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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 Inside Scoop on Discovering Chappaqua

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After living in Chappaqua for 23 years, it’s hard to imagine calling anywhere else home. Between raising my two wonderful kids here and running (since 2003) the Inside Press, a print and online publishing company – its flagship pub, Inside Chappaqua & Millwood regularly highlights the fun and fabulous options here – I can honestly tell you that I’m filled with joy and gratitude every single day. I am also always ‘discovering’ something new here, too, whether it is the opening of an exciting new arts venue like the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, a new hiking trail or new shopping or dining option. It is with these sentiments that I’m pleased to present to you the Discover New Castle guide. I hope it will prove useful and handy to long-time residents and also to any visitor considering calling New Castle home too. The guide has been produced in collaboration with Town Hall and all its articles can be found on a Town Hall website called Discover Chappaqua. Discoverchappaqua.com intends to continue to support, advocate for and promote our beautiful town, and I applaud those efforts.

How to Stay Informed in New Castle

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There are a multitude of options to stay informed about local happenings in New Castle and Millwood–from road closures to parades to water main breaks. Below are several of the most popular:

The New Castle Community E-newsletters

The New Castle Community weekly e-newsletters are free and contain reports from both the Town Supervisor and Town Administrator. These weekly newsletters are a great resource for residents to find out about new developments, local events, sports and recreation opportunities, town board meetings etc. Sign-up is available at mynewcastle.org. The e-newsletter is sent via email each Friday.

Code Red

Utilized by the town as a mass communication system in the event of an emergency, Code Red can deliver phone calls, emails and text messages. Code Red covers emergencies such as evacuation notices, bio-terrorism alerts, boil water notices and missing child reports.

Nixle

Used by the New Castle Police Department, Nixle enables real-time, two-way communication through text, email, voice messages, social media, and the Nixle mobile app. Text alerts can be sent by simply texting your zip code to 888-777. Nixle texts cover things such as power outages or accident scene information.

New Castle Community Media Center (NCCMC)

NCCMC broadcasts public, government and educational material on six channels on cable and covers zoning board meetings, environmental and architectural review board meetings and even town parades.

Inside Press Magazines

Including Inside Chappaqua & Millwood Magazine since 2003, ‘sharing the heart of your community.’ Produces six magazines a year mailed directly to resident homes. All articles are shared into Inside Press social media platforms via the  insidepress.com

Additional Local Media include:

Social Media

On Facebook, follow Chappaqua Moms, Inside Press Magazines, Chappaqua Moms & Dads, Chappaqua Dads, Millwood Moms, New Castle Community Discussions, New Castle Neighbors: Policy & Politics, to keep up with event announcements, breaking news and relevant discussions. Special interest subgroups abound from Chappaqua Moms Sales and Empty Nesters of New Castle to Chappaqua Moms Travel and Buy Nothing/Mount Kisco, Pleasantville and Chappaqua.

Cozy at Home

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I’m writing this on a grey, damp day in October, cozy in my loose ‘at home’ clothes. I guess the gloomier, chillier weather had to arrive sooner or later after one of the most spectacular Septembers on record. I was grateful for the extra stretch of summer, but equally so for the rains that help us transition through seasons, too. Mother Nature knows what she’s doing if we don’t mess with her too much! And as we head full full steam ahead into fall and winter temps, I do ponder the comforts of home, and feel ever grateful for my own. When it’s grey, there are fewer temptations. I get more of my ‘serious’ work done (like writing this column!). But I can also opt for lazy.

I might surf more, catch up on a grocery item list or other errands. If I’m feeling social, I’ll check movie listings at the Jacob Burns Film Center and inquire with a friend or two. But no matter what I do, I always feel that at home days maximizing your time solo or with family are every bit as precious as time out on the sunniest of days.

If you’re reading your second edition of Inside Biarcliff & Ossining on a grey day too, I have some good news. I promise it will give you plenty of reasons to smile, whether it’s Carine Feist’s ‘Friendsgiving Menu’ or Peter Chatzky’s ‘etcetera’ humor essay on ‘Loving Briarcliff.’

Please enjoy our second edition which celebrates two town histories-aside from our cover story on the fabulous historical society in Briarcliff Manor, don’t miss learning about the ambitious educational undertakings of the Sing Sing Prison Museum and also the inspiring vision of the Bethany Arts Community. We hope to continue trying to capture different slices of life and culture in the area… rain or shine. Happy Thanksgiving!

A Greeley Senior Experience at the Inside Press

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Julia Bialek

On June 11, Julia Bialek (HGHS, Class of 2019) presented “From Thought to Print,” a review of interning at the Inside Press in May and June, and in Julia’s case, at different times since 2016. It was one of many graduating seniors “Greeley Senior Experience” presentations taking place that day throughout Horace Greeley High School to fellow classmates, teachers, and by invite, to family and other visitors.  I was very touched by this presentation, so I am ‘flipping the script’ now to write about Julia and my impression of Greeley talent.

I’ve worked with many motivated Greeley interns over the years and have been continuously amazed and buoyed by their enthusiasm and professionalism too, whether via the Greeley Senior experience or general interning. Greeley kids, over the years, and students from Pleasantville High School too to date, have been invaluable to the success of my press, and so grateful!  I found Julia bright, introspective, with a kind and respectful disposition from the very start. Beginning as a sophomore at Greeley, Julia delivered essays and articles which showcased a natural writing talent-with some very firm and well articulated political opinions, too. Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk editor Stacey Pfeffer, in particular, took her under her wing and showed her the ropes, if you will, of producing an edition of Inside Chappaqua  ‘from start to finish.’ 

“It was a privilege to collaborate with Julia,” said Pfeffer. “She approached each and every assignment with great care and her intelligence and creativity shined through in all her work. I am sure her experience here is just the beginning of many bylines.”

Julia came to a brainstorming meeting. She sat through and absorbed hours of a layout meeting with Inside Press designer Lisa Samkoff, too. She covered the “Art Around Town” event to much acclaim. https://www.theinsidepress.com/celebrating-beauty-and-community-through-art/

We published her exquisite poem, ‘Woman,’  which made the perfect end note for a May edition with a theme about resilience in women. Chappaqua and far beyond approved. https://www.theinsidepress.com/woman/

So when I was invited to Greeley Senior Experience to listen to her presentation about her internship with us, I had a hunch I’d be in for a treat, and Julia delivered just that.

Julia shaped her Greeley Experience presentation in part comparing her experience to working with us to working on the Greeley Tribune, where she is the managing editor. “It was very similar to how we plan for the Greeley Tribune and also use InDesign to layout, although some specifics were different,” she explained, “because we are serving different communities. 

Now that was all plenty interesting, but Julia grabbed my attention when she related “how powerful publishing a story in Inside Chappaqua can be and how much feedback you can receive.”

“I had people not just all over Chappaqua but even in New York City reach out to me thanking me for writing a story.”

She added, reflecting: “The impact of the written word is so powerful; you can use it to unite the community, you can use it for good. It’s such a great force.” 

I anticipate Julia, who is off to begin studying at Yale University in the fall, will continue using her talent for good.

Each year, students who have completed their years in the Chappaqua Central School District are encouraged to embark on a ‘real life” internship experience that taps into their imaginations, and interests, that helps them gain knowledge, perspective or build new skills. The kids convey what they experienced in a multi media presentation followed by a question and answer period. It is a rite of passage for many of our kids as any Chappaqua senior or proud Chappaqua Mom or Dad will tell you, and I am among those who won’t ever forget my own son’s presentation in 2014. I know that the experience shaped who he is today.

On the afternoon Julia presented, I also had a chance and the pleasure to listen to seniors Dean Miller speak about his independent project on finance and stocks; to Nathalie Jamavan who was an intern at the Bell Middle School with a previous French teacher; and to Alexander Travagliato, who spoke about his experience at the Westmoreland Sanctuary.  Ms. Hurgin, Ms. Burger, and Ms. McKenna, the teachers in the room that day, all listened intently and appeared proud of all the students. More about the Greeley Senior Experience (the Inside Press has reported on it before too): https://www.theinsidepress.com/senior-experience-at-horace-greeley-high-school/

— Grace

Alexander Travagliato
Nathalie Jamavan
Dean Miller