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Art and light event Lightscapes returns

| 30 Apr 2015 | 03:42
    Photo by Tom Nycz A field of colorful tulips.
    Photo by Tom Nycz A field of colorful tulips.
    Glowing dandelions in a field of intergalactic flowers.
    Glowing dandelions in a field of intergalactic flowers.
    A giant insect with bowling pin "antennae."
    A giant insect with bowling pin "antennae."

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY — Lightscapes, an immersive, family friendly walk-through experience featuring sculpture, light, music and special effects, returns for its second year to historic Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.

Expanded by popular demand to 15 May weekend evenings, Lightscapes, created by the Historic Hudson Valley team that produces The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, begins on Friday, May 1, and is open for all Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in May.

Ideal for all ages, Lightscapes is a walk-through, land-art experience. Visitors enter through a rainbow and emerge from a bubbly haze into a dreamland of curiosities spread throughout a historic landscape. Recycled elements serve as eco-friendly building blocks for intergalactic flora and friendly woodland creatures. Otherworldly mushrooms, immense insects, and brilliant butterflies are among the thousands of treasures you’ll find.

Path elements to explore include the new Colorwheel Castle and enormous Caterpillar Cavern. Larger-than-life elements like a massive mayfly and giant praying mantis join more than 7,500 smaller sculptures including dragonflies, ladybugs, and an avalanche of pinwheels.

This year, thanks to the Lightscapes 2015 Artist Project, made possible by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, Historic Hudson Valley and Collaborative Concepts commissioned six local artists to create new event sculptures, including a delft bunny, frog prince, and 5-lined skink. For more information visit www.hudsonvalley.org/lightscapes-artist-project.

New this year, Phish collaborator and songwriter Steve Pollak AKA “The Dude of Life” and Charles de Saint Phalle join together to create all-original music and sound effects for Lightscapes.

In the clear-top, decorated Lightscapes hospitality tent, visitors can have spring-themed sweets including organic sorbet from Blue Pig of Croton and homemade candy and baked goods (plus savories) from Geordane’s of Irvington.

Lightscapes takes place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings in May: May 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29-31. The first entry is 8:15 p.m. (8:30 p.m. the final three weekends).

Lightscapes takes place rain or shine and admission is by timed ticket only. Time slots and dates will sell out, so Historic Hudson Valley strongly recommends buying in advance online, where ticket prices are $16 for adults, $12 for children 3-17 and free for children under 3 and Historic Hudson Valley members. Those prices are $2 more on site and over the phone. Van Cortlandt Manor is at 525 South Riverside Ave. in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, just off Route 9. For tickets and information contact 914-366-6900 or www.hudsonvalley.org.