FRI, OCT. 19: A Modern Take on a Holiday Classic

Iona College Council on the Arts kicks off the holiday season with a production of The Bang Group’s ballet Nut/Cracked this Friday. Choreographer David Parker’s fresh rendition of The Nutcracker mixes contemporary music with diverse styles of dance, such as tap, disco and ballet. Nut/Cracked will also include versions of Tchaikovsky’s original score by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and others. Begins at 7pm at the Christopher J. Murphy Auditorium in New Rochelle.

FRI, OCT. 19 THROUGH SUN, OCT. 21: New Rochelle and Pelham ArtsFest

Starting this Friday, New Rochelle Council on the Arts will present The New Rochelle and Pelham ArtsFest. The weekend of free arts activities and performances will take place at 39 arts venues, including the Rotunda Gallery, the New Rochelle Public Library and the Pelham Art Center. The festival will kick off with a Friday night “Arts in Oktoberfest Gallery Hop,” during which select galleries invite guests to view exhibitions and sample beer and cider. ArtsFest will continue throughout the weekend with family-friendly arts activities, live music, studio tours with artists and more. A free trolley will provide transportation between key venues. Times: 9am-8pm.

FRI, OCT. 19 THROUGH SAT, NOV. 3: An Unusual Love Story

Hudson Stage Company will present Nick Payne’s award-winning play Constellations from this Friday through November 3. Audiences will watch as Marianne and Roland’s relationship unfolds across time and space, with each variation sending their relationship on an entirely new trajectory. This story explores love and science, as well as heartbreak and hope. An ArtsWestchester Arts Deal offers a ticket discount on this performance. Times vary.

SAT, OCT. 20: Halloween Circus and Variety Show

Smart Arts at Westchester Community College will present Cirque-tacular’s Spooktacular this Saturday. The family-friendly Halloween circus and variety show imagines a cast of spooky creatures as they escape to the circus. Guests will witness aerial stunts by witches, contorting tricks by skeletons and daring maneuvers by vampires. Begins at 8pm at the Academic Arts Building on the College’s campus in Valhalla. For more family-friendly Halloween events, click here.

SAT, OCT. 20: Lea DeLaria Performs Jazz and Comedy in One Concert

The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College will present a mixed medium performance by actress, singer and comedian Lea DeLaria this Saturday. DeLaria, who plays Big Boo in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, will bring her personal blend of candid comedy and smooth, jazzy vocals to the Center’s stage. The one-woman show will feature both her comedy and her latest jazz record, House Of David: delaria+bowie=jazz. Begins at 8pm.