You Don't Have To Be Jewish To Enjoy Klezmer Music And Yiddish Songs - You're Invited To Free Sunday Afternoon Concert March 23 At Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery

Come enjoy an afternoon of Klezmer music at the Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery Sunday, March 23.

According to the RIVAA Gallery:

Klezmer is back! The previously postponed Klezmer concert has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 23 at 3 PM.

You don’t have to be Jewish to love Klezmer music, but you do need to bring high spirits and a willingness to sing along to RIVAA’s first Klezmer concert 🎶

Make RIVAA Gallery your Sunday afternoon destination, and familiarize yourself with this lively music. See you on Sunday at RIVAA.

The band consists of long-time Island residents:

Mitch Elinson - Clarinet, Guitar, Vocals

Debra Drucker - Vocals

Martin Garrat - Keyboard

Farisha DeLorenzo - Guitar, Vocals

Entry is free of charge. Donations are welcome.

Time & Location

Mar 23, 2025, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM RIVAA Gallery, 527 Main St, Roosevelt Island

Here's a little bit of Klezmer music  

 from the Klezmatics.

You're Invited To Berwick Fiddle Consort Folk Music With Guts Concert Bringing Traditional Music From Ireland, Scotland And Canada To Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery Sunday Afternoon November 24

The Berwick Fiddle Consort are bringing their Folk Music With Guts traditional music from Ireland, Scotland and Canada to Roosevelt Island tomorrow afternoon with a concert at the RIVAA Gallery.

According to RIVAA Gallery:

Sunday, November 24 at 3 PM Fiddles and Fortepianos Concert

Join us for an enchanting afternoon featuring the lively sounds of fiddles and the timeless charm of the fortepiano, featuring the talented musicians of the Berwick Fiddle Consort (BFC). Founded in 2018 by Lydia Becker, Julia Connor and Sarah Douglass, BFC will perform traditional music from 18th century Ireland and Scotland, Cape Breton, St. Clare on period instruments, creating new arrangements and experimenting with various aspects of historical performance. They will be joined by Yi-heng Yang on fortepiano.

The concert is on Sunday, November 24 at 3 PM at RIVAA Gallery. Entry is complimentary. There is a recommended donation of $25 for adults and $10 for students / seniors to support the musicians and RIVAA programs.

SUPPORT RIVAA

Here's a little bit of the Berwick Fiddle Consort.

You're Invited To Convent Avenue Baptist Church Male Choir Gospel And Black Spiritual Music Concert Sunday Afternoon At Roosevelt Island Good Shepherd Church - Reception To Follow Afterwards

The Roosevelt Island Episcopal Congregation at the Church of the Good Shepherd (543 Main Street

invites you to:

Please join us for a musical concert with the Convent Avenue Baptist Church Male Choir 4 PM Sunday September 22, 2024 at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Donation at the door $20 ($10 for Seniors). There will be a reception right after the event.

Double Latin Grammy Nominated Cuartetango String Quartet Performs Excerpts From "The Rites Of Love" A New Ballet By Leonardo Suarez-Paz Friday June 14 At Roosevelt Island Good Shepherd Church, Poetry, Instrumental And Vocal Works Too - Get Your Tickets Now

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Leonardo & Olga Suarez-Paz (@suarezpaztango)

The Cuartetango string quartet will perform excerpts from "The Rites of Love," a new ballet by Leonardo Suarez-Paz on Friday June 14 at the Roosevelt Island Chapel of the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street). According to Suarez Paz Tango:

Join us for a one of a kind program by the double Latin Grammy nominated Cuartetango string quartet in the acoustically superior historic Chapel of the Good Shepherd. The string quartet will perform excerpts from "The Rites of Love," a new composition by Leonardo Suarez-Paz which will premiere in late 2024. The evening's program will also feature poetry, instrumental and vocal works by Astor Piazzolla and post-Piazzolla composers.

Cuartetango has been featured multiple times at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Chautauqua Institution, live at the Latin Grammy Awards, Teatro Colon Opera House and many other venues. Award winning artists include Leonardo Suarez Paz (violin I, voice, direction), Francisco Salazar (violin II), Jon Weber (viola) and Danny Miller (violoncello).

WHERE: The Chapel of the Good Shepherd, 543 Main Street, New York NY 10044

TICKETS: Advance Regular Admission Tickets $20, Advance Senior/Student Tickets $15, Same-Day Tickets $30

Click here to purchase tickets. 

Leonardo Suarez-Paz is a Roosevelt Islander and has performed previously at Good Shepherd.

The Fire Is Still Burning, An Evening Of Songs And Stories By Matt Katz Friday May 31 At Roosevelt Island's Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance - Get Your Tickets Now To Benefit MST&DA Scholarship Fund

The Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (MST&DA) is presenting:

The Fire Is Still Burning: An Evening Of Songs And Stories 

by Roosevelt Island resident Matt Katz on Friday May 31 at the Howe Theatre (548 Main Street)

According to MST&DA:

Matt loves a good song: folk, rock, blues, you name it. Some are by poets, like Paul Simon or Cat Stevens, who know how to make a point or paint an image. Some are by satirists, like Tom Lehrer, who know how to skewer the self-important. And some are just there for the beauty of it. All the songs tell a story and Matt will be with us to deliver that story. Come join Matt for an evening of music, stories, and celebration.

Special guest appearance by Sherie Helstien.

The Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance has offered music, theatre and dance training along with performance opportunities for all ages for over 35 years in the Roosevelt Island community. Our Mission - MSTDA nourishes creativity by providing high quality music, theatrical and dance training as well as performing opportunities to everyone in our diverse community. We offer every person, child or adult, the opportunity to participate in the arts without discrimination due to race, color, national origin, sex including gender and orientation, cultural background, socio-economic status, age, ability, or disability. With a robust scholarship program no one is turned away for financial reasons.

Tickets are $10, children $5 (benefitting the MSTDA Scholarship Fund). 

Click here

to purchase tickets.

Wonderful Jazz Jam Session Performed Today At The Roosevelt Island Library Outdoor Plaza Celebrating International Jazz Day - Watch And Enjoy Video Of The Jam

International Jazz Day was celebrated this afternoon at the Roosevelt Island Public Library Outdoor Plaza with a wonderful Jazz Jam session performed by local musicians together with some of their musician and vocalist friends. 

Roosevelt Island residents of all ages enjoyed today's Jazz Jam.

Here's a little bit of what happened - Watermelon Man Cantaloupe Island by Herbie Hancock.

Jazz guitarist Susheel explained the impromptu nature of the jam session by remarking:

This is the beautiful thing about a jam session. We don't know what we're going to play. Hopefully these guys don't call something we have no idea about. Fortunately, protocol is to suggest a tune that most of us, some of us, know.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Roosevelt (@rooseveltislander)

It was a great time this afternoon and the outdoor Library Plaza is a fantastic spot to hold a concert. Hopefully more outdoor concerts will take place at the Library Plaza this year.

Good job by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC), the Roosevelt Island NYPL branch and especially the performing musicians putting the event on. Thanks to all of you!

Weekend Of Roosevelt Island Music Coming Up April 27-28 -Celebrate International Jazz Day With A Free Jazz Jam Session Saturday Afternoon At Roosevelt Island Public Library Outdoor Plaza And Romantic Chamber Music Program Sunday At RIVAA Gallery

Come celebrate International Jazz Day Saturday April 27 at the Roosevelt Island NY Public Library outdoor plaza (504 Main Street).

According to the Roosevlt Island Operating Corp (RIOC): 

Dear Roosevelt Island Community:

Join us in celebrating International Jazz Day with a special jazz jam session this Saturday, April 27th from 2-5 PM at the Roosevelt Island Public Library outdoor plaza!🎷

International Jazz Day highlights jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. Immerse yourself in the captivating melodies and rhythms of jazz as talented musicians take the stage.

🗓️ Date: Saturday, April 27th

⏰ Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm

📍 Location: Roosevelt Island Public Library Plaza

Rain date: Saturday, May 4th

The Library Plaza 

is a lovely spot to enjoy an outdoor concert  

 on a nice spring day.

Also, Roosevelt Island's RIVAA Gallery 

is hosting a Romantic Chamber Music program on Sunday Afternoon April 28.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RIVAA Gallery (@rivaagallery)

Enjoy a few minutes from the January 7 RIVAA Gallery Sunday Afternoon of Chamber Music.

Spring Is In The Air, Come Out And Enjoy Friday Night Jazz Tomorrow At Roosevelt Island's Nisi Restaurant - It's Your Own Local Jazz Hang Out - Try The Smashburger Too

Roosevelt Island's Nisi Kitchen invites you to enjoy Friday night Jazz this Friday evening and every other Friday.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nisi Kitchen (@nisikitchen)

Roosevelt Island resident and Jazz Guitarist In Perpetual Learning Susheel Kurien adds: 

Friday night is Jazz Night at Nisi starting at 7 PM.

Come on out and enjoy. Spring is in the air. 

Jazz at NISI Kitchen.. Roosevelt Island...your own local jazz hang.

Featuring

• Michele Smith - Flute and vocals
• Max Baranov - Keyboard
• Mauricio Suarez-Gonzalez - Drums

Thanks for you support and keeping the music alive.. bring a friend and enjoy the evening! 

And remember... Make jazz, not war.

Alla Kremeznaya shares this video from the February 2 Jazz show at Nisi.

Enjoy the Jazz and try the Nisi Smashburger.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nisi Kitchen (@nisikitchen)

Watch A Few Minutes Of A Marvelous Sunday Afternoon Chamber Music Concert At Roosevelt Island's RIVAA Gallery This Afternoon

RIVAA Gallery hosted a marvelous Sunday Afternoon of Chamber Music today for a packed house of Roosevelt Island residents and friends.

Enjoy a few minutes of the concert.

As reported yesterday: 

 Join us on Sunday, January 7th at 3pm at RIVAA Gallery for an afternoon of chamber music

Yiheng Yang, internationally recognized fortepianist and faculty at The Juilliard School, is a Roosevelt Island resident. She presents a delightful afternoon of classical chamber music with leading period instrument colleagues, and plays on her Mozart fortepiano, which is a copy of an Anton Walter piano that Mozart owned.

The program ranges from an undiscovered Trio by Kozeluch, to one of Mozart’s chamber music masterpieces, his G minor Piano Quartet, to a rousing arrangement of Mozart’s F major Piano Concerto K. 459 for string ensemble plus fortepiano. 

Come experience this magical and joyous music in the intimate and artistic setting of RIVAA Gallery, and start 2024 in style.

SUPPORT RIVAA

You're Invited To A Roosevelt Island Afternoon Of Chamber Music At Gallery RIVAA Sunday January 7 - Come Experience Magical And Joyous Music In The Intimate And Artistic Setting Of RIVAA Gallery, Start 2024 In Style

According to the Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery:

Join us on Sunday, January 7th at 3pm at RIVAA Gallery for an afternoon of chamber music

Yiheng Yang, internationally recognized fortepianist and faculty at The Juilliard School, is a Roosevelt Island resident. She presents a delightful afternoon of classical chamber music with leading period instrument colleagues, and plays on her Mozart fortepiano, which is a copy of an Anton Walter piano that Mozart owned.

The program ranges from an undiscovered Trio by Kozeluch, to one of Mozart’s chamber music masterpieces, his G minor Piano Quartet, to a rousing arrangement of Mozart’s F major Piano Concerto K. 459 for string ensemble plus fortepiano. 

Come experience this magical and joyous music in the intimate and artistic setting of RIVAA Gallery, and start 2024 in style.

SUPPORT RIVAA

RIVAA Gallery

527 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York, NY 10044

(212) 308-6630

info@rivaagallery.org

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 6 pm - 9 pm

Thursday: 11 am - 5 pm

Friday: 6 pm - 9 pm

Saturday: 11 am - 5 pm

Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RIVAA Gallery (@rivaagallery)

Watch Video Of Peace Masters Concert Performance By Roosevelt Island Resident And Community Icon Roy Eaton - A Collection Of Works By J.S. Bach, Chopin, Joplin, Evans And Roy Too

It's been a rainy and dreary last few days so I hope this musical treat brightens the rest of your day.

Last July 15, Roosevelt Island Concerts, Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance and RIVAA Gallery joined together for an Evening Of Peace concert by our world renowned neighbor, musician and advertising legend, Roy Easton. According to Roosevelt Island Concerts:

Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association, Main Street Theater & Dance Alliance, and Roosevelt Island Concerts are joining forces to present a concert to honor our beloved friend and icon of our community, and to bask in the musicality with which he has touched our lives.

Between his successes in both concert music and advertising, Roy Eaton’s life story is one of spiritual and creative triumph, overcoming significant difficulties and adversity. He attributes his success to the practice of meditation, and has crafted an enduring program that will bring that sense of peace back to Good Shepherd for an evening. On this program, "Peace Masters," you can expect to hear a collection of 10 short works by J.S. Bach, Frédéric Chopin, Scott Joplin, Bill Evans, and by Roy Eaton himself:

• Johann Sebastian-Bach/Ferruccio Busoni: Chorale Prelude No. 3, “Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland,” BWV 659
• Scott Joplin: Solace
• Bill Evans: Peace Piece
• Frédéric Chopin: Berceuse in D-Flat Major, Op. 57
• Frédéric Chopin: Impromptu in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 36
• Frédéric Chopin: Prelude No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 28
• Frédéric Chopin: Fantasie-Impromptu in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 66
• Roy Eaton: Psalm 2020
• Roy Eaton: Variations on "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
• Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude No. 1 in C Major from “The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1,” BWV 846

Enjoy Mr Eaton performing Peace Piece by Bill Evans

and Chopin's Berceuse in D-Flat Major, Op. 57.

Learn more about Roosevelt Island's Roy Eaton advertising career

as well as his struggles and successes which he described during this 2017 talk celebrating Black History Month at the Roosevelt Island Senior Center.

Roosevelt Island NY Public Library Branch Hosting Jazz Concert Series With Local Musicians Island Krewe At Outdoor Plaza Area Saturday Afternoon June 3

The Roosevelt Island NY Public Library branch is hosting a Jazz Concert Series

at their outdoor plaza beginning Saturday June 3 with local musicians from the Island Krewe.

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Orchestra Spring Classical Concert - Violin & Viola Duo Performing Mozart, Bach & More Thursday March 30 At Good Shepherd Chapel

According to Roosevelt Island Concerts: 

Thursday, March 30th, 2023, 7:30 p.m.

Good Shepherd Center

This Thursday: Spring Concert

Join us for a concert of violin & viola duos this Thursday, March 30th, at Good Shepherd Center at 7:30 pm.

The program will consist of the first duo Mozart wrote for such a pairing, a piece written by Martinu during his brief time in the US, and a jig by the prolific fiddler Mark O'Connor. Interspersed between these three duo mainstays will be various inventions Bach Inventions - works for two voices that belong to no particular instruments, lovingly adopted by our musicians for this concert.

On violin will be your Roosevelt Island Orchestra concertmaster, Kobi Malkin, joined by a new friend to RIC, Tanner Menees, on viola. Please help us give them a warm welcome as they bring their superb musicianship to Roosevelt Island.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Duo No. 1 in G Major for Violin and Viola, K .423

Bohuslav Martinu: Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola

Mark O’Connor: F. C.’s Jig for Violin and Viola

J.S. Bach: Various Inventions

The series is made possible by the Musicians Emergency Fund, Roosevelt Island Public Purpose Fund, Hudson/Related’s Riverwalk Crossing, and our generous audience and supporters.

Your generous contribution keeps the series affordable:

Suggested donation: $20

Students & seniors: $10 

More info on Roosevelt Island Concerts available at their website

 

and here's Roosevelt Island Concerts 

 

presentation of Schubert:Symphony No.5 in August 2021 at the Good Shepherd Chapel.

Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery Hosting American Primative Guitar & Otherworldly Folk Banjo Style Musicians Performing Friday March 17, Also,The Sound Of The Jazz Guitar Saturday March 18 - You're Invited To Both

Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery reports:

Join us at RIVAA Gallery on Friday, March 17, 2023 at 7:30 PM for String Together 2. 

This musical performance, presented by Island House Recordings, features Liam Grant & Ethan WL playing primitive guitar as well as composer, vocalist and multi- instrumentalist, Ben “Baby” Copperhead. Mingle with your neighbors and friends and hear some great, new music.

Tim McManus of Island House Recordings adds:

My first show on Roosevelt Island!! Thanks to Rivaa Gallery for hosting what I hope will be many more shows.

Plenty of room and just bring $10 bucks for the musicians. Thank you!

And more form RIVAA Gallery:

Have you missed the Jazz Salon sessions at RIVAA gallery lately? If the answer is YES then you will be happy to welcome Jazz Salon founder, Susheel Kurien back to RIVAA Gallery. 

He will accompany guitarist Andrew Baird for“The Sound of the Jazz Guitar” which takes place on Saturday March 18, 2023 from 3-5 PM. 

Where: RIVAA Gallery, 527 Main St. Roosevelt Island 

Suggested donation: $10.

Eiizabeth P. W.'s "The Company You Keep" Album Release Party At The Sanctuary On Roosevelt Island Today - Take A Listen And Enjoy

Roosevelt Island's The Sanctuary Event Space/Cafe hosted an afternoon of live music and celebration today for the "Company You Keep" album release by singer and songwriter Elizabeth P.W.

Take a listen and enjoy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Elizabeth P.W. (@elizabethpwmusic)

The Sanctuary on Roosevelt Island is a wonderful venue to host your party, wedding, corporate event, fundraiser or Album Release. 

UPDATE 9 PM - A resident adds: 

This is amazing. So glad to see this happening on the island. We need more. Much more.

Agreed.

"It's Nice To Be On The Island" - A Concert Film By Duo Extempore Explores The History And Stories Of Roosevelt Island With Specially Curated Improvisation, Watch And Enjoy

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nicole Brancato (@n.brancato)

According to artist NicoleBrancoto's website:

Duo Extempore interprets history, art, and space through music, exploring the very spaces in which they perform with specially curated improvisations. Through this unique storytelling process, the space itself becomes the score for impromptu pieces, bringing stories of the past into the present-day imagination.

 it's nice to be on the island is a concert film by Duo Extempore, exploring the stories of Roosevelt Island in New York City's East River with specially curated improvisation. 

Evan Jagels and Nicole Brancato are bold and sensitive improvisers, forging heartfelt connections with their audiences through their visceral collaborative energy. As sought-after artists with impressive versatility, their extensive credits include Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Banff Centre of the Arts, NPR, the Blue Note in Germany, and the UniJazz Festival in the Czech Republic....

Learn more about Duo Extempore and Nicole Brancato.

Move Over Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, John Cale & Shrek - The Roosevelt Island Senior Center Choral Singers Cover Hallelujah Too And They're Pretty Good!

Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah has been covered by some of the great singer's of our time.

Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song is a definitive exploration of Leonard Cohen as seen through the prism of his internationally renowned hymn, “Hallelujah.”#HallelujahFilm opens July 1 in NY & LA. Coming Soon to a theater near you. pic.twitter.com/Ne15aCYO9K

— Hallelujah Leonard Cohen Documentary (@CohenHallelujah) May 6, 2022

 

Today, the Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Senior Center Choral Singers presented their version of the classic Leonard Cohen song Hallelujah.

 

The Roosevelt Island Senior Center 

Choral Singers

performed these favorite tunes too

during their concert this afternoon.

Will have more video of the Roosevelt Island Senior Center Choral Singers soon.

Here's Leonard Cohen talking about Hallelujah,

performing it.

and Top 50 cover versions of Hallelujah from The Forward.

Great song and good job by the Roosevelt Island Senior Center Choral Singers.