Nancy Atlas Brings the Fireside Sessions Back to Bay Street

Turn up the heat in 2023 when Nancy Atlas returns to Bay Street Theater with her popular music series, Fireside Sessions. After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the series, which is known for selling out quickly, is back in its January slot for its ninth year to bring communal warmth to Bay Street Theater while the quiet of winter descends on Sag Harbor.

In a recent phone interview, Atlas recalled being eager to play for a fully booked venue in advance of last year’s Fireside Sessions. But when the highly contagious coronavirus omicron variant struck, Bay Street had no choice but to shutter its doors until the spring.

“We were all so excited to play again,” Atlas said, adding that although she and her band had to cancel last January’s shows at Bay Street, two pop-up Fireside Sessions made it to Bay Street’s stage in April 2022.

“It’s wonderful to keep moving forward,” she said. “We’re trying to bring back some sort of normality. Slowly and steadily, we are getting there.”

Nancy Atlas has been performing for over 25 years and has played with legends like Crosby, Stills and Nash, Lucinda Williams, Jimmy Buffett, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello and on and on and on from venues ranging from The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett and The Surf Lodge in Montauk, to Bay Street Theater, to name a few.

This year, Atlas says there will be a different twist on the Fireside Sessions. In the past several years, The Nancy Atlas Project has typically backed a guest artist at the concerts, but this year, Atlas and some of her band members will be joining in with other local musicians.

The theme of the first concert on Saturday, January 7, is “Americana, Blues and Rock” featuring Atlas sitting in with Telly Karoussos and Brad Penuel of The Hopefully Forgiven, along with Josh LeClerc, Joe Delia and Johnny Blood.

“The first session is a little bit of a honky tonk vibe, with pedal steel and guitar,” she said.

For the second Fireside Session on January 14, the audience will enjoy R&B with Atlas and Danny Kean and some “Soul Review” featuring Kean and his award-winning band. Kean has been a hit at the Fireside Sessions, being Atlas’s most popular and requested guest having performed in more than six Fireside Sessions over the years.

“This year’s theme is to keep moving forward, and keep the torch lit for live music this winter and reconnect with the community,” Atlas said. “Every weekend you are going to have a totally different musical experience.”

January 21 is “Jam Night,” with some local favorites and a special guest — or three.

“The third session will be a mashup of rock and roll style with a bunch of special local guests,” Atlas said.

Finally, “Rockabilly Rock Night” with Atlas and Gene Casey on lead vocals, Eugene Chrysler on Bass, Johnny Blood on Lead Guitar, and backing band graces the stage and brings the Fireside Sessions to a close on January 28.

In addition to the different line up each week, the Fireside Sessions will also welcome a surprise opening act, Atlas explained, adding that the openers will be students from local schools. The January 21 show will include the Jazz Band from East Hampton High School if all goes according to plan.

“We’re trying to really bring back the community vibe,” Atlas said. “One of the best parts of this series has been that it’s brought the community together at a time of year when things are slow.

“As wonderful as the shows are, I’ve always felt like the connection was made before and after the show,” Atlas said, adding that the Fireside Sessions give local people a chance to see their neighbors and listen to world class music. “It’s really been a wonderful honor to be playing live music. It’s been a challenge the past three years but it’s coming back.

“I am so thankful that Bay Street is still supporting the arts,” Atlas concluded. “We are looking forward to the connection on and off the stage.”

Fireside Sessions are every Saturday at 8 p.m. from January 7 to 28 at Bay Street Theater on Long Wharf in Sag Harbor. Tickets start at $35 at baystreet.org or 631-725-9500.

Bay Street Theater is a fully vaccinated company. All attendance is available via touchless ticketing. Masks are optional upon entry to the theater and when seated. For a full list of COVID-19-related safety procedures and guidelines for in-person events, visit the website.