The Custer Observatory in Southold is embarking this fall on a music series that ranges from a meditation on the natural word by contemporary composers to a local rock concert to an ambient experience to accompany the peak of the Orionid Meteor Shower.
On Oct. 5, the observatory will host “For the Beauty of the Earth,” a collaboration between pianist Kyle P. Walker and violinist Emily Kalish.
The duo will perform works that portray our connection to the natural world, includes new music by contemporary composers Roberto Sierra and Laura Kaminsky, and gems from the first half of the 20th Century by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, William Grant Still, and Margaret Bonds.
“Each piece depicts a different natural landscape, or uses imagery from the natural world in an abstract or metaphorical way,” according to the observatory. “This program inspires an appreciation of Earth’s beauty, and offers an oasis for reflecting on our commitment to its stewardship.”
The concert, at 6:30 p.m., will be held on the Observatory Hall, with limited seating, after which observatory staff will provide guided tours of the night sky (weather permitting) through the many telescopes on site, including the apochromatic Zerochromat telescope in the historic observation dome.
Ms. Kalish and Mr. Walker have performed as a duo at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Storm King Arts Center, New York Society for Ethical Culture, WNYC’s The Greene Space, Erie Cultural Council, and Dayton University’s Social Practice of Human Rights Conference.
Mr. Walker, a renowned pianist known for his passionate dedication to using music as a tool for addressing societal concerns, stands at the forefront of a musical movement.
In a pivotal moment, Mr. Walker’s 2023 solo performance marked the debut of classical piano music at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX, making waves in the industry.
He is also the pianist of Dara + Kyle, a groundbreaking piano/cello duo recognized with the 2021 Chamber Music America “Ensemble Forward” career grant, devoted to championing underrepresented composers. Mr. Walker is also an integral part of The Harlem Chamber Players, bringing classical music to diverse communities, and a founding member of The Dream Unfinished, an activist orchestra supporting NYC-based civil rights organizations.
As a recitalist and chamber musician, violinist Emily Kalish creates emotionally transformative experiences for audiences.
She has designed imaginative programs that capture a moment in history (a concert of music all written or premiered in 1924, complete with period costumes and a vintage jazz band for dancing), as well as programs of music by 20th and 21st Century women and concerts that sit at the crossroads of jazz and classical music.
Since its founding in 2015, Ms. Kalish has been performing and producing chamber music for The Dream Unfinished, an organization that engages audiences with issues of social justice and civil rights through classical music. The Dream Unfinished offers performances of works by under-represented composers in partnership with activists and community organizations.
Tickets to the Custer show are $30 for adults, $20 for Observatory members, and children under 16 are free. Attendance to this performance is extremely limited. Reservations can be made at www.custerobservatory.org.
South Fork rocker Nancy Atlas makes a rare North Fork appearance at Custer Observatory on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. with her “Living Large and Playing Hard” show with her band, including lead guitarist Johnny Blood, Brett King on bass, Denny McDermott on drums, Greg McMullen on pedal steel guitar and Joe Delia on keyboards, organ and backup vocals.
This will be a rain or shine event, expected to be outdoors under the night sky, or in the Observatory Hall in case of rain. Plan to bring a blanket or chair. Due to the seating restriction indoors, the observatory will be offering VIP tickets only until they’re sure the weather will allow the event to be held outdoors.
Tickets are $50 for VIPs, $35 for General Admission, $25 for Observatory Members, and children under 16 are free.
The ambient duo Worst Night Ever will debut their newest album, inspired by deep space and the cosmos, near the peak of the Orionid Meteor shower on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
The album, “Burned by Stars,” is “a transportive, multi-layered soundscape inspired by the wonder and the horror of deep space, the threat of extreme weather, and the hyper-local sounds of NYC and the North Fork, according to the observatory. “With a mood that oscillates from dread to lightness, it incorporates synth, modular sound, NASA samples, night sounds from Peconic, and field recordings of NYC street cleaning trucks and trashed pianos. This album release event will also feature original light and projection art, and a guided meditation accompanied by the first sound recording of an earthquake on Mars.”
Worst Night Ever’s Daniel Giachetti and Arthur Fleischmann, have been writing and performing music together for decades. Their musical projects together have licensed songs to multiple TV series, soundtracked a runway show for Neiman Marcus, won the 33 1/3 book series home recording contest, charted on college radio, and toured both coasts and the UK.
The Orioniid Meteor Shower, which peaks during mid-October, originates from Halley’s Comet.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for Observatory members and children under 16 are free.
The concert will be held outdoors, weather permitting — bring a blanket or chair — and a rain date will be announced if necessary.
Custer Observatory is located at 1115 Main Bayview Road in Southold and can be reached at 631.765.2626. Tickets to all three events are available on their website at custerobservatory.org
Keep Independent News on the East End
The Beacon is able to provide all of our content online free of charge thanks to support from our readers. Be a vital part of keeping our community informed!
