ArtsFest After Dark

Sure, there’s a lot going on every day during ArtsFest 2024 with nearly 50 venues presenting the work of more than 250 artists (visual artists, performers, artisans). But what about night life? There’s plenty of fun happening after dark: Get a sneak peek below — then go to www.newrochellearts.org  for the complete ArtsFest calendar.

THURSDAY

ArtsFest starts on Thursday, and several art exhibits remain open after 5 pm: For example, you can view an exhibition of artwork in a wide range of comprehensive media created by PAC’s talented students at the Pelham Art Center (155 Fifth Ave., Pelham; 914-576-7747, x115; www.pelhamartcenter.org ) until 7 pm. Two other art exhibits are open until 8 pm: The New Rochelle Art Association’s 109th juried open show will be on display in the Lumen Winter Gallery at the New Rochelle Public Library (1 Library Plaza, NR, 914-632-7878, www.nrpl.org ) with artwork in 9 categories: Acrylic/Oils, Graphics, Fine Crafts, Sculpture, Photography, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Digital Art and Pastels. And at Iona University’s Brother Kenneth Chapman Gallery (665 North Ave., NR; 914-633-2208 ; https://www.iona.edu/new-rochelle-community/br-kenneth-chapman-gallery) view Love Your Mother, an exhiit of works by the artist Jennie Thwing that explores the ties between motherhood and mother nature. The artist will be on site for a reception from 4:40 to 5:30 pm. 

The main event Thursday night is the free ArtsFest Kick Off Concert at 7 pm featuring Andromeda Turre at the Ossie Davis Theater (New Rochelle Public Library, 1 Library Plaza, NR, 914-632-7878, www.nrpl.org ) Vocalist, composer, and SiriusXM’s Real Jazz host Andromeda Turre, a prolific name in the contemporary jazz scene and beyond, brings her six-piece ensemble to New Rochelle. Experience the powerful fusion of jazz and environmental activism with Andromeda Turre’s “From the Earth,” an original song cycle that explores climate change through a human rights lens, illuminating environmental justice and the interconnected relationship between humans and the earth. Doors open at 6:30 pm, with local environmental groups on hand to share information on how you can make a difference for our planet.

Other live music options on Thursday after dark include Ian Young, who will be performing from 7 to 9 pm at Town House Kitchen + Drinks (559 Main Street, NR; 914-278-9278 ; townhousekd.com ). Young’s show “Reimagined” lets you enjoy classic and iconic songs reimagined as you experience this casual American bistro known for approachable comfort food, handcrafted cocktails, and fun, worldly wines.

And at 9 pm Isa Blues (left) will be performing an acoustic set at Alvin & Friends (14 Memorial Hwy., NR; 914-654-6549; www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com), known for its menu of Caribbean and soul food favorites and dynamite drinks like Alvin’s Rum Punch. Enjoy an intimate, soulful evening in the Roscoe Room, with acoustic blues and soulful R & B from this emerging artist. Doors open 8:30 pm, show starts at 9 pm; admission $5.  

Also happening Thursday night: Theater goers can enjoy The Iona Players’ production of Urintetown: The Musical (Murphy Auditorium; 715 North Ave., NR; 914-633-2000). The play stands out for its satirical edge, using dark humor to critique power structures and societal complacency — relevant in today’s climate of heightened social and political awareness.

FRIDAY

On Friday night enjoy “Artist Receptions” at two different sites: The Vanda Gallery  (379 Huguenot St, New Rochelle, NY; (914) 740-4412; vandagallery.com) will be celebrating its first anniversary with a reception from 5 to 7 pm for James Stamboni: Brief Lives. This artist, renowned for his poignant and thought-provoking works, captures the fleeting moments of life with a unique blend of realism and abstraction.

At City Hall the NRCA Rotunda Gallery (515 North Ave., NR, www.newrochellearts.org) will a host reception for the open studio artists participating in ArtsFest this year. From 5 to 7 pm enjoy live music and refreshments while you view the exhibit and sample the diverse and engaging homegrown art –- then plan to tour the artists’ studios over Artsfest weekend!

New Rochelle High School has a special evening planned as well: Did you know NRHS is the only high school in the state with its own museum? From 6 to 8 pm you can visit the Museum of Arts & Culture (North Avenue at Braemar Rd.) to view Fall In Plein Air: Landscape Abstractions, an exhibit of paintings by NRHS visual arts students in PAVE 1, 2 and 3. (The assignment was to create abstracted landscapes inspired by patterns of camouflage and using directly observed colors.) The reception will feature live music; refreshments will be available for a donation. Additional works will be displayed around the lake.

Then at 8 pm the action moves to the Linda E. Kelly Theatre where Theatrerworks presents Face Forward: Growing up in Nazi Germany, a staged reading. Three young people growing up in Nazi Germany struggle to claim their identities and transition into adulthood in this collage play about ethics, family, and self-perception. No answers come easily as these three characters experience ordinary growing pains in the face of extraordinary historical tragedy. Free admission, donations welcome.

Downtown at the New Rochelle Public Library at 7 pm vocalist Barbara King will present a Centennial Tribute to Sarah Vaughan (Ossie Davis Theater, 1 Library Plaza, NR, 914-632-7878, www.nrpl.org ). King’s heartfelt tribute to jazz legend Sarah Vaughan is an enchanting musical journey through Vaughan’s life and career, featuring her signature tunes and lesser-known gems. Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of Vaughan’s repertoire, from “Misty” to “Send in the Clowns,” as King honors one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century. 

The spoken word will be celebrated Friday night as well : The MOTH returns with a Story SLAM (Trinity St. Paul Parish Hall, 311 Huguenot Street, NR ) This is a live, community-focused open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can sign up to share a five-minute story on the night’s theme, “Hope.” Advance tickets are sold out, but some additional $15 tickets will be released the night of the performance. If you don’t already have tickets be sure to be in line when the doors open at 6:30 pm; the show starts at 7:30 pm.

Just across Ruby Dee Park another spoken word event is scheduled at 7:30 pm: Open Mic Night at Jolo’s (Jolo’s Vegan Food Bar and Lounge, 49 Lawton Street, NR; 914-355-4928). Da Mic is Open! This is a total freedom of expression open mic : Singers, musicians, dancers, poets, spoken word, comedy — all art is welcomed with NO JUDGEMENT. Spectators also welcome. Admission is $10. Jolo’s is a juice bar and vegan cafe offering Caribbean dishes and more. 

Finally, if you’re in the mood for a little mayhem, visit The Haunt at Wildcliff Mansion from 7 to 10 pm (44 Wildcliff Drive, NR; www.hpcgreenhouse.org)  Now in its second year, the Haunt promises to deliver a spine-chillingly immersive Halloween experience: Guests can explore the doctor’s forgotten laboratory, navigate a restless graveyard, wander the haunted corn maze, and investigate Wildcliff Mansion, encountering ghostly figures and reanimated horrors at every turn. The Haunt is recommended for adults, teens and children who love horror or haunted houses: Guests under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult; no babies or strollers will be allowed. This is a ticketed event: Tickets cost $25 per person at https://app.hauntpay.com/events/hauntatwildcliffmansion

SATURDAY

On Saturday night get an early start at 5 pm with Hurdy Gurdy Man Jerome Hughes (Thomas Paine Memorial Building, 983 North Ave., NR; parking on Valley Road) Come hear the hurdy-gurdy: Jerry Hughes will play music from the instrument’s varied repertoire, from medieval pieces to two world premieres. With special guest, singer Kate Chaston.

From 5 pm to 7 pm you’re invited to a birthday party: The Vanda Gallery (379 Huguenot St, NR;  914- 740-4412; vandagallery.com)  will mark one year of creativity and inspiration with an evening of art, celebration, and connection, combined with the opening reception of the exhibit “Brief Lives: James Stamboni.” This artist, renowned for his poignant and thought-provoking works, captures the fleeting moments of life with a unique blend of realism and abstraction.

At 7 pm you have another chance to catch The Iona Players production of Urinetown: The Musical (Murphy Auditorium; 715 North Ave., NR; 914-633-2000). It’s homecoming weekend at Iona University, and this play adds to the fun with a satirical edge.

At 7:30 pm The Alexander McCabe Trio will be playing at Alvin & Friends (14 Memorial Highway, NR; 914-654-6549; www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com) Saxophonist Alexander McCabe brings his trio (with Ray Macchiaorola on guitar and Chris Haney on bass) to this popular nightspot with a menu of Southern and Caribbean favorites. And there is an ArtsFest drink special: BOGO on glasses of house wine.

You’ll find Singer Songwriters on Tap around the corner at the 18th Ward Brewing Taproom (40 Division Street, NR;  (315) 291-5276 ; www.18thwardbrewing.com). This popular Williamsburg brewery opened its second location in New Rochelle in 2022 as a place to enjoy local craft beer and events like this night of live music featuring local singer songwriters including Garry Novikoff, Dave Fabris, Florid and Anita Rein.

SUNDAY

As ArtsFest winds down on Sunday jazz is in the air: The 4th Annual Queen City of the Sunds International Jazz Festival takes place at the new Remington Boys & Girls Club (1 Remington Pl., NR; 914-815-9013; https://bgcnr.org ) from 1 pm to 6 pm. Presented by the Global Jazz Community in partnership with the City of New Rochelle featured bands will include NEA Jazz Master Louis Hayes Quintet, the Rocky Middleton Jazz Ensemble, Global Women All Star Band and more. Free admission, free parking, vendors.  

Then from 4 pm to 6 pm you’re invited to visit one of New Rochelle’s historic landmarks for An Afternoon of Jazz at Leland Castle (Masonic Care New Rochelle, 29 Castle Place, NR). The castle was built in 1855 as the centerpiece of the 40-acre estate of Simeon Leland; the building later became the centerpiece of the former College of New Rochelle. Today it is part of the Masonic Care Community of New Rochelle, who will welcome visitors for a free performance by the Julie Lyon Quintet featuring pieces from their 2021 Unseen Rain Records release “Whisper of Dreams” as well as jazz standards and other original compositions. Classically trained and reared on pop, rock and blues, Jule Lyon was drawn to the vocal jazz greats (Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and others) : her composing, arranging, improvising and lyric writing emerge from these seemingly disparate influences. Leslie Allicks of The Tea Experience – a tea party catering business that sells loose-leaf tea and teawares — will provide refreshments for sale.