Westchester Roots: Free Music and Cultural Events Throughout the County
Summer is all about making the most of the weather and one of our favorite ways to do so is to enjoy a summer music festival such as with Westchester Roots.
Curated by ArtsWestchester, in partnership with the City of White Plains, the City of Mount Vernon and Peekskill, the Village of Sleepy Hollow, and the Bethany Arts Community, Westchester Roots offers free musical performances and cultural events throughout Westchester County from June-October!
Westchester Roots live performances a range of musical genres such as reggae, music, jazz, dance, ballet, Irish music, Jamaican and Caribbean folk music, rock-n-roll, African music and dance, and more.
Read on to check out some of the highlights of Westchester Roots below:
Wednesday, June 21st from 6:30-8:00pm
Performing Families with Bria The Artist & Valerie Not Val, Reencuentro Andino, and El Grupo Los Quisqueyano
Co-organized by ArtsWestchester, Arts10566, and the City of Peekskill, this event features three Peekskill family ensembles. This includes mother-daughter ensemble ‘Bria The Artist & Valerie Not Val,’ Ecuadorian family ensemble ‘Reencuentro Andino,’ and Dominican merengue típico ensemble ‘El Grupo Los Quisqueyano.’ Peekskill Landing Park, N Water St, Peekskill, NY 10566
Wednesday, July 26th from 7:00pm-8:30pm
Sounds of Summer featuring the McLean Avenue Band
Co-organized by the City of White Plains and ArtsWestchester, this even features the McLean Avenue Band, an Irish American band that fuses traditional Irish music with rock, pop, and R&B. Renaissance Plaza, 200-202 Main St, White Plains, NY 10601
Saturday, July 29th from 3:00-5:00pm
Art Bennett Memorial Concert
Held at the ArtsWestchester Gallery, this jazz concert honors the life and music of White Plains saxophonist and flutist Art Bennett. This includes performances by William Parker, Harold Smith, Juma Sultan, Adam Siegel, Michael Bessio, Alan J. Palmer, and more. 31 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY
Tuesday, August 8th from 6:30pm
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
In conjunction with the Mount Vernon Summer Breeze series, this concert features the innovative musical stylings of Jonathan Scales, one of the most innovative steel pannists in the world. City Hall Plaza, 1 Roosevelt Square North, Mount Vernon, NY
Sunday, August 20th from 3:00-8:00pm
Dia de La Cultura Ecuatoriana
Experience a day of Ecuadorian culture at this free festival. Families can enjoy music, dance, food and craft as well as have the opportunity to learn more about traditional Ecuadorian costumes and the Kichwa language. Barnhart Park, 25 Andrews Lane, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
Saturday, September 23rd from 5:00-9:00pm
Mooncake Night Market
Co-organized by ArtsWestchester and OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates Westchester and Hudson Valley Chapter, this event offers a celebration of the mid-autumn with arts from Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese cultures. This includes music, dance, food, and activities, such as Chinese calligraphy and knotting workshops, origami, Kimono tying, mooncake sculpture making, karaoke, Chinese folk dance, and more. $20 per adult; $10 for children. 31 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY
Saturday, October 21st from 1:30pm-4pm
An Afternoon of Syrian Music
Co-organized by ArtsWestchester and Katonah Museum of Art, families can learn more about Syrian music and culture. with the Syrian Music Preservation Initiative. This includes an interactive presentation, musical performance with Arab chamber music ensemble Takht Al-Nagham as well as a viewing of the exhibit, ‘Stories of Syria’s Textiles: Art and Heritage Across Two Millennia.’ Katonah Museum of Art
