Go Green – Dec 2
Christmas hasn’t arrived yet, but it’s never too early to start thinking about St. Patrick’s Day. If you can’t make it aboard Flogging Molly’s seafaring gig—dubbed the “Salty Dog Cruise”—over St. Patty’s Day weekend, celebrate with the Irish punk band a little early at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. There, they’ll play songs from their most recent album, 2011’s Speed of Darkness, along with some of their earlier hits.
Pop Up – Dec 21
For this year’s annual pops concert, the Westchester Philharmonic celebrates Frank Loesser, the songwriter behind musicals like Guys & Dolls and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. And, to pay tribute to his music, the Philharmonic has brought in some ringers: Broadway stars Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens), Laura Osnes (Cinderella), and Santino Fontana, aka the voice of Prince Hans in Frozen. (Yes, even a year after its release, Frozen is still everywhere.) Principal Conductor Ted Sperling makes his inaugural appearance at the performance, which takes place at The Performing Arts Center in Purchase.
This Is a Joker – Dec 12
It’s been a while since we heard from comedian Demetri Martin. His Comedy Central show, Important Things with Demetri Martin, wrapped in 2010; his bestselling book, This Is a Book, was released back in 2011; and if you caught him in his small role in the (delightful, but underseen) film In a World in 2013, you’re one of a few. But Martin proves that the comedy bug never truly goes away when he brings his stand-up tour, aptly titled, “The Persistence of Jokes,” to The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester.
Colour Your World – Dec 5 Postponed—new date: 2/13/15
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 30 years since the formation of Living Colour—and more than 25 years since the band released their smash debut, 1988’s Vivid, with the always-on-MTV single “Cult of Personality.” The hard-rocking “Cult of Personality” doesn’t bear any of the cheesy, synthy sounds of its ’80s pop brethren, and wouldn’t sound out of place on an iPod today. Living Colour will revisit their hits—from Vivid all the way up through their most recent album, 2009’s The Chair in the Doorway—at the Ridgefield Playhouse.
Get Lit – Dec 3
Don’t know what to get the reader on your list? How about author Jane Green’s newest novel, Tempting Fate, a heartbreaking book that Kirkus called “a Scarlet Letter for the 21st century.” Better yet—bring your bookworm friend to see Green read from her novel at Spoken Interludes, which takes place at Riverview in Hastings-on-Hudson. The evening includes cocktails; a buffet dinner from Chutney Masala; and readings, a Q&A, and a book signing with Green and fellow authors Gabrielle Hamilton (Prune) and Jean Hanff Korelitz (You Should Have Known).
On a Boat – Dec 14 – Apr 12
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to keep yourself off of the water—in fact, this is the perfect time of year to head out on the Sound, as The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is launching its inaugural seal-spotting cruises. The new R/V Spirit of the Sound—built at Derecktor Shipyard in Mamaroneck—is the country’s only research vessel with hybrid-electric propulsion, making for a quieter voyage. Board to look for harbor seals and gray seals on December 14 and from December 27 – 30, with a full season schedule continuing into spring.
In the Bag – Dec 17 – Dec 18
You know the expression: “They couldn’t act their way out of a paper bag”? Well, it turns out, acting through a paper bag requires a lot of skill. Just ask the acclaimed Paper Bag Players, who sing, dance, mime, and inspire audience participation, all while swaddled in cardboard and craft paper. The group’s newest show, Hot Feet—which they’ll bring to the Emelin Theater in Mamaroneck—has sketches that feature dancing cookies, a runaway chicken, and a family of giant tubes. (It makes sense in context, we promise.)