A Makeover at Castlegould

Castlegould – a Gold Coast icon at the Sands Point Preserve – is rich with history. Over the years, it has served as a stable and carriage house, servants' quarters, and for a span, a U.S. Naval Training Center. 

Now the "Great Hall" at Castlegould is getting refurbished, and just in time for a Jazz Age party Saturday evening.

Renovations at this Guggenheim estate include a black granite and cream-color marble floor tiles leading to a cherry mahogany floor that is “great for dancing,” noted Jean-Marie Posner.

Posner is the vice-chair of Friends of the Sands Point Preserve. The nonprofit organization supports the preserve, which was entrusted to Nassau County in the early 1970s.

Other improvements at Castlegould include a new HVAC system, and fresh paint on the walls and vaulted ceilings, Posner said. 

Midweek, crews at Castlegould were in full work mode, ripping up old carpet and more, but Posner seemed cool and collected.

“It will be done by Saturday,” she said.

Saturday’s “sizzling jazz night” – tickets are $100 a person – features a night of Latin and ballroom dancing with Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra. The party runs from 7-11 p.m., beginning with a dance demonstration and lesson by six dance professionals, followed by three hours of dancing to the standards, Latin, ballroom and jazz music. It also includes cocktails, buffet dinner and dessert. Period attire is definitely encouraged.

The evening is a signature Arts Alive LI, an island-wide, multi-venue arts festival presented by the Long Island Arts Alliance and Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

For tickets and information, call 516-571-7901. See more events at the Sands Point Preserve.