Page 69 - Westchester Magazine - January 2011

Author readings can some- times be a very sober affair.
The writers get up, they clear their throats at the podium, and read their very serious works
of fiction. Produced by the friendliest host this side of the South, DeLauné Michel, Spoken Interludes is our favorite read- ing series because it breaks the stuffy atmosphere. Instead, you’re more likely to think of it as a cocktail party—a very fashion- able one, where authors happen to drop by and read their recent work. Folks who have recently dropped by include Frank Bruni, A.J. Jacobs, Sloane Crosley, and Marilyn Johnson. And, man, do their words go down nicely with Chutney Masala’s samosas.
TARRYTOWN MUSIC HALL
Tarrytown
(914) 631-3390 tarrytownmusichall.org
In a time when many cul-
tural venues are struggling, the Tarrytown Music Hall is thriv- ing—and it’s easy to see why.
The Hall books the acts we most want to see, from indie musicians like Neko Case and Andrew Bird to critically acclaimed acts like Brandi Carlile to crowd-pleasers like Cyndi Lauper and Barenaked Ladies. Add to that roster chil- dren’s school shows, classic mov- ies, and even a few comedians. It’s hard to find someone who wouldn't be smitten with the Hall. Any wonder attendance is up 400 percent since 2005?
TEATOWN LAKE RESERVATION
Ossining
(914) 762-2912; teatown.org
We love the Teatown Lake Reservation in summer, when the two-acre Wildflower Island bursts with more than 200 species of flowers (some endangered). We love Teatown in the fall, when it’s best to take a quick loop around the pond to appreciate the vi- brant colors of the foliage. We love Teatown in winter, when it’s fun to see the pond frozen over with ice. Teatown also has ac- quired more open space that was made available across the street from its nature center, and, if the current Reservation is any indica- tion of how it will be maintained, we’re all for it—in any season.
UNION CHURCH OF POCANTICO HILLS
Pocantico Hills
(914) 631-8200; hudsonvalley.org
The church is teeny; the art
is major. Yes, stained-glass win- dows by Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall. There’s never been a bet- ter reason to go to church.
WARD POUND RIDGE RESERVATION
Cross River
(914) 864-7317 parks.westchestergov.com
The county’s largest park also happens to be one of its loveli-
est. It’s easy to lose yourself—in the good way—among the park’s more than 4,500 acres of wooded terrain. Bikers and hikers sing the praises of its trails, and our county’s writers and artists often cite the Reservation as the place they go
to for inspiration, Thoreau-style. (There are two galleries and a mu- seum on-site for another boost.) It’s
basically our Central Park—only five times larger and 10 times prettier.
WESTCHESTER BROADWAY THEATRE Elmsford
(914) 592-2222 broadwaytheatre.com
Dinner theater is one of those retro pleasures, like drive-in movies or really good malted milkshakes. Sure, the tablecloths are vinyl, the seats roll like your desk chair, and the dinner por- tions are unfathomably huge— but we wouldn’t want it any other way. Plus, when it comes to the talent that performs at the WBT, there’s nothing retro about it. For shows, which have re- cently included Rent, Aida, Nine, and Phantom, the WBT always rustles up a mix of Broadway vets and astonishing up-and-comers. People who got their start at the WBT include Chicago director Rob Marshall and The Producers
director Susan Stroman, and the next big thing just might be on stage after they clear away your giant plate of food.
WESTCHESTER PHILHARMONIC
White Plains
(914) 682-3707 westchesterphil.org
Itzhak Perlman is one of the most celebrated violinists in the world, performing for every-
one from Queen Elizabeth II to Sesame Street fans. And, when
he picks up a baton, he does it for us. Since 2008, the maestro has been the artistic director for the Westchester Philharmonic (which, in our opinion, was al- ready pretty darn good). In addi- tion to having a world-class mu- sical director, the Philharmonic keeps us up-to-date on the classi- cal music scene by introducing us to new musicians and new works, while mixing in the timeless clas- sics of Mozart and Beethoven.
Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Croton-on-Hudson
(914) 631-8200; hudsonvalley.org
You can carve pumpkins, you can cook pumpkins—but you’ve never really seen what pumpkins could do unless you’ve been to the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze. More than 4,000 pumpkins are carved, lit, and incorporated into intricate Jack O’Lantern dioramas. The Blaze has made Westchester the area’s premier Halloween destination, attracting 65,000 visitors last year, putting us on the spooky map for something other than that famous Headless Horseman.
PHOTO THIS PAGE BY MATT GILLIS
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