Live at ArtsWestchester this Winter

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (photo credit: Angel Del Cueto)

Beat the winter blues at “Fab. Fun. Feb.,” presented by ArtsWestchester in our downtown White Plains gallery.

Start by celebrating the Year of the Pig at an afternoon of traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese music, dance, crafts, games and food at our Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday, Feb 2, 2019. Enjoy an incredible array of performances, feast on foods with symbolic meaning and revel in good wishes for the coming year. The fun starts at 1pm, with workshops in Chinese calligraphy and Korean drum-dance, followed by performances of the Chinese Lion Dance, Korean and Chinese folk dances, and the mysterious Bian Lian mask dance of the Sichuan opera tradition, as well as a variety of traditional instrumental music.  Children under ten are free and tickets are a modest ten dollars.

“Fab. Fun. Feb.” continues with Speed Dating in the Gallery on Thursday, February 7, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Then, two special stand-up comedy evenings will be hosted in the gallery on Friday, February 8 and 9. Get ready to roll in the aisle laughing with two nights of women-empowered stand-up that feature acclaimed comedians Kerri Louise (Feb. 8) and Judy Gold (Feb. 9). Be sure to take advantage of our $50 special comedy package, which features one ticket for each night, plus one beverage per show. The art of laughter, perfected by these high-energy comics, is certainly the ideal remedy for your mid-winter blues.

Alexis Cole (photo credit: Jonathan You)

But that’s not all! You and your sweetheart can join award-winning vocalist Alexis Cole and her trio for a romantic night of sultry jazz classics and audience requests at ArtsWestchester on Friday, February 15. Cole has been at the heart of New York’s jazz and cabaret scenes and has performed around the world.  Alexis Cole’s Valentine’s Day Juke Box will feature Cole, accompanied by John DiMartino (piano), Steve LaSpina (bass) and Kenny Hassler (drums). The group will play a set of jazz favorites, followed by a set of audience requests, during which specific songs can be dedicated to loved ones in our intimate White Plains performing space.

And, if you prefer the visual arts – save the date Sunday, March 3 to meet exhibiting photographers at the opening reception of ArtsWestchester’s exhibition, Modern Families. This upcoming exhibition focuses the camera lens on the families we’re given and the families we choose.  Rarely-exhibited group portraits by Harlem Renaissance photographer James Van Der Zee will be presented alongside contemporary photography that illuminates the diverse definitions of family in our community. Exhibiting photographers include Barry Mason and John Shearer, among others.

So, whether it’s dance, music, comedy or photography that inspires you – the laughter and enjoyment of the arts, when experienced together, can warm the coldest days of winter. I hope you join us.

Check out artswestchester.org for more information on these events, plus a full calendar of everything arts and culture in Westchester County.