collection of classic musical numbers, expressed as only he can through a unique mastery of word and song..This show will begin promptly at 8 PM and late seating will be done at House Manager’s discretion.
Bronx Tale Friday October 10th Bronx-born and raised Chazz Palminteri wrote the play, A Bronx Tale . The powerful one-man stage play depicted his childhood in the 1960s Bronx which included witnessing a gangland killing outside his house when he was nine years old. Palminteri plays 18 characters and brought them all to life in his autobiographical play. His friends, enemies and family came alive on stage. The play would later become a major motion picture directed by and starring Robert DiNiro and Chazz Palminteri. We have seen this one man play in the past and it is a theatrical event not to be missed.
Hollywood Nights-the Bob Seger Experience Saturday October 11th Get ready to rock out with Hollywood Nights – The Bob Seger Experience! This high-energy 9-piece band from New Jersey delivers an authentic tribute to Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, bringing Seger’s unforgettable hits to life, including classics like “Main Street” “Night Moves,” “Turn the Page,” “Against the Wind,” and “Old Time Rock & Roll.” Hollywood Nights perfectly captures the energy of Seger’s raspy vocals and the rock and roll energy that defined his performances. If you missed a Bob Segar concert, this is a chance to experience the next best thing
One of the most iconic local music venues in our area is hosting a great line up of shows in the coming weeks.
The Teskey Brothers – USA Tour 2025 with Zinadelphia Sunday September 14th
Sam and Josh Teskey, known as The Teskey Brothers, have captured the hearts of many, reaching the kind of global success a blues band out of Melbourne could only have imagined They have released three studio albums featuring a soul-soaked spin on rock, folk and blues.
The Revivalists: Monday September 22 Eight-piece rock ‘n’ roll collective The Revivalists. Renowned for their live prowess, soulful alt-rock anthems, and a distinct mix of many of the classic styles of American music. The Revivalists broke through with 2015’s Men Amongst Mountains, which featured the double-platinum smash single and Billboard Hot 100 hit “Wish I Knew You.”
Johnny Marr with Trace Mountains Friday September 26th
Johnny Marr started his career with The Smiths, beginning an amazing history as one of the most influential songwriters and guitarists in British independent music. His subsequent creative journey has seen him at the heart of The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse and The Cribs, as well as working with such names as The Pretenders, Talking Heads, The Avalanches, and the musician and composer Hans Zimmer – with whom he recorded the score and soundtrack for the most recent James Bond film, No Time To Die, including the Oscar-nominated title track created with Billie Eilish. Should be a great show!!
Oteil and Friends Friday October 3
Oteil and Friends brings their Greatful Dead inspired sound to the Capitol. Oteil & Friends features a rotating cast of all-star musicians (including Melvin Seals, John Kadlecik, Tom Guarana, Jeff Chimenti, John Morgan Kimock, Jennifer Hartswick, Jason Crosby, Natalie Cressman, Lamar Williams Jr., and more) began touring in 2017, and continue to play shows and festivals today.
Yes – Performing “Fragile” in its entirety Sunday October 5th
The iconic progressive rock band Yes will be at the Capitol on October 5th with an epic show. They will be performing their famous album “Fragile” in its entirety! Do not miss this show.
Legendary director, Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, The Godfather 2, Apocalypse Now) is bringing his monumental 2024 film, MEGALOPOLIS, to select cities across the country. This very special event offers a rare chance to experience the film on the big screen, surrounded by a live audience. Following the screening, Coppola will lead an interactive conversation about the future of humanity, along with a live audience Q&A. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to see MEGALOPOLIS —not currently available on streaming, and discuss the film with the iconic director live.
Megalopolis[a] is a 2024 American science fiction film. The film features a large cast including Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, Shia Labeouf, Talia Shire, Jon Voight, Dustin Hoffman and more. Set in an alternate 21st-century New York City (restyled “New Rome”), the film follows visionary architect Cesar Catilina (Driver) as he clashes with the corrupt Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Esposito), who opposes Catilina’s plans to revitalize New Rome by building the futuristic utopia “Megalopolis”.
This looks to be a very special night at the Capitol and one for film buffs not to miss.
A great line up of live entertainment is coming soon to the historic Paramount Theater in Peekskill.
Super 70s Show July 25th at 8PM
The Super 70’s Rock Show is an high energy, immersive concert experience featuring the 70s rock and radio hits that defined a generation . The show is performed with stunning musicianship and a cutting-edge visual production that brings the sights and sounds of the ’70s roaring back to life. Sounds like a great time!
JIMMY KENNY BAND- THE ULTIMATE BEACH PARTY TRIBUTE TO JIMMY BUFFETT, KENNY CHESNEY AND THE ZAC BROWN BAND August 23 at 8pm
Let’s keep the party going! The Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band have been celebrating the beach/ country sounds of Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band, up and down the Northeast coast, Maine for over 15 years, providing a wonderful mix of their popular sing-along hits and feel good, easy living vibes! This is a great way to celebrate summer with this tribute to the king of island cool, Jimmy Buffett.
If you like your toes in the sand, wasting away with a margarita or a cold beer on a Friday night, then you’ll love having a great time with the Jimmy Kenny Band!
The Sixties Show- The Greatest 1960’s Musical Re-Creation Show on Earth
September 27, 2025 at 8:00 PM
This looks to be an amazing night at the Paramount. What makes The Sixties Show truly unique is its flawless attention to detail. From the use of authentic vintage instruments and 1960s mod costumes to its cutting-edge multimedia presentation, this immersive experience goes beyond a simple re-enactment. Time-travel special effects, archival audio and footage, and a stunning light show transport you directly into the spirit of the ‘60s, making you feel as if you’re living the moment, not just watching it. The band, featuring current and former members of The Who, John Fogerty’s Creedence Clearwater Revival, and more, deliver an electrifying performance that resonates with fans of all ages. Do not miss this musical experience!!
Ancient Aliens Live November 08, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The ninety-minute live experience celebrates the long-running program Ancient Aliens on The HISTORY Channel and features leading Ancient Astronaut theorist Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, investigative mythologist William Henry, UK government UFO investigator Nick Pope, and ancient civilizations expert, Jason Martell, as they discuss thought-provoking extraterrestrial theories on fan-favorite topics from Ancient Egypt, ruins in Central and South America and other ancient mysteries found around the globe. This exploration of the Ancient Astronaut theory will be a thought provoking evening for all even if you have not seen the hit television series. Photo op packages are available to attendees.
We all need a night of laughter and great entertainment. Now on stage at The Ridgefield Theater Barn is the hilarious comedy “Moon Over Buffalo”. The comedy will be presented starting May 30th through June 21, 2025. The play by Ken Ludwig was staged on Broadway in 1995 starring Carol Burnett and ran for over 300 performances.
The play takes place in Buffalo New York in the early 1950s where we meet George and his wife Charlotte who are both actors and are presenting two plays in their small repartory theatre, Cyrano De Bergerac and Private Lives. We meet the characters as they have a sword fight to and fro across the Theatre Barn stage. The sword fight is only a hint of the highly physical comedy that is to come during the two act, two hour performance.
George and Charlotte love the theater, but they crave one last fading hope at starring in a Hollywood feature film. Such a chance happens when the leading actor in a Frank Capra film is injured and the legendary director is coming to see George and Charlotte perform in person with the possibility of casting them in the film.
Chaos breaks out in the preparation for the performance. Joining the cast is Eileen one of the company actors who announces she is pregnant with George’s child. Also arriving is Roz (the daughter of George and Charlotte) and her fiancé, a television weatherman. When Charlotte discovers that George has fathered a child she plans to run off with her own lover, Richard. George starts drinking and runs off. As Capra will be arriving soon for their performance, the players make a crazy physical chase through the elaborate stage in search of George and aided by Charlotte’s half deaf mother, Ethel.
The pace of comedy becomes frantic, fast and physical. The Theatre Barn set has numerous doors and a staircase which becomes the backdrop for a desperate search to find George and somehow stage the play in time before Capra’s arrival. The laughs are nonstop with wonderful performances from the cast.
The cast is George Hay – Fred Rueck, Charlotte Hay – Gillian Holt, Ethel – Elayne Gordon. Rosalind – Julia Preis, Howard – Seth von Schmidt, Eileen – Clara Sussmann, Paul – Matthew Donovan, and Richard – Timothy Huber.
Directed by Diana Canova who expertly guides this hilarious and over the top comedy by using every square foot of the stage and directing the actors to deliver their lines with hysterical result. An evening of laughs not to be missed. The set design was very impressive and really was an important part of the play.
The Ridgefield Theater Barn is a great experience. The audience in the small intimate space can bring in their own food and drink to enjoy prior to the performance. It is a very special venue and the productions are always of high quality.
Fans of creative independent film should head to Ridgefield Connecticut for the annual Ridgefield Independent Film Festival (RIFF). The Ridgefield Independent Film Festival is back for its 10th year.. The festival is an exciting venue filled with independent short film, narrative films and documentaries. There is something for everyone. This is one of our favorite events of the year and if you love film, this is a great way to experience cinema you just do not see on your streaming service.
There will be numerous (over 30) films in the festival so we encourage you to check the RIFF website for more details and ticket information. We encourage you to buy tickets in advance.
The festival will kick off on May 15th with Rebel With a Clause which will also include a filmmaker Q and A as well as a reception and book signing. Friday the festival will get into full swing with the Psych Night program featuring “Thanks for the Room” at 4pm and then a slate of 5 short films at 7pm.
Saturday May 17th will feature a full slate of movies. “Across the Lens” is a series of narrative short films at noon on Saturday. There will be additional short films series “Black Flag Shorts 1 and 2” that will be screened at 2pm and 4:30pm. Short films really allow independent film makers a forum to present their craft to a wider audience.
Saturday will continue with a documentary feature, “The Trouble with Mr.Doodle” and wrap up with the Saturday night feature film “Under the Volcano” at 7pm.
Sunday May 18th the festival will wind down with the RIFF 10th Anniversary Awards ceremony and brunch at Keeler Tavern.
Ridgefield Independent Film Festival was founded in 2015 by local playwright and filmmaker, Joanne Hudson and presented its first iteration in May of 2016 at ten venues throughout Ridgefield, CT; screening 72 films from 26 countries. Now in its 10th year this intimate and highly curated festival continues with the same independent spirit in which it began: in the hopes of making the world a more compassionate place through the film.f
As we have done for years, I On The Valley is proud to promote the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival. It is a local treasure we encourage local residents to take advantage of this cultural resource. See you at the movies.
“Theatre People!”, exclaims Olga the Maid as she expresses her frustration with the guests staying at a Newport Mansion. The crowd at the Westport Country Playhouse laughs in unison at the remark and it will be a night filled with constant laughter. The play draws its inspiration from past stage romantic comedies. It includes all the elements including an interesting scenario and setting, rapid fire dialogue and jokes, physical comedy, and a cast of memorable characters.
The people to whom Olga the Maid refers are the guests at the mansion that evening. This hysterical comedy is set in 1948 in a Newport mansion filled with characters that are a part of the theater: Charlotte and Arthur Sanders, a married playwright couple; Margot Bell, a celebrated vocalist and actress, Victor Pratt, a Broadway baritone; and Oliver Adams, a young, naive novelist. Rounding out the cast of characters as is Olga, the mansion’s housekeeper whose snide remarks and sarcasm delivered in a Russian accent deliver some of the best comedic lines of the evening.
The play begins with the playwrights Charlotte (Isabelle Keating) and her husband Arthur (Michael McCormick) entering a beautifully decorated bedroom suite in a posh Newport mansion. They immediately begin to describe the suite as if they were writing a play and even look out at the theater audience and stating this is where the audience would sit. This immediately pulls the audience into the action on stage. This play within a play is a very clever and effective technique. They are soon joined by Oliver the novelist (Rodolfo Soto) who is hoping to reunite with the woman he met once but whom he is madly in love. He wants to tell her about his novel that she inspired him to write, It is that very book that Charlotte and Arthur are desperate to make into a Broadway play. The subject of Oliver’s love is an actress and vocalist, Margot (Mia Pinero) who is at the mansion to sing. She is performing with the bombastic Victor Pratt (Michael McCorry Rose) whose ego is far greater than his talent.
When Oliver, Charlotte and Arthur overhear Margot and Victor in the next room, all their plans for the weekend become unraveled. In a wild attempt to salvage the hope to stage their play, and reunite Oliver and Margot, Charlotte writes an entire new 2nd act to their play based on Oliver’s book which he is hesitant to publish. Charlotte enlists the help of Olga the maid who enters and exits the suite injecting laughs into every appearance.
Theatre People has all the elements of a classic stage comedy including a great setting, over the top characters, clever writing, rapid fire dialogue, and brilliant comedic timing. Theatre People has it all and add beautiful set design and direction and you have an evening of non stop great comedy. With Broadway actors and Broadway quality set, lighting and sound, Westport Country Playhouse is the place to experience live local theatre.
The cast includes Erin Noel Grennan as Olga, Isabel Keating as Charlotte Sanders ( Broadway: Upcoming “Queen of Versailles,” “Doubt: A Parable,” “The Boy from Oz” – Tony, Drama League, Outer Critics nominations, Drama Desk and Theatre World awards. Michael McCormick as Arthur Sanders Broadway: 15 shows including “Wicked,” “1776,” “Kiss Me, Kate,” “Curtains,” “Chaplin”; National Tours: “The Producers,” “Les Misérables”; Off-Broadway: “Fly By Night,” “A Man Of No Importance” at Lincoln Center Theater; TV: “Blue Bloods,” ”Brain Dead,” “Elementary,” “House Of Cards”; 18 Broadway and Off-Broadway cast albums Mia Pinero as Margot Bell (Broadway: “Sweeney Todd” as Johanna/Beggar Woman, “West Side Story” as Maria. Michael McCorry Rose as Victor Pratt (Broadway/Tours: “Wicked,” “Anastasia,” “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” next season’s “The Queen of Versailles”; Film: Universal Picture’s “Wicked,” “Disenchanted” for Disney, and Rodolfo Soto as Oliver Adams (Westport Country Playhouse: “In the Heights” as Usnavi.)
Playwright Paul Slade Smith is an actor and playwright living in Brooklyn with his wife, who is a member of the “Theatre People” cast (Erin Noel Grennan). Smith’s play, “Unnecessary Farce,” is the winner of nine regional theatre awards, and has had over 325 productions throughout the United States, and in Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Switzerland, Iceland, Singapore, and Japan.
Director Mark Shanahan is Playhouse artistic director and Script in Hand curator. In 2024, he directed “The 39 Steps,” the Playhouse’s inaugural production for the 2024-25 season, as well as the Playhouse’s holiday offering, “A Sherlock Carol.” Mark also warmed up the crowd prior to the show by having the opening night attendees shout in unison “ We are Theatre People!”.
“Theatre People” running time is approximately two hours, including one 15-minute intermission. The first act is around 35 minutes with the second act being around 50 minutes. Single tickets start at $40 and are subject to change based upon availability.. For information on special offers, including discounts for students, senior citizens, educators, military and first responders, Indigenous peoples, professional playwrights, and groups, as well as options for pay-what-you-will and library passes,
Do not miss “Theater People” now on stage at the historic Westport Country Playhouse!
I On The Valley 