Local Band Playing Metropolitan for Charity

Lead singer Sherman Arnowitz said that when he and several friends formed their band, Vista Hill, they decided to donate any proceeds they might make to charity.

That has resulted in $20,000 going to a number of causes over the last five years, he said, including $6,000 two years ago for a young boy with cancer.

Their show tonight will benefit Glen Cove's . The performance is from 8 - 11 p.m. in the downstairs area of , which Arnowitz described as a more low key lounge compared to the fancy dining area above.

Arnowitz, guitarist and lead singer, said the 8-year-old band plays mostly in Manhattan and at a regular gig in Connecticut because they play their own music.

"Most places in Long Island want cover bands," he said.

He said their sound has been compared to The Bare Naked Ladies, O.A.R. and Eric Clapton. They have opened for the likes of Al DiMeola, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and have toured with the band America, Arnowitz said.

The band started with seven members, but was whittled down to four as they found most places they played had trouble accomodating any more.

Arnowitz, who invests in real estate, said each member has a day job. Bassist Todd Roberto also invests in real estate, while keyboardist Marc Brenner works as a physical therapist and drummer Dan Roth owns a broom supply company that has been in his family for years.

In support of the soup kitchen, anyone attending tonight's performance is invited to bring canned goods for donation. 

Cover charge is $10.