arts & entertainment
Page 84 August 10, 2012
danshamptons.com
Rock & Folk Fest Rolls into the North Fork By nick chowske
T
he North Fork is getting ready to rock, as the 3rd annual NOFO Rock & Folk Fest kicks off at Peconic Bay Winery in Cutchogue on August 19, but this year, fans can expect quite a different scene. What began as a two-day music festival featuring international and regional musical acts, as well as local vendors and family activities, has been transformed into a concert series that will have different musical events throughout August, September and October. “We were inspired by last year’s successful Johnny Winter show, which was far less complicated than a music festival,” said Jim Silver, general manager of Peconic Bay Winery. Johnny Winter had played a Father’s Day concert at the vineyard, which was both well-attended and easier to coordinate. “This year we thought, ‘instead of doing these complex festivals,
17th ANNUAL
let’s do a small series of concerts with interesting musicians and accomplished artists.” “It’s not the large event that people are expecting,” national acts.’” “This approach will enable us to offer genre- Silver said. “We’re going to do a fish fry, so people specific showcases in lieu of a large two-day festival,” don’t have to bring their own food, and it’s just going to be a wide open, folky said Josh Horton, NOFO’s kind of event.” co-founder and organizer. Despite the change In addition, it will allow “We certainly enjoy doing what to NOFO’s format, their for a more comfortable mission to bring live setting at a lower price we’re doing, and I hope that it’s music performances point, and each show will infectious enough for the audience from both international still feature North Fork and local artists to the produce, wine, food and to enjoy it too.” North Fork remains the artwork. same. In keeping with “It’s more intimate” Horton said. “It’s on the great lawn at the Peconic Bay that goal, two Long Island bands will be opening the Winery, so people can expect an atmosphere where show: The Second Hands, of Greenport, and Miles to they can be barefoot and sit on a blanket or chair Dayton, who’s song “Firefly” was recently featured that they bring, and be merely feet from tremendous in “O” magazine, as part of Val’s “Songs of Summer” playlist. Horton, who is an accomplished musician, writer and show producer, started the Rock the Harvest Festival in 2009 to feature Long Island-based bands. “I’ve long thought that the North Fork is a prime place for additional live performance opportunities,” he said. “And Peconic Bay Winery has always been one of the most progressive and committed wineries on the North Fork when it comes to live music, so ® they were a natural partner for NOFO.”
CREATING A LEGACY FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH
5K (3.1 mile) Race/Walk
Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 9:00am, rain or shine Start and Finish at Southampton Hospital; register 7:30am to 8:30am $30 per person preregistered; $40 per person day of race Register Today Call 631-907-1952 to request team kits and race applications
www.ellensrun.org Last call preregistration: Saturday, August 18, 2012 from 9:30am to 12:30pm Parrish Memorial Hall at Southampton Hospital Sponsors as of July 12:
Deana & Stephen Hanson
Robert Morris The Rampart Group
The John Franco Charitable Foundation
Ellen’s Run is a registered trademark of The Ellen P. Hermanson Foundation 18082
Nofo/facebook
sanctioned by USA Track & Field The NoFo rocks next weekend!
The first concert in this series will celebrate the life and music of rock legend Levon Helm with their headlining act, The Dirt Farmer Band, who are the core members of the former Levon Helm Band. “They’ve not only toured worldwide with The Levon Helm Band,” Horton said, “but they’ve also performed on all of the past three Grammy Award-winning albums that Levon put out.” Levon Helm lost his battle with cancer this past April. “I thought that honoring him and all that he contributed to music, and to the world, was the right thing to do,” Horton said. Playing in the Dirt Farmer Band will be Helm’s daughter, Amy Helm, as well as Grammy Awardwinning producer and multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell. Campbell, who’s most noted for his time with Bob Dylan’s band, is both The Dirt Farmer’s musical director and frontman. “There’s no better group of people to bring to a show and stir up the essence of Levon Helm than The Dirt Farmer Band,” Horton said. “The Dirt Farmer Band is just us continuing something we started with Levon and, while referencing material from those albums, turning it into something that stands on its own,” Campbell said. “We certainly enjoy doing what we’re doing, and I hope that it’s infectious enough for the audience to enjoy it too.” “We’ve had more interest in The Dirt Farmer Band than almost anything we’ve ever done,” Silver said. “We get six or seven phone calls a day, and I fully expect it to sell out.” Better call soon! For tickets and event information, check out www. noforockandfolkfest.com.