Customers can stop by Metal & Stone Jewelers now through February 14th for the store’s “Wishlist Event” where they choose items for hopeful fulfillment.

Long Path Outfitters x West Mountain Guide Co. will be hosting a Valentine’s sunset hike to the top of Hook Mountain on February 16th. Sign-up now and the store will send you all the info you need. Cost includes expert guiding from West Mountain Guide Co and a camp meal from Good-to-Go at the top! Group will meet at 4pm. Headlamps for the hike down required, micro spikes strongly encouraged (and might be required depending on the weather!). Everyone who signs up gets a discount card to be used at the shop! You can find all the pertinent information here.

Tell someone you love them with a Valentine’s Day box of “I LOVE YOU” donuts from Boxer Donut & Espresso Bar. Order must be placed by February 11th for pickup on February 13th or 14th. You can find more information here.

Planning a visit to the area and looking to keep your visit simple? Hotel Nyack‘s own FARM Restaurant has a special Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe Menu (3-courses, $75 per person) so that you can pair your stay with an easy meal before you hit the hay.

Photo Credit: Scott & Joe

Unsure what to get your special someone? You can never go wrong with food…or more specifically, a food tour by Joey G.’s Nyack Food Tours! You can view more details about the two tours happening during Love Week below – a Beers & Cheers Tasting Tour on Friday, February 9th and a Winter Comfort Foods Luncheon Tour on Saturday, February 10th. You can read more about the two tours here and gift cards are also available for purchase.

More into cheesy gifts? Scott & Joe only serves up the best kind of cheesiness and Valentine’s Day is no exception. This year, the shop is offering a special Valentine’s Day Collection featuring artisanal crackers with edible flowers, woody rosemary, fresh dill and chive, sour cherry pomegranate conserve, maritime lavender honey, hand-dipped dark chocolate figs, cremeux des citeaux triple cream brie, and a tiny fresh posy – all packaged in a beautiful pink box. Available while supplies last with some substitutions available. Pick-up is in-store on Wednesday, February 14th only.

Still in the mood to celebrate a little beyond February 14th? Check out the Dancin’ Machine 70s Disco Tribute Event at the West Gate Lounge on Friday, February 16th. Doors open at 8pm, admission is $20 – a perfect way to close out Love Week in town!

The post Celebrate Love the Nyack Way appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

As this year’s Valentine’s Day is right in the middle of the week, why not make it a “love week” spanning the weekends before and after with a string of dates in Nyack. Here are 10 ideas how to celebrate your love:

Photo Credit: Salonniere Coffee Bar

Photo Credit: Caroline Scimone

1-That’s Amore – Enjoy a glorious bowl of handmade pasta at DPNB Pasta & Provisions and then head up the street to see Italian American Reconciliation at the charming Elmwood Playhouse. To impress your date even more: enroll in an Italian conversation and culture class at Salonniere.

2-Paint the Town – Get inspired at the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center and the Perry Lawson Gallery next door. Then head up to Black Parakeetz to paint, sip and sing yourself. Body painters? Get matching tats at Vanguard Tattoo and then toast them with a Boxer donut – or something stronger at the Old Village Inne.

3-Treasure Hunters – There are so many great thrift stores, antique stores and other unique stores to discover GOLD! Go on the hunt together. Map/List>>>>

Photo Credit: Boxer Donut & Espresso Bar

4-Global Travelers – Spin a globe and pick a cuisine. You’ll find all these international cuisines in our tiny village without having to book a plane ticket: Ukrainian, Tibetan, Dominican, Peruvian, Filipino, French, Vietnamese, Thai, Italian, Greek, Irish, Mexican, Japanese. Even Southern USA! Or book a tour with Joey G’s Food Tours to enjoy bites at many! To see the full restaurant list >>>

5-Jazz it Up – Swanky, dark bars at Hudson House, The Greekish and The Local get you in just the right mood to sway. Then head to Maureen’s Jazz Cellar or Casa del Sol for live music. All the music options coming up>>>

6-Your love is fire – Snap a cute pic of yourselves in front the historic main street fire house and grab a bite next door at La Dolce Vita. Anything bought at Genalisa Lingerie will help fan the flames.

Photo Credit: Scott & Joe

7-Hike hand in hand – Grab picnic goodies at Scott & Joe and cute mittens at Long Path Outfitters.

8-Early risers – Love lives in the pancakes at Strawberry Place and the Breakfast and Burger Club. And loads of ooooh la la at Patisserie Didier Dumas.

9-Book Worms Unite – Grab a latte at the Art Café and the historic Andrew Carnegie-donated Nyack Library. Stroll over to the Carson McCullers House. And then browse Nyack’s three local book sellers: Pickwick, Big Red Books, and Main Street Beat.

10-Love & Games – A cozy living room to play board games, pour your own craft brews, and nibble delicious Vietnamese fare at Mekong District.

And if lots of dates go really well…hey…get a room at Hotel Nyack and/or get married or renew your vows in a beautiful setting & for a good cause with The Angel Nyack!

Photo Credit: Nyack Seaport – Rick Helman Photography

The post 10 Great Dates in Nyack for “Love Week” appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

Good things come in small packages, so the saying goes…but good things also come in fall packages! So, if you want a small, fall package, look no further than Nyack. Our village packs over a hundred businesses and a rich array of recreational, entertainment and cultural opportunities into just over one walkable square mile. For autumn in particular, Nyack has a full calendar of events and family-friendly activities to help you celebrate the season to the fullest.

“Nyack is the perfect place to enjoy the Hudson Valley’s autumn glow,” said Thomas Schneck, President of the Visit Nyack Board. “We encourage everyone to combine Nyack events with our special blend of memorable experiences. Nyack offers it all – in a beautiful, memorable riverside community.”

Whether you are a fall enthusiast or go into hibernation mode as soon as the temperatures begin to drop, Nyack has a little something for everyone. Read more below for a sampling of our autumnal offerings!

Phoenix Festival: Live Arts in Nyack

Live theatre and wildlife coexisted on Nyack’s stage for the Phoenix Festival. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Theatre Ensemble)

In 2022, Nyack joined the roster of world-class arts events with  Phoenix Festival: Live Arts in Nyack, an annual celebration of classical theater, music, local culture, and the creative spirit of community. Over its five inaugural weekends in September and October 2022, the Festival presented both live and outdoor performances against the majestic vistas of the Hudson River and the lively, jazzy riverside village of Nyack. In 2023, the critically-acclaimed Festival expanded its programming to include four indoor and outdoor productions, partnerships with Children’s Shakespeare Company and Emotions Physical Theatre, and special events all over downtown Nyack. The Festival also offers a spotlight for local Nyack nonprofits, along with opportunities for students and volunteers to get up-close and hands-on with live performance. Stay tuned for more information on Phoenix Festival 2024!

The Festival is hosted and produced by the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble, an internationally recognized leader in creative contemporary theater and winner of multiple prestigious awards for excellence in theater arts. Founded in New York City in 2004, the Ensemble is proud to make Rockland County its second artistic home. PTE Artistic Director Elise Stone and PTE Executive Director Craig Smith serve as the Festival’s leadership, engaging local, county and New York State institutions, educational organizations, businesses and non-profits in support of the Festival.

Nyack’s Famous Street Fairs

Anyone who knows Nyack knows the street fairs – five each year in spring, summer, and fall – a Nyack tradition for well over three decades. Maybe even the most seasoned veterans of the village have lost track of the years, but the basic premise has remained the same: Crafts, jewelry, food, live music, clothing, gifts, art, antiques, specialty items — offered by hundreds of vendors and local merchants. Thousands of people come. Many come back – and stay.

Nyack Halloween Parade

Every year, the Village of Nyack and the Chamber of Commerce proudly present the most hair-raising Halloween celebration this side of the Hudson — ranked by Travel Channel as one of the Top 10 Halloween parades nationwide. Dancing ghouls, marching bands, wild costumes, fantastic floats, live entertainment, and more. Great prizes for the best floats and costumes.

Rockland Fashion Week (Photo Courtesy of Hope Wade)

Rockland Fashion Week

Produced by Nyack’s Hope Wade Designs, Rockland Fashion Week (RFW) tfocuses on Rockland as a growing hub for fashion design and manufacture, and includes local pop-up shops, as well as educational sessions on the “business of fashion” at local middle and high schools around the county. A mini fashion show (including one for dogs) leads up to the main event. RFW culminates in a gala runway event at Palisades Center in West Nyack featuring local fashion designers.

Nyack’s Weekly Farmers Market: Thursdays,  8am-2pm

Families love the Farmers Market, every Thursday year-round featuring live music, fresh goods from local farms and artisans, and plenty of kid-friendly activities.

In addition to the aforementioned events, Nyack makes it easy to combine events with shopping, dining, or recreation in a day trip or whatever a weekend itinerary might require. One draw for shoppers who like to marry a good deal with a good meal is the tempting array of casual eateries and fine dining establishments that put Nyack on the map as a haven for food enthusiasts.

“Nyack is a top destination for dining in the Hudson Valley,” said Mark Davidoff, Visit Nyack Board member, and director, Rockland Community College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center. “Our village is a hub for both culinary arts education, and for the final product – the best food on the plate for the discerning diner.”

Local hotels offer package stays with discounts and specials at restaurants, shops and personal service establishments.  The river is Nyack’s jewel in the crown – majestic Hudson vistas from the shore, hikes at the river’s edge or Hook Mountain ridge, or fun on the river itself – sailing, kayaking and water sports as summer stretches into fall.

Here’s a quick drone’s-eye view:

Photo Courtesy of RCC Culinary Institute

Dining and food: Nyack offers 50+ restaurant options from pubs to world-class gourmet menus for those who like choice; themed food tours for those who like to explore; award-winning cooking classes at the Culinary Arts Institute for those who like to make their own; and a year-round Farmers Market every Thursday for those who want to connect with food, farms, friends and fun.

Shopping: Nyack is a hub for the unique, one-of-a kind, hard-to-find-anywhere-else purchase. Also, a place for buyers who are interested in sustainably sourced goods, original fashion, handmade items (which customers may help create) and, overall, a personal shopping experience – often delivered with a sense of humor, always with plenty of time to browse, discuss and decide.

Entertainment and the arts: Nyack’s bustling night-and-day life offers theater and music of all genres, classic plays, musicals, jazz, rock, blues, drumming, karaoke, open mic nights, salsa music and dancing, classical concerts and a cluster a music-related businesses offering music lessons, instruments, and recording capabilities. Nyack is also home to a thriving art community, hosting contemporary art shows, workshops, curated film screenings, poetry reading, art classes and camps for kids, pop-up art events and more.

Biking Nyack Beach State Park (Photo Credit: Caroline Scimone)

Recreation: Opportunities for hiking, biking, and river sports in Nyack are among the best in the Hudson Valley. Access to the Governor Mario M. Cuomo bridge path is within minutes of the village — with sweeping views of the river to the north and south. For those who want to get their toes wet, launch your kayak from Nyack Beach State Park or board sailing charters from Nyack marina. Hiking-wise, you can “find your long path” through guided hikes organized by Long Path Outfitters in collaboration with West Mountain Guide Co. and take in stunning river views and unlimited leaf-peeping opportunities. For those who want to ‘catch some air,’ there’s always the option for a quick spin at the riverside skateboarding park, recognized by ‘skaters’ as one of the best in the region.

Culture and history: Home to civil rights leaders, artists, writers, Nobel Prize winners, movie stars, and many far-from-ordinary hard-working people, Nyack has a deep multicultural history with fascinating stories to tell. Those stories are well told by the Historical Society, Nyack Library, Hopper House Museum and other organizations, offering tours, exhibitions and special programs – all accessible in town, online, or via phone.

Relaxation and personal services: With all the activity going on in Nyack, it’s still possible to relax in one of the village’s top-flight salons, spas or barber shops offering premium personal care services. See visitnyack.org for information.

Enjoy life. Enjoy Nyack.

The post FALL in love with Nyack appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

Photo Courtesy of the Nyack Library Local History Room

Under the Housing Act of 1949, billions of federal dollars were made available to local governments through grants and incentives for the purpose of urban “revitalization.” Nyack was just one of several thousand communities across the U.S. affected by this initiative in the 1960s and 1970s.

A new documentary, What Happened to Jackson Avenue, offers rare, real-life accounts of the human impact of urban renewal. Through interviews with people who experienced urban renewal first-hand, the film tells the story of how the intended revitalization ultimately resulted in the destruction of an entire community.

That community was set along Jackson Avenue, where 124 families, nearly 80% of them Black, lost their homes, businesses, and generations of accumulated wealth to ‘eminent domain.’

Photo Courtesy of the Nyack Library Local History Room

Inspiration for the documentary sprang from a comment made by local historian and activist Bill Batson in the summer of 2019 as he in stood in the main parking lot at the center of Nyack village. “This was Jackson Avenue. Our family home once stood here,” he said.

That spark set a creative process in motion—two-years of research, interviews, photography and editing undertaken by young filmmakers Hakima Alem and Rudi Gohl.

Panel discussions followed the 60-minute screenings and gave audiences opportunities to share reactions to the film, and hear live from storytellers interviewed in the film, as well as the documentary creators. Batson, who also appears in the film, served as moderator.

The film was produced by the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble – a NYC-grown theater company now with a home and annual live arts festival in Nyack. Screenings in June and July were presented in collaboration with Rivertown Film Society and The Nyack Center.

Avery Family at Jackson Avenue, 1920s (Photo Courtesy of the Avery Batson Family)

“This film is essential to an understanding of Nyack’s history, and provides an important case study of how even a small village was shaped by the broader forces driving urban renewal policies in the 1960s,” said Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, Former NY State senator.

“This is a powerful film, and a service to our community as it acknowledges and learns from its history,” commented Don Hammond, Mayor of Nyack.

You can view a trailer of the documentary here. Information about the storytellers and the documentary artists are below. Information about broader distribution of the film will be forthcoming.

ABOUT THE STORYTELLERS

Bill Batson is well known in the Nyack community as a leader, artist and historian. His grandmother’s family, the Avery’s, moved to Nyack in the late 1800s. They lived through, and spoke out against, urban renewal. His family home on Jackson Avenue was a casualty. Today, Batson is a columnist and featured contributor to Nyack News & Views, where his weekly Sketch Log chronicles the Nyack experience through words and art. Batson also manages the weekly Farmers Market for the Nyack Chamber of Commerce.

Faith Blount is a Nyack native who experienced urban renewal first-hand as a child. Her family lived with her grandparents in a house on Liberty street, with her grandfather’s dry cleaning business attached. Blount’s grandfather was a civil rights leader and founder of the NAACP chapter in Nyack. In the wake of urban renewal, the Blounts received some compensation for the residence but not for the business, which was their livelihood. Blount is a pharmacist and a role model for young Black people wherever she goes.

Lonnie “Buster” Leonard is a Nyack native who grew up on Jackson Avenue in the 1950s. He experienced urban renewal as a teenager when he lost his home and saw his friends and community forced out. His family moved to High Avenue just before the demolition began. Their old home on Jackson Avenue was destroyed shortly thereafter.

Win Perry is a historian and architect who comes from a long line of Nyack locals. He currently resides in the house his family built in 1846. His grandson is the 12^th generation of his family to live in Nyack. Perry worked for an architectural firm in Nyack during urban renewal and saw both sides of the process. Past president of the local historical society, Perry is currently a member of the executive board. He was a member of the NAACP and has served as an educator on urban renewal and city planning.

Barbara Williams was born in Anniston, Alabama and moved to Nyack in the early 1960s. She was an avid member of the protests against the urban renewal project. In 1965, she managed the campaign that won Hezekiah Easter a seat on the Village of Nyack Board of Trustees—the first Black person elected to public office in Rockland County. Williams was inducted into Rockland County’s Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2016 for her work in fighting discrimination against disadvantaged people and people of color. She describes herself as a storyteller, memory keeper and “ancestor in training.”

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Hakima Alem is an Ethiopian writer and film director. She moved to Nyack in 2018, and now resides in New York City. Alem graduated from Bard College in 2021. Her work centers on the lives of women of color, human rights and international adoption. Her credits include documentary films and work with multiple nonprofits. Before directing What Happened To Jackson Avenue, she was an assistant editor for the film Muicha, The Voice of Bossa Nova and created her own film titled Black at Bard 2020.

Rudi Gohl is a filmmaker based in New York City. Since completing college in 2021, Gohl has worked extensively in New York, filming and editing music videos, short films, plays and documentaries. With the documentary format as his primary focus, Gohl has recently worked with the musical artist Chandrika Tandon, and multi-cultural artist Eljuri. He currently holds a position as junior assistant editor and post-production assistant for the award-winning documentary company Show of Force.

Teese Gohl (music) is a Swiss musical producer/director/supervisor/composer of film scores and stage productions. He produced most of Elliot Goldenthal’s film scores as well as others. Two scores that he has produced have won Oscars — Elliot Goldenthal’s Frida and John Corigliano’s The Red Violin.

The post Nyack’s Own Urban Renewal Story Showcased in New Documentary appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

For those seeking a healthy dose of feel-good outdoor fun, Nyack is just the place.

 

Located 24 miles north of New York City on the banks of the Hudson in beautiful Rockland County, Nyack offers great opportunities to share time and enjoy life with family and friends – hundreds of experiences and events all season long that make for great day trips, weekend get-aways and longer stays.

 

“Rockland is the gateway to the Hudson Valley,” said Lucy Redzeposki, Rockland’s Director of Economic Development and Tourism. “The county is rich in history, culture and natural beauty, with much to offer visitors from local communities and from around the world. Nyack is a great introduction.”

 

Views of the river – from nearly every angle – are spectacular. It’s also easy to experience the river itself. Boat charters and water sports launch from Nyack’s marina at the east end of Main Street.

 

Photo Courtesy of Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center

A visit to Nyack would be incomplete without a meal in one of Nyack’s top-flight restaurants, casual eateries or cozy pubs, paired with shopping in the village’s one-of-a-kind boutiques. For those interested in the arts, a visit to the Edward Hopper House Museum and Study Center or a show at the Elmwood Playhouse are within steps of the village center. For those with kids, Memorial Park boasts a shaded playground and a splash pad open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The weekly Farmers Market is itself an event, with live music, activities for the kids and fresh goods from local farms and artisans.

 

“Nyack is a treasure trove packed into an area of just over one walkable square mile,” added Nyack Mayor Don Hammond. “Your list of activities in and around Nyack might include hiking Hook Mountain, walking or biking across the Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge, or a leisurely riverside stroll in Nyack Beach State Park on an easy, level path right at the edge of the Hudson.”

 

For visitors looking for evening entertainment, live music and comedy shows abound in the center of town while Nyack’s hotels offer comfortable accommodations for weekday and weekend overnight stays.

 

Photo Credit: Chris Carroll

“Nyack is all about enjoying life,” said Nyack Chamber President Roger Cohen. “And now is the time to get out and celebrate the season.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Next up on the Nyack agenda:

 

June 19 – Juneteenth Celebration

June 27 – Music on the Hudson (Tuesday series launch)

July 4 – Fourth of July Fireworks

July 6 – Jazz in the Garden (Thursday series launch)

July 7-8 – Basketball Tournament

July 8 – Rockland Masters Rowing Regatta

July 9 – Street Fair

July 10 – Classic Car Night

A complete list of events and dates can be found here.

 

Nyack events are supported by Visit Nyack, the Nyack Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Nyack, Rockland County Economic Development and Tourism, I LOVE NY, and by local businesses.

2023 Nyack Events

Photos & Graphics

Visit Nyack

Nyack Chamber of Commerce

Explore Rockland

I Love NY

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Audience enjoying a performance at Upper Nyack’s Marydell Faith & Life Center (Photo Courtesy of Phoenix Theatre Ensemble)

The vision of PTE was to create a celebration of theater, arts and community culture rivaling that of national arts festivals – with Nyack providing the stage for it all. Despite having to become amateur meteorologists at times (outdoor theatre during hurricane season is no small undertaking!), the organizers of the event were able to do just that.

Running from mid-September to mid-October, the festival took place during the Hudson Valley region’s beautiful fall season and featured over a dozen live, outdoor performance programs in both downtown Nyack’s Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center and at Upper Nyack’s Marydell Faith & Life Center at the foot of majestic Hook Mountain.

Live theatre and wildlife coexisted on Nyack’s stage for the Phoenix Festival. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Theatre Ensemble)

Productions included three iconic plays revisited by PTE in the context of our current world: Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth and Anton Chekov’s The Harmfulness of Tobacco. There were also performances by, Rockland’s Children’s Shakespeare Theatre, tributes to Nyack resident Helen Hayes, walking tours of Nyack village and more.

“A big bonus for Festival goers was Nyack village itself,” said Craig Smith, Phoenix Festival Executive Director. “Nyack was the perfect anchor for this unique festival that blended classic theater and local history with breathtaking natural beauty in a jazzy, upbeat river town setting,”

Community arts organizations like Arts Rock, Rivertown Film, Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center, Rockland Poets, Nyack Library, and the Historical Society of Rockland also created and hosted a variety of events throughout the month for people looking to keep the magic going between shows.

The Festival invested over $200,000 in the local economy. More than 80% of production dollars went to local businesses, e.g., sound engineering, scenery and set building, bus and limo services, housing, and catering.

Photo courtesy of Phoenix Theatre Ensemble

Community support exceeded expectations. Over 30 local businesses contributed more than $30,000 in direct funding and raffle prizes valued at over $3,500, including dining, merchandise, and hotel stays for theatre-goers. In addition to local funding and support from national institutions, Rockland County Office of Economic Development and Tourism was a major contributor

“Tourism is important for Rockland,” said Smith. “The Festival attracted a broad audience – nearly 60% came from outside of local communities – New York City and boroughs, plus Westchester, Long Island and New Jersey.”

Now that a successful first run at an arts festival has concluded, the ensemble is looking forward to returning to town in 2023.

“Taking a step into a completely new endeavor takes faith,” Smith stated. “This magic could never have been possible without generous contributions and unflagging support from the Rockland community. Building on the faith placed in us this year, we’re looking forward to an even more successful Festival in 2023, and to many years of collaboration that will bring continuing joy, growth and prosperity to our special community.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Phoenix Festival and the villages of Nyack and Upper Nyack gratefully acknowledge the generous contributions of the public institutions, foundations, businesses and individuals who have made this event possible.

Public Support

Humanities New York (affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities) The National Endowment for the Arts
New York State Council on the Arts
Rockland County Office of Economic Development and Tourism

Sustaining Sponsors 

MR Bonner

Orange and Rockland Utilities
Phoenix Theatre Ensemble Board of Trustees
The Sheree Stone Trust

SmithStone Family Trust

The Zisson Foundation

Corporate Sponsors

Gold

Hotel Nyack

Howard Hanna Rand Realty

Palisades Center Mall

Windsor Hills Wine & Spirits

Silver

Creative Financial Planning

Bronze

Audi Nyack | Don Thompson

DPNB Pasta & Provisions

Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty

Rosemarie Pelatti, Peter Garruba and Keller Williams Hudson Valley Realty

The Greekish Nyack

Metal and Stone Jewelers

Montefiore Nyack Hospital

Munn and Associates, Ameriprise Financial Services

Robert Panzera and CCSD Sport Events

Weld Realty

Patrons

Cane and Boniface P.C

Creative Arts Workshop | Joseph Garreffa

El Cuñao Deli

Modern Druid

Pickwick Bookshop

Punta Cana Latin Fusion

The Rock Shop Nyack

Sniff A Pickle

Trilogy Consignment

Friends 

Allstate Insurance | Don Dietrich

Arts Council of Rockland

Broadway Bistro

The Breakfast & Burger Club

The Corner Frame Shop

Patisserie Didier Dumas

Quantious

Somos Designer Jewelry Gallery

Today’s Outfit Band

Individual Patrons and Friends 

Gold

Monica R. BIonner

David Duke Burger

Kevin Confoy and Jodi Wright

Patrick Hall

John Lenartz

Michael Miller

Barrie Peterson and Bea Pohl

Linie and Joe Rand

Yasser Rathore

Thomas Schneck and Susan Wilmink

The Estate of Sheree Stone

Dan Zisson

Silver

Karen C. Cook

Cricket Jeranick

Robert and Carole Koros

Drake Mann

Derek Tarson

Joan Weingarten and Bob Donnalley

Bronze

Harris Berlinsky

John Bower

Harriet Cornell

Kathleen and Tom Dallessio

Dick Donovan and Susan Fawcett

Peter Garruba

Andrew Horn and Joe Brancato

Marlene May

Tony Mulanix

Thomas and Mana Nassisi

Robert Scotto

Marion Shaw

Narelle Sissons

Michael Surabian

David Wagner

Community Partners

ArtsRock

Children’s Shakespeare Theatre

Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center

Elmwood Playhouse

Historical Society of Rockland

Marydell Faith and Life Center

Nyack Chamber of Commerce

Nyack Center

Nyack Library

Rivertown Film Society

Rockland County Community College

Rockland Poets

Village of Nyack

Village of Upper Nyack

The post Phoenix Festival Has a Successful First Flight in Nyack appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

“Although the pandemic is not entirely in the rearview mirror, the village has come back strong,” said Roger Cohen, President, Nyack Chamber of Commerce. “Signature events are once again on the agenda – including street fairs and yes, the amazing Halloween Parade.”

“We’re proud to say that Nyack has emerged from two very tough years stronger than ever,” said Cohen. “We’ve added more new businesses than the number we lost. Above all, we’re excited to get back to what Nyack is all about – enjoying life.”

Events: A Nyack ‘Sampler’

• The Phoenix Festival: Live Arts in Nyack: Sept.16-Oct.16
  A new undertaking by the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble of New York City acclaim, recently established in Nyack. Five weekends of live, family friendly theater performances outdoors at the Marydell Faith and Life Center and the garden at the Edward Hopper House. Also featuring performances by the Rockland-based Children’s Shakespeare Theatre, and related presentations by ArtsRock, Rivertown Film and the Historical Society honoring Helen Hayes. Elmwood Playhouse, celebrating its 75^th anniversary of live theater in Nyack, is a community partner.  

• Nyack’s Famous Street Fair: Oct. 9 (10:00 am–5:00 pm)
  Anyone who knows Nyack knows the street fairs – five each year in spring, summer, and fall – a Nyack tradition for well over three decades. Maybe even the most seasoned veterans of the village have lost track of the years, but the basic premise has remained the same: Crafts, jewelry, food, live music, clothing, gifts, art, antiques, specialty items — offered by hundreds of vendors and local merchants. Thousands of people come. Many come back – and stay.

• Spirit of South Broadway: Oct.14 (5:00 pm–10:00 pm)
  It’s not quite Halloween yet, but the frightening fun begins well before the big night. New to Nyack is the “Spirit of South Broadway” block fair, a spooky evening of family fun featuring tarot card readings, psychics, the “creep show” car, live music and drumming, face painting, local vendors and crafters offering jewelry, leathers, capes, candles, herbs, spooky baked goods and other treats. South Broadway will be closed from Cedar Hill to Hudson Street for the event. Adding to the festivities and beginning at noon, Maria Luisa Whittingham, co-founder of Nyack Merchants United, will be welcoming friends, guests and all visitors for a celebration at her boutique on South Broadway marking her 35^th anniversary of business in Nyack. 

• Halloween festivities everywhere… Now – Oct. 31
  In addition to the “Spirit” event, which will get the spooky chill going in anticipation of the main event, Halloween enthusiasts should check out local websites and Facebook pages — especially visitnyack.org and other local mainstays for things like scary movies at the Nyack Library. Meanwhile, village-wide store window painting by Nyack High school is on for Oct. 20. Orangetown Fire Company’s Monster Mash (Oct. 22). Oak Hill Cemetery Walking Tour with Historical Society of the Nyacks (Oct. 24)
  
  Kids can enjoy Halloween crafts and story readings with Nursery School of the Nyacks at the Nyack Farmers Market (Oct. 27).Trunk-or-treating at Living Christ Church on Oct.29 (public invited). North of Main Street on Broadway is hands-down the liveliest trick-or-treat destination in the area, where the actual night of Halloween is celebrated regardless of the day of the week or the weather. Streets are closed to traffic, home owners go all out on decorating their spooky abodes, and literally thousands of pounds of candy are distributed to kids of all ages (Oct.31).

• …And yes, the Halloween Parade is baaack! Oct. 29 (5:30 pm) Rain date Oct. 30
  The Village of Nyack and the Chamber of Commerce proudly present the most hair-raising Halloween celebration this side of the Hudson — ranked by Travel Channel as one of the Top 10 Halloween parades nationwide. Dancing ghouls, marching bands, wild costumes, fantastic floats, live entertainment, and more. Great prizes for the best floats and costumes. And this year for the first time, prizes for the best dressed pets. Judging from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm in Memorial Park. Post-parade traditions ‘return from the dead’ with parties, dancing, and costume contests in Nyack establishments. Hotel Nyack is even hosting a classy costume after-party.
• Rockland Fashion Week: Nov.1-5 (Show Nov. 5, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm)
  Rockland Fashion Week (RFW) returns for its third year. Produced by Nyack’s Hope Wade Designs, the week-long program focuses on Rockland as a growing hub for fashion design and manufacture, and includes local pop-up shops, as well as educational sessions on the “business of fashion” at local middle and high schools around the county. A mini fashion show (including one for dogs) leads up to the main event. RFW culminates in a gala runway event at Palisades Center in West Nyack featuring 10 local fashion designers. In collaboration with Montefiore Nyack Hospital Breast Center, the event will include 10 breast cancer survivors as models on the runway.

More is…more.

• Dining and food. Nyack offers 50+ restaurant options from pubs to world-class gourmet menus for those who like choice; themed food tours for those who like to explore; award-winning cooking classes at the Culinary Arts Institute for those who like to make their own; and a year-round Farmers Market every Thursday for those who want to connect with food, farms, friends and fun.  
• Shopping. Nyack is a hub for the unique, one-of-a kind, hard-to-find-anywhere-else purchase. Also a place for buyers who are interested in sustainably sourced goods, original fashion, handmade items (which customers may help create) and, overall, a personal shopping experience – often delivered with a sense of humor, always with plenty of time to browse, discuss and decide.
• Entertainment and the arts. Nyack’s bustling night-and-day life offers theater and music of all genres, classic plays, musicals, jazz, rock, blues, drumming, karaoke, open mic nights, salsa music and dancing, classical concerts and a cluster a music-related businesses offering music lessons, instruments, and recording capabilities. Nyack is also home to a thriving art community, hosting contemporary art shows, workshops, curated film screenings, poetry reading, art classes and camps for kids, pop-up art events and more.
  
• Recreation. Opportunities for hiking, biking, and river sports in Nyack are among the best in the Hudson Valley. Access to the Governor Mario M. Cuomo bridge path is within minutes of the village — with sweeping views of the river to the north and south. For those who want to get their toes wet, launch your kayak from Nyack Beach State Park or board sailing charters from Nyack marina. Hike Hook Mountain State Park, connect to the Long Path, and take in stunning river views and unlimited leaf-peeping opportunities. For those who want to ‘catch some air,’ there’s always the option for a quick spin at the riverside skateboarding park, recognized by ‘skaters’ as one of the best in the region.
• Culture and history. Home to civil rights leaders, artists, writers, Nobel Prize winners, movie stars, and many far-from-ordinary hard-working people, Nyack has a deep multicultural history with fascinating stories to tell. Those stories are well told by the Historical Society, Nyack Library, Hopper House Museum and other organizations, offering tours, exhibitions and special programs – all accessible in town, online, or via phone. A new program created by the Phoenix Festival: Live Arts in Nyack — Nyack Digital Dreaming-AR Adventures — is an exciting addition, incorporating walking tour narratives, documentary video and augmented reality. It’s free and available online at Digital Dreaming: AR Adventures.
• Relaxation and personal services. With all the activity going on in Nyack, it’s still possible to relax in one of the village’s top-flight salons, spas or barber shops offering premium personal care services. See visitnyack.org for information.  

Enjoy life. Enjoy Nyack.

Nyack’s fall program is an invitation to experience a unique blend of memory-making experiences in a jazzy little Hudson River town – just 25 miles north of New York City.

“We’re especially pleased to welcome new endeavors like the Phoenix Festival,” said Nyack Mayor Don Hammond. “For many visitors, Nyack events open the door to Rockland County’s rich array of attractions and community life. We welcome everyone to enjoy everything the county has to offer, come back to enjoy more — and possibly make Rockland their home.”

Nyack events are supported by Nyack businesses, the Village of Nyack, the Nyack Chamber of Commerce, Nyack Merchants United, the Antique Art, Craft & Antique Dealer’s Association of Nyack (ACADA), Visit Nyack, Inc. and Rockland County’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism.

Notably, Visit Nyack has been a leading recipient of tourism grants since the county, along with NY State, began the tourism program in 2014. 

“The county is pleased to continue investing in Nyack’s marketing programs and events that reach communities beyond our borders,” said Lucy Redzeposki, Director of Economic Development and Tourism. 

“An invitation to Nyack is an invitation to Rockland,” added Redzeposki, “Our many unique villages are rich in history, culture, shopping, dining, river recreation and all the special experiences that make treasured memories for our residents and the thousands of visitors who come to Rockland looking for something special.”  

The post Nyack’s Fall Season is in Full Swing appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

Night & Day cast: (seated) Grace Callahan, Candace Lynn Matthews, (standing) Damon Quattrocchi, Michael Del Valle, Jason Summers (photo by Richard Frant)

Night and Day, Love Lost and Found through the Eyes of Cole Porter opens on Sept 16 and runs through Oct 6 at Nyack’s own Elmwood Playhouse.

Tucked away in a Berkshires mansion circa 1930, two couples discover hidden intimacies and face the fragility of their decadent lifestyle under the watchful care of an enigmatic butler. Broadway World hails this musical as “an incredibly beautiful dramatic story…” and this New York Metropolitan area premiere is sure to deliver.

Performances: The show runs from Sept.16 through Oct. 6, 2022 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., and Thursday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m.

Tickets: Standard: $30; Discounted senior, youth military: $27.

Cast: Grace Callahan, Michael Del Valle, Candace Lynn Matthews, Damon Quattrocchi, and Jason Summers.

Credits: Directed by Alan Demovsky; musical direction and musical arrangement by Victoria Casella; choreography by Steven Dougherty; written by Robert Cacioppo with Artie D’Alessio.

Music and lyrics by Cole Porter. Presented by special arrangement with the Cole Porter Estate.

Covid policy: In keeping with the Broadway League guidelines, Elmwood Playhouse has maintained its current mask requirement for all patrons and staff while inside the theatre. However, as of April 30, 2022, we will no longer require proof of vaccination for entry.

Elmwood Playhouse is celebrating 75 years of bringing quality live theater to the Hudson Valley. Located in the heart of Nyack, NY, Elmwood is a cherished institution, giving artists a place to connect and showcase their talents and providing the local community with quality live theater in an intimate setting. The theater continually seeks to reflect the diversity of voices within the community through the productions it presents and gives back to the community through collaboration with local organizations. In addition to the on-and-off stage talents that grace Elmwood, our members, patrons, and supporters play an important role in keeping the tradition of community theater alive.

Visit: Elmwood Playhouse, 10 Park Street, Nyack, New York 845-353-1313 

The post Elmwood Playhouse Opens Its 75th Season appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

elmwood playhouse • 10 park street • nyack • ny • 10960 • (845) 353-13

BORN YESTERDAY SEPTEMBER 10 – OCTOBER 2 Written by GARSON KANIN Directed by MELINDA PINTO Harry Brock, a corrupt junk dealer, comes to Washington D.C. with his chorus girl mistress, Billie Dawn.  To make Billie more socially acceptable, he hires a journalist to educate her.  Sparks soon fly between Harry and Billie as she tries to thwart his plan to buy a congressman. Tickets: $27 Senior/Student/Military: $24   RESERVE TICKETS FAR FETCHED FABLES December 10, 11 & 12 Written by ANITA BATHE Inspired by the works of A.J. JACOBS and JACK WARD Directed by OMAR KOZARSKY A newly updated version of the children’s classic that’s fun for both kids and adults alike!  Inspired by the classic “Fractured Fairy Tales” this fun filled show pokes some good natured fun at today’s world by modernizing a few classic bedtime stories Tickets: $10 RESERVE TICKETS

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Production Designer Michael Shaw (Billions) shares why he loves to live and work in Nyack in this video from Film Rockland. We love the beautiful aerial footage of Nyack!

We can’t offer you a birds-eye tour of our Hudson River community, but the views from the ground are just as wonderful. Visit Nyack this summer and let our local experts be your guide:

• Paddle the Hudson on a guided kayak tour with Hudson River Expeditions.
• Take a sunset cruise or charter a sailboat with Nyack Boat Charter.
• Take a guided walking tour of downtown Nyack with Experience Nyack.
• Prefer to set your own pace? Choose an itinerary.

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