Community Corner

PHOTOS: Deepwells Hosts Seventh Acoustic LI Summer Show

Deepwells Mansion set the stage for another successful Acoustic Long Island Summer event on Saturday.

Acoustic Long Island packed the front lawn of the historical Deepwells Mansion for its seventh annual summer concert on Saturday night.

Locals brought blankets and chairs and set up tables with food and drinks to sit back, relax and enjoy the acoustic sounds of Barnaby Bright, Ernie Halter, Antigone Rising and Little Toby Walker playing from the front steps of the mansion.

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Creator and host of the event, Dave Dircks, was impressed yet again by the concert's returning crowd.

“I always sweat before these events worrying if anyone will come,” said Dircks, “but the audience always comes back.”

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The concert this year started earlier and a little different than in the past. For the first time, Dircks decided to add a few opening acts to the beginning of the concert, which started at 6 p.m. and included three short acoustic acts.

“There was a big crowd here before 6 p.m., and by 7:30 p.m., the lawn is usually full,” said Dircks.

Each artist put on a unique performance of their own, starting at 7 p.m. with the harmonious couple of Barnaby Bright, the humor and guitar styles of Ernie Halter, the talented all-female Antigone Rising and ending with the traditional sounds of Little Toby Walker.

Return concert-goers and Nesconset residents Connie Elkind and her husband said that this summer’s concert will be their 4th Acoustic Long Island summer event they have been to.

“Dave always puts on a great show,” said Elkind. “We trust he will always get someone good for the show.”

Elkind explained that she and her husband download all of Acoustic Long Island’s podcasts and are always excited to attend their live events. They are familiar with many of the acoustic artists involved with the organization.

“We would come regardless of whether we know the artists or not,” said Elkind.

Alongside the Deepwells house were tables selling T-shirts and CDs of the performers and also to benefit Acoustic Long Island. St. James Pasta catered the event, selling burgers, corn on the cob, italian ices, cookies and drinks.

According to Dircks, all proceeds from the event goes to the Deepwells Mansion and the events they hold.

If you didn’t get a chance to experience the acoustic show yourself, the whole concert was recorded as a podcast and will be available on iTunes.

“This event is great for the community because it makes people aware of the area,” said Elkind. “It was a really fun day from beginning to end."


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