Robert Hunter, Joan Osbourne, Ashley Monroe & More to Perform at Suffolk Theater this Summer

The historic Suffolk Theater in Riverhead, NY announces a calendar of summer programming for 2014 featuring Grammy Winners, CMA-nominated country artists, soul, R&B, and comedy legends, big band, and more - with a schedule running from Memorial Day to Labor Day (more shows to be added in the coming weeks). * Complete schedule and descriptions at end. Tickets are available at www.suffolktheater.com, or at 631-727-4343.

The Grateful Dead's key songwriter Robert Hunter (Ripple, Friend of the Devil, Truckin) will perform an exclusive Long Island engagement at the Suffolk Theater on July 27. Some of rock's greatest voices including Joan Osborne (What if God Were One of Us, Right Hand Man, and others), 50-60s soul legend Ben E. King (Stand by Me, Up on the Roof, Save the Last Dance for Me, Rose in Spanish Harlem), and Dar Williams (Cry, Cry, Cry) will bring their talents to the stage. And of course, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (Fever, I Don't Wanna Go Home) will bring the sounds of Jersey to the Island! You won't wanna go home...

The spirit of country and southern rock will be in the house as The Suffolk presents Ashley Monroe, 2013 Country Music Award (CMA) nominee, Billboard and Rolling Stone's #1 Country Album of the Year, and member of the group the Pistol Annies with partners Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley (#2 peak on the Billboard Country Music Charts). Ashley Monroe will bring her wit and southern charm to the stage with one of country's greatest songwriting talents and voices. Songs such as "(Give me) Weed Instead of Roses)" and "Two Weeks Late" demonstrate honesty, sass, and pure country grit. The Grand Ole Opry tradition will continue at the Suffolk Theater with a two-day run of the off-Broadway musical "Always... Patsy Cline" and southern rock legends the Georgia Satellites performing their hits such as "(Don't Hand Me No Lines and) Keep Your Hands to Yourself" and "Battleship Chains".

A first annual Hamptons LGBT Comedy Festival will be presented from July 18- 20 featuring comedy greats Sandra Bernhard (Roseanne, King of Comedy) and Scott Thompson from Kids in the Hall as well as a special festival performance by Coney Island Burlesque (more acts to be announced).

A new, regular effort to bring inexpensive, high-quality dancing to the area will kick off on Thursday nights, called "Dance Thursdays," and will feature groups including the big band "New Millennium Jazz Orchestra" performing hits of Tony Bennett and more, the Bee Gees super-tribute group You Should Be Dancing, local favorites Gene Casey & the Lone Sharks, Mambo Loco, and more. The dance floor will also be open for The Earth Wind & Fire Tribute band.

Jazz and blues will be represented at the Suffolk with summer performances by musical giants (and Suffolk Theater favorites) Tuck & Patti as well as a jazz summit featuring percussion greats Malletman; Tito Puente, Jr. (salsa legend); and Bernard Purdie (the most recorded drummer in history). Blues rock legend Rick Derringer will do a special program entitled "Rick Derringer Plays the Blues" highlighting his mastery of the guitar.

Late August will see a special East End Visual Arts Festival with details to be announced.

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