Smithtown teens prepare for battle

Forget “American Idol.”

Smithtown teens can show off their musical chops Tuesday night in a Battle of the Bands at Hoyt Farm in Commack.

Winners of the contest — the first sponsored by the Smithtown Youth Bureau and Youth Advisory Board — will receive prizes such as a recording session at Live@ Studios in Bohemia, gift certificates to Sertinos Cafe in Smithtown and a gig at its “open mic” night, and lessons from Grace Music School in Fort Salonga.

The show is open to bands featuring students in the Smithtown, Hauppauge, Commack and Kings Park school districts, and teenagers who live in the Town of Smithtown. Thursday is the deadline to take part in the show.

For an application, call 631-360-7595 or email phirschhorn@tosgov.com.

The Battle of the Bands will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve, 200 New Highway, Commack.

The show is the first in a series of “Safe Summer Teen Nights” at the farm; additional events are scheduled for July 10, July 24 and Aug. 7.