Coe Hall hosts 'Music at the Mansion' at Planting Fields

A Gold Coast mansion on the North Shore is not your typical concert venue. But Coe Hall -- grand chandeliers, 17-foot ceilings, Italian stone fireplace and all -- has become the hot spot one Friday each month with its "Music at the Mansion" concert series at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay.

ABOUT THE SERIES

“The program is a mixture of jazz and classical music using the Coe family’s original 1913 Steinway piano, which was restored after 50 years of being untouched,” says executive director Henry Joyce. “It’s a sense of the house as it was in the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s — filled with music.”

Guests gather in the dining room filled with crystal and china as the clock strikes 6 p.m. and the wine starts to flow. Each ticket includes a preshow and intermission wine-and- cheese reception.

“Look at this place!” says first-timer Nancy Mindes of Rockville Centre, sipping a glass of chardonnay before the music begins. “I can pretend I’m the lady of the manor for a couple of hours.”

This evening, Sarah King and the Smoke Rings kick off the series at 6:30, highlighting songs such as Cole Porter’s “You Do Something to Me” as well as Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The Surrey With the Fringe on Top.”

King sings without amplification because of the warm acoustics in the Great Hall.

“I prefer to not use a mic,” she says during intermission. “I sang in the subways, so I know how to project to the back of the room.”

The sold-out crowd of 130 sways from side to side as the Smoke Rings dish out one classic after another, including the popular Duke Ellington tune “Just Squeeze Me (But Don’t Tease Me).”

“We try not to miss any shows,” says Cyril Kazan, 45, of Woodmere. “This is a comfortable, cozy atmosphere. It’s a nice way to unwind at the end of the week.”

UPCOMING CONCERT NIGHTS

NOV. 13

Daniel Garcia Trio — This outfit mixes Latin Flamenco music with Brazilian jazz. Hear them play Paco de Lucia’s “Convite” to bossa nova standard “Black Orpheus.” Garcia will sneak in some solos while percussionist Gabriel Riesco accompanies him on the cajón.

DEC. 18

Elena Urioste and Michael Brown — The classical duo of violin and piano tours internationally, having met at the Ravinia Festival outside Chicago in 2009 and has been making music ever since.

The program consists of classical music that spans the baroque period to present day.

JAN. 22

Joelle and the Pinehurst Trio — “We’re a mix of jazzed-up pop and popped-up jazz,” says bassist Ben Gallina. “We take pop tunes and present them in a jazz format, then take jazz tunes and give them a pop edge.”

The trio will perform a jazzy rendition of Tears for Fears’ “Head Over Heels,” followed by a retro ’70s funk version of George and Ira Gershwin’s “The Man I Love.”

FEB. 19

Dolce Vita Strings — Two violins, a viola and a cello make up the sound of this quartet, which was founded in 2009.

“We’ve moved away from being strictly classical,” says violinist Nadia Khodakovska. “We tried to build our performance to reflect present-day culture.”

The first half of their program is centered on classical pieces from composers such as Alexander Borodin. The second half is highlighted by Hollywood soundtracks like “Game of Thrones” and “Schindler’s List.”

MARCH 18

The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn — The hip quintet from New York’s trendy borough focuses on traditional jazz from the ’20s and ’30s mixed with jump blues and R&B.

Dressed in vintage three-piece suits, bow ties and hats, the Vipers deliver songs like “The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise,” made famous by Les Paul and Mary Ford; Willie Nelson’s “Nightlife”; and “Ragg Mopp” from “Sesame Street.”

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.