Erin McKenna and Bret Chizever sing “You’re the Top” from “Anything Goes” during the Teeny Awards press conference.

The 2010 Teeny Awards, an innovative theater recognition program created by the East End Arts Council for area teens styled after Broadway’s Tony Awards, is under way. Theater troops from 15 high schools are competing for red carpet treatment at a gala awards ceremony in June.

This year, the gala awards ceremony will take place at Riverhead High School. For many years, the gala awards ceremony took place at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. In order to accommodate more attendees, the ceremony will move into host high school auditoriums. This year, it will be at the Charles Cardona Auditorium of Riverhead High School.

The cast of characters who support the Teeny Awards.

Tags: East End Arts Council, Riverhead, art & culture, schools, teens by Nancy
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See the NorthForkParents Calendar of Events for info about Halloween as well as other great events in our area.

Tags: Riverhead, Southold, events, excursions & activities, greenport, holidays by Nancy
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A new jazz improv program will soon take place monthly at the East End Arts Council, with support from the Jazz Foundation of America. The program will be held at 133 East Main Street, Riverhead, in the Arts Council’s renovated, historic Carriage House building, which is located behind the gallery and school.

Jazz in the Carriage House will consist of small performances, talks, improv sessions and interactive demonstrations, all focusing on the only form of music truly rooted in American history. The program kicks off on Thursday, October 29 from 7-8:30pm when premier jazz musicians Billy Johnson and Teddy Charles, armed with upright bass and vibes respectively, will play their uniquely beautiful music, discuss the history of jazz in America and share their experiences of becoming performing jazz artists, followed by a Q & A session. To close out the evening, attendees will be encouraged to join the musicians for a session of jazz improvisation.

Subsequent sessions, will be held the 3rd Thursday of each month on an ongoing basis, and will include both demonstration and instruction in jazz techniques and improvisation. All attendees are strongly encouraged to bring their instruments. Current music students of the School of the Arts and EEAC members may attend this program at no charge. There is a nominal fee of $10 for nonmembers/students. Space is limited. Please be sure to reserve your space by contacting the School of the Arts at (631) 369- 2171 or education@eastendarts.org.

About the Jazz Artists

Billy Johnson, bass, was born during the golden age of jazz in Milwaukee to legendary local performer, William “Scat” Johnson. As soon as he was old enough, Bill accompanied his father to gigs at historic Bronzeville and Milwaukee clubs. Thoroughly immersed in music from infancy, it was only natural for him to go on to Wisconsin Conservatory College of Music where he attended from 1974-1978. In 1979 Billy migrated to New York City where he climbed the competitive ranks of the New York City Jazz scene while studying with such jazz greats as Ron Carter, Richard Davis, Buster Williams, Cecil McBee and Rufus Reid. At this time Billy received a full scholarship to attend at Long Island University, where he was later named as Bass and Jazz Combo Instructor. While working as a street musician in NYC, Billy was noticed by singer, Abbey Lincoln. His residency with Lincoln’s band, accompanied by hard work and determination paved the way to touring with Lionel Hampton and Illinois Jaquet, with whom he played at the 1992 Presidential Inaugural Ball. He toured worldwide with Arthur Taylor (Taylor’s Wailers) as well as with other greats such as Abraham Burton, Marc Carey, Charles Davis, Wallace Roney and the Geri Allen Trio. Billy’s love of jazz has led him to share his experiences and skills with the community by teaching and performing in local schools, theatres and churches.

Teddy Charles is considered one of the great jazz vibraphonists and composers of all time, playing with such jazz legends as Charlie Mingus, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. As a student at Julliard in the mid 40s, he haunted New York’s jazz clubs, occasionally sitting in with the bands on vibes or piano. His break came unexpectedly one night when he was asked to sit in on piano with Coleman Hawkin’s band for the overdue Thelonious Monk. Soon after, Charles began to appear regularly with the top jazz groups of the day, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Buddy De Franco, playing alongside and writing for such jazz stars as Coltrane, Parker, Max Roach and Miles Davis. He recently appeared with Max Roach, David Amram, Lee Konitz. In the early 1950s he began leading his own groups, composing, producing and recording original works such as No More Nights, Blues Become Elektra and Word from Bird.

About the Jazz Foundation of America

The Jazz Foundation of America is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide emergency assistance and long-term support to veteran jazz and blues musicians. Visit them online at www.jazzfoundation.org or call (212) 245-3999 for more information about their support for musicians and educational programs.

Tags: East End Arts Council, Riverhead, art & culture, learning by Nancy
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“You hear a lot about global warming,” said teacher Bob Jester, “but not much about global learning. That’s what this historic moment is about.”

In a ceremony to celebrate the completion of a project they initiated last September, 26 high school science students traveled with their teacher, Mr. Jester, to witness a moment in solar-powered boating history on Preston’s Dock in Greenport. Sophomore Meghan Davis pushed up a lever that ceremoniously connected the solar panel on the roof of Preston’s to a solar-powered battery-driven boat, The Glory, a tour boat of the future.

No damage or injuries were reported.

In fact, The Glory is now being powered by the solar panel on Preston’s. Tourists will be able to get a quiet, carbon-free tour of the Greenport harbor area.

As part of the project, a new “Glory Solar Satellite Learning Center” was established at the East End Maritime Institute, making educational inspiration and information available to hundreds of school children on the East End and around the world.

How It Happened

In 2008, students in Mr. Jester’s science and research class at Riverhead High School were challenged by Mr. Jester to determine how alternative energy sources might be used on the East End of Long Island. Their research included field trips to Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Lab, and the GO SOLAR shed in Aquebogue. They also took a field trip to the Greenport Marina where they interviewed Captain David Berson, The Glory’s owner. After speaking with Captain Berson, the research class designed a solar panel docking station for the marina to supply the energy for and to encourage the use of battery-powered boats like The Glory.

They researched the cost, the location and the angles of the solar panel that could be used to generate power and where the money could be found to complete the project (i.e., grants, local funding, etc.). According to their research, the project would not only help eliminate greenhouse gases, but it would also decrease water pollution, and provide “reverse metering” by putting energy into the power grid rather than drawing it down.

“These students were phenomenal,” said Mr. Jester. “They were very excited about this project. We took our findings and presented them to the Greenport Village Board. Part of our plan was to increase awareness about the possibility of using alternative energy sources in an effort to affect a change in the atmosphere.”

The students determined that the project would cost approximately $10,000. They contributed the funds they raised in a paper recycling project and from a science competition. Josh Horton of East End Maritime Institute; benefactor Jim Moore of Riverhead, a former student of Mr. Jester’s; and Jamie Minnick of E2 Systems took their money and made the dream a reality.

On July 30th of 2009, the project came to fruition with the installation of solar panels on the roof of Preston’s.

It was a win-win for all.

“Everybody wins,” Mr. Jester said. “I overheard one of my students say to another, “Isn’t this the way you always dreamed school could be?”

RHS Science Research Class of 2009 on the Greenport
dock adjacent to the solar-powered tour boat and
learning center, The Glory.

RHS Science Teacher Bob Jester with former student,
Jim Moore, who helped finance the project, and
Albert Harsch from E2 Systems. E2 installed the solar panel.

Captain Dave Berson is at the podium. Front L-R:
RHS sophomores Sean Harkin and Meghan Davis; Josh Horton
Back: RHS science teacher Bob Jester and Legislator Ed Romaine.

Tags: Riverhead, community bulletin, environment, greenport, learning, math & science, schools, seas, teens by Nancy
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Bring your camera to downtown Riverhead this summer for a chance to win awards and prizes!

Several downtown entities and the new website www.iloveriverhead.com are challenging photographers young and old, amateur and pro, to find and capture images that show your love for Riverhead’s downtown, with its river, historic buildings, events, and everday scenes.

For details, see www.iloveriverhead.com/photo-contest/.

Tags: Riverhead, art & culture, excursions & activities by Nancy
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Ever wonder what people did for entertainment before television and the internet? Dancing in community and church halls as well as hotels was a popular pastime around the country.  Social dancing has a new found popularity and Hallockville will host a series of dance lessons in the historic Naugles Barn on Thursday evenings from July 16 through July 30 (July 16, 23, and 30 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm).

Dick and Bess Haile have many years of traditional dance experience and instruction on the East End and will lead lessons on square, contra, folk, waltz, and polka dancing.  Partners and singles are welcome.

There is a $20 fee for each participant that covers the 3-week course.  Registration is required and can be made by contacting the Hallockville office at 631-298-5292 or hallockv@optonline.net.  Proceeds support the educational programs at Hallockville Museum Farm.

Tags: Hallockville, Riverhead, art & culture, events, excursions & activities, historical/heritage by Nancy
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The exhibit, “Fletcher and Lizzie Booker:  Pioneers in the Great Migration,” will open Saturday, July 25 at 11:00am at the Hallockville Museum Farm.   This exhibit describes and celebrates the contributions of this African-American family to the creation of Riverhead’s first African-American middle class community.  The opening celebration will feature Robert Brown reading his poetry and Linda Bullock singing.   The exhibit will be open during regular museum hours through October.

Fletcher Booker and his wife Lizzie, grandchildren of slaves, were leaders in the “Great Migration” that brought large numbers of African-Americans from Virginia to the North Fork during the first decades of the 20th century.  Like the waves of Irish, German and Polish immigrants before them, the Bookers worked hard, saved their money and soon bought a farm of their own – although they faced different and greater obstacles than those who came from Europe. Fletcher went on to gradually convert his farm into Riverhead’s first African-American middle class community — helping his fellow migrants from Virginia and their children achieve the American dream – a home of their own.  This exhibit celebrates the area’s rich African-American history.

The exhibit is free to the public.

The Hallockville Museum Farm is a non-profit organization whose mission is to take visitors back to their agricultural roots.  The 28-acre farm preserves eighteen historic houses, barns and outbuildings ranging from the mid-18th century Hallock homestead to the Depression-era Cichanowicz farmhouse.   Visitors can tour the museum’s buildings, gardens and collections; experience real farming in the museum’s fields; and meet Hallockville’s friendly cows, sheep and chickens.   Hallockville serves as an educational resource for all age groups to raise awareness of Eastern Long Island’s agricultural heritage.  Hallockville is located at 6038 Sound Avenue in Riverhead, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Riverhead Town landmark.  More information is available at www.hallockville.com or 631-298-5292.  Partial support is provided by Suffolk County under the auspices of the Office of Cultural Affairs.

Tags: Hallockville, Riverhead, art & culture, events, historical/heritage by Nancy
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The NorthForkParents Calendar of Events now includes summer carnivals, parades & fireworks, including:

Mattituck Strawberry Festival & Fireworks
Jamesport Fireman’s Carnival, Parade & Fireworks
Southold  Independence Day Parade
Shelter Island Fireworks
Downtown Riverhead Fireworks
Greenport Carnival & Fireworks

Tags: Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southold, events, greenport by Nancy
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Do you know what your children are doing this summer?

The NorthForkParents 2009 Summer Camp Guide is for parents looking for camping options on the North Fork. It offers detailed listings on many local camps in a pdf format that’s easy to view and print. It includes blank calendar worksheets for the summer months and a page for notes.

It’s not too late! Many camps still have spots open.

Go to the NorthForkParents 2009 Summer Camp Guide.

Tags: Riverhead, Southold, excursions & activities, summer camp by Nancy
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LI Kayakathon. Photo courtesy of ActivEntrepreneur/Jenn Ross

Mark your calendar for the 2nd Annual LI Kayakathon on Saturday, June 20, 2009. The event, sponsored by ActivEntrepreneur, is an opportunity for kayakers of all levels to go out on the water and raise money for Clubhouse of Suffolk, Peconic Baykeeper, LI Sierra Club and Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation.

Seasoned kayakers may take a five-mile paddle. Those who want to learn how to do it or improve their skills may take a kayaking lesson & guided paddle. Healthy snacks & lunch, post event massage, health fitness & sports demos, live music and more are included in the registration fee.

Pre-registration is required. To register or for more info, visit the website and/or view the video:

This event has been added to the NorthForkParents Calendar of Events.

Tags: Riverhead, events, excursions & activities, health, parenting, sports & recreation by Nancy
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