Cultural Events This Summer in Westchester
As the summer begins to heat up, a variety of cultural offerings come with it. All throughout Westchester, the summer is packed with festivals, music and dance performances that celebrate the diverse range of cultures and heritages. Here are family-friendly cultural events being offered in Westchester this summer:
June 14:
Japanese Film Series: Tokyo Drifter
Presented by KinoSaito Arts Center
The screening of this 1966 feature about rival yakuzas will feature guest speaker Joel Neville Anderson, Professor of Cinema Studies and Film at SUNY Purchase College. Anderson will provide a historical introduction to the film and lead a post-screening discussion. Japanese food and beverages will be provided during the discussion and screening. (115 7th St., Verplanck)
June 22:
Puerto Rican Flag Raising and Street Festival
Presented by The White Plains Puerto Rican Cultural Committee and ArtsWestchester
This flag raising and festival in White Plains aims to celebrate Puerto Rican culture with music and dance performances, as well as arts and crafts vendors. Following the flag-raising will be a procession led by a vejigante, a folkloric character associated with the week-long Puerto Rican Carnaval. At Renaissance Plaza (200-202 Main St., White Plains).
June 28:
Great Lawn Summer Series: Funk Urban Salsa
Presented by the Town of Rye
With an upbeat blend of musical stylings, this concert features a variety of cross-genre influences, culminating in a performance that celebrates the rich traditions of each of these genres, transforming them into something both new and rooted in a deep cultural history. At Crawford Park (122 N. Ridge St., Rye Brook).
July 5:
Salsa Night with DJ J. Antonio
Presented by Hudson River Museum
In addition to a night of dancing and music in the Hudson River Museum (HRM)’s courtyard, this event offers free admission to the museum. It also features a bilingual (Spanish and English) art workshop led by artist Carolina Amarillo in the galleries. (511 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers)
July 6:
Kiki Valera y su Son Cubano
Presented by Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts
This concert features the musical stylings of Son Cubano, a genre originating from eastern Cuba, blending African and Spanish musical influences. Son Cubano has influenced a variety of different musical genres as well, ranging from salsa to jazz music and beyond. (149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah)
July 12:
Lost Bayou Ramblers
Presented by Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts
This concert aims to celebrate the tradition of Cajun music in Louisiana. By offering a rhythmic punk twist to the already fast-paced genre, the band encourages patrons to stand up and dance to this music influenced by Indigenous and African traditions. (149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah)
July 25:
Our Song, Our Story: The New Generation of Black Voices
Presented by Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts
Featuring an array of musical styles, including spirituals and arias, this concert will showcase new and old works by African American composers, as well as canonical compositions by Richard Strauss and Giacomo Puccini, among others. This concert also aims to pay homage to opera singers Marian Anderson and Jessye Norman through the featured operatic performances. At Caramoor Center for music and the Arts (149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah)
July 29:
Yonkers Waterfront Live: La Pachamambo
Presented by Yonkers Downtown BID
La Pachamambo is a 10-piece Latin orchestra dedicated to the meticulous restoration and revival of salsa, mambo and boogaloo hits of days gone by. At the Yonkers Waterfront Amphitheatre.
July 30:
Performing Families: Edmar Castañeda & Andrea Tierra Family
Presented by ArtsWestchester and the City of Mount Vernon
This concert will highlight the diverse range of Colombian jazz styles through the use of harp. The concert will also feature vocals from Zeudi Castaneda and Zamil Castaneda, rounding out the family quartet’s celebration of Colombian culture and music. At City Hall Plaza (1 Roosevelt Square North, Mount Vernon).
August 4:
Sahba Motallebi and Reza Mohsenipour
Presented by Untermyer Performing Arts Council
This performance is influenced by Iranian traditions as viewed through a contemporary lens. The music featured by this duo will encompass the themes of tradition and spiritual health, cultivating community and common ground through the workings of the tar and sitar. This performance is part of the Minnie Untermyer Concert Series at Untermyer Gardens. (945 North Broadway, Yonkers)
August 13:
Capulli Mexican Dance Performance
Presented by: New Rochelle Public Library
This performance, a culmination of a series of dance workshops, will honor the Mexican dance tradition. Students of the workshop will perform as well as professional dancers in an array of colorful costumes. At New Rochelle Public Library (1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle).
August 15:
Mariachi México Internacional presents Summertime Fiesta Fun!
Presented by New Rochelle Public Library
Featuring the music and costumes of Mariachi tradition, this concert encourages children and adults to celebrate in this Mexican tradition. The group also aims to interpret musical genres to produce a performance that honors both the traditional and the new. At New Rochelle Public Library (1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle)
August 18:
48th Westchester Jewish Music & Arts Festival
Presented by Westchester Jewish Council
This festival provides entertainment, food and a vendor exhibition area that includes Jewish Art/Judaica, jewelry, crafts and more. At the Kensico Dam Plaza (1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla).
August 25:
Dia de La Cultura Ecuatoriana
Presented by ArtsWestchester, the Village of Sleepy Hollow and Westchester County
This celebration of Ecuadorian culture includes dance performances, crafts and music, in addition to Ecuadorian food. At Barnhart Park (25 Andrews Lane, Sleepy Hollow).
