Summer Solstice Party at Wildcliff Mansion
Since ancient times the Summer Solstice has been celebrated : Pre-historic peoples built Stonehenge to align with the sunrise on the Summer Solstice, and across the Northern hemisphere festivals and rituals were created to mark what is the longest day of the year.
On June 20th Sound Shore residents can observe the Summer Solstice on Long Island Sound when the New Rochelle Council on the Arts kicks off the season with a fundraiser at the Wildcliff Mansion.
The evening will feature live music, light bites, adult beverages and gorgeous views, with a few surprises. Tickets cost $60 per person, with proceeds supporting the NRCA and its free Summer Sounds Concert Series which begins at Hudson Park on June 26th. Tickets for the Summer Solstice fundraiser are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-solstice-party-from-new-rochelle-council-on-the-arts-tickets-909328013567
The historic residence at 44 Wildcliff Road was designed by prominent architect Alexander Jackson Davis (who also designed Lyndhurst and the Wadsworth Atheneum, among other distinguished buildings): Built around 1852, the 20-room Gothic Revival style home overlooking Long Island Sound was a private home until 1940, when owner Clara Prince donated Wildcliff to the City of New Rochelle. Over the next decades the building was used for a variety of purposes, from city offices to a science museum to a performing arts center; it was empty when it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. But in November 2018 a suspicious fire consumed years of history. After consulting with building experts the City of New Rochelle opted to reserve the shell of the building and create an open-air event space. The NRCA’s Summer Solstice event is one of the first parties to be held in the revitalized space.
The evening’s featured entertainers will include sought-after flutist Pamela Sklar, whose critically-acclaimed performances have included international tours and national/regional appearances with Claude Bolling, Dave Brubeck, and tenor Andrea Bocelli among others. Pam has also performed as a studio musician on albums, including Grammy Award–winning recordings for well-known artists including Tony Bennett (Duets I & II) and Lady Gaga (Cheek to Cheek), as well as albums for Natalie Cole, Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin.
Also performing is New York-based alternative folk singer-songwriter Lauren Mian, who combines traditional folk elements and modern sounds : Inspired by artists such as The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Carole King and Joni Mitchell, her music catches the spirit of folk and pop music, with a contemporary edge. In addition to performing at the Summer Solstice event, Lauren will appear again as part of the Summer Sounds Concert Series on Friday, August 16th when she will share the historic band shell stage with instrumental guitarist Glenn Roth for a laid back night at Hudson Park. (For the full Summer Sounds calendar visit www.newrochellearts.org.)
Summer Solstice refreshments will include light bites from Stanz Café — a Larchmont favorite since 1990, providing guests with the freshest food possible, topped with amazing service — and 18th Ward Brewing will be on site serving samples of some of its award-winning beers (the name 18th Ward Brewing comes from the brewery’s first location, in the 18th Ward of Brooklyn). And The PawPerfect Brew will serve samples of its specialty-grade, freshly-roasted coffee along with desserts; the New Rochelle based coffee company donates 25% of its profits to the Humane Society of Westchester and NY Pet Rescue.
About New Rochelle Council on the Arts
The New Rochelle Council on the Arts mission is to stimulate and encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and the public\’s interest and participation therein. It has been exemplified by our sponsorship of a vast number of exhibitions, theatrical productions, dance recitals, film screenings, lectures, and concert series. To create opportunities for the public to encounter and explore art and increase access to the arts in New Rochelle.
NRCA has been in existence for nearly 40 years — it was created by a resolution adopted by the New Rochelle City Council on April 8, 1975. Our mission is to stimulate and encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and the public’s interest and participation therein. This is exemplified by our sponsorship of a vast number of exhibitions, theatrical productions, dance recitals, film screenings, lectures, and concert series.