August Concert to Aid Landis Arboretum; Nine Area Bands Donate Time,Talent, Goodwill

ESPERANCE, NY (08/09/2009)(readMedia)-- Alarmed by news reports of possible cutbacks at the Landis Arboretum, Summit, NY resident Walter Wouk, a long-time independent music promoter approached the Arboretum with an idea. Quietly and behind the scenes, Wouk worked with the Arboretum to produce the upcoming Hot Tunes for Hard Times, which he believes will be the start of regularly scheduled, fundraising concerts at Landis.

The August 23 concert will feature performances by nine area bands and soloists. All have donated their time and talent to benefit the Arboretum. For a suggested donation of $10/person, visitors can stretch out on the lawn at Landis with its sweeping vista of the Schoharie Valley, or sit in the meetinghouse, relax, and enjoy the music at the 548-acre Arboretum starting at 2 PM.

Mr. Wouk, too, is donating his time for the love of music and the Arboretum. He considers the Landis Arboretum "a green resource that must be maintained." Mr. Wouk moved to Schoharie County in 1982 and has been involved in promoting local bands and musicians since that time. Recent efforts include a three-and-a- half year stint hosting underground music shows at the Lake View House in Summit, NY. In 2007, Wouk became director of Finnegan's Wake Music and continues to support local music by seeking out venues for local bands and musicians.

Hot Tunes for Hard Times could not be better timed, says Barbara Brabetz, chief financial officer of the non-profit Landis: "This past year, global economic issues, coupled with the proposed New York State budget cuts. have created a "perfect storm" of financial challenges for our Arboretum, and potentially endangering our noteworthy Collections. Above and beyond the obligations of the day-to-day costs of operating the Arboretum, we continue to face the looming and very real threat of massive cuts from traditional funding sources.'

Hot Tunes from Cool Bands

Mr Wouk's familiarity with the music scene and the respect he elicits from area performance artists made it easy for him to assemble a lineup of performers ready share their talents to showcase and aid the Landis Arboretum. Among the talented performers and groups who will create Hot Tunes for Hard Times are:

  • The Blank - Math Rock without all the Math, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Math_rock;
  • Loathsome Ritual - experimental heavy metal;
  • Bearfoot Bob - acoustic folk rock;
  • Mark Baptiste - acoustic and electric guitar. Sings a mix of folk and traditional American tunes; http://home.rr.com/markbaptiste
  • Wild Mountain - Celtic and traditional folk;
  • Organized Chaos - Home-grown folk rock; maintains the spirit of the Grateful Dead;
  • Owen Nied - 11-year-old blues guitarist;
  • Rodney Louis Baker - original R&B, Pop and Soul ;
  • Pat Paterson - Acoustic originals from a local singer songwriter.

Rain or Shine, Hot Tunes for Hard Times starts at 2 PM on August 23 at the Arboretum Meetinghouse. Participants are encouraged to bring their own picnic basket. Soft drinks, water, and some food items will be available for sale. The grounds of Landis are open daily, year-round, from dawn until dusk.

www.landisarboretum.org, info@landisarboretum.org, 518-875-6935.