On Sunday, Sept. 21, the only place to be for lovers of local music is the Homestead in Oyster Bay, where a full day of live music is planned at GlenFest featuring 25 different performances. The lineup includes big names like Richie Cannata to Sea Cliff mainstays Kris Rice and Chicken Head to up-and-comers like Matt Grabowski and Lisa Vetrone.
GlenFest is the brainchild of Dave Losee, 53, of Glen Cove, who plays in the Crosstown Blues Band.
“I had this idea for a festival years ago, and when I finally nailed down a date, people are coming out of the woodwork to be a part of it,” says Losee.
Losee had a vision of bringing local musicians together for a day of music to unite the community. The plan came to fruition with GlenFest; what started as an idea to showcase four of the area’s top bands has grown into a full-blown festival with more than 80 musicians participating over the course of 10 hours, and dozens more wishing they could be a part of it.
“Music is the way of life—it brings people together,” he says.
Lisa Vetrone of Glen Cove will hit the stage with her backing band some time in the late afternoon. The North Shore High School grad is currently studying New York University.
“I feel like Long Island really needs a music festival like this,” says Vetrone. “There’s a lot of talent here…to have a place where we can all come together and meet other musicians is
inspiring.”
Joanne Hutchins of Bayville is also looking forward to being a part of the festival. The 50-year-old founder of Oyster Bay-based Moms Who Kick, Inc. just recently began trying her
hand at open mike nights at the Homestead, where she met Losee, and is now a singer with two different bands. In addition to performing a couple of numbers on her own, she will also sing a duet with Losee and provide back-up vocals with Losee’s band.
Hutchins, who comes from a musical family, is excited to not only be a part of the festival herself, but also to see her children perform. Her teenage son and daughter are opening the festival with their band, Resurrequiem, comprised of teens from Bayville and Locust Valley.
“Spending the day with a bunch of local rock stars…it doesn’t get any better than that,” says Hutchins.
The music will begin at noon and last until 10 p.m. at the Homestead, 107 South St., with stages both inside and outside. In addition to the music, Losee has secured more than 40 sponsors, and there will be raffles for guitars and other prizes. Other musicians include Andy Aledort and the Groove Kings, Channel 29 and Richie Cannata.
Losee says he believes people will come out to support local artists, and though he is not really surprised by the response he’s gotten, he is still a little in awe of how the whole thing came together so quickly; and very excited about the festival.
“I’m just praying for two things: good weather, and no hassles, because it’s all about the love of music.”
