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Staller Center line-up

By Rita J. Egan

As the air begins to chill, Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts is ready to warm up audiences with a variety of exciting performances with its Fall 2024 season.

Alan Inkles, Staller Center director, said planning a season is similar to putting together a puzzle when deciding who to include and working with the artists’ schedules. He added he and his team like to create a season that is a mixture of newcomers and well-known names, which he feels both challenges and entertains audiences.

Record breaking artist Jackie Evancho heads to Stony Brook University on November 23.
Photo courtesy of Staller Center

“What I’ve begun the last couple years is to mix the stars in with what I call discovery shows,” he said. “We’ve got to keep going back to bringing in shows with great, talented people that maybe you might remember them from America’s Got Talent or you may have seen them somewhere. That’s the joy of going to an arts center.”

Among those who have appeared on America’s Got Talent scheduled to perform at the Staller Center are Malevo on Oct. 26 and Jackie Evancho on Nov. 23.

Inkles described Malevo’s show as “high energy.” The dance group from Argentina was a semi-finalist on AGT in 2016. The dancers will perform zapateo, similar to tap dancing, using a type of weapon called boleadora.

Evancho is known for competing as an opera singer and coming in second on AGT in 2010 at the age of 10. Inkles said the artist, now known for singing pop, has created a show that will include opera, pop and Broadway tunes. 

“That will be a fun night,” Inkles said. “That’s something different that I like to bring in.”

Among those appearing at the Staller Center this season will be comedian Wanda Sykes (sold out), Tony Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry, musician John Pizzarelli and Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque.

The season will kick off on Sept. 15 with the Emerson Legacy Concert Presents the Han-Setzer-Finckel Trio performing the music of Haydn, Beethoven and Dvorak. The trio continues the tradition of the Emerson String Quartet with former members Phil Setzer on violin and David Finckel playing cello, with the addition of pianist Wu Han.

Entertainers perform on the main stage or recital hall depending on the performance. Inkles said on Nov. 13, “It’s going to be a really cool night at the recital hall.” The night will feature viral star Stella Cole, Postmodern Jukebox’s Benny Benack III and tap dancer Jabu Graybeal for Some Enchanted Evening with Stella Cole. The trio will perform Jazz-inspired selections of Broadway hits spanning the decades.

The Peridance Contemporary Dance Company will take on the Staller Main Stage on Nov. 16. “If you like modern dance … if you want to see amazing movement, if you’re taking dance class, there is ballet, there is tap dancing in it,” Inkles said.

Last year, the Staller Center debuted a new concept showing a children’s movie. At the same time, a live orchestra performed along to the songs with Disney’s Coco. This year, the arts center will show Disney’s Encanto on Oct. 14, with a Latin band playing the musical score. After the viewing, attendees can meet the band members.

“It gives the kids the opportunity to see a live band as well as a movie,” he said.

Changes through the years

For this year’s fall season, like most performance periods, Inkles and his team began planning two years ago when he started traveling around the country to attend shows featuring various artists to see who would be a good fit for the arts center.

After the COVID-19 shutdowns and venues began to open again, Inkles said a decision was made to have a fall and spring season instead of one long performance period due to people tending to go out less after the pandemic. “People aren’t buying in advance as much or as many shows,” he said.

Regarding post-pandemic, Inkles said that out of the other State University of New York campuses with arts centers, the Staller Center is doing better than others audience-wise, and things are returning to normal. “We’re thriving in a time when a lot of our centers have either closed their doors or are doing much, much less,” he said.

Inkles said it’s vital to have such an arts center on campus grounds. For every show, the center makes at least 100 free tickets available to SBU students who wish to attend a performance. “We want to give these students culture and entertainment that they’ve not seen before,” he said. “It’s growth of the future. If we don’t do this, in 20 years there won’t be art centers. People will just be watching on their phones.”

Inkles added he and his team aim to create shows that are good not just for Long Island but also in general.

“When you come to see a show at the Staller Center, in my mind, it is as good, if not better, because the acoustics are great in the recital hall, or our sound system is better than most theaters on Broadway,” he said. “You need to walk out thinking it’s as good, if not better than something you could see in New York City, and that’s sort of my rule of thumb. I’m not looking for something that is pretty good, I’m looking for something that’s really great.”

Calendar of Event

  9/15 — Emerson Legacy Concert at 5 p.m. (RH)

  9/21 — Renée Elise Goldsberry at 8 p.m. (MS)

  9/28 — John Pizzarelli: Stage & Screen at 8 p.m. (RH) 

10/14 — Disney’s ‘Encanto’ Sing-Along at 4 p.m. (MS)

10/18 — Wanda Sykes at 8 p.m. (MS) *Sold out

10/26 — Malevo at 8 p.m. (MS)

  10/9 — Cirque Kalabané: Afrique en Cirque at 7 p.m. (MS)

11/13 — Some Enchanted Evening with Stella Cole at 7 p.m. (RH)

11/16 — Peridance Contemporary Dance Company at 8 p.m. (MS)

11/21 — Starry Nights at 7 p.m. (RH)

11/23 — An Evening with Jackie Evancho at 8 p.m. (RH)

11/24 — ‘Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus’ at 3 p.m. (MS)

  12/6 — Anthony Nunziata: A Broadway Italian Christmas at 8 p.m. (RH)

 12/14 — Caroline Campbell with guest Chloe Flower at 8 p.m. (RH)

RH: Recital Hall

MS: Main Stage

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts is located at 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook. To order tickets, call the box office at 631-632-2787 or visit stallercenter.com.

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Scene from the Town of Smithtown's End of Summer concert. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
Scene from the Town of Smithtown's End of Summer concert. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
Scene from the Town of Smithtown's End of Summer concert. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
Scene from the Town of Smithtown's End of Summer concert. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown

Nathan Dean and the Damn Band returned to Smithtown for an unforgettable  end of Summer Country Music concert at Callahan’s Beach. On Saturday, August 24th, 2024, the parking lot and camp grounds were transformed into an outdoor concert venue, as Nathan Dean and The Damn Band made Smithtown the last stop on their coast-to-coast Unsupervised Tour.

The free concert was sponsored by Cosentino Companies, and organized by David Capo in conjunction with Smithtown Supervisor, Ed Wehrheim, the Town Council, the Parks Department and Public Safety. Local families packed the parking lot with tailgate-style picnic setups, while residents wishing to be closer to the band, set up beach chairs and blankets to enjoy the live performance. The Show was emceed by David Capo.

“We were ecstatic when we learned that Nathan Dean and the Damn Band wanted to return to Smithtown. We were doubly blessed when Cosentino Companies generously agreed to sponsor the cost of the event for the second year running, so the community could enjoy a great show absolutely free. I’d also like to thank and acknowledge David Capo, who originally introduced us to the band, in addition to the Parks Department, Public Safety and local foodie favorites Ralph’s Famous Ices and Philly Pretzel Factory. This band is the real deal… They had us all dancing under the stars as the sun set on our gorgeous newly renovated Callahan’s Beach. Kids were playing in the new playground area, while friends found a great spot up by the campgrounds. It was a much needed break after dealing with a week of cleanup and storm damage. Everyone had a blast and I look forward to planning their return next Summer,” said Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

About Nathan Dean and the Damn Band 
Nathan Dean: Lead Singer and Guitar, Jason Judd: Lead Guitar and Back up Vocals, Bill Bogan: Drums and Back up Vocals, Chris Duke: Bass
Founded in Arizona in 2005, Nathan Dean and the Damn Band are a prime example of hard work paying off. Playing well over 200 shows a year and regularly touring across the country they’ve gone from a weekend warrior bar band to a high energy, crowd pleasing, headlining band, thanks mostly to their drive and their incredible fan base. From catchy and heartfelt originals to country/rock and pop favorites, once you see a show you’ll understand why they’re one of the most sought after bands on the touring scene right now. They’ve shared the stage with artists like: Dylan Scott, LOCASH, Big and Rich, Cody Johnson, Randy Rogers Band, Diamond Rio, Eric Church and countless others… They were recently nominated for 3 Josie awards in 2021 for Entertainer, Artist and Group of the year.

 

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Jay Ungar and Molly Mason will headline this year's festival.

By Melissa Arnold

As summer begins to wind down, September ushers in what could be considered the best of the season: Mellower weather, cooler nights, and still plenty of time for outdoor fun.

Benner’s Farm in East Setauket is an ideal spot for celebrating all things Americana when the Fiddle and Folk Festival returns on Sunday, Sept. 8.

Historical records show that the 15-acre property has functioned as a working family farm as far back as 1751, if not earlier. Seven families have called it home since then, with schoolteachers Bob and Jean Benner purchasing the property in 1974.

The concert line-up will include Eastbound Freight Bluegrass — John Brisotti on mandolin; Dave Thompson on guitar; Bill DeTurk on banjo; Bill Ayasse on fiddle and Bruce Barry on bass — who will be joined by two former members, singer Gene Yellin and fiddler Bill Christopherson.

Today, Benner’s Farm provides a much-needed respite from the frenetic pace of life on the North Shore. Visitors can enjoy the grounds and say hello to the sheep and goats, chickens and ducks, and Tippy the cow. 

The Fiddle and Folk Festival was held for many years at the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook. When those festivals were discontinued, Bob Benner found that he really missed attending.

“We’ve always had a love for music on the farm, whether that’s contra dancing or welcoming musicians to come and play,” Benner said. 

At the Long Island Museum, a William Sidney Mount painting of a fiddler at a barn dance (“Dance of the Haymakers”) captured Benner’s imagination. And with a little encouragement from the late Gerry Riemer of WUSB Radio in Stony Brook, Benner made plans to reboot the festival on the farm.

In the years since then, the Long Island Traditional Music Association, Homestead Arts and the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council have helped Benner connect with a wide variety of folk, bluegrass, blues and roots musicians.

“The folk community might be smaller than others, but they are global and well-connected to each other,” said Amy Tuttle, the arts council’s program director. “I’ve gotten to know many performers simply through word of mouth from other musicians. They are all creative spirits that are excited to get to know new people, including their audiences.”  

This year’s festival has four performance spaces situated around the farm, each with its own unique vibe. The heart of the action is on the Back Porch, a gorgeous hillside where headliners and larger groups will perform.

Headlining this year’s festival are Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, a married duo best known for their expressive roots tunes. Ungar’s Grammy Award-winning song “Ashokan Farewell” gained notoriety as the theme for the acclaimed Ken Burns documentary The Civil War.

The Sugar Maple Barn will host fiddle and banjo duo Brian Chabza and Bill Ayasse, plus the anticipated “Pick of the Crop” competition, where hopeful performers can step up to the mic. Impress the judges and you could be invited to play on the Back Porch. Keep your ears open for last year’s contest winners, Toby Tobias and Suzanne Ernst, as they make their Big Porch debuts.

If you have musical talent but don’t want to compete,  the open mic “stage”— actually a 100-year-old Model T truck — awaits. And if you’re looking to jam with a group or sing along in the audience, head to the Shady Grove, an acoustic spot featuring the Eastern Long Island Old Time Jam. Beginners and seasoned performers alike are encouraged to pull up a chair and play.

Emceed by Bob Westcott, the lineup will also include The Roger Street Friedman Band, Claudia Jacob’s Say Hey Crew, and Eastbound Freight, among others.

Hot dogs, hamburgers and other picnic fare will be available for purchase. Kids can explore activities just for them, or take the whole family on a nature walk.

The festival is a fun opportunity to get some fresh air and explore new types of music you might not hear all the time, Tuttle said.

“The Fiddle and Folk Festival celebrates Americana in a number of forms, from very traditional old time sounds to contemporary songwriters putting their own spin on traditional instruments, or even Americana interpreted by people from other parts of the world. It’s all different, depending on how the artist approaches the music. You’re not going to be listening to six hours of the same thing,” she explained. “The performers care so deeply about the community and come out to intermingle and talk to people. There’s no ‘wall’ between the audience and the performers.”

As the day draws to a close and the sun begins to set, Benner said there’s nothing like listening to the music play on as the sun filters through the trees, filling the Back Porch area with amber light.

“It’s such a treat for me to do this every year, right here in my own backyard,” he said. 

The 12th Annual Fiddle & Folk Festival will be held at Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket on Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets in advance are $22 adults, $18 seniors and $10 for children; tickets at the door are $25 adults, $22 seniors and $12 for children. Bring seating. For more information or to purchase advance tickets, visit fiddleandfolk.com or call 631 689-8172.

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The Jazz Loft. Photo by Heidi Sutton

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Avenue, in Stony Brook, is offering a September calendar of concerts that will revive your spirits.

Wednesday, September 4

Young at Heart: Salute to Bobby Darin at 1 p.m.

Tom Manuel & the Young at Heart Trio: Tom Manuel, cornet, Steve Salerno, guitar, Keenan Zach, bass performs songs from the Big Band era

Tickets: $15 General Admission

 

Wednesday, September 4

Jam Session at 7 p.m.

Jam Sessions are led by Keenan Zach and Jazz musicians of all ages are invited to play on stage with fellow jazz enthusiasts.

Tickets: $10, $5 after 8 p.m.

 

Thursday, September 5

The Jazz Loft Big Band at 7 p.m.

17-piece big band directed by Tom Manuel

Tickets: $30 Adult, $25 Senior, $20 Student, $15 Child, FREE Child (5 and under)

 

Friday, September 6 

David Berkman Quartet at 7 p.m.

David Berkman on piano and compositions by Berkman; David Stephens on saxophones; Joe Martin on bass; Ferenc Nemeth on drums.

Tickets: $30 Adult, $25 Senior, $20 Student, $15 Child, FREE Child (5 and under)

 

Saturday, September 7

Larry Fuller Trio at 7 p.m.

Larry Fuller on piano

Tickets: $30 Adult, $25 Senior, $20 Student, $15 Child, FREE Child (5 and under)

 

Wednesday, September 11

Jam Session at 7 p.m.           

Jam Sessions are led by Keenan Zach and Jazz musicians of all ages are invited to play on stage along with fellow jazz enthusiasts.

Tickets: $10, $5 after 8 p.m. 

Thursday, September 12 

Russell Hall Quintet

Russell Hall on bass; Leo Larratt, guitar; Mike Troy, saxophone; Matt Lee on drums.

Tickets: $30 Adult, $25 Senior, $20 Student, $15 Child, FREE Child (5 and under)

 

Monday, September 16

Bright Moments Series

The Bad Little Big Band at 7 p.m.  

Livio Almeida, tenor; Moshe Elmakias, piano; Bam Bam Rodriguez on bass; and Zack O’Farrill on drums

Tickets: Adults $10, seniors $5.

Wednesday, September 18

The Harbor Jazz Festival

Jam Session at 7 p.m.           

Jam Sessions are led by Keenan Zach and Jazz musicians of all ages are invited to play on stage along with fellow jazz enthusiasts.

Tickets: $10, $5 after 8 p.m.

Thursday, September 19

The Harbor Jazz Festival

The Bad Little Big Band at 7 p.m.

The 12-member Bad Little Big Band led by pianist Rich Iacona, and vocalist Madeline Kole accompanies the band.

Tickets: $30 Adult, $25 Senior, $20 Student, $15 Child, FREE Child (5 and under)

 

Friday, September 20

The Harbor Jazz Festival

The Sinatra Project at 7 p.m.

Vocalist Pete Caldera, backed by the Tom Manuel-led Sinatra Project Sextet. 

Tom Manuel, cornet; Steve Salerno, guitar; Jon Mele, drums; Frank Hansen, bass; Rod Borrie, trombone.

Tickets: $40 general admission

 

Saturday, September 21

The Harbor Jazz Festival

ALL Concerts are FREE

Village Green Stage:

1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Ray Anderson Group

4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Akiko Tsuruga Organ Quartet

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Carlos Jimenez Mambo Dulcet

Jazz Loft Lawn Stage:

3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Bill Crow Trio

6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Mala Waldron Quartet

 

Monday, September 24

Bright Moments Series

Zan Tetickovic, drums

Tickets: Adults $10, seniors $5.

 

Wednesday, September 25

Jam Session at 7 p.m.

Jam Sessions are led by Keenan Zach Jazz and musicians of all ages are invited to play on stage along with fellow Jazz enthusiasts.

Tickets: $10, $5 after 8 p.m.

 

Thursday, September 26

Interplay Jazz Orchestra at 7 p.m. 

The 17-piece Interplay Jazz Orchestra performs original compositions and arrangements written by band members.

Tickets: $30 Adult, $25 Senior, $20 Student, $15 Child, FREE Child (5 and under)

 

For tickets and more information visit https://www.thejazzloft.org or call 631-751-1895.

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Lance Millard as Sir Elton John

Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown will present “Sir Elton — Featuring Lance Millard,” the quintessential homage to the incomparable Elton John, on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.With over 25 years of dedication, Lance Millard embodies the spirit of Elton with unmatched precision and passion, enthralling audiences night after night.

From the iconic costumes to the spot-on vocals, Lance’s portrayal is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the artistry of Elton John. Accompanied by a hand-selected ensemble of the region’s most talented musicians, “Sir Elton” delivers a spellbinding performance that ignites the stage and fills theaters with an electric atmosphere.

Elton’s legacy is nothing short of legendary, boasting a staggering array of accomplishments including over 50 Top 40 hits and sales of more than 300 million records worldwide. His impact on music and culture is indelible, drawing fans from every corner of the globe to revel in his timeless melodies.

Prepare to be captivated by “Sir Elton – Featuring Lance Millard,” a tribute spectacle that honors the legacy of a music icon while delivering an unforgettable live experience.

Tickets are $42 per person. To order, call 1-800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

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Photo courtesy of LIGMC
Photo courtesy of LIGMC
Photo courtesy of LIGMC

The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus has announced the start of rehearsals for its Holiday 2024 concert series.

Weekly rehearsals begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 120 Vernon Valley Road in East Northport, leading up to a Sunday, Oct. 27 afternoon fall cabaret and concerts on Sunday, Dec. 8, Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14.

Whether you come from community theater or karaoke or somewhere in between, there’s a place for you in LIGMC welcomes all who can commit to weekly rehearsals, learning the music, and having fun as we put on a great show with some wonderful folks.

Interested singers can follow LIGMC on Instagram and Facebook or contact LIGMC’s board of directors at [email protected] with for more info.

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Alan Howarth performing live in concert in 2019.

The award-winning composer and sound designer will perform a live concert and speak to the audience about his career

On Friday, August 30 at 7 p.m., legendary film composer and sound designer Alan Howarth, best known for his collaborations with John Carpenter, and his work on the Star Trek films, will perform a live concert of his iconic film music at Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre. The concert will be proceeded by a Q&A with the audience where he will discuss the art of film composing, and storied long career.

Alan Howarth and John Carpenter at work on Escape from New York. 1980. Photo by Phil D’Angelo

Alan Howarth’s award–winning film work started on Star Trek–The Motion Picture, launching him as a sound designer for the following 6 Star Trek feature films. He would then go on to collaborate with the director John Carpenter, crafting the scores for many of Carpenter’s most iconic works. He has since composed music for over 50 films. A sound design innovator, Howarth has worked on such films as Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula, The Hunt for Red October, Die Hard II, Stargate, The Little Mermaid, Back to the Future II and III, and Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Together with Carpenter, Alan Howarth pioneered a synth heavy style that would go on to influence many of the horror films that would follow, as well as the techno music genre as a whole.

The concert will feature music from beloved John Carpenter films such as Escape From New York, Halloween II, III & IV, The Thing, Big Trouble In Little China, Christine, They Live, Prince Of Darkness, and others.

The Cinema Arts Centre is located at 423 Park Avenue in Huntington. Tickets to the event are $27 public | $20 Cinema Arts Centre members.

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

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Enjoy traditional Hellenic dancing at this year's event. File photo by Giselle Barkley/TBR News Media

By Heidi Sutton

Traditional Greek food, music and dancing will take center stage as the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson hosts its 63rd annual Greek Festival on church grounds on Thursday, Aug. 22 from 5 to 10 p.m.,  Friday, Aug. 23 from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24 from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 25 from noon to 9 p.m. 

A celebration of Greek culture, the four-day event will feature a variety of vendors, fireworks, church tours, live Greek music and dancing, games of chance and carnival rides by Newton Shows. Pay-one-price bracelets for the rides may be purchased in advance at www.newtonshows.com.

Authentic mouth-watering foods such as gyros, tyropita (cheese pie), moussaka, souvlaki, and spanakopita (spinach pie) will be served up, along with sweet desserts such as galaktoboureko, koulourakia, baklava and hot loukoumades, a fried dough pastry favorite.

One of the main attractions at the festival is the over-the-top raffle that the church holds every year. This year 200 prizes will be awarded from cars — a 2024 Mercedes Benz GLB 250 SUV or $35,000 cash is first prize — to a laptop, X-box, espresso machine, outdoor fire pit, 32″ LG Smart TV, Coach bag, cash prizes and more. Tickets for the sweepstakes are $100 each and are limited to 3,999 tickets. The drawing will be held on Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.

Fireworks will be held on Friday and Saturday nights at 9:15 p.m., weather permitting. 

Free shuttle buses will pick up attendees from Ward Melville High School, 380 Old Town Road, East Setauket to transport them to festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. Parking is also available at BASF Corporation across the street from the church at 361 Sheep Pasture Road ($20 fee) and at Head Start at 400 Sheep Pasture Road (free). Handicapped parking is available at the church at no charge. Admission to the festival is $2 per person; children under 12 can attend for free.

The Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption is located at 430 Sheep Pasture Road in Port Jefferson. For more information, call the church office at 631-473-0894 or visit www.portjeffgreekfest.com.

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The choral group Belle Voci perform at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Huntington. Photo by Lauren Feldman

By Lauren Feldman

The halls of St. John’s Episcopal Church on Prospect Street in Huntington were filled with the sound of music, with voices of hope and light Friday, Aug. 9. Belle Voci Intergenerational Choral Society, celebrating its 20th year, performed a Candlelight Remembrance for those whose lives have been afflicted with cancer, survivors and their loved ones. 

Bonnie Scott and her daughter Jennifer Scott Miceli

“Belle Voci has been [in Huntington] for 20 years, so we are really pleased to welcome them for the first time to our church,” said Alex Pryrodny, music director at St. John’s since 2015. “It’s a wonderful cause, a wonderful event to be a part of.” Pryrodny participated in the concert as an accompanying pianist.

When asked why the partnership between St. John’s and Belle Voci has been so seamless, the music director said, “Singing is kind of a spiritual thing. There’s a natural connection to your feelings and emotions. Choir is a good way to express the feelings people have that they may not be able to express otherwise. It can be a really healing process.” Pryrodny said that both church and music may offer the same sense of catharsis.

And this seems to be what Belle Voci aims to achieve. As prominently stated on its website, “Concert repertoire is carefully programmed for its capacity to elicit a wide range of emotions associated with the cancer journey; we aim to provide a forum for performers and concertgoers to experience hope, contemplation, prayer, healing, peace and celebration through music and ritual.”

The society is a Long Island-based group of professional and amateur singers, collegiate singers, school-aged singers and music teachers. They have been brought together by the common mission of supporting cancer prevention, cure and catharsis through elevated and inspired choral performance and ceremony.

Songs performed at the concert included “Sing, Wearing the Sky” by Jake Runestad; “O Saltaris Hostia” by Eriks Esenvalds; “Vier Gesänge” by Johannes Brahms (poetry by Friedrich Ruperti); “The Last Rose of Summer” by Thomas Moore and Sir John Stevenson; the traditional Irish blessing “You Do Not Walk Alone”; “Flight” by Craig Carnelia; “Children, Go Where I Send Thee” arr. Kevin Philip Johnson; and “Con Te Partiro” arr. Mac Huff. 

Two halves of the performance framed the Candlelight Remembrance ceremony. The Rev. Duncan Burns and Courtney Sack led the reading of the names. 

Belle Voci was founded by Jennifer Scott Miceli after the loss of her mother, Bonnie Scott, to lung cancer. “Like many of you who have lost loved ones to cancer, the physical loss of my mother left a huge void in my life,” Micheli said on a dedication page to her mother.

“It’s been 19 years since Mom died, which also means that Belle Voci has reached its 20th season of sisters in song in support of cancer prevention and cure,” she continued. “Over the course of those seasons, and with your support, we are fortunate to have made charitable donations to the American Cancer Society, Optimum Health Institute, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Northwell Hospice Care Network and Cancer Hope Network.”

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Photo courtesy of Theatre Thre

By Tara Mae

Peace, love, and music!  Time to get your groove on and party like it’s 1969 when “Woodstockmania: Woodstock in Concert” returns to Theatre Three, 412 Main Street in Port Jefferson. The tribute concert will take the stage for the first time since 2019 on Friday, August 16, and Saturday, August 17 at 8 p.m. 

Its 17-member band includes ten instrumentalists and eight individual vocalists singing at least two songs each, covering music from the original 1969 Woodstock lineup — an experience so organically soulful its reverberations are still felt today. 

“Woodstock performances have become part of the fabric of Theatre Three. This is a group of outstanding musicians…It’s extraordinary to see these exceptionally talented artists brought together,” said Theatre Three’s Executive Artistic Director Jeffrey Sanzel.

Held on the 55th anniversary of Woodstock, “Woodstockmania” features approximately 34 numbers from 21 of the artists who played the stage at Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, New York, including Jimi Hendrix; Sly and the Family Stone; The Who; Grateful Dead; Janis Joplin; Jefferson Airplane; Country Joe and the Fish; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; The Band; Santana; Sweetwater; Creedence Clearwater Revival; Joan Baez; and Joe Cocker.

“This music is from a highly creative time in our culture. There was so much varied music to become attached to; everyone could find something that resonated with themselves,” Musical Director Michael Chiusano said. 

More than just a harmonious homage, “Woodstockmania” is a musical tribute to the passionate artists whose creative contributions continue to inspire today. 

Having not performed “Woodstockmania” together in 5 years, the show is an opportunity to reconnect with friends as they honor the woman who first brought many of them together: Theatre Three’s longtime musical director Ellen Michelmore, who passed away in 2016.

“It’s a reunion of friends that have been through the fire together…Mostly though, it’s a tribute to Ellen; to keep the memory of her fresh in our minds and hearts. She was a special lady,” Chiusano said. 

Michelmore developed “Woodstockmania” from Summer of ‘69: Return to Woodstock, which she co-created with Bill Van Horn. The original musical, using songs performed at the Woodstock festival, was a hit for Theatre Three and had an off-Broadway run. 

Following that success, Michelmore organized annual Woodstock tribute concerts. After her death, the show was dubbed “Ellen Michelmore’s Woodstockmania,” according to Sanzel.

While Chiusano has added other songs and musical numbers to the show, much of its repertoire was originally chosen by Michelmore. 

Eight of the songs have been in every incarnation of the show: “Going Up the Country” by Canned Heat; “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane; “Dance to the Music” by Sly & the Family Stone; “Star Spangled Banner” as done by Jimi Hendrix; “The Weight” by The Band; “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin; “With a Little Help from My Friends” as done by Joe Cocker. 

“That era, roughly 1965 to 1975, was the golden age of pop music. It will never be like that again. I also believe that people need to be reminded of all the great tunes there were,” Chiusano said.

Tunes are not the only entities enjoying this encore; the musicians recognize it as an opportunity to embrace an era that still enraptures performers and patrons. 

“Everyone who’s ever been involved in the production always remembers it fondly when they talk to me…we’re thrilled to be a part of it,” said Theatre Three’s Artistic Associate/Director of Development Douglas Quattrock. An original company member of Summer of ‘69: Return to Woodstock, he is now in the “Woodstockmania” band as the emcee and a vocalist. 

Such consistency underscores the steadfast surety of music. Personal classics and timeless songs are the soundtrack to our lives, dependable narrators of enduring emotions. In this shared language, “Woodstockmania,” is a dialect understood by artists and attendees. If “Woodstockmania” is a celebration of legacy and life, it’s main theme may be appreciating community synchronicity. 

“I think the legacy of the show over the years is that it has brought so much joy and kept so much wonderful music alive for the audiences in our area,” Quattrock added.

“Woodstockmania” is part of Theatre Three’s annual Summer Concert Series that includes special one or two night only performances on its main stage. Tickets are $65 per person. For more information or to order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

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