Hudson River Museum’s Summer Amphitheater Series: A Feast for the Senses

Hudson River Museum’s annual summer amphitheater series is once again in full swing every Friday and Saturday evening until August 12. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Palisades and Hudson River, this performance series delivers free arts experiences to the Yonkers community and beyond. The free price-point means that accessibility is ensured for all who wish to attend.

The open-air venue, with first-come, first-served seating, hosts a diverse tapestry of entertainment for all ages, from jazz and soul music to dramatic theater and magical illusions.

In addition to the evening performances, the museum’s Feel Good Fridays program offers free general admission from 5-7pm in July and August. As the sun begins to set, museum-goers can transition to the amphitheater for that night’s 8pm performance.

Director and CEO Masha Turchinsky tells audiences to “prepare to be swept away by electrifying performances and immerse [themselves] in the vibrant pulse of culture beneath the open skies.”

Here’s a closer look at the lineup of performances that will take stage this summer:

On July 15, Phoenix Theatre Ensemble presents a play, Honduras, which sheds light on the true-story experiences of Honduran mothers and children seeking asylum in 2018.

On July 21, the eleven-piece band Lost Soul Found’s vibrant rhythms and soulful melodies will get audiences dancing to funk, soul and R&B from the ’60s and ’70s. The following night (7/22), Gamelan Dharma Swara, a coalition of musicians, dancers and composers, presents a repertoire that blends traditional and contemporary cultural traditions of Bali.

The next week will bring New Orleans and the Dominican Republic to Westchester. On July 28, the energetic nine-piece brass band Brass Queens infuses the sounds of New Orleans with a modern pop flair. On July 29, Latin indie band Afro Dominicano brings together traditional folkloric roots music from the Dominican Republic with Afro-beats, reggae, calypso, samba, rock, and more.

Library Jazz Band will transport guests back in time on August 4. This collective of music professionals and educators pays tribute to Stevie Wonder’s landmark album, Innervisions.

The Afro-Peruvian Ensemble brings sounds from the Peruvian coast on August 5. The performance will showcase the diversity of Afro-Peruvian classics rarely heard in the United States.

On August 11, AM Gold Yacht Rock Party sets sail with adult-contemporary songs of the late 1970s and mid-1980s. Closing out the Summer Amphitheater Series on August 12 is “An Evening of Magic and Mentalism” with magician Andy Gersh, whose interactive and magical illusions will leave the audience awestruck.

About ArtsWestchester

For more than 50 years, ArtsWestchester has been the community’s connection to the arts. Founded in 1965, it is the largest, private, not-for-profit arts council in New York State. Its mission is to provide leadership, vision, and support, to ensure the availability, accessibility, and diversity of the arts. ArtsWestchester provides programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester County. ArtsWestchester helps fund concerts, exhibitions and plays through grants; brings artists into schools and community centers; advocates for the arts; and builds audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. In 1998, ArtsWestchester purchased the nine-story neo-classical bank building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue which has since been transformed into a multi-use resource for artists, cultural organizations, and the community. A two-story gallery is located on the first floor of ArtsWestchester’s historic building on Mamaroneck Avenue.