First Night Performers
Learn more about a performer by clicking on the links below to view their website.
Mountains in Motion Dance Project is currently in its 5th year offering tap, jazz, ballet, modern, hip hop, creative movement and yoga dance to ages 3-adult, beginner through advanced levels to students in Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake.
There are over 200 students registered in the 24 classes offered for the 2007/08 dance school year.
The classes are filled with exploring and sharing all of the different elements of dance as well as expanding each dancer's technique. Director Melissa Posthauer incorporates different movement styles and diverse music to enhance each dancer's movement experience in a safe and supportive atmosphere. She believes in finding the balance between proper technique and alignment to help the dancers move in the safest and most efficient way, while maintaining a positive and fun atmosphere!
The repertoire for First Night will include tap, jazz, and hip hop from dancers in grades 4 - 12. There will also be dancers at the most advanced level, who have been dancing with Melissa for 5 years and are also talented in theatre and music. Their names are Michael Bullard, Elizabeth Barge, Rachel Kemp and Kama Prellwitz. Come watch a little Broadway in Saranac Lake!
Spade, Saranac Lake's own Middle School rock band is made up of Jeremy Florence on the guitar, Jon LaPierre on drums, Adam Cross on guitar, Skylar Buckley on bass, and vocalist Griffeon Chuba. The group will cover rock music from the past two decades. They have been influenced musically by Dave Mustaine, Neil Pert, James Hetfield, Getty Lee & Flea of RHCP, and Pink Floyd.
Roy Hurd and Frank Orsini have been performing and recording together since the mid 80's. If it is true what they say that, "Roy Hurd's music is a direct reflection of the beauty and wonder of the Adirondack Mountains", then Frank Orsini's fiddling and mandolin playing is the shine that makes that reflection sparkle.
Dan Duggan is known nationally for his wizardry on Hammered Dulcimer and Flat Picking Guitar, and is the recipient of the National Hammered Dulcimer Championship. Dan has recorded five albums of original compositions, "First Frost", "Last of May", "Seasons of Change", "Trillium Lane" and "Once in a Blue Moon" as well as three albums of traditional holiday music "Christmas Morn", "Winters Eve", and "All Through The Night. Dan's CD, "The Pieces of Our Life" original songs written with children, received a Parents Choice award. Dan's dulcimer work can also be heard on Paul Simon's Grammy nominated CD "You're The One" released in October of 2000. Dan and Peggy have also released "A Stitch in Time" , Songs celebrating the art and heritage of quilting and "Keeping Christmas", traditional and original seasonal songs and tunes.
Peggy Lynn has made four recordings of original songs "Chameleon" , "Determination", "Earned These Lines" and "Stand a Chance". Peggy and Dan Berggren released "Cloudsplitter" a CD of songs inspired by the Adirondack mountains, and a trio album with Berggren and Duggan titled 10 Miles to Saturday Night. Peggy has also had great success with her family recordings of songs about Nature, "BioSongs" and "Close to the Sun". She has been honored by the Business and Professional Women's Assoc. as "Woman of the Year" and by the Girl Scouts as a "Woman of Distinction. In 2004 Peggy co authored "Breaking Trail", a highly acclaimed book about Adirondack women . Best loved for her songs highlighting women's accomplishments, Peggy's song "Mary Brown, Abolitionist" was used as the cover piece on "Songs for Peace Magazine". Peggy is the mother of two daughters.
The two combine original and traditional songs and tunes with masterful harmonies and soulful arrangements. Dan and Peggy's insight is coupled with dynamic song writing and instrumental virtuosity. The two are also well known for their original work highlighting rural life in the Adirondack Mts. of New York state Their concerts have delighted audiences from Maine to California
Originally conceived in Keene, NY, The Stan Oliva Band, also known as "The S.O.B", is headed by none other than Stan Oliva, who has been writing and performing music since 1970. Originally from New Jersey, he started out as the lead singer in the cover band Sundog. In 1979 Stan moved to the Adirondacks and performed as a single act before forming the band Skinny Legs in the early 90's. Skinny Legs covered Stan's original music in both Canada and the United States for several years. During this period, Stan was also featured in "Adirondack Songwriters LIVE", recorded at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts in July 1992. Following this success, Stan took some time off from live performance to raise his two children, and now has reemerged into the North Country music scene with "The S.O.B"
On the bass is Nick Bailey. Nick's playing comes from deep inside. Playing with feel and keeping it real while holding down the groove is what makes Nick tick. Starting in 1986 until 2000 Nick played all over New England with The Bailey Bros. Band. The Bailey Bros. were a hard driving blues trio known for rock solid grooves and ripping guitar. For the next couple years Nick played acoustic blues with his brother Russ and drummer Fred House. Following a hand injury Nick started jamming again in 2005. In the fall of 2006 Nick hooked up with The Stan Oliva Band, to continue playing original music and classic blues music.
Although drummer Nick Gully's mom has photos of him as a toddler playing a wooden snare one early Christmas morn, Nicky G's formal instruction on drums and percussion started at nine years of age and he's never let the rhythm out of his life since. Nicky G's musical background runs from Afro-Cuban drum & dance ensembles to Big Swing Bands to techno dance and many genres in between!
Guitarist Mark Swetland is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. Mark has added his sound to various bands and projects around the country. Orginally from St. Louis, he now lends his sound to the S.O.B.
The Powder Kegs are an old-time string band who got together in Burlington, Vermont on a mission to re-energize the communication lines between the new generation and its roots. Sam, Dan and Ryan first played together in a bluegrass band in high school; when Sam went off to college at Vassar, he met Jake and Peter. They formed The Powder Kegs in the winter of 2006, and headed to Burlington the following summer where they worked on a farm for room and board and performed at bars, clubs, and on the street. Their first full-length album, The Seedhouse, released this past winter, was a bestseller on Cdbaby.com in the month of April, 2007. Earlier this spring they were invited to perform live on National Public Radio's show A Prairie Home Companion as part of its People in Their 20's contest and won. After touring for the summer throughout the east coast, the Kegs settled into permanent residence in the Hudson Valley of New York in September.
The Lustre Kings' front man, Mark Gamsjager, "remembers when "rock 'n' roll" actually used to signify something," raved The Beat about the band's live show, "and his band sounds like it just left Sun Studios yesterday."
Mark Gamsjager and the Lustre Kings preach the rockabilly gospel from coast to coast. The powerhouse Albany NY combo has wowed crowds at Manhattan's Rodeo Bar, Seattle's Tractor Tavern and all points in-between; and they've done it with uncommon fervor, commitment and flair.
The Gretsch-toting Gamsjager draws from a deeper well than most roots rock acts, giving his music a breadth and depth in addition to keeping the bar hopping and the dance floor filled.
Creative Loafing got it right when they said "The Lustre Kings have a sound so powerful it leaves listeners hungry for more."
Ever find yourself creating scenarios out of the tooth brush your holding in your hand or the dust you are removing with your cloth? Well, you would fit right in with "Gag Reflex". We're Saranac Lakes Improvisational Theatre group. We strive to make you laugh and hopefully make you think about how we're all connected in the simplest, funniest ways. We've been working on our group mind for three years now and are always happy to open our mind to yours. Everything we do is totally non-scripted; never seen before and never to be seen again. Start your new year off with a laugh. It'll set the pace for the rest of the year. Gag Reflex is: Amy Coddington-Burnett, Janis Beatty, Manny Bernstein, Jenn Grisi, Mary O'Dell, Sunita Halasz, and Jason Amrhein.
Born in 1961, Elaine Dewar grew up in British Columbia, starting piano lessons at five and violin lessons at ten. After earning a Bachelor of Music in 1985 and a Master of Music in 1990, she has enjoyed a career of professional playing and teaching. Symphonic engagements include the Orchestra of Northern New York, the Harrisburg Symphony and the Bronx Opera Orchestra. She has also performed with a variety of artists including Joni Mitchell, Johnny Mathis, Vic Damone, the Electric Light Orchestra, and Luciano Pavarotti. She has taught violin and piano lessons throughout Canada and the United States and is the current Music Director for the Backwater Orchestra based in Lake Placid.
Christine Lavin's songs are the sound tracks of American life and foible nailing a goodly number of the absurdities, reversals and neuroses that jam up our daily lives. With her liquid-silver voice and comic genius, Christine threads her wonderfully skewed songs into a smart and witty theatre-concert. Her songs cover a great deal of territory: relationships (I Was In Love With A Difficult Man), life on the road (Strangers Talk To Me), social posturing (Trade-UP!) and pop culture (Tom Cruise Scares Me!). From pre-show knitting circle to the baton twirl, it's a show with a full service entertainer!
Joan Crane’s fancy finger picking and Matt Moore’s superb piano are reminiscent of the great piano/guitar duets of the 1920’s and 30’s. Together they provide a variety of blues, ragtime, gospel and original material.
Caroline performs her own compositions for piano and voice. It's hard to say that the songs fit in any particular genre, but her classmates in the Composition department at SUNY Purchase call it jazzy pop with soul. Caroline's energetic and flighty style draws listeners of all ages and musical preferences.
Pen and Parchment is a group of area writers dedicated to encouraging participation in the creative art of wordsmithing. Members are engaged with every type of writing, including memoir, poetry, songwriting, essays, creative nonfiction, novels, journalism and short stories. Several members are regularly published in newspapers, journals and magazines, and some have had their first books published since the group was formed. The writers have been meeting regularly since 2003, when the group originated after a writing workshop called "A Sense of Place," a unifying theme among all the participants. Pen and Parchment members perform regularly at open mic nights and Saranac Lake's Gallery Walks in the summer. Members include Randy Lewis, Tana Moz, Laura Hull, Jennifer D. White, Diane Chase, Yvona Fast, Liz Resseguie, Caper Tissot, MaryBeth Kikel, Beth Whalen, and Karen Boldis.
Juggler, unicyclist, fire eater, stilt walker, rope walker, hatchet thrower, balloon sculptor and balancer, Stephen Gratto is a physical comedian and much, much more. All performances are fast-paced and exciting displays of classic vaudeville and circus skills including many feats of daring, bravery, and side-splitting foolishness. The high point of each act is invariably the audience participation. Almost every portion of the Stephen Gratto Variety Show involves audience volunteers, both young and old. This interaction keeps everyone involved and laughing. Stephen is truly a jack of all trades and master of many.
The River Rats bring the magical sound of the steel pan, the signature sound of the Carribean, to wherever they play. The group is modeled after traditional island steel bands, and aims to educate and entertain, presenting steel pan history and music to create a little taste of carnival in Northern New York. This community group is directed by Carthage Central School music teacher Dan Hammond, and made up of students from several Watertown area schools. To see their "My Space" Website, click here.
Loon Works is comprised of Entertainment, Art and Education specialists providing entertainment in and around New York, using magic, clowning, puppetry, storytelling, educational workshops and holiday or special event caricatures. Owner/Operator Scott Eicholz (aka HooDeeDoo) is a special educator with more than twenty years experience providing educational and entertainment services. The group's diverse and in depth experience with teaching and entertainment assures family appeal.
Doug and Alice Knight and Speedy Arnold have been sharing the stage and promoting a love for Bluegrass and homegrown, heartwarming music long enough to have gained not only respect, but love from the people of the North Country. With 20 years of playing experience, this trio has gained local notoriety in past bands, most notably, Mardi Gras Bluegrass Band. Combining hard driving tempo tempered by a collective sense of humor no one seems to be able to match, their shows touch each member of their audiences, and the audiences respond with everything they've got.
Doug Knight was the 2004 winner of the Alburg VT Banjo Contest and was one of the founders of Bluegrass music in the northern NY area. He has continued to keep it alive and kicking with his finely honed banjo picking and rhythm guitar playing. His writing style is sensitive, reflecting how well he understands the hardships and pleasures that move us all throughout our lives.
Alice Knight plays-and dances with-a great old double bass that's bigger than she is. Still, it isn't long before her audiences know who's really in control. With a pure and versatile vocal style that reflects a rare talent to hear harmonies only others can guess at, Alice the bass player, Alice the singer, and Alice the songwriter blend into a musical experience noone should miss.
Speedy Arnold's name reflects his rapid-fire lead guitar and wit that rarely disappoints those who come to see him perform. He has played guitar and sang with Mardi Gras for a number of years, bringing humor, talent and an earthy voice to bear witness to the true musician he really is. His jokes and witticisms keeps Doug on his toes, and Doug's responses are worth preserving!
Together, Doug, Alice and Speedy represent great music in an area that shouldn't hide it and a warmth no other group has been able to imitate. Perhaps it's in the individuals; perhaps it's in the combination; perhaps you should join them and try to figure it out for yourselves!
For bookings, contact: Doug or Alice Knight, 20 Mace Chasm Rd, Keeseville, NY 12944
aknight53@frontiernet.net (518) 834-7658
Junior Barber, Tom Venne and Julie Venne Hogan are "Beartracks". The trio, formed early in 2004, has been making its mark as a group that performs roots country, bluegrass and Americana music. Tom and Julie are a brother and sister who have been performing music together for over 30 years, starting with their dad and mom in the family band. Their cousin Junior, who has been nominated many times for IBMA Dobro Player of the Year, has been a guest on many recording projects and has recorded two instrumental CD's of his own. Junior's first project, Stone Bottom Boogie, was nominated for IBMA "Instrumental Project of the Year" and his second release, "Steffi's Waltz" was also nominated. The main focus of Beartracks is the sibling vocal harmonies of Tom and Julie and Junior's unique stylist approach to playing resonator guitar. Their love of the music passed down from past generations is evident in the choice of material performed and the song arrangements, which stay true to the origins of the songs. Beartracks has appeared at numerous bluegrass festivals throughout the Northeast and Canada. Following are some of the Beartracks' reviews from the past two years.
"Smooth vocals from Tom and his sister Julie in the old-time duet tradition. Great playing from Junior" solid soulful lead and backup" - Tom Foote, KAOS-FM, Olympia, WA.
"Sometimes we tend to forget the simplicity from which our music springs. That's why I think "Beartracks" is such a find. It's traditional country and bluegrass music featuring the beautiful sibling harmony of Tommy and Julie and the masterful dobro artistry of one of the truly great players Junior barber, spare, rootsy and beautiful. It doesn't get much better." - Charles Stone, WIRY-AM, Plattsburgh NY.
"This group would be considered to be on the edge of bluegrass by many traditionalists, but was definitely one of the crowd favorites. I don't believe I've ever see three people provide more music than this trio did, and their stage presence was very professional and very entertaining. A person needs to see and hear this trio to really appreciate them" Excerpt from a review of the Shady Grove Bluegrass festival by Tim Whitney, Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association newsletter, Bluegrassin', Volume 8, Issue 1.
"In this CD, Tom, Julie and Junior deliver more than an earful of outstanding music. Without a doubt, the music sounds great. But listen deep into From The Hollow. The lyrics provide an understanding that these musicians are people, like you and me. We get a sense of who they are and where they're from. We get a sense of who they are and where they are from. Somehow, we feel close to them, as if we know them as friends, neighbors or even family. And, in my opinion, that's the highest form of musical communication."
Excerpt from a review of Beartracks' latest CD, From The Hollow, in the Winter 2006 Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association newsletter, Jamboree, by Jeff Anzevino.
Rosanne Cash dubbed her "one of the Keepers of the Flame of real songwriting". Bernice Lewis has been a national touring artist for over two decades. She has worked with Dar Williams, Bobby McFerrin, Peter. Paul, and Mary, the Dixie Chicks, Christine Lavin, the list is endless. She currently teaches songwriting at Williams College and Colorado College, as well as at schools and retreat centers. She's had a thirty-year daily yoga practice, loves good coffee, and her religion is the Grand Canyon.
She Undoes now available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/blewis4
Recorded in Nashville. Produced by Grammy Award winner Charlie Chadwick
No. 18 on FolkDJ for album in November, No. 16 song for "She Undoes".
Bernice writes beautifully and deeply.
- Dar Williams
Bernice is really one of the keepers of the flame of Real Songwriting.
- Rosanne Cash
413-458-0944 or 413-281-4727 (cell). To see their "My Space" Website, click here.
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