events

You should be dancing! First Ladies of Disco rock the Ridgefield Playhouse, February 14th

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First Ladies of Disco social media graphic

A fun event for music lovers, especially lovers of classic disco.  On February 14th The Ridgefield Playhouse is presenting a fun evening. The First Ladies of Disco Valentine’s Day Gala, which begins at 6:30pm,  includes performances by Martha Wash (The Weather Girls), Linda Clifford (“If My Friends Could See Me Now”) and Norma Jean Wright (formerly of Chic), who will perform all of their hits with some special surprises! “It’s Raining Men,” “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” “Everybody, Everybody” and “Strike It Up,” Linda Clifford’s  recordings have spent a total of 60 weeks at #1 on Billboard Magazine’s dance charts with hits “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” “Red Light,” “Don’t Give It Up,” and more.  Singer Norma Jean Wright first came to fame as a vocalist with Chic (“Le Freak,” “Everybody Dance.” “I Want Your Love,” )

 Part of the Pepsi Rock Series, powered by Xfinity, this fundraiser with a beat is sponsored by Lori & John Berisford, Shari Goodstein, Carolyn & Rommin Adl, Adam Broderick Salon & Spa, BMW of Ridgefield & Lera Jewels.

There will be free champagne & chocolate desserts  for all ticket holders and a chance to win a piece of jewelry donated by Lera Jewels; a spa package donated by Adam Broderick Salon & Spa and a date night package (which includes a car and driver!) donated by BMW of Ridgefield, this night is a fun way to celebrate with your significant other or just to cut loose with a group of friends.

Also contributing to the event will be All Season Party & Tent Rentals, The Cake Box, Campari America, Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe, Elizabella’s Bake Shoppe, Hollandia Nurseries, Pera Wines, and All proceeds from funds raised will go towards the Arts for Everyone outreach program at The Ridgefield Playhouse, which allows families and children from low income areas to attend shows for free!  The party starts at 6:30pm, when all ticket holders will enjoy a Valentine’s Day staple, champagne & prosecco, (courtesy of Pera Wines), chocolate (courtesy of Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe)  desserts (courtesy of The Cake Box, Elizabella’s Bake Shoppe and Whistle Stop Bakery)

The fundraising portion of the evening will include a raffle with prizes and a silent auction.  The charity is the Arts for Everyone outreach program at The Ridgefield Playhouse, which allows families and children from low income areas to attend shows for free and experience the great events that the Playhouse has to offer.

So get on your dancing shoes, grab your friends and dance the night away for a good cause.

 For tickets ($75) call or visit the box office, 203-438-5795

or go online at >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

Ridgefield Playhouse

80 Ridge Road  Ridgefield Ct.

 

Sex with Strangers: a romantic drama in the digital era at Westport Country Playhouse

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Laura Eason writer/producer on the television series House Of Cards (Netflix) is the author of this interesting and thoughtful play now on stage at the Westport Country Playhouse.  Sex with Strangers is part drama, part comedy that focuses on the modern digital age of dating, relationships, and how we learn about the people we meet.

The play has only two characters, Ethan (Chris Ghaffari) and  Olivia (Jessica Love).   Olivia is a professor and talented but unsuccessful author in her late 30s.  She is staying in a woodsy bed and breakfast in the Michigan woods.  She is all alone and is there to clear her mind, disconnect from the world and perhaps finish a long overdue novel.

Her tranquility is soon broken by the unexpected arrival of  Ethan, another guest  during a snowstorm.  Ethan is a late 20s blogger and author who interrupts the quiet of the cabin with his demands for food, and general disgust when he discovers there is no wi-fi at the remote cabin.  The audience discovers that Ethan is also a writer and internet sensation and has produced two books based on his weekly sexual exploits with strangers he picks up in bars.  The titles of the books is where the name of the play is derived.   Olivia is not only a English professor but had published a book years earlier that was the subject of mixed and some harsh reviews.  The experience of rejection of her novel despite her talent has had such a lasting effect on her that she is unable to finish her second novel despite her talent and ambition.  The two are true opposites.

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The conversation in the first act between Ethan and Olivia is in short, rapid exchanges that reminded me more of text messages than true conversation.  However as  the characters learn more of each other, the conversation evolves and becomes more warm and complex .   We find that Ethan is not here by accident and knew about Olivia, her first book and that she would be at the cabin.  Indeed he has used the internet to read up about her and seek to out photos of her.  It as if he was reviewing an online dating profile and shows the stark differences between the two characters.  Olivia is absorbed by the written word, great authors, and dreams of joining her literary idols on the shelves.  Ethan is a scrappy internet blogger,  who we find dreams of leaving the shallow persona that has made him a success and become a real author.  The strangers do become romantically entangled despite their obvious differences.  However, Olivia uses the internet to find out more about Ethan and his books and finds she is repelled by his sexual exploits as well as the counter-blogging by women that he slighted.

Act Two shifts gears and is set in Olivia’s apartment.  The lives of the two very different strangers become entangled not only in their strange sexual attraction, but their shared ambition to be published.  In Act two we see a change in the characters and their relationship as they use each other to achieve their personal goals.    The play is a commentary on our digital world, the personas we create online, and how we interact with each other online and in person.   The play is sprinkled with humor which helps break the tension between the two characters.

Jessica Love who has Broadway and off Broadway credits in resume does a fine job as Olivia.  Chris Ghaffari who was on the Westport stage last year in the hilarious “What the Butler Saw” did an excellent job as Ethan.

The scenic design by Edward Morris were really well done and constructed and drew the audience into the play.  The woodsy bed and breakfast cabin was very realistic and effective.

An interesting and thoughtful play with direction by Katherine M. Carter.

The play runs through October 14th 2017

Westport Country Playhouse

25 Powers Court Westport Ct

tel. 203.227.4177

web for info and tickets     

http://www.westportplayhouse.org/sex-with-strangers

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Fishkill Farms: pick your own fruit, organic veggies, farmstand and fun events all in a beautiful setting

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With the cool air of autumn just around the corner, our thoughts here in the Hudson Valley turn to afternoons of fruit picking, hay rides, harvest dinners, and pumpkin picking.  The region is filled with wonderful farms where one can back in touch with nature even if it is only for a short time.   Fishkill Farms in East Fishkill NY is a special farm that you want to visit soon.  It is   a 30 minute drive from Northern Westchester and 45 minutes  from mid Westchester.

I was fortunate to visit Fishkill Farms a few weeks back when they held their Peachtopia Fest.   The farm has been a family farm in the Morgenthau family for more than 100 years and now run by 2nd and 3rd generation family members.  The farm was an apple orchard which has now expanded its operations to included fruit growing (peaches, nectarines, apples, pumpkins, blackberries, blueberries) , a wide range of  organic vegetables (pick your own or CSA), a full service farm stand, and cidery.  They also have pasture raised hens that provide the farm with fresh eggs.

The mission of the farm is to produce healthy farm products without the use of man made pesticides or fertilizers.  This is something we can all appreciate and should support.

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Pick Your Own organic vegetables and flowers

The farm itself is set in a valley and as you look out from the farm stand you see the fields gently roll out before you.  It is quite the idyllic scene.  You can pick your own fruits or vegetables, or shop at the fully stocked farm stand which features their own products, home made donuts, and locally made items.

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The farm also holds numerous events throughout the year.  I attended  “Peachtopia” which was a fun event. I was able to enjoy a hayride out to the peach tree orchard to pick peaches and nectarines (they were amazing!)   There was food for sale, a band playing with a picnic area, and a tent was set up for adults to enjoy samples of Treasury Cider.   The cider is named in honor of Henry Morgenthau Jr., the founder of Fishkill Farm and former  Secretary of the Treasury under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.   The cider is smooth, dry and very refreshing.

With its beautiful scenery, fun activities, and fresh produce, Fishkill Farms is a great place to spend  a Fall day, or any day.  It is easy to locate right off Interstate 84.   Check out their website for more info, picking information, and upcoming events.

Irene July Aug 526

Fishkill Farms

Fishkill Farm Road  Hopewell Junction NY 

tel. 845-897-4377

http://www.fishkillfarms.com

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Westchester Magazine’s Wine And Food Festival returns June 6th-11th 2017 !

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Westchester Magazine, the premier lifestyle magazine of Westchester County will be hosting its annual Wine and Food Festival from June  6-11th 2017.  This is an event for foodies from all over and is not to be missed !

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The signature event of the Wine & Food Festival, is the Grand Tasting Village that takes place at the beautiful Kensico Dam Park in Valhalla.   The Grand Tasting Village features tastings from 50+ local restaurants and more than 200 wines & spirits. Chef demonstrations will be presented during the day from great local chefs. There will also be various food trucks from area vendors as well.

 

2017 Grand Tasting Village Participating Restaurants (partial list)
Amore Cucina & Bar ,Bar Sugo, Basta ,Benjamin Steakhouse,Blue Moon Mexican Café
Blue Tulip Chocolates, Cathy’s Biscotti ,Cedar Street Grill ,Chutney Masala Indian Bistro
Coffee Lab Roasters, Cooper’s Mill ,Dan Rooney’s, Dolphin Restaurant, Equus
Fantasy Cuisine G.E. Brown La Bocca Ristorante,Mason Sandwich Co.
Mediterraneo, Mighty Quinn’s, Mima Restaurant,Nonno’s
Poppy’s Cheesecake,Posh Pretzels, Quenas Restaurant, Raasa Indian Cuisine
Rita’s of Elmsford, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Serafina
Small Cakes, Sofrito, Sonora, Spark Valley Steakhouse.The Bayou
The Taco Project,The Twisted Oak  The Turk
The Westchester, Tomato & Co., Tredici North, Village Social – Rye
Westchester Milk, Winston,  Zero Otto Nove

Tickets for the event are $85 in advance,  $90 at the door.

for more information on all the Westchester Magazine Wine and Food events and ticket purchases see their website:

http://winefood.westchestermagazine.com/

Westchester Magazine Wine and Food Festival 

Grand Tasting Village event      June 10th  12-5 pm

Kensico Dam Park    Valhalla New York 

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Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Returns! November 1-13th 2016. Great time to try a new restaurant!

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Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, presented by Valley Table Magazine is back again starting November 1nd through November 13th 2016. This event involves over 200 restaurants in the mid and lower Hudson Valley which offer diners special three-course price fixe dinner menus for $29.95 (not including beverage, tax and gratuity). Many of these fine restaurants also offer 3-course price fixe lunches for $20.95 (not including beverage, tax and gratuity).

This year celebrates 10 years of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week.


This is an amazing opportunity to try new restaurants, or some old favorites at a reasonable price. There are no tickets to buy and the process is easy ! Go to the Valley Table website and scroll down and view the participating restaurants, then choose a restaurant (or more), call them to make a reservation and then enjoy!
You really should not miss this special time get out and dine at some of the fantastic restaurants we have here in the Hudson Valley.

Hudson Valley Restaurant Week presented by Valley Table Magazine

https://www.valleytable.com/hvrw

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Hilltop Hanover Farm:Come to a special Farm to Table Dinner at the farm

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A very special evening awaits! On October 19th at 6pm to 10 pm, The Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown Heights present a Farm to Table Dinner at the farm.    The evening will feature Westchester and area farmers and chefs in a rustic small plate Farm to Table dinner under a tent at Hilltop Hanover Farm.

Broken Bow Brewery of Tuckahoe N. Y. will be providing local craft beer and guests will be able to taste foods and small plates from the following restaurants and farms:

Farmer and The Fish, Peter Pratt’s Inn, Birdsall House, L’Inizio, Bella Cucina Maria, Ladle of Love, Cafe of Love, Suzanne’s Table, Sweet Grass Grill and Tomatillo, Pound Ridge Organics, The Mill, Red Barn Bakery, Baked By Susan, Campbell Meats, Hudson Milk Company,  Fishkill Farm, Glynwood Farm, Sprout Creek Farm Cheese, and Harvest Moon and Orchard. 

The proceeds from this event will support the Brett Alcaro farmer scholarship fund for young farmers trained at Hilltop Hanover  and a college fund for his two small children.  There will also be a silent auction.

So come out and have a great meal, a unique dining experience, and support a good cause.

Tickets are $75

for tickets and more information: 

 http://www.hilltophanoverfarm.org/event/brett-alcaro-memorial-farm-to-table-dinner/

or tickets can be purchased at the main office at the farm.

Hilltop Hanover Farm

1271 Hanover Street  Yorktown Heights, NY

 

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From the creator of House of Cards: “Farragut North” at the Ridgefield Theater Barn

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Playwright Beau Willimon, the creator of “House of Cards” (Netflix hit series), delivers a powerful and timely play about the inner workings of presidential campaign.  The work was influenced by his own personal experience of working on both US Senate and Presidential campaigns.

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Farragut North premiered in 2008 at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York and would become the basis for the screenplay for the motion picture “Ides of March“.  That screenplay was written by Willimon, George Clooney and Grant Heslov (The Monuments Men).  The play has now come to the Ridgefield Theater Barn and will be performed through October 1, 2016

The play is set during a presidential campaign in the days leading up to the Iowa Caucuses.  The audience meets many of the main characters in Scene One including Stephen (Jack Tynan) they young and blindly ambitious press secretary, his boss Paul (Fred Rueck) the seasoned campaign manager, Ida (Julie Zelman) the crafty and ambitious New York Times reporter who will do whatever it takes for a story, and Ben (Ryan Wenke) the young reserved staff assistant who is kept at a distance by his seasoned superiors.  We learn in this scene both the intrigue and the behind the scenes tactics of a national campaign and how the campaign can manipulate the press and craft the candidates message to serve its needs.

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Scene Two of Farragut North is a critical scene where Stephen meets secretly with Tom (Steven A Miller) who is the Campaign Manager of his rival.  In the meeting in a quiet restaurant outside Des Moines, we learn the dirty secrets of misinformation and poll manipulation by the other candidate.  The crafty Tom leads Stephen to believe that his candidates campaign is all but over and he should jump ship and join his team.  Stephen who is both young and ruthlessly ambitious has had his life turned upside down by these revelations and he begins to question his own future.

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The political intrigue and games continue for the rest of the play with the appearance of Molly (Margaret Fegan) who is a young amorous intern who is learning more than just national campaigns.  It is her interactions with Stephen that brings to light issues of loyalty, fidelity, betrayal and honesty both on a personal level and in the campaign.

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There are excellent performances all around and direction by Cathy Fitzgerald Linder is first rate.

NOTE:  The play contains adult language and subject matter and is not suitable for minors.

Tickets:       $24  ( a real bargain!!)    $20 for seniors, students and veterans

Seating in the 70 seat theater is Cabaret style at tables and doors open 1 hour before showtime.  You can bring your own food, wine and snacks to enjoy prior to the show.

For tickets and information:

Ridgefield Theater Barn 

37 Halpin Lane Ridgefield Ct

http://ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org/

 

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