Huntington Local

Three members of Glaumpha, left, and Aztec Two-Step with Pete Fornatale

By Dianne Matus

The Huntington Summer Arts Festival features in its fifth week Aztec Two-Step performing the "Simon & Garfunkel Songbook" along with Pete Fornatale, radio personality and author of Simon & Garfunkel’s Bookends.

July 15: Galumpha Combining stunning acrobatics, striking visual effects, physical comedy and inventive choreography, Galumpha brings to life a world of imagination, beauty, muscle and merriment. The three performers, Andy Horowitz, Greg O’Brien and Marlon Torres, have created a sensory feast of images that consistently bring audiences to their feet. Galumpha is a triumphant mix of art and amusement, offering world-class, award-winning entertainment!

July 16: Huntington Community Band Join Musical Director Tom Gellert and the Huntington Community Band for our third stop on the around the world tour of great music. Tonight’s music features an exciting palette of music from Hungary, Russia, and other Eastern European Countries. Guest conductor: Robert W. Krueger.

July 17: Isotope Stompers Led by trumpeter and former Town of Huntington Supervisor Ken Butterfield, this favorite Huntington Dixieland band is sure to keep the audience dancing along to their lively performance. It’s always foot-stompin’ time with the Isotope Stompers!

July 18: Sol y Sombra The fiery and exciting art of Flamenco comes to life with this brilliant company. Guitars, castanets, foot-stomping and dramatic dance guarantee audience participation! Performance features the premiere of a new Tango.

July 19: Aztec Two-Step with Pete Fornatale, “The Simon & Garfunkel Songbook”
Few groups are more qualified than Aztec Two-Step to interpret and perform the timeless songs and harmonies of Simon & Garfunkel. Widely respected rock historian and veteran disc jockey Pete Fornatale will join them onstage. This will be a night to remember!

July 20: The Matthew Pierce Ensemble The ensemble, based in East Northport, features the writing of composer-violinist Matthew Pierce, renowned for writing music for major American ballet companies. This chamber orchestra, comprised of fine local musicians, will present an evening of original compositions. The concert will feature excerpts from “Pecos Bill,” which the Houston Chronicle called "possibly the best-commissioned score in Houston Ballet's history."

The Huntington Summer Arts Festival is presented by the Town of Huntington, produced by the Huntington Arts Council and sponsored in part by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs. The festival runs June 20 through August 17. Performances are free and open to the public at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Huntington’s Heckscher Park. All performances begin at 8:30PM, except the Tuesday Night Arrow Electronics “It’s Showtime” Family Series performances which start at 7:30PM. Bring a blanket or beach chair! For directions or more information, call the Festival Hotline at 631-271-8423 ext. 5, visit www.huntingtonarts.org, or stop by the Huntington Arts Council, located at 213 Main Street in Huntington Village, for a free copy of the Summer 2008 Arts Cultural News. Bring an umbrella: no rain dates except Tuesday Family nights; call Severe Weather Extension 631-271-8423 ext. 4 if in doubt about Tuesday performances only.

Dianne Matus handles press and public relations for the arts council.