Five summer 2024 Westchester music, food events to put on your radar now
Get ready for some food, fun and music. Five upcoming Westchester festivals are sure to wow your tastebuds, get you dancing and — hopefully — introduce you to something new.
June 1: Scarsdale Music Festival, Scarsdale
A festive day of live music, food, drinks and family fun are planned — rain or shine — for the fourth annual Scarsdale Music Festival. The event, which takes place in Scarsdale Village from noon to 6 p.m., benefits Daniel’s Music Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides free music programs for people with disabilities.
This year’s lineup, which takes place across three stages, includes Artie Tobia, Conversing with Oceans, Daniel & Gerry, The Del Bocas, Euphoria, George Dennehy, Hunter Road, Iolanta Mamatkazina, Jake Nielsen, Lauren Minear, Rennie & Friends, Saturday Saints, Skyfactor, Trinity, Zac Hoina Trio, and Zola Kendi. Along with music, another large event component includes food and beverage. More than seven restaurants will be represented in addition to a grand tasting village with eight vendors such as Amici de Vini Wine & Spirits, Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese, Meritage, Micheline and more. More info at scarsdalemusicfestival.com
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June 4 to 9: Westchester Magazine Wine & Food Festival, Kensico Dam, Valhalla; Rye Playland, Rye
Ready for a weeklong extravaganza including seeing this food reporter as a cocktail judge? Westchester Magazine's annual Wine & Food Festival runs June 4 to 9 with various events to pick and choose from.
First up: "Perfect Pairings of Wine and Food" with longtime restaurateur John Crabtree and wine expert Kevin Zraly June 4 at Crabtree’s Kittle House Restaurant & Inn in Chappaqua. Enjoy dinner paired with a carefully curated selection of high-end wines (tickets are $155).
Now for the fun "Jeanne Muchnick" part: Party on the Pier June 5 at Playland Park in Rye where partygoers can enjoy samples from 25 restaurants and food trucks along with beer, wine, spirits, and the cocktails featured in the Bartender Shake-Off competition where yours truly will be a judge (tickets cost $65).
June 6 is the always popular Burger & Beer Blast at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla with Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors as the meat sponsor. Along with burgers, guests will find wine, beer and other spirits (tickets cost $80). More vino awaits June 7 at the Wine Collectors’ Dinner at Kanopi in White Plains honoring celebrity chef Peter Kellywho recently took over as Culinary Director at Apropos Restaurant at The Abbey Inn & Spa in Peekskill. And on June 8, foodies can experience the Grand Tasting Village at Kensico Dam where more than 40 restaurants and 100-plus wines and spirits will be on full display.
Added to this year's lineup: "Bubbly Brunch & Beats" at Hudson Prime Steakhouse in Irvington June 9 with bottomless mimosas and tunes spun by DJ Serg (tickets cost $75). More info at westchestermagazine.com/winefood.
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June 8: Sleepy Hollow Music Festival, Sleepy Hollow
Get ready to rock. Literally. And dance! The inaugural Sleepy Hollow Music Festival features legendary singer/songwriter — and eight-time Grammy nominee — Joan Osborne. Osborne will perform with The Nightingale All-Stars featuring John Popper of Blues Traveler, Jono Manson, and special guests.
Other Main Stage headliners include Cold War Kids, Danielle Ponder and The Verve Pipe, which has enjoyed multi-platinum success since their 90’s breakout “The Freshmen."
The event, at Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow, will also feature food and beverage options, craft vendors, children’s activities and even an appearance by the headless horseman! In another unique-to-this-festival attraction: expect a specially created Sleepy Hollow Music Festival Ale from Pleasantville's Soul Brewing Company. The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. More info at sleepyhollowmusicfestival.com.
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June 8: Larchmont Music Festival, Larchmont
Expect a handful of food trucks at Constitution Park in Larchmont from noon to 7 p.m. June 8, along with live music. What four restaurants are calling "Music Row," — Billy & Pete's, Heritage 147, Locals 10538 and Tequila Sunrise — will also have live music from 6 to 11 p.m. The park is free admission. More info at larchmontny.gov.
Sept. 11 to 15: JazzFest, White Plains
It's a long way off — summer hasn't even started yet! — but this fall event is good to put on your radar as it includes a variety of Grammy-winning stars. For five days, participants can experience 18 live performances spread throughout downtown White Plains. Artists range from emerging talents to world-renowned Grammy Award-winners and nominees.
Headlining Friday night is Nicole Zuraitis, a jazz singer-songwriter and pianist known for her lyrical prowess while the Vijay Iyer Trio featuring Tyshawn Sorey and Linda May Han Oh runs Saturday night. On September 14, the Music Conservatory of Westchester (MCW) Faculty Jazz Ensemble will present The History of Jazz, a free concert at 216 Central Ave. in White Plains that will stream live online.The food fun takes place Sept. 15 from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Mamaroneck Avenue between Main Street and Martine Avenue with a fusion of cuisines set against captivating jazz melodies. More info at artswestchester.org/programs/jazz-fest-2.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester NY music, food fests and events to add to your calendar
