Page 152 - Westchester Magazine - January 2011

Upcoming
Culture, Etc.
// By Marisa LaScala
Clockwise from top left: Dolan Perkins-Valdez, Tanya Wright and Yvonne Thornton
Tea Up
When January rolls around, sometimes we can’t stand the thought of going out. We just want to grab our blankets, brew some tea, and curl up with a good book. The Westchester Library System understands the hibernating instinct and rewards us for venturing out in the cold by giving us exactly what we want. On January 17, it’s hosting its annual African American Writers and Readers Literary Tea at Abigail Kirsch’s Tappan Hill Mansion. The featured speakers
will be Yvonne Thornton (The Ditchdigger’s Daughters), Dolan Perkins-Valdez (Wench: A Novel), and Tanya Wright (Butterfly Rising). The event kicks off the Westchester Library System’s programs for African American History Month.
Show Off
They say that gift-giving is an art, but the real secret is that art always makes good gifts. On January 8 and January 9, you can stock up on a year’s worth of upcoming birthday presents—or housewarming or hostess gifts—at the annual Art Show: Bedford in the Fellowship Hall at St. Matthew’s Church. There, talented artists present their locally made wares. If you want your pick of the best items, spring for a ticket to the Champagne Preview Party on January 7 ($95 to $125). Not in the buying market and looking to sell? On Sunday, experts will be on hand to appraise your junk—we mean treasures—for $20 for your first two items and $10 per item after that. For more information, visit stmatthewsbedford.org.
Yellow Vase With Red Bird by Mireille Duchesne
Twelve Monkeys
Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, Twelfth Night, is also one of his best. You might be inspired to see it again and again. Luckily, this month, the local Red Monkey Theater Group will give you the opportunity to do just that. The troupe is bringing Twelfth Night on a mini- tour around the county, stopping in some great venues along the way. We recommend the first performance the most—and not just because it’s free (though that certainly helps). We just think that it’s fitting that the play will premiere at a historic venue, St. Paul’s Church in Mount Vernon, on January 8. After that, you can see it at the Larchmont Temple on January 9, ArtsWestchester’s Arts Exchange in White Plains on January 14, and the Rochambeau School in White Plains on January 21. For more information, visit redmonkeytheater.org.
Coping
Clarence Greenwood may not be a
household name, but, chances are, if you’re a fan of modern radio, you’ve heard of the singer/songwriter/DJ’s alter ego and band: Citizen Cope. Greenwood has had an itinerant life, having lived in Memphis, Washington, DC, and Brooklyn, and has managed to channel musical influences from all these areas into Citizen Cope. The result mixes straight-up rock with hip-hop, R&B, blues, and even a little electronic music (Greenwood plays keyboards as well). Of his most recent album, The Rainwater LP, All Music Guide writes that “from Greenwood’s rhythmic leanings to his vocabulary, there is no overlooking the hip-hop sensibilities that assert themselves on introspective tracks.” To hear Citizen Cope perform these new songs, visit the Tarrytown Music Hall on January 21.
Greenwood, aka Citizen Cope
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