The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Iconic

Prepare for Musical Nirvana at The Capitol Theatre

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Sheryl Crow and her band rocking the Capitol theatre stage

In case you missed this news… the iconic Capitol Theatre is ever so gloriously back, having successfully booked A-list, coveted artists, bringing musical nirvana back onto its stage and into its hallowed halls with a full year’s lineup that began in September.

See ‘The Cap is Back’  below for ‘a snapshot’ of what you can expect!

Among the factors setting this venue apart: ‘The Cap’ is blessed with a state-of-the-art light and sound system which are nothing short of remarkable following milestone renovations–a boon to the near 100-year-old theatre and yet another feature to record to an astoundingly rich and colorful rock & roll legacy.

“You can hear a pin drop. We’ve had artists walk away from the microphone, unplug the guitar, and just use their voice and the whole room can hear them,” said Brian Lynch, the Capitol’s veteran head usher. As he led a group of reporters up the grand staircase to the balcony for a light show demonstration during a celebratory pre-opening, he repeatedly emphasized the technical excellence that maintain artists in their element, and of course, leave audiences agog. Since the grand opening in September 2012, ‘the Cap’ has been at the forefront of what would be called its “house lighting package,” allowing for a multicolor light show with each performance employing 100 lights on 11 trusses with 12 high-definition cameras strategically placed all over the theatre.

“While many venues’ house packages are good, we wanted to ensure that an amazing and memorable light show was in the cards for any artist that plays here, not just bigger tours with a budget to bring in more lights,” said Bruce Wheeler, general manager.

As for the sound… “The room is acoustically perfect,” said Lynch. “Seriously, you can stand on the stage and project your voice to the top of the room, and it will come back just as loud. That’s thanks to a hall designed before amplified sound was commonplace,” offered Wheeler. In 2011 renovations included sound proofing to reduce an echo.

Meanwhile, from the stage, owner Peter Shapiro shared how the theatre’s reopening was received so warmly by these star musicians.

“When we thought about who we wanted to reopen this amazing place with, we aimed for the very top. “We said, let’s throw out the ball to the very top and see who we get.” And the rest is more rock and roll history in the making and in the delivering–simply adding to a legacy which began when the Capitol first opened its doors in 1926 as a vaudeville theater, evolving over time into one of a handful of worthy rock and roll destination theatres–as Jerry Garcia, whose very spirit permeates the theater, famously asserted.

So, if it’s still rock and roll you crave…

If it’s discovering a powerhouse performer for the very first time …

If it’s a date night to remember …

Then put down this article, and don’t hesitate to book a show for yourself, for your family, or for your friends, at the Capitol.

Pick your favorite artist(s) and book at thecapitoltheatre.com and have the time of your life! (The Capitol adheres to Covid safety protocols–check the website for its most up to date requirements.)

THE CAP is BACK: A Snapshot 

On September 11, 2021, The Struts stepped on stage for Opening Night. Two Sheryl Crow performances were followed by a night with Billy Idol. Autumn’s excitement multiplied as the theatre touted October performances by Elvis Costello, Foreigner, and a month of performances by Capitol mainstay, Phil Lesh & Friends. In early November, there was a chance to enjoy everyone from Gary Clark, Jr. to Steely Dan, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin evening and, in late breaking news… just before family Thanksgiving gatherings, Bob Dylan returns on his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour. For Thanksgiving, the Cap also has Twiddle Frendsgiving on Nov. 26 & 27.

So much to be grateful for.

It’s Hot Tuna Acoustic and Electric on December 4, and moe on Dec. 10 & 11. In December and January too, Chris Isaak and David Bromberg promise a lift from winter doldrums. Almost Queen plays Jan. 21. The all-star lineup continues into the spring with The Beach Boys, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones & Nate Bargatze in April.  – Grace Bennett

For a full schedule, visit thecapitoltheatre.com

Hickory is wood, Tweed is wool

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Catching up with Sports Enthusiast Skip Beitzel, the Iconic owner of Hickory & Tweed

Photo by Carolyn Simpson

Skip shared with me his love for Armonk and feels blessed to be a staple in our community.

The architectural touches, colors, and Stowe-like feel of their building is true and will remain everlasting as his family-run business will one day be passed down to future generations.  

Skiing is the new biking. 

Do you remember when bicycles were spinning off the shelves like hand sanitizer back in April/ May of last year? When inventory was low, factories were shutting down, trying to find a spare part was impossible, and asking someone if they had a bike rack for sale was a laughable offense? Well, reservations and bookings showed that the 2020-2021 ski season was going to demand the same. There was no break for employees or suppliers between the seasons as the bikes were still out while the snow started to fall. Skip was heavily focused on “getting through the winter.” Skiing was top of mind. 

In charge of buying and merchandising, Geri Moore, Debbie Coldwell, and Skip’s wife Michaela hustle to refresh and restock their downstairs inventory, while listening to the sound of boots banging on the floor above as skiers and boarders rush the store for fittings. 

Hickory and Tweed has a narrow and deep product philosophy, “carry what we love, know why we love it, and our customers will trust us.” The store has been carrying the Patagonia brand for 35 years, and Bogner is going on 60 years. “Hold tight, Jennifer we’re just jamming here,” he insists in a genuine soft-spoken mixture of tones, Skip’s phones were ringing off the hook. And they were not going to stop anytime soon…

It wouldn’t be long before it was bike season again. “We have a lot of dedicated bikers here,” Skip explains to me. As an avid user of his electric bike, Skip sometimes uses it to get back and forth to work. With pedal-assist, he can crush the massive hills and arrive at the shop sweat-free. These too were and still are in high demand. Waiting for suppliers to get restocked after last year, I learned it has been a slow build of inventory but it will in fact be ready and available for you and your family.

Skip is active.

When he’s not praying for snow in Armonk, he is praying for waves in Ocean City, NJ. Skip has been a surfer for over half of a century. He CAN snowboard, but prefers his two legs to work independently (via skis). He also skateboards. In fact, back in 1977 Skip built the first skateboard park in the northeast, it was called Wonderwave. Any 1970s skaters out there?? You knew this place. 

Wait, I’m not done… in his free time, Skip goes on an annual, consecutive trip to Alta with the same group of friends every year since 1968; that is 51 years of awesome with, believe it or not, the employees he met when he first started working at Hickory and Tweed (lift jaw now).  

Today, Skip celebrates his 36th successful year of ownership.

Feeling inspired? 

In Skip, We Trust.