Tonight, Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theater hosts a holiday concert featuring performances from some of the East End’s most beloved musical groups, sure to get even the Grinchiest of folks into the Christmas spirit. The concert will also serve as a tribute to one of the nation’s most beloved musicians: late Sag Harbor resident and singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.
“We are so pleased to be able to celebrate Jimmy Buffett at our upcoming concert,” says Scott Schwartz, artistic director at Bay Street. “He was an incredible musician and such a force in American culture. And he was such a friend of Bay Street.”
Buffet, who would have turned 77 next week on Christmas day, passed away at his home in Sag Harbor this past September.
With a career that spanned more than five decades he was one of popular music’s most successful performers, well known and treasured for his upbeat, tropical rock-style songs such as the classics “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk.” This past July, Buffett debuted one his last releases, “My Gummy Just Kicked In,” at his beloved village radio station: Sag Harbor’s WLNG 92.1 FM, located in the Redwood neighborhood.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Bay Street, tonight’s concertgoers will enjoy performances of both holiday classics blended with some Buffett favorites. Featured performers will include country/blues/rock crooner Sarah Conway, aka “The Queen of Christmas.” The ever-festive holiday performer, Conway’s been making her holiday rounds across the East End, most recently performing earlier this month at the tree lighting on Long Wharf (right across the way from Bay Street) as well as a Christmas show at Amagansett’s Stephen Talkhouse. The songstress will be accompanied by her band, The Playful Souls. Members will feature Joe Lauro and Dan Koontz, with Eric Kay on the saxophone, Bosco Michne on guitar and James Bernard playing the drums.
Led by Lauro, members of The Hoodoo Loungers, an East End band with a New Orleans style, will also perform at the holiday concert/Buffett tribute, featuring Dawnette Darden singing lead vocals, Koontz on keyboards and vocals, Kay on clarinet and tenor saxophone, Lauro on bass, Eric Miller on trombone, Peter Aurrichio on trumpet and Bruce Beyer on drums. Special guests will include singers Sara Mundy, Sue Conklin and Faith Mullaly. In honor of the legendary musician, guests are encouraged to bust out their best Tommy Bahama Hawaiian shirts, flip-flops and other “Parrot Head”-inspired gear to keep the Buffett-esque vibe festive, merry and bright.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids. The bar, located in Bay Street’s lobby, will fully locked and loaded and ready to serve. To secure your tickets, click here or call the box office at 631-725-9500.
