Caramoor Offers Family Fun, International Flavor

If you ask Michael Barrett, chief executive and general director of the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, he might say the venue's upcoming season is evidence of the invigoration of its lineups over the years.

"I got here seven years ago and it was a lot of 'dead white guy' music," said Barrett. "It was classical, but it would have cured insomnia. I wanted to keep the high standards set by Caramoor, but I wanted to intrigue people."

So, in steering clear of a summer of coma-inducing tunes, Caramoor will feature a season of culturally-rich, upbeat family fun with its 65th International Music Festival, which includes a three-week Extreme Chamber Music series, live orchestra under fireworks and tons of global flavor with its Dancing at Dusk and Concerts Al Fresco events.

"We're offering a variety," said Barrett. "We have something for so many in the community. And maybe people will try something new, too."

Caramoor's season officially begins on June 26 with an opening night performance by conductor and pianist Mitsuko Uchida at 8:30 p.m. at the Venetian Theater. Tickets range from $15 to $80.

Kid-friendly outdoor entertainment starts the next day as the center will present the first of its weekly Concerts al Fresco series on June 27 with two-time Grammy Award-nominated Tiempo Libre with Paquito D'Rivera. The five-part series continues on July 11 with violinist Midori, followed by cellists Edward Arron and Alexis Pia Gerlach performing Schumann and Chopin on July 18 and the Caramoor Virtuosi on July 25. On August 1, things take a bizarre turn with Rolling in the Aisles/Humor in Music with Polygraph Lounge, an assortment of odd instruments and "unexpectedly witty tunes."

Al Fresco concerts begin at 4:30 p.m. for $10 and are viewed from lawn and picnic areas, making them ideal for mobile kids.

More family concerts include a Fourth of July celebration with Pops, Patriots and Fireworks at 8 p.m., for which tickets range from $30 to $70 with children 12 and under half-price; and Sandra Wong and the New Trad Trio on July 17 at 1 p.m. ($10, $15 and $25). Youngsters under 6 can enjoy Soundworld! in the Spanish Courtyard ($15), a program featuring international music and an interactive performance from the group Kaleidoscope.

"For our family concerts this season, ensembles like Sandra Wong's New Trad Trio and Kaleidoscope take listeners of all ages on a musical journey through cultures of the world," said Barrett.

Wednesdays at 5 p.m., Dancing at Dusk offers children the chance to interact with musicians and check out instruments up-close and personal. With a lineup including English country dancing, Middle Eastern belly dancing as well as African and South Indian melodies, Dancing at Dusk shows are $10 for adults and $5 for kids.

"A visit to Caramoor is a great, cost-effective alternative to a destination vacation that the entire family can enjoy," said Barrett.

Three Fridays in July will carry on Caramoor's International Music Festival celebration with its Extreme Chamber Music Series, with classical-folk-soul-pop fusion ensemble 2 Foot Yard at 8 p.m. July 2, string quartet ETHEL at 8 p.m. July 9, and NPR's "From the Top" host Christopher O'Riley performing his own unique renditions of rock-n-roll like Pink Floyd, Nirvana and Radiohead in "Out of My Hands" at 8 p.m. July 30. All Extreme Chamber Music shows are $25 and $35.

But even more than the family-oriented events, Barrett seems particularly excited for Caramoor's eclectic American roots offerings this summer. He looks forward to legendary jazz-blues singer-songwriter Dr. John and the Lower 9-11 at 8 p.m. July 31 ($15 to $65) – "he's old-time New Orleans, no one cooler" – and the New Shoots Bluegrass Festival all day Saturday July 3, featuring the Punch Brothers and Crooked Still.

"We've got…musicians at a very high level that offer something different," said Barrett. "Take the Punch Brothers. They're young. They write their own stuff and they are so sophisticated. They are totally relaxed. They're like stealth artists…people will love it."

The Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is located at 149 Girdle Ridge Road in Katonah. For more information, visit www.caramoor.org or call (914) 232-5035.