2012 Town of Huntington Summer Concerts

The Town of Huntington is a mecca of summer time concerts at venues large and small. So many it could be hard to choose! Good thing Huntington Patch has compiled a list of performances to suit every musical taste for those hot nights when you just want to grab the family and kick back in the park.

All Huntington Arts Council performances are held on the Chapin Rainbow Stage at and will take place rain or shine so bring an umbrella. On Tuesday Family Series concerts ONLY, in the case of severe weather concerts will be held at in East Northport. If in doubt, check it out by calling the severe weather extension at 631-271-8423, x4.

All shows begin at 8:30 p.m., with the following exception of Tuesdays, which begin at 7:30 p.m. for the Family Series. Folding chairs and cushions are welcome where not prohibited by blanket-only area signs.

In Northport, the Northport Arts Coalition Happenings on Main Street series is held every Friday at 7 p.m. in patio at the dock. Lawn chairs or blankets suggested.

Plan your summer around the following concert dates:

Huntington Arts Council Summer Arts Festival

• Fri., June 22 - Noori: One of Pakistan's top pop bands, Noori helped define Sufi-rock. Led by charismatic brothers Ali Noor and Ali Hamza, noori delivers a great rock and roll show with a distinctive subcontinent kick.

• Sat., June 23 - Cuba Gooding & The Main Ingredient: The harmonic convergence known as The Main Ingredient pumped out such popular '70s hits as “Everybody Plays The Fool,” “Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling In Love),” “I'm So Proud,” “You've Been My Inspiration,” “Just Don't Want To Be Lonely,” and “Happiness Is Just Around The Bend."

• Sun., June 24 - Howard Fishman & the Biting Fish Brass Band: Critically-acclaimed singer, guitarist, composer and bandleader Howard Fishman brings a high-energy, contagiously exuberant five-piece New Orleans-style brass band. Fishman's Biting Fish Brass Band features the singer-songwriter working out on a set of originals mixed with a classic brass band repertoire of spirituals, blues, gospel and funk. 

• Tues., June 26 - Cinderella - Plaza Theatrical Productions: All the ingredients that have made this story a perennial favorite are here, including a zany Fairy Godmother, a trip to the Royal Ball and a glass slipper. Cinderella continues to delight audiences everywhere.

• Wed., June 27 - "STRIKE UP THE BAND!" Join Musical Director Tom Gellert and the Huntington Community Band as they open their 67th Season of Summer Concerts in Huntington's Heckscher Park.

• Thurs., June 28 - Huntington Men’s Chorus: With over 100 active singing members, the chorus will perform a delightful variety of songs that demonstrate their strong vocal talent and extensive musical experience.

• Fri., June 29 - Sol y Sombra: Join Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Company for an exciting night of Flamenco and the music & dance of the African Latin/Spanish diaspora with live drummers, singers, guitarists & Oud.

• Sat., June 30 - Chieli Minucci & Special EFX: A major force on the jazz and world music scene for 25 years and showcasing truly incredible musicianship, Special EFX’s captivating jazz fusion textures and progressive new age twists take listeners on an uplifting musical ride that they’ll never forget. Opening Act - Curtis Haywood: Winner of HAC’s 2012 “Got Talent? Long Island,” Curtis attended the prestigious High School of Performing Arts, Berklee College of Music and is currently pursuing a Masters in Music Therapy at Molloy College in Hempstead.

• Sun., July 1 - Senior Pops Orchestra of L.I.: Join us for an entertaining evening of orchestral pops favorites.

• Tues., July 3 - Monkey Monkey Music - Meredith LeVande: This show will get both little ones and adults moving and dancing with an interactive show so engaging that you will be singing the tunes long after the show is over.

• Wed., July 4 - "A Salute To America Featuring Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue:" Join Musical Director Tom Gellert and the Huntington Community Band for a very special 4th of July concert featuring George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" with guest piano soloist, Christine Dore.

• Thurs., July 5 - Bethany & Rufus Roots Quartet: Bethany Yarrow & Rufus Cappadocia present an evening of American roots, Haitian Rhythms and African Desert blues. 

• Fri., July 6 - BETTY: Based in New York City, BETTY performs wild, memorable and boundary-pushing live shows all over the world. They will perform tunes featured on hit television series like Weeds, NBC’s Love Bites, Ugly Betty, The L Word and more.

• Sat., July 7 - “The Producers:" Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom sing and dance their way through the greatest show biz scam that there ever was!

• Sun., July 8 - Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra: The Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra will perform your musical favorites from Broadway, television and cinema.

• Tues., July 10 - “Coyote’s Dance:" Coyote's Dance envelops the culture and story of Coyote, whose exploits are recounted among many of the North American Indian nations. Coyote is both clown and teacher, and leads audiences on a humorous journey of deceit and adventure.

• Wed., July 11 - “Jazz In The Night:”  Join Musical Director Tom Gellert and the Huntington Community Band for their third concert of the season. This performance celebrates the great tradition of American jazz music. *Be sure to come early for pre-concert entertainment at 7:45 PM.

• Thurs., July 12 - Isotope Stompers: Enjoy this seven-piece Dixieland jazz band that would sound right at home on Bourbon Street, New Orleans.

• Fri., July 13 - Spirit Family Reunion: Playing homegrown American music to stomp, clap, shake and holler with, Spirit Family Reunion started singing together on the street corners, farmer's markets and subway stations of New York City.

• Sat., July 14 - La Bottine Souriante: A living legend of French North American roots music, the group has developed a distinctive sound that successfully allies its homage to tradition with a dash of jazz, salsa and pure folk.

• Sun., July 15 - L.I. Dance Consortium No. 1: This program will include Circle of Dance Repertory, celebrating its 30th Anniversary with its unique, modern stylistic approach; The Red Hot Mamas tuneful variety of "Sing Sing Sing”, “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Lord of the Dance”; Nirtya Saagaram Dance Academy performing classical Indian dances; Dance Theatre Eclectic’s exciting solo and Huntington YMCA Ballet Academy presenting a modern and classical piece.

• Tues., July 17 - “The Lion’s Whiskers” Catskill Puppet Theatre: This delightful adaptation of a traditional Ethiopian folktale features a charming cast of human characters and favorite African animals.

• Wed., July 18 - “A Song In Our Hearts:” Join Musical Director Tom Gellert and the Huntington Community Band for their fourth evening of great music during the festival. This evening's concert program will feature the music of the stage and the big screen that we love to sing. *Be sure to come early for pre-concert entertainment at 7:45 PM.

• Thurs., July 19 - Daria Rabotkina: winner of the 2007 Concert Artists Guild International Competition, has been lauded as "...a pianist full of fire and warmth” (The Plain-Dealer).

• Fri., July 20 - Mountain Heart: Mountain Heart has been fearlessly revolutionizing the way acoustic music can be presented and played with cutting-edge excellence since the group's creation in 1999. 

• Sat., July 21 - The Campbell Brothers: A compelling, rich variety of material from the African-American Pentecostal repertoire with a new twist: the growling, wailing, shouting, singing and swinging voice of the steel guitar as you’ve never heard it before.

• Sun., July 22 - The Seventh Annual Huntington Folk Festival:  Headlining this year’s festival will be the artists who are part of the Falcon Ridge Most Wanted Tour. An afternoon of unplugged showcases and song swaps from noon to 6:00 p.m. and featuring artists from the New York metropolitan area and beyond will precede the concert.

• Tues., July 24 - “Peter & The Wolf” - Pushcart Player: A thrilling adaptation of the traditional Russian folktale set to music by Sergei Prokofiev.

• Wed., July 25 - "Pop! Goes The Cannon!!" Join Musical Director Tom Gellert and the Huntington Community Band for the fifth and final concert of their 67th season of concerts under the stars at Heckscher Park. Our concert concludes with an audience favorite: the much-anticipated performance of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" accompanied by LIVE cannon (Jim McAward, HCB Cannoneer).

• Thurs., July 26 - Koresh Dance Company: This troupe presents its audiences with an exciting and emotional blend of ballet, modern and jazz molded into a style of choreography that is both eloquent and explosive.

• Fri., July 27 - “A Tribute to Clem DeRosa & Swing Band Jazz” We are honored to join with the DeRosa family in dedicating this evening to Clem De Rosa and his beloved Swing Band Jazz.

• Sat., July 28 - Brubeck Brothers Quartet is an exciting contemporary jazz group featuring two members of one of America’s most accomplished musical families, Dan Brubeck (drums,) and Chris Brubeck (bass & trombone.) Guitarist Mike DeMicco, and pianist Chuck Lamb complete this dynamic quartet.
• Sun., July 29 - Snarky Puppy has gone from an underground secret to one of the most internationally respected names in instrumental music. The band seamlessly fuses a deep knowledge and respect for musical tradition with sonic and conceptual innovation. This eclectic group of musicians hails from two different cultures and traditions - jazz and rock kids from white America, and gospel/R&B kids from black America. Their convergence instantly draws listeners to the music - raw funk and sensitive dynamics, relentless pocket and lyrical melodicism, lush harmony and soulful simplicity, and most important, a delicate mixture of composition and improvisation.

• Tues., July 31 - “Pinkalicious” Broadhollow Theater: Pinkalicious loves pink and wants everything in her life to be pink. Follow her through this musical romp based on the famous children's book.

• Wed., Aug. 1 - Twin Shores Chorus & Island Hills Chorus: Dedicated to preserving the truly original American art form of a capella harmony in their distinctive barbershop and Sweet Adelines styles, each chorus performs a wide range of show tunes, patriotic themes and old-fashioned love songs, along with jazz and spiritual offerings.

• Thurs., Aug. 2 - Natalia Zukerman: With diverse influences that include Folk, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Bluegrass, Country and even Classical, Natalia Zukerman has been described by public radio as “an example of the finest Americana.”

• Fri., Aug. 3 - Sean Bones (nee Sullivan) is a multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter whose music can’t be pigeonholed, or as he describes it "... music that might make people scratch their heads a bit, only to realize scratching their heads might make a good dance move."

• Sat., Aug. 4 - Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience: For more than 2 decades Grammy award winning artist Terrance Simien, 8th generation Louisiana Creole, has been shattering the myths about what his indigenous Creole Zydeco music is and is not. 

• Sun., Aug. 5 - Taylor 2: In selecting repertoire for Taylor 2, Mr. Taylor chooses dances that span the broad spectrum of his work. Critics and audiences cheer as Taylor 2 introduces the athleticism, humor and range of emotions found in Mr. Taylor's work.

• Tues., Aug. 7 - Tim & The Space Cadets cordially invite you to "The Greatest Party Ever!" Inspired by memories of school days, snow days, pizza parties, and summer vacations and chock full of witty, fun, and heart-warming pop tunes, rockers, and lullabies.

• Wed., Aug. 8 - The Long Island Dance Consortium No. 2 - Long Island Dance Consortium’s second evening brings you the Long Island Dance Company performing an exquisite repertoire of exciting pieces; Long Island Ballet Theatre, under the direction of Christopher Fleming, presenting several outstanding and beautiful dances; American Dance Theatre of Long Island, with its large company performing major, multiple dances; and Variations, a Dancer's Studio presenting a variety of unique dance numbers.

• Thurs., Aug. 9 - Guy Mendilow Ensemble: From early childhood, most aspects of Mendilow's life were a cultural, linguistic and musical mix. Through his music, Mendilow also explores timely, universal questions of the ways we change and integrate when we land in new homes.

• Fri., Aug. 10 - “Guys & Dolls” - Broadhollow Theater: Enjoy all the colorful Damon Runyon New York characters & the fantastic adventures of Nathan Detroit, Sky Masterson, Adelaide and Sarah Brown in this classic, all-time favorite Frank Loesser/Abe Burrows Broadway Musical.

• Sat., Aug. 11 - The Long Island Philharmonic: A musical experience that will entertain, excite and inspire.

Northport Community Band performances at the Robert W. Krueger Band Stand at the harbor's edge in Northport Village Park, Northport, NY on Thursdays, July 7, 14, 21, 28 and August 4 at 8:30pm.

Norhport Arts Coalition's "Happenings on Main Street"

• June 15: Andrea Cetlin & The Hillsiders and Marci Geller - Folk, Country
  

• June 22: Nobody's Fool - Singer/Songwriter, Blues, Funk, Jazz

• June 29: In Kahoots (Vinny Bruno & Kate Levin) play Bluegrass, Folk, Country. Maureen Kammerer & Friends play Popular, Americana.

• July 6: Annie Mark & Chris James - Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Rock

• July 13: Caroline Doctorow & The SteamRollers - Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Americana

• July 20: Sandy & Steve Edwards - Frogs Without Boundaries -        Singer/Songwriters, Folk, Country and The Misstrees – Folk, Popular

•  July 27: Miller's Crossing – Singer/Songwriter, Bluegrass

•  Aug. 3: Directors’ Choice

•  Aug. 10: Open Mic - Signup at event

•  Aug. 17: Directors’ Choice

• Aug. 24: Tommy Santoriello & Margaret Lassen - Singer/Songwriter, Popular, Americana. Mother Water Band – World Music & African Jazz.

• Aug. 31: Glenn Baldwin & Friends of Jazz - Musical Festival of Jazz Artist