The Vanderbilt Museum planned a year of varied and appealing events and programs for all ages.
In addition to the Museum’s largest yearly fund-raising event, the Lobster Fest, the calendar includes Mid-Summer Night Dances, children’s workshops, Arena Players’ Shakespeare Festival in the Courtyard, Holiday Dinner in the Vanderbilt Mansion, children’s theater, classic car shows, and music events with Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra, The Liverpool Shuffle, The Steel Silk Band and Pure Led.
Vanderbilt Museum photo
Other highlights of the year will include the annual Holiday Dinner in the Vanderbilt Mansion, children’s theater, classic car shows, and music events with Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra, The Liverpool Shuffle, The Steel Silk Band and Pure Led.
Events may be added to the calendar, or canceled, and dates and times can change.
Please visit this website for the updated program schedule.
MARCH
The Steel Silk Band – Sunday, March 19
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
The Steel Silk Band will perform at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 19, in the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium. The Museum and Planetarium are located on the Vanderbilt Estate at 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport, N.Y.
The versatile Long Island musicians play an array of music that includes classic rock, Motown, R&B, pop and country. Their music will be accompanied on the dome by video, photos and pop-cultural moments, enhanced by the Planetarium’s state-of-the-art, surround-sound system.
Tickets: $15 for Adults, $12 for seniors and children age 12 and under. Purchase tickets at vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Tickets also will be available on a very limited basis at the door (at the same prices as above), but on-line purchase is highly recommended.
The band covers a spectrum of artists that includes, Billy Joel, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, Styx, Heart, Melissa Etheridge, C.C Pennison, Donna Summer, Stevie Nicks, Pure Prairie League, the Doobie Brothers, Alicia Keys, Huey Lewis and the News, Tina Arena and Grace Potter.
APRIL
Spring Break Workshops for Children – April 10-12
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
During the spring school break in April, the Vanderbilt offers fun, creative workshops for pre-kindergarten children and those in grades K-4.
Advance registration is required for all workshops. Please call (631) 854-5539 for more information and to register.
All workshops are held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Fee: $20 for members, $18 for non-members.
Cancellation policy: The Museum reserves the right to cancel any workshop that does not meet minimum enrollment requirements. Refunds will be issued up to seven days before the start of a workshop, for a cancellation made by the registrant.
Monday, April 10
Fish and Whales
Grades 3 and 4
We’ll visit the marine collection and compare the anatomy of fish and marine mammals and create a mixed media underwater seascape.
Tuesday, April 11
Carnivores and Herbivores
Kindergarten – Grade 2
Visit the wildlife dioramas, compare carnivores and herbivores and make a big cat mask.
Wednesday, April 12
Butterflies and Moths
Preschool (with adult)
Visit the insect collection, learn about the characteristics of butterflies and moths, and make a mobile.
The Liverpool Shuffle – Sunday, April 9
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
The Liverpool Shuffle, a popular Long Island Beatles tribute band, will perform on Sunday, April 9, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Vanderbilt Reichert Planetarium.
Tickets: adult $20 (on-line, at Vanderbilt website), or $25 at the door. Children 5-15 pay $15 (on-line or at the door). Children under 5 are free.
The band, which has performed six previous concerts at the Vanderbilt, will be accompanied by a montage on the planetarium dome of 1960s photos and news clips, psychedelic imagery, and other pop-cultural moments.
Joe Ref (Refano), who formed the group in 2003, describes its act as “authentic, live Beatles music performed by professional Beatlemaniacs.” The four musician-singers are veterans of the New York music scene with a combined 125 years of experience. “The Beatles created the greatest popular music in history,” Refano said, “and we play it just the way it is.”
MARCH-APRIL
Arena Players Children’s Theater
The Arena Players Children’s Theater opens its new season on Saturday, March 11, at 1:00 p.m. with The Tale of the Frog Prince, in the Vanderbilt Carriage House Theater.
To purchase Children’s Theater tickets, call Arena Players at 516-293-0674. Tickets: Adults $10, children $8. Children under 3 are free. The theater is fully accessible to those with limited mobility.
The Tale of the Frog Prince
Saturday, March 11 and 18, at 1:00 p.m.
The Frog Prince is lonely, bored and unhappy as a frog. He secretly yearns to be the human he once was, before an evil witch cast a spell on him. The only way to break the spell is to be kissed by a lovely maiden. But who wants to kiss a larger-than-life frog that eats flies? Watch how our beloved frog finally gets the kiss of his dreams in this delightful and charming children’s play.
Little Red Revisited
Saturday, April 1, 8 and 22, at 1:00 p.m.
Come hear the story of Little Red Riding Hood, the way the animals of the forest tell it. Here we meet Little Red – but she’s not just a little girl. She’s a little girl wolf! And she and her Mama Wolf and Grandma Wolf are being hunted by some over-anxious hunters. See how Little Red and her family outsmart the humans in this animal-friendly audience-participation play.
MAY
Pure Led (Led Zeppelin tribute band) – Sunday, May 7
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Pure Led, a Long Island Led Zeppelin tribute band, will perform on Sunday, May 7, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Reichert Planetarium. The playlist features work from the early BBC recordings to select hits from the later albums, and captures the essence of the band’s best live performances.
Pure Led will play the song list from the Planetarium’s Laser Zeppelin light show, plus other favorites. Highlights will include The Song Remains the Same, Stairway to Heaven, and Whole Lotta Love. Tickets available on the Vanderbilt website.
Tickets: adult $20 (on-line, at Vanderbilt website), or $25 at the door. Children 5-15 pay $15 (on-line or at the door). Children under 5 are free.
JUNE
Mid-Summer Night Dances – Thursdays, June 29 – August 31
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The Vanderbilt’s popular summer dances begin again on Thursday, June 29 and continue most Thursdays through August 31. The events are held rain-or-shine in the Museum’s Celebration Tent next to the Vanderbilt Mansion, overlooking Northport Bay.
Dances start at 6:30 with professional instructors teaching the featured dance step of the week for 30 minutes, followed by a deejay playing music for dancing of all types (swing, ballroom, rumba and disco, among others). Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and beverages.
Schedule:
June 29: Bachata by Alfred Peña of Rhythmology, with special performance by Rhythmology Kids
July 6: West Coast Swing by Ellen McCreery
July 13: Foxtrot by Antz Joseph with Charla
July 20: Merengue by Charlie Wood
July 27: Rumba by Patti Panebianco, with performance by Patti Panebianco’s Kids
August 17: East Coast Swing by Ed and Maria of SDLI
August 24: Donna DeSimone
August 31: Salsa by Alfred Peña of Rhythmology
Tickets: $22 online (www.vanderiltmuseum.org) or $30 at the door.
Singles, couples and groups of friends who have attended the dances over the past five years say these events are delightful fun. The evenings often draw between 80 and 100 people. Co-produced by the Vanderbilt and C & D Productions, Inc.
JULY
Porsche Club of America – Vanderbilt Concours – Sunday, July 9
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Porsche Club of America, Metro New York Region, will hold its Vanderbilt Concours car show on Sunday, July 9. Cars – including a classic 1959 Porsche Speedster 356 – will be displayed on the Great Lawn next to the Vanderbilt Mansion, overlooking Northport Bay.
Visitors pay only the museum’s general admission fee (adults $7, students with ID and seniors 62 and older $6, children 12 and under $3) – there is no additional charge for car show. Museum members enter the show free. Food will be available for purchase.
Vanderbilt Lobster Fest – Saturday, July 22
6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
The Vanderbilt Lobster Fest, the Museum’s sixth annual summer fund-raising event, is set for Saturday, July 22, from 6:00 to 10:00 in the Celebration Tent on the Great Lawn overlooking Northport Bay and Long Island Sound. This is the Vanderbilt’s largest fund-raising event and benefits the Museum’s education programs.
The menu offers seafood-lovers’ favorites – from whole steamed lobsters, mussels and clam chowder to barbecued chicken, burgers, hot dogs and fresh roasted sweet corn, and fresh pickles, plus wine, beer and soda. A deejay will play music for listening and dancing.
Tickets are $125 per person, $110 for Members (and $1,000 for a table of 10). Purchase tickets on-line at vanderbiltmuseum.org, or call 631-854-5579, Monday through Friday, 10:00-4:00 p.m.
A 1908 Rolls Royce, 1911 Cadillac and 1920 Buick Roadster will be on display. Participants are invited to bring their nine irons and take part in a chip-shot contest on the remaining holes of Willie Vanderbilt’s original estate golf course. The player who gets closest to the pin wins the pot.
JULY-AUGUST
Arena Players’ 29th Annual Shakespeare Festival
Each summer, the Arena Players Repertory Theater presents two Shakespeare plays on the Vanderbilt Mansion courtyard stage, where the Mediterranean architecture adds a touch of charm and magic.
This year’s playbill features Macbeth in July and Much Ado About Nothing in August. Admission: $15 per person. To purchase tickets, call 516-293-0674. Details on both productions: www.arenaplayers.org. Theater-goers are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy dinner before the show.
Macbeth opens on Sunday, July 2, at 7:00 p.m. Performances are every Wednesday and Friday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 7:00 p.m. through Sunday, July 30.
Much Ado About Nothing opens on Friday, August 4, at 8:00 p.m. and runs every Wednesday and Friday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 7:00 p.m. through Sunday, August 27.
AUGUST
Alex Torres Latin Orchestra – Friday, August 4
6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Music, dancing and romance will fill the night when Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra return to the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum on Friday, August 4, for their 11th annual show, Spicy Sounds for a Hot Night.
The popular rain-or-shine event takes place in the Celebration Tent overlooking Northport Bay, 6 to 10 p.m. Estate grounds open at 5:00. The performance, for listening and dancing, begins at 7:00.
Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner, and to take professional, club-style Latin dance lessons ($5 per person, offered from 6:00 to 6:45) before the main event begins. Wine, beer and soft drinks will be available for purchase.
Tickets: $30 in advance and for Museum members; $35 at the door. Tickets can be purchased on-line at vanderbiltmuseum.org, by calling 631-854-5579.
These renowned musicians and recording artists have performed to sold-out Vanderbilt audiences and received rave reviews. Torres and his orchestra, who have played a spicy mix of salsa, merengue and Latin jazz throughout North and South America, have released 10 critically acclaimed CDs. Visit www.alextorres.com.
Antique Auto Club of America – Sunday, August 20
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Vanderbilt Cup Region chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) will hold its annual antique and classic car show at the Vanderbilt on Sunday, August 20, from 11 to 4 p.m. More than 50 cars will be displayed on the Great Lawn next to the Vanderbilt Mansion, overlooking Northport Bay.
Visitors pay only the museum’s general admission fee (adults $7, students with ID and seniors 62 and older $6, children 12 and under $3) – there is no additional charge for car show. Museum members enter the show free.
Owners of any car at least 25 years old are welcome, according to AACA rules. The event will include the awarding of Peoples’ Choice trophies.
SEPTEMBER
Jaguar-MG Concours d’Elegance – Sunday, September 10
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Jaguar Drivers Club of Long Island and the MG Car Club-Long Island Centre will hold their annual Concours d’Elegance and All-Marque Concours Sanitaire, a show of classic automobiles, at the Vanderbilt on Sunday, September 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Rain date: September 17.)
Visitors pay only the museum’s general admission fee (adults $7, students with ID and seniors 62 and older $6, children 12 and under $3) – there is no additional charge for car show. Museum members enter the show free.
More than 100 cars will be on display on the Vanderbilt Estate grounds overlooking scenic Northport Bay. Included will be vintage and new Jaguar and MG models and a wide range of international and domestic sports cars and sedans.
The Liverpool Shuffle Outdoor Concert – Thursday, September 14
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
The Liverpool Shuffle, a popular Long Island Beatles tribute band, will perform on Thursday, September 14, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Vanderbilt Mansion Courtyard.
In the event of inclement weather, the show will be held in the Planetarium.
Tickets: adult $25 (on-line, at Vanderbilt website), or $30 at the door. Children 5-15 pay $15 (on-line or at the door). Children under 5 are free.
The band, which has performed seven previous concerts at the Vanderbilt, will be accompanied by a montage on the planetarium dome of 1960s photos and news clips, psychedelic imagery, and other pop-cultural moments.
Joe Ref (Refano), who formed the group in 2003, describes its act as “authentic, live Beatles music performed by professional Beatlemaniacs.” The four musician-singers are veterans of the New York music scene with a combined 125 years of experience. “The Beatles created the greatest popular music in history,” Refano said, “and we play it just the way it is.”
DECEMBER
The Liverpool Shuffle – Sunday, December 10
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
The Liverpool Shuffle, a popular Long Island Beatles tribute band, will perform on Sunday, December 10, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Vanderbilt Mansion Courtyard.
Tickets: adult $20 (on-line, at Vanderbilt website), or $25 at the door. Children 5-15 pay $15 (on-line or at the door). Children under 5 are free.
The band, which has performed eight previous concerts at the Vanderbilt, will be accompanied by a montage on the planetarium dome of 1960s photos and news clips, psychedelic imagery, and other pop-cultural moments.
Joe Ref (Refano), who formed the group in 2003, describes its act as “authentic, live Beatles music performed by professional Beatlemaniacs.” The four musician-singers are veterans of the New York music scene with a combined 125 years of experience. “The Beatles created the greatest popular music in history,” Refano said, “and we play it just the way it is.”
Holiday Dinner in Vanderbilt Mansion – Saturday, December 2
Seatings at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Begin your holiday season where Hollywood stars and European royalty dined with members of one of America’s most famous families – the elegant summer home of William K. Vanderbilt II, overlooking Northport Bay – decorated for the holidays. Seatings at 6:00 and at 8:00 p.m.
The evening is a special opportunity to celebrate in Gold Coast style, in a grand 24-room Spanish-Revival house listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Seating at this exclusive event is limited and sells out quickly. Tickets are $125 per person and $115 for members, by reservation only. You can choose your entrée when you purchase tickets.
The evening begins with wine and hors d’oeuvres in one of the natural-history galleries, followed by a guided tour of the mansion. The formal dinner is served in the glass-walled Northport Porch overlooking the harbor lights, with dessert in the Lancaster Room.
Tree Lighting – Saturday, November 25
4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Each year, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (this year it’s November 25), the Vanderbilt holds its annual holiday tree lighting at 4:00 p.m. This free, fun, family-friendly community event features a performance by the Northport Chorale, carol singing, an ornament workshop for children, hot chocolate, and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Guided Tours of Decorated Mansion
12:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy guided tours of the Vanderbilt Mansion, decorated for the holidays by local designers and garden clubs, from the day after Thanksgiving through January 2. During the day, tours are given Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday (except December 24-25 and December 31-January 1) at 12:30, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Visitors pay the general admission fee plus $5 per person for a tour.
Special Twilight Mansion Tours – Monday-Tuesday, December 26-27
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
These popular annual tours will be given Tuesday and Wednesday, December 26 and 27, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for students and seniors (62 and older) and $5 for children 12 and under. Hot chocolate and cookies are included. This event is a treat for visitors, and the only time of the year the Vanderbilt family’s private living quarters can be seen at night.
