Nancy Atlas Returns With “Friday Night Hustle” Music Series At The Stephen Talkhouse

One positive outcome many have experienced during these dark and terrible COVID-19 days is suddenly having time to indulge in those activities that bring us immense joy and comfort – whether it be reading those books that have piled up near your favorite chair, binge watching old and new favorite television programs, or listening to our favorite music and the talented artists that create the sounds we love to hear.

One such musician is local favorite Nancy Atlas, whose talents are known throughout the East End and beyond, and whose commitment to community has benefited many who have asked and many she and her fellow musicians simply donated their time and energy to help.

Atlas relayed, “In 2019 I created a series for The Stephen Talkhouse called The Friday Night Hustle. It was a celebration of some of our professional musicians out here and a way for us to play together. The idea was born from the fact that the only time we seemed to jam musically together was in the aid of others – helping a sick child, a house that burnt down, a family who was in crisis, or even replacing Phil Vegas’ [a bartender at Talkhouse] teeth. Most of us are empaths and so whenever there was a need, we would come running. The silver lining to these events was that we would play and always remark about how much fun it was and how we wished we could do it more often.”

Continuing, Atlas reveals, “I decided to create a series that did just that. Us playing for us this time. We still all played countless benefits, but The 2019 Friday Night Hustle was our turn and was week after week of pure magic. One love fest of each other and each other’s music. So along comes 2020 and new challenges. But I’ve had a break and I’m up for that challenge so I’ve amassed some amazing filmmakers, the sound guys at the Talkhouse and some tasty other side interviews as well. This time The Friday Night Hustle 2020 will be a six-episode series that you can buy tickets to and in doing so you will directly support some of your professional East End musicians and also the Talkhouse staff.”

Each 2020 60-minute virtual episode begins at 8:00 p.m. and will run each consecutive Friday for six weeks beginning November 13 – available at musae.me, under “Explore Experiences.” The last episode is scheduled for December 18. If you are unable to watch on each Friday, you can still access the episode to view at your convenience.

Each episode will be hosted by Atlas, backed by The Nancy Atlas Project with Johnny Blood, Brett King, Richard Rosch and Joe Delia. Scheduled artists to appear include Gene Casey, Klyph Black, Andy Aledort, Inda Eaton, My Band, Winston Irie, Hopefully Forgiven, Sarah Conway, Annie Trezza, Mamalee Rose, Jimmy Lawler, Bosco Michne, Thomas Muse, James Bernard, Michael LeClerc, Dan Koontz, Danny Kean and more. Atlas advised, “We are still filming so there is no set date of who will be on when.”

Ticket prices work on a sliding scale of $10 to $100 – just pay what you can afford says Atlas – or consider getting all six episodes by becoming a ‘Friend of the Hustle’ for $300 which includes all six episodes and “a swag bag of goodies too.” If you are interested in being a Sponsor please check out www.clamshellfoundation.org where you can pay directly, and take a tax deduction as well.

Atlas concluded, “It will be a celebration of mostly original music. It will be a reflection on the times we’ve shared at the Talkhouse and it will provide for you a dose of community when the days grow short and the night grows cold.”

For more information, go to www.nancyatlas.com.