On Saturday, Aug. 31, beginning at 8 p.m. we have a double bill at Steppingstone Waterside Theatre-Joan Barber-followed by the country/western band Savannah Sky. Joan Barber is the daughter of Lee and the late Arthur Susswein of Great Neck. She attended kindergarten at the Baker School and studied and sang her way through the lower grades into high school, graduating from Great Neck North. She then earned a BA in English from the University of Michigan. Her show at Steppingstone Park, entitled Somewhat More Than a Mouse, alludes to Joan's fascination with and celebration of Walt Disney. Last fall, she performed this show at Danny's Skylight Room Cabaret, a Manhattan night club. Her best friend, Norm Golden, and her musical director, Mark Haftman, will join her.

The multi-talented Joan Barber was just seen on Broadway in the Roundabout Revival of Follies. Depending upon which performance you attended, she played Sally Durant Plummer, Claudia Campion, Solange La Fitte, Heidi Schiller, DeeDee West, Sandra Crane-or hearts with Glenn, the Doorman at the Belasco. Broadway has been Joan's home for the last 10 years where she has played everything from a wire wisk to a transit cop to a yodeling nun (that's in Beauty and the Beast, Big and The Sound of Music). Her voice can be heard on the soundtracks of Disney's Pocahontas, Hunchback and Aladdin and the King of Thieves. She is a soloist with the New York City Ballet (the West Side Story Suite) performing in the New York State Theatre at Lincoln Center, at Saratoga, in Osaka and in Tokyo. She was a cast member in the original readings of The Producers, Tom Sawyer, A King Island Christmas and King David.

Joan began her New York career in the 1978 revival of Man of La Mancha, starring Richard Kiley. Her New York cabaret debut was in 1982, at the now-defunct Freddys. Fearing the end of the New York cabaret scene, Joan promptly left town to follow a new career in marriage, step-motherhood and teaching voice and theater in Allentown, PA. Ten years later, she woke up and returned to her native New York in another revival of Man of La Mancha, this time playing opposite Raul Julia. Other shows followed, including yearly performances in A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden, where she has appeared as the Blind Old Hag (don't ask). Joan continues to teach voice, now in her private studio and has finally realized that New York cabaret is here to stay. And she wants to be part of it.

On the same bill with Joan Barber on Saturday night will be the country-western band Savannah Sky, which features five lead vocals and plenty of four-part harmonies. With a tasty blend of guitars, fiddle, mandolin, pedal steel, bass and drums, they have been entertaining crowds throughout the tri-state area for over 10 years. They cover the best of classic and contemporary country-western music with a strong focus on traditional tunes made famous by the likes of Hank Williams, Ernest Tub, Bob Wills and Patsy Cline. The juxtaposition of these two acts on Saturday night should make for an exciting and varied evening sure to please the entire audience

On Sunday evening, Sept. 1, at 8 p.m., we are proud to present the famous Tito Puente Band-the best in international Latin music-led by Tito Puente, Jr. Junior bears a striking resemblance to his legendary father, "El Rey," not just in physical appearance, but also in his virtuosity. He sings, is a musician, composes and, like his dad, is a consummate performer.

Tito Jr. was born and raised in New York City within the culture of his Puerto Rican background. He studied music and composition while still at college and, under the tutelage of Tito Sr., learned everything his esteemed father could teach him about Latin percussion. Soon he began to perform with his own group in various different venues in North and Latin America, appearing on the same bill with many of the most famous names in the Latin music world. His music is a blend of pop, Latin jazz and dance, laced with influences of classic mambo, cha-cha and merengue. It is a fusion of styles which encompasses every generation and makes him a force to be reckoned with. His high energy, dance-laced performances have audiences everywhere clamoring for more.

The "Prince of Latin Dance" as Tito, Jr. is known, is now living in Miami, the center for the new wave of young Latin artists such as Gloria Estefan, Enrique Iglessias and Ricky Martin. The "Puente" name has indeed opened many doors, but Tito Jr. is not riding on the coat tails of his father's success. There are enormous differences between the salsa of yesterday and the rhythms and sounds of today, and Tito Jr. dominates them all. Listen and watch him. You won't be able to resist the shoulder-shaking, hip-wiggling, singing, dancing, percussive, high-energy pure enjoyment that is Tito Puente, Jr.

On Monday evening, Sept. 2, at 8 p.m., Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge will perform at Steppingstone Park with their fabulous '50s repertoire. The Board of Commissioners and park district residents are grateful to the generosity of M & T Bank, which partially funded tonight's performance.

In the days of rock ´n roll, The Brooklyn Bridge brought nationwide exposure to the voice of Johnny Maestro. His powerful performance of Jim Webb's The Worst That Could Happen, backed by the Bridge's trademark strong vocal and horn arrangements, led to a gold record for the band and countless concert appearances, including one on the Ed Sullivan Show. Other hits followed including Welcome Me Love, Blessed Is The Rain, Your Husband, My Wife and You'll Never Walk Alone. The Brooklyn Bridge is actually comprised of members of several former groups, including one that backed up Dion on his "solo" hits following his breakup with his original group, The Belmonts.

By 1972, the Brooklyn Bridge had sold over 10 million records and established Johnny Maestro as one of the premier vocal talents of his era. The demand for live appearances by this band is stronger now than any time in its history. Sold out shows at major clubs and concert halls, such as New York's Bottom Line, Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall- and frequent local and nationwide television appearances-will attest to the durability of the group's appeal. And, as the band continues to tour and record, reaching not only the friends who have been loyal supporters over the years, but also gathering many new fans as well, it's clear that the story of Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge is one that will continue for a long time to come.

All performances at Steppingstone Park are for Great Neck Park District residents only. Park cards will be checked at the gate, and each park card holder is allowed to bring two guests into the park. Seating is limited and as always-it is recommended that show attendees bring along a blanket or their own chairs to sit on.

Bus service is available to Steppingstone Waterside Theatre and return buses start 10 minutes after the show ends. The bus schedule appears in the Park District summer newsletter and can also be obtained at the district's Parkwood office at 65 Arrandale Ave. and at the 5 Beach Road office. The bus is subject to cancellation or change according to public usage. Arrangements have been made with the US Merchant Marine Academy to use the large parking fields inside the Academy gate. These areas will be available from 7 to 11 p.m. on show nights and Labor Day afternoon. Street parking in the Village of Kings Point is permitted as posted. Parking rules will be strictly enforced by the Kings Point Police. For the safety and comfort of everyone, it is requested that show attendees follow the direction of park employees.

Should it rain on either weekend evening, the location of the park district performance is the only thing that will change. The entire show will be moved to the Parkwood Sports Complex, where bleachers will be set up and the show will go on. So please join us, rain or shine, for a spirited evening of entertainment!