Summer nights will be hopping with waves of cool music when the Great Neck Park District’s traditional weekend concert series begins at Steppingstone Park.
The series kicks off with the Band of Long Island’s July Fourth celebration on Thursday, July 4 and continues every weekend through Sunday, September 1.
This is a perfect opportunity for park residents to enjoy free concerts with the park district community in a beautiful setting. Watch the setting sun over Long Island Sound with friends or family as the music begins. There is an exciting line-up of performers with a wide range of music to appeal to everyone.
All concerts begin at 8 p.m., unless otherwise specified. The free round trip Show Bus service is available. Schedules are available on line at www.greatneckparks.org, the Parkwood administration office, Great Neck House or the Steppingstone Park gate entrance.
The summer gets off to a patriotic start with the Band of Long Island on Thursday, July 4th.
This 50-member band will be a playing patriotic-inspired program with Great Neck’s own Maestro Michael Flamhaft conducting. (This performance is strictly a Band of Long Island concert. There will be no fireworks on display. There are absolutely no fireworks permitted in Steppingstone Park or any other park district park or facility, at any time).
Saturday, July 6: The Official Blues Brothers Revue, strikes the right balance of humor, music and mayhem featuring Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty as Jake and Elwood. Produced by Judy Belushi Pisano and Dan Aykroyd, this Revue pays homage to Chicago’s rich history of blues, soul music and gospel in the true spirit of the original Blues Brothers, under the musical direction of Paul Shaffer.
Sunday, July 7: Plaza Productions presents The Sound of Music. This classic Broadway musical tells the story of a young woman who leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the seven children of a naval officer widower. Sing along to “Edelweiss”, “My Favorite Things”, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”, “Do-Re-Mi”, “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”, “The Lonely Goatherd”, and the title song, “The Sound of Music”.
Saturday, July 13: Seven-time Grammy nominee Joan Osborne hasn’t let up since “(What If God Was) One of Us” set her career afire with her 1995 debut album “Relish.” 2013 has Osborne busier than ever; she’s finishing up a new album of original material and on the road touring.
Sunday, July 14: Maureen McGovern and Jimmy Webb are equally impressive. McGovern, with a wide vocal range and a strong, pure voice, woos the audience with her magnetic stage presence. The talented Jimmy Webb wrote “By The Time I Get to Phoenix,” and “Wichita Lineman,” both covered most notably by Glen Campbell, but did you know that he also wrote “Up, Up, and Away” covered by The 5th Dimension?
Saturday, July 20: Big Shot is comprised of musicians who have worked with the original Billy Joel Band or Billy Joel’s musical on Broadway, “Movin’ Out.” Front man Michael DelGuidice is an incredible Billy sound alike, creating a sound as close to an actual Billy Joel performance as you will ever experience.
Sunday, July 21: Satisfaction: The International Rolling Stones Show is a tribute show dedicated to the “World’s Greatest Rock & Roll Band”. This highly acclaimed production showcases the most authentic cast and costuming audiences have ever witnessed. The likes of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and supporting cast bring a colorful performance to over 50 years of classic hits.
Saturday, July 27: Singer/songwriter Will Hoge scored his first Academy of Country Music nomination in the Song of the Year category for penning “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”. Over the years, Hoge has toured with many artists including Marc Broussard, ZZ Top, The Cat Empire, Squeeze, Lisa Loeb and Edwin Mcain. His music is a blend of Springsteen, Petty and Dylan. Currently, he is on a national tour opening for country-great Dierks Bentley.
Sunday, July 28: Delfeayo Marsalis, brother of Wynton Marsalis (trumpeter) and Branford Marsalis (saxophonist), is one of the top trombonists, composers and producers in jazz today. Known for his technical excellence, inventive mind and frequent touches of humor, he is one of the best, most imaginative and musical of the trombonists of his generation. He will be performing with and 18-piece orchestra.
Saturday, Aug. 3: With over 50 years of entertainment experience and excellent vocal talents, Emil Stucchio and The Classics continue to receive rave reviews from audiences from coast to coast. Their first release “Cinderella” hit the national Top 100 and their hits Till Then and P.S. I Love You followed, making it into the Top 40.
Sunday, Aug. 4: Great Neck native Dave Sear will open the evening for folk headliner DALA. Drawing upon influences like The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, DALA is a Canadian acoustic folk two-piece musical group whose fifth studio album earned three Canadian Folk Music Award nominations for English Songwriter of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year and Producer of the Year. DALA draws upon influences like the Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan.
Saturday, Aug. 10: James Hunter Six. James had a Grammy-nominated rhythm and blues album in 2006 and received a Grammy for his expert engineering on Amy Winehouse’s best–selling album “Back to Black.” The band also earned two Billboard Blues No. 1’s, tours with Aretha Franklin, Van Morrision and Willie Nelson and has performed on Leno, Letterman and Conan.
Sunday, Aug. 11: Iranian-born KamyR realized he had an amazing singing ability at the age of 18. Mixing R&B with Middle Eastern scales and techniques, KamyR has crossed over into the international mainstream and sings with some of his biggest influences, most notably his idol Stevie Wonder, with whom he had the opportunity to share the stage on two separate occasions. This concert takes place at North Hempstead Park, 175 West Shore Road, Port Washington in partnership with the Town of North Hempstead; Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Councilwoman Anna Kaplan, commissioner Jennifer Fava. There will be Kosher food available for purchase from Shiraz. There is no Show Bus scheduled for this concert to the North Hempstead Park but if interested, call (516) 482-0355.
Saturday, Aug. 17: Jim Curry’s natural voice always resembled that of singer/songwriter John Denver. Jim has created the ultimate tribute experience and has emerged as the top performer of John Denver’s music today. He often performs with John Denver’s former band members.
Sunday, Aug. 18: Beginnings: Chicago Tribute has entertained audiences all over the country with their accurate homage to the music of the 1970’s band Chicago. These eight talented musicians will deliver an electrifying performance of Chicago hits such as “Twenty-five Or Six To Four,” “Saturday In The Park,” “Just You ‘N’ Me,” and “Baby, What A Big Surprise.”
Saturday, Aug. 24: Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles accurately reproduce The Eagles greatest hits such as “Hotel California”, “After the Thrill is Gone” and “One of These Nights” while delivering a modern, action packed performance that brings this timeless music into the new millennium. They continue to tour nationally and have headlined at Westbury Music Fair.
Sunday, Aug. 25: Alexis P. Suter Band members are rising stars on the blues and soul scene. Nominated this year as Best Blues/Soul Vocalist at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Alexis’ unique and powerful bass/baritone voice has won the praise of greats from B.B. King to Levon Helm. “It’s a rare thing to share the stage with great talent like that young lady.”- B.B. King
Saturday, Aug. 31: Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway is the classiest, most talented performance by some of Broadway’s leading stars recreating their hit songs from the shows in which they actually starred in. Original performers will be on stage, supported by an all-star New York band.
Sunday, Sept. 1: The Chi-Lites achieved their first national hit with the song “Give It Away” beginning a successful period that would reap many musical rewards throughout the ‘70s. Then followed a series of chart topping hits, including “Have You Seen Her,” “Oh Girl,” “Homely Girl,” “It’s Time For Love” and “You Don’t Have To Go.”
All performances are for Great Neck Park District residents only.
Admission is free to park district residents with a valid park card. Park cards will be checked when parking and at the gate. Each park card holder is allowed to bring two guests into the park, who must be signed-in.
There is limited seating and it is recommended that show attendees bring along a blanket or their own chairs to sit on. In case of rain, check cancellations.com or www.greatneckparks.com for location of performance. Either Great Neck North High School or the Parkwood Sports Complex will be the rain location, which will be determined based on type of performance and where it can best be performed.
Free bus service continues to be available to Steppingstone and return buses start 10 minutes after the show ends. This service will save you the aggravation of finding a parking spot, as well as save you money on gas. Just make certain that you have your current park district park card with you, as cards are always checked at the gate when you enter the park. You will not be able to enter without your park card.
The bus schedule can be obtained at Great Neck House, 14 Arrandale Avenue or the gate at Steppingstone Park. It is also, available on the park district Web site at www.greatneckparks.org. The bus is subject to cancellation or change according to public usage.
Street parking in the Village of Kings Point is permitted as posted. Parking rules will be strictly enforced by the Kings Point Police. For the safety and comfort of everyone, it is requested that show attendees follow the direction of the park employees. For additional information visit our website or call 482-0355.
