Around Town: 8/18/17
Around Town
Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry
<<This Weekend>>
Writing, Naturally
Explore the wondrous waterfront grounds of Wainwright House, which include a labyrinth, and afterwards pen your thoughts and share them with others on Saturday from 10-1. Michelle Levy will lead the program.
The fee is $30 for members, $35 non-members, $40 at the door. For more information, visit wainwright.org or call 967-6080.
Downward Tales
The Rye Free Reading Room presents Story Time Yoga for the whole family on the Village Green this Saturday and next from 11-11:45. Master teacher Elisha Simpson will share international folktales and interpret them through yoga.
For more information, call 967-0480.
Shedding Some Light
On Saturday from 2-3, Science teacher Jhonda Ferrari will describe what happens during a solar eclipse, and explain, to ages 9 and up, how to safely watch next week’s heralded event. She’ll also help participants make their own solar cameras/viewers to take home.
Space is limited. Register by visiting ryelibrary.org.
Rise and Shine with Yoga
On Sunday, Cristina Ortiz will offer a yoga session al fresco from 9-10 at Wainwright. Organic movements and gentle postures will prepare your body and mind for the day. The focus will be on joining movement and breath.
The class is appropriate for all levels. Held rain (under a tent) or shine. The minimum suggested donation is $15. Bring your own mat. For more information, visit wainwright.org or call 967-6080.
<<Arts & Entertainment>>
Quite a Character
An exhibit by local artist and musician Christopher Brown opens at the Rye library on September 5. Enjoy a wine and cheese reception on September 9 from 2-4. On display will be his striking illustrations, culled from his years as a newspaper artist and children’s book illustrator.
While enjoying his interesting depictions of celebrities from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and politics, guests will hear selections from his CD releases, “Go West,” “Hangin’ In,” and “Characterist,” bringing to life another cast of characters through lyric and melody.
Plein-Air at Playland
The Rye Arts Center presents plein-air painting at Playland Beach on September 9 from 9-1. Larry D’Amico will lead the workshop.
The fee is $95. For a supply list, exact meeting location, and to register, log on to ryeartscenter.org or call 967-0700.
<<Talks, Workshops & Just for Fun>>
Take Note of Nature
Learn to keep a nature journal at Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary on August 26 at 1. Follow in the footsteps of naturalists before the digital age as they observed nature and recorded or sketched its wonders. Bring a journal or sketchbook and a pen.
To Your Mats, Everyone
Wainwright is offering an introduction to teaching yoga to children and teens on August 27 from 1-3, in advance of their certification program, which begins in October. Learn to help today’s youth self-regulate, focus, and reduce anxiety through yoga’s breathing techniques, mindfulness exercises, postures, and games.
The fee is $40. For more information, visit wainwright.org or call 967-6080.
Brainstorm
Share work with fellow writers at the Rye Free Reading Room on September 2 from 11-12:30. Discuss work-in-progress, topics, and the writing process in a welcoming and supportive environment.
With one or more book covers
Page Turners
The Rye library’s Thursday Afternoon Book Group is reading “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman to be discussed September 7 at 1:15. The New York Times bestseller is a thoughtful exploration of the impact one life can have on countless others.
The Friday Book Café is reading Elena Ferrante’s “My Brilliant Friend” and will meet September 8 at 9:30. This first book in the New York Times Neapolitan quartet revolves around two friends growing up in post-war Italy. Call 231-3161 for the meeting’s off-site location.
The Current Events Book Group’s next selection delves into how China’s rise has upset the global balance of power. A talk on “The South China Sea” by Bill Hayton will be held September 26 at 6:30.
<<Family Ties>>
with photo of eclipse
There Goes the Sun
The Rye library invites all to a Solar Eclipse Party August 21 from 12-3:30. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to the library lawn for a rare celestial show. The eclipse will be streamed from the NASA website in the library meeting room as well.
Snacks, beverages, and safety glasses, courtesy of NASA, will be provided.
Seaside Stories
Bring your preschoolers to the Rye Town Park Pavilion for story time August 22 from 9:30-10:15. Rye Free Reading Room librarians will read tales for tots and offer engaging activities. Parking is offered at a reduced rate of $2.
Cinema Classics
Head to the family “drive-in” at the Rye library August 22 from 6-7:45 to watch the 1939 “The Wizard of Oz.” Kids will pick up boxcars they designed at Family Fun Night on August 3 before watching the classic film about Dorothy and her dog Toto being whisked away by a tornado from their house in Kansas.
Walt Disney’s 1959 “The Parent Trap,” starring Hayley Mills, will be shown on August 29. Mills plays twin sisters who swap places and plot to reunite their divorced parents, played by Maureen O’Hara and Brian Keith.
Fresh popcorn and juice boxes will be provided during both features.
Start with a Sponge…
Students entering grades K-5 can design and construct houses out of sponges at the Rye Free Reading Room August 24 from 6-7. In this STEAM workshop, artist B. Smith will have participants add chia or grass seeds to the colorful sponges to make their houses sprout.
Space is limited. Register at ryelibrary.org.
Stretch Yourselves Outdoors
The whole family is invited to a complimentary outdoor yoga session at Wainwright House August 24 from 6:30-7:30. Yoga Mountain instructors will incorporate traditional yoga breathing techniques and postures through activities and games.
Bring your own mat. Held rain (under a tent) or shine. Suggested donation is $15. For more information, visit wainwright.org or call 967-6080.
Summer Reading Finale
Rye library summer reading participants are invited to celebrate their achievements on August 31 from 6-7. All will receive reading certificates and grades 4 and 5 will be given a special prize. Enjoy making an ice cream sundae and hamming it up at the photo booth.
Register at ryelibrary.org.
Let’s Go Camping
The Rye Nature Center family campout offers the perfect opportunity to introduce kids, 5 and up, and spouses to the joys of the outdoors with an overnight adventure close to home. Meet at 5 on September 9 and stay until 9 the next morning. Enjoy campfire stories, owl sightings, stargazing, and roasted marshmallows.
Bring your own tents or borrow one from the center. The program is open to members only. The fee is $40 per person. Limited space. To register, visit ryenaturecenter.org or call 967-5150.
<<Teen Time>>
For a Stand-Out College Application
A college essay-writing workshop, August 29 from 6:30-8 at the Rye library, will help students find their authentic voice. Learn valuable writing exercises from Tappan Zee High School English teacher Dana Stranges.
<<Children’s Corner>>
The House That Jack Built
The Ryebrary STEAMers, grades K-2, will talk about “If I Built a House” by Chris Van Dusen at the Rye Free Reading Room’s STEAM lab August 25 from 4-5. The story revolves around the kind of house Jack would build if he could, complete with a gigantic slide and a flying room. Participants will then build a mini-gingerbread house.
Children do not have to pre-read the book. Register at ryelibrary.org.
Calling All Young Designers
Grades 2-5 can create their own fashions at the Rye Rec Damiano Center August 29-31 from 9-12. Hobby Quest’s Fashion Design Camp will cover everything you need to know about designing and creating couture looks. Each participant will create a unique, wearable outfit. No sewing experience is necessary.
The fee is $110 for residents, $125 non-residents. For more information, call 967-2535.
Hocus-Pocus
Grades K-5 will have the opportunity to learn an entire show’s worth of magic tricks August 29-31 at a mini-camp at Rye Recreation from 12:30-3:30. Magicians’ secrets will be revealed!
The fee is $110 for residents, $125 non-residents. For more information, call 967-2535.
Dive Right In
The Rye YMCA is holding swim team tryouts for ages 5-18 of all levels — from pre-team to Wave Ryeders — September 5-8. Participants from last year’s competitive swim team are not required to try out, but must register by September 1 to ensure a spot on the team. Visit ryeymca.org for specific time slots. For more information, email Vickie@ryeymca.org or call 967-6363.
<<Save the Date>>
Deep Roots
Learn about efforts to preserve Rye’s African-American cemetery, a National Historic Register site, at the Jay Heritage Center September 10 from 5:30-7. Founder of the Friends of the African-American Cemetery, David Thomas, will discuss ongoing research and restoration.
One Fine Day
The Rye Arts Center has assembled some 40 professional artists to paint our town’s parks, beaches, landmarks, buildings, landscapes, and scenic beauty on September 16 in a one-day plein-air paint-out. A reception to view the works will open at 5 at the Center’s Performing Arts Room. A live auction will start at 6:30.
The event is free and open to the public. Beginning September 5, additional works by the artists will be on display in the gallery and available for purchase through a silent auction.
For more details, visit ryeartscenter.org/painters-on-location.
With photo of Tao Porchon-Lynch
Yoga for the Ages
Wainwright House is holding a festival of yoga and mindfulness for kids, teens, adults, and families on September 17 from 11-4. Meet the ever-inspiring 98-year- old yoga instructor Tao Porchon-Lynch.
Immeasurable
Local author Martin Keefe will read excerpts from his humorous and inspiring memoir, “Taking the Measure,” September 20 from 3-4:30 at Wainwright House. SPRYE is presenting the free program.
The High Seas
The Jay Heritage Center is hosting a talk by Sail magazine cruising editor Charlie Doane September 22 from 6:30-8. Doane, who has completed seven transatlantic voyages, will discuss his book, “The Sea is Not Full.”
Seating is limited. Register by calling 698-9275 or emailing jayheritagecenter@gmail.com.