New Rochelle library events
Bliss Music Center
Located on the 3rd floor, the Bliss Music Center has a wide collection of music CDs.Nearly 4,000 titles including classical, jazz, folk, Broadway, big band, popular, country and international selections are just a few of the types of generes the library holds.The center is equipped with listening stations that allow patrons to preview their music before making a borrowing decision.
Computers are equipped with selected electronic resources that allow for the downloading of music and audio books to a patron’s iPod or MP3 compatible device, including iPhone® and MP3 music-enabled mobile phones.
New Rochelle Art Association
The New Rochelle Art Association, which began exhibiting in the former New Rochelle Library in 1914, presents four exhibitions in the library’s Lumen Winter Gallery each year. The Annual Open Juried Exhibition is held until the third week of October and includes original works in oil, watercolor, graphics, mixed media, pastel, sculpture or crafts, including jewelry, basketry, fiber, ceramics and fine craft; plus digital media and photography by members and non-members. The Jules Bauer Award Show of work by exhibiting members has been presented in the library each June since 1980. The annual Adolph Grant Award Show, established in 1924 and the Dermot Gale Award Exhibit are also open to all exhibiting members of the association.
Lunch-time yoga
Guided by yoga instructor Nora LeMorin, these mid-day sessions designed to help relax and strengthen involve traditional and adapted poses that are practiced either standing or seated in chairs—no mats needed. Ossie Davis Theater/meeting room. Space is limited; first-come, first-served. This program is made possible by the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library. Donations are gratefully accepted. Come to the New Rochelle library, event takes place in the first floor meeting room.
“New Rochelle’s Part in the Great War”
Slide Presentation League of Women Voters Coffee and Conversation
Friday, Nov. 21, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Eight months after America entered into World War I, a drama of national proportion arrived at New Rochelle’s doorstep. When the December 1917 crisis began to subside, the city had achieved country-wide fame and praise. Ironically, the rave reviews came on the heels of the community’s highly-publicized fall from grace. City Historian Barbara Davis will present a digital sideshow on the extraordinary story of Recruit Week and New Rochelle’s other contributions to the War effort. Complimentary coffee and light refreshments will be served. Free. Meeting Room.
Friends Holiday Book Sale
Friday Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Finish-up your holiday shopping at the Friends’ annual sale Select from a variety of gift-quality books popular novels and mysteries in hardcover and paperback, non-fiction in hard-cover and paperback, to children’s books, brand new jigsaw puzzles, CD’S, and classic literature in attractive editions. The sale will also include gift wrap, holiday cooking and craft books, sets of books, and other bargain items for affordable gift-giving. For this holiday sale, we’ll also have a “Give a Gift of Local History Table” – with books about New Rochelle and historical postcards, pamphlets, and books. Library Lobby.
Adopt a pet
If you’re looking for a new four-legged friend, you’ve come to the right place. With a variety of dogs and cats available for adoption of all ages, breeds, sizes and colors, you just might find your perfect match. Visit the center or go online for more detailed information about adoption and to see photos of pets available.
Founded in 1911, the New Rochelle Humane Society is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing individual loving care for lost, abandoned, injured and mistreated animals. While bringing service to 19 communities in Westchester County including Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Eastchester, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Harrison, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington, Larchmont, Town of Mamaroneck, Mamaroneck Village, New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Rye, Rye Brook, Scarsdale and Tarrytown, the center rescues over 500 dogs and 900 cats each year.
About 50 percent of the shelter’s funding is from services provided for animal control, rescuing homeless cats and dogs. The other 50 percent comes from donations, wills and bequests. No state or federal funding is given to the nonprofit. For more information, please visit the site at newrochellehumanesociety.org.
4th Annual Joyous Christmas Celebration at NR Methodist Church
New Rochelle United Methodist Church, in association with Acts of Faith Productions, will present the “14th Annual Joyous Christmas Celebration” featuring internationally renowned concert and recording artist Kay Boyd and her ensemble, Acts of Faith, at NRUMC, 1200 North Ave. on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
A New Rochelle native, Ms. Boyd is an award-winning singer, songwriter and recording artist, who has performed nationally throughout the U.S. and abroad in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Featured guest artists will include The Cocolo Japanese Gospel Choir, directed by the celebrated Minister of Music at Convent Ave. Baptist Church in NYC, Dr. Gregory Hopkins, and concert pianist Jeremy Jordan, a Chicago, Illinois native.
Proceeds from this concert will benefit the Capital Improvement Air Conditioning Project at NRUMC. Tickets are: $30 in advance; $35 aT door; $20 for students; Free for children 12 and under. For information/reservations, please call 632-2166, 699-3041 or 668-0280.
Red Cross blood donation opportunities
The American Red Cross asks eligible donors to give something that means something this season–, a lifesaving blook donation. Blood donations often decline this time of year when donors get busy with holiday festivities and travel. Severe winter weather and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, can also have a serious impact on blook donations, but the need for blood remains steady. On average, the Red Cross must collect 15,000 blood products every day for patients across the cournty.
Eligible donors with all types are needed, especially those with O negative, A negative and B negative. To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an apointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1800-733-2767).
The next blood donation happening in Westchester will take place on Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Mamaroneck Elk’s Lodge 1457, 417 East Post Road and in White Plains at Acadia Realty Trust, 1311 Mamaroneckk Ave. in White Plains on Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Young musicians concert
Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m.
The public is invited to hear some of Westchester’s most accomplished rising musicians as they perform on the 51st annual Westchester Musicians Guild “Young Artists Concert.” Top student musicians in grades 7 through 12, selected through a competitive audition process, will present a variety of riveting works. Founded in 1938, the WMG promotes goodwill and fellowship among professional musicians and music devotees in our community by sponsoring a variety of formal and informal events. The Guild also supports the advancement of young musicians through student recitals, the WMG Young Artists Concert, and scholarship awards. The concert is free; donations gratefully accepted. Ossie Davis Theater.
Live performance
Saturday, Nov. 22, 1:30 p.m.
Head on over to the Farmers Market on Library Green right after New Rochelle’s Thanksgiving
Parade, for a live performance by one of the region’s most popular children’s performers, Louie Miranda. He always delivers a totally enjoyable, high energy performance of music with a terrific Latin beat, interactive songs, games and surprises. If it is cold, rainy or windy, the performance will be held in the library’s Ossie Davis Theater. Free.
Gospel concert: Giving Thanks
Sunday, November 23, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The award-winning, Mount Vernon Interfaith Community Choir will perform a joyous, moving concert of Gospel music to set the tone for the upcoming holiday season. Comprised of magnificent singers representing various local houses of worship and many socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, the choir has been enthralling, inspiring, and uniting audiences since it was formed for the Mount Vernon Arts on Third Festival in 2000. Directed by founder Maureen Wilson, the choir has appeared on nation television and in prominent programs from Westchester, NY to Miami, FL. A donation of $2 is suggested at the door. Seating is on first-come, first-served basis to the capacity of the 138-seat Ossie Davis Theater.
BID Family Day: Make a gift fair
Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
One of our most popular events, the BID staff of teachers and teens will be ready to help children ages 5 and older use their creativity to make three lovely presents to give to family and friends this holiday season, including painted picture frames, soup-mix-in-a-jar, tiles, necklaces, and more. Wrapping and gift tags included. In the main library’s meeting room and lobby. Free. Made possible by the New Rochelle Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with the Library, City School District, and Department of Parks and Recreation. Drop-in.
Adolph Grant Award Show
Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 – Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015
Sponsored by the New Rochelle Art Association, the annual Adolph Grant Award Show is open to all exhibiting members of the Association with the grand prize of $75 reserved for a New Rochelle resident working in oils, watercolors, acrylics or pastels.
This award was established by the New Rochelle Art Association in 1924, in memory of noted member Adolph Grant, and has been awarded annually to an outstanding New Rochelle painter ever since.
Another cash award will be given for Best in Show, as well as ribbons for second, third and honorable mentions for outstanding entries in all media and categories, regardless of the artist’s residence. Lumen Winter Gallery during regular hours.
Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at 3 p.m. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to laura@hometwn.com.