Sunday, August 05 2012 08:36

Written by Toscanini

Mezzo soprano Elizabeth Wells gave a recital at the East End Arts gallery Saturday afternoon.

"Music from the Heart" was the story of love, loss and renewal of spirit, according to the artist's statement.

Wells, a 2011 graduate of Riverhead High School, is studying music education at Westminster Choir College. She is a teaching assistant at the East End Arts school.

RiverheadLOCAL photo by Emil Breitenbach Jr.

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Saturday, August 04 2012 12:36

Written by RiverheadLOCAL

A group of children spent the past week flying on broomsticks, incubating dragon eggs and attending magical classes like Divination, Potions and Transfiguration. They weren't at Hogwarts, but they had their own magical experience at the McGann-Mercy Summer Academy Hogwarts summer session.

Thirty-five children ages 8-12 participated in the day summer camp this past week, which was based off the bestselling Harry Potter children's book series by J. K. Rowling.

Under leadership of McGann-Mercy teacher Ann Corrao, who donned the personality and costume of Professor McGonagall, the children were sorted into Hogwarts houses through the Sorting Hat, conducted science experiments in their Potions class, learned how to play "Muggle Quidditch" and designed their own Marauder's Map in a scavenger hunt.

McGann-Mercy's "Summer Academy" is holding five one-week sessions this summer with nine enrichment programs geared toward children ages 8 to 12. A wood-working program was also held this past week as a part of the summer academy, where children learned how to use basic power tools and built their own life-size play house under guidance of McGann-Mercy teacher Robert Kelly.

For more information about the McGann-Mercy Summer Academy, click here.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl

Saturday, August 04 2012 08:43

Written by Denise Civiletti

It was a year that would come to be known for the British invasion — the Beatles arrived and took America by storm, unleashing a phenomenon that quickly came to be known as Beatlemania.

In April 1964, the Fab Four held the top five positions in the Billboard Top 40, an unprecedented distinction that no other musician or act has since repeated. (In order, they were: Can't Buy Me Love, Twist and Shout, She Loves You, I Want to Hold Your Hand, and Please Please Me.)

Later that year, the Rolling Stones released their first album in the U.S. They joined Dusty Springfield, the Dave Clark Five, the Animals, Herman's Hermits and others in making a transatlantic musical splash.

"The Motown Sound" was coming into its own, with new superstar acts like Dionne Warwick ("Walk on By"), The Four Tops ("Baby I Need Your Loving"), The Supremes ("Where Did Our Love Go").

And though Billboard's year-end "Hot 100" featured some old-timers like Dean Martin crooning "Everybody Loves Somebody" and Louis Armstrong belting out "Hello Dolly," there was no doubt in 1964 that, as the old (1958) Danny and the Juniors song said, rock and roll was here to stay.

The music became a symbol of an era that changed everything.

So when a group of almuni from the Riverhead High School class of 1964 decided to put on a fundraiser for Hallockville Museum Farm, the music that defined their youth was the natural focal point of the event — and the 60s Rock and Roll Reunion was born.

Tony Trubisz, a longtime Hallockville supporter, conceived the idea. He enlisted the help of classmates Butch Langhorn, Vinny Villella and Barry Barth. The four men were among the five starters for the Riverhead Blue Waves varsity basketball team in 1964. (The fifth, Teddy Jasinksi, is deceased.)

The teammates will be reunited at tonight's event, which takes place at Hallockville beginning at 5 o'clock.

The 60s Rock and Roll Reunion isn't restricted to the Class of '64, or even to Riverhead H.S. alum, Trubisz points out.

"It's open to everyone," Trubisz said. All you need is an appreciation for the music of the era. There will be 60s-era classic cars on display for picture-taking, gourmet food along with a raw bar and barbecue spread by Maple Tree and live music by the 60s rock band, Plan B, which is performing from 7 to 11 p.m..

Langhorn, a longtime member of a popular local band called the Royals, will sing a song or two tonight with the band, he said Friday.

"Hallockville is one of a kind in the northeast," said Trubisz, the only one of the five who moved away from Riverhead. He left in 1968 and lives in Virginia. "It's great to be able to help Hallockville grow and have a good time at the same time," he said.

Trubisz said about 100 tickets for the 60s Rock and Roll Reunion have been sold, but there are still tickets available ($85 per person.) They can be purchased online at Hallockville's website.

Test your knowledge of 1964

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr.
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Friday, July 27 2012 13:26

Written by Peter Blasl

Creativity was the word of the day at Pulaski Street School Tuesday, where the Riverhead recreation department hosted "invention day."

The kids in the 8-11 year-old group split into teams of six and selected items from an assortment of stuff, such as cardboard boxes, water bottles, colorful papers, yarn and the like.

Lots of robots and dogs emerged from the project tables.

"It's a great team-building effort," said Bobby Inzalaco, supervisor of the 8-11 group. He started "invention day" last summer.

"The kids get very excited about the project," he said. Prizes were awarded at the end.

Summer recreation supervisor Cindy Hynds said she loves listening to the kids after the projects are done and they describe how they came up with their ideas.

There are about 45 kids in the 8-11 year-old group and about 200 kids in the recreation department's summer program this year, said Riverhead recreation superintendent Ray Coyne.

"There's lots to do for them. It's a fun summer," Coyne said.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
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