Celebrating 40 years of performing, the Verona-based Fritz’s Polka Band will release its 19th album, Hey! on Friday.
Recorded at SubCat Studios in Syracuse over the course of several weeks this fall, the album marks a bit of a departure for the band. Of the twelve original tracks included on what was originally planned to be a double album, half stick to the band’s namesake style. The other half spans various styles lead singer/accordionist Fritz Sherz and his bandmates, Gabe Vaccaro (bass/vocals), Frank Nelson (guitar) and Mike Faraino (drums) have dipped into throughout the years while busting open the polka band stereotype.
Several guests make appearances on the new album, including SubCat Studios owner Ron Keck and previous Fritz’s Polka Band collaborator, Rocko Dorsey. Those familiar with Guns ‘n Roses guitarist Slash’s solo outings will recognize the name Todd Kerns. Kerns is the bassist in Slash’s band, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators and a friend of Sherz. He contributed guitar tracks to the title song written by Sherz. The song eschews the typical polka format for more of a Flogging Molly-style Celtic vibe.
(L-R) Mike Faraino, Todd Kerns and Fritz Sherz
The new album hits this Friday, Nov. 30 on all major streaming services and will be available for purchase at all Fritz’s Polka Band gigs or through Sherz himself. For more information, follow Fritz’s Polka Band’s social media channels of visit their website here.
With a crowd diverse in age and race, a lively audience came to the Swyer Theater at The Egg in Albany for a night of South African music that was engaging and inspired dancing in the crowd all throughout the evening. Celebrating the 100th birthday of global peacemaker Nelson Mandela and nearly 25 years of freedom from apartheid, Vusi Mahlasela paid tribute to South African music legends Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masakela, Dorothy Masuka and Brenda Fassie with ‘Township!’
South African music was hard to come by for the mid-late 20th century, due to the cultural boycott on the country due to apartheid, and at home, black South African music was banned from the radio, so American records were played at pubs. Known as “The Voice,” Mahlasela hails from Mamelodi Township, outside Pretoria and experienced this music embargo first hand, yet became an international legend starting in the late 1980s. Accompanied by Mongeze Ntaka on guitar, Jimmy Mgwandi on bass and Ian Herman on drums, Mahlasela took the audience on a tour of South Africa’s sights, sounds and languages through a variety of songs from the influential artists that came before him.
The night opened with the acoustic “Ubuhle” in the Hosa/Zulu dialect of South African – where there are 11 official languages – and was followed by a song about the beauty of the land, “Silang Magele” and “Jabula,” a song sung by a dove during harvest season. “Draaikies” by Dr. Phillip Tabane, was sung in a slang language of South Africa, combining elements of regional and European dialects. An untitled song referenced the pain of separation and was written on toilet paper while in jail. Here, Mahlasela spoke of Africa deserving better because Africa has been giving all along – through slavery, raw materials, and colonization, and still today through the neo-colonization seen by China.
“Our Sand” was dedicated to the San people, who were the first people to walk the earth, also known as Bushmen. The upbeat and joyful Township songs closed the performance, starting with “Jesu” and “Uncolo.” “Unomeva” was inspired by the speakeasies of South Africa and the characters and musicians that were found there. Finally, Mahlasela mentioned the concept of Ubuntu, the quality of human virtues, including humanity, compassion, tolerance, love, among others. “Say Africa” was sung with the audience enthusiastically serving as the chorus. An encore of “Woza” gave a swingtown vibe to the Township we were welcomed into this evening.
Setlist: Ubuhle, Silang Magele, Miyela Africa, Jabula, Amdokwe, Draaikies, When You Come Back, Untitled, Our Sand, Jesu, Uncolo, Unomeva, Say Africa
It was Memorial Day weekend in 1971 when Michael “Eppy” Epstein opened a nightclub in the sleepy town of Rosalyn. “My Father’s Place” hosted some of the hottest up-and-coming acts of the era, including The Ramones, The Police, Blondie, and Talking Heads.
The legendary hot spot closed in 1987, but is now re-opening. To honor the legacy of the club, a documentary entitled “Names are Bullsh*t” is being produced using vintage footage and archival documents. The Kickstarter campaign which runs through today offers Migliori Crypto Metaverso investors the opportunity to get exclusive perks such as t-shirts and their names in the credits of the film. Follow the film on Facebook for updates.
It was a hot night in Buffalo, the same night that Elton John was playing at Key Bank Center for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. Parking was difficult since the Elton John show was a sellout, but neither the heat nor the traffic could deter people from showing strong for Funktional Flow‘s show at Iron Works. Even with a sold out event next door, the Buffalo-based group never fails to draw a crowd of eager attendees to one of their main home-base venues. As per usual, the Funktional Flow team was able to enlist the support of another great act; the Syracuse-based reggae group Root Shock. Anyone coming early was lucky enough to catch a preview of the light show for the night. The lighting at Iron Works was vamped up and prepped to go, with a spectacle of mixed colors and effects. It’s always a pleasure to catch a show here.
Root Shock opened up the night for Funktional Flow
The crowd started flowing through a few minutes into Root Shock’s set. Root Shock came off as a weathered group, utilizing all the tools present in their 6-piece outfit. Guitarist Phil Grajko and Jessica Brown traded off on vocals, while the extended rhythm section showcased their ability to create intricate reggae grooves. Their set had great transitions, giving the audience some slower songs to rock to, and some faster ones to get down. From the balcony of the venue, it was cool to see a group of dancers doing tricks with hula hoops and getting the audience moving. The band also got the crowd dancing, and even played some songs that they’ll be recording this upcoming weekend- always a treat to hear unreleased material. As Root Shock finished, it was a good idea to venture closer to the stage to get a spot near the barrier. One could overhear chatter that there was a line out the door. 11 pm came around and the crowd cheered as Funktional Flow took the stage.
The lighting was a huge highlight for this set. A backdrop of colors and textures adds so much to the atmosphere of the show, and the effects lined up well with the music the band played. You can tell that these Iron Works shows are special by how in sync the band and the sound and light crew were. Funktional Flow’s set was rock solid; their mix of flavorful reggae and funk rock works to great effect live. They also had a couple of feature percussionists for this event: Ryan Nogle on drums and Griffin Brady on auxiliary percussion. This added a lot to the groove which was simultaneously being fortified by Ben Whelan’s melodic and percussive bass lines. Joey Lewis flashed his technical prowess with scathing guitar solos and carried some of the vocal duties along with singer Jefferey Kuebler. One of the coolest parts of these Funktional Flow sets is when Jefferey and Joey lock in on a guitar riff and get a classic rock type guitar duel going. Matthew Lester provided a heap of energy as he ripped solos on the saxophone and held down the keys to round out a huge live sound. The highlight of the night was hearing their original song “Trouble” with the night’s lineup. The album version from Time Will Tell is great, but the added meat from the auxiliary percussion, on top of Nogle’s huge drum sound and lightning fills, differentiated the tune and revealed a whole different dimension of the song. That’s what these live shows are all about! Definitely catch these two bands if they come through your town and be on the lookout for their music.
Matthew Lester provides energy through his stage presence and concise solosBen Whelan (right) holds down the groove while Joey Lewis (middle) nails riff after riffThe variety of lighting textures added to the audience experienceRyan Nogle and Jefferey Kuebler (right) lock in with Ben and Joey (left)Iron Works filled up with eager supporters
The Great NY State Fair is like no other event of the year and set record attendance with over a million attendees meandering the fairgrounds throughout the week, scoping out the best eateries to gorge their faces at, visiting all their favorite exhibits and animal barns, braving the carnival rides, and spending tons of money on winning a super-sized stuffed animal that probably won’t even fit in the car for the ride home. In today’s economy this is one affordable family-filled excursion this has become a family tradition for many. We all have our favorite things and traditions while at the Fair, and the diverse attractions and exhibits offer something for everyone. That’s what makes the Fair the Great New York State Fair!
Another tradition at the Fair is the amazing music fairgoers get to experience for free. When most things are beyond our means, this gift comes with the price of admission and never ceases to amaze me at the quality of acts they are able to get twice a day. This year’s lineup had something for everyone; every genre was represented. Starting the Fair off with a bang on Day One was a mix of rap with Mir Fontane, and rock legends Blondie. You may think that Mir Fontane and Blondie have little in common musically, but I beg to differ. Although “Rapture” was not the first rap song ever to have commercial success, it was the first to hit the charts and, some say, the first to be aired on MTV. Blondie introduced us to a Fab Five Freddy and Grandmaster Flash, as she sang of the “Man from Mars.” Although it was on the B-Side of Walk Like Me, the song grew legs and took off running in 1981, climbing the charts to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Mir Fontane may not be a household name for some, but I didn’t mind him. It’s difficult to describe if he is versed at what he does, as I’m not qualified to judge. But if I was to give a personal opinion here, this wasn’t anything that would make me change the radio station. I would continue to listen. He had a great stage presence and got the audience engaged from the moment he came out.
As the day wore on, the crowds began to fill in as the show time neared. You can always tell when there is a favorite act as the seats begin to fill in earlier than usual. Taking my place up front, I watched and listened to the scuttlebutt of stories of those waiting, sharing with each other memories of Blondie back in the day. Whether it was shows they had seen or songs that they loved, there was a strong connection – one to which I could relate. Back in the ’70s and ’80s, female-fronted bands were a rarity. Blondie was a role model to those who followed music. What made Blondie unique was her ability to be herself and share her craft in her own way, whether it was through her lyrics, her videos, or her presence itself. She was unique and fascinating. Fast forward 40 years and she’s still that beautifully expressive individual.
With an estimated 18,000-20,000 in attendance that first night, she took the stage and it was as though the clock rewound to 1981 for me as she stood there singing all of my favorite hits. Joining her on stage was original member Clem Burke on percussion, with Matt Kitz-Bohan on bass, Leigh Fox on keyboards, and Tommy Kessler on guitar. Although not elaborating, Deborah Harry mentioned Chris Stein’s absence as he was greatly missed by all. Despite being down one member, they were on their ‘A Game’. Belting out both original hits from back in the day and newer recent releases, she captivated the audience and had them on their feet dancing and singing along from song number one. Still marching to the beat of her own drums, her stage ensemble included a cape that said “stop fucking with the planet”, to a ’60s-like swing dress, to an Under Armour neon pink shirt that only she could pull off as the ensemble lit up the stage under black lights. To say she’s still got it is an understatement. She’s got it and, like great wine and whiskey, has only gotten better with age.
The week progressed along nicely with shows and events going off without a hitch. Even when Dickey Betts had to cancel his appearance due to a medical condition, the Fair was able to substitute the Dropkick Murphys in his place without batting an eye. A first time appearance for the Murphys at the State Fair, they were quickly a crowd favorite as attendees began to fill in and pack Chevy Court in anticipation of their favorite Celtic Rock band. People called off work and traveled from all over for this last minute show. Listening to fans share memories of performances at Fenway Park on St. Patrick’s Day, I knew this truly was a score on the part of the Fair.
A Celtic music lover myself, this was a first time performance for me. This Boston-based band has been around since 1996, how they escaped me until today was beyond me – perhaps because they are a little edgier than the bands I normally see at the Irish Festivals. As the Fair prepared for the rowdy crowds this band usually incites, the troopers were placed along the fence line and ready in the event a mosh pit and crowd surfing began. Not that their fans usually get too unruly, but because this was not a normal venue for such activities. As the band began to play, I could certainly see why their fans love them so much. Their energy was off the charts. Frontmen Al Barr and Ken Casey flew around that stage in a non-stop blur for the next hour or so, making it difficult to even photograph them. Fans sang the lyrics verbatim and when Casey came out into the crowd to sing “Rose Tattoo,” they loved it. Heck, I loved seeing that. Artists that are there for their fans garner much respect in my book and this band is known for being down to earth and right there for and with their fans.
The variety of music at the Fair was vast and although I didn’t have a chance to see everyone I wanted due to scheduling conflicts, the quality of acts was unprecedented in my book. A first time look at Live, the band, was enjoyable for many, including myself. Touring with the Counting Crows this summer, they certainly packed a punch, filled the seats on a hot August afternoon, and gave the fans a show heating up the stage for the latter performance.
An arena band for certain, The Counting Crows sell out no matter where they go. In my personal opinion, Adam Duritz and his band are musical geniuses. Their ability to tell a story is more than just the simplistic vantage we are accustomed to in musical lyrics. Their songs are more than just lyrics, they are literature. The story they tell has depth, has feeling, and the characters have emotions. Duritz’s ability to convey this is a gift and I’m moved every time he sings. This was one show I knew I had to make the time for. No matter what is going on, when Counting Crows come to town, I’m there. Duritz seemed very at home with the crowd that night. Sitting, singing, smiling, and engaging with the audience and his band; it was a joy to see him so light hearted. Normally, he’s so focused into his music and performance and serious. That night it was just a jam session with thousands of his closest friends. One of his best performances I’ve seen yet.
There just wasn’t enough time in the day to see everything I wanted. For the most part, the weather held out for all of the shows, with only a few hiccups during the weeks of the Fair. The Lil Yachty show was unfortunately canceled due to rain, and then the incidents that followed the Boogie Wit da Hoodie show will un-foundly fuel the fears of trouble that is often associated with rap acts. Unrelated, other than the trouble makers arrested that were there the same night as that show, we hope the Fair will continue to book rap artists as the majority of those in attendance that evening have rare glimpses in this area to see their favorite rap performers.
As we close the book on the 2018 Great New York State Fair performances, it’s exciting to see what they will begin to schedule for the new Exhibition Center at the fairgrounds. This new facility is huge with state of the art features, and we look forward to seeing the variety they bring there. Hats go off to the staff and coordinators for this year’s events and a job well done.
Blondie: One Way or Another, Hanging on the Telephone (the Nerves cover), Fun, Call Me, Gravity, Rapture, Fragments (an Unkindness cover), Maria, The Tide is High (the Paragons cover), Too Much, Long Time, Atomic, and Heart of Glass
Dropkick Murphys: Kelly’s Kitchen, The Boys Are Back, Prisoner’s Song, Sandlot, Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya, Blood, The State of Massachusetts, Caught in a Jar, I Had a Hat, Sunshine Highway, The Fields of Athenry, Folsom Prison Blues
Live: All Over You, Love Lounge, Pain Lies on the Riverside, The Dolphin’s Cry, Selling the Drama, Baby What You Want Me to Do (Jimmy Reed cover), The Distance, I Alone, Lakini’s Juice, White, Discussion, Encore: Heaven (Ed solo acoustic), Turn My Head (Ed solo acoustic), and Lightning Crashes
Set List Counting Crows: Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby, Catapult, Omaha, Hard Candy, Anna Begins, Miami, Colorblind, God of Ocean Tides, Washington Square, Round Here, Recovering the Satellites, Goodnight LA, A Long December, Mr. Jones, Hanginaround, Encore: Palisades Park, Rain King, and Holiday in Spain
The seventh year of the KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival is underway. Now the largest multi-genre festival in New York State, the 2018 Rochester Fringe Festival offers more than 500 performances and exhibits across dozens of venues. Offerings include theater, comedy, art exhibits, multidisciplinary shows, and live music. Here’s the NYS Music Guide to what music-lovers can look forward to this opening weekend.
https://youtu.be/f2WL6Gy329o
The main attraction this weekend is the outdoor spectacle on Friday and Saturday, featuring the US debut of Massaoke. The UK sensation is sweeping the festival circuit world-wide, playing everyone’s favorite sing-along hits. Catch the act at Parcel 5 on Main Street. Massaoke starts at 8:30pm each night, but live music starts at 5pm. Opening on Friday night are The Crooked North (Americana), La Muralla (salsa), and Vanishing Sun (funk/soul). Saturday night features Chris Eves and The New Normal (rock), EightFingers (country/blues), and Cold Fronts (garage rock from Philadelphia). Parcel 5 events are free and open to the public.
For the night owls, the party continues long into the night at the Immersive Igloo 3D sound experience at Spiegelgarden at 9:30 and 10:30 and the Silent Disco in the Spiegeltent. These two events are ticketed, and sell out quickly. Check ticket availability: Immersive Igloo and Silent Disco.
Silent Disco photo by John Schlia
Looking for something a little more laid-back? Settle in and enjoy some refreshments at local coffee shops and enjoy some free live music.
Java’s Cafe on Gibbs Street hosts eclectic rock/folk band Paxtor at 7 p.m. on Friday. Then on Saturday, they feature acoustic trio The Genesee Three on Saturday at 5 and the eclectic musical stylings of Leah and the Upheaval at 7 p.m.
Around the corner the Little Theatre Cafe has plenty to offer music-lovers, starting with local cover bands B2 and Sad Bastards on Friday night. A full bill on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. includes RIT Surround (a capella barbershop), Proof of Purchase A Capella, The Annual Bill Destler and Rebecca Johnson Show (folk), Norm and The Outliers (jazz), Desert Rhythms (belly dancing), and Howie Lester (international/folk). And the fun continues with interactive shows on Sunday with Music and Visuals with Motion Capture at 1:30 and Virtual Karaoke at 5:30.
Eastman School of Music will be hopping this weekend. Friday night features two performances by the University of Rochester’s Institute for Popular Music: a performance of The Yes Album at 7 p.m. and Led Zeppelin IV at 9 p.m. Dave Rivello’s ensemble performs Saturday Night. And Sunday brings the return of the popular Gospel Sunday at 2 p.m. Gospel Sunday is free, but the room fills to capacity quickly, so arrive early. Tickets are on sale for the other shows at Eastman School of Music’s Killbourn Hall.
U of R Institute for Popular Music
Fans of contemporary dance troupes will want to check out the schedules for PUSH Physical Theatre and Garth Fagan. And if you’re in the mood for a musical, there’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch at 7 p.m. all this weekend or next Thursday and Friday at Lyric Theatre (click here for tickets).
If you’re already looking ahead to next week’s events, you may want to consider heading out on Wednesday night to catch a rare live performance of Instrumental, the soundtrack to the comic of the same name. Author and composer Dave Chisholm released the set last year, and this will be the first time it will be performed with the comic pages projected as the backdrop. More information and tickets are available here.
This is just a taste of what this weekend has to offer in Rochester. A comprehensive list of events can be found at the Rochester Fringe website rochesterfringe.com.
Several events are already selling out. If you plan to attend a show, purchase tickets in advance.
Online: rochesterfringe.com
Phone: (585) 957-9837 (additional fees apply)
Box Office: One Fringe Place (corner of Main & Gibbs Streets)
In Person: Venue door one hour before start of show (subject to availability)
Held the final weekend each and every year, the Great American Irish Festival (GAIF) is one of Central New York’s favorite July events. Mixing it up this year by reducing the numbers of days of the festival to two may have welcomed a few grumbles, but for the most part was a highly successful decision as crowds were full and constant at all of the activities underway. Adding a few choice events this year like Sean Finnerty and Colum Tyrrell, two very funny Irish Comedians from NYC, and a Sip and Paint gave festival goers additional options for fun and frolicking.
You find at this festival there are two types of attendees: the ones that pick a stage and watch from beginning to end and the stage jumpers, such as myself, who try to capture every moment of every artist on all stages. This can become a bit daunting at times, trying to be in two places at once. However, if you were hopping back and forth between stages throughout the weekend you were pleasantly pleased to see that you were able to catch a major portion of each set without missing any of your favorites. The scheduling was meticulously organized so that everyone could enjoy every band. Well done GAIF band schedulers, well done.
Over on the Contemporary Stage Friday night (and Saturday as well), The American Rogues solidified themselves as festival favorites as their high energy ensemble of percussionists ramped up the crowd and laid down the beat that catapulted the weekend into one of the most successful yet. This ever-changing group has more than 17 members that alternate shows throughout the year, hailing from all across the US and Canada. These musicians come together to give fans an electrically charged set of Celtic music at its finest. Meandering around the festival grounds throughout the weekend, there was constant chatter about their new favorites at the festival, The American Rouges.
Under the Traditional Stage’s pavilion, Diana Ladio and Alison Lynn of the Moxie Strings got the party started. These two electrify every crowd they play for with their unique sound of electric cello and fiddle. Their blend of Celtic and classical sounds, blend beautifully to entrance all those that hear them. Joined this evening by special guest David Howley of the band We Banjo 3, and Kian Byrne on Saturday, they set the tone for all those looking forward to a traditional Celtic experience.
Following the Moxie Strings were a trio of sisters, Greta, Willow, and Solana Gothard. The Gothard Sisters have perfected their harmonious style of Celtic renditions over the years growing up in a musical environment together. With oldest sister Greta on guitar, violin, octave mandolin, and vocals; middle sister Willow on violin, mandolin, octave mandolin, bodhran, and vocals; and youngest Solana on violin, bodhran, djembe, whistle, percussion and vocals too, these talented sisters each add their own secret ingredient into the blend that make them a winning recipe. Add in a dash of Irish dancing and these sisters clearly have found the magic to captivate their audience with their melodic playing and angelic tunes.
Arise and Go has become another festival favorite with their upbeat original compositions of traditional Irish music with touches of the Scottish and Canadian influences they’ve acquired through their years of training. Hailing from Ithaca, these three musicians, Ellie Goud, Michael Roddy, and Tim Ball, have blended their unique sounds to create their own sound of Celtic music and beguiled those who had the privilege of catching their set Friday night.
Searson has been a festival favorite for years. Sisters Erin and Colleen Searson were joined by Frazier Gauthier on bass and Dave MacDougall on percussion, and together they brought their Ottawa Valley Celtic traditions to Central New York. Playing on both the Traditional and Contemporary Stages throughout the weekend, it’s not surprising their fans followed them wherever they were as their fiddle playing and step dancing lures you in and gets you moving. Searson has become part of the GAIF family and their live show is one to not miss
As the night progressed back over on the Contemporary Stage, Central New Yorkers welcomed back Enter the Haggis. In past years, Enter the Haggis would typically play a Saranac Thursday then only play the opening night at the GAIF. However, this year would see that tradition end. Focusing their full attention on GAIF this year, festival goers were pleased to welcome them for the entire weekend. Their musical ability to tell a story in the most melodic manner has won over their fans, lovingly referred to as Haggis Heads, time and time again. Their high energy performance ramps up every crowd I’ve ever seen them play for. Singing along to each and every song, this band could step away from the mics if they wanted as the crowd knows each and every word and happily participated throughout the entire weekend. If you haven’t seen Enter the Haggis live, check them out this November as they return to The Wescott Theater for their annual fall show.
This year, festival goers were extremely excited for newcomers We Banjo 3. Making their first appearance at the festival ever, we were honored to welcome them and celebrate the release of their new album Haven the very same night.
I had a chance to speak to the lads before their set about the new album, recording, their history, and although Fergal was jokingly a little put out with his question, fans truly wanted to know the history of the red pants Fergal, I promise. The lads were friendly, silly, and their personalities on camera match their charismatic personalities on stage and they immediately won over the crowd and left them wanting more than just the one evening they were here for. This is one band that festival goers want more from so stay tuned for upcoming shows in the area. You will be happily surprised as dates are announced.
Completing the Friday night lineup,The Elders took the stage. The weather advisory for a massive downpour wouldn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, because their favorite musicians from Kansas City were in town. This group has become family to GAIF over the 11 years of playing here in Central NY and they poured out their souls to those who could stuff underneath the massive circus tent of the Contemporary Stage as the rain poured down outside. Joined by friends from Searson,The Moxie Strings, We Banjo 3,and Enter the Haggis throughout the night on stage, it was like a family reunion of sorts. The love and respect they have for one another together with the love from the fans out front of the stage made for a magical evening of music.
Saturdays’ activities began bright and early for the annual 5K Ranger Run and Highland Games. As gates opened, crowds poured in and tents and stages filled up quickly with those vying for the best seats in the house for their favorite bands.
On the schedule for Saturday was local favorites, Blarney Rebel Band, Rochester’s 1916, a return from the American Rogues, festival favorites Barleyjuice, Enter the Haggis, and capping off the night was the final performance of The Elders on the Contemporary Stage. Over to the Traditional Stage, attendees welcomed back locals Craobh Dugan, Triskele, Stoutmen, Donal O’Shaughnessy, House of Hamill, Moxie Strings, The Gothard Sisters, Hair of the Dog, and last but certainly not least, Searson.
House of Hamill, featuring Brian Buchanan from Enter the Haggis and his wife Rose Baldino, formerly from Burning Bridget Cleary, made their first appearance at the festival together. These two have a magical musical chemistry on stage. Between the two of them, they have more than 25 years of writing and performing under their belt and their collaborations on stage clearly reflect this. As they lovingly bantered and played around on stage, they clearly won over their audience and left them wanting more.
1916 has performed at GAIF before, but this year’s performance may be the first time several concert goers were able to take in their set (such as myself). As I was walking in to the festival I met up with Jon Kane, one of the band members, and I asked him to describe their sound. He described them to a “T” for me. He said it’s a mix of ‘Celtic rock meets Johnny Cash’. Spot on, Jon. It was exactly that and I loved them. In the middle of the afternoon their jumping around and thumping on stage got everyone up out of their seats, making this afternoon performance one of the most energized sets all weekend. If you haven’t had the chance to check them out, do so. They hail from Rochester, NY and central New Yorkers can get a peek as they play all over the state. You can thank me later.
Barleyjuice has become another of the Great American Irish Festival’s regular performers. Each year, attendees clamor to get up front for their “in your face” and gritty renditions of Celtic rock music. This band never ceases to please a crowd and once again left it all on stage for those who had the chance to see their set.
One traditional that never changes at the Great American Irish Festival is the Mass Pipe Band March on Saturday evening. Competing all weekend, the participating bands group and march throughout the festival to the field in which winners in each category are announced. Once there, they play and perform together brining chills to all that witness – another “must see” event.
As the night wore on, the time came that everyone had dreaded, the final performance of their favorite band, The Elders. How could it be that the band that won their hearts would no longer be coming back? For many, it’s why they came to the festival each and every year. Last year’s void was felt and this year’s goodbye was bittersweet for both band members and festival attendees.
Tears were had by many as songs they knew they would never hear again, were sung one final time. As the night wore on, friends from other bands joined them for one final collaboration. It was an energetic, wistfully sad night. They won the hearts of all many years ago, and left their hearts on stage with their fans. As they end touring, they took the time to share their final thoughts with those here in Central New York. Take a peek below at a message they sent to each and every one of you.
As Sunday morning came, and breaking with the tradition, mass was held in Utica at St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s Church. Across from the newly built Irish Cultural Center, the congregation was serenaded with traditional bagpipes and music. In time, as the Center is completed, mass will be held within for all to enjoy.
Change is never easy. Whether it’s change in the number of days of a the festival, the addition of new things or the elimination of favorite things, it never gets easier. But change can be good. Change should be embraced as with change comes new opportunities. The Great American Irish Festival is an amazing event. It’s run entirely on volunteerism. Volunteers are what makes this festival great, and what makes it run smoothly. There have been changes throughout the years, some good, some not so good. But I urge each of you to embrace these changes and give this festival your support. Like any great team, it’s a winning formula that makes it click. Fans of sports teams don’t jump ship when they loose, they stand with them until they get the right mix. So I urge all that may have stopped going, or no longer volunteer, or stopped being a part of this event to give it another chance. Take a peek at the Great American Irish Festival site and give some feedback to how you think it can improve. The team wants to make things perfect for all that attend and your feedback is critical to making the right changes. For all those who have never given up, thank you. Thank you for believing in the Great American Irish Festival, because after talking to so many from all over the world, it truly is considered by those who perform and attend to be The Great American Irish Festival.
There’s nothing better in the world than good music, food, and dancing to make an event successful. The 23rd annual Albany Latin Fest had no problem delivering on those three markers and much more. The event was proudly presented by the Albany Latin Fest Association (ALFA) at Washington Park in Albany, NY. The event was a cultural mashup celebrating the best of the best of the Latin culture and influence in the world around us. Thousands of attendees from all backgrounds banded together to destroy barriers and appreciate the contributions made by Hispanics in an international scale. With live performances from Bachata Heightz, Don Sonero, Cuboricua, and local acts, the event was one of the largest turnouts the organization’s history.
In it’s 14th exciting return to the stage, the New York Gypsy Festival will once again be celebrating the stellar beauty of Gypsy music at the downtown venue DROM this fall. The event is a prideful display of universal love for music and also includes performers from Canada to Russia. Loved for its wide spectrum of genres and culturally rich showmanship, listeners will be exposed to “flamenco, southern Italian folk, turbo-punk, Indian, Balkan brass, funk, and more.”
The festival’s continued appearance in NYC can only be considered fitting as it is a place of inclusiveness and appreciation for the arts. As any real music lover would agree, listening is only one part of experiencing the music. The New York Gypsy Festival prides itself on shocking its spectators with intricate dancing, authentic outfits, and demonstrating the emotional connection each performer has with their respective culture.
See dates below:
Sept. 6 – Dobranotch (Russia)
Sept. 14 – Underground Horns (New York)
Sept. 20 – Romashka (New York)
Sept. 25 – Barbara Martinez (New York)
Sept. 26 – Lemon Bucket Orchestra (Canada)
Sept. 28 – Original Quartet by Javier Limon (Boston)
Oct. 3 – NY Gypsy All-Stars (New York)
October 5 – Newpoli (Boston)
Culture and nationalism are often based around beloved traditions, zany family, tasty food and festive music alike. For its 23rd year in operation, Albany LATIN FEST calls on the diversity and flavor of Hispanic culture in the Capital Region to come together for a family-oriented day filled with live talent, traditional recipes, arts and craft vendors, child entertainment, information booths and more.
Albany’s Washington Park acts at the event’s annual stomping grounds from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25. LATINFEST celebrates the widespread diversity and beauty of Hispanic cultural heritage and pinpoints the contributions made by Hispanic Americans on all levels from local and state to national and international. Through this non-profit organization and event, the community is given a unified voice to speak for an often under served and underrepresented group of people.
Having already created a name for themselves in the Capital Region, the annual celebration is chock-full of musical acts both local and international and provides the ability for patrons and businesses to engage with one another in an effort to address world issues and disaster relief aid.
In 2017 after hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, ALFA crafted Una Noche Espléndida where all proceeds went to the Puerto Rico Disaster Relief Fund as well as a Benefit Concert where all money would go to Puerto Rico Disaster Relief. Over $10,000 were raised in an extremely rewarding effort.
This year, attendees can look forward to letting loose to the Latin flavor from three well-known acts. Bachata Heightz began as four men in Manhattan, veering away from the streets and towards their musical passions. Climbing the ladder of success, they’re sure to bring tropical hip hop vibes while the south Bronx’s Don Sonero welcomes salsa beats to the stage paired with creative lyricism and social messages. Also making an appearance on the lineup is the seven-piece, Conjunto Cuboricua, ready to unleash the mixed musical stylings of Cuba and Puerto Rico with meringue and Caribbean nods as one of the Hudson Valley’s favorite acts.
Past festivals have displayed talents such as Tony Vega, Ray de la Paz, Jorge Blanco, Raulin Rosendo, Hector Tricoche, Alex Torres & his Latin Orchestra, Tito Rojas, Tony Swing, Anissa Gathers, Michael Stuart, Ismael Miranda, Jose Alberto ‘El Canario’, Chembo Corniel, Puerto Rican Power, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Frankie Negron, Kevin Ceballo, Luisito Carrion, Nestor Torres, Jimmy Bosch, Brenda K. Starr, Choco Orta, Larry Harlow and the Latin Legends, Joe Cuba, and many others.
Check out the Albany Latin Fest musical schedule below:
August 25 at Washington Park:
11 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. – Washington Park Rumberos
11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Triquis Sin Fronteras
12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. – SUNY Albany Great Danes Marching Band
A Celtic music lover myself, this was a first time performance for me. This Boston-based band has been around since 1996, how they escaped me until today was beyond me – perhaps because they are a little edgier than the bands I normally see at the Irish Festivals. As the Fair prepared for the rowdy crowds this band usually incites, the troopers were placed along the fence line and ready in the event a mosh pit and crowd surfing began. Not that their fans usually get too unruly, but because this was not a normal venue for such activities. As the band began to play, I could certainly see why their fans love them so much. Their energy was off the charts. Frontmen Al Barr and Ken Casey flew around that stage in a non-stop blur for the next hour or so, making it difficult to even photograph them. Fans sang the lyrics verbatim and when Casey came out into the crowd to sing “Rose Tattoo,” they loved it. Heck, I loved seeing that. Artists that are there for their fans garner much respect in my book and this band is known for being down to earth and right there for and with their fans.
One traditional that never changes at the Great American Irish Festival is the Mass Pipe Band March on Saturday evening. Competing all weekend, the participating bands group and march throughout the festival to the field in which winners in each category are announced. Once there, they play and perform together brining chills to all that witness – another “must see” event.
