Community, commitment and karaoke?

Diversity, thy name is Sullivan County. My weekend was the very definition of diversity as I planned my schedule in advance. As winter winds down and my inbox fills with spring awakenings, it still amazes me that there is such a plethora of events, gatherings and evenings of entertainment ‘round every corner of the region that (snowshoes in hand) I faithfully traverse in search of community spirit.

Even though I knew full well that I would be attending Saturday’s Sullivan Renaissance Winter Conference and Expo ( sullivanrenaissance.org ) at the ungodly hour of 8:00 a.m., I had also made plans to check out the karaoke scene at Luzon Station Eatery and Saloon ( luzonstation.com ) at the ungodly hour of 10:00 p.m. the night before. My intention for attending the expo was personal. Gal-pal and educator extraordinaire Cherise Barasch was being honored for her ongoing and admirable efforts with a Sullivan First Achievement award, and no amount of partying the night (before) away was going to interfere with that.

The awards ceremony, brunch and schedule of events at the CVI center in Ferndale was beautifully orchestrated, heavily attended and a fitting tribute to all concerned. All of the honorees are most deserving, but selfishly, I took great delight in seeing my friend recognized for her unswerving dedication to the Monticello school system, her students and admirable dedication to the community at large. The world would be a better place (in my humble opinion) if it was populated with more teachers like Ms. Barasch.

That being said, coffee was first on the agenda since I was a little tired from the preceding evening. Every time I turn around, I see signage advertising karaoke nights at one venue or another, throughout the five counties that I faithfully travel in search of entertainment. I love to sing in the shower, but fear my days of doing so in public are behind me. Schlepping to Luzon Station, located at 3 Horseshoe Lake Road on Kauneonga Lake (in the middle of the night) gave me pause. Looks like “never say never” may be looming on my personal horizon, since I must admit that there’s talent in them thar hills...

The “Saloon” is run by husband and wife team Jonathan and Patti Greco Sunshine, and the relocation of Luzon Station has been a boon to the local, happening scene on Kaneonga Lake. Honestly, I had grown weary of folks telling me that I had to check it out, so I gave in. What a delightful surprise then, to find that the place really is different. Patti, the mistress of ceremonies, is a professional singer. She has performed for many years to sold-out audiences, and she exclaimed that “I used to do this for a living and now I do it for the loving.”

This attitude is evident in the roster of talented performers that line up to strut their stuff every Friday night. Local resident Jennifer Lilley was among the group and shared some of her thoughts with me in between show- stopping performances. “Patti does a lot for us” she said. “She helps us all with song choices, the proper key to sing in, instruction in the use of a microphone, and performance.”

Clearly, this is no ordinary karaoke experience. While it’s true that “all are welcome” (their motto is “sing, dance and mingle”), the guidance and showmanship, led by this very talented performer, are what sets this “amateur night” apart from the rest. The sound system is great, the atmosphere congenial and attractive and the caliber of talent that shows up is (IMHO) a notch above the norm.

I observed from the sidelines (this time) but was tempted, I must admit, since all of the singers were having such a good time. Matthew Kunze drove in from Roscoe, NY to entertain with a little country flair. Monticello’s Elvira Williams gave the crowd some “California Dreamin’,” and even bartender Denise Whipple stepped up and wowed ‘em with a Joplin-esque quality that she made her own.

Bethel resident Cathy Paty, alongside locals Tom Wasserman and Terri Hall, can also be seen and heard at the watering hole and yes, I plan to return. From what I’ve heard, the evening (which is often SRO) was not an isolated incident and there will be scores of opportunities to be entertained in the future. Maybe, just maybe, the day will come when I join in the fun. Promise? Threat? You be the judge!

Email jonathanfox@riverreporter.com or visit workingwithoutanet.blogspot.com.