Sag Harbor American Music Festival

Sag Harbor American Music Festival kicks off its 8th season with a special concert celebration of Sly and the Family Stone.

A group of East End musicians, directed by Sag Harbor's own Dan Koontz, will bring the seminal funk band's classic songs to life. The set will look at all of the band's biggest hits, including "Dance to the Music," "Hot Fun in the Summertime," "Everyday People," and "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)." So get ready to move to some of the most infectious dance music ever written!

General Admission tickets are $30 and on sale now at www.sagharbormusic.org.

The concert is a dream come true for music director Dan Koontz. "I remember when I first heard Sly and the Family Stone, it was like a missing piece of the puzzle had been filled in," says Koontz. "They showed again that music doesn't have to be 'serious' in order to be profound. The fun and joyous abandon of their music communicate freedom and inclusiveness more directly than any words could." Koontz's plan is to capture the Family Stone's frenetic energy by basing the evening's performance on how the band sounded live.

The hand-picked band for the celebration will include Marvin Joshua, Mama Lee Lawler, Joe Lauro, Michael Schiano, Dave Giacone, Eric Kay, Christian Crawford and Koontz himself on the organ.