Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

Weekend Fun With Westchester Families: Youth Orchestra, Comedy, Song Circle and More July 19-20

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 07/17/2014 - 11:00am

So many performances are worth seeing this weekend, it’s hard to prioritize! Two are by national troupes—the National Youth Orchestra, an ensemble of kids under the auspices of Carnegie Hall, and The National Comedy Theatre, which is sure to provide a good laugh for young audiences. As an adjunct to this month’s Seeger Fest, join in the Song Circle and Potluck Supper in Honor of Pete and Toshi Seeger to pay tribute to the Hudson Valley’s beloved champions. Returning this week for the second of the four-part series is Puppet Shows in the Amphitheater.

There are also great workshops scheduled for Saturday that are both artsy and practical (and adults would love them too!). One is Create Your Own Blog or Website, and the other is Art & Reuse in the Studio, where participants upcycle used materials.

Keeping kids busy in the summer when school is out can be tricky—but not with the Mommy Poppins event calendar! There you'll find daily listings of options throughout the county, many of which are FREE. If you're willing to venture beyond Westchester, we also have editions in NYC, Connecticut, Long Island, and New Jersey.

Read on for our top picks for this weekend, then click through for further details and additional events. Also be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep current with our latest posts, news and events.

Weekend Fun With Westchester Families: Puppets, Concerts, Festivals, Movies and More, July 12-13

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 07/10/2014 - 10:30am

With Independence Day behind us and summer in full force, there's no shortage of fun activities for families in Westchester and the Hudson Valley! As part of this Summer of Play, check out our July Go List for some of the top events for this month and read on for our suggestions for this weekend.

Celebrate 60 Years of Summer at a FREE, all-day family event that includes a "decades" fashion show, concerts and a slew of kid-friendly activities. For a special outdoor concert, venture to West Point for the FREE Kid's Night with Quintette 7 and "Instrument Petting Zoo" which entirely caters to kids; they can meet the musicians and instruments, hear music based on children's stories, sing along and march in a parade!

Two new series kick off this weekend: Puppet Shows in the Amphitheater, the first of four weeks of different puppet shows performed by regional artisans, and Arts in the Amphitheater: Movie Nights takes outdoor movies to a new level, with a different theme each week. Meanwhile, a couple fun series continue this weekend that are worth highlighting: this week's edition of the Art & Science Workshops allows families to get creative with flowers, and the Polish Heritage Celebration continues the cultural celebration series that transports attendees to a different country each week.

Our event calendar provides additional details on all the above, plus extensive listings for both mid-week and weekend—all summer long! Plus, be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep current with our latest posts, news and events.

Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Disney, Science Parties, American Music, Art, Carnivals and More, June 28-29

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 06/26/2014 - 11:00am

School's out for the summer, and Mommy Poppins has you covered! Our June Go List features a few fantastic events happening this last weekend in June and we've got even more great ideas below.

Westchester libraries are starting their annual Summer Reading Games to inspire kids to read throughout the summer. This year's theme—Fizz, Boom, READ!—focuses on science. The various libraries' big (FREE!) kickoff events vary throughout the week, with Summer Reading Kickoff Party and Dr. Gravity taking place this weekend. And speaking of fun and FREE library programs, there are two standout events this weekend for both kids and adults: Dan Krugman: Luthier offers an opportunity to learn about guitars from a master craftsman and The Great Library Sleepover unites the community for a ginormous slumber party!

Spend the afternoon at the American Roots Music Festival to enjoy the full span of American musical styles on tap from both well-established and up-and-coming artists. Or head to the annual Fireman's Carnival at Harbor Island Park for classic carnival fun. This is also the last weekend to catch Disney's On The Record at White Plains Performing Arts Center.

Two art events this weekend--Self-Portrait Silhouette and Family Day: Mandy Greer--The Ecstatic Moment invite visitors to be inspired by an exhibit and then create their own masterpiece.

For summertime fun in and around Westchester, look no further than our Events Calendar, where you'll find oodles of ideas—many of which are FREE. Check back often, as new events are added frequently! Plus, be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep current with weekend happenings.

For more details, click through to the event listings below. Also, don't forget to check out the other great weekend events we've captured!

Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Clearwater Festival, Shows, Workshops and More, June 21-22

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 06/19/2014 - 11:00am

Celebrate the Summer Solstice this weekend with a wide array of fun events for families in and around Westchester. The big headliner of the weekend, and one of our top picks for June, is the annual Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival—the first since the death of beloved founder Pete Seeger and his wife Toshi. Other fairs and festivals this weekend include the Palisades Fair, the Holy Rosary Church Annual Bazaar and the African American Heritage Celebration.

Two performances this weekend allow optional audience participation: Bring your own brass to jam with Latin Meets Jazz Workshop and Jam Session, and teens can perform in an annual Teen Talent Show. Even if performing isn’t for you, both of these events are equally suitable for spectators.

More of our top picks are below. For more details, click through to the event listing. Also, don't forget to check out the other great weekend events we’ve captured-–plus tons of weekday events--on our Events Calendar. And if you haven't done so already, sign up for our weekly newsletter--it's FREE!

Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Festivals, Art, Food and More, June 7-8

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 11:00am

There's no shortage of festivals, art and food in Westchester this weekend. In fact, three of our top picks for June are taking place, including the Fol de Rol County Fair and Festa Italiana.

The 17th Annual Peekskill Open Studios runs all weekend, offering studio tours, gallery visits, meet-the-artist opportunities and special features that kids will enjoy. If you go on Saturday, you can also check out the Light Painting Photography family art workshop, also in Peekskill.

Looking to enjoy fresh air, get some exercise and support a good cause? Sign up to raise funds for SunriseWALKS, a walk-a-thon whose mission is to continue providing free camp for kids with cancer (and even their siblings!).

Read on for details about the above, as well as other enticing options (many of which are FREE). For more options, peruse our Events Calendar. And if you haven't done so already, sign up for our weekly newsletter--it's FREE!

Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: D-Day 70th Anniversary, Walk for Autism Speaks, Arts Workshops and More, May 31-June 1

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 11:00am

May is winding down, summer is on the horizon and there are lots of fun events happening this weekend throughout Westchester. To help you get ready, we've rustled up our top weekend picks including nature themed activities, art festivals, musical performances and more.

Of historical significance, this weekend marks the 70^th anniversary of D-Day, and Lasdon Commemorates D-Day has planned a full day of displays, period music and dancing, memorabilia and more to commemorate the Normandy invasion. Also noteworthy this weekend is the annual Walk Now for Autism Speaks. There’s still time for you to sign up--you can even form a team!

Other weekend events include the White Plains Outdoor Arts Festival, which showcases the work of local artists while raising money for kids’ arts scholarships or you can shop for crafts, food and other items at the Tarrytown Craft, Food & Street Fair. And if you haven’t yet seen Lightscapes--the light-and-art installation of elements found in nature--this weekend is your last chance before the exhibit closes.

For unadulterated carnival fun, the ICS Carnival is a can’t-miss with full-fledged rides, carnival games (with decent prizes!), classic carnival fare including candy apples and cotton candy, sand art and more. This runs Thursday through Sunday.

Read on for our best bets--many of which are FREE. As always, if something piques your interest, be sure to click through to the event listing for full details. To stay in the know, sign up for our weekly newsletter--it's FREE! And don't forget to check out our Events Calendar for more events happening this weekend and beyond!

Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Children's Book Week, Festivals, Arts and More, May 17-18

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 05/15/2014 - 11:00am

This weekend is all about art, books and festivals in Westchester. With several of our May Go List picks going on, there's lots of fun in store. Celebrate National Children's Book Week at the 23rd Annual Community Storytelling Festival, attend Children's Book Week Author Readings or meet another well-known children's author at the Candy Fairies Book Event

Feeling artsy? Try your hand at fashion design at Designing Girls: Doll T-Shirt Creative Workshop, participate in one of the many workshops at Family ArtsBash or work with clay at One with the Clay.

Festival, anyone? A highlight for this weekend is Discover Pinkster! which replicates colonial-era celebrations of African culture with a rich agenda of dancing, drumming, cuisine and more. Also this weekend--the Second Annual Kite Day and Lightscapes, the beautiful light-nature art installation, continues this weekend.

Read on for our top weekend picks--many of which are FREE. As always, if something piques your interest, be sure to click through to the event listing for full details. And don't forget to check out our Events Calendar for more events this weekend and beyond!

Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Lightscapes, Strawberry Festival, Carnival, Cinco de Mayo and More, May 3-4

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 05/01/2014 - 11:00am

May has arrived and this weekend's forecast promises less rain and more sun--perfect for enjoying some of the fun outdoor events taking place all weekend including the opening of Lightscapes, a new walk-through art and light installation in Croton-on-Hudson going on all month. Other outdoor festivities include the annual Strawberry Festival at the College of New Rochelle, and the Children's Carnival at Rosenthal JCC.

Another popular event taking place this weekend is Crafts at Lyndhurst. You'll also find several events to connect nature lovers with wildlife such as Hands-On Egg Collecting, Bird Banding or Meet the Animals – What Do Animals Do in Spring? For a seriously fun exploration of science, sign up for STEM-tastic Saturday.

Read on for our top picks for weekend fun in Westchester. If something piques your interest, click through to the event listing for full details. Plan out your month by taking a look at our May Go List. Looking for even more ideas? Peruse our Events Calendar. Also, be sure to check out our brand new (and growing) Party Planner Guide, full of party tips, resources, local venues and more.