The Hamptons Music Scene 2019

Montauk Music Festival Rocks the Lighthouse

There is Always Music in the Air in the Hamptons!

From the Montauk Music Festival in May – a raucous celebration of Rock & Roll – to the Perlman Music Programs summer camp for gifted young string players, plus jazz at the wineries, the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival, the Stephen Talkhouse, and more.

Music in Montauk

• Montauk Music Festival (May)
  • The Montauk Music Festival (MMF) is an annual event in mid-May (2020 will be # 11) featuring talented up-and-coming independent artists, set against the backdrop of one of the most idyllic beach communities on the east coast. Except for the Opening Party, it is a FREE event. Over 400 artists boasting a wide variety of musical styles (from alternative, rock, folk, pop, Americana, reggae, blues, jazz, bluegrass, to flamenco, hip-hop, country, and more), perform for free in the spirit of sharing original music with audiences and fellow musicians.
  • So grab your blanket and beach chairs, bring your family and friends, and escape to Montauk in May. Enjoy a music-filled opening party Thursday night, followed by three additional days of talented Artist Showcases in over 30 venues and Saturday and Sunday open-air concerts & Festival at the Montauk Lighthouse
    

• Montauk Music Fest Rocks the Lighthouse (August)
  • On August 14th 2019 – the night before the full moon – MMF will present their second Benefit Concert
    • Admission $40
    • Gates opens @ 5:00 pm Rain Date August 15
    • Free shuttle leaving from The Chamber of Commerce [across from the green] or in front of the parking lot next to IGA, and Back to Town – until 1:00 pm

• Montauk Summer Concerts on the Green
  • Monday Nights Through August, 6:00 – 8:00 pm Free, Bring your own Lawn Chairs or Blankets

• Music For Montauk
  • Founded in 1983 by Bill Akin, Montauk Chamber Music Society presented a number of classical concerts and recitals in private venues. As Music Director, New York cellist Fredrick Zlotkin was instrumental in bringing world-renowned musicians such as pianist Misha Dichter to Montauk. In 1991 the name Music For Montauk was adopted when producing concerts for the general public became a priority. Soon thereafter Ruth Widder assumed management of the organization. Ruth was instrumental in producing over 90 free concerts for local residents from Montauk to Watermill. After Mrs. Widder’s passing in 2013, founder Bill Akin was thrilled to pass the leadership torch to Lilah Gosman, a Montauk native who has pursued a multi-track career trajectory in New York City as both a musician and specialist educator, together with her husband Miloš Repický, a pianist and conductor who is in his 9th season on the roster of the Metropolitan Opera. Ms. Gosman and Mr. Repický’s fresh artistic vision for Music for Montauk launched in Spring, 2015.
  • Blending an eclectic mix of classical music with the stunning backdrop of Montauk sunsets and outdoor venues. With year-round classical music, multi-media performances, dialogues, and educational programs in venues that can be equally enjoyed by all members of the community, Music for Montauk will awaken a passion for music in residents and visitors alike, with accessible, dramatic and beautiful, and at times, comedic productions.
  • 2018
  • 2019
    • Benefit Program @ Sole East Wed 08.21 6:30 pm $100 – Music, Cocktails and Light Fare
    • Friday August 23 @ the Lighthouse $25

• Montauk Clubs – Featuring Live Music during the Summer Season
  • Nearly a decade ago, the New York Club Scene discovered Montauk! After Hurricane Sandy, the Jersey Shore was pretty much closed for business, and all the young New York partiers needed someplace else to go in the summer.  So a few savvy entrepreneurs started buying up faded old Montauk motels, slapping on a coat of paint and spiffy new furniture, and serving expensive cocktails and loud music late into the night. The sleepy fishing town Montauk once was, was blasted into a new scene, led by the very trendy, and successful, Surf Lodge.
  • It didn’t take long for the neighbors to complain, but it took years to solve the problem to the satisfaction of both the residents and the musicians. Finally, by 2016, East Hampton Town implemented stricter laws and enforcement, limiting amplified music outdoors to 6:00 to 8:00 pm, and – in the process – cutting down the number of venues offering loud music al fresco. Some of the remaining clubs are:
    • Surf Lodge
    • Sloppy Tuna
    • 668 The Gig Shack
    • Sole East
    • Gurney’s Montauk

Perlman Music Program – 25th Anniversary 2019

• The Perlman Music Program (PMP) offers unparalleled musical training to young string players of rare and special talent. With a world-class faculty led by Itzhak Perlman and a signature summer program on Shelter Island, PMP is developing the future leaders of classical music within a nurturing and supportive community. The Perlman Music Program seeks to ensure that the very best musicians can take advantage of this opportunity, regardless of their economic background or financial means.
• PMP’s story began in 1994 when Toby and Itzhak Perlman arranged a two-week summer program at their home in East Hampton. With the support of donors, Perlman Music Program purchased the former Peconic Lodge property on Shelter Island in 2000.
• The Perlman Music Program has expanded to include a spring chamber music workshop, an alumni recital series and music residencies in Sarasota and Israel.
• Events in honor of the 25th Anniversary are planned throughout the summer. PMP alumni are heading to Shelter Island this fall to take part in the Stires-Stark Recital Series.
• Students enrolled this year in PMP’s signature Summer Music Program arrived on the Island in late June. They’ll offer free Works in Progress concerts weekly through mid-August.
  • Summer Music School – An intensive seven-week program for exceptionally gifted students of the violin, viola, cello and bass, ages 12 to 18
  • Chamber Music Workshop – An unparalleled opportunity for focused study and performance of chamber music masterpieces
  • Life-Long Membership – A network of support – concert opportunities, guidance, and community – that lasts a lifetime
  • Travel Residencies – Exciting travel programs for PMP students and alumni in Israel, Florida, Vermont and around the world
  • Events Open to the Public – Master Classes, Open Rehearsals, Works in Progress Concerts, Concerts, and Alumni Recitals Series throughout the Summer, and in the winter too!
  • The Shelter Island Reporter (2017): Perlman Music Program ‘stands out’ this summer
  • The New York Times (2002): How Do You Get to Camp? Practice, Of Course; Teenagers Who Play Music, Not Tennis

The Stephen Talkhouse

• The Stephen Talkhouse, in Amagansett, is open year-round, offering a funky bar with great music – every night in the Summer and at least on weekends in the Off Season! From open mic nights to big stars, to local musicians (think Jimmy Buffett, Jon Bon Jovi, Paul Simon, GE Smith, and others) sitting in unannounced or trying out new material before their next tour.
  • Gary says: “And then there is Stephen Talkhouse, in a class by itself. Dr John, Leon Russell, Allen Toussaint, Southside Johnny still ring in my ears, not to mention the 46 members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame who have played at the Talkhouse, see the list at Talkhouse History.”
  • Stephen Talkhouse Calendar of Events
  • Dan’s Papers (2016): Walker: The Real Story of Montaukett Stephen Talkhouse

Jazz (and other music) in Wine Country

Long Island Wine Country encompasses 60+ Vineyards and Wineries on the East End of Long Island. Many of them offer music as well as wine, here are just a few music events:

• Winterfest – a five-week winter celebration that includes wine and craft beverage offerings, live music performances at East End Wineries, art selections and local culinary delights
• Jamesport Vineyards 
  • Jazz in the Vines – Alongside vines that produce award-winning wines, you will be treated to the sounds of award-winning jazz, plus the hospitality, food, and drink of Jamesport Vineyards.
• Wölffer Estate Vineyards
  • Summer Music 2019
  • Twilight Thursdays – Live music fills our tasting room every Thursday evening. Enjoy wines by the glass and bottle, savor cheese and charcuterie plates and drink in the cozy vibe. Reservations are strongly encouraged when visiting the Tasting Room, please click here to reserve. (Note, reservations open up two weeks in advance of your desired date.)
  • Sunset Fridays & Saturdays – Experience Hamptons living at its most laid-back on Friday and Saturday evenings at our beloved Montauk Highway outpost. Bring a blanket and enjoy wines by the glass and bottle, cheese and charcuterie plates, wrap sandwiches for purchase, and an expansive vineyard view as the sun goes down.

More on the Wineries from Our Blog:

• Exploring the South Fork Wineries
• Vineyards of the North Fork 
• Six Million Bottles of Wine a Year and Counting
• North Fork Vineyards: South Avenue & North Road – West to East Part I

Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival

• Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival (BCNF)
  • New Zealand-born flutist Marya Martin and Manhattan businessman Ken Davidson had just married, as Allan Kozinn of The New York Times relates: “Davidson was dismayed by the prospect that Ms. Martin would be spending her summers traveling the festival circuit while he worked in the city and spent weekends on his own in the Hamptons.” Ken and Marya’s solution—to start their own festival, right in Bridgehampton—is now local legend.
  • From two concerts featuring five artists in 1984, the Summer Festival now presents thirteen concerts and some 40 renowned musicians, and the three-concert Spring Series provides additional opportunities for excellent concertgoing experiences on the East End. The Festival still maintains its special sense of community where good friends share their love of music-making in the beautiful setting of Bridgehampton in the summertime, and now in the spring as well!

Sag Harbor American Music Festival

The Sag Harbor American Music Festival, in September, takes place in a number of venues around Sag Harbor, including outdoors. 2019 is the 9th year for the festival, taking place from Thursday the 26th through Sunday the 29th.

• Bay Street Theater: Queen of Soul – A musical Tribute to Aretha Franklin
  • Thursday 09.26 @ 8:00 – 10:00 pm $35 
• Old Whalers Church: An evening with Jane Monheit
  • Friday 09.27  @ 8:00 – 10:00 pm $35 
• Sag Harbor Village: Free Music Saturday
  • Saturday 09.28 @ 10:00 am – 8:30 pm
  • Featured artists include Nancy Atlas, Dan Bailey Tribe, Gene Casey & the Lone Sharks, Caroline Doctorow and dozens more TBA.
• Bay Street Theater: The Scofflaws Dance Party
  • Saturday 09.28 @ 9:00 – 11:00 pm $25
• Sag Harbor Village: Free Music Sunday
  • Sunday 09.2912:00 – 6:00 pm
  • Featured artists include The Inda Eaton, Jake Lear, The Slocan Ramblers and more TBA.

Other Notable Hamptons Music Happenings

Guild Hall, East Hampton

• Performance Events
• The Met: Live in HD

Bay Street Theater, Sag Harbor

• Music Mondays
• All Events

Parrish Art Museum, Watermill

• Music & Performance Events
• The Salon Series (Spring & Fall)

Southampton Cultural Center

• Concerts in the Park
• Rising Stars Piano Series

The American Hotel, Sag Harbor

• Lee Glantz – On the Steinway – Every Night 6:30 – 10:30 pm

The Clubhouse, East Hampton

• Bowling, Bar, Miniature Golf, Live Music & more!

Enjoy the Music and the Stars!

Sylvia