About a dozen times or so times a year Rich Rivkin holds art and music festivals called LI Music festivals, bringing together music from the 60s and 70s and an array of art to go along with it. Events can have as many as a thousand people, feature 4 bands and over 30 artists at sites like the Great Lawn at the Vanderbilt Museum. Other more intimate events feature a single band and a handful of artists. Most events are free but a few of the larger events require purchasing tickets.
On May 23rd, I saw an Allman Brothers Tribute Band, Trouble No More, play The Big Kahuna in Huntington. The band was spot on, hitting every single note in perfect harmony. If you closed your eyes you could see yourself at a real Allman Brothers concert from back in the day. Trouble No More set the mood for a night of art, dancing, and fun for all.
Their two guitarists were equally impressive, both being able to trade signature Allman Brothers licks and harmonize together with ease. While it’s easy to talk all about guitars in an Allman Brothers tribute, the rhythm section of bass, drums, and keyboards were keeping it rock solid all night. You could instantly tell these guys were very experienced with what they do. I just wished they smiled a little more. I couldn’t tell if these guys kept a stern face because they were trying to go for the “I’m too cool to smile” look, or they’ve been playing these songs for so long that it’s become boring to them.
Most venues consider the band be the show, the band only told half the story of the night. Rich Rivkin’s events also double as a Long Island artists community gathering. It’s an open door, all are welcome event for all artists. Painters, sketchers, and wearable art (art inspired clothing) all came together on this night in a “Bring Your Own Art” event. Some artists used the band and the venue to draw inspiration, others had models, and some just used the event as an excuse to finish an existing painting.
Rich Rivkin puts in a lot of love and hard work to put these events together. A full time environmentalist, Rich puts these events for the pure love of music and art. Not for money. If you grew up in the 60s and 70s (or have a love for that era of music) this is a perfect event for you. You’re not going to find an hipster music or contemporary art, so make sure you know what you’re getting into. So come on down to the next event, it’s a great way to get inspired and meet other Long Island artists.
