John Adams, this Fourth’s for you.
“I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival,” wrote Adams (who died on July 4, 1826, just hours after his friend and rival Thomas Jefferson). “It ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other…”
And so it has. And so it shall be:
Ossining’s Independence Day Celebration – Kick off the holiday tonight with live music and fireworks. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring seating. Picnics are welcome. 7:30 p.m., Engel Waterfront Park, 160 Westerly Road; 914-941-3189, villageofossining.org
Blues legend Buddy Guy, listed as one of the 100 greatest guitarists by Rolling Stone, returns to the area. The six-time Grammy Award winner and 2012 Kennedy Center honoree has enjoyed a career that has spanned nearly 50 years with more than 50 albums released. 8 tonight, Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St.; 877-840-0457, tarrytownmusichall.org
Celebrate the nation’s birthday Saturday with the “Pops, Patriots and Fireworks July 4th Spectacular” at Caramoor. The evening features music from the American Songbook, classical favorites, jazz and fireworks after the concert. 8 p.m., 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah; 914-232-1252, caramoor.org
Fourth fun continues Sunday with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. The four-time Grammy Award winner, who helped define the music of the 1980s, performs such hits as “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “Love is a Battlefield,” “We Belong,” “Heartbreaker” and “Shadows of the Night” with her rocker-hubby. 8 p.m., Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge Road; 203-438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org
On vacation this week? Step lively for an evening of Italian Folk Dancing Wednesday with Allesandra Belloni and I Giullari di Piazza. Take a journey to southern Italy by way of the tarantella and other types of Italian folk dancing at Caramoor. 5 p.m., 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah; 914-232-1252, caramoor.org
That night, “The Met Opera: Live in HD” will re-simulcas “La Traviata.” Natalie Dessay stars as the tragic courtesan Violetta, with Matthew Polenzani as the lovesick Alfredo and Dmitri Hvorostovsky as his disapproving father, Germont. 7 p.m., Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield University, 1073 N. Benson Road, Fairfield; 203-254-4010, quickcenter.com. (For more venues, visit metoperafamily.org.)
Then join the “Fun, Fun, Fun” at The Ridgefield Playhouse July 9 with a Beach Boys performance. Get your summer groove on with hits like “Surfin’,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “California Girls,” “Good Vibrations” and “Kokomo.” An auction and a reception with cocktails, wine-tasting and tropical fare from local restaurants start at 6 p.m. with the concert immediately following. Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge Road; 203-438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org – edited by Georgette Gouveia
