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The North Fork Rocks This Summer

By Ruth Thomas

What better way to spend some warm summer days and cool summer nights on the North Fork than listening to great music at the vineyards, parks, and other venues. As August arrives, the sounds of summer can be heard from Riverhead to Orient as live musicians perform all across the North Fork. From premier festivals to summer concert series to local bands, here are some of the musical highlights on the North Fork through the end of summer.

Fold (Freak Out Let’s Dance) Festival will be produced, performed, and hosted by Grammy-winning composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist Nile Rodgers on Tuesday, August 4 and Wednesday, August 5 at 6 p.m. at Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead. This amazing two-day festival will feature Rodgers and his multi-platinum band CHIC with music legends and contemporary trailblazers Beck, Duran Duran, Paloma Faith, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Chaka Khan, Janelle Monáe, Q-Tip, Keith Urban, and Pharrell Williams, among other artists. This is the second time Martha Clara Vineyards, owned by the Entenmann Family and named after matriarch Martha Clara Entenmann, has hosted a music event produced by Rodgers. FOLD is expected to draw up to 10,000 people each day. Also enjoy the after parties set to take place around the town of Riverhead, including The Suffolk Theater. General admission tickets are $137 per day. VIP tickets are $399 per day and Ultra VIP tickets are $999 per day.

Rootstock, the first ever all-day music festival organized by Bedell Cellars will take place on Saturday, August 29 from 12-5 p.m. at their Corey Creek Tasting Room in Southold. Featuring a series of outstanding musical performances and local food vendors. At 12 p.m., Mambo Loco will present the classic music of Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican origin. At 1:30 p.m., Next Level Band will feature musician Tyrone Parris performing Reggae, Calypso, R & B, Jazz, Disco, and Pop Rock. At 3 p.m., Headliner David Clark’s “Songs in the Attic,” Billy Joel Tribute Band will feature Long Island veteran singer/pianist David Clark. At 5 p.m., enjoy the post show by the Dinny Keg Band. Tickets $40 ($30 for wine club members).

Twilight Series at Corey Creek Tasting Room in Southold features live music and food every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Labor Day weekend from 5-9 p.m. ($5/free for wine club members.) Moonlight Monday includes local food by various local food trucks, Twilight Tuesday has a local menu by Noah’s On the Road food truck, and Taco Thursday presents a delicious taco menu by Noah’s On the Road food truck.

Dances In The Park an annual music and dance series at Mitchell Park in Greenport has a full roster of summer concerts on Monday nights through the end of August. Concerts are free and start at 7:30 p.m. On July 27, listen to Golden Fists of Fury; August 3, Latinology; August 10, Southbound; August 17, Winston Irie; August 24, Pamela Betti Band; and August 31, Gene Casey & The Lonesharks.
Summer Showcase Concert Series At Silversmith’s Corner in Southold is free and takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. On July 22, hear North Fork Singer/Songwriters: The Secondhands and Rob Europe; July 29, The Hidden City Orchestra; August 5, Acoustic Singer/Songwriters Martha Trachtenberg and Tom Griffith; August 12, The Jazz of Pocket Change; and August 19, The Greenport Band. (Rain Location: The First Presbyterian Church.)

Wine Down Wednesdays at Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead, from 6-9 p.m. features live music, a food truck, and drinks, so relax and enjoy. Admission is free with additional cost for food and drink.
Late Night Thursdays at Raphael in Peconic is held from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Hear free live music by pianist Joe Delia and The Thieves featuring high-amp blues, surf, and rock and roll songs; Noiz, a band with a unique blend of vocal harmonies; and Mambo Loco.

Wine Café at Diliberto Winery in Jamesport features live music on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from 6-9 p.m. Sip their award winning wines, while enjoying homemade pizza, and other Italian treats.

Horton’s Point Lighthouse Concerts in Southold takes place on their grounds at 6 p.m. On Sunday, August 2, enjoy opera by Belle Voci; Saturday, August 15, The Hidden City Orchestra; and Saturday, August 29, Nina Et Cetera: a band influenced by punk, folk, rock, ambient, experimental, Hindustani classical, and country. Tickets $10. (Rain Location: The First Presbyterian Church.)
Many vineyards offer free live music on weekends including, Saturdays at Lieb Cellars in Cutchogue and at Bridge Lane in Mattituck (Saturday, August 1, features an Oysterfest from 1-5 p.m. with oysters, food trucks, and live music by singers/guitarists, Cass Dillon and Rob Europe, $30 fee). Saturdays and Sundays see live music performed at Jamesport Vineyards in Jamesport, Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead, presenting Rubber Soul, The Brown Shoe Jazz Ensemble, and The Bobby Nathan Band, to name a few, and Diliberto Winery in Jamesport. On Sundays hear East End Trio, Norman Vincent, and The Lucky Tones, among others at Raphael in Peconic.

The North Fork is rocking this summer. On any day of the week, you can hear music and drink wine at one of the vineyards. Or listen to a concert in the park or at the lighthouse. Especially enjoy the fantastic two-day festival, FOLD, and the all-day music event, Rootstock. The North Fork will be buzzing with sound this summer!