Sea Cliff residents will be able to rock out to the sounds of local bands this summer at Clifton Park during the 25th Sunset Serenade series.
The 10 concerts organized by the Sea Cliff Civic Association runs every Thursday night from June 26 through Aug. 28 in Clifton Park. Performers include local bands like Larry Martone and Friends, Sea Cliff Porch Pickers and Hunt and Hughes.
“I think that it just makes Sea Cliff a more attractive place,” said Civic Association President Ann DiPietro. “We have people coming from Glen Head, Glenwood Landing and Glen Cove, because they see what a great spirit Sea Cliff has.”
The civic association began the tradition in 2000 after a suggestion from board member Petrice Ragona-Kaider. Her idea was inspired by summer concerts held on eastern Long Island where she used to live. When the event began, performances were held at Memorial Park. But as attendance grew, concerts were moved to the larger Clifton Park.
2025 Sunset Serenade opener Larry Martone and Friends has participated since the beginning along with Chicken Head. Kingfisher, Hunt and Hughes, Livestock, LovePeace and Rusty String Band are other long standing groups. All performers are volunteers and admission is free.
The event is open to all ages, and families often arrive with their children. Children and adults alike are free to socialize and dance. With a typical turnout at around 200, DiPietro described the scene as being “like the heart of Sea Cliff is pulsating.”
“You look out and you see the infants, you see the toddlers, you see the middle school kids all right there on that big field going from spot to spot,” she said. “Some of them have hula hoops and are dancing. Others are just chatting on their blankets. And then you've got people that are, the grandparents, the great grandparents.”
Local music teacher Liz Stroppel and her family have been regularly attending for over 20 years. They discovered the event while walking around town one night shortly after moving to Sea Cliff.
“It was just so much fun to see everyone picnicking and the kids running around,” Stroppel said. “We were pretty much new in town, but I recognized Ann from the library, so I talked to her, and I think ever since then, we've been going every time we can.”
Stroppel praised the village for its multiple musical events like Sunset Serenade, Porchfest and Friday night concerts at Sea Cliff Beach.
“Music brings people together,” she said. “It's one thing that we all have in common, no matter how different we may be.” In the event a Sunset Serenade concert is rained out, that night’s band will be unable to participate.
Every week is booked in advance, and no rain dates are scheduled. The next concert will feature Rusty String Band on July 10. For more information and for ways to support the association and concerts, visit SeaCliffCivicAssociation.com.
