"Bits 'n Pieces" of West Hempstead's Musical History
- Thomas Tittmann
- Apr 8
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 27
READERS: This is a draft idea for an oral musical history of our town: West Hempstead, NY. Three of the organizers met yesterday (4/8/25) to kick it off...More to come...
In the meantime, please contact me if you have any "tales of tunes around town" AND are interested in sharing them. For example, our Island Garden Arena hosted several popular acts and it would be great if you caught any and shared your experiences here. ttittmann@icloud.com
If you're game, you could also add your comments on the applicable Island Garden Arena shows listed on sites like setlist.fm
ORAL HISTORY PROJECT IDEAS
Include Creative Corner, WH Library, WH High School...
Assign roles for technical support: shooting/editing oral history video footage
Interview Harry Baldino, Creative Corner's founder
Interview Danny Finkelstein about earlier live music at the Witches Brew Coffee House
Gather residents stories about their experiences in the 1969 Summer of Love that included partying at Woodstock and "walking on the moon" with Neil Armstrong
Hold an Opening Night…or afternoon at the library where we present our findings as a way to ask the community to share their own stories via a new Oral History of West Hempstead Music project.
When I mentioned this project to my wife Eileen she said she saw the Dave Clark Five at Island Garden. She went with a high school friend who, as she says, “was obsessed with all things British.”
CREATIVE CORNER
In the following March 2022 article that includes a series of short videos, owner Harry Baldino talks about why he opened this multifaceted arts center that includes musical offerings.
The article includes testimonies from people on how Creative Corner has helped foster their artistic interests.
[from the article linked below] As the lights go down at Creative Corner, an art center in West Hempstead, the amps are put up. Every Monday, the center holds their Open Mic Night where residents of the community are welcome to enjoy an evening of music, creative expression and fun. Acts that showcase people of all ages and range from budding talent to professional come and share a quick set, whether it be a cover or something new and unique.
Owner Harry Baldino opened Creative Corner in 2014. What began as a spur of the moment endeavor, Baldino said, has since grown into an encouraging and supportive creative outlet, especially for younger members of the community.
His daughter and Creative Corner’s manager, Nichole Baldino, added that although the Open Mic Night is their staple, they primarily give lessons in music and art. “It’s unique, because it’s an open place without private cubicles, unlike typical music schools.” she said. “It makes it so we’re all learning together.”
ISLAND GARDEN ARENA (1957-1973)
The Island Garden Arena was a 5,200-seat arena in West Hempstead, New York. It was built in 1957 by Arnold "Whitey" Carlson, a descendant of Swedish immigrants. Carlson's grandfather was Henrik Carlson, a noted San Diego sculptor who was the Foreign Art Director for the San Diego Exposition (now Balboa Park).
Over the years, many concert acts such as Cream, the Dave Clark Five, Tiny Tim, Louis Armstrong, The Byrds, Sly and the Family Stone, The Dave Brubeck Quartet and Bob Dylan performed at the venue. In addition to concerts, the Island Garden Arena has also hosted boxing matches, professional wrestling, circuses, rodeos, stamp shows, midget car racing, and boat shows.
Additional performers at Island Garden Arena listed at setlist.fm include:
Ten Wheel Drive, Family, Al Kooper, Savoy Brown, Jeff Beck Group, Mountain, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Procol Harum, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Chambers Brothers, The Statler Brothers, June Carter Cash, Johnny Cash, Joan Baez and Duke Ellington and His Orchestra.
Here's one that wasn't listed in the earlier articles:
There aren't any photos or videos of the DC Five at Island Garden, so here's a clip from The Ed Sullivan Show
CREATIVE CORNER
In the following March 2022 article that includes a series of short videos, owner Harry Baldino talks about why he opened this multifaceted arts center that includes musical offerings.
The article includes testimonies from people on how Creative Corner has helped foster their artistic interests.
[from the article linked below] As the lights go down at Creative Corner, an art center in West Hempstead, the amps are put up. Every Monday, the center holds their Open Mic Night where residents of the community are welcome to enjoy an evening of music, creative expression and fun. Acts that showcase people of all ages and range from budding talent to professional come and share a quick set, whether it be a cover or something new and unique.
Owner Harry Baldino opened Creative Corner in 2014. What began as a spur of the moment endeavor, Baldino said, has since grown into an encouraging and supportive creative outlet, especially for younger members of the community.
His daughter and Creative Corner’s manager, Nichole Baldino, added that although the Open Mic Night is their staple, they primarily give lessons in music and art. “It’s unique, because it’s an open place without private cubicles, unlike typical music schools.” she said. “It makes it so we’re all learning together.”
1969: SUMMER OF LOVE
Let's collect peoples' stories about that amazing summer when 500,000 people partied at Woodstock and an Earthling did the first "Moon Walk"...years before MJ did his version in Billie Jean.
More to come...
PREVIOUS BLOG POSTS
I copied this next section from my website. When I get a chance, I'll update the info and links.
JULY MUSELETTER 7/24/21
“Summer’s here and the time is right for dancing in the streets...”
West Hempstead Summer 2021 Music and Food Festival
Sunday July 25 3-7 PM
Cherry Valley Shopping Center West Hempstead, NY (490-510 Hempstead Tkpe)
Sponsors: West Hempstead Chamber of Commerce & Cherry Valley Center
Creative Corner Wednesday Evening Jam 8:30-til...
Creative Corner 482 Hempstead Ave. West Hempstead, NY 11552
About the gig: Two weeks ago I went to my first jam after being invited by Ryan Closs – a local musician who went to WHHS with our son John. All musicians – instrumental and vocal are invited and whoever shows up determines the evening’s musical menu. Lotsa fun!
Town of Hempstead Summer Concert Series – FREE!!! (your soul...)
Nassau County Summer 2021 Free Concerts & Movies
For Deadheads and those that wish they were...
You’ll see the upcoming events, then, if you dare, press “Enter” to journey “Furthur”...)
They have gigs booked on July 26, 29, Aug. 6 & 8, Sep. 6 (at the beach...where they’ll be “playing in the sand”)
For more fun and adventure, check out my post:
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