Don’t Miss

 

Rye Y Fall registration starts August 8 for members, August 15 for non-members. For the 2012 program guide, visit ryeymca.org.

Just for Fun

Swaying Time

Every Thursday from 7-9:30 p.m. at Rye Town Park, and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Rye Rec take Argentine Tango lessons with Jill Doornick. Learn the basics and practice and refine your moves.

The fee is $10. Private and group classes are also available. For more information, call 967-7826.

For a Good Cause

 

Helping Hands for the Homeless and Hungry’s annual Empty School Bag Project will take place August 13 and 14 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Resurrection Church basement. Help unload the supplies from the delivery truck the first day and fill backpacks the second.

 

The project provides “school-ready” backpacks for homeless children in Westchester. Over the past 25 years, nearly 25,000 backpacks have been distributed. One backpack filled with school supplies costs $20.

 

To make a tax-deductible donation, send a check to Helping Hands for the Homeless & Hungry, Inc. at P.O. Box 982, Rye, NY 10580.

 

For more information, visit HelpingHandsRye.org or email HelpingHandsRye@gmail.com.

Talks and Workshops

Stories and Crafts from the Gomang Monks

Listen to the fascinating life stories of ten Gomang Monks July 26 from 7:30-9:15 p.m. at Wainwright House. Most of the monks were born in Tibet and fled on foot through the Himalayan Mountains to safety in Nepal and India. Admission is $35. For reservations, visit wainwright.org or call 967-6080.

 

Support the work of the Gomang Monks by purchasing handcrafted items, including purses, bells, altar items, wall hangings, and jewelry, July 24 and 26 from 11 a.m.-

7 p.m. at Wainwright. The market will be open until 10 p.m. the last day.

Be a Citizen Scientist

Invasive species are the second greatest threat to biological diversity after habitat loss. Their impacts are wide ranging, from a decrease in native plants and animals to an increase in the number of Lyme disease carrying ticks.

 

iMapInvasives is an online mapping tool that supports efforts to protect New York State from invasive species. Learn about the program and how to contribute data at a training session at the Jay Heritage Center July 31 from 1-4 p.m.

 

All interested groups, from land managers to the general public, are encouraged to help keep the NYS map up-to-date and accurate by reporting invasive species locations. This free program is being offered with options for basic observation and advanced survey and treatment data entry.

 

Pre-registration is required. To register, visit http://www.nyimapinvasives.org/Training/training-live/nyimapschdule.

 

This program was made possible through a grant from Con Edison.

Turn the Page

The Rye library’s Thursday Afternoon Group will discuss “Mudbound” by Hillary Jordan August 2 at 1:15 p.m. The Friday Book Café’s next selection is “How It All Began” by Penelope Lively, August 3. Call for time and location.

All About Balance

Attend a one-day intensive feng shui workshop to boost your health and happiness August 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Wainwright House. Learn how to improve the energy in your home and office and discover how this ancient tradition can help improve the quality of your life.

 

Cost is $100 for members, $125 non-members.

Computer Basics

The Rye library offers “Getting Started with Microsoft Word 2010” August 9 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. This one-session class will cover text wrapping, selecting text, replacing words, cutting, copying, and pasting, as well as the elusive ‘save’ command.

Arts and Entertainment

Tuesday Night Concerts in the Park

Put your dancing shoes on for Rye Town Park’s free summer concert series at the South Pavilion. Concerts run from 7:30-9 p.m. Parking is $2 after 6 p.m. Picnicking is welcome.

July 24: Billy & The Showmen, a rhythm and blues Greenwich-based band, features soulful vocals, along with a strong horn and tight rhythm section.

July 31: The Derivatives, Rye’s home-grown band, has been part of the concert series for many years. Bring the family and dance the night away.

August 14: The Angelo Rubino Band performs a wide range of musical styles from the 1940s to the 1990s — everything from “In The Mood” to “I Will Survive”. Their selections include Big Band dance tunes, soft rock, Doo-wop, and Latin pop.

 

For more information, call 967-0965 or visit ryetownpark.org.

From Musicals to Shakespeare

 

The Port Chester Council for the Arts has three wonderful shows this summer — from Broadway musicals to Shakespeare — that will appeal to the whole family.

 

First up is the teen theatre production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, July 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. The show tells the Old Testament story of Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, who finds himself blessed with prophetic dreams. Sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, he’s taken to Egypt where he endures a series of adventures that challenge his spirit and humanity. Eventually his suffering brothers find their way to Egypt groveling at the feet of a stranger, who turns out to be their grown brother Joseph.

 

A cast of 82 will take the stage in the Children’s Theatre presentation of “Peter Pan” July 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m., featuring an original script by Diane Linen.

 

Both shows take place at the Dunn Performing Arts Center at Rye Country Day School. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 for seniors and children 12 and under. Call 939-3183.

 

Don’t miss the seventh season of LawnChair Theatre’s Shakespeare production, “Much Ado About Nothing”, August 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 in parks throughout the area.

 

This version is set in 1917 and director Peter Green, describes it as “Shakespeare meets Downton Abbey”. Young lovers Claudio and Hero find their wedding ruined when the villainous Don John slanders the bride-to-be. Hero’s family pretends she’s died from shock, but eventually Don John’s evil plan is revealed. When Claudio learns Hero is still alive, the young lovers are reunited, while Don John is captured and punished for his crime.

 

The venue schedule is as follows:

August 3: Rye Town Park

August 4: Pine Ridge Park in Rye Brook

August 9 and 11: Lyon Park in Port Chester

August 10: Crawford Park in Rye Brook

 

Suggested donation is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors. All performances are at 5:45 p.m. For tickets, visit lawnchairtheatre.org.

Local Watercolors

The Harrison Council for the Arts presents “Natural Fractions”, paintings by Lorie Gurian at the Harrison Library August 6 through September 7. An opening reception will be held August 13 from 7-8:30 p.m.

 

Gurian, a retired math teacher, is now a full-time artist. A member of the Mamaroneck Artists Guild the New Rochelle Art Association, she works in oil, acrylic, and watercolor.

 

For more information, call 835-0324.

Snapshots of Tunisia

“Tuareg and Berber Traditions of Southern Tunisia,” an exhibit of photographs of indigenous people, will be on display at the Rye library through August 31. The colorful images, shot by photographer Barbara Paul during the weeks before the 2011 Arab Spring uprising, portray the people and age-old culture of the Saharan and mountainous Berber regions of Tunisia.

Teen Times

Game Time

Come play Wii games on the Rye library’s big screen August 2 from 3-5 p.m. The library owns a variety of games, and players can also bring their own appropriate Wii games. Snacks will be provided.

Acting Workshop

The Rye library invites aspiring teen actors to an “Act Up! Drama Workshop” August 23 from 3-4:30 p.m. The class, taught by Laura Pellegrini, will focus on collaborative acting and individual monologue work using action, objective, and character goals. Space is limited; call 231-3172 to register.

White Water Rafting

Ages 12-15
can join the Rye Y for one last summer adventure and go rafting on the scenic Delaware River August 30. Paddle through crystal clear water with spectacular rock formations and lush forests, as you take in the breathtaking panorama of the Catskill and Pocono Mountains.

 

Cost is $100 for
Family/Youth members, $110 non-members. Fee includes transportation and a picnic lunch. Bus departs the Y at 9 a.m. and returns at 6 p.m.

Kids’ Corner

Reading Buddies

Enhance reading skills and encourage a love of books by pairing your child with a teen buddy at the Rye library for one-on-one reading time. Sign up in the Children’s Room or call 231-3162 to book 20-minute sessions.

 

The program takes place Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Reading selections may be of the child’s choice or from a school’s required reading list.

Wii Fun

Ages 5-10 can stop by the Rye library for Wii Karaoke and Dance Revolution on the big screen from 3-5 p.m. on Monday afternoons through August 27. If your dream is to be a singing or dancing idol, here’s your chance to show your stuff.

Fall Soccer Sign-Up

Online registration is now open, for boys and girls grades K-7, for Rye Youth Soccer Fall Intramural. The season begins September 15 and runs through November 10.  For complete details, visit ryeyouthsoccer.org or call 967-5273. Scholarships are available upon request.

Friday Afternoon Fun

In keeping with the library’s summer reading program theme —“Dream Big – Read!” — ages 5 and up are invited to enjoy Friday afternoon stories, crafts, and movies pertaining to dreams and the imagination.

 

At “Book a Dream”, July 27, enjoy stories from around the world and a “suitcase” craft. Watch “Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer” (PG) August 3.

 

At the “I Dreamed I Won a Gold Medal” program, August 10, enjoy stories and Olympic craft-time. Listen to nighttime tales and make a constellation craft at “Wish Upon a Star”, August 17.

 

All programs begin at 3:30 p.m.

Cityscapes and Dream Homes

 

At the Jay Heritage Center’s Architecture Camp ages 7-11 will learn the fundamentals through walks, presentations, and hands-on activities. Camp runs August 6-10 from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

 

As the week progresses, the group will construct a miniature, 3-D, colorful city out of special boxes and unique recycled materials. Eco-friendly and innovative building methods will be introduced and discussed. Participants will also build their own dream houses. Cost is $175.

 

Campers should bring a bagged lunch. To register, call 698-9275.

Family Ties

The Rye library has planned a series of Family Nights on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer. Next up is “Game Night” July 24 with board and card games for ages 4 and up. Get creative at the “Little Chef” program July 31 with stories and a tasty veggie creation. Take an interactive “Trip to China” August 7 (ages 6 and up).

 

Ages 5 and older can visit up-close with nocturnal creatures at Animal Embassy’s Nighttime in the Animal Kingdom’s, August 14.

 

All programs begin at 6 p.m. To register, call 231-3162.

On the Sound with Rye Rec

Wine on the Water

Spend time with friends while enjoying a spread of wine and cheese July 27 from 5-8 p.m. and August 25 from 3-6 p.m. Great for first-time paddlers or the seasoned kayaker. Must be at least 21 years old. Fee is $65 per person.

Family Paddle

Kayak in the Long Island Sound with Rye Rec August 9 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Licensed guides and instructors will provide a brief instruction. Guides will lead games, activities, and a tour. Great for ages 8 and up. Cost is $30 per person.

Along the Coast

Ages 13 and up are invited to take a half-day guided tour and enjoy the water and sun as you paddle four to six miles, August 4 from 12-3 p.m. August 4. The cost is $60 per person.