The Best of Long Island to Light Long Island’s Favorite Tree
 
The holiday season is truly regarded as “the most wonderful time of the year”. For many Long Islanders, the lighting of the spectacular tree at RXR’s RexCorp Plaza in Uniondale, is the official commencement of the season. And this year, the annual event will bring a special blend of Long Island’s finest talents… a showcase of celebrities, stars, champion skaters, up-and coming future skating stars, and the Uniondale High School Choir … each and every one a Long Island born and bred talent. Even Jolly Santa himself, will make an appearance on the ice, performing alongside the resplendent group.

Welcome Ashanti…

This year’s glittering roster of excitement is headlined by the international super-star, songwriter and singer, Ashanti. Born Ashanti Douglas on October 13, 1980, in Glen Cove, NY, Ashanti is beloved by fans around the globe. In September, Ashanti collaborated with Beyoncé and company for the charity single “Just Stand Up” featured on NBC

Ashanti was discovered at a talent show in 1994. Three of her singles, "Foolish," "Always on Time," and "What's Luv," made the Top 10 all in one week. Ashanti was the winner of the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album, Ashanti. She wrote all twelve tracks on this signature album. Ashanti received “Entertainer-of-the-Year honors, and was named best new solo artist at the 8th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards held in Pasadena, CA in 2002. She was also named favorite new artist in both the pop/rock and hip-hop/R&B categories at the 30th annual American Music Awards in January, 2003

Ashanti has graced numerous magazine covers, music videos and frequently entertains in public, joining the limelight alongside other R&B "divas" such as Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige. She just released her fourth album, The Declaration.

Long Island’s Own Push Play

It’s hard to believe that it all started in a small Long Island town, and after sold out local shows, signing with CAA and finishing up a cross country tour, the shooting star that is the band Push Play, who has toured with Miley Cyrus, will be joining Ashanti to light Long Island’s favorite tree. The teen sensations, recently dubbed the “new fab four” by Newsday, are a band of fresh faced boys have also been featured in the NY Times, at the Z100 Zootopia Preshow at the Izod Center, on MTV’s TRL and more. The band has become a household name in NY, selling out Irving Plaza, Nokia Theatre and The Blender Theatre at Gramercy in the span of the last 6 months! Nationally, they’ve become interchangeable with names like Miley Cyrus, iCarly and The Jonas Brothers.

Now, the scores of loyal fans of the phenoms who have not been fortunate enough to be able to see their favorite band will finally be able to see the boys in the flesh at RexCorp Plaza and watch them again in their living rooms on CW-11

It’s a Big Big World’s Snook

As an extra special treat, Snook, the lovable star of It’s a Big Big World will keep both children and adults entranced. It’s a Big, Big World is a children's television show on PBS Kids, that debuted January 2, 2006. The show revolves around a group of animals living in the rainforest with an environmental theme. Snook is the main character and he helps his friends learn all about the 'Big Big World' around them. He's slow-moving (but smart) and often takes naps, but is always up for a scientific investigation. He also enjoys singing and dancing with all of his friends in the World Tree.

The show was created by multiple Emmy Award winning writer/director Mitchell Kriegman. He is credited with the patented design of the revolutionary hybrid special effects technique called Shadowmation, that can combine live action puppets, animatronics, and computer animation utilizing video game engines and virtual. The show is taped at Wainscott Studios on Long Island.

Skating Extravaganza with the Islander’s Sparky & Ice Girls

The ice spectacular will surely “wow” the crowds… from Wantagh and Sea Cliff, Long Island, Chloe Katz and Joseph Lynch, the figure skating team who placed in the 2005 Nationals Junior Competition, to the best of Long Island’s up-and-coming young skating stars. Making an appearance on the ice will also be the beloved Islander’s Sparky and Ice Girls!

In keeping with tradition, RexCorp Plaza will be buzzing the month of December with performances during lunchtime and early evening.