The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Press

Beatles vs. Stones: A Musical Showdown at the Paramount–December 7

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“Beatles Chase” (l-r) shows Chris Paul Overall (“Paul”), Nate Bott (“John”), Axel Clarke (“Ringo”) and Jesse Wilder (“George”)

Chris Legrand (“Mick”), John Wade (“Billl Wyman”) and Trey Garitty (“Keith Richards”)

 

PHOTOS BY Michelle Fairless

PEEKSKILL, NY– For decades, the battle has raged: Beatles or Stones?  Through their heyday, fans accused London’s Rolling Stones of stealing ideas — even entire albums – from their Liverpool counterparts. At the same time, the Beatles secretly envied the Stones’ “bad boy” image and attitude, often copying their style.  Both bands are unmistakably great, scoring an array of hits that changed musical history, but only one can be the best.  The most infamous rivalry in rock and roll never played out in a public arena until now as Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown returns to the Paramount Theater on Saturday, December 7.  The show played to a capacity audience two years ago at the Paramount Theater. The show is appropriate for all ages. 

Will the Stones be yelling for “Help” to fight the songwriting prowess of Lennon/McCartney?  Or will the Beatles cry “Gimme Shelter” from the relentless sonic barrage of Jagger/Richards classics? 

While fierce competition fueled the creative output of both bands during the 1960’s, tension between the tribute performers is equally palpable. 

“The Beatles cornered the rock market on cute suits and fluffy hairdos, but then they stood still on stage and modeled them,” that according to Chris LeGrand, who plays a dead ringer for Mick Jagger in both swagger and ability.

“The Stones rocked the stage, and worked as hard as the bluesmen they modeled their stage show after, generating the smoldering sexuality that came to be a hallmark of great rock-n-roll acts.  The Beatles?  Well, they were cute!  The Stones were the original punks, outsiders at best.  Beatles took tea with the bloody Queen–how rock-n-roll is that?!”  

As for the Beatle response? “We got our Sgt. Pepper jackets made a little long so the Stones would have no problem riding our coattails!”  Mocks drummer Axel Clarke as Ringo.  “That Mick Jagger sure can move! It’s a shame he has to work twice as hard to be half as good!” 

Would you let your daughter marry a Rolling Stone, or your son come home with a Beatle haircut?  This ultimate battle of the bands pits the mop tops against the bad boys.  London against Liverpool.  Guitars will weep and dice will tumble, and in the end, when the whip comes down, only one band shall emerge victorious.   Whoever wins, the audience is sure to be dazzled by an “electrifying show” (O.C Register), with fantastic music, iconic wardrobe and spot on performances down to the onstage banter, missed notes and flubs heard on the original records.  

Members of both nationally touring tribute bands, Abbey Road and Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show, have taken great care to recreate the experience of seeing these incredible bands live so as to please casual fans and purists alike.  That ‘All You Need is Love’ spirit appears to be lost on Messrs. Legrand and Clarke, who continue trading barbs. “The Beatles wrote Let It Be, but the Stones countered with Let It Bleed!” snarls Chris.

“Listen, mate,” counters Axel. “The song John and Paul gave to the Stones (‘I Wanna Be Your Man’ in 1963) was one they let Ringo sing…that says it all!”  Ouch.

Beatles or Stones? You decide!

“Sgt Pepper”: Bott, Clarke, Overall and Wilder

  News Courtesy of the Paramount Theater 

 

The Hudson Valley Electric Jazz Band at ChappPac on Saturday, December 7

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The Hudson Valley Electric Jazz Band is a jazz pop and fusion instrumental and vocal group covering artists such as George Benson, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Chaka Kahn, Stevie Wonder, John Scofield, Michael Brecker and many more.  The band’s music has accessible, strong melodies, both as instrumentals and vocal tunes with a feature of at least one of the soloists showing their virtuosity at some point during each piece. We will show that we have tight arrangements with an expressive moody side as well.

“We want to make sure that there are at least a few songs that the audience is familiar with so we mix in some Motown and R&B vocal numbers so the audience isn’t just listening to a group of performers playing complicated riffs and soloing all night long,” said Jeff Weiner, the band’s drummer who is also helping produce the event.

The Hudson Valley Electric Jazz Band will perform LIVE on Saturday, December 7th from 8 pm to 9:30, at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center.

General seating, first come first serve.

Two sets. Each set is 60 minutes in length. 15 minute intermission.

For tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/83000373351

New courtesy of the Hudson Valley Electric Jazz Band; to learn more, visit www.hvejb.com

 

Mountainside to Offer Holiday Support in Anticipation of “Drinksgiving” and Winter Stressors

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Chappaqua, NY – Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for reconnecting with loved ones over food and drinks, but for those in active addiction or recovery, it can present unhealthy temptations and added stress. With the Thanksgiving break quickly approaching, Mountainside treatment center in Chappaqua, NY will provide a free helpline and Virtual Recovery Support Groups for those in need of assistance for themselves or their loved ones this holiday season.

For people in recovery, the cold weather and shorter days of winter can lead to boredom and isolation, increasing their risk of relapse. Additionally, binge drinking over the Thanksgiving weekend has become increasingly popular, with Thanksgiving Eve even being nicknamed “Blackout Wednesday” or “Drinksgiving” as many Americans pack local bars to celebrate the long weekend. With this in mind, Mountainside’s 24/7 Holiday Helpline will be available from November 25 to January 6 for all community members who are considering recovery or need help maintaining sobriety.

Mountainside is also providing virtual meetings for those battling addiction as well as people in recovery who are unable to attend a local support group in person during the holidays – whether due to distance, time, or inclement weather. The virtual groups will take place between December 3 and January 7 on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM EST. The groups will offer peer-to-peer support and allow people to share their experiences on a broad array of timely and engaging topics, including navigating the stress of the holidays. Meetings will be facilitated by Nicole Cordani, Recovery Support Clinician at Mountainside.

“The hustle and bustle of the holidays can be exciting, but can also be triggering for those who are trying to safeguard their sobriety,” says Amy Sedgwick, Mountainside’s Director of Clinical Operations. “By offering these services to the community for the very first time, we can give at-risk people the critical support they may need during the winter holidays.”

For additional support this holiday season, contact Mountainside’s Holiday Helpline at 833-200-6665 or visit mountainside.com/holiday-support to participate in a Virtual Recovery Support Group.

 

 

Mountainside Treatment Center

Mountainside is nationally recognized for the effectiveness of its drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs. Our Integrative Care Model provides a comprehensive set of treatment and care offerings coordinated by a multidisciplinary treatment team to best fit the unique needs and interests of each client. We are lauded for our ability to partner with each client and the client’s family and healthcare professionals in developing and executing individualized treatment plans that promote long-term sobriety. Learn more about Mountainside at mountainside.com.

The Chappaqua Orchestra: “High Quality Musical Experience”

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Since 1959, the Chappaqua Orchestra has promoted live classical music in the Hudson Valley region by presenting a high-quality musical experience for diverse audiences through community outreach, educational and creative programming. The Chappaqua Orchestra is proud to note its:

  • Together in Music concert which features children from the Special Needs community performing along with the orchestra
  • Nationally recognized concerto competition, highlighted on The Violin Channel, as one of the premier competitions in the nation.
  • Grace Notes prison concert program, bringing music and cultural enrichment to NY prison populations.

The Chappaqua Orchestra brings high quality orchestral and chamber music performances that reach audiences of all types. chappaquaorchestra.org.

Courtesy of the Chappaqua Orchestra.

Chappaqua Orchestra on Community Day, Photo by Grace Bennett

Exploring New Castle’s Great Outdoors

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One of New Castle’s greatest draws is its natural beauty with its very own network of parks and sanctuaries–a glorious 549 acres of parkland spread across seven separate parks and two preserves. Town parks and preserves include Amsterdam, Burden, Gedney, Glazier, Millwood Park, Recreation Field, Sunny Ridge, Warburg, and Whippoorwill, with facilities including hiking trails, ball fields, and playgrounds.
Parks ideal for walking, exercise, and quality time with family, friends or your canine pal include Gedney, Whippoorwill and Millwood parks. Gorgeous Gedney (many call it ‘Chappaqua’s Jewel’) is especially popular for dog walking along its beautiful pond, where you might spot a turtle swimming along with ducks and swans. It also has a year round comfort station, a popular children’s playground, plus hills families love for snow days sledding! Millwood Park is a popular haven too with a sprawling ballfield, two tennis courts, and a playground area.

And whether you are rollerblading or just looking for the perfect place to push a stroller, your best best is the 26-mile North Country Trailway maintained by the Westchester County Department of Parks. A popular section of the trail starts in Millwood. Public parking is just off Route 133, near Millwood Town Plaza. Take the well paved path north to the trailway bridge where you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty. Walkers, bikers, hikers and in line skaters are all welcome. Use caution where the road crosses public roads. For trail maps and parking information, visit westchestergov.com

Photo By Grace Bennett

In addition, The Saw Mill River Audubon Society maintains eight local wildlife sanctuaries. Trail maps are posted at each site and the trails are open to the public from dawn to dusk. Two in particular, Pruyn Sanctuary and Pinecliff Sanctuary, are ideal for a leisurely country walk. The Pruyn Sanctuary (pronounced Prine), 92 acres off Route 133, has three miles of wide open trails. Public Parking is available at both entrances, the garden entrance at the Pruyn home (off Route 133, two miles east of Millwood or just before the train entrance at the end of Woodmill Road. Following the Fern and Pruyn trails will take you on a dirt road with sections of boardwalk through a pond, arboretum, and a butterfly and hummingbird garden. There’s enough terrain change to make this an interesting walk requiring moderate endurance. The Pinecliff Sanctuary is at the end of Pinecliff Road in Chappaqua. It offers a quarter mile of wheelchair accessible boardwalk–allowing everyone the chance to experience nature. Benches and interpretive signs dot the path taking you through a pond and red maple swamp, an especially rich habitat of local birds. Stroll through in ten minutes or repeat the loop, or try the additional half mile of upland trails which connect to the boardwalk. sawmillriveraudubon.org

 

Sources: New Castle Recreation & Parks Department, The Saw Mill River Audubon Society and the Westchester County Department of Parks.