About Town: Events In and Around Rye

From Calf Island to Marshlands tours, a lot is going on hereabouts this weekend. Other events include a charity baseball tournament, free Big Band dancing at Playland, a book café and film at the library and lots of cops and yoga.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: For the first time ever, the Bard is coming to Rye Town Park today at 5:30 p.m. when the Lawn Chair Theatre Company stages its production of “As You Like It" on the lawn by the small pavilion near the lifeguard station.

Encore performances on tap tomorrow at Pine Ridge Park, Mohegan Lake, Rye Brook at the same time and in the Girl Scout House in nearby Lyon Park, Port Chester, Thursday through Saturday (Aug. 11-13) at 8 p.m.

Why the early start in Rye? No lighting system available in park, so all the world may be a stage, but if you want to see the production before darkness sets in, it has to start early.

The show’s producers are the Port Chester husband-and-wife team of Peter Green, Rye Middle School social worker and community theatre actor of note, and his wife, Carin Zake, a freelance advertising director who has staged more than 100 productions throughout Westchester.

Cast features Rye’s Connor Antico and Gwendolyn Gold. And from Rye Brook and nearby Port Chester: Rasha Clark, John Fotia, Mario Funetes, Charlie Krause, Lawence Reina and Kyle Thomas.

Helpful hint: Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.  Further information: www.portchestershakespeare.com; 939-3183.

COPS BUT NO ROBBERS:  Rye Brook Police Department will host a police mutual aid drill, a training exercise that will result in an increased number of cops from surrounding jurisdictions congregating in the vicinity of Ridge Street School, Blind Brook Middle/High School and King St. athletic fields. Not to worry, though, the drill is part of the PDs efforts to be ready for any situation.

“The training exercise is to test the preparedness of the police departments in Westchester County to respond to a call for assistance whenever an incident occurs that is too large for one police department to handle,” according to Police Chief Gregory Austin.

SWING AND SWAY: Milt Gerber Orchestra brings Big Band era sound of Sammy Kaye and Tommy Dorsey  to Rye Playland with music for singing and dancing on the Boardwalk from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Free event includes band break for fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

BOOKIES AT LIBRARY: Friday Morning Book Café meets at 9:30 a.m. at Rye Free Reading Room to discuss Sarah Blake’s “The Post Mistress.” Later in day, film lovers aged five and up can see free showing of Disney’s “Mulan”  from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Plot revolves around Chinese folk tale about a young maiden who disguises herself as a man in order to fight in place of her ill father.

OPEN DOOR FAIR: Open Door Family Medical Centers host free fifth annual Community Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5 Grace Church, Port Chester. Event showcases Open Door’s new Wellness Center and includes free health screenings, community vendors, children’s activities and giveaways, raffles and prizes.

Throughout the day, Open Door health professionals will provide education and screenings on a variety of health concerns including skin safety, nutrition, body mass index, blood pressure, HIV, podiatry, optometry, women’s health and more. It is all part of celebration of National Community Health Center Week. Information: 502-1339.

CALF ISLAND CALLING: Free guided tour of Calf Island Conservancy in nearby Greenwich from 10 a.m. to noon begins with boat ride from Grass Island dock.

The boat accommodates 20 passengers and will make two roundtrips to accommodate maximum of 40 participants for the tour sponsored by the Calf Island Conservancy in partnership with the Fish and Wildlife Service. Information: 203-698-3016; www. betsykreuter@hotmail.com.

PLAY BALL: The Port Chester/Rye Brook Kiwanis Club will sponsor its 20th annual Richard Grandazzo Memorial Baseball Tournaments today and tomorrow as well as next weekend starting at 10 a,m. at Lyon Park, Port Chester. 

Double elimination tournament will feature teams made up of 11-year-olds and under from surrounding communities. All proceeds will go towards local charitable causes. Information: Raymond Skulky at 481-4360.

TRIO OF UPS, DOWNS: Rye’s Wainwright House offers three different kinds of yoga throughout the morning in the aerobics studio of the Carriage House: Early Bird Vinyasa from 8 to 9 a.m., followed by a second Vinyasa class from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. and Kundalini from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.

MEADOW LARK: Different creatures, large and small, are all part of nature’s showcase in Rye’s Marshlands Conservancy where a guided tour through the world of meadow life starts at 10 a.m. Hand lenses provided. Long pants and shoes recommended because all you know is you never know who or what you may bump into. Or not. Sun screen lotion optional. Good weather desirable.