Woodstock: Port Washington-style

Bill San Antonio

More than 29 bands, dance studios and student organizations will perform across three stages on Saturday in the third-annual PortFest music and arts festival at Paul D. Schreiber High School in Port Washington.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and feature 38 family-friendly activities to accompany the many live performances slated for the afternoon.

The event will be hosted by Help Enrich the Arts of Port Washington – also known as HEARTS – which holds regular fundraising efforts to support arts programs throughout the community and offers scholarships to students in the Port Washington School District.

“HEARTS and PortFest is a truly grassroots community effort,” said Damon Gersh, the founder of HEARTS. “You have so many people contributing to this massive undertaking solely for the purpose of supporting, promoting and enriching the arts in our community.”

So far in 2014, HEARTS has awarded 18 arts-related grants totaling more than $30,000 to students across the Port Washington School District, officials said.

PortFest’s sponsors include Maxons Restorations, City Cadillac Buic GMC, Berest Dance Center, Bach to Rock, the Town of North Hempstead and the Cooperman Menaker Family fund, in addition to local businesses like Wright Music, NXT GEN Fitness and Anton News.

“PortFest itself is a creative and collaborative undertaking with our leaders contributing to the overall vision and planning and it’s very exciting to have it all come together each year as a gift for the community,” Gersh said.

The bands Bachs of Rock, Empire Road and Little Sammy and the Funked Up Daddies, as well as Scheiber’s Battle of the Bands winner Infinity, are scheduled to play the event’s two main stages.  

Performing arts schools like Berest Dance Center and community groups like the Port Washington Play Troupe will also perform during PortFest.

Sheri Suzzan, director of the Port Washington School District’s creative arts department, said students in music education programs sponsored by HEARTS will perform during PortFest, including those in Salem Elementary School’s ukulele class and the Weber [Middle School] Pop Choir.

PortFest will also feature an art exhibit showcasing more than 26 works from local artists, and plein air painting and pastel drawing demonstrations will be held throughout the afternoon by Larry and Lynn Chrapilwy of Cow Neck Painters.

Other activities include candle-making, tie-dyeing and make-your-own flip-flops.

“I applaud HEARTS Port Washington for shining a light on the value of supporting and promoting the arts,” North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said. “It’s hard to imagine a world without music, painting, performances and other artful expressions that enrich our lives and elevate our spirits. I am looking forward to PortFest to celebrate our community, the arts and this wonderful cause.”

Food will be provided by Rosie’s Grilled Cheese Truck, Delicacies Deli of Roslyn, Crazy Cakes gourmet cupcake truck and Ralph’s Italian Ices.

A silent auction featuring more than 35 different items and experiences will also take place during PortFest. Prizes include a plasma flat-screen television and tickets to Hershey Park, Broadway shows “The Book of Mormon” and “Rocky – the Musical” and a taping of “Live with Kelly and Michael.”

“I am looking forward to our third-annual PortFest,”North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio [R-Port Washington] said. “The success of the prior events demonstrates how important art and music are to our community in Port Washington and reminds us to focus our energy and resources on promoting the arts.”

Admission to PortFest is free. Officials said parking will be available at Schreiber High School and the surrounding neighborhood.

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