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“Just Wild About Harry” Concert Set for December 4
December 4, 2023 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Photo Credit: Robert Berkowitz/RSBImageWorks.com
More than two dozen of Long Island’s top musicians and songwriters will take to the stage at Landmark on Main Street’s Jeanne Rimsky Theater in Port Washington, NY to perform the music of Harry Chapin, the late Grammy-Award-winning singer-songwriter and social activist, on Monday, December 4, at 7:30 pm. The annual Just Wild About Harry tribute concert, relocated 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.” Tickets are available through Landmark on Main Street. Admission is based on a sliding scale starting at $10.
This year’s tribute concert, having been rained out on its original summer date marking the anniversary of his death and ultimately scrapped over the musicians’ objections to political signage at Eisenhower Park, will be repurposed into a birthday celebration, said concert organizer Stuart Markus. Chapin would have turned 81 on Dec. 7.
“For 19 years, the Long Island music community has come together to commemorate Harry by playing his songs around the anniversary of his tragic passing,” Markus said. “This year, we’ll be celebrating his life with a birthday bash.” Like in past shows, 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. A donation pledged by philanthropist Roger Tilles will offset some of those costs, said Landmark executive director Richard Mayer. “We’re honoring Harry Chapin’s legacy in the Jeanne Rimsky Theater.” 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. The concert has historically been a major fundraiser for the organization and has raised thousands of pounds of food donations. “We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to Landmark on Main to celebrate the music and stories of our beloved founder, Harry Chapin and we appreciate the food donations and support of the audience that will be joining us,” said Paule Pachter, the nonprofit organization’s chief executive officer.
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.
Besides Markus and Gathering Time, this year’s roster of performers includes newcomers Matthew Ponsot, Roger Silverberg, and Lisa Ann & Akiva Wharton. Other performers include Frank Walker, Roger Street Friedman, Martha Trachtenberg, Debra Lynn & Lora Kendal, Media Crime, Talya Smilowitz, Joe Iadanza, Miles & Mafale, Robinson Treacher, Robin Eve, Joanne Amante, Christine Solimeno, Judith Zweiman, Duane Michael Tucker, Patricia Shih & Stephen Fricker, Grand Folk Railroad, and Robin Greenstein, with the possibility of other acts to be added. Guest speakers will also offer brief remarks.
The Just Wild About Harry concert will be livestreamed via the links below. The livestream will begin at 7:15pm, and the concert is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm.
Folk Music Society of Huntington Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/FMSHLongIsland
Harry Chapin Foundation YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/VHfaR6vyzBw?si=aFYIJcn8gw0P8KPX
Harry Chapin Foundation Facebook Page: https://fb.me/e/6wBi5JCdC
“Just Wild About Harry” Facebook Group: https://fb.me/e/3qE9misrq
“Harry Chapin Memories” Facebook Group: https://fb.me/e/1Fc99vPHC
Harry Chapin Music Facebook Page: https://fb.me/e/9Five9E7f
The stream will also be shared in the “Harry Chapin: Long Live Harry Chapin” Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2202149890 and in the “Harry Chapin Fans” Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/230511524137319