Oceanside/Island Park Herald 07-17-2025

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_________ Oceanside/island park ________

HERALD Bringing local skaters together

Softball tourney raises $9,000

Celebrating national history

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VOL. 60 NO. 29

JULY 17 - 23, 2025

$1.00

A new show from veteran O’Side director Performances will take place at Sparkle on Stage (195 Woodcleft Ave, Freeport) on two A new theatrical gem is set Thursdays, July 17 and 24, at 8 to shine in Freeport as Bruce p.m., and two Sundays, July 20 Bider, a veteran theater direc- and 27, at 3p.m. Billed as “The Reel Music of tor from Oceanside, prepares to bring a nostalgic musical jour- Hollywood,” the revue is a dazney to Sparkle on Stage Cultur- zling cinematic mixtape celeal Arts Center with his latest brating the greatest hits from over eight decades production, “Blame of film. Audiences It on the Movies.” will be transported After 36 years through time with teaching music in iconic songs that Oceanside schools, helped define HolBider has dedicated lywood’s golden age himself completely and beyond. to his true passion: A musical revue local theater, retiris a theatrical proing from the disBRUCE BIDER duction that blends trict in 2024. Director, ‘Blame It On music, dance, and H i s c o m p a n y, sketches, typically South Shore Theat- the Movies’ centered around a ricals, which he common theme or founded with the late John Payne about 13 years concept, but without a continuago, is now bringing its musical ous storyline. In this case, it’s magic to Freeport’s intimate all about the song and dance. The show promises a performance space. “These are all songs that delightful mix of nostalgia and were written for motion pic- discovery at Sparkle on Stage, a tures,” Bider explains, noting unique black box theater in the show will feature songs Freeport that seats just 50 peospanning from 1939’s “Ding ple. This is a significant change Dong, the Witch is Dead” to 1980s hits like “How Do You Use from previous venues, where It” and “Let’s Hear It for the Bider’s company performed a Boy.” COnTinueD On pAGe 9

By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ

mrafiq@liherald.com

T

he show will get only smoother and more polished.

Courtesy Jack Berke

Oceanside’s Ali Berke has performed in many iconic arenas and stadiums, including Madison Square Garden, where she sang last spring. She will check another off her list on July 23, when she sings the national anthem in Dodger Stadium before a Dodgers-Twins game.

‘Anthem girl’ heads for L.A. Ali Berke prepares to perform at Dodger Stadium By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

When Ali Berke steps onto the field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 23 to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” it will be her 18th performance of the anthem at a Major League Baseball stadium and her 20th overall at a major sports arena since 2017, part of a whirlwind stretch of travel and studio sessions. Berke, a 24-year-old Oceanside native, has been steadily building a reputation as a sought-after anthem singer. Her most recent performance was at Ora-

cle Park, in San Francisco, before a GiantsMarlins game on June 26. She sang before a Tampa Bay Rays game at Steinbrenner Field on June 8, and in Chicago, on April 29, before a White Sox-Brewers game at Rate Field. She performed before a New York GiantsIndianapolis Colts game at MetLife Stadium last Dec. 29, and she has sung at other venues across the country, including Madison Square Garden, before a Knicks game. She has upcoming bookings at a Cleveland Guardians-Colorado Rockies game at Progressive Field, in Cleveland, on July 30, and COnTinueD On pAGe 12


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