First Music Con with 40 vendors, music sets comes to Patchogue

While running his nostalgia marketplace, Emerald City, in Patchogue, owner Jason McKee, of Dix Hills, had an idea to combine a pop culture-based flea market with live music. Thus, Music Con was born. On June 7 from 3 to 9 p.m., the inaugural event will be held at Stereo Garden in Patchogue.

"This is a celebration of music for collectors," McKee says. "Not only can you shop for records and music memorabilia, but you’re actually getting to see live music at the same time."

LIVE MUSIC

The day will consist of five music sets from two artists.

Local rock band Madison will kick it off at 3 p.m. with cover songs from the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s.

"I love a lot of female rock musicians like Aimee Mann of ‘Til Tuesday, Ann Wilson of Heart, Madonna, Alanis Morissette and Cyndi Lauper," says lead singer Ava Madison, of Patchogue. "I grew up watching old MTV music videos as a kid."

Mor Schwartz, of Commack, delivers her "Movies & Musicals" show at 4 p.m., which blends songs from popular musicals to cuts on legendary movie soundtracks.

Schwartz changes gears at 5 p.m. for the "Dolly and Divas" where she pays tribute to country music legend, Dolly Parton.

"I wear everything from her hair to her birthmark," Schwartz adds.

She also includes music from other country divas such as Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire and Martina McBride.

By 6 p.m., it’s time for "Hopelessly Olivia" when Schwartz takes on the hits of Olivia Newton-John as well her staples from the 1978 film, "Grease."

The final performance at 7 p.m. will come from Schwartz as she debuts her new show, "Disco Fever," bringing together the sounds of Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Diana Ross and Chaka Khan.

LOCAL VENDORS

More than 40 music or pop culture-related booths will be spread throughout the venue for attendees to shop all day.

The Bearded Hoarder of Patchogue is set to put out a display of vintage toys, comics, video games, cards and vinyl records from the 1970s-1990s.

"I love this concept. It will fit well with my business," owner Kevin Tetrault says. "Our focus is on retro stuff. A lot of people are into Pokémon cards [$1-$200], vintage toys [$5-$100] and used vinyl records [$5-$60]."

Bill Linss, owner of Rockingham Guitar Shoppe in Patchogue, plans to sell new and used electric guitars, bass guitars, ukuleles, electric violins, violas and cellos ($80-$1,000). He will also have some guitar pedals, straps, picks and strings.

Linss even makes his own cigar box guitars, which run $75-$150.

"It’s literally a cigar box with a neck running through it and strings," he explains. "This is a roots-music type of instrument that’s designed to play with a slide."

Based in Islip Terrace, Next Generation Comics and Cards are participating in the event selling new and used comics ($3-$20), Magic the Gathering and Pokémon cards ($5-$25) plus other pop culture knick knacks.

"Trends go up and down like they always have," owner Mike Hall says. "The prices are more down to earth since the COVID boom but there’s still a high demand for Pokémon cards. People of all ages buy them, not just kids."

McKee hopes to make Music Con more than just an annual event.

"We are possibly looking into doing this every three months," he says.