Over 1,200 attend the free “SKARTS ‘N The Park” concert with the Dean Brothers
July 5, 2011
An estimated crowd of 1,200 people sang, danced and enjoyed the sounds of the Dean Brothers at the 3rd edition of “SKARTS ‘N the Park” on July 2nd at the gazebo in Clift Park by the lake in Skaneatles. Muliple generations enjoyed picture-perfect weather, outstanding musicianship from the Dean Brothers, and surprise performances on the piano by George Rossi and Caroline Manring on the fiddle.
The concert was a free special event for the Skaneateles community, as part of the Council’s “SKARTS ‘N the Park” concert series. Look for photos of this summer celebration on our gallery page, very soon.
Saturday’s Best Bet: The Dean Brothers Band in concert
June 30, 2011
By Mark Bialczak/The Post-Standard The Post-Standard
The Dean Brothers Band is back in Skaneateles.
The foursome started playing its rootsy combination of rock, folk and pop in the early 1970s. John Dean, Peter Dean, Bob Dean and Holly Gregg have won the Syracuse Area Music Awards’ lifetime achievement award for their work, which includes Central New York favorite song “Sell My Misery.”
The spirit burns brightly, as the band showed with two sold-out shows at the Red House Arts Center in Armory Square.There’s bound to be a big crowd under the stars on Saturday night of this holiday weekend for the free concert. Special guests will include George Rossi, leader of legendary Syracuse R&B band Little Georgie and the Shufflin’ Hungarians. If it rains, the show will move inside the Presbyterian Church in Skaneateles.
THE DETAILS
WHAT: The Dean Brothers Band in concert.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday.
WHERE: Clift Park, routes 5 and 20, Skaneateles.
ADMISSION: Free.
Musician breathes life into Arts Gala
By Nathan Baker, Skaneateles Journal
July 29, 2010
The attending art lovers partook in cocktails, a gourmet buffet meal and the smooth sounds of Pizzarelli and his band in an immense tent set up on the back lawn of the Stella Maris Retreat and Renewal Center. Pizzarelli, a crooner at heart, expertly stroked the classics from his seven-string hollowbody guitar, uncannily channeling the Gershwins, Duke Ellington and Ol’ Blue Eyes himself.
During breaks in the finely crafted music, Pizzarelli recalled humorous anecdotes for the audience and engaged in witty banter with his backing band, made up of his brother and bassist, Martin Pizzarelli, pianist Larry Fuller and drummer Tony Tedesco.To the delight of the jazz-loving audience, the quartet pulled out old favorites, such as “Witchcraft” and “Ring a Ding Ding,” and gave them a new type of flavor that only a masterful musician could.
As John and his boys spun out a mega-mashup of most of the crooners from the golden age, a number of attendees felt the need to grab their loved ones and break out into a close, slow dance.Doug and Cathy Powell, who were particularly struck by the mood during “It Had to Be You,” sneaked to the back of the tent for a few steps.“I thought he was just great,” Doug said after the band finished its two-hour set.“This was better than going to the Blue Note in Manhattan,” Cathy said as the two walked arm-in-arm into the night.
Pizzarelli also played original material for the enthusiastic crowd. The highlight of the evening came when the songwriter played a marathon interpretation of his self-composed “I Like Jersey Best,” a tribute to his birth-state. Pizzarelli sang what seemed like 20 verses of the song, each in the style of a different famous singer or group. From the nasally whine of Bob Dylan to the harmonic and upbeat Beach Boys, the band played them all, and then threw in Lou Reed for the capper.
Read more at: http://skaneatelesjournal.com/articles/2010/07/29/news/community/community02.txt
Glowing reports on SKARTS Gala guitarist
July 28, 2010
John Herr, Skaneateles Press
An exuberant crowd of 260 attendees gathered on the lakeside lawn of the Stella Maris Retreat House Sunday night July 25 for a fundraising party to benefit the Skaneateles Area Arts Council (SKARTS). SKARTS raises funds to provide grants for local artists and arts organizations.
On a gorgeous summer evening, celebrants enjoyed cocktails, dinner and a concert by the nationally renowned John Pizzarelli Quartet, all under a spacious tent decorated with iridescent peacock feathers.
Council President Joe Strodel welcomed the attendees and emcees Tim Green and Julie Abbott thanked sponsors and introduced the band. Afterward, Dr Robert Kiltz, a longtime supporter of the event, presented gifts to Pizzarelli and Strodel.
Singer-guitarist Pizzarelli led a well-traveled combo that included brother Martin on bass, Larry Fuller on piano and Tony Tedesco on drums in an exciting survey of the Great American Songbook, leavened with jokes about his New Jersey boyhood and the jazz life.
Judy Collins take the stage at fundraiser for the arts in Skaneateles
By Ellen Leahy, Skaneateles Press
July 13, 2009
One definition for “Icon” is one who is the object of great attention and devotion; an idol. Singer, songwriter and entertainer, Judy Collins, told a packed tent at the SKARTS (Skaneateles Area Arts Council) gala in Skaneateles that she was 1956’s American Idol.
At 70, folk legend, cultural icon Collins, is one part glamour, one part burlesque, shaken up with plenty of talent and life experience. Beyond her elegant “butter would melt in her mouth,” 21 century evolved Gibson girl persona, she’s essentially an old-fashioned show business person with surprising star quality. “I was a storyteller” she said, “I never intended to make a record.”
She told stories about her daddy’s radio show, the folk scene in Denver and then Manhattan, quoting the likes of Dorothy Parker and Mae West with a few one liners of her own.“I’m glad to be here” she told the audience, I’m glad to be anywhere these days.”
Arriving in Skaneateles
Earlier in the day the Arts Council held a brunch in her honor at Dr. Robert Kiltz’s house, which was catered by Mirbeau Inn and Spa. Neighbors Mary and Craig Humphrey arrived with a Newport Folk record album in hand. Craig said Collins was partly responsible for getting him his first girlfriend, as she was a singer and he went to school on Collins and learned to play some of her hits on the guitar. It worked and he got the girl. This many years later he was able to thank Collins and to top it off she autographed his album complete with a heart.
A magical introduction
Skaneateles’s Holland “Holly” Gregg, an accomplished musician in his own right, and actress, comedian, Laura Austin introduced Collins to her audience on the lawn at Stella Maris.
Gregg took the crowd back to 1965 when he was a 15-year-old and listening intently to music in his second floor bedroom off of East Lake Road. Remember back when your room was the center of your world? He described the music scene of the 60s mentioning that “There was this kind of undercurrent of folk music happening.” He had captured one of his older sister’s Judy Collins albums, and oddly enough, it was a Randy Newman song, “I Think It Is Going to Rain Today,” Gregg said when this came on; it totally spoke to him, cutting right through all the clutter. “This was one of those things that got me on the path (musically).” Austin prepared the audience by saying “This is a voice that transcends; it’s magic.”
On stage
Collins, in a glittery black bellbottom pantsuit, eyes sparkling and hair in a topknot, took center stage with guitar in hand. A lone pianist accompanied her on a shiny black grand piano. She acknowledged Gregg’s introduction by singing a verse a cappella of Newman’s song, helped a tad by her well-versed pianist. She followed it with another nod to Gregg, as earlier in the day he had mentioned Lennon and McCartney were his favorite songwriters when she inquired. After “I Think it is Going to Rain Today” and thankfully it didn’t, she performed the Beatle’s “Lovers and Friends.”
Expectation exceeded
There was a general consensus that after all this time what was Judy Collins going to be like? People shared memories and favorite songs, but still how had she evolved? Had she evolved? Pretty much from the moment she arrived on stage, on one of the few clear nights CNY has experienced this summer, she took the audience by storm. Beyond her stage presence of a mature woman, complete with lithe body and luminescent eyes, there was the unusual singing voice, songwriting ability and grasp of the guitar, then she was charming and witty and slightly rowdy. In essence, utterly fascinating.
Reviews of the SKARTS “A Tribute to Joni Mitchell” concert:
Tribute to Joni Mitchell Article – May 9, 2007 – Skaneateles Press
Tribute to Joni Mitchell Article – May 2, 2007 – Skaneateles Journal
Skaneateles Hummed With A Feast For The Senses At Gala
By Ellen Leahy, Skaneateles Press
August 2, 2006
The Skaneateles Area Council for the Art’s Midsummer Night’s Dream Gala closed with rain; singer, songwriter, Ben Taylor’s “Rain, ”from his latest collection of songs “Another Run Around the Sun.” Taylor, who hails from Martha’s Vineyard, brought his pared down road band, percussionist Larry Ciancia and David Saw, guitar and vocals, to Skaneateles. They made the most of their visit making the rounds from Mirbeau to Café Maurice and in the middle they literally “wowed” the audience at Sunday night’s performance at the Castro-Kiltz home off East Lake Road. To read the complete article, please visit:
