Weekend Planner: Jazz Fest Kickoff, Rockin’ For the Homeless

January 2013 is going out with a bang locally, with the sixth annual Winterfest kicking off at Hotel Indigo Friday night, the Rockin’ for the Homeless fundraiser for John’s Place homeless shelter program and all sorts of fun stuff in between this weekend in the region.

Here are just a few events, be sure to click on our events calendar in the tab above for more:

1. East End Arts kicks off the sixth-annual Winterfest, with jazz performances and refreshments on Friday at 7 p.m. at Hotel Indigo in Riverhead. Winterfest and the Jazz on the Vine concert series begins Feb. 9. Tickets to the kickoff are available for $20 per person in advance, and $25 at the door the night of the event. Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone, and in-person, through East End Arts: www.eastendarts.org and 631-727-0900. For more information about Winterfest 2013, visit http://www.liwinterfest.com.

2. Greenport PTA Used Clothing Drive: Help the Greenport PTA raise funds for our scholarship and enrichment programs on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Greenport School. The are collecting used clothing, belts, shoes, towels, toys, and linens.  All items must be in plastic bags and be in good condition.

3. Fifth Annual Rockin' for the Homeless: On Saturday, Riverhead Polish Hall will open its doors at 5:30 p.m. to host the Fifth Annual Rockin’ for the Homeless benefit concert. In addition to being a fundraiser for John’s Place Mattituck, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to helping Long Islanders rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The concert features Long Island talents including Gene Casey and The Lone Sharks, Who Are Those Guys, Rattlesnake Dawn, and Boot Scoot Boogie and will be emceed by WLNG 92.1 FM’s Lisa Dabrowski. Ticket prices are $25 per person in advance through Friday and $35 per person at the door.

4. Book Reading/Signing at D’Latte: Meet local author Alison Caiola at D’Latte café in Greenport on Saturday at 7 p.m. Caiola is the author of the popular novel “The Seeds of a Daisy,” about a successful woman who’s life suddenly falls apart. Call 631-477-6738 for more information.

5. Winter Waterfowl Watch on Shelter Island: Into birds? Get up early on Sunday and hit the ferry for a morning of waterfowl watching on Mashomack Preserve’s ponds and creeks. Learn how to identify different species of birds both on the wing and in the water, then return to a hearty breakfast by a roaring fire in the manor house. Reservations are necessary – call 631-749-1001 or email masho­mackpreserve@­tnc.­org

6. Our Lady of Mercy Open House: Our Lady of Mercy Regional School on Route 25 in Cutchogue is celebrating Catholic Schools Week by inviting the entire North Fork to an open house on Sunday from 12 to 2 p.m. This pre-K through sixth grade school is a regional school, supported by the four local parishes, so ask about "in parish" tuition rates. Call 631-734-5166 for more information.

7. St. Isidore School Registration and Open House: St. Isidore Roman Catholic Church in Riverhead is also holding an open house on Sunday at 1 p.m., with registration now open to children in grades pre-K through grade eight. All are welcome to come in and schedule a tour. Call 631-727-1650 for a tour and registration materials.