LI Music Hall of Fame celebrates hip-hop at 50 Sands Pt. Preserve offers ballroom dance classes

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall Of Fame celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop recently with a special concert and panel discussion at the venue’s home base in Stony Brook Village (97 Main St., Stony Brook).

The event kicked off with the unveiling of a statue of LIMEHOF inductee LL COOL J with the statues’ creator artist Sherwin Banfield. LL COOL J’s former right-hand man ELove was also there to celebrate.

LL COOL J (James Todd Smith) was originally from Bay Shore on Long Island and later moved to St. Albans, Queens. He was inducted into LIMEHOF in 2008 as an iconic figure who revolutionized hip-hop music with his unique style, charismatic personality and influential lyrics.

The sustainable sonic monument, The G.O.A.T. Monument,Going Back to The Meadows, A Tribute to LL COOL J and Performance at FMCP, was created in 2021 by sculptor Sherwin Banfield.

He was inspired to create the statute to honor LL COOL J as “a culture shifter and a legend of hip hop”. The statute depicts LL COOL J from the 1980’s era.

It measures 8.5 feet tall by 3.5 feet wide by 3 feet in length and weighs 600 pounds. It is comprised of Bronze, Stainless Steel, Steel, Winterstone, Resin, Cement, Wood, Audio & Lighting, and contains a Solar Power System to play music. It was originally displayed in Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a year.

“I think it’s appropriate to have it displayed in a new location where fans, music lovers and art enthusiasts of that location will have an opportunity to see this sculpture of a living legend,” Banfield said. “Not only is it a three-dimensional visual representation of him but it also plays his music out of the sculpture so you get to experience a visual, tactile and audible experience with the monument. I think it’s great that it’s moving from its original location in Queens where LL Cool J honed his artistic craft to where he was born and raised in Long Island so it’s tracking his journey from one space to another.”

The celebration event that followed featured legendary stars Son of Bazerk, A.J. Rock (of J.V.C. F.O.R.C.E.), DJ Jazzy Jay, MC Glamorous, DJ Johnny Juice and Producer Keith Schocklee (of Public Enemy), Dinco D (Leaders of the New School), and special guest Ralph McDaniels (of Video Music Box). Rapper Keith Murray made a special guest appearance.

Tom Needham, LIMEHOF vice chairman and longtime host of the “Sounds of Film Radio Show,” moderated a panel discussion with Keith Schocklee, MC Glamorous, JVC Force’s A.J. Rock, Leaders of the New School’s Dinco D, DJ Johnny Juice and Ralph McDaniels. That was followed by a series of live music performances with DJ Jazzy Jay, MC Glamorous, A.J. Rock, Dinco D, DJ Johnny Juice and Son of Bazerk.

“We are excited to pay tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop with a live concert performed by some of hip-hop’s most influential artists, all from Long Island,” said Ernie Canadeo, LIMEHOF chairman. “It is a testament to Long Island’s prominent and continuing role in hip-hop’s legacy. We are also honored to now house the iconic LL COOL J statue which stands not only as an artifact on display but a monument to the spirit of Hip Hop reflected in LL COOL J’s personal story and growth as a hip hop legend that continues to inspire music artists of today and for generations to come.”

Through the years, LIMEHOF has paid tribute to the hip-hop community by inducting artists LL Cool J, Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Kurtis Blow, Whodini, Salt-N-Pepa, and EPMD. LIMEHOF plans to induct the hip hop group The Fat Boys later this summer.

For more information about LIMEHOF and for future scheduled events, please visit https://www.limusichalloffame.org/museum/

From Dancing with the Stars to Dancing Queens, Bravo’s latest reality show, ballroom dancing is all the rage. It’s easy to see why ballroom dancing resonates with so many. It’s fun, great exercise and a creative outlet for selfexpression while connecting with others. And dancing novices – including those without partners – can take part and enjoy.

This July, the Sands Point Preserve is offering a series of three classes to learn ballroomdancing basics in a casual setting.

Taught by Donatas Nacajus, an award-winning dance instructor from Ballroom Boutique, the classes at the Preserve focus on how to move to the music as well as the passion and character of dance.

Born in Lithuania, Donatas has danced since age seven. In his youth, he competed and won dance competitions around the world, including the National Dance Sport Championship (twice). In 1998, he represented the Lithuanian National Dance Team’s World Youth Division Dance Sport Championship held in Russia.

Donatas graduated from the Academy of Physical Education in the fields of Ballroom & Latin Dance as well as Physical Education. He studied under legendary instructors like Michael and Vicky Barrs, Richard Gleave, Janet Gleave and many others.

At the Preserve, ballroom-dancing classes will take place Tuesday evenings, July 11, 18 and 25, from 7-8 p.m. Sign up for one class, for $25, or the series of three for $60. Parking is included. Experience is not needed, no partner is required, and the classes are open to all ages. For more information, and to register for one or more classes, visit sandspointpreserveconservancy.org, or call 516-571-7901. The Sands Point Preserve is located at 127 Middle Neck Road in Sands Point, New York.

Ballroom dancing lasses take place on Tuesday evenings, July 11, 18 and 25.