Nancy Atlas' TalkhouseFest Rocks Amagansett on Saturday

Anyone who follows the local music scene out here knows one of the mainstays for both locally grown and internationally known music is the Stephen Talkhouse. If the autographed photo-covered walls in this Amagansett institution could talk, they’d have plenty to say about the hundreds of music icons that have graced the Talkhouse’s stage since 1987.

On Saturday, May 17, the crème de la crème of local talent will be joining together for the second annual TalkhouseFest. The brainchild of Montauk musician Nancy Atlas, TalkhouseFest is, according to Atlas “a little bit jazz fest, a little bit honky tonk and a whole lotta fun.” Judging from last year’s enthusiastic response, everyone who attended would agree.

Atlas has just come off a winter where her weekly Fireside Sessions at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor sold out and also introduced some top-notch talent to East End audiences—she has proven she knows how to put on a first class musical event. When she puts out the call to her fellow musicians for a special gig like TalkhouseFest, the response is first rate.

With the Nancy Atlas Project and its leader as the core band, TalkhouseFest will feature Gene Casey, Inda Eaton, Mamalee Rose and Friends, Winston Irie, Klyph Black and more.

Along with the impressive collection of musicians gathered for three solid hours, this “celebration of the East End music scene” is also a fine tribute to the Stephen Talkhouse and owner Peter Honerkamp. Honerkamp has created a unique venue and over the years that has served the musical community well, helping to launch careers and create indelible memories. In addition to featuring local acts, Honerkamp will bring stars like Taj Mahal, 10,000 Maniacs, Marshall Crenshaw, The English Beat, Loudon Wainwright III, David Bromberg, Judy Collins, Leon Russell, Sheila E. and Suzanne Vega to East End audiences again this summer. Atlas has happily made the Talkhouse her home base, while setting attendance records and holding court as the “house band” for over 14 years.

Atlas promises more surprises to come, commenting “For one night only the top shelf of local musical entertainers are getting together to have some fun, make some music and strut their stuff.” When asked for a quick overview of the evening Atlas replied “Within three hours you will get over eight lead singers all backed by The Nancy Atlas Project.”

As with last year’s event, there will again be entertainment taking place earlier on the Amagansett Green, with Thomas Muse and his band Jettykoon set to play at Innersleeve Records at 6 p.m. In the back bar of the Talkhouse at 7 p.m. Brad Penuel and Telly Karoussos bring the toe-tapping rhythms of their band Hopefully Forgiven to the gathering. So come to Amagansett to rock the night away.

TalkhouseFest, 7 p.m., Saturday, May 17 at Stephen Talkhouse, 161 Main Street, Amagansett. Doors open at 6 p.m. For patrons 21 and over. $20 advance, stephentalkhouse.com.