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    Pictured Left: Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (standing second from right) and Legislator Trotta (standing first on left) with presenters and attendees. 

On June 15, Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R-18th L.D.) joined with her colleagues, Legislator Manuel Esteban (R-16th L.D.) and Legislator Rob Trotta (R-13th L.D.), at the East Northport Public Library to host an Identity Theft Prevention Seminar.  The seminar was led by various members of both the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office and the Suffolk County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit.

Legislator Bontempi with Legislator Trotta at the event.

The purpose of this presentation was to provide attendees with not only the latest information regarding the scams and tactics that are currently out there, but to provide them with the tools needed to avoid becoming victims.  More than one presenter stressed how it is usually too late once a victim takes a scam’s bait, illustrating the value of taking certain simple preventative steps.

“People need to hear about the horror stories that are out there with respect to identity theft,” said Bontempi.  “Some people are victimized and their lives are absolutely turned upside down.  I urge everyone to educate themselves and share their knowledge with family and friends.”

Although scams can sometimes target certain age groups more than others, anyone can fall prey to them, especially when he or she least expects it.  Because of the prevalence of identity theft-related crimes, law enforcement and their partners in government rely heavily on the feedback from the public.  One way to report a potential scam is to contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by phone at 1-877-FTC-HELP or via online at ftc.gov/complaint.

A great resource to learn more about identity theft and preventative measures is available at www.nysconsumer.gov

If you have been victimized by an identity theft-related crime, call your local police department as soon as possible.

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Celebrate Mud Day at the Suffolk County Farm & Education Center on June 25.
PROGRAMS

Owl Prowl Thursday

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents an Owl Prowl on June 23 from 8 to 10 p.m. Meet and learn about some of the Center’s resident owls and then embark on a walk into the darkness to enjoy the night. Wear bug spray and bring a flashlight just in case. Open to families with children ages 5  and up. $15 per person. Visit www.sweetbriarnc.org to register. Call 979-6344 for more info.

Mud Day

Start the summer off with a day of messy fun! Suffolk County Farm & Education Center, 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank hosts Mud Day on June 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include messy play, puddle jumping, muddy car wash, sprinkler play, kids crafts, mud paintings, mud kitchen and more! $15 per person, ages 3 to 17, includes unlimited wagon rides, a visit to the butterfly house and all the mud you can wear! Tickets, through Eventbrite, are required for participants. For further information, call 727-7850 or visit www.ccesuffolk.org.

Colorful Rainbows

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a Tiny Tot program, Colorful Rainbows, for ages 3 to 5 on June 25 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This program will connect children and their parents with nature through short walks, animal visitors, and crafts. $4 per child. To register, please visit Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure

Terrarium Habitat

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport hosts a children’s workshop for grades 2 to 4 titled Terrarium Habitat on June 29 from 9 a.m. to noon. Explore the collection and create a polymer clay animal and a terrarium from a repurposed plastic bottle. $30 per child, $27 members. To registser, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Pirate Quest

Ahoy mateys! For the month of June, the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor presents Pirate Quest during gallery hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Use a compass and a treasure map to solve puzzles and hunt for hidden treasure around the museum in this pirate-themed drop-in program. Complete your quest and decorate your very own treasure chest to take home. This is a self-directed activity; explore at your own pace. Admission fee + $10 participant. Call 367-3418 for more information.

THEATER

‘Pinkalicious The Musical’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its children’s theater season with Pinkalicious The Musical from May 28 to July 3. Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe — a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament. Tickets are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’

The Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid from July 2 to July 24. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea. All seats are $25. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘Puss-In-Boots’

Illustration by Heather Kuhn

Join Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson for a hilarious musical re-telling of Puss-In-Boots, the tale of a boy and his ingenious feline, from July 8 to July 30 with a special sensory sensitive performance on July 10. When Christopher inherits his father’s clever cat, he sets out on an adventure that takes him to the palace of King Vexmus and beyond and learns that faith comes from within. $10 per person. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

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Cindy M. Smith in front of the Long Island Museum's Art Museum in 2021. Photo courtesy of Warren Strugatch
From left, Cindy's husband Warren Strugatch and Long Island Museum's Deputy Director Joshua Ruff at the entrance to the Art Museum. Photo courtesy of Warren Strugatch
Long Island Museum curators June 9 reception
Jonathan Olly, LIM curator, Nina Sangimino,Questroyal Fine Art, NYC, exhibit co-curator and Joshua Ruff, co-curator at the reception. Photo by Warren Strugatch
A plaque at the Long Island Museum honoring Cindy M. Smith. Photo from Warren Strugatch
Cindy M. Smith at Art Market in Bridgehampton 2021
Cindy M. Smith and Warren Strugatch.

Cindy M. Smith was over many years an enthusiastic champion of Long Island artists. She and her husband Warren Strugatch shared the art collecting bug, owning landscapes and abstractions by Ty Stroudsburg, Nan Kemp, Doug Reina and many others. In nice weather, the Stony Brook couple climbed into their white Miata, put the top down, and toured art spaces between Manhattan and Montauk. Whether they bought or not, they offered words of encouragement to artists, praising what they liked and asking where the artists would be exhibiting next.

Over time they struck up many artworld friendships. The pair frequently invited painters and other creative folks to visit them in their sprawling, sun-drenched home off Stony Brook Road where the works they collected went on display.

Cindy gave special encouragement to women artists, her husband said. “I think she realized that many women must work harder to be taken seriously as artists. She was highly empathetic to that. When she bought a painting from a female artist, she felt she was not only saying the right thing, but doing the right thing, too.”

Sadly, Cindy passed away Feb. 15 after a long battle with leukemia. The Long Island Museum has dedicated its current exhibition, “Two Centuries of Women Artists,” to her memory. On June 9th the museum held a reception for “Two Centuries,” which Joshua Ruff, the museum’s deputy director, said was one “Cindy would have loved.”

“We miss her greatly,” Ruff said, “not least because she lived her passion for the arts every day. Without passion, the arts wither. Without inclusivity, the arts deflate. She and Warren helped establish connections to some of the finest artists we have added to our campus is recent years. Their boundless energy boosted our exhibition openings, energized our concerts, and bolstered our community.”

Warren, who sponsored the reception in his wife’s memory, said that he would be leaving their house in Stony Brook as it was now “too big just for me.” A writer and consultant, he is keeping their art trove intact. He plans to transport it and much of the couple’s Midcentury Modern furniture collection to his new apartment in Astoria. 

“The walls are pretty tall” in his new apartment, he said. “I’m pretty sure there will be room for all the art we collected. Seeing the art every day helps keep Cindy in mind for me. Her enthusiasm was true and contagious.”

See video footage of the reception below.

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Alsarah & The Nubatones head to the Chapin Rainbow Stage on July 7.
Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could will perform on Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.
Cyrille Aimee kicks off the 57th annual Summer Arts Festival on June 24 at 8 p.m.
Plaza Theatrical presents Lerner & Loewe musical Camelot on June 25

The Huntington Arts Council has announced the return of the Huntington Summer Arts Festival at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Heckscher Park, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington from June 24 to Aug. 7. Now in its 57th year, the Festival will once again feature an abundance of exceptional music, dance and theatre performed by regional artists as well as those from around the U.S. and the world.

“The Huntington Summer Arts Festival is a cultural mainstay of Long Island and reflects our strong sense of community as we come together to celebrate the arts in an inclusive, family friendly environment. The Huntington Arts Council is proud to be the steward, in partnership with the Town of Huntington, of this FREE summer series,” said Kieran Johnson, Executive Director of the Huntington Arts Council.

“Our lineup is composed of a wide variety of artistic genres featuring something for everyone. Whether it be Women in Jazz week, Plaza Theatricals’ presentation of “Tick, Tick … Boom!,” or “How I Became a Pirate” for family night, Huntington Community Band, or Orchestra L.I. with David Stewart Wiley, I encourage everyone to come to a show; you won’t be disappointed. I hope to see you there!” he added.

Most performances start at 8 p.m. with family shows starting at 7 p.m. Shows are rain or shine unless weather is severe. 

Opening weekend features the truly innovative and incandescent Cyrille Aimee on June 24; followed by Plaza Theatrical’s production of the iconic Lerner & Loewe musical Camelot on June 25; and wrapping up the weekend on June 26 will be the Symphonic Pops of L.I. with conductor Stephen Michael Smith.

The season continues with:

June 28 Sonia De Los Santos

June 29 Huntington Community Band.

June 30 Huntington Men’s Chorus

July 1 L.I. Dance Consortium “A Celebration of Dance I”

July 2 Anthony Nunziata

July 6 Huntington Community Band

July 7 Alsarah & The Nubatones

July 8 Sol y Sombra

July 9 Dizzy Gillespie’s Afro-Latin Experience

July 10 Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra

July 12 Darlene Graham & The Shades of Green Band

July 13 Huntington Community Band

July 14 Oran Etkin Open Arms Project

July 15 The High Kings

July 16 Huntington Folk Festival, co-presented by Folk Music Society of Huntington: Paula Cole and Sophie B. Hawkins; (1:00 – 5:00 PM: Acoustic Music Scene Artist Showcases, Song Swaps)

July 17 Eastline Theatre Co. Shakespeare’s “Two Gentlemen Of Verona”

July 19-24 Women In Jazz Week: July 19 Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats July 20 Huntington Community Band. July 21 Lakecia Benjamin – Pursuance July 22 Bria Skonberg. July 23 Kandace Springs July 24 DIVA Five Play

July 26 Plaza Theatrical “How I Became A Pirate”

July 27 Huntington Community Band

July 28 Miko Marks & The Abrams

July 29 Oyster Bay Music Fest. Rieko Tsuchida & Maximilian Morel

July 30 Plaza Theatrical “Tick, Tick…Boom!”

July 31 Swingtime Big Band

Aug. 2 Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could

Aug. 3 Twin Shores Chorus/ Island Hills Chorus

Aug. 4 L.I. Dance Consortium “A Celebration of Dance II”

Aug. 5 American Patchwork Quartet

Aug. 6 Orchestra L.I., David Stewart Wiley

Aug. 7 Bumper Jacksons

Since 1959, The Northport Community Band has been delighting Northport residents and music lovers from all over Long Island. Thursdays from June 30 – July 28, the band performs at the Robert W. Krueger Bandstand in Northport Village Park. This year’s theme “Outdoor Overtures” will feature a blend of marches, overtures, classics and popular favorites. Concerts begin at 8:30 PM

All Huntington Summer Arts Festival Information and program updates can be found at www.huntingtonarts.org. The Chapin Rainbow Stage is in Heckscher Park, Huntington, NY 11743 at Prime Avenue/Route 25A. Performances start at 8:00 PM, Tuesday Family Shows at 7:00 PM. Shows are rain or shine unless weather is severe. Cancellations will be posted to HAC’s facebook page www.facebook.com/HuntingtonArts, or call TOH Public Safety (631)  351-3234.

 

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Concerts are back in Rocky Point this summer. Photo by Greg Catalano

Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker is pleased to announce the Suffolk County Summer Community Concert Series in collaboration with community organizations including North Shore Youth Council, the Longwood Alliance, the Middle Island Civic Association, the Middle Island Fire Department, the Coram Civic Association, the Coram Fire Department, and the Ridge Civic Association.

“The summer community concerts have been instrumental in providing local performances with free-admission concerts across the district,” said Legislator Sarah Anker. “I encourage our community residents to attend these concerts that provide a wonderful entertainment venue for all ages. I thank the community organizations for their partnerships with my office.”

Concert Details:

 Mount Sinai Community Concert with North Shore Youth Council

Featuring: BonJourney

Date: Sunday, July 10th

Time: 7:00PM

Location: North Shore Heritage Park 633 Mount Sinai Coram Rd, Mount Sinai

 

Coram Community Concert with the Coram Civic Association and the Coram Fire Department

Featuring: Southbound

Date: Saturday, July 16th (rain date July 17th)

Time: 7:00PM

Location: Coram Fire Department Substation #2 on Pine Road and Route 112 in Coram

 

Middle Island Community Concert with Longwood Alliance, Middle Island Civic Association and the

Middle Island Fire Department

Featuring: 70’s Rock Band Parade

Date: Saturday, July 23rd

Time: 6:00PM

Location: Middle Island Fire Department 31 Arnold Dr, Middle Island

 

Ridge Community Concert with the Ridge Civic Association

Featuring: Abby Normal

Date: Sunday, July 24th (rain date July 31st)

Time: 4:00PM

Location: The Historic Longwood Estate Smith Road, Ridge

*Donations of Mac and Cheese will be accepted and collected for Blessings in a Backpack*

 

Downtown Rocky Point Community Concert with North Shore Youth Council

Featuring: Swingtime

Date: Tuesday, August 2nd

Time: 7:00PM

Location: St Anthony of Padua Church 614 Route 25A, Rocky Point

 

Downtown Rocky Point Community Concert with North Shore Youth Council

Featuring: 45RPM

Date: Tuesday, August 23rd

Time: 7:00PM

Location: St Anthony of Padua Church 614 Route 25A, Rocky Point

 

Middle Island Community Concert with Longwood Alliance, Middle Island Civic Association and the

Middle Island Fire Department

Featuring: Battle of the Bands (9:00AM-4:00PM), and In The Groove (6:00PM-8:00PM)

Date: Saturday, August 27th (rain date August 28th)

Time: 9:00AM-9:00PM

Location: Middle Island Fire Department, 31 Arnold Dr, Middle Island

There is no charge for admission to the concerts. For more information about the concerts, please contact the office of Legislator Sarah Anker’s office at (631) 854-1600.

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'Stand Up! Stand Out! The Bullying Project'

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson is currently holding auditions for three non-equity actors-singers  for full time positions for the 2022-23 season.

The Company contract is a ten-month (September – June) agreement in which the actors work exclusively for Theatre Three. Company members may have non-theatre related work that does not interfere with rehearsals and performances.

Actors will be featured in Theatre Three’s six in-house Children’s Theatre productions, the 38th annual production of A Christmas Carol, and select roles in Theatre Three’s Educational Touring productions (the musicals Stand Up! Stand Out! The Bullying Project and Class Dismissed: The Bullying Project; as well as the play From the Fires: Voices of the Holocaust). Additionally, there will be participation in the workshopping of a new touring production, How Does That Make You Feel?

Children’s Theatre roles in the original musicals A Kooky Spooky Halloween, Barnaby Saves Christmas, The House That Jack Built, Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz, The Adventures of Peter Rabbit, and Cinderella will be assigned throughout the season.

Most roles require performers who appear late teens to late 20’s.

Salary is $340/week, with a completion bonus of $1,000. There are opportunities for Mainstage roles for additional compensation. These are non-Union positions. Performers must provide their own housing and transportation.

Theatre Three encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages to submit.

Please Note: THEATRE THREE requires all staff—including performers—to be fully vaccinated.
Auditions. Prepare a song of your choice (bring sheet music in the proper key; accompanist provided). Reading will be from sides.  Positions will be auditioned until filled.
Please contact Executive Artistic Director Jeffrey Sanzel at (631) 928-9202 or email [email protected] for further information or to schedule an audition. Video will be accepted for preliminary auditions.
Role Breakdown for Educational Touring Programs and A Christmas Carol:
Stand Up! Stand Out! The Bullying Project
Using famous children’s stories (Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, The Three Little Pigs, and The Wizard of Oz), the musical teaches lessons in identifying and dealing with bullying.
Olivia (any gender) – the most popular student in school
Peg (any gender) – well-liked and finding her own voice
Nellie (any gender) – new student trying to get along
Tyler & Jayden (any gender) – class members
 
Class Dismissed: The Bullying Project
The musical follows a year at Harrison Central School, with a focus on social interactions and a range of bullying, including physical, isolation, and cyber bullying.
Logan (female-identifying) – queen bee of Harrison Central School
Kaitlin (female-identifying) – Logan’s sometimes best friend
Julie (female-identifying) – new student at Harrison Central School, trying to find a place
Victor (male-identifying) – popular bully with a rough home life
Tommy (male-identifying) – an outsider trying to survive
From the Fires: Voices of the Holocaust
Spanning 1937 to 1945, this is the story of Rachel Gold, a Berlin teenager, and her experiences as a Jewish person during one of the darkest episodes in world history.
Rachel (female-identifying) – a Jewish teenager in Berlin and the center of the story
Evy (female-identifying) – a Jewish teenager and Rachel’s best friend
The American Soldier (male-identifying) & various roles – the play is seen through the eyes of the American Soldier; other roles include a non-Jewish shopworker, various guards, etc.
A Christmas Carol
THEATRE THREE’s award-winning production is an original adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story.
Belle and others (female-identifying) – Young Scrooge’s fiancé as well as a range of supporting roles
The Ghost of Christmas Past/Fred’s wife (female-identifying) – the first spirit to visit Scrooge; Scrooge’s nephew’s wife, as well as a range of supporting roles

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CatVideoFest

Featuring a Pop-up Kitten Adoption from Golden Paw Society 

CatVideoFest returns to the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington on Sunday July 10 at 2 p.m. (come early for the cats) with a hilarious and adorable compilation reel of the latest, best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and, of course, classic internet powerhouses. The screening will include a kitten adoption pop-up with the local rescue Golden Paw Society, Inc. Everyone is welcome to come and meet the cats, with a portion of the film’s ticket sales going to help support the Golden Paw Society.

Bringing the joy of cat videos to the masses and raising money for cats in need, CatVideoFest is a cute and hilarious collection of the cat videos – brought to the big screen for one special day each year. Come celebrate our love of our feline friends at this great family-friendly screening and adoption event.

Tickets are $17 Public | $12 Cinema Arts Centre Members
Tickets: https://bit.ly/CatVideoFest2022CAC

You can also purchase tickets or find more information about this and other events on the Cinema Arts Centre website: www.cinemaartscentre.org

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It has been found that training, play and exercise play a key role in slowing the decline of aging pets. METRO photo

By Matthew Kearns, DVM

Dr. Matthew Kearns

People often ask me of their aging pets, “do dogs and cats get Alzheimer’s disease or dementia?” The answer is both no and yes. Although the terms Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia are not used in veterinary medicine, pets can have behavioral changes similar to that as their brain ages. 

MRI’s on aging pets have revealed that the brains of dogs and cats both decrease in size and develop pathologic changes. Pathologists have also evaluated the brain tissue on deceased pets and found changes within the tissue itself such as a degeneration of cells and buildup of something called amyloid plaques. The disorder is called Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, or CDS for short.

The behavioral changes associated with CDS can be summarized in the acronym DISHA: Disorientation, Altered Interactions with people or other pets, Altered Sleep-wake cycles, House-soiling, and Altered activity levels. Other behavioral changes could also include a decrease in sensitivity to any stimuli and an increase in agitation or anxiety.

Impairment in memory or learning is not as affected in pets as compared to humans with cognitive decline but the ability to adapt to change may be more pronounced in these pets. The symptoms of other diseases such as brain tumors, infections, glandular disease, organ dysfunction, etc. can mimic CDS so testing is as important as a thorough patient history and physical exam. 

The gold standard of diagnosing CDS is using an MRI but most people just are not able to pursue an MRI (MRI’s are both expensive, as well as only available at referral hospitals). However, I recommend some basic diagnostics such as bloodwork, possible X-rays or ultrasound is recommended to rule out underlying diseases before starting treatment.

Treatment includes both cognitive enrichment, as well as medications and diet/supplements. It has been found that training, play and exercise play a key role in slowing the decline of aging pets. Certain medications that increase dopamine levels and/or increase bloodflow to the brain have been found helpful in slowing cognitive decline. Diets that are high in both antioxidants and certain fatty acids also slow the progression of CDS.

If you feel you pet is developing a cognitive decline and are concerned about it make sure to check with your veterinarian.

Dr. Kearns practices veterinary medicine from his Port Jefferson office and is pictured with his son Matthew and his dog Jasmine. 

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Jeffrey Sanzel in 'Every Brilliant Thing'

By Melissa Arnold

On any given day here in America, roughly 130 people die by suicide. Countless more are actively struggling with poor self-esteem, depression or self-harm. If it’s not you, then it’s likely someone you know and love. No one is immune. One bright spot: It’s also becoming more common to talk openly about mental health. More people are going to therapy or reaching out for help in other ways.

This summer, Theatre Three in Port Jefferson will present eight performances of an intimate, moving and funny one-man play called Every Brilliant Thing. The protagonist, a middle-aged man played by Jeffrey Sanzel, takes the audience along as he recalls his mother’s mental illness and multiple attempts at suicide, along with their impact on his own wellbeing.

Audience participation is a large part of ‘Every Brilliant Thing.’

What’s funny about that? Well, after his mother’s first attempt when he was seven years old, the young narrator sets out to make a list of everything in life that’s brilliant – like eating ice cream, or peeing in the ocean without getting caught. Some items on the list come with silly memories that put the honest, pure heart of a little kid on full display. And as he grows, so does the list. The hour-long show is equal parts heartbreaking and uplifting.

Sanzel, the theater’s executive artistic director, said he first discovered the show thanks to lighting director Robert Henderson.

“Robert attended the Utah Shakespeare Festival several years ago and bought the script [for this show] for me to read, just because he thought I’d enjoy it,” Sanzel recalled. “I thought it was a beautiful piece of writing, though I didn’t intend to do a production of it.”

Some time later, he bought a second copy of the script as a gift to his friend, director and actor Linda May.

“When I read the show, I said to Jeffrey, ‘Not only do I love this, but I think we need to do it, and we should do it together.’ Everything came together very quickly from there, and I feel like it was meant to be,” May said.

Every Brilliant Thing was originally set to open in July 2020, only to be tabled by the pandemic. May said the extra time has allowed them to delve much deeper into the show and its character.

Jeffrey Sanzel stars in the one-man show, ‘Every Brilliant Thing,’ on Theatre Three’s Second Stage through Aug. 28. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

“Jeffrey is very decisive and businesslike as a director, but I’ve had the opportunity to see a more vulnerable side of him as an actor,” she said. “This unnamed narrator really divulges personal parts of his life, and I knew that Jeffrey could bring that sensitivity and communicate how important it is to bring the issue of suicide into the open, without shame.” 

The show relies on some audience participation, with showgoers making brief appearances as significant people in the narrator’s memories — his father, a counselor, a young woman — and reading items from “the list” from Post-It notes they’re given on arrival. The resulting dynamic is personal and emotional, and each performance will have its own unique variations.

“I have to admit that audience participation isn’t my favorite thing, but it’s brilliantly woven into the fabric of the piece,” Sanzel said. “It’s very funny and balances out the darker elements, while remaining sensitive and respectful of the topic … In fact, this is probably the best play I’ve ever read on the subject of depression. It’s a common topic of discussion in theater, but this was captured in such a unique way.”

Theatre Three has partnered with Response Crisis Center of Long Island for this production. Founded in 1971 by volunteers after a suicide attempt at Stony Brook University, the center is now a 24/7 local hotline and chat service for people in crisis. They also function as a backup center for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, taking more than 5,000 additional calls, chats and texts from them each month.

“We want to give people the support they need and help them to stay safe. It’s hard to problem solve during a crisis situation — you can get a sort of tunnel vision and feel helpless. Talking to someone can help create distance from those feelings,” said Meryl Cassidy, the center’s executive director. “There’s tremendous relief that comes in sharing your story, having someone take the time to listen and help come up with a plan for safety.”

Sanzel approached Cassidy about using the performance to lessen stigma and shine a light on local resources.

Cassidy said that it was important to vet the play first to ensure its message was appropriate and accurate. While she had never heard of the play before, it was well-known to colleagues at the American Association of Suicidology, who were thrilled to endorse the production.

“People are afraid to say the word suicide or disclose thoughts of suicide, both because of stigma and fear of repercussions. But open and honest conversation about suicide saves lives — it’s so important to be able to speak frankly about what you’re feeling and know there are people you can talk to,” Cassidy said. 

Half of all gross ticket sales will directly benefit Response Crisis Center. Staff members from the center will be at each performance to answer questions, provide information and offer a listening ear. 

Audiences are encouraged to fill out their own “brilliant things” on provided Post-It notes, which will be on display throughout the show’s run — a constantly growing collection of reasons why life is worth living.

“It’s not only a lovely hour of theater — funny, sweet and poignant — but there’s something to take away from this show, and that’s being able to see people in crisis in a different way, without judgment,” May said. “If people walk away feeling more compassionate or less judgmental, or if someone finds the courage to reach out for help, then it’s a success.”

Every Brilliant Thing will run at 3 p.m. on Sundays from July 10 through Aug. 28 at Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson. Performances are held downstairs on the second stage. Tickets are $20. For more information, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. Learn more about Response Crisis Center by visiting www.responsecrisiscenter.org. 

Note: Although the play balances the struggles of life while celebrating all that is “truly brilliant” in living each day, Every Brilliant Thing contains descriptions of depression, self-harm, and suicide. The show briefly describes attempted suicides and death by suicide. The show is recommended for ages 14 and up, with your own comfort level in mind. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7 at 631-751-7500 or the National Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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HOMAGE TO INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES The Cinema Arts Centre presents of special screening of ‘Hello, Bookstore’ on June 26 followed by a Q&A with Matt Tannenbaum, owner of ‘The Bookstore’ in Lenox, Mass. Photo courtesy of Greenwich Entertainment
Thursday, June 23

Native American Drumming

All Souls Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook hosts an evening of Native American Drumming Meditation from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Led by elder drummer, Ric Statler, drumming meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of well-being. Call 655-7798 for more information.

Friday, June 24

Huntington Summer Arts Festival

The 57th annual Huntington Summer Arts Festival kicks off tonight at 8 p.m. at Heckscher Park, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington and runs through Aug. 7. The free festival will feature music, dance and theatre performed by regional artists as well as those from around the U.S. and the world. For more information, visit www.huntingtonarts.org. Details on page B12.

Friday Night Face-Off

Friday Night Face Off, Long Island’s longest running Improv Comedy Show, returns to Theatre Three’s Second Stage, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson tonight at 10:30 p.m. Using audience suggestions, FNFO pits two teams of improvisers against each other in an all-out championship! Recommended for ages16 and up, due to adult content. Tickets are $15 at the door only. Call 928-9100 for more information.

Saturday, June 25

Huntington Summer Arts Festival

See June 24 listing.

Caumsett Hike

Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington for a Caumsett Sampler hike from 9:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. On this leisurely but hilly 5-mile saunter, you will get an overview of nature in the field, forest, seashore, and pond. Adults only. $4 per person, Advance registration required by calling 423-1770.

Student art reception/open house

One River School of Art and Design, 5070 Nesconset Highway, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a reception/open house for its Spring Student Exhibition from 3 to 5 p.m. Come view the amazing artwork and learn about what the art school has to offer including creative art camps for kids and teens and adult workshops. For more information, call 743-7001 or visit www.portjefferson.oneriverschool.com

Celebrate St. James benefit

The Knox School’s Wm. Shoemaker Theatre, 541 Long Beach Road, St. James presents Celebrate America & St. James, a patriotic evening of musical comedy, at 7 p.m. Enjoy a live musical revue of patriotic Broadway songs while raising money to save the St. James Calderone Theatre. Refreshments and food will be served at 4:30 p.m. Bring seating. Tickets are $35 adults, $20 children. 631-984-0201, www.celebratestjames.org.

Sunday, June 26

Huntington Summer Arts Festival

See June 24 listing.

Outdoor Thrift Market

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown hosts an Outdoor Thrift Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lots of treasures! Proceeds will go towards the medical care of the Center’s injured wildlife. For more information, call 901-5911.

Northport Walking Tour

The Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport presents Parading Down Main Street, a walking tour through Northport history with guide Dan Sheehan from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tour starts at the museum and continues down Main Street. Tickets are $7 per person. To register, call 757-9859 or visit www.northporthistorical.org.

Meditation in the Park

The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson hosts a free event, “Coping in the World we Live in Through Meditation,” at 1:30 p.m. The pandemic, our health, work, the news, and the world around us…so many things are vying for our attention and causing fear and anxiety. All of this can become distressing, however there is a place where we can go to that is a private retreat from the world we live in today. That is through meditation. Join speaker John Bednarik as he discusses the benefits of meditation in reclaiming peace of mind. Participants will have an opportunity to practice the meditation technique outdoors. To register, visit www.portjeff.com or call 802-2160.

Monday, June 27

No events listed for this day.

Tuesday, June 28

Huntington Summer Arts Festival

See June 24 listing.

Audubon lecture

Join the Four Harbors Audubon Society for a virtual lecture titled Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge: History, Management & Wildlife from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Guest speaker Don Riepe will discuss the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and how despite intensive development over the past 100 years, the Bay still provides critical habitat for a great diversity of wildlife. The event is free and open to all. Advance registration required by visiting www.4has.org. 

Wednesday, June 29

Huntington Summer Arts Festival

See June 24 listing.

Tide Mill Tour

The Huntington Historical Society will lead a tour of the Van Wyck-Lefferts Tide Mill, one of the best preserved 18th century tide mills in the country! at 11:30 a.m. The tour begins with a short boat ride from Gold Star Battalion Beach into Puppy Cove, past waterfront mansions with sightings of egrets, ospreys, and visiting waterfowl. Your guide will explain the workings of the mill with some related social history, and each tour participant will receive a comprehensive, illustrated booklet. Ticket are $20 per person, $15 members. To purchase, call 427-7045 or visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

St. James Summer Nights

For the 5th year, St. James Elementary School, 580 Lake Ave., St. James hosts St. James Summer Nights today, July 20 and Aug. 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. featuring food trucks, craft vendors and musical acts. It’s a perfect family outing and a chance to mingle with your neighbors and community under the summer stars.

An evening of Goat Yoga

Join the Smithtown Historical Society, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown for a 45 minute session of yoga with friendly, interactive goats from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m courtesy of  by Steppin’ Out Ponies and Petting Zoo. Tickets are $28 per person and all levels of yoga are welcome. Please bring a mat & towel. The first session will be open to children aged 7 to 17, accompanied by a parent or guardian. Registration required via Eventbrite. For more information, call 265-6768.

St. Anthony’s Feast and Festival

Fr. Thomas Judge Knights of Columbus celebrates its 29th annual St. Anthony’s Family Feast and Festival  at Trinity Regional School, 1025 Fifth Ave., East Northport tonight, June 30 and July 1 from 6 to 11 p.m. and July 2 from 3 to 11 p.m. Featuring rides, games, food, craft beer, live music, circus shows and Saturday fireworks. Special attractions include the Royal Legacy Circus, Scotto’s Carnival Stage, a Zeppole eating contest on June 30  and  a St. Anthony statue procession on July 2. Free admission, pay-one-price rides or individual rides. 631-262-1891, www.newtonshows.com. 

Thursday, June 30

Huntington Summer Arts Festival

See June 24 listing.

St. Anthony’s Feast and Festival

See June 29 listing.

Walk & Talk Tour

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport offers Walk & Talk tours at 11 a.m. and again 12:30 p.m. Come for an intriguing walking tour of the Vanderbilt Estate with knowledgeable Museum educators. Learn about the history of the Eagle’s Nest estate; Warren & Wetmore’s design and exterior architectural details of the 24-room Spanish Revival mansion; and the striking ironwork of Samuel Yellin, considered the greatest iron artisan of the early 20th century. Tickets, which include general admission, are available for purchase only at the door: Adults $16, seniors/students $15, children under 12 $13, and members free. Visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org for more information.

Vanderbilt lecture

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents an evening lecture titled Gentleman Bankers from 7  to 8:30 p.m. Guest speaker Dr. Susie J. Pak will discuss J.P. Morgan and the world of investment banking in the early the 20th century. Tickets are $10 per person at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Film

‘Hello, Bookstore’

The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington presents a special screening of Hello, Bookstore on June 26 at 2 p.m. In the shadow of the pandemic, a small town rallies to protect a beloved local bookstore in its hour of need. A landmark in Lenox, Massachusetts, The Bookstore is a magical, beatnik gem thanks to its owner, Matt Tannenbaum, whose passion for stories runs deep. Presiding at The Bookstore for over forty years, Matt is a true bard of the Berkshires and his shop is the kind of place to get lost in. This intimate portrait of The Bookstore and the family at its heart offers a journey through good times, hard times and the stories hidden on the shelves. Filmmaker Adam Zax, The Bookstore owner Matt Tannenbaum, Mallory Braun, and Cinema Arts Centre co-director Dylan Skolnick, will hold a post-film discussion and audience Q&A. A pop-up bookstore will take place throughout the day in the Cinema’s Sky Room Café. Tickets are $17, $12 members. Call 423-7610 or visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

‘Leave it to Beavers!’ 

The Four Harbors Audubon Society continues its First Friday Movie Night series with Nature’s documentary Leave it to Beavers at the Smithtown Library, 1 North Country Road, Smithtown on July 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Discover why this curious animal is so important to our landscapes and ecosystems.Unfortunately, it hasn’t received much recognition for that accomplishment until now. A growing number of scientists, conservationists and grass-roots environmentalists have come to  regard beavers as overlooked tools in reversing the effects of global warming and world-wide water shortages. A discussion will follow. Free but registration is required by calling 766-3075. 

Theater

‘Mamma Mia!’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson closes its 2021-2022 with Mamma Mia! from May 21 to June 29. ABBA’s timeless hits tell the enchanting story! On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the Greek island paradise they last visited twenty years ago. Featuring such chart toppers as “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!,” and “Dancing Queen,” this is a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget. Contains adult themes and situations. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and older. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Much Ado About Nothing’

The Carriage House Players continues its annual Shakespeare Festival at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport with Much Ado About Nothing from June 5 to June 26 on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. Performances take place outdoors on stage in the courtyard, where the Spanish-Mediterranean architecture adds a touch of timeless charm and magic. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy before the show and bring your own lawn chair. Inclement weather cancels. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and children ages 12 and under. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

‘Kinky Boots’

John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Kinky Boots from May 19 to July 3. With songs by Cyndi Lauper and book by Harvey Fierstein, this dazzling, sassy and uplifting musical celebrates a joyous story, inspired by true life events, taking you from the factory floor of a men’s shoe factory to the glamorous catwalks of Milan! Tickets range from $75 to $80 with free valet parking. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘On Your Feet!’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan from July 14 to Aug. 28. From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. On Your Feet! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making, and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their feet. Get ready to get on your feet, and dance to the smash hits “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” “1-2-3,” “Live For Loving You,” “Conga,” and many more. Tickets range from $75 to $80 with free valet parking. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘Troilus and Cressida’

The Carriage House Players continues its annual Shakespeare Festival at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport with Troilus and Cressida from July 1 to 24 (excluding July 15 and 22)on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. Performances take place outdoors on stage in the courtyard, where the Spanish-Mediterranean architecture adds a touch of timeless charm and magic. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy before the show and bring your own lawn chair. Inclement weather cancels. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and children ages 12 and under. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’

The Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents the hit musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change from Aug. 4 to Aug. 14. This hilarious revue pays tribute to those who have loved and lost, to those who have fallen on their face at the portal of romance, to those who have dared to ask, ‘Say, what are you doing Saturday night?’ Tickets are $45 adults, $40 seniors. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.

Vendors Wanted

◆ The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River has vendor opportunities available for its upcoming outdoor Farmer’s Markets on July 16, Aug. 20 and Sept.17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 631-929-3500 x708 for an application.

◆ The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor seeks glass enthusiasts (both sea glass and historic glass) and vendors to be a part of it Suffolk County Seaglass Festival on Aug. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee for vendor participation is $50 and entitles you to a 72” banquet table for displaying your items. Visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org for an application or call 631-367-3418.

◆ Nesconset Chamber of Commerce seeks vendors for its Nesconset Day street fair along Smithtown Blvd. in Nesconset on Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 631-672-5197 or email [email protected]

◆ St. Thomas of Canterbury, 29 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown seeks craft or new merchandise vendors for its Craft Fair and Car Show on Oct. 8 (rain date is Oct. 15 for craft fair only). Visit www.stthomasofcanterbury.net or call 631-265-4520 to obtain an application or get more info. 

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