The Chapin Rainbow Stage in Heckscher Park will once again be lit up six nights per week from Tuesday, June 27 to Sunday, Aug. 13 as part of the 52nd annual Huntington Summer Arts Festival.
All performances begin at 8:30 p.m. except Tuesday evening’s “Family Series” events, which begin at 7:30.
New this year on Family Nights will be fun, easy and free crafts for children who arrive by 6:30 p.m.
Featured this year will be touring artists and ensembles from the U.S. and around the globe, as well as local performing arts ensembles.
Highlights include Huntington Jazz Week, America Folk Weekend, Huntington Community Band, Plaza Theatrical Productions, Long Island Dance Consortium, Broadhollow Theatre Company and L.I. Spotlight performances.
The opening week features an exciting mix of children’s theatre with “Madagacar” on Tuesday, June 27, Indie Roots music with the Adam Ezra Group on Friday, June 30, the Grammy award-winning vocal ensemble New York Voices on Saturday, July 1 and more.
Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, “Madagascar — A Musical Adventure” follows all of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from New York’s Central Park Zoo and take an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.
Filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore and an upbeat score, “Madagascar” will leave audiences with no choice but to “Move It, Move It!”
The production is sponsored by Weber Law Group.
Wednesday, June 28 will feature the Huntington Community Band’s first concert of their 72nd season.
The theme will be “American Portraits,” featuring music by quintessential American composers Leonard Bernstein, Randy Newman, and Chuck Berry, among others.
Greg Modelewski, Huntington Community Band’s librarian, member of the saxophone section, and band director in the South Huntington Public Schools, will join as guest conductor.
On Thursday, June 29, the Huntington Men’s Chorus will perform.
Originated in 1949, it was formed by a group of Huntington men who shared exceptional vocal talent, choral singing experience, and a desire to foster male choral singing.
The original group of 34 has grown substantially over the years as has the style and diversity of its programs.
The chorus continues to promote and perform a wide variety of selections, with its annual Christmas Concert at Huntington High School and appearance at the HSAF each year.
The Northport Community Band will also be performing at 8:30 p.m. on the 29th at the Robert W. Krueger Bandstand in Northport Village Park, located at the foot of Main Street in Northport.
Listeners can sit on blankets or lawn chairs in front of the bandstand and enjoy the music from their boats.
The band’s musicians are volunteers from all walks of life and include local students, teachers and professional musicians.
Adam Ezra Group, described as “… one of the most versatile and potent rock units anywhere” by the Patriot Ledger, is scheduled for Friday, June 30.
Ezra’s music comes across in a genre-blending style that has been compared to Dave Matthews, Springsteen, U2 and Jackson Browne.
The co-written “Let Your Hair Down,” with producers Shep Goodman and Aaron Accetta, received the Song of the Year award at the New England Music Awards.
The band often devotes time to local charities and always goes out of their way to connect with fans.
The group is made up of lead singer, songwriter and guitarist, Ezra, Alex Martin on drums, Turtle on percussion, Corinna Smith on fiddle, Francis Hickey on bass and Josh Gold on keys.
Saturday, July 1 will have the critically acclaimed vocal group New York Voices on stage.
Comprised of Darmon Meader, Peter Eldridge, Kim Nazarian and Lauren Kinhan, the band is known for their close-knit voicings, inspired arrangements and unparalleled vocal blend.
Their chameleon-like musicianship allows them to move seamlessly from orchestral/big band to the intimate backing trio lineup.
With deep interests rooted in jazz, Brazilian, R&B, classical, and pop, their music mixes traditional sensibilities with a dash of the unexpected.
The North Shore Pops Concert Band will perform on Sunday, July 2.
Founded in 1986, the North Shore Pops Concert Band has been entertaining music lovers on Long Island every summer since.
Under the baton of Maestro Eric Albinder since 1996, the 65-piece band’s repertoire ranges from George Gershwin and Cole Porter to the elegant jazz of Duke Ellington, exciting Sousa marches and American patriotic selections.
All of the performances during the Summer Arts Festival are free.
The Chapin Rainbow Stage in Heckscher Park is located at Prime Avenue and Main Street in Huntington.
The Summer Arts Festival is produced by the Town of Huntington and presented by the Huntington Arts Council.
For more information and to download a full calendar of the festival performances, go to www.huntingtonarts.org or call 631-271-8423.
