Spring for Sound a rocking good time

MILLERTON — Although the morning of Saturday, June 11, began with thunder, the weather did not prevent the 16 acts of Spring for Sound from displaying their talent on the stage behind the North East Community Center (NECC). Spring for Sound is a fundraiser for NECC that promotes local bands. Mimi Harney and Kristen Panzer, board members of NECC, organized the event for its second year.In the community center’s backyard, among the skateboards, bikes and strollers that occupied the Rail Trail, 13 bands and three DJs performed from 3 to 11 p.m.Spring for Sound kicked off with DJ Daddy Rude Boy, followed by Dylan & Steve. Ashley Mayne, who succeeded Dylan & Steve, is a new resident of Millerton who was recently voted one of the top 11 new artists to watch by Constant Clip Records.The MillertonKnights came next. Michael and Ruslan Peirce, Rex Alexander-Roy, Chloe Panzer, Justin Aloia, Miguel Dominguez, Jesse Capalero (assistant) and Jon Grusauskas (teacher) performed three songs: a salsa number, “Thriller,” by Michael Jackson and Jimmy Smith’s “Born To Groove.” Grusauskas said playing in the band does more for his students than simply teach them music.“It has given them something they can share with kids their age,” he said. “It serves as a new plane on which to interact with others, connect with others and feel part of a group in synchrony with others.” The band originated as an after-school program at the NECC, but the children, who had fallen in love with music, did not let it stop there. They named themselves The MillertonKnights and got down to practicing a set list.“Some of them come here every time they pass The Music Cellar because they always want to jam,” Grusauskas said. “They’re proud to be Knights.”Although this was their first time at Spring for Sound, this was by no means the band’s first gig. “They have more gigs than I do,” said Grusauskas, who performs with the band lespecial. “I’m a little shy,” said Justin Aloia, one of the Knights, as he contemplated his upcoming performance. His statement was at complete odds with the radiant smile on his face. “Excited. A little shy, but excited.” There was no sign of timidity as he took the stage, and then the mic, riling the crowd up in a chant of, “Who is Rex? A dance machine!” During “Thriller,” Rex, in a Michael Jackson-esque hat, moonwalked and grooved with the spirit of Jackson across the stage. Rex, who also plays the keyboard, said that he preferred dancing above all else. When asked what else he enjoyed, he responded, “Nothing. Dancing.”This love for music and community was palpable throughout the performances. DJ Pariah, The Kyles, The Old Croken Stillers, the Webutuck School Jazz Band, Hillary Barleaux, Paper Scissors Rock, Henry Yuliano, Duppy Conquerors, Ese Gringos and Geoff Romero followed the Knights, as well as another performance from DJ Daddy Rude Boy. Announcers for the event included Jonathan Bee, Peter Richmond and Kirsten Johnston, the actress from the TV series “Third Rock from the Sun.”“It was completely cool that the whole community came together in the name of great music. Easily one of the great nights in this great village’s history,” said Richmond. For upcoming events visit www.neccmillerton.org.