Museum

The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor has announced the opening of a new special exhibition, Monsters and Mermaids: Legends of the Sea.

The two-year exhibit developed by museum staff will explore ocean-inspired myths, legends, and their contemporary connections. By exploring nautical mythologies, visitors will be prompted to think about the ocean’s influence on how cultures were shaped and continue to shape us, and our impacts on the ocean today. The project will be the first exhibition about folklore on Long Island in 13 years and will shed light on monstrous beings of the deep just in time for the Halloween season.

Nomi Dayan, Executive Director of The Whaling Museum & Education Center, shares, “I think a fascinating element of this project is considering how people have perceived whales through time. Today, people light up when they talk about whales. We view them as breathtaking and highly complex creatures, and whale sightings can bring strong emotions and joy. But for millennia, they were seen quite differently by diverse cultures — in fact, the scientific name for the order of whales, ‘cetacean,’ translates to ‘sea monster.’ As part of this exhibition, visitors will stop and reflect on what the word ‘monster’ means to them.”

A highlight of the exhibition is a commissioned full-size kraken/squid sculpture created out of marine debris by multimedia artist Cindy Pease Roe. Based in Greenport, Roe is the founder of UpSculpt, an organization which combines public arts, conservation, and education. The artist has been featured in numerous exhibitions worldwide, and her work draws inspiration from her lifelong connection with the sea.

“The real sea monsters today are man-made, like marine plastics. By engaging the community to help collect materials for the Kraken, together, we’re reclaiming ownership and responsibility for our oceans, reshaping the narrative from fear to collective action and stewardship,” said Pease Roe.

Her new sculpture, created out of plastic marine debris collected on Long Island beaches, will bring attention to one of the largest sea monsters ever imagined — the legendary kraken, inspired by the Giant Squid. 

The squid/kraken will be displayed in an original and imaginative context by being suspended above the museum’s historic whaleboat, thrusting contemporary plastic materials into a 19th century story. As the gallery’s defining focal point, Roe’s piece will be thematically central to Monsters & Mermaids, and flip the narrative by questioning who is really afraid of whom today? The sculpture will convey a powerful message about the fragility of legendary creatures and confront the massive human refuse which is changing the ocean’s stories today.

The community is encouraged to participate in this exhibit by donating red and orange plastics gathered from Long Island beaches. Donations can be made at the museum or by visiting UpSculpt.com for additional donation options.

In addition to the squid sculpture, visitors will see maps, prints, scrimshaw, ephemera, and specimens exploring the artistic and cultural folklore of sea serpents, whales, sirens, and other global legends. Artifacts will be sourced from the museum’s collection as well as loans from other institutions.

One of the items on display from the museum’s collection will be a 1986 diorama by artist Vincent P. Ciro titled “Ye Dam’n Whale.” It depicts a scene from Moby Dick by Herman Melville. “When we think about the Monster Whale, Herman Melville’s Moby Dick is perhaps the most ubiquitous example in American literature.” said Baylee Browning, Collections and Exhibits Associate, The Whaling Museum & Education Center, “But who is the monster, really? Is it Moby Dick, the White Whale, or Captain Ahab, the relentless pursuer? Monsters and Mermaids, Legends of the Sea will explore these questions about monstrosity and wonder. What is a monster, and what does that say about our understanding of the natural world, and of ourselves? We can’t wait to explore these questions with you this October and “sea” if you can decide.”

In addition, visitors will reflect on the endurance of mermaid myths throughout history, from cave paintings to the 2023 mermaid-core fashion trend and ubiquitous Starbucks logo. A closer look into the history of mermaid portrayals will also offer insights into the history of racist perspectives.

Long Islanders can look forward to the museum’s upcoming series of workshops, events, talks, and programming for both adults and children exploring themes in the exhibition.

To celebrate, the museum will host two opening events: “Monsters & Mermaids: Family Bash” on Sunday, October 6th, and an exclusive evening event, “Monsters and Mermaids: After Dark,” on Thursday, October 10th.

The Family Bash, taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 6, will transform the museum’s galleries into magical underwater realms. Families can enjoy a day filled with meeting a mermaid in a fantastical setting, exploring “Davy Jones’ Locker” with a touch tank featuring live sea creatures, and face painting that brings the event’s enchantment to life.

Museum educators will offer interactive talks on the origins of the kraken and other deep-sea myths. Craft stations throughout the galleries will feature activities like making your own “monster slime” and other monster and mermaid-themed crafts. Guests are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to add to the festive atmosphere.

“We’re delighted to bring the magical world of oceanic legends to life,” said Brenna McCormick-Thompson, Curator of Education. “The Family Bash offers a wonderful opportunity for visitors to explore the new exhibit with special activities designed for kids and families.”

Admission to the “Monsters & Mermaids: Family Bash” includes all activities. Advance tickets are $20 for children and $8 for adults, with member rates of $15 for children and $5 for adults. Tickets at the door are $25 for children and $8 for adults, with member rates of $20 for children and $5 for adults. The museum extends its gratitude to Gellerman Orthodontics for sponsoring the Mermaid Performer.

“Monsters and Mermaids: After Dark,” set for October 10th from 7 to 9 p.m. is an exclusive adult-only event. This evening will feature activities tailored for a mature audience, alongside the same enchanting backdrop as the “Family Bash”. Attendees can savor sea-inspired cocktails or mocktails and participate in a craft workshop to create fancy creature specimen jars, perfect for Halloween décor.

For those seeking mystical insights, tarot card readings will be featured. A costume contest will add to the fun, with prizes for the most imaginative costumes.

“This special evening event provides a unique way to dive deeper into the exhibit,” added Thompson. “We look forward to creating a memorable and immersive experience where guests can fully explore the legendary history of ocean myths.”

Advance tickets for “Monsters and Mermaids: After Dark” are $40, with member tickets at $30. At the door, tickets are $45, with member tickets available for $35. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit cshwhalingmuseum.org/monsters.

The “Monsters & Mermaids: Legends of the Sea” exhibition and associated programs are supported in part with funds from the New York State National Maritime Heritage Education Subgrant Program. The exhibition is also supported in part by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), and Humanities New York, and Public Funding Provided by Suffolk County.

For the next two years, viewing the special exhibit will be included with regular admission to the museum. Admission to the museum is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and children aged 4-17, and free for children aged 0-3 as well as Active Duty with ID. Gallery hours at the start of the exhibit will reflect fall and winter hours of Thursdays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.

Rosie the Cow

Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead will host a “Get Arty” painting party with certified art instructor, Ginger Baer, on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Connect with your inner artist and show your self-expression as you create an 11”x14” portrait of Hallockville’s resident cow, Rosie. No previous artistic experience is necessary. Ms. Baer and an assistant artist will teach the class art theory and painting techniques.

Fee is $35, $30 members and includes wine and light refreshments. Advance registration is required by visiting www.hallockville.org.

Calling all art lovers! Spend the afternoon at two of Stony Brook’s most beloved institutions!

On Sunday, October 6 from noon to 3 p.m., visit Stony Brook University’s Paul W. Zuccaire Gallery, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook to view Nicole Cohen: SUPER VISION before heading down the road to the Long Island Museum’s Art Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook to see A Noble Art: A New Look at the Portraits of William Sidney Mount and take an exclusive trip to visit the historic Hawkins-Mount House*.

Bus transport will take visitors to all three sites and educators and artists will be on hand in the galleries. This event is free for all — no registration is required.

Participants can check in at either location. Let a staff member know you are there for the LIM x Zuccaire Gallery Afternoon of Art. A staff member will also direct you to the shuttle bus. To check in at the Long Island Museum, head directly to the Art Museum building. At the Zuccaire Gallery at the Staller Center, you can check in at the front desk of the gallery. The first bus will leave from the Zuccaire Gallery at 12:30 pm.

For more information, call 631-751-0066 (LIM) or 631-632-7240 (Zuccaire Gallery)

*Please note that the historic Hawkins-Mount house is not handicap accessible. 

 

From now through Jan. 19, 2025, The Heckscher Museum of Art will present the The Body Politic: Long Island Biennial, a prestigious juried exhibition featuring works by contemporary artists from across Long Island. The Museum received 762 artwork submissions from 313 artists. For this year’s edition, the applicants were tasked with submitting work that engaged with contemporary social, cultural, or political issues. The result is a compelling museum-wide exhibition that features seventy-nine works of art accepted by 60 artists.  The artists chosen represents the breadth of communities across Suffolk and Nassau counties stretching from Floral Park to Montauk.

The exhibition encompasses a remarkable variety of media, with styles spanning abstraction to hyperrealism, including sculpture, painting, photography and more. “We remain committed to sharing inspiring and thought-provoking new art with our visitors.” said Heather Arnet, Executive Director & CEO. “The Body Politic will resonate with the entire community given the diversity in artists and the universality of the important themes in their work.”

Now in its eighth edition, the 2024 Long Island Biennial is curated by Meredith A. Brown, consulting curator of Contemporary Art at the Museum. The art was selected by jurors Ian Alteveer, Beal Family Chair of the Department of Contemporary Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Patricia Cronin, sculptor, Artistic Director of the LGBTQ+ VR Museum and Distinguished Professor of Art, Brooklyn College; and Grace Hong, Assistant Director, Galerie Lelong & Co. 

“There was artwork submitted addressing every theme you could think of: homelessness, addiction, immigration, global warming, voting rights, civil rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights and different on-going war,” said Cronin. “It was impressive and inspiring to learn how deeply Long Island artists really care about the world right now and express it in their art.”

“I was very impressed with quality of submissions, the artistic formal quality and passionate commitment to various social issues. I always love being a juror. You get to take the real pulse of an artistic community. What is important to the artists at any given time is usually the bellwether for society at large. Artists tend to focus on issues sooner than the general population,” said Cronin.

“I was impressed by the breadth of subjects and media presented in the submissions and had an enjoyable time reviewing them. Politics and systems of power on both an international and domestic level stood out to me, as did personal and often humorous takes on American politics. The Heckscher Museum of Art’s commitment to its community celebrates the people it serves while allowing a rare glimpse for art lovers everywhere into the practice and perspective of a living artist based in the region,” said Hong. 

“It is so important to have a Long Island Biennial so the general population can come to the museum and be inspired about the world they live in. Art has the capacity to inspire reflection, thought, feeling, and dreams about the human condition, ones we are already living or the potential for the future,” added Cronin.

Visitors will also be treated to a diverse program of events to coincide with the exhibition. Several Long Island Biennial artists will be in the galleries on select Sundays throughout the exhibition, as well as participating in the Huntington Art Walk, Lunar New Year, and other cultural and community events. Visit Heckscher.org for the full schedule.

Erin Bennett, Planetarium Education Coordinator, and Charles Eder, Planetarium Outreach Coordinator, with the Vanderbilt's 'Moon Tree.' Photo courtesy of Vanderbilt Museum

The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum is one of the first institutions on Long Island to receive a “Moon Tree” grown from seedlings that flew around the moon on NASA’s Artemis I mission in 2022, to plant in its community.

The Vanderbilt’s Moon Tree, a sweetgum, is planted in a special fenced plot near the entrance to the Vanderbilt Reichert Planetarium. 

Dave Bush, Director of the Reichert Planetarium, said, “We are thrilled to share with our visitors a piece of life that has visited our nearest celestial neighbor, the Moon. We live in exciting times for human space exploration and this tree will serve as a symbol of our growth into the cosmos and as inspiration for a new generation of explorers — The Artemis Generation.”

The unmanned Artemis I rocket traveled around the Moon and back to test new life support systems designed for future astronauts. Passengers also included nearly 2,000 seeds of five tree species — sycamore, sweetgum, Douglas fir, loblolly pine, and giant sequoia.

When the rocket returned, NASA and the U.S. Forest Service collaborated, grew the seedlings into Moon tree saplings, and offered them to schools, museums, planetariums, and other educational organizations across the country. The first batch of seedlings was shipped to nearly 50 institutions across the 48 contiguous states.

NASA evaluated institutions based on their suitability to care for the various tree species and their ability to maximize educational opportunities around the life and growth of the trees in their communities.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said, “A new era of Moon trees will one day stand tall in communities across America. NASA is bringing the spirit of exploration back down to Earth because space belongs to everyone. The Artemis Generation will carry forth these seedlings that will be fertile ground for creativity, inspiration, and discovery for years to come.”

The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum is located at 180 Little Neck Road in Centerport. Operating hours for the fall are Fridays from noon to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

The opening date for these exhibits has been moved from August to October 8.

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook, will be celebrating the First Lady of Song Ella Fitzgerald and legend Tony Bennett with exhibits of hundreds of items of memorabilia and archival materials. 

Fitzgerald will be celebrated not only with her music, but also with an exhibit of six of her spectacular gowns recently procured by The Jazz Loft Founder Tom Manuel. Other items in the Fitzgerald exhibit will include items spanning the mid 1930s to the end of her life in the 1990s, including letters, personal objects, awards and more.

The Tony Bennett exhibit will feature over 100 items, including several awards and Grammy nominations; letters from presidents, Louis Armstrong and Fred Astaire; and the Gold Records from his signature hit I Left my Heart in San Francisco.

The Fitzgerald exhibit of six Don Loper custom-designed gowns came to The Jazz Loft serendipitously. Manuel received a phone call one day from a young man in California stating that he had a collection of gowns from “someone named Ella Fitzgerald.”

“Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett were without question two of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century,” says The Jazz Loft Founder Tom Manuel. “To welcome such an extensive collection of their personal items to have on display in the museum and to celebrate their story at The Jazz Loft is amazing. I am so grateful to all who supported these two important acquisitions financially and I just know that everyone is going to be blown away by these exhibits.

The opening of the gown exhibit and the Tony Bennett exhibit is on October 8 at 6:30 p.m., with $25 for general admission tickets available here: https://www.thejazzloft.org/calendar

“Ella Fitzgerald is the reason I fell in love with jazz,” says Nicole Zuraitis. “Her voice, her phrasing, her personality and musicality all defined the genre for me and continues to do so.”

The Gowns

The Loper gowns include: A straight long-sleeved navy gown with a see-through fabric on the arms with wrist shapers. A high neckline with a grey bejeweled center piece of silvers and different blue tones with a shape wear belt; A flowing pacific blue long sleeved gown with a lower v-neckline with vertical sequined stripes from the waist and a wraparound belt; A short length and short sleeve turquoise double patterned dress with a u neckline having a silver overlap of x patterns and waves behind; A brown elegant gown with a long sheer skirt making a two piece illusion with the flower printed pattern from the waist up with brims of gold and a flattering neckline and shoulder cut off; A loose fitting long sleeve ocean blue gown with golden flower accents varied around the dress to highlight the cross fabric v neckline; and a midnight black ankle gown with a detailed trail of golden beaded buttons and a sleek bow tie around the waist highlighting the mesh black sleeves and silky texture. 

Loper was a famous American costume designer, as well as a screenwriter, producer, actor and choreographer. He designed for Lucille Ball, as well as Ella Fitzgerald and some of his pieces are featured in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the California African American Museum. 

Billy Joel- My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey at LIMEHOF extended through Spring of 2025. Photo Credit: Myrna Suarez @myrnasuarezphoto
‘My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey’ draws in tens of thousands of visitors from near and far to celebrate legendary Long Island musician

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) has announced it will be extending the run of the first ever exhibit dedicated exclusively to LIMEHOF Inductee and Legendary Long Island Musician Billy Joel. The exhibit opened last November and is currently running at LIMEHOF’s Stony Brook Village location (97 Main Street, Stony Brook). It was initially planned to run through September 2024.

The exclusive exhibit, called Billy Joel- My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey spans Joel’s life and career from growing up in Hicksville to his legendary run at Madison Square Garden. It includes over 50 years of Billy Joel’s most cherished items including rare memorabilia, behind-the-scenes video, dozens of awards, rare audio and video recordings, vintage instruments and historic photos, many donated by Billy Joel himself.

“The Billy Joel – My Life exhibit continues to attract enthusiastic audiences from throughout world, exceeding our expectations as his legions of fans experience every facet of Billy’s incredible career in this extraordinary exhibition,” said Ernie Canadeo, LIMEHOF Chairman. “We are thrilled that our visitors and the media have rated us one of the best Music Hall of Fame’s in the country, as we showcase rare memorabilia from our Long Island Inductees representing every musical genre from rock, pop, jazz, blues hip-hop and more.”

The exhibit was created by renowned designer and LIMEHOF board member Kevin O’Callaghan with direct feedback from Billy Joel himself. Upon touring it in an advanced VIP preview before it opened, Joel himself was so emotionally moved and impressed with the exhibit that he kept saying “Where did you get all of this stuff?” The exhibit has been featured in People, American Songwriter, Billboard, The New York Post, Newsday, NY1, Pix 11, News 12, NBC 4, Fox 5, and many more local and music industry news outlets.

Ticket sales have been in the tens of thousands. The opening weekend alone attracted visitors from other states including New Jersey, Massachusetts and the Carolinas. Since then, visitors have traveled in from far and wide and even from overseas to see this once in a lifetime exhibit. The Hall of Fame itself was even listed on Grammy.com as one of the top Halls of Fame in the country to visit.

The exhibit remains a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Billy Joel’s life-spanning career from his roots in Hicksville and Levittown through his albums, tours, inspirations, and personal experiences. There will be more items added including rare photos, awards and other memorabilia from Billy Joel’s life and career.

Tickets are available now at www.TheBillyExhibit.com  or are available to be purchased in person at LIMEHOF. This is a timed entry exhibit so tickets will be sold by time block availability, or you can purchase VIP “any time” tickets good any time for the duration of the exhibit.  For more information about LIMEHOF visit https://www.limusichalloffame.org/museum/

About LIMEHOF

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 and entertainment 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 and entertainment in all its forms. In 2022, LIMEHOF opened its first Hall of Fame building location in Stony Brook Village. To date, the organization has inducted more than 120 musicians and music industry executives, and offers education programs, scholarships, and awards to Long Island students and educators.

Pete Caldera

The Jazz Loft, located along the charming Stony Brook waterfront and nearby historic village, presents the 9th annual Harbor Jazz Festival from Sept. 18 to 21. The four celebratory days of Jazz will feature  internationally-known acts, including vocalist Pete Caldera and the Sinatra Project Sextet; the Ray Anderson Group; Akiko Tsuruga Organ Quartet; Carlos Jimenez Mambo Dulcet; Bill Crow Trio and Mala Waldron Quartet along with a parade with the Equity Brass band through Stony Brook Village. 

“The year’s 9th Annual Harbor Jazz Festival line-up promises to deliver an extraordinary experience and unique opportunity to hear performances from some of the finest Jazz artists in the world,” said Tom Manuel, founder and president of The Jazz Loft.  “Many of the acts booked for this year’s festival perform at some of New York’s top venues and clubs. It’s amazing for our Long Island community that this years’ festival brings them all right here in our own backyard.” 

Much of the festival will take place outdoors on two stages overlooking Stony Brook Harbor, as well inside The Jazz Loft at 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook.

This year’s outdoor concerts on September 21 will take place throughout the day on two stages: one on the Jazz Loft’s front lawn, and the second location across the street on the Stony Brook Village Green. All concerts on Saturday are free to the public. Just bring a lawn chair or blanket. Shows for Sept. 18 through Sept. 20 are ticketed events.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The Jazz Loft

Sept. 18  at 7 p.m. — Opening reception & jam session with the Keenan Zach Trio. All tickets are $10.

Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. — The Bad Little Big Band, featuring guest artist trumpeter Joe Magnarelli. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children ages 5 and up.

Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. — The Sinatra Project with vocalist Pete Caldera backed by The Sinatra Sextet. Tickets are $40.

Sept. 21 from noon to 8 p.m.  

Village Green Stage

Traditional Jazz Parade with Equity Brass Band at noon; Ray Anderson Group at 1 p.m.; Akiko Tsuruga Organ Quartet  at 4 p.m.; and Carlos Jimenez Mambo Dulcet at 7 p.m. Free.

Jazz Loft Lawn Stage

Bill Crow Trio at 3 p.m.; Mala Waldron Quartet at 6 p.m. Free.

In the case of rain, all events will be held inside The Jazz Loft.

For more information, call 631-751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org.

This article originally appeared in TBR News Media’s Harvest Times supplement on Sept. 12. 

Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road Huntington Station invites the community to a free Birds of Prey program on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. Presented by Sweetbriar Nature Center, experience meeting owls, falcons and hawks and learn about the adaptations that help these awesome birds survive. Learn how humans are part of the picture, and how we can help. Appropriate for ages 7 and up. *Registration is not required

For more information, call 631-427-5240 or visit www.waltwhitman.org.

The Jazz Loft Founder Tom Manuel and Hofstra intern Rachael Hajec stand in front of the new Ella Fitzgerald exhibit. Courtesy The Jazz Loft

Rachael Hajec, a Hofstra University journalism student, just completed a summer internship at Stony Brook’s famed Jazz Loft. There, she delved into marketing, media relations and all things journalism.

During her internship, Hajec worked on a range of projects, including creating documentaries for The Loft’s social media and website, managing event promotions and producing video and audio packages for the John Monteleone: Art of the Guitar Festival, as well as the Loft School of Jazz Summer Camp. She, also, developed graphics for event promotion, conducted interviews and maintained connections with local businesses and officials for future collaborations.

“There are students who are hard workers and dedicated professionals, and then there are those who embody the intangible,” said The Jazz Loft founder Tom Manuel. “Rachel has that intangible quality. It was a joy to work with her, and I’m confident she’s destined for great things.”

Hajec hails from Spartansburg, Pennsylvania, and has been residing in Hempstead for the past four years. She is set to be a senior at Hofstra, this fall, where she has been serving as the Program Director of Music at award-winning radio station 88.7FM WRHU, as a passionate student of The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication.

“Working at The Jazz Loft was one of the most beneficial experiences of my early journalism career,” Hajec said.

Hajec worked under the supervision of The Jazz Loft’s media director Carole Trottere — a woman who served as a mentor to the aspiring journalist.

“Rachael is one of the most creative and enthusiastic interns I’ve ever worked with,” Trottere said. “She brought such energy to her role, and offered many new ideas for marketing our events.”

The Jazz Loft offers internships in public relations, marketing, archival research and stage production. Interested candidates can view opportunities on Handshake.com.

“When I saw the Jazz Loft’s internship listing, I knew I had to apply,” Hajec said.

“The work was rewarding, and the relationships I built…made it even more special. I highly recommend The Jazz Loft to anyone who loves jazz and values a sense of community, and I hope other eager journalists will enjoy their time there as much as I did.”