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Arts & Entertainment

Pleasantville Music Festival Features Local and National Musicians

Fox Lane alumni make up the band "Ten Feet Deep," which will perform at the festival, this Saturday, July 10.

The second Saturday in July means only one thing to music lovers in our area: It's time for the Pleasantville Music Festival at Parkway Field!

But if you're expecting this sixth-annual event to be as wonderful as past years, think again--because this year, it's even better.

What began as a small concert series in 2005 has evolved into a major draw for Westchester and national acts.

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"The level of the total package has come up each year," says Sol Skolnick, one of two Pleasantville residents organizing this not-for-profit event, "but it's really superior this year."

Home-Grown Acts

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Three stages provide non-stop music, including the band Ten Feet Deep, whose members began playing together at Fox Lane High School. After graduating from respective colleges, Ten Feet Deep reunited. And, they have a recording being released in a few weeks on iTunes.

To hear more local talent, seek out Norberto Goldberg of Chappaqua; Frank Enea of Mount Kisco; The Beneficial Tomatoes, and Agent Si, both from Pleasantville.

Sarfaty recommends also checking out Rhett Tyler, from Hudson, New York, by way of Texas; and Evan Watson, who is from Tarrytown by way of Indiana.

And arrive early: "We have some of our best bands upfront to make it an even keel of talent throughout the day."

New this year

Instead of one or two headliners, which in years past has included Joan Osborne or Roger McGuinn, this year's event has four: Jakob Dylan, Rusted Root, The Bacon Brothers and Carney.

Along with the level of local talent being its most impressive, co-organizer Rich Sarfaty adds, "The amount of Hudson Valley performers has reached a new high, with sixteen out of the nineteen acts represented."

Musical mission

This fulfills one of the event's missions, which is to promote original music from the Hudson Valley. The other goal is affordability for music lovers: a $40 adult ticket provides access to all 19 concerts. (The event takes place on sports fields; bring a blanket or low beach chair to sit on).

Sponsored by 107.1 The Peak since 2006, the festival is also a destination for savoring locally produced food and beverages, and getting to know area supporters. Attendance is expected to exceed the 6,000 of last year.

 

Food, drinks, and fun

Gail Patrick's Café of Chappaqua is one of nearly fifty vendors at the event. Beer and wine is served in the Garden area from two Pleasantville establishments: vino from Prospero Winery, and beer from award-winning microbrewery Captain Lawrence Brewing Company.  Other vendors will offer additional food, desserts, arts and crafts, and services.

An expanded "Fun Area" entertains children with music, games, and crafts.

In addition to The Peak, 21 sponsors and supporters include Mount Kisco's Holiday Inn, Land Rover of Mt. Kisco/Larchmont and The Examiner News.

Sarfaty, a guitarist and furniture maker, has been with the festival since the beginning. Skolnick, a mortgage broker and president of Pleasantville's Board of Education, is in his fourth year.

"We run the festival because we love promoting our community, and giving our local musicians a chance to be paired with national acts," says Sarfaty. "And because it's the biggest, most fun backyard party you'll ever attend." 

What you need to know

  • Admission: $40 per adult; $10 for students and adults 62 and over; free for children under 11.
  • It starts at noon on July 10 and runs to 8:40 p.m.
  • Ticket purchasing info is available on line, and at listed businesses.
  • Bring a blanket or low beach chair to sit on.
  • No rain date; if the weather is iffy, check the web site for details.
  • Free parking at Pace University, with free round-trip bus service to and from the festival site from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Details and driving instructions are available on line.

For more information, go to pleasantvillemusicfestival.com.

 

 

 

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