Benefit Concert & Party

Celebrated Musician and Yankee Legend
Bernie Williams to Headline at The Rye Arts Center’s Benefit Concert & Party
Friday, May 4, 2018, 7PM

The Rye Arts Center is replacing its annual gala with a Benefit Concert & Party that you won’t want to miss.

Headlining the evening will be Latin Grammy Nominee and former Yankee Center Fielder, Bernie Williams. Best known for his tremendous baseball career (that included 4 World Series Championships, 5 All-Star games, 4 Gold Gloves, and the 1996 ALCS MVP), Williams is now following his other great passion in life: jazz guitar. His first album, The Journey Within, was met with both strong critical praise and reached #3 on Billboard’s “Contemporary Jazz Chart.” His second album, Moving Forward, featured guest appearances by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Secada, Dave Koz, and an all-star cast of renowned studio musicians. It debuted as Billboard’s #2 Contemporary Jazz album in the country, and spawned two consecutive Billboard #1 singles, Go For It and Ritmo de Otono. The album was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Album in 2009. Williams also co-authored Rhythms of the Game: The Link Between Music and Athletic Performance, a book that examines the symbiotic relationship between musical artistry and athletic performance through the eyes of a man who has mastered both. Bernie Williams will be accompanied by Dave Anderson (Bass), Clifford Carter (Keyboard), Don Harris (Music Director/Trumpet), and Joel Rosenblatt (Drums).

Also performing will be Juice, a 7-piece band that’s been winning competitions and playing to sold out venues up and down the coast. Their music distills Rock, R&B, and Hip-hop into a signature sound with a flavorful kick of electric violin, rich harmonies, honest lyrics, and festival-worthy choruses. In 2016, Juice won the grand prize at Milwaukee’s Summerfest and returned in 2017 to open for pop juggernaut DNCE. The band has local roots. Their drummer, Miles Clyatt, took his first drum lessons at The Rye Arts Center.

Concert-goers will also be treated to a performance by students at School of Rock in Mamaroneck, showing off the musical talents of youth in our community.

Dennis Elsas will host the evening. A Rye resident, Elsas is a pioneer of FM radio and a rock and roll authority. He has conducted history-making interviews with John Lennon, Jerry Garcia, Elton John, and countless others legends. After decades at WNEW-FM he currently hosts radio shows on WFUV and on Sirius/XM’s Classic Vinyl. In 2010 he created Rock ‘N’ Roll Never Forgets, a live multi-media show featuring highlights from his storied career which debuted at The Rye Arts Center.

The Benefit Concert & Party will take place on Friday, May 4 at Coveleigh Club in Rye. In addition to music and dancing, the evening will be filled with wonderful food and drinks.

Funds raised from the event will support The Rye Arts Center’s many outreach programs, such as Head Start Arts Enrichment, which provides nearly 300 underserved pre-school children with arts education; Afterschool Programs at partner organizations like The Community Resource Center, The Don Bosco Center, and The Carver Center; Dance for Parkinson’s Disease, free classes that provide a supportive community and a rejuvenating experience; and $25,000 in Need-Based Scholarships.

“What better way to celebrate and support the arts than with a concert?” says Executive Director, Meg Rodriguez, “I am so excited to share this evening with our supporters.”

The Benefit Committee is being chaired by Claire & Michael Griffiths and Shami & Anand Kini. The event is sponsored by Julia B. Fee | Sotheby’s Realty.

Tickets are available online or call (914) 967-0700.

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