By Diane Matus
The Huntington Summer Arts Festival begins its fourth week with Latin rhythms from the Miami-based band Tiempo Libre (above). Join us for a night of traditional Cuban music with a youthful, modern sound that is sure to get the whole crowd on their feet.
July 8- Patricia Shih
Nationally known, locally popular singer-songwriter Patricia Shih, left, wrote her first song at age 12, signed a recording contract at age 15 and is today going stronger than ever. In addition to writing over 250 songs, this prolific artist performs extensively for audiences of all ages, on TV and radio, in clubs and music festivals, and at schools and libraries. She had made five albums, and starred for a year on Cablevision’s “Tell Me a Story,” where she also wrote and performed the show’s theme song. She has appeared in concert with Pete Seeger, Bonnie Raitt, Richie Havens, David Bromberg, Odetta and Janis Ian, and many others. In 2004 she received a Woman of Distinction Award, and has been featured in The New York Times, Newsday, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, and AsiAm Magazine.
July 9- Huntington Community Band
Join Musical Director Tom Gellert and the Huntington Community Band for our second stop on the around the world tour of great music. Tonight’s music features a rousing evening of music from Spain, Italy and other parts of Europe. Guest conductor: Lee Dash.
July 10- Yana Reznik
Russian-born pianist Yana Reznik has performed throughout Russia, Europe, and the United States, as both a soloist and a chamber musician. Tonight’s repertoire includes Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue for solo piano. Her performances are mesmerizing in sight as well as sound.
July 11- Circle of Dance
Circle of Dance Repertory Company is pleased to premiere three new works in their “Evening of Modern Dance.” The original choreography by Carl Paris, Nancy Brier and Susan Dodge will feature nine dancers in a stunning tour de force that will delight fans of all forms of dance. In addition, guest choreographer Patricia Ann Kenney will present a new work set to an original piano and cello chamber piece.
July 12- “Anything Goes” Plaza Theatrical Productions
You’re the Top (“you’re the Tower of Pisa. . .you’re the smile on the Mona Lisa”) is one of the great Cole Porter tunes from “Anything Goes,” a musical farce set below decks on an ocean liner bound for London from New York. Performed with live orchestra: It’s DeLovely!
July 13- Tiempo Libre
Grammy-nominated Tiempo Libre is one the hottest young Latin bands today. The Miami-based band has reinvigorated traditional Cuban music with a youthful, modern sound and forged a new style born from their Cuban roots and their new American experience. Since their formation in 2001, Tiempo Libre has been on a mission: to share the musical heritage in which they grew up with as wide an audience as possible.
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. Bring a blanket or beach chair. All performances begin at 8:30PM, except the Tuesday Night Arrow Electronics “It’s Showtime” Family Series performances, which start at 7:30PM. For directions or more information, call the Festival Hotline at 631-271-8423 ext. 5, visit 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.
Diane Matus handles publicity for the Huntington Arts Council.