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FOR
a while, it seemed
as though audiences
might be singing the
blues instead of
hearing them in
Riverhead next
weekend. The board
of the
Vail-Leavitt Music
Hall,
which has run the
Riverhead Blues and
Music Festival
since 2006, and the
Riverhead Chamber of
Commerce
both sought permits
to hold the same
festival in the same
place at the same
time. Local news
reports referred to
political
squabbling, and
Newsday reported
that perhaps there
would be no festival
at all.
But
the two-day
festival, which
draws thousands of
listeners to
Vail-Leavitt and the
nearby waterfront
every year, will
indeed take place,
again under the
auspices of
Vail-Leavitt. (The
Chamber of Commerce
withdrew its
application.) Both
Bob Barta, the
president of the
Vail-Leavitt board,
and Bob Lanieri, the
president of the
chamber, said that
some disagreement
remained, but they
seemed eager to
brush off the
controversy.
“Certainly between
the organizations
there is no
animosity,” Mr.
Barta said.
The
important thing for
music fans is that
two outdoor stages
downtown along the
Peconic River and
the indoor
Vail-Leavitt stage
will emit the sounds
of the blues from
the
Sean Chambers Band;
the
Joe Krown Trio;
Little Toby Walker,
a guitarist, singer
and songwriter from
East Northport who
is a festival
regular;
Rosie Ledet & the
Zydeco Playboys;and
other performers.
Ms. Ledet, from
Church Point, La.,
is also known as the
“Zydeco Sweetheart.”
The
festival is not
intended just for
blues fans. And
“even within blues,
if it seems like
it’s one umbrella,
there are different
styles,” Mr. Barta
said. “It is sort of
surprising how many
subgenres there
are.”
The
slate of performers
is varied, too: the
band
Who Are Those Guys
plays classic rock
in the tradition of
the Allman Brothers
and
Neil Young,
while the
Sunnyland Jazz Band
plays, well, that
one is obvious. (Mr.
Barta is Sunnyland’s
leader and banjo
player.)
Throughout the
festival, local
merchants will sell
food, crafts and
memorabilia, and the
1881 Vail-Leavitt
hall is an
attraction unto
itself.
“It
represents something
that is lasting
within the
community,” Mr.
Barta said. “It’s a
tie back to
history.” He could
have just as easily
been talking about
the blues.
STEVEN
McELROY
Riverhead Blues
and Music
Festival, 11
a.m. to 11 p.m.
July 17 and 11
a.m. to 9 p.m.
July 18 on two
outdoor stages
behind East Main
Street and one
in the
Vail-Leavitt
Music Hall, 18
Peconic Avenue,
Riverhead.
Admission is $10
for a one-day
pass and $16 for
a two-day pass
(available only
online).
Children 10 and
under are free.
Information:
riverblues.org;
(631) 727-5782.
LI PULSE: Four Emerging LI Songwriters & The Music
Houses They Play
Author:
Rorie Kelly | Published: Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Larrin
Gerard/Live in the Lobby at the Patchogue Theatre
Larrin Gerard has that gift of
straightforward songwriting that makes you feel like
she knows everything in the shadows of your heart.
Sometimes it’s sweet, and sometimes it’s agonizing,
but you still come away from it feeling a little
better, a little more like you know who you are.
Larrin, like many Long Island
musicians, has transplanted herself to New York
City—and like many transplants, she still feels like
an Islander at heart. Despite the trek, she is at
home in the Patchogue music scene that has sprouted
up over the last few years.
 “The
town of Patchogue has become like this music
hotspot, there’s no way to ignore it. Patchogue when
I was growing up was very different than it is now;
it was like this forgotten little township.” One of
Larrin’s first performances in the area was at
Live in the Lobby at the Patchogue Theatre. She
was invited to play by the concert series’ curator
Christopher Capobianco after he’d heard her at one
of the local open mic nights. It was an excellent
match, because Larrin has always been a major
supporter of the local scene, and the Lobby has
become a central hub for the scene itself.
The Live in the Lobby concert
series features local original musicians in (you
guessed it) the Patchogue Theatre’s lobby—which
itself seats 50, with plenty of standing room. It is
currently in its fifth season and is consistently
well attended. The showcase, like the theater
itself, is run entirely by volunteers, and has given
local original musicians a space where they can be a
real, visible part of Long Island culture.
More information about Larrin Gerard
can be found at
myspace.com/larringerard
and
youtube.com/justlarrin.
More information about Live in the Lobby can
be found at
liveinthelobby.org.
Jessie
Haynes/The Vail Leavitt Music Hall
Jessie Haynes has spent her life
playing music across the east and west coasts, and
occasionally internationally as well. Lately she’s
made a home for herself on the east end, heading up
a concert series at a beautiful old restored theater
in Riverhead. The Vail Leavitt Music Hall is an
antique theater run entirely by volunteers, which
may just have a ghost or two amongst its velvet
curtains and balconies. Jessie feels like her
involvement with the Vail has a measure of fate in
it.
 “For
years The Vail was just this really cool and kind of
mysterious place that was always looming in the back
of my mind. There was a little voice that would
remind me that sooner or later I should try to get
involved there. I don’t think I really had a
choice.”
Jessie’s concert series, Original
Voices at the Vail, is a monthly showcase
featuring Long Island songwriters. There’s an
intimate open mic before and after, and the Vail’s
two stages and decadent atmosphere tend to leave
both performers and audiences feeling a little awed.
The proceeds go to the not-for-profit organization
that runs the Vail, which also presents the
Riverhead Blues & Music Festival.
In person, Jessie exudes the
unmistakable air of someone who is accustomed to
taking journeys, both physically and spiritually.
Her enigmatic lyrics and expressive vocals add to
that feeling—but you haven’t gotten the full story
until you’ve watched her grab a Les Paul and make it
wail in the middle of a set. Jessie’s music will
grab you by the sleeve and take you for a journey of
your own if you let it.
Jessie’s new cd, Vampire Kiss,
is due to come out in the next few months. Find out
more about her and the Vail at
jessiehaynes.com
and
vail-leavitt.org.
Angela
Quiles/The Pisces and the Cup
Angela Quiles is the girl you knew
in high school who dressed in black and was kind of
quiet, and turned out to have notebooks full of the
most moving art, poetry and lyrics. Angela’s dark,
moody songs have been dubbed by friends with the
genre “funeral pop,” and their themes range from
relationships to biographical portraits to religious
allegory. Simple, hooky guitar playing accompanies a
vocal style that is both raw and theatrical.
Angela got her start in the
recently-closed Pisces Cafe, which was an itty bitty
Mecca of art and music in the heart of Babylon
Village. “Pisces was like my niche, my place, my
comfort zone… Jeff [one of the cafe’s owners] always
encouraged artists, and he encouraged me too.”
 Since
the cafe’s closure in December 2009, Angela says she
felt lost for a while. She’s gravitated recently to
The Cup in Wantagh, which has been featuring
original Long Island musicians and artists for
years.
The Cup is that rare venue that
manages to keep its doors open and thrive while
still supporting local art, music and alternative
culture. Live acoustic music can be heard nearly for
free ($1 per person, which goes to the artists) on
weekend nights and the walls of the cafe serve as a
gallery for local artists. It’s also worth noting
that the Cup is one of the only places on the Island
that folks under 21 can go to hang out and listen to
live music on a Saturday night.
More information about Angela Quiles
can be found at
myspace.com/theinfamouspapercup.
More information about The Cup can be found at
thecupcoffeehouse.com.
Jay
Scott/The Sage Cafe
It’s really hard not to like Jay
Scott. His songs are simple and passionate and sneak
into your heart without asking for permission. Jay’s
vocals are raw and soulful and soaring. He gets
compared to Joe Cocker sometimes. Here’s the
similarity—even if you’re not always 100% positive
what he’s saying, you know for sure he means it.
 And
as you’re listening, you find that you mean it, too.
Jay’s main focus in songwriting is
honesty. “I have never had a problem with saying
what’s on my mind even if it sometimes gets me in
trouble… I began writing songs because I felt like I
needed to get something off my chest.” Jay’s a
family man and a lot of his recent songs focus on
his kids.
Patchogue is Jay’s hometown and as
he’s quick to point out, “You don’t always have to
go to the city for good music.” He recorded his live
album, Homegrown, in the lobby of the
Patchogue Theatre, has been playing at the
Brickhouse with various other musicians since 2002,
and recently has been doing a lot of gigging at the
Sage Cafe in nearby Blue Point.
The Sage Cafe is a homey pub and
eatery with Blue Point beer on tap and lots of music
and events throughout the week. They focus pretty
exclusively on local, original music. On Saturday
nights, music gets going around 10pm and has been
known to carry on into the wee hours of the morning.
More information about Jay Scott can
be found at
jayscottlive.com.
More information about The Sage Cafe can be found at
sagecafebluepointliny.com.
Author: Rorie Kelly
Rorie Kelly is a singer/songwriter from various
parts of Long Island. She and her band play
regularly in NYC and on the island, and are
releasing a CD called Wish Upon a Bottlecap
any minute now. Please visit
roriekelly.com
for more information and pretty songs.
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Sing East End 2010, an open karaoke benefit for East End
Hospice, was held last Friday night at the historic
Vail-Leavitt Music Hall in downtown Riverhead. This inaugural event gathered some of the East End’s best
karaoke singers ranging in ages from 7 to 70 belting out
songs from Abba to the Beatles to Metallica to Motorhead,
and everything in between (including Drew Dyal, an Elvis
Presley impersonator from Connecticut). Over 40 singers
performed for the benefit. (See
photo slideshow.)
Local restaurants such as CK’s Deli, Farm Country
Kitchen, Carlo’s Pizza, Digger O’Dells and Jerry’s and the
Mermaid had all donated food for attendees and singers, and
East End Hospice volunteers were there to educate attendees
about the importance of the practice of hospice care for
infirmed patients and their loved ones.
“Sing East End was really an idea of bringing together
very good local singers to a gorgeous, historic venue such
as the Vail-Leavitt, and drawing attention to the downtown
area and a number of Riverhead’s finest catering
establishments, all for a tremendous cause in benefiting
East End Hospice”, noted Doug Wald, event producer for Sing
East End.
“One other reason why it was important to hold Sing East
End at the Vail-Leavitt is that many people in the area have
never set foot in this theater, which is sort of astounding
to me – the Vail Leavitt is one of the area’s true artistic
treasures, and when people actually walk in it for the first
time, they are blown away by the charm, intimacy and beauty
of the Hall. People in the area should stop by on a Friday
one afternoon and take in a tour – to me, the Vail Leavitt
is really a beautiful work of art.”
From singers to attendees to volunteers to event
organizers, Sing East End was deemed a rousing success in
its first year, raising approximately $2,000 for East End
Hospice.
|
Girls carry 'The Music Man'
Children in ACT
out East show off acting, dancing and vocal skills
BY
ERIN SCHULTZ |
STAFF WRITER
 |
| BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO ACT out East students
fill the stage at Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, where
they're rehearsing for a December production of 'The
Music Man.' |
With 26 girls
and only two boys enrolled in ACT out East, co-founders Kim
Galway and Kristen Poulakis had to make some adjustments
when assigning parts to their young actors for the Dec. 13
production of "The Music Man" at Vail-Leavitt Music Hall in
Riverhead.
Many of the girls are playing
boys. But these fledgling actresses say they don't mind at
all.
"I'm used to it," said Olivia
Geppel, a 9-year-old fourth-grader at Cutchogue East who
plays the grumpy male character Ewart Dunlop in Meredith
Wilson's classic musical. "I go to acting camp in the
summer."
Emily
Pearce, 11, also plays one of the male leads, Mayor Shinn.
"It's a very cool role," said
the Riverhead sixth-grader. "I like acting like the leader."
In its first season, ACT out
East, according to its founders, offers an "all-encompassing
musical theater learning experience" for children ages 8 to
18. The program incorporates acting, dance and vocal lessons
with rehearsals for a full-scale production over a period of
13 weeks.
Three-hour sessions are held at
Vail-Leavitt on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Kids come
from across the East End, and tuition is $660.
"They get to flex their acting
muscles and step up to the roles," Ms. Galway said of her
young thespians. "They can do anything."
Ms. Galway and Ms. Poulakis had
the idea for ACT out East about a year ago. About six months
ago, teaming with New Suffolk-based dramatist Darby Moore,
they decided to turn their dream of a comprehensive drama
program into reality, choosing the Riverhead location to
appeal to students on both forks. "We talked about what a
great thing this could be to do in this theater," Ms.
Poulakis said. "The program not only teaches performing arts
skills but fosters creativity, collaboration, and
self-confidence."
The "ACT" in ACT out East stands
for two things: All Children's Theater and Arts in
Counseling Team. Ms. Galway, 42, of East Quogue, is a
licensed creative arts therapist with years of acting and
directing experience in both the professional and the
academic theater worlds. She also runs a private drama
therapy clinic in West Hampton Beach.
"We play out things that relate
back to their real lives," she said of the young people she
works with in therapy. "But [ACT out East] is pure theater."
Ms. Poulakis, 32, lives in
Hampton Bays and teaches voice, dance and acting at ACT out
East. She said she started her career in theater at The
Boston Conservatory studying singing, and she also studied
music therapy at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Jacqueline Minogue, a
12-year-old seventh-grader from Southampton who plays the
lead role of Marian the librarian, said that though ACT out
East's process of classes and rehearsals means a lot of
work, "it's really not that stressful.
"And I'm making new friends,"
she said. "Everyone is so nice."
Jacqueline's schoolmate,
13-year-old eighth-grader Kate Lewis, agreed.
"You don't learn just one thing,
you learn everything," said Kate, who plays Pickalittle Lady
Alma Hix in the production.
For Amy Brennan of Riverhead,
ACT out East's three-in-one program was the perfect
opportunity for her 9-year-old daughter, Sarah -- a girl who
likes to "do it all" in the world of theater.
"She's taken dance classes
before, but for this she never says 'I don't want to go,'"
Ms. Brennan said of her daughter, who is taking on two
different roles in "The Music Man." "She's always very
enthused about it."
eschultz@timesreview.com
'The Music Man '
presented by ACT out East
Vail-Leavitt Music Hall 18 Peconic Ave. Riverhead Sunday,
Dec. 13th, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be
purchased by calling (631) 348-2142
Starring:
Lauren Anasky Ava Bianchi
Melissa Bowman Sarah Brennan Sophia Burke Meghan Corazzini
Madison Costello Madison D'Aries Daniel Dimijian Olivia
Dimijian Taylor Dunn Ruby Ernst Isabella Galway Jaelle
Georgrou Olivia Geppel Sara Heaney Victoria Kochetova Hannah
Kulp Lily Kutner Kate Lewis Jacqueline Minogue Alyssa Ortiz
Emily Pearce Bridie Raustiala Brette Rosen Madison Shannon
Brian Schwartz Mora Sullivan ¬ Instructed by: Kim Galway
Kristen Poulakis Darby Moore John Batterman
  Publication: The
East Hampton Press & The Southampton Press
Teaching musical theater skills in a different context
Darby Moore, Kristen
Estes-Poulakis and Kim Galway of ACT out East strike
a pose at the rear entrance of the Vail-Leavitt
Music Hall in Riverhead.
It’s all about fun, laughter and
learning something new. Feeling good about yourself and conquering
new skills are part of the package. So are singing, dancing, acting
and being part of a group. Toss in a love of being on stage and
you’ve got the essence of ACT out East.
ACT out East is a new program starting
on September 15 at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall in Riverhead for
children and teens who want to master the craft of musical theater.
Registration is open until the first class begins.
The premise behind the new endeavor is
simple: Being part of a musical theater production might involve a
lot of skills, but acquiring them should be simple. ACT out East
aims to offer one-stop shopping for singing, dancing, acting and
stagecraft. A production will be mounted each session, but what
happens within each session is more than a rehearsal.
“There’s nothing like this out here,”
said Kristen Estes-Poulakis, a founder of ACT out East. “We think
there’s a real need for a program like this that teaches students
everything they need to know about musical theater in one place.
There’s no need to run to different places to study voice, dance and
acting. We offer it all.”
ACT out East is run by co-founders and
theater educators Ms. Estes-Poulakis of Hampton Bays, Kim Galway of
East Quogue and Darby Moore of New Suffolk. Ms. Galway and Ms. Moore
are both registered drama therapists and licensed creative arts
therapists. The trio selected Riverhead to appeal to students on the
South and North forks.
Mixing students from across the East End
will cut out some of the competition that arises when classmates
compete for the same part, Ms. Estes-Poulakis explained. Cutting
across different age brackets from 8 to 18 sets up a mentor–trainee
dynamic in which the older and more experienced participants can
help pave the way or or offer instruction for those who are just
beginning, Ms. Galway said.
Each weekly class will teach aspects of
theater craft. The 13-week session culminates in a musical theater
production. “The Music Man” by Meredith Willson will be the
program’s first show. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 4:30 to
7:30 p.m. beginning on September 15. The session concludes on
December 13 with performances of “The Music Man.” Tuition is $660
per session.
The founders expressed confidence in
their ability to stage a top-notch production while having
sufficient time to teach musical theater fundamentals and more.
Their goal is to present a program for serious students while
allowing plenty of room for kids who want to see if the stage is a
place for them.
Each session is divided into rehearsal
and skill learning. Students will be grouped according to age so
individual attention is possible. Rehearsals may be used to tackle
individual scenes and group dance numbers. The smaller groups are
where acting, voice and dance will be taught. Excerpts from the
musical production will be used as teaching aids and so the students
aren’t pulled in too many directions.
ACT out East doesn’t stop at teaching
musical theater, going beyond that part of the mission to serve as
an umbrella for a range of theater services the women offer
individually. All three are accomplished in their respective fields
and bring years of experience to the table.
Ms. Estes-Poulakis is a voice instructor
who has been teaching students under the auspices of Sing—her
private vocal studio. She has also taught dance at the Dance Centre
of the Hamptons. Ms.
Galway has a private drama therapy practice
that she’s bringing to Act out East.
Ms. Moore will join her, offering drama
therapy for groups or individuals. Specializing in adolescent
issues, Ms. Moore has brought theater and healing to students in the
New York City school districts for 20 years. She also did summer
stints in Bosnia, training educators there.
On the education side, Ms. Galway has
taught children creative drama, acting and scene study at the
Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. Ms. Moore has directed a
cast of more than 200 New York City high school students who wrote
their own parts for that production.
The women hope ACT out East will become
a theatrical studio known for preparing students to meet their
goals, whether that means Broadway or simply walking the school
halls with newfound poise and confidence. Expansion is already on
their minds: ACT out East will add classes for young children this
winter.
“Those who want to study seriously will
have the opportunity to learn what they need to know to audition on
Broadway,” Ms. Galway said. “Not everyone wants that. Some people
are shy or curious about theater. We want to make sure this is a
positive experience for everyone.”
Publication:
The East Hampton Press & The Southampton Press
Article & Photos
By Pat Rogers
Fans of live music,
take heart: original tunes can still be found on stage. Once a
month, music lovers and musicians can hear what their peers are
up to and even play a few songs of their own during “A Night of
Original Voices at the Vail.” It all happens at the Vail-Leavitt
Music Hall in Riverhead on the third Thursday of every month.
The format is similar
to open mic nights in bars or coffeehouses: walk-in musicians
can sign-up to perform when the doors open at 7 p.m. Groups are
announced by the hosts, who also play a song or two or three. A
featured guest takes the stage for 30 minutes, sandwiched
between performances by walk-ins.
What differs about
Original Voices is that only original music is welcome on the
stage. Unlike many venues, there is no bar or food service, so
audience attention is placed front and center on the musicians
performing.
“This is more of an
original music-friendly place,” said Eva Adalai of East
Moriches, a guitarist and singer/songwriter who performed last
week. “There’s no clinking of glasses or screams about football
in the bar. People are here for the music.”
Original Voices takes
place in the black box theater on the first floor of the
Vail-Leavitt Music Hall. The room is cozy and has space to seat
50 people. Microphones, a drum kit, electronic equipment,
technical assistance and even sound checks are provided by the
hosts. If a solo musician wants an instant back-up band, most
likely one will materialize on the spot.
The effort is led by
Original Voices founder Jessie Haynes, an East Quogue musician.
The singer/songwriter/guitarist has led open mic nights in
venues across Long Island. Her co-hosts are all musicians as
well. They include Chris Bruschi of Hampton Bays, who is a
Vail-Leavitt board member. Mr. Bruschi typically mans the
theater during the event and makes sure the $5 door donations
and tips for the musicians get where they need to go.
John Brzoza handles
the sound and is there to lend a hand when an extra guitarist is
needed. Robb Patterson of Riverhead emcees the evening and Gregg
Gennari records all the music and brings CDs to the next
session, held the following month. Volunteers are always sought
to help the event run more smoothly.
Volunteers may also
help the open mic night to grow so the musicians might be able
to use the main theater upstairs. This shared hope was echoed by
nearly all the musicians interviewed last week. So was the hope
that getting the word out will bring musicians out in droves. A
typical evening features about 10 to 15 soloists or groups that
want to play. When the crowd outgrows the 50-person room, a
request can be placed to the board of the Vail-Leavitt to use
the main theater.
“I hope that a lot of
people spread the word about the scene there,” said Ms. Adalai.
“It would be a great experience for people starting out to play
a big stage like those in the city. It would be amazing.”
Mr. Patterson was
optimistic that Original Voices will take off and that Riverhead
is on the cusp of burgeoning musical scene. The open mic night
began in March and has been held once a month ever since.
Photos, feedback and future events are posted at
www.myspace.com/orginialvoicesatthevail .
“There’s really no
reason why it can’t grow,” said Mr. Patterson. “There’s no
shortage of talent and there’s a lot going on in Riverhead right
now. The East End Arts Council has a new recording studio and
they’re trying to get things going. East Enders Coffee House has
live music a few times a week. There’s a little scene here in
Riverhead.”
Greg Gennari plays
with his band, Celestial, during Original Voices at the
Vail-Leavitt on September 18. PAT ROGERS
For now, there are
plenty of accolades for the scene already playing out. Each
month draws a new crop of musicians plus some returning ones. A
broad range of music has been taking the black box stage. Among
other acts, there has been an experimental jam set to a backdrop
of projected surf images, an a cappella group, gospel singers
and lots of singer-songwriters who appear solo or with a band.
Acoustic and electric
are equally welcome. So are all ages. Performers range from the
occasional teenager to those in their 20s right up to those in
their 50s. New music by established performers is encouraged.
“No one is going to
judge you here,” Ms. Haynes said to the crowd that gathered last
week. “You’ve got a supportive group of musicians who want to
hear what you want to play. Use this place as a way to try out
new material and take chances.”
Some of the players
did exactly that last Thursday, while others performed songs
from upcoming releases. Some of the musicians took the stage
solo for the first time in many years, because they are now
playing with bands. Others don’t play professionally but enjoy
performing a song or two at this open mic night and others on
Long Island.
In all cases, playing for
an audience offered a welcome opportunity to hone their chops and
experience the joy of playing their original music. Return
performers have the chance to apply to be the featured act of the
night. Last week featured John Brzoza & Friends. Next month puts
Jeremy Sears center stage. November’s headliner is Last Charge of
the Light Horse. December has the fifth annual Toys for Tots benefit
that brings a slew of talent together for a good cause.
Tom Hood and The Trailmen
of Eastport took the stage as a walk-in last week but the band has
been the featured act before. After performing, Mr. Hood passed
around copies of his latest recording, “Riding Into Town.” Musicians
are encouraged to bring their cds along. Their website or myspace
accounts are announced by the emcee so more of their music can be
heard. All in all, Original Voices at the Vail is a special
combination, Mr. Hood said.
“This is a venue totally
devoted to music,” he said. “After a few times, you have the chance
to become the featured performer. It’s a real showcase for
musicians. Plus, people are here because they want to hear the
music. There’s really not another place like this on Long Island.”
Separately, Ms. Adalai
agreed. “There’s really no place like this where original music is
welcomed at open mics. At other open mics there’s a lot of covers
because that’s what the audience likes to hear.”
Original Voices at the
Vail is held the third Thursday of every month at the Vail-Leavitt
Music Hall, 18 Peconic Avenue in Riverhead. Doors open and sign-up
begins at 7 p.m. The evening runs through 10 p.m. For information,
visit
www.myspace.com/originalvoicesatthevail . Basic information can
be found at
www.vail-leavitt.org.
The people who help make Original Voices at the Vail work each
month relax for a moment while performers claimed audience attention
on September 18. Clockwise from top left are John Brzoza, Gregg
Gennari, Robb Patterson and Jessie Haynes. PAT ROGERS
Issue #18 - July 25, 2008
Back Beat
Hot Music Scene Develops in Riverhead - Yes, Riverhead
By Tiffany Razzano
Nestled between the North and South Forks, on the Peconic Bay
waterfront, downtown Riverhead is poised to become a new music and
arts center for the East End.
Sure, there are a number of empty storefronts - including the
abandoned 900-seat Suffolk Theatre - giving the area a semi-rundown
vibe, but there are clear signs of a burgeoning original music scene
that's struggling to grow. Eastenders Coffee House schedules an
original music act - covering all genres, from blues to indie folk -
every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And though they recently
cancelled their weekly open mic night, owner Diane Reeve has hinted
that it might come back in the fall.
Across the street from Eastenders is the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, an
intimate and historic 220-seat theater, which also has a smaller,
black box theater - the home of the new open mic series, "Original
Voices at the Vail." It's held the third Thursday of every month and
includes a different featured performer each time. "We're really
looking to create a scene," said Jessie Haynes, a singer-songwriter
and one of the organizers of the series. "We're not cliquey. This
isn't a club house." She said they're always looking for new
musicians - of all genres - to join the open mic. Though it just
began five months ago, the series usually attracts between 30 and 35
musicians and listeners from east of Patchogue, predominantly coming
from the two forks.
The waterfront is also home of the annual Riverhead Blues Festival,
and the East End Arts Council, though it focuses mainly on visual
arts, holds occasional music programs, including a weekly outdoor
drumming class, and the Mosaic Street Painting Festival, which melds
together all of the arts and features performances by local
musicians.
Riverhead was an artistic powerhouse as little as 10 to 15 years
ago. In fact, at a point, Town legislation maintained that the
apartments above the shops that lined Main Street were for artists
and musicians only. This legislation was altered about eight years
ago, when the artistic population began to dwindle, said Vincent
Tria, who sits on Vail's Board of Directors.
Reeve thinks the main reason for the lack of a cohesive arts scene
in recent years is because of the development of the Tanger Outlet
Center and other big box stores along County Road 58, which forced
the mom and pop shops in downtown Riverhead to shut down because
they couldn't compete. In order for there to be a vibrant music and
arts scene, most of the storefronts need to be occupied. "There's a
tremendous, tremendous amount of potential," Reeve said. "I've been
waiting for Riverhead to come to life and I think it will in its own
time. There's a whole lot of potential here."
"I really feel like it's going to happen. It has that artsy in the
making kind of vibe," Haynes added.
And a lot of things are scheduled that will transform Riverhead -
Riverhead Resorts will be built on the old Grumman site, Atlantis
Marine World is planning a hotel of its own and, next week, a local
developer will raze a dilapidated building on Peconic Avenue to make
way for brand new shops and a restaurant facing the waterfront. The
Town also recently took over control of the Suffolk Theatre - which
Tria, Haynes and Reeve think could become a Stephen Talkhouse for
the area.
These changes could bring in the foot traffic needed to transform
the downtown from merely a handful of single destination attractions
into a destination unto itself, much like Port Jefferson or
Greenport Village. "Riverhead will eventually become a tourist
attraction," Tria said. "In not too many years, we'll be able to
offer people a lot."
And when this happens, the local music scene will be in a place
where it has everything it needs to grow.
For more information about what's going on at the Vail or Eastenders,
go to vail-leavitt.org and eastenderscoffeehouse.com.
If you're a band or musician interested in being featured in our new
music column, email
tiffany@danspapers.com.
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