I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to. -Elvis Presley

I'm back!
I have some great updates from a few sources for tonite's entry! And best off...these updates I'm adding in now do more than meet Cheap Date standards...they're all FREE!!!!

Some more night music...
There's a reason I hang out with certain people. I prefer to keep company with fun and intelligent people, and my galpal Sandy is one. She hooked me up with some great info for you classical buffs out there:
"Hey, here is a link to free concerts out east and for the remainder of the season. Maybe you can post on your website. It is really good, it is the top musical students and teachers from around the island that were picked. I heard that last weekend in Westhampton was great and that a lot of people that were just walking by stayed the whole time. It had a really nice crowd and people really enjoyed it. AND IT’S FREE!"
http://soundsymphony.org/
Thanks, Sand! See ya this weekend!

Cinema buffs, we have something for you!
How about a little culture and a movie for FREE? The Cinema Arts Centre is hosting Cinema in the Library, with The Diving Bell and the Butterfly at Harborfields Public Library on July 31 at 7 PM, and Divan at the East Meadow Public Library on August 4 at 7:30 PM.

And now for something completely different...
How about an origami festival? Don't laugh...this is some really cool paperfolding! For someone who struggled with making paper fans and airplanes in my younger days, this is just jaw dropping! Even if it does not interest you, take a look at the website.

Slam poetry is alive and well here on the Island. For a schedule of upcoming events, click here.

"To be, or not to be..."
Like Shakespeare? But maybe not enough to pay for a tankful of gas, drive upstate, buy tickets, wait on long lines, and fight off other festival goers in SpendePennye Lane? The Shakespeare Festival is still going on here on LI...take advantage of it!

Not too sure about this one...
I see no info about admission fees, but this looks like one GREAT exhibit...3rd Annual Outsider Art in the Hamptons. Really hoping it's free as I want to head over on the 9th for the North Sea Poetry thing (as Miss Chris is a HUGE poetry fanatic...not prose, POETRY...there is a difference!)

Just a reminder...
Patchogue has Alive After 5 again this week...and even though I try to avoid cover bands...Ed Travers is playing (yeah, that Jimmy Buffet guy!). Come on down, say hi to me as I will be at the table next to where Ed is playing and grab a beer. Life is good!

"Would those of you in the cheap seats clap your hands? And the rest of you, if you could just rattle your jewelry?" - John Lennon

It's me again! I have lots of new information to bring to you, and I want to give a great big Cheap Date cheer to my friend Steve who has sent me some (a lot) great info to share with you all!

I saw fireworks! Was it good for you, too?
Ok, I know that was a bit of a naughty double entendre, but my friend Sean said there wasn't nearly enough "adult" content on this blog. So that line is for you, Sean, but that's as bad as it gets...this is strictly a PG show! And now, let me get back to business...

Just because you are on a budget doesn't mean you can't have an incredibly romantic date! Think about it...a beautiful night staring at the stars, laying on a blanket on the grass, maybe having a little wine, sharing some comfortable silence, and then it happens...fireworks! I'm not talking about that electrical spark that tends to fly when having a wonderful night with that someone special (though that's great too!), but those big, loud, beautiful, sparkly visions that get the heart racing all on their own. Here's a list (courtesy of Explore LI):
AUGUST
2
Davis Park Beach Blast
Fire Island
Davis Park
Grucci
Long Island Ducks
After game
Central Islip
Citibank Park
Grucci
3
Knights of Columbus Summer Carnival
9:45 p.m.
Center Moriches
313 Frowein Rd.
Bay Fireworks
7
Port Washington Sons of Italy
9:30 p.m.
Port Washington
Bay Fireworks
9
Metro NY Balloon & Music Festival
Shirley
Calabro Airport
Grucci
14
Holbrook Chamber of Commerce
10 p.m.
Holbrook
Seneca Middle School, 850 Main St.
Bay Fireworks
Long Island Ducks
After game
Central Islip
Citibank Park
Grucci
16
14th annual carnival, craft & festival
10 p.m.
Holbrook
Seneca Middle School, 850 Main St.
Bay Fireworks
Bethpage Chamber of Commerce
10 p.m.
Bethpage
Bethpage LIRR Sta., Stuart Ave. and Jackson Ave.
Bay Fireworks
23
Cellini Lodge Carnival
10 p.m.
North Hempstead
Tulley Park, 1801 Evergreen Ave.
Bay Fireworks
Town of Babylon 14th Annual Beach Blast
9 p.m.
Babylon
Overlook Beach, Ocean Parkway (at Cedar Beach)
Bay Fireworks
23
Riverhead Raceway
8:30 p.m.
Riverhead
Riverhead Raceway, County Road 58
Bay Fireworks
Mother Cabrini Carnival
10:10 p.m.
Brentwood
Suffolk County CC-Grant Campus, Wicks Road
Bay Fireworks
Hellenic Festival
9:30 p.m.
Port Jefferson
Church of the Assumption, 430 Sheep Pasture Rd.
Bay Fireworks
30
East Hampton
9:15 p.m.
East Hampton
Main Beach
Bay Fireworks
31
Mother Cabrini Carnival
10:10 p.m.
Brentwood
Suffolk County CC-Grant Campus, Wicks Road
Bay Fireworks
SEPTEMBER
8
Long Island Ducks
After game
Central Islip
Citibank Park
Grucci
13
Long Island Ducks
After game
Central Islip
Citibank Park
Grucci
OCTOBER
4
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Central Islip
Citibank Park
Grucci
11
Stars over Montauk
Montauk
Umbrella Beach
Grucci

A Little Night Music...
We're not talking about Mozart here...but some great shows for the whole family. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, and as always, call ahead to check for handicap access and cancellations due to weather.

August 2-Janine DiNatale and Friends at Gardiner County Park. Country to jazz to blues from the 1960's and 70's.

August 3-Long Island Brass Guild at Bayard Cutting Arboretum. A six piece brass ensemble formed in 1975 that performs all over Long Island. Cost: $6 to park

The Town of Huntington is holding a “Summer Barn Bash” at the Lewis Oliver Farm on Burt Avenue, Northport, on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 3 to 8 PM, featuring hay rides, a country western band, a pie-eating contest and the opportunity to visit the newly opened Country Store. Cost: FREE, but there will be a fee for food and hay rides.

The Monthly Music Night from the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce will be hosted by Vision Board member Bert Donley on Thursday, August 7th from 7:30-11pm at 124 South Street in Oyster Bay. There’s no cover and no minimum, but tips will be donated to the INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network).

On Tuesday, July 29th at 8pm come and hear an oldies show featuring the band, “Risky Business,” one of the top nostalgia bands in the region on Main Street in Rocky Point. Cost: FREE

Acoustic Long Island at Deepwells Mansion in St. James will be featuring Andy Mac on July 30. I like this guy. Make a point of checking him out. Cost: FREE

Christine Lavin will be playing at the Huntington Arts Council's Summer Arts Music Festival on August 2. Don't miss this show!

Sam "Bluzman" Taylor plays every Tuesday night at Bobbique in Patchogue, and at Port Jazz in Port Jeff on every first Thursday of the month. If you like blues, check him out!

This one is a MUST SEE! Tornado Alley will be playing at the Common Ground in Sayville on Thursday, July 31. Ken "The Rocket" Korb is known to appear with them from time to time...bring a lawn chair and I'll see you there!

Mambo Loco is a well known Havana-style music group that plays all over Long Island. Catch them this Thursday at Gallo Tropical (a Cheap Date fave).

Summer Camp lives!
The Summer Camp Series is alive and well at Cinema Arts! Next weekend, a double feature of Pulp Fiction and Taxi Driver...what could be better?! $9 per person to get in.

Chocolate IS a food group! (So is pizza!)
At least in my eyes, it is...and to gratify my incessant chocolate craving, I make a point of hitting Godiva in Stony Brook. Through the 31st, they are running promotional giveaways, and every few weeks they have a "Dipping Theatre" where you can dip strawberries in Godiva chocolate. How sexy is THAT?!

I scream, you scream, we all scream...
...for ice cream! On a hot summer day, what could be better than a yummy, drippy ice cream cone? Check out Sprinkles on Montauk Highway in Blue Point, In the Mood in Woodbury, or Carla Marla in Bellport.

I'll have more in a few days! in the meantime, if you know of something that should be on this blog, let me know. And as I had mentioned pizza before...I want to hear from you! Tell me where you think the best pizza on LI is and why! Email me at cheap.date.long.island@gmail.com
Chat soon!

A couple of quick add ons...

For a Good Cause...

On Saturday, July 26 from 10AM to 4PM, the Suffolk Independent Living Organization (SILO) will be celebrating the 18th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with a BBQ and fair, with vendors, art exhibits, music and more. This is a grassroots organization devoted to helping people with disabilities live independently. Come on down and show your support! Cost: FREE (Thanks, Kieran, for the heads up!)

Gone Fishin'!

The Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery is just a really neat little place! With cold and warm water ponds, a tidal raceway, observation deck, freshwater aquariums, and Tiny (a 78 lb. snapping turtle), this is a great Cheap Date for the entire family. Admission: $5 per person

A Little Nostalgia...

Back in the day, Long Island was populated with farmers and fishermen. There were no grocery stores back then...you had to go to the general store to get your provisions. Come visit Long Island's last operating general store, the St. James General Store. Spend some time with sales staff in period dress, maybe get a book autographed...there's always something to do and see without spending a lot of coin!

While in St. James, bring your voice, your instrument, your ears to Cool Beanz! Wednesday and Saturday are Open Mic Nite at the original home of Acoustic Long Island.

If you have an event you'd like to let me know about, email me at cheap.date.long.island@gmail.com.

'Til next time!

"The tooth fairy teaches children that they can sell body parts for money." - Richerby

OK, I realize that that may be a slightly twisted quote, but I like it! Just got back from the Riverhead Blues Festival, where I picked up a couple of gauze hippie skirts for $10 each (go in through the main entrance, make a left, and the booth is by the food concessions on the left hand side). I also picked up some necklaces ($5 each, buy two and get one free at the beach glass jewelry booth, don't forget to look up!), and a cute handbag from Ecuador for $8. Life is good!

The new week brings plenty of opportunities to utilize the info I send out to you all, and this post will be jammed packed with info as there is a LOT going on! So settle in and get comfy, as this one's gonna be a bit of a long read!

Cinema Buffs, Rejoice!

Movies on the lawn abound in coming weeks! As always, call ahead to ensure that there is handicap accessibility for these events, and that some may be cancelled due to inclement weather. Monday night at the Jones Beach Bandshell will be a viewing of "A Bug's Life" at 7:30 pm. Cost: FREE. Next week's movie-"Monster's Inc."

Brookhaven Amphitheatre will be hosting a viewing of "Night at the Museum" on August 6th and it's only $5 per carload! August 13th's movie will be "Monster House". This is a great Cheap Date for the entire family!

Some great indoor events are planned as well. The YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts will be hosting a viewing of "Ratatouille" on July 23 and the cost is $8 per adult, $5 children (children's admission includes a FREE small popcorn!). On August 6th "Meet the Robinsons" will be the featured movie.

The Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum will be hosting a viewing of "Pirates of the Caribbean-At World's End" on Sunday, July 20th. Cost: FREE with admission to the museum ($8 per person). While there, make a point of checking out the scrimshaw exhibit. It's outstanding!

Cinema Arts Center will also be hosting indoor events, but these are still worth checking out. On Wednesday, July 23rd, there will be a showing of the classic Hitchcock movie "The 39 Steps" featuring guest speaker Glenn Andriev, filmmaker and graduate of New York's School of Visual Arts. Cost: $10 per person.

Cinema Arts will also have TWO Summer Camp events this week! On July 29th, "Lady Windemere's Fan", a four act comedy written by Oscar Wilde, will be shown with organ accompaniment by MoMA's Ben Model. If you have ever gone to one of these sort of shows, you know how much fun they can be! On July 26th, a double feature of "The Fog" and "The Mist" will be shown. Most shows are $9 per person.

Culture Vultures, Unite!

The Cinema Arts Center will also be hosting an in-depth look at the musical work of Philip Glass with a presentation of "Glass-A Look at Philip in 12 Parts" that includes interviews with Woody Allen, Chuck Close, Martin Scorsese and others. DON'T MISS THIS ONE! Cost: $9 per person.

The Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport will be hosting performances of Romeo and Juliet on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings with a cost that just squeaks in under Cheap Date Long Island's guidelines: $15 per person.

The Islip Arts Council will be exhibiting a new show staring July 20th-"RE Inspired:Inspiring Ecological Awareness through Art", featuring work from many local up-and-coming artists. No price is given, but I'd be willing to bet that this meets Cheap Date's criteria!

Guild Hall in East Hampton's exhibit "Inspired by the Light: Landscapes by East End Masters" will be closing on July 27th. Cost: $5 per person.

The Art-trium Gallery in Melville is hosting the "2008 Members Show: Part I" featuring works by 38 artist/members of the Huntington Arts Council through August 11th. Again, no admission cost was provided, but I'm sure it falls within the guidelines I've set.

The Islip Arts Council has two great shows coming up! On July 22nd, retro-folk musicians Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson will partner up with Long Island cellist Suzanne Mueller at the Bay Shore Band Shell. Looking for some old school coffeehouse folk? This would be the show to see! On July 27th, up-and-coming jazz saxophonist Shenole Latimer will be playing at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. If you have heard any of the buzz about this musician, you know this is an event not to be missed! $5 to park.

Alive After 5 in Patchogue will be featuring local favorites Miles to Dayton this coming Friday. Come on down to this oversized block party and enjoy yourself. While you are there, make a point of stopping by the table for the Patchogue Theatre of the Performing Arts and saying hi to me! Cost: FREE

The new Bellport Songwriter Series features Caroline Doctorow and Jay Scott next Sunday. $5 per person. Don't miss this opportunity to see some incredible original music!

Have you ever wanted to play in a jazz band, but never had a chance either due to time constraints or just plain old lack of talent? Here's your chance! Jazz in the Living Room will be hosting a workshop at the Mills Pond House. Beginners are welcome! $5 to play, free to listen.

How about learning to line dance? I took lessons some years ago at Matty T's, and I'll tell you-I was dancing with some hot LI cowboys all night long...it's a lot of fun and great exercise, and EVERYONE DANCES! July 23rd at the Jones Beach Bandshell. Head on down, kick up your heels and have a great time. The best part is that it's FREE!

Foodie Alert!!!

A place I'd like to mention:

American Roadside Burgers in Smithtown is just good casual eating. The brainchild of John Tunney (who also owns Honu in Huntington and the Besito restaurants), this burger joint features fresh ingredients, killer milkshakes, and low prices (a burger is around $3.50).

If your organization has an event they would like to promote, let me know! Remember, it should not be anything too large or commercial; feature up-and-coming talents; be eco-friendly (hopefully), under $30 for two people, and if it can provide an educational opportunity, well, that's all the better! The website to partner with the blog is coming along and will be up soon. If you know anyone who would like to be informed of the updates on this blog (or if you would like to be removed from the list), email me at cheap.date.long.island@gmail.com. Thanks!

Dinner and a Little Music

Well, we're halfway through the week, so let me get some fresh info out there for all of you looking for things to do and places to go for the next few days!

Restaurants

Has anyone besides me ever noticed that some really good ethnic food can be the best bargain around? The Curry Club has just opened a new location in Lake Grove in addition to its Setauket flagship. With appetizers as low as $3.99, it is definitely possible to dine like a rajah while having a pauper's purse!

Salsa Salsa in Smithtown and Port Jeff has fresh ingredients, low prices, and something for everyone (even if you think you don't like Mexican!). Appetizers start at $2.75, and I highly suggest the mesquite grilled chicken fajita burrito.

Pasta Pasta (what is it with these strange double names?) would not normally be listed here, but with a lunch menu that includes brick oven pizzas around $11.00 and pasta dishes around the same price point, it is indeed possible to eat well at an incredible restaurant for under $30.00 for two people.

Toast, also located in Port Jeff, has a kicking breakfast and lunch menu and hosts "Toast and Jam" on weekend evenings. It can get very busy for the "Toast and Jam" events, and the prices go up, so make a point of going earlier in the day.

The Snapper Inn, located in Oakdale, features a Wednesday nite prix fixe dinner special for $12.99 per person (does not include beverages). I haven't been to the Snapper in a while, so if someone could post back with a review as to whether it's worth the trip, I'd appreciate it!

My buddy Brian wrote in to let me know of a spot he liked and felt it deserved "Four Cheap Date Long Island Stars (TM)" (yes, Brian, I am giving you props for coining the phrase!) And I quote:

"I've got an entry for you - Gaby & I just found it the other day: Monday nights is All You Can Eat night at the Bayview Clam Shack at the East Islip Marina (at the end of Bay View Avenue, first street west of Carlton Ave off of Montauk Hwy). $10.95pp! And it was good!631-665-9821They had live music (2 guys with guitars...meh), and about 8 different dishes available for the AYCE special. IF you're able to eat more than one plate full (I certainly couldn't), you are allowed to change your selection for each successive plate. Good food, nice (VERY causal) atmosphere, and a gorgeous view. Four CheapDate Stars! (TM) (<---Bah ha!! Beat ya to it!!)"

Music

Mary Lamont will be playing a free show at the Brentwood Library Friday, July 17. Newsday has called her the "Queen of Long Island Country" for good reason. If you are not in Patchogue to see Miller's Crossing this Friday, make a point of catching this gig.

As I had mentioned earlier, the Riverhead Blues Festival will be going on this weekend. Many great artists will be performing...please see my earlier post about this.

Culture Vultures

The Three Village Historic Society will be hosting a walking tour exploring Setauket's architecture and natural beauty. Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking for over an hour. $5.00 per person.

Wyland Galleries in Sayville will be featuring the works of Walfrido, a Hawaiian artist whose "painting with light" techniques are reminiscent of Thomas Kinkaide (without the overly commercial, cheesy, midwestern housewife thinks it's "real art" factor. It's still commercial, but a lot of people are into that Hawaiian thing...and it's a just wee bit less cutesy than Kinkaide. Not my thing, but people like it.).FREE

Christopher Gallery in Stony Brook is featuring the works of Barron Krody. His work reminds me of a combination of Van Gogh, the American Impressionists, Monet, and even a bit of Degas. Definitely worth checking out. FREE

I think I have given you all enough things to get started on to get your weekend rolling. And to make this easier, I have started building a calendar to partner with this blog/site. It should be done sometime next week (as well as the building of the mailing list and the set up of the RSS feed). Check back, check often and let me have your thoughts and suggestions! Till next time!

A whirling dervish's brain dump! -Rosenbrock (friend of Miss Chris)

Yup, that's what my buddy Doug called this blog.

Well, we're halfway through the weekend. It's time for me to start posting for the coming week. Just to let you all know, there WILL be a website coming shortly to partner with the blog. I plan on posting to the blog every few days and to the website bimonthly. I will be looking to add coupons and promotions to the website and will be looking for sponsors as well. If you know anyone who would be interested in some low cost advertising (and again, I retain the right to refuse sponsors if I do not feel that they are a good fit for the site...) please have them email me so I can start making arrangements. I will be doing some very aggressive marketing for the blog and site, so this could be a great opportunity for someone trying to get their name out there.

OK, time to get to the things to do and see!

Culture Vultures

Long Island Museum in Stony Brook is the little gem in our backyards that many of us went to as kids on field trips and kind of forgot about when we grew up. With period buildings, an old cemetery, an art museum, and changing exhibits (a new one featuring the Art Student League of New York is opening on the 26th and looks very interesting), this is a great cheap date. Next week there will be a performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night on the lawn, and coming soon is a fiddle festival I really do hope to attend. If you haven't been there since the Carriage Museum has been remodeled, you really need to stop in! Cost: $7 per person.

Caumsett State Historic Park will be hosting the play "Anything Goes" on the lawn next Sunday. No pricing information is available on the website, but I'm willing to bet it meets Cheap Date Long Island's Guidelines.

Don't let a rainy day get you down! Heckscher Art Museum has constantly changing exhibits and at $6 per person is a relative bargain. And since you'll already be in the Huntington area if you visit this museum, check out Book Revue, Long Island's largest independent bookstore. (For Miss Chris, this could be a very expensive date...if you have been to my house, you would understand! Books, books, everywhere!)

Music and Dance

Everyone knows I have no problem trying something new, even if I make a fool out of myself trying. One thing I have been trying to get more information on is contra dancing. Martha Clara Vineyard will be hosting a 4-H BBQ and Barn Dance event on July 27. $25 per person and it goes to a good cause. (Wait, doesn't this exceed Cheap Date Long Island's $30 limit? Well, yes, but 1. This is MY blog and if I say it belongs here, then it's being listed! 2. Contra dancing is a great SINGLES event! So if you are looking to meet someone to do some of the other things featured on my blog...you may just meet them trying this!)

Since I just mentioned a vineyard (and making a fool of myself) in the last post, I might as well keep going on that same note. And what better combination than wine and karaoke, two of my favorite things? Palmer Vineyards, $8 per person. (If you are anything like me, you know this is a MUST ATTEND event in your Outlook calendar!)

Cinema

Old Field Farm will be hosting an outdoor viewing of North by Northwest on July 17. Bring a chair or blanket for a great night viewing a classic movie shot right here on LI! Cost: FREE

Take a Hike, Pal!

Moon walks aren't just for Michael Jackson...LI Greenbelt Association will be hosting a Moon Walk-8:30 PM in the Pine Barrens. 4 miles, moderate, flat. Bring a flashlight! Membership cost for LI Greenbelt Association is only $20 a year...and you could literally get hundreds of cheap hiking dates out of it!

A Little Romance

To me, nothing says romance like farm fresh veggies. (Uh, what?) No, you heard me right. Think about it. You and your partner going for a nice car ride, finding some cute little farm stand, and picking out some nice fresh fruits and vegetables, maybe some eggs, honey, and home baked goodies together. You then head home, cook a simple summer meal or make a salad together, have some wine, and kick back and watch the fireflies, watch a movie, or just read (maybe one of the books you picked up at Book Revue), knowing that sometimes it's the simple things that make for the best dates. To make this a bit easier for you, I've provided you with a list of farmstands, farmer's markets, and a discount oldies movie link you can get to by clicking here.

A little more music...

Now, normally I don't push the big events, but I just wanted to mention that next weekend is the Riverhead Blues Festival and some really great musicians are going to be there. Make a point of checking out Toby Walker, Ken Korb, Phil Minissale, and Sam Taylor. $10 for a bracelet that will get you in for both days of the event. Do as I do when in Riverhead for the festival--pop on in to Spicy's Barbeque Restaurant. Yummy!

I do want to point out that most of these events ARE handicap accessible. However, the farmstands and some of the outdoor events may be a bit difficult to navigate a wheelchair through. Always call ahead to confirm accessibility.

That's all for now. Please put a shortcut to this blog on your computer desktop and keep checking in for new events. And...let's go viral! Send this out to at least two friends that would appreciate this. If you have a web page, add me to your links. I'm not looking to take over the world, just Long Island!

Ciao for now!

And the first mentions on my blog...

Restaurants
I'm going to start off with a mention of a sushi restaurant: Hazy Moon, located in Patchogue NY. Thursday nights feature a sushi buffet and drink specials, plus live music (usually some solo player doing cover songs, but hey...). Total bill for a friend and me--$26.76.

Howard's Cafe--404 S Service Rd. Patchogue, NY 11772(631) 758-6161 Good burgers, pitchers of sangria, noisy bar scene, but inexpensive and good. My typical bill for two people with burgers, sangria, and two beers is right around $25.00.

Gallo Tropical--One of my favorites. Columbian food, streetside dining, and absolutely killer 5-milk flan! Service can be slow, so do not go here if you are in a rush. Dinner for two with wine OR dessert will run you just shy of $30.00. Have both and you are looking at about $36-38.00. (My suggestion...get a pitcher of sangria and split the dessert!)

Original Music
Alive After Five is back and this year is looking like it's going to be a great one. On July 18th, one of my all time favorite bluegrass bands, Miller's Crossing, will be playing on the theatre stage. If you caught them at Fadeley's, Patchogue Theatre, or the Acoustic Long Island Concert at Deepwells, you know that they are an outstanding band worth coming out to see. Price: FREE

And speaking of Acoustic Long Island, I would be remiss not to mention them here. Great music at a historic home...what could be better? Make a point of checking it out! Price:FREE

A new music venue is gathering some buzz. Christopher Capobianco of Patchogue Theatre's "Live in the Lobby" series (for those of you familiar with the series, it WILL be back in the fall) has started a new project, the Bellport Songwriter Series. Coming up on July 27th will be Caroline Doctorow and Jay Scott. $5 gets you in the door.

The Bayard Cutting Arboretum hosts a series of concerts co-sponsored by the Town of Islip. Enjoy an afternoon on the lawn with the kids listening to some great music. $5 parking.
http://www.bayardcuttingarboretum.com/Pages/program.htm

Culture Vultures
Spend some time at a historic vacation home, take a house tour, and afterwards head back to the vineyard for some wine tasting. Think you have to go all the way out to the Hamptons to do this? How about Sayville? The MeadowCroft Estate is open on Sundays from June through September and does house tours at 1 PM and 3 PM. When you have finished the tour, head on back to Laughlin Vineyards for some wine tasting. $5 per person for the house tour.

Gallery North's Wet Paint Festival is this weekend, July 11-13th. DO NOT MISS THIS! Cost: FREE

Greenport features its own Gallery Walk the third weekend of every month. See both established and up-and-coming artists. Cost: FREE

Cinema
The best of the worst at the Cinema Arts Center--Summer Camp Cinema! $12.00 per person for a double feature. Coming soon--the 4th Annual Pay to Get Out Horror Marathon!

The Staller Center for the Arts presents its 13th Annual Stony Brook Film Festival. Independent filmaking at its best! $8.00 per person, Senior rates available.

This wraps up my first installment of Cheap Date Long Island. I realize it is very Patchogue-centric, but this is just the first post right off the top of my head. I like to travel! Let me hear from you!

The chief value of money lies in the fact that one lives in a world in which it is overestimated.-Mencken

Well, folks, I finally got myself in gear and got this blog started. I've been talking about creating some kind of site that would feature things to do, people to see, and places to go for $30 and under for about a year and a half now. The big difference between my blog and the event guides and so on found in Newsday, Long Island dot com, and many others is that my blog will not be focusing on large commercial events (for the most part...some may sneak in here and there if I feel they are worth a mention), but instead on lower profile eateries, shows, venues and the like that will give you a lot of bang for your buck without breaking the bank. I'd really like to have this be a more grassroots kind of thing (too bad someone already had the name Grassroots!). Who knows, you may even stumble upon the next big epicurean thing or up-and-coming musician stumbling through my posts!

Do you have suggestions? Photos? Critiques? Email me at cheap.date.long.island@gmail.com. I will try to ensure that all photos, video clips and other pieces of intellectual property are properly credited.