Kids, adults have a blast at concert

Kids Night at the Bandshell is an annual summer tradition but this year’s event added a new twist.

Mayor Ed Fare and three local school superintendents joined the Valley Stream Community Band for its performance on Aug. 2, which ended up being the last concert of the summer after the Aug. 9 performance was rained out. The guest musicians were each given blocks of sandpaper to play along with the “Sandpaper Ballet,” originally composed by Leroy Andreson.

Fare, Central High School District Superintendent Dr. Bill Heidenreich, District 13 Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund and District 30 schools chief Dr. Elaine Kanas were joined at the back of the bandshell by Community Band conductor Todd Holly and local student musicians. The entertained a crowd of more than 200 spread out in lawn chairs and on blankets at the Village Green.

The Community Band concerts, held on Tuesday nights during the summer, are a partnership between the village and the Central High School District. Heidenreich said the village provides the venue with its outdoor concert facility, the John Smith Bandshell, while the high school district provides the musical talent. The band is mostly made up of high school teachers, students and alumni. “It’s something that neither could do as effectively on their own,” he said.

Heidenreich, who said he thinks he “did OK” in his musical performance, enjoyed his time on stage with Fare, Kanas and Robb-Fund. “It’s just nice to get out and have the community see us in a different light,” he said.

Holly said the crowd’s enthusiasm showed that they enjoyed the performance, as well. He said inviting the mayor and superintendents to play along with the band was an idea that just came to him. “They’re all supportive of the music program,” he said. “I thought it would be a nice time for them.”

The Aug. 2 performance featured a variety of other kid-themed music including the theme from “Family Guy,” “Shrek Dance Party,” “The Lion King,” a Lady Gaga medley and a compilation of songs from the hit Fox show “Glee.”

Louis D’Arcio, of Valley Stream, brought his sons Domenic, 6, and Matthew, 9, to the show. “It’s some of the stuff they hear on the radio,” he said of the Community Band’s selections.

Taliye Corley, who heard about kids night from a neighbor, brought her two daughters, ages 2 and 4, to their first ever concert. “I thought they would enjoy it,” she said, “especially being kids night, so they would recognize some of the songs.”

Kimberly Neri, who plays for the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, said she wanted to spend a night watching a concert. She brought her two children, and said they enjoyed hearing Lady Gaga music as well as the theme from the “Wizard of Oz.”

Holly, who has a theme for every Community Band concert, said kids night is a tradition every year. He said wants children to be able to hear and enjoy music in a live setting, rather than just on their iPods.