Looking for summer fun? The Vanderbilt offers an appealing calendar of music, dance, theater and special events. The Vanderbilt has long been a popular destination for Long Islanders and their families looking for moderately priced cultural entertainment close to home.
Visitors can have a rich cultural, historical and educational experience. Year-round, they can tour the estate, mansion and museum of William K. Vanderbilt II – including his marine-life, natural-history and cultural-artifact collections, and wild-animal habitats– or see a show in the state-of-the-art Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium.
Mr. Vanderbilt’s spectacular Eagle’s Nest, a 43-acre waterfront estate and 24-room Spanish-Revival mansion, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The mansion, with its considerable collection of rare fine and decorative art – and centuries-old furnishings from around the world – is a museum in itself, a time capsule of the privileged life on the Gold Coast from the Jazz Age through the Second World War.
Tickets for most events may be purchased at vanderbiltmuseum.org, except where indicated.
APRIL
Sunday, April 24
The Liverpool Shuffle, 7:00-8:30
The Liverpool Shuffle is a popular Long Island Beatles tribute band that performed four times at the Vanderbilt in 2015. The band’s Reichert Planetarium concert will be accompanied by a montage on the dome of 1960s photos and news clips, psychedelic imagery, and other pop-cultural moments. Tickets: adult $20 (on-line, at Vanderbilt website), or $25 at the door. Ages 15 and under pay $15 on-line or at the door.
MAY
Saturday, May 21
The Steel Silk Band, 6:00
The band will play music from the 1960s to today, including classic rock, Motown, R&B, pop, country and more – accompanied on the dome by a video, photos and pop-cultural moments, enhanced by the Vanderbilt Planetarium’s state-of-the-art, surround-sound system. Tickets $15 for Adults, $12 for seniors and children age 12 and under.
JUNE
Sunday, June 12
Woodstock Revival IV, 12:00-6:30
Listen to the sounds of Wonderous Stories, Half Step, Milagro and Jellyband on the Vanderbilt’s Great Lawn, while artists paint to the live music. Concert-goers bring beach chairs, blankets and picnic lunches. Presented by producer-musician Rich Rivkin. Concert is rain-or-shine, a benefit for museum education programs. Tickets: $30 in advance, on-line, or $40 at gate. Age 15 and under, $10. Age 5 and under, free. Details: woodstockrevival.net
JULY
Saturday, July 23
Fifth Annual Clam Bake, 6:00-10:00
This festive event offers a wide menu of seafood-lovers’ favorites – from whole steamed lobsters to mussels and clam chowder – to barbecued chicken, burgers, hot dogs and corn-on-the-cob, plus wine, beer and soda. Glass Bottom Soul will play live music for listening and dancing. Tickets: $100 per person, $90 for members.
Thursdays, beginning June 30
Mid-Summer Night Dances, 6:30-9:30
This is the fifth year for these popular summer events. Each week, as a deejay plays music, professional instructors teach a different dance step, followed by dancing of all types (swing, ballroom, rumba, disco, among others) and light dinner fare. Tickets $25 pre-purchase on-line, $30 at the door. Other Thursday evening dances: Thursdays, July 7, 14, 21 and 28; August 18 and 25; September 1 and 8.
JULY-AUGUST
Creative Summer Fun for Preschoolers
The Vanderbilt Education Center offers fun, creative workshops for children ages 3-5 (with an adult). Projects include paper sculptures, masks, and tee-shirts. Call 631-854-5539 for details and fees.
Traveling the World
Sail the Seas with Mr. V (grades K–3) is a series of science and art workshops that explore the Museum’s collections, artifacts and habitats, followed by creative projects. Call 631-854-5539 for details and fees.
Arena Players 28th Annual Summer Shakespeare Festival
Each year, the Arena Players present two Shakespeare plays outdoors on the Vanderbilt Mansion courtyard stage, where the Mediterranean architecture adds a touch of charm and magic. Performances on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 7:00 p.m. Admission: $15 per person. Tickets: 516-293-0674. Details on all productions: arenaplayers.org
Romeo and Juliet
Performances of Shakespeare’s tragedy about two young, star-crossed lovers will be given on July 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29 and 31.
Taming of the Shrew
The Bard’s classic comedy of love and marriage will be performed on August 3, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28 and 31.
Arena Players Children’s Theater
For details on upcoming children’s productions during July and August, please visit arenaplayers.com.
AUGUST
Friday, August 5
Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra, 6:00-10:00
Music, dancing and romance will fill the night when the exciting Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra return to the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum on Friday, August 5, for their tenth annual show, Spicy Sounds for a Hot Night. The popular rain-or-shine event takes place in the Celebration Tent overlooking Northport Bay. Tickets: $25 in advance and for Museum members; $30.00 at the door. Latin dance lessons ($5 per person) will be offered from 6:00 to 7:00.
Sunday, August 21
Antique Automobile Club of America-Vanderbilt Cup Region, 11:00 to 4:00
This annual show displays cars that are at least 25 years old. General admission $7 adults, $6 seniors (62 and older) and students with ID, $3 children age 12 and under. Food will be available for purchase.
SEPTEMBER
Sunday, September 11
Jaguar-MG Classic Car Show, 11:00-4:00
(Rain date: September 18) Show cars will be displayed on the museum’s great lawn. General admission $7 adults, $6 seniors (62 and older)/students with ID, $3 children age 12 and under. Food will be available for purchase.
Sunday, September 18
The Liverpool Shuffle, 7:00-8:30
The Liverpool Shuffle is a popular Long Island Beatles tribute band that performed four times at the Vanderbilt in 2015. The band’s Reichert Planetarium concert will be accompanied by a montage on the dome of 1960s photos and news clips, psychedelic imagery, and other pop-cultural moments. Tickets: adult $20 (on-line, at Vanderbilt website), or $25 at the door. Ages 15 and under pay $15 on-line or at the door.
Sunday, September 25
Grateful Fest V, 12:00-6:30
The fifth annual outdoor Grateful Fest on the Great Lawn next to the Vanderbilt Mansion is an afternoon for grooving to the sounds of these Grateful Dead tribute bands: Half Step, The Electrix, Reckoning and Unbroken Chain. Concert-goers bring beach chairs, blankets and picnic lunches. Tickets: $30 in advance, on-line, or $40 at gate. Age 15 and under, $10. Age 5 and under, free. Details: gratefulfest.com
