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STANHOPE — While community businesses often host events to benefit other local organizations, this weekend's concert at the Stanhope House will help out a cause even closer to home: the historic building itself.

The restaurant and live music venue on Main Street in Stanhope is hosting "Gypsy, a True Stevie Nicks Experience," a tribute band dedicated to the former Fleetwood Mac vocalist, at 3 p.m. Sunday in the beer garden outside the restaurant.

Billed as the second installment of "Save the Stanhope House Day," the fundraising event will feature a performance by the band at no cost to the restaurant. Guests are asked to bring a $25 cash or check donation in an effort to keep the venue open amid an uncertain future due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this month, the New Jersey Herald reported that the Stanhope House was in danger of closing permanently at the end of October because of statewide regulations implemented to slow the spread of the virus. Gov. Phil Murphy allowed indoor dining to resume at 25% capacity in early September, but the restaurant's management has not reopened inside due to long-term uncertainty surrounding the potential move.

The venue is now open into November with Sunday's show, and recent fundraising efforts have nearly doubled the donations from the first six months of the pandemic.

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Musicians Grover Kemble and Bob Marks headlined the first "Save the Stanhope House Day" live concert Saturday, which raised $1,770, according to the restaurant's Facebook page. A GoFundMe created by the restaurant in March, which had yielded just $2,785 of its $10,000 goal two weeks ago, exceeded $4,500 as of Monday afternoon.

The uptick in funding is a positive sign for the Sussex County institution, which was built in 1794 and has served as a music club since the 1960s. Known as "The Last Great American Roadhouse," the venue has hosted local acts as well as blues legends like Muddy Waters and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

In a Facebook post, Stanhope House management expressed gratitude for the recent donations that have allowed the building to remain open. The message also encouraged the public to keep an eye out for future shows and other activities to sustain the venue into next year and beyond.

"Our hope and goal is to be back in the Spring of 2021 bigger and better than ever providing the acts that you so want to see!" the post stated.

To support the Stanhope House, visit gofundme.com/f/support-a-legend. For more information on the venue and its history, visit stanhopehousenj.com.

For the New Jersey Herald

Performing artists have faced challenging times since March, with few if any shows to play due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But some musicians are putting their own woes aside to help a legendary stage that’s on the verge of closing for good because of the COVID-19 shutdown.

Gypsy: A True Stevie Nicks Experience will perform in an outdoor benefit Sunday, Nov. 1, as part of a continuing effort to help The Stanhope House, one of New Jersey’s oldest live-music venues, keep its doors open. Additionally, Grover Kemble and Bob Marks played an outdoor show Oct. 24 to support a venue where they’ve played or just hung out often over the last four decades.

The Stanhope House, the venerable Sussex County roadhouse turned blues club which dates back to 1794, has been attempting to stay afloat by serving food, drinks and live music in its outdoor beer garden. The results haven’t come close to meeting expenses and general manager Ren Giliberti said in a recent press release that once the weather turns cold the venue has no plans to attempt to reopen inside.

"Technically speaking, Stanhope is closed at this moment,” he told north jersey.com two weeks ago.

Public awareness created by circulation of that press release has renewed hope slightly, with a bump to a GoFundMe page (www.gofundme.com/f/aknhc-support-a-legend).

Then Gypsy offered a benefit show with 100 percent of the profits going directly to The Stanhope House.

“From our very first show there, The Stanhope House has welcomed us with open arms and it’s been a really wonderful partnership ever since,” said Sabrina Staats, frontwoman of Gypsy, who looks and sounds like Nicks. “We all sat down, collaboratively, as a band and said, ‘We have to do something to help.’ This is a historical, musical landmark with deep history…. We couldn’t just sit back and not offer to help. You can’t just let a venue like that disappear. So many local venues are currently in jeopardy of having their doors closed; it’s really heartbreaking.”

The Stanhope House beer garden will open at 2 p.m. on Nov. 1, with the tribute to the Fleetwood Mac frontwoman starting at 3 p.m. A donation of $25 (cash or check) is suggested.

“We’re excited about having Gypsy play on Nov. 1 and are thankful for their support,” Giliberti said. “If everyone can go to our fund-raising page and donate even just $5-$10, that would be a big help. Imagine if 1,000 people - and we know we’ve touch many more lives than that - donated $10? That would be much appreciated.”

The Kemble-Marks show went well Saturday, with a crowd that spilled into the parking lot, according to Kemble, who added that he and Marks donated all the money from their tip jars and CD sales.

“I’ve played many shows at the legendary Stanhope House since the late 1970s so it's been some 40-plus years of watching it both grow and remain such a historic music venue,” said Kemble, a versatile jazz and blues player who once toured with Sha Na Na and his own Za Zu Zaz. “Over these years I've witnessed it change hands and management. It has always maintained it's premier status as a landmark club to hear both local and national acts perform a rich diversity of quality musical styles. It's my sincere hope this historical monument to our local community's music scene can continue operating and add vibrancy to the benefit of all who enjoy attending live musical performances.”

“Going to the Stanhope House was like going home; your friends were there either playing or hanging, your musical influences were there either playing or hanging, and everyone was there for the love of the music,” added Marks, once a member of Cowtown.

Gypsy plays songs from the entire Stevie Nicks catalog - from her beginnings with Fleetwood Mac to her solo releases. Three members of the seven-piece band hail from New Jersey: Rob Staats, musical director and lead guitar; Brad Heisler, guitar; and Brian Abate, drums.

Not surprisingly, the last eight months have been tough sledding for Gypsy. The band has been playing some virtual concerts, but has been missing the live interaction with audiences.

“This pandemic has been a harsh reality for all musicians. No one wants to schedule a performance that people aren’t ready to attend yet. Live performances give us all a sense of community and being with our audiences is always so special – we certainly miss that,” said Staats, a Southern California native whose love for Stevie Nicks began when she was six years old, after she heard the first few chords of “Rhiannon.”

“People miss music; they miss attending live performances. Having public gatherings curtailed and concerts, tours and festivals cancelled – it’s all jeopardizing the future of our venues. But, we’ll keep finding creative ways to get the music to the people to help them smile just a little bit more,” Staats said.

The Stanhope House, located at 45 Main St., Stanhope, bills itself as “The Last Great American Roadhouse” and has hosted everyone from Rock and Roll Hall of Famers to locals playing at open-mic nights. Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Paul Butterfield, Albert Collins, Albert King, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Richie Havens, Dave Van Ronk, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Dr. John, Maria Muldaur, Rusted Root, Tab Benoit, Levon Helm and Joan Osborne are just a few of the folks who have played there. Babe Ruth used to drink there.

“Mama” Wrobleski branched out to include rock, folk and jazz acts when she owned the place in the 1970s and ’80s. Since buying the club in 2010, Jon Klein, a musician and band leader himself, has tried branching out further by adding a second stage and a beer garden, and bringing in hip-hop, reggae and punk acts, and adding comedy nights, open mics and open jams.

Labor Day weekend arrived with a stellar performance by jam rocker’s Twiddle at the Stanhope House in Stanhope, NJ. Despite technical difficulties that abridged the outdoor performance, the band delivered their signature improvisation, positive vibes and several notable covers. This included an impromptu acoustic set to finish out the night inside the Stanhope House after the power for the PA mysteriously went out.

The Stanhope House is located in Northwest New Jersey, and is over 200 years old. It has hosted the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Son Seals, etc, and was a known hang out for Babe Ruth. The storied history of this establishment started in the 1700s, when the Stanhope House was a rooming house. Over time, this venue became haunted based on fires, fights and other legendary stories. In the 1970’s, the venue transformed into the modern bar and live music venue that we know today, including an indoor stage that is popular with local musicians. During the summer months, the bar utilizes their parking lot to erect a larger stage for bigger crowds.

The Joe Cirotti Trio began the festivities for the evening. Hailing from Hackettstown, NJ, this marked the first time that both bands played together. The trio specializes in bluegrass music. The band members include Joe Cirotti (acoustic guitar), Peter Lister (upright bass), and Mike Alexander (mandolyn).

Twiddle took the stage shortly after, and unfurled a set full of deliciously funky jams, electric lights and a surprising cover. The jam of the night was “Being Hod Hoddle” > “Country Roads” > “Hook” > “Invisible Ink.” The crowd was certainly loving John Denver’s “Country Roads” sandwiched between Twiddle’s originals. Joe Cirotti returned to the stage with an electric guitar and sat in during “Mamunes the Faun,” adding more dimension to this tune. The set closed out on a high note with “Jamflow Man.”

After a short break, the band picked up right where they left off with “Enter,” however power issues with the PA interrupted this song. The crew fixed the issues, and the band continued with “Orlando’s.” The PA eventually went out again during "Orlando's", but the band was not ready to give up just yet. Guitarist Mihali Savoilidis started an impromptu vocal “Row Row Row Your Boat” that the crowd quickly joined in on. The PA appeared to be working again, and drummer Brook Jordan took a drum solo, which segued into Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The band was halfway through this song when the PA finally gave out for the evening. The crew worked diligently to restore power, but were unsuccessful. The crowd was then instructed to head inside for an acoustic set with Savoilidis and bassist Zdenek Gubb. Was this the handiwork of the ghosts that allegedly haunt the Stanhope House?

The inside bar at the Stanhope House was soon packed with fans who were were thirsty for more tasty jams, despite any potential paranormal activity. Savoilidis and Gubb opened the acoustic set with “Ghostbusters,” by Ray Parker Jr, paying homage to these legendary ghosts that allegedly haunt this historic building. Next up was “Rocky Racoon” by the Beatles, another noteworthy cover that was supposed to be played on the outdoor stage. Citizen Cope's “Son’s Gonna Rise” followed, along with “What I Got” by Sublime. Nearly everyone in the crowd was singing along joyously at this point, forgetting the inconvenience of being packed into a tiny, ostensibly haunted club. This incredible acoustic set appropriately wrapped up with “When It Rains It Pours,” and smiles were seen across the crowd.

Twiddle executed great jams and a friendly vibe at the Stanhope House. Despite technical difficulties and the metaphysical mischief potential, the band made lemonade out of lemons with a tight acoustic set inside the bar after the PA lost power for the evening. Thankfully, this is merely the beginning of their exciting fall tour. They are performing at the 4848 Festival in Snowshoe, WV tonight, and will pick up again on September 30th in State College, PA. Tickets are still available for many dates on their not to be missed fall tour. Visit Twiddle’s website for more details.

Check out more photos from the show.

Set OneBlunderbuss, Being Hod Hoddle > Country Roads¹ > Hook > Invisible Ink, White Light > Barbeque, BCBC, Mamunes the Faun, Jamflow Man

Set TwoEnter, Orlando’s, Row Row Row Your Boat², Drums > Smells Like Teen Spirit³⁴

Acoustic SetGhostbusters⁵, Rocky Racoon⁶, Son’s Gonna Rise⁷, What I Got⁸, When It Rains It Pours

Notes1. John Denver Cover2. Sung by crowd during power loss3. Nirvana Cover4. Sound abruptly stopped working, fans were directed to go inside for an acoustic set with Mihali5. Ray Parker Jr. Cover6. Beatles Cover7. Citizen Cope Cover8. Sublime Cover

One can’t recreate a place like The Stanhope House, known for years for its jammin’ blues bands, then its all-encompassing, go-to music bop stop. COVID-19 has taken its toll, and now it needs community support to survive.

The building was built in 1974 as a roadhouse. “It went through numerous iterations over the years and was a local tavern for well over 100 years,” said general manager Rob Giliberti. “As we know it, in the late ‘60s or early ‘70s music started up featuring folk music, singer/songwriters and a litany of blues greats.”

The Stanhope House saw legends such as Stevie Ray Vaughn scrubbing dishes in the kitchen after a late-night gig, its history goes. Muddy Waters, Mama Wrobleski, and the original Hoochie Coochie Man, Willie Dixon, also performed in the distinctively decorated building.

The Stanhope House was billed as “New Jersey’s Premier Blues Venue” when the current owner, John Klein, purchased it in 2010.

“It just couldn’t bring in the money with solely blues,” Giliberti said. “The die-hard blues fans weren’t so happy, but we had to start bringing in other bands to draw a crowd. This included all kinds of music from hip hop to rock to even heavy metal to attract a younger crowd and pay the bills.”

Giliberti has been the general manager for five years, but his affiliation with The Stanhope House goes way back.

Back in the ‘90s, he owned a pizza/Italian restaurant that also had a barbecue menu.

“I brought it to The Stanhope House, and it went over really well,” he said.

When Giliberti sold the restaurant in 2003, he started bartending, among other jobs, at The Stanhope House. This parlayed into becoming general manager, taking of the kitchen, bar, and staffing services.

The Stanhope House’s production department is in charge of bringing in the bands.

“Prior to the Covid, that staff consisted of six people in charge of social media and securing entertainment,” Giliberti said. “When you’re dealing with regional and national acts, you’re dealing with agencies, so it’s some job. That all came to a grinding halt with the pandemic.”

The Stanhope House’s operating company went under and, said Giliberti, “the parent company that owns the real estate is trying to keep the establishment going.”

A beer garden featuring local solo and duo bands opened outside, on June 18, for part of the week.

“It never took off the way we wanted, and though we did have some successful evenings, it just helped us keep our head above water,” he said.

There were two larger events, each of which brought in $2,000. But to exist from now until spring (when, Giliberti said, they have things in the works) it will take $2,500.

Rise in cases halt plans

Giliberti said they were entertaining the possibility of opening inside two days a week with social distancing, or outside, with 90 guests possible. “But now with restrictions being put in place and the rise in cases in the state, we don’t think it’s a good idea to do that,” he said.

“This weekend will be the last in The Stanhope House Beer Garden until warmer weather prevails,” he said. “We are going out on Sunday with a full day for all. The Skylands Singer/Songwriter Guild will be hosting a jam and Lobster Landing will be serving the incredible freshly prepared lobster rolls.”

Festivities will be in the afternoon both days. There is no cover charge, but a “Support the Stanhope House” bucket will be passed around.

Anyone who wants to support The Stanhope House can do so via its Go Fund Me page: gofundme.com/f/support-a-legend. For updates as things progress, and hopefully change for the better, the go-to place to follow The Stanhope House is via Facebook (facebook.com/stanhopehouse).

“Thanks to all who have supported us in the Beer Garden as we tried to provide entertainment and good times,” Giliberti said. “Please support us this last weekend or through our Go Fund Me so we can continue a great Jersey music tradition.”

“Prior to the Covid, that staff consisted of six people in charge of social media and securing entertainment. When you’re dealing with regional and national acts, you’re dealing with agencies, so it’s some job. That all came to a grinding halt with the pandemic.” General manager Rob Giliberti

STANHOPE — Cerebral palsy has robbed 8-year-old Kyle Wilkins of the ability to stretch his legs. He spends much of his day in a wheelchair.

But for an hour last week, he escaped his chair, spread out on a red mat on the floor of a Sussex County studio filled with soothing music and the smell of incense, and, with the help of his mother, practiced yoga.

Kyle breathed deeply, moved his body one direction with a gentle push from his mother, who sat behind him, then, moved the other way. Like the other four students in the class, Kyle does not talk, but Kathleen Wilkins said she can tell her son enjoyed the session because he wasn’t as tense or as agitated.

"I know he likes the stretching," said Wilkins, of Flemington. "It’s nice to see him relax and let go."

This yoga class was the first held at Kula Yoga and Wellness in Stanhope for these 5- to 8-year olds who attend the Matheny Medical and Educational Center in Peapack-Gladstone, which specializes in helping children and adults with developmental disorders. Both those at the Stanhope studio and Matheny said they want the sessions to happen on a regular basis.

For patients and students at Matheny, there are several benefits to yoga, said Rachel Pyke, a recreational therapist by training who works at Matheny. It gives the children sensory stimulation, a chance to practice relaxation techniques and an opportunity to get out of their wheelchairs.

Wheelchair yoga -- or just chair yoga -- is also popular with older patients to retain some kind of mobility, Pyke said.

Kula, a yoga studio that holds a variety of courses, has only been open for about two months, but co-owners Linda Brukardt and Joe Kolaya said they thought the class sounded like a unique opportunity.

"It seemed like a really good thing to do for these kids," Brukardt said.

Gypsy Rain, a regular yoga practitioner and special education teacher at Matheny, said it was her idea to bring her students, who are in second and third grades, to the studio.

Jerry McCrea/The Star-Ledger

"It’s so nice for the kids to get out of their chairs and explore their worlds in a safe environment," Rain said.

Class began last week after the children’s elaborate wheelchairs were parked at the back of the room and they were spread out on the mat, each with an aid, parent, teacher or therapist to lean on for support.

Some of the students needed help holding up their heads or straightening out their limbs, while others sat on their own but needed help maintaining balance and doing the slow, simple stretches.

Yoga instructor Grace Pulis, 22, said she has led children’s classes and wheelchair yoga before, and appreciated the opportunity to help the Matheny students.

"I know it’s a challenge for them, but it was so great to see them enjoying the movement," Pulis said.

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