By Ava Elghanayan
Design by Justin Negard
Live music is getting a remix. Concertgoing no longer means squeezing into a crowded bar with flashing lights, hoping you remembered earplugs. Accessibility is finally in the spotlight, with sensory-friendly options, earlier showtimes, family-friendly concerts and even free and pay-what-you-can events. Let’s take a look at the accessible concert options nearby.
1. Sensory accommodations
Many local music venues now offer sensory accommodations. The Play Group Theatre in White Plains hosts sensory-friendly performances designed for neurodivergent audiences. They offer sensory support, such as fidgets and earplugs, designated quiet and calm spaces, and a story that describes the theater-going experience through pictures and text. Audience members are welcome to stand, move around, and enter/leave the theater as they please and the house lights remain on throughout the performance. Patrons are also able to bring any of their support items to the show. Grace Farms in New Canaan has a quiet, sensory-friendly room as part of their concert venue. This room allows for full viewing of the concert in a more relaxed and quiet space, designed with sensory needs in mind.
2. Earlier showtimes
Want to attend a concert without being out so late at night? More venues now offer earlier concerts and performances for those who want to get to bed at an earlier hour but still enjoy live music. For example, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts offers their music and meditation series on various dates throughout the summer at 11 a.m. and other concerts as early as 4 p.m. Another option is The Turning Point in Piermont, which offers afternoon concerts on varying Sundays, starting at 4 p.m.
3. Family-friendly concerts
Parents and kids of all ages can jam out to local bands together. The Levitt Pavilion in Westport hosts a free children’s concert series on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. They also feature pre-show activities, such as touch-a-truck and giveaways. For a family-friendly event with delicious food, downtown White Plains will host a free, family-friendly Rock the Block concert with live music and outdoor dining every third Wednesday this summer. A Westchester favorite, the Pleasantville Music Festival, offers free tickets for children under 10 accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.
4. Improved physical accessibility
New York State Senate Bill S724 (currently in committee) will require all ADA or handicapped parking spaces at arenas and entertainment or sports venues to be located directly outside the entrance door and in full compliance with federal ADA standards. Noncompliance would result in suspension of a venue’s liquor license.
5. Pay-what-you-can and free events
Economic accessibility is also on the rise. The Robison Summer Concert Series at Kensico Dam Plaza (July 11 through August 29) and the Jazz Forum Arts summer concerts (32 annual concerts every July and August at five Hudson River locations) offer complimentary music events all summer. Plus, the Westchester Philharmonic, in association with Downtown Music at Grace, offers free chamber music concerts at Grace Church in White Plains.
This article was published in the July/August 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
Justin is an award-winning designer and photographer. He was the owner and creative director at Future Boy Design, producing work for clients such as National Parks Service, Vintage Cinemas, The Tarrytown Music Hall, and others. His work has appeared in Bloomberg TV, South by Southwest (SXSW), Edible Magazine, Westchester Magazine, Refinery 29, the Art Directors Club, AIGA and more.
Justin is a two-time winner of the International Design Awards, American Photography and Latin America Fotografia. Vice News has called Justin Negard as “one of the best artists working today.”
He is the author of two books, On Design, which discusses principles and the business of design, and Bogotà which is a photographic journey through the Colombian capital.
Additionally, Justin has served as Creative Director at CityMouse Inc., an NYC-based design firm which provides accessible design for people with disabilities, and has been awarded by the City of New York, MIT Media Lab and South By Southwest.
He lives in Katonah with his wonderfully patient wife, son and daughter.
