Last Call for Musicians Who Want to Perform Onstage with Legend Nile Rodgers at FOLD Festival

In a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, East End Arts has invited bands and solo artists to audition for the chance to share the stage with Grammy-award winning music legend Nile Rodgers at this summer's FOLD Festival.

The new East End Arts X FOLD Festival: Emerging Artists Project invites local artists to submit a three to five minute performance video for consideration to have the chance to be selected to perform on stage at the FOLD Festival, which is slated to take place on August 12, 13, and 14 at Martha Clara Vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island.

Each day of the FOLD Festival, one solo artist and one band will be invited to perform two songs. Selected artists must be self-contained and have all equipment. The special promotional opportunity is not a paid position.

A committee of music professionals will screen submissions. The final bands/soloists who will perform on stage at the FOLD Festival will be select by music legend and "hitmaker" Nile Rodgers, multi Grammy Award-winning composer, producer, arranger, guitarist, founding member of Chic, founder of the FOLD Festival, and co-founder/chairman of We Are Family Foundation.

This project is a collaborative effort between East End Arts and the FOLD Festival.

For FOLD Festival info & tickets, go to foldfestival.com.

The application deadline has been extended to Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Finalists will be notified by: July 15. Selected acts will be notified by August 1.

Submission fee: $30 per application

The Emerging Artists Project application fee covers administrative costs for providing the opportunity and supports East End Arts, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization committed to building and enriching community through the arts by way of education, support, advocacy, and inspiration. To apply, click here.

For additional information, go to info@eastendarts.org or call 631-727-0900.

FOLD Festival Fever

When music legend Rodgers speaks about the upcoming "Freak Out, Let's Dance," or FOLD festival at Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead this August, the excitement is palpable.

Rodgers will produce, perform, and host the second annual FOLD Festival.

And he said despite the extraordinary success of last year's event, this year's festival is set to be even more "ridiculous" and amazing, with big name superstars still to be revealed.

After a master class hosted by East End Arts in Riverhead recently, Rodgers announced the lineup, set to include Bette Midler, Rodgers and Chic, Earth, Wind & Fire, as well as cutting edge contemporary acts like DNCE featuring Joe Jonas, and DJ Cassidy. In addition, Rodgers and the multi-platinum band Chic will perform each night and also headline a special show starring fellow disco pioneers K.C. & the Sunshine Band and The Village People.

The show is co-produced by Peter Herman of Nile Rodgers Productions.

This year's FOLD Festival supports the We Are Family Foundation, East End Arts and The Riverhead Police Athletic League.

Rodgers, who founded the band Chic, brought the world hits such as "We Are Family," "Good Times," "Le Freak," "Greatest Dancer," "I'm Coming Out," and "Like a Virgin," has produced hits for Madonna, David Bowie, Duran Duran, and Diana Ross. And, he has co-written and plays his Fender“The Hitmaker” on the Daft Punk hit “Get Lucky."

The hitmaker has recently collaborated with Keith Urban on his new song "Sun Don't Let Me Down," which also features Pitbull.

On "shock value" of star-studded shows
Speaking exclusively with Patch, Rodgers said he decided on theme nights for the upcoming three-day event because he's always trying new things and exploring cutting edge possibilities.

During the 80s, he used to go to a nightclub, Area, in New York City, that featured theme nights. "I just thought we should try that and just see what happens."

Reflecting on last year's standout moment with Keith Urban, when the pair's dueling guitars dazzled the crowd, Rodgers said Urban's new album came out Friday; he was featured playing the guitar and whistling. "I'm an extraordinarily good whistler," he laughed. "I could be hired just to whistle."

Discussing how he chose the artists for this year's FOLD event, Rodgers said the festivals are location-specific, with artists curated depending on what he believes people in that part of the country will think is "really fun and cool. I've been an entertainer all my life. What I find works is the shock value, when people expect something okay, and it ends up being amazing. They walk out saying, 'Holy cow, I had no idea.' That's more fun than anything in the world to me."

This year, Rodgers plans to bring back Grandmaster Melle Mel, who resonated with the audience at least year's FOLD festival. "I had seen him before, but I'd never seen him do what he did at FOLD. He was amazing. He engaged everyone, sang songs from every era."

When he first discussed creating his musical events in Riverhead — before the FOLD festival, Rodgers also brought the All for the East End event to Martha Clara, with stars Adam Lambert and Avicii among the performers that got the crowd dancing — Rodgers told Patch that he was inspired England's Glastonbury Festival.

This year, he'll also bring the FOLD festival to London in June.

"I like to give people a great time," he said. "In today's world, things really do cost a lot of money. When you look at our lineup and break it out, you say, 'Wait a minute, I'm getting Bette Midler and Earth, Wind & Fire for $20, that's cool. I want people to feel like it's a real bang for the buck."

Also, Rodgers said, a festival-goer can attend for one day or three, soaking up the live acts, allowing them to experience an artist they may not have paid to see. "Then they're blown away and become a fan."

Rodgers also said he strives to find sponsors to cover residual costs such as free parking and cleanup after the event.

By keeping the parking free at Martha Clara, Rodgers said it's helped the traffic flow remain seamless. To that end, he's worked with sponsors to keep the parking free for guests, and also, to over cleanup costs. "We want to return Martha Clara to pristine shape when we leave. That costs money. But it's the way I was raised. When people come over, you want them to walk into a nice room."

Rodgers reminded that last year, no problems arose at all and the only person injured at the show was him, when he had to go to Peconic Bay Medical Center after hurting his knee.

His goal is to create a sustainable event. "I want this to outlast me," he said.

Seeking to shatter the status quo, Rodgers said while people normally go to shows in groups, at FOLD, individuals, perhaps those who are shy or have spent years playing video games, can go alone and just meet others.

Artists and friends

The reason why Rodgers is able to curate powerhouse lineups, he said, is due to the longtime friendships he's forged with megawatt stars.

That's why guests can expect not only A-list celebs such as Bette Midler or Keith Urban, but can also attend the festival knowing that anything is possible, and anyone star could possibly decide to stop by and take the stage. "They have an open invitation," he said.

This year, bringing KC and the Sunshine Band, for example, is very personal for Rodgers. "At the beginning of the disco era there was this white guy doing records, he was playing in black stadiums and people were freaking out." The band, which had hits such as "Shake Your Booty" and "Get Down Tonight" was a powerful force in the industry, he said.

Taylor Dayne will also perform this year; Rodgers first created the FOLD concept in Switzerland, where Dayne, he said, "brought the house down."

FOLD festivals also create magical, once-in-a-lifetime moments, such as last year when Nicole Kidman called Urban during sound check and they held up the phone for Rodgers and all to hear, he said.

A dream fulfilled
From the beginning, Rodgers knew music was his siren song. "This is what I was born to do," he said.

As a little child learning classical music, Rodgers aspired only to be part of the orchestra. When he was playing woodwinds, "I didn't care if it was first or second chair. I just wanted to be part of any viable orchestra." Growing up in New York, those aspirations centered on the New York Philharmonic or the American Symphony Orchestra."

Growing up, Rodgers had a band with one of Gloria Vanderbilt's sons, whose father was famed conductor Leopold Stokowski. "He was one of the greatest American conductors we've ever had. I thought to myself, 'This is too cool, sitting here with Leopold Stokowsi, a little black kid from New York City, hanging with a master.'"

He added, "I didn't come from an affluent background at all. I came from the poorest of the poor. I learned by working on the streets, panhandling or busking for spare change. That was a real job for me. I took pride in it, the same way as if someone was overseeing my work. I had to be the overseer of my work and I had to be responsible."

Such moments shaped his future, Rodgers said.

"That's what I want to be — I want to be that person who knows how to connect people. I feel best when working with disparate musicians that don't seem like they go together."

One example, he said, was a recent benefit he hosted for his We Are Family Foundation, featuring Bono and also, former United States President Jimmy Carter.

"It was U2, with funk," he said, adding that he enjoyed playing U2 music with Bono. "Sure, the event was about the good stuff the Foundation does, and that's great, what I live for — but the music puts us in a celebratory mood."

To concert goers who plan to attend the FOLD festival, the number one event on Long Island last year, Rodgers said, "It's going to be ten times better than even last year. This year is going to blow last year away."

For additional information and to buy tickets, click here.