Weekend Planner: Strikes Against Cancer, The Westchester Cat Show, The Nutcracker

Willy Wonka at the Yorktown Stage

When/Where: Nov. 18-20 and Nov. 25-27, Yorktown Stage, 1974 Commerce St, Yorktown Heights.

Why go: Roald Dahl's ., the classic candy story, is being presented for the first time for at Yorktown Stage this month. It tells the timeless tale of world-famous candy man Willy Wonka and his quest to find an heir to take over his candy-making business. Charlie Bucket, a poor boy, finds one of five golden tickets hidden among 50 million candy bars. Charlie and four other winners embark on a tour of Wonka's legendary chocolate factory.  

Price: Adults: $26, Yorktown residents $24; seniors (Over 62) $21, students (12-22) $21; children (Under 12) $19  

Contact: (914) 962-0606 or http://yorktownstage.org/

Strikes Against Cancer For Support Connection

When/Where: On Friday, November 18, Grand Prix New York 333 N Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco, from 8 to 11 p.m.

Why go: Spins Bowl, a new 19-lane bowling alley will be hosting its . Proceeds from the event will go to , a Yorktown Heights-based non-profit organization that has been offering free personalized support programs for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer since 1996.

Price: $25 when purchased in advance ($35 at the door) and $35 ($45 at the door) for VIP bowling access

Contact: Tickets can be purchased by e-mailing info@gpny.com or calling 914-358-3624.

When/Where: Friday, Nov. 18 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Why go: Hospice Care in Westchester and Putnam will kick off its 23rd annual Tree of Life Celebration with a tree lighting ceremony at the Jefferson Valley Mall. A musical performance will be provided by the Antioch Baptist Church Choir from Bedford Hills. The Tree of Life will run until Dec. 24. 

Price: The ceremony is open to the public, free of charge.

Contact: (914) 666-4228, or visit www.vnahv.org.

Todd Rundgren in Peekskill

When/Where: Friday, November 19, 8 p.m. at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill

Why Go:  It is the first time in 35 years that progressive rock pioneer Todd Rundgren has reunited with his original ensemble Utopia—featuring Kevin Ellman, Jesse Gress, Moogy Klingman, Ralph Schuckett, John Siegler, and Kasim Sulton. This gig is one of only eleven dates they'll play.

Price:  Tickets are $45-$70

Library LEGO League in Montrose and Lego Club in Bronxville

When/Where:  Saturday, November 19, 1:30 pm at Hendrick Hudson Free Library and at 1 p.m. at the Bronxville Public Library

Why Go: At the Hendrick Hudson Free Library, this is a new Saturday block party for Lego enthusiasts in grades 1-4.  Each month`s meeting will feature a theme, a related story or book talk, and an hour of LEGO building.  In Bronxville, kids in grades K-5 are welcome. Every participant will have the opportunity to build a LEGO project based on theme. This month`s theme is bridges.

Price:  Free, register at respective libraries

The Westchester Cat Show

When/Where: Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Westchester County Center in White Plains

Why Go:  This is the weekend for cat lovers to check out over 230 cats and kittens representing 50 different breeds, including the “Pixie-Bob,” a domestic cat bred to resemble the North American Bobcat. See the Household Pet Competition, Shelter Cat Competition and a feline fashion show. Shop at Meow Market Place for all your feline needs.  There will also be many kittens and cats available for adoption and the proceeds from the show will benefit local animal shelters and rescue groups.

Price:  $13, $11 seniors, $5 for children (5-12)

Ice Skating at Bear Mountain

When/Where: Saturdays and Sundays through March 4 at Bear Mountain State Park , see website for times

Why Go:  Enjoy the rest of fall. The outdoor ice-skating rink at Bear Mountain is open for the season. The sessions offered are 1 1/2-hours long.

Price:  $2 to $5, depending on age and time. Rentals are $4 and parking is $8 per car.

Paula Poundstone at the Paramount Center for the Arts, Peekskill

When/Where: Saturday, Nov. 19, 8 p.m.

Why Go: One of Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time, Paula Poundstone is a frequent panelist on the National Public Radio news quiz show Wait Wait! Don't Tell Me! and a regular guest on A Prairie Home Companion. She has provided humor and commentary for the Emmy and Oscar Awards, and served as "official correspondent" for The Tonight Show during the '92 Presidential race as well as on The Rosie O'Donnell Show for the '96 campaign. She's earned two Cable ACE Awards, an Emmy and the American Comedy Award for Best Female Stand-Up. In addition to a short-lived ABC variety show, she was a regular on Hollywood Squares and To Tell The Truth, and voiced Judge Stone on ABC's Science Court. Her most recent release is 2009's I Heart Jokes.

Price: $34-$41, visit paramountcenter.org

Origami Holiday Ornaments

When/Where:  Saturday, November 19 from 1-3 p.m. at the Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden in North Salem

Why Go:  In this workshop, kids can create a peace crane and festive origami holiday ornaments with Hiroko Otani.  

Price:  Free for children 5 and older, as long as an adult has paid admission ($4 and $5). Reservations are required: 914-669-5033 or emailing info@hammondmuseum.org.

Wellness Fair in Tarrytown

When/Where:  Saturday, November 19 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown

Why Go:  Billed as the biggest wellness event north of New York City, this fair is all about health: of mind, body and spirit. Speakers will provide lectures and demos throughout the day and over 100 practitioners, exhibitors and vendors will offer the latest information and products for self-care, living green, and living well.

Price:  $15 admission

Advanced Hike

When/Where:  Saturday, November 19 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Trailside Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

Why Go:  Get invigorated with this hike that is intended for those who like to take rigorous walks through the reservation. Trailside staff will lead the hike and will discuss the ecology and history of the park along the way. Be prepared to eat lunch on the trail and hike approximately 6 miles.

Price: Parking $4 with Westchester County Park Pass; $8 without pass

The Nutcracker

Where/When:  Saturday, November 19, 8 p.m. at the Academic Arts Theatre at Westchester Community College in Valhalla

Why Go:  The classic ballet will be presented in a one-hour production abridged version. Tchaikovsky’s beloved work, the Nutcracker will be performed along with other selected dance pieces for a family-friendly program accompanied by live music.

Price: Tickets are $24 (general admission), $22 (students/seniors/faculty-staff), and $18 (children under 13)

Learn To Draw Cartoons

When/Where:   Saturday, November 19, 2 p.m., at White Plains Public Library

Why Go:  Teens/adults will love to draw with professional cartoonist Mike Lynch who teaches an individualized instruction course for student cartoonists. The class will focus on basic challenges such as: drawing technique, creating characters and environment, and telling a story.

Price:  Free

17th Annual Alternative Gifts Market

When/Where:  Saturday, November 19, 12 noon -4 p.m. and Sunday, November 20 from 12 noon-3 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Hastings-on-Hudson

Why Go:  This is a fair full of gifts that make a difference.  All profits from these fair-market trade crafts go to the impoverished people who have made them.

Price:  No admission, cash and personal checks accepted for purchases