Comedy Night at the Center@862
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Local storyteller and former Scarsdale resident Sandi Marx will perform on Saturday night April 18 in an evening of comedy at the Center @ 862 at 862 Scarsdale Avenue at 8 pm.
The line-up of featured storytellers includes:
Cory Kahaney - Well-loved comedian who has appeared on HBO, Comedy Central, Letterman, the View, Last Coming Standing, etc., --and an amazing storyteller
Sandi Marx - Multiple Moth StorySlam winner and storyteller who performs all over the NYC area and had us in stitches at our Halloween show
Jim Keyes - Favorite Hudson Valley Musician, Storyteller, and Pros(e) of Pie "regular"
Susan Landon - Multiple Pie-Contest Winner AND a favorite Pros(e) of Pie storyteller
The evening will be emceed by Ivy Eisenberg with Zak Shusterman hosting and serving pies!
Five-minute open mic spots are available along with anonymous participation slips. (Come to the show to find out what this is), and of course YUMMY PIE!
Hedrick Smith at the Sunday Speaker Series
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Author and journalist Hedrick Smith will speak at the Scarsdale Forum Sunday Speaker Series on Sunday April 19 at 3:00 pm. The public is invited to attend the event at the Scarsdale Women's Club. This will be the third presentation of the Speaker Series.
Smith is a Pulitzer Prize winning author, journalist and writer and commentator of the American experience. As a television commentator on shows such as "Front Line" and "Washington Week in Review," and through his articles in the New York Times, and his books such as "Reclaiming the American Dream," Smith has covered every important figure of our time from Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Duke Ellington and from President Richard M. Nixon to President Barack Obama.
The event promises to be informative and lively. Mr. Smith will be available for a book signing after his presentation.
A Cappella Songfest at The Center @862
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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The Yale Westchester Alumni Association (YWAA) will host A Cappella Songfest 2015 on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at The Center @ 862, 862 Scarsdale Avenue, Scarsdale, New York. The concert, which begins at 3:00 p.m., will feature For Good Measure, Scarsdale High School's group, and the Yale Spizzwinks(?). Following the concert, there will be an opportunity to meet the singers and purchase their CDs.
Tickets for the performance are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors (65+) and $10 for students and can be purchased online at www.yalewestchester.org or at the door. For further information, please contact Regina Possavino at 914-977-3532 or reginapossavino@yahoo.com.
For Good Measure
As the only co-ed a cappella troupe in Scarsdale High School, For Good Measure fills all of Scarsdale with music! The group was started by Jessica Chayes during the 2001-2002 school year, and has existed in either co-ed or all-girl incarnations since then. Comprised of both male and female voices, the troupe has left its mark on the Scarsdale community through performances at sports games, a cappella competitions, shows, Valentine's Day Sing-a-Grams, and during the holidays. In addition, For Good Measure has performed in concerts with groups from Yale University, Dartmouth College, Binghamton University, and Kenyon College. For Good Measure's repertoire includes a variety of song types, including oldies as well as contemporary pop songs. The group is not only talented, but always makes their performances fun to watch for all types of audiences.
The Spizzwinks(?)
The Yale Spizzwinks(?) are America's first underclassman a cappella group. Since 1914, they have been entertaining audiences around the world with their unique blend of sweet harmony and tongue-in-cheek humor. Since their historic beginning at Mory's, the Spizzwinks(?) have proudly carried on a tradition of musical excellence and camaraderie as one of America's oldest male choirs. With one eye towards their one hundred year history and the other towards the future, they seamlessly fuse tradition and innovation to bring audiences a unique and unforgettable concert experience.
Three times each year, the Spizzwinks(?) pack their bags and head off to explore the world. When traveling internationally, the Spizzwinks(?) act as cultural ambassadors for the United States, often performing on television and radio, and at large public events. They also promote cultural exchange, singing joint concerts with choirs from universities and other organizations. This year (2014-2015), the Spizzwinks(?) will travel to Cleveland, Ohio in the fall; to San Diego, Ventura, and Albuquerque in the winter; to Florida and South America (Columbia) in the spring; and to South Africa and Turkey in the summer.
Rotary Wine Tasting Raises Funds for Local Charities
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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The sixth annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser sponsored by the Scarsdale Rotary Club raised over $40,000 for charity on Thursday March 12th. Hosted at the Scarsdale Woman's Club on Drake Road, the well-attended event featured dozens of raffle items, silent auction items and a live auction selling the services of a professional team of chefs to prepare a fine dinner, a 60" Smart HD TV and many more tempting items.
Fine food and wine were donated by Vintology and local restaurants including Chat, Moscato's, Lange's Deli, Bistro 808, Meritage, Savona and several others.
The event was sponsored by the Scarsdale Agency, WMC HOLDINGS, Value Electronics, Houlihan Lawrence, Webster Bank, the Berk Family, Scarsdale Agency, Scarsdale Improvement Corp, KLS Financial Advisers, UBS, Wilgrin Reality, Christie Spencer Corp, Pepe Mercedes, Red Oak Transportation, Wilson and Son Jewelers, Scott and Robin Gottlieb, Scarsdale Security, Advocate Brokerage Corp, Steve Pitchon, DDS, Lackenback Siegel, LLP, Jason Costanzo, Hirschfield & Costanzo PC, and Sugar Hill Capital Partners.
Almost all of the costs of the event were covered by the Rotary, to allow proceeds to go to charity. This year, the Scarsdale Rotary Club has named five local charities as primary beneficiaries of the event --each to receive approximately 12% of the money raised:
Greenburgh Nature Center
A local 22-acre nature preserve with trails, a pond and gardens. The property is a significant wildlife habitat refuge, both for indigenous species and for the hundreds of species of migratory birds that is used in as a resting place on their spring and fall travels. The property includes two wetland sites and a wildflower meadow, which is used as a nesting area for Eastern box turtles.
Lakota Children's Enrichment, Inc.
A for-purpose corporation with headquarters in Scarsdale NY and founded by Scarsdale resident Maggie Dunne. LCE empowers Lakota youth on the Pine Ridge Reservation in SD and amplifies their voices by providing mentorship and opportunities in the arts, education, sports, leadership and community service. Pine Ridge Reservation is located in three of the USA's poorest counties.
Scarsdale & Edgemont Family Counseling Services
A local community organization that strengthens family and community life by providing individual, family and group therapy. SFCS also provides outreach to youth, services to elders, and public programs relating to family life issues.
The Scarsdale Foundation
The Foundation supports institutions and individuals that encourage educational and human development as well as mutual understanding and recognizes those in the community who through volunteer service continue to set an example of civic responsibility toward the betterment of the community.
Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps
For over 40 years SVAC has answered the call of residents, workers, and communities in the town of Scarsdale by providing emergency ambulance services to the community. SVAC is staffed by a combination of paid paramedics and volunteer emergency medical technicians, and other appropriately trained volunteers.
The remaining funds will be contributed to Polio Plus, Well Water in Haiti, and the Scarsdale Rotary Club's annual grants disbursed through its grant application process.
Photo Credit: Cindy Dunne
Urinetown is a Hit in Edgemont
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- Written by: Madison Welker
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As the cast of Edgemont actors and actresses lined up to rehearse their lines for the annual Edgemont Spring Musical try-outs, it was immediately apparent that the musical would be a hit this year. Tackling the satirical comedy of the musical, Urinetown, the Edgemont cast and crew knew this would be a performance like no other. From the talented new actors, such as Josh Roman, to returning singers and actresses including Jackie Brown, Urinetown was what everyone expected and more.
Opening with Officer Lockstock, played by the talented Reed Rosenberg .and street urchin Little Sally, played by Mallory Kostroff, the musical's satire is immediately presented. According to the policeman and little girl, a twenty-year drought has caused a terrible water shortage, making private toilets unthinkable. The show continues to satirize capitalism and corporate management as the audience follows the fight for bathroom freedom between the people of Urinetown and "Urine Good Company."
What really made this musical shine above others was the talented new director, Danny Bernstein, a composer and lyricist who is an Edgemont and Cornell graduate (Class of 2010 and 2014.) Bernstein added infectious enthusiasm on set and created the most popular Edgemont musical in years. With help from assistant director and Edgemont senior Hannah Rothstein, the two made Edgemont history. Junior Peter Jefferies who starred as Senator Fipp responded to the success of the production, saying, "Urinetown is a hilarious production that was directed by an extremely talented director who was able to teach us actors and actresses new acting techniques. Blending our own decisions with Danny and Hannah's input as directors really made the show a hit."
What the Edgemont musical has sadly been missing the past three years is the Edgemont senior class's hidden talent, Josh Roman. Starring as the male role, Bobby Strong, Roman stole the show with his unbelievable voice, acting skills, and dance moves. The audience was shocked to see the Edgemont soccer and lacrosse star belt out Urinetown tunes with Jackie Brown who played the female lead of Hope Cladwell. Amy Baumgarten, junior at Edgemont and supporting actress role of Penelope Pennywise, said, "Josh brought so much energy to practice everyday and really connected with every cast and crew member despite it being his first year. Talented is an understatement for what Josh proved he could do on stage. The show wouldn't have been complete without him!" Cast members, students, and faculty were raving over Josh's unbelievable performance.
The cast, crew, and pit orchestra collaborated to perform one of Edgemont's most talked about musicals. Despite the snow day affecting the Thursday night performance, Urinetown still succeeded and has many Edgemont students, parents, and faculty discussing the level of talent at the school.
