Magic of the Lights Jones Beach is a captivating holiday experience that takes place at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh, New York. This annual event showcases a remarkable display of lights and offers a unique way for visitors to celebrate the holiday season. The event features a dazzling array of colorful light installations, including illuminated trees, animated characters, and festive holiday scenes. The lights are synchronized to music, creating a magical and immersive experience for all who attend. Visitors of all ages can enjoy strolling through the park and taking in the enchanting sights. In addition to the stunning light display, Magic of the Lights Jones Beach also features interactive experiences and attractions.
As the Summer of Love glistened on the horizon, these alternative groups created a groundswell and catapulted leaders into the mainstream. Famous Wicca practitioner Alex Sanders stared out from Rolling Stone magazine and in 1966, TIME famously asked: “Is God Dead?” Ira Levin would attempt to answer that question in Rosemary’s Baby (later, in Roman Polanski’s true-to-the-book adaptation, Rosemary would thumb the issue while sat in the Dr’s waiting room). The book swirls with occult iconography and draws heavily from the Church of Satan which was founded that year. Like the Church of Satan, the Marcato coven marked 1966 as Year One in the Age of Satan and the storyline opens with Roman and Minnie Castevet convincing new neighbour Guy Woodhouse to sell his wife like chattel to be raped and impregnated by the devil so she can bear his offspring.
While male characters are allowed to rise from the grave and wear their disfigurement openly, Asa is only properly shown once she s assumed the palatable appearance of Katia. Witches have long captivated the imagination, from the Salem witch trials of the 1600s to 20th century Wiccan rituals, right up to 2016 s The Love Witch , Anna Biller s retro riff on 1960s witchploitation films.
In addition to the stunning light display, Magic of the Lights Jones Beach also features interactive experiences and attractions. Families can drive through a magical tunnel of lights, take photos with Santa Claus, and enjoy holiday-themed activities. There are also food and drink vendors offering tasty treats to satisfy visitors' cravings.
Vegas Theatre Company’s ‘Witch’ delves into a devil’s bargain
Nick Huff, left, and Katrina Currow, right, perform during a dress rehearsal of “Witch,” a 2019 play by Jen Silverman at Vegas Theatre Company, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021.
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 | 6:45 p.m.
'Witch' at Vegas Theatre Company
A sleepy Jacobean town called Edmonton will dominate the Vegas Theatre Company stage starting Friday — and the Devil himself will walk its streets.
In “Witch,” the first show to take centerstage at the theater since the start of the pandemic, the Devil, named Scratch, sneaks around granting wishes in exchange for souls. The only one to refuse his offer is the town’s outcast, Elizabeth Sawyer, dubbed the local witch for her solitude and independence.
“Witch” is a 2019 play by Jen Silverman and will premiere this weekend at the company’s venue in Arts Square. Silverman adapts the 1621 play “The Witch of Edmonton,” written by William Rowley, Thomas Dekker and John Ford, by infusing modern-day vernacular — the characters use “like” freely — into the dated period.
The production runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 7. Tickets range from $25–33. Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to the show’s commencement is required.
“We understand that this issue has become an incredibly polarized, and political, position for some Americans,” the company said in an email to viewers before Wednesday’s preview show. “VTC did not come to this decision from that position — we are only concerned with you, our patrons’, health.”
At the preview, friends and frequent theater-goers Ray Smith and Dan O’Neill said they appreciated the reprised availability of live shows. They expressed dissatisfaction with virtual performances — something many theaters elected to do while stage lights were low — because they did not provide the exact level of connection that in-person performances do.
“You could obviously tell someone put a lot of effort into the production,” O’Neill said. “To me, there’s an immediacy about theater that you don’t have in movies.”
The 80-seat theater’s confined space situates actors like Katrina Currow, who plays Elizabeth, close to audience members. She brandishes a long knife, chin held high as the Devil played by Nick Huff, pitches and lays plain the delights he offers. Elizabeth’s denial is playful and physical, aspects that Currow said she latched onto when preparing for the role.
“There’s a point where I put on the costume, and I just kind of get my body physically where I feel like it needs to be,” she said. “It’s more of just getting into the physical, I think, for this one.”
“Witch” is the first in-person show for Currow, she said, since the pandemic began. Before this, the Vegas Theatre Company, formerly known as Cockroach Theatre Company, worked virtually during COVID-19 related shutdowns. But a return to the stage is a relief, artistic director Daz Weller said, as well as a resurgence of what theater is meant to be.
“Theater is actually about connection, and it’s about coming together,” he said. “Without that coming together, it really doesn’t exist.”
Director Andrew Paul said the turnaround for receiving the script and audition process was approximately two weeks. A month of rehearsals later, Paul said he thinks the actors need an audience to elevate the play.
“It’s a true ensemble play for six actors, and it’s a tour de force for the six actors,” he said. “It’s just a really interesting play.”
As artistic director, Weller selected the play for production at the company. Though the play was written before the pandemic, Weller said he thinks audiences will be able to eye overlapping themes.
“I think it really kind of speaks to the sense of the way that we’ve all been going through this struggle between hope and despair,” he said. “It also kind of raises the question of, ‘What do we want to go back to? Do the structures that we’ve put in place actually support us moving forward?’”
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One of the highlights of the event is the Blizzard Tunnel, a mesmerizing light installation that simulates the feeling of being in a snowstorm. Visitors can walk through the tunnel and experience the wonder of swirling snowflakes and twinkling lights all around them. Magic of the Lights Jones Beach has become a beloved holiday tradition for many families in the area. It offers a festive and joyful experience that brings people together and creates lasting memories. The event runs throughout the holiday season, providing ample opportunity for people to visit and immerse themselves in the magic of the lights. Overall, Magic of the Lights Jones Beach is a must-see event for anyone looking to embrace the holiday spirit. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor to the area, this enchanting display of lights is sure to leave you feeling inspired and filled with holiday cheer..
Reviews for "Beyond the Ordinary: Delving into the Magic of the Lights at Jones Beach"
- John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Magic of the Lights at Jones Beach. The displays were not as impressive as I expected and some of them were even broken or not working properly. The lines were also extremely long and there was not much organization or staff to assist. Overall, it was not worth the price of admission and I would not recommend it.
- Sarah - 1 star - I had high hopes for the Magic of the Lights at Jones Beach, but it was a letdown. The displays were underwhelming and not as magical as the name suggests. Additionally, the traffic getting into the event was a nightmare and the lines were ridiculously long. It was a frustrating and disappointing experience overall.
- Mike - 2 stars - I was really excited to visit Magic of the Lights at Jones Beach, but it did not live up to my expectations. The displays were repetitive and there was not much variety. The ticket prices were also high for what was offered. The event felt rushed and I felt like I was just being herded along with the crowds. I would not recommend it.