Drowning Flood Sisters - Inside Chappaqua

British superstar
George Michael
sings “I gotta have
faith.” If the crowds
who gather at her
gigs are any indication,
so do the fans
of Justine Faith,
owner of NightStar
DJ and Karaoke.
What she started
on a whim has
blossomed into a
successful entertainment
company
for this resident of
Pleasantville.
Justine didn’t set out
on becoming a queen
of karaoke. After
studying Animal Science at Cornell,
she hoped to become a veterinarian.
William Congreve said: “music
hath charms to soothe the savage
beast…,” but taking care of animals
was not to be. A love of singing, including
a three-year stint with the
All-City Chorus in Manhattan during
high school, eventually brought
her to a different career path.
Fifteen years ago, when just a regular
karaoke singer, a DJ asked her if
she wanted to learn the ropes. So,
she learned how to dj, what to say
to the crowd and began a business
of her own, starting with one show
a week. When another bar asked
her to do a karaoke show on the
same night, she trained her own
DJ, and thus, a karaoke empire was
born. Today, between Justine and
her stable of DJ’s, NightStar DJ
and Karaoke now hosts 21 shows
each week, not including weddings
and parties.
G O T T A H A V E A R T S
Gotta Have Faith
by Michael Kohn
Nightstar DJ and Karaoke Owner Justine Faith at the beginning of a show
at Chappaqua’s Quaker Hill on January 8th. An ever loyal fan base and many
area residents soon packed the popular local pub where the show, and all the
enthusiastic singers, were still going strong at 2:30 a.m.
Locally, you can find Justine and
SPECIAL PLANS:
Along with regular gigs in Westchester,
Connecticut and the Bronx
Chappaqua, Lucy’s in Pleasantville,
her other hosts at Quaker Hill in
Early morning drop-off, additional after
hours enrichment classes such as art, science and cooking.
(her one night “off” is Monday),
Opus in Armonk. For a complete
Visits by a petting zoo, Ranger Rick, Maritime Aquarium,
Justine also hosts a regular Thursday
night show at the world-fa-
website at www.nightstardj.com
listing of her shows, visit her
Fire Department, etc. Call with any questions. Registration
is now in progress.
mous Sylvia’s in Harlem. “The sing-
month hiatus recovering from
46 Inside Chappaqua February 2011 February 2011 Inside Chappaqua 47
ers [there] will blow your mind,”
she says.
When I interviewed Justine over
the phone, I could hear in her voice
the pride she took in her work,
including the fact that she was the
first African-American woman to
own a karaoke company. She talked
about how important the singers
are to her and criticized DJs who
steal time from patrons by singing
too often themselves, in spite
of the fact that she is blessed with
an amazing voice of her own. (Her
mother played piano at Carnegie
Hall and taught music and piano,
and Justine was an accomplished
piano player by age six.)
She stressed the value of encouraging
her DJs to talk to everyone at
the bar, even non-singers, who just
come to enjoy a good show. “Anyone
can press buttons; it’s about
personalities,” she says. As a karaoke
DJ myself up in Albany, I was
curious to see Justine in action,
and fortunately found a chance to
after visiting my daughter in New
York City. She was returning to her
long-running show at Thataway’s
Café in Greenwich after a three
surgery, and invited me to
see her “live.”
I arrived to find Justine
ordering a soda amidst a
sea of her loyal fans. On
a Sunday night, no less!
Justine began the show
and I was delighted I
made the trip. The atmosphere
and the singers
were fantastic and everyone
was showing karaoke
love. I even met a few of
the karaoke hosts who
work for her. It was clear
that they all had Justine’s
love for karaoke and her
professional philosophy
of giving the very best to
the patrons. She wants
to “make it [the show] memorable
so they will come back.” I ended up
staying over two hours.
Karaoke’s not all fun and games. In
addition to managing all the shows,
Justine works hard at booking,
preparing contracts, and publicity.
“It’s a tough business and I have to
work hard to hold onto shows,” she
adds. After seeing one, it’s obvious
that the effort is worthwhile.
The central theme which emerged
during the interview was how
important the people are. Justine
wants to give them the very best
and has been rewarded over the
years by meeting many wonderful
people. Since she began, at
least eight couples married after
meeting at karaoke. Justine dj’ed
at their weddings too, expressing
how honored she felt that she was
chosen to entertain.
Swing by and see our super playground
equipment - on Chappaqua’s largest
outdoor nursery school playground!
Music Lessons
in Your Home
Services: In-home music lessons
for all ages, levels and instruments.
Instructors are all degreed professionals
working in the music industry.
While not the traditional school,
Andante ensures the school
experience by holding annual
contests, recitals, and
master classes. This year, the
practice contest winners enjoyed
a show at Westchester
Broadway Dinner Theatre.
Andante Music
PROPRIETOR:
Alicia Mott
IN BUSINESS SINCE: 2009
www.andantemusicny.com
Greatests Strengths: Andante Music caters to the
needs of a busy lifestyle. Instead of having to drive to a
location, then sit in a waiting room (or try to run errands
in 30 minutes while your child takes a lesson--impossible!),
you and your child are both in the comfort of your
own home, notes Alicia. “We have parents who get dinner
started or help brother or sister with homework all
while the lesson is taking place.”
Special Plans: The Spring Recital is just around the
corner, March 27th. Andante Music always appears at
several street fairs throughout the summer, including
Tarrytown Street Fair, Pleasantville Day, and Shadfest!
Flexible and
Trained Staff at Play Care
Play Care
DIRECTOR:
Carol Cleary
IN BUSINESS SINCE:
1971
www.playcarepreschool.com
SERVICES: Preschool, Baby Care,
Lunch Care, Extended
Day, Enrichment Programs
GREATEST STRENGTHS: Only Preschool in Chappaqua with
a truly flexible schedule. Choose any combination of days:
morning or afternoon. Music, Science, and Creative Movement
classes offered in addition to general academics.
Large shaded outdoor playground with new equipment.
Convenient location and easy parking. Licensed by the New
York State Office of Children and Family Services. All staff
are CPR trained and an RN is on Staff.