Island-wide, multi-venue festival showcasing finest in culture, artistry
For the month of October, Long Islanders won’t have to travel into Manhattan to get an art and culture fix.
On Sept. 27, the Cradle of Aviation Museum, located at 1 Davis Ave. in Garden City, hosted representatives from the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA), Bethpage Federal Credit Union, the Long Island Community Foundation and local elected officials as they announced the month-long festivities promoting Long Island’s finest artists and their works.
“Arts Alive LI has something for everyone,” said Theresa Statz-Smith, executive director, Long Island Arts Alliance. “I truly believe that thousands will discover, as they journey to exhibition spaces, museums, theaters, historic venues, festivals and other gathering places why Long Island is one of the strongest cultural destinations in the country.”
Living in the shadow of New York City isn’t an easy task for local artists, but the likes of Patti LuPone, Jane Monheit, Jackson Pollock, the Emerson String Quartet and Blue Öyster Cult have provided Long Island with an artistic identity all its own.
“Bridging all of the Arts on Long Island over the course of a month is another great way to showcase Long Island as a wonderful place to live, work and play,” said Kirk Kordeleski, president and CEO at Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “Many Long Islander’s venture to New York City for cultural events and don’t realize there are many great venues right here that are family friendly and affordable, which is why we are proud to present Arts Alive LI.”
Kicking off the month-long celebration was Jerome Bell, an American Idol contestant. The Texas native belted out a tremendous rendition of the national anthem for those in attendance at the Cradle of Aviation, including Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano.
“This is a great way to bring our residents and those from outside our borders here to experience the great talent and culture that we have here. In Nassau County we are trying to build on what we have here in the arts,” said Mangano, noting that the county is home to two privately owned studios and nine sound stages for television and film production.
“Although we are neighbors to New York City, which is a mecca for the arts, here in Nassau County we really are proud of all that we have to offer. It’s Arts Alive Long Island that will certainly make the world know that this is a center of culture and arts and that we’re committed to keeping that tradition alive and growing,” Mangano added.
The Long Island Association distributed a report at the press conference, which explained the benefits that local arts organizations have on the Nassau and Suffolk economies. The report cited how from 2001 to 2008, employment in the arts increased by 50 percent and payrolls doubled during that time, while total payrolls generated on Long Island increased by only 22 percent. The report also revealed that employees of arts organizations tend to live locally and spend locally as well.
“The arts industry in many ways has the opportunity to lead the way as we go into this new economy as we build jobs and we grow. This whole event is about collaboration between arts organizations to show not only the greatness of the talent but give us the opportunity to grow, be successful and grow business. We think Long Island is at a tipping point and that arts can lead the way to some success,” said Kordeleski.
Upcoming events include performances from Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin on Oct. 13 at the Tilles Center, Jane Monheit on Oct. 14 at the Usdan Center, the Emerson String Quartet on Oct. 17 at Stony Brook’s Staller Center and Blue Öyster Cult on Oct. 27 at Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington.
For more information or to sponsor Arts Alive LI, please email artfestli2012 @gmail.com. To view the full calendar of events visit www.artsaliveli.org.
