Talks and Workshops and Just for Fun

Take a quick tour of historic downtown Rye on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month with The Rye Historical Society educator. There is no charge for members, a $5 fee for non-members. Children under 12 are free. Tours last approximately one hour and are offered at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. April 28, May 12, May 16, June 9 and June 23. For more information, call 967-7588.

The Westchester Historical Society is sponsoring an Outdoor Antiques Show for the first time, Sunday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. at Playland. More than 50 dealers from New York, Connecticut and beyond will offer a wide range of unusual and affordable antiques and collectibles — from furniture, both formal and country, glass, china, silver, books, prints, clocks, linens, jewelry and vintage clothing. A free appraisal booth will be open from l to 3 p.m. (limit two items per person).

Admission is $5, $4 with any ad or discount card. Parking is free. For further information, call 592-4323 or 949-7128. The day of the show, call 860-227-1636.

Knitters are invited to join other needle workers at “Spin a Yarn” at the library Tuesday afternoons from 4 to 5 p.m.  The knitting and handwork circle is open to all ages and includes those experienced and beginner.

LifeLine Screening will perform non-invasive tests for stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and osteoporosis at the Rye Free Reading Room Monday, April 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tests are $45 each or $139 for a Complete Wellness Package. You will receive fast and accurate results to review with your personal physician. Call 800-636-0418 to register.

Kathy Vahabzadeh and Rana Yavari offer “A Glimpse of Iran During the Modern Era” at the library Sunday, April 22, at 4 p.m. Their presentation, an overview of recent Iranian history and culture, includes a slide show and dance performance.

The Rye Free Reading Room offers free Internet classes for adults on Monday mornings at 10 a.m. The session on the first Monday of each month is an introduction to the Internet with basic information about navigating websites. The second Monday covers searching online library catalogs and accessing newspaper and magazine databases from home or at the library. The third Monday is an e-mail workshop and includes creating a free Yahoo.com account. The fourth Monday covers Google searching. Space is limited; call 231-3161 to register. 

Become more comfortable with telephone English and everyday, idiomatic language usage in a friendly and relaxed setting. Hello, America: Cross-Cultural Conversation for foreign-born adults with intermediate proficiency in English, takes place at the library Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m., through June 12.

Are you prepared? Find out at the Emergency Preparedness Seminar Saturday, April 21, 9:30 a.m. to noon at The Osborn.

The event is hosted with the help of Dr. Robert Leviton of Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center, the American Red Cross, the Rye Police and Fire Departments, State Farm Insurance, Commerce Bank, the Westchester Office of Emergency Management and others.

Each representative will speak for five to 15 minutes on their topic of expertise including: financial and insurance preparedness; fire extinguisher safety and other home safety issues; escape routes and re-entry during an emergency; safety issues for pets during emergencies; the right contents for disaster supply kits; and what types of emergencies our community can expect.

Admission is free and it is not necessary to attend the entire session.

Arnold Laubich, co-author of “Art Tatum – a Guide to His Recorded Music,” will give a lecture on the great jazz pianist, Art Tatum at the Rye Arts Center Sunday, April 29, 4:30 p.m. Using tape recordings, records, and kinescopes, Mr. Laubich brings Tatum’s musical genius to life.

From the 1930s through 1950s, Tatum was celebrated for his inimitable technique and style. He introduced harmonic ideas that were ahead of their time and would be explored by bebop era musicians 20 years later. Tatum’s style has influenced notable players, such as cabaret legend Bobby Short.

“Dixie Chicks – Shut Up and Sing” (R) will be shown at the library Friday, April 27, 7 p.m. The 2006 documentary follows the top-selling, then suddenly controversial group in the wake of singer Natalie Maines’ 2003 denunciation of President Bush and the Iraq War.

Adventure trip guide and travel photographer Deborah Lewis invites you to “Ramble in England’s Literary Lake District” at the Rye Free Reading Room Sunday, April 29, 2 p.m. Sharing stories and slides from a recent cultural tour of England’s largest national park, she will escort her audience through the region of rugged mountains, deep valleys and quaint villages that was once home to Romantic poet William Wordsworth and the inspiration for Beatrix Potter’s “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.”

Find your writing voice during a workshop with Nancy Slonim Aronie Saturday, April 21, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Wainwright House. You will learn to use your own language, rhythms and story. By honoring your instincts and not trying to sound like a “writer” or trying to get an “A” from the teacher, you’ll tap your inner source of creativity and unleash the voice inside of you. The cost is $120 for members, $130 non-members.

Get an introduction to astrology at The Realm of the Stars workshop Thursday, May 3, 7:30 p.m. at Wainwright. Each person will learn what special gifts were with them as they came into being and how to work with astrology to better understand their own experiences. Join spiritual astrologer Demitra Vassiliadis for a fun evening of becoming the ‘star’ you were born to be. If you have a copy of your birth chart, bring it.

Transform yourself using yoga and meditation with the help of Ben Spang Sunday, May 6, 1 to 4 p.m. at Wainwright. In this workshop you will learn to release stress and tension, tap into our highest Selves and allow your inner power, peace and love to flow. Concepts such as mindfulness, attuning to inner energy and self-acceptance will be explored. This workshop is geared for beginning and intermediate yoga practitioners. The cost is $40 for members, $45 non-members.

For information on Wainwright events, call 967-6080.