Question: What do you enjoy most about Peekskill's musical offerings?

C. Anderson August 10, 2011 at 11:27 am

I really enjoyed the Jazz and Blues Festival, totally great music, food, beer and a great crowd that made Peekskill feel like the best kind of party! The bars and restaurants are fine but expensive. Bringing quality music to the streets is special, I got to meet and mingle with friends and met so many out of area folks who were having the best time. It looks like Peekskill is becoming a music hub.

Sheilah Rechtschaffer August 10, 2011 at 01:10 pm

The festival was great. The performances at Bean Runner are fantastic and a draw from here and beyond. Go on their website and see what's happening all the time, every weekend. And thanks to Drew and Ted for providing a venue for visual artists as well. I loved being with you.
Sheilah Rechtschaffer and Bert Rechtschaffer

Maureen Winzig August 10, 2011 at 02:44 pm

The Jazz Festival is a monumental draw to Peekskill. It seems to outdo itself year after year. I particularly love it because as an artist with my studio on North Division St., I am right in the heart of it all! I always have my doors open for events like these and invariably folks come in to see and buy my work. Other times I paint until late and then later, jump into some goin' out clothes and hit the town. Yes, the 12 Grapes is great food, fantastic danceable blues/jazz and the Bean Runner has top of the line jazz talent for deep listening. And NOW with the exquisite Irish restaurant/bar The Quiet Man opened right across from me on Division, well let's just say I'm in heaven!
I love Peekskill ~ Maureen Winzig of Winzig's Studio 44 ~

Tina Bongar August 10, 2011 at 06:03 pm

The TIMES coverage of Ted Bitters and the Beanrunner is long overdue! He is a great Jazz programmer -- Arne Paglia knows good, classic Jazz and obviously, personally Bucky Pizarelli (how could you go wrong?) -- but Ted really books a great variety of modern jazz artists consistently (ie Latin jazz for Jazz Fest) AND who are local to the area -- or who have an established local fan base. Arne books Tony Jefferson and I'm a fan of his; he's currently part of Lincoln Center's jazz education ambassador program all over the world! We have amazing Jazz talent in this area. I really hope that Thom Pernice who did such an amazing job on the annual Jazz Fest was able to get some contact information for the jazz fans from NYC, Jersey, CT, even Philly, who came because of WBGO sponsorship because they would flip for some of the artists Ted gets in to play in Peekskill. Ted's programming is what will draw "cultural tourists" in -- I just hope he can keep it up, and turn my kind of gratitude into solid profit from his business. Back to the question though: I love the diverse modern jazz programming but I'd also like to hear some great, classic Big Band stuff, like the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra (19 pieces). More fantasy: this would draw the cool Lindy Hop crowd to Peekskill and also it would more than please the several local ballroom dancing groups in the area. Locals AND "cultural tourists" -- this is what the BID should concentrate on, in my simple opinion.

Laurie Gershgorn August 12, 2011 at 02:11 pm

Paramount! great bands 5 minutes from home? No brainer...
Definitely need more live touring bands coming through...