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Just Wild About Harry: A Tribute to Harry Chapin by Long Island Singer/Songwriters
December 3 @ 7:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Port Washington’s Landmark on Main Street will again go Just Wild About Harry on Tuesday, December 3, at 7:30pm, as nearly three dozen of Long Island’s top musicians and songwriters will perform the music of Harry Chapin, the late Grammy-Award-winning singer-songwriter and social activist, on the stage of the Jeanne Rimsky Theater.
The tribute concert, returning for a second year to the Port Washington venue, will feature 18 acts – including concert organizer Stuart Markus and his trio Gathering Time – performing some of Chapin’s classics including “Taxi” and “Cat’s in the Cradle,” plus many lesser hits and fan favorites like “WOLD” and “Story of a Life.”
Markus said the December date will be a “Birthday Bash,” as Chapin would have turned 82 on Dec. 7. As they’ve done for the past 20 years, participating artists will be encouraged to put their own interpretations on his songs. “We’ve had some amazing arrangements, from folky to country, from torch-song style to hard rock,” Markus added.
While this will be a ticketed event, all revenues above the cost of producing the show will be donated to Long Island Cares, the food bank founded by Chapin. Last year’s event raised $5,101 in direct ticket sales and donations. A generous Landmark donor covered all production expenses and a matching pledge on the LI Cares side brought the total to $10,202. In addition, more than 600 pounds of nonperishable food items were collected.
No named benefactor has come forward this year, so the theatre would welcome sponsorships for the show, said Executive Director Laura Mogul. “Landmark is committed to serving our shared community in every way possible. It’s an honor and pleasure for us to be part of this event that celebrates the life and good work of Harry Chapin.” she added.
A minimum $20 donation per ticket is suggested, although additional donations are greatly appreciated. As always, the performers will be donating their talents.
Long Island Cares will also be collecting non-perishable food donations and selling T-shirts and other merchandise.
Long Island music royalty is turning out in force to support this most worthy cause. Confirmed to date are: Wonderous Stories, Gathering Time, Roger Street Friedman, Frank Walker, Joanne Amante, Martha Trachtenberg, Media Crime, Robinson Treacher, Hank Stone, Miles & Mafale, Roger Silverberg, Grand Folk Railroad, Lora Kendall, and newcomer Terry Seidl, with more to come.
As in past years, the Just Wild About Harry concert is being co-promoted by the Folk Music Society of Huntington, of which Markus is a board member. Harry Chapin lived in Huntington with his family.
For more information, see www.landmarkonmainstreet.org/