On August 2, 2025, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads and the Farmingdale Village Board of Trustees hosted the Sunset Music-Fest on the Farmingdale Village Green. The event brought together local families, performers, and community members to celebrate Long Island’s performing arts scene while collecting donations for regional arts organizations.
The donation drive gathered nearly 100 items such as dance shoes, costumes, accessories, and sheet music. These supplies will be distributed to performing arts programs serving youth and students across Long Island.
Performers from RAFCO Entertainment and Management, Merrick Theater and Center for the Arts, and the New York Musicians Center participated in the event. The program included musical selections from shows like All Shook Up, Into the Woods, The Wedding Singer, and Beetlejuice. Solo performances featured Angelina Alvarado singing Wicked, Dylan Jackson playing a piano sonata, and Adwoa Dansowa presenting an original piece titled “No.”
Local businesses provided giveaways and refreshments during the family-oriented evening.
Senator Rhoads thanked Farmingdale Village Trustee Walter Priestley, Mayor Ralph Ekstrand, and the Village Board of Trustees for their involvement in organizing the event.
“The Sunset Music-Fest was a huge success and a shining example of what makes our community so special—families coming together, neighbors giving back, and local talent taking center stage,” said Senator Steve Rhoads. “It was more than a concert—it was a powerful opportunity to spotlight emerging artists and uplift the performing arts institutions that bring creativity and culture to our neighborhoods. I’m incredibly proud of everyone who performed and helped make this unforgettable evening possible. We’re just getting started.”
Following positive feedback from attendees, organizers are planning another Sunset Music-Fest for 2026 to continue supporting Long Island’s performing arts community.
