The Tulip Festival, now in its sixteenth year, was founded by Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and organized by the Town of Huntington, with Chief Festival Sponsorship support from Astoria Bank. The free festival will have children’s activity booths and live performances on the Chapin Rainbow stage, presented courtesy of the Huntington Arts Council.
Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, founder of the Tulip Festival stated, “The Huntington Tulip Festival is a free, family friendly event that continues to grow with each passing year. There is live entertainment on the Chapin Rainbow Stage, booths with hands-on activities for children, and a backdrop of colorful tulips spread throughout the park. So come out, bring your camera, and enjoy the day at the 16th Annual Tulip Festival.”
12:00-12:45 - Chapin Rainbow Stage Performance: “Jazzy Fairy Tales” with Louise Rogers – “Jazzy Fairy Tales” combines jazz music, storytelling and improvisational theater techniques to teach young children music, literature and social skills. This interactive performance utilizes young children's natural ability to learn through “play.” Swing, boogie and dance as the playfulness of jazz gives original versions of well-known fairy tales new life! Chesky recording artist and music teacher Louise Rogers has a voice that has been described as “pure and incandescent, free of affectation or obvious influence.” (Christopher Loudon, Jazz Times). A published author – Jazzy Fairy Tales Teacher's Manual, written with Susan Milligan (Alfred Publishing, 2011) with 2 more books slated for publication in 2015 – Louise is a leader in the field of jazz education. Nat Hentoff has praised her work as "the most joyously encouraging way of expanding the audience for jazz". Presented by the Huntington Arts Council. * Sponsored by Cablevision
1:00-1:45 - Chapin Rainbow Stage Performance: “Casplash” – Caribbean splash band with Steelpanist Rudi Crichlow – “Casplash” – a/k/a “Caribbean Splash” – plays music made for dancing – from Calypso, Soca, and Reggae to Pop, Funk, R&B and more. Casplash takes audience members on a fantastic musical escapade via the beautiful sounds of the steel pan, soulful singing and hot tropical rhythms. The band leads audiences in familiar dances such as the Electric Slide, Hokey Pokey, Conga Line and Limbo; they also teach a traditional West Indian follow-the-leader style dance called Brown Girl in the Ring. Casplash is founded and led by Steelpanist Rudy Crichlow, a man whose roots are in Trinidad and Tobago. The band has performed at festivals, performing arts centers and special events throughout the New York Metro area and the United States. Presented by the Huntington Arts Council.* Sponsored by Astoria Bank*
2:00-3:00 - Chapin Rainbow Stage Performance:“Songs & Puppetry” with Janice Buckner – Janice is one of the nation's top performing artists for children. She tours nationally, appearing on over 150 stages each year receiving top ratings. She has appeared on radio and television, as well as over 4000 schools and concert halls. She entertains audiences of all ages with her voice, guitars, puppets and her knowledge of Sign Language for the Deaf. She is noted for her voice, her creativity and the outstanding quality of her lyrics. Her Learn Along Song Series includes eleven CDs & songbooks and her Creativity in the Classroom Work/Play Book with a 20-song CD is used by pre-K and elementary school teachers throughout the country. Her Learn Along radio show aired out of Hofstra University for seventeen years and was heard around the world via the internet. Presented by the Huntington Arts Council.* Sponsored by Huntington Honda
4:00 - Festival Closes (Museum exhibits on view until 5:00 p.m.)
For more information regarding the Tulip Festival, please feel free to contact (631) 351-3099.