My Morning Jacket front man, Jim James has announced a fall solo tour with support from Alynda Segarra from Hurray for the Riff Raff.
Tour kicks off on the West Coast on November 2, and includes stops in NY on Nov. 13 at Town Hall in New York City and Nov. 14 at Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. James will be accompanied by drummer David Givan as he performs a career-spanning setlist. Tickets are on sale starting July 22, a week before the release of his third solo album, Uniform Distortion.
James is hosting a free listening party to celebrate his new release at Rough Trade NYC Tuesday, June 19. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tour Dates:
Nov. 2 – Cathedral Sanctuary – Los Angeles, CA
Nov. 3 – Fox Theatre – Oakland, CA
Nov. 5 – The Commonwealth Room – Salt Lake City, UT
Nov. 6 – Paramount Theatre – Denver, CO
Nov. 8 – The Pabst Theater – Milwaukee, WI
Nov. 9 -The Vic – Chicago, IL
Nov. 10 – The Agora Theatre – Cleveland, OH Nov. 13 – Town Hall – New York, NY Nov. 14 – Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, NY
Nov. 16 – Shubert Theatre – Boston, MA
Nov. 17 – Lincoln Theatre – Washington, DC
Nov. 19 – The Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
Nov. 20 – Schermerhorn Symphony Center – Nashville, TN
Nov. 21 – The Louisville Palace – Louisville, KY
The fourth annual Brooklyn Comes Alive was just announced and will include it’s fan favorite venues, Brooklyn Bowl, Music Hall of Williamsburg and the latest addition, Rough Trade. With this new addition it make all the venues with in a 6-block walking radius from one to the next. Brooklyn Comes Alive is set to take place Sept. 29.
Poster courtesy of Brooklyn Comes Alive press release.
The one day festival has 50+ artists including some of the best all-star tribute sets and one-time-only super-groups. Brooklyn Comes Alive allows the 50+ artists to carry out passion projects, play with their musical heroes and collaborate in never-before-seen formations. Past performing tributes have included Herbie Hancock, Earth Wind & Fire, the Allman Brothers, Jamiroquai, and Green Day over the last three years. Brooklyn Comes Alive is known for giving bands like [Br]eaking [Bi]scuits(members of the Disco Biscuits and Break Science), their debut and are now known for having nationally touring projects.
New this year is the Jam Room Presented by Jam Cruise. The Jam Room is a staple of the Jam Cruises and allows artists to collaborate in an open, relaxed atmosphere, put together by three hand-picked curators.
Each attendee will receive a wristband that grants access to every venue and makes hopping from set to set easy to go from one venue to another. Blind faith on-sale for general admission and VIP tickets for the event will begin on on June 20. The 2018 lineup will be announced soon.
The Baltimore based quartet, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, announced their fall 2018 tour dates after performing this past weekend, at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, TN.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong tour dates
The performance very well be their largest one to date and acted as a good momentum for the band to release these dates. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong is known for their enthusiastic, high-energy, psychedelic funk. Their infectious electro-funk grooves, undeniable live energy and contagious smiles have their rabid fanbase “the Flock” growing exponentially
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong are making their debut at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on July 12th with moe. Their fall tour starts in September and has The Kitchen Dwellers and Andy Frasco providing support on select dates.
Tickets for newly announced dates go on sale this coming Friday, June 15th at 10 am local time. Certain dates have a local presale starting Thursday, June 14th.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
^ w/ moe.
* w/ The Kitchen Dwellers
+ w/ Andy Frasco
June 22 – Road Jam Music Fest – Stratford, CT
June 28 – Party In The Park – Rochester, NY
June 30 – Wooden Cask Brewing – Newport, KY
July 5 – 9 – High Sierra Music Festival – Quincy, CA
July 12 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre ^ – Morrison, CO July 14 – Great South Bay Music Festival – Patchogue, NY
July 19 – 22 – Peach Music Festival – Scranton, PA
July 26 – Paddy’s Beach Club -Westerly, RI
July 28 – Tumble Down Music Festival – Burlington, VT
Aug. 2 – 4 – Werk Out Music & Arts Festival – Thornville, OH
Aug. 23 -26 – Lockn’ – Arrington, VA Aug. 31 – Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY
Sept. 1 – The Haunt – Ithaca, NY Sept. 2 – Adirondack Independence Festival – Lake George, NY
Sept. 26 – George’s Majestic * – Fayetteville, AR
Sept. 27 – Granada * – Dallas, TX
Sept. 28 – Last Concert Cafe * – Houston, TX
Sept. 29 – Mohawk * – Austin, TX
Oct. 2 – Crescent Ballroom * – Phoenix, AZ
Oct. 3 – Belly Up Tavern * – Solana Beach, CA
Oct. 4 -5 – Teragram Ballroom * – Los Angeles, CA
Oct. 6 – Regency Ballroom* – San Francisco, CA
Oct. 8 – The Catalyst – Santa Cruz, CA
Oct. 10 – Arcata Theatre+ – Arcata, CA
Oct. 11 – The Domino Room+ – Bend, OR
Oct. 12 – Wonder Ballroom+ – Portland, OR
Oct. 13 – Neptune+ – Seattle, WA
Oct. 14 – Top Hat Lounge+ – Missoula, MT
Oct. 16 – Rialto – Bozeman, MT
Dec. 12 -16 – Holidaze – Puerto Morelos, Mexico
For more information visit Pigeons Playing Ping Pong’s Website.
Four additional artists have been added to Night Lights Festival’s 2018 lineup including the Syracuse-based band Sophistafunk and a supergroup featuring members of moe., Dopapod, Aqueous and Mungion in a tribute to Pink Floyd.
Sophistafunk courtesy of their website.
Sophistafunk is known not only for it’s 90’s hip hop vibes but for it’s fusion of funk and jam. After the success of their recent single “No More War” on the national circuit their 2018 got a lot busier with additions to their tour including the Night Lights Festival.
Night Lights Festival takes place August 23-25 at Heron grounds in Sherman, NY. This is the festival’s eighth year and will spread over three nights and three stages. This year the festival is trying to diversify it’s lineup and will be featuring a variety of artists spanning over genres. In addition to the music, activities will include yoga, hiking, mushroom walks, and light installations. There will also be food, craft beer, craft artisans and a variety of vendors available on site.
Tickets are $125 in advance. Camping and a Thursday pre-party are included in all weekend passes. Friday and Saturday single day passes are also available. Parking is not included. Gates open at 12 p.m. on Thursday. The lineup for Night Light Festival is listed below.
Complete Lineup:
Lotus, The Motet, Aqueous X 2, FEARLESS – PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE will feature. Chuck Garvey (moe), Mike Gantzer & Evan McPhaden (Aqueous), Eli Winderman (Dopapod) and Matt Kellen (Mungion), Octave Cat ft. Jesse Miller (Lotus), Eli Winderman (Dopapod), Charlie Patierno Anomalie, Tropidelic, Bumpin Uglies, Sophistafunk (tribute to 90’s Hip Hop), lespecial, Pappy (of Cabinet), Wild Adriatic (Led Zeppelin Tribute), Upstate Rubdown, Boss Tweed and the Carpetbaggers, Gatos Blancos, Funktional Flow, Danielle Ponder & the Tomorrow People, Dynohunter x 2, Root Shock, Space Junk x 2 (Disco Biscuits Tribute), Holy Hand Grenade, Lazlo Hollyfeld, Intrepid Travelers, Folkfaces, Soul Roach, Buffalo Brass Machine, Cold Lazarus, Psychedelic Jukebox, Cypher, Kaleidoscope Sky, The Good Neighbors, Able Footing, Neon Veins
For more information on Night Lights Music Festival visit their website.
For more information on Sophistafunk visit their website.
One of New York’s most important indie rock bands, Interpol, is returning to the stage in support of its upcoming album Marauder, which is set to drop on Aug. 24.
Interpol, well known for songs such as “PDA,” “Obstacle 1,” and “Evil,” performed their latest single “The Rover” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last week.
This will be the sixth studio album from the band since receiving critical success for its debut album Turn on the Bright Lights back in 2002.
The band has announced a world tour with US dates beginning on Sept. 11 in Boston and will finish at home in New York City on Feb. 16 at Madison Square Garden. They will be joined by fellow Matador recording artists Car Seat Headrest and Snail Mail.
Interpol will be having another show in New York on Aug. 24 at Brooklyn’s House of Vans. That will be a free show for fans who will be able RSVP in time.
Tickets for Interpol’s tour will be on sale Thursday, June 14 at 10 a.m.
Interpol Tour Dates:
June 25 – Arena Wien Open Air – Wien, Austria – w/ Paramount Styles
June 26 – Sexto Nplugged – Sesta Al Reghena, Italy – w/ Covent Garden
June 27 – INmusic Festival – Zagreb, Croatia
July 1 – TRNSMT Festival Glasgow, UK
July 5 – Roskilde Festival – Roskilde, Denmark
July 7 – Hyde Park London, UK – w/ The Cure
Aug. 23 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA – w/ Honduras Aug. 24 – House of Vans – Brooklyn, NY
Sept. 11 – Orpheum Theatre – Boston, MA – w/ Sunflower Bean
Sept. 12 – Olympia Theatre – Montreal, QC – w/ Sunflower Bean
Sept. 13 – Rebel – Toronto, ON – w/ Sunflower Bean
Sept. 14-16 – Riot Fest – Chicago, IL
Sept. 16 – Royal Oak Theatre – Detroit, MI – w/ Sunflower Bean
Sept. 17 – Express Live! Indoor Stage – Columbus, OH – w/ Sunflower Bean
Sept. 27 – Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX – w/ Sunflower Bean
Sept. 28 – Bass Concert Hall – Austin, TX – w/ Sunflower Bean
Sept. 29 – White Oak Music Hall Lawn – Houston, TX – w/ Sunflower Bean
Oct. 1 – The Van Buren – Phoenix, AZ – w/ Sunflower Bean
Oct. 4 – Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles, CA – w/ The Kills, Sunflower Bean
Oct. 5 – SDSU Open Air Theater – San Diego, CA – w/ The Kills, Sunflower Bean
Oct. 6 – Greek Theatre – Berkeley, CA – w/ The Kills, Sunflower Bean
Nov. 6 – Akasaka Blitz – Tokyo, Japan
Nov. 14 – Royal Albert Hall – London, UK – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
Nov. 16 – O2 Apollo – Manchester, UK – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
Nov. 18 – Olympia Theatre – Dublin, Ireland – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
Nov. 23 – Mehr! Theater – Hamburg, Germany – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
Nov. 24 – TAP1 – Copenhagen, Denmark – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
Nov. 25 – Tempodrom – Berlin, Germany – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
Nov. 27 – Tivoli Vredenburg – Utrecht, Netherlands – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
Nov. 28 – Forest National – Brussels, Belgium – w/ Nilüfer Yanya
Nov. 29 – La Salle Pleyel – Paris, France – w/ Nilüfer Yanya Feb. 16 – Madison Square Garden – New York, NY – w/ Car Seat Headrest, Snail Mail
During the seemingly unending winter, Rochesterians yearn for a glimpse of the warming sun. As soon as the summer hits however, a large number of them start ducking in and out of dark halls, churches theaters and clubs, now yearning for a glimpse of some of the greatest musical talent the world over. From June 22 through 30, 2018 Rochester Jazz Fest will once again become one of the hottest destinations for live jazz, and music in general. The 17th edition of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Fest is bringing 1500 artists from 20 countries to play over 300 shows in 20 different venues. 214 club pass shows, 97 free shows and 5 headliner shows all happening over a 9-day stretch inside 1 square mile. That’s a lot of numbers to crunch, and you just want to see some music. Thankfully we’re here to do the math, calculating the perfect slate for any music lover. Whatever you’re pleasure, there’s a number that fits. Check out our picks below, and don’t forget to also read our tips for the best way to enjoy your time at the fest.
1 Voice
These are the singers we’ll have our eyes on:
https://youtu.be/JJYzPOYHOao
Songs of Freedom Drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. originally put together this show for a special gig at Lincoln Center. It features not just one, but three amazing voices singing songs from not just one but three iconic singers. The show explores the 1960s through through the music of Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell and Abbey Lincoln and will feature the singers Theo Bleckmann, Alicia Olatuja and Joanna Majoko.
June 27, Kilbourn Hall, 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $35 or Club Pass
Zara McFarlane An award-winning singer from the UK with roots in the Caribbean, McFarlane’s sound adds reggae and soul to a jazz base, but it doesn’t stop there in breaking down new barriers in music. She’s in the thick of a new and young British jazz renaissance and is joined on her latest release by XRIJF alums Moses Boyd, Binker Goldings and Shabaka Hutchings. This won’t be your typical jazz vocal set.
June 25, Christ Church, 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
The Suffers
We could easily throw this Houston band into the next category because they’ll certainly get you moving with their big band Gulf Coast soul music, but it all comes back to Kam Franklin and her big time pipes. They’ve wowed at many a festival all around the world, but now it’s Rochester’s turn.
June 28, Harro East, 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Also check out:
Liz Vice June 27, Montage Music Hall, 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Deva Mahal June 30, Harro East, 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
2 Feet
In the mood to dance? Here are some artists that will get your body moving:
St. Germain An innovator of house music, St. Germain is the stage name of Frenchman Ludovic Navarre. He combines jazz, blues and African music with electronic music. Even if you’ve never heard of him, you’ve likely heard him, his songs like “Alabama Blues” and “Rose Rouge” were widespread hits. Even his music that is now decades old sounds fresh and new today.
June 29, City of Rochester East Ave and Chestnut St Stage, 9:00 p.m.; Free
Tower of Power
Going further back, Tower of Power have been blasting their tunes for 50 years and are celebrating as such all year. As appropriate a name in a band as you will find, this horn-based funk and R&B band is truly a towering power, with charting hits like “You’re Still a Young Man”, “So Very Hard to Go”, “What Is Hip?”, and “Don’t Change Horses (in the Middle of a Stream)”.
June 30, City of Rochester East Ave and Chestnut St Stage, 9:00 p.m.; Free
Moon Hooch
Moon Hooch resides somewhere in between St. Germain and Tower of Power, the up-and-coming three piece combines bombastic saxophones with eclectic drumming to arrive in an electronic music space via a more organic path. It’s unique and will make your mind spin, but it’ll also get your feet moving.
June 24, Rochester Regional Health Big Tent, 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
June 25, Montage Music Hall, 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Also check out:
Ghost-Note with Mononeon June 27, Harro East, 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
June 28, Squeezers Stage at Anthology, 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Mwenso and the Shakes June 23, Xerox Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
6 Strings
Here are some musicians that will be lighting fires with axes:
Scott Sharrard
You may have caught Sharrard a couple of years ago as a part of the late Greg Allman’s band when he headlined at the Eastman Theatre. Sharrard was a long-time member and musical director of Allman’s band, but he also has a long solo career of his own. Now he’s fronting his Brickyard Band, playing raw and vital blues rock. They’ll be bringing material from their forthcoming album, Saving Grace.
June 22, City of Rochester East Ave and Chestnut St Stage, 9:00 p.m.; Free June 23, City of Rochester Jazz St Stage, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; Free
Stephane Wrembel
The mantra of the festival might be “It’s not who you know, it’s who you don’t know,” though after 17 years it’s tough not to have return visits. Wrembel is coming back for the 5th time, and has been a fan favorite every year. He returns almost yearly for non-festival shows and even recorded a live album in town at the Lovin’ Cup a few years ago. We probably don’t need to tell you, but you won’t want to miss his set this year either.
June 29, Max of Eastman Place, 6:15 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Ron Artis II and the Truth
If you’re looking for a fresh-faced axe slinger to blow you away, look no further than Ron Artis. This Hawaiian band oozes soul and backs it with exhilarating instrumentation. They’ll bring material from their recently released debut album, Soul Street, and will leave town with a whole bunch of new fans.
June 22, Rochester Regional Health Big Tent, 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
June 23, Montage Music Hall, 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Also check out:
Jack Broadbent June 23, Harro East, 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass June 24, Xerox Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Torben Waldorff June 27, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
50 Stars, 13 Stripes
That’s the flag we’re referencing there, and these are acts steeped in Americana:
Pokey Lafarge
Another returnee, Pokey Lafarge is coming back to the festival after six years away. In our review of his Lilac Festival set a few years back, we noted “his music does pull from many early music influences like Western swing, ragtime, old-time country and jazz, it manages to rise above a simple throwback.”
June 29, City of Rochester Stage at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 9:00 p.m.; Free
Alison Krauss
Grammy-winning bluegrass, folk and country singer Alison Krauss comes to the festival behind her critically-acclaimed new album Windy City, her first without Union Station in a decade. Her smooth-as-silk voice will be even more front and center than usual and the show will be as captivating as you’ve come to expect.
June 27, Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 8:00 p.m.;$115/$105/$85/$70 or Club Pass
Dustbowl Revival
One of our favorite finds from last year’s fest, Dustbowl Revival, “a string band with a horn section, used each of its eight pieces to their advantage, moving from swing to ska to folk to blues to funk to rock and everything in between.” Anyone who caught them last year will certainly be on their way to see them again.
June 24, Harro East, 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Also check out:
Junior Brown June 26, Squeezers Stage at Anthology, 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
As always there’s plenty of piano talent to go around, these are the ones we’re most excited to check out:
The Bad Plus
Genre-bending trio The Bad Plus premiered material from a forthcoming album featuring singer Wendy Lewis at the festival in 2008. It was quite the surprise at the time. Ten years later they finally return, and again have a lineup change. Pianist Ethan Iverson left the band at the end of last year, and was replaced by Orrin Evans. The band promptly released a new album, Never Stop II, and we’ll get a peek at some of that material and a lot more.
June 23, Temple Building, 7:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Pilc Moutin Hoenig Heavily improvised and inventive, this trio out of New York featuring Jean-Michel Pilc, Francoise Moutin and Ari Hoenig. Each brings their individual instrumental prowess together to form something wholly unique. For the full experience, you can also catch Pilc perform solo piano at the Hatch Hall on the next night (at 5:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.).
June 28, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Gogo Penguin
They played their first ever North American gig in Rochester when they nearly topped our list of the 10 best sets of the 2015 festival. They’ve expanded their reach and have been winning fans the world over. “The music is thoroughly melodic, not veering into traditional solos, and taking cues from both classical and pop music for a unique sound that isn’t immediately identifiable as jazz.” Our most anticipated returning artist is a toss-up between Gogo Penguin and The Bad Plus. We wouldn’t miss either!
June 28, Xerox Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Also check out:
Django Bates Beloved June 23, Christ Church, 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
The skies the limit with these artists who push the boundaries of music:
House of Waters
It’s your one chance to see the hammered dulcimer at the festival, so thankfully it’s a player, Max ZT who NPR calls the “Jimi Hendrix of hammered dulcimer.” Forget everything you know about the instrument as ZT has all but reinvented the sound. With jazz bassist Moto Fukushima and South American drummer Ignacius Rivas Bixio, House of Waters creates a musical blend unlike any you’ve ever heard.
June 26, Max of Eastman Place, 6:15 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Matt Wilson’s Honey and Salt Band
Wilson’s latest project, the Honey and Salt Band, plays music inspired by, and including the words of the poetry of Carl Sandburg. It is off-beat and quirky, funny and fun and will have you smiling ear to ear for the duration of their set. You kind of just need to go see it.
June 30, Kilbourn Hall, 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $35 or Club Pass
Beats and Pieces Big Band
A big band for the next generation, bandleader Ben Cottrell conducts this 14-piece outfit out of Manchester, England. Their music is equal parts rocking, jazzy and ethereal. The band’s lineup hasn’t changed much in ten years making for a supremely tight group that has incredible agility for a band of this size. Expect the unexpected.
June 24, Christ Church, 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Also check out:
Trail of Souls June 25, Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Shake Stew June 27, Xerox Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.; $30 or Club Pass
Be sure and check out the full schedule and download the app at rochesterjazz.com to construct your own nightly schedule.
The Thursday on the Village Green concert series is kicking off on July 12th in Hamilton, NY. The concert series takes place in downtown Hamilton and is known for being a 100-year tradition with music on the Village Green dating back to 1902.
Courtesy of Thursdays on the Village Green press release.
There’s a family-friendly theme to go alongside the concert each night this year in hopes of expanding on the traditional musical performances by incorporating these family-friendly themed nights. The family themed activities will start at 5:30 p.m. and music will take place from 7-9 p.m. There will also be local food trucks and 200 ice cream sandwiches provided each week by Hood Dairy. The concert series has no cover charge and is open to the public.
The kick-off event is on July 12th and will include the American Blues Roots band Chris Merkley’s Rocky Bottom Trio paired with a First Responders Night where the local police and ambulance will be present.
Event dates listed below:
July 12 – Chris Merkley’s Rocky Bottom Trio and First Responders Night – Hamilton, NY
July 19 – The Old Main and Comic-Con Night – Hamilton, NY
July 26 – Loren Barrigar and Education Night – Hamilton, NY
Aug. 2 – Nate Gross Band and Racing Night with Matt Janczuk – Hamilton, NY
Aug. 9- Sanguine Penguin and Healthy Hamilton Night – Hamilton, NY
Aug. 16 – JJ Murphy and Veterans Night – Hamilton, NY
Central New York funky big band, Big Mean Sound Machine announced summer tour dates through June and July throughout New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The stretch of shows leads up to the fourth annual Big Mean BBQ festival in August.
The festival is set to take place in Trumansburg, just outside Ithaca. Curated by Big Mean the festival has extended to a two-day weekend, featuring over 22 bands and two headlining performances by the band themselves.
Weekend camping and RV passes are on sale now, to purchase passes head to the festival’s website. It l kicks off on Saturday Aug. 24 and features bands Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, Driftwood, the Blind Owl Band, Marco Benevento and Kat Wright. For the full list of participating acts and ticket information, visit the festival website.
Nestled near the west bank of the Genesee River, Kaleidoscope Collective invites you to step into your new favorite dance venue, Ecstatic Dance Rochester. Trying something new is never out of season, and whether you’re new to ecstatic dance or well versed in the art of spontaneous movement, all are welcome to join us in our cozy dance studio and allow the music to take you wherever you want to go.
At an ecstatic dance event, you set the mood for your own dance experience. The soundtrack of the evening is curated by either a DJ or live musical act. It begins with tranquil tones to ease you in, each song building the intensity up to a musical climax of heavy bass to get your heart pumping- feel free to twerk it out if you feel so inclined. The music will come full circle as the soundtrack gradually descends back to a calming state, creating a dynamic, fulfilling experience that offers opportunities to play with whatever type of movement the music inspires you to explore.
Dance alone, dance with your friends, or dance with someone new. If you want to explore movement with someone new, be respectful and ask for consent. Not sure how? A fun and non-invasive way to dance with someone is to mirror their movements. If you want to make contact, try reaching a hand out. If it’s not reciprocated, that’s okay. Not everyone wants a dance partner. Remember- no talking! Part of ecstatic dance is learning to navigate the realm of nonverbal communication.
As our collaborator Arthur Gold eloquently phrased it, “This is a no booze, no shoes/inside shoes event so wear your fanciest of socks and pack your swankiest water bottle.” That being said, if you need shoes for comfort and/or medical reasons, that is perfectly okay. If you want to take a break from dancing or chat with a friend, relax on a comfy couch in the lounge attached to the studio. If you fancy a cup of tea, an eclectic selection of teas will be available for purchase to soothe your senses courtesy of Stick Joint Teahouse.
Join us Tuesday, June 26 at 7pm for the first Ecstatic Dance Rochester event! We will facilitate some quick introductions to get acquainted before dancing begins at 7:30pm. We’ll groove until 8:45, and round out the evening with a quick debrief to reflect on the experience and get feedback for future events. Ecstatic Dance Rochester will meet monthly with future events scheduled for July 17, August 7 and September 25.
This event is $15 at the door, with sliding scale donations accepted. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Don’t miss out on this exciting new movement happening in Rochester. Join our community.
Ben & Jerry’s is launching a partnership with Phish. It’s a third flavor to celebrate the 21st anniversary of The WaterWheel Foundation. The flavor is called, “It’s Ice… Cream” and is a twist on the classic Phish flavor, “Phish Food.”
It’s Ice… Cream
The “It’s Ice… Cream” flavor features a caramel malt ice cream with almond toffee pieces, fudge fish and a caramel swirl and was actually one of the original flavor concepts in the running back in 1997 when creating the flavor, “Phish Food.” A portion of all proceeds will benefit The WaterWheel Foundation which was created by Phish in 1997. The foundation was created to oversee the band’s various charitable activities.
These charitable activities include Phish Food’s support of a clean Lake Champlain and its surrounding basin, relief funds created post-natural disaster eras for both the state of Vermont and the island of Tortola, and a cancer research fund as well as supporting a large sphere of needs including social services, primarily those benefiting women and children; environmental, with a focus on clean water and land conservation with public access; as well as food banks, urban gardening and arts education.Since its creation WaterWheel has managed to donated over $4,000,000 to organization across the country.
The flavor, “It’s Ice…Cream” was named after the 1991 Phish song “It’s Ice.” The artwork on the container of the ice cream was created by renowned Phish poster artist, Jim Pollock. But the artwork on the Ben & Jerry’s pint isn’t the only art available. Ben & Jerry’s will be offering a merchandise gift pack available in limited quantities through store.benjerry.com, which includes a special poster design by Pollock. All proceeds of merchandise sales will directly benefit The WaterWheel Foundation.
