'Legendary Divas of Freestyle': Zachary's in East Meadow

While it's no secret that the genre of "freestyle" music may have faded since the late '80s and early '90s, the older Long Island club crowds still have a healthy affection for the sound. Basically it's a style in which producers would add hip-hop types of effects over dance beats; the vocalists were always the stars.

For the most part, the freestyle shows found today center around popular male singers – Coro, Noel Pagan, TKA – it’s not rare to find one or more shows featuring these artists during the year somewhere in Nassau or Suffolk County. However, there were many successful female freestyle hit makers as well, and two of them – Corina and Lisette Melendez -- will be performing on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Zachary’s in East Meadow.

The venue is most appropriate – for about 20 years ago, when Hempstead Turnpike was a major cruising road (especially between the Meadowbrook Parkway and Farmingdale), Zachary’s was already in business – and when Corina put out her tremendous single “Temptation” in 1991, “Zach’s” (as the club has been nicknamed by many) was likely to play it during parties. The same can also be said for the music of Melendez; her big songs "Together Forever" and "A Day In My Life" (also from 1991) were often heard at the East Meadow establishment, back when IROC-Z model Chevrolet Camaro cars frequently dominated the parking lot and many haircuts were doused in Aqua-Net brand hair spray.

Today, the club is still going strong – with a crowd spanning all ages -- but with this nod to its past an older set is anticipated. In fact, the age of admittance is 25 and over (with the cover charge yet to be determined), and all are asked to dress to impress. Doors open at 10:30 p.m., with DJ Rio spinning pop, dance and classics all night. For more information, call 516-794-4156, check the club’s Facebook page or elsewhere online at zacharysny.com.