New Choral Society Ends 30th Season With Magical Performance of Elijah
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- Written by Bill Doescher
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The New Choral Society Chorus and Orchestra perform at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church (Photo Credit: Tony Allen Photography)On Sunday afternoon May 5 the New Choral Society (NCS), under the professional direction of Dr. John T. King, Artistic Director and Conductor, concluded its 30th anniversary season with an “over the top performance” of Felix Mendelssohn’s Elijah. 
Dr. John T. King with soloists Katherine Whyte, Rebecca Ringle Kamarei, Jonghyun Park, and Kenneth OvertonYou couldn’t have been better served had you been at the Metropolitan Opera or Carnegie Hall in New York City. But you didn’t need to be because the professional music performed was right there in your own neighborhood or nearby from a short distance from a Westchester town.
It was rainy and damp outside as the audience took their seats inside for the 4 p.m. performance in the Sanctuary of the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church on Greenacres Avenue in Scarsdale. Once inside, they warmed-up quickly to the spectacular, magical and highly professional performance of Elijah.
There wasn’t an empty seat in a sellout as even the balcony was jammed with NCS’ music devotees.
A Cohesive Performance
Everybody played an important musical and stand-up role in this cohesive performance: Dr. King, the soloists, choral singers numbering 43, a larger orchestra of 26 players than typical, and Eleanora LaSalle, a 12-year-old seventh grader at the Edgemont Junior and Senior High School in Scarsdale and youth soloist from the Westchester Children’s Chorus, who came out of the audience from her first pew seat with her father and brother, to shine in her first performance ever with the pros from the Metropolitan Opera and other such important and highly recognized musical houses around the world.
Not to be undone, Emera LaSalle, a soprano and Eleanora’s mother, and Giselle Vagnini, an alto, came out of their singing positions to join soloists Katherine Whyte, a soprano, and Rebecca Ringle Kamarei, a mezzo-soprano, up front for a quartet rendition of “Holy Is God.”
All the fantastic soloists never missed a beat, and were poised, and excellent, including baritone Kenneth Overton as Elijah, who performed without music several times while using hand-and-arm motions to help make a point during his solos, and eventually drew the most applause, and tenor Jonghyun Park, who appeared courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera.
Soloists Eleanora and Emera LaSalle with Conductor Dr. John T. King
NCS’ 31st Season Starts in October
The NCS’s 31st season will open on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at 4 p.m. with renditions of W.A. Mozart’s Solemn Vespers, and J.S. Bach’s Magnificat.
Tickets will be available in the summer. Dr. King will be starting his 31st year as the director and conductor.
Scarsdale Softball Plays For Pink at Croton-Harmon High School
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To see more game photos and/or download photos, please visit here.
Anna Henry of Scarsdale celebrates after she made a great catch in center field
Starting pitcher Emily Baron (5) of Scarsdale delivers a pitch in the first inning. She was the winning pitcher and pitched all 7 innings.
Laura Chesnut (25), the Scarsdale shortstop fields a tough grounder and throws out the runner.
Scarsdale’s Jordan Kefer makes a nice catch in right field.
Scarsdale’s Olivia Unis (15) hits a long drive to right field.
Scarsdale’s Leah Im (17) races back to try and catch a long drive to left field.
Jordan Kefer of Scarsdale High lays down a successful sacrifice bunt.
Scarsdale’s McKinley Conlan lines a hit to the outfield.
Sammy Fenigstein (9) of Scarsdale attempts to tag out a Croton-Harmon runner on a pick-off throw.
Scarsdale’s Emily Levine admires her deep drive.
First baseman Sammy Fenigstein (9) is all smiles after catching a popup.Jacob Burns Film Center Opens Take 3 Wine Bar and Café
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Now you can have a bite and enjoy a movie at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville. This month the Take 3 Wine Bar & Café was opened on the top floor of the theater. The new café marks the culmination of the recent theater renovation project.
Take 3 Wine Bar & Café’s menu includes sandwiches, salads, pastries, charcuterie, mac n’ cheese, pretzels, and baked goods from local businesses including Second Mouse Cheese Shop, Irving Farm, Posh Pretzels, Feel Good Booch—and renowned New York City restaurant Balthazar. The beer is sourced from the Captain Lawrence Brewing Company as well as Soul Brewing Company, along with cider from Thompson’s Cider Mill. The wines include a selection of reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling.
There’s kid-friendly fare as well as non-alcoholic beverage options, Take 3 Wine Bar & Café is also the perfect place for families to kick back and relax after a JBFC Kids Saturday screening.
Movie patrons can elevate their moviegoing experience by “coming early or staying late” to discuss films while enjoying food and drink with other filmgoers in a space designed by JBFC Board Member Laureen Barber (Pound Ridge), co-owner and designer of Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The JBFC also engaged a local architect, James Coleman (Pleasantville), on this project. Seating accommodates up to 85 people. Take 3 Wine Bar & Café is open to the public and ticketholders during the hours of operation on Thursdays from 4:00 to 10:00 and Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 10:00.
"Last spring, we completed renovations on our three original theaters, and now we are thrilled to introduce Take 3 Wine Bar & Café to our patrons,” said Mary Jo Ziesel, JBFC Executive Director. “This exciting addition reaffirms JBFC's commitment to being a dynamic cultural destination where art, community, and now a delightful selection of food and beverages come together. Our aim is to provide a welcoming space for our patrons to gather, converse, and savor moments before or after enjoying a film.”
"The expertise and creative touch of Laureen Barber, a dedicated board member, has been invaluable throughout this project. Laureen's design sensibility has truly shaped the ambiance and aesthetic of the space, transforming it into a place of comfort and elegance,” said JBFC Board Chair Lynn Sobel.
"I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Ginny Gold, who has played an instrumental role in bringing our vision of the JBFC wine bar to life. Ginny has shown incredible generosity and foresight by choosing to honor Marty’s passion for wine in such a meaningful way, " added JBFC Board Chair Lynn Sobel.”
The installation also includes a new gallery which is now showing the private collection of Bill Gold—arguably the best movie poster designer of his time—this exclusive exhibit is curated by his widow and collaborator Susan Gold (New Canaan). It features one-of-a-kind original illustrations, alternate poster designs, and interesting behind-the-scenes stories spanning seven decades of iconic movie classics, from Casablanca to Mystic River. Visitors are encouraged to explore the exhibit and learn about Bill Gold's visionary approach to creating some of the world's most unforgettable movie posters. The Jane Peck Gallery, adjacent to Take 3, is open during Theater operating hours, seven days a week.
Purchase Tickets for the Scarsdale Music Festival on June 1
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Tickets are on sale for the 4th Annual Scarsdale Music Festival (SMF), presented by Morgan Stanley. This exceptional, family-friendly community event will take place on Saturday, June 1st, rain or shine, in Scarsdale Village from 12-6pm, and will benefit Daniel’s Music Foundation. Join us for a festive day full of live music, food, drinks, and family fun activities for people of all ages.
SMF is designed to bring the community together by celebrating its love of music with local bands and musicians who love to perform. This year’s incredible talent line-up includes Artie Tobia, Conversing with Oceans, Daniel & Gerry, The Del Bocas, Euphoria, George Dennehy, Hunter Road, Iolanta Mamatkazina, Jake Nielsen, Lauren Minear, Rennie Pincus & Friends, Saturday Saints, Skyfactor, Trinity, and Zac Hoina Trio. These spectacular bands will be performing on three live stages, presented by Advocate Brokerage with Pure Insurance, Houlihan Lawrence, and Pepe Auto Group.
SMF will feature a selection of savory and sweet offerings from Baked in Color, Bango Bowls, Chill Hawaiian Shave Ice, Crumbl Cookies, Longford’s Ice Cream, One Rare Italian Steakhouse, Pizza Vitale Truck, Poke Motion Food Truck, PopoJito, Scarsdale Uniformed Firefighters Association, Tipsy Taco Truck, and Wing King Truck.
Guests can wash down all that delicious food with a cool drink! Attendees 21+ can enjoy great beer and wine by the glass, available for purchase at two main bars. The Grand Tasting Village, presented by Amici dei Vini, will feature a selection of fine wines from around the world, spirit cocktails, craft beer, and food pairings from premier local restaurants. Guests will have the chance to taste, talk, and learn from industry experts in this uniquely curated tasting event. It is a VIP experience with prime stage viewing not to be missed. Participating vendors include Amici dei Vini, Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese, Meritage, Micheline, Miles the Prince, M.S. Walker, PopoJito, and Simple Motive Brewing Co.
This year’s enhanced Family Fun Zone will feature carnival games, face painters, arts and crafts, musical demonstrations, DIY and STEAM activities, sports, inflatables, and more! Participating vendors and community partners include Bach to Rock, Camp Hillard, Carnival Parties, Community of Play, Faces by Wells, GameTruck, Hoff-Barthelson Music School, JCC Mid-Westchester, Love 2 Learn NY, Pink Princess Nails, Rotary Club of Scarsdale, Scarsdale Forum, Scarsdale Public Library & Friends of the Scarsdale Library, School of Rock White Plains, SPCA Westchester, and Yellow Acorn Montessori. Fan favorite Scarsdale Police and Fire vehicles will also be present along with the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps for safety tips, tours and more!
We are thrilled to continue our ongoing support of the Scarsdale Music Festival, an annual event our colleagues and thousands of people from Westchester and across the region have loved attending for the past four years,” said Sandra L. Richards, Head of Global Sports & Entertainment and Segment Sales & Engagement at Morgan Stanley. “This year’s exceptional lineup of musicians and artists will again highlight our collective love of music, food, and the arts, celebrating and bringing together our diverse community.”
Scarsdale Music Festival will be donating a portion of the proceeds to Daniel’s Music Foundation. Our donation will help provide access to free in-person and online music programs for deserving individuals with disabilities throughout the country.
“We are honored to have been selected as the 2024 beneficiary for The Scarsdale Music Festival,” said Daniel Trush Co-Founder and President at Daniel’s Music Foundation. “When we were first approached with the opportunity, it was obvious that there was great synergy between our organizations in our shared passion for using music to build community. Being able to showcase the talent of some of the artists from our record label, Just Call Me By My Name®, solidified that this was going to be a wonderful partnership,” echoed Ken Trush, Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Foundation.
TICKETS: There is a suggested donation of $20 per adult. Kids’ activity tickets are available for purchase to participate in most of the Family Fun Zone activities (one for $5, with discounted packages available). In order to consume alcohol, you must show ID to prove that you are over 21. Beer ($8) and wine ($10) will be available for purchase by the glass. Entrance to the Grand Tasting Tent requires a designated wristband ($35 on-site). All food and non-alcoholic beverages are pay-as-you-go.
This year’s SMF raffle features sought after guitars from Rudy’s Music and Martin Guitar, as well as gift cards for shopping and dining, certificates redeemable for health, beauty and wellness services as well as select tangible items. Raffle tickets may be purchased in advance or on-site (individually for $10 or packages of six for $50).
Donation Tickets, Kids’ Activity Tickets, Grand Tasting Village Wristbands, and Raffle Tickets are now on sale: scarsdalemusicfestival.com. Purchase tickets in advance online for discounted deals. Tickets will also be available for purchase on-site at the Festival by cash or credit card.
FREE PARKING is available in the Freightway Garage and adjacent outdoor parking lot (72 Freightway) as well as the lower two levels of the Christie Place.
For event information and tickets: www.scarsdalemusicfestival.com and follow us on Instagram @scarsdalemusicfestival. For sponsorship opportunities: info@scarsdalebusinessalliance.com.
For information about the Scarsdale Business Alliance: www.scarsdalebusinessalliance.com and follow us on Instagram @scarsdalebusiness.
To learn more about Daniel’s Music Foundation: danielsmusic.org.
Fun Was Had By All at the SHS Carnival
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Even cold, blustery weather couldn’t keep folks away from the fun tat the 22nd annual Scarsdale High School Carnival last weekend. The popular event, organized by the SHS Central School Government, had something for everyone to enjoy with carnival games, thrilling rides, and traditional snacks like cotton candy and funnel cakes. Exemplifying the District’s commitment to their motto Non-Sibi (not for oneself alone), the school government will donate their proceeds from the carnival to the Greenburgh Nature Center and Neighbors Link.
The evening of Friday April 12th seemed to draw an older teenage crowd, with middle and high schoolers braving rides like Alien Abduction, Pharaoh’s Fury, and the Tornado. While some missed the classic carnival ride The Zipper, there was still plenty of fun to be had playing games such as Whac-A-Mole, Roll-A-Ball, and Mini Hoops with prizes like basketballs and stuffed animals to be won.
Saturday the 13th saw the carnival, run by Newtown Shows, full of families with younger children squealing with delight on rides like Super Round Up, Super Slide, and Puppy Role. Children of all ages enjoyed student-run games including the BullPen, the Dunk Tank, and the High Striker (hammer/ bell).
Putting a personal touch on the event’s amusements, SHS student clubs offered activities like a photo station complete with fun props, face painting, henna designs, balloon art and so much more. Other clubs such as the Spanish club offered churros for sale and the French club served crepes and cotton candy. In addition, the Gardening Club had spring plants for sale, the Breast Cancer Awareness Club offered bracelet making, and the Habitat for Humanity Club had a super sized Jenga to be enjoyed.
All of the students who participated in bringing these activities to life, and especially those in student government, should be proud of the hard work they put into organizing and hosting yet another amazing carnival for the community.
