Category: Capital Region

  • The Outlaws Brings Quality Rock and Roll to Albany

    This week’s Alive at 5 brought rock legends The Outlaws to the stage. The southern rock band famous for their song “Green Grass and High Tides” shocked the crowd with their guitar duels all night. PYX 106 brought their morning show hosts Quinn and Cantera to host the show and entertain Albany like they do every single morning.

    the outlaws
    The Outlaws

    The opening act, The Steppin Stones, also brought high energy rock and roll. They wowed the crowd with an amazing rendition of Neil Young’s “Ohio.” Guitarist Hannah Wicklund blew the crowd away with her ripping solos. She is only 20 years old and is already on her way to being the next prodigy.

    the outlawsAlive at 5 takes a week off for the 4th of July and then comes back the following week by bringing in The Funky Meters with Wurliday on July 13th.

  • Clifton Park Announces Free 2017 Performing Arts at the Common Series

    The popular trend of outdoor concert series for the summer has taken off and Clifton Park Commons decided to join in on the fun. With a free-to-the-public, package deal of 2017 Performing Arts at the Common Series, the initiative will bring family fun to Clifton Park on both Wednesday and Sunday nights.

    With the exception of multi-day shows, Wednesday nights will cater to fun for the entire family, including the kids. Bring your little ones to the Clifton Common Stage for the Performing Arts Family Series where featured musicians, magicians, puppeteers and performers appeal to children of all ages for a night of free fun and entertainment.

    A mix of children’s theatre, artists new to the area as well as well-loved local and cover bands made it onto the summer lineup, including “Alladin Jr.” Theatre Camp, The Accents, Fiddler on the Roof, Sirsy, Moriah Formica and Yellow Brick Road- A Tribute to Elton John. Closing out Performing Arts at the Common Series, energetic Celtic favorites Hair of the Dog have made their rounds playing their 70’s classic rock inspired music for widespread audiences and Albany natives for quite some time.

    Sunday evenings will boast adult fun and entertainment in the form of an array of talented musicians and live performers ready to take the stage for your enjoyment. All Clifton Common performances will take place on Vischer Ferry Road, next to the basketball courts in Clifton Park, ready to kick off at 7:00 p.m., rain or shine, unless stated otherwise.

    Check out the full line-up below:

    July 2 – The Accents
    July 9 – Sirsy
    July 21-22 – “Alladin Jr.” Theatre Camp 5pm start.
    July 14-16 & 20-23 – “Fiddler on the Roof” presented by Not So Common Players
    July 30 – Moriah Formica
    Aug. 6 – Yellow Brick Road, A Tribute to Elton John
    Aug. 13 – Hair of the Dog

  • Howlin’ at the Moon Series in Rotterdam Junction Features Monthly Bluegrass Shows

    Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction has scheduled live Americana performances on the night of the full moon each month from now through November. Situated in the Mohawk Valley, the historic farm will host its summer shows in its picturesque 1760’s Dutch barn and winter shows in the Franchere Center. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the concert series.

    Running the River

    2017 Concert Series:

    July 9 – Three Quarter North with John and Orion Kribs
    Aug. 6 – Running the River
    Sept. 6 – Washington County Line Bluegrass
    Oct. 5 – Dyer Switch
    Nov. 4 – Banjo Bob and the Crabgrass Boys

    Performances start at 7 p.m. Mabee Farm is located at 1100 Main Street in Rotterdam Junction. The site is handicap accessible. Admission is $5. Refreshments are available to purchase. For more information, please call 518-887-5073 or visit The Schenectady Historical Society website.

  • Free Winswall Park Concert Series in Ballston Springs

    Winswall Park will hold the The Ballston Spa Business &  Professional Association’s free concert series, Concerts in the Park. Local groups will hit the stage every Thursday between 6 and 8 p.m. following the afternoon farmer’s market, and will run from June 29 through  Aug.  31. BSBPA promises a diverse lineup  including: The Ballston Spa Community Concert Band, bluegrass group North and South Dakotas and 50’s rock group The Lusture Kings. The town site encourages those who are interested to bring the entire family as well as their blankets and chairs.

    The Lineup:

    June 29th – The Ballston Spring Community Band 
    July 6th – North & South Dakotas 
    July 13th – Emily Teller 
    July 20th – The Lustre Kings
    July 27th – The Bluebillies 
    Aug. 3rd – Union Fire Company Band 
    Aug. 10th – Blues Noir 
    Aug. 17th – Seth and the Moody Melix 
    Aug. 24th – Sirsy
    Aug. 31st – The Coteries 

  • Rockin’ On the River 2017 in Troy’s Riverfront Park: Did You Say Free?

    Summertime fills the air with one-of-a-kind, free music–chirping birds, bikes whizzing by and children laughing as they play in the neighborhood. That’s not all the free music left to explore–all around the Capital Region, summer concert series have been crafted to offer a blend of different genres to the city’s inhabitants week after week. Rockin’ on the River in Troy has been a well-loved staple to its surrounding community, offering a free, 10-week concert series every Wednesday between June 7 and August 9.

    Wednesdays just got better, as “hump days” can now be marked on the calendar with *outdoor music at Riverfront Park* in downtown Troy. Attracting between 5,000 to 8,000 guests per night, the series already boasted four mid-week performances from Almost Queen, Deerhoof, Skeeter Creek and Alex Torres y su Orquesta.

    Lovers of live music can look forward to the remainder of Rockin’ on the River,  to bring musical appearances from The British Invasion Experience, Saintseneca, Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience, Taina Asili y la Banda Rebelde, SIRSY and Rumours- Fleetwood Mac Tribute to close.

    Rain or shine from 5:00PM to 8:30PM, the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District brings the summer concert series to residents free of charge and in turn, draws in crowds to Troy’s local shops and businesses, keeping the town thriving!

    Check out the full Rockin’ on the River schedule below:

    July 5 – The British Invasion Experience
    July 12 – Saintseneca with The Sea The Sea
    July 19 – Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience with Kristen Capolino
    July 26 – Taina Asili y La Banda Rebelde with Girl Blue
    Aug. 2 – SIRSY with Sly Fox and The Hustlers
    Aug. 9 – Rumours – Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band

  • Erie Canal Bicentennial Inspires Statewide Music Celebration

    Upstate NY music lovers can catch a unique experience while celebrating a part of history. The Albany Symphony, along with the New York State Canal Corporation, will present Water Music New York, a celebration to commemorate the bicentennial year of the Erie Canal. Organizers of the week long event ask music lovers to “follow the barge.”

    Erie Canal BicentennialMusical history buffs across the state will have the chance to experience live music canalside at several different locations across the state, as the Albany Symphony‘s week long barge adventure on the Erie Canal will run from July 2-8, making stops in Albany, Schenectady, Amsterdam, Little Falls, Baldwinsville, Brockport, and Lockport. All shows are free.

    The celebration will kick off on July 2 at Jennings Landing in Albany, and also make stops on July 3 at the Mabee Farm in Schenectady, July 4 at the Riverlink Park in Amsterdam and July 5 at the Rotary Park in Little Falls.

    During the week-long Erie Canal Bicentennial journey, the Albany Symphony will collaborate with local art groups and debut seven world premieres by up and coming composers. The composers found their inspiration in the culture, history and stories of each canal community while composing their works of art that celebrate New York and the Erie Canal.

    Erie Canal BicentennialCommunities taking part in the event will present a full day of block parties and activities that are centered around the communities’ historic character and cultural highlights. Grammy award winning conductor, David Alan Miller, will head up the conducting duties during the week long event. Miller and the Symphony will also perform selections from Handel’s Water Music, and American favorites including the “Superman March,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Raiders Of The Lost Ark,” “March, and Hoedown from Rodeo. The events will also feature Daniel Schlosberg in his composition, “Work Song,” and collaborating artist such as the ESYO Youth Jazz Ensemble, and the Skidmore Storytellers Institute.

    More information on this historic tour can be found at the Albany Symphony Orchestra’s website.

  • Freedom Park Concert Series Underway, Features Free Shows All Summer Long

    There’s something for everyone at Freedom Park’s summer concert series in Scotia. Upcoming shows include performances by Celtic band Screaming Orphans on June 28,  Bluz House Rockers on June 30, and world music by Maria Z & Alegria on July 2. The fun continues all summer with a wide array of artists to satisfy every musical palate. Concerts take place across from Collins Park, and start at 7 p.m. (with the exception of Bluz House Rockers, which starts at 8pm). For more information, visit the Freedom Parks website or Facebook page.

    freedom park summer2017 Scotia Freedom Park Summer Concert Series:

    June 28 -Screaming Orphans – Celtic rock
    June 30 – Bluz House Rockers – 8 PM
    July 2 – Maria Z & Alegria – flamenco/world music
    July 5 – Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band
    July 8 – Diva & the Dirty Boys – 60’s rock & blues
    July 9 – Music Company Orchestra
    July 12 – The AudioStars
    July 15 – Jeanne O’Connor & the New Standard
    July – 16 – Hot Club of Saratoga – gypsy jazz/swing
    July 19 – The Refrigerators
    July 22 – Rattail Jimmy – rock
    July 23 – Brian Patneaude Jazz Quintet
    July 26 – The Joey Thomas Big Band
    July 29 – Betsy & the ByeGons – 60’s music
    July 30 – The Route Fifty 5 – brass quintet
    Aug. 2 – Big Easy Playboys – Zydeco music
    Aug. 5 – Skeeter Creek – country music
    Aug. 6 – The Wister Quartet
    Aug. 9 – SIRSY – alt rock
    Aug. 12 – Funk Evolution – party R&B
    Aug. 13 – The Lustre Kings – rockabilly
    Aug. 16 – Grand Central Station – party rock
    Aug. 19 – Grit N Whiskey – country music
    Aug. 20 – Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company
    Aug. 23 – American Runaways – punk/indie rock
    Aug. 26 – Dylan Perrillo Orchestra – jazz/swing

  • Albany’s The Egg Presents Made In The Shade Outdoor Concert Series

    Albany’s Made in the Shade series makes a comeback this year with performances every Wednesday at noon under The Egg.

    Dance troupes Aikun Ballet Theatre and Ellen Sinopli Dance Company make their return to the stage, interspersed with an array of musical performances, including Hudson Valley R&B act the Big Takeover, Boston folk-rockers Adam Ezra Group and San Francisco blues aficionado Joe Louis Walker. Shows are free, and parking is available in the Empire State Plaza Visitor’s Parking Lot for $5.

    Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company

    2017 Made in the Shade Series:

    June 28 – the Big Takeover
    July 5 – Adam Ezra Group
    July 12 – Beg, Steal or Borrow
    July 19 – Joe Louis Walker
    July 26 – Ajkun Ballet Theatre
    Aug. 2 – Incendio
    Aug. 9 – the Soul Rebels
    Aug. 16 – Roosevelt Dime
    Aug. 23 – the Sweetback Sisters
    Aug. 30 – Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company

    For more information, visit The Egg’s website.

  • Clifton Park Free Summer Performing Arts Series Makes its Debut July 2

    July 2 marks the beginning of the Performing Arts at the Common & Performing Arts Family Series at the outdoor Clifton Common Stage. The series will offer free shows geared towards adults on Sunday nights with kids shows being featured on Wednesday nights.

    Some of the performers on Wednesday nights include: Let’s Get Cookin’, “a fun-filled performance that utilizes drama, music, complex rhythms, and acrobatics,” The Puppet People featuring their performance, The Last Dragon, comedian Sylvia Fletcher as The Magic Trunk and many others. The Town of Clifton welcomes the entire family to these shows but invites an older audience to their free Sunday shows. Some acts include: The Accents, soulful indie pop group Sirsy, Fiddler on The Roof performed by The Not So Common Players and a plethora of other works.

    Clifton Park, located just north of Albany is a fitting location for a series like this. The stage they will be using for both of the series is a smaller one but has an ample amount of lawn seating to fit hundreds of people. It’s an ideal place to enjoy a late summer’s night show by honest and hardworking performers set at the best price – absolutely free.

    More information about all these events are found on the Town of Clifton’s website. Most shows start after 7 and, as previously mentioned, there is no charge for any of these events.

  • Parkway Drive Brings their Last US Tour of 2017 to the Upstate Concert Hall

    Parkway Drive brings their last US tour of the year to the greater North American area. Thursday, June 22 they paid a visit to Upstate Concert Hall.

    The crowd was off of their feet the second Parkway Drive came on stage and started their set with the song “wild eyes.” With nonstop crowd surfing and moshing throughout the whole set, you could feel the energy and the room shaking from the stage all the way to the back of the venue! You do not want to miss this tour.

    The openers to the show were Wage War and The Word Alive.

    Setlist: Wild Eyes, Carrion, Dedication, Vice Grip, Karma, Sleepwalker, Dark Days, Destroyer, Boneyards, Writings on the wall, Idols and anchors, Romance is Dead

    Encore: Crushed, Bottom feeder.

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