Reconnecting a Vision of Unity by Kengo Kito, 2011, Mixed Media. Photo Courtesy of Japan House, Los Angeles.
A colorful art exhibit in Yonkers, a film festival at the Bedford Playhouse, and more make the month unforgettable in Westchester.
Ongoing through September 24
Hoop Dreams
Imagine an eye-catching sculpture composed of roughly 2,500 brightly colored Hula-Hoops floating upward, toward the sky. To see this creative dream made real, head to the inaugural exhibition of Hudson River Museum’s new West Wing Galleries and see Kengo Kito: Unity on the Hudson, ongoing through September 24. The Japanese-born Kito is known for repurposing everyday objects to explore concepts of philosophy, art, and culture; in this site-specific work, he investigates the interconnectedness of humanity and our relationship with the Hudson River through the symbolic medium of hoops.
July 21-23
County Creativity
Celebrate talented young artists from the region while soaking in great cinema at the Bedford Playhouse during its annual Urbanite Arts & Film Festival. The three-day event features screenings of short films and music videos, along with photography, screenplays, and spoken word poetry, by artists aged 14-24 from the area and beyond. Guests can also enjoy workshops on direction and screenwriting, just in case they want to concoct a few masterworks of their own.
July 9-October 1
Water World
Soothing visions of water, a meditative video piece, and an immersive installation can all be absorbed during The Katonah Museum of Art’s pacific new show, Wu Chi-Tsung: Synchronicity. The first solo museum exhibition by the lauded Taiwanese artist, the show focuses on Wu’s Cyano-Collage Series, which blends Eastern aesthetics with photographic processes and collage to create stirring works that reinterpret traditional Chinese landscape painting. Examples of Chinese ink paintings will additionally be on show to complement the artist’s work, as well as two installations by Wu, from July 9 to October 1.
July 14
Ukrainian Made
Katonah’s Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is welcoming a Ukrainian folk quartet this summer that marries varied musical styles to incredible effect. Originating from Kyiv’s Dakh Contemporary Arts center, DakhaBrakha fuses instrumentals and sounds from genres like punk, hip-hop, cabaret, and rock to compose energetic songs that tap into their country’s unique folklore and rich culture. Listen to the sounds of Ukraine right here in Westchester during this singular outdoor event.
July 22
Klein Time
Still shed tears or smile over films like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Reign Over Me, and One Fine Day? You can thank actor Robert Klein. From Broadway, to television and film, to the standup stage, Klein has been in the spotlight for more than four decades, even hosting Saturday Night Live in its inaugural season. Nominated for two Emmys and two Grammy Awards, the singer, actor, and comedian will be taking the stage at the White Plains Performing Arts Center for a night of his merry musings.
July 23
Feet of Strength
Those with a penchant for daring dance can get their fix of fancy footwork this month at Peekskill’s Paramount Hudson Valley Theater. Gateway Arts Collective’s Summer Dance Fest: A Multicultural Celebration features a trove of local dance studios as well as guests artists from throughout the region performing works from various cultures and countries. Presented by Arts10566 and The Dance Conservatory, the event makes for a night of eye-catching creativity translated through movement.
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