BACCA: 36 Years of Arts for the Community

Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts, one of the longest running arts operations in the region, has entered full force into the 2011 summer season.

From a music series in its Arts Center at 149 North Wellwood in Lindenhurst to the Native American Pow-Wow at Babylon and in , ’s mixture of traditional events and new activities is bound to offer something for everyone.

“For 36 years we’ve had a wide variety of things for people from which to choose,” said BACCA Board President Shawn Cullinane. “We’re constantly in motion.”

An example is the center that’s owned by where the organization hosts its and Third Thursday Song Swap and Jam.

“We refurbished the building for its present use in 2009, and tried to cultivate a casual atmosphere,” said Cullinane, of Lindenhurst administrator. “In addition to the music, we’ve done live comedy there. And we’re working on a summer children’s theater workshop.”

There’s plenty more happening, too: arts classes and rotating art exhibits at the Town Hall Annex Building in North Babylon at Phelps Lane Park and art shows at the Library and the , where mounted its juried art competition in June.

When it comes to outdoor family entertainment, ’s got events that draw from far and wide. On August 20 the Festival at will take place.

“Every year we try to get a national headliner. We’ve had David Grisam and Ricky Skaggs in the past,” said Cullinane. “This year it will be Special Consensus.”

Even more prominent is the event set for August 13 and 14. Now in its 31st year it brings crowds in to celebrate Native American culture and heritage, on town hall grounds.

“The setting is nice there with the lake,” Cullinane said. “It offers a little more in the way of shade, with the trees. And it’s more visible from Sunrise Highway.”

While the sluggish economy is hampering other organizations, ’s not missing a beat, according to Cullinane.

“We’re trying to develop hometown artistic activities,” he noted. “There are plenty of people who’d like an opportunity to do things. We try to accommodate that – and it continues to allow residents to see quality shows right here.”

An operation like BACCA’s survives and prospers thanks to the participation of a number of volunteers, noted Cullinane.

“Everyone does a different thing,” he said. “For example, Jim McGarrity, our treasurer, has been instrumental with the . His committee goes to all nine high schools in the township to see their theater programs. We bring them to one location and they do a little five-minute thing from their production.“

Recognizing those who contribute is part of what the organization will do at its , in , at the . “We also try to showcase everything there, Indian lore, bluegrass music, art teachers’ work,” said Cullinane. “It’s a nice combination of what does over the course of the year, and it’s our major fundraiser.”