Several East End favorites are sharing the stage at Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett on Sunday, December 17 during an extraordinary Songwriter’s Share For The Retreat organized by Fred Raimondo.
“I was introduced to The Retreat by a friend, Eve Elliot. I was doing a house concert at her home in The Springs, I thought it would be nice to do it as a benefit and she recommended The Retreat,” Raimondo explained. “I have since gotten to know Loretta Davis and the team at The Retreat and learned more about their mission. It is a cause that touches so many people I know in some way. As part of Nancy Remkus’ annual Songwriter’s Share Concert Series for three years I have shared the proceeds of my concert with them.”
The Retreat, which is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, is the East End’s only domestic violence service provider. Services offered by the non-profit include a 24-hour bilingual hotline, emergency residential shelter, individual and group counseling for adults and children and legal advocacy. In 2016, the organization served 6625 clients, answered 3362 hotline calls, provided 4822 nights of safe shelter, 2981 counseling sessions, and 2559 legal advocacy assists, and over 50 percent of its shelter residents were under the age of 12.
Raimondo, along with Inda Eaton, Gene Casey, Job Potter, Mariann Megna and Nancy Remkus are headlining the Songwriter’s Share For The Retreat.
“All the artists who are performing are part of this year’s or past year’s Songwriter Share Series at the Unitarian Church in Bridgehampton,” Raimondo shared. “I thought it would be a great way to expose the series and artists to a larger audience and benefit The Retreat at the same time.”
The Retreat is dedicated to stopping the cycle of violence through outreach, which includes a Teen Leadership Project, community presentations, The Suffolk County Fatherhood Initiative, SHARP: Structured Help Antiviolence Re-education Program for batterers, and In-School Programming (grades 1-12, college).
“Fred has been a great friend to The Retreat for many years,” noted Kimberly J. Nichols, Director of Development at The Retreat. “We were thrilled when he called to say he was organizing local singer/songwriters into an evening at Stephen Talkhouse.”
Remkus is thrilled to lend her talent to the exceptional cause. “I am so excited to be a part of this benefit for The Retreat. It will feature many of the Songwriters Share regulars which will be a great way to kick off the Fourth Season of the Songwriter Share Concert Series!” shared Remkus. “The first concert of our series will be Friday, January 5 featuring the HooDoo Loungers playing to benefit Island Gift of Life!” After the series’ 2018 launch, many noteworthy performances can be expected. “This series, which gives back to the community, will host a concert at the Unitarian Universalist meeting house on the Bridgehampton Turnpike the first Friday of every month through June,” Remkus said. Each month will feature a different performer, who selects a charity of their choice to support through the concert. “I hope everyone can join us!” Remkus added.
While typically the Songwriter Share Series features just one performer, this musical spectacular will highlight many beloved local talents. “The audience can expect a evening of local original songwriters performing their own material at the most intimate level, just the artist their song and their instrument,” Raimondo said. “All of the them – Inda Eaton, Gene Casey, Mariann Megna, Nancy Remkus, Job Potter and myself – have multiple CD’s to our credit and are played regularly on local radio stations including WPPB, WUSB and WEHM. It promises to be a very special evening!”
“Music can be therapeutic and these talented musicians are incredible storytellers. It will be a great night of entertainment, healing and generosity,” Nichols concluded. “Perfect for this holiday season.”
Tickets to Songwriter’s Share For The Retreat are $25 and the concert will be held from 7 to 9 p.m.
Stephen Talkhouse is located at 161 Main Street in Amagansett. For more information, call 631-267-3117 or visit stephentalkhouse.com. For more information about The Retreat, visit www.theretreatinc.org.
