Top Long Island Summer Events of the Week

As part of our 2012 Long Island Summer Guide, each Wednesday we're spotlighting the major beach and outdoor events coming up across the Island.

Here's what's on tap in the coming week: 

Concert for Needy

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Plainview is known for its great acoustics and has been home a wide range of concerts over the years. But Thursday's outdoor event on the lawn is something special: Good Shepherd will host a free blues and rock concert Thursday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m. to help stock the pantry at the New Life Center in Uniondale. 

Huntington Summer Arts Festival Concerts

Mountain Heart has been fearlessly revolutionizing the way acoustic music can be presented and played with cutting-edge excellence since the group's creation in 1999.  The band takes the stage at Heckscher Park on Friday, July 20 at 8:30 p.m.  The Campbell Brothers present a compelling, rich variety of material from the African-American Pentecostal repertoire with a new twist: the growling, wailing, shouting, singing and swinging voice of the steel guitar as you’ve never heard it before. The band performs at Heckscher on Saturday, July 21 at 8:30 p.m. 

Children's Festival and Safety Day

Face painting, food & refreshments, bring your bike and ride in the Massapequa bike club rodeo, bouncies, entertainment, The Magic and Comedy of Jim McClenahan (1:45-2:30 p.m. and 3-3:45 p.m.), safety displays. Find the fun at John J. Burns Town Park in Massapequa starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 21. 

Free Surf Outings for Special Needs Children

Surfer’s Way 2012 Free Surf Outings for Special Needs Children Surfer’s Way, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, hosts three free outings for children with special needs each summer. The 2012 dates are Wednesday, July 18, Wednesday, Aug. 15 and Sunday, Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. -2 p.m. at Riverside Beach in Long Beach. 

Alive After Five

The second of four Alive After Five Friday Night Free Summer Street Fair Concerts takes place in Patchogue on Friday, July 20 from 5-9 p.m. The event, around the Main Street and North Ocean intersection, features four live bands, outside dining, craft and informational vendors, food vendors and children’s activities. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Did we miss any big events? Add them in the comments!