Who’s in the Bag?

By Joanne Schenker

This month LI Sound featured an article on The Paper Bag, the famous nocturnal musicfest that goes on every June at Mulcahy’s for the last 30 years. Basically, 60 musicians perform unrehearsed music (classics from the ‘70’s and onwards) for six solid hours to 1,400 die-hard fans. After three decades, the concert sells itself – there is no advertising budget…only around 300 people in the band and crew and their friends, plus friends of theirs “and so on and so on”…(I’ll date myself right now by asking if this reminds you of the Faberge commercial from the ‘70’s?) Much of the audience has been attending for 10 years, many over 20. They add as much to the concert in zealous participation, as the performers themselves. Profits are not part of this gig…the payback is purely in the form of wild enjoyment. As long as they can cover the cost of renting the hall, providing beer and hamburgers for the musicians and crew and videotaping the event, they’re all happy campers.

Kudos to Mike Guido, the creator of this little bit of Woodstock. With over 30 years experience as a professional musician, he has performed in rock bands, swing bands, jazz, reggae, even basement bands…you name it, he’s done it. For the past 26 years, he has played bass guitar, woodwinds and sings with The Jim Small Band. He also plays saxophone with the Stanton Anderson Band and has been the bassist with the Town of Babylon All Star Jazz Band for 14 years. He has taught music for over 30 years, 15 of them in Long Island’s public schools. He is currently teaching Concert Band, Jazz Band and Music Workshop classes at Island Trees Memorial Middle School in Levittown.

So, music is definitely his bag.

He’s got a great sense of humor, as well. Last year’s theme for the concert was The Dirt Bag…one can only imagine …mudsliding as in the days of Woodstock, perhaps? This year The Sleeping Bag rules. Although from 10 pm to 4 am on June 26th, Mulcahy’s will not see any shut eyes. Red eyes, yes. Sore throats, yes. But no sleepers.