The Bahr Gallery: What A Trip! Have You Been?

Oyster Bay Treasure: The Bahr Gallery

Had a lovely time in Oyster Bay with an old friend. First, we stopped by Sweet Tomato, which is filled with delicious soups and sandwiches. Then, we went right next door to stop in at the captivating Bahr Gallery.

There’s a 6-minute video that tells the story of this place. Suffice it to say, Ted Bahr is a man with a passion that he is delighted to share. Collectors have taken notice, traveling from all over the world over to do just that.

Located in the charming village Oyster Bay, The Bahr Galley is “dedicated to finding good homes for the stunning psychedelic posters of the late 1960’s.” They “specialize in first printings, often signed, of Avalon, Fillmore, and other iconic venue posters which are highly prized by collectors and connoisseurs of the period. Most “are previously authenticated and bought at auction from reliable, reputable vendors who have been in the market for many years.”

There are generally 60-some-odd posters on view. They shift like vibrant, kaleidoscopic, Art Nouveau tides from that golden age of music, rolling in and out as Bahr perpetually curates his evolving collection. More than 300 pieces are fully cataloged and organized by band and category on the website.

They have visited museums and lived in fascinating homes. Here, they await their next residences, while having grand adventures with folks who come to appreciate them. 

It’s quite a trip! Do go see! 

Operating hours vary with the season. Regular events add another layer entertainment and cultural immersion. Private visits may be arranged by e-mailing ted@bahrgallery.com or call 516-283-1967. Let us know how it goes!

It was so much fun to do this with Patti. I love this woman and hadn’t seen her in way too long. She’s a primary reason my son is an Eagle Scout. Her whole family is dear to our hearts, and we are grateful she has continued to guide cubs since our own boys went off to college. In a place where people have worlds of concerns about things we don’t even need to know about, she is a calm, a focus, a gently effervescent, comforting presence. The world is better because she is in it. I am grateful. Thanks! <3

Firefly Lights: March 26, 2026

Photo of the exterior of The Firefly Artists

As you venture out into the world, we invite you to come visit our very special place. Located at 90 Main Street in beautiful downtown Northport, The Firefly is open seven days a week. We stay open late until 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and until 7pm on Sundays. For you early birds, we’re also open by 9am on the weekends.

We have items that are uplifting and pieces to meditate on. There are reminders of home and wonderful visits. Wit, whimsey and bittersweet reflections. Daydreams. Savored things. So much ever-loving Art.

Below: Works by Fireflies Kaela Yee, Kate Sydney and Rachel Kalina, Drigo Morin and Marilyn Barker

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

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Honoring Firefly’s Light: Love you, Jim

Photo of Jim outside our old location soon after our tremendous effort to build the gallery by Katheryn Laible

Thank you, Joanne Kountourakis of the Northport Journal for this beautiful article about Jim Darcy, who passed on at the very beginning of March. Jim was a founding Firefly and a dear friend to most everyone he met. One of our brightest, most enthusiastic lights, Jim embodied this institution’s very heart and soul. We are all better people for having known him.

There is more to say than I can bring myself to right now. A true artist’s’ artist, Jim exemplified creativity and determined optimism. He served as a testament to the fact that the toughest men in the world are also the kindest. His stories were incredible. His enthusiasm contagious. We miss him dearly, and seek to ensure that the spirit he imbued us with fills the hearts and minds of creatives evermore.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held April 26, from 2-5pm at The Firefly Artists, 90 Main St., Northport

A SCHOLARSHIP FUND has been established, reflecting Jim’s deep belief in the power of the arts and his passion for encouraging people to pursue their creative interests.

A CALL FOR DARCY ART: As part of the celebration, and in hopes that some may be so kind as to allow the family to make digital copies, we are inviting owners of Jim Darcy artworks to show them in our windows for the last two weeks of April.

Please email events@thefireflyartists.com to inquire.

The First Clue We Were Friends

Life With Jim

I was grateful to get to do a solo show at Moksha Cafe (formerly Portofino) in Northport that was dedicated to Jim. In writing about that we shared a little bit about what it was like to be his friend. 

Oh, my dear, dear friend. How blessed are we to have had Jim Darcy in our lives? Sweet, funny sailor. Survivor of so many things. There was poetry, plants…so many birds. Chipmunks who came when you called. Never without a new and amazing story. Would that we could have painted for as many hours as you wanted. It would have been time well spent. Thank you for being such a marvelous friend. We are all better people for having known you. 

So much love to your beautiful family, and to all who love you so. I’m sure they’re having a great big party up there. May we ever feel your spirit close. Sure gonna miss you and your indomitable spirit. Thank you for hanging out as long as you did. 

Love you, Jim.

Fair Media Council: Double Feature Commentary on AI

When the market dropped 800 points as AI fears intensified, it was time to go directly to the source. Here’s what ChatGPT had to say.

Q1. Hey, Chat, the stock market fell 800 points this week. People fear AI is coming for their jobs. Are you plotting to replace me and other humans?

AI: First of all? If I were plotting, I probably wouldn’t open with, “Good morning, Jaci.”

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Listening Party with Yasuhiro Fujioka and Hollis King at The Firefly

Listening Party with Friends of the Coltrane Home.

If you love history. If you love jazz. If you love art and deep conversation, please stop on by. Drop a line to let us know if you will!

NEXT SATUDAY, 3/28: This is going to be a very special event with two truly remarkable human beings. 

Coltrane Scholar Yasuhiro Fujioka

Coltrane Scholar Yasuhiro “Fuji” Fujioka is a Board member of the Friends of The Coltrane Home in Dix Hills, President of the Coltrane House of Osaka, and owns the Kimono shop, “Fujioka.” He is also a freelance jazz writer/ producer/ photographer/ educator and the author of four books on the subject of John Coltrane.

Hollis King, former Vice President & Creative Director, Verve Music Group

Hollis King is the former vice president and creative director at the Verve Music Group, the largest jazz record label in the world. He has worked with some of the greatest musicians of all time, and has himself received numerous achievement awards and citations.

Great Music, Rich Conversation, News on the Coltrane Home

They’re going to bring some favorite LP’s and give a guided tour of select tracks. They’ll also be talking about amazing things happening down the road at The The John and Alice Coltrane Home in Dix Hills, which they have been a part of for decades, and the John Coltrane Centennial.

It’s all part of “Rolling Under the Stars” a month-long birthday present to Jack Kerouac’s soul…and now our dear Jim Darcy’s, too…a streaming consciousness of art, music and poetry. Check out details on the firefly artists website.

Repair Café Heading to Wyandanch!

The Repair Café is Coming to Wyandanch

In a time where buying something new often comes before fixing what we have, The Repair Cafe is a great place to get advice, learn a thing or two, and be inspired! There are no guarantees, but a promise to try. Many find the experience itself worth the effort. Folks involved are excited to announce that the next one will be held:

When: March 28, 10am-2pm 
Where: Wyandanch Public Library, 14 S 20th St, Wyandanch, NY 11798

 

Want to Help?

Are you handy with machines? Electronics? Even a needle & thread?

Would you share this knowledge with the community? Help keep folks from throwing good things into landfills? Maybe just help folks save a few dollars? Come with your kids and teach them, come to teach others, or just come to learn and make new friends?

We imagine The Repair Café  would be an EXCELLENT service project for Scouts, and really anyone who wants to promote the fine art of giving things a second chance at life. Help make the world little thriftier and more self-reliant.

The best way to get in touch is through the Repair Cafe Long Island Facebook Page. You may also contact Laurie at starflexp@aol.com to learn more!!!

Get involved in The Repair Café!

Laurie Explains

You don’t have to be mechanical. Everybody can teach or help with something.

Said Laurie: “The more volunteers, the faster folks can get things repaired. People need to be able to bring their own tools. We get a lot of TVs and lamps and small electronics. We also could use people who are good with furniture, clothing/textiles (with sewing machine), more people for jewelry, anyone for watches and clocks, and other miscellaneous things (last time we had an ironing board, bicycle, a small statue that needed to be glued back together…).

We could also make space for a mental health person who would take time to listen to folks who just have a need to talk, or anyone who can do massage (sure, we can ‘fix’ people, too!).

Anyone who’d like to do some small DIY demos like how to sew on a button, darn a sock, rewire a lamp… Join us!

Learn More!

Check out The Repair Café Long Island on Facebook. Just scroll through the images there and look at these folks helping each other and learning so much together. Oh my goodness!

For years now, Laurie Farber of Starflower Experiences has made it part of her mission to help people fix things rather than just throw them out. Starting in Wyandanch, they built on the idea and carried it through covid. A natural partner, libraries which already work to provide communities with a number of educative resources, allow her to use to their space to strengthen their peoples capability. They’ve been to Huntington before, as well as a number of locations across Long Island. Anyone willing to volunteer and help the program is greatly appreciated!
 
Additional events will be held:
April 18 – Lindenhurst Public Library
April 25 – Town of Huntington Earth Day at Elwood Park
April 25 – Bryant Library, Roslyn 1:00 – 4:00
May 9 – Sayville Public Library 12:00 – 3:00
June 20 – Longwood Public Library 10:00 – 2:00
August 8 – Huntington Public Library (Main) 10:00 – 2:00
Feb 27, 2027 Harborfields Public Library  1:00 – 4:00
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Photos of Repair Cafe’s across Long Island. Photo Credit: Laurie Farber.

Tales from the Firefly: A Simple Guy. Plus, Find us in Sunday’s Newsday!

We’ve been talking about sharing some of the stories that walk into our gallery and warm our hearts. Figured we’d start with this one…Plus, check out the link below and pick up Sunday’s Newsday for great tips on visiting galleries! 

A Guy Walks into a Gallery

A guy walks in. Looks like maybe he’s in construction, or a dockbuilder…I don’t know…probably works with his hands…

“I’m a simple guy,” he tells me. “Not the kind of guy you’d think belongs in an Art Gallery.”

“I came in here one day, though, and you guys were so nice. And everything was so beautiful. And you made me feel really comfortable and welcome. 

I want you to know, I’ve been to five galleries since. Most of them were okay. The last one, the lady was kind of nasty. But you know what? That was her problem and I knew I belonged. I am now a counnosoire of art. Thank you!”

We looked at some stuff. He offered thoughtful reflections. We had a good time. 

It was great. I’m grateful to whomever welcomed him first. It meant a lot. 

A Guide to Gallery Going: We'll be in the Sunday Newsday!

We are delighted at this great article by Kay Blough in Newsday, “Explore Long Island art galleries like an experienced collector,” featuring our own Drigo Morin and the very awesome Wendy Curtis of the Huntington Art Center. We can’t wait to pick up Sunday’s Newsday where this will be in print. It’s got a great guide for those who’ve never been to galleries before. 

There’s excellent advice from our dear Drigo Morin, as well as an awesome photo of him with one of his refined portraits! The very awesome Wendy Curtis of the Huntington Art Center offers good stuff, too. It’s a great resource!

We hope you come to Northport this weekend. The whole village is an art gallery! Huntington is a fun, cultural treasure as well. Wait ‘til you see what all our Fireflies have in store…Wendy’s gallery is amazing, too! 

Jump right in. The art is fine. 

Detail of Drigo's portrait of the two headed monster.

March in the Garden: Patience, Mindfulness, Joyful Anticipation

Welcome, Spring! It’s good advice to wait until temps are regularly over 50 degrees Fahrenheit, especially to do a big, sudden cleanup, which we may wish to rethink in general. Still, there are plenty of thoughtful ways to get started…

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Firefly Lights: March 13, 2026

Photo of the exterior of The Firefly Artists

It’s a wonderful place to just come on in and breathe. Located at 90 Main Street in beautiful downtown Northport, The Firefly is open seven days a week. We stay open late until 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and until 7pm on Sundays. For you early birds, we’re also open by 9am on the weekends.

We have items that are uplifting and pieces to meditate on. There are reminders of home and wonderful visits. Wit, whimsey and bittersweet reflections. Daydreams. Savored things. So much ever-loving Art.

Below: Works by Fireflies Beth Atkinson, Ann Fox, Elise Weber and Cori Forster

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

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It’s Huntington Art Week!

Artists and all who appreciate them are invited to get involved in Huntington ART WEEK, being held March 9-15 in Huntington Village. Please see huntingtonartweek.com for details.

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