Children ages 3 to 5 can sign up for a six-week gardening class at the Holtsville Ecology Site starting next week.
Programs
Fairy Garden Workshop
Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket will present a Fairy Garden Workshop for children ages 4 to 10 on April 9 from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. Take a tour around the farm to find all the natural materials to build your very own fairy garden. Come find some plants, flowers, dirt, stones, moss, fairies, gnomes and more! $40 per child. Advance registration is required by calling 689-8172.
Pancakes with the Easter Bunny
The Mount Sinai Fire Department, 746 Mount Sinai Coram Rd, Mount Sinai invites the community to a Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on April 10 from 8 a.m. to noon. Don’t forget to bring your camera for pictures with the Easter Bunny! Admission at the door is $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children, under age 4 free. For more information, call 473-2418.
Pee Wee Gardening
The Holtsville Ecology Site & Animal Preserve, Buckley Road, Holtsville offers Spring Pee Wee Gardening Classes for ages 3 to 5 years. Children will learn about the environment, animals and plants through crafts and stories. Classes are Tuesdays on April 12, 26, May 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 10 to 11 a.m. or Wednesdays on April 13, 27, May 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 1 to 2 p.m. Fee is $50 per child. Call 451-5330 to register.
Theater
‘Madagascar’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Dreamworks’ Madagascar: A Musical Adventure from April 2 to May 8. Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. Filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore and an upbeat score, Madagascar will leave audiences with no choice but to “Move It, Move It!” All seats are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Disney’s ‘High School Musical Jr.’
We’re all in this together! Disney Channel’s smash hit musical comes to life at the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown in Disney’s High School Musical Jr. from April 15 to May 15. Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High must deal with issues of love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extra curricular activities. The show’s infectious, danceable songs will have you dancing in your seats! All seats are $25. To order, call 724-3700 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.
‘The Adventures of Peter Rabbit’
The Adventures of Peter Rabbit hops over toTheatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson from April 16 to May 7 (sensory sensitive performance on April 24). Peter, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-Tail, Benjamin Bunny, the McGregors and all their friends come to life in this delightful musical adaption suggested by the characters created by Beatrix Potter. Fun for the entire family and a Theatre Three tradition for spring break! $10 per person. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Royal Princess Party
Come one, come all to a Royal Princess Party at the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown from April 18 to 22 at 11 a.m. Everyone’s favorite princesses return to the Royal Kingdom of Smithtown to get together and celebrate their stories. Join Royal Historians as they guide you through meeting each of the princesses, teaching the morals behind each of their stories and singing along to their favorite songs in this immersive play. Princesses, princes, and royal families of all ages are welcome to attend but must be with an adult at all times. The special surprises and magical touches make this show a royal treat! All seats are $16. To order, call 724-3700 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.
The cast of 'Madagascar: A Musical Adventure' Photo by Christine Carrion/John W. Engeman Theater
TIME TO GO TO THE WILD! Catch a performance of 'Madagascar: A Musical Adventure' at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport for Spring Break. Photo by Christine Carrion.Engeman Theater
A scene from 'Madagascar: A Musical Adventure' at the Engeman
A scene from 'Madagascar: A Musical Adventure' at the Engeman
A scene from 'Madagascar: A Musical Adventure' at the Engeman
A scene from 'Madagascar: A Musical Adventure' at the Engeman
A scene from 'Madagascar: A Musical Adventure' at the Engeman
A scene from 'Madagascar: A Musical Adventure' at the Engeman
A scene from 'Madagascar: A Musical Adventure' at the Engeman
A scene from 'Madagascar: A Musical Adventure' at the Engeman
By Heidi Sutton
Ladies and gentleman — it’s showtime! Dreamworks’ Madagascar: A Musical Adventure is back at the Engeman Theater in Northport in all its glory through May 8. Based on the much-loved 2015 animated comedy by the same name, the show follows the adventures of four best friends from New York’s Central Park Zoo — Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo and Melman the Giraffe.
It’s Marty’s 10th birthday and his friends throw him a surprise party. When it’s time to blow out the candles, the zebra’s only wish is to go to the wild. After the party he bumps into a bunch of plotting penguins who also want to escape from the zoo and go to Antarctica and Marty follows them to Grand Central Station.
Discovering that their friend has gone, Alex, Melman and Gloria go after him but they and the penguins are soon recaptured by the zookeepers, tranquilized, and placed in crates en route to Kenya. On the boat the penguins escape their crate, take control of the ship and cause the crates to fall overboard and wash up on the shores of Madagascar.
There they meet the illustrious King Julien, self-proclaimed Lord of the Ring-Tailed Lemurs, and his adviser, Maurice who see Alex as their new protector from the bloodthirsty foosa “who are always bothering us and ripping our limbs off.”
While the three vegetarians enjoy the lemur’s daily diet of seaweed on a stick, Alex the carnivore starts to get hungry for his favorite food, steak, and begins to look at his best friends in a new light. Will the four friends be rescued in time or will someone end up on Alex’s dinner plate?
Directed by Andrew McCluskey, the show is funny, fast-paced and wildly engaging. All of the actors are excellent with special mention to the scene-stealing Jae Hughes as the narcissistic King Julien. The songs, including “Wild and Free,” “Relax, Be Cool, Chill Out,” are terrific as well. Choreographed by Jillian Sharpe, the big musical numbers — “Steak,“ “Living in Paradise,” and the iconic “I Like to Move It” —bring the audience to their feet.
Utilizing the set from the theater’s current Main Stage production “A Bronx Tale,” the stage comes alive through the use of lighting, sound effects (like Alex’s roar and the ship’s horn), props and costumes. The standing ovation at the end of last Saturday’s performance was well-deserved. Don’t miss this one.
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St. Northport presents Madagascar: A Musical Adventure on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. through May 8 (no show on April 17) with special spring break performances on April 21 and 22 at 11 a.m. All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
WHERE EAGLES FLY
The Huntington Jewish Center hosts a World Music concert titled Where Eagles Fly highlighting music from Armenia, Spain and Argentina with, from left, Yves Dhar, Solange Merdinian and Sami Merdinian on April 10 at 4 p.m.
Thursday April 7
Stony Brook Walking Tour
Join the Ward Melville Heritage Organization for a Secrets of Stony Brook Village walking tour at 11:50 a.m. and again at 3:50 p.m. Hear some newly uncovered stories while strolling through the historic village. $10 per person. Reservations required by call 751-2244.
HHS Lunch & Learn
Huntington Historical Society continues its Lunch & Learn series at Encore Luxury Living, 300 Jericho Turnpike, Jericho from noon to 2 p.m. Award-winning author and historian Kerriann Flanagan Brosky will discuss stories intertwined with ghost tales and local history from her latest book, Haunted Long Island Mysteries followed by a book signing. $50 per person includes a gourmet two-course meal. To RSVP, visit www.huntingthistoricalsociety.org.
Volunteer Fair
Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Ave., Northport will host a Volunteer Fair from 4 to 7 p.m. Come and speak with representatives from local organizations including the Northport Historical Society, Huntington Historical Society, Island Harvest Food Bank, RSVP Suffolk, Northport Arts Coalition, East Northport Chamber of Commerce, Lewis Oliver Farm Sanctuary and more. To register, call 261-6930.
Art reception
Join Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket for an opening art reception for its latest exhibit, Prolonged Perception by Doug Reina, from 6 to 8 p.m. The solo exhibit highlights the artist’s exploration of obscure, ordinary spaces of contemporary life that are often shielded from view. For more information, call 751-2676 or visit www.gallerynorth.org.
Thankful Thursdays
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will kick off the first of a series of Thankful Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Reichert Planetarium. The evening will feature a family-friendly planetarium show titled Stars: The Powerhouse of the Universe narrated by actor Mark Hamill. After the show, astronomy educators will invite visitors to look through telescopes at the night sky – weather permitting. The event is free but registration is required by visiting www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
An evening of jazz
Join The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook for an evening of jazz with the 17-member Jazz Loft Big Band at 7 p.m. Led by Jazz Loft founder and trumpeter Tom Manuel, the band will perform jazz standards, original compositions and arrangements written by band members. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children, children under 5 free. To order, call 751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org.
Friday April 8
Birdwatching at the Vanderbilt
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will offer an early morning birdwatch and architecture tour with the Vanderbilt’s director of curatorial affairs at 8 a.m. Participants will enjoy the unique opportunity to view the Vanderbilt estate in the early dawn hours, when the grounds are still closed but the birds are active. Bring binoculars. $12 per person, members free, To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Fling Into Spring Carnival
Fling into spring and join Newton Shows for a three day carnival at Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mt. Sinai today from 6 to 9 p.m., April 9 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and April 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with rides, games, food vendors and a children’s magic and illusion show on April 9 and 10 at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Fun for the whole family! For advance tickets, visit www.newtonshows.com. For more information, call 509-0882.
Wintertide concert
The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Part Jefferson continues its Wintertide concert series with a concert by Rupert Wates, an award-winningsinger-songwriter from the UK, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. $5 donation at the door. Questions? Call 802-2160.
Saturday April 9
Fling Into Spring Carnival
See April 8 listing.
Train Station Cleanup
Bring your gloves, rakes and brooms to the Stony Brook Train Station’s annual cleanup from 9 to 11 a.m. Join the Three Village Civic Association, the Three Village Community Trust, Stony Brook University, Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn, Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich and others for this Earth Day event. For more informaton, email [email protected].
Fly-casting clinic
Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown hosts a Trout Unlimited Fly-Casting Clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants learn the art of fly casting as well as fly-tying, conservation, and safety techniques. The clinic also offers participants, who must be 16 years and older, tips on equipment and tackle needs. Free but $8 vehicle use fee. To register, call 265-1054.
Putt & Pub Crawl
The Port Jefferson Rotary Club will host the 5th annual Putt and Pub Crawl throughout the Village of Port Jefferson today from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit nine locations including Billie’s, Barito, Wave Bar at Danfords, Gourmet Burger Bistro, Port Bistro & Pub, PJ Lobster House, Port Jeff Brewing Co., Ruvo, and Tommy’s Place. For more information and to register, visit www.portjeffrotary.org.
Second Saturdays Poetry Reading
All Souls Church in Stony Brook continues its Second Saturdays poetry series via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Hosted by Suffolk County Poet Laureate Richard Bronson, the featured poet will be Carmen Bugan. An open-reading will follow; all are welcome to read one of their own poems. For more information, call 655-7798.Participants can access the program through the All Souls website https://www.allsouls-stonybrook.org/
Gallery North ArTalk
Join Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket for an ArTalk with artist Doug Reina at 6 p.m. Sit down with Reina and Gallery North’s Executive Director, Ned Puchner, for a discussion about Reina’s creative practice and the focus of his recent paintings. Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Call 751-2676 for more information.
Vanderbilt lecture
Best-selling author and historian Betsy Prioleau will speak about her latest book, Diamonds and Deadlines: A Tale of Greed, Deceit, and a Female Tycoon in the Gilded Age, the first major biography of the glamorous and scandalous Miriam Leslie – a titan of publishing and an unsung hero of women’s suffrage, at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport at 6 p.m. The event will be followed by a book signing. Tickets are $20, members free. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Saturdays at Six concert
All Souls Church, 61 Main Street, Stony Brook welcomes Romanian born violinist Joenne Dumitrascu in concert at 6 p.m. Titled “A Musical Trip Around The World,” the program will showcasing works written for solo violin from 18th-century’s most well-known composers of Europe’s royal courts to the rising voices of present-day artists reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic. Call 655-7798 for more information.
The Queen’s Cartoonists
Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook welcomes The Queen’s Cartoonists to its Recital Hall at 7 p.m. See projected cartoon classics paired with a tour-de-force of the Swing Era’s zaniest and most creative music, written and or adapted for classic cartoons. Fun for the whole family! Tickets are $52 to $60. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.
Sunday April 10
Fling Into Spring Carnival
See April 8 listing.
Port Jeff Winter Farmers Market
The Port Jefferson Winter Farmers Market will be held every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson through April 25. This year’s vendors include Brownies N’ Stuff, Joann’s Desserts, Farm Fresh Potions, Mello Munch Awesome Granola, O Honey Bee Farm, Sweet Melissa Dip, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, Spilt Milk Macarons and many more. For more information, call 802-2160.
Open House & Tour
The St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James will hold an open house and tour of its facility from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along with a reception for its latest art exhibit celebrating music and musicians for Jazz Month from 1 to 2 p.m. All are welcome. For further details, call 984-0201 or visit www.celebratestjames.org.
Antiques Roadshow
Temple Beth El, 660 Park Ave., Huntington will host an Antiques Roadshow from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Do you wonder how much your family heirloom is worth? Do you own a special piece and want to know its value? Three antique/collectible experts will be on hand to give you a verbal appraisal on your items. $18 per item at the door (2 items max per person. Please no large items. For more information, call 421-5835, ext. 206.
Maritime History Walking Tour
Join the Three Village Historical Society for a maritime history walking tour titled Down the Ways, the Wooden Ship Eraat 2 p.m. Led by Historian Beverly C. Tyler, guests will learn about shipbuilders, ship captains, and families prominent in Setauket’s maritime history. The walking tour explores the Dyer’s Neck-East Setauket Historic Shipbuilding District where coast-wise and ocean-going ships were built and where these local families, lived, worked and died. You will see the carpenter shop where the construction planning took place and visit the area where completed ships wintered over and where the bones of these ships rest today. Tours leave from the Brookhaven Town Dock, 58 Shore Road, East Setauket. $20 per person. Walk-ins welcome, but reservations are strongly recommended by visiting www.tvhs.org. Walk-ins MUST pay in cash at the start of tour. For more information, call 751-3730.
Ridotto concert
The Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington will host a Ridotto concert, concerts “with a touch of Theatre”titled Where Eagles Fly at 4 p.m. The program will highlight music from Armenia, Spain and Argentina. Vibrant music by Komitas, Guastavino, DeFalla and others for Mezzo-soprano, Violin, Cello and Piano is performed by Solange Merdinian, voice, Sami Merdinian, violin, Yves Dhar, cello and Philip Fischer, piano. Tickets are $30 general admission, $25 seniors, $20 members, and $12 students. To order, call 385-0373 email or [email protected]
Monday April 11
Virtual Movie Trivia Night
Do you know a lot about movies? Well here’s your chance to prove it! Join the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington for a virtual Movie Trivia Night at 8 p.m. Hosted by Dan French, the winning team will get up to four CAC Gift Cards (1 per team member) and bragging rights. Tickets are $10 per team, $7 members. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org to register. Questions? Email [email protected].
Civic Association Meeting
The Sound Beach Civic Association will hold a general meeting at the Sound Beach Firehouse, 152 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. For more information call 744-6952.
Tuesday April 12
Indoor Gardening program
Join Celebrate St. James for a Little Green Indoor Gardening program at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Horticulturist Jean Dowling will lead you through an exploration of succulent plants and terrarium environments. Create your own mini-plant design to take home! A fun afternoon to tune up your green thumb for spring. Donation of $15, $10 seniors. To register, call 984-0201 or visit www.celebratestjames.org.
Garden Club Meeting
The Three Village Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket at 10 a.m. Following the regular business meeting, a program titled “Invasive Plants” will be presented by Sue Avery. New members welcome. Call 751-2743.
Wednesday April 13
Poetry at the library
Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station will host a live poetry reading from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Poet David Mills will read from his recent collection “Boneyarn,” the first book of poems about slavery in New York City. Registration is required, Call 928-1212 or visit www.cplib.org.
Audubon lecture
The Huntington Oyster Bay Audubon Society will present a virtual lecture titled Recent Discoveries About Bird Song via Zoom at 7 p.m. Dr. David Lahti, professor from Queens College, will share the latest revelations about bird songs, thanks to our modest house finch which was introduced here from California in the 1940s. In the last decade his laboratory has contributed to this bird’s research prominence with studies of house finch song in New York, California, and Hawaii. This research has resulted in various interesting discoveries that will be discussed in this lecture. To register, visit www.hobaudubon.org.
Emerson Quartet in concert
Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook present the Emerson String Quartet in concert in the Recital Hall at 7 p.m. The program will include Haydn’s “Seven Last Words of Christ” and Beethoven’s Op. 132. Tickets range from $52 to $56. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.
Thursday April 14
Vanderbilt lecture
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will welcome Heather J. Lynchfor the inaugural lecture in museum’s “Ecology and Climate Change Lecture Series” titled Mapping Penguins, with Satellites, Drones, and Other Technologies at 7 p.m. Professor Lynch will share insights from her innovative research into the population dynamics of penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula due to climate change, tourism, and fishing. Tickets are $6 per person. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Theater
‘Steel Magnolias’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Steel Magnolias from April 9 to May 7. Come on down to Truvy’s Louisiana beauty shop where six strong women share their hopes and dreams. Beginning on the day of debutante Shelby’s wedding, the play traces this eccentric and lovable cast of characters as they support each other through life’s many challenges. Stop by for some great laughs and unforgettable friendship. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and older. To order, call 928-9100 or visit theatrethree.com.
CALOGERO’S TALE Critics are raving about the John W. Engeman’s production of ‘A Bronx Tale’! The show runs through May 8. Photo from Engeman Theater
‘A Bronx Tale’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents A Bronx Tale from March 24 to May 8. Based on Chazz Palminteri’s classic movie, this streetwise musical will take you to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s—where a young man is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he’d love to be. Featuring a doo-wop score, A Bronx Tale is a story about respect, loyalty, love, and above all else: family. Tickets range from $75 to $80 with free valet parking. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’
Suffolk County Community College’s Ammerman Campus, 533 College Road, Selden presents Henry V by Shakespeare at the Shea Theatre, Islip Arts Building on April 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and April 24 at 2 p.m. Mature content. General admission is $14, students 16 years of age or younger $9.75, veterans and Suffolk students with current ID receive one free ticket. To order, call 451-4163.
‘Kinky Boots’
Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is 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.
‘Mamma Mia!’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson closes its 2021-2022 with Mamma Mia! from May 21 to June 25. 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 theatrethree.com.
Film
Italian Film Series
The Center for Italian Studies at Stony Brook University, Room E-4340, Melville Library, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will host a series of film screenings of Alice Rorwacher movies introduced and discussed by Graduate Fellow Antonio Fideleo including Corpo Celeste (2011) on April 11, LeMeraviglie (2014) on April 18, Lazzaro Felice (2018) on April 25 and Omelia Contadina (2020) on May 2. Films are in Italian with English subtitles. All screenings begin at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 632-7444.
‘The Automat’
The Port Jefferson Documentary Spring Series continues on April 11 with a screening of “The Automat” at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson at 7 p.m. Chock-full of rich archival footage of old Philadelphia and NYC, this everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-automats film is a lighthearted trip through the history of Horn & Hardart’s iconic and innovative eateries. Led by the irrepressible Mel Brooks, the film also features an impressive roster of celebrities (Colin Powell, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Carl Reiner, to name a few) waxing nostalgic on their experiences at the nickel-driven restaurants and their dreamy lemon meringue pie. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Director Lisa Hurwitz moderated by Tom Needham, Host of The Sounds of Film at WUSB radio. Tickets are $10 per person at the door or at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.
Vendors Wanted
◆ Calling all makers, artisans and crafters! Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket welcomes vendors for its annual Easter Egg Hunts on April 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $50 per day or $80 both days for a 10’ by 10’ spot. Call 631-689-8172 or email [email protected] for further info
◆ Huntington Historical Society will hold its annual “Antiques in April” sale on the grounds of the Daniel Kissam House, 434 Park Ave., Huntington on April 23 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $100 registration fee for vendors. Visit www.huntingthistoricalsociety.org for an application or call 631-427-7045, ext. 401.
◆ The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor seeks antique vendors for its outdoor Spring Antique Sale on May 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For an application, visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org. For more information, call 631-367-3418.
◆ Bethel Hobbs Community Farm, 178 Oxhead Road, Centereach seeks vendors for its Spring Craft Fair on May 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date May 22). $50 for a 10X10 spot. Food trucks also wanted. For more information, email Alex at [email protected].
◆ Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown seeks vendors for its Spring Farm Festival on May 15 from noon to 4 p.m. Call 631-265-6768 for more information.
◆ Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn is looking for craft vendors for its annual outdoor Friends of the Library Craft & Flea Market on May 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. The non-refundable fee for a 10X10 space is $35. To apply, visit www.harborfieldslibrary.org/friends.
◆ East End Arts, 133 E. Main St., Riverhead will host the 26th annual Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival in Downtown Riverhead on May 29 from noon to 5 p.m. Craft/artisan vendors and food/beverage vendors may visit www.eastendarts.org for an application or call 631-727-0900.
In honor of its 70th anniversary, “Singin’ In the Rain” heads to select cinemas nationwide on Sunday, April 10 and Wednesday, April 13, courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment, Turner Classic Movies. Starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse and Rita Moreno, the 1952 classic musical is still as fresh and delightful as the day it was released.
Photo courtesy of Fathom Events
Musician Don Lockwood (Kelly) rises to stardom during Hollywood’s silent-movie era–paired with the beautiful, jealous and dumb Lina Lamont (Hagen). When Lockwood becomes attracted to young studio singer Kathy Selden (Reynolds), Lamont has her fired. But with the introduction of talking pictures, audiences laugh when they hear Lamont speak for the first time–and the studio uses Selden to dub her voice. Set during the advent of “talkies,” this film’s classic song-and-dance numbers celebrate the beginning of movie musicals.
Written by legendary musical “book” writers Betty Comden and Adolph Green and directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, the film was nominated for two Academy Awards and is the No. 1 musical on the American Film Institute’s (AFI) list of the “25 Greatest Movie Musicals.”
This 70th anniversary event includes exclusive commentary from Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz.
Locally, the film will be screened at AMC Loews Stony Brook 17, 2196 Nesconset Highway, Stony Brook on April 10 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on April 13 at 7 p.m.; Farmingdale Multiplex Cinemas, 1001 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale on April 10 at 4 p.m. and on April 13 at 7 p.m.; and Island 16 Cinema de Lux, 185 Morris Ave., Holtsville on April 10 at 4 p.m. and on April 13 at 7 p.m.
To order tickets in advance, visit www.fathomevents.com.
Jared Leto as Dr. Michael Morbius in a scene from the film.
Photo courtesy of SONY Pictures
Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel
There are good superhero pictures. There are memorable vampire films. Some movies fall under guilty pleasures — entertainment for the sake of fun. Then there is Morbius which manages to get almost everything wrong.
Morbius, the Living Vampire, first appeared inMarvel Comics’ The Amazing Spider-Man (issue #101; October 1971). Due to a failed experiment intended to cure a rare blood disease, the former biochemist, Michael Morbius, was imbued with vampire-like abilities. While he became one of Spider-Man’s antagonists, he was also an adversary of Blade, the vampire hunter. (Originally, Morbius was to appear in Blade (1998) but was cut.)
Morbius follows a similar origin story. A prologue in a private clinic in Greece shows genius ten-year-old Michael Morbius (Charlie Shotwell) joined by the younger Lucien (Joseph Esson), whom he dubs Milo. The boys share the same blood illness that requires constant infusions. They form a deep and lasting connection.
Twenty-five years later, Michael (Jared Leto) is now a successful scientist who has just declined the Nobel Prize. He has now received funding to develop a treatment using vampire bats, and he creates a lab on a private vessel in international waters. Unfortunately, the remedy causes him to have vampiric characteristics, and he murders the entire crew.
He escapes the vessel and returns to New York. Endowed with new powers (strength, speed, reflexes, and super-hearing), he struggles with a bloodlust he staves off with the serum. However, the efficacy and duration become shorter. The now wealthy Milo (Matt Smith) discovers that Michael has found a cure but becomes furious when Michael refuses to share it. Incensed, Milo goes rogue. Meanwhile, FBI agents Simon Stroud (Tyrese Gibson) and Al Rodriguez (Al Madrigal) investigate Morbius’ victims.
While there is nothing original about the plot, in the right hands, the story is potentially engaging. However, Daniel Espinosa’s uninspired direction of Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama’s inept script make for an anemically leaden, mostly unwatchable hour and a half.
The dialogue is an insult to clichés. “You get to live, and I get to die,” says Milo. To which Michael responds, “It’s a cure. Forget me, brother.” Later, Morbius says, “Where is the brother I used to have?” Even better is his statement: “I’m starting to get hungry. You don’t want to see me when I’m hungry.” But the nadir is given to Rodriguez, who, looking at one of the victims, is forced to deliver with a straight face: “Those puncture wounds … do they look like fang marks to you?”
Even if The Batman’s noirish cinematography is not to your taste, there is a commitment to style. Here, Oliver Wood provides a murky atmosphere. The desaturation creates a dullness that reflects the film’s lack of energy. When Morbius isn’t drinking his artificial plasma from what looks like Sunny D pouches, there is action, but it feels pedestrian and predictable. The extended fights are not so much by the numbers as they are just numb. Worst of all, the visual effects are bizarre, bargain basement, and just plain annoying. However, it’s a good day to be a CGI bat.
Jared Leto is surprisingly bland in a role that calls for grand strokes. Even when declaring, “I brought this into the world — it’s up to me to take it out,” he lacks passion, running the gamut from A to … well, A. Michael is not so much a mad scientist as a mildly peeved one. He growls and snarls when transformed into the beast, but the ferocity is just above an irritated puppy.
Matt Smith, best known as the eleventh Dr. Who, has quirky fun with the antagonist, but the homoerotic connection between Michael and Milo is underdeveloped. While the writers hint around the edges (the Spartan reference “We are the few against the many” has multiple levels), they pull punches by introducing a pallid love interest for Michael with scientist Martine Bancroft (Adria Arjona, drastically underused). Poor Gibson and Madrigal have little screen time and even less to do. (Maybe they’ve been spared.)
The epilogue more than hints at a future crossover into the Spider-Verse. Michael Keaton appears in a cameo in the credits as Adrian Toomes, a.k.a. The Vulture. It speaks volumes that ninety seconds in the credits have generated more interest than the ninety minutes of film.
Sadly, Morbius is not a traditional vampire tale, so it cannot be vanquished by stake, sunlight, or holy water. Morbius says, “It’s not a curse. It’s a gift.” Sorry. You got that reversed.
Rated PG-13, Morbius is now playing in local theaters.
'The House Wren' by Karen Kemp will be on view at the exhibit.
'The Journey Awaits' by Renee Caine will be on view at Deepwells Mansion from April 10 to 30.
By Melissa Arnold
Over the past few generations, hardworking and determined women from all walks of life have fought to be heard and seen. Their efforts laid the groundwork for today’s women to break all sorts of glass ceilings.
In the late 19th century, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe was the richest woman around thanks to her family’s inheritance of the famed Lorillard Tobacco Company. Wolfe was generous with her fortune, doing whatever she could to support education, the arts and museums.
Portrait of Catharine Lorillard Wolfe, 1876, by Alexandre Cabanel
One major recipient of that generosity was Grace Church on Broadway in New York, where Wolfe was a parishioner. Among her final wishes was a request that the church use her financial gift for some sort of “women’s work.”
In response, the church founded the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club (CLWAC) in 1896 to provide counsel and support for female art students in the city. This year, the club is marking its 125th anniversary with a series of special exhibits around the tri-state area, including a juried satellite exhibit at Deepwells Mansion in Saint James. from April 10 to 30, and will culminate with a national juried exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in Manhattan from June 20 to July 1.
“The goal was always to support women artists in particular. Cooper Union [a college focused on arts, architecture and engineering] was in the area, so there were plenty of women who needed a place to go to relax, have lunch, and exhibit their work,” said Karene Infranco, president of the CLWAC.
The club has boasted a number of famous artists in its lifetime, including sculptors Anna Hyatt Huntington and Harriet Whitney Frishmuth, to name a few. By paying modest dues, any woman can become an Associate Member and participate in select shows and events, but the requirements for full membership are rigorous.
“In order to become a Juried Member, you have to be selected to exhibit your work in at least two of our open shows within a five-year period — shows that are just for Associates don’t count, as the competition for the open shows is on a much higher level, with many more people entering,” Infranco explained.
Entrants can exhibit in five categories: pastel, oil and acrylic, watercolor, graphics (pencil and printmaking), and sculpture. Selections are made by a committee of five artists, and then each competition is judged for prizes by a three-person jury of curators, critics and fellow artists that are well-known in their field. A computerized system allows jurors to score each piece by objective criteria. Those who make the cut twice are then invited to join the club as a full, lifetime member.
Member artists range in age from their 20s to their 80s, with wide-ranging careers and art interests. Infranco owned a healthcare advertising agency and, in 2013, decided to sharpen her skills in drawing and painting by taking classes at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. She eventually began exhibiting her work at the national level with numerous groups, including CLWAC, and currently serves as a docent for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan.
“When the Met was incorporated in 1870, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe contributed $2500 of her funds and became the only woman founder,” Infranco said. “The club stands out to me because of its long history, that unique relationship with the museum, and the fact that it caters specifically to women. While there are other women-focused organizations out there, Catharine was such a savvy, interesting and influential person with spot-on taste for art and the ability to carve her own path in life. That’s a big attraction for all of us.”
Catharine Lorillard Wolfe ultimately bequeathed her personal collection of 140 paintings, along with an endowment for its maintenance, to the Met. Her endowment was the Museum’s first, and her donated paintings formed the beginning of the museum’s European painting collection.
Today, the club still meets in person at Grace Church, and its ranks are growing with 410 club members located throughout the country. There is a sizable Long Island contingent in the group, and many of the local women have known each other for years.
Flo Kemp of Setauket and Eleanor Meier of Centerport became friends after spending time together at many of the area’s drawing clubs and classes. Kemp has devoted herself to marketing her oil paintings and etchings for years, and Meier pursued her own art style after a long career as a high school art teacher.
“I entered shows with CLWAC intermittently over the years until I was eventually invited to become a member,” Kemp said. “It’s a great encouragement and inspiration to be around so many excellent artists through the club. It has deep roots, and it’s an honor to be a part of that history.”
While she works with oils, Kemp specializes in soft ground etchings that have a “painterly” effect. Her inspirations are land and sea scapes which she enjoys for the calming, serene way they draw the viewer in, she said. Her submissions for the exhibit are two etchings: one of Flax Pond, and another of West Meadow Beach.
Meier first heard about the club at a luncheon for the National League of American Pen Women, a professional organization for female writers, artists and composers. She was intrigued by the club’s mission as well as the opportunity to learn from others, and was invited to join them around 1990.
“Being a member of the club has given me an opportunity to meet artists from all over, people I never would have met otherwise, which is always exciting,” she said.
Meier prefers to focus on detailed still life drawings of simple items she finds around the house, saying that they’re easy to set up and fun to create. Her two submissions to the exhibit are watercolor paintings: one of stacked cups, and the other of a Mason jar filled with hydrangeas.
“For all the years I was teaching, the art projects that I did were for the classroom. It wasn’t until after retirement that I had the chance to work on and develop my own personal style,” Meier said. “I’ve been showing at Deepwells with [a local group] for several years now … it’s a classic building and Suffolk County has put a lot of work into it. There’s so much history and gravitas there.”
Indeed, Deepwells Mansion, located at 2 Taylor Lane in St. James, is the perfect venue for such a prestigious show. Dating back to 1845, it is in the Greek revival style built for Joel L.G. Smith — one of the family for whom the Smithtown Township is named. Its most famous owner was W.J. Gaynor, mayor of New York City from 1910 to 1913. In 1989 the house became the property of the Town of Smithtown and is now managed by the Deepwells Farm Historical Society.
The Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club exhibit will be on display at Deepwells from April 10 to 30. Gallery hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday (closed April 17).
The exhibit will feature 45 works of art from 41 artists, including a small collection of oil and pastel pieces by the late Jeanette Dick of Belle Terre, a past president of the CLWAC who passed away in January of this year. Many of the included artists will act as docents for the exhibit, guiding guests through the gallery and sharing their personal insights.All artwork on display is available for sale. An awards ceremony will be held on April 30 at 2 p.m. For more information about the CLWAC, visit www.clwac.org.
Most of us know we need to lower our sodium intake. Still, more than 90 percent of us consume far too much sodium (1). Even if we don’t have hypertension, the impact of sodium on our health can be dramatic.
Sodium is insidious; it’s in foods that don’t even taste salty. Bread products are among the primary offenders. Other foods with substantial amounts of sodium include cold cuts and cured meats, cheeses, pizza, poultry, soups, pastas, sauces and, of course, snack foods. Processed foods and those prepared by restaurants are where most of our consumption occurs (2).
On the flip side, only about two percent of people get enough potassium from their diets (3).
Why is it important to reduce sodium and increase potassium? A high sodium-to-potassium ratio increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 46 percent, according to the study, which looked at more than 12,000 Americans over almost 15 years (4). In addition, both may have significant impacts on blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
To improve our overall health, we need to shift the sodium-to-potassium balance so that we consume more potassium and less sodium. And if you struggle with high blood pressure, this approach could help you win the battle. Let’s look at the evidence.
Why do we always harp on sodium?
Two studies illustrate the benefits of reducing sodium in high blood pressure and normotensive (normal blood pressure) patients, ultimately preventing cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke.
The first used the prestigious Cochrane review to demonstrate that blood pressure is reduced by a significant mean of −4.18 mm Hg systolic (top number) and −2.06 mm Hg diastolic (bottom number) involving both normotensive and hypertensive participants (5). When looking solely at hypertensive patients, the reduction was even greater, with a systolic blood pressure reduction of −5.39 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure reduction of −2.82 mm Hg.
This was a meta-analysis (a group of studies) that evaluated data from 34 randomized clinical trials, totaling more than 3,200 participants. Salt reduction from 9 to 12 grams per day to 5 to 6 grams per day, determined using 24-hour urine tests, had a dramatic effect. The researchers believe there is a direct linear effect with salt reduction. In other words, the more we reduce the salt intake, the greater the effect of reducing blood pressure.
The authors recommend further reduction to 3 grams per day as a long-term target for the population and concluded that the effects on blood pressure will most likely result in a decrease in cardiovascular disease.
In the second study, a meta-analysis of 42 clinical trials, there was a similarly significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures (6). This study included both adults and children. Both demographics saw a reduction in blood pressure, though the effect was greater in adults. Interestingly, an increase in sodium caused a 24 percent increased risk of stroke incidence but, more importantly, a 63 percent increased risk of stroke mortality. The risk of mortality from heart disease was increased alongside an increase in sodium, as well, by 32 percent.
In an epidemiology modeling study, the researchers projected that either a gradual or instantaneous reduction in sodium would save lives (7). For instance, a modest 40 percent reduction over 10 years in sodium consumed could prevent 280,000 premature deaths. These are only projections, but in combination with the above studies, they may be telling.
Why is potassium important?
When we think of blood pressure, not enough attention is given to potassium. The typical American diet doesn’t contain enough of this mineral.
In a meta-analysis involving 32 studies, results showed that as the amount of potassium was increased, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (8). When foods containing 3.5 to 4.7 grams of potassium were consumed, there was an impressive −7.16 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure with high blood pressure patients. Anything more than this amount of potassium did not have any additional benefit. Increased potassium intake also reduced the risk of stroke by 24 percent. This effect was important.
The reduction in blood pressure was greater with increased potassium consumption than with sodium restriction, although this was not a head-to-head comparison. The good news is that potassium is easily attainable in the diet. Foods that are potassium-rich include bananas, almonds, raisins, sweet potato and green leafy vegetables such as Swiss chard.
The bottom line: decrease your sodium intake by almost half and increase potassium intake from foods. Lowering sodium intake may have far-reaching benefits, and it is certainly achievable. First, consume less and give yourself a brief period to adapt — it takes about six weeks to retrain your taste buds, once you cut your sodium. You can also improve your odds by increasing your dietary potassium intake, which also has a substantial beneficial effect, striking a better sodium-to-potassium balance.
Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com.
This week’s featured shelter pet is Bella, a 5 to 6-year-old female domestic shorthair up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.
Sweet Bella has a sad story. She was abandoned in a duct-taped garbage pail in a parking lot. To make matters worse, she was suffering from pyometra (an infection of the uterus). Terrified and distrusting, she took some time to warm up to us, but when she did the snuggles became very real. She is shy at first, so she would do best in a quiet home.
If you would like to meet Bella, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with her in a domestic setting.
The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.smithtownanimalshelter.com.
I must confess … I love bubbly; regardless if it’s in a Mimosa for breakfast, a glass of Prosecco for lunch, Champagne as an apéritif, during dinner, or even a glass of Asti after dinner!
Sparkling wines are superb pairing partners with a multitude of international foods, from appetizers to main courses and finishing with desserts. Although all wine-producing countries make some type of sparkling wines, the most common styles or designations are: Brut, Extra Dry, Sec, Demisec, Rosé, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and Vintage.
Some names of sparkling wines produced worldwide include Champagne, Crémant, Cava, Franciacorta, Asti, TrentoDoc, Prosecco, Sekt, and simply “sparkling wine.”
Dry sparkling wines pair with salty foods; fried and deep-fried foods; spicy hot foods; smoked foods; oily seafood such as anchovies, bluefish, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, and tuna; chives, garlic, ginger, leeks, onions, scallions, and shallots; citrus and citrus-like ingredients; and fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley, sage, and tarragon.
— Sparkling wine is an excellent an apéritif because of its refreshing, appetite-stimulating effervescence.
— Sparkling wines add excitement to the meal when served throughout dinner.
— Many Asian foods can be paired with sparkling wines.
— Dry sparkling wines taste thin and unpleasant with sweet desserts
— Avoid serving dry sparkling wines with desserts featuring chocolate or lemon sauces.
— Avoid serving dry sparkling wines with salads featuring tart or acidic dressings.
— Avoid serving dry sparkling wines with tomato-based sauces, whose acid interacts with the high acid of the wine, causing a tart, sometimes biting taste in the mouth.
Recently tasted sparkling wines include:
NV Moser 51,151 “TrentoDoc” Brut, (DOC) Trento, Italy: 100% Chardonnay grapes. Straw-yellow with a fruity aroma of blueberries and raspberries. Medium-bodied, dry, and crispy tasting, with hints of apples and cherries.
NV Codorníu Cuvée Clásico “Cava Brut,” Spain:Blend of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-Lo grapes; a bouquet of green apples, lemon, and brioche. Dry, clean, and crispy in the mouth with a pleasing aftertaste of almonds.
NV Ca’ del Bosco “Cuvée Prestige,” Franciacorta (DOCG) Lombardy, Italy: A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Bianco grapes; crisp, delicate bouquet with hints of almonds, dried pears, and apples. Soft in the mouth with a crispy aftertaste.
NV Valdo Cuvée di Boj “Prosecco Brut,” (DOC) Veneto, Italy: Medium-bodied with a floral bouquet of stone fruits, apples, and citrus. Dry with hints of fennel and ginger.
NV Ruinart “Blanc de Blancs” (Champagne, France): Clean and crisp with flavors of green apple, pear, brioche, celery, and citrus.
Bob Lipinski is the author of 10 books, including “101: Everything You Need To Know About Whiskey” and “Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (available on Amazon.com). He consults and conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements. He can be reached at www.boblipinski.com OR [email protected]
The Long Island Music Hall of Fame (LIMHoF) it is now accepting applications for their 2022 Student Scholarship and “Educator of Note” programs.
This year, LIMHoF will award four $500 scholarships to graduating students. These scholarships will provide funding for eligible graduating high school students from Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens, or Kings (Brooklyn) Counties who have shown an interest in pursuing a career in music. To apply and to read the eligibility requirements, please download the scholarship application.
Student Scholarships Applications Due: Friday May 13th, 2022*
LIMHoF’s “Educator of Note” program recognizes music teachers and professors in public or private schools, as well as colleges or studios who have demonstrated a commitment to music education. The winner is honored with a grant to be used within the school or district where they teach (or taught). To nominate an individual for the “Educator of Note Award,” please download the “Educator of Note” application.
Educator of Note Award Applications Due: Friday September 30th, 2022*
*All applications must be postmarked by the application due date in order to be accepted.
Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The organization, which encompasses New York State’s Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings (Brooklyn) Counties, was created as a place of community that inspires and explores Long Island music in all its forms. To date, the organization has inducted more than 100 musicians and music industry executives, and also offers education programs and scholarships to Long Island students, sponsors the Long Island Sound Award, and features traveling educational exhibits, including a state-of-the-art mobile museum. Visit their website at http://www.limusichalloffame.org/.
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