Shouthouse, a 16-piece chamber orchestra from New York City has released their latest has released their single “ANTS” through NYS Music. Combining elements of jazz, hip-hop, and classical music, Shouthouse brings together talented artists from various backgrounds to achieve a new form of expression through powerful music while telling stories through notes, structures and words.
ShoutHouse began in 2012 as members of the afrobeat/hip-hop band Yes Noyes collaborated with orchestral musicians and composers. Over the past five years, the group has grown into a small orchestra and a large community of performing artists. Altogether, the project includes more than fifty musicians, dancers, visual artists, poets, and rappers. In 2016, Shouthouse worked with hophop and classical dancers, to develop choreographed performances, first presented at The DiMenna Center as part of their CrossCurrents series.
“ANTS” is part of a series of pieces that reflect on New York City, imagined through different time periods. Shouthouse’s upcoming album has pieces that are about the distant past, 1940’s New York, and the distant, dystopian future. For “ANTS”, pianist Will Healy shares “We were thinking about what modern life is like in an urban hive – a combination of massive, overwhelming concrete and exhilarating, fast-paced life. The track is constantly active with notes and fast changes, and the lyrics are full of stories, metaphors and references that all circle back to the concept of being a part of modern day life as specks in the big city.”
“ANTS” features Bush Tea and Nuri Hazzard, with music by Will Healy. The song was produced by Harrison Keithline and Tyler Wood and mixed and engineered by Jack Frerer, with additional editing from Mikkel Christensen and Skei’n Studios. Shouthouse’s orchestra includes Megan Atchley (violin), Allison Mase (violin), Drew Forde (viola), Olivia Harris (cello), Luiz Bacchi (bass), Jack Gulielmetti (electric guitar), David Valbuena (clarinet), Kelley Barnett (flute) Jesse Greenberg (vibraphone/glockenspiel), Aaron Ewing (drumset), Will Healy (piano) and conducted by Alex Burtzos.
Stay tuned next week for the premiere of Shouthouse’s video for “Ants,” exclusively from NYS Music. Follow Shouthouse on Facebook, Instagram, Soundcloud and YouTube.
Driving up the long dirt road to Page Farm, you start to realize just how far away from civilization you are. The trees get thicker, the houses scarcer. This comes as very good news because things get a little crazy once the sun sets on Wild Woods Festival.
This small festival comes from the minds of Greenvibe Entertainment and founder Ryan Dubois. In its fourth year, Wild Woods had its best year yet, unfolding August 11-13. There’s something amazing about this place that you just can’t seem to put your finger on. It has an almost familiar feel to it.
The campgrounds are tucked away in the forest, trails winding through with lights hanging overhead for when the day gets dark. As you walk out from your site, you pass a vendor village with treasures and trinkets of all kinds. A little further, you pass through a towering gate into an open field. Surrounded by trees on every side, you can’t help but feel at home. Every inch of the grounds feels like the woods you played in as a child. Except here, there was a wonderful lineup of music to be played.
Strange Machines kicked off Friday with a bang. I said it last year and I’ll say it again this year: these guys had the best dance party of the weekend. Not to say it was the biggest, but the crowd was definitely dancing the hardest. Kung Fu gave us a huge dose of funk before the sun set on Page Farm and things took a very different turn. Supersyllius was joined by Lespecial for his “Lifeband” set. The main stage closed with a long intimate set from Papadosio. The crowd was really feeling it. The stage may have been small but The Reliquarium display that surrounded the stage was lit with mapped visuals. The night ended with sets from Lespecial, Esseks and Jade Cicada, rolling everyone into the early morning.
Saturday was really quite a surprise. The threat of rain was constant and lightning in the distance was alarming at times but never came too close. Honestly, it made the whole night that much more memorable. The slight drizzle that came with it danced off of the lights and lasers. Local favorites, Harsh Armadillo, really brought the crowd to life that evening. It’s really hard not to dance to their high energy funk. The same could be said though for Hayley Jane and the Primates and Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, both giving the crowd incredible shows. Hayley Jane was accompanied by her good friends in The What Collective. Their choreographed dancing was a really cool touch for the Primates’ set.
New Hampshire’s own Roots of Creation played a very unique “dubtronica” set for the crowd. This is something the band is pretty used to playing. They love to put their own spin on the dub/reggae sound so it was a real treat to be able to get a lot more out of this set. Greenvibe was really proud to have Papadosio join the Wild Woods lineup this year, and the crowd was more than thankful. Their incredibly beautiful and deep tracks filled the field with violin and heavy bass sounds. The whole festival was in attendance for this set. The night finished with a huge set from Mr. Bill and Govinda played us deep into the morning with his mesmerizing tracks. Music bounced off the tents and tarps until the sun rose.
The weekend was full of fun and laughter. The Wild Woods fam is a real thing, a real feeling you get after a weekend with these characters. Hopefully Wild Woods will return next year. If so, we can be sure that it will continue to live up to its name.
Three festival weekends each summer, Sterling Stage Kampitheater (‘The Pines’) returns to Sterling, NY for four days and nights of music, dancing and art. This year’s Sterling Stage Folkfest and Sterling Stage Ameribeat have passed us by, however, Sterling Stage Last Daze of Summer 2017 is just around the corner.
Take a glance below and click the play button. You’ll find a Rochester Groovecast podcast episode. This episode is a preview of the upcoming Sterling Stage Last Daze of Summer Festival. During the episode, you’ll listen to The Werks, The Blind Owl Band, Root Shock, The Honey Smugglers, Creamery Station, Los Blancos, Electric Mud, Personal Blend, Boogie Low, Subsoil, and Chris James & Mama G. All of these bands will be at this year’s Sterling Stage Last Daze of Summer. If you scroll even farther down, you’ll find a detailed episode timestamp. Get your tickets here!
Episode Timestamp:
00:00: The Werks- Into The Moss
03:41: Episode Introduction
07:21: The Werks– Magic
13:24: The Blind Owl Band- Map With Roads
18:03: The Blind Owl Band- Sailor Song
23:44: Root Shock- Freedom
27:55: Root Shock- Sage
33:55: The Honey Smugglers- Nasty Old Man
37:49: The Honey Smugglers- Should Have Been A Farmer
45:49: Creamery Station- Back To You
49:03: Creamery Station- Wash Away
53:56: Los Blancos- Backbeat Rhythm
59:26: Los Blancos-Get Along
1:04:45: Electric Mud- Cover of Eddies Gospel Groove By Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters
1:10:55: Electric Mud- Cover of T-Bone Boogie By T-Bone Walker
1:14:31: Personal Blend- Judgement
1:18:10: Personal Blend- Wiseman
1:23:15: Boogie Low- Mckenna
1:28:38: Boogie Low- Miss Bliss
1:34:00: Subsoil- Joe Rogan
1:37:39: Subsoil- On The Bus
1:41:49: Closing Comments
1:43:48: Chris James & Mama G- Thank You For The Diamonds
1:48:22: Chris James & Mama G- Further
The 2017 NYS Fair opened its gates Wednesday, August 23, and aside from the food, music, especially local, is arguably the biggest attraction at the New York State Fair. The main stage acts at Lakeview Amphitheater and Chevy Court draw the most attention, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find a plethora of acts across the fairgrounds. From the various pavilions to the bars that set up camp at the fair, there is music of all types to be found.
The Empire Experience Stage features live performances three times a day, free with fair admission. The complete 13 day schedule can be found here.
Among the acts performing at the Empire Experience Stage are several tribute bands (Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews Band, Jimmy Buffet, Rush, David Bowie, AC/DC, the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd and Sublime); Latin music featuring Edgar Pagan’s Grupo Pagan, Alex Torres and his Latin Orchestra, Orquesta La Muralla, Afrikan2 and BombaRoc along with local polka legends, Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame honorees and SAMMY Hall of Fame inductees, Fritz’s Polka Band.
Aug. 28-31 features several original local acts presented by local rock station 95X. Oneonta’s Baked Potatoes kicks off the series Aug. 28 at 4 p.m., followed by Utica-area act Our Common Roots at 6:30 p.m. The Black River closes out the stage at 8:30 p.m.
Other artists included in the local showcase at the Empire Experience Stage include Oswego’s Ethernauts (Aug. 29 at 4 p.m.) along with Syracuse’s Professional Victims (Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m.), Spring Street Family Band (Aug. 29 at 8:30 p.m.), Ahnest! (Aug. 30 at 4 p.m.), Townhouse Warrior (Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m.), Toronto’s Bleeker (Aug. 30 at 8:30 p.m.), Mattydale Music Collective (Aug. 31 at 4:30 p.m.), Stacy White Suite (Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m.) and Barroom Philosophers (Aug. 31 at 8:30 p.m.). Barroom Philosophers will also be performing at the West End Bar & Grille at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 3. SAMMY Award recipients, Americana band the Ripcords will also be performing the Empire Experience Stage (Sept. 1 at 4 p.m.).
In addition to the Empire Experience, there are several other stages to take in live music. The Pan-African Village is a cooperative effort between the NAACP and the New York State Fair. The village highlights New York’s African-American heritage and features vendors and performers with African and Caribbean roots. Performances are held several times per day throughout the fair’s run. Featured performers at the Pan-African stage include SAMMY Award Winner Bobby Green (Aug. 25 at 8 p.m), Matte Mase (Aug. 26 at 3:30 p.m.), Tanksley with two performances (Aug. 26 at 5:30 p.m. and Aug. 28 at 8 p.m.), Modern Mudd (Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.), Five to Life (Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.), Steve Wolf performing twice (Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.), Colleen Kattau & Dos XX (Sept. 1 at 4 p.m.), Soft Spoken (Sept. 1 at 8 p.m.), Hev’n Ayn and Friends (Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.), Afrikan2 (Sept. 3 at 2 p.m.), and the Brownskin Band (Sept. 4. at 6 p.m.).
Some CNY favorites will take to the Dairyland Stage, appropriately located in the Dairy Building. Artists performing at this mini-stage-in-the-round include Just Joe on Aug. 31 (11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.). Joe will also be performing at the Courtside Grill Aug. 23-27 for two sets each day (12-1:30 p.m and 3:30-5 p.m.) Castle Creek for three half-hour sets on Sept. 2 (11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m.) and Max Scialdone on Sept. 4 (11 a.m., 2 p.m and 5 p.m.).
Several bars take up residency during the fair and many also offer live music. The West End Bar & Grille is a NYS Fair institution. The bar is located just inside of gate six on the west side of the fairgrounds and offers live music every night of the fair. Solvay’s own Rhythm Method brings its blend of metal and classic rock to the West Side twice during the fair (Aug. 24 and Sept. 2, both shows begin at 7:30 p.m.). They will also perform at Bosco’s on Restaurant Row Aug. 28 and 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Syracuse R&B and soul group the Horndogs bring their horn-driven funk to the West Side on Aug. 25 and alt-country musician Steve Cali performs a Sunday set on Aug. 27. Other bands performing the West End include 3 Inch Fury, Brass, Inc., the PEP Band and Kat Tale. All shows at the West End begin at 7:30 p.m.
The Empire Room, one of the fair’s air conditioned venues, will host live music twice per day over the course of the fair’s thirteen day run. Utica-based harmonica player, Matt Lomeo will perform three days with a different partner joining him each day. On Aug. 24, Lomeo will be joined by guitarist Brian Mulkerne. On Aug. 27 Syracuse-based guitarist and leader of Morris and the Hepcats, Morris Tarbell joins Lomeo. Finally, on Aug. 29, Lomeo is accompanied by celebrated jazz saxophonist and pianist, Monk Rowe. All of Lomeo’s appearances at the Empire Room are 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Chris Eves will make two appearances at the Empire Room, one as a solo act on Aug. 25 at 3 p.m. and the other with his band, the New Normal for a Party on the Patio Aug. 27, also at 3 p.m.
Verona-based Opus Black String Quartet brings its unique take on classical meets contemporary to the Empire Room Patio Aug. 30 from 3-7 p.m.
Syracuse legend and SAMMY Hall of Fame inductee, Joe Whiting brings his exciting act to the Empire Room twice. On Aug. 31, Whiting will be joined by guitarist Loren Barrigar at 3 p.m. and hosts a Party on the Patio Sept. 2 at 3 p.m.
The Suds Factory Courtside Grille is yet another spot to catch some hot local talent throughout the fair’s run. Just Joe makes several appearances Aug. 25-27. Utica-area southern rock band the Swamp Drivers, renowned for their arsenal of homemade instruments, perform at the Grille Aug. 25-26. High energy Syracuse hard rock and metal aficionados, Scars n’ Stripes hit the Grille for two sets on Aug. 24 (6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.).
Boonville native Shawn “Big Sexy” Smith, a 2013 contestant on NBC’s The Voice brings his talents to the Grille for two sets Aug. 28 (3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.). Syracuse-area classic rock and blues band The Barndogs perform Aug. 28, 29 and Sept. 3 from 6-11 p.m. and Brian McArdell and Mark Westers perform acoustic classic rock Aug. 30 (12:30 and 3:30 p.m.).
Prior to and following Brett Michaels’ free show at Chevy Court, attendees can take in LaFayette country rockers Country Swagg. The band performs Aug. 30 from 6:30-8 p.m. and again following Michaels’ set. Syracuse funksters Skunk City close out the fair at the Grille Sept. 4 with two sets (4:30 and 9 p.m.). A regular at Funk n’ Waffles Downtown, this eclectic collective is sure to end the 2017 NYS Fair with a groove. For Courtside Grille set times for all of the above musicians and many others click here.
Finally, Bosco’s at the Fair and Shamrock’s host Syracuse-area country workhorses the TJ Sacco Band with both solo and full band performances. Sacco performs solo sets at Shamrock’s Aug. 24, 28, 29 and 30. He’ll be joined at Shamrock’s by the full band on Aug. 26, 27 and Sept. 2 and 3. All performances at Shamrock’s are at 5 p.m. Bosco’s will host the band Aug. 25 (7 p.m.) and Sacco solo Aug. 31 (7 p.m.). Solvay’s eight-piece funk outfit In Too Deep drops the beats at Bosco’s Sept. 2 at 6 p.m.
Bottom line: One can attend the NYS Fair each of its 13 days and spend the entire day taking in nothing but spectacular live local music. Check a few of them out and let them know you appreciate their efforts. They’ll remember it and when they hit the big stage you can brag that you saw them when. Remember, every band was local once.
At times, the music industry can seem like a viciously preposterous environment, kind of like a Sharknado movie sequel only with amplified instruments and egos, laptop computers and seven-dollar plastic water bottles sucked into a funnel cloud with the slimy sharks. But every now and then, a musician emerges from an overseas humanitarian mission or a music promoter decides to plant trees for each ticket sold to an event, or a festival books performers based on integrity as well as talent and name recognition. And in the state of Colorado all of those can be found in the confines of one event, the Arise Music Festival, held last weekend August 4-6 at the scenic Sunrise Ranch near Loveland.
“It’s not called the Wake Up Festival for a reason,” piped up festival co-founder Paul Bassis. “We want to bring in as many people and performers who are already awake.” Organizers and staffers of the Arise fest set an intention of blending entertainment with community activism, consciousness-raising workshops and thoughtful environmental stewardship in a way that they hope separates their event from the rest. The festival’s moving opening ceremony featuring Native American dances, African drumming and prayers offered an immediate and rousing example of that intention.
And the Arise message seems to be getting out to the public. Last weekend’s event sold out for the first time in their brief five year history. One music group, Rising Appalachia, split a European tour in half just so they would be able to make a return appearance to Arise this year. Alan Bartram, the stand-up bass player for bluegrass music favorites the Travelin’ McCourys, was impressed with the number of workshops offered over the weekend. “There was even a workshop on how to hula hoop with your elbow,” he commented with a baffled expression.
Though the festival’s rust-colored mountain valley was raked by a daily series of rain and windstorms, the spirits of brightly colored festifarians remained buoyed by a wide ranging lineup that included EDM favorites like Tipper and rap musicians like Brother Ali. Fans of folk and bluegrass flocked to sets from Ani Difranco, Rising Appalachia and the frenetically improvisational Jeff Austin Band. Austin’s band joined with the McCourys for a spirited bluegrass tribute set to the Grateful Dead as well. The performance talent wasn’t limited to the musician sets either. Acrobatic acts like Fractal Tribe and Lunar Fire combined grace, athleticism and captivating aerials along with live music and fire performances throughout the weekend.
The Arise festival sets a unique tone and atmosphere that is both fulfilling and fun. And its participants long for what surely will be a whirlwind of a sequel next year.
ARISE Music Festival was held at Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, Colorado, on a jovial weekend August 4-6, surrounded by rock formations, pleasant lakes, and mysterious meadows. This land was indeed filled with love, so its name holds true to its essence. It was a glorious gathering of all walks of life – an open, family friendly, health conscious like-minded atmosphere where one can simply be whoever they please. Acceptance was a big feature of the time that was had and the energies that flooded the air proved this to be true. People united and rejoiced in ways the whole world could learn from.
Despite the waves of torrential downpour fluctuating all weekend, flooding and destroying the temporary homes of many, everyone at ARISE seemed to shine through the rain and it only made people dance even harder to the grooves of mother earth, especially when a calm, strong, and bright double rainbow appeared at the end of a fierce shower on the third day. This experience was an evolution of mankind, uniting positivity and kindness throughout each moment.
Food vendors provided healthy and nutritional options for all types of eaters, as well as the festival’s own farmer’s market. As you entered from the main camping ground through giant neon totem poles, there was eye candy everywhere; each white tent displayed an extensive collection of interesting goods to be sold, not to mention countless painters, sculptors, and artists of all kinds.
Temptations with zero expectations. Hammocks galore! There were yoga workshops and practices, domes to climb, beaded huts, teepees, and much, much more. This interactive experience gave one the liberty to wander to different areas such as the “Wisdom Village,” “Children’s Village,” and “Solutions Village”, which all co-created a friendly habitat for the weekend in its own worldly bubble. As a good-vibe-only festival, people could be found at any of the stages, including Big Sunrise Dome, StarWater, Scene Magazine, Green Tree, and main headliners at the Eagle stage.
Sound mimicked the rhythm of body movements and the full moon and clear night on the final evening of the journey fabricated unparalleled liveliness. For anyone interested in participating in a relaxing care-free time with no service whatsoever, ARISE should be on the top of your list, where you can freely admire the sun and moon rise and set over this magical land while opening your mind to stellar soundwaves.
From Beethoven to the Beatles, Haydn to Harry Potter, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s coming season will delight classical and contemporary music lovers alike. The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s 95th season starts with a special performance by violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman in September and ends in June with The Classical Mystery Tour (tribute to The Beatles) and a performance of Schumann’s Fourth.
We have an incredible season planned, with drama, romance, passion, and power as central themes, presented in many different forms throughout the year,” says RPO Music Director Ward Stare. “As always, audiences will experience music they know and love while hearing many new sounds along the way. There truly is something for everyone in our dynamic season ahead.”
Highlights of the season include breathtaking feats by PUSH Physical Theatre and illusionist Michael Grandinetti. Magic fans will also enjoy hearing the scores of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and E.T. The Extraterrestrial played live while watching the movies. The Planets: An HD Oddysey will pair space-themed music with NASA footage. The tunes of video games will come to life at RePlay: Symphony of Heroes – with arrangements from Halo, Kingdom Harts, BioShock, Final Fantasy, and more.
Michael Christie
This season also includes tributes to some of the greatest musicians of the past century. A cELLAbration: The Music of Ella & More showcases the powerful vocals of Carmen Bradford. Homage will be paid to the Beatles in celebration of the anniversary of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The White Album at the two nights of The Classical Mystery Tour. The Night of Symphonic Rockwill feature classic rock favorites including songs by Foreigner, Aerosmith, Queen, and Led Zepplin.
World-renown vocalists will accompany the orchestra. Award-winning superstar Audra McDonald will return for one night only to sing hits from Broadway, as well as some of her personal favorites. Ashley Brown makes her RPO debut with a selection of show tunes and Disney classics. Irish American folk singer Cathie Ryan is engaged for a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. In a celebration of Spanish music, Ravel’s Bolero will be sung by Isabel Leonard and folk songs will be sung by Enrique Granados and Manuel de Falla.
Classical music abounds with several nights dedicated to the music of composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Haydn, Vivaldi, Mahler, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Schumann. An annual tradition, The Nutcracker ballet returns to Rochester on Thanksgiving weekend. The RPO partners with the Rochester City Ballet again on February 8 and 10, performing Slavonic Dances by Dvorak. OrKIDstra returns, introducing children to the joy of classical music. The series includes Peter and the Wolf and Beethoven Lives Upstairs.
Tickets for individual shows are on sale Friday, July 28. Tickets for series have been on sale since February. The Itzhak Perlman performance on September 12 is nearly sold out. Through August 2, a “Buy One, Get One at 50% Off” special is being offered for Grieg’s Piano Concerto & Cinderella and A cELLAbration: The music of Ella and more. The offer is good on seats in zones 1 and 2 with promo code “RPOBOGO50.”
RPO 2017-2018 Season:
Sept. 12 – Itzhak Perlman – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Ward Stare, conductor; Itzhak Perlman, violin.
Sept. 15 & 16 – A cELLAbration: The Music of Ella & More – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Jeff Tyzik, conductor; Carmen Bradford, vocals; Herb Smith, trumpet; Joe Locke, vibes; Brian Scanlon, saxophone.
Sept. 21 & 23 – Season Opener: Grieg’s Piano Concerto+ Cinderella – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Ward Stare, conductor; Inon Barnatan, piano.
Oct. 5 & 7 – Ravel’s Bolero – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Ward Stare, conductor; Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano.
Oct. 8, 2017 – Iolanthe: Opera for Kids 2 – Hochstein Performance Hall – Michael Butterman, conductor; Eastman School of Music vocal and opera students.
Oct. 19 & 21 – Seaman Conducts Mozare & Sibelius – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Christopher Seaman, Conductor Laureate; Joyce Yang, piano.
Oct. 26 – rePLAY: Symphony of Heroes – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Amy Andersson, guest conductor.
Oct. 29 – RPO Section Spotlight: Dvorak & More – Hochstein Performance Hall – Ward Stare, conductor.
Nov. 3 & 4 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (TM) – In Concert – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.
Nov. 5 – A Tour of World Flutes with Orchestra – Hochstein Performance Hall – Matthew Kraemer, guest conductor; Tereasa Payne, flute.
Nov. 9 & 11 – Olga Kern Plays Beethoven’s “Emperor” – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Ward Stare, conductor; Olga Kern, piano.
Nov. 16 & 18 – Beethoven’s Ninth – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Ward Stare, conductor; Eastman-Rochester Chorus.
Nov. 19 – Mendelssohn’s “Reformation” – Hochstein Performance Hall – Michael Butterman, conductor; Nazareth College Chamber Singers & Concert Choir.
Nov. 22, 24-26 – The Nutcracker – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Michael Butterman, conductor; Rochester City Ballet; Bach Children’s Chorus.
Dec. 10 – OrKIDstra Holiday Special: The Snowman and The Bear – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre
Dec. 14 & 16 – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Michael Christie, guest conductor; Juliana Athayde, violin.
Dec. 21-23 – Gala Holiday Pops – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Jeff Tyzik, conductor; Festival High School Chorale.
Jan. 12 & 13 – E.T. the Extra Terrestrial in Concert – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.
Jan. 14 – Bach & Brahms – Hochstein Performance Hall – Matthew Kraemer, guest conductor.
Jan. 18 & 20 – Night on Bald Mountain – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Marcelo Lehninger, guest conductor; Andrei Ionita, cello.
Jan. 25 – Audra McDonald – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre
Jan. 28 – Peter and the Wolf – Hochstein Performance Hall – Nazareth College Dance Ensemble.
Feb. 2 & 3 – Broadway’s Ashley Brown – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Jeff Tyzik, conductor; Ashley Brown, vocals.
Feb. 8 & 10 – Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Ward Stare, conductor; Rochester City Ballet; David Halen, violin.
Feb. 23 & 24 – Latin Heat with the Mambo Kings – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Jeff Tyzik, conductor; The Mambo Kings; Camille Zamora, vocals.
March 1 & 3 – Bernstein Centennial Celebration – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Ward Stare, conductor; Misha Dichter, piano.
March 8 & 10 – Mahler 4 – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Ward Stare, conductor; Emily Birsan, soprano.
March 16 & 17 – Celtic Celebration with Cathie Ryan – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Ward Stare, conductor; Cathie Ryan, vocals.
March 22 & 24 – Tchaikovsky 5 + World Premiere – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Ward Stare, conductor; Erik Behr, oboe.
April 13 & 14 – Breaking Boundaries with PUSH Physical Theatre – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Jeff Tyzik, conductor; PUSH Physical Theatre.
April 15 – Anderson & Roe Play Mozart – Hochstein Performance Hall – Michael Butterman, conductor & pianist; Anderson & Roe, pianists
April 19 & 21 – The Planets: An HD Odyssey – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Hans Graf, guest conductor.
April 28 – A Night of Symphonic Rock – Kodak Center for the Performing Arts
May 10 & 12 – Brahms 2 + World Premiere -Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Ward Stare, conductor; Yolanda Kondonassis, harp.
May 11 – Michael Grandinetti – Illusionist – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre
May 20 – Classical Kids: Beethoven Lives Upstairs – Hochstein Performance Hall
May 24 & 26 – Carmen in Concert – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Ward Stare, conductor.
June 1 & 2 – Classical Mystery Tour: 50th Anniversary of Sgt. Pepper and The White Album – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre – Jeff Tyzik, conductor; Classical Mystery Tour.
June 3 – Schumann’s Fourth – Hochstein Performance Hall – Michael Butterman, conductor; Juliana Athayde, violin; W. Peter Kurau, horn.
Levitate Music Festival said this year there would be two days and it was groovy. July 8 and 9 in Marshfield, MA, this little grassroots festival brought thousands of fans to the fairgrounds for some of the best and brightest names touring today.
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad had people going ape in the pits to start off on Saturday. The good tunes kept rolling as New Orleans’ own Rebirth Brass Band brought that southern jazz you never knew you needed. These Grammy winners didn’t become a NOLA institution by accident. You can’t help but get down to this kind of funk. I was a little disappointed to find that Mihali & Friends was dueling with Rubblebucket, but the festival was so well organized that I was able to move between stages with ease to make sure I captured as much of the magic as possible. Deer Tick and The Revivalists were followed by the first set of Umphrey’s McGee. A heavy dose of Umph goodness echoed over a packed crowd. The guys took a quick break to let local-legends Stick Figure tear up the main stage, and then returned with a jam-heavy second set that took over that little fairground. The headliner for the night was the legendary Dispatch, and the rails were surging as they rocked the crowd til the sun had finally set on a magnificent first day.
Guitar prodigy and singer/songwriter Quinn Sullivan really impressed to start off Sunday. The teenage phenomenon has made a true name for himself in his short career. It was a treat to see him and his star-packed band play a hometown show. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong opened the main stage with their insanely contagious energy and funky jams that cannot be matched. Once “Melting Lights” was done melting everyone’s brain, Ripe followed on the Style Stage. This funk/pop group has completely taken this scene by storm with Robbie Wulfsohn’s sassy and soulful presence. Their cover of Ellie Goulding’s “On My Mind” is one of those songs that you can play on repeat for an hour… at least. Trevor Hall and JJ Grey & Mofro had the pits screaming so loud I thought my ears were gonna burst. Vermont favorites, (and yours), Twiddle blew the fans away and blanketed them with dreams and relaxation. You couldn’t help but sing along when they played their new song “Orlando’s.” The Style Stage was closed out with the hottest folk-rock band out there right now, in Lake Street Dive. The reggae legend, Ziggy Marley closed out the festival in pure style. The festival could not have ended on a higher note. Check out the pics from Zatchmo Lives Media and remember to Dream Big, Live Bigger.
Folks looking for something to do in the middle of the week can head to Sharon Springs for their free summer 2017 concert series. The music takes place at the pavilion in Chalybeate Spring Park on Main Street.
The series continues next Wednesday, July 19 with Steal Your Peach, a tribute to the Allman Brothers Band and the Grateful Dead. The music runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. each Wednesday through Aug. 16. The “concert” on Aug. 2 is a karaoke contest with a $100 cash prize for the winner.
July 19 – Steal Your Peach
July 26 – Becca Frame and the Tall Boys
Aug. 2 – Karaoke Contest
Aug. 9 – Robanic Reggae
Aug. 16 – The Lustre Kings
The campgrounds are tucked away in the forest, trails winding through with lights hanging overhead for when the day gets dark. As you walk out from your site, you pass a vendor village with treasures and trinkets of all kinds. A little further, you pass through a towering gate into an open field. Surrounded by trees on every side, you can’t help but feel at home. Every inch of the grounds feels like the woods you played in as a child. Except here, there was a wonderful lineup of music to be played.
The weekend consisted of countless extraordinary artists including performances by 
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
July 19 – Steal Your Peach