DAN'S PAPERS, July 2, 2010 Page 170 www.danshamptons.com
Arts & Entertainment
Animator
Dan Bailey’s Party at WHBPAC By Tiffany Razzano After high school, most teenagers embark on a mainstream path – maybe getting a job, maybe going to college. Sag Harbor percussionist Dan Bailey, however, went well off the beaten path. About seven years ago, at 19, having taught drums and performed professionally around the East End since he was 13, Bailey decided he wanted to see the world. The trip took him across the United States to New Zealand and Australia and throughout Africa. He surfed and wrote music throughout his travels, all with one question in mind: Is music what he was supposed to be doing with his life? The answer was a resounding yes. “Everywhere I went, people would say, ‘Keep going man,’” Bailey said. “The answer was right there in my face: yes.” When he returned home, Bailey, who grew up in East Quogue and graduation from Westhampton Beach H.S., never questioned it again. Instead, he got right to work, starting up his own label, Idris Records, and recording and releasing his music, which was now influenced by his travels and steeped in the world music he had encountered: Latin and African elements, reggae, ska and blues. “All the different places I’d been to brought out different flavors in my music,” he said. Since coming home, Bailey has become a formidable presence on the East End. Heand his group, Living Rhythm (which features Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman, as well as Billy Smith of the Skatalites), regularly play venues like the Stephen Talkhouse, Surf Lodge and East Hampton Point. Past members of the ever-changing group include Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon)
and Nonhlanhla Kheswa (Wyclef Jean). You can also catch them drumming on Sagg Main Beach every Monday evening during the summer as part of the impromptu drum circle founded by members of Samba Boom more than 10 years ago. The drum circle, to the ire of local government, has grown to over 1,000 people on some evenings. “It’s a huge phenomenon,” Bailey said. “It’s really blown up on such a massive scale.” He acknowledges that there are issues with the event – parking, noise, litter – and would love to meet with local leaders to find a solution. But, he said, it’s all about “being part of the community. We like helping everyone enjoy their summers.” The Living Rhythm’s big show this season, however, will take place on July 4 when the band plays at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. Doors will open as the fireworks end for the night, and Bailey and his group will take the stage at 10 p.m. “We’re really excited,” he said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.” Bailey became interested in world music at a young age. His parents were born in London and grew up in South Africa. His mother was involved with African dance, performing professionally around the world. His godfather, Grammy-winning drummer Baba Olatunji, was responsible for teaching Bailey to drum. “He was my mentor,” Bailey said. “He’s the main reason I do what I do. I want to continue his work and carry on his mission.” Tickets to the July 4 show are $20. For more information about the show, go to whbpac.org. For more info about Dan Bailey and the Living Rhythm, go to danbaileymusic.com.
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time to. Canemaker is not only a world-renowned animator, but he is also an authority on the art and history of animation. He is the executive director of Animation Studies at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and the author of 10 books on the subject. His Oscar and Emmy-winning animation The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation will be featured on July 3 along with five other short films. Canemaker’s personal films employ an eclectic mix of animation styles, often imaginatively combined with first-person narratives, in order to penetrate deeply into their subject matter. The Moon and the Son, for example, uses the voices of Eli Wallach and John Turturro to tell the true story of Canemaker’s own difficult relationship with his Italian immigrant father. Canemaker’s striking visuals evoke profound audience responses. Saturday’s program is not a kiddy show, as the program speaks to adults by exploring animation as an art form. However, the organizers assure that art patrons of all ages will enjoy this event. Canemaker will be available for a discussion after the screening. Stewart believes that this is an exciting time to participate in a discussion about animation. Having recently become fixated on computer animation, our society is perhaps better able to recognize the beauty and importance of hand drawn animation than ever before. Stewart stressed that all of the performers lined up to participate in the series this summer have been very generous with their time. To see the updated list of performers and to purchase tickets, visit oldwhalerschurch.org. Celebration of the Arts featuring animator John Canemaker, Saturday, July 3, 7 p.m. $35. To purchase tickets visit oldwhalerschurch.org. Old Whalers Church, 44 Union St., Sag Harbor
An inspired place to grow. “ Peconic Landing gives us the opportunity to continue embracing life and realizing ourselves surrounded by a community of inspired individuals doing the same.” CH A R LES & AUDR EY R A EBECK Former Professors of Education Former Amagansett Residents Peconic Landing cottage owners since 2004
O PEN H OUSE
Sunday, July 11th from 1-3pm Please RSVP: 631-477-3800 ext. 242 G R E E N P O RT, N E W YO R K P E C O N I C L A N D I N G . O R G
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