Enjoy free summer concerts in the parks
Photo credit: Jessica Rostkiewicz | A troupe performs at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow on Bangladeshi-American Night, one in a series of international music and dance nights held throughout the summer in the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. (July 13, 2010)
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Free summer concerts in LI parks
Summertime, and the listenin' is easy. We're in a Gershwin kind of mood on this first calendar day of summer. Starting this weekend, you can hear Americana as well as international vibes in parks all over Long Island. And it's all free!
The protocol at each venue: Bring your own seating (blankets or lawn chairs); picnics welcome, alcohol forbidden (though discretion is rarely punished). Our listing is by no means complete. Every town hosts at least one or two concerts in a local park. Check your town's website. Here's a sampler:
Now in its fifth decade -- this is the 41st season -- Nassau County's International Music Nights Summer Concert Series continues Sunday with Ukrainian-American Night, followed Monday by Italian-Americans, one of the nationalities represented in that first summer, 1972. Thursday is Russian-American Night, then it's Greek-Americans next Friday and African-Americans June 30. The evenings offer more than exotic music. Nassau residents as well as others from Suffolk, Queens and beyond come to celebrate their homeland heritage in traditional costumes -- mostly women in colorful saris or whatever type of dress is customary. Also, local ethnic restaurants cater each event. Of course, not only Armenians are welcome on Armenian-American Night -- or Russians or whoever on their nights. Show up at gently sloping Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre and experience something new. The series concludes Aug. 25 with Pakistani-American Night.
INFO Shows at 7 p.m. at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, near parking fields 6 and 6A, $10 parking on weekends for non-Nassau County residents, 516-572-0200, nassaucountyny.gov/parks
Huntington's Summer Arts Festival opens Thursday with a Huntington Men's Chorus serenade followed next Friday by the Huntington Choral Society. But the 48th annual summer nights celebration gets into full swing June 29 with the bluesy brass of funky party band Hazmat Modine. Two-time Grammy winner Diane Schuur caps opening weekend June 30 with her jazz piano and vocals. Adult contemporary artist Paula Cole commands the Chapin Rainbow Stage July 13, the Eighth Annual Folk Festival happens July 20, Kyle Abraham's dance ensemble performs Aug. 4 and, closing the festival Aug. 11, are Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, observing their silver anniversary as a Cajun band this year by winning a Grammy. Warning: The best lawn space is staked out early.
INFO 8:30 p.m. nightly except Mondays (dark) and 7:30 p.m. (family night) Tuesdays at Chapin Rainbow Stage, Heckscher Park, Huntington, 631-271-8423, huntingtonarts.org.
Southampton's Summer Concerts in the Park series offers a midweek break from hectic high-season weekends in the Hamptons, starting July 3 with the popular Lone Sharks at Coopers Beach. Hambone Thyme plays the first Agawam Park concert, July 10, with a Southampton Village water view. Following such Wednesday evening attractions as Project Vibe and New Life Crisis, Vivian and the Merrymakers close the series Aug. 28 by making merry, we presume.
INFO 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 631-287-4377, scc-arts.org
MORGAN PARK, GLEN COVE
Opening its 54th season July 7 with the North Shore Pops Band, the Summer Music Festival continues July 14 with winners of this year's Young Performers Talent Competition. Several tribute concerts follow: Beach Boys, Woody Guthrie, Barbra Streisand, concluding the series with a Neil Diamond tribute Aug. 25.
INFO 7:30 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 25, Germaine Street at the harbor, Glen Cove, morganparkmusic.org, 516-671-0017
