New Singer/Songwriter Showcase and Open Mic at Page One

A singer/songwriter showcase and open mic will debut Thursday at Page One Restaurant and continue the third Thursday of every month thereafter. 

The showcase is a modification of the Open Mic that has been a fixture at Page One every Thursday evening since February 2011.

The new concept is intended to provide a more in-depth opportunity to showcase performers' material as well as provide some background for the creative process that brings a song to life.

Each showcase will feature three performers in a round-robin format. Performers will give a short explanation of how a song was created before performing it. The spotlight will shift to the next performer and then the third. The performers will then go around again, for three more songs each. After the featured performers, the mic will be open to others who sign up to play that evening. Featured performances will begin at 8 p.m.

Performers at the Thursday kick-off will be:

Singer/songwriter Lou Coppola, whose debut album “Story 7” is a soul-searching personal experience that has an immediate connection with his audience.

With his smooth soulful voice and pop-rock rhythms, he weaves a powerful statement with every song. Lou’s street-wise sensibility is what gives his story-telling its special touch.

Long Island singer/songwriter Suzanne Ernst infuses her 1960s folk-influenced music with spirituality and poetry. Her lyrics reflect her own brand of humor, as she invites the listener to ponder their possible significance. Suzanne’s music represents a search for meaning in the mundane and spiritual aspects of her own life, and the lives of those around her.

Ernie Norris draws from a number of musical influences.  His brand of acoustic rock takes inspiration from his heroes – Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Randy Newman, Eric Clapton and, of course, The Beatles – but winds up going entirely its own way. He’s currently performing his originals to pre-recorded backing tracks under the name, “Ernie and the Machine.”

Page One chef Jeanine DiMenna has created a special menu for Showcase night.  Popular holdovers from the former Open Mic night menu like fish ‘n chips, sesame chicken, soups and salads will remain. In addition, there will be exciting new entrees, including wraps with lamb souvlaki or pork, a bowl of mussels, and an array of burger combos with blue cheese, hot sauce, three onion sautés, as well as off-menu specials. Entrees will range in price from $5-$15.