Attendance Doubles at Summer Concert Series

Attendance has more than doubled at the annual Family Summer Concert Series at the Smithtown Library since the series first began in 2005, according to Suffolk County Legislator Lynne Nowick and the Smithtown Library coordinators.

 "Around 11,900 people attended in 2005 and we had 25,400 total come out at eight concerts this year," said David Berner, project coordinator for the Smithtown Special Library District. "It has become the biggest summer event in Smithtown by far."

The concerts are funded by an annual grant obtained by Legis. Nowick from the Suffolk County Economic Development Office and the Hotel Motel Tax, which is dedicated to the arts. The grant is meant for downtown revitalization.

"Despite all the economic problems, it is a way to give people something to look forward to," Legis. Nowick said. "The stores are happy, the restaurants are thrilled with it. If you go to Buona Sera, you can't get in."

According to Buona Sera manager Neil Russo, business swells by "about 15 percent" on Thursday concert nights.

"We look forward to it in the summertime," he said.

Last year overall attendance was 21, 300. Berner credits this summer's 4,000+ increase to both the talent offered and the recent economic conditions.

"It's local, high quality entertainment free-of-charge in our backyards," Berner said, who organizes the concert series with Legis. Nowick's brother Dennis Cannataro. "The bands featured have performed all over the world and attract a cross-generational audience."

This year the Strawberry Fields Beatles show had the highest turnout with 4,300 people and Billy Joel Tribute Band Big Shot followed with around 4,100 attendees. Other performers included an Eagles Tribute Band, a Motown Show, Meet the Jumpers Orchestra, a Rod Stewart Show, a Rolling Stones Tribute Band and an Oldies Show. The Jumpers had the lowest attendance this year with 2,000 people.

"We don't call the bands, they call us," Berner said. "Every year we evaluate the acts and make decisions. We are already all lined up for next summer and the official contracts will be signed in January."

Next year will bring some changes to the concert series. The Smithtown branch of the library district will be under renovation, so the concerts will take place in a location "close by" that will be announced once the location is authorized, according to Berner.

Other towns and legislative districts in the area offer summer concerts. The Nesconset Chamber of Commerce together with Legis. John Kennedy sponsor a five concert series on Smithtown Blvd. that drew 10,000 people this summer, according to the Chamber president.

"I don't think there's a single event in Smithtown that draws the crowds that we have," said Anthony Monteleone, vice president of the Library board.

Both Berner and Legis. Nowick praised the Suffolk County Police Department Fourth Precinct for their efforts relieving the congestion at the end of the concerts.

"The officers are golden," Berner said. "They have all 4,000 people cleared out in 15 minutes."

Berner also said that trash issues have been minimal. Alcohol is prohibited at the concerts and there was not one serious behavior infraction at all eight concerts this summer.

However, Thursday concerts nights do bring additional congestion to the already narrow Middle Country Road, with cars parked all along N. Country Rd and traffic stretching all down the strip towards Smith Haven Mall. The business impact is also questionable at this point.

"The concerts are great for the community, especially great for the families, but we did have to watch the front to make sure the parking lot was reserved for our patrons," said Gloria Marsilio, owner of the Garden Grill, a restaurant near the Smithtown Library on N. Country Rd. "We didn't really see an increase in business since they came for the concert and concert alone, but it was still great."

Legis. Nowick said she would be interested in a similar concert series for the winter, but there are no plans for one at this point.

"Putting together a concert is a very difficult thing. It is a lot of work," she said. "It is time-consuming [but] it is a mission of love and I love it."