Join us at Steppingstone Park this weekend for a bit of nostalgia and great music with The Lovin’ Spoonful (on Saturday at 8 P.M.) and Gary Puckett & The Union Gap on Sunday, July 12, at 8 p.m., The Lovin’ Spoonful will be mixing the best of rock ‘n roll and folk music, with a touch of country. You will hear a series of perfectly produced and exceptionally catchy single releases such as “Do You Believe In Magic,” “Daydream,” “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice,” “Nashville Cats” and the perfect anthem for a hot July evening, “Summer In The City.” In 1965, two rockers from Long Island, Steve Boone and Joe Butler (who is a Great Neck native) teamed up with two folkies from Greenwich Village, John Sebastian and Zal Yanovsky, to form The Lovin’ Spoonful. They produced songs that would establish them among the best of the mid-60s era. Their big hits are still recognizable over four decades later. They are 60s folk/pop at its best. On March 6, 2000, The Lovin’ Spoonful reached a milestone and was inducted into the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame.
Sunday, July 12, at 8 p.m., Steppingstone presents Gary Puckett & The Union Gap. One of the most successful musical groups of the 60s, Gary’s unmistakable signature voice garnered six consecutive gold records and top 10 Billboard hits with “Young Girl,” “Woman, Woman” and “Lady Willpower.” Although The Union Gap disbanded in 1971, “Young Girl” was reissued in England in 1974 where it received a silver record award for attaining a top five position on the pop charts. Gary Puckett and The Union Gap was one of a very select group of touring acts to achieve prominence worldwide, playing a command performance at the White House for Prince Charles and Princess Anne by special invitation of the president. The Gary Puckett and The Union Gap’s “Greatest Hits” album is one of CBS’ best-selling “Collector Series” albums today. Gary continues to tour nationally and internationally and his latest album out is, “Gary Puckett- Live.”
Both concerts begin at 8 p.m. All performances are for Great Neck Park District residents only. Admission is free to Park District residents with a valid park card. Park cards will be checked when parking and at the gate. Each park card holder is allowed to bring two guests into the park, who must be signed in. There are limited park chairs available, and it is recommended that show attendees bring along a blanket or their own chair. Avoid the traffic and arrive early (before 6 p.m.) with a picnic for dinner. Make an entire night out of it. In case of rain, check cancellations.com or www.greatneckparks.org for the location of performance. Either Great Neck North High School or the Parkwood Sports Complex will be the rain location, which will be determined based on type of performance and where it can best be performed. Free bus service continues to be available to Steppingstone, and return buses start 10 minutes after the show ends. Just make certain that you have your current Park District park card with you, as cards are always checked at the gate when you enter the park. You will not be able to enter without your park card. The bus schedule can be obtained at Great Neck House, 14 Arrandale Ave. or the gate at Steppingstone Park. It is also available on the Park District website at www.greatneckparks.org. The bus is subject to cancellation or change according to public usage. Street parking in the Village of Kings Point is permitted as posted. Parking rules will be strictly enforced by the Kings Point Police. For the safety and comfort of everyone, it is requested that show attendees follow the direction of the park employees. For additional information, visit our website or call 516-482-0355.
