Listen to this articleThe Islip Orchestra Arts Council is bringing Orchestra Long Island to Hecksher State Park in East Islip along the Great South Bay for a free concert on Aug. 10. After a five-year hiatus triggered by the pandemic, the concert, a 46-year tradition, is returning in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of New York State Parks and the 50th Anniversary of the Islip Arts Council.
Under the baton of David Stewart Wiley, the event will feature soloist Eddie Barbash, a founding member of the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Barbash, who Jon Batiste described as “one of the world’s most important saxophonists,” will perform pieces dedicated to his grandmother, Lillian Barbash, the founder of the Islip Arts Council.
The arts are an economic driver to the region, and contributed $330 million to the Long Island economy, according to a 2023 study by the Long Island Arts Alliance.
Islip Arts Council Board President Waldo Cabrera told LIBN that “hundreds of thousands of dollars exchange hands” in putting the event together. That includes retaining services for security, tent rentals, catering, stage, lighting, media, chair rentals and porta-potties as well as for food trucks. Additional dollars are spent on local hotel stays for the tech team, and orchestra members.
Concert goers are encouraged to bring a bag of nonperishable food for families struggling with food insecurity. Island Harvest volunteers will be on-site to accept donations.
The concert is expected to attract 12,000 people, who are encouraged to pack a picnic and blanket for a night of music.
