Address
305 N. Service Road, Dix Hills, NY 11746
Phone Number
(631) 656-2148
Date Visited
07/27/2017
Website
Dix Hills Performing Arts Center (DHPAC) at Five Towns College
Description
The Dix Hills Performing Arts Center (DHPAC) is located at Five Towns College. The address is 305 North Service Road, Dix Hills, NY. Eleven handicapped (van) accessible spaces are located together at one end of the parking lot. A concrete walk from the parking lot leads to the three set, double door, main entrance. The large lobby has smooth floors and many seats.Double doors lead to the back row of the carpeted theater. This is the only row that does not require steps to get to one’s seat. Wheelchair and companion seating are located here. Aisles are wide, steps are long, seats are upholstered.
One multi-stall, non-handicapped, women’s restroom, located just off the lobby is “tight.” The handicapped-accessible women’s restroom requires leaving the building and going around it to another door. The men’s handicapped restroom does not require leaving the building. It is a distance from the lobby. Another set of multi-stall, non-handicapped restrooms is located down six steps from the lobby, near the vending machines (cold drinks and snacks).There are no baby-changing facilities.
- Surface of lot: paved
Distance to venue: not too far
Transportation to venue offered: no
Terrain: flat
Places to rest: benches on walkway
Paths and walkways: concrete
Doors: three sets of double doors
Number of floors: 1
Steps and staircases: steps to all seats - with exception of last row
Width of aisles: wide, carpeted aisles
Places to sit: wheelchair and companion seating at back row
Location of restrooms: *
Type of restroom: **
Ease of entry and exit: OK
Baby changing station: no
Available food services: vending machines with snacks and cold drinks
Friendliness of staff: very pleasant and helpful
Notes: *** One, small, non-handicapped, ladies' room is located just off the lobby. A handicapped-accessible ladies' room requires exiting the building, walking around one side and re-entering. The men's restroom is handicapped-accessible. It is located to the left of the lobby and down a hallway. Another set of non-handicapped men's and women's rooms are located down six steps from the main lobby.
What to do on a Saturday evening when you don’t want to just “go out for dinner?” That was the question presented to me several weeks ago. We had plans with friends and wanted to do something other than eat. Long Island.com took me to “events” for the date we were interested in and allowed me to scroll until something caught my eye. “The Music of Kander and Ebb” was being presented at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center (DHPAC). Everyone agreed, the tickets were purchased and we were set for the evening!
The DHPAC is a part of Five Towns College, located in what was once a middle school. Eleven handicapped (van) accessible spaces are located together at one end of the parking lot. Passengers can be dropped off directly in front of the walk (there are benches here) to the main entrance. If you choose to walk from these spots you can be under cover all of the way.
The street-level, main entrance has three sets of double doors. Once inside we found ourselves in a large lobby with smooth floors and lots of seating. We got our tickets from the box office and set out to find the restrooms. The closest ladies’ room (in the lobby area), is not handicapped-accessible and quite small. We were told that the only handicapped women’s restroom requires going outside and around the building. The handicapped-accessible men’s room is indoors, but quite a distance from the lobby. Another set of non-handicapped accessible restrooms do exist. They are off the main lobby, down six steps, near the vending machines (cold drinks and snacks). There are no baby-changing facilities.
After these discoveries it was time to enter the theater. Double doors led to the back row where wheelchair and companion seating are available. This is the only row not requiring steps to get to one’s seat. The theater is carpeted. The aisles are wide, the steps are long. The usher told us that people are always available to assist anyone in need.
We settled ourselves into comfortable seats and enjoyed “The World Goes Round” the music of Kander and Ebb. The cast was made up primarily of students and alum of the college. They were great! Good voices, good energy, and great enthusiasm made for an engaging performance.
After the last bow was taken and we returned to our car, we discussed how glad we were that we had come. There are wonderful performances to be had on Long Island. Our only lament was the sad state of handicapped accessible restrooms at this venue.
As always, we at Destination Accessible advise you to check a venue’s website, http://www.ftc.edu/ftcpac, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”
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