Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library Announces Free Summer Concert Series on the Moriches Branch Lawn

MORICHES, NY — The Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library will bring live music to the lawn this summer with a free, four-part Summer Concert Series at the Moriches Branch, 201 Montauk Highway in Moriches.

The concerts will be held on four Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m.: July 6, July 20, August 3, and August 17. All performances are free and open to the public. In the event of rain, concerts will be moved indoors to the library’s Main Building in Shirley.

The series continues the library’s growing effort to showcase creative talent and bring residents together through the arts. Earlier this year, the library spotlighted local authors and visual artists. This summer, the focus turns to music, with a lineup ranging from classic rock and family entertainment to original indie, pop, and rock bands.

“Libraries have always been places where people come together, and this concert series is another way for us to make that happen,” said Lonna Castro, Director of the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library. “We are excited to use the Moriches Branch lawn as a welcoming outdoor space where families, neighbors, and music lovers can enjoy free live performances close to home.”

The series opens on Monday, July 6, with The Hucksters and Rising Tide. The Hucksters bring an uplifting, harmony-driven sound featuring original songs, folk, roots, and an eclectic mix of pop classics, with arrangements built around guitar, banjo, harmonica, bass, flute, percussion, accordion, and more. Rising Tide is known locally for classic rock, blues, and Grateful Dead-inspired jam-band performances that give audiences the feel of a relaxed, high-energy Long Island summer show.

On Monday, July 20, children and families can enjoy Darlene Graham & The Shades of Green Band, an interactive family music performance filled with singing, movement, dancing, imagination, bubbles, and upbeat songs designed to get children and parents participating together. Graham, a longtime family music performer and educator, brings a background in music education to concerts that are energetic, joyful, and accessible for young audiences.

The Monday, August 3 concert will feature The Band Books, a library staff band making its debut as part of the series, along with Kool Spektrum, a Long Island rock band whose members are all on the autism spectrum and proudly share their love of rock and roll with audiences throughout the region. The evening will offer a mix of community spirit and live rock music, with library staff stepping out from behind the scenes to perform for the public and Kool Spektrum bringing its energetic, inclusive message to the Moriches Branch lawn.

The series concludes on Monday, August 17, with a special original music showcase booked in collaboration with Ballpark Figure Booking, featuring Items, House Plants, and Strawberry Blonde. The three-band lineup will bring an all-ages indie, emo-pop, math rock, and alternative rock show to the Moriches Branch lawn, highlighting emerging Long Island and New York-area performers who are writing and performing their own music. The concert will give local audiences a chance to experience the kind of creative, do-it-yourself music scene more often found in clubs, cafés, and small venues, reimagined as a free outdoor community event.

“This series has something a little different each night, which is exactly what makes it exciting,” said J.D. Verbeck, librarian and organizer of the concert series. “We wanted to create a relaxed, outdoor concert experience where people can bring a lawn chair, enjoy the music, and discover performers they may not have seen before.”

Joseph Maiorana, President of the Library Board of Trustees, said the concert series reflects the library’s role as a community gathering place. “The library is not only a place for books and information. It is also a place for connection, creativity, and shared experiences,” Maiorana said. “By bringing live music to the Moriches Branch lawn, we are giving residents another reason to come together and enjoy the library as a true community resource.”

Summer Concert Series Schedule

Monday, July 6, 6:00 p.m.
The Hucksters and Rising Tide
Original songs, harmony-driven folk and roots music, classic rock, blues, and Grateful Dead-inspired jams.

Monday, July 20, 6:00 p.m.
Darlene Graham & The Shades of Green Band
An interactive family music concert featuring singing, dancing, movement, bubbles, imagination, and upbeat songs for children and parents to enjoy together.

Monday, August 3, 6:00 p.m.
The Band Books and Kool Spektrum
A library staff band debut and a Long Island rock band featuring musicians on the autism spectrum, combining community spirit, live rock music, and an inclusive celebration of performers sharing their talents.

Monday, August 17, 6:00 p.m.
Ballpark Figure Booking presents Items, House Plants, and Strawberry Blonde
An all-ages original music showcase featuring indie, emo-pop, math rock, and alternative rock from emerging Long Island and New York-area bands.

All concerts will be held at the Moriches Branch lawn, 201 Montauk Highway, Moriches. In the event of rain, concerts will be moved to the Main Library in Shirley, 407 William Floyd Parkway.

For more information, call (631) 399-1511 ext. 2024 or visit communitylibrary.org.

About the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library

Founded in 1974, the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library has served the residents of Mastic, Mastic Beach, Shirley, and Moriches for more than five decades, evolving to meet the changing needs of one of Suffolk County’s largest and most diverse communities. Through its Main Library in Shirley and branch locations in Mastic Beach and Moriches, the library provides access to books, digital resources, technology, educational programs, cultural events, and community services for residents of all ages. The library continues to serve as a welcoming center for learning, creativity, connection, and civic life throughout the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley area.