Newly Renovated Patchogue Theatre to Reopen with The Chapin Family, 4/2

On Saturday, April 2, Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts (PTPA) will reopen its doors to the general public for the Seventh Patchogue Folk Festival, after an extensive renovation of the historic venue's interior. This year the Chapin Family will headline the festival, which will begin with a free concert at 2 p.m. in Patchogue Theatre's revitalized lobby featuring Long Island musicians performing original music and folk favorites.

"The Patchogue Folk Festival has become quite the annual tradition, which showcases our great venue by day with local original music in the Lobby, and great national acts on the Main Stage in the evening, with time in between to shop Main Street," explained Christopher Capobianco, board member of Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts and Patchogue Folk Festival organizer. "It's exciting to have the 7th Patchogue Folk Festival as our first big event back following the completion of the amazing renovation work by Patchogue Village. Our acoustically perfect 93-year-old Theatre has been modernized in ways that hasn't changed the vintage decor."

Beginning at 2 p.m. in Patchogue Theatre's renewed lobby, Long Island musician Bryan Gallo will kick off the Seventh Patchogue Folk Festival with a stirring set of original music. Performances by Kirsten Maxwell, Jeff Jacobs, Sean Virag, Deborah Lynne, Brian Gabriel, Shari Yeomans, Bob Westcott and The New Students will continue the complimentary Long Island singer-songwriter showcase until 5 p.m. Patrons can then shop and dine on Main Street Patchogue before the Main Stage event.

At 8 p.m., the Patchogue Folk Festival headliners - The Chapin Family comes together in a celebration of the songs of Long Island folk legend, the late Harry Chapin. Harry's classics and their own songs are performed by those who knew him best - his brothers, father, daughter, original band and the musical family that surrounded him. This one of a kind event will include performances by Tom Chapin, Steve Chapin, Jen Chapin, The Chapin Sisters (Abigail and Lily Chapin), Jonathan Chapin and the original members of the Harry Chapin Band.

To celebrate the reopening of the historic Patchogue Theatre venue to the public, Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts in partnership with Long Island Pulse Magazine will host a special VIP event backstage from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Lombardi's will provide light fare and Raphael Vineyard will offer wine tasting at the exclusive backstage soirée. To add to the ambiance, light piano music will be played on the theatre's 118-year-old Steinway piano. Limited tickets are available for this portion of the festival. Patrons are asked to call 631-207-1313 for more details and to RSVP to the event.

Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts will also host a food drive the day of the festival to benefit Long Island Cares, Inc., The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank, and is requesting ticket holders to bring a donation of non-perishable food to the theatre. Volunteers and staff of Long Island Cares will be in the Patchogue Theatre lobby from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. collecting food donations, including canned beans or meats, canned fruit or vegetables, cereal or oatmeal, containers of coffee, juice or tea, chilies, soups, peanut butter and jelly, and other items to support Long Islanders in need. For more information on the organization or what food donations are accepted, please visit LICares.org.

Schedule of Events for the Seventh Patchogue Folk Festival on April 2:

* Free "Live in the Lobby" Concert, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

* Long Island Cares Food Drive in the Lobby, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

* Backstage VIP Event, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Limited tickets available, $15 entry

* Main Stage Performance featuring The Chapin Family, begins at 8 p.m.; Tickets $28-$58

Tickets for the Seventh Patchogue Folk Festival are on sale now and available online, by phone or at the box office. Ticket prices range from $28 to $58 plus fee. Patrons must call the box office at631-207-1313 to request tickets for the special VIP event with Long Island Pulse Magazine. For more information on the Seventh Patchogue Folk Festival, visit PatchogueTheatre.org.

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