The Long Island Game Farm in Manorville is celebrating its 55th anniversary with the launch of its new Songbird Session Concert Series, which begins Saturday, June 7. Animals will appear near the stage area, and artists will perform in a collaborative Nashville-style format.
“The anniversary year kicked off with two major new improvements: One is the stage (just in time for the concerts) and the other is the Woodland Trail,” said Patricia Snyder, executive director of Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability, the Game Farm’s nonprofit arm.
“With these new facilities, the Long Island Game Farm can spread their wings a little bit and encourage new audiences and bring people back that haven’t been there in tons of years,” Snyder said. “People that I talked to said, ‘Yeah, I used to come here when I was a kid,” or ‘You know, I haven’t been there in 20 years.’ We want people to come back.”
The Songbird Sessions are intended to encourage those returns while highlighting what Snyder described as a strong community of singer-songwriters living on Long Island.
“There’s a lot of cover bands that are happening now, but we feel there should be more attention to singer/songwriters and original music,” she said.
Snyder said she considers Songbird Sessions “a unique experience.”
“It’s not often that you sit to listen to music outdoors surrounded by animals,” she said. “So, there’s the interaction with the animals, which is fun… There’s music and food available," she added, referring to the snack bar and its "lovely menu."
Also available will be close-up encounters with a capybara, the world’s largest rodent.
“We have this special pre-show opportunity for up to 12 people to purchase a capybara lover’s ticket, which gives a capybara encounter prior to the concert,” Snyder said. The 45-minute experience allows ticket holders to enter the enclosure, feed, and pet a capybara.
Another pre-show feature includes some animals greeting concertgoers from the stage area, she added.
Concerts will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Long Island Game Farm, 489 Chapman Blvd. in Manorville. Ticket prices vary by show.
The first concert on Saturday, June 7, will feature Jack Licitra’s Blue Light Club, a jazz and blues ensemble influenced by the styles of Chicago, New York City, and New Orleans. The band, which includes several Long Island singer-songwriters, has opened for Richie Havens, Levon Helm, and Pinetop Perkins.
On Saturday, June 21, Voices Carry will perform with Rob Bruey, Julia King, and Rorie Kelly. Heart & Soul, featuring Bryan Gallo, Sarah Gross, and Inda Eaton, will follow on Saturday, July 12. A high-energy rock performance for children and families is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, with three-time Grammy nominee Brady Rymer, who will also introduce teen singer-songwriters from Suffolk County.
The series continues on Aug. 9 with the Adam Ezra Group, known for a mix of folk, rock, soul, and pop. The band has opened for acts including Little Big Train and Train. The final concert on Aug. 23, titled From Montauk to Nashville, will feature Chloe Halpin, Toby Tobias, and Lori Hubbard, who will perform and share the stories behind their songs.
Many of the concerts will follow an in-the-round format, encouraging artist collaboration similar to performances at Nashville’s Bluebird Café, Snyder said.
Founded in 1970 by Stanley and Diane Novak, the Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park and Children’s Zoo aims to educate families about wildlife through entertainment and interactive experiences.
Snyder said the Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability, the Game Farm’s nonprofit branch, supports community initiatives. Proceeds from the concert series will fund college internship programs, summer camps, and educational activities.
“We take what’s wonderful about the Game Farm, and we build on that,” she said.
For more information and performer bios, visit https://www.longislandgamefarm.com.