By Isabella Aranda Garcia
Design by Aeneas Eaton
1. Business in the front, party in the back
If you’ve never been to a Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce event, here’s your chance to attend two very different ones. First up is their third annual Celebrating Women in Business event on Friday, March 27, from 12 to 4 p.m. in Ossining. Open to all that are interested in women in business, members ($25) and non-members ($28) alike will enjoy networking, breakout sessions and real connections to those looking to collaborate. Then on April 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., bring the family to their free Spring Festival at the Jefferson Valley Mall for live music, a beer garden, a car show, food trucks, vendors, kids’ crafts and more.
2. A private evening, open to you
On April 10, turn your regular Friday night into an evening of celebration and dancing. Starting at 7 p.m., the New York Ballroom Dance Center in Bedford Hills opens its doors to the community for a complimentary night of dance lessons, and now you’re in on the secret. This rare event is your chance to show off some moves (or let the pros teach you some new ones.) Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to meet new people and hit the dance floor together, possibly making the night about more than just dancing. RSVP at (914) 242-9240.
3.Three nights. Three causes. One amazing guest (you).
Dine and donate this April starting on April 16 with Feeding Westchester’s An Evening in Good Taste in White Plains, which brings together the county’s top chefs and drink purveyors to support our neighbors facing hunger. On April 29, The Arc of Westchester Foundation’s 19th annual A Matter of Taste in New Rochelle will feature signature dishes from 20+ restaurants along with fine wines, specialty cocktails and craft beers. And finally, on April 30, The Pantry’s Community Table will offer local wines, delicious bites and a new digital silent auction at a private residence in Katonah.
4.Burgers, fries and everything nice
Need an excuse to get a burger and shake guilt-free? Get it for a cause! On April 29, all Shake Shacks in Westchester County will donate 25 percent of their proceeds to Hope’s Door in honor of Denim Day, a day of protest against misconceptions surrounding sexual violence. Make sure to mention “Donation Day” at the register or use the code DONATE on the Shack app or at the kiosk. If you’re not a Shake Shack regular, we suggest you start with the crowd-favorite SmokeShack burger, pair it with cheese fries (‘cause why not) and finish strong with a cookies-and-cream shake.
5. Spazio Aperto, mente aperta (Open space, open mind)
Museums are usually where you go to think, learn or take a moment to reflect; Magazzino Italian Art in Cold Spring took that literally. Spazio Aperto (Italian for “open space”) is a 1,500-square-foot community space bathed in natural light with couches, books and magazines to read, and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto their outdoor courtyard. Since it opened in September 2025, the room has hosted film screenings, lectures, panels, concerts and student exhibitions. Whenever you need a space to think, consider this your quiet corner.
This article was published in the March/April 2026 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
Isabella Aranda is a designer, writer and social media specialist with an M.A. in emerging media from the New Media Institute at the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. Driven by curiosity and inspired by timeless modern design, she blends creativity and strategy to craft compelling narratives that engage diverse audiences.
Her expertise spans digital marketing, content creation and UX design, with notable achievements such as co-creating the Georgia On Your Mind podcast and leading digital campaigns that significantly boosted engagement. A Venezuelan immigrant, Isabella brings a multicultural perspective to her work, enhancing her ability to connect with and inspire others.
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.
