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- šµ "The Way It Is" and "Wagon Wheel" in Westchester This Week
šµ "The Way It Is" and "Wagon Wheel" in Westchester This Week
Ja Rule heads to Stamford Thursday, we're launching a Westchester trivia game & a Briarcliff home on a historic estate
Hello, Westchester!
If youāve been with us for long enough, you know these three things: 1. So much of what we focus on in Loving Westchester falls within county lines, 2. We do feature a few events in every edition that we think are āworth a driveā out of the county, 3. Those events tend to live at the bottom of the newsletter.
Today, for good reason, weād like to change that up a little bit.
This week, our two favorite events from last summer make their glorious returns to our familyās calendar and theyāre backed by amazing, emotional causes.
The first is the Shoulder Check Showcase this Thursday at Sacred Heart University. In its 4th year, this All-Star caliber hockey event is held in memory of high school hockey player, Hayden Thorsen from Darien. The "shoulder check" name is more than a hockey referenceā¦ the event and foundation are built on checking in with those around us, letting them know we're there for them. Find out more about the event and foundation here.
The second is the Muddy Puddles Mess Fest at Kiwi Country Day Camp this Saturday. The event raises money and awareness for childhood cancer research through the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation, honoring a 5-year-old Pawling boy lost to the disease. At the heart of it, the day gives kids and families a chance to let loose, get messy, and just have fun. We were honored to be part of it last year and can't wait to go back. If youād like to join us, please check out event details here.
Now, on a completely different note, we've been teasing something new for weeks, and today's the day. Scroll down for our first Know Your County trivia question. See you out there!
š Know Your County
Weāre starting something new this week thatāll be a fun mix of friendly competition, cool prizes from local favorites, and a bit of education for good measure. Every Tuesday, weāll pose a Westchester-based trivia question. When you select the correct answer, youāll receive one point for that week with bonus points available depending on that weekās question. There are no penalties for wrong guesses, so be sure to answer every week! The reader with the most points at the end of the contest period will be our winner and receive a cool prize from one of our Westchester favorites (think gift card, concert tickets, etc.).
If two or more readers are tied in points at the end of that contest, a winner will be picked at random. The answer to the previous weekās trivia question will also be shared on Tuesday, so keep checking this section in the coming weeks.
Contest #1
First Question: July 28th
Final Question: August 25th
We thought it was only fitting to start our first contest with another āfirstā for Westchester County. Here we goā¦
Westchester is made up of six cities, 19 towns and 23 villagesā¦
Of Westchester's 23 villages, which one was incorporated first? |
Bonus point if you email us with that villageās original name.
Good luck!
In todayās edition:
Featured eventsā¦ happy hour at Kensico with a pint, a pup, and live music
Family funā¦ two local performances of youth theatre with Frozen Jr. and Beetlejuice Jr.
Grown ups & date nightsā¦ sing along to āWagon Wheelā when Old Crow Medicine Show comes to The Cap
Live music beatā¦ A-Sides Beach Ball brings fun in the sun to Yonkers
Worth a drive from Ardsley Car Washā¦ Ja Rule plays Stamford, Mess Fest returns to Carmel, and the puck drops at the 4th annual Shoulder Check Showcase
Where the heart isā¦ a split-level with an in-ground pool set on the grounds of a historic Briarcliff estate
And a message from our partners, QueenBHive, giving you, your business, or brand the visibility and support it needs, and QueenBPoker, hosting your epic game night.
Now letās get to it!
š The Pulse
Loving Westchesterās Featured Events!
š Pints and Pups
Thu., Jul. 30 | Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla | 5p-7p | $25 (includes one pint)
A happy hour on the plaza with a pint, a pup, and live music, followed by a free Ladies of the 80s concert to close the night. Your ticket includes a pint, and proceeds benefit the SPCA. A low-key, good-cause way to spend a summer Thursday evening at the dam.
Bring the dog, grab a pint, and stay for the 80s ā
š£ Tuna Cutting at Sushi by Bou
Fri., Jul. 31 | Sushi by Bou at Westchester Place, New Rochelle | 9p-11p | $108.55
Watch a team of sushi chefs break down a 200-plus-pound bluefin tuna right in front of you, with a welcome sake toast and passed nigiri all night. Part dinner, part live performance. 21 and over.
Come hungry and watch dinner get made, one cut at a time ā
š¶ Goosefeather's Pink Party and Barbecue
Sat., Aug. 1 | Goosefeather, Tarrytown | 6p-9p | $120
An all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet on the grounds of the Tarrytown House Estate, with smoked pork, BBQ chicken, pulled pork, BBQ tofu, mac and cheese, and hot honey cornbread, plus a resident DJ, lawn games, and rosƩ all day. Pink attire encouraged. 21 and over.
Wear pink, eat barbecue, and drink rosĆ© until the sun goes down ā
Have an event you want to feature in Loving Westchester?
Got 99 ideas, but canāt execute 1?
Hey, everybody. This is Bec.
Iāve spent 20 years helping businesses, brands and community organizations grow through better strategy, communications and partnerships. If youāre a local business owner with 100 ideas but never enough time to move them forward, thatās exactly why I created QueenBHive. Think of me as the person in your corner. Helping you decide what matters most, connecting the right dots, creating momentum, and making sure the good ideas actually happen. Whether thatās your visibility, social content, a launch, a partnership or simply having someone strategic to think alongside.
Send me a message and let me be your WingWoman.
š Whatās Happening?
Family Fun!
š Summer on the Avenue Block Party
Wed., Jul. 29 | Mamaroneck Avenue, Mamaroneck | 7p-10p | Free
Mamaroneck Avenue closes from Prospect to Halstead for live music, food, vendors, and children's activities. Bouncy Land is $10 per participant.
š¤ International Friendship Day
Thu., Jul. 30 | Westchester Children's Museum, Rye | 9:30a-5:30p | Included with admission
A hands-on day of activities built around collaboration and creativity for kids and caregivers, dedicated to building friendships.
š Beetlejuice Jr.
Thu., Jul. 30 | Port Chester Council for the Arts, Port Chester | Matinee 2p, Evening 6p | Ticket prices vary
The Port Chester Council for the Arts summer program stages the show as its Summer Spectacular, with two performances in one day.
š Random Farms Kids' Theater presents Frozen Jr.
Fri., Jul. 31 | Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, Peekskill | 11:30a and 4p | Ticket prices vary
Local student performers tell the story of sisters Anna and Elsa in the stage adaptation, in two performances.
šļø Military Bake and Meet Willie the Jeep
Sat., Aug. 1 | Lasdon Park, Katonah | 11a-1p | $10
Kids bake WWII-era cookies, meet Willie the authentic army medical jeep, run a stretcher race, and handle medical equipment in the Veterans Museum. Ages 6 and up, six children max. Registration required.
šļø Family Fun Day and Sand Art Competition
Sat., Aug. 1 | Glen Island Beach, New Rochelle | 11a-4p | Free (admission and parking rules apply)
Swim and enter the annual sand art competition on the beach. Participation is free; registration required. Westchester County residency required.
šÆš² Jamaican Emancipendence Festival
Sat., Aug. 1 | Court and Main Streets, White Plains | 3p-8p | Free
A free downtown street festival with live music, a DJ, food, local vendors, a Kid's Corner, and Caribbean culture. Registering for a ticket is encouraged.
š¬ Flicks on the Field: The Sandlot
Sat., Aug. 1 | Clover Stadium, Pomona (Rockland) | Gates 7p, Film 8p | $12
The Sandlot on the stadium's giant video board, watched from a blanket on the outfield grass. Concessions open at 7p. Free parking, all ages.
š®š³ Heritage of India Festival
Sun., Aug. 2 | Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla | 12p-6p | Free
More than 40 performers take the stage with traditional and contemporary Indian dance and music, alongside vendors selling Indian cuisine, clothing, jewelry, and crafts, plus free kids' activities.
Grown Ups & Date Nights
š§ŗ Basket Weaving Workshop
Thu., Jul. 30 | Westmoreland Sanctuary, Mount Kisco | 7p-9p | Ticket prices vary
Weave a basket from invasive wisteria vines pulled from the sanctuary's forests, turning habitat restoration into a finished object you take home. All materials provided, no experience needed.
š Comedy Friday: Dinner and a Show
Fri., Jul. 31 | Red Horse by David Burke, White Plains | Doors 6:15p | $95
A three-course dinner and stand-up from Mike Keegan, runner-up for Funniest Comic on the East Coast at Mohegan Sun, with headliner Lana Siebel, whose Dry Bar special Age Appropriate is out now.
š· The Collective Grand Opening
Sat., Aug. 1 | 14 Main Street, Bedford Hills | 10a-5p
Saturday marks the grand opening of Westchesterās newest antique and vintage hot spot with dealer and designer curated pieces all under one roof in Bedford Hills.
š An Evening with Goumba Johnny
Sat., Aug. 1 | Pelham Rails, Pelham | 7p-10p | Ticket prices vary
Comedy plus a three-course dinner with soda, tax, and tip included, from radio personality Goumba Johnny.
š¹ Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers
Sat., Aug. 1 | Caramoor, Katonah | 7:30p | $72+, few tickets remaining
The Grammy-winning pianist and his band play the Venetian Theater, presented with City Winery. Spread a blanket on the lawn, pre-order a picnic, or grab concessions from the on-site vendors.
šø Old Crow Medicine Show with Deadgrass
Sat., Aug. 1 | The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester | 8p | $45+
The Grammy-winning string band behind "Wagon Wheel" plays the Cap behind their new album Union Made, with openers Deadgrass celebrating Jerry Garcia's birthday.
The Beatā¦ Westchesterās Live Music Scene
šŗ A-Sides Beach Ball
Sat.-Sun., Aug. 1-2 | Yonkers Brewing Company, Yonkers | 6p | $20/day, $35 weekend
Two nights of beach vibes and live music right on Main Street. Saturday is headlined by Brian Vander Ark of The Verve Pipe, with Rachel Ana Dobken, Eager Sails, and Summer Project. Sunday brings Labiahead, the all-female Radiohead tribute featuring Lena Hall of Your Friends and Neighbors.
Beach vibes in Yonkers, with Lena Hall and the Verve Pipe vocalist to soundtrack it ā
Game nights are having a moment in Westchester, and if you've ever wanted to host a poker or casino night without the stress of figuring out the rules or rounding up chips, QueenBPoker is the answer. They come to your home, venue, office, and handle everything you may need from teaching the table to running the night. Casual, corporate, charity. No experience needed, just people who want a good time.
Plan your game night ā
š¤ Ja Rule and Ashanti
Thu., Jul. 30 | Mill River Park, Stamford, CT | 7p | $62.28+
The early-2000s hitmakers behind "Always on Time" and "Mesmerize" perform together at Mill River Park as part of Stamfordās Summer in the Park series.
š 4th Annual Shoulder Check Showcase
Thu., Jul. 30 | Martire Family Arena, Fairfield, CT | Event starts at 4p, puck drop 6:30p
An NHL All-Star caliber event for a great cause in memory of Darien high school hockey player, Hayden Thorsen. Already confirmed for this yearās event: Chris Kreider, JT Miller, Adam Fox, Matt Rempe, Trevor Zegras, Gabe Perreault, and many more.
š Muddy Puddles Mess Fest
Sat., Aug. 1 | Kiwi Country Day Camp, Carmel | 11a-3p | $45+
Muddy Puddles Mess Fest returns to Kiwi Country Day Camp. The annual fundraiser for the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation for childhood cancer research includes swimming, ziplines, a slip-n-slide, pie tosses, splatter paint, bounce houses, and Peppa Pig.
šø Bernie Williams Jazz in the Vineyard
Sat., Aug. 1 | Millbrook Winery, Millbrook | 7p | $61
The former Yankees centerfielder and Latin Grammy nominee returns with his Band of Friends for a fifth year, debuting the new vintage of his Bernie's Blend red.
Loving Westchester is written by a real-life husband and wife team, completely free, and in your inbox every Tuesday and Friday. If it adds something to your week, contributions help us keep growing - including our first in-person Loving Westchester event we're working toward for the fall.
"Thank you for your emails highlighting the wonderful events happening throughout Westchester. They are such a great resource and reminder of how much Westchester has to offer." ā A Loving Westchester Reader
š” Where the Heart Is
Incredible homes are listed in Westchester every week. Hereās one that caught our eye
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The Key Details: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,302 square feet on 0.75 acres ($391 / square foot)
What We Love About It: Real history hereā¦ this charming split-level sits on land once part of the Waldheim Estate, the historic property of James and Ellin Speyer. Four bedrooms and three bathrooms wrapped in soaring ceilings, a cozy fireplace-anchored living room, and walls of light that connect straight out to mature gardens and seasonal foliage. The flagstone patio and in-ground pool make the backyard the real draw, whether it's summer entertaining or a quiet morning coffee. A blank canvas for the next owner to make their own, minutes from Briarcliff Manor's shops, golf, and trails, with a Scarborough train commute straight down the Hudson into the city.
We love to hear from you! Give us a shout at [email protected] or find us on Instagram @lovingwestchester. And don't forget to forward this to a friend who's always asking "what's going on this week?"
See you out there!
