Stepping Out

Singing the blues in Long Beach

Annual festival returns with a dynamic lineup

Posted

Summer Sounds

Barrier Beach Blues and Arts Festival
It may not be officially summertime just yet, but the sea breeze is a welcome accompaniment to one of the season’s first music festivals this weekend. The blues are in full swing once again, at the eighth edition of the Barrier Beach Blues and Arts Festival. Producer Johanna Mathieson, supported by Artists in Partnership, has gathered an acclaimed line-up of musicians and vocalists who are performing at the Long Beach Public Library and Kennedy Plaza. This year’s festival offers an eclectic mix of classic blues, Americana and roots music, with a special focus on some of Long Island’s distinguished “Ladies of the Blues”: Sweet Suzi, Pamela Betti and Gail Storm. On Friday evening notable Chicago Blues “export”, Irving Louis Lattin entertains with a dynamic blues and funk performance; on Saturday the blues are back with guitarist-singer Solomon Hicks — known by fans in Harlem as “King Solomon,” and ‘Lil B.B”.
Thursday through Saturday, June 16-18. All events are free, but seating is limited in the library. The schedule is subject to change. For more information, visit www.aip-arts.org.

Family Fun

Hands on History
Step back in time to summer in the late 1800s at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Parents and kids can try their hand at managing the everyday chores of 19th-century life, as part of the restored village’s “Hands-On History” weekend. Take part in such common 19th-century activities as writing on a slate board at the School House, churning fresh cream into butter at the Powell Farmhouse, rolling wooden hoops beside the Noon Inn, and carding wool. Children may even be asked to sweep the porch at the General Store with a handmade broom, or assist the local hatter in the production of a hat.
Saturday and Sunday, June 18-19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $10, $7 children. Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage. (516) 572-8400.

Art Adventures

Kenny Scharf in Action
Nassau County Museum of Art welcomes a special visitor, the dynamic Kenny Scharf, who is the subject of the museum’s current exhibit. He’s here to create one of his one-of-a-kind works on a wall of the Manes Family Education Center, scheduled to open later this year. Visitors, including families, are encourage to watch the artist’s creative process, and interact with him. Also, spend some time in the sculpture park while at the museum, which features over 50 works, many of the monumental in size. For more outdoor fun, traverse a nature trail among the museum’s 145 acres, ideal for family hikes.
Sunday. June 19, 12-4 p.m. Free with museum admission: $10, $8 seniors 62 and older, $4 children 4-12. Nassau County Museum of Art, One Museum Dr. (off Northern Blvd.), Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or wwwnassaumuseum.com.