Still looking for a way to ring in the New Year?  Right in Northern Westchester the fabulous Winery at St. George Restaurant and Lounge will be hosting a great night of great food, drink and live music.  This is a great way to ring in the New Year in one of the most unique and fun venues in the Hudson Valley.

The Winery will open its doors at 8pm for a memorable evening with live music provided by the talented Emily Surtees and her band.   I had the opportunity to attend one her shows early this year and was blown away by her amazing vocal performance as she sang from a musical catalog that included such vocalists as Tina Turner, Ann Wilson of Heart and Stevie Nicks.

The evening will begin with a cocktail reception from 8pm to 9pm.  There will also be a five course sit down dinner and a preview of the menu online looks delicious.  Their will be an open bar from 8 pm to 1am.  Champagne will be provided, there will be a ball drop at midnight, and party favors for all attendees.  Show time kicks off at 9:30 pm and goes on throughout the evening.  Tickets are $165 per person for the entire evening of festivities.

If you are looking for a unique and fantastic way to ring in 2018, then come in from the bitter cold and into the wonderful Winery at St. George Restaurant and Lounge.

Happy New Year!!

For more information:  http://www.thewineryatstgeorge.com

New Year flyer >>>>http://www.thewineryatstgeorge.com/nye.html

 

The Winery at St. George Restaurant and Lounge

1715 East Main Street  (Route 6) Mohegan Lake NY   near the Taconic Parkway

tel. 914.455.4272

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Located in the heart of Bedford Village since 1947, the Bedford Playhouse which served the community for decades closed in 2015.  In order to save this landmark, a small grass roots movement was started led by Bedford resident John Farr.   The vision was not just to reopen the playhouse but to create a special place that would indeed become the heart of the  community, and transform the playhouse into a cinema, cafe, meeting place, and a host for speakers, art exhibits, live music and so much more.

In the lead up to its reopening planned for 2018 the Playhouse has been hosting a number of  events that remind the community  that we live in an area of rich artistic talent.  On December 19th 2017 I had the pleasure to attend a screening of  the comedy classic “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”  starring Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid and Beverly D’Angelo . After the showing of this hysterical film, the sold out audience which filled the Bedford Historical Hall (steps away from the Playhouse) was treated to a live interview with movie legend and Bedford resident, Chevy Chase.  John Farr who is the President and Founder of the Playhouse interviewed Chevy and then opened the interview  to questions from the audience.  It was quite fascinating to learn about the making of the film, and the great cast of actors in the film.  The audience also learned from Chevy some of his favorite roles (Ty Webb from Caddyshack and Clark Griswold) as well as some of his favorite bits from his stint on SNL.   Chevy and his wife are  also  members of the Cultural Advisory Council for the theater.

It was a fascinating discussion and evenings like this are just part of the many wonderful and  interesting events we can expect from the Playhouse in the future.

The Playhouse will be screening first run movies, classics, indie and family films.   The new theater will feature three theaters.  The main theater will retain the elegance of  a classic movie house with 21st Century upgrades that theater goers expect.  Two smaller theaters will host a variety of cinema including documentaries, indie, foreign films and more.    Add to this transformation an all day cafe open to all, and the Playhouse will truly be not only a local treasure, but a magnet for the community .

The main theater is planned to open in the Spring 2018, with the remainder planned to be open by Summer 2018.  The amazing transformation of this landmark has been done by donations from the community. Learn more and to help meet the fundraising goals of the Playhouse please visit:

http://www.bedfordplayhouse.org

See you at the Playhouse !

Bedford Playhouse

633 Old Post Rd, Bedford, NY 10506

article by Frank Wallace,Editor

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It is no secret that the Winery at St. George Restaurant and Lounge is one of very favorite places in Westchester County.  It combines a unique space inside a former stone church, great wine and food, events and music.  There is nothing like it in the area.

On December 23rd, the Winery will be hosting a cool event to get you in the Christmas spirit.  The Roaring 20s Speakeasy Christmas.  This is a special one night theme celebration with Flappers, gangster, champagne, singers, Santa Claus (of course) and live music!   Come dressed in your best 1920s era attire, or just come and have a great time.

Doors open at 6pm .

For tickets to the event and more information   http://www.thewineryatstgeorge.com/

Tickets in advance:  http://tix.smarttix.com/Modules/Sales/SalesMainTabsPage.aspx?ControlState=1&SalesEventId=6979&DC=

please also see restrictions on ticket page

The Winery at St. George Restaurant and Lounge

1715 East Main Street  (US Route 6) Mohegan Lake New York  (Northern Westchester County -right off the Taconic Parkway)

tel:  914.455.4272

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Add one part timeless Holiday music, one part science fiction fantasy, and one part journey through history and you have the recipe for a delightful Holiday musical,  The Christmas Voyager, now at the Westchester Broadway Theater.  A fun music and dance filled performance that will put you and your family in the holiday spirit.

The story involves a starman named Noel from another galaxy who has been following a bright star across the universe.  The same light as seen 2000 years ago on Earth at the time of the first Christmas.  To his dismay he finds that he is 2017 years too late.  With the computer X as his unseen guide he travels through time to find the meaning of the mysterious star, and how the modern holiday of Christmas has evolved.  His journey takes him from modern time, to the time of Charles Dickens, to the writing of the Nutcracker, to the North Pole and finally to Bethlehem itself.   In his journey of discovery, Noel learns the meaning of Christmas and its impact on the world.   The story is fun and light hearted and filled with music.  There are even parts where the house lights are raised and the audience is asked to sing along.

The book of The Christmas Voyager was written by Robert Fitzsimmons and Kathy Wheeler .  Fitzsimmons wrote Christmas Inn, the  2016 Holiday production at the WBT.   Direction is by Richard Stafford  who directed the wonderful recent production of Annie Get Your Gun at the WBT.

The talented ensemble cast includes many veteran actors including Zach Trimmer as Noel, Katie Scarlett Brunson, the wonderful  Bonnie Fraser, Joseph Cullinane, Lily Lewis,  Gary Lynch, Tony Triano, Allyson Tucker, and Daniel Scott Walton.  The role of the child played by both Molly Lyons and Haylie Shea Cristiano.

All actors are professionals  and members of Actors Equity.  Show runs through December 23rd 2017

Your ticket includes a three course dinner and a professionally produced show .  Parking is free

For Ticket information and prices (includes your dinner)

Westchester Broadway Theatre

1 Broadway Plaza

Elmsford NY

914 592-2268

http://www.broadwaytheatre.com

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A  musical Holiday Celebration!  Andrea McArdle (the Original Annie from Broadway) sings holiday tunes and more at the Winery At St George on Saturday December 9th.

Take a break from shopping and head to the Winery at St. George Restaurant and Lounge for a special night of music with the amazing Andrea McArdle.  Andrea is the Tony Award nominated actress who originated the role of Annie on Broadway.  In this special performance this talented performer will be singing holiday songs,  songs from the 1970s, and Broadway standards.   This is a very special evening of music in a fantastic and unique venue.

While you are at the show make sure to take advantage of the menu from the new chef, and enjoy tapas or an entree.   You  can of course partake of some of the wonderful wines from their extensive wine list.  There are 40 different varieties available by glass alone.

The Winery which is housed in a former church features  seating at the beautiful bar, at tables, and at the intimate lounge area with couches.   This is a venue to be experienced and is unlike any other in the Hudson Valley.

Tickets are available on line and are $35 general admission, and $45 for bar or table seating.  See website for other restrictions.    Doors open at 6pm and show time is at 8pm.  See you there for this very special evening!

For more information:    http://www.thewineryatstgeorge.com

For tickets:   http://tix.smarttix.com/Modules/Sales/SalesMainTabsPage.aspx?ControlState=1&SalesEventId=6973&DC=

Winery At St George

1715   East Main Street Mohegan Lake New York    tel: 914.455.4272

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Wreck The Halls is the latest production at the Ridgefield Theater Barn in Ridgefield Ct.  The production is a satirical musical look at the holiday season that is one part a critique of the holidays, one part mad cap comedy and mostly hysterical.  The musical revue which last played at the Barn during the 2015 Holiday season returns due to audience demand for this humorous musical review.

The production is not a typical musical but rather a musical revue with one separate musical number after the other and no spoken parts.  Act One (approximately  one hour) contains 14 songs that poke fun at the madness that can be the holiday season.  From “Welcome to “Grandmas House”, a send up of the dysfunctional  Thanksgiving dinner with relatives,  and ” Black Friday” which pokes fun at the madness of the sales that seem to overshadow the holiday season.  Other songs that sent laughter through the crowd on opening night were “Someone Spiked the Eggnog”,  “The Hanukkah Song”, and  a satirical look at the many holidays that crowd this season with “Happy Kwanzsaramahanumas” .  The all original score is accented with sharp wit and clever lyrics which had the audience laughing the entire time.

Act Two (about 45 minutes) keeps the humor rolling with the viewpoint of  the holidays by a tree topper in  “What a pain in the Derriere!” the silly but funny  “The Nutcrackers Lament”, the  sexy  “That Yule Log” with its seductive delivery by Carey Van Hollen  and thinly veiled sexual references, and the “Boys in Brown”, a salute to the late working package delivery men which was reminiscent of a scene from the musical Legally Blonde. Act Two is composed of 13 songs including the reprise of the opening number “Wreck the Halls”.

Wreck the Halls is the creation of Bradford Blake who is the composer, lyricist and director  of this very funny  and naughty musical.  He is also a member of the cast as well.  The lyrics are witty and creative and the score is memorable.   The cast is hilarious and works well together with standout performances from Mr. Blake and  Carey Van Hollen who has the best vocal performances of the evening.  The balance of the talented cast includes Priscilla Squires, Diana Matson, Duane Lanham and Alexis Vournazos who all reprise their roles from the 2015 production.

Please note there is some adult language and adult subject matter in the performance so I would not recommend this performance for children.    Doors open at 7 and you can bring your own food and dine before the show which starts at 8pm.  Seating is at tables, cabaret style. There is a short intermission.

New to this season is an updated look to the Theater Barn.  Now the lobby features a bar serving punch, wine, beer and snacks.   Seating inside the intimate theater has been also updated as well with tables for four or two and raised seating along the back rows for better viewing.

Need a break from the holidays?  A trip to “Wreck the Halls” may be just the ticket you need for some holiday laughs.   Performances run through December 30th 2017. For tickets and more information:

Tickets at $38 for adults, $30 for students, seniors, and veterans.

website for info and tickets http://www.ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org/

Ridgefield Theater Barn

37 Halpin Lane Ridgefield Ct    tel  203.431.9850

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The holiday season can be hectic, but there is more to this season then just shopping and rushing around.  Here are some fun ideas to slow you down and get you in the holiday spirit.

Katonah Holiday Stroll–   December 8th from 5 to 8pm . Downtown Katonah is open for business with shops, lights, music in the gazebo and carolers.  A fun way to get outside.    http://katonahchamber.org/events/holiday-stroll/

Ridgefield Ct. Holiday Stroll-  December 1st 6-10 pm.  Main Street Ridgefield is lit up for the holidays, with refreshments, horse drawn carriage rides,  ice sculptures and more!  Carolers sing holiday songs, and there is even living toy soldiers out and about.  A fun evening.

https://www.ridgefieldct.org/economic-community-development-commission/events/2386

Ridgefield Theater Barn- presents “Wreck the Halls” a hilarious adult musical revue which takes a light hearted view of the holiday season.    Starts December 1st   for tickets and information:

http://www.ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org/

Lasdon Park Holidays on the Hill- (Katonah/Somers) a holiday display including a model train display, featuring NYC to Katonah to the North Pole,  decorated Main House, conservatory and gift shop  For more information and dates

https://www.lasdonpark.org/event/holidays-on-the-hill-train-show/2017-12-03/

Greenwich Ct Holiday Stroll – December 2nd  10am-6pm and December 3rd 12pm-5pm.  Enjoy a walk and visit the shops along Greenwich Ave.  Enjoy refreshments at many merchants, live music,  horse drawn carriage rides and reindeer.  Photos with Santa too.

http://www.greenwichreindeerfestival.com/holiday-stroll.php

The Winery at St George (Mohegan Lake)-   December 9th – a real treasure of a venue in Northern Westchester!  Inside a stone church is this fantastic music and dining venue.  Come enjoy great food and wine and hear the amazing Andrea McArdle sing holiday songs and songs from Broadway.   Andrea was the original Annie on Broadway and still thrills audiences with her wonderful voice.  A must see show

http://www.thewineryatstgeorge.com/

Happy Holidays !

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The Greenwich International Film Festival is presenting a special  advance screening of the award winning German film, “In the Fade”  starring Diane Kruger.  The movie which has won the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival.  The film is in German with English subtitles.    Come see this special film before its general release.  December 5th 2017 at 7 pm at the Bowtie Cinema 2 Railroad Ave. Greenwich, Ct.

For tickets :https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/10224896

 

 

On Thursday November 16th, you can celebrate women who make a difference and have a real impact on the community.  The speaker at this event  focuses not just on her past accomplishments  but what really matters to her and how it has contributed to her success.

November 16th promises to be an inspirational luncheon at Greenwich Country Club with the nationally recognized speaker and author, Gretchen Carlson.

Ms. Carlson is a former Miss America, graduate of Stanford University, a reporter for CBS and several television stations in Texas, Ohio and Virginia before coming to Fox News.  She has had the honor of gracing the cover of this year’s Time Magazine titled, “Gretchen Carlson wants to change the way women fight sexual harassment.”

This will be Ms. Carlson’s first appearance following the publication of her book, http://www.greenwichchamber.com/events/details/women-who-matter-luncheon-2017-5167313The luncheon is Thursday, Nov 16 from 11:30am until 2:00pm at Greenwich Country Club.

All attendees will receive a copy of Ms. Carlson’s book. A portion of final proceeds will be donated to Ms. Carlson’s “Gift of Courage” fund established to empower women and girls.

Register online at greenwichchamber.com

For tickets and more information

http://www.greenwichchamber.com/events/details/women-who-matter-luncheon-2017-5167313

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A fantastic production of William Shakespeare’s  Romeo and Juliet is playing now at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport Ct.  The famous love story of two star crossed lovers set in Verona , Italy is still famous today as it was when it was written in 1597.  Although the story of Romeo and Juliet has origins in Italy as early as 1320, long before Shakespeare was born, it was his play that has transformed this story into an ageless classic that is still relevant today.

The current local production at the Westport Country Playhouse is a worthy interpretation of this timeless classic.  Directed by Mark Lamos  who has been described as “one of the finest Shakespearean directors in the world”.  Mr. Lamos and his team has assembled a wonderful cast and with beautiful and rich costume design by Fabian Fidel Aguilar which helps capture the rich setting of the play.

Shakespeare’s style of writing in iambic pentameter is somewhat challenging to follow at first when the play opens.  The actors stress alternative syllables in the verse.  However as the play moves onward your ear becomes attuned to the complex language and its delivery, and it is not only enjoyable, but quite brilliant.

The story of Romeo and Juliet is well known,  but for those who need a refresher, the story takes place in the city of Verona Italy where two families, the Capulet’s and the Montague’s are at war with each other.   Her we meet Juliet who is just 14 and whose father has plans to marry her off to a man she does not know or love.  At a chance meeting at a party, Juliet encounters Romeo who is a member of the rival family.  It is indeed love at first sight, but a love that is not acceptable to either family.  The young lovers have their own plans, and as the audience will find they will wind up together, but not as they had certainly planned.

The cast of mostly members of Actors Equity include a truly moving performance by Nicole Rodenburg as Juliet (she has trained at the Shakespeare Globe Theater in London). Her performance was for us the highlight of the evening, innocent yet complex as she brings the character of Juliet to life. James Cusati-Moyer as Romeo does a fine job and Patrick Andrews commands the stage as Mercutio. Alison Cimmet plays  Capulet’s wife, Felicity Jones Latta offers an emotional and moving performance as the Nurse, and Peter Francis James is captivating as  Friar Lawrence.   A fine cast also rounds out the rest of the players.  The set is somewhat minimal in the style, yet colorful  of the plays of the period, but Juliet’s iconic balcony was present and well incorporated into the stage.

A wonderful production with first rate acting and direction.  If you want to see a Shakespeare play and have not, or it has been a long time since you have seen one, then please get tickets to this brilliant show.

Now through November 19th at The Westport Country Playhouse

Westport Country Playhouse

25 Powers Court  Westport Ct.

tel. 203.227.4177         web   http://www.westportplayhouse.org

review written by Frank Wallace and Irene Young Wallace

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