Author Archives: Ryan Jacobson

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Sommelier in Training Practices Her Craft

Erin Burke, Bartender and Sommelier in Training from Ryan Jacobson on Vimeo.

For fifteen years, Erin Burke has been passionate about serving her customers. After tending bar around the world, Burke has settled at Westerly, Rhode Island summer hot spot, The Windjammer.

Now in her fifth summer at the Windjammer, Burke has loads of regular customers that come to visit her from far near and far. She has dabbled in other professions, but has come to find that she is happiest when she is behind the bar, and helping others have an enjoyable experience.

“Every day is a good day” says Burke, citing “the ocean, and the beach” as her office window views.

Now, at the age of 34, Burke has began the long process of becoming a certified Sommelier. A Sommelier is a trained wine professional, normally working in fine dining restaurants, and specializes in all aspects of wine knowledge.

Burke hopes her new title will help her grow in the field that she has chosen to make her profession. There are four stages to becoming a Master Sommelier, and Burke hopes to complete step one this June when she takes the Introductory Sommelier Course and test, in St. Louis, MO. Burke has been studying for the first step for months now, and often visits wineries and vineyards to get first hand experience and knowledge. She has also been reading many wine encyclopedias, and the popular Wine Bible.

“Many people think that training t

o become a Sommelier is fun and easy” says Burke. And while it does have it’s fun moments, like sampling all the wines, and visiting all the wineries, it is anything but easy, and is quickly turning into one of the biggest challenges of my professional career.

For more information on The Windjammer, visit their website at http://www.atlanticbeachpark.com/

or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WindjammerRI?fref=ts

For more information on becoming a Master Sommelier for yourself, visit their website at http://www.mastersommeliers.org/

 

 

 

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Preparing for Another Season at the Windjammer

In just a few weeks, the Windjammer Surf Bar will open it’s doors for the summer. In an on-going struggle to remain a competitor in the beach bar scene we interviewed the owner, and manager of the Windjammer, Sally Trefes Sorensen, to see what this summer will bring for returning locals, and Windjammer newbies that are experiencing the bar for the first time.

“The Windjammer is a laid-back, easy-going establishment that focuses on the patrons having fun, and enjoying their time off” says Trefes Sorensen. “From loyal customers that live in the area, to “annual regulars” that visit the bar as a yearly tradition, the Windjammer is a summertime favorite, and a home away form home.”

This summer, the “Jammer”, as referred to by many of the locals, will test the waters with new themed nights, and exciting events. With both outdoor, and indoor bars, the Windjammer is accommodating for any New England weather scenario.

Mondays will continue to be “Mondays Minis” which offers patrons $1 mini bud, bud lights, and bug light limes.
On Tuesdays the Windjammer will host cribbage/pitch tournaments.
Wednesdays will be devoted to Bar Bingo, with host DJ Chris Caswell, of Trivia Time USA.
On Thursdays, the Windjammer will try its hand at karaoke.
And Fridays and Saturdays will continue to be half-priced appetizers.

As always, the Windjammer will continue to have live music on the outdoor patio on Saturdays and Sundays, and live bands inside on Friday and Saturday nights. Returning favorites, such as Jason Cardinal, Sugar, and Never Enuff, will again preform at the Windjammer this summer, as well as first time artists that are sure to get the crowd dancing, and singing along.

For more information on what else is happening at the Windjammer this summer, be sure to follow them on their Facebook page, or check out their website at atlanticbeachpark.com

https://www.facebook.com/search/str/Windjammer%20Beach%20Resort%20/keywords_top

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The Life of a Determined Musician

Joey Michel was accepted as a music major on a full scholarship to The University of Colorado in Denver for his talent in music recording, but after stumbling upon a new, unique acoustic sound from Andy McKee on YouTube,  he was inspired to focus his skills and passion on playing the guitar. Joey studied audio technology with an emphasis on jazz and performance arts.

After graduating, he then left Denver to live near his family in Westerly, Rhode Island. Since living here, he has been focusing on practicing and jamming with others who have been immersing themselves in the music business and are seasoned, live performers. It didn’t take long before he abandoned the structure and framework of his college education to adopt a grittier technique and raw quality that has allowed him to realize his dream and true calling.

Joey’s new goal is to move to Nashville and spend time gigging with various influences to gain as much diversity as possible in order to become a well rounded artist that can play live, on recordings, and in the studio. Joey is currently teaching guitar lessons to inspire others to begin their own musical journey.

 

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Musician, Joey Michael, walks home after a gig at Perks and Corks in Westerly, RI in the early morning hours of April 7th, 2015, as he continues to make a name for himself in the industry. (Photo by Ryan Jacobson/Full Sail University)

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Joey Michel, practicing his music at his apartment in Westerly, RI after a late night performance on April 7th, 2015. (Photo by Ryan Jacobson/Full Sail University)

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Joey focuses on his precise technique, at his apartment in Westerly, RI, honed by practicing small sections over and over. (Photo by Ryan Jacobson/Full Sail University)

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Joey spends countless hours practicing his accuracy and speed while playing difficult chords. (Photo by Ryan Jacobson/Full Sail University)

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Joey Michel enjoys a coveted, live performance in Westerly, RI, responding to the energy provided by his excited crowd. (Photo by Ryan Jacobson/Full Sail University)

If you would like to learn more about Joey Michel, please follow him on his Facebook page at Joey Michel Music, or his website at Joey Michel Music