Mixed-Media Leucadia

Matt Curreri of the Exfriends has been looking for a venue where he can play weekly shows, like the dive bar on Manhattan’s Lower East Side where he used to play every Sunday with his singer-songwriter/girlfriend Joanie Mendenhall.

“It’s a great way to work on music if you aren’t a touring band,” writes Curreri in an email. “And it develops a community of regulars who come out each week to enjoy the music and the scene.”

Finding the right venue was a challenge until Curreri collaborated with Drew Snyder, owner of Andrews Gallery in Leucadia.

Snyder told Curreri his idea of meshing different artistic media together in a series of events. Shortly after, they came up with the idea of having a mixed-art series on each of the five Saturdays in May.

“The idea of a series was even more attractive because we wanted something that was more than just one night, something that could have an opportunity to gain momentum and develop itself over a period of time,” explains Snyder in an email. “There will be multiple sets by bands, poetry readings in between musical performances, and time dedicated to viewing the art on the walls.”

Curreri will be the headlining musical act each night and will share the stage with steel drummer Keli Ross-Ma’u for the May 2 opening. Local country act John Meeks will play May 16 and Joanie Mendenhall and her band on May 23.

For a detailed lineup on each of the all-age free events, visit theandrewsgallery.blogspot.com.