ArtsFest After Dark

Sure, there's a lot going on every day during ArtsFest 2025 with 42 venues presenting the work of more than 250 artists (visual artists, performers, artisans). But what about night life? There's plenty of fun happening after dark: Get a sneak peek below (all events are free unless otherwise noted) -- then go to www.newrochellearts.org for the complete ArtsFest calendar.

THURSDAY

ArtsFest starts on Thursday, and several art exhibits remain open after hours: For example, until 8 pm you can view art works in a variety of mediums at the lumen Winter Gallery at the New Rochelle Public Library (1 Library Plaza, NR, 914-632-7878, www.nrpl.org ). This is the New Rochelle Art Association’s 109th juried open show featuring paintings in acrylics, oils and watercolor, as well as pastels, sculpture, photography, digital art and mixed media.

Or you can get your hands dirty creating your own art at Town House Kitchen + Drinks (559 Main Street, NR; www.townhousekd.com) from 3 pm to 8 pm: Visitors are invited to the restaurant’s third floor Skylight Studio space to collaborate on A Mural of Houses, using painting supplies and blank canvas provided. Together, these individual artworks will form a vibrant mural of houses—each one reflecting the spirit of community, creativity, and belonging, guided by the philosophy: Our House is Your House. This event repeats throughout the weekend: Drop in or set up a time in advance by emailing thomas@townhousekd.com)

In neighboring Mt. Vernon Aleathia’s Original Artworks Studio (50 East Sanford Blvd., Mt Vernon; www.AleathiasArt.us) is hosting an Open House from 5:30 pm to 9 pm: "A LuvNote 4-Art" will be a family- friendly evening with an artist talk from 6 pm to 7:45 pm; guests are invited to “mix & mingle” until closing. Sponsored by the Mount Vernon Arts Council and Harlem Arts Alliance. (Check the ArtsFest calendar for additional events at this studio throughout the weekend.)

Writers are invited to visit another unusual space, the New Rochelle Council on the Arts office (New Rochelle Train Station, 2nd floor – enter from platform) for a seminar with The Quill Collective from 7 pm to 9 pm. Created to inspire and ignite writers at every stage, this group brings together editors, authors, and storytellers who believe in the power of words to spark change and build community. This session will feature three remarkable editors—Shira Silverman, Clare Toohey, and Caroline Reddy—who will share insights, guidance, and encouragement to help writers sharpen their craft and bring their stories to life.

A slightly more ominous option is an evening of live theater: See Undead: A Dracula Story from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Ossie Davis Theater (New Rochelle Public Library (1 Library Plaza, NR, 914-632-7878, www.nrpl.org ) The Red Monkey Theater Company brings their deconstruction of Dracula -- adapted by Amy Frey from the novel by Bram Stoker – to New Rochelle. This new play follows Lucy Westenra, a geriatric patient in a hospital, who is convinced that she is seeing monsters. As Lucy spirals into the world of Dracula, her doctors are forced to examine who determines reality. Directed by Lisa Spielman.

FRIDAY

Indulge your eyes with visual art: Palmer Art (1947 Palmer Ave. Larchmont; 914- 834-3627; www.palmerartny.com) is open till 7:30 pm tonight with its exhibit “The Space Between: Photography and Painting”: View paintings of Jane Cooper and photography by Palmer Davis; the artists will be on site tonight from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

You can also meet the artists who will be opening their studios for ArtsFest and see their work on exhibit downtown at The Atelier (40 Westchester Place, NR; 914-559-5371; atelier@westchester.place) This new housing development aims to support the local art community with affordable housing for artists and a gallery to showcase work by local artists. Visit the Atelier’s gallery space to enjoy an Artists Reception from 5 pm to 7 pm.

There’s more art on exhibit around the corner at Alvin & Friends Restaurant (14 Memorial Hwy., NR; 914-654-6549; www.alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com) , where large scale oil paintings by artist/owner Alvin Clayton fill the walls. For ArtsFest this popular nightspot with a menu of Southern and Caribbean favorites is offering live music and happy hour prices on drinks Friday and Saturday night.

The spoken word will be celebrated Friday night as well : The popular MOTH Story Hour returns with a Story SLAM (Trinity Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 311 Huguenot Street, NR ) This is a live, community-focused open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can sign up to share a five-minute story on the night’s theme, “TRAP.” Ten lucky audience members, picked at random, will vie for the chance to be crowned the night’s StorySLAM champion. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased in advance at https://themoth.org/events/trap-new-rochelle-2025. If you don't already have tickets be sure to be in line when the doors open at 6:30 pm; the show starts at 7:30 pm.

Just across Ruby Dee Park another spoken word event is scheduled at 7:30 pm: Da Mic Is Open @ Jolo’s (Jolo's Vegan Food Bar and Lounge, 49 Lawton Street, NR; 914-355-4928). All art accepted! Come to the Mic to freely express and display any art form. Participants get 5 minutes for the1st Round, 3 minutes for 2nd Round (If time permits). All ages are encouraged.

For a fresh take on jazz enjoy a concert by the Brian Carter Quintet at the Ossie Davis Theater (1 Library Plaza, NR; 914-632-7878, www.nrpl.org ) at 7 pm. Join drummer and composer Brian Carter for an inspiring ArtsFest 2025 performance of Brian Carter II—a powerful new all-original album inspired by family, legacy, and love. Blending timeless jazz with fresh energy, the evening includes a special tribute to his trailblazing aunt, Patricia Ann Mullings.

There’s more music downtown at 18th Ward Brewing Taproom (40 Division Street, NR; 315- 291-5276 ; www.18thwardbrewing.com) where you’ll find Singer Songwriters on Tap for ArtsFest tonight and Saturday. You can enjoy fresh, handcrafted beer -- there is a rotating lineup of lagers, ales, and creative seasonal brews -- and view an exhibit of works by Stefanie Wolfson.

Finally, if you’re in the mood for a little mayhem you can visit The Haunt at Wildcliff Mansion (44 Wildcliff Drive, NR; www.hpcgreenhouse.org) tonight and Saturday night from 7 pm to 10:30 pm. Set within the ruins of the historic Wildcliff Mansion overlooking Echo Bay, this annual attraction brings immersive horror and cinematic design to one of Westchester’s most storied properties. Explore a creepy corn maze and the large-scale, story-driven haunt for a Halloween experience like no other. Recommended for adults, teens and children who love horror or haunted houses: Guests under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult and no babies or strollers will be allowed. This is a ticketed event: Timed tickets cost $25 per person at https://www.hauntatwildcliff.com/dates-times

SATURDAY

The two-day ArtsFest Film Festival runs till 6:30 tonight and 7 pm tomorrow night at The Picture House (175 Wolf’s Lane, Pelham; 914-738-7337; www.thepicturehouse.org) Showcasing short feature films created by local and international artists, there are also panel discussions with industry professionals planned. On Saturday see films shown in three blocks at 1:35 pm, 4:20 pm and 5:40 pm; tickets cost $10 for the day or $15 for both days.

Also stretching into the evening is a special event at Aleathia’s Original Artworks (50 East Sanford Blvd., Mt Vernon; www.AleathiasArt.us) "A LuvNote 4-Art Poetically" will feature Live Poetic Storytelling with two Teen Poets (4:30 pm) and two Seasoned Adult Poets (6 pm); the music playlist by DJ Masai sets the tone for selected performers poetry offering different outcomes. Tickets cost $21.60 from https://square.link/u/X7j0hiUs

Guitar lovers won’t want to miss a very special event at 5 pm when New Rochelle resident John Stix (formerly editor-in-chief of Guitar for the Practicing Musician) will offer a window into rock-and-roll history (Thomas Paine Memorial Building, 983 North Ave., NR; parking on Valley Road). Stix will display treasures from his personal collection of rock memorabilia and share favorite stories from a lifetime of interviews with famous musicians. Accompanying John will be Westchester's most renowned guitarist, Grammy-nominated Gill Parris, who will demonstrate some of the signature guitar licks in the history of the electric guitar.

Then at 6 pm the music action moves downtown where Tony McLendon and Friends will offer a free ArtsFest concert at the Ossie Davis Theater (New Rochelle Public Library, 1 Library Plaza, NR, 914-632-7878, www.nrpl.org ) Tony, a longtime Mt. Vernon resident (and also the father of Grammy Award-winning jazz phenomenon Samara Joy!) returns to the area for this special engagement featuring long time buddies -- including Blues Hall of Fame guitarist Stu Cutler -- playing classic soul, R and B, and originals.

Following the concert join NRCA’s Dave Fabris and friends at 9 pm for Saturday Night Music from the Faboratory , an “after party” jam at the NRCA office above the train station (enter from NYC bound platform). The groove jam will feature Kirtan-inspired musical meditations featuring the best local improvisers/spoken word and accompanying video manipulation! (Note: Stairs to this location may be difficult for people with mobility issues.)

SUNDAY

Late Sunday afternoon there’s still time to visit a few Open Artist Studios: Both Barry Mason and Emlyn Tavares are located in the same spot (The Life Storage Building, 320 Washington Street, Mt. Vernon) and open until 6 pm. Barry Mason (barrymasonart.com) is known for his colorful, abstract paintings on irregularly shaped canvases while Emlyn Tavares’ work is deeply rooted in storytelling and cultural significance (emlyntaveras.com). Parking available in front office parking lot entrance on Hartford Ave.

And the two-day ArtsFest Film Festival continues at The Picture House (175 Wolf’s Lane, Pelham; 914-738-7337; www.thepicturehouse.org) Films will be shown in three blocks at 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm, followed by a panel discussion “Working in Film and TV” at 5:20 pm; the Festival Awards Ceremony will be at 6:30 pm. Tickets cost $10 for the day or $15 for both days.

Then as ArtsFest winds down on Sunday evening jazz is in the air: ArtsFest wraps up with a free concert at The Oaks, the charming seaside estate built on Davenport Neck in 1900 and now home to the New Dawn Foundation, which uses this beautiful haven as a place for renewal and growth. (The New Dawn Foundation, 590 Davenport Ave. between Brittany Lane and the VIP Beach Club; 914-632-8084 ; info@thenewdawnfoundation.org) Join us at 5 pm as musicians Xingxing Yao (age 19) and Muxin Li (age 18) -- virtuoso guitarists from China, currently studying at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia – present a dazzling program of solo and duo guitar music of three centuries. Please park at Davenport Park and walk to the property.

ArtsFest is organized by the New Rochelle Council on the Arts. The mission of NRCA (founded in 1975) is to encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts; for the complete ArtsFest calendar go to www.newrochellearts.org.

Sponsors for this year’s ArtsFest include Golden 50 Year Grand Sponsor Cappelli Organization and LRC Construction, ArtsWestchester, The Gwendolyn Appleyard Trust Fund for New Rochelle Charities, New Rochelle CLD, Montefiore New Rochelle, Town House Kitchen + Drinks, Alvin & Friends, Orange Bank and Tecas Tacos, plus in-kind donors The Dining Lab at Monroe University, AJ’s Burgers, The Picture House, the New Rochelle Public Library, The Atelier, and Hotel NoMa. The New Rochelle Council on the Arts is proud to be a grantee of ArtsWestchester with funding made possible by Westchester County government with the support of County Executive Ken Jenkins.