MOUNTAINDALE, NY — Mountaindale is weird, in the best possible way. Blending quirky charm with a creative spirit, it is a hidden gem in Sullivan County, and if you haven’t been, look it …
Stay informed about your community and support local independent journalism.
Subscribe to The River Reporter today. click here
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Please log in to continue |
MOUNTAINDALE, NY — Mountaindale is weird, in the best possible way. Blending quirky charm with a creative spirit, it is a hidden gem in Sullivan County, and if you haven’t been, look it up on the map and make a plan to go ASAP.
There are a number of establishments right in the town center. From the fun and colorful vintage store Bad Grandma to the eatery Basbousa, which features Middle Eastern and Southern food made from scratch, to Creek Bar’s serene al fresco space, there is no shortage of cool things to see and delicious things to eat.
However, today’s story is about a special place where special things happen every week, The Dale.
Since opening in 2019, The Dale has become a staple of the Catskills music scene. Aside from the widely loved hand-crafted sourdough pizza and the warm personality of Sara Brancato and Alexander Wilson, the co-owners, who are often there to greet guests, there is always much more bubbling, even on frigid winter nights.
Every Thursday night at The Dale, even on the coldest winter days, the restaurant transforms into a playground for wonderful and magical things. Where anything from soulful singer-songwriters to spontaneous jam sessions with local legends make for an open mic experience unlike any other.
What started as a humble weekly gathering has evolved over the years into one of the region’s most treasured events. The Dale’s Magical Open Mic, which kicks off around 8:30 p.m. every Thursday and stretches deep into the night, has grown into a haven for musicians who want to try out new material, jam together and connect with fellow artists and music enthusiasts.
Owner Brancato says open mic is her favorite night at The Dale, “even if one person shows up, to me, that means everything. It’s like people need this. So we started off and have just never missed an open mic. Even till this day, we haven’t missed an open mic. And I compare it to church, a high vibrational energy, spiritual, like a space that I hold and I protect and I nourish with everything I have, no matter what’s happening.”
Musician Eamon Lebow, a frequent performer at open mic nights, describes it as “a laboratory for some of the more experimentally minded songwriters and a great meeting place for musicians to begin collaborations.”
The event has built a reputation for being a safe space—both for seasoned performers and first-timers. Whether you’re an established artist with a polished set or someone with a guitar and a dream, the open mic at The Dale welcomes all.
As Caswyn Moon, the host for the last five years, puts it: “No list, no rules, just etiquette.” There’s a fluidity to the night that ensures every week is unpredictable, exciting and different from the last.
The Magical Open Mic is much more than just a place to sing and play—it’s a nurturing ground for creativity. It’s where new bands are born, where musicians come to experiment with fresh ideas and where collaborations happen on the spot. Some of the area’s best-known artists have honed their craft at The Dale, and many new talents have had their first taste of the spotlight here.
Brancato says she started playing music and singing herself because of open mic. “It took on a life of its own, I don’t control it, it has magic that has nothing to do with me. I just trying to nourish and protect it, and in doing that it’s given back to me and filled my voice,” she says.
Lebow says, “I’ve gotten a number of gigs elsewhere just by meeting people and jamming at The Dale, and I’ve seen bands formed by other musicians after meeting there for the first time.”
But the magic isn’t just in the music—it’s in the connections. For five years, Caswyn Moon has served as the steady anchor of the event, ensuring the open mic is a place for exploration, community and growth. And while Moon is the regular host, other local musicians like Faith Kelly, Richard Traviss and Lebow step in occasionally to keep the energy flowing and the vibes fresh.
Clown Daddy, also known as Ellie J, is an actress turned clown who says she found her footing as an artist at The Dale. Working there in 2021, she happened to have Thursday shifts. “I built up the courage to start singing in front of people, which was one of my goals for many years as a performer,” she said.
“Anything goes at an open mic,” says Moon, with a smile. “Well, except for karaoke—that’s reserved for Fridays with the Karaoke Boys!” This laid-back, anything-can-happen attitude has helped foster a space where creativity flows freely and everyone can feel like part of the magic. Brancato says she’s especially appreciative for Moon for his dedication to hosting the event each and every week.
What makes the Magical Open Mic so unique is that no two nights are the same, and as Lebow puts it “Mountaindale is a one-stoplight town and also like a micro South by Southwest, which is very unusual for a rural area.”
The Dale carries a long tradition for Sullivan County as a haven for music. Some of the musicians who play there witnessed Woodstock in the backyard at Yasgur’s Farm. With a nod to the past and an eye to the future, The Dale is keeping the spirit of the music scene alive, adding its unique and talented voices to the ever-evolving legacy of live music in our area.
Open mic at The Dale is a stark contrast to the ways the world today can be cold and distant. Work-from-home jobs and people not agreeing over political lines melt away in the atmosphere of camaraderie and connection that extends beyond the stage.
Ellie J cited the integrity of The Dale as being core to its ethos, from the quality of the food to the vibe, to the insistence on always being there for the community. It’s a space where friendships are forged, and where everyone—whether they’re a performer or a listener—becomes part of the larger music community.
While Thursday nights are reserved for the open mic, the fun doesn’t stop there. Fridays feature karaoke with the Karaoke Boys, and Saturdays through Mondays bring a mix of live music performances and occasional DJ dance parties. You can do it all over crafted sourdough pizza and cocktails, which are made with fresh, local ingredients.
So swing by The Dale on a Thursday night. If you play music bring your instrument and get on stage. If not, you won’t regret the art you’ll experience. You never know who you’ll see, what you’ll hear, or who you’ll meet—but one thing’s for sure: you’ll be part of something magical.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here