Three Long Island Singer-Songwriters Share Stage in Patchogue, N.Y.
April 18, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Rorie Kelly, John-Flor and Jay Scott will perform alone and together, each celebrating the release of a new album in a special Monday night edition of the Patchogue Theatre’s Live in the Lobby concert series on May 12th.
Rorie Kelly writes songs, breaks strings, screams, sings pretty, and then screams some more. She will, in short, rock your socks, which is what she did the past two times she performed in the Lobby. Ms. Kelly has performed primarily as a solo artist and gained a following for her passionate vocal style, heartfelt songs and percussive acoustic guitar style. In addition to a busy performance schedule in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island she has organized a Women Who Will Rock Your Socks concert series, Participated in the Musicians for Peace Project by organizing musical consciousness raising events and performed at the Acoustic Long Island Winter concert to benefit Long Island Cares. She returns to Patchogue and celebrates the imminent the release of her first album, Wish Upon a Bottlecap. This will be her first local performance with her new band featuring Joe Rende on drums, Andrew Jimenez on bass guitar, Chaka Knice on keyboards and Angela Quiles on backing vocals.
In 2004, John-Flor Sisante released his first album The Music of Things, and Rafer Guzman of Newsday called it “a collection of 10 terrific tracks…throughout the disc, he puts his stamp on each song in surprising, delightful ways.” On The Music of Things, the young troubadour reflects on the common universal themes of love and attraction, envy and resignation, the loss of innocence, and the spiritual malaise experienced by all human beings, regardless of where they come from. The album, arranged and produced by John-Flor with much input from his drummer, Casey Tuck, and his engineer, Rob Ignazio, showcases a tremendous stylistic range, from folk to indie rock to Latin. John-Flor’s second album will be released this summer and he has been offering samples on his MySpace page in recent months. In October 2007, Guzman said “Sisante recently posted three new tracks to his MySpace page, and they’re terrific. This time around, Sisante is really stretching his creative boundaries”. His fans are anxiously awaiting his next album, and he will perform several songs from it on May 12.
Singer-Songwriter Jay Scott’s “rich voice of gritty satin makes his music instantly compelling. Although born and raised on Long Island, his deep, raspy tone is pure Delta blues in origin, and is as intoxicating as southern whiskey.” (Jennett Meriden Russell, The Press of Manorville & The Moriches). Scott’s sound has been called “Americana”, “bluesy soul” and “alt country” and is easily recognizable because of his disincentive, slightly gravely vocal style that has drawn comparisons to Bob Seeger, Bruce Springsteen and Joe Cocker. Since 2000, He has been writing and polishing his songs through regular live performances in Long Island, New York City and California. Scott returned to his home town of Patchogue in 2004, got married, bought a house, had a baby, and recorded his first Album, Homegrown which will be released this month and which he will celebrate with this special acoustic performance, joined by Jason Tebaldi on five string fretless acoustic bass guitar.
The evening opens with the Songwriter Spotlight with Corey Balsamo, Aaron Palmadessa, Seamus Sullivan and more!!
Live in the Lobby is a series of concerts for small audiences held in the lobby of the historic Patchogue Theatre. These concerts, which are organized and operated by volunteers, feature artists from the Long Island area playing a wide variety of mostly original music in an intimate and comfortable setting.
All ages are welcome. Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 E. Main Street, Patchogue. Tickets $10.00 at the box office and by phone (631)207-1313. www.PatchogueTheatre.com
Bar Brawl Drives R&B John Legend and Entourage to Flee Moomia Lounge in SOHO New York City
April 17, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) American songwriter and R&B Recording Artist John Legend who is a regular at Moomia Lounge in Soho at 157 Lafayette Street pulled up to the glamorous famous nightspot with his entourage in a champagne tinted Cadillac Escalade on the evening of Saturday, April 12th. Before leaving abruptly Legend and clubbers witnessed a severe bar brawl.
One source revealed that the incident involved a gay promoter aggressively kissing one of the female clubbers on the mouth resulting in her jealous boyfriend creating a fist fight inside the club. Patrons witnessed in horror the brutal brawl resulting in some to back off and run out of the establishment. The brawl became so uncontrollable that it took as many as 10 people to separate the two fist fighters.
Legend who is famous for his platinum selling “Get Lifted” panicked, likely for getting bad press, was trying to keep a low profile and decided to leave the scene with his entourage. His bodyguards surrounded him in safety and escorted him out before the situation intensified. Legend has had a clean record and would like to keep it that way. Legend has won five Grammy Awards. Prior to the release of his debut album, Legend’s career gained momentum through a series of successful collaborations with multiple established artists including Kanye West Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. He is also a contributing philanthropist and launched the Show me Campaign, through which his fans are encouraged to donate funds toward improving the living situations and prospects of victims of extreme poverty in Mbola, Tanzania. Legend, in early 2008, began touring with Prof. Jeff Sachs Columbia University’s Earth Institute to promote sustainable development as an achievable goal. Legend is currently also rallying for Senator Barack Obama and his career is having a successful resurgence so he is not looking for trouble.
At the time of the brawl around midnight talk show host Cognac Wellerlane was interviewing for her TV Show Cognac’s Corner at Moomia Lounge. Ms. Wellerlane does a weekly gig at the club promoting talent and celebrities on her show. Moomia Lounge complete with Egyptian hieroglyphics murals and an Egyptian tomb is famous as a celebrity fashionista hangout for models, actors, filmmakers, soap opera stars, hip-hop moguls and other recording artists. The exclusive nightspot is so trendy and in fashion that there is no sign out front simply because anyone who is significant will know by word of mouth.
Both John Legend’s rep and well as Wellerlane’s rep were not unavailable for comment.
Photo: Before leaving the scene abruptly R&B Singer John Legend posed for a photo-op with photographer Diane Ducharme
Native Long Islander In American Idol Songwriter Finals
April 16, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Scott Sheets, who grew up in Garden City, Long Island, is one of 20 finalists in the American Idol Songwriters Competition with his song “Fly Me Away”. If it gets the most online votes it could be performed live on American Idol’s Finale. Voting ends April 23rd.
Sheets is not new to the music business. As a guitarist for Long Island’s own Pat Benatar in the 1980s, he penned and performed such hits as “Fire and Ice” and “Prisoner of Love”.
A resident of Brooklyn, Sheets stays true to his roots by owning and operating a computer graphics and large format printing company in Brentwood.
“Fly Me Away” was written at a pivotal point in Scott’s life and it is reflected in the lyrics. “I wrote it when I needed strength to guide me through a tough emotional time in my life,” he says.
A personal friend and music colleague of Sheets’ - John Ondrasik, of the band Five For Fighting - sang on the track.
When Scott’s not working in Brentwood, he can sometimes be found at clubs around New York City performing with his re-formed 1970s band, The Brats.
Voters in the competition are asked to rate the songs based on their musical structure and the skill of the songwriter, not on the song’s performance or recording quality.
Music fans can vote for the new American Idol Songwriter by visiting the contest’s homepage at http://songwriter.americanidol.com
For more information please contact Sheets’ publicist at:
(301) 606-8848
Long Island Band on MTV’s ‘The Hills’ Benefit Concert at Farmingdale High School
April 11, 2008
(Farmingdale, N.Y.) Paging Grace, Farmingdale’s hometown heroes, will be celebrating placing songs on this season of MTV’s “The Hills” and helping local college bound students with a benefit concert on Friday May 9th at 7pm at Farmingdale High School in Farmingdale NY.
The release of “All You’re Made Of”, their first EP, has made them one of the most popular and well known bands in the area in just two short years; and with their debut single “Leave” which impacted at radio on January 7th of 2008 in the “Hot Adult Contemporary Genre” the band has already received an excellent response on both mainstream & syndicated radio, including being awarded “Hot AC Most Added New Artist” for the week of their debut & reaching #1 on the “Independent Music Network” syndicated radio show within 3 weeks of being added to the program.
With their loyal fan base in place and their sing along radio friendly anthems, there has been quick success for the band. Get in on the ground floor of something special in the works; get to know the next big thing!
The single “Leave” will be featured on Sunday April 21st at 10pm on The Hills. Watch the show, then check them out online at www.paginggrace.com
If you are in the area, come down to the benefit performance as well. If not, watch for them at a venue near you soon.
Friday May 9th
PAGING GRACE @ Farmingdale High School
doors open at 6:00
located at 150 Lincoln Street, Farmingdale NY 11735
ALL AGES ARE ADMITTED | TICKETS ARE $7
Available at FHS Box Office or at www.paginggrace.com
Sponsored by the Farmingdale PTA for the PTA Scholarship Fund. All money made goes to the fund.
For more information on Paging Grace, please check out their website at http://www.paginggrace.com
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PR/ Rick Eberle
PopCore Entertainment
The Creative Process of Street Painting
April 7, 2008
(Riverhead, N.Y.) In preparation for the 12th Annual Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival, East End Arts Council master artists will demonstrate advanced street painting techniques at three separate locations on Saturday, May 10th from 10am to 4pm (start times vary for each place—see below). Events at all three locations are free and open to all ages. This year’s theme for the festival is The Creative Process, and the process the street painters follow will be highlighted at these “pre-events.”
Master street painter Sheri Egert will demonstrate her technique at Eastenders Coffee House (40 East Main Street, Riverhead) from 11 am to 4 pm. Sheri is a fine arts student at SCCC who creates murals for private clients and has graced EEAC sidewalks with her artistic talent since 2004.
Fine artists Lianne Alcon and Bryan Landsberg will collaborate on a street painting at the Riverhead Free Library (330 Court Street, Riverhead) starting at 10 am. Partners in life as well as in art, Lianne and Bryan have participated in the Community Mosaic since they moved to Riverhead four years ago.
And, beginning at 12 noon, artists Rod Tryon and Joanne Coppola McGiveron will work on the blacktop in front of the sea lion tank at Atlantis Marine World (East Main Street, Riverhead). Rod travels the world creating two and three-dimensional works in this unconventional medium, and Joanne
The above demonstrations serve as a preview for what’s in store at the 12th Annual Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival on Sunday, May 25, 2008 (rain date Monday, May 26th) from 12-5pm. People can be street painters or watch others perform their magic on East Main Street; visit the artists’ paintings and crafts on display; enjoy live music on the Entertainment Show Stage sponsored by Riverhead Business Improvement District; stop by the Riverhead Free Library storytelling tent; bang a drum at the interactive drumming circle; or join the life size checkers tournament. All ages are welcome as we greet the summer with a celebration of the arts. There is no admission fee. Sponsorships range from $75-$300 to inscribe your business name or dedication above a street square. Street painters registered in advance are free, or $20 day of event.
Call (631) 369-2171 or visit www.eastendarts.org for more information.
Festival proceeds support music and art scholarships for students of EEAC Community School of the Arts. Thanks to our major sponsors, Bethpage Federal Credit Union and Suffolk County Dept. of Economic Development , and to the Town of Riverhead, the Knapp Swezey Foundation, and the Riverhead Free Library.
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Laura Helms
Communications Coordinator
East End Arts Council
133 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
631.727.0900
Popular Long Island Quintet Follows Up Triumphant 2007 Patchogue Theatre Performance
April 5, 2008
(Patchogue, N.Y.) Two rising stars on the Long Island music scene share the bill. Miles to Dayton, Michael Korb and The Sun Gets Down will perform at the Pathcogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Friday April 18 at 8:00 pm.
With the successful release of their first album A Long Way Back in 2005, Long Island’s Miles to Dayton capped several years of songwriting and live performances that saw them playing a large number of small venues around Long Island, honing their performance skills, polishing their songs and sharing their personal story with a growing fan base. They started as a trio, with the talented brother-sister duo of Dave and Krista March and musical journeyman Jonathan Preddice creating a unique texture of three-part harmony, acoustic guitar, bass guitar and cello. After adding Rob Caniglia on percussion and Preddice’s younger sister Leanne Preddice on electric violin, Miles to Dayton’s live sound really began to take off and they began to play even larger venues such as Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, Kenny’s Castaways and the Knitting Factory in New York City and music festivals such as Millenium Music Festival and Great South BayMusic Festival. The family chemistry adds to the onstage fun, while the unique instrumentation truly delivers an eclectic sound portrait, with a comfortable, down home vibe in all of the songs and presentation. By June of 2007 they were ready to release their second album, Rise, a collection of upbeat tunes with the emergence of a newly bolstered powerhouse five-piece lineup. They staged a triumphant performance to launch Rise, headlining the main stage of the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts (PTPA). Since then, they have been increasingly been in demand in the northeast and have had a busy performance schedule. Their unique sound of three-part harmony, improvisational violin and cello, and a solid rhythm section crosses a lot of musical boundaries from folk to rock and appeals to a broad audience that spans several generations. They will bring material from their first two albums in addition to brand new songs to their second headlining show at the PTPA on April 18.
Sharing the bill for the April 18 Miles to Dayton performance is Singer- Songwriter Michael Korb of Saint James and The Sun Gets Down, a powerful eclectic duo from Eastport and Manorville. Impressed with live performances they have seen from both groups, Miles to Dayton felt they would like to share this great original music from Long Island with their audience.
Michael Korb’s music is difficult to define by genre. On one hand his dark lyrics surround mental, emotional and situational struggles; on the other hand his melodies are addictive and fun to sing. There’s just something about his music that attracts audiences young and old, but ask anyone what it is exactly, and you’re bound to only get a small piece of the story.
Ryan Englebert and James Boon are 22 year old best friends who played in several groups over the past six years before forming as The Sun Gets Down in 2005. Lead singer Engelbert is a also plays acoustic guitar and Boone’s acoustic lead guitar work compliments the songs. Their five song “demo” recording entitled “This Is What It Is” was recorded in 2007 and is now available at their live shows.
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TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE
Tickets $13.00 available at the box office, by phone or online
Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
71 East Main Street, Patchogue
631.207.1313 www.PatchogueTheatre.com
ABBA Concert Coming to The Patchogue Theatre in April
March 27, 2008
(Patchogue, N.Y.) BJM Entertainment Group is presenting the ultimate ABBA concert, Live at the Patchogue Theatre for Performing Arts. Dust off your disco boots and leisure suits- the 70’s are back tonight. Abracadabra- the ultimate ABBA concert will performing live at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, Friday April 11th at 7pm.
Truly a dazzling show, produced and delivered with such energy and detail that fans have sworn that the original ABBA members have actually reunited. Performing 20 of ABBA’s greatest hits from 1973 through 1983 Abracadabra – the ultimate ABBA concert, precisely recreates all of the excitement and passion of their record-breaking 1979-80 world concert tour experience. “Dancing Queen”, “Take a Chance on Me”, “Fernando”, “Waterloo”, and “Super Trouper” are all the songs you will remember and love.
The impact of the vocals alone will leave you mesmerized. Backed by the success of the hit Broadway musical “MAMMA MIA”, interest in the music of the third most successful pop group of all time has reached another zenith. This USA production has toured both coasts, filling showrooms from Atlantic City to Orlando, New York to Los Angeles, and is a MUST SEE show for every generation of fun loving ABBA fans.
TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE
Tickets $30 / $ 37.50 / $45
available at the box office, by phone or online
Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
71 East Main Street,
Patchogue
631.207.1313
www.PatchogueTheatre.com
The ultimate ABBA concert, Live!
At the Patchogue Theatre for Performing Arts
April 11th at 7:00 PM
ABBA was a Swedish Edison award and Eurovision winning pop/dance group active between 1972 and 1982. The quartet was formed through the friendship of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and also consists of Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog. The band members were at one time married respectively, and together they have topped the charts worldwide from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s.
For a complete listing of the upcoming shows at the Patchogue Theatre, please visit www.patchoguetheatre.com
9th Annual New York Bravest Night of Comedy
March 26, 2008
(Levittown NY) On April 20th 2007 at Governor‘s Comedy Club, 6 Funny NYC Firefighters along with a professional comedian will take the stage for the 9th Annual NY’s Bravest Night of Comedy to benefit the Thomas Elsasser Scholarship Fund for widows and children of FDNY members who die outside the line of duty.
The Thomas Elsasser scholarship fund is for widows and children of FDNY menbers who die non line of duty. When a firefighter makes the supreme sacrifice while working his family will be taken care of financially by the city. If a firefighters just passes away at home the pain and suffering are the same but the benefits are drastically reduced. Back in 1997 Firefighter James Halverson was jogging on the track at Centereach HS when a deranged teenager walked up to him and shot James in the chest. At the time of his death James Halverson had 2 years on the job and his wife Rosalie was pregnant with twins. This fund will assure that children like James & Rosalie Halverson’s twin girls and many others like them will get a good education.
web page- www.BravestNightofComedy.com
Event Information:
Sunday April 20th at 7pm
9th annual NY’s Bravest Night of Comedy
Governor’s Comedy Club
90 Division Avenue
Levittown NY 11756
Tickets $20 tax deductible donation
Box Office (516) 731-3358 to reserve your seat
Featuring New York City Firefighters:
Billy Bingo ret L 126,
Steve Alleva Ladder 7,
Kevin Seaman Ladder 4,
Jarrett Kowtorski Ladder 135,
Brian Finley Ladder 7,
Ed Sullivan ret Engine 211
Headlining is Darrell Hammond from Saturday Night LIVE
Event contact information
www.BravestNightofComedy.com
Billy Bingo nycbillybingo@aol.com
631 764-3757
Thomas Elsasser Fund contact number 212 683-4UFA
Sheila Pettit c/o
The Uniformed Firefighters Association
204 East 23rd street
New York NY 10010
Winners of “The Biggest Loser” Declare March 20th as “National Recommitment Day” for all New Yorkers
March 19, 2008
(New York, N.Y.) “The Biggest Loser” champions are partnering with FindingDulcinea to announce “National Recommitment Day” to your resolutions, which will be recognized on the first day of Spring, March 20th, 2008.
Research by FindingDulcinea (www.FindingDulcinea.com) reveals that year after year, more than 2/3 of Americans abandon their New Year’s resolutions by springtime, and more than 80% fail to fulfill their resolutions by year’s end. With that in mind, Finding Dulcinea is asking Americans to recommit to their New Year’s Resolutions – now.
“People who struggle to reach their goals think they are alone,” says Bill Germanakos, who lost 164 pounds, or 49% of his body weight, to win the title of “Biggest Loser” in the 2007 season of NBC’s hit reality show, “but the reality is that most people struggle to make their goals happen.”
“The hardest part of any self-improvement plan is overcoming the inevitable stumbles along the way,” said Jim Germanakos, twin brother of Bill, who lost half of his initial body weight on “The Biggest Loser,” capturing the prize for biggest weight lost among those who had been voted off the show. “The key to success is not to give up just because you’ve had a bad week,” Jim continued, “most people, when they fail to keep their resolutions, say ‘wait till next year.’ But there are still nine months left in 2008. So get started on them, again, today!”
As part of the promotion, Bill and Jim are unveiling their Top 9 Tips for Recommitting to Your Resolutions:
1. Make your resolution an integral part of your life. If your resolution is to lose weight or get fit, make going to the gym as important as going to your job each day. Chasing your goals cannot be something you do only when the rest of your life
allows.
2. Be realistic. If you set your goals too high, you are setting yourself up for failure. Set reasonable goals that you know you can achieve, but still require a bit of hard work and determination.
3. Set short-term goals along the way. In order to achieve a successful resolution, it may be easier if you segment it into smaller, short-term goals. If you want to save $6,000 over the course of the year, commit to saving $500 per month.
4. Have a detailed plan. Just saying that you want to do something doesn’t mean it will happen. Lay the groundwork to success by detailing out exactly how you will reach your goals.. Will you join a gym and go 3 times a week? Will you have money directly deposited into your savings account each paycheck? Will you cut your smoking by a pack per month for 5 months? The process of planning out the details will help you identify obstacles ahead of time.
5. Reward yourself. When you reach a short-term or long-term goal, allow yourself a little indulgence. But make sure your reward is not counterintuitive to your end goal. If you are trying to save money, don’t blow your savings on the reward. If you are trying to lose weight, don’t buy yourself an ice cream cake to celebrate. Opt for something you want that helps you with your goals. For example, buy a pair of new running shoes if you goal is to run the marathon. Setting the reward ahead of time may give you incentive along your path to success.
6. Ask for support. Share your resolution with your friends and family, and let them know that you need their support. Having people around you that encourage you and keep you from slipping up may make all the difference!
7. Find a resolution buddy. Find a friend who has the same resolution as you so you have someone to lean on and share tips with. Having a buddy who shares the same goals, and obstacles, may provide a nice support system, as well as a means of
kicking you back into gear when you need it most. Bill and Jim had a great advantage over the other contestants on The Biggest Loser once the competition became about succeeding at home – they had each other.
8. Visualize success. Picture yourself on the treadmill, running at 7.0 mph and not even breaking a sweat! Picture yourself buying that new home! Visualization can be a very powerful tool. Some experts suggest that the process of seeing yourself
successfully achieving your goals can actually get you there faster!
9. Don’t let yourself feel defeated. Whether this is your first, third, or tenth attempt at achieving this year’s resolution, don’t let yourself get down. It is natural for us to stumble along the way when working towards a goal. Just pick
yourself back up, dust yourself off, and tell yourself that this time you’re going to do it (because you’ve done Tips 1 through 8 this time!)
For more on recommitting to your New Year’s Resolutions, visit http://www.findingdulcinea.com/Resolutions.html
For more on Bill and Jim, visit www.weightlosstwins.com
20th Century Fox’s “Horton Hears A Who?” Top At Box Office
March 17, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) 20th Century Fox’s newest animation movie “Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears A Who?” featuring the voice of Jim Carey topped last week’s box office in its debut week after it raked in over $45.1 million in ticket sales nationwide.
The movie stars Horton, an elephant voiced by Award winning actor Jim Carey and it tells the tale of his adventures in an effort to save the minute city of Whoville which is a small inhabitation of the Who’s. Whoville is located in a speck of dust at the jungle and its mayor voiced by actor Steve Carrel has the same idealisms as Horton has. Both of them believe that their own worlds are nearing doom. Horton heard the mayor’s cry for help one day and the two of them embarked on their mission to preserve Whoville and the world.
“It’s a ‘who-mongous’ opening, and it’s playing to all Who’s two to 92,” said 20th Century Fox distribution executive Chris Aronson. “If you can’t do an ode to Dr. Seuss with an opening like this, come on.”
“Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears A Who?” $45.1 million earnings in its first week placed the movie in the record books as the fourth highest grossing movie of all-time for the month of March behind “Ice Age”, “Ice Age 2″ and Robots while toppling this years former number one opening week high grosser “Cloverfield” released last January which earned over $40.6 Million its opening week.
The previous week’s number one movie “10,000 B.C.” a prehistoric epic by Warner Brothers finished second with $16.4 Million upping its two week total sales to over $61.2 million. Summit Entertainment’s “Never Back Down” a movie about mixed martial arts debut at the third spot with a $8.6 million opening week. Rounding out the top five are Gunn Films movie “College Road trip” with $7.9 Million ranking in fourth while the original shot movie “Vantage Point” starring Dennis Quad and Forrest Whitaker finished fifth with $5.4 Million.
