AMERICAN FICTION is Cord Jefferson’s hilarious directorial debut, which confronts our culture’s obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes. Jeffrey Wright stars as Monk, a frustrated novelist who’s fed up with the establishment profiting from “Black” entertainment that relies on tired and offensive tropes. To prove his point, Monk uses a pen name to write an outlandish “Black” book of his own, a book that propels him to the heart of hypocrisy and the madness he claims to disdain.
“Wright, so often a strong supporting player… is magnetic in the lead role: commanding, flawed, vulnerable, relatable. AMERICAN FICTION is his movie, and will likely (and deservedly) land him his first Oscar nomination.”
— Adam Graham, Detroit News
OSCAR® NOMINATED: (5) Nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Jeffrey Wright
Release Year: 2023
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Director: Cord Jefferson
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz
20 Terry Street (one block South of Main Street) | Patchogue, NY 11772 | (631) 438-0083
The Box Office opens 1-hour before the first show of the day and closes after the last show.
The Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3), community supported organization. This means there are no shareholders and that all monies are used to fund operations, programming and capital campaigns.
On Friday March 8th 2024 at 6pm, please join discerning entertainment aficionados from across the area as they gather for the inaugural ListenUp! LI Music & Arts Festival – a unique indoor artistic amusement park and performance exhibition, taking place at Stereo Garden, 9 Railroad Ave, Patchogue, NY 11772
This special event will feature the talents of some of the top original Long Island based bands, including: The Chris Ruben Band, Aqua Cherry, Logan Whaley Band, The Big Happy and Mr. Rooster, while showcasing a variety of Artist Exhibits, Live Painters, Comedians, Arcade Games, Projection Visuals, Local Artisanal Shopping along with delicious food/beverages in order to please all five senses during this 6-hour one-of-a-kind extravaganza. Watch: Festival Lineup Announcement Video
Curated by a youthful and vibrant emerging L.I. Musicians and Artists community, titled the ListenUp! Music & Arts Collective, an authentic generation of creative professionals started by musicians with the initiative of helping to enhance Long Island’s up and coming original music scene through inventing music festivals by musicians for musicians that will generate the majority of the funding to go towards the musicians and artists participating as the aesthetic of the events.
In fact, ListenUp! has dedicated 100% of ticket & door sales to go to the performers, and therefore the business model will be through L.I. local artisanal businesses who will provide sponsorship and vendor tables at the festival in order to create a variety experience that will not only help musicians and artists sustain a career in their artform but also provide artisanal shopping during the festival, supporting the local business economy of Long Island.
When you enter the experience, you will be greeted by a welcoming community who believes in the idea of higher standards for aesthetics in creative event coordination. This will be like no concert or festival you’ve experienced previously. Major support from the local community and sponsors who align and believe in the vision have allowed the ability to take the local L.I. Music Scene to the next level and be a platform for emerging and deserving artists who have poured their heart and soul into the local arts of LI for years prior.
The ListenUp! L.I. commitment to the community is to be a vessel for creativity, to stand by the arts as an inspirational vehicle that can not only spark a fire into the next generation who so badly need to experience a moment of joy to look forward to, but also will help bring together all the music and art appreciators into condensed experiences of community support, collective efforts, and wisdom into artistic immersive endeavors for the benefit of the Long Island local economy. L.I.S.T.E.N., is an acronym for Long Island Sound & Talent Experience Network.
Wed. Jan 24, 10am – Mayhem Long Island performs at a special private event in Merrick, NY
Sat. Jan 27, 630pm – Mayhem Long Island performs at Grunts Sports Bar, 56 Tanners Lane, Levittown NY
Tues. Jan 30, 7pm – Mayhem Long Island performs at Dave & Busters, 1504 Old Country Rd, Westbury NY
Established in 2015, two musically talented, neurodivergent individuals discovered that when they put their talents together, wonderful things happen. They continued to jam, invited more musically talented friends to join them in their jam sessions and most importantly let nothing stand in the way of their dreams. Countless hours of rehearsals were spent in the drummer’s basement working toward a goal of playing for an audience. That day finally came and today we present to you – Mayhem Long Island.
We are very proud of all of our members. We are especially proud of each of their personal achievements and love to share them with our community.
This Year’s Gala Also Featuring Meet and Greet and Performances with Kings Of Thrash Including David Ellefson & Chris Poland, London + more
TOM MORELLO, legendary guitarist for rock bands such as Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, and Prophets of Rage, will be Inducted to the 2024 Metal Hall of Fame. Inducting Morello will be guitarist John 5 (David Lee Roth, Rob Zombie).
“The Most Important Night In Hard Rock and Heavy Metal!!” will take place on Thursday January 24, 2024, beginning at 5pm at the Delta Marriott Garden Grove, Anaheim, CA.
Guest Performs include Joel Hoekstra, (Whitesnake, Night Ranger), Kings of Thrash (Featuring David Ellefson, Chris Poland of Megadeth), Ken Mary (Flotsam & Jetsam), Held Hostage, Keith St. John(Kingdom Come), Deconstruct, Jordan Ziff (Stephen Pearcy), Sergio Michel, Jack Gibson (Exodus), Ari Kamin (Adler’s Appetite), and Sean Mcnabb (Dokken).
Iconic musicians, industry executives, major television and movie producers, and surprise guests will also be in attendance, with All Star Jams taking place throughout the night.
The Gala will be hosted by Legendary Radio/Television Host Eddie Trunk, and Entertainment Personality Cathy Rankin. Top musicians will also be performing to honor late Whisky a Go Go and Rainbow Bar & Grill owner Mikeal Maglieri. The Gala will also continue the 40th Anniversary celebration and Induction into the 2024 Metal Hall of Fame for Eddie Trunk, who is celebrating his 40th year in radio.
Blackened, the award winning whiskey from Metallica, will present the 2024 Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala, and will have a special sampling experience included in the price of admission, for all attendees ages 21 and over.
“Tom Morello has influenced guitarists, musical peers, and fans throughout the world,” says Metal Hall of Fame President/CEO Pat Gesualdo. Numerous bands and artists in various genres throughout the Industry have called upon Tom to play guitar on their projects, making him one of the most go-to musicians of all time.”
Red Carpet Reception: 5:00PM | Awards Ceremony / Performances: 8:00PM
2024 METAL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:
TOM MORELLO (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, Prophets of Rage)
EDDIE TRUNK (Special 40thAnniversary Induction)
MICK MARS (Special video induction)
SEBASTIAN BACH (Inducted by WENDY DIO)
TIM “RIPPER” OWENS (KK’s Priest, Judas Priest, Iced Earth)
CARLOS CAVAZO (Quiet Riot)
PENELOPE SPHEERIS (Decline of Western Civilization, Wayne’s World)
CLEOPATRA RECORDS
MIKEAL MAGLIERI – WHISKY a Go Go
BIOHAZARD
ABOUT THE METAL HALL OF FAME
The Metal Hall of Fame is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to forever enshrining the iconic musicians and music industry executives responsible for making Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music what it is today. Their contribution to the genre is invaluable, and they continue to inspire fans throughout the world, from generation to generation.
100% of proceeds from Metal Hall of Fame events go to preserving Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Music for future generations, and also bring free music programs to help special needs children and wounded veterans in health facilities and community centers.
Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter Chris St John is set to release his new EP, “With You”, available Fri. Jan 19th on all the major music platforms.
The title track “With You”, is the tale of a young couple just starting out, maturing through the years, making unforgettable memories, and forming an unbreakable bond. We listen to the story of a family, struggling, and succeeding, all the while keeping an endlessly strong faith, counting their blessings and building an everlasting love, together. On this truly timeless tune, listeners are harkened back to a time when things were just simpler in life and priorities were in place. It’s a celebratory song about growing up and growing old together with the love of your life, proudly, unabashedly, and unashamed. Life can be simple again when you prioritize what’s important – love, hard work, and perseverance. “It’s the true story of my life with my wife and family”, said St John.
Other selections include “Don’t Ask Me”, “Over Me”, “When Leaves Begin to Fall”, “She’s Gone” and an additional acoustic version of “With You”.
Produced and mixed by Michael Spriggs, the EP was engineered by Dave Hagan and cut at Darkhorse Studios in Franklin TN for HALO Records, with some of Music City’s most renowned session musicians James Mitchell, Alison Prestwood, Molly Cherryholmes, Dane Bryant, Steve Hinson, Wayne Killius and Steve Brewster.
World renowned seasoned Musician Chris St. John has had 5 number one hits on the World and European Indie charts, and several other top ten hits over the past several years. Chris was recently nominated and accepted for Grammy consideration for his album “Fly Away”, for best Americana album, and “Lost Without Your Love”, for best pop song; both earlier in 2023.
Chris incorporates multiple genres, including singer/songwriter, traditional rock, soft-rock, pop, folk, jazz, classical, and swing elements to give the listener a distinctive Americana feel.
He has traveled extensively, living in China during college and navigating five continents for recreation and mission work, providing healthcare, school supplies, clothing, and food for impoverished people, particularly orphans through his HALO Missions. This varied life experience has given him a deep well out from which to draw intelligent, and thought-provoking lyrics. He combines catchy, beautiful, and unique melodies, interesting time signatures, and unique tempo changes to provide a wide landscape for his poetry.
Zebra is Back On Tour in 24’: Plus a New Album, Re-Issue of Their First Record and a Documentary – All In The Works!
(New York, NY) – ZEBRA is back!!!…ON TOUR IN 2024 PLUS NEW ALBUM, RE-ISSUE OF THE FIRST ALBUM, & DOCUMENTARY IN THE WORKS.
Zebra will celebrate their 49th year together with all original members Randy Jackson, Felix Hanemann and Guy Gelso, touring extensively across the country.
Twelve new US Zebra dates have been announced, with more to be added shortly.
Dates include a very special weekend with ZEBRA at the Fillmore in New Orleans on Nov 22 and 23, 2024. ZEBRA WEEKEND will be filmed for future release!
Zebra Co-Founder, Singer and Guitarist Randy Jackson remarked, “In 2023 we performed more shows than we have in over thirty years, and 2024 promises to be even busier.”
Last year ZEBRA celebrated the 40th anniversary of their debut Album by playing the entire album in order and will continue doing some more of these special shows in new cities during their 2024 tour.
Randy, Felix and Guy are hard at work on a new Live show and career retrospective featuring songs from all their studio albums and more. The band is also busy recording brand new material with a planned release later this year.
A re-release of their first album on colored vinyl with a bonus disk of rarities and out-takes is due out later in 2024. Randy Jackson says “We are also working on a new documentary that will feature new interviews and performance clips from the current tour plus a lot more about Zebra’s history”.
The documentary tentatively titled “Tell Me What You Want: 50 Years of Zebra” is currently being filmed and will feature never before seen footage from the band’s birth in Louisiana, to spreading new roots and reaching legendary status in Long Island, NY. With all these projects in the works, it’s gonna be a very busy year for ZEBRA
Get the VIP meet and greet experience for all dates by visiting here.
Zebra galloped out of New Orleans in early 1975. The trio, consisting of Randy Jackson, Felix Hanemann and Guy Gelso, concocted their moniker from a 1926 Vogue magazine cover and soon won over the South and East Coast.
Zebra’s self-titled debut album, released on March 21st 1983 went gold, and at that time was the fastest selling debut album in Atlantic Records history thanks to the radio and MTV airplay of “Tell Me What You Want” and “Who’s Behind the Door?”
Zebra’s live performances showcase all the classic Zebra tunes, and for this year only will consist of the debut album in order for the first time. “Who’s Behind the Door?”, “Tell Me What You Want”, “Wait Until the Summer’s Gone”, “Bears”, “One More Chance” and other all-time favorites including mind blowing covers of Led Zeppelin.
In 2010 Zebra was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and is acknowledged as Louisiana’s #1 Rock and Roll band by the Louisiana Music Commission. On October 18, 2012 Zebra was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
Singer/songwriter Mark Newman will be back on the west coast appearing LIVE alongside Roy Blumenfeld from the legendary 60’s group,The Blues Project, for two dates later this month; first on Fri. Jan 19 at El Verano Innlocated at 705 Laurel Ave in El Verano, California, then on Sat. Jan 20th at The Saloon, 1232 Grant Ave in San Francisco.
You can also catch Mark on the East Coast in NYC on Mon, Jan 15, 2024 @ 7:00PM: The Bitter End, 147 Bleeker St, NYC.
Mark Newman is a well traveled and in demand professional whose musical prowess has taken him around the world several times over; working alongside many soul, blues, and rock greats of our time including John Oates (Hall & Oates), Jim McCarty (The Yardbirds), Willy DeVille (Mink DeVille), Sam The Sham, Bobby Whitlock (Derek and the Dominos) and Sam Moore (Sam & Dave), as part of these bands Mark has shared the stage with stars such as Sting, Elvis Costello, Travis Tritt and Carla Thomas as well. As an opening act, Mark and his original band have played many dates with acts like Delbert McClinton, Les Dudek, The Doobie Brothers, Don Felder of The Eagles, David Bromberg and many others. Mark is currently touring intermittently with The Hitmen as well as with The Blues Project (led by original drummerRoy Blumenfeld) and his own original project internationally.
Originally from New York, The Blues Project are possibly the best unsung American rock band of the sixties. The music of The Blues Project defies description, ranging from folk-rock to soul, from rock ‘n’ roll and blues to jazz, all blended together to produce a tremendously wide spectrum. They have played alongside artists such as Big Joe Williams, Son House, Bukka White, Skip James, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Otis Spann, to name a few.
A multi stringsman, Mark has mastered electric/acoustic/lap steel guitar as well as the mandolin and dobro. Past music releases include the singles “At The Border” which was originally written with the struggles people were experiencing fleeing the war in Ukraine in mind, but is also inspired by the millions of people all around the world trying to escape oppression and hunger on an ongoing basis, “Tulsa”, a song and video created in remembrance of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, and “From Me To You”, a cover of the Janis Ian song for her Better Times Project of 2020. His most recent studio album, “Empirical Truth” was the 2019 Winner of The Long Island Blues Society Best Album Category, and represented the NY area in competition at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Earlier records include 2006’s “Must Be a Pony”, 2010’s “Walls of Jericho”, and 2015’s “Brussels” – a live acoustic-driven EP.
RIYL: Green Day, The Wonder Years, All Time Low, Moose Blood, The Gaslight Anthem, Van Halen
Sometimes, there’s treasure hiding right under our noses. For over a decade, Nicholas Lopardo sat behind the drumkit for various bands on the Long Island hardcore scene. Unbeknownst to both his peers and his audience, however, there was a whole other side to Lopardo that was waiting to emerge.
Now, after many years’ worth of gestation, Lopardo steps out as a singer-songwriter with Better Days Ahead, the new EP by his solo project Minimum Champion. Unsurprisingly, some of the hard-charging, fist-waving punk elements have carried over, but Lopardo mixes them with catchy pop hooks, acoustic folk touches, and shredding guitar solos for a highly rousing blend all his own.
“My musical journey began at the age of 10,” Lopardo explains, “but I was primarily focused on percussion. That all changed at 19, when a relative gifted me an old guitar. I fumbled around on it and taught myself enough to write simple acoustic pieces. Really, it was just a way for me to build confidence in my musical abilities overall. But here I am with finished songs and a backing band where I’m singing and writing the lyrics for the first time. This is the most personal side of me that I’ve ever shown.”
In a time fraught with tension and strife, Better Days Ahead breezes-in like an upbeat whirlwind. That doesn’t mean that Lopardo pulls any punches, though. An astute observer of his surroundings, external relationship dynamics, and his own feelings and memories, Lopardo’s lines can sting as much as they encourage — which makes the songs even more satisfying for the listener.
When Lopardo sings “I may be stupid / but I’m not dumb” over a rolling acoustic-guitar strum on “I’ll See You Down The Road,” it’s just the first of several moments you can’t help but sing along with. Likewise, on the rockin’ leadoff single “Before It Gets Better,” Lopardo sings about feeling like he’s falling out of existence and dangling over a void on the verge of forgetting who he is — all on the way to admitting he’s wrong.
Likewise, with the remorseful “I’m Sorry I Let You Down,” Lopardo and company have crafted what can only be described as an apology anthem with guitar-hero fireworks thrown in for good measure. And “Summer, 2003” captures the feeling of nostalgia for times past in a breathtaking blast of high-energy rock, with Lopardo imploring us to “set fire to the day, melt the twilight and use the embers as currency” — all of which is easier to do with Better Days Ahead as your soundtrack.
Reviver Records breakout artist Brooke Moriber’s new single “Half A Heart” will be available Fri Jan 12th on all the major music services.
Half A Heart is a song about taking pride in being the kind of person who lives life fully and loves wholeheartedly and not letting anyone’s judgements and negativity change that about you. Listen now.
I’d change most anything for you – Hair up hair down if you ask me to –
I might take everything too far – But I’ll never love you – with half a heart – No less than eleven – No time for regretting – Over the top is just the start – I’ll never love you – With half a heart
Come celebrate the release on Saturday January 13th at 6:30pm, as discerning music aficionados descend on the legendary The Bitter End on Bleecker Street in NYC for the inaugural installment of the New York native and current Nashville resident’s new bi-monthly Songwriters in the Round series “Nashville in New York”
Brooke Moriber is a singer/songwriter who has paved an unconventional path for herself in Country music. After getting her start at a young age professionally as a native New Yorker performing on Broadway, Brooke turned to songwriting as a teenager to cope with losing her eyesight to a rare eye disease. When the disease went into remission after a difficult four years, Brooke began traveling to Nashville to tell her own stories, later signing with Nashville’s Reviver Records.
Praised for her “clarion voice” (Associated Press), Moriber’s music has been in rotation on many Music Choice channels and has been featured on Spotify’s New Music Friday Country playlist (“Little Bit of You”, “Down to Nothing”), CMT online and the Music Row Country Breakout radio chart. Recently, the New York City girl performed her hometown anthem “This Town Made Us” on Today in Nashville. Brooke’s self-titled debut album also features “Holy Ground”, a soulful duet with The Voice’s Ian Flanigan.
This Year’s Gala Featuring Meet & Greet and Performances with Kings Of Thrash David Ellefson and Chris Poland, London + more special guest All Star Jams to Be Announced!
“The Most Important Night In Hard Rock and Heavy Metal!!” will take place on Thursday January 24, 2024, beginning at 5pm at the Delta Marriott Garden Grove, Anaheim, CA.
Performances just added to the Gala include: Kings of Thrash (featuring David Ellefson, Chris Poland, Jeff Young, Chaz Leon, and Fred Aching), along with Held Hostage, Deconstruct, and Hollywood’s favorite band LONDON, among others.
Iconic musicians, industry executives, major television and movie producers, and surprise guests will also be in attendance, with All Star Jams taking place throughout the night.
The Gala will be hosted by Legendary Radio/Television Host Eddie Trunk, and Entertainment Personality Cathy Rankin. Top musicians will be performing to honor late Whisky a Go Go and Rainbow Bar & Grill owner Mikeal Maglieri. The Gala will also continue the 40th Anniversary celebration and Induction into the 2024 Metal Hall of Fame for Eddie Trunk, who is celebrating his 40th year in radio.
Blackened, the award winning whiskey from Metallica, will present the 2024 Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala, and will have a special sampling experience included in the price of admission, for all attendees ages 21 and over.
“As an inducted member of the Metal Hall of Fame myself, it’s an honor to perform with Kings Of Thrash this year, as well as waiting to see so many iconic & longtime friends, artists and establishments. Those who have clearly helped define rock ‘n’ roll to be firmly planted into the history books for their outstanding contributions. This is an event you definitely don’t want to miss!,” says David Ellefson of Kings of Thrash.
“We are excited to have the 7th Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala back in Anaheim again in 2024!! Not only are we dedicated to helping the fans celebrate Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, we need to honor those musicians and industry executives who work so hard to bring us the music we love so much,” says Pat Gesualdo, President of the Metal Hall of Fame.
Red Carpet Reception: 5:00PM | Awards Ceremony / Performances: 8:00PM
2024 METAL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:
EDDIE TRUNK MICK MARS (Special video induction) SEBASTIAN BACH (Inducted by Wendy Dio) TIM “RIPPER” OWENS (KK’s Priest, Solo Artist) CARLOS CAVAZO (Quiet Riot) PENELOPE SPHEERIS (Decline of Western Civilization, Wayne’s World) CLEOPATRA RECORDS MIKEAL MAGLIERI / WHISKY A GO GO BIOHAZARD
ABOUT THE METAL HALL OF FAME
The Metal Hall of Fame is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to forever enshrining the iconic musicians and music industry executives responsible for making Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music what it is today. Their contribution to the genre is invaluable, and they continue to inspire fans throughout the world, from generation to generation.
100% of proceeds from Metal Hall of Fame events go to preserving Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Music for future generations, and also bring free music programs to help special needs children and wounded veterans in health facilities and community centers.
Long Island Entertainment 