Typically the summer season brings loads of non-stop nagging from children, school’s out after all, and consequently headaches for parents. This year the best solution to alleviate the summer doldrums is for the whole family to participate in activities that everyone can enjoy. Right in the Long Island area there are concerts and outdoor activities galore for all ages.
In the world of sports there have been mass changes, leaving Boston Bruins and Dallas Mavericks fans without an adrenaline pick me up for some foreseeable time.
Luckily Nassau Coliseum will be hosting a New York Islanders draft party June 24. This hockey free-for-all launches at 5 p.m. although the actual draft takes place in California. During the draft party there will be a bunch of activities some of which offers the opportunity to snag some free goodies. One of which is a chance to meet players for the New York Islanders.
Nassau Coliseum will be also hosting acts like Rhianna, Motley Crue, Vans Warped Tour, New Kids on the Block with Backstreet Boys in July. Britney Spears and American Idol will be featured at the Coliseum in August closing out the summer concert season.
For an outdoor evening with nature and history ‘Midsummer Eve Celebration’ is the ticket. Inspired by Shakespeares “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” dancers of Dance Visions NY will perform works of mythology and nature in the gardens of Old Westbury Gardens.
This event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 25 with a June 26 rain date. Live music will compliment the romantic and enchanting atmosphere. This event promises magic.
After all the romance the ankle-biters will be geared up for some energy burning fun. On July 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. “Family Adventures: Baywalk” allows them that chance. With exploratory benefits, all partakers get to discover the animals that occupy the bay at Jones Beach.
There are similar family fun activities running throughout the summer at Jones Beach with the same nature theme. There are fun for kids events in both July and August as well as “Mid-Tide Splash,” which is a water shoes only event. There are “Tiny Tot” events running from June to August. For more a more leisurely approach there is an ‘Adult Bay Walk’ July 16 and a ‘History Walk’ Aug. 12.
For teens and the youngsters ‘”iCarly” will be spreading cheer and clean fun at Nikon Jones Beach Theatre July 21. “Carly” is a popular Nickeledon series focused on star Miranda Cosgrove who plays main character Carly. Cosgrove, a young actress, also has her own vocal ability that allows her to pull off such a concert with a 7 p.m. show time. This pitstop is part of the “iCarly Dance Crazy Tour,” surely named in honor of her pop song “Dance Crazy” from her album “High Maintenance.” Guests Cody Simpson and Greyson Chance will be a marvel for teens, tweens and everyone else.
“Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin is coming back with her “Comeback Tour.” She will be performing at Jones Beach July 27 and she has Al Green making an appearance as well. The previous concerts and personal appearances that Franklin had scheduled were cancelled. The reasons have not been divulged to the public. Franklin keeps those kinds anecdotes to herself. There is speculation that the cancellations were due to her spotty health. Currently the “Comeback Tour” has Franklin slimmer than she has been in years. The “Respect” songstress takes her latest achievement in style. The show time for this concert is 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.
There is a performance for every genre at Jones Beach acts like Soundgarden, Styx, Def Leppard, Michelle Branch, Jill Scott and Weezer book up the July month. While Blink 182, Kings of Leon, Maroon 5, Bob Dylan, Journey, Jimmy Buffet, Kesha, Identity Fest, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Whitesnake and B.B King round out August.
The New York Bancorp Theatre at Westbury have oldies but goodies hitting the stage in August. Good music closing and kicking off the summer season is the way to get a bit of culture and create a family event no one will forget. If you like the Beach Boys they will be performing Aug. 11. Their songs never get old, clean, easygoing music is few and far in between nowadays.
You might be surprised that the kids know the chorus to 1964 hit “Fun, Fun, Fun.” Show time is 8 p.m. If the Beach Boys is not your idea of a party try Donny Osmond. This Osmond has been very busy post “Dancing with the Stars” On Aug. 25 he will perform at the Bancorp Theatre.
The New York Bancorp Theatre at Westbury will also have performances like Snow White, The Wiggles, The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland set for the months of July and August. Acts by the Monkees, Kenny Loggins, Bobby Vinton, Rick Springfield, Pat Benatar, Johnny Mathis, Trace Adkins, James Van Praagh, Steve Miller Band and Saw Doctors are some of the entertainment that is spread throughout July and August. Make this an event-filled summer.
