LI Music Festival Coming to Eisenhower Park

The 43rd annual Long Island Music Festival will be held at , featuring 40 local bands over a span of three weeks.

The festival, which has taken place in Nassau County for 16 years, will feature performers in genres ranging from heavy metal, to country, to hip hop and jazz.

“I’m proud to lend support to Long Island’s musicians and their original music,” Mangano said. “Thanks to the festival’s sponsors, it should be an enjoyable, free and entertaining experience.”

The dates for the first round of performances are Aug. 1, 3, 4, 9 and 11.  Each night, two winners will be chosen from the groups to move on to the finals, which will be held on August 25. Both the winner at the finals, and the first, second and third place runners up will be awarded prizes that range from $250 – $1,000 in cash, and up to $3,000 in prizes.

The competition will culminate with the winning group performing at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre on Sept. 9 during the “Funk and Roll Festival” at Eisenhower Park.

This original music showcase will include past winners of the Long Island Music Festival competition, including 2009 winner “Non-Stop to Cairo.” Cory Fernandez of BET’s “Comic View” is scheduled to host. It will be headlined by the group “Funky Nassau”, which is led by hip hop recording artist and Nassau native Andreaus 13 – a supporting member of the eighties rap group Public Enemy.

Those interested in entering the competition should send a $30 check for the entry fee made out to Good Times Magazine. Send payment and application information along with a tape or CD that includes at least 2 original songs to: Good Times Festival, Box 33, Westbury, NY 11590.

An application must include the following information:

• Name of the band
• Type of music: acoustic, heavy metal, country, blues/blues rock, alternative/modern rock, reggae, hip-hop, jazz, hard alternative, other
• Number of band members
• Ages of band members
• Name, address, phone number  and email address for the band’s contact

Are you going to attend the Long Island Music Festival? Tell us in the comments.