Pindar Set To Unveil First-Ever Comedy Night

PECONIC, NY — Imagine watching the sunset, sipping wine with friends and then, sitting outside near a magical field of sunflowers to enjoy a night of hilarious comedy and laughter.

That idyllic vision is set to become reality at Pindar Vineyards, located at 37645 Main Road in Peconic; the winery is slated to host its first-ever comedy night on Friday, August 9; the event kicks off at 6 p.m. and the comedy show begins at 7 p.m.

Presented by Soul Joel Productions, the comedy night features headliner Richie Byrne, a comedian who's been wowing audiences doing warmup at “The Dr. Oz Show” for a decade. Also on the lineup are Meghan Hanley and Dennis Rooney.

Tickets cost $25 and are available by clicking here.

Pindar is excited to serve up a slate of A-list comics as guests uncork the latest offerings, including the new 2018 special reserve Sunflower Chardonnay.

"It's something different, that's for sure," said Pindar Tasting Room Manager Gina Messa-Gadzinski. "We're probably one of the only venues that can host this kind of event outside. It's a night of friends and laughter. We'll be serving wine by the glass or bottle, and some food, as well. Guests can watch the sunset and enjoy some great comedy."

Byrne is also thrilled to unveil his act among the vines. "As I've moved on throughout my years in comedy, I've realized that the basic comedy club itself isn't the only place to do a show," he said. "To be able to bring comedy to an iconic establishment such as Pindar for the first time is very exciting."

The vision of bringing comedy to the North Fork seems like a natural evolution, both Pindar Vineyards and Soul Joel Productions agree. In recent months, Soul Joel has spotlighted the North Fork as a place for comedy to flourish.

What better way to enjoy the magic of the North Fork sunsets, than by making forever memories with a glass of wine and the joy that only laughter can bring? Messa-Gadzinski said.

About the comics

Byrne is a veteran of stand-up, stage and screen, who sports a string of A-list credits including Dangerfield's, Caroline’s on Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, Carnegie Hall, and Radio City Music Hall in New York City; Hilarities in Cleveland, the Ice House in Pasadena, the Borgata in Atlantic City and the Tropicana in both Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

Comedy TV credits include Comedy Central, VH1, "The Rosie O'Donnell Show", "Good Day New York" and "Gotham Live" on AXS-TV. He’s had crowds hilarious during warm up for “The Rachael Ray Show", "The Chew", “The Jane Pauley Show,” "Murphy Brown" and the “Miss America Pageant. Byrne has also pursued his passion for acting on the stage and screen, with high-profile star turns including “Sex and the City,” “The Sopranos,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent," and "Conviction," as well as the feature film "Good-bye Baby". His variety show, "The Richie Byrne Show," is a tour de force of theater, Broadway, comedy sketches and big band grandeur.

(Lisa Finn)

Byrne has delighted North Fork audiences with his cutting edge comedy in recent months, performing at a North Fork Chamber of Commerce's 10th Annual Comedy Night, held at the Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. in Peconic in March and, most recently, presenting the groundbreaking "United We Laugh," a new show aimed at tackling the racial divide with humor and hope, at Hellenic earlier in July.

He shared insights with Patch about comedy, "The Dr. Oz Show," and his illustrious career in an interview earlier this year.

No matter how far his star has risen, Byrne has kept his perspective firmly planted in the real-life experiences that serve as rich fodder for his riffs on family, work, his life and the universal truths that strike a chord and elicit explosive laughter.

Speaking with Patch in an earlier interview, Byrne took the time to reflect, both back on the journey that's led him to his current success, and to the future.

With 30 years of winning gigs under his proverbial belt, Byrne said he's a rarity in the business. "I never in my life wanted to do standup." Deeply enmeshed in theater, working Off Broadway, friends and colleagues told him he should try comedy. "I remember a professor saying, 'Any door you can open to get into show business is a good door, never a wrong door. If you have this ability, use it, and it opens all doors.'"

Never having thought about standup until he was 25, Byrne found himself at open mic nights in New York City, influenced by comics including "two huge influences" Joey Kola and Greg Morton, watching and learning invaluable lessons. Other comics who inspired include Jim Norton and the late Greg Giraldo.

After years of touring, Byrne has amassed a large fan following that raves about his humor. "It's incredibly flattering," Byrne said.

One way to keep the gigs relevant is to expound upon issues that resonate for all, speaking from the heart about family and shared experiences. "I think the fact that I keep it as personal as possible helps," he said.

Working on "The Dr. Oz" show, life is filled with stand-out moments, Byrne said. When Byrne won an award from his alma mater, Wagner College, last year, Dr. Oz made a video lauding his talent. "It just tells you what a great person he is," he said. "We've had a great rapport over the years."

Hilarity ensues on the show, Byrne said, when he pokes fun at Dr. Mehmet Oz, something Oz wholeheartedly encourages. And sometimes, he has to pinch himself when he realizes where his career has led. When Dr. Sanjay Gupta from CNN, a renowned neurosurgeon, also appears on the show, Byrne said, "How did this happen? How did I end up making fun of these two brilliant men?"

No matter how far he's risen, Byrne still loves being out on the road, touring new venues, staying close to the fans who've fueled his success.

Looking ahead, Byrne has dreams still to realize. The future is bright with possibility, he said. "A lot of my friends are now retired. I feel like I haven't even gotten started yet."

(Lisa Finn)

Hanley, according to her website, is a national touring stand-up comic, writer and baseball blogger. She has appeared on AXSTV’s “Gotham Comedy Live,” DreamsTv, as well as Fox’s “Laughs,” and “Red Eye.” She been featured in several festivals, including Boston, Austin’s Out of Bounds, Atlanta’s Laughing Skull and The Women in Comedy Festival. Hanley has toured with Armed Forces Entertainment, performing for troops in Kosovo, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and England. In addition to stand-up she has contributed to WABC’s “Curtis and Kuby Show,” “Sports Rants,” and in 2017 co-wrote and co-hosted the program for Fordham University’s Inaugural Athletics Gala. She can be seen in the web series “Seeking Sublet” on Funny or Die, and is the creator and host of the popular web series “Sports Tabata.”

Rooney's credits include the Final 4 at Caroline's On Broadway March Madness Competition. He can be seen at venues across New York City and Long Island.

(Lisa Finn)