‘Sing East End’ success

Sing East End 2010, an open karaoke benefit for East End Hospice, was held last Friday night at the historic Vail-Leavitt Music Hall in downtown Riverhead.

This inaugural event gathered some of the East End’s best karaoke singers ranging in ages from 7 to 70 belting out songs from Abba to the Beatles to Metallica to Motorhead, and everything in between (including Drew Dyal, an Elvis Presley impersonator from Connecticut).  Over 40 singers performed for the benefit. (See photo slideshow.)

Local restaurants such as CK’s Deli, Farm Country Kitchen, Carlo’s Pizza, Digger O’Dells and Jerry’s and the Mermaid had all donated food for attendees and singers, and East End Hospice volunteers were there to educate attendees about the importance of the practice of hospice care for infirmed patients and their loved ones.

“Sing East End was really an idea of bringing together very good local singers to a gorgeous, historic venue such as the Vail-Leavitt, and drawing attention to the downtown area and a number of Riverhead’s finest catering establishments, all for a tremendous cause in benefiting East End Hospice”, noted Doug Wald, event producer for Sing East End.

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“One other reason why it was important to hold Sing East End at the Vail-Leavitt is that many people in the area have never set foot in this theater, which is sort of astounding to me – the Vail Leavitt is one of the area’s true artistic treasures, and when people actually walk in it for the first time, they are blown away by the charm, intimacy and beauty of the Hall.  People in the area should stop by on a Friday one afternoon and take in a tour – to me, the Vail Leavitt is really a beautiful work of art.”

From singers to attendees to volunteers to event organizers, Sing East End was deemed a rousing success in its first year, raising approximately $2,000 for East End Hospice.