PortFest to kick off on Saturday

Stephen Romano

Port folks love a good fest — especially one that celebrates the arts.

On Saturday, Port Washington residents will experience a full day of arts, music and dance at the sixth annual PortFest on the Paul D. Schreiber High School campus.

Residents will have the chance to watch musical and theater performances, as well as participate in interactive music and hands-on art experiences.

“PortFest is an annual festival that brings the community together in a celebration of creativity and innovation,” Damon Gersh, the chairman and founder of Helping Enrich the Arts (HEARTS), the event’s organizer. “PortFest is an embodiment of HEARTS’ mission to support, enrich and promote the arts in Port Washington.”

Live entertainment will be offered on two outdoor stages, featuring performances by student organizations, local bands and professional performers from local dance and music studios.

Several of HEARTS’ 2016-17 grant recipients will perform, including Curtain’s Up, presenting  “Alice in Wonderland,” and the Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School’s woodwind and brass ensemble.

The Port Summer Show, the high school jazz ensembles, the Dave Diamond Band, the Flashbacks and the Jacob Marschall Project will perform, too.

“While people can enjoy artwork displays, music and dance performances, there are also many opportunities for individuals and families to engage their own creativity in a fun and interactive way,” Gersh said. “During this time of budget constraints  and standardization, PortFest helps raise significant funds that allow HEARTS to give grants that provide new, fun and creative programs for our public schools as well as for the Port Washington community.”

More than 20 local artists will exhibit their work at PortFest, showing off different styles and mediums.

All of the artists’ work on display will be for sale and 50 percent of the proceeds will benefit HEARTS.

This year’s featured artists include Lawrence Chrapliwy, who will conduct an oil painting demonstration; Adam Jonah, a Schreiber High School senior who will put on an interactive painting display; and Sandy Jo Hyman and Stan Strauss, who will put on photography demonstrations.

Several Port Washington schools and community organizations will host family friendly interactive activities such as “Make Your Own Flip Flops,” “Body Art,” “Tie Dyeing,” “Mosaic Crafts,” Personalized Dog Tags” and “Paint Your Own Bulletin Board.”

Festival goers can get a grilled cheese from Rosie’s Grilled Cheese Truck or a burger and BBQ grilled by the Delicacies Deli of Roslyn.  Yummy Gyro will be serving Greek food and Mole Mole will be cooking Mexican specialties.

Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices and Ice Cream will be scooping up its signature flavors.

Olga Berest of Berest Dance Center will choreograph and design a creative dance for the PortFest crowd.

The PortFest sponsors include Maxons Restorations, the Peter and Jeri Dejana Family Foundation, City Cadillac Buick GMC, the Town of North Hempstead, the Berest Dance Center, Capitol One, Bach to Rock, Likeable Media and more.

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Schreiber campus at 101 Campus Drive in Port Washington.

Admission to PortFest is free.

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