In response to Zach Dicker’s letter, “Why Is the Park District Canceling Concerts?,” in the May 1 issue, we would like to respond that for more than 40 years, the Great Neck Park District has proudly offered an outdoor weekly concert schedule at Steppingstone Park. Our staff spends the good part of each year meticulously reviewing and discovering top-notch talent, new and familiar acts, different musical genres and a variety of premier performers to offer something for everyone.
This year is no exception. Beginning on Thursday, July 4, and continuing through Labor Day weekend, we have a spectacular variety of entertainment lined up for residents’ enjoyment on Saturdays, Sundays and two Thursdays.
Based on feedback from a survey sent to a cross section of residents in January 2019, we created a schedule that appeals to different age groups, including a variety of musical genres, national acts, community events and local artists. We based our choices on popular demand.
We have not excluded local or ethnic entertainment. We are bringing our Persian concert back to “our own backyard,” after being held at North Hempstead Beach Park for the past few years. We have Great Neck’s local folk legend, Dave Sear, opening our FolkFest and Great Neck’s own Beth Jucovy’s Dance Visions NY on our agenda.
We offer ethnic performances at our Sunday @ 3 Series at Great Neck House, including the recent klezmer show by Barry Mitterhoff, mandolin player for Hot Tuna, on March 10, and the upcoming Asian-American Cultural Circle of Unity Show by Stella Shih on May 19 at 3 p.m.
Our concert schedule at Steppingstone Park totals the same number of performances this year as last. This summer, we will be presenting two major nationally known bands, including Grammy award–winner Belinda Carlisle of the Go-Gos on Labor Day weekend, Saturday, Aug. 31. The park district has not held a concert on Labor Day Monday since 2008.
In our ever-changing community, we move forward with the popular trends while embracing traditions of the past. We look forward to an amazing summer filled with fabulous entertainment. Hope to see everyone in the parks.
—Great Neck Park District
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