The Boulton Center for the Performing Arts on West Main Street in Bay Shore stages the 17th Rock Out Hunger on Sunday, November 15, a Veterans Day weekend concert whose proceeds all go to the St. Mary's and St. Peter's Food Pantry. Doors open at 1 p.m., the show starts at 2 p.m., and tickets are $50 with every fee included.

This year's headliner is Clyde McPhatter's Drifters, led by Ron David McPhatter, and the afternoon is billed as a tribute to veterans.

Who is on stage

Ron David McPhatter is the son of two members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Ruth Brown, the rhythm and blues singer, and Clyde McPhatter, who founded the Drifters and sang lead on their early records. The Boulton Center's listing for the show also names Little Richard as his uncle. The family catalog he draws on includes Money Honey, A Lover's Question, Lucille and Tutti Frutti.

He toured as an opening act for his mother and for B.B. King, and has performed with Jeffrey Osborne, Howard Hewett and the Stylistics. He has also sung in his father's place as lead singer of Clyde McPhatter's Drifters, and writes original material that he works into the family repertoire. His screen credits include Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Shake, Rattle and Rock, Permanent Record and The Five Heartbeats.

The set covers all three sides of that family: Ruth Brown's songs, Clyde McPhatter's ballads and Little Richard's rock and roll.

The rest of the bill, as the venue lists it:

  • Patti and Tina
  • The Rock Out Hunger Band
  • Karen Kateridge
  • Magdalena, also appearing

Where the money goes

Rock Out Hunger has one beneficiary. All proceeds from Sunday's tickets go to the St. Mary's and St. Peter's Food Pantry. The concert falls eleven days before Thanksgiving.

The Boulton Center

The Boulton Center has operated at 37 West Main Street in downtown Bay Shore since 2005, and runs a mix of tribute concerts, original artists, film screenings and community programs through the year. Rock Out Hunger sits in a busy two weeks on its calendar:

  • Saturday, November 14, 8 p.m.: The Joni Project, celebrating the music of Joni Mitchell
  • Sunday, November 15, 2 p.m.: Rock Out Hunger
  • Friday, November 20, 8 p.m.: Falco and Book play Jerry Garcia
  • Saturday, November 21, 8 p.m.: Story Songs of the Seventies, with the music of Gordon Lightfoot, Harry Chapin and Cat Stevens
  • Sunday, November 22, 2:30 p.m.: a screening of The Godfather
  • Wednesday, November 25, 7 p.m.: Half Step, a Grateful Dead tribute

If you go

Rock Out Hunger is Sunday, November 15. Doors open at 1 p.m. and the show begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $50, all fees included, and are sold through the Boulton Center's website. The theater is at 37 West Main Street, Bay Shore; the box office number is 631-969-1101, and parking and directions are posted on the center's site.

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