About Lycian Centre

"On the Lawn" is the Hudson Valley's premire summer concert series. Thousands have enjoyed the variety of musical offerings over the past seasons. 

Sugar Loaf Crossing is located on the crossing of the railroad tracks over Kings Highway (near the Sugar Loaf Post Office). Concerts are Thursdays from 6:30-8:30. They are held on the lawn at Sugar Loaf Crossing and are free to the public. Concert goers are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, family and friends. Refreshments will also be available on site. For more information about the concert series visit facebook.com/onthelawnatsugarloafcrossing or call 845-469-2713.

STAFF:

Richard Logothetis: Producer & Lighting Design

Susan Logothetis: Producer & Booking

Tom Cunane: Sound

Maureen Ferry: Volunteer Coordinator

Katie Thompson: Social Media & Website

Thank you also to all our volunteers and Lycian Stage Lighting staff!

The History of the “On the Lawn" Concerts:

The roots of the “On the Lawn” concerts go far back to the early 1960’s. Richard

Logothetis,then a theatrical equipment supplier and technical director, was asked to

supply the fledgling free summer music and cultural series planned for Heckscher

Park in the Town of Huntington, New York. Richard went on to supply various free

events and Hootenanny’s on Long Island, with such artists as Pete Seeger, Judy

Collins, Dave Van Rock, and the famous pianists Ferrante & Teicher.

Richard, now with a growing interest in free cultural events performed outside,

was approached in the late 60’s by the New York City Parks Department and Mayor

John Lindsey, to provide equipment, mobile staging, and technical expertise for a

new summer program being introduced. The Mayor wanted to provide free

community events at various parks and locations around the city to help calm the

growing tension at the time. Over the next three years, and working with the Puerto

Rico Traveling Theatre Company, Ballet Hispanico, and The Theatre of the

Americas,all in New York City, Richard was involved in over 300 performances.

With his interest in public events, Richard, while traveling to various cities and

countries, would seek outdoor public venues for ideas. In 2004, while operating the Lycian Centre for the Performing Arts in Sugar Loaf, Richard and Susan decided to

bring free entertainment and cultural events to the area.

“On the Lawn” was born. At first, thinking that the audience would be about 60

per show, the north end of the front lawn was graded; pavers and landscaping and

power feeds were installed. It was soon obvious that the north end was far too small,

and over the years the entire lawn was improved, with audience occasionally topping

the 2000 mark.

In 2012 and after 20 years, Richard and Susan decided to retire from the theatre and donated the building to it’s not for profit arm, The Kings Theatre Company. The lawn concert series was not part of the future plans for the theatre, so Richard went looking for a new location. With a suggestion from Susan, property owned by the Logothetis’, located at Sugar Loaf Crossing by the rail road tracks, was chosen. With the help from Town of Chester Supervisor Steve Neuhaus, and Town Councilwoman Cindy Smith, and support from the Chester Town Board, legislation was passed to allow the concerts, as well as to allow parking for the concerts along Wood Road.

Today, the “On the Lawn” concerts series is essentially Richard’s hobby, and he

works each year to make the concert experience better than the year before.