Weekend Planner: Blossom Festival, "Phantom," Spring Crafts

Here's the best of what's happening in White Plains and nearby this weekend.

White Plains Cherry Blossom Festival

When/Where:  Sunday, May 6, 12 noon-5 p.m. at 

Why Go: Celebrate the 11th annual Cherry Blossom Festival under the trees in White Plains. There will be a flea market/bazaar at the park with proceeds to benefit the victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Activities, entertainment, food and music and dance workshop as well.

Price:  Free

The Phantom of the Opera: The Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway sensation.

When/Where:  Friday & Saturday at 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Sunday on the campus of Archbishop Stepinac High School, 950 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains.

Why Go: Culture classic, great production

Price: $18 for adults, $15 for students and seniors

Southside Johnny and the Poor Fools

When/Where:  Friday, May 4, 8 p.m. at in Peekskill

Why Go:  New Jersey’s own Southside Johnny is bringing his new band, Southside Johnny and the Poor Fools to the Paramount. They will embark on a stripped down journey through Johnny Lyon's eclectic version of the Great American Songbook. Playing a wide range of music from Dylan, Mose Allison, Muddy Waters, NRBQ, Richard Thompson, Emmylou Harris, The Band, George Jones and more, The Poor Fools will also dive into some of the legendary Asbury Jukes material--revisiting the classics as well as the underperformed deep track.

Price:  Tickets start at $25

Stay Awake-A-Thon

When/Where: Saturday, May 5 beginning at 5:30 p.m. through Sunday morning, May 6 at in Montrose

Why Go:  The Hendrick Hudson Leos Club of Hendrick Hudson High School will host the 4th annual Stay-Awake-A-Thon, a fundraiser that was established in 2008 to raise money for cancer research and for organizations that provide hope, love and support for individuals and their families who are fighting cancer. 

There will be entertainment, food, games and raffles as well including performances by: Hudson Dance & Tumble, The Dance Company, Dance Expression, Hen Hud School District’s music teacher Doug Frank’s band “Neutral, No Brakes”—and a Male Beauty Contest, a Midnight—Stay Awake-a-Thon Idol and a closing ceremony at 6 a.m. on May 6.

Price:  $10

“Hope Machine” In Croton 

When/Where:  Saturday, May 5, 7:30 p.m. at the

Why Go: The band Hope Machine was born at a Guthrie Family Hootenanny and then named at Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival in 2004. Since then the band’s core members – Fred Gillen Jr., Steve Kirkman and Eric Puente – have been traveling all over the country singing songs about hope, peace and justice, giving voice to the stories of the poor and marginalized. For this performance, they will be joined by guest artist Jeff Eyrich to celebrate the great traditions of songs of protest. They keep the melodies simple and encourage people to sing along.

Price:  Free

Wolf vs. Piñata! A Unique Celebration on Cinco de Mayo in South Salem

When/Where: Saturday, May 5, 10-11:30 a.m. at the in South Salem

Why Go: Visit South Salem's Wolf Conservation Center to learn about the mythology, biology and ecology of wolf families and discover why spring is a special time for packs in North America. Whether the wolves are living on the Arctic tundra or the high desert of the southwest, wolf families are out searching for prey as they celebrate the births of this year’s pups. Guests will help prepare a festive piñata to introduce to the ambassador wolves and then WCC’s critically endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves.

Price: Adults are $13 and children under 12 are $11 Pre-registration is required.

Mental Health Run at FDR State Park

When/Where: Sunday, May 6, 8 a.m. at FDR Park in Yorktown Heights

Why Go: The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) invites you to lace up your sneakers and sign up for the 5K Run/Walk, or for the 1 Mile Kids’ Race to help foster awareness and appreciation for mental health and wellness. Each runner or walker will receive a t-shirt. The morning includes healthy food, entertainment and raffle.

Price: $25 for adults, $30 on race day, $15 for children under 15, $20 on race day.

Spring Crafts at Lyndhurst

When/Where:  Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, May 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at in Tarrytown.

Why Go:  It is a festival of fine crafts, food and fun that offers shoppers a chance to find a unique gift for that someone special. More than 250 artists will display their one-of-a-kind creations including jewelry, clothing, accessories, furniture, ceramics, sculpture, glass, photography and so much more. Even the kids will enjoy the Arm-of-the-Sea Puppet Theater with performances on Saturday and Sunday. Rain or shine.

Price:  Admission is $10, $9 seniors, $4 children.

Hastings Friday Night Live Presents Dancing in the Streets

When/Where:  Friday, May 4 from 6-9 p.m.

Why Go: This monthly event is hosted by the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson in partnership with the Hastings Chamber of Commerce, intended to transform downtown into a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike.  The event moves outside to Boulanger Plaza which will be free of cars, and Main Street will be closed from Whitman to Warburton. Music provided by DJ Mike Allan of Extreme Music Productions and a "Dance-off" with food available from local restaurants: Rain Water Grill, Sakura Garden.

The Taghkanic Chorale and Soloists Perform Britten in Mount Kisco and Ossining

When/Where:  Saturday, May 5 at 8 p.m. at the and Sunday, May 6 at 4 p.m. at Ossining

Why Go:  Under the musical direction of Steven Fox, choral works will be performed from one of the great musical minds of the twentieth century, Benjamin Britten. A richly diverse program featuring Hymn to the Virgin, Festival Te Deum, Rejoice in the Lamb, Hymn to St. Cecilia and The Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard.

Price: $25 adult, $22 senior/student, $12 for children 12 under.