June 14, 2008: Guy Davis

Guy Davis played the last show of our 07-08 season on a horrendously stormy night, with flooded roads, car accidents and just a generally bad mojo in the air outside. Inside was a different story, as we still managed to get a nearly full house of people who managed to row, swim, or scuba their wet selves over to Common Ground for a delightful show. It was a wonderful way to end our ’07-’08 season, and we send our huge thanks to Guy and everyone there for making it such a special night. Below you’ll find more pics, plus here’s a series of clips from the show — courtesy of our friend Simon Feldman at Hudson Valley Music Channel. Click on the first photo immediately below, sit back and enjoy!

(Photos courtesy of Simon Feldman, Hudson Valley Music Channel)

June 13, 2008: Hastings Jazz Collective

Many thanks to pianist David Janeway for having the vision to put together this super-summit of stellar jazz artists — four of whom live right here in the Hastings-on-Hudson/Dobbs Ferry area. Click here to check out some live video by clicking here, as well as some stills below — all courtesy of Simon Feldman of Hudson Valley Music Channel.

Jay Azzolina on guitar and Tony Jefferson, drums

Ugonna Okegwo, bass, and Tim Armacost, saxophone

The Hastings Jazz Collective: Jay Azzolina, guitar, Tony Jefferson, drums, Ugonna Okegwo, bass, Tim Armacost, saxophone, and David Janeway, piano

May 17, 2008: Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Preview Tour with Joe Crookston, Anthony da Costa, Lindsay Mac, and Joe Crookston

The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Preview Tour 2008, from left to right, Anthony da Costa, Lindsay Mac, Joe Crookston, and Randall Williams. (Photo courtesy of Barbara Prisament)

Randall, Anthony, Lindsay and Joe were joined by special guest Oliver Hill on fiddle, Abby Gardner of Red Molly on vocals and John Elliott on piano. Left to right are Randall, Oliver, Abbie, Anthony, Lindsay, Joe and John (obscured at piano). (Photo courtesy of Barbara Prisament)

Since you can’t see him in the photo above, here’s a chance to see and hear Anthony’s good friend John Elliott, who sat in to cover Anthony’s song “Note.” Just gorgeous.

April 26, 2008: Dan Lavoie and Port o’Monkeys

Dan Lavoie, master of the harpguitar and all-around great guy (Photo courtesy Jim Howe)

Port o’Monkeys performed on such eclectic instruments as the harmonium (left) and the oud (right). (Photo courtesy Jim Howe)

In addition to the guitar and mandolin, members of Port o’Monkeys also played the Swedish nykleharpa (behind the guitar) and the dutar from Afghanistan as well as various hand drums. (Photo courtesy Jim Howe)

Port o’ Monkeys Paul Harris, Don Haywood, Chris Wertenbaker, Elena Wertenbaker, and Jeff Green (l-r) in performance. (Photo courtesy Jim Howe)

Elena Wertenbaker and Jeff Greene of Port o’ Monkeys on the hand drums (Photo courtesy Jim Howe)

Port o’Monkeys in full swing. The instrument standing at center is a dutar from Afghanistan. (Photo courtesy Jim Howe)

Eugene and Sam man the snack table. (Photo courtesy Jim Howe)

March 29, 2008: Luminescent Orchestrii

We’re thrilled to be able to present the entire first set of this incredible group’s performance at Common Ground, thanks to Simon Feldman of Hudson Valley Music Channel (HVMC.TV). Simon is creating a really invaluable record of the best live performances in the Hudson Valley. Deep gratitude, Simon from all of us at Common Ground. Look for Part 2, coming soon. And thanks to Jim Howe for the photos below.

Click here to view the first half of Luminescent Orchestrii’s Concert. Enjoy!

The Luminescent Orchestrii (l-r): Sxip Shirey, Rima Fahnd, Sarah Alden, and Benjy Fox-Rosen (photo courtesy of Jim Howe)

Sxip Shirey of Luminescent Orchestrii (photo courtesy of Jim Howe)

Rima Fahnd (left) and Sarah Alden of Luminescent Orchestrii (photo courtesy of Jim Howe)

The nearly full-house crowd takes in Luminescent Orchestrii’s show on 3/29/08 (photo courtesy of Jim Howe)

A couple more views from the back of the house (photo courtesy of Jim Howe)

A dance floor opens for waltzing couples during the second set (photo courtesy of Jim Howe)

December 29, 2007: Rock and Run for Justice Benefit Concert for Midnight Run

Griffin & the True Believers: Andrew Epstein (left), Aaron Burns (center), Griffin Epstein (right) (Photo courtesy of Barbara Prisament)

Griffin Epstein of Griffin & the True Believers (Photo courtesy of Barbara Prisament)

Aaron Burns of Griffin & the True Believers (Photo courtesy of Barbara Prisament)

Dave End

Anthony DaCosta (right) and Oliver Hill (left) (Photo courtesy of Barbara Prisament)

UUordsmith the Dev1ous

October 27th, 2007: Star Island All-Stars/First U Rock & Soul Revue
A great evening was had by all at Common Ground of October 27th with the Star Island All-Stars, the First U Rock and Soul Revue, and soundman extraordinaire/poet of Star Island, John Robbins. Hats of to Kemp, Adrian, Oneika, Carl, and Hope of the All-Stars. And cheers to Ray, Stephen, Arnie, Eric, Gary, April, Leslie, both Joe B’s, and Suzie of Rock and Soul. Of course, all the Common Ground volunteer crew also deserve kudos for helping everything run so smoothly, especially Carol, David, Susan and Larry.

But I also want to thank Ted Berkowitz, because in a lot of ways, he proved on Saturday night what Common Ground is all about. One of the main things that we strive to create at Common Ground is a relaxed venue where those who come to our shows can feel like active members of a community instead of passive consumers of entertainment “product.” Because Common Ground is held in a small space, there is a shared intimacy between our audiences and artists. And as Ted Berkowitz proves, sometimes there are artists IN our audiences. Below, I’m thrilled to present you, our online community, an illustrated celebration of last Saturday’s concert, with huge thanks to Ted Berkowitz for sharing his gift with us. A magical night is now memorialized in artwork AND memory! Thanks, Ted.

– Carter

Above: Leslie, Suzie, Gary, Stephen, and part of Eric. (Click image for full view). Illustration courtesy of Ted Berkowitz.

Above: Adrian, Kemp, Oneika, and Stephen. (Click image for full view). Illustration courtesy of Ted Berkowitz.

Above: Carl and Ray. (Click image for full view). Illustration courtesy of Ted Berkowitz.

Above: Hope and Kemp. (Click image for full view). Illustration courtesy of Ted Berkowitz