Tag: Bearsville Theater

Best of NYS Music 2017: Staff and Reader Picks for Best Venue

NYS Music is celebrating the end of 2017 by sharing our staff and reader picks in 10 categories, and today we are highlighting the winners of the Best Venue in New York State.

Staff Picks

Brooklyn Steel

This new venue in the heart of the East Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn has been quite busy in its first year of existence. Playing host to such acts as Ween, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Turkuaz and Yo La Tengo, this 1,800 person capacity room prides itself on open sight lines and great acoustics thanks to a roof specially designed to keep in sound. The venue’s name is derived from the previous use for this building on the corner of Frost and Debevoise streets, steel fabrication, and patrons are constantly reminded of this with a minimalist decor furnished with scrap metal.

Owned by Bowery Presents, the similarities between Brooklyn Steel and Terminal 5, another Bowery Presents-owned NYC music venue, are unmistakable. Both rooms have an industrial feel to them, highlighted by the standing room only viewing areas that surround the stage on both sides. With fairly easy access thanks to the L line Subway stop nearby and featuring a room with good sound and sight lines, it’s a pretty easy prediction that Brooklyn Steel will be a staple of the city music scene before long.

Here’s an interesting time lapse video showing the remarkable transformation of an old steel factory into a first rate concert venue.

The Capitol Theatre

Located just a short drive outside the city is Port Chester, home to the historic Capitol Theatre which is constantly housing first rate bands and artists. It was originally designed and used as a theater for cinema and Vaudeville acts when it first opened way back in 1926, but it’s since been redeveloped as a music venue and has seen a wealth of musical royalty pass through its doors. Acts like Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin, Traffic and The Grateful Dead, who played 13 gigs there in a one year span from 1970-71, all drew large crowds there back in the day just as acts like moe., The Disco Biscuits, Twiddle and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead do now.

Affectionately known as “The Cap,” this building has all the looks and feels of a classic music hall with modern day amenities. An open floor area generally has more than enough space for concert goers, even for shows that are sold out, while the expansive mezzanine offers seats as well as additional bars upstairs. And if that’s not enough, the adjoining establishment to The Cap was bought out and turned into a bar as well, appropriately named Garcia’s. Peter Shapiro, who also owns Brooklyn Bowl, has done a nice job of refurbishing and putting the Capitol Theatre back on the map as a first rate home for live music in New York State.

Here’s a clip of moe.’s performance from last year that gives you a little idea of the views and the usage of the walls to double as projection screen of sorts at The Cap.

The Egg

The last of our staff picks for best music venue in NYS is that oddly shaped building you might have seen at Empire State Plaza in Albany. Completed in 1978, this circular shaped performance venue actually holds two different theaters inside with the 982 seat Hart Theatre being the one mainly used for concerts. Although the smaller, 450 seat Swyer Theatre that resembles more of a lecture hall than a music hall recently played host to an acoustic evening of Keller Williams tunes.

As you would expect from observing it from the outside, The Egg has no sharp angles or straight lines inside with almost everything having a gentle curve to it, even the walls as they meet a gently concave ceiling above them. This results in not only a relaxed atmosphere for a show, but impeccable acoustics as well. Phish’s Mike Gordon even put out a live release that was recorded here simply called The Egg. It may not host the large, national touring acts that can fill an arena, but for a pure musical experience with pristine sound in a sit down environment, it doesn’t get much better than The Egg.

Here’s a clip of the aforementioned Keller Williams playing piano in the smaller Swyer Theatre that gives you a taste of the sound and intimate feel of the room.

Readers’ Pick

Bearsville Theater

The NYSMusic.com readers have spoken and, in a bit of a surprise, the Bearsville Theater located in Woodstock came out on top when the polls closed. This iconic, yet quaint, music hall is located on the outskirts of town and a perfect location for an intimate evening. Stop next door at Bear Cafe for fine New American dining options before the show, then saunter next door and enjoy the warm ambiance of the lounge and bar inside, before entering the venue and enjoying the incredible acoustics of a popular venue in one of New York’s most iconic towns for arts and music.

Stay tuned all week for more of our series of the Best of NYS Music.

December 18, 2017
Photo Gallery: The Werks at Bearsville Theater

The Werks arrived in Bearsville, NY fresh off a performance at Last Daze of Summer Music Festival in Sterling, NY. They capped off Labor Day weekend with their first ever show at Bearsville Theater, with an opening performance by Dharma Bums.

Photos by Jim Rice

Setlist: Fire Eater, Fly Like an Eagle, Slab, Waiting Room>Lights Out, Drop, Duck Farm

Encore: Into the Moss

September 13, 2017
Chronixx Brings Reggae to Woodstock’s Bearsville Theater

The reggae scene in Woodstock, NY is strong. The Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, NY hosted a packed house for Chronixx, Kelissa, and Woodstock native D.J. Max Glazer on April 29.

The crowd hung on every word and beat put down by Max Glazer as he led the audience through samples of the reggae greats, before introducing Kelissa. A native of St. Andrew, Jamaica, Kelissa is known for her positive lyrics that reflect the experiences of her life. She sang with power and energy that the crowd picked up on and fed off of. Chronixx hit the stage and continued to lift the crowd with his positive words. Coming off a string of sold out shows, I don’t imagine the Hudson Valley disappointed.

The Bearsville Theater will host a few other highly anticipated reggae shows this summer. Jesse Royal stops by July 7, and Maxi Priest will play the theater August 11.

June 18, 2017
Sitting down with Matisyahu

Walking into the green room of the Bearsville Theater after the evening’s performance, I couldn’t tell who was more in a haze, myself or the room I was about to enter. A small group formed, celebrating the night’s incredible performance when I met up with Matisyahu and we headed toward the couch at the back of the party for our interview. A very chill presence, it was probably the most calm and existential conversation I remember having. Matisyahu’s stage persona is reflective of the man he is behind the scene as well. We discussed his upcoming album, collaboration in the jam scene and how his evolving faith influences him and his music.

NYS Music: The New Year’s coming up, and what I wanted to talk about was your evolution ya know, everybody talks about how they’re going to change in the new year… what they’re going to do in the new year. Over your career you’ve done quite a bit of evolving, and I wanted to kinda get a feel for why you made the changes you did, how they’ve affected you, how they’ve affected your music. How have you evolved over your career?

Matisyahu: I would say that like when I started out, there was more just my understanding of music and what it is, my voice, and my sound, and what it is I do, it was just new. It was like when you first start learning something or first getting to know something or someone and it’s fresh and it’s a certain kinda excitement, energy, passion love… Also sort of like unfamiliarity, or a little bit of an uncomfortability with it. And over the years, being able to be on the road, make music, play music, write music, just become much more solidified in terms of my understanding of what music is and what it is that I do. So I think there’s a lot more dimensions to what I do now, in terms of my evolution. When I first started out, it was more like there was one kind of dynamic to what I did. And now there’s a lot of different dynamics and colors that I use in order to create music.

NYS Music: When you started out, who would you say your influences were? It’s a unique blend, so who did you look at and go I want to be like them? Or did you just want to do your own thing?

M: No, I was influenced and continued to be influenced over the years.

NYS Music: So, the change in your appearance over the course of the last couple of years, you’ve changed look and feel. Was there a reason for that?

M: Well, my look has always been a direct reflection of what’s going on in terms of my expression of my inner world, so absolutely. My look is kind of defining what’s going on.

NYS Music: And that’s coming out in the music as well?

Matisyahu: Exactly. The music is like the main place for me to express it intellectually, emotionally, and even intuitively and style, fashion and like the way that I look I guess, is sort of the outgrowth of where my existential self is.

NYS Music: I see you evolving into more and more integration into the jam world. And tonight you guys went on it was beautiful, you let some of those things just go and evolve on stage. What kind of direction are you seeing yourself in that world, the jam world? You’ve been on stage with Umphrey’s McGee quite a few years ago and you’ve got a tie with Twiddle too, right?

M: Yeah, I think in terms of the jam thing, basically, I really wanted to go with them in terms of the music that they make. Like, me, I’ve been doing this for over 10 years and playing a lot of shows a year in order to to support myself and my people and my family. It’s mandatory to be keeping the music interesting, and I find that there’s sort of like, a person’s brain is sort of split in terms of life and the times that we feel the most like free are when we do something new. For example, like a person that has a habit, and when they break that happen and do something differently, even in the smallest little thing, it’s a big deal. It creates a wave inside them and inside the world, of basically moving towards freedom. And in music, there’s the same thing. So like when you rely on your songs, which are great, you know it’s great to have songs, it’s great to write songs, record songs, it’s even great to play songs. But when you rely on what you already know, your muscle memory in your body automatically goes on autopilot. However, when you improvise and you’re making music, unique music in the moment, your other side of your brain, your creative part of your brain automatically turns on. That’s really what I’m interested in, in terms of the music that we’re making. Is those unique moments and creating basically a certain vibe to bring everyone including the band and the people watching the music so that there’s no more real line. Like, you’re not coming to watch the show or watch the performer, but everyone is kinda together in the room, going through the same feelings, the same emotions, going in the same zone. And uh that kinda ties into what you’re saying about jam. That’s for sure the type of music that I’m interested in and making in that sense.

NYS Music: What do you have in store for us for 2017?

Matisyahu Well we’ve made a record along those same lines, where, as a band, we were on tour for a while kind of figuring out what our sound was and how to bring together a lot of these different elements of genres that we like to dip into. Basically, we went into the studio, wrote, recorded, and have a new record coming out with 8-10 min. songs on it. It’s not the typical 3.5-4 minute radio songs, but it’s a band record. And that’ll be out Spring 2017 and we’ll continue to be out on the road playing our music and hopefully people will be listening.

NYS Music: Do you do a little bit of everything you’ve done over your career?

M: It’s pretty progressive. It’s hard to say what the core of this record is. It’s very soulful, it has sort of a classic almost like a throwback sound to some extent because it’s all done live, it’s not done digitally. It’s not beats that are made on the computer, but uh, it’s all the band live playing in the studio.

NYS Music: Band you had on stage?

Matisyahu: Yes. Pretty much, it’s the band on stage.

NYS Music: How does religion fit in with where you’re going?

M: I think that, you know, I think that with certain songs that I’ve written that are out that really mean a lot to a lot of people. Those songs will be there forever and will continue to have meaning for people. In terms of the religious and the Jewish fanbase, there are certain songs that I think… I really believe that my existential search and process in being sort of a young teenager on a quest for understanding of my world and where being Jewish and God and spirituality and music, all those things fit in. And becoming religious, and exploring Judaism, and a lot of different facets of Judaism in particularly within the Hasidic world and writing songs based on a lot of what I explored there. And my process of going through it and in my process coming out of it I think has a lot of meaning for a lot of people on a lot of levels at different times in their lives. So for young Jewish people who may or may not be religious, I think that different albums and lyrics and songs will connect with them at different points of their lives for the person becoming religious to the person sort of moving beyond it, to the person tapping into their own identity as a Jew.

NYS Music: All different themes in the new album?

Matisyahu: No, this is all one theme, all the lyrics and songs and the records are connected. This is definitely the continuation of my process of in terms of my understanding of myself, and the religion, and God, and Judaism.

April 1, 2017
How Sweet It Is: Melvin Seals at The Westcott Theater

On Wednesday, March 8, Syracuse celebrated the spirit of Jerry Garcia in spectacular fashion with help from Melvin Seals & JGB at the Westcott Theater. The intimate evening began with the Upstate NY native band, Los New Yorkers. The four-piece consisted of three middle aged men and one woman that hopped from one instrument to the next. The feel-good and upbeat originals reminded me of something that might get chosen as the theme song for a 90’s sitcom on TGIF. Members not only switched back and forth from guitars, washboard, drums, keys and bass but each member also brought their own original song to the table. While most lyrics consisted of life-changing events, their love for New York State and generic happy moments, Los New Yorkers did not ignite that Jerry spark that many Deadheads in the crowd were seeking. If I ever hear this band again, it will probably be while I am buying cotton candy at the New York State Fair because that is exactly how it made me feel.

Word has spread up and down I-81 about a Scranton-based bluegrass group known as The Dishonest Fiddlers, and the quartet did not disappoint. This collection of traveling ramblers were chosen by Dave Brown, founder of the band, who swaps artists for every show, making the “About Page” on their Facebook profile dishonest. The unique idea of taking musicians from different parts of the country allows Brown the freedom to mix it up at the drop of the hat and the pluck of a string. One downfall of never having the same band twice is that practice time is limited, therefore they are often forced to fight for space backstage.

At The Westcott Theater, the foursome found themselves practicing in front of the men’s bathroom line, which welcomed them with clinched legs and open arms. The first song of their actual set was dedicated to the “new friends in the bathroom line” as they channeled the folkie side of Garcia with a beautiful, “Rosa Lee McFall.” The remainder of the seven-song set consisted of all originals and the crowd seem to genuinely enjoy every minute of it. As the room began to fill up for Seals and JGB, Brown was hoping to elicit some crowd participation during “There Ain’t Enough Water in the Water” which was minimally responded to, at best! As couples locked arms and rowdily stomped their feet, The Dishonest Fiddlers’ time was up and Brown thanked the Central NY crowd for their support during the band’s first ever visit to Syracuse. For the sake of bluegrass music, I hope they return to the Empire State very soon.

Now past 11:00pm, fans were finally ready to embrace Melvin Seals & JGB and it was well worth the wait! Aware of the time, the crowd let it all hang out as the group opened with a funky jam sequence leading into “After Midnight.” While the famous Eric Clapton version of the classic fast-paced hit clocks in under three minutes, Seals kept this monster jamming for over 15 minutes! While on the topic of iconic rock-n-roll, The Beatles were gently sandwiched in the middle of the Jerry-influenced “Midnight” jam as “Eleanor Rigby” made its appearance as it regularly did in the late-70’s and early-80’s. The “Fab Four” from England were also covered during the next song of the evening, “I Want to Tell You,” which once again featured Zach Nugent filling in for Jerry on vocals.

After the smoking hot start to the show, “When I Paint My Masterpeice” peacefully calmed the audience down and was highlighted by Nugent paying tribute to Garcia with his delicate and passionate playing. “Neighbor, Neighbor” featured strong backing vocals from Cheryl Rucker and Shirley Starks, and on the night of International Woman’s Day 2017, the crowd was thoroughly glad to have these lovely ladies in their lives. In the heart of the set list, the Garcia/ Hunter gem, “Mission In The Rain,” somberly described a lost soul searching for redemption and where Nugent’s vocal abilities fell below Garcia standards, his guitar solo was sorrowful and spot on. The playful and gospel-influenced “Evangeline” lifted everyone’s spirits after the emotional “Mission” before the bluesy “Think” featured yet another powerful vocal collaboration.

Bassist, John-Paul McLean, exchanged smiles and notes with Seals during the classic R&B cover of “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” and to the delight of Deadheads in the room, Starks and Rucker pointed to the audience while they sang the chorus. Love had captivated the audience throughout the entire show, but especially at the end of the evening when they transitioned from “Somebody to Love” to “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You.” Seals introduced the band and gave one more stellar B-3 organ solo during the extra sweet version. Although the show ended past 1:00AM on Thursday morning, the band was not ready to say goodbye to their loyal fan base as Seals & JGB hung out by the merchandise table to chit chat with ticket holders.

Seals has spent over 30 years in the spotlight mesmerizing audiences with his swirling keyboard-synth magic, but he is still the humble, welcoming, and sincere man he was when he first met Garcia. As a child of the 90’s I have never gotten to see Garcia play live. Although I have listened to thousands of hours of recorded material, read numerous books and stared at videos on Youtube until my eyes were blood shot, I never had the opportunity to be a part of the touring community that was cherished by millions. Thanks to bands like Melvin Seals and JGB, fans like myself and long-time fans alike can come together and share love, smiles and gratitude with their sisters and their brothers.

The Dishonest Fiddlers Setlist: Rosa Lee McFall, My Brand New Jalopy, There Ain’t Enough Water in the Water, Steve, Sam’s Cigar, The TV Store, Steamtown Blues

Melvin Seals and JGB Setlist: Jam, After Midnight*, I Want to Tell You, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Neighbor, Neighbor, Mission In the Rain, Evangeline, Think, Everybody Needs Somebody To Love, How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You

*w/ Eleanor Rigby jam

March 13, 2017

Built in Breakdance