A Weekend of Festivals: Jazz & Blues; Italian; Kite; Fairytale and Firefly

Peekskill’s 6th Annual Jazz and Blues Festival

When/Where:  Saturday, July 21, 1-10 p.m. in downtown Peekskill, Central Ave. and N. Division St.

Why Go: Listen to the sounds of great jazz and blues music and check out the local restaurants, many of which will be offering outdoor dining. There will be artists and crafts people selling and displaying their work; the Peekskill Farmers Market will be open all day plus activities for the whole family.

Price:  Free, click here for more information

EMBARK Fairytale and Firefly Festival

When/Where: Saturday, July 21, Depew Park, 5-9 p.m.

Why Go: EMBARK|Peekskill– a coalition of performing and literary artists and companies from Peekskill and surrounding communities will host its 2nd Annual Midsummer Night’s Firefly & Fairy Festival on Saturday July 21 from 5-9 p.m. in Peekskill’s Depew Park. Space in this part of the park is limited, please email a reservation with number of adults and children to embarkpeekskill@gmail.com.

Children are encouraged to don their favorite fairy or insect costume as they make wands and paper crowns, and create another craft at a table sponsored by Orange Splot Art Spot.  There will also be a woodland obstacle course and a fairy roundel dance. Food and drink can be enjoyed while harpist Elizabeth Ojeda fills the air with lilting melodies.

Price: Free, suggested donation of $5

“Boston” Live at the Westchester County Center

When/Where:  Sunday, July 22, doors open at 6:30 p.m., show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the in White Plains.

Why Go: Boston, the legendary rock group will be making their only appearance in New York at the Westchester County Center. They will  perform a full line-up of classic hits featuring “More Than a Feeling,” “Peace of Mind” and more. The band’s eponymous debut album scored three top singles, a Grammy nomination, and went on to sell more than 17 million copies.

Price: Tickets:  $47.50-$109.50

Kite Festival at Katonah Museum of Art & Harvey School

When/Where:  Saturday, July 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the . 

Why Go: Bring a kite from home or first make your own at the , then head down the road to the Harvey School playing fields to watch stunt kite performances and to practice with professional kite flyers.

• 10 a.m.–2 p.m., every half hour: Kite-making workshops at KMA
• 12 noon: Giant Chinese Dragon kites take flight at Harvey School field
• 1 p.m., 3 p.m.:Fighting Kite demonstrations at Harvey School field
• 2 p.m.:Games and a candy-drop from high-flying kite at Harvey School field

12 noon– 4 p.m.: Chinese dumplings available for purchase from the Rickshaw Dumpling truck at the Harvey School.

Price:  Advance registration for kite-making workshops suggested. Materials fee: $5 for children (ages 3 and up) of KMA members, $10 for non-members. All kite activities at the Harvey School field are free.

College Rager at Grand Prix Mount Kisco

When/Where:  Friday, July 20, 6-11 p.m. at 

Why Go:  College students, bring your college I.D. for this offer that is good only on Friday, July 20. Go for a mid-summer evening of fun at the huge indoor racing facility—that also has bowling, a restaurant and a great arcade.

Price:  For $30: 1 go-kart race, 1 appetizer, and 1 hour of bowling (4 people per lane)

St. Augustine's 35th Annual Italian Festival in Ossining

When/Where: The festival runs from Tuesday, July 17-Sunday, July 22, from 6-11 p.m. at 

Why Go: Go and enjoy delicious food, rides provided by Blue Sky Amusements, fireworks, casino, games, and much more.

Price: Armbands purchased at the festival are $25 each

The Bensen-Scott Band

When/Where:  Sunday, July 22, 6-8 p.m. at  in Somers

Why Go: This is a group of seasoned players who have toured, performed and recorded nationally. Bring your own seat and listen and dance to some swinging music of the Big Band Era. A little Harry James, some Louie, Basie, tunes from the 40’s swing era, Latin/Jazz and much more.

Price:  Free

A Day in the Renaissance

When/Where: Sunday, July 22, 12:30-5 p.m., at the Picnic Lawns at  Venetian Theater.

Why Go: A Day in the Renaissance will take your family to Italy and England in the sixteenth century with songs and dances, street theater, music, falcons, masks and banners and a few words from Will Shakespeare. Come in costume, bring a picnic and join the fun.

Price: Tickets: $10.00 adults, $5.00 children

Navigation Course and Raid the Sanctuary

When/Where: Saturday, July 21 for the Navigation Clinic and Viking Course and Sunday, July 22, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., for Raid the Sanctuary at  in Mount Kisco

Why Go: This event is a challenging 2-person team adventure run. First-time orienteers are encouraged to participate with a friend who has experience, or to sign up for the Navigation Clinic on July 21st and run the Viking course. On Sunday is the first ever “Raid the Sanctuary” Orienteering Competition, an adventure run that incorporates orienteering and other elements—an event geared toward experienced competitors and those with limited experience are welcome to participate if they complete the orienteering clinic on July 21.

Price: Participants must be at least 12 years old to compete on the Viking Course and at least 16 years old to compete on the Barbarian Course. Viking Course (5 plus km): $20/Team ($5 team discount for members) Barbarian Course (10 plus km): $40/Team ($5 team discount for members)

Summerfest on the Hudson

When/Where:  Saturday, July 21, 3-8 p.m., at Beczak Environmental Education Center in Yonkers

Why Go:  Take out a kayak or choose a canoe ride at Beczak's free family fun day and join the “Catch of the Day Seining” by wading into the Hudson River to see what you catch.

Waterproof overalls for all sizes provided. Visitors to Summerfest will be able to participate in the Great Hudson River Fish Count, a snapshot of fish distribution in the Hudson River estuary. Enjoy performances by Yonkers Idol winners (Maya Katyajini Ghosh Lisbin, 2012 Yonkers Junior Idol, and Emma Clarke, 2011 Yonkers Junior Idol) and the Nepperhan Drum Corps.  There will be games, art projects, sprinkler fun, BBQ hotdogs and hamburgers and Italian ice for sale.

Price:  Free