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SKS
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Art, Music, Theater
CULTURAL TRIPS
Left: Dennis K. ‘14, Ilyas O. ‘13, and Alex B. ‘13 at
The Guitar Center. Above: Luke A. ‘14, Ilyas O. ‘13,
Dennis K. ‘14, and Bobby C. ‘14 in front of
The Bitter End, a NYC establishment where
many famous musicians got their start.
THE CREATIVE ARTS CENTER Director Frank Annunziata, aka Mr. A., took five students to NYC’s Greenwich Village to visit a
recording studio, music venues, Washington Square Park, historic landmarks and The Guitar Center — a retail music mega
store. Mr. A lived in the Village for 25 years so he was a very knowledgeable tour guide.
When we arrived at our first destination, Flux studios, we were greeted by Fab Dupont, owner and music producer who
has worked with recording artists like Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and Bon Jovi. Fab took the time to talk with the five students
showing them new and vintage studio gear, teaching the history of their origin and iconic place in the record industry. As
they left the studio, Bobby C. ‘14, an artist development student said, “I wanted to sing for him hoping I could be discovered!”
Next Mr. A. brought them to the Cafe Wha? where Jimi Hendrix was discovered. Then they walked a block away to
The Bitter End where 1000s of artists have played, from Pete Seeger to Billy Joel and nearly everyone in between. Other
venues included Kenny’s Castaway, The Blue Note, and The Listening Room. They went to see where The Electric Circus,
The Night Owl Cafe, and The Filmore East once were.
The group was lucky to see an acrobatic street performance inWashington Square Park. They visited The Whitehorse
Tavern where many famous writers including Dylan Thomas, Jack Kerouac, Bob Dylan, and Norman Mailer spent a lot of time.
The last place they visited was The Guitar Center. Dennis K. ‘14, a percussion and guitar student, walked into the store, and
was amazed at all of the musical instruments and exclaimed, “Wow, I could stay here all day!”The group walked about six or
seven miles during the day, taking in other sites like the Strand Bookstore. They left the city at 9 pm. On the drive back to
School all five students fell asleep in the van. Once they arrived back at SKS, Mr. A. told the students, “I performed at
The Bitter End, and the Night Owl cafe when I was 15 years old — the age some of you are now, and I’ve performed many
times at all the venues we saw today.” “How did you accomplish that?”one student asked. “I was sure of what I wanted to do
when I was very young. All it takes is hard work, belief, and persistence,” Mr. A. responded.
Alex B. ‘13 walking past the Strand Bookstore,
home of 18 miles worth of new, used and rare
books.
