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The Felice Bros rock and roll into town

By Colin DeVries

CATSKILL — Armed with instruments and lyrics, a traveling philanthropic band wagon of local musicians is making its way to Catskill Point to support a local food pantry.

The Felice Brothers, whose original members are from Palenville, will be rolling back home in their touring RV for a performance geared toward generating donations for the Hudson Valley Food Pantry.

The event, at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Riverside Farmers and Artisans Market at Catskill Point, will feature the Dylan-esque folk sounds of the internationally recognized rock and roll group, as well as performances by guitarist A.A. Bondy and the Catskill Community Center Drum Corp.

This stop is in the midst of The Felice Brothers nationwide tour, spanning coast-to-coast. Their performance at the Catskill Point will be in the wake of an Oct. 28 performance in Boulder, Colo., but the band says it’s for the greater good.

“It’s important for us to give back to the Hudson Valley community,” said lead vocalist and guitarist Simone Felice. “We’re lucky we’re in a place where we can give back to the food bank.”

Felice said money generated from ticket sales will go toward new instruments for the Catskill Community Center Drum Corp, as well as donations to the food bank.

This visit also gives the Felice Brothers a chance to find comfort at home, taking a short break from the wear of the road to relax in familiar territory.

“Palenville’s home,” said Felice. “That’s where my family is and I look forward to coming back around for Halloween time.”

The band, who has been on the road now for six weeks, has been busking around the Hudson Valley since 2006, now finding themselves booking gigs across the Atlantic Ocean in England, Ireland and Italy — to name a few.

Their self-titled album was released in April in the U.S. and they have three other records out in Europe.

“Every show (in Europe) we’ve sold out,” said Felice. “It feels good when people respond to your music. You make your music and when people freak out and dance along with you, it feels good.”

The five-member band includes Simone Felice on vocals and guitar, Ian Felice on vocals and guitar, James Felice on accordion, keyboard and piano, Christmas on bass guitar, and Farley on the fiddle, washboard and vocals.

What once turned out to be a fun garage band traveling around the Hudson Valley has now turned into something serious, Simone Felice says.

“It’s a real serious thing,” he said. “We did Bonnarro this year ... and we’re on the road every night, man.”

Their RV, affectionately referred to as “The Ship,” is fully equipped with bunks and room for six, and they take every opportunity to camp out and take in the vast American countryside from every corner of the U.S.

As former Catskill High School students they look forward to taking a load off at home before heading back out on the open road. Their next show will be 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Fulton Fish Market in New York City.

While they’re in Catskill, though, they look forward to supporting the local humanitarian effort.

“It’s not an easy time right now,” Felice said. “People are struggling and we’re excited to have this opportunity to help out.”

Catskill Village President Vincent Seeley is excited to host this kind of event in Catskill and encourages more creative ways to support the local humanitarian effort.

“Events such as the Felice Brothers coming to our community not only is positive for a non-profit group like the Hudson Valley Food Pantry,” Seeley said, “but also shows that we are a caring community.”

Seeley also expressed his appreciation for the Catskill Community Center Drum Corp and its recent growth.

“We are proud to see that the Catskill Community Drum Corp will be appearing as well,” he said. “This group has come a long way in a short period of time due to their hard work and spirit. This promises to be a great show — not to be missed!”

Concert-goers are encouraged to bring canned or boxed non-perishable food items. Tickets can be purchased at wdst.com or at Day and Holt, 349 Main St., Catskill. To check out sample tracks from The Felice Brothers debut American album, log on to www.myspace.com/thefelicebrothers.

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