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Vanderbilt Planetarium launches new show, ‘FORWARD! To the Moon’

by Press Release - July 2, 2024

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unnamed — Photo courtesy of Vanderbilt Planetarium

Exciting New Planetarium Show Explores a Sustainable Future in Space

The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport has premiered a new show, FORWARD! To the Moon, which runs Tuesday through Sunday, at 3 pm.

Take a journey beyond the Earth toward a sustainable future in space. NASA’s Artemis program will land the first woman and person of color on the surface of the Moon.

Narrator Kari Byron from Crash Test World and MythBusters launches us on a journey beyond the Earth toward a sustainable future in space. Within a single lifetime, we’ve progressed from the first space rocket launch to using space technologies in our everyday lives. Now, we are ready to start a new chapter in the history of human endeavor – to take our first steps toward a permanent, off-world presence.

Recommended for ages 8+

Purchase tickets here.

Musical Masterworks: John Monteleone’s Guitars and Other Instruments exhibit on view at the Long Island Museum

by Press Release - June 24, 2024

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This summer, don’t miss Musical Masterworks: John Monteleone’s Guitars and Other Instruments — a must-see exhibition for any music lover! Currently on view at the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook, this major retrospective and groundbreaking show celebrates the life and work of one of America’s most talented and renowned makers of archtop guitars, John Monteleone.

John Monteleone in his workshop in Islip, New York. Photo from LIM

From his 2,400-square-foot workshop in Islip, Monteleone has crafted one-of-a-kind masterpieces of functional art, coveted by leading rock, jazz, and folk guitarists of the late-20th and early-21st centuries: Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Ben Harper, Julian Lage, and Anthony Wilson, to name just a few. Monteleone also has lifelong connections to Long Island, growing up in Islip and maintaining his workshops here, initially in Bay Shore, in 1976, before opening his current shop in Islip, in 1990.

Renowned for his perfectionism and his intense concern for materials, and for facilitating versatile performance, Monteleone has made an extraordinary lifetime journey as a craftsman of his signature guitars, mandolins, and other instruments. The master luthier has garnered international acclaim for his exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs.

Musical Masterworks is the largest-ever exhibition of John Monteleone’s musical art assembled and offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore the artist’s extraordinary journey, beginning in the early 1970s as a repairer and maker of mandolins, to producing some of the most sought-after guitars in the world.

Featuring nearly 50 guitars, mandolins, and other instruments crafted by Monteleone between 1971 and 2023, the exhibition showcases the stunning beauty and unparalleled craftsmanship of his creations.

“It is always my great honor and pleasure to create the resonating sonic beauty of these instruments and to hear them finally sing and speak to me,” says Monteleone. “From the trees in the forest to pulsating maple and spruces on my workbench, it is my way of giving process to unleashing the songs within the wood.”

Highlights include the famed Four Seasons guitar quartet (2002-2006), on loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and pictured above; Monteleone’s groundbreaking Rocket Convertible guitar (1997); his beautifully ornamented Radio Wave (2004); and many examples of special model guitars and mandolins: Eclipse, Radio City, Grand Artist, the Train series, and more. Featuring guitars from private collections in Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Vermont, the exhibition will also be displaying iconic and historic guitars from Gibson, John D’Angelico, James D’Aquisto, and Selmer-Maccaferri.

“This exhibition showcases the artistry of an American original, a luthier with deep Long Island roots,” says Joshua Ruff, Co-Executive Director and curator of this exhibition. “John is an innovator, an artist craftsman with the needs of the guitarist and music listeners truly at heart, and our visitors are in for a treat to see all these beautiful instruments up close and all together for the first time ever.”

Musical Masterworks: John Monteleone’s Guitars and Other Instruments be on view in the History Museum at the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook through October 13. Major support for this exhibition was provided by the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of musical craftsmanship.

For more information, visit www.longislandmuseum.org.

This article originally appeared in TBR News Media’s Summer Times supplement on June 20.

Sea Glass Festival returns to Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum July 21

by Press Release - June 23, 2024

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The Whaling Museum and Education Center in Cold Spring Harbor has announced the return of its Sea Glass Festival, which features an array of new activities and enriched experiences for the 2024 season.

Set to take place on Sunday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this popular family-friendly event will celebrate the history, artistry, and allure of sea glass, now with an expanded presence on historic Main Street in Cold Spring Harbor. The event is the only one of its kind in the region and is the museum’s largest community event which welcomes 1,000 attendees. It is supported in part with funds awarded through a grant from Suffolk County Economic Development and Planning.

“We are thrilled to bring Long Island’s exclusive Sea Glass Festival to our community for the third year in a row,” said Nomi Dayan, Executive Director at The Whaling Museum & Education Center. “Sea glass, along with the historic glass bottles in our collection, are unique portals into Long Island’s stories. This year, we are excited to offer a number of expanded opportunities for both adults and children to appreciate and learn about the glass gems created by the ocean that surrounds us.”

Event Highlights:

Expert Presentations: Learn about sea glass and historic glass bottles.

Live Music: Enjoy tunes by Rorie Kelly.

Shopping: Browse booths with sea glass-themed artworks and crafts.

Contests & Crafts: Enter the sea glass contest and participate in fun crafts.

The festival will present an extended schedule featuring talks and lectures delivered by sea glass experts, historians, authors, and artists. These engaging sessions will be held in the museum’s gallery and offsite at a neighboring event partner, Preservation Long Island, situated a 5-minute walk from The Whaling Museum.

“Our staff curated an exciting lineup of both returning and new presenters who will provide valuable insights and inspiration to our attendees. Our presenters’ expertise and passion for sea glass and beachcombing will help educate the public on topics such as identifying sea glass, the history of local glass, and the creative applications of sea glass,” said Dayan.

Speaker presentations at Preservation Long Island will take place at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., with two presenters alternating: George Wm Fisher, author of multiple books on Long Island’s bottles and medicine companies, will present at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on “The Origins of Sea Glass.”

Mary McCarthy, Beachcombing Educator and former Executive Director of The Beachcombing Center, will present next at noon and 2 p.m. on the “Difference between Fake and Genuine Sea Glass.” Mary will also host her celebrated “Beachcombing Table” and offer sea glass identification for the public when she is not presenting.

Examples of Shadow Box Sea Glass Crafts. $10 per participant; All ages welcome.

New for 2024:

Expanded Presentations: Lectures on sea glass history at the historic Old Methodist Church, home of Preservation Long Island.

Mobile Beachcombing Museum: Explore “Tumbled By The Sea.”

Sea Glass Hunt: Find hidden sea glass on Main Street to enter a prize raffle.

Shadow Box Craft: Create a unique sea glass craft for $10.

Special Drinks: Enjoy sea glass-themed drinks at Sweetie Pies on Main.

Additional new activities that extend into historic Main Street in Cold Spring Harbor include: a scavenger hunt down Main Street; an exclusive visit to the Cold Spring Harbor Firehouse Museum; and the option to purchase a new sea glass-themed beverage from Sweetie Pies on Main.

In The Whaling Museum’s gallery, festival attendees can attend new talks held every hour from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Speaker highlights include Amy Dries of “Tumbled by the Sea,” a mobile museum that will be stationed in front of the festival tent, and author and historian Roxie Zwicker who will be discussing her new book, “New England Sea Glass: A Vibrant History.” A full schedule of talks and presentations is available at cshwhalingmuseum.org/seaglass.

Outdoors at the festival, attendees will have the chance to explore the mobile exhibit “Tumbled by the Sea” and take a self-guided tour of this travelling museum, shop with over a dozen artists and exhibitors under the tents including new artists and returning exhibitors, and view glass art torchwork demonstrations with Ro’s Glass World.

Kids can partake in a sea glass scavenger hunt in the museum’s gallery and enjoy complimentary crafts included with admission.

Live music by artist Rorie Kelly will add to the festive atmosphere, who performs fun, family-friendly crowd-pleaser music from the 1950s to today.

Returning again will be the Sea Glass of the Year contest, now featuring a new kids category.

Moreover, this year’s festival introduces a new Sea Glass Writing Contest for Long Island youth in partnership with TBR News Media. Festival attendees can hear the entries of contest winners at the event.

Attendees wanting to explore their creative side can create a new shadow box craft in the museum workshop facilitated by museum educators. Tickets for this add-on craft can be purchased only at the event inside the museum’s gallery.

When hunger strikes, festival attendees can enjoy offerings from the All-American Wontons food truck which will be on-site or visit any of the restaurants and cafes in Cold Spring Harbor, including Grasso’s Restaurant, Sandbar, Harbor Mist, The Gourmet Whaler and the Cold Spring Harbor Deli.

The Whaling Museum and Education Center is located at 301 Main Street in Cold Spring Harbor. Online tickets for the Sea Glass Festival are priced at a discount for advance purchase at $15 for attendees and $10 for museum members. Door tickets will be available at $20 for attendees and $15 for members. For more information, visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org

Get Your Tickets Now:

Tickets

This article originally appeared in TBR News Media’s Summer Times supplement on June 20.

Vanderbilt Museum to host special tour of mansion’s rose garden June 17

by Press Release - June 16, 2024

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Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport hosts a special tour of the mansion’s organic rose garden with the Centerport Garden Club (CGC) on Monday, June 17 at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate the second year since its revival and redesign.

Members of the Centerport Garden Club (CGC), in coordination with Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum staff, redesigned, planted and continuously maintain the historic organic rose garden. The plantings, in addition to more than 60 young roses, include perennials, boxwoods, hydrangeas, Japanese Maples, and other companion plants.

Linda Pitra, President of the CGC, will give a brief introduction to the garden. Dr. Jane Corrarino, master gardener and member of the American Rose Society, will discuss growing roses organically without chemicals. Following the presentation, enjoy some refreshments and meet members of the CGC.

“Our club promotes mutual helpfulness among its members in the study of practical gardening and flower arranging,” Pitra said, “We encourage civic beautification and community planting and our goal is to further the conservation of native trees, plants, animals, and the environment.”

The club, organized in 1953, began maintaining the Vanderbilt Rose Garden 40 years ago.

Admission is free but registration is required by visiting www.vanderbiltmuseum.org or click below.

Museum Day returns to Middle Country Public Library May 16

by Tara Mae - May 12, 2024

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By Tara Mae

Like separate entries in an anthology, different community organizations offer rich options for diverse cultural endeavors that form a cohesive collection of experiences to encourage understanding and appreciation.

In this spirit, Middle Country Public Library’s Centereach branch at 101 Eastwood Blvd. will host Museum Day on Thursday, May 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. The event is free and no registration is required.

This year 30 local institutions are participating, including the Long Island Museum of American History, Art and Carriages (LIM) in Stony Brook, Three Village Historical Society (TVHS) in Setauket, Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor, Railroad Museum of Long Island in Riverhead, and Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown.

“The purpose [of Museum Day] is to provide a forum for community members to interact with representatives from local museums, historical societies, science and nature centers that participate to share information regarding their collections, programs, and exhibits in a festival type setting,” said Deborah Hempe, Middle Country Public Library’s Coordinator for Outreach Services and Museum Corner.

Held at the Museum Corner section of the library, which is part of the Youth Services Department, Museum Day is geared towards children and their families. Interactive elements across multiple mediums include science experiments, arts and crafts, live animal visits, and interaction with museum displays and artifacts.

“For many children, looking and listening isn’t enough to activate the desire to learn. At events like this, children are presented with opportunities to also create, explore objects for themselves, and feel a connection that is personal,” said Lisa Unander, Director of Education at the Long Island Museum. “That feeling can be a catalyst to spark wonder and a lifelong love of art and history.”

The LIM will have a collage project inspired by the art of Reynold Ruffins, whose work is featuring in one of its current exhibits, Painting Partnership: Reynold and Joan Ruffins. The activity will concentrate on how using color and geometric shapes can create art.

TVHS will set up a mini-exhibit and teach hands-on crafts, like making colonial whirligigs. Sweetbriar Nature Center will attend with two of its ambassador animals; traditionally, a resident owl and snake come as its guests. The Railroad Museum of Long Island will set up a train display.

“I enjoy seeing the families who attend Museum Day and [engaging] with the children on hands-on learning activities we offer during the event,” said Education Coordinator of TVHS Lindsey Steward-Goldberg.

These offerings are made to energize minds and excite imaginations.

“Museums can be places that introduce new ideas, unique perspectives and often challenge people’s ways of looking and thinking. Giving children a chance expand their way of thinking and encouragement to be creative in unexpected ways is often a goal of museum educators,” Unander said.

For 35 years, Middle Country Public Library has organized the gathering in conjunction with International Museum Day, which falls on or around May 18. In 2023, more than 37,000 museums in about 158 countries and territories took part in the celebration.

Coordinated by the International Council of Museums, International Museum Day has a distinctive theme every year; 2024’s focus is Museums for Education and Research.

Although the motif changes, primary objectives of the official occasion and the library’s exhibition remain consistent: to alert people to the role museums play in the advancement of society and fortify the cooperation between neighboring operations.

“The public is able to learn about what these local organizations have to offer in a fun and interactive setting…Additionally, it provides a nice way for the organizations to do a bit of networking with each other,” Hempe said.

A welcome chance to fortify interdisciplinary dynamics for the attending entities while engaging with a new audience and enchanting existing patrons, Museum Day is both a synopsis and preview of the organizations’ services. Many vendors return annually to maximize and solidify their exposure.

“Each year we meet many patrons who know our museum, and also many who have not ever visited the LIM. It is a wonderful way to showcase what the LIM has to offer and to extend a personal invitation to these families to visit for the first time or to come back and see what is new since their last visit,” Unander said.

Through nurturing partnerships of longevity and consistency, Museum Day invigorates lifelong interest in learning as well as sustained support for assemblages dedicated to historical preservation and intellectual enrichment.

“I look forward to further cultivating those relationships, interacting with the staff and volunteers of participating organizations, and seeing the event attendees interacting with them as well…all are welcome,” Hempe said.

Participating organizations include:

American Airpower Museum

Bayard Cutting Arboretum

Bethel Hobbs Community Farm

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County Community Education

Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society

Fire Island National Seashore

Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council

Hallockville Museum Farm

Hofstra University Museum of Art

Long Island Explorium

Long Island Maritime Museum

Long Island Museum

Long Island Telephone Museum

LT Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum

Montauk Historical Society/Lighthouse

NY Marine Rescue Center

Old Westbury Gardens

Patchogue Arts Council

Railroad Museum of Long Island

Sagtikos Manor

Smithtown Historical Society

Southampton History Museum

South Fork Natural History Museum

Sweetbriar Nature Center

Three Village Historical Society

Town of Brookhaven Historian

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium

Whaling Museum & Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor

Water Mill Museum

To learn more about Museum Day, call 631-585-9393 or visit www.mcplibrary.org.

Long Island Museum honored with Engaging Communities Award of Distinction

by Press Release - May 9, 2024

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The Long Island Museum (LIM), a Smithsonian Affiliate, has announced that it has been awarded the prestigious Engaging Communities Award of Distinction for its groundbreaking exhibition SOMOS/WE ARE: Latinx Artists of Long Island.

The LIM was part of a group of selected museums, museum professionals, industry partners, and legislative leaders that were recognized for their exceptional achievements at MANY’s 2024 annual conference “Giving Voice to Value” in Albany on April 8. The fifteen awards celebrated unique leadership, dedicated community service, transformational visitor experiences, community engagement, and innovative programs that use collections and resources to support museums and to tell stories of everyone who calls New York home.

The Engaging Communities Award of Distinction recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional and resourceful methods in engaging their communities and cultivating new audiences. The LIM’s exhibition, SOMOS/WE ARE, stood out for its immersive approach in showcasing the rich cultural heritage and artistic contributions of the Latinx community on Long Island.

“This was such an important and institution-changing exhibition for us,” says Co-Executive Director, Joshua Ruff. “It helped us collaborate and connect with community partners such as the Latino Arts Council of Long Island. We were able to make some significant new accessions for our art collection from some of the artists involved. And this project confirmed that LIM is a museum dedicated to the history and culture of all people across our region, including the more than 20% of Nassau-Suffolk’s total population that has Hispanic heritage.”

On view during the fall of 2023, SOMOS/WE ARE was guest-curated by Mexican-American artist Kelynn Alder and curator Nina Sangimino of the LIM. This collaborative exhibition with associated programming focused on the rich cultural heritage and artistic contributions of the Latinx community on Long Island, featured 82 regional artists and explored their diverse styles, media, personal stories, and familial national origins.

In addition to bilingual exhibition text, the museum’s education staff published a bilingual Family Gallery Guide and offered Spanish language tours, including one for the Long Island Latino Teachers Association which contributed to an increase in school tours from school districts on Long Island with a high percentage of Latinx students, including Hempstead, Springs, Copiague, Tuckahoe, North Babylon, and Brentwood.

The museum also hosted a ¡ESTAMOS! symposium that featured an artist discussion and performances as well as a free Family Fun Day in October which set a record 600 person attendance for Día de los Muertos, many of whom were first-time visitors.

The LIM’s SOMOS/WE ARE: Latinx Artists of Long Island exhibition exemplifies the power of museums to connect, inspire, and celebrate diverse voices and communities. For more information, visit www.longislandmuseum.org.

The Whaling Museum unveils exciting transformation of signature event

by Press Release - April 25, 2024

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Whales, Ales, and Salty Tales becomes Whales, Ales, and BRINY Tales!

The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor announces the broadening of its classic event, Whales, Ales, and Salty Tales, now presented as Whales, Ales, and BRINY Tales! This year, the event introduces an exciting new feature: Pickles! Adults aged 21 and over are invited to this immersive indoor/outdoor experience on Sunday, June 1 from 2 to 5 p.m. at The Whaling Museum.

“We are thrilled to unveil the next chapter of our well-received, annual event,” said Nomi Dayan, Executive Director, The Whaling Museum & Education Center. “After offering new pickle-themed programs a few months ago which sold out, we realized Long Island has a crowd interested in flavorful experiences. We are excited to hybridize tastings of pickles with craft beer offerings – a tasty combination that provides a lively backdrop for historical discussions about life at sea.”

The museum’s plaza will be transformed into a hub of activity, showcasing craft brews from local breweries such as Jones Beach Brewing Company, Secatogue Brewery, Take Two Brewery, Threes Brewery, and more to come. Horman’s Best Pickles will offer pickle samples, along with the option to purchase pickles on sticks. For the adventurous, one brewer will even offer samples of pickle- flavored beer. The event will be further enriched by live sea chanteys performed by Scuttlebutt Stu, providing a lively maritime soundtrack guests can sing along to.

Inside the museum, attendees can expand their knowledge through informative talks on pickles and preservation on whaling ships. Creative minds can participate in designing scrimshaw-style keychains or select the box option for a unique keepsake. The “Tales of the Tavern” adult scavenger hunt will offer a fun and educational experience for interacting with the museum’s exhibits through QR codes and a booklet of clues.

To commemorate this special occasion, the first 150 attendees will receive a commemorative tasting cup sponsored by Mercedes of Huntington, adding a collectible element to their experience. Tickets are available for purchase online at $40, $30 for members or at the door for $45, $35 for members. Designated driver tickets are also available for $15. Event t-shirts will also be available for purchase and are sponsored by local marina, H&M Powles.

“This event has evolved over the course of 10 years, beginning as a quaint tasting event inside the museum to a tented affair featuring new vendors and activities,” said Gina Van Bell, Assistant Director at The Whaling Museum & Education Center. “We are thrilled to see the ongoing excitement from guests, sponsors, and brewers who have supported the event year after year. We are eager to continue expanding the event, connecting the community with our maritime heritage through creative and delicious experiences.”

Tickets are on sale now. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit cshwhalingmuseum.org/ales.

Bank of America grant supports Heckscher Museum mission to make art accessible to all

by Press Release - April 25, 2024

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The Museum will offer free admission courtesy of Bank of America into 2025

Continuing the legacy of founders August and Anna Heckscher, The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington has provided the community with free access to its exhibitions, with suggested donations, since reopening its doors after the peak of the pandemic. A grant from Bank of America will allow The Heckscher Museum of Art to offer free admission into 2025, and welcome more visitors and families to enjoy art and community.

“We are grateful to Bank of America for its generosity and partnership,” said Heather Arnet Executive Director & CEO. “Founders Anna and August Heckscher envisioned a thriving ‘museum for all’. This grant will allow the Museum to continue that important mission and ensure that cost will not be a barrier for any individual or family to view the Museum’s fine art collection and exhibitions.”

The Heckscher Museum was founded in 1920 as a space for the people of Huntington, especially the children, to enjoy free access to world-class art. Throughout the last century, The Heckscher Museum has worked to maintain that legacy through key partnerships and fundraising efforts. These efforts have helped sustain the museum’s quality arts education and outreach programs, caretaking of the permanent collection, and the organization and presentation of renowned art exhibitions.

A supporter of Long Island’s vibrant arts scene and cultural institutions, Bank of America is dedicated to fostering greater cultural understanding through the arts. Providing and expanding access to museums and the arts is critical for enriching local communities and driving social progress. The $25,000 grant will ensure that more visitors will be able to experience The Heckscher Museum’s exhibitions free of charge.

“Making Long Island’s flourishing arts community and cultural institutions accessible to locals and visitors alike has the power to create long-lasting, positive change in our communities,” said Marc Perez, president, Bank of America Long Island. “In partnership with The Heckscher Museum of Art, we look forward to ensuring that access to the museum’s dynamic exhibitions and permanent collection is free to the public.”

August and Anna Heckscher donated the Museum building and original collection of 185 works of art in 1920 to benefit the citizens of Huntington. In his dedication speech, Mr. Heckscher stated that Huntington was to be “one of the few places in the United States outside of the large cities [that] possess galleries of such extent and importance.” He intended this gift to be “especially for the children.”

About The Heckscher Museum

The Heckscher Museum of Art is in its second century as a source of art and inspiration on Long Island. Founded by philanthropists Anna and August Heckscher in 1920, the Museum’s collection comprises more than 2,300 works from the 16^thto the 21^stcentury, including European and American painting, sculpture, works on paper, and photography. Located in scenic Heckscher Park in Huntington, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit Heckscher.org for more information. Heckscher.org

About Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,800 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC). For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame

by Press Release - April 4, 2024

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Stephen Schwartz, center, poses with the Broadway talent and LIMEHOF board of directors. Photo by Steve Leung

Broadway came to Long Island recently as a range of vocalists from the “Great White Way” and musicians gathered to honor and induct award-winning Broadway and movie lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Godspell,” “Pippin,” “Pocahontas,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “The Prince of Egypt,” and the new movie adaptation of “Wicked,” among other titles) into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) in Stony Brook on March 23.

The award presentation was preceded by an hour-and-a-half concert emceed by musician Paul Shaffer, which featured performances from Schwartz’ musicals.

Musician Paul Shaffer officially inducts and hands off the award trophy to Steven Schwartz. Photo by Steve Leung

Although well-known on Broadway and Manhattan, Schwartz has solid Long Island roots, having grown up in Williston Park and graduated from Mineola High School. With a career that includes winning four Grammy Awards, three Academy Awards, and numerous other accolades, Schwartz says that being recognized on Long Island is an extra-special honor for him.

Schwartz joins other legendary Broadway lyricists and musicians inducted into LIMEHOF with ties to Long Island, Brooklyn, and Queens, including George Gershwin (2006) and George M. Cohan (2006). LIMEHOF currently includes over 120 inductees.

Broadway performers and singers who performed at this event included Teal Wicks and Carrie St. Louis (“Wicked”), Dale Soules (“The Magic Show”), Alysia Velez (“Into the Woods”), Sam Simahk (“Into the Woods”) and DeMarius Copes (“Some Like It Hot”). The concert featured Music from “Wicked,” “Godspell,” “Pippin,” “Working,” “The Magic Show.” and “Pocahontas.”

In addition to the music performances, Schwartz’s friend Stephen Reinhardt, who was a keyboard player and musical director for “Godspell” and “The Magic Show,” took the stage and gave a heartfelt speech. Sprinkled throughout the concert were various recorded video messages from Schwartz’ friends and colleagues who couldn’t be there but wanted to celebrate his induction, including Idina Menzel, Alan Menken, and Kristin Chenoweth, who had worked with Schwartz before in “Wicked,” and is working with him now on “The Queen of Versailles.”

After being inducted, Stephen closed out the evening by performing a song from his upcoming musical, “The Queen of Versailles,” which is set to debut later this year.

After the event, Schwartz called it “a lovely evening” and said it was like a big reunion. “All those videos were surprises… from my son and my friends … and it was really a moving evening for me,” Schwartz said. “I didn’t really expect this, so it was very meaningful to me.”

Centereach High School student artwork selected for exhibit at The Heckscher Museum

by Press Release - March 21, 2024

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427757503_933866775411768_6831007327270557862_n — Centereach High School junior Keegan Klein's selected artwork. Photo courtesy MCCSD

Centereach High School is proud to announce that junior Keegan Klein’s artwork has been selected to be featured in the prestigious Long Island’s Best Young Artists Exhibit at The Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington.

Centereach High School junior Keegan Klein with his selected artwork.
Photo courtesy MCCSD

The exhibit will be on display from March 23 to May 5, showcasing the talent and creativity of young artists from across Long Island.

“Keegan’s art being selected for the Long Island Best Young Artists exhibit is a true testament to his talent and dedication,” said Shelby Petruzzo, Centereach High School’s art teacher. “His creativity and passion have truly shone through in his work, and I am excited to see where his artistic journey takes him next.”

Klein’s artwork was chosen from over 450 submissions from high schools all over Long Island. Of all the submissions, only 87 works were selected to be a part of this esteemed exhibit, making Klein’s achievement even more remarkable.

The Long Island’s Best Young Artists Exhibit at The Heckscher Museum celebrates the artistic talent and dedication of young artists in the region. Klein’s selection is a testament to his skill, vision and hard work as a budding artist.

For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ achievements, visit the district’s website at www.mccsd.net.

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