Friday Night Dialogues presents an evening of songs and stories with Heather Reylek.
The Shelter Island native is a songwriter, vocalist, and musician. She’ll present a generous mix from her most recent repertoire at the Shelter Island Public Library on Friday, October 14, at 7 PM.
The folk musician is well known to Islanders from performances at the Volunteer Park gazebo and American Legion, among many other East End venues. A founding member of “Homespun,” a local group that evolved into “Island Folk “and “Catbird Band,” she’ll perform her own original musical works and share an insider’s view of the songwriting process. Her accompanist, Peter Mark, will perform with her.
Reylek is influenced by folk traditions that spring from centuries past, defying definition. Other influences draw on her love for old-style country music and still others from her favorite songwriter, the late John Prine. Edgy songs, sad songs. The creative process keeps rolling.
Reylek is a passionate, mostly self-taught musician and vocalist — not unlike her father, Robert “Bucky” Clark. She recalled that as a teenager, he “impressed the girls because he could sing, ice skate, play the button box and the harmonica all at the same time, more or less.”
Nor does the genetically musical disposition stop there. Her uncle Walt Clark was a local bandleader in the 1930s and 1940s. Her aunt Anna played honky-tonk piano. Her mother, Barbara Lee “Buzzy” Clark, a former New York City career woman and student at Julliard, brought her piano out from Richmond Hills after she married Bucky, whom she had met at a retreat at what is now Camp Quinipet.
As with other library programs, there is no charge to attend Friday Night Dialogues, but donations are welcome. The library appreciates advance registration via this online form or at 631-749-0042.
Next Up: Raymond Dowd on “Tales from the Temple of Ishtar” on Friday, October 21 at 7 PM
Phyllis Gates is a trustee of the Shelter Island Public Library board.
