It was a great summer, but here we are — back from vacation, back to school or work. But no worries, this month’s picks will help you keep that vacation vibe alive. Enjoy!
PBS Great Performances presents:
Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2025
Premiered on 8/29/2025; streaming through 2/28/26 on PBS
This beloved annual concert performed by Vienna Philharmonic takes place in Schönbrunn Palace Park and is conducted for the first time by Maestro Tugan Sokhiev. Renowned opera singer Piotr Beczała joins as the vocal soloist, performing three famed arias from Bizet’s “Carmen,” Puccini’s “Turandot,” and Kálmán’s operetta “Gräfin Mariza.” Additionally, the Vienna Boys Choir will perform at the concert for the first time. The Summer Night Concert is transmitted in more than 80 countries worldwide.
Watch the Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2025 on PBS.org
National Geographic presents: Wander through the Streets of Italy with Stanley Tucci
Experience the magic of Italy with Purchase alum Stanley Tucci as he explores the streets of iconic cities like Rome, Bolzano, Florence, Ariccia, and Merano. Immerse yourself in local Italian markets, engage with the incredible Italian food and regional specialties, and discover the stunning beauty of Italy.
Wander the Streets of Italy with Stanley Tucci on YouTube
Bryant Park Picnic Performances: Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra
Recorded live on August 22, 2025
Eight-time GRAMMY award-winner Arturo O’Farrill celebrates the rich immigrant stories and traditions of NYC in honor of its 400th birthday, showcasing the city’s role in the diversity of Latin music. The multi-Grammy–winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO) is a big band of jazz and Latin-jazz virtuosos led by the inimitable Arturo O’Farrill. With roots in Latin jazz traditions trailblazed by greats like Tito Puente and Mario Bauzá, and with an equally keen ear for the music’s future, ALJO has spent the past two decades thrilling audiences with its impeccable ensemble playing, showstopping soloists, and expansive repertoire—including works by Arturo and Chico O’Farrill.
Watch Arturo O’Farrill’s Bryant Park Picnic Performance on YouTube
Ephrat Asherie Dance + Arturo Farrill
at The Purchase PAC
Choreographer Ephrat Asherie collaborates with Grammy award-winning jazz musician and composer Arturo O’Farrill to bring you the company’s newest creation, Shadow Cities. Experience it here at The Purchase PAC on February 28; tickets are on sale now.
Purchase alum Samara Joy is on the road!
Enjoy these recent highlights:
Samara Joy – Lover Man (BBC Proms 2025)
Samara Joy | Live at North Sea Jazz 2025
Remembering Eddie Palmieri – Salsa & Latin Jazz Legend
Recorded live on August 9, 2025
An award-winning pianist, composer, arranger, orchestra director, and producer, Palmieri began his career in New York City in the 1950’s when he was only a teenager. He would go on to form bands like La Perfecta, La Perfecta II, and Harlem River Drive. Eddie also performed in concerts and recorded with the Tico All-Stars and the internationally acclaimed Fania All-Stars. Over the course of his seven-decade-long career, Eddie recorded for labels such as Tico, Alegre, Fania, Concord Picante, RMM and Coco Records, leaving an indelible mark on over four dozen albums, including Palo Pa’ Rumba, Champagne, Unfinished Masterpiece (with vocalist Lalo Rodríguez), Sing Sing, Vámonos Pa’l Monte (considered one of the classics of his discography), and The Sun of Latin Music, the first Latin album to win a GRAMMY in 1974.
Watch Remembering Eddie Palmieri on YouTube
Bethany Arts Community presents
Art Workshop for Older Adults – Relief Printmaking & Basic Bookmaking with Instructor Monique Ford
On Friday, September 12, 10am-1pm
BAC, 40 Somerstown Road, Ossining, NY 10562
Artists will explore relief printmaking techniques using stamp-making materials and linoleum block printing materials on paper, fabric and/or canvas. Artists will also be introduced to basic bookmaking techniques using paper and book-binding techniques. Monique Ford is a staff member at The Purchase PAC.
Click to Learn More & Register for Relief Printmaking & Basic Bookmaking
ArtsWestchester, the City of White Plains, and the White Plains BID present JazzFest White Plains
September 10-14 in downtown White Plains, NY
JazzFest White Plains returns for its 14th year with more energy and excitement than ever. The 5-day festival presents 18 live performances taking place across downtown White Plains – from emerging talent to world-renowned artists, including seven GRAMMY Award winners and nominees.
Sunday Jazz Al Fresco
Sunday, September 14, 12:30-7:30pm | FREE | Rain or Shine!
NEW LOCATION! (Mamaroneck Ave. between E. Post Road and Maple Ave.)
Sunday Jazz Al Fresco Concerts brings live music and outdoor dining to the heart of Downtown White Plains on Sunday, September 14. Mamaroneck Avenue, between Maple Avenue and East Post Road, will be closed to traffic and transformed into an open-air stage with jazz performances all day long. Local restaurants will line the street, serving their best dishes for a lively afternoon of music, dining, and community.
3:15-4:15pm: Pete Malinverni & His Invisible Cities Quintet
Pianist, composer, and educator Pete Malinverni has been a fixture on the New York City Jazz scene since moving here in the early 1980s from his hometown of Niagara Falls, NY, where he’d begun Classical Piano studies at the tender age of six. Since moving to NYC, Pete has recorded sixteen times as a leader, and established himself as a performing, recording, and inspirational contact with a host of masters on the scene, including Joe Lovano, Vernel Fournier, Charles Davis, Mel Lewis, Dennis Irwin, Karrin Allyson, Steve Wilson, and many others. He currently serves as Chair of Jazz Studies at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College.
View the JazzFest White Plains 2025 schedule on ArtsWestchester’s website
The Metropolitan Opera, in association with PBS and The WNET Group, presents
Great Performances at the Met: Salome
Premieres Sunday, September 14 on PBS (check local listings)
The first new production of the opera at the Met in 20 years, director Claus Guth reimagines the biblical tale through Oscar Wilde’s haunting play, setting it in an intricate Victorian world filled with symbolism and contrasts of darkness and light. Headlining the new staging is Elza van den Heever as the abused and unhinged antiheroine Salome, who demands the head of Jochanaan, sung by Peter Mattei. Gerhard Siegel is Salome’s lecherous stepfather, King Herod, with Michelle DeYoung as his wife, Herodias, and Piotr Buszewski as Narraboth. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts.
Watch Great Performances: Salome on PBS.org
The Neuberger Museum presents
Wellness Wednesday: Sound Bath
Wednesday, September 24, 1-2pm
Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY
Renew your mind, body, and spirit at the Neuberger Museum of Art before viewing the museum’s world-class collection. Join yoga and meditation instructor Janelle Berger and her crystal singing bowls for an immersive healing and restorative experience under the glowing neon light of Proscenium by Stephen Antonakos. Through sound vibration and guided meditation, this midweek respite will create mental clarity, mind/body connection, balance, and relaxation. Guests should bring their own mat or blanket to lie on; no equipment is supplied by the Neuberger Museum of Art. Admission is FREE but space is limited. Advance registration is requested.
Register for Wellness Wednesday
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Culture Picks celebrates the performing arts. In each post, PAC staff member Coni Guhl shines the spotlight on work by artists that you know and love from their appearances at The Purchase PAC, and offers recommendations about other performing arts events that you really should not miss. Experience them all!
All times are EDT unless otherwise noted.
Pictured: Arturo O’Farrill (c) Laura Marie
