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News 2008
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2008
News
AUGUST 15th
Show at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall
Thanks to all the great performers, soundmen &
people who came down to the show on Aug 15 at the Vail! Photos are
available here:
www.myspace.com/jessiehaynes and here:
www.myspace.com/originalvoicesatthevail
SEPTEMBER 2008

Original Voices at the Vail began Thursday,
August 19
Last month's OVaV was a smashing fun time with the
energetic performance of Black Limo! Check out the details in my
Bloooog:
www.myspace.com/originalvoicesatthevail
Photos there, too!
This is an evening of original music with open mike &
featured performers held in the 'black box' at the Vail-Leavitt Music
Hall. September's feature will be the one & only John Brzoza & Friends!
October we are looking forward to the return of Jeremy Sears, November
welcomes Last Charge of the Light Horse and mark your calendars for
December - I'll be hosting my 6th annual Toys for Tots Benefit Concert
at Original Voices!
All the details for the show
& tech details for open mikers are here.

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.
Wednesday Nights at Dockers / Beach
Hut Aqua Sundays
It's been a fantastic summer at Dockers on Dune
Road! I can't tell you how much fun I've had & how much I've enjoyed all
the cool people who've come down to cheer us on. Annie Morgan is an
incredibly talented singer & I had no idea how funny she was to work
with. She keeps me smiling & inspired. We'll be back in the fall/winter
somewhere!
And the Aqua Girls Sundays at the Beach Hut have
been really fantastic & have become a definition of summer to me. Erin
has sang her ass off all summer - Trina & Lobster Boy Alex are 2 of my
favorite people to jam with on this planet - great time had by all!
Thanks to everyone whose come down - your requests, laughter & boogie-ing
down were awesome! Watch for more Aqua gigs this fall/winter!
2008 Recording Progressing
I've been working on my next CD for a few months
now & have found some adventurous little bees buzzing around me as I
explore all the possibilities. It's so wonderful to have the freedom to
record everything myself, not to mention all the amazing musicians I
find I'm so lucky to be surrounded by.
So far this collection has been mainly inspired by
my life long journey as a sleep walker. By sleep walking I don't really
mean that I wander around my house in my pj's after hours, unaware
of my experience. What I mean is that as a life long musician, and
practically a life long mother, I've learned that when everyone else's
day is done, I'm just beginning a new one. Not quite vampire fashion,
(though when the moon is full I sometimes feel that energy!) Mostly I
write songs after dark. I recorded most of
The Secret Life of Cinderella while you
were sleeping. And so the story continues. My Wiccan ways are finding
new voice through my instruments. It's a journey I savor & I'm looking
forward to what this new collection of music will have to say.
MAY 10th (rain date May 11)
Long Island's Beltane in the Park (Wantaugh
Park, NY)
Thanks so much to everyone who came to Beltane in
the Park 2008! Everyone was as fantastic as ever, from our energetic
bubble faery to Karpathos (brilliant music!) to Warren & His Magic
Dragon Box, who stirred my little ones imagination wonderfully, to the
stunning belly dancer Calypso (thanks for watching my little one while I
performed!). All of the workshops were inspiring, especially
Cucina Aurora - Kitchen
Witchery. And the Goddess Belly Dance workshop, which I did my best to
sync my performance to, lol! I loved listening to the uplifting messages
of James Gilchrist & Julie Sherwood, with their beautiful harmonies &
funny comments - it's a rough life ;)! And I can't tell you how hard it
was for me not to come home with a newly adopted pet from Heaven's Gate
(the bunny was a big tempation for me!) The Island Harvest Food Drive
was there collecting, too. I enjoyed my time with old & new
friends and I know my daughter Lily (and myself) will always treasure
the beautiful blessing that High Priestess Nancy Venus wrote especially
for her during the ritual. Lily is still talking about the experience,
even just today she brought it up. It was special. Thank you!!!
Hope to see you all next year!
Click here to see photos
Open Path Gathering
I really miss our Open Path Gathering!!!! To
refresh your memories, I got word from Chris, owner of Tugboat's North
Sea House that he had to make the tough decision to close his doors just
days after our Samhain (Halloween) Masquerade Party. Unfortunately for
me couldn't have happened at a worst time. I had a food drive planned
for November & my annual Toys for Tots concert planned for Yule
(Christmas). I decided to focus on making sure our Toys for Tots
happened, and surviving the holidays. Survival is key. ;) And well, here
we are... Happy New Year! I don't know about you but I am still feeling
a little behind in all of my work. I haven't heard a word from Chris of
Tugboat's, who last I heard had high hopes of re-opening in January. And
I am excited about the
new monthly night of original music I'll be organizing at the Vail.
But I haven't forgotten about Open Path Gathering! Far from it! I am
just riding the waves of the new year & watching as the signs point me
in the right direction. Any input is greatly appreciated! Please feel
free to contact me! And don't forget about our little
OPG myspace page - so lonely all these
months! ;)
Jay Scott's Live Recording at the
Patchogue Theatre
Thanks
to
Jay Scott
we all enjoyed an amazing night of his fantastic, heartfelt & compelling
music at the Patchogue Theatre for a special Sunday night version of
Live in the Lobby on January 6th. I was honored to be invited by Jay to
sing some backgrounds on his beautiful song, "Sometimes" (which I still
can't get out of my head!) & I'm really looking forward to hearing the
entire record. There was such an amazing turn out of people from all
different kinds of musical backgrounds - I had a great time connecting
with all of them & I highly recommend that you check out
Live in the Lobby,
which happens the first Thursday of every month at the
Patchogue Theatre. I
also
want to mention that I really enjoyed the December 6th
Live
in the Lobby - where I was part of the songwriter's spotlight, put
together by Christopher Capobianco - a true music lover, whose
encouragement we all appreciate so much!
About the Toys For Tots Concert 2007
Thanks to everyone who came to the 4th Annual Toys
for Tots Concert!
Special
thanks to our players: John Brzoza, Chris Bruschi & all the boys from
Papa Stitch & The Church Boys, Lisa Rose & Phil Bland, The Flamingos -
(formerly FOE), Trina Michne & Tami.
Despite the freak blizzard that decided to grace
us with it's presence that night, making the roads a mess and carrying
equipment an occupational hazzard, we had a wonderful turn out, a
wonderful time and collected 2 giant sacks of toys as well as
almost $200 in much needed cash! Our Marine pals seemed to really enjoy
themselves & were very grateful for our efforts.
Thanks to Kathy Dunn for taking so many wonderful
pictures, and to Tom of Tom McBriens for
clearing the dining room so that we could play by the fire!
Last
but not least, thank you Pat Rogers, for a wonderful article, which got
a lot of great feedback & has already set next years concert in motion.
Hat's off to everyone for a great time & a great
contribution!
xo Jessie
Click here for photos.
A LITTLE PRESS FOR THE CD
The
Secret Life of Cinderella marks a milestone in the evolution of a
singer-songwriter and guitar player who has claimed a style of music
all her own.
Her sweet voice sweeps through
the speakers. Supporting her musically are pleasing female harmonies
and lilting melodies that curve with emotion. Sometimes the music
drips a ballad or struts a funky blues that makes snapping fingers
seem like the right thing to do. The lyrics can break your heart of
send it soaring with happiness.
At the forefront of each song is
accomplished musicianship that doesn't trip over itself. What the
ear hears is lush music that conjures stories, even if no one is
seeing. The recording is a personal way for Ms. Haynes to serve up
music that's representative of where she is now as a musician and as
a person.
-Pat Rogers, The Southampton
Press
BUY THE CD
If you haven't had a chance to pick
up the new album, it's available on line
available now at CD Baby!
available for digital
download on Jessie's myspace
And if you already bought it, THANKS
for your support!!! ;)
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