Around Town
Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry
<<This Weekend>>
Drawn in by Nature
Sketch natural objects and landscape features in a guided program at Read Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday at 1. Nothing like capturing a representation to build nature observation skills.
Bring a sketchbook and pencil. No previous art training is necessary.
<<Arts & Entertainment>>
With pix of Urban Coyotes
Twilight Tuesdays
The annual Rye Town Park summer concert series kicks off with the Reddy Valentino Orchestra July 3 from 7:30-9. Rye resident, vocalist and musician Scott Wenzel has served as band leader since the late 1990s.
The swing orchestra began back in 1938 at New York’s Hotel Edison. The fifteen- member band features trumpets, trombones, and reeds.
The series continues July 10 with The Urban Coyotes, who blend electric blues with mandolin, banjo, and other acoustic instruments and deliver alt-grass interpretations of classics from the likes of the Rolling Stones and REM.
The Rhythm and blues band, Billy and the Showmen, is on deck July 17.
Admission to all concerts is free. Regular parking rates apply. The concerts will be held, rain or shine, at the park’s south pavilion near Dearborn Avenue.
(Watercolor by Jackie Meier)
With Flying Colors
Aspiring watercolorists are invited to take an indoor/outdoor beginner class at Wainwright House July 15 from 12-5. Artist Jackie Meier will teach the basic skills of painting wet into wet, layering, flat washes, and dry brush.
The fee, which includes all materials, is $125 for members, $135 non-members. Students will bring home a completed landscape watercolor. Register at wainwright.org.
The Magic of Shakespeare
Outdoor summer theater is back thanks to The Rye Arts Center and LawnChair Theatre. This season’s production of “The Tempest” will be held on the Village Green July 19 from 6:30-8:30; and moves to Rye Town Park on July 27 and 28, also from 6:30-8.
For more information and performance schedules throughout Westchester, visit lawnchairtheatre.org or call 565-1838.
Old and Modern Masters on the Big Screen
Head to the Rye library on Mondays from 12-2:30 for its “Art of Art” film series. Watch “Girl with a Pearl Earring” on July 9; “Frida” on July 16; and “The Agony and the Ecstasy” on July 23.
<<Talks, Workshops, & Just for Fun>>
Trailways Are for Working
Join fellow volunteers at Read Wildlife Sanctuary on July 7 at 10. Give something back to the earth by helping with invasive plant removal, clearing tails, and cleaning up the beach.
On the Right Track
Meet author Susie Orman Schnall at the Rye library on July 10 from 6:30-8. From the author of “The Balance Project” comes a dual-timeline narrative featuring a 1949 Miss Subways contestant and a modern-day advertising executive whose lives intersect in “The Subway Girls.” The novel is filled with the possibilities of love, happiness, and ambition.
For more information on the library’s “Read in Rye” series, visit ryelibrary.org.
Picture-Perfect
Learn picture and data handling at the Rye library on July 12 from 10-12. Former IBM executive Mike Negrelli will cover transferring pictures from cameras, iPhones, and other media to the computer. Learn to set up folders and files, as well as the use of flash drives in handling all types of data.
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer program is the topic to be explored at the same time on July 19. Discover the world of home pages, tabs, bookmarks, and private browsing features.
Climbing the Social Ladder
Get tips on how to retire happily at a Social Security workshop at the Rye library July 14 from 10:30-11:30. Learn when to claim benefits and at what age to file, as well as information on spousal benefits and maximizing one’s dollars.
Nature’s Bounty
Take a stroll through the grounds of Read Sanctuary on July 14 at 1. Discover all nature has to offer at this time of year.
Falling Into Place
Meet Brandon LaBella, author of “The Journey to Falling Freely,” at the Rye library July 14 from 2-3:30. Free falling, according to the author, is the path to becoming the best possible version of oneself.
LaBella’s personal experiences motivated him to teach others to enjoy the journey of life and become fulfilled by growing and improving each day. A recent College of William and Mary graduate, the author grew up with life-threatening allergies to widespread foods. Just last year, he broke a record at the New York City Marathon, which he ran on crutches. He aspires to share his optimism with a wide audience.
Calm, Cool, and Collected
A Yin Yoga for self-care workshop will be held at Wainwright July 20 from 6-9. Learn Daoist breath and meditation techniques to bring balance and quiet contemplation. The instruction will incorporate some gentle Qi Gong as well.
The fee is $45 for members, $55 non-members. Register at wainwright.org.
In conjunction, a three-day Yin Yoga teacher training course will be held at Wainwright July 20 from 6-9 and July 21 and 22 from 10-6. Participate in an in-depth study of postures, pranayama and meditation, as well as meridian and chakra work.
The fee is $375. In addition, students will receive 20 yoga continuing education hours through Yoga Alliance.
(with pix of Wainwright grounds)
Green With Inspiration
Wainwright House will inspire writers at workshops from 9 -12 on July 21 and August 15. Michelle Levy will lead participants on a walk of the grounds to discover the principles of ecology, nature interpretation, and mindful awareness to gain deeper enjoyment.
The fee is $75 for members, $85 for non-members. Register at wainwright.org.
America’s Secret Wars
The Rye library’s Current Events Book Group is reading “Directorate S” by Steve Coll for its next meeting, July 24 from 6:30-8. Resuming his Pulitzer-Prize winning “Ghost Wars,” the author tells the story of American intelligence, military, and diplomatic efforts to defeat Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan since 9/11.
<<Family Ties>>
Waterfront Picnics
Families can enjoy summer picnics at Wainwright House on July 6 from 5:30-9, and July 22 and August 5 from 4-8. Share a meal while overlooking Milton Harbor.
Free for members, $20 for individuals, $40 for families. Picnics are BYOB – bring your own blankets, baskets, and beverages.
(with photo of entry to Rye Town Park)
Beach Reads
Starting July 10, families are invited every Tuesday morning from 9:30-10:15 for storytime at Rye Town Park. Enjoy sunshine and engaging activities by the seaside with Rye Free Reading Room librarians.
(With screen shot from “Coco”)
Circle of Life
The Rye library’s family movie series starts with “Lion King” on July 11 and “Coco” on July 18 at 4. These popular children’s movies run about 90 minutes.
Game On
Celebrate family fun on Thursday nights from 6-7 at the Rye library. Learn the art of decoupage and decorate a wooden keepsake box on July 12; create rain sticks on July 19; and share game night with charades and more on July 26.
<<Children’s Corner>>
(with “Libraries Rock” poster)
Creators and Coders’ Convention
As part of an exciting “Libraries Rock” initiative, the Rye library’s STEM programs are scheduled every Friday from 4-5 for kids entering grades K-2 and grades 3-5. The younger group will be making red, white, and blue candy on July 6, flextangle paper folding on July 13, and they’ll learn about capillary action on July 20.
The grades 3-5 group will immerse themselves in three Happy Code Club introductory workshops — July 6, 13, and 20 — that cover computer coding.
Space is limited. Register at ryelibrary.org.
Build It and They Will Come
A Maker Space is available every Monday, from July 9 to August 27, 2-5, through the Rye library’s “Libraries Rock” programming. Kids entering K-5 will create, build, invent, and explore. There will be sessions on animals and habitats; outer space; the weather; and gardens and insects.
Advance registration is not required. For more information, visit ryelibrary.org.
Ancient Digs
Children entering grades 3-5 will have the opportunity to study paleontology at the Rye library’s series of workshops with Cornell University’s Nancy Caswell on July 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 4-5.
Participants will learn about the structure of flowers, pollination, fossil pollen grains, analyzing excavated dirt, types of rocks, animals, and ecosystems.
Register at ryelibrary.org.
Where Fairy Godmothers, Hyenas, and Genesis Meet
There’s still room in The Rye Arts Center’s summer musical theater weeklong programs. Students will learn shortened versions of scenes, songs, and simple choreography to some of the greatest Broadway and Disney productions. “Cinderella” runs July 30-August 3; “Lion King” from August 13-17; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” August 20-24.
Each camp culminates in an informal presentation for families on Friday evenings. For more information and fees, visit ryeartscenter.org.
<<Teen Time>>
With photo of pens and letters
Font-tastic
Tweens and teens can learn calligraphy this summer at the Rye Free Reading Room on July 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 3-4:30. Resident expert Mary Jackson is returning by popular demand to teach this four-session course.
Pre-register at ryelibrary.org.
<<Save the Date>>
Sip and Stretch
In celebration of summer, Vino and Vinyasa at Wainwright House will be held outdoors on July 26 and August 30 from 6:30-9. Enjoy a yoga session overlooking Milton Harbor, followed by a delicious wine tasting.
The fee is $25 per person.
Hit the Road
Discover the history behind the highways and byways that influenced the way we travel around these United States at the Jay Heritage Center on July 29 from 4-6. Author and journalist Eric Jaffe will discuss the topic following a private screening of “Ten Streets that Changed America.” The PBS documentary was shot here in Rye.
Co-sponsored by the Harvard Club of Westchester, the fee is $10 for JHC and HCW members; $15 general admission. For more information and for tickets, visit jayheritage.org.
Fall Benefit
SPRYE’s seventh annual benefit will be held on October 4 at Apawamis Club from 6-9. This year’s event will include a cocktail party and a silent auction. The honoree is Board President Barbara Brunner, a tireless volunteer has served many community organizations, including Meals on Wheels and the Rye Lions Club.
