By Alexa Berman
Design by Aeneas Eaton
Tune in & Chill Out
Roll out a blanket, pitch a tent and dust off your lawn chair for Pleasantville’s 19th annual music festival on July 12. This backyard jam begins at 1 p.m. and continues until about 9 p.m. From local 10-year-old guitar phenom Bay to the headliner Dawes, enjoy a diverse lineup of talent playing everything from classic rock and bluegrass to indie-pop all in the big-but-not-too-big Parkway Field. Enjoy discounted tickets for students & seniors, free entry for children under 10, local vendors and us! Stop by our booth to say hello and even challenge us to a game of giant Jenga.
Where Popcorn Meets Roman Ruins
This summer, transport to Roman vistas, embody Sardinian spies and journey to the Venice Biennale at the height of its artistic influence all in Magazzino’s courtyard garden. Celebrating its 8th year, The Cinema in Piazza series, now in its 8th year, showcases films reflecting Magazzino’s current exhibition themes History buffs, cinephiles, and those simply looking for an Italian cultural immersion can join the Magazzino on July 19 & 20 and August 23 & 24 to celebrate Italy’s rich tapestry of art, history and film. Doors open at 5 p.m. and screenings begin at dusk.
Can you hear the music?
As temperatures rise, live music in the great outdoors is meeting you where you are (or at least within a couple-mile radius). Take advantage of the summer music events in your community or right nearby. Armonk: Summer Concerts at the Gazebo, Saturdays through Aug. 16 and Music in the Square Thursdays through Sept. 4. Bedford Hills: Food Truck Fridays on July 11 & Aug. 8. Pound Ridge: Food Truck Fridays on July 18 & Aug. 22, Summer Sundays on Aug. 25. North Salem: Norm Hathaway Big Band at Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden: Aug. 2.
Music for a Cause
Calling all musically-inclined teens. The Rye Arts Center’s open mic night fundraiser gives kids ages 13-19 the chance to rock out for a great cause. For those not as comfortable with a microphone, either sit back and enjoy the music or participate in activities like bracelet-making or tie-dying if singing is not your jam (ha!) All proceeds will benefit the Big Picture Foundation which supports youth involvement in the arts, making the fun all the more worthwhile. So, mark your calendars for Thursday, July 31, 5-8 p.m. Performances start at 6:30 p.m.
Spend a day (or night) in the Van Gogh-verse
Why gaze at a picture when you can step inside of it? This is the exact question The New York Botanical Gardens is posing this summer. At Flowers and Starry Nights in their picturesque outdoor garden, visitors can experience Van Gogh’s prized works in the natural beauty that inspired the art itself. Unleash your inner artist with drop-in paint classes or watch the paintings come to life with botanical displays, selected contemporary art and live music on select evenings.Running now until October 26.
This article was published in the July/August 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
Alexa Berman
Based in NYC, Alexa is an aspiring journalist and devoted bibliophile. She studies literature at Trinity College Dublin, where she serves as the editor of the campus magazine and also writes for Trinity’s satirical paper, The Piranha. In her free time, she can be found scoping concerts, browsing bookstores, or exploring the nearest coffee shops.
Aeneas Eaton
Based in northern Westchester, Aeneas is a graphic designer, creative and artist who has a fondness for print design and bold colors. He enjoys turning the wacky and eccentric ideas that come to his mind into reality, whether it be on the computer or through painting.
