DESPITE THE RAIN, SUNSET SERENADE SHOW GOES ON AS YOUNG MUSICIANS ROCK VILLAGE HALL

RELATIVE performing Thursday night

 August 2-- While the rain may have washed out the view of Thursday evening’s sunset, it did not dampen Sunset Serenade as the venue was changed from the scenic park overlooking Hempstead Harbor to the austere court room in the basement of Sea Cliff Village Hall.  Thursday’s event featured several young bands, with musicians ranging in age from 9 to 14, and was headlined by the group RELATIVE.

During the first hour of Teen  Serenade, several bands performed, each playing a song.  15 of the 17 musicians had been trained by local music teacher Frank Ferrara, who has not only taught his students to play instruments, but also to perform as members of a band.  Some of the musicians were integrated into a few different bands, and even Mr. Ferrara took the stage a few times to accompany on guitar or drums.  They covered songs by several well-known bands and performers ranging from classic rock acts like the Rolling Stones and Cream, to 1990s alternative band Nirvana, to more recent and contemporary bands and musicians including Amy Winehouse, Train and Ed Sheeran. 

    Thursday night’s performers were Julia Cuite, Richard Cuite, Griffen Olitsky, Noa Alonso, Kirsten McConnell, Keshia Schidlovsky, Ethan Kilada, Ethan Snyder, Jackson Best, Dakota Kessler, Will Martorana, Ella Oswald, Colin Oswald, Robert Desana, James Roth, Alex Yallone, and Mercer Shayelson.   Many in the audience commented on the high level of talent these musicians have exhibited at such a young age.  
 
     The event concluded with an hour long set by RELATIVE, a band that’s been playing together for about five months and that features two sets of siblings who are cousins – 14 year-old twins Dylan (percussion, vocals, and ukulele) and Cody Brady (Guitar, Piano, Bass and Ukelele), and Alex Henderson,13 (vocals, guitar, percussion), and her younger brother, Tyler,11 (guitar, bass and keyboards). Alex and Tyler hail
from Oneonta, and as a result are not able to regularly practice with their Sea Cliff cousins.  The fabulous foursome spent the past week rehearsing for tonight’s event – and it showed. Their performance was tight and energetic, and included an hour’s worth of both original pieces and covers of songs like Ed Sheeran’s “Lego House” and a rousing version of Walk off the Earth’s “Gang of Rhythm.”  

     Sunset Serenade is an annual summer music series organized by the Sea Cliff Civic Association, and was initiated 13 years ago by Patrice Kaider, who continues to be a driving force behind the summertime weekly events.  

    For the past five years, one of the nights has been devoted to young musicians.   Typically, when it rains, the event is washed out, but Ann DiPietro, President of the Civic Association explained that for Teen Serenade, the organization arranges for an alternate venue in case of bad weather. Whereas adult groups have the opportunity to perform in clubs and other venues, young musicians, she explained, have so few opportunities to perform publicly in front of an audience.

     Sunset Serenade performances will continue until the last Thursday in August and begin at 7 pm.  Upcoming performers will be: Chicken Head, August 8; John Brady & Brian Schnurman, August 15;  Retro Woodstock, August 22; and, Jenn Gerrity, August 29th.  
(Story by C. Elorriaga)
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