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- 🎵 The Queen of Kids' Music Laurie Berkner Live at The Paramount
🎵 The Queen of Kids' Music Laurie Berkner Live at The Paramount
Jessie's Girl rocks the 80s, double duck derbies & cherry blossoms bloom
Hello, Westchester!
May has arrived… and it’s coming in hot. At least in terms of what it has to offer. We’ll let the weather catch up.
We’ve got a lovely edition for you with plenty to get stuck into, plus a family giveaway that’s worth throwing your name into.
There’s a bit of everything happening here this weekend… from markets along the Hudson to family festivals, live music, and a good excuse to dress up for the Kentucky Derby. We’ve given you plenty of reasons to bring the kids… or not, depending on your mood (or theirs).
If you’re thinking ahead to Mother’s Day, or just want an excuse to wander somewhere lovely, the Hops on the Hudson’s Modern Makers Market is a very good place to start. Click here for a sneak peek at what the makers market has to offer. And when you’re done with that… don’t miss your chance at a local pro frisbee day out with our New York Gridlock giveaway below.
A quick note to say we hope our Shake It Off Holi Festival giveaway winners have the best time this weekend… go get messy! We love giving you reasons to let loose with the kiddos! If you didn’t win this time, you can still pick up tickets here. Also, keep an eye on this space because a few more exciting giveaways are in the works with our new friends at Ardsley Car Wash (follow them on Instagram to stay in the know!).
One last thing… Walter’s x Hoodoo Brown BBQ returns this Sunday for their 10-year collaboration. If you know, you know. If you don’t, this might be the weekend to find out… we’ll likely see you there.
All of which is to say… May’s off to a very good start. So, let’s get into it!
Bec+Wes
In today’s edition:
Featured events… ‘and they’re off’ to Red Horse in White Plains for a Kentucky Derby watch party.
Family fun… the ‘Queen of kids’ music’ Laurie Berkner takes the Paramount stage for two weekend performances.
Grown ups & date nights… The Daily Show comedians Ronny Chieng and Hasan Minhaj bring their co-headlining standup show to The Cap.
Live music beat… a blast from the past with a Jessie’s Girl: Back to the 80s show.
Worth a drive from Ardsley Car Wash… Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett visits Ridgefield.
Eats-chester… we got a sneak peek at Westchester’s newest frozen yogurt, ice cream and candy bar, Frannie’s in Somers.
Plus, a Mother’s Day giveaway from our partners, New York Gridlock Ultimate, Westchester’s professional women’s ultimate frisbee team.
Let’s go!
💓 The Pulse
Loving Westchester’s Featured Events!
Sat., May 2 | HudCo, Dobbs Ferry | 10:30a-12:30p | $60.54
Culinary Institute of America-trained pastry chef Nora of 351 Cakes leads a beginner-friendly Mother's Day decorating class at HudCo, where participants frost and decorate a 5-inch cake with a full buttercream palette and sprinkle bar.
Sat., May 2 | Red Horse by David Burke, White Plains | 4-10p
Watch the Run for the Roses at the bar and high tops at Red Horse, with all-night happy hour pricing, Derby food specials, and a best hat contest with a $150 gift card prize for the most inspired headwear.
Sat., May 2 | Peekskill Riverfront Green Park, Peekskill | 10a-4p | Free
Celebrate the blooming of 100 cherry trees along the Hudson River waterfront with a family-friendly festival featuring food trucks, a plant sale timed perfectly for Mother's Day gifting, craft vendors, and kids' activities including inflatables and arts and crafts.
🥏 Win a Frisbee-Fuelled Family Day Out This Mother’s Day
You may remember we mentioned our new partner New York Gridlock earlier this week, and now we’ve got something fun for you.
We’ve teamed up with them to give away two family bundles to their upcoming home game in New Rochelle on Sunday, May 10!
Each bundle includes:
Entry for 2 adults + 2 kids under 18 (under 10 go free)
A Gridlock disc
A post-game photo opportunity
And it isn’t all about the game... The team are having a special Family Day, a full afternoon out with tailgating, games, food trucks and a really fun, relaxed atmosphere. It also happens to fall on Mother’s Day, so whether you’re celebrating or just looking for something easy and fun to do together, it’s a great option.
To enter, just hit reply with “FRISBEE” by end of day Monday, May 4. We’ll pick the winners and let you know directly!
📆 What’s Happening?
Family Fun!
Sat., May 2 | Factoria at Charles Point Marina, Peekskill | 11a-5p | Free
Hops on the Hudson’s Modern Makers Market has it all this weekend: 40+ artisans including jewelers, clothing designers, bag makers, candle makers, potters, ceramic artists and painters, live music entertainment, great beer and food from The River Outpost Brewery, and stunning Hudson River views.
Sat., May 2 | Rye Nature Center, Rye | 12-3p | Free for members, $30 per family
Wander a woodland village of handcrafted fairy houses built by local schools, garden clubs, and community groups, then make a fairy wand, explore crystals and geodes, visit the animal table, catch some bubbles, and get your face painted.
🍖 Epic Free Family BBQ in Ossining
Sat., May 2 | Nelson Park, Ossining | 3:30-8:30p | Free
The Rotary clubs of Ossining, Briarcliff, and Pleasantville host a free community cookout at Nelson Park with a DJ, face painting, a petting zoo, kids' activities, and great food.
⭐ May the 3rd Be With You! at WCM
Sun., May 3 | Westchester Children's Museum, Rye | 9:30a-5:30p
The Force arrives at the Westchester Children's Museum for a Star Wars-themed day of STEM fun, including lightsaber making, a costume contest, and special character meet-and-greets. Costumes for all ages welcome, from Younglings to Jedi Masters.
Sun., May 3 | Paramount Hudson Valley, Peekskill | 11a (sensory-friendly) & 3p | $36.50+
Children's music icon Laurie Berkner plays two shows at the Paramount, performing hits like "We Are the Dinosaurs," "Bumblebee," and "Victor Vito". The 11a performance is sensory-friendly with adjusted sound & lighting for children with sensory differences.
🦆 Weekend Duck Races!
Sat., May 2 | Tarrytown Rotary Duck Derby, Patriots Park | 11a-3p
Hundreds of rubber ducks race down Andres Brook in Patriots Park, with the local fire department powering the current. Adopt a duck for a chance to win, then enjoy music, food, and the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day activities running alongside the races.
Sun., May 3 | Cortlandt Manor Rotary Annual Duck Race, Sprout Brook | 10a-4p
Rubber ducks drop from the bridge and race down Sprout Brook in three heats before a final Duck Dash Finale near the gazebo. Cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250 go to the winning duck holders, alongside a full day of music, food, and vendors.
Grown Ups & Date Nights
Fri.-Sun., May 1-3 | Lyndhurst Mansion Greenhouse Grounds, Tarrytown | Fri. & Sun. 10a-5p / Sat. 10a-6p | $6+, members free
Two hundred craftspeople and makers take over Lyndhurst’s greenhouse grounds for a three-day spring show. Browse original jewelry, fashion, ceramics, glass, wood, fine art, home decor, and more, then stay for BBQ, seafood, gourmet tastings, and NYS distillery and winery pours.
Fri., May 1 | Westchester Wine Warehouse, White Plains | 6-7p | $100
Award-winning sommelier Olivier Flosse leads a tasting of four wines from a single distinguished Burgundy domaine, exploring how one producer expresses terroir across different vineyards. Attendees receive a $100 coupon toward featured bottles after the event.
Fri., May 1 | Valley Greens, Peekskill | 7-8:30p | $33.85
Marissa of Yoga in the Valley leads an intimate gathering of women under the full moon, with guided reflection, grounding practices, and optional open sharing in a small, supportive circle. Bring a yoga mat and something comfortable.
Sun., May 3 | Hemato Institute, Katonah | 11a | $20
Learn to ferment your own probiotic-rich milk kefir from scratch in this hands-on workshop covering technique, gut health benefits, and creative ways to use it daily. Each participant takes home live kefir grains to keep the process going at home.
Sun., May 3 | The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester | 7p | $36.75+
The Daily Show comedian and Crazy Rich Asians actor Ronny Chieng and The Daily Show alum and Netflix stand-up Hasan Minhaj share the stage for a co-headlining night of comedy at The Cap.
The Beat… Westchester’s Live Music Scene
Featured Gig
Sat., May 2 | The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester | 8p | $34.50+
Jessie's Girl brings their full Back to the Eighties Show to The Cap, delivering a night of era-defining hits from artists like Bon Jovi, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and more. One of the most in-demand 80s tribute acts in the country, this show is a full-on dance party.
Fri.-Sun., May 1-3 | Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz | Fri. 5-8p / Sat. 11a-8p / Sun. 11a-5p | $10 (12 and under free)
A three-day outdoor festival at the Ulster County Fairgrounds featuring over 80 competitive BBQ teams from across the country battling for world championship titles, plus live music, cooking demos, craft beer, and vendors.
Sat., May 2 | Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT | 8p | $76+
Three-time Emmy winner Brad Garrett, best known for his role as Robert Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, brings his stand-up to Ridgefield. His recent credits include Apple TV+'s High Desert, FX's Fargo, and Disney+'s Big Shot.
🍦 Eats-chester
📍 Frannie’s Goodie Shop | 249 US-202 Suite 9 | Somers
There’s something about a place like this that just makes kids light up… and let's be honest, the adults aren’t too far behind!
We got a little preview of Frannie’s newest spot in Somers ahead of this weekend’s grand opening, and it’s clear a lot of thought has gone into making it feel like more than just a dessert shop. Bright, happy colors, playful artwork, “secret” toppings… it all leans into that “this is a treat” feeling from the moment you walk in.
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There are around 20 frozen yogurt flavors, from classics like chocolate and strawberry to cake batter, cookies and cream, cold brew, and even Irish mint (which we had to try… and we were pleasantly surprised). You’ll also find gluten-free and sugar-free choices, so no one’s left out. If froyo isn’t your thing, they have a full lineup from local favorite Longford’s Ice Cream, with plenty of options to go.
Then comes the toppings situation… which is where all sense of restraint tends to disappear. A never-ending array of choices, from candy and fruit to syrups, hot fudge, and hot caramel (so good), plus all the extras you didn’t plan on adding… but somehow do. We found ourselves trying things we've never seen before, and finding new favorites to boot.
What stood out most though was the feeling behind it. The team have clearly built this with families in mind, not just in what’s on offer, but in how it all comes together. As they put it, “We want Frannie’s to feel like a fun, welcoming space where people can come together and create memories whether it’s families, friends, or kids after school. It’s a one stop sweet shop rooted in community, where every visit feels special and every memory feels like home.”
It’s the kind of place you can already picture becoming a regular stop… after school, after dinner, or just because.
Frannie’s opens Saturday, May 2nd at 12p with some amazing opening day promotions…
🍦 Free ice cream for the first 50 people in line
🏆 First person in line wins free ice cream all summer!
🎁 Raffles for the first 50 people with prizes like Apple AirPods Max, Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses, a Nintendo Switch, VIP Mets tickets and more
🎟️ Plus gift cards to local favorites!
If you want a feel for it before you go, check out our Instagram by midday Friday… and if you do go, just know that “we’ll keep it simple” is unlikely to last long once you hit the toppings wall!
Thanks for reading Loving Westchester!
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Until next time,
