Tip #16: Dancing in the Dark

It's Monday and a great night to head to Greenport. The weekend crowds have receded and there is ample parking again.  Besides all the wonderful restaurants and shopping, Greenport has a beautiful waterfront park called Mitchell Park & Marina. It features an old-fashioned carousel housed in a very modern building, a Camera Obscura (and I still don't know what that is), and an outdoor amphitheater.  On Monday nights in July and August there's a free concert as part of the Dances in the Park program.  It is a great spot to picnic right on the water with friends and family.  The music is diverse - rock, reggae, salsa, and blues - with a few familiar bands of the North Fork. And the crowd really does get up and dance so it's alot of fun.  A side note - the park has really nice public restrooms, too.
Dances in the Park every Monday from 7:30 - 9:30 pm; remaining line-up for the season:

July 25: Bastards of Boom plays Brazilian and Salsa.
Aug. 1: No Request Band , which focuses on dance, rock and party.
Aug. 8: Behind Closed Doors plays rock, blues, and soul.
Aug. 15: Winston Irie is a reggae and roots band.
Aug. 23: Second Shift which features local musicians playing hits from the 60s, 70s, and today.
Aug. 29: The Lone Sharks plays rhythm and twang.

We'll be there tonight and also to see The Lone Sharks jam on the 29th!

Tip# 41: Best Vineyard for Live Music

It is a rare weekend when I get a day "off" so I was taking full advantage of today.  After morning chicken chores and a nap, Chris and I decided to spend the afternoon at Jamesport Vineyards.  On Saturdays and Sundays Jamesport Vineyards features an oyster bar with fresh local oysters, as well as Jamaican Jerk chicken wings and ribs cooked on the grill by chef Palo - who also happens to be sous-chef at Mirabelle Restaurant, located in the historic Three Village Inn in Stony Brook.  I had a half dozen of delicious, briny oysters shucked to order and served with lemon, horseradish and cocktail sauce.  Chris had the meaty ribs -- which arrive served by the chef on a wooden cutting board which is really such a great detail. Both choices cost less than $15 a plate. We each had a glass of  Jamesport wine.  I choose the crisp Sauvignon Blanc to pair with my oysters and Chris choose Chardonnay because he just really likes it. They also sell a beautiful cheese plate.

There is ample seating outdoor at Jamesport Vineyards - lounge chairs on the lawn that you'd expect to find at the beach, several tables with umbrellas & chairs, and cute stools and tall tables around the outdoor bar. The music today was a kick-ass Bluegrass band, Buddy Merrian and the Back Roads Trio.  Next Sunday Blue Point Brewery will also be there. When you go, tell Jake, the manager,  I sent you - trust me, you will not meet a better host.  Then kick back and enjoy! 

For more info on Jamesport Vineyards, including a full music line-up for the 2011 season: http://www.jamesportwines.com/