Nile Rodgers Teams Up With East End Organization

East End Arts recently announced that it has partnered with Grammy-winning composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist Nile Rodgers for a series of projects that will debut during the spring of 2016.

“I am so glad to be partnering with East End Arts and their mission of community enrichment through the arts and education. One universal language unites us all, and that is, The Arts,” said Rodgers, who co-founded of CHIC. “That is why East End Arts is a prime example of what I believe and stand for. Join me in supporting this wonderful organization and together, through the arts, we can make our world a better place.”

The legendary musician’s magic touch can be heard on iconic songs like David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” Diana Ross’ “diana,” and Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family.” Rodgers has also sold over 200 million albums and 50 million singles worldwide and worked with artists like Duran Duran, INXS, Mick Jagger, Grace Jones, Steve Winwood, Peter Gabriel, The B-52s, and Michael Jackson, as well as collaborated with Daft Punk, Avicii, Disclosure, and Sam Smith.

The East End Arts series will start with Nile Rodgers Master Class on Saturday, May 7th at 3 p.m. Rodgers will cover songwriting, guitar playing and the music industry during the special talk, which will be followed by a Q&A session. Later in the evening, the legendary hitmaker will give the Keynote Address at ARTworks: East End Arts Spring Gala. The evening toasts to the future of the arts on the East End and will feature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner and dancing featuring One Love; and live and silent auctions with Nicholas Dawes of Heritage Auctions and frequent appraiser on “Antiques Roadshow.” The East End Arts Spring Gala will be held on Saturday, May 7th from 6 to 11 p.m. at East Wind.

“I am thrilled to be working with Nile Rodgers and the good people of the Nile Rodgers Production team,” shared Patricia Snyder, East End Arts Executive Director. “What a wonderful, inspiring group of individuals.”

East End Arts and Rodgers are shining a spotlight on local musicians by giving them the special opportunity to perform on the Main Stage alongside Rodgers at the FOLD (Freak Out Let’s Dance) Music Festival in August. The FOLD Festival will be held at Martha Clara Vineyards from August 12th through August 14th. Previous headliners have included Beck, Pharrell Williams, Keith Urban, Duran Duran, Chaka Khan, Janelle Monae, Adam Lambert, Avicii, Chromeo, Mystery Skulls, and more.

The collaboration also provides new music scholarship opportunities at the East End Arts School for minority youth.

“The East End of Long Island is truly fortunate to have this amazing partnership, and I welcome them with open arms,” added Snyder.

For more information, visit www.eastendarts.org.